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Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil  by Larner 5 Review(s)
VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/1/2008
Too close to life for comfort - I wish all poor slave children of our days would find themselves rescued like this little girl!

Author Reply: I agree, Virtuella. In the original story for which this is a gapfiller of sorts, Hasturnerini had been sold off to satisfy her father's debts, and Arwen felt impelled to purchase her and Benai of Camaloa, an "Africanized" Dunadan from a people south of Harad whose ancestors were among those who'd fled Numenor but ended up being blown southeast by the storm that blew the other nine ships to what became Gondor and Arnor. We know that Elendil's ships ended up in Eriador where he founded Arnor while those of his sons ended up in Gondor; so if I had a tenth one end up in Camaloa, I don't feel particularly guilty! Heh!

As you noted, slavery is still practiced in some places in Africa, and so many are children and women stolen from their own villages and sold into forced service and degradation elsewhere. I agree--if only all of them could be rescued as Hasturnerine was.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 21 on 5/3/2008
This was just beatiful and perfectly shows Aragorn's nobility.How fortunate the girl is that Arwen found her!

Author Reply: I'm so glad you like it, Linda. It was fun to visit one of the incidents from "Lesser Rings" again, no matter how briefly. Thank you so!

Szepilona10Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 4/30/2008
I liked it! You should write more about this "New Daughter"!
God bless!

~Szepilona10~

Author Reply: Thanks, Szepilona. Hasturnerini appears first in my story "Lesser Rings," in which Aragorn makes two trips to Harad. Arwen found the girl in the slave market, where she was being sold to satisfy her late father's debts. Arwen bought her and a black slave with a star carved into his chest, and brought them back to the Farozi's palace. To satisfy both Haradri and Gondorian law, Arwen apprenticed the girl to herself so as to bring her safely out of Harad and back to Gondor. The story was nominated for a MEFA a couple years ago, and is available both here and on FFN.

I've considered writing more about Hasturnerini and Benai of Camaloa, but keep getting assaulted by other plotbunnies and nuzguls....

KittyReviewed Chapter: 21 on 4/29/2008
Completely agree with Aragorn. It was such a luck that Arwen found the girl! And I love it that Aragorn thinks of her as a daughter. She will have a wonderful time with her new 'parents', no doubt. And I hope to read more about her in future fics - I came to love her in 'Lesser Rings'.

Author Reply: I'm glad you remember Hasturnerini from Lesser Ring. It was fun to do a story bringing her more out front, instead of being seen as merely one of Arwen's maidens. It's going to be culture shock to an extent, but children are eminently adaptable, I've found, given the right circumstances.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 21 on 4/29/2008
A lovely glimpse at a young lady that I hope we get to hear more about someday.

Author Reply: I hope you remember Hasturnerini from "Lesser Ring." I may indeed write a sequel to that someday, but haven't done so as yet. I did have her appear in "Adolescence," and I think in "Treating with the Enemy." She perhaps needs her own story, though....

This was also written for a birthday challenge to write a story in which we deal with an adoption, preferably of a child from a different culture or race. And as I thought of "Lesser Ring," suddenly Hasturnerini prodded me, indicating she at least meets the criteria!

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