Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

A Deck of Heroes  by Larner 10 Review(s)
GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/28/2009
Interesting that Arwen should doubt herself, when she always had full confidence in Aragorn. But I can very much see these as thoughts she might have at the beginning.

Author Reply: She was thrust immediately from fairly private daughter of Elrond to very public Queen of Gondor. The change must have appeared daunting at first, or so I'd find it! Thanks so, GamgeeFest!

ellieReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/7/2009
What odd questions for Arwen to ask herself at the end there when her subjects are most likely asking if they are worthy of her.

Author Reply: Perhaps you are right. However, her role has changed so drastically!

Thanks for the feedback, Ellie.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/7/2009
And a very lovely Queen indeed. Nicely done.

Author Reply: Oh, you are so right, GW. Thank you!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/5/2009
Odd to have Arwen doubt herself, instead of Aragorn. Of course she's worthy of that job - because of her own character as much as because of her ancestry.

Author Reply: Here is such a contrast to what she's ever known, Kitty. She probably knew every resident of Imladris and the Golden Wood personally after her millenia of living in both Elven realms. But here it's unlikely she will ever know most of those she will be expected to help rule. Yet these are acclaiming her solely because she's married her Hope--and so fulfilled his. How different this all must be to her--to go from daughter and beloved of the Elves to Queen of Men!

Thanks so very much!

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/5/2009
Larner,

Ah, the Empress...the mother, the Giver, the nurturer. Arwen indeed, yes! She was Lady of Imladris for a long time after her mother's departure, and rose to be a Queen indeed.

Her uncertainty is well done and very expected, and I am sure Aragorn will take very good care of her. I am sure also that Arwen will be able to rule competently (and equally) with her Estel at her side. She will be a wonderful mother and Queen!

Up next is the Emperor, if I recall rightly...I'm expecting either Elrond, Aragorn, or a High King of the Noldor, but you might surprise me!

Kaylee Arafinwiel

Author Reply: I'm so glad you did appreciate the difference in her life from what she's ever known, Kaylee. Now she is the Great Mother to those who mostly won't have the chance to know her personally, and whom she will probably never know well if at all. And she will do superbly, I'm certain.

Hope you enjoyed the twist I threw at you for the next card! Heh! Thanks so for the feedback.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/5/2009
Indeed-- just the sorts of thoughts she'd have at a time like that. She's lived a long life among those who *have* ruled over others, but to be in such a situation herself would naturally make her wonder if she was up to the task. She has the wisdom of the Eldar-- and part of true wisdom is humility and not taking anything for granted.

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you agree, Dreamflower. Yes, the wisdom of the Eldar, and the humility to match! You characterized it so very well! Thanks so much!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/5/2009
This one deserves a 'wow!' from me Larner.
Her role in Rivendell has given her just the right training to complement Aragorn. New experience and roles for both of them but I am sure they will do it naturally and with grace.

Author Reply: A "wow"? I am honored! And both of them will adapt--well--as you point out. Thanks so, Harrowcat!

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/5/2009
Excellent capture of the ambivalence that Arwen might have felt; it was a huge change for her; going from sheltered Elf princess to the Queen of the Reunited Kingdom. At least she probably understood quite a bit about politics already...

Author Reply: To go from living quietly in sheltered realms as the beloved daughter and granddaughter to being the so-public Queen of a double kingdom peopled by Men must have been such a change! No longer the attendant on her grandmother or the hostess of Rivendell, but now the one helping make decisions that will change the fate of so many!

You are right--watching her grandparents and father work to soothe things over and work to make things work for almost all and to effect compromises where most don't want to give way does give way does give her a distinct advantage in meeting the needs of her new role!

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/5/2009
Yes, one can imagine that, however much she may have dreamed herself into that situation, it was overwhelming when it became reality - what a contrast between the hidden life in a secret valley and this!

Author Reply: Amen, Virtuella. I so agree. Thanks!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/4/2009
She's led such a quiet and (I assume) sheltered life... what a change! She'll learn to be Queen as quickly as her beloved Estel learns to be King.

Author Reply: In spite of the fact that her father was the logical next King of the Noldor Elves within Middle Earth, there is no indication that Elrond's home was the type of kingdom one saw in Nargothrond or Gondolin or other Elvish realms. Although there were many Elves who dwelt in Imladris, there simply isn't the feeling of a number of noble houses and far more "commoners" one sees in kingdoms.

Yes, I agree--in many ways a sheltered life as her father's daughter and her grandparents' granddaughter before suddenly finding dreams and hopes coming to fruition and her beloved made King--and herself suddenly thrust forward before all Men as the bride of the High King of the West. It must have been such a contrast to what she'd always known!

Return to Chapter List