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Stirring Rings by Larner	10 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 8/22/2012
It appears to me that Sauraman is already falling under Sauron's spell, making the work of the palantir much easier. Tolkien left a lot of loop holes for excellent authors like you to expand upon. Your take on how the plagues occurred seems quite logical to me. I am really enjoying this tale. Author Reply: I suspect that there was always a core of hubris mixed with a portion of uncertainty he sought to hide within Saruman, so, yes, it would be fairly easy for Sauron to play upon those. And I'm so glad you feel that the plagues of various sorts worked out properly. Thanks so very much for the compliment! I am honored! And thanks for the comments as well--they keep me writing. Hopefully the next chapter will be up tonight or tomorrow!

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/7/2012
This chapter mesmerized me so much that I had to reread it before I could comment. Forgive the overabundance of thoughts... I can imagine Saruman's fury with a council called and him not there. No matter the excuses -- they should have waited for him. NOT. In fact, HE should have called it. No council should be allowed to be called by another - inferior - being. Wow. Gave me goosebumps. I could just hear the sarcasm dripping from his lips as he said, 'my brother.' shivers How dare Moran NOT use Saruman's plans? How dare he accept them and then throw them away? This chapter just reeks of Saruman's pride and disdain for all those in this world about him. Gandalf's innocence just exudes from him as he prepares the concoctions, offers wine, and sits in pleasant converse with pure evil. shudder shudder I loved the 'beginning to forget' sentence. Really potent. I wonder if Saruman forgot - no, I think not. Just pure evil. Seems he had forgotten. Saruman's lack of knowledge surprised me -- though his pride probably made him think he knew everything -- obviously not. He knew only what he had seen himself - ears closed to everything else. As I said, I found this one of your best chapters. Gandalf ran off at the mouth so much so that I was reminded of Pippin. But he would not, could not, believe that his fellow Istar would even do evil. It is a truly sad and horrifying chapter. Well done!!! Author Reply: I don't think that Saruman had as yet become evil, only more self-serving at the moment. But, no, Gandalf cannot as yet imagine to what Saruman will come, and so tends to speak perhaps too much, but still in obedience to the chief of his order. It must have been so difficult for them to remain in the bodies of Men for so long, as their own natures as Maiar would tend to become forgotten as time continued. Thanks so for the comments--I do so appreciate them!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/8/2007
So Saruman is already getting ideas about uses for black powder, is he? And what an arrogant creature he is! Everybody should kowtow to him and accept his word and wisdom. It's surprising, really, that Gandalf doesn't see through his shiny exterior to the preening egotist inside. Author Reply: Gandalf cannot help being what he was made--one to seek whatever good he can in those whom he is expected to work alongside; but I think he is all too aware of the flaws in his companion, and even now is wishing he hadn't reminded Saruman of blasting powders (although he will regret that far more in the distant future). Saruman hasn't gone bad yet--just isn't particularly much better than he ever was, I fear.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/7/2007
I enjoyed your account of the invention of fireworks.Sauraman,alas will have quite a different use for gunpowder, Author Reply: Alas indeed, the uses Saruman will find for gunpowder; but he refuses to accept the limitations Gandalf puts on himself.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/5/2007
Saruman is rather difficult to convince that Sauron is behind this all, considering all the evidence and the fact it is Gandalf telling him this, not a stranger. One could wonder if he unconsciously is already on the wrong path, for it is probably too early for him to have turned bad already. Though he certainly showed that he thinks himself superior to others, and particularly to hobbits. To call them witless ... I’d have some very fitting names for Saruman himself! Well, in the end his arrogance was his downfall. Hm, it seems it was Gandalf himself who taught Saruman inadvertently enough to make the blasting powder which Saruman’s orcs used in the attack at Helm’s Deep. And I got the impression Saruman is hoping to marry Arwen. The idea itself is enough to make me sick in the stomach. In this story you manage very well to show how the might of Mordor was built up steadily. Very disturbing to read. Author Reply: I doubt Saruman ever truly thought much beyond himself, throughout his time in Middle Earth. Not bad yet, but headed that way. As for Hobbits--he'd have been one to respect indications of physical authority more than moral authority, I fear, and so would be unlikely to appreciate the strengths of such beings as Hobbits and Ents. Hobbits aren't warriors or individuals to seek rule; of course he'd think them witless! Gandalf will undoubtedly regret waking the memories of black powder and explosives in Saruman, but it was inevitable. I'm not certain whom Saruman would see Arwen married to, but it's indeed possible he might think of her for himself. However, never will Arwen's family seek to force her attention to anyone else. Sauron is gaining strength slowly but steadily, of course; and so unwittingly they let him return to power.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/4/2007
Time pressures have again kept me from reviewing this for two whole days! sighs in frustration! Above all love how the hobbits are slipping out of the collective memory and into myth. I was just coming round this morning and a similarity suddenly struck me. I have a work colleague and a friend, who was once much, much closer than she is now, who reminds me so much of your Saruman. While I would hesitate to cast myself as Gandalf G there are many similarities in the way she interacts with me. So I can understand why people felt compelled to send out messengers to him about the conference but were, probably, secretly pleased when he didn't show up. And the gunpowder? Of course he is going to take total credit for it later! I can sympathise with Gandalf's feelings too. He is going to be kicking himself at Helm's Deep, or maybe even earlier when he sees how Saruman has corrupted his invention. I could go on... People like Saruman can so easily worm much more out of you than you want or realise! Now I feel a bit disloyal to my friend! Which is illogical but human! We actually got Mum out of bed and out for a short while in the car to visit a friend on Friday. We managed very well but Mum found it all a bit overwhelming I think and Dad is very frustrated that she didn't seem to enjoy it more! Needless to say that Jet did! I am off up to York for a meeting in March. I might even see if I can't scrounge a couple of days! Author Reply: Time pressures have kept me from reading a number of stories in the last two days, so understand how you feel. In time Gandalf will be pleased at how Hobbits no longer are a people most consider other than himself and the northern Dunedain, but he has already come to appreciate their unique skills and sensitivities. Hmm--hope I don't ruin your relationship with your friend! But I've had one supervisor I was wary of, and admit I rather worked his character into Saruman's. I can appreciate how your mother must have felt overwhelmed, but she'll do well in the end, it appears. Sending good prayers to her and your dad, and the cats all wave their tails and go on cleaning their paws.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/3/2007
Saruman and potentially explosive powders - decidedly un-mixy. I love Gandalf's developing fireworks to entertain the hobbit kids. I wonder why Saruman wants Arwen married off, though. I hope you can cover a bit of Gandalf's relationship to some of the Stewards might be, such as Mardil, or Cirion, and especially Ecthelion. Not to mention his celebrated friendship with the Old Took. Author Reply: Yes, Saruman and black powder is indeed something we don't wish to see together, although we work from 20-20 hindsight, of course. But once reminded of the potential for such things, Saruman is going to remember it, just when it's least desired. I think Saruman tends to think in terms of advantages. Elrond is Peredhel rather than full Elf and might find a situation a half-Elf might not survive a full elf ordinarily would, and then, if the twins, as warriors, are at risk, who would take over the running of Imladris? And if an Elven lord of some kind could be brought to look on Saruman as the one who successfully brokered his marriage to the most beautiful Elf princess in all of Middle Earth, what could he milk from the situation. And when the Stewards come, believe me, the changing situation will be shown. Thanks so for reviewing.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/3/2007
Gandalf is very kind to give Saruman such a thorough recap of the latest news of the woes afflicting Middle-earth. Saruman seems to have been rather out of it for a while, but he's taking an interest again. Unfortunately for large numbers of future Rohirrim, he seems fascinated by Gandalf's black powder. I wonder where Gandalf learned how to make that. Author Reply: I suspect Gandalf found the information to make fireworks stored in his staff, and is now looking to use it to entertain whoever seems to appreciate them. Saruman has been in Rhun for about a year, and so has managed not to realize what was going on while he was out of circulation, except, of course, what was happening about the borders of Rhun. But as one who is supposed to be inferior to Saruman, Gandalf undoubtedly feels honor-bound to bring Saruman up to speed, although one day he's likely to be sorry he introduced (or perhaps reintroduced) Saruman to black powder.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/2/2007
Nicely done, as always. It's easy to see once of the main differences between these two -- Gandalf's belief, not echoed by Saruman, that just because something can be done, or taught, or learned, doesn't mean it necessarily should be. Do you know yet how far do you plan to go with this story? Author Reply: The question of what should be done with scientific knowledge has been an ethical one that has disturbed the counsels of scientists and physicists for the last few centuries. Certainly it was one that concerned chemists and theoretical physicists before and during World War II, some insufficiently to keep them from applying their knowledge to human victims. I think that this question of how could one best keep knowledge from being misused is one that would definitely concern Gandalf, but doubt Saruman gave it much thought at all. As for how far this story will go--I intend to take at least Gandalf back to Aman.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/2/2007
Oh dear! Gandalf looks askance at some of the things that Saruman says, yet still he trusts him. And once more we see Saruman's over-weening pride and hubris rear its ugly head. And now we know how he came by his knowledge of explosives. Author Reply: Gandalf's nature is to trust until the other proves he can no longer be trusted, I've always felt. But certainly Saruman's hubris is sufficient to draw unwanted attention to himself, and that will grow more true as time passes. It's likely that under Aule many Maiar and Eldar learned about explosives; but how much Saruman could remain familiar with once he took a terrestrial shape is problematic.

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