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A Maid Waiting  by Larner 13 Review(s)
Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/1/2008
Oh, you continued the tale! I'm just now catching up. Great start and I look forward to reading more!

NiRi

Author Reply: Yes, enough wished to see more of the story that I did exactly that. Hope you enjoy it, NR! And thanks for letting me know you'd found it.

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2007
"...you can see the horrors hiding at the edges of their silences, seeking to present themselves yet again.” And hiding in those very beautiful eyes too and those lovely hearts of all four of them. What a wonder they are to all, including us.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)


Author Reply: Every one of the Hobbits directly faced the Evil Sauron had wrought--Merry through the Black Breath repeatedly, particularly that last time when it almost took him; Pippin through facing Sauron directly through the Palantir, feeling as if his very mind had been ravished; Frodo and Sam through wearing the Ring and having It mess with them and having to face the direct effects of his devastation on land and creatures; Frodo through having to constantly deal with Its thoughts, chidings, plans, images, suggestions....

Yes, a wonder each of the four proved to be, as were those who did all they could to protect and succor them.

HalrohirReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2007
Greetings!

I am so pleased to read your work!

Your story starts from the perspective of the folk of Gondor, after the events of the War and the Coronation. I enjoyed the detail you wove into it - the hierarchy of the servants of the Citadel; the events leading up to the siege of Minas Tirith; and the reactions of common folk to the heroes of the epic. I acan appreciate all the care and attention you have put into this piece!

I am enchanted by the tale, and not only hope you write further along this story arc, but I heartily encourage you to do so. And, I eagerly await more!

Respectfully, I Am

HALROHIR

Author Reply: When there are servants, there is always a hierarchy to them, so it was interesting to examine what it might be in the case of the Citadel of Minas Tirith. I love imagining how various details would be handled in different situations, which tends to lead to why I write as I do, I suppose.

Thanks for the comments, and I will be posting about twice a week until the whole tale is completed.

Thanks, Halrohir.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2007
Ah, this promises to be funny and interesting both. Somehow I find the image of these maids throwing herself at poor Aragorn rather hilarious. Poor guy, he did probably get more than his share of that from the female part of the nobility already! And to see the change in rule through the eyes of the servants is certainly intriguing.

She had thought perhaps I might catch the eye of Lord Delrond when he came home, but it appears he is now crippled, and she would not ally me to someone who cannot sit a horse Hmmm ... somehow I doubt Aragorn would be pleased with this ...

Hm ... so Systerien got to meet some of our dear Hobbits. Obviously they made quite an impression – but then, who would not be impressed?

As I am one of these who wanted to know how Ivormil is turning out, I’m happy to get this wish fulfilled! Thank you so much!


Author Reply: To make something of ones life in a land such as Gondor, particularly for someone wishing to come to an advantageous marriage, one must be willing to go where those who are important are likely to be found. What better place for that than the Citadel of Minas Tirith, then?

Yes, Aragorn does get more than his share of foolishness thrown his way, which I'm certain he sought to allay by making certain those who served him regularly weren't likely to seek to importune or beguile him. And I had to find some way of introducing Lady Wilwarin from "Yours to Command" here--one of my favorite Lothiriel and Eomer stories.

I agree about Aragorn not likely being impressed by the shallow reason for deciding against trying to have Systerien try to catch the eye of Delrond.

And you KNOW part of the reason this was written was because you wished to see more of Ivormil's development. Hope you enjoy what comes of it.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2007
A lovely read to end my Thanksgiving day on. I am enjoying this. I like the fact that it is Merry who has over-done things this time. He is usually the one watching out for one of the others so I like the fact that you've turned the tables a bit. I like Systerien. Can't wait for more of this one.

((((( “What about these companions of the King I’ve been told about?” Systerien asked rather boldly, feeling she had nothing to lose by being as frank as Mistress Gilmoreth.

The older woman appeared first surprised, and then amused. “The King’s Companions?” She shook her head. “Well, I’ll wish you the luck of that. As for the King’s kindred who remain here as yet--how many are married and happily so I have no idea, although I suspect that should you seek to catch the attention of one who has no interest, he will let you to know swiftly enough. )))))

I loved this exchange and for some reason I wanted to see her attempt to charm Gimli! hehehe

Author Reply: Yes, Merry's as much a care-giver as is Sam, and needs a little TLC himself now and then.

Systerien has a bit of maturation to go through, but I find I like her, too. And a joyful Thanksgiving to you!

NeiliaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/22/2007
This story is so interesting! I am fond of that lovely old word 'beguile' and how you have used it in this chapter. I like your little maid...looking forward to more of her story.

Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciate the story, Neilia. Thank you so! I actually have this story finished already, and will be updating it about twice a week until it is done.

And am so glad you like how I use "beguile." A good word, I've always felt.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/22/2007
Systerien, without consciously realizing it, was caught in the web of his charm, and lost a part of her heart to him.

Great description, Larner!

Systerien is confronted with a lot of major changes at the Citadel in a very short time. The poor girl! But she will learn.
I think Dreamflower's characterization is fitting: silly and ambitious, but with a good heart. Many young girls are like that, but she's one of the few who were able to talk to the Ringbearer :)

I'm looking forward to reading more!

Author Reply: Yes, she has some growing up to do, but now has the best of examples and inspirations to live up to.

Thanks so, Andrea.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/21/2007
This was most enjoyable.I liked seeing the Household through the eyes of the servant girl.

Author Reply: You will see it through Systerien's and Ivormil's eyes both. Am glad you are enjoying it, Linda. Now, if only my ISP will cooperate for a week or so and allow me to do some more posting--this is the first I've been able to get on for more than fifteen minutes at a time for days!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/21/2007
Oh yes! Happy grin as I settle in for another Larner tale. You do keep managing to find another corner of Middle Earth to explore. It is just great. This is reminding me of a TV series we had in the 70's or 80's called Upstairs , Downstairs. I was about life in an Edwardian, (I think,) household from the perspective of the family and their servants.
Really looking forward to more.

Off to pack for Mum as she has got a week's respite care lined up at a specialist MS home - finally ! NOW, after 6 years we discover that she is entitled to six weeks care per year. Shame that they won't let her back date it! It had to be this week of course when things are manic at work!

Author Reply: Believe it or not, this one is already complete, so all I have to do is post to it an regular intervals--although that is whenever the ISP from Mordor permits. It's been out more than in for the last few weeks--until tonight. Tonight it's been on for hours (although its now this morning) as the grandson has worked on his downloading; he's JUST got done and allowed his dear old grandmother access to the Internet, so finally I'm able to get on.

I'll admit that "Upstairs, Downstairs" served as part of the inspiration for this tale, although I've not seen all of the series. My friends I visit every few months have the series on DVD, and I hope to watch the rest while visiting them next month. But those of you who insisted on knowing what happened to Ivormil of Bidwell will now find out! Heh!

Good to hear your monther gets some time away, and your father some undoubtedly needed respite, although after the first two days (if that) both he and Jet will probably find themselves at loose ends without her there. Heh!

Now, maybe I can get back to Denra and Alvric, the Bracegirdle clan, and perhaps even to Gandalf's interrupted travels once more through Arnor just before the Witch-king does his worst, although the Nuzgul from the true-crime shelf on the bookcase in the dining room is making very threatening moves if I don't continue to placate him; and I have a Yule story also to finish.

Oh, dear--so much to write and so few hours in the day; and I just got the Jim Dale reading of HP and the Deathly Hallows to listen to. As I'm almost done with the Inglis reading of FotR, that makes a lot of CD time to look forward to.

Theresa GreenfalconReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/21/2007
I like the new story. You're giving a view of Arda that most wouldn't see - I'm looking forward to more on the new (and old) characters.

T

Author Reply: I like imagining what the Citadel might be like. A few months ago I had the chance to visit the State Capitol Building, and found myself trying to compare it to the Citadel--not quite a fair comparison, probably, as the Governor's Manse is separate from the Capitol, of course.

And you will see many familiar as well as unfamiliar characters in this one.

Thanks for the comments.

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