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Lesser Ring by Larner	5 Review(s)
lindahoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 8/27/2005
I enjoyed this chapter from the Harad viewpoint,as it is easy to forget how people suffer in countries regarded as "the enemy". I hope both Harad ladies will be happy. I am sure our Queen would bow to an exceptional individual.What I meant about Aragorn bowing to the Fazoi is that it seemed to imply Gondor was subservient to Harad as both are seen as one with their lands !I suppose before there was the media though,it would not matter the same ! Author Reply: Good grief--I missed this one! Yes, I suspect that Queen Elizabeth would bow to someone she felt truly deserved it such as a true war hero or even someone who risked all saving folk in a major disaster. I see what you mean about the possibility of bowing to a fellow monarch possibly being misconstrued; but I find I like the thought of Aragorn recognizing the sovereignty of others in their own lands. Rather liked the movie shot of him kneeling with the folk of Edoras after Theoden's healing, myself. And it's as important for the Gondorians to understand the Haradrim as it is for the Haradrim to begin understanding the Gondorians at this point. Thanks so much for all your feedback.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 8/27/2005
I enjoyed the 'tea party' or whatever you would call it that the children were having while the trial was going on. It was good for them to be occupied and for that group to get together and know each other a little bit, especially for Hasturnerini to be accepted. How old is Melian? I have forgotten and I'm thinking she is about 5 but I can't remember for sure. Oh, and I agree with her, I can't imagine eating eating lying down like that! :) Though I know you just get used to things like that. Pippin asked a good question of Ankhsarani and you just knew she wasn't going to know what was going on in her house. Just like her sister, she wasn't 'allowed' to be curious about things so never suspected anything was the matter. I do feel sorry for her though, because she has a tough life in front of her - not that it hasn't been tough already with the way her husband has treated her. Not she will have to face the scorn of others for what he did. It will be interesting when Aragorn and Co. go to the Valley of the Sun to see the old priest. I look forward to that part as well, I'm wondering what might transpire at that meeting, I have a few guesses, but I will keep those to myself! :) Great job! Author Reply: Yes, Ankhsarani will have to face the shame heaped on the family name by her husband's actions; and indeed she was raised not to question as had been true of her sister. But I think she will find all will work out in the end, although perhaps she might do well with a break from Harad for a time. Yes, Melian was five, but I've indicated she's a bit precocious and perhaps not as big on questions as many children of that age, one of those who tends to learn by observation more than by asking to have things constantly explained. As for what will happen in the Valley of the Sun, you may well be right--or wrong--in your speculations. (Not voicing them, of course, makes it easier to say that! :-P Thanks so much for the feedback.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 8/27/2005
Now I am truly impressed about the foresight of the Farozi and his way to prepare his land for the day of Sauron’s fall! crosses hands over breast and bows deeply to An’Sohrabi For a land so long more or less under the rule of Sauron this was not usual, I suppose, and not easy, either. After the people of Harad had to fight for Mordor for so long a time it is no little deed to find other business for them so fast. He is a great man, and I am glad Harad and Gondor are going along so well now – this Farozi deserves it that his hard work for the time of freedom is so successful. I liked it how you destroyed the temple of the Death Eater. Somehow it is logical the earthquake in the wake of the fall of Barad-dur was so strong in Harad and this temple fell, too. And it is much less work than to destroy it through the Haradrim ;-) The party of the children was nice. Rustovrid’s youngest seems to have some difficulties with Haradri eating customs after all the years in Gondor. And the question if Hildigor is a slave ... giggles I am very pleased about the way the questioning of Ankhsarani turned out. The Farozi is worthy of Aragorn’s friendship. Oh, and you’re so right in what you said in your last response about the modern world leaders – it is truly sad they are not more like Aragorn. And I agree wholeheartedly about his example for the Haradrim! Author Reply: Horubi'ninarin came to the attention of the Farozi of Harad and his two sons at just the right time, just when An'Horubi, Ma'osiri, and Sohrabi were coming to the open realization that Sauron was willing to betray all of them. If anything is enough to make them realize there must be another way to rule, it has to be the realization that Mordor will betray its allies and subjects as swiftly as its enemies. It was enough to make An'Horubi realize he didn't need to father children all over the place; it was enough to make Ma'osiri, who was a pretty decent sort to begin with, to distrust anything coming from Mordor and to seek to go against the practices of that land and its lord, to identify himself more with his people than his overlords; and it led to similar feelings in Sohrabi, who was encouraged to become crafty in his plans for the future. All three were aware of the prophecies that Mordor will fall through the opposition of other lands, and so the two brothers began to make their plans for the future, I suspect. However, An'Ma'osiri couldn't hide his distrust and dislike of Mordor as well as his brother did, and as a result he ended up being assassinated. The example of Aragorn at that time, crafty but obviously aligned with the forces of Light, willing to defend and heal even those who ought to be seen as his enemies, implacable in his cutting away of evil forces, was just what they needed for a jump start to their consciences. As for the Temple to Sauron--I like to think that where the Valar are invoked they'd see to it that the one who rebelled against them and followed their fallen brother was first shown as he was by the continual assaults of the elements themselves on the temple he had constructed to his own conceit, and then by treating his temple the same way they did the monuments of Mordor itself--Orodruin tearing itself apart that it not be so misused again; Barad-dur and the Gate and the Morannon and the Towers of the Teeth and even its armies swallowed up. Aule wouldn't like, I think, to see such monuments stand once their focus himself is no more; and would do his part to make it plain Sauron is dead and all this foolishness of "worshiping" him is to stop--and right here and now. And, yes, after several years of living according to Gondorian customs the children of Rustovrid are going to notice the difference and start finding they prefer the more recent ones. Even the oldest daughter, who thought she was "home" again when they returned to Harad, is realizing she loves the King's City.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 8/26/2005
That poor lady. Thankfully she has proved to not be any part of the coup. The trick will be to prove it to the general public of Harad, but w/Aragorn and the party of Gondor's support, I suspect that might be an easier thing to bring about. And it sounds like another member of the Royal Family of Harad is on it's way. Nice twist to this chapter Larner and a very happy one too. Now, is it going to be the Princess that tells her husband or will Aragorn or Arwen figure it out first? Either way, I hope we see the news being told in some way. Loved the Children's Party and how different cultures got to know one another. It is so much easier for a child to adapt than it is adults after all. Great part of the story. As always, looking forward to the next chapter. :o) Author Reply: I suspect that even should Aragorn or Arwen or both be aware of the impending pregnancy, they'll be discrete about it and let the lady tell her husband in her own time--or maybe not if they perceive a need for him to know. And I find myself also wanting to see the first visit of Ankhrabi's family see Minas Anor at this point. I think it would be pretty wonderful, myself. And it is in the growing appreciation of one another by the children that the prejudicial attitudes between the cultures will be overcome. Having convinced the local and well-respected priest of Amon of Ankhsarani's innocence isn't going to hurt her, I think. Thanks for the feedback.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 8/26/2005
Poor Ankhaserini, a prime example of "be careful what you wish for because you might get it". This is so true of a young person who marries out of an early infatuation, without the knowledge of what the other person is really like. (I have a close relative who was stuck in an unhappy marriage for 16 years, because of that.) I really loved the little party for the children, and how they are getting to know one another, and learn one another's customs and languages. I know you've hinted that Nefirnerini and family might end up going to Gondor. It would be nice if her sister came along, might take her mind off things and help her to get a new start in life... I also loved that Pippin was given the chance to ask a question: and a very astute one, at that. Of course he would realize that she would be made uncomfortable by those who were in her home, and not quite what they ought to be. A wonderful chapter. I am curious as to what will come next... Author Reply: Have known several who rushed into marriage with an object of infatuation, only to learn after the fact that the new spouse was a destructive thing to have tied themselves to. Pippin is already learning the skills he will need as Thain, which is quickly approaching at this time--Merry is already Master now, after all. And Aragorn has had the chance to appreciate this Hobbit's increasing sagacity--for all that he will always be "that Fool of a Took"!

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