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Lesser Ring  by Larner 6 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 37 on 9/20/2005
I've known some like your Setra'amun. Not of course, to that extreme, but young people, usually young men, who can never accept anything they are told, and who will often ask questions just for the sake of asking, and for provoking. Add to that the mind of the religious fanatic, the kind of mentality that creates a suicide bomber, for example, and you have a lethal combination.



Author Reply: I've known them, too--obviously. Setra'amun was inspired by a combination of about four folk I've known over the years; and they just don't seem to get it when you question the sense of their questions.

However, there may yet be redemption for the young man--not saving, perhaps, but redemption.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 37 on 9/9/2005
That poor misguided man - who deceived himself by thinking he was smarter than others. Never thinking that a simple answer... simple truth was enough. That it was too easy and there must be something more, something more complex and that others were too foolish not to keeping looking for the 'real' truth. People like that are scary! And, as you described him earlier - fanatical.

I liked how Aragorn stopped the questioning and sort of turned it back on Setra'amun and made him admit that he was doing exactly what he was accusing the Farozi of doing - having the power of life and death over people. Then Eomer asking all the questions about the supposedly bad things the Farozi was doing and Setra'amun couldn't come up with even one thing. I hadn't realized that he was the Farozi's nephew, though maybe it hadn't come up earlier when he was first introduced.

Author Reply: I'd indicated that the father of Setra'amun and Harpelamun was one of the youngest sons of An'Horubi who'd been taken by the agents of the red temple. It was rather a throwaway, I think, and perhaps its significance wouldn't easily be recognized by those who by this time have forgotten about An'Horubi and the concubines he was encouraged to take by Virubat and Maruset.

Yes, those who seek to fabricate truths for themselves to justify their actions and who become fanatical about it are always dangerous. It was precisely how Hitler and his folk justified all their actions, to taking over Germany, to killing the disabled, Jews, Gypsies, Poles, and thousands even of their own people, and justifying their attacks on everyone else. And it's the way in which fanatics today justify bombing buildings and assassinating whom they please. They always are convinced their own logic is true--for themselves, at least, but never for anyone else.

Thanks for responding.

lindahoylandReviewed Chapter: 37 on 9/8/2005
Setra’amun is a very interesting and evil villain. I have to say I much prefer the way he was treated than the other plotters,as you make me want to execute him myself !
This is a truly gripping story,which I eagerly await each update of.

Author Reply: The proper end for Setra'amun, I fear, isn't likely to be nice. Personally I don't see him as evil as Mertirion, but certainly he is as dangerous right now, for he's given himself over to trying to remake the reality of the world in his mind, thus giving him any excuse to do as he pleases and justify it in his own mind. I suspect he's bipolar (as he's partially based on one who IS bipolarm at least); and anyone who's dealt with someone who is bipolar can tell you it is a condition that can be hell to live with in one who won't accept treatment.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 37 on 9/8/2005
Sorry I haven't been as faithful a reviewer as I would like for this story Larner. It's not lack of interest as I am following your twists and turns avidly. It is lack of time, even this early into my working year and lack of energy, which is worrying!

I find fanatics impossible to understand be they religious, political or emotional - with the possible exception of LOTR fans of course! But you seem to be able to get into their minds and expose what makes them tick. Didn't someone once say 'all it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing'? I am glad that our good 'men! (women, hobbits, elves, Dwarves) are busy and active. I especially loved your eye-opening discussion about prejudice and the need to educate the whole community! Yea!

Author Reply: The special ed teacher in me does tend to come out, doesn't it? And here we do indeed have the people around the intrigue taking an active part in making certain it doesn't spread further.

As for trying to understand fanatics, I still have my moments of wonder as well. I follow a court case where the guilty verdicts given to three young men is still incomprehensible to me, particuarly as the physical evidence indicates the victims could not have died where and how they are represented to have died. Yet those who insist the verdicts are just keep insisting that white is black, that stagnant water flows sufficiently to wash away blood, and that individuals who have been heavily bludgeoned and stabbed couldn't have bled as heavily as we keep trying to point out. I stand amazed as I try to understand the working of their minds.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 37 on 9/8/2005
First off, I'm so sorry I haven't reviewed the last few chapters. I've been busy worrying about friends in New Orleans and also trying to find out how I can help from here at home. Thankfully they're okay and they've got their fingers crossed their home is too.

Wow...Such powerful twists and turns the last few chapters. It would have disheartening for Aragorn and all of the Northern Party to realize there were those who wished for Sauron to still be there. Sadly, evil begets evil and it always will. There will always be those wishing for power over all. That's when it is most important for light and hope to be shown.

Poor little Prince, but happy he was able to be healed by both Aragorn and Arwen. This ambush will serve to do the opposite of what was hoped. Instead of sowing dissent, it will serve to strengthen the bonds of Gondor/Arnor and Harad instead.

Setra'amun is not only an idiot, but a fanatical idiot. The most dangerous kind. You can't reason w/people like that sadly. When the Farozi disowned him should have given him a wake up call, but he's too far gone to even care. I'm assuming for attempted murder and attempted murder of the ruler of Harad and visiting rulers to Harad will not end up in simple hard labour. Will this end up being another execution Aragorn will have met out? I hope not.

Once again, you're keeping us on the edge of our seats. As always, looking forward to the next installment.

Author Reply: So many of us are worried about friends and fellow-countryment displaced and still missing down in the Gulf area. One guy was heading for Houston, saying he'd had enough of hurricanes, apparently unaware Houston, also has been hit in the past with such things.

Fanatics are always difficult to deal with, and that is what our folk are facing now--not just fanatics but fuzzy thinking leading to the impression the fuzzy thinkers can outthink others generally. It's a difficult situation to deal with, I know from experience.

And again the opposite has happened from Setra'amun's intent--now there is indeed more reason for those from Harad and Gondor/Arnor/Rohan to trust one another, more reasons to strengthen the alliances already made. And, in the end, all of Middle Earth is strengthened as more are aligned with light rather than the Shadow.

Thanks so much for reviewing, and glad you are all right.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 37 on 9/8/2005
Setra’amun is an idiot. So obsessed with his own cleverness that all he can admire is the gleam of his own sparkling intellect. But like a lot of very clever people, he is completely lacking in empathy. A waste. But there you are.

Author Reply: Oh, I know.

When a young teen my stepson was much the same, the same certainty that the truths he thought he'd found were profound when in reality they were wish-fulfillment. Found myself writing the experience of that time, the twisted logic which failed to recognize its own inconsistencies, into the story. Now the Kid looks back on what he was like then with a shake of his head for the idiot he was at the time, and he's now been known to counsel others who prove to be prone to the same fuzzy logic. It was so wonderful to see his great empathy return to him, and to see it grow to this day.

Thanks so for appreciating it!

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