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| Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner | 16 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| Larner, that was a wonderful story, and I enjoyed it very much. There are so many nice details. First of all, I *so* love Faramir surrounded by all the children, not only his own. I’m happy to know he finally has a loving family, after all his father had put him through. Faramir doubting that Éomer’s (and Éowny’s) children would allow the grooms to take care of their horses left me grinning. Well, they’re true horsemen! (I’m the same with my own horse). And the fact that they are Princes and Princesses makes it even more poignant. What a nice surprise for Faramir (and me!) to see Pippin here! Loved their interaction, at the stables and later at the Houses of Healing. And the way you introduced Aragorn to Mahmot was amusing. Another one who first saw him not as the king, but as an ordinary man. It was fascinating to see this all from Mahmot’s POV, to learn a bit about yet another race of men the Professor only mentioned fleetingly. To see his nephew again and learn that he wanted to stay a bit longer in Minas Anor, to note the differences in the treatment of prisoners of war had to be quite a shock for him. No wonder the man felt dizzy. It appears that’s another case where family members of leaders of a enemy folk are learning to trust Elessar – maybe even more than their own leaders, as the last lines indicated. I’d love to see more of all the children – Aragorn’s, Faramir’s and Éomer’s– in other stories! Thank you, Larner, for this great story! Author Reply: I'd think that Aragorn and Faramir would have been marvelous fathers, and that their children would be raised to be self-sufficient, but also to have full trust in their parents. And of COURSE the children of Rohirrim would wish to care for their own horses! How else might it be? That Merry and Pippin might pop in for surprise visits from time to time is just too good a possibility to pass up. And here is a reason for this poor guy from Khand to feel totally out of his depth--who and what is this one? The other night I found my imagination showing me Aragorn as King with Eldarion standing beside him for a formal function--with this big white bandage on his knee! Okay, then if he had a bandage, he had to have been doing little boy things, and little boys do skin their knees, and their parents do get to bandage up the owies! So, this first meeting with the King seeing the King in gardener and teacher mode, paused to patch up his son sort of worked its way into the story I've been working on for almost a week. What a difference from realms where rulers are untouchables and all too often totally out of touch with their people as well. And finding that his nephew the prisoner doesn't feel a prisoner at all would be the icing on the cake! As for the children--they're always fun to contemplate. Thank you for the response, Kitty! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| Quite impressive story; Minas Anor in its post-Ring War prosperity, seen through the eyes of a would-be conqueror. I love it that Mahmot's nephew begged for more time in the land of his 'enemies', being so enamored of the knowledge his captors freely gave him. I liked the freedom of the children and even the dog and cat. Nice touch that Faramir called Aragorn "Strider"; it shows they've really become comfortable friends as well as Steward and King. And I love it that Eowyn missed her husband enough to specifically request his presence in their chambers... Can Faramir be my tour guide through the White City - please???? Author Reply: Yes, the capital of Gondor from the POV of one who'd always been taught to think of it as needing to be conquered. To be conquered instead by its freedom and acceptance would be quite the shock, I'd think, particularly when its people are working to teach one of the upcoming rulers of Khand ways to aid his own people. And am so glad you liked the dog and cat. Aragorn just strikes me as one who'd love animals, particularly now that he no longer has to be wandering the wild and constantly on campaign any more. Author Reply: P.S. You can have Faramir as a tour guide if I can have Indis as someone to visit on winter evenings. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| Wow! And once again you surprised me with yet a new perspective! Somehow, looking into those grey eyes, Mahmot realized he was looking into the eyes of one whose word would truly bind him. Yes, he could treat with the one who bore such eyes. He only wished that he felt as strongly of the honor of the Man he served within Khand. Mahmot must have felt like being in a dream: legends come true! And besides that, a friendly welcome, no threats, no suspicion and a prisoner who asked for staying longer! Like Lindelea I held my breath! I don't know exactly why, really ;-) This little story was really captivating! Author Reply: I'm honored you and Lindelea both apparently felt this took you into Mahmot's mind. Yes, a dream-like state indeed, seeing how lands OUGHT to be ruled rather than how too many ARE ruled. Thanks so much! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| Whoosh! (That's the breath, exhaling, that I held through much of the reading. I love the thought that went into this, the attention to detail, to social structure, to relationships, and the little tie-ins to your other stories. What a picture you've painted of a King for wartime, as we've already seen him, but more importantly, for peacetime. Author Reply: I'm honored, Lindelea. Aragorn's southern capital is a worthy place to visit, I'd think. And for someone who's always known Gondor as the enemy but who's probably seldom if ever seen someone from Gondor, what a culture shock! And it's always fun to find ways of tying this story into my other ones. Aragorn is the warrior king, the just king, the healing king, and the sacred King; to meet someone who is what a king OUGHT to be rather than someone into power and intimidation because it's the only model for rule he knows would be quite a surprise. And I do think that Aragorn might indeed be the consummate warrior, but would prefer to be a peacetime king. Thanks so much for the comments! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| Wow! I could see, smell, hear touch and taste every step of this progress! What a wonderful meeting of cultures. And happy birthday Linda! Author Reply: Ooh, am always thrilled when people feel their full sensory imagination is involved. What a wonderful compliment, Harrowcat! Thank you so much--and will pass on the birthday wishes. It was actually Saturday, but hopefully she won't mind this being a bit late. This has taken the better part of a week to write, I found. Love to Jet and your folks. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/19/2007 |
| This is a marvelous meeting of cultures. This stranger in a strange land has found wonders unlooked-for, and friends, respect, and allegiances from the heart he never could have imagined. Author Reply: It's fun to imagine how other cultures would be struck by the King Elessar's capital city. Under Sauron's rule I'd imagine the eastern lands would have learned to be devious and distrustful--and distrustworthy as well. To see true nobility in action would have been a shock for many of them, I'd bet. Thanks so for the feedback. | |