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| A Deck of Heroes by Larner | 188 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Kaylee Arafinwiel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/5/2009 |
| This fits Gandalf's 'voice' so well, Larner! I've read the four chapters up so far, and it's well done, I can just hear the love he has for the Tooks and their relations and friends in this, especially his protectiveness of this young heir to the Thain. (And if the Took 'fairy wife' was a Maia, that'd make Pippin and Gandalf 'related'! *grin* Referencing 'Ancestress' there...I love it! Pippin is an ideal character to represent the Fool. I wish someone could draw these cards as you write them up! (I don't use the Tarot, but I like looking at the pictures of the Harry Potter cards Laura Freeman has done at nasubionna.net and a LotR deck would be awesome too!) Kaylee Arafinwiel Author Reply: He's definitely the most obvious one to fit that card, and so it fits. There is an LOTR tarot deck, but my deck is in the car, so can't look it up at the moment. Am lounging about in my PJs, responding to comments! Heh! I've not seen the HP set--I'll have to look at them. Author Reply: (And, I, too, appreciated the comment about Dreamflower's "Ancestress." A marvelous story!) | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed 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! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed 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. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/5/2009 |
| To clear one’s way with but a minimum of effort? The mind of the industialist! It could be seen as a useful application but it is a slippery and easy path to isolation and inhumanity. Sounds silly but this reminds me of a thought that I had about our buses! In my youth a bus had a driver and a conductor who sold the tickets and generally kept unruly children in their seats etc. Now we have just a driver who is seated behind a bullet-proof shield and CCTV to monitor the bus. Not any sort of improvement and a job less per bus. Author Reply: Yes, the industrialist at the height of his dedication, but just before he loses his connection to the rest of humanity. And I appreciate the illustration of your example. Even so, we start backing off from the rest of our fellows. You may not believe it, but in most of the U.S. we do not have bullet-proof shields between bank tellers and those coming into the banks to do business--we've not gotten that far along the road to isolation and protection at the cost of human interaction as yet--not completely. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed 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 Demon | Reviewed 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! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed 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! | |
| Virtuella | Reviewed 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! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed 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! | |
| Idril Celebrindal | Reviewed 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. | |