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The Acceptable Sacrifice  by Larner 15 Review(s)
InklingReviewed Chapter: 25 on 3/4/2007
Awww…what a nice reunion of Belveramir and his lord captain! It’s fun to see the unmasking of Thorongil. And it’s a wise king who wants to know all of his servants.

Author Reply: I love seeing different people realizing they know this new king of theirs after all. And indeed a wise man who seeks to know those who work for him, particularly a king who must know whom to trust. Glad you approve.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/1/2005
Lord Captain Thorongil is on everyone's minds but they still have no clue. LOL
Loved "the waking of the King" but wouldn't want the job myself. Dangerous work. Great chapter!

Author Reply: Glad you appreciate it, GW. And I wouldn't mind waking the King, once I had an idea of what to expect. I'd probably stand behind the door and cough--REALLY loud. Heh! But, then, I've always had a distinct crush on Aragorn anyway.

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/13/2005
Aragorn is getting a lot of mileage from the Thorongil thing, but it appears most everyone who knew him then is pleased with the revelation. ~TF

Author Reply: Tolkien indicated that about the only person in Gondor who didn't truly appreciate Thorongil's natural abilities, nobility, and skills was Denethor; so I suspect that those who were old enough to remember and now recognize him would be very happy, for they know this one did and hopefully still loves Gondor and will do as well by her as he can.

And it's fun to play with the ways folks might have come to recognize him--it happens several times in The King's Commission and Lesser Ring.

Glad you appear to enjoy the thought Thorongil as the King Elessar is pleasing to those who are in on that knowledge.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/12/2005
“He reminds me strongly of the Lord Captain Thorongil when he would visit here with the Lord Steward Ecthelion. And certainly this Lord Hardorn reminds me of his aide.”
It seems that Aragorn made a great impression on the servants of Minas Tirith when he lived there as Thorongil. And those who know him since these days will gladly help him now to feel more at home.
A lot of things will change, and for the better, I believe!
It made a great impression on me, when the new king offered his service as a healer to all the inhabitants of the citadel. Things like that would have been impossible in Denethor's days!

Author Reply: Yes, the King returned has brought a great deal of fresh air into the Citadel of Minas Tirith, and will do likewise throughout the realm.

According to the Appendices, Thorongil was greatly loved by the people of Gondor, and I wished to explore that theme through those who remembered and recognized him. And I think that the born healer would be most desirous of making certain those within his household, whether family, servants, guests, or advisors were well cared for.

Thanks, Andrea, for the feedback.

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/12/2005
Great chapter. Belveramil, exranger of Ithilien, now waker of wary warriors, knows his king, from when he was Caption Thorongil. I am so glad that Aragorn has some one he knows in the Citadel.
Poor Galador, still trying, and still confused by the new king.
Love that meeting of the staff of the Citadel. That Aragorn will not have discourtesy to the staff. Plus one of the older ones remembers Captain Thorongil.

Author Reply: At least Belveramir knows that the new King is fair, competent, a good military leader, compassionate, and is glad to see him!

As for Galador--he's officious, yes; but he's trying to forge a place for himself and not only trying too hard, but not really putting things in perspective. He knows dealing with the nobles, and thinks of that first; being practical and courteous with the staff is probably something he'd never contemplated before.

So glad you enjoyed this.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/12/2005
I would not want the job of waking Aragorn... well, maybe I would! *wink* But I am very glad that Belveramir is someone that Aragorn knows and will be comfortable having as a valet and having him in and out of his chambers. Those kinds of things will make a difficult transition easier for him. And just having that easy acceptance of him as the new king has to be wonderful for Aragorn.

I thought it was interesting that several of the servants wanted to leave the Citadel completely and wondered if they were fearful of leaving under Denethor's rule. It doesn't surprise me that some would want to go with Faramir - that would be natural, but the other does. Although, maybe they had just felt duty bound to serve and as the king was giving them an honorable way to leave, they were taking advantage of it.

Galador, Galador, Galador. I wonder how long it will take him to learn that he is not going to be able to 'handle' Aragorn. I'm sure he will keep attempting to for awhile, but Aragorn will just keep putting him in his proper place... some people just don't quite listen and learn. :)

Author Reply: Oh, I would have loved being Arwen, myself, and being allowed to love and be loved by Aragorn, and to awaken him in the mornings. And having one close servant who knows and already honors him for what he was as well as for his new role must be reassuring for both Aragorn and Belveramir.

Some folk can't take major changes within even familiar environments, and at such a time will want to make new starts, while I suspect a few had wanted to leave before, but didn't feel free to do so until they had official permission to do so and the assurance this is fine by the new staff. How many times I've subbed in a classroom and found the students can't even take minor changes to how instruction is offered--yet change the room completely and they're fine with it.

And Aragorn was warned that dealing with Galador is not easy, as he is remarkably single-minded.

So glad you enjoyed this, Radbooks.

ElentarielReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/12/2005
I find the people's reactions to who Aragorn is/was decidedly amusing. I really enjoy reading about Aragorn's relationship with the staff of the citadel. Perhaps you could write a piece on how Aragprn changes rules and the livery and other things over the course of his rule?

Author Reply: Part of that will come into play in this story, Elentariel, although exactly how much I'm not certain. And I do think Aragorn would have enjoyed meeting old companions, particularly when they are glad to see him return in the end.

Thanks for the feedback.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/12/2005
What a delightful encounter for Aragorn and his former colleague !I'm enjoying seeing Aragorn have a little fun seeing people try to guess that he is Thorongil !
I also enjoyed the way he treats the servants.Thank you for your much appreciated review of my my story.There is indeed a lot of Boromir in Elbeth.

Author Reply: Those who knew Thorongil are going to be pleased to see what several more years experience has made of the Lord Captain; those who didn't are still going to see marked changes for the better within the Citadel and the realm in general.

And I do think Aragorn would have enjoyed being recognized over time, and would have insisted all be treated with dignity.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/11/2005
"We found we had to stand well out of reach and cough when it was our turn, for we Hobbits don’t make enough noise with our feet to waken him that way.”

How typically Pippin. Loved the list of things a Ranger has to look out for too - wolves, orcs, wargs, trolls........... No wonder Aragorn sleeps with a knife to hand. I wonder how many years it took before he was able to relax in his sleep - if he ever did?

I think Aragorn is having a lot of fun with the 'Thorongil's identity' thing.
The way in which he spoke with the staff and showed concern for them, wanting people to respect them and being aware of the dignity of labour was indicative of the new King's nature and emphasised the differneces between him and Denethor.

So much to contemplate and enjoy, Larner. Thanks again.


Author Reply: So glad you appreciate it. Having come from Arnor where there wasn't much in the way of servants and so on, I suspect that Aragorn tends to see servants as employees instead of as fixtures as many who grew up class-conscious might. And I suspect that now that Aragorn is King there is a better chance for those who are common-born to become upwardly mobile if they show intelligence and ability than there has been in Gondor for quite some centuries--or possibly millennia.

And glad so many enjoy the Thorongil recognition moments. As Aragorn told Frodo, he expects to enjoy such moments for some years, probably.

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/11/2005
I love the running gag with people starting to connect Aragorn and Thorongil. It cracks me up.

I'd write more, but I'm too sleep-deprived at the moment to be anything more specific than happily appreciative of this chapter.

Author Reply: Oh, I know about being sleep deprived--am feeling the same myself after working all night and much of the day as well.

So glad you, too, enjoy seeing people recognize Thorongil in the King. It must have been a source of enjoyment to Aragorn at times. This was an ongoing theme throughout The King's Commission.

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