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| The Keys of the Realm by Larner | 82 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Wherry | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/14/2009 |
| LArner, I really like it! it's beautiful! (this is meant to be a SERIOUS review) (straight face :-)I'm really impressed with your writing skills! Author Reply: I am so glad you liked it and finally finished it, Elizabeth. And I am honored. Thank you so very much! | |
| Elizabeth Wherry | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/24/2009 |
| Szepilona says she loves this story and Leonid should marry Halladan's sister! She wasn't brave enough to tell you herself she said! She also told me not to tell you the last sentence! But since I'm a very naughty best frined, I said it anyways! But don't worry, she's standihng here reading every word I typ so I'm not saying any thing bad that she doesn't know about so she must not be that mad at me since she hasn't punched my head...yet! :-) God Bless, Elizabeth Wherry Author Reply: You have me giggling, Elizabeth! So glad you are able to be with friends right now, and hope you are feeling much better. Give Szepiona my love, and I can't be certain who Leonid might marry. I think he has his eye on a woman from Dol Amroth, really. Anyway, hope she doesn't choose to punch your head! Heah! Thanks for the feedback. | |
| Elizabeth | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/24/2009 |
| I LOVE it Larner! One of my favorits so far! I'm at szepilona's house right now using her computer! She's putting on her gi for karate so she isn't seeing this (not that I would mind though!)Anyways! I really like this story! Author Reply: Oh, I'm glad you do like this one. It was one of those stories that started as a single-chapter tale that grew in the telling! Heh! | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/28/2008 |
| Blessed tale indeed, Larner, and well worth the extra chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. Thank you for sharing it. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Agape! | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/28/2008 |
| Again - your details delights me - the latrines. Brilliant but necessary.... the burial of the Orcs, the trolls being shipped down the Anduin, everything was great! Also, my heart lurched at the thought of those many warriors unidentifiable.. so very sad. Faramir's decisions this whole time leave me speechless. Wow - great job with him, Larner! I loved the reunion of Hurin and his family. Beautifully done. I loved the detail of the Standard. Hadn't thought of so much of what YOU have thought of. Brilliant orchestration of this event, but I suppose Hurin and Faramir should get some of the acclaim! I loved Faramir's thoughts on the crown and his hushing of Lord Galador! My heart stopped as I read the description of Sam - and finally Frodo - beautiful. Honestly, when Aragorn stood after being crowned, I found tears in my eyes.... Excellent chapter! Author Reply: I've always loved the coronation of Aragorn, and love to be able to look at it from such a viewpoint as Hurin's. And what would those of the city think of their first looks at the great heroes who managed to get the Ring to the Sammath Naur itself? And I do suspect that Frodo and Sam still felt somewhat apart from others at this point! And my mind absolutely niggles at the smallest details! Of course they'd need latrines; and what WOULD have become of those trolls who were exposed to sudden daylight when the south winds suddenly blew away the murk? Maybe not all trolls petrify under daylght, but if any who do were used by Sauron.... Heh! That was fun to think of, too. So much work must have been going on around Minas Tirith to make things ready for the return of the army--and the King! And Faramir would have had to orchestrate so much of it! And I'm always honored to hear I've managed to move another's emotions so. Thank you! | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/28/2008 |
| I smiled at Hurin's assessment of those who did not 'hear' the Eagle speak! What a sad thing for them; what an awesome moment to have missed! I was startled and delighted with the fact that this could have been Manwe's messenger. If this was the Silmarillien, it wouldn't have caused me a moment's thought. Nice way to bring it in. I laughed out loud when they discussed the mail for Sam - and the other things - I think someone's going to have a difficult time talking the gardner into wearing such trappings! I loved the detail of teh fourth and seventh ring of keys! This was a great idea and added to the scope of Hurin's job as Warden of the Keys - no little thing this! It was neat having Legolas give a part of his 'inheritance' towards making a seal for Aragorn. Very nice indeed. Hurin's deference to Faramir's feelings about Pippin's armor was good. A nice touch. And I loved Gimli's pride in Frodo's corslet and how the others would be stunned by it! Great chapter... Author Reply: Ah, again am glad you found so much to like here. The Great Eagles were supposed to have begun as the vassals of Manwe themselves, which led to much of Tolkien's opposition of one of the earlier plans to make a movie of LOTR in which the Eagles would become merely a taxi-service to speed up the quest a bit. If Hurin was Warden of the Keys, wouldn't you think there must have been rather a lot of them, and he'd be in charge of seeing the various doors would be opened only by those authorized to enter them, or entered only under the proper circumstances? It's made plain that Legolas and Gimli have developed a good deal of love and respect for Aragorn; and I do think that Legolas would wish to show particular honor toward this most Elvish Man--and it gave the chance to see another of Nerdanel's gems from "The Craft of the Elven Smith" placed. And as his people crafted the mithril corslet, of course Gimli would anticipate how others will respond to seeing it shown forth clearly! Thanks so much! | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/28/2008 |
| I loved the last Council meeting. Very appropriate and Faramir just shone, didn't he! Did my heart good. I liked the little side moment about Pelendur and 'lost love.' It works. I absolutely loved Faramir's speech about the state of Gondor and the fields and oysters and such. Very well written. I could almost imagine the man standing there recouting the destruction. He held himself well, and his father would definitely be proud of him! As would Boromir have been. :-( I applaud Hurin for his approbation of Faramir. The man needed it! Though it surely doesn't show! I love the lord who grumbled and I loved the steel in Faramir's voice. And I was delighted at the play on Faramir's name! Perfect. It is quite appropos for the people to acclaim Aragorn King. I'm glad they decided to have that happen. Having the Elves as witnesses - I never thought about that - but it would make a difference to me! Especially, Elves who were related to the first King of Numenor!!! I just love all the details of this chapter. So much to do. But I especially loved the little touch about a tailor for Aragorn :-) I didn't quite agree with your assessment of Boromir's stewardship, but I definitely agree that Faramir would have stood at his side! Woefully inadequate just was a bit too much... Great chapter all around! Author Reply: Am so glad you found so much to appreciate here. And I don't mean to discount Boromir's abilities; but he was described as being more interested in warfare and weaponry than in actual ruling, so based it on that. Certainly that helped lead to Earnur's destruction--his pride had been stung and so he was goaded into entering what was becoming the Morgul Vale alone--to his loss--and I'm considering working that into part of my writing of "Stirring Rings"--if, of course, I can ever get through the final war between Arnor and the Witch-King! I am STILL fighting to get that chapter written! Heh! As for the tailor--you might have noted Aragorn found reason to appreciate the offer if you've read "For the Want Of...". | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/28/2008 |
| Hi, I know I already reviewed this chapter but I realized I hadn't finished reading the whole tale - so I started anew and felt I should make just a couple more comments to the 'Darkness' chapter. If you don't mind... :-) I smiled at Pip's lineage - it is always confusing to me - I'm glad Boromir had a bit of trouble with it too. But the lad is so thoroughly engrossed it is hard not to smile! My heart hurt for Denethor, but was so incredibly pleased with his cousin's accepting the 'weakness' of Denethor after Boromir's death. Very nicely put. Another giggle at the mention of Merry's great deed, as it took me a moment to realize that he was speaking to the very one who did the deed... and Merry's disbelife. Very nice indeed. I almost croaked when I heard about the lawyers gathered.... Yikes! That they would even consider opposing the claim was a surprise, but well thought out! I loved Hurin's 'scurrying' away from Ioreth... blessed woman, but a little difficult to take when one has a list the size of a mumak's arm to take care of. My first instinct as Merry chattered on about Aragorn and Eowyn was chagrin. Dearest Merry, I'm sure he was quite happy to find someone who listeneed to him, but I wish he would have let Eowyn have her privacy in this matter at least. Your description of Minas Tirith as the wind changed was excellent. Author Reply: Of course I don't mind more comments, Agape! Hobbits love genealogy, so it's always fun to find ways to weave it in. Merry needed to realize that if he could do the unthinkable--along with Eowyn, that it was always possible Frodo could possibly accomplish something equally unthinkable--and I'm so glad that with Gollum's help it was done. I doubt these lawyers would themselves oppose Aragorn's claim, but they would want to be certain they were properly prepared to discuss things with those who might be more resistant to the return of the monarchy. I chose to focus more on Ioreth as the inveterate chatterer, and she could indeed force bottlenecks if folks remained polite enough to seek to hear all she'd say--unless they knew that in order to get things done they'd need to break away early on. Maybe Eowyn deserves some privacy; but having already spoken with Faramir, I doubt Merry would have said less to Faramir's cousin! And I'm so glad you like that moment! It must have been beyond belief for those experiencing it as Mordor finally fell and Sauron was lost to Manwe's winds! | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/2/2008 |
| Lovely view of the Coronation, Larner, and how marvellous that Hurin's daughter was able to stay by her father at such a moment. I have often wondered how they managed to clean up Minas Tirith - dead orcs, trolls, oliphaunts etc. all over the place! Not to mention a dead fell beast on the Pelennor. One of those specialist cleaning firms perhaps............. Author Reply: You have me giggling! Plain old fashioned grunt work, I'd think! And then once Gandalf and the Elves got back to town, a fair amount of reconnaisance in search of dropped fell weapons. Imagine what Orc versions of land mines might do to an inquisitive youngster! And the U.S. is still reluctant to sign agreements foreswearing such things! So glad you like this look at Aragorn becoming King. And thanks for the feedback. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/1/2008 |
| “But it is by the hands of many that this day is come,” the King spoke, and all watched in growing respect as he gave the Crown back into Faramir’s hands and stepped backwards, composed himself, then knelt, humbly awaiting the Crown to be given him by others. Aragorn was ever a humble servant and one knows that would continue even as king, for he did not win his crown alone and he know Who and who he serves. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Aragorn had the proper balance of humility and pride, each for the proper reasons, that made him the good and faithful servant that he was throughout his life; and he knows whom to honor ever. Am so glad you appreciated this, Antane. Thanks so for the feedback! Hope the end of the school year is a proper relief for you. | |