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The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner	21 Review(s)
Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Serves the creep right. I can actually think of a much more proper punishment, but that would be for the King to deal w/. And I'm guessing we'll be getting to that very soon. This is a very, very scary person. Drunk or sober. This will not bode well for the rest of the party from Umbar. Very frightening chapter Larner. I'm so glad Frodo learned how to deal a proper blow and was able to defend himself. To think he thought Frodo and Aragorn...shiver Looking forward to finding out what this one's punishment will be in the next chapter Larner. Author Reply: Or Frodo and Pippin--or Sam! He's a perverted wretch--no question! It was fun to finally bring Frodo's lessons from Merimac from "For Eyes to See as Can" and "The King's Commission" and "The Ties of Family" into this story, too, and let Aragorn realize there is still a great deal about Frodo he has had no idea about. But the trial is a few chapters away yet--first Frodo needs Aragorn and then Aragorn sees Angrapain and a few others in the prison.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Good for Frodo !You show clearly with Angrapain how one evil can lead to another,what a sick twisted mind to equate protectiveness with lust. I enjoyed the sparring and references to Thorongil. Author Reply: Some folks simply can't appreciate others could be different from themselves, particularly when others are better than themselves. And am so glad you like the sparring and the hints about our beloved King having been Thorongil--I'm just glad he now has some practice garb that fits, even if it is over forty years old.

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
I have about as many years on Queen Galadriel as you do. i too, have seen a varied array of guilt and innocence in my life. People like Agrapain actually make me sad for them. There are people who are able to overcome childhood abuse and mistreatment and become strong adults who protect others from what they once suffered. But, I suspect Agrapain did not have the kind of help he needed to get past that. So he has become a predator himself. Well written. There are too many people just like him in the world. I also enjoyed the sparring. Interesting to see how much Aragorn learned from his ageless brothers. Nice to see that the Northern and Southern Stewards are equally skilled and capable. I like what you have done in fleshing out Halbarad's family. He is one character in the books that I would have like to have seen more of. Author Reply: You might check out Radbook's story "In Aragorn's Keeping" on FFN, as it has Halbarad surviving, and he is a heck of a nice guy. I do think that Aragorn would have chosen good folk to serve as his Stewards, although Hardorn will be staying south with Aragorn while Halladan will return north to take his brother's place and help prepare for the return of the King there as well. I have included Halladan in several stories, although you see him mostly in "The Ties of Family." And sexual abuse does have such long-lasting effects. Glad you, too, find yourself wishing things had gone otherwise in Angrapain's life.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Yay, Frodo - take that perv out with just two punches! It was great to see Frodo written as a physically strong and self-sufficient person, able to defend himself from a predatory Man. Don't mess with the Ringbearer, perv! AngryPain isn't a perv because he had a yen for Frodo - he's a perv because he wants to sexually ensnare others for power rather than love, and because he's going after someone he perceives as physically helpless against him. And it was also a treat to see the sparring contests - I love it when writers remember that Faramir is a skilled and effective warrior even if he's not at Aragorn-level (no Man is). I've always thought that Faramir could outshoot Aragorn with bow and arrow, but that's just me...And I loved Faramir's account of his sparring experience with Denethor - seems that Faramir was as good as Thorongil at seeing Denethor's repetitive tactic, and, as any good swordsman would be, taking advantage of it. And of course Denethor wouldn't spar with his second son again after that - he couldn't stand being beaten; also, I bet that Faramir reminded him, if only briefly, of the hated Thorongil... Author Reply: Oh, good, you caught that! It was fun to hark back to Thorongil's experience with Denethor and show that he wasn't the only one who noticed that one could use Denethor's tendencies against him. Perhaps another reason he was more withdrawn with Boromir? And that this might bring back memories of the envied Thorongil--I'd not even thought of that. Excellent catch! And I do think that Faramir would have been a good warrior, and undoubtedly better than Aragorn much of the time. Perhaps it was the lack of weight behind his blows with the sword that convinced his father he wasn't as good. We do know his men honored and respected him, and I think as much for his overall abilities as a warrior and commander as well as the concern he showed for them. And your description of Angrapain is right on the money. And it's nice to think that Frodo was more capable than he believed to take care of himself. Author Reply: I caught a typo--I meant perhaps this was another reason Denethor was more withdrawn with Faramir, not Boromir. Gads--the fingers will type what they want sometimes!

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Oh, man, Frodo just hit him in the midriff? He is more merciful than even I gave him credit for. He's the perfect height to hit rather. . . lower down, which is what Angrapain certainly deserved, and what I would have done. But how satisfying for a 3'6" hobbit to take down a full-grown man with a one-two sucker punch. Angrapain is going to be serious trouble. I have a feeling that even Wasnior doesn't yet know how much trouble. Author Reply: I don't know that Frodo would even consider doing such a thing as hitting below the belt, but it's a wonderful thought for what OUGHT to have happened to such as Angrapain, I agree. But Frodo has been trained in self-defense, and figured how to use it to his advantage, of course-until the reaction hits him, of course. And Angrapain is going to see the insides of the Citadel prison at least for the night. It doesn't bode well for the group from Umbar.

TithenFeredir	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Ech. Creeped out by the creep again. Unfortunately Frodo won't have the advantage of surprise a second time. I hope Aragorn uses this as an excuse to get rid of the folks from Umbar. ~TF Author Reply: Angrapain will be shortly where he can't cause a third offense; and Aragorn is planning to see them all in the morning, you'll find. I just like to think that Frodo had his own strengths and ability to protect himself that he'd use on occasion to good advantage, and this seemed as good a chance as any for it to be manifested before an admiring public.

Armariel	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
contemplates which of her 4 swords she should use on Angrapain thinks perhaps all of them might be put to good use on different parts of his anatomy chuckles evilly gives him several good swift kicks and then goes home and scrubs at her foot for half an hour gives Frodo a big cheer and hug wonders how Angrapain is really gonna get his comeuppance in some bizarre, twisted and very painful way drools at the thought of Aragorn sparring ditto at the thought of Faramir ditto Author Reply: drools at the thought of the two of them taking a shower afterwards and spying on them Yes, Angrapain deserves a good deal of pain, although the hangover is probably going to be a lulu in and of itself. I never understood those who go through such things again and again, myself. But Aragorn is now going to put a stop to the situation and see to it Angrapain is not able to do more such things.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Excellent, Frodo! Hobbits are small, but far from helpless. And I do love this description of the Thain: "he may direct but not command". Perfect. And how confusing to the Umbarians! Author Reply: Yes, you can't mistake them for children due to their size and relative cuteness. Angrapain has JUST learned the hard way not to underestimate Hobbits. And am so glad you appreciate the description of the limitations of the Thain's powers--he has authority, but not rule; never quite the same thing at all. So glad you appreciated it, Shirebound.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Oh my! Now that's even more satisfying than one of the Fellowship catching him at it. I hadn't dared to hope you'd let Frodo loose his secret punch on that Man! HA! That was brilliant! Of course, it's going to cause no end of repercussions among the Umbarians. I almost feel sorry for them, stuck with a person like Angrapain in their midst. He must be a PITB to have to travel with. I loved all those reactions from watching the sparring, as well. Too bad they didn't get to see Pippin and Merry putting Boromir's lessons to work. And I got a kick out of Aragorn assuming Elladan would disarm him, and then Elrohir's sly joke when it was the other way round, LOL! Now a chapter this satisfying is going to be a hard act to follow, but I'm quite sure you're up to the task! Author Reply: Glad you find it satisfying, Dreamflower. Yes, Frodo can defend himself when the situation is right, and he did it well. Far more satisfying in the end than having someone else rescue him, and quite a revelation to those who don't know what he was like in the Shire. As for the interaction between Aragorn and his brothers--that just wrote itself. And I find I love the interplay between them--that Elves can be humorous as well as graceful, competent, deadly, and decorative. And you KNOW I love sparring scenes. So we will see what comes next.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 30 on 11/17/2005
Go, Frodo! I didn't think I could be more angry with Angrapain than I was yesterday, but I was mistaken. Oh, how I wish I could jump into the story and get my hands on his low, mean, wretched, disgusting self!!! Ugh! I do hope he gets properly punished, by Lord Aragorn himself, for this assault! Yet, I suppose I must pity him as well. But it is not unmingled with disgust and utter repulsion. How did you do it, Larner? I realise, of course, that at fifteen I have a good deal of innocence yet unmarred, but still...shudder On a lighter note, you have an excellent sense of humour, and I did enjoy the mushroom mistake, though at the time I read it I was too angry to laugh. Now I'm really anxious to see what becomes of this fellow from Umbar. God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Well, my love, I have forty years on you, so am nowhere as innocent as I was at fifteen, and have seen surprising good in some of the sorriest characters I've ever met, and shocking selfishness hiding behind innocent-seeming aspects. I've also read extensively in my lifetime, and have enjoyed some of the villains more than some of the heroes, as they are occasionally more interesting individuals. Plus I've found some pretty miserable demons residing in my heart at times, and have not always been as good at exorcising them as I ought to have been. And so I can imagine some such as Angrapain and enjoy seeing them find their proper comeuppance, and wish we might see more such open-and-shut cases in this world we live in. Glad you finally were able to enjoy the humor in the chapter, for it's what makes such chapters enjoyable. As for this chapter--Angrapain is indulging in the thought processes of what I call the "small" man, and is ascribing to others the very thoughts and motivations and responses he himself knows. He cannot imagine any has appetites that are not taintable; he has no idea what drives Frodo, or what his assault will lead to in Frodo's life. He is totally self-centered, which is the primary characteristic of the criminal mind. And so he is fairly easily felled--that one with a child-like aspect is NOT a child and may have been taught to adequately protect himself he never anticipates; and now he'll get to sit in the prison of the Citadel (which is actually not too bad a place in my version of ME) and think on things for a time--if he will, of course. Thanks for the comments, and again am glad you appreciated the humor in the last chapter.

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