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Keeper of the Jewels  by Cuthalion 12 Review(s)
KathyGReviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/17/2014
It would be most interesting to see how help arrived quickly enough to get the wounded back to Minas Tirith in time! As you said, Cuthalion, Sam's wounds were the least serious (although he certainly faced the risk of infection and possibly even of blood poisoning if he didn't get treated soon); Aragorn was in danger of losing his leg, and Artanis was in danger of losing her life. Wagons would have had to be sent to transport them at least part of the way back (when they weren't being transported by boat), and I suspect that Elrond and maybe his sons would have insisted on going along to treat Aragorn and Artanis's injuries, if not Sam's as well. It would also be interesting to know how Sam, Aragorn, and Artanis all fared while they were waiting for help to come, and while they were being taken back.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/7/2006
Very exciting! I loved the way the Hobbits insisted on coming. Artanis vision of each of them and their jewel colors was very interesting. I do like her very much in spite of the part that she played earlier in all of this. Looks like Pippin got to do a bit of defending in all of this. I love the relationship between Frodo and Artanis. They seem to know one another well without the details of long conversation. Oh, and I adored Merry's warning to Pippin about not allowing him to toss any stones for fear of another Balrog. Humor and excitment!

Author Reply: To be honest, I simply didn't think that it might be odd that Faramir took the hobbits with him instead of an army of trained men. It was my beta Ariel who sweetly asked for an explanation how this could happen, and so I hurried to add a paragraph that makes things a little bit clearer. *embarrassed grin* Thank you very much!

Cúthalion

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/26/2006
Poor Artanis,this is so tragic. I love the way the characters are compared to jewels,especially Aragorn and Faramir.

Author Reply: I thought it would only logic that Ardhenon in the end even turned against his daughter, completely lost in his hate and madness. And I was very pleased with the comparison either!

Cúthalion

White GullReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/24/2006
Wow, that was a great action scene!

Author Reply: Thank you! *beams*

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/22/2006
This was an exciting and satisfying resolution. I loved the hobbits ganging up on Faramir. He obviously didn't yet realize what a formidable force he was trying to hold back. I felt terrible for Artanis, though - still torn between guilt over her actions and the horrific consequences that might still result, and a daughter's guilt over betraying her father. The trip to the far bank and the entry into the tunnels was nicely creepy. I was sad that in the end, Ardhenon was so enslaved by his hatred of Aragorn that it expanded to encompass even his daughter - she froze under the icy blast of his utter condemnation. What a chilling sentence. I was glad the hobbits redeemed themselves well in battle; but of course they are battle-hardened veterans now. I love your portrayal of Frodo as mature, calm, and capable. He was wonderful with Sam here. And it was great when Artanis tried to match each character to a gem. So in character for her, and so satisfying that she could see Frodo and Aragorn as they truly are. I hope that now she can find some peace.

Author Reply: Thank you - and I thought it would be a nice idea to show especially Merry and Pippin as trained soldiers; Merry has fought on the Pelennor Fields, Pippin before the Black Gate. They simply must have enough experience to show their value in battle when it's needed. And there will be some more details about Artanis' healing in the last chapter and epilogue. Thank you very much!

Cúthalion

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/21/2006
A satisfying chapter and it's interesting how you wove the gem information into what otherwise was an action scene. Glad to see that dear Sam is now safely in the arms of his friends, and I hope to read more of his recovery.

Author Reply: There's a little bit more to come (though I think that rest and a proper treatment of his wounded hand will do wonders to make him recover rather fast). The ones who are much more wounded are Aragorn and Artanis now; just wait and see. Thank you so much for your reviews!

Cúthalion

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/20/2006
I absolutely adore how Artanis sees each person's jewel-like light and essence. Especially...

there was no gem she could use to describe Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Elessar, king of Gondor. In a sudden epiphany she understood that what she saw was the essence of the ancient kingdom, burning in his flesh with a fierce, golden flame.

Oh my. That is just magnificent imagery.

Author Reply: Thank you, Janet. That was one of the things that simply slip on your screen and make you wonder where they come from... and certainly one of my better ideas. *smug smile*

Mona

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/20/2006
I, too, see them surrounded by light and colors, although mine are a bit different. Lovely moment, her seeing their true natures that way. And I hope she is allowed survival.

Author Reply: I would not let her die, after everything she has gone through - poor girl. And I'm very glad that you like this!

Cúthalion

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/20/2006
Oh, and I meant to mention: I think both JRRT *and* PJ were off in hinting that Pippin's indiscretion--whether stone *or* skeleton--was what woke the Balrog. After all--just imagine all the racket that was made when the Watcher destroyed the West Gate! Of course the orcs and the Balrog knew they were there all along! They had probably just been biding their time in getting the intruders deep into the mines first!

Author Reply: True indeed. I agree with you that the evil forces in Moria most certainly knew that the fellowship was there. All I wanted to say was that the noisy clatter of a skull, a helmet and the rest of the rusty armor was much more "awakening" than a single stone... *grins*

Cúthalion

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 10/20/2006
Wow! An amazing and action-filled rescue scene!!

There is so much to love about this--whoosh! The description of the determined rescuers, the nervous banter between the hobbits, Artanis' own struggle with her betrayal of her father! Poor dear, so hard for her to realize that *he* was the betrayer, and that he had betrayed *her* years ago by the way he treated her.

I think I love you for making Pippin the one who finally brings down the true villian. Much better than if it had been Faramir or Aragorn to do so--and he's such a fierce little warrior! (And I loved his line about height in his earlier encounter.)

Poor Artanis, though--I suppose we have to wait until the next chapter to see if she survives, but the healing hands of the King are right there, so it makes me somewhat hopeful...

If she does survive, I hope she can talk with Faramir. He of all people would understand what it would mean to have a father go mad and try to kill one, and how it feels to endure years of disdain and emotional abuse.

Author Reply: I think I love you for making Pippin the one who finally brings down the true villian. Much better than if it had been Faramir or Aragorn to do so--and he's such a fierce little warrior! (And I loved his line about height in his earlier encounter.)

Thank you! I loved the line, too - I wrote it in Michigan, sitting in jodancingtree office while she did her job and I followed the inspiration to write that rescue scene beore much more else was written. And yes, I agree, it simply had to be Pippin... the clumsy little cousin, grown up to strength and courage, a fighter or what he thinks is right. I am so glad that you agree!

And no, she won't talk with Faramir (though the idea definetely has its merits - perhaps there will be the time for a small one-shot later!). But she will find her way nonetheless. No, I won't kill her.

Cúthalion

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