Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 18 Review(s)
PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/30/2006
I really enjoyed Galador's last reaction there at the end. :-) Legends are coming to life.

Pippinfan

Author Reply: Ah, yes, legends indeed are coming to life, and this is a King not given to overstretched formality. So glad you appreciate it.

EthareiReviewed Chapter: 20 on 3/8/2006
Now we watch Etharei play catch-up!

So sorry for not commenting sooner, sweets. I followed this for a time, then got distracted with some other things both in Real Life and the LOTR fandom, and then decided to re-read the whole thing to make sure I don't miss anything ^_^

First of all, I see now what you mean by a less 'saint-like' Frodo. You showed him as the tortured soul he was immediately after the destruction of the Ring, and my heart goes out to him. I also love the two halves in his head, mirroring Slinker/Stinker in Gollum. It was perhaps the only way his mind could retain 'Frodo', by separating a part of itself.

I also love seeing the familiar faces featured in your later stories, particularly Lasgon. And the description of the houses surrounding the guest house in the sixth Circle! It's like visiting your other stories again :-) And it's really nice to see Aragorn right as he becomes King.

I can't believe the rate at which you are updating this, but I shall endavour to catch up quickly. I'm a fast reader once I'm hooked. In short: I love this story! *hugs*

Author Reply: Good grief--one of the reviews I missed when the systems were crashing regularly. I now apparently have a trojan on the new desktop I need to identify and remove, but have no idea where to look for it.

I see Frodo as a person who is finding the aftermath of the Ring's destruction nowhere as pleasant as he would like it to have been.

In the end the one who argues becomes more identifiable.

Am so very glad you appreciated seeing characters familiar from the other stories. I find I rather like Lasgon myself, as well as Healer Eldamir.

I am finding the current rate of Trojan and virus production to be very distressing, as many such programs appear to cause conflicts with my satellite modem program. Between viruses and other hardware, software, and problems with former tenants I've been offline it feels like more than online since April.

Anyway, it's always pleasant to reply to comments, even if they are delayed by technical problems.

InklingReviewed Chapter: 20 on 2/7/2006
It’s fun to see all the behind-the-scenes preparations…fussy though he is, there is a need for someone like Galador at court. Did he remember all those seating changes without notes?



Author Reply: Well, once the model of the table was set up and names put in, it would be hung where ushers and heralds could see and review it as needed.

Certainly every organization needs someone like Galador who truly understands and appreciates protocol and precedence in order to keep things running smoothly. Unfortunately, many of these are the ones who are most attuned to details that don't need attention given them, or such has been my experience with them.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/19/2005
OK, I don't trust Galador for some reason. Plenty of people and hobbits have been asking personal questions but Galador's questions bother me in a way those other questions did not. I could be wrong but I get a very bad feeling from him in this chapter.

Author Reply: Oh, I don't think Galador's a bad sort--just heavily blinkered and not certain how to adjust to all these strange folk in the capitol.

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005
Poor Galador! His world is being well and truly rocked. I hope he can adapt to all the changes. ~TF

Author Reply: It may take some time, but he'll get by. But to undergo so many changes must indeed have been difficult.

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005
Lovely, Larner. Putting flesh and bones onto the notion of the Coronation from the book. Wherever did you come up with the chart, all of the colors for each house and region. Was that Tolkien, or just your own wonderful invention? And even with a grand feast attended by legends, there is still a boy and girl setting the table, just like at home! Anxiously awaiting.

Author Reply: I'll admit the seating chart and the colored pieces to represent varous houses and so on is my own invention, but it seemed a workable manner of handling the situation. And I suspect one of those charged with helping to set up for the feast ended up pressing his or her own children into helping with the napkins--always a good job for the children, I've found.

So glad you appreciate the way things would be handled here as I've imagined it.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005
Larner, this story is great! So full of details and really interesting OC's.
For example Galador, who has served Denethor for long years and now, that the new King has arrived, has to learn everything anew! He should be grateful to have Faralion by his side, who is able to give him a lot of insight in the King's life and the life of his friends.

Galador looked at the minstrel amazed. “But how can this be?”
"Tales and legends have come to life before us, my friend Galador; rejoice that it is so."

I think, he will do so, he only needs some more time!


Author Reply: Everyone is having to make great changes to custom and expectation. So glad you appreciate how I've imagined it.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005
Yes, the idea that legends have indeed come to life must be very diffucult to get to grips with. No wonder Galador feels somewhat overwhelmed. I can't wait to see his reaction when he sees Arwen.

Great point about soft-footed servants - Aragorn would have a knife to their throat before they could move, I suspect.

The attention to detail with the seating plan was absorbing. Chamberlains and Comptrollers of the Royal Household in the Middle Ages must have worked with something similar. I'm eager to hear more - this banquet should be very interesting indeed.

One small thing - in one or two places you refer to Galador as Galadorn, which threw me a bit! Very easily done when your are trying to keep track of so many characters.

Author Reply: Sorry 'bout that--have edited, and HOPE I got all the errors. Yes, the spelling bug gets me now and then.

Trying to figure out how seating at such an affair would be handled was interesting--had thought of him starting off with a paper diagram of the table and writing names in, but that would have been terribly awkward, I think, as we all know how multiple erasures get to making new entries almost illegible with time. Then came the image of the thin slate with grooves to fit small tiles, and--voila--there it was. Add a piece of chalk, and one can write in the names of those who aren't usually at such affairs. Something that can be used indefinitely and can be easily adjusted at need.

And the Lord Elessar's coming marks the end of the Eldar days, with for the first time in centuries the Eldar themselves freely coming and going between their lands and the King's court until the Elven guests finally choose to leave Middle Earth at the last. Indeed a day when tales and legends have shown themselves more history than most "rational" men might have believed.

As for soft-footed servants--am going to play with that idea, you'll see.

SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005
“Tales and legends have come to life before us, my friend Galador; rejoice that it is so.”

That's lovely. I enjoyed this conversation between Faralion and Galador, hearing them discuss the hobbits and Aragorn.

Author Reply: Allows us to realize just how strange this time must have felt to those living through the return of the King to the whole of the Dunedain.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005
I do not envy Galador his job. Putting together a feast, would be like a wedding, where no one wants to eat nest to Uncle Joe, and Aunt Betty must be at half a dining hall away from Cousin Fred.
The twins were right about telling the staff not to sneak up on Estel.
Elves and wizards in the city, tale and legends have come to life, indeed.
Grey cat says hi, also left nose snot on keyboard.

Author Reply: Nor do I. Some of the lesser lords must have given fits at times, and perhaps a dowager Lady or two might have needed to be seated away from her son- or daughter-in-law to keep the strain down on those around them.

Elves, a Wizard, a Dwarf, four Pheriannath, members of the Lost--and the greatest surprise of all for many, the King Returned. A great time of upheaval of over a millennia of experience in which such things have barely been seen, except for the wizards.

Pippin the Siamese salutes Grey Cat.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List