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| The Queen's Orc by jodancingtree | 166 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Breon Briarwood | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/14/2004 |
| no... *sniff* Author Reply: Yes... *sniff* | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 4/14/2004 |
| The hours are dark in more than one way. Does Aragorn have regrets, now as his end approaches? I always thought I saw regrets in Arwen's grief, but no guilt in Aragorn over the sacrifice she has made for him. Did not someone famous once say that much is said about our lives in how we accept death? In Tolkien's world, death is a grace, and Aragorn is accepting it gracefully, as did Frodo. I think Arwen is more like Sam was at the end of his life. Canohando's fatalism about death feels different from both. I wonder how he will react to the deaths of the King and Queen. Author Reply: Yes, they are. I think Tolkien said that Arwen "was not yet weary of her life" when it came time for Aragorn to die, so she must have had some deep regrets about that, although probably not about her choice to marry him. I think you've pegged both her and Aragorn's level of acceptance accurately. Canohando is a different case: he sees death in terms of "orcs live until someone slays them", and that has made him fatalistic. I doubt he ever really thought about the mortal condition: that death can come peacefully, by old age, until he saw Lash's wife die. Then it hit him, and he hurried back to Mordor, looking for Frodo. In this story he's forced to come to terms with the deaths of Frodo, Aragorn, and Arwen - all three of whom he has come to love - and not in the violent style he always associated with death. It has to have a profound effect on him... jo | |
| Breon Briarwood | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/14/2004 |
| Alright! I knew Elessar would recognize the truth of the matter. It's too bad though, that it took a premonition of his own death for him to see it. However, I'm anxious to see what's going to happen now! The people don't seem happy with the King's decision. Author Reply: Well, perhaps he would have seen it anyway - but I think it was Samuel Johnson who said, "Nothing so concentrates a man's mind, as the knowledge that he is to be hanged in the morning." Or something like that - certainly the realization that his time is short throws a different light on things for Aragorn. But the people of Gondor have no reason to trust any orc... jo | |
| Carol | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/8/2004 |
| What a remarkable amount of guards for one orc! Aragorn really isn't going to take any chances. The fact that he decided to wait a month before passing judgement suggests that Aragorn wanted to be fair, yet he didn't speak to Canohando until Arwen pushed him into it, and still hasn't called him by name. I suppose fairness is warring with attitudes developed over a lifetime. Author Reply: You're right - Aragorn has never known orcs to be anything other than treacherous, sadistic, and utterly given to evil. Even when Frodo reported that a few of them had turned from the Dark, Aragorn suspected some deception by the orcs. Now Canohando shows up and the first thing he does is spill blood - it's hard for Aragorn to see beyond that. I think it's actually more surprising that Arwen sees at once what Canohando really is. | |
| Lossenchristal | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/8/2004 |
| Another very good chapter! I like it that you are not having Aragorn give in to Arwen right away, or all at once. It makes it more real that way. That was an interesting idea, putting him in the old nursery at the palace!:) I look forward to the next chapter!:) Thanks! Namarië, ~Lossenchristal Author Reply: Thank you, Lossenchristal! The nursery was an obvius choice, with the barred windows - but Arwen shows such tenderness toward, Canohando: at some unconscious level, almost as if she wanted to "mother" him... | |
| Muinthel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2004 |
| ....well well ....I'm really thrilled to find this story! Like I told you - I was really looking forward to what would happen to Frodos orc. It will be very interesting to find out how Aragorn will eventually handle the whole situation, for I think he is allready starting to change. The behaviour of Canohando and how Arwen reacted on it would leave nobody untouched. I hope Aragorn will find a decision as wise as he would have learned it from his father and from the Lady of the woods.... "...you may find friendship and help in unexpected places and situations!" That is something that also Frodo learned....by Tolkien and in your stories the hard way ;)!!! Author Reply: I am so touched and happy to find there are readers interested in what happens to Canohando - I did get so fond of him when I was writing Wizard! And of course he's a real challenge to Aragorn's justice - lucky for both of them that Arwen is there with the wisdom she learned from Elrond... | |
| Lossenchristal | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2004 |
| That was a Lovely chapter! Thanks so much! I can't wait to see what Aragorn decides...:)Please don't make us wait too long!:) Namarië, ~Lossenchristal Author Reply: Thank you, Lossenchristal! I'll try not to take too long putting up the next chapter... jo | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/6/2004 |
| I think the king has gotten complacent in the time of peace, and has forgotten somewhat the way of a warrior. He is so used now to rule, and law, that Arwen needs to remind him how decisions are made in the heat of battle. And she's also reminding him the lesson that Gimli and Legolas learned long ago, to look beyond the externals to the soul within, and find kinship in old enemies. At least he has compassion enough left to think of disciplining the warden of the jail. How we treat the old, the helpless and the unworthy says much of the heart of our beliefs. I hope Aragorn can find justice for Canohando in the same way that he found justice for Beregond long before: justice tempered with wisdom and mercy. The first step has not quite been taken, though. Aragorn still calls him 'orc' instead of by his name, as Arwen does. He will have to see him as a sentient being before he can offer him redemption. The thought is beginning to stir, though. He is allowing Arwen to give orders for Canohando's care. More tears are shed for Frodo, and I admit a few of them are mine. But I am trying to be brave and remember that Frodo felt at peace with his own death, and that all he needed to accomplish was achieved. It doesn't take the pain away though. Is it strange that thinking of the AU death of a fictional character can inspire such strong emotion? He touches a deep chord in me. Author Reply: I do so appreciate your thought-provoking reviews! Yes, Frodo touches a deep chord in me, too. Just reading something Tolkien wrote (forget where) about how things were in the Shire "in Frodo's time" - underlining that Frodo's time was in the distant past by then - cut me up. I want it to be always Frodo's time! But it doesn't work that way, and even Frodo could be weary at the end of a long life, and want to rest... It's not his own sorrow, it's the sorrow of those who love him and don't want to lose him. Like us. (Which is why I can't stop writing about him - there's so much Frodo creeping into this story, I suspect I should name him as one of the characters! No wait, I did, because of the Prologue. ;-) And I think you're right about Aragorn: he will have a struggle in his own mind, if he decides he wants to pardon Canohando - law versus "grace"... jo | |
| Gentle Hobbit | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/4/2004 |
| And so it begins... I've been looking forward to this story and so was thrilled to see five chapters this morning. Canohando continues to be compelling and is well able to carry a story on his own. This is going to be such a fascinating conjunction of three very distinct and strong characters -- Canohando, Aragorn and the Queen. And a mixture of strong themes -- faith, ideals, racism, and compassion. I look forward to more of the complex internal journey that this orc is on. Author Reply: Hi, Gentle Hobbit - You're right that Aragorn and Arwen are strong characters! I meant to write about Canohando, and they were there pretty much as foils to him, but it isn't working out that way at all! I'm getting to know them better than I ever did before, as they exercise their royal prerogative and take over the story. >vbg< Not that they're elbowing Canohando aside - you can't elbow an Orc. But there are chapters when I feel like I'm just along for the ride. Anyhow, I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am! jo | |
| Breon Briarwood | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/3/2004 |
| What?! How can Elessar do this? Doesn't he see Canohando was only acting in self-defense! Arwen has to make him release the orc! Eagerly awaiting more! :D Author Reply: Well, he *did* kill one of Elessar's men, right there in front of everyone! But I'll let Elessar explain his own thinking a little later... Glad you're enjoying it, Breon! | |