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A Deck of Heroes  by Larner 10 Review(s)
ellieReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/7/2009
cool description of Galadriel! Nicely done!

Author Reply: Am so glad you approve. I do find myself feeling honored each time Galadriel agrees to appear in something I've written.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/7/2009
That was a perfect fit.

Author Reply: Am so glad you feel that way. It's always an honor to be able to write the Lady, I find. Thanks, Grey Wonderer.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/5/2009
That's a very thorough and apt description of Galadriel, her character, her power and her choices. Well done!

Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you find it so, Kitty. I have always respected Galadriel, and particularly when she decided to return home and face the Valar and her family at the last.

Thanks so much!

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/5/2009
Larner,

Galadriel, the High Priestess...of course! :) She's perfect for the role, given her wood's title of 'Dwimordene' in Rohirric, which as I recall means 'enchanted wood' or 'wood covered by sorcery', something like that...

A reflection of her 'magic' on the Magician's magic...and as female and male reflect each other, light and shadow, black and white, Saruman is a fallen Istar who was expected to fight for the Light and failed, whilst Galadriel is of the Blessed Realm and tempted to fall to the Dark, though she passes the test.

Very well done!

Kaylee Arafinwiel

Author Reply: Yes, I was working to show how she is the antithesis and opposite to Saruman, and you have characterized it so well. Thank you so much, Kaylee.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/5/2009
Brilliant larner. I love the bit about giving over condemnation of what she sees in hearts.

Author Reply: Galadriel was one of the eldest Elves remaining in Middle Earth, having known the Trees in Aman and lived in Middle Earth for three Ages of the Sun after crossing the ice. I cannot imagine her condemning others at this point, particularly with her ability to read the thoughts and hearts of others, as she can so easily see how complicated our thought processes are.

Boromir might desire the Ring, but he also pities and respects Frodo, seeing the burden he is under. We may condemn many of his choices, but respect his compassion. The Ring, however, is looking only to exploit what it can, of course.

Thanks so, and love to Jet and your parents.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/5/2009
Very fitting that Galadriel should be the Tarot high priestess. Lovely blend of peace and power here, just like the actual Golden Wood.

Author Reply: Am so glad you agree, Raksha. And thanks so for the images you've brought to mind--yes, peace and power! Thanks so much!

Idril CelebrindalReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/4/2009
I am glad that someone thought of this prompt. I am really enjoying your take on it.

Keep them coming!

Idril

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you like it! It must have been most difficult at times to be herself, and to know what she knew of others, the future, much of the raw truth behind what was happening, and so on.

Last year the Advent Calendar challenge involved adding another word each day to a growing list, and finding ways to write a ficlet daily that included the entire list to date; one year it was based on the alphabet, and another on the pictures from past Tolkien calendars, a few of which were truly horrible. To have the tarot as the inspiration is definitely not one I'd have thought of, although I do own the LOTR Tarot deck.

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/4/2009
Beautiful, how these three short paragraphs create an arch that spans Galadriel's life from the distant past via her long reign in her established realm to this very crucial moment in the present. Completely convincing!

Author Reply: Thank you so, Virtuella! And that you find it convincing means to very much! Am so glad that this works as well as I'd intended!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/4/2009
Beautiful. I especially like "Lady to a secret people".

Author Reply: Thank you. People may have heard of the Galadhrim and stories might be told of them, but they have been hidden for so very long--they are half forgotten and have indeed become secret and secretive, to the point of blindfolding visitors to keep them from easily finding their way again to the strongholds of Lorien. It must have been like being thrust into the chaos of other folks' lives to have the Fellowship come through, bearing with it the threat of the Ring.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/4/2009
What a beautiful portrait of Galadriel! I love the way you show her kindness and wisdom.

Author Reply: I'm so very glad you like it, Dreamflower. She has had so many yeni to develop wisdom, and has now faced the greatest threat to her own integrity as well as to the well-being of the world; and she has surely learned from her own mistakes as well as watching those of others.

It's been ineresting trying to distill some of these lives to such brief ficlets!

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