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| A Maid Waiting by Larner | 110 Review(s) |
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| Theresa Greenfalcon | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/27/2007 |
| He's finally learning humility! It's a pity that more "of the upper crust" -ish types in the real world don't learn the lesson of Ivormil... Again, wonderful installment to your story! Author Reply: I would think these particular qualities would mean a great deal to Aragorn. As for the real world--when we value public image more than substance in our political leadership, we end up with shallow leaders without a real handle on their duties to those they are supposed to be leading. Thank you so for the response. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/26/2007 |
| Oh, my a lady named Buttyfly tried to catch the king's eye. Well it was worth a shot. But Aragorn is much to smart for that, plus he has his own love life plans. Author Reply: Well, I had to offer my tribute to "Yours to Command," you know! And, yes, I suppose she thought it would be worth a shot, although it ended up putting her down in the opinion of the King. And you're certainly right about Aragorn. So glad to hear from you, Grumpy. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2007 |
| "...you can see the horrors hiding at the edges of their silences, seeking to present themselves yet again.” And hiding in those very beautiful eyes too and those lovely hearts of all four of them. What a wonder they are to all, including us. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Every one of the Hobbits directly faced the Evil Sauron had wrought--Merry through the Black Breath repeatedly, particularly that last time when it almost took him; Pippin through facing Sauron directly through the Palantir, feeling as if his very mind had been ravished; Frodo and Sam through wearing the Ring and having It mess with them and having to face the direct effects of his devastation on land and creatures; Frodo through having to constantly deal with Its thoughts, chidings, plans, images, suggestions.... Yes, a wonder each of the four proved to be, as were those who did all they could to protect and succor them. | |
| Halrohir | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007 |
| And once again, Larner, you have not failed to dissapoint! You have established the characters of Systerian and Airen very well, and their chance meeting with Elessar was quite well done. I also enjoyed the bird's-eye seat you had on Faramir's investiture, and Beregond's judgement. As before, I am eagerly awaiting the next installment! Again, As Always, HALROHIR Author Reply: Thanks again, Halrohir. Aragorn's elevation to King had to have had a tremendous impression on everyone within Minas Tirith, and particularly on those within the Citadel itself. That a person such as Systerien should go from being dismissive of Airen to becoming her friend would show part of how Aragorn's and Frodo's influence would have helped transform the lives of those they met. And it's fun to think that the servants would have their own place from which to watch important audienced. Faramir appears to have been very well beloved within the capital; that those who worked in the Citadel would be particularly interested in what happened to him and a former Guard of the Citadel just seems so likely. Hope to post the next chapter Monday the 26th, God willing and the creek don't rise! | |
| Halrohir | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2007 |
| Greetings! I am so pleased to read your work! Your story starts from the perspective of the folk of Gondor, after the events of the War and the Coronation. I enjoyed the detail you wove into it - the hierarchy of the servants of the Citadel; the events leading up to the siege of Minas Tirith; and the reactions of common folk to the heroes of the epic. I acan appreciate all the care and attention you have put into this piece! I am enchanted by the tale, and not only hope you write further along this story arc, but I heartily encourage you to do so. And, I eagerly await more! Respectfully, I Am HALROHIR Author Reply: When there are servants, there is always a hierarchy to them, so it was interesting to examine what it might be in the case of the Citadel of Minas Tirith. I love imagining how various details would be handled in different situations, which tends to lead to why I write as I do, I suppose. Thanks for the comments, and I will be posting about twice a week until the whole tale is completed. Thanks, Halrohir. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007 |
| I'm really enjoying this story, Larner. I love the way you write about OCs and how their perceptions are changed by our favourite King and his friends. The fact that this girl can see the Lights of Being suggests she is not as shallow as she first appears, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this continues. Author Reply: I suspect the fact Systerien isn't as shallow as she's appeared is as much a surprise to Systerien herself as it is to everyone else. The presence of the Elessar stone borne by Elessar Envinyatar would have a tremendous influence on everyone about him, particularly during the time Frodo is also partially in residence within the Citadel, I'd think. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007 |
| It must have felt strange to be offered a choice about where to serve. I am glad that she is still uncertain. Well mum is packed and ready to go. I just hope that she enjoys and makes the most of it. Author Reply: Oh, I suspect you're completely right about how odd it must have felt to have such a choice offered to her. She eventually seeks to make that choice, of course. Hoping your mother is enjoying her time in the respite facility. And hope your dad and you are finding new strength to face what comes next. One of my best friends has MS that has remained stable for some years; the mother of another recently died of hers. It is such an odd, individualistic disease. My prayers continue with you and yours. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007 |
| Oh, I’d not expected that Systerien, of all people, would be able to see the Lights of Being. It changed my look at her favourably; after the first chapter I was not completely sure what to think of her. Nice look at Beregond’s judgement and how people reacted to it; it is good to know that he and Faramir both are held in such high esteem among the people. Author Reply: Many folk appear shallow until they are challenged in some way; and I strongly suspect that Aragorn's presence, and that of those with him, posed just such a challenge. I suspect a good number of folk who came into contact with the members of the Fellowship found unsuspected depths to their characters! The fact that Beregond was seeking to save the life of the beloved Faramir would itself make the judgement of the man of more interest to all kinds of folk, and particularly to those who knew Faramir best, including those who'd been serving Faramir directly for some time, or so I'd think. And now both are publically honored in a manner no one can dispute! | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2007 |
| Ah, this promises to be funny and interesting both. Somehow I find the image of these maids throwing herself at poor Aragorn rather hilarious. Poor guy, he did probably get more than his share of that from the female part of the nobility already! And to see the change in rule through the eyes of the servants is certainly intriguing. She had thought perhaps I might catch the eye of Lord Delrond when he came home, but it appears he is now crippled, and she would not ally me to someone who cannot sit a horse Hmmm ... somehow I doubt Aragorn would be pleased with this ... Hm ... so Systerien got to meet some of our dear Hobbits. Obviously they made quite an impression – but then, who would not be impressed? As I am one of these who wanted to know how Ivormil is turning out, I’m happy to get this wish fulfilled! Thank you so much! Author Reply: To make something of ones life in a land such as Gondor, particularly for someone wishing to come to an advantageous marriage, one must be willing to go where those who are important are likely to be found. What better place for that than the Citadel of Minas Tirith, then? Yes, Aragorn does get more than his share of foolishness thrown his way, which I'm certain he sought to allay by making certain those who served him regularly weren't likely to seek to importune or beguile him. And I had to find some way of introducing Lady Wilwarin from "Yours to Command" here--one of my favorite Lothiriel and Eomer stories. I agree about Aragorn not likely being impressed by the shallow reason for deciding against trying to have Systerien try to catch the eye of Delrond. And you KNOW part of the reason this was written was because you wished to see more of Ivormil's development. Hope you enjoy what comes of it. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/23/2007 |
| Great chapter, Larner! I liked the different reactions of the audience to the King's actions. As you said, some of them have seen Faramir grow up and some have grown up with him. He's "their" steward. And now he is the Prince of Ithilien! If that's not a good reason to cheer. It's totally different with Beregond. The situation is grave, there are rumors of course, but they might prove to be just that - rumors. And then the King banishes him from Minas Tirith but honors him by appointing him Faramir's guard. And the crowd claps! I think they chose to do that out of respect, to honor their King and Beregond. Cheering would not have been appropriate. But he still gets his cheers - from his companions, the guards of the Citadel! How wonderful! Last but not least I was as fascinated as Systerien to see the lights of being of Frodo, Sam, Aragorn and Gandalf through her eyes. Beautiful description! I especially liked Gandalfs "light", a shining flame of purest Fire in his heart as he stood there. Thank you :) Author Reply: Gandalf was the Servant of the Secret Fire, after all; what better True Shape for her to see than that? Stars and Sun and even Moon this time were there as witnesses. And you are so right--the justice offered to Beregond was one not for those within to cheer for--this is Justice, not mere following of the law. They have heard a doom and a blessing granted, as much as is given to a mere king among Men to grant; but for his own, outside before the Citadel--that's something different. And am so glad you approve of the response to Faramir's elevation to Prince of Ithilien. Thank you so for the comments, Andrea. | |