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Burden of Guilt  by Linda Hoyland 5 Review(s)
French PonyReviewed Chapter: 55 on 2/20/2006
Heigh-ho! Somehow, I completely missed this chapter. Sorry about that. But I'm here now.

Counsel for the defense (on a purely theoretical basis, of course; we all know that Mahrod's guilty as sin) can see a few interesting angles in the prosecution's case that could be worked on, and plenty of Damrod's testimony is hearsay, but all in all, there is a solid case here against Mahrod. Moving on to the next part of the trial.


Lady SarumanReviewed Chapter: 55 on 2/15/2006
Where I live, it's Feb. 14, 2006 @ 10:30, and not the 15th as this review says, so.....


HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!!!

Author Reply: THank you and a Happy Valentine's Day to you too !

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 55 on 2/15/2006
Nasty man.

I'm not sure the guards who took Faramir to the prison are really deserving of that much blame. After all - they were doing as they were told. If Aragorn didn't make it clear what he wanted, it was hardly their role to take those kinds of decisions. They would have been blamed for that, too.

Lamrung seems sensible - but he was applying the rules. Unlike Mahrod, of course. Who appears to be completely unable to understand what he has done wrong.

Good thing Eomer is listening to this. Even though he has got over his hissy fit, it won't do him any harm to find out just what happened. And I'm glad Eowyn stared down the nasty man. And that she left before Faramir's injuries were detailed.

The backstory from Damrod is good, too - it makes Mahrod's general appallingness quite clear. Shame Faramir didn't just put him in the front line to act as an orc target, though. A bit of battlefield justice would have saved a lot of distress.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
The guards were indeed in a no win situation,though maybe more sensible ones would think it unlikely the King wanted the Steward in the public jail,as in olden days nobles were never taken there.

We would call Mahrod a psychopath in this day and age.He deserved to be Orc fodder,you are right !

Eomer is the kind that woe betide anyone who harms one of his circle,though he might rage at them !


Lady SarumanReviewed Chapter: 55 on 2/14/2006
OK, here's the more serious review.

Well, I think Aragorn was right when he came dressed formally, because he would make a better impression on the people and it will also support anything he is trying to say, because this attire was meant for everyone to know that he was NOT joking---he was being serious.

Tarung is a kind-hearted man---according to this quote:

“He had what appeared to be a deep wound on his arm and some cuts to his side and chest. They were bleeding but did not appear very serious. I bound them as best I could and then we left Lord Faramir locked alone in a cell and returned to our duties.” Tarung continued.

Well, most other guards wouldn't even bother to do such a thing, so I think Aragorn was right in hiring Tarung as one of the Citadel Guard.

As for Lamrung, he did pretty well too in explaining everything. I am probably sure that he is thinking the same things as I am. That would be: Mahrod being a heinous man to throw Agond in there with Faramir so that he would get his revenge, and also to order Faramir to be whipped 100 times though he saw Faramir's condition. I think Mahrod increased the number of lashings because he saw Faramir injured; I don't think he would have issued as many if Faramir wasn't hurt; an injured person would suffer more if they had to deal with more blows. But of course I don't know anything that comes from Mahrod's mind; it's all from YOUR imagination that you created this story and all the characters in it.

As for Eowyn: She's not exactly kicking some serious booty but she's still cool. The way she glared a Mahrod wouldn't exactly be a glare that I would like to be on the recieving end of. You also did a good job on this quote:

As she passed Mahrod on her way out, Aragorn could see she looked pale and drawn, yet she glared fiercely at the prisoner, who leered back at her unpleasantly. Eowyn stood her ground and Mahrod was the first to lower his gaze, leaving all present to wonder if she had glared in the same manner at the Witch King.

That would be so totally cool if she DID glare at the Witch-King like that, but of course, we'll never know. In the movie version she almost looks happy, though I don't know why. If I was in her stead I would be freaking out...

And this quote:

Eomer, who had remained behind after his sister left, was ashen faced and clutching his sword, his expression strongly suggesting that only supreme self discipline was preventing him from running Mahrod through on the spot.

Well, Eomer was the first one to injure Faramir, so he shouldn't be acting like he was innocent...though I don't blame him for hating Mahrod... after all, who in the witnesses and spectators doesn't hate him? But he's right. If I were there, I wouldn't even try to self-discipline myself...my temper has been one thing that I can't control ALL the time, though I've got it undercover 90% of the time...

Do you happen to sell tickets for the pending trial, and for the execution, if there is one...

Well, personally, I know if there is an execution or not, having read your remaining chapters of the story, but of course I'll be nice and I won't spoil the climax for everybody... I also like to see them die from the suspense.

Okay, good chapter.

Please update sooner, you don't want to keep all the other readers waiting, do you????

Hersheys hugs/kisses
-Lady Saruman


Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated reviews.You have made some very good points.Eomer is the sort of person who will rage at his relatives,but woe betiide any outsider who tries to harm them.I originally envisaged a much shorter trial scene but eventually felt Mahrod should be dealth with in some detail.

Lady SarumanReviewed Chapter: 55 on 2/13/2006
yes! third time in a row!!! wow, that was a great chapter. it clearly explained what trial would be like in Middle Earth if one were to stand as a spectator. some serious confrontations, though not really, but all the witnesses did really well, and Mahrod was absolutely no good, even if he tried to plead his case, which he might probably do later. well, it's not like anyone would listen to him, after what all the witnesses claimed about him. but i think it would have been better if Faramir had come to have his say.

great story, plz update soon

and i'll send a more mature review later today... :D
i think this is quite immature for a girl of thirteen, don't you think?

Hersheys hugs/kisses,
Lady Saruman ^_^

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