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Branwyn's Bijoux  by Branwyn 11 Review(s)
VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/4/2008
What a clever little ficlet, and every word fits just so!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/4/2008
And when one of the two Rangers will be the King Returned one day? What will he think then, I wonder? Heh! Ah, Barliman Butterbur has a thing or two to learn about Rangers.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/7/2008
I just found this through the MEFA site and I really enjoyed it. I could just see the expression on Barliman's face as he tried to puzzle out the appeal of the game. Very enjoyable.

VardavReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/23/2007
Delightfully done! Thank you from the Valar Guild for a thoughtful story for the tenth anniversary. That was also a subtle and marvelous way of honoring some of our members who are soldiers in real life who have to leave for a while and then return to game with us again.

Author Reply: Thanks to you, gracious Varda, and to the members of the Valar Guild for creating a cozy place for gamers, writers, and readers to meet!

Author Reply: Edit--Here is the current website address for the Valar Guild--

Valar Guild

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/21/2007
What I love most about this most excellent vignette is the sense of much of Middle-earth encapsulated in a small provincial inn - the mysterious hard-traveling Rangers, the hobbits, the dwarves, the Men of Bree; all involved in one way or another with an old and sophisticated game that speaks of ancient power. Well done! And extra points for wonderful characterisation of Butterbur.

Author Reply: In ROTK, Gandalf and Pippin converse using a chess metaphor which makes it clear that hobbits and wizards, at least, are familiar with the game. I thought it was reasonable to assume that it was played throughout MiddleEarth (just as during the Middle Ages in the real world, it was played throughout Europe, the Mideast, and parts of Asia). Poor Butterbur is in for such a surprise when he learns the true identity
Thanks so much for the kind review!

Author Reply: Let me try this again without the cat walking across the keyboard!
In ROTK, Gandalf and Pippin converse using a chess metaphor which makes it clear that hobbits and wizards, at least, are familiar with the game. I thought it was reasonable to assume that it was played throughout MiddleEarth (just as during the Middle Ages in the real world, it was played throughout Europe, the Mideast, and parts of Asia). Poor Butterbur is in for such a surprise when he learns the true identity of Strider. I wonder what, if any, role the innkeeper played in the fighting against the ruffians in Bree at the end of the War? He would be in a natural position to help organize and supply the effort, if not lead it.
Thanks so much for the kind review!

phyloxenaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/21/2007
I love this one! And amazed how you managed to write such a short piece to feel so slow. It has very much the feeling of 'The Smith of Wutton Major' -- Barliman is much the same type as old cook, he just lives closer to Fairy.

Author Reply: I am glad you liked this! I did try to write in a meandering style since poor Barliman does take a while to think things through. :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/21/2007
Ah, a marvelous vignette of sorts here, Branwyn. Yes, whether or not he knows it, this game is indeed one of at least ONE king-to-be he's acquainted with.

Author Reply: Thanks for your kind comments! For someone as set in his ways as Butterbur, it must have been astonishing to learn that one of those shiftless rangers was the rightful king of Arnor and Gondor. :-D

RSReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/20/2007
This is wonderful. I really like this. I love the picture of Strider playing the "game of kings".

Author Reply: I am glad you enjoyed this! Poor Strider wouldn't have had much time for leisure, but if the weather was too foul for travel or he was waiting for news from other rangers, I could see him passing the time in a game of chess. :)

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/20/2007
This is nice. Butterbur is such a kind, innocent soul.

Author Reply: I am glad you liked it! Butterbur IS kind and innocent--I can imagine him wishing that those rangers spent more on ale, but he would never think of turning them out in the cold.

NeiliaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/20/2007
If only Barliman knew about Strider's real identity. Great tale.

Author Reply: When the returning hobbits tell Butterbur that Strider is now the king is one of my favorite moments in the LOTR. :-) His expression must have been priceless.
Thanks for commenting!

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