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Lesser Ring  by Larner 8 Review(s)
RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/11/2005
I finally had a moment to review the last few chapters! This chapter had all of the ups and downs of real life in it. The fun and joy of kittens being born, to the horror of dealing with abused children, To men receiving new swords in preparation to going back to take back their country, to Aragorn having to say good-bye to his friends and all of the things in between.

I liked the gifts that Ruvemir made for everyone... he always sees everyone perfectly and knows just what will bless each person. You expect it with those he knows well, but even those he is more recently acquainted with he is able to read their hearts.

Nicely done as usual.

Author Reply: Yes, Ruvemir seems to have been born able to empathize with others, and I bless him for it. And am glad you appreciate that life is mixed--the good with the bad, the sadness of departing friends and the joy of enjoying those who remain, the company of animals and the stern attitude necessary when dealing with those who would exploit others.

Thanks so much for catching up. Am looking forward to the next chapter of Rebecca and Thomas's story.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/6/2005
I am still back here a couple of chapters. So love is in the air in Gondor, I thought Benia had found someone. Lord Gilfileg is going to be a daddy too.
Plus Aragorn has maybe found himself a white kitten, one that will be his.

Author Reply: Yes, I think Aragorn has a new pet that will consider itself his. Was thinking of him and his new baby as I watched ROTK with my niece last night, the blue point Siamese on one side and the tortoiseshell on the other.

And there is love in the air, and Benai now has plans for the future, as well as Hardorn and Gilmorien adding to the number of Northern Dunedain indeed. I find I enjoy seeing life continue on through my stories.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/6/2005
Delightful kittens. I'm surprised that some, at least, aren't heading back to Harad!

But the group is breaking off and heading home. This story can't have much longer to go! But we have a group of people whose minds have been thoroughly opened to other cultures. Well, except Wasnior, perhaps.

I hope Ankhsarani finds happiness. It would be quite interesting to have her go north - just as Nera is likely to go south - binding Harad with the Dunedain kingdoms.

Ruvemir's picture is interesting. I wonder where he gained his inspiration - dreams, maybe? And Aragorn is pleased.

Author Reply: Perhaps one day kittens might head for Harad, but as these are only about four weeks old, they aren't yet ready to leave their mother, not for about another month. So, even though Aragorn is now carrying the white one with him, he still returns it to mommy for the moment.

Wasnior is Umbari, and who knows exactly how they think or act. They aren't necessarily as logical as many other peoples are--too many different resentments toward Elendil's Dunedain to want to deal with them properly, I suspect. But those from Harad now have a better idea of what Gondor is like and the experiences others such as the Rhunim have of them. And if Ankhsarani does choose the captain of the Harthad uin Dun, she will cement ties to the far North as well as Gondor and Aragorn in particular.

As for the inspiration for Ruvemir's picture, as he stated in the chapter, he'd been questioning Aragorn regarding his imaginary brothers, and in Ties of Family was one of those who came to know that Aragorn had read his mother's journal and thought of Sam and Frodo as the reincarnations of the brothers lost before their proper times of birth; and he probably got much of his inspiration just from trying to imagine what Frodo and Sam might have looked like had they been born Men instead of Hobbits. But a dream of them would have been nice, too!

Thanks for being so faithful in your reviews, as they've come to mean a great deal to me.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/5/2005
I am sorry Aragorn had to order more executions! But these slavers deserved it. I was so sorry for the girl and her brother from Anfalas!
To give the former slave ship to the men of Camaloa was a very good idea, and it was good some of the Northern Dúnedain, Gondorians, Haradrim and even Armanthol volunteered to sail with them. It’s relieving to know the Southern Dúnedain now have the assistance of Arnor and Gondor and obviously of Harad, too, to deal with the G’bani slavers.

You know, I think Aragorn had some reason to look with suspicion at Ruvemir when he asked about the song. Ruvemir will probably use it to bring him into the guild of bards, if I know him *grinning widely*

Arwen was obviously quite busy with all these cloaks! But I love the idea, and I am glad she even thought of Sohrabi and Amonrabi – it’s a pity they couldn’t join them in Gondor, too. Honestly, I’d never thought I could love someone from Harad, but you’ve done it with the Farozi and his family!

Another part I loved was that Benai gets his Nera, and I was amused to see Ankhsarani now has two admirers! Well, if Benai and Nera are married it is another reason for Harad to help and protect Camaloa – not a bad thing!
Of course I loved Ruvemir’s newest gift to the King! What a wonderful idea! And I loved his gifts to the Haradrim! Oh, in this chapter there are too many lovely details to list them all here.

As for your question about Denethor, I think he would’ve had quite a tantrum, if someone had suggested he should care for slaves. And I certainly wouldn’t be the one who said it to him – I suspect he would’ve had punished the one, save Aragorn, of course. Well, have you ever read Baggins Babe’s ‚Protocol and pipeweed’? I always had pictured Denethor very aware of protocol, maybe even too much aware, but since reading this story I can’t stop seeing him totally obsessed with protocol and rules of etiquette. *This * Denethor would’ve been absolutely furious about such an idea, I suspect (and probably at once thought out new rules about who has to care for whom!). Maybe I see him too bad, but I have never forgiven him how he treated Faramir.

Only two more chapters? *sniff * I will miss this story! But then, I trust you will write more and probably somewhere pick up the one or other thread from here. It is always so nice to see some connection to earlier fics pop up here and there, as now Armanthol.

Author Reply: What a wonderful review! Thank you!

Yes, Denethor was a bit too hung up on his own position, I'm certain. I'll have to read Protocol and Pipeweed--or perhaps merely review it if I'd read it before.

As for inducting Aragorn into the Guild of Bards, Minstrels, and Musicians--well perhaps you now know how this as turned out.

Not everyone can get away at once or there would be too much chaos at home to deal with. At least all are now comfortable with one another, and the Haradrim are now certain the current treaties with Gondor work to the good.

You already know how I love to tie my stories together, so you'll find characters from one slipping on occasion into others as certain threads are reinforced and ties strengthened.

As for the painting, it's been appearing in my dreams for the last week, demanding its place, and I had to figure out what it was and who made it and how it ended up in the King's hands.

Understanding one another is so much needed for peace to continue, and it's been a delight to find ways in which this peace might be strengthened between Gondor and its former enemies, now that Sauron is gone and Aragorn rules as the Lord King Elessar over Gondor and Arnor.

Thanks so much for you faithful reviews, as they mean a great deal to me.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/5/2005
I don't know how you do it Larner I was wondering how you were going to draw all these threads together. Very well as usual. Plenty for me to sigh over - dogs and songs and remembrances of brothers!

Author Reply: Am so glad you enjoy it, and hope you enjoy today's offering, and tomorrow's as well.

Yes, I think this one is winding down.

lindahoylandReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/5/2005
i just loved the part about Aragorn and the kittens.Other favourite moments,were Aragorn singing and the painting>This story is full of good things !

Author Reply: Two more, and then the author's notes.

Am so glad the painting and the kittens are so well received. Now, will you like what happens in today's chapter? I hope so! Aragorn honored and embarrassed!

finafyrReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/4/2005
Larner you are a wonder. I love that you can continue the story that Tolkien started with such grace and talent. You make me want to learn more. I desired to know more about our scultor and you have filled in some of the gaps. I cry over many of the things that you write for they are written with such joy and such beauty. I love that there are so many people of so many cultures that come together and are taught and nurtured by Aragorn and Arwen. I love how Aragorn has affected Harad and other places with his goodness and his sense of what is right. Now that We have been introduced to our new friends I would like to follow them from time to time to see how they are doing.

You are one of the great Tolkien Fan Fiction writers, and I have no doubt about the reasons that you are so popular. One of the reasons is that you understand Middle Earth so well. It is like the beloved professors world is continuing. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.

Author Reply: I am honored and humbled by such praise, although I find there are many who deserve similar accolades, and so many on here, such as Ariel, Lindelea, Primsong, and so very many others.

Ruvemir came out of the hollow space where the drawer is missing in the pedestal of my waterbed, and after telling me his story moved right into Middle Earth, and he keeps making appearances.

But for many of those of us who have loved LOTR for years, Aragorn, Frodo, and Samwise are the ones who drew us into love with Arda and keep our attention there to this day. I'm still in love with Aragorn some forty-two years after I first started reading The Fellowship of the Ring for the first time, and it's wonderful to be able to express just why in stories like this.

Today's quote on the site is so apropos!

Thank you for the honor you've given me today.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/4/2005
What a wonderful chapter, as you begin to wrap up the visit of the Haradrim. I love the way that you have brought resolution to some of the various elements, such as the slave ship, and the possible romances for some of the Haradri ladies.

And the painting by Ruvemir--what a wonderful concept, that he would be granted a vision of how Aragorn's brothers would have looked if they had been born to Gilraen. I suppose there's not much more story left, but I find myself hoping you have a good many more lined up...

Author Reply: No, not a great deal more left to tell. Hope you appreciate the last two (I think it's but two) chapters of this story. And am so glad you enjoyed seeing the hope for the future for Benai and Nera, Ankhsarani and her possibilities.

And that Aragorn would appreciate such a painting I thought probable. Now I'm waiting to see where he hangs it!

Thanks so much for the feedback.

The last chapter has been written for weeks--hope when it is posted you love it.

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