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| A Maid Waiting by Larner | 15 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Ainu Laire | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 9/28/2008 |
| Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. You are truly one of the most thorough authors I know, and so canonical. To spin such a story around OCs, and keep canon characters so thoroughly in character... it's always a delight to read your writings. I liked the intro of the story especially, but I enjoyed watching Ivormil growing into a greater man, and his relationship grow with this chambermaid. Very enjoyable. Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked it. Last year "Vocabulary Lesson" was nominated for a MEFA, so in order for the longer story to compete that chapter had to be removed from the story itself, although I did leave it capable of being read in its proper place with the caveat that it was originally written to stand alone. And it was nice to write a romance of sorts. I think that just contact with Aragorn and Frodo and Faramir would evoke spiritual growth in most folk of good will, so am thrilled you liked seeing Ivormil change and become the person he was intended to be. Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| Soledad | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/24/2008 |
| Yay! I do so love a happy ending! It was another excellent story, Larner. I love stories that are about the common folk - they show so much more about the life of a country than tales about great lords. Hopefully, the new couple will be very, very happy together. :) Author Reply: I'm not certain just how this got moved back to the top again--I was rereading the author's notes, considering what I might say on the notes to a story I'm working on, and next thing I knew it has bounced to the top, and I don't know why! But am so glad you enoyed it. I love thinking what Aragorn's Citadel might have been like. Certainly very different from that of Denethor! | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/29/2007 |
| Soory it has taken me so long to review. Thank heavens for time off between Christmas and New year. Just wanted to say how much I loved your story. Glad that Ivormil and Systerien have gotten together. And that Ivormil has gotten to be a better person. Author Reply: I understand vacations myself, Grumpy. And it was good even for me to learn that there was indeed good there in Ivormil and Systerien, and that the two of them have found one another. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/29/2007 |
| So the ripples of influence that Frodo left in his wake continue to widen with another child named in his honor. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Yes, he's the stone in the pond that turns all to their proper path in the end. Hannon le. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/17/2007 |
| Hah! I knew that valet would be caught eventually. Wonderful ending, Larner! Ivormil learned his lessons so marvelously well, that he completely missed all the little details that told the reader much earlier that *he* was to become the new Lord of Bidwell ;-) The same is true for Systerien! Of course he would marry her. And I just loved it that they named their firstborn son Iorhael! Author Reply: Am so very glad it pleased you, Andrea. Yes, Ivormil and Systerien have both grown a great deal, and now truly deserve one another to their mutual joy and betterment. And who else might they name their child after? Certainly none other deserves the honor better than our Frodo! Thanks so for following the story and expressing your pleasure in it. | |
| Halrohir | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/16/2007 |
| And it is with mixed emotions, that I read the conclusion of a well-crafted tale of Middle-Earth stories and heroes, rejoicing that I have been fortunate to have read it at all, and satisfied to see justice served, wrongs righted, fair maid's heart won, Eru in His firmament and all's right with Arda. I enjoyed the splendid detail you wove into the background of your story, making it believable and realistic to the reader. I enjoyed how each chapter flowed along, answering questions posed prior, and leaving more to be asked and wondered upon for the next. But most of all, I enjoyed the faithfulness to which you maintained the story to Tolkien canon - which is precisely why I came to this happy place to start. "Hannon le, mellon nin, linnod lin beleg!" Author Reply: I am honored, Halrohir. So many, when I wrote "Vocabulary Lessons," wanted the rest of the story; and when Systerien came swishing her skirts into my room, her nose in the air, asking if I was ready for my morning chocolate (no one ever offered to bring me my hot chocolate in bed!) and then swishing back out before I could take her up on it (I think someone must have rung a bell in the Citadel, so she lost her interest in me!) and I found she had a tie to young Ivoramil--well, that was that! I do try to remain true to Tolkien's own story, so I thank you for assuring me I've managed so far. Hannon le to you. | |
| Fiondil | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/15/2007 |
| Nice ending, Larner, although I would've liked to have had a chapter describing everyone's reaction in Bidwell to seeing Ivormil returning with Angthorn and how he adapted to his new circumstances there. But I guess we can't have everything. *grin* By the way, if this is the last chapter you need to change the story status from "In Progress" to "Complete". Author Reply: Well, I COULD have written such a chapter, but found the idea of introducing still MORE new characters when this is supposed to be primarily a romance to be a bit daunting. Tomorrow I should be adding the author's notes, as that's the last needing posting at this point; at that point the story will officially be marked "Complete." | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/15/2007 |
| A lovely chapter.I'm pleased Ivormil was restored and I loved Aragorn's scene with Systerien. Author Reply: I'm so glad you did, Linda! Thank you so for all your feedback. | |
| EpiscopalWitch | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/15/2007 |
| A sweet ending! Of course we readers could tell early on that Ivormil was going to be installed as Lord of Bidwell, but it was so in character - his new, improved character - that he didn't have a clue. I'm sure that Systerien will make a truly noble Lady of Bidwell and will be enthusiastically welcomed by the citizens. I especially liked Aragorn's comment that those who serve well in lesser capacities are all the more likely to serve well in greater ones. I love Ivormil's decision to make his courtship of Systerien as public and as obviously King-approved as possible so as to silence everyone who might object to her "low" birth! Author Reply: Yes, all has come full circle as Aragorn and Frodo's influence help all to become new. And am so glad that in the end you agree Ivormil did well by approaching the King. Aragorn knows, if anyone does, that nobility is within the individual, not bestowed by being born to someone called a "noble." Thanks so for following the story. I appreciate all the feedback. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/15/2007 |
| What a lovely ending to this sweet story. I truly enjoyed the way Ivormil had truly learned humility, so that it was an entire surprise to him that Bidwell was returned to his keeping, and he was made its lord once more. And while in a way it was sad that his father had died without reconciling to him, it was probably just as well--if Canelmir had yet been living, he would not have appreciated his son's hard work in restoring the family name. He probably would have just been even more bitter and angry. And Systerien has come a long way, too, from the shallow girl we met in the first chapter--and her willingness to sacrifice herself for the sake (so she thought) of the one she loved, also proved how well she too had learned the lessons set forth by the court of the Renewer. But you *do* realize that you've left a couple of loose bunnies running around--I always find myself very curious about those criminals sentenced to serve in Arnor, and whether they learn their lessons, or just end up in worse trouble...one of these days maybe you will answer those niggling questions...*hint*hint*pushes bunnies at you hopefully* Author Reply: I am SO glad you appreciate this, Dreamflower, and we've missed you terribly while the effects of the storms kept you incommunicado. They've all come about to become the ones they ought to be--all except for Canelmir, who had forgotten he ever had a choice to be different than what he was. As for these new plot bunnies--I DON'T need them now! The ones I have are becoming SO persistent--as persistent as my cat Zubran insisting he get petted NOW! Only these insist on getting WRITTEN now! I've been losing a lot of blood over the situation, you see.... | |