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The Keys of the Realm  by Larner 12 Review(s)
Elizabeth WherryReviewed 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 WherryReviewed 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.

Agape4GondorReviewed 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!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/26/2008
Wonderful background story about how the circlets were made.
I'm quite sure that Gimli is a great craftsman, and I particularly liked how he spoke of the mithril and the gems as if they were living things, eager to be chosen for that special purpose. Apparently he understands their "language".

I would love to see Hurin's present to Aragorn. It must have been beautiful.

Concerning Sam's name I'd say that the Gaffer was only cautious, like that story you mentioned indicates. However, after all that happened he should appreciate the new name that was chosen for his son, and I think he will.

Author Reply: The one who planned the crystal reliquary in which to keep Galadriel's hairs must have been an excellent craftsman, I'm certain. And who better to "hear" the voices of metal and jewels than a Dwarf, created by Mahal just of that purpose?

I, too, love the thought of Hurin's present.

And now you've set still another plotbunny loose! How am I to manage them all!

Author Reply: Hee! I've found a way to incorporate that little plotbunny into another challenge I'd just finished! So, look for it in a few weeks! Hope you enjoy it once you see it.

Sometimes you have to wed certain plotbunnies and nuzguls to keep them from bounding about too rampantly, I find! After all, "The Acceptable Sacrifice" started out as two sizable nuzguls with a few bunnies thrown into the mix as well! Heh!

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/26/2008
Just to let you know that I am reading and enjoying this story. So many fics set in this timeframe give short shrift to Samwise so thank you for not doing so! Liked this chapter especially.

Author Reply: Unfortunately neither Frodo nor Sam figures strongly in this tale, but what is there of our Sam is intended to be appropriate to the marvelous Hobbit! So glad you approve.

NeiliaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/25/2008
Another wonderful chapter to a wonderful tale. I await further postings with bated breath! No kidding! So well written and so well presented! It is interesting from the 'get-go'. :D Hugs, Neilia

Author Reply: Thank you so, Neilia. Next chapter will be posted about Wednesday, I hope.

GrumpyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/25/2008
Wouldn't you just love to see Frodo and Sam with circlets and sam in armour. Actually I would not mind a look see at the treasuries of the city, and I promise I would even take any of the goods.

Author Reply: Oh, I agree, Grumpy--I rather wish the movies had used Cormallen rather than the Houses of Healing myself. And I'd LOVE to see the Treasuries of Gondor--they must be wonderful!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/25/2008
Indeed...Sam*wise* - it irritates/grieves me that the Gaffer would call his own son half-wit when from he is so much more. We all know better and hopefully the Gaffer, when he saw his son returned grown so much, would see it too.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I read one story in which the Gaffer tried to avoid a bad fate for his son by naming him as he did, fearing that if it was realized just how smart Sam was it could lead to major problems.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/25/2008
Another question answered - how did they get the circlets for Frodo and Sam? They had to be made specially, I suspect, so I sometimes wondered. It's not something everyone bears in his pocket, after all. The same goes for the mail Sam got at Cormallen.

Very sweet of Húrin to have this signet ring for Aragorn made as his own personal gift. It shows how much he loves the one who helped him so much after he lost his arm, and I am sure Aragorn will greatly appreciate this gift.

Lovely chapter, Larner!

Author Reply: I would think these would be made purposely, and who else to make them besides Gimli, who knows and honors the two of them? And I had to figure out where this armor might have come from!

Oh, I'm certain that Aragorn will appreciate the gift as well as the symbolism it contains. Thanks so, Kitty.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/25/2008
Another marvellous gap-filler, Larner. I often wondered where those items came from, and this is a wonderful explanation.

I loved the description of the gift from Lord Hurin to his King - and Gimli is indeed a great craftsman.

I always feel as though I've been given a peep into the Professor's world when I read stories like this.

Author Reply: Thank you so, Baggins Babe. As old as Minas Tirith/Anor was, it must have had extensive treasuries and so on. I'm so glad you feel this adds to the original.

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