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| A Maid Waiting by Larner | 110 Review(s) |
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| SurgicalSteel | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 12/18/2007 |
| I've been catching up a little bit. This was quite enjoyable - I liked seeing that Ivormil really truly did learn the lessons Aragorn intended him to. Very nicely done! Author Reply: Am so glad you enjoyed it, SS. Yes, he did learn, unlike his father. Thanks so for the feedback. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 12/18/2007 |
| a smaller nuzgul masquerading as a plot bunny Nicely put, Larner! Though if I am honest, I love these ;-) One thing you didn't mention is the fact that Aragorn was raised in Imladris, and I can't imagine elves who are serving Elrond would be treated anything other than with utmost courtesy. I can't see him or any other elves overlooking servants - that's simply not the way I imagine elves. (Oh, I wrote that after reading the beginning of the AN, and now I see you're arguing likely at the end of it - seems we're thinking alike) Anyway, I have to completely agree with your reasoning once again - about the army of servants necessary to run the Citadel as well as about the existence of the likes of Canelmir. I think people like him are existing everywhere, always looking only for their advantage and forgetting they have certain dutys to their people, their Lord and their land as well. And you're right about the servant king, as well, I believe, considering how Tolkien himself described Aragorn. (One needs only to think about the march to the Black Gate, knowing they would all die if Frodo didn't reach Orodruin in time ...) Thank you for another great story, Larner, it was truly fun to read, and I enjoyed it very much! Ivormil was one of these I had wondered about what would become of them, and I am glad to know he turned out so well! *hugs* | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 12/17/2007 |
| This didn't show up on the Author Alerts - *growls in the direction of SOA* so I am glad that I found it. Very tired tonight so I will just comment that I always find your reasoning so thoughtful and insightful and just brilliant. Author Reply: The alerts on SoA don't appear to be foolproof, I've found; I do rely on them for FFN, but not here. Am glad you appreciated the reasoning behind this one. Rest well, my friend. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 12/17/2007 |
And that at least some women who chose to accept employment within the Citadel did so in hopes of making an advantageous marriage is also probable, marriage being the major way in which women even today might change status, even here in the United States where I live. >/i> I would point out here that I personally see nothing wrong in changing status through marriage, provided that one enters into that marriage with the intention to honor one's marriage vows. And Systerien did gain an advantageous marriage through her coming to the Citadel to work as a servant - her gaining wisdom and maturity and finding true love was a great bonus. But I commend her mother and any others who teach their children, male and female, to take advantage of opportunities. (hanging out in the gardens trying to beguile Faramir does at least show persistance and initiative!) Post-Ring War Minas Tirith would have been one probably a great place for people seeking to make their fortunes or improve them; as would Ithilien - a large pool of people from all over, good economic opportunities for young folks who did not have obligations to homes farther away. Of course, there are those, like Canelmir and (originally) his son, who didn't take their obligations to their homes seriously enough. One minor, in fact very minor, complaint - every time the word maman was used, it jolted me out of Minas Tirith and into 19th century France or thereabouts. Thankfully, it wasn't used too often. I think Professor Tolkien would have strongly approved of this story; I seem to recall his saying in one of his letters that it did people good to doff their caps to the squire, in terms of teaching them humility. Now you have me wondering if any ambitious mother ever sent a daughter to take service in the Citadel to try to catch Denethor's eye (pre-marriage or during his widowhood) - I can imagine Denethor being either amused or annoyed, depending on the time and his mood, but definitely not taking advantage of such circumstances. Author Reply: Nor do I find it a horrible idea to marry to better ones station, either, Raksha, as long as the participants both intend to truly honor the marriage. At least Systerien was honest about her intentions. Sorry about the use of "maman." I wanted an alternative to "Naneth" or "Nana" that might have been used in those regions where there were fewer true Númenorians, and I'd used it in "The King's Commission"; I settled on it as one that would be a recognizable title but not as common as "Mama" or "Mamá." I did settle long ago on "Mum" for use amongst Hobbits as they were supposed to be closer to modern-day usage. I suppose I might have gone with "Ama" and "Aba," but hadn't thought of those; plus in my mind for some reason Dor-en-Ernil is tied to the French Riviera. And am now interested to see what plot bunnies this story has set off in YOUR house! Heh! | |
| Laurelin | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 12/17/2007 |
| Well, I liked your story very much, as always. You again demonstrated the ability to invent OCs and have me interested in them in the very next sentence ;) . I'm sad to see it end, but not so very much, since it means that you will update one of the unfinished stories, or write a new one :D . Looking forward to your next chapter / story, L. Author Reply: I am honored. I love learning the predilictions of these characters who present themselves to me and introducing them to others. And you know how I'm writing anyway--just not necessarily the stories I'd intended to write! Heh! And thanks for following what I do write, and am glad you enjoyed this one! | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/17/2007 |
| Hah! I knew that valet would be caught eventually. Wonderful ending, Larner! Ivormil learned his lessons so marvelously well, that he completely missed all the little details that told the reader much earlier that *he* was to become the new Lord of Bidwell ;-) The same is true for Systerien! Of course he would marry her. And I just loved it that they named their firstborn son Iorhael! Author Reply: Am so very glad it pleased you, Andrea. Yes, Ivormil and Systerien have both grown a great deal, and now truly deserve one another to their mutual joy and betterment. And who else might they name their child after? Certainly none other deserves the honor better than our Frodo! Thanks so for following the story and expressing your pleasure in it. | |
| Halrohir | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/16/2007 |
| And it is with mixed emotions, that I read the conclusion of a well-crafted tale of Middle-Earth stories and heroes, rejoicing that I have been fortunate to have read it at all, and satisfied to see justice served, wrongs righted, fair maid's heart won, Eru in His firmament and all's right with Arda. I enjoyed the splendid detail you wove into the background of your story, making it believable and realistic to the reader. I enjoyed how each chapter flowed along, answering questions posed prior, and leaving more to be asked and wondered upon for the next. But most of all, I enjoyed the faithfulness to which you maintained the story to Tolkien canon - which is precisely why I came to this happy place to start. "Hannon le, mellon nin, linnod lin beleg!" Author Reply: I am honored, Halrohir. So many, when I wrote "Vocabulary Lessons," wanted the rest of the story; and when Systerien came swishing her skirts into my room, her nose in the air, asking if I was ready for my morning chocolate (no one ever offered to bring me my hot chocolate in bed!) and then swishing back out before I could take her up on it (I think someone must have rung a bell in the Citadel, so she lost her interest in me!) and I found she had a tie to young Ivoramil--well, that was that! I do try to remain true to Tolkien's own story, so I thank you for assuring me I've managed so far. Hannon le to you. | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/16/2007 |
| I am very glad that Ivormil is not to be bannished as well. I have hopes for him. I dearly loved Pippin's list of what he was responsible for at home growing up and I liked the fact that Aragorn had to stop him from going on and on about what the Thain does. hehehe But this line, (and now my da is Thain, I’ll be Thain next, if my father doesn’t kill me when I return home for leaving the Shire without permission.”) Now that was perfect Pippin! Author Reply: Pippin IS Pippin, after all! He knows what's up in spite of his innocent and blithe nature. He will blather on a bit until he's stopped or he runs out of steam; but he still sees far more truly than others realize, and does so ever with the eyes of love. And am so glad you do have hopes for Ivormil! He was not yet totally ruined by his father's influence, at least! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/16/2007 |
| Merry the accountant! I can see that working very well with his personality. He would be the one to know what's what when it comes to business. There are going to be some things to explain here when Merry gets finished. Then put Frodo on the trail and I think there will be some very big questions to answer. Author Reply: Yes, Merry is the meticulous one who thinks ahead and recognizes patterns when they unfold. So glad you approve! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/16/2007 |
| Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Men of Arnor, and Mithrandir. I think someone is a bit nervous and a bit of a snob as well. This will not go well at all I think. Author Reply: No, Canelmir isn't quite certain what to expect at this point, for it appears representatives of all races are a bit down on him at this point! Not quite the day he'd envisioned, I'm certain! So glad to see you back! Were you also caught in the ice storms as was Dreamflower? | |