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Lesser Ring by Larner	344 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 5/6/2006
I knew Sherfiramun wasn't to be trusted; acted suspicious of everyone, and to say such a thing to Pippin in front of all the court as well as some of those who loved him (Pippin) best! Plus, he was rather tempramental, and I'm afraid I'm slow to trust those who become angry over trifles. To get into a temper over losing a sparring match--for pity's sake! How childish! So, Merdirion was that guard! I can't believe it! I thought he was a questionable but almost harmless character, and it's sad to see what he came to in the end--just sad. And that remark about the camel is no longer funny. :( The only reason it seemed so at the time was because it seemed to have been spoken merely to get a reaction out of Aragorn, but if Merdirion can do what he did, I can hardly believe that was its only purpose. I hope that's the last of those dreadful rings. I just love how you use intrigue and mystery in these stories! I knew something was going to happen on that hunt, and I really admire the way it was dealt with. And yes, leave cooking to Pippin when thrown into difficult or interesting circumstances. ...perhaps some rice to have with the duck (“I’m glad Frodo isn’t here so we don’t have to listen to his complaints about it,” he said with a rather sad smile which the King mirrored);... LOL! I wouldn't mind listening to Frodo's complaining, much as I can't stand griping in itself, if he could be there with them. I was obliged to eat rice two meals in a row out of necessity the other day, and while I was making it I realised I'd never eat it again without smiling and thinking of Frodo and his description (and yours) of it being like eating laundry starch--and that's a good thing, because generally when I have to eat plain rice, it's because I don't really have a choice, and of course those are the times when I would rather have anything else. The children's little party and improvized school were so charming--love the conversation there. You capture children perfectly. They're such a joy to write, aren't they? :)Poor Melian--I've tried eating in a reclining position before, much as the people of ancient cultures did, and it did not work. I can't see what Hasturnerini finds so funny about eating sitting up, but it's good that she's happy and laughing again, after such an ordeal as she went through. :) Poor Ankhsarani! I hope she does find happiness with another. Sherfiramun didn't deserve her. The archery practice was great! I especially love Hardorn wanting the ring again and Aragorn's "Use your own!" laughing Such things are heard every day around here, in perfect good humour. I think we all need to have a part of us that doesn't "grow up" and become sober and serious, and these two certainly have. I'm coming to love Aragorn more and more through reading and writing about him so much. And Pippin and Bard taking over the kitchens was priceless! Those poor cooks and taster, never to have tried mushrooms! grin An interesting evening for everyone, especially the haradrim. Love Ruvemir's sculpture, of course! sigh I wish I was as good with clay as he is with stone. My own attempted sculpture has come to nothing yet. I've done it, but I think this try will be a model, as the clay was not forgiving, to say the least; the nose is over-large (that is an embarrassing fault to have), the feet just aren't right, the face is good except the nose and that it stands out too far from the head, the left hand needs more detail--and I found out the hard way that I am not good at closed eyelids. I'm proud of the right hand, though, and don't ever wish to have to remove part of such a tiny finger again. Yes, Elanor and her parents will be glad to see the flowers there, I think. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: You are going through it quickly, I see. Don't know if I can respond to everything. I doubt that Merdirion when he started was all that bad; but it doesn't take a long time to become corrupted as he did, once due to attrition there were few others Sauron could easily deputize via his Nazgul. And so the humorous comment intended to get a rise out of Aragorn now appears more ominous as we have seen what ambition fed by Sauron's "gift" of a lesser ring has led to. And even with Sauron's own power pretty much destroyed we still see the legacy of increasing megalomania and ambition in action. So glad you enjoyed the invasion of the kitchens and the playing with Aragorn's ring. We do such things. However, the shaft of the ring of Barahir is going to be pretty miserably damaged if Aragorn continues to allow it to be so misused. And I'm sure both Pippin and Aragorn would delight to hear any number of lectures on the tastelessness of rice if they could only have Frodo beside them! Sorry your own sculpture didn't come out well. Tried to do a drawing of the memorial, but the face came out totally as I'd not intended. Will probably try again soon.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 5/6/2006
I read all this yesterday, and then had to get ready for a dance and didn't get time to review, so I'm likely to overlook something. Yes, this visit is proving to be interesting! Wow! I love Ankhrabi and his sons, and seeing Sorabi as Farozi is very interesting. He is a good one, though. It's interesting that the prefix "An" is added to the ruler's name. Did Tolkien invent a language for the Haradrim, or is it based on something else? Or did you come up with this? Poor Bard--hopefully the homeward journey will be easier for him. That was interesting about the headrests. If I've heard of such a custom before, I've forgotten it. But I can't imagine how they could be comfortable! And unfortunately, as hard as we might try to make things just right, someone is always going to do something that is not to be done. :) I loved the moments with An'sorabi, Ankhrabi, and Aragorn out in the garden--a beautiful scene. I had tears in my eyes as Aragorn thought on Frodo and sang that beautiful song. Oh! Speaking of songs, the song of the frog and the mouse is very cute! :) How like the King and Queen to rescue Benai and Hasturnerini. That Benai was descended from the Numenoreans was a surprise, but quite a pleasant one! How wonderful for him that Arwen saw him. Poor Hasturnerini--what a terrifying experience, to lose her father and everything she owned and suddenly be forced into slavery. I love the way you used the doll there, as a sort of symbol of promise. That's our Gimli--bargaining away, pretending to be annoyed while really enjoying himself immensely. :) You know, I'd just love to see him try to shop for fabric. LOL! It's probably a good thing Legolas handled that side of the business! Melian is so sweet! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: The language is influenced by my fragment of knowledge of ancient Egyptian, but is mostly my own invention. The use of honorifics as additions to the name is not unusual, and would be similar to the "-san" suffix in Japanese and other oriental languages which indicates "honored sir." And if Tolkien borrowed heavily from other languages, can't I do similarly? Wooden headrests were indeed used by the Egyptians, and served both for those who didn't wear wigs to keep elaborate hair styles and beading intact, and allowed for air to circulate freely around the head. They were prominently mentioned in one of my childhood favorites about Egypt--"Mara, Daughter of the Nile." Sorry, don't remember the author's name at this point, although I read all the books by her I could find at the time. Glad you liked the song of the frog and the mouse, which I've been considering writing for years as a sequel to "The Frog He Would A-wooing Ride"--I mean, where are a frog and a mouse going to live together? As you see, I, too, have used dolls in my stories as a symbol of continuing hope. And of course Gimli is going to love bargaining. It can be an art form, after all. And I suspect he and the shopkeeper both enjoyed it thoroughly.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/5/2006
Well...I said I was going to read one chapter tonight. Just one. Mmm-hmmm. Since when have I held to my word on that? :) But then, how can I when there is so much intrigue? I am just amazed. I don't recall Tolkien mentioning the cultures of Harad and Rhun, unless it's in one of his works which I haven't yet read. The Rhunam put me a little in mind of the Arabian culture, and Harad and its people as portrayed here are remarkably similar to ancient Egypt. The names of the "gods," the emblems and creatures that represent certain deities, the people and culture themselves. Even the title "Farozi" bears a slight resemblance to "Phaaro." But it's different enough to still be interesting in its own right. I know this is a question that has no real answer, but... Wow! How do you do it? I've often thought building a fantasy world is an experience, and so it is, getting all the details just right and so on; but to take an already-created world, more detailed than any other in any fantasy that I know of, and add so much more depth and richness...I just can't imagine, and am still awed by such an ability. Loved Aragorn just stepping in and dealing with Maruset, and I'm so glad it never came out, or he might have been in trouble. Good for the crocodile! That sounds terrible, but I can't say I regret it. That Virubat is a nasty villain, if ever there was one. His perpetual forced evil smile certainly suits him, and though I'm never one to judge by looks I have to say that made me suspect him from the first. Ugh! Poor Aragorn to have to deal with killing him! And not exactly the most painless end, either. It struck me as sad that even maids should be spies, so I'm happy for Pe'elisiri, that she was uncomfortable with what she had to do and at last got her wish. Ah, Ma'annubi is a good servant. :) I don't usually trust omens and such things in life, our society being what it is, but it's amazing how the priest interpreted all he did, and I loved his mention of Aragorn's brothers. The entire affair of the star was amazingly done. It's a good thing he didn't have that brooch when he was being examined! The idea of Aragorn being part of such a vile cult as the guards thought he was is so ridiculous that it's amusing. "Your mother must have mated with a camel." LOL! I'm not siding with the guard, but that was a very clever strategy! In Aragorn's place I'm afraid I would have laughed and given myself away. Certainly it was an insult, but it's one that sounds so funny that I find it hard to believe anyone would take it seriously. I love your Dunedain, and Hardorn has to be my favourite. So loyal, with such a great heart, and with such imperfections as a little rashness and impatience...He's wonderful! smiling dreamily :) Only when I stop to breathe do I realise that I've read through the entire first section of this, but I can't wait to read more! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: When you get to the author's notes you'll find out more of why I chose to deliberately model Harad on Egypt. And it was fun taking Egyptian religious and cultural models and make them fit into Arda. Typically speaking, courts were hotbeds of spying and counterspying and counter-counterspying throughout history. That this poor maid wished to be relieved of the onus of spying I felt to be desirable. And am glad you felt that Maruset and Virubat both got what they deserved. Am so glad you enjoyed this first section; the return by Aragorn and his party once he is King of Gondor and Arnor is quite interesting, I think you'll find. And am SO glad people like Hardorn! I find I truly like him myself, although Ruvemir and Brendi are two of my favorite OCs.

Endaewen	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/18/2006
This is interesting. Are you version of the Haradrim based on the ancient Egyptians? It certainly appears that their religion and land is. Author Reply: Oh, am catching up on the reviews that came in while the computers were all down. Yes, the land of Harad is indeed based on ancient Egypt, and I discuss that further in the Author's Notes at the end. I decided to put a Tolkien spin on the Egyptian land and its faith so as to make it consistent with Arda. Glad you find it interesting.

Etharei	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 11/3/2005
How do you find the time and energy to write so much? g One can barely keep up with you- not that that's a bad thing, o' course :-D So sorry for taking so long to finally comment here, and I haven't even started on your new story yet! First of all, let me say that I would have to write several pages worth of review to do your story any justice. There's just so much to applaud, from the way you portrayed a race of Men only vaguely mentioned by Tolkien, to presenting such wonderful ideas such as Frodo's meeting with Earendil, which would have been a sight indeed. I must admit to being a little anxious at the start of the story, because I've seen any number of depictions of the Haradrim- and there are some really bizarre ones out there, let me tell you- and I was greatly relieved when you portrayed them as not evil, but oppressed by evil. Like in The King's Commission, you manage to combine a gripping narrative with convincing characterizations and an exploration on the themes of honour and dignity. Strangely enough, looking back on the story as a whole, I have found that my favourite bit was actually the choice of Setra'amun to return to the Light, even though when I was reading it I initially felt that it was diverging from the main plot (until I got to the end and realised what it was there for, of course). I guess I am a sucker for the concept of second chances ^_^ I love the sense of depth in the culture of the Haradrim, especially as I have a long-standing interest in Egyptian mythology. Your reasoning behind making them 'proto-Egypt' makes sense, and I'm surprised that not many have thought of it that way. Mostly I've seen Haradrim culture being based on Arab/ Islamic tradition, which has a beauty of its own, but this is a refreshing change. On that note, after reading your Author's Notes I was very impressed with the research that went behind the writing of the story, and the effort you went through in making the less conventional threads of the story relevant to social and cultural history. I find the idea of the 'black Dunedain' intriguing. It is entirely possible that other ships left Numenor near the end (maybe even before the King set sail for the West), and the Akallabeth only covers the ships from Romenna under Elendil's care. My only criticism- and it's a very minor one that you can ignore, really- is that at times the narrative either begins to drag or feels rushed; I felt the latter particularly in the second to the last chappy. I was also sorry that we didn't really see much of Ruvermir here, though I know that it's mostly Aragorn's story. At times I also felt that the praising of Frodo, whilst justified, begins to sound a little over-the-top. Personally I like characters who seem real, with vices to balance the virtues, and at times Frodo is being made into a saint-like figure. I still love it, though, and the character deserves it, but I thought I'd mention it. Hopefully you haven't fallen asleep yet ^_^ Thank you for yet another wonderful story, I guess I have to do some quick reading to catch up the your new one. Please, don't ever stop writing (or I'll throw chalk sticks at you)! Author Reply: I have been writing almost obsessively, perhaps in part to hide from a RL that is alternately chaotic and totally boring. Gets interesting, I must say. And I've been trying to publish a chapter every day or two for quite some time, although on occasion it has dragged on longer, particularly last winter and spring when the computer kept going down--and down--and down.... (Very long ago when my husband and I got started working with computers we learned the hard way that one of the first things one learns is how to swear fluently in a number of languages, including (for me) Basic, dBase, and MBasic.) I think most folks are basically pretty good people, but find themselves either in situations where one bad choice leads to another and then more in turn; or they decide they know better than everyone else and are going to show everyone else how it's done, and then grow increasingly divorced from reality. I also have seen Aragorn as portrayed by Tolkien as being the Sacred King who stands between the Creator and the nation, and thus does his best to represent the best from each side to the other. That in his trips to Harad and Rhun he should come across those who will become leaders of their lands in the future when he has come into his own seemed a logical premise; and that Iluvatar would seek to use him to prepare them to do a far better job of ruling their folk than they are allowed to do under Sauron also seemed logical. And so StarEagle and later Staravion in The King's Commission manage to prepare those who will rule Rhun and represent Rhun before the Western lands; and in this one Horubi'ninarin saves the younger prince of Harad and serves as an example for him, his father, and his older brother, helping them prepare for the day when Sauron no longer rules them. I'd already portrayed the folk of Rhun as basically Arabic in nature; to have two such cultures seemed to be too much, so I went with an Egyptian model instead for those from the South (and a Mongol model for the folk of Mundolie). And I, too, grew up learning about the Egyptians, and was thrilled to go through the Tutankhamen exhibit when it was touring the US in the seventies and actually see the items I'd studied for so long. I have quite few books on Egyptian history, archaeology, mythology, and cosmology; it was fun to play with the culture, tweaking it a bit to better fit with the world of Middle Earth. That you found yourself in the end most appreciating the chapter on Setra'amun in the temple when at first you didn't like it is very gratifying, for it is one of the themes of the Christian concept of redemption I think Tolkien would have appreciated greatly. And if you'd like to point out specific places particularly in chapter 50 where you think things could be done better, I'd truly appreciate it. I do appreciate constructive criticism which is relevant (I have had one person on HASA who has consistently criticized elements which s/he consistently sees as going counter to my intent and how all others who've read the same material have taken it, and that individual seems to have read almost every piece I've put up for review--that person's criticism is an example of what I see as "irrelevant" if you know what I mean). I won't always promise to change everything suggested, but will try to do my best to not repeat the same things elsewhere. As for Frodo being portrayed as saintly--I agree. I don't see him as saintly, and I doubt Sam completely convinced himself of that; but I suspect that many others would tend to idealize him. In my current story you WON'T see him as completely saintly--not by a longshot. Hope you can forgive me for the portrayal in Lesser Ring. Thanks for the in depth analysis, for I do appreciate it.

Grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 10/11/2005
Love Frodo and the butterflies in this chapter. I had a great time reading your story of Aragorn's two trips to Harad. I have loved all your stories, and am looking forward to more. You write the king, his family and friends so well. Thanks for the lovely read. Author Reply: Thank you so much for appreciating it, Grumpy. I try to write them well, and am sorry that at times I appear to let some characters slide into obscurity. Thanks so much for all the feedback--it keeps me writing.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 10/11/2005
This was a beautiful ending. I loved the image of Frodo dancing with the butterflies here, I could more easily picture it here than I could from Aragorn's end. Very wonderful story, though I am very sad to see it end and look forward to whatever offering you might have next! Author Reply: Yes, Frodo and the butterflies are there in my own imaginary picture gallery--if only I could draw it as well as I see it in my mind's eye! So glad you enjoyed it. The plotbunny with the wine bottle finally won out, as you'll note if you read the latest in Moments in Time. Hope all continues to go well with you. Next time I head across the Sound we'll have to see if we can meet somewhere.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 10/11/2005
I felt so bad for the man that didn't know how to live free. It would be difficult though for people who have never known any other life. Absolutely LOVED the image of the kitten crawling up Aragorn's arm and then sitting on his shoulder and him walking off with it. It's just a great visual picture. I knew that Aragorn was going to be in that guild as soon as Faralion took the words to the song! :) I was wondering what other guilds he is in - I assume the healing one, but what else? Nice job! Author Reply: He's in the Guild of Healers and the one for Herbalists and Gardeners--plus his position as Commander in Chief of the forces of Gondor and Arnor isn't just ceremonial--he truly knows what he and his armies are doing and leads them himself. Glad you appreciate the image of him with the kitten on his shoulder--I, too, love it, and have had that happen a time or two with one of my own. Thanks so much for the feedback. I appreciate it so much.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/11/2005
I finally had a moment to review the last few chapters! This chapter had all of the ups and downs of real life in it. The fun and joy of kittens being born, to the horror of dealing with abused children, To men receiving new swords in preparation to going back to take back their country, to Aragorn having to say good-bye to his friends and all of the things in between. I liked the gifts that Ruvemir made for everyone... he always sees everyone perfectly and knows just what will bless each person. You expect it with those he knows well, but even those he is more recently acquainted with he is able to read their hearts. Nicely done as usual. Author Reply: Yes, Ruvemir seems to have been born able to empathize with others, and I bless him for it. And am glad you appreciate that life is mixed--the good with the bad, the sadness of departing friends and the joy of enjoying those who remain, the company of animals and the stern attitude necessary when dealing with those who would exploit others. Thanks so much for catching up. Am looking forward to the next chapter of Rebecca and Thomas's story.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 50 on 10/9/2005
What a lovely chapter. The white kitten has chosen the king to be her person. Ruvemir and Faralion have caught Ellesor out, and he is now a bard and singer. I love the idea of a singing king. So sad to see Ankhraabi and his family leave, but I think his father missed them. Author Reply: Yes, sometimes cats choose their people indeed, and it's always interesting when they do. And now the Lord King Elessar is also the Lord Bard Elessar as well. Got caught at last--now to find out if they ever catch Awen as well! And the royal family of Harad is now back together again in their own land, their horizons much broadened. I suspect the next time there is a state visit to Harad, Nefiramonrani will have pillows as well as head rests available, don't you? ;-)

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