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Twice Blessed  by MJ 2 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/22/2010
She does appear to be quite the petty one, this Aranayel. Needs some growing up, obviously.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/17/2010
Olorin thinks that he has truly forgiven Aránayel, and that she cannot distress him. Yet, he is saddened, regretful and apprehensive, and not really happy to see her. I think he sometimes protests too much when he insists he has forgiven her, and wishes her well. She, on the other hand, is bitter and vengeful, and chafing after a very long confinement. This isn't going to go well. Hopefully, the presence of the twins, Frodo, Vanyalos and other residents of the area might rein her in - too many others to tell tales if she doesn't behave.

As to his impulsive offer to help: yes, that is what got him in trouble once before, although he doesn't mean it the same way this time. It is simply his nature to go and help. He can't help it, and he shouldn't try. He needs to be himself whether anyone else likes it or not, imho.

Author Reply: Olórin isn't the only one who needs to be himself — but that's part of what the story is for, in the end, the road to self-discovery (which does indeed go ever on). I suppose I could have looked to The Bard and another quote for the the title — "To thine own self be true" — but that was a bit less to the point, and didn't make a very good title for a novel :). Thanks for the review!

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