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The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 18 Review(s)
6336Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/20/2009
Working my way through this one. Do you have any plans to write the story of Estel falling asleep at the feast? I wonder what he was up to to make him so tired?
Lucky little Birthday Boy!
Lynda


Author Reply: Oh, I've considered it, Lynda. But look how long it took me to write the story of Aragorn's first white cat! I'll do it one day, though, I promise!

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 7/30/2006
Glad to see Eomer chillin' just a tad. ;-) I'm also glad he heeded Aragorn's support of Eowyn and Faramir.

And Aragorn...there would be no need to prod me into a nap if I were in Aragorn's boots! I hope he starts to relax a bit.

Pippinfan

Author Reply: Yes, Eomer is beginning to realize this is not a threat to his sister's happiness this time.

And yes, Aragorn needs to learn to relax at times. He's had a busy life, after all.

InklingReviewed Chapter: 19 on 1/29/2006
A great chapter…I loved Faramir’s eloquence, both his profession of love: "...when I have held her in my arms I feel as if her love is all the armor I’ll ever need to wear from this day forward" and his stirring words at the end: "And I rejoice, my friends; I rejoice at finding the breeze in my hair, even here in the Hall of Kings."

And Gandalf’s comment about the danger of lingering too long in Middle-earth was fascinating…the idea that even though the temptation of the Ring is gone, there is the underlying temptation of power itself, disguised as the desire to do good, to "order things in accordance with my own understanding", that calls to him still.

Interesting, too, that this temptation seems not to affect Radagast, so far as we know…


Author Reply: I am so glad you appreciate Faramir's way with words. And Gandalf must have felt the temptation to take over for folks. As Radagast's specialty was animals and not people, I doubt he'd have felt the temptation as much as Gandalf or Saruman.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/19/2005
I do believe that Faramir has made the speach that every woman longs to hear. He may not be Aragorn but he is most certainly guite a catch! Eowyn is a very lucky lass indeed! I also enjoyed Eomer's response as the protective brother. Eowyn is lucky in many ways.
I loved the story of Aragorn falling asleep in his birthday feast! Must be tough growing up with perfect beings who have endless memories.

Author Reply: Yes, demonstrating that the Silver Tongue Award goes to Faramir son of Denethor, Lord Steward (and soon to be Lord PRINCE Steward) of Gondor under the High King of Men!

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/5/2005
Older elven brothers can be quite insistent at times! :) And downright embarrassing telling tales on Aragorn as a seven year old. But they do have good hearts and want the best for him.

I always wondered if Gandalf was anxious to go back to Valinor. He had been in Middle-earth now for so long and yet Valinor was his true home and where he could live as he was meant to live and in his 'natural' state. I suppose anxious isn't quite the right word, since that would imply he was impatient, but I would think he would long to see his home again.

I like how you are showing Eomer's uneasiness about Eowyn and Faramir. There should have been a measure of reluctance on his part about the two of them as he was well aware of her attraction to Aragorn and he would have to wonder if this was just another similar thing and she would, as quickly, get over Faramir. And he did not know Faramir and I would think he would want to get to know him personally before deciding to allow them to wed.

My beta said she would have her notes back to me today, she had a busy week, so hopefully the chapter will be out tonight!

Author Reply: Big brothers often love to tell tales on smaller ones, and I think that they'd enjoy, now and then, embarrassing Aragorn when they thought it would do him good. So glad you appreciated that.

To go from being a mover and shaker in Middle Earth to a servant again in Valinor might not be as attractive an idea as one might think--I like to think that this was part of what helped lead to the downfall of Sauron and Saruman, that both decided "better a ruler in hell than a servant in paradise." But I agree, for one such as Gandalf there is a strong probability that he wished to go home and be Olorin again after years of being Gandalf or Mithrandir.

Glad you appreciate the reluctance of Eomer, for there are some who don't think it would have happened that way. So glad to see this has gone over well. But I know when my Big Bro learned my husband-to-be was a recent divorcee he was concerned for my happiness and looked him over pretty closely, not wanting me to be unhappy in my choice. Wish he'd given us the same privilege, myself, as his first wife was anything but worthy of him.

And am looking forward to the next chapter of your own story. Thanks for the heads up.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/5/2005
"...the longer I linger, the stronger the desire to order things in accordance with my own understanding grows. It will come to no good if I have fulfilled my commission in bringing all to stand against the tyranny of Sauron and the proposed tyranny of Saruman if I but seek to take their places in the end.”

How fascinating. I have my own ideas on what went into Gandalf's decision not to "linger" any longer, but I really like your 'take' on it. Even now, he fears being "tempted", and continues to recognize a flaw in himself to which he would succumb if he ever once let it take over. Saruman seems not to have been so self-examining... or if he was, he thought himself strong enough *not* to succumb.

Author Reply: Oh, I'd love to hear your reason(s) why Gandalf left so soon; Radbooks suggested he might be eager just to go home to Valinor and be himself again after having had to cling to the form of an aged man for so long.

Am so glad you appreciate this vision of him; and I certainly agree about Saruman.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/5/2005
Nothing like older brothers telling you it is time for a nap, even when you are 88 years old, the brothers think one may fall asleep in one's soup bowl.
I love that part about Eomer standing bewteen his sister and Faramir. Faramir what were you thinking, when you told him about holding her in your arms. But what Faramir said was all lovable.
I also liked what Faramir said about the windows and getting rid of the bad air.

Author Reply: Siblings always seem to embarrass us with tales we'd rather be forgotten, I've found, and so here we get glimpses of what they remember of Aragorn's childhood. But I think he does need a nap--doubt he got much sleep last night; suspect he was keeping a vigil of sorts.

Yes, I think that until he came to know Faramir better and was certain this new love of his sister's wasn't just a rebound effect, Eomer would be quite protective of her; but I think that Faramir's declaration of love would have gone a long way to winning him over.

And am glad you like Faramir's closing statement. So glad that was appreciated as much as it was.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/5/2005
*lol*
Trust older brothers to come up with embarassing childhood stories at the most inappropriate moment and to send the High King of Gondor (and soon Arnor) to bed as if he's a little boy in front of all the nobles! That was fun!

Elphir's reasons to go and meet the Umbar delegation was a fascinating insight in the delicate subtleties of diplomacy. Truly, I look forward to hear more about these newcomers and how they are being put in their place.

So Imrahil knows Aragorn reminds him of someone? Well, he will have to wait for some years and to a certain visit in Casistir to know why :)

And poor Éomer - he hasn't any say in the matter of Éowny and Faramir, hasn't he? All others have given them already their blessing. Though it is nice to see him as the protective older brother who wants only the best for his little sister.

Author Reply: That is what siblings are for--to put us in our places, no matter how many grandchildren we have (or so my Big Bro is convinced).

Am glad you appreciate the diplomacy game being played with Umbar; and they will have even more played with them before they head home--although they intend to play their own games as well, of course.

Yes, it's going to take a bit for Imrahil to be reminded at last whom the King reminds him of. And it's like an in-joke, as someone commented in a previous chapter, knowing when and under what circumstances.

And am so glad people appreciate the handling of Eomer here, as there are some I've spoken with who felt he'd have no reservations. However, remembering Big Bro before my wedding (and his expression in our wedding photos--VERY protective) I truly thought Eomer might indeed respond this way.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/5/2005
The detail in these chapters has been mind-boggling - all the things we tend not to think about, such as Aragorn having to prove his right to the throne (despite Ioreth!) and the completing of the Rolls of Arnor and Gondor. And yet Aragorn still finds time to make arrangements for Frodo and Sam and for the Fellowship's lodgings. No wonder he needs a nap!

The banter between the Twins and Aragorn was perfect, and it is a good thing they are there to stop him taking on too much. He even makes arrangements for the seating at the banquet, and I'm looking forward to seeing how their reception unsettles the Umbarians.

So much to look forward to in the next chapter.

Author Reply: That Aragorn even KNOWS about the Roll of Kings, much less has possession to its mate and that each serves the same purpose must be a further reassurance to all that, yes, this is indeed the man intended to be King.

We all need reminding at times not to try to take on too much at a time, and this is indeed the reason the twins tease their younger foster brother; and we'll see plenty of those from Umbar in the next few chapters.

The next chapter is posted, and hope you do enjoy it.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 19 on 11/4/2005
Poor Eomer! What a surprise it must have been to find his sister as much as engaged when he returned from battle. It will take a bit of getting used too...

Author Reply: Yes, it must feel odd to just realize that Aragorn feels badly he can't return Eowyn's love, and then find out she'd fallen in love with the one who will be Aragorn's lieutenant now that he's king and as good as engaged. I'm glad he appears to have taken it well, though.

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