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Lesser Ring  by Larner 9 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 44 on 5/10/2007
This chapter was spooky. Very chilling. I almost felt sorry for Setra’amun. His stubborness was his undoing, but at least he repented (I think) in the end.


Author Reply: I deliberately made this chapter rather dark, and wanted to look at how one such as Setra'amun might come to choose redemption at the end. For him and his brother Sa'Harpelamun, I wanted for him to realize the former priest was quite mad and murderously so that he might realize there was another way. Obviously I succeeded in communicating the intended mood.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/23/2005
Poor Setra’amun. A cruel end. But at least he didn't let the darkness take him at the last.

Author Reply: Yes, to find the Light before the end was a blessing, and one I'm also glad he found at the last.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/22/2005
As the others said – quite chilling!
Although Setra’amun deserved his punishment, in the end I had pity with him. It was a horrible time for him and probably quite a shock that he had on top of all to kill Gebankhrabi in self-defence after the former priest attacked him.
It was touching Setra’amun was obviously able to feel his brother outside and Aragorn, too. And I was glad that he turned to the light in the end. Maybe it has made it a bit easier for Harpelamun and Aragorn, too. I’m sorry for Aragorn who had to feel this long struggle.

Author Reply: Yes, chilling, but a part of life for some, and needful, perhaps, for him to have had this time to indeed turn to the Light and let go the confusion he's been holding to himself for so long.

As for what brother and King know, that will be revealed yet.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/22/2005
A creepy, good chapter. I am glad to learn that in the end his heart turned and he was saved from the darkness that had consumed his life. What an absolutely horrible way to die and yet it also gave him time to think and reconsider things. I always have hope that many people make decisions like that right at the last. Nicely done, even as it made me shudder.

Author Reply: I remember one of the encounters in Lewis's The Great Divorce in which a ghost meets the spirit of a former friend who'd killed someone else but who had repented before he was executed for the murder; and I tried to incorporate that into this chapter, the realization that it's not too late to turn back.

Thanks for the feedback.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/22/2005
That was absolutely chilling! *shudder* Brilliantly written, and I am so glad that Setra'amun found his way back to the light at the end, thanks to his brother and Aragorn. His fear and horror were so vividly described - to be shut up in a temple dedicated to Morgoth and Sauron, in total darkness, would be most people's idea of horror.

Thank you for tying up that particular loose end. No wonder Aragorn suffers if he feels the terror of others.

Author Reply: Yes, I, too, think that would be almost the worst horror imaginable. But I found Setra'amun demanding his end be told, and turning to the light at last.... And it was a loose end that needed tying up.

Thanks for the feedback.

lindahoylandReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/21/2005
What a chilling chapter !this was a horrible punishment indeed, a quick execution would be far kinder.I understand now what Aragorn felt and am glad Setra’amun finally sought the Light.

Brilliant writing !

Author Reply: Now you know why in Gondor the executions--at least now--need to be clean and swift. And I, too, found myself glad Setra'amun found the light at last.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

Mum's the WordReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/21/2005
This was a gripping, chilling chapter -- yet not as gory as some might have done.

So glad you showed Setra'amun's redemption, as well as Harpelamun's awareness of it (and Aragorn's, I think). That will bring peace to the surviving twin. You're good at tying up loose ends.

Well done again, Larner!

Mum's the Word

Author Reply: Thank you, Mum. And am so glad this was seen as chilling but not so gory as to be repulsive. And I was glad to find that in the end Setra'amun turned back to the Light, too.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/21/2005
You left me absolutly breathless with this chapter Larner. Masterful writing.

I am sorry that Setra'amun had to kill the priest, even in self-defence. One more thing to regret in the dark. But he had to do it and perhaps removing him and his evil allegiences brought Setra'amun one step closer to the light.

Not wanting to profane a temple - even such a place as this one made my heart wrench. (I have had to clear up such messes in my own church!) But it was at that point that I thought that there really was hope for him. But then he had many people feeling and praying for him too. Heart is still speaking to heart.

Thank you so much for showing us his redemption it was wonderful.

Author Reply: I am so glad this part of the story has gone over so well, apparently. And sometimes a good upbringing manages to save us more than we'd ever have dreamed. And, yes, heart was speaking to heart.

Thank you for the feedback and appreciating what was written--and how.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 44 on 9/21/2005
That is absolutely *chilling*. That has got to be one of the creepiest and most compelling chapters of a fic that I have ever read.

*whoosh*

Larner, that was intense.

Author Reply: But at least he found his redemption--against all hope.

Glad you read it. Was wondering if I ought to put a warning on it....

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