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Lesser Ring by Larner	9 Review(s)
grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/22/2005
I love it that Aragorn gained three young camels, to replace the one he could not keep. So Gondor has a start of a zoo. It is wonderful to see the city through the prince's eyes. Author Reply: Yes, three for one; and I suspect they will increase to a small herd one day. Yes, a game park for Gondor and the Pelennor. And I think it must have been awe-inspiring to look up at the city for the first time after living in the valley of the Risen for so long.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/20/2005
Delightful. You are such a matchmaker, too. And the camels. So, Aragorn is going to invent a zoo--or rather an animal preserve? Author Reply: Well, of course it's fun to marry out characters off to appropriate partners, isn't it? And of course Gondor deserves to have the best of animal preserves, don't you think? Glad you appear to approve!

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/19/2005
Sorry Larner I hit post instead of reduce! The joke about the languages made me think of Bodkin's current story - Discretion whick is keeping me giggling at the moment! Author Reply: You already know I've been giggling about Discretion for well over a week. Yes, that Benai would know Adunaic would be a bit of a shock, wouldn't it?

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/19/2005
I'm sorry, I ran out of time reading to review this morning Larner. How do I tell my boss that you keep making me late for work? Just got back and it is 11.15pm! So I am just getting this in before tomorrow! I love the idea of all the exotic animals that Aragorn is being given - often happens to royalty I understand but most especially to Queen Victoria! Which is how London Zoo started I think. But I hope it will be more of a wild life park rather than a zoo. The latter brings up images of small cages and concrete to me! I am sure that Aragorn is much more enlightened than that. I am also really enjoying this meeting of cultures and the way that each accomodates to the other. Dangerous to assume that strangers don't understand your language isn't it? Brought to mind Author Reply: Yes, I think Aragorn would go with a game farm rather than a zoo, or at worst something similar to the Jersey Trust Zoo. And Benai's comprehension of Adunaic and his claim to be Dunedain, too, would be a bit of a shock to those not expecting it. As for being late for work because you're reading my story--Hee! Some of these stories have done that to me a time or six!

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/19/2005
It's so nice to have them all safely back home again. I do imagine that Ankhrabi would be very overwhelmed by everything going on around him. So many officials were there to greet their king. Aragorn is much beloved and was missed when he was gone, besides the fact that he was returning to his country and the formal rites of returning the rod of stewardship needed to happen. It also wasn't like when the Gondorians went to Harad and Aragorn could prepare the others for what to expect. The sight of Minas Tirith looming above them would just be incredible. I liked the small boats surrounding the larger one and acting as escorts and carrying messages back and forth, etc. I just liked the image of that in my mind for some reason. Aragorn is collecting quite the collection of exotic animals! :) I like the idea of him having a royal zoo, especially camels and now another child for them to care for too. My new chapter should be up soon. It usually is about 2 weeks between chapters, but I had some tough times writing certain parts of this one! :) Author Reply: I can see Asa becoming the Gerald Durrell of Middle Earth right now. Starting to get people to appreciate the beauty of camels might be a bit of a job at first, though. And glad you like the escorts for the ship--I think that would be necessary, particularly on a return voyage once it's been learned so many important folk have ventured abroad, and as they have to get past Umbar where there's such a long-standing fight between the two sides of the same culture. The inability of Elendil's Dunedain and the Black Numenoreans would in the end be worse than making peace between Harad and Gondor, for there's not the rivalry for which is the rightful leadership of the whole of the Dunedain peoples. And I like to think there would be a need to have some kind of ceremony marking the return of the Stewardship to Faramir. Looking forward to your new chapter.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/19/2005
grins Camels again! Antipatha is obviously quite determined to provide Gondor with some fine camels. A pity Denethor is not around any more. Well, not really, he was a repulsive person, only for this one purpose ;-) Anyway, it was sweet of Antipatha, who hadn’t that much to do with the Northerners save from the one occasion at the beginning of their visit. Aragorn found the right way to use this gift, I think. And Asa seems to be a nice guy who enjoys this adventure. I would’ve loved to see the faces of the four sailors when they discovered Benai could understand Adunaic and overheard their words! They will probably be a bit more cautious in the future! Benai himself must have been very comfortable on board of the ship – much more than in the desert, I suppose. And he has Rustovrid’s daughter still with him. Rustovrid is quite the typical overprotecting father here, eyeing every man with distrust who could take his daughter away. But Ghansaret handled it (and him!) well. Am I mistaken if I suspect you want to marry off Lady Ankhsarani to one of the Northerners? Maybe even CaptainBelerion? She has certainly taken enough baggage to last her for a while! The part about Nefiramonrani was interesting. So she is realizing now how natural the Gondorians arrange her quarters and eating utensils to her comfort and has the opportunity to compare this to her own reluctance to accept their dislike about headrests. I think the journey to Gondor will turn out quite educating for her. Author Reply: Yes, this whole dual visit is indeed being educational for both those of Gondor/Arnor and Harad, but especially for those who have never before thought outside their own cultural expectations. One reason for Aragorn to have made the visits he made as a young man was to learn to know his enemies, and I suspect he realized they weren't quite so awfully different from his friends once he got past the prejudices and preconceptions. Not certain about marrying Ankhsarani off to a Northerner, but she strikes me as one of those who, having no other focus for her life, would think in terms of luggage and clothes and all rather than looking forward to developing relationships. Of course, it's always possible she might develop a relationship, too.... Thanks so much for the feedback!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/19/2005
A lot of opening eyes to other cultures going on - and links being formed across race and space. Good to see them home again. It'll be interesting to see Ankhrabi's family in Gondor - a reversal of the situation so far. Author Reply: Overcoming the idea that the way we do it is the only right way to do it is a difficult one to get across, as you know, I'm certain. This is where the exchange of visits becomes important as more become aware that their way is as good as ours, and sometimes even better. And I suspect Aragorn is very glad to be home again.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/18/2005
What a delightful chapter. Full of discoveries. Both of adventure and relationships. Loved just how keenly the Haradi Lady saw what was happening between her daughter and Benai. Then gave her Lord husband a lesson in just how important and right their daughter's deepening relationship w/Benai is and what it could become for the good of their land. I'm sure all the Haradi Lord saw was someone was courting his daughter. As my Dad has told me, there's never anyone who will be good enough for me in his eyes. Typical father behaviour. ;o) Poor Ankharbi...I know just how overwhelming things can be in a new place when so much is happening so quickly. Glad, but not surprised, Aragorn was keeping his eyes on the Crown Prince and realized what was going on. And camels have finally made their way to Gondor. Loved the idea of a Gondorian zoo. You made it a very plausible idea and believable as well. Also loved the surprise Benai gave the group of Northern Dunedain. I could oh so clearly see the looks on their faces once Benai started speaking Adunaic...LOL!!! That was very well done!! Looking forward to the next chapter, but it might be awhile till I get a chance to read it. Heading off to Toronto to visit w/friends this week, so I'll have to catch up when I get back next weekend. Can't wait!! :o) Author Reply: Hope your trip is fun and educational! I've felt overwhelmed with too many new experiences at once, particularly when I'm tired. Just coming out of a serious injury, I think Ankhrabi would need to possibly do some resting while trying to keep the new experiences down to manageable bits. And the differences between the ways daddies versus mothers see the relationships growing for their daughters is always interesting to compare and contrast! You are right there--moms tend to be more practical, and dads more protective. And I think this is how zoos have often started--someone makes a gift of an exotic animal, and then someone else wants to top it, then a third party adds to the collection, until in the end they end up with all kinds of beasts and need to find some practical use for them. Looking forward to your return home at the weekend.

lindahoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 9/18/2005
I just loved the camels ! It seems Aragorn is founding a zoo in Minas Tirith !I still giggle at the idea of Denethor being given a camel !The scene where Benai knew what was being said was a gem too.It shows you should never talk of people as if I they were not there.I also loved the horses at the end. Many thanks for your kind reviews,which I greatly appreciate.You are good at guessing,but there are lots of twists to come. Author Reply: The Batsis appear to be insistent that Aragorn ought to own some of the best camels bred, aren't they? And, yes, it does appear he is beginning to gather a zoo. Now, if he could only meet someone of the caliber of Gerald Durrell to help him get the thing going properly. Have you ever heard of the Jersey Trust Zoo? I'm dying to visit again. It's my ideal of what a zoo should really be. And the Northern Dunedain sailors certainly got their surprise, didn't they? As for Denethor and the camel, I rather wish Aragorn had sent it to him. Might have given him some thought. As for my guesses.... I'll let you answer them as the story unfolds.

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