Reviews (110)

Ainu Laire · 28 September 2008 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. You are truly one of the most thorough authors I know, and so canonical. To spin such a story around OCs, and keep canon characters so thoroughly in character... it's always a delight to read your writings. I liked the intro of the story especially, but I enjoyed watching Ivormil growing into a greater man, and his relationship grow with this chambermaid. Very enjoyable.

Soledad · 24 February 2008 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

Yay! I do so love a happy ending! It was another excellent story, Larner. I love stories that are about the common folk - they show so much more about the life of a country than tales about great lords. Hopefully, the new couple will be very, very happy together. :)

Nieriel Raina · 1 February 2008 · Chapter 1: A Late Return

Oh, you continued the tale! I'm just now catching up. Great start and I look forward to reading more! NiRi

grumpy · 29 December 2007 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

Soory it has taken me so long to review. Thank heavens for time off between Christmas and New year. Just wanted to say how much I loved your story. Glad that Ivormil and Systerien have gotten together. And that Ivormil has gotten to be a better person.

Antane · 29 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

And may we all seek to emulate the selflessness and inner nobility of those we’ve come to love within Tolkien’s world while accepting their--and our own--very humanity and fallibility. I'm trying and not living up to it too well some times. But you are right about both - they are superior role models and we are fallible so maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself. Still they continue to teach and I try to continue to learn. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Antane · 29 December 2007 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

So the ripples of influence that Frodo left in his wake continue to widen with another child named in his honor. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Linda Hoyland · 20 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

I enjoyed reading the background to your story. I certainly agree that Tolkien meant his characters to have a spirtual aspect.As you know, I try to bring out those aspects in my stories too. We both have created involved Tolkien sub universes !

Queen Galadriel · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

Well, I knew, of course, that I was going to take you up on your suggestion of this story (you know it best, and “I think you’ll like it” is enough to intrigue me thoroughly without reading a word—also true, as I was very sure it would be), but I didn’t know I’d be able to read it all at once. I couldn’t stop. “One more chapter…just one more! *Then* I’ll tackle all that homework…” Right. :D Oh, I’m delighted with the way Ivormil turned out, the effort he made, and the help he received from some of the best suited to give it. As for his father…absolutely pathetic and horrible “lord” and more apt to the name “thief,” but I pity him all the same. It’s a shame he couldn’t see the truth before he died and carried his bitterness to the grave with him. It’s beautiful, also, to watch Systerien blossom and grow over the course of this story! At the beginning I didn’t like her, and I hoped Airen would be more in focus than she would. But as events progressed and unfolded, I was glad she was a main character instead, though I like Airen too. Amazing how our Hobbits seem to work miracles, often without being conscious of doing so, and Aragorn too, of course. I found the scene with Ionil especially touching. Ah, and I just knew we’d end with a wedding! Wonderful! And the conversation between Systerien and the king and queen beforehand, too! Aragorn’s words about being a servant to all certainly reminded me of Jesus’ own; I love that you bring those themes into your stories. And they named their son Iorhael? I’m glad. Melda, the woman who serves the Fellowship in my own universe, and her husband the guard were going to name their child after Frodo in that way as well. I’m glad you beat me to it as it’s becoming increasingly hard to be tugged both ways (between M-e and worlds of my own imagination). There’s so much to be done and I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to writing it now. I wish I could just find a happy medium, for goodness sake! I know I’ve said it before, but you really, really should publish something someday, so that those outside our fanfic community can also share in that quality that makes your stories real treasures, wonderful for heart’s ease and a miracle cure for muddled minds in which unruly emotions and right priorities have gotten hopelessly tangled around each other and wound so tightly as to make things look rather bleak. There really is something special in your writing. I can’t point to exactly what it is, but it always has a way of reminding me that there is good still left in the world, and it won’t fade so long as there are those to keep it alive. Yours are some of the stories I miss most when I can’t seem to make time to read here, and I miss the people in them almost as much as their refreshing nature (I’ve been wanting to have a reread of Trials and Tribulation for several months now, for the sake of its heroine, who is so heart-warming). This week is turning out to be really not fun; it’s only Tuesday and there are only two more days left to pull through until I’m free of school for a blessed thirteen days, and I’m already exhausted physically and a mental and emotional frazzle. But in spite of the fact I know I shouldn’t have gotten on to read tonight with such a towering pile of homework, I’m glad I did and can’t feel too guilty because after that, even rereading Of Mice and Men and doing all that awful busywork my English teacher assigned to make sure we read it seems bearable. Thank you for arousing my curiosity and longing to enjoy fic again; I really needed that. *smiles* God bless, Galadriel

Andrea · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

Just a quick word to "maman", for I found that post very interesting. "Maman" was used in Germany as well, in the 18th, 19th and maybe even in the early 20th century by children of wealthy or noble families who learned French as their first foreign language. Therefore I interpreted "maman" as a sign of education and pride, which fit in very well with the story. Maybe it was not what you had intended, but it fit anyway ;-) And may we all seek to emulate the selflessness and inner nobility of those we’ve come to love within Tolkien’s world while accepting their--and our own--very humanity and fallibility. Well said, Larner! And one thing, or word, is very important: If we only begin to "seek" to accomplish that, we are on the right way! It took Frodo a long time to realise that. Thank you very much!

middlepiglet · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

Your stories remind me of a tapestry. In the centre of your canvas stands a small figure and around him you have woven his stories, and tales of those that affect his life. And just when I think the canvas is nearly full you pick up another thread and once again gently begin to weave this new tale onto your canvas. As I sit and study this tapestry I can see how each thread, how each new colour continues and enlarges the life of your main work, your central figure. How I delight in each new thread you pick up or an older thread continued. How I love the tales you weave. I think that when you work you should have a big sign on the door QUIET, MASTER WEAVER AT WORK. I hope you never run out of thread.

SurgicalSteel · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

I've been catching up a little bit. This was quite enjoyable - I liked seeing that Ivormil really truly did learn the lessons Aragorn intended him to. Very nicely done!

Kitty · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

a smaller nuzgul masquerading as a plot bunny Nicely put, Larner! Though if I am honest, I love these ;-) One thing you didn't mention is the fact that Aragorn was raised in Imladris, and I can't imagine elves who are serving Elrond would be treated anything other than with utmost courtesy. I can't see him or any other elves overlooking servants - that's simply not the way I imagine elves. (Oh, I wrote that after reading the beginning of the AN, and now I see you're arguing likely at the end of it - seems we're thinking alike) Anyway, I have to completely agree with your reasoning once again - about the army of servants necessary to run the Citadel as well as about the existence of the likes of Canelmir. I think people like him are existing everywhere, always looking only for their advantage and forgetting they have certain dutys to their people, their Lord and their land as well. And you're right about the servant king, as well, I believe, considering how Tolkien himself described Aragorn. (One needs only to think about the march to the Black Gate, knowing they would all die if Frodo didn't reach Orodruin in time ...) Thank you for another great story, Larner, it was truly fun to read, and I enjoyed it very much! Ivormil was one of these I had wondered about what would become of them, and I am glad to know he turned out so well! *hugs*

harrowcat · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

This didn't show up on the Author Alerts - *growls in the direction of SOA* so I am glad that I found it. Very tired tonight so I will just comment that I always find your reasoning so thoughtful and insightful and just brilliant.

Raksha The Demon · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

And that at least some women who chose to accept employment within the Citadel did so in hopes of making an advantageous marriage is also probable, marriage being the major way in which women even today might change status, even here in the United States where I live. >/i> I would point out here that I personally see nothing wrong in changing status through marriage, provided that one enters into that marriage with the intention to honor one's marriage vows. And Systerien did gain an advantageous marriage through her coming to the Citadel to work as a servant - her gaining wisdom and maturity and finding true love was a great bonus. But I commend her mother and any others who teach their children, male and female, to take advantage of opportunities. (hanging out in the gardens trying to beguile Faramir does at least show persistance and initiative!) Post-Ring War Minas Tirith would have been one probably a great place for people seeking to make their fortunes or improve them; as would Ithilien - a large pool of people from all over, good economic opportunities for young folks who did not have obligations to homes farther away. Of course, there are those, like Canelmir and (originally) his son, who didn't take their obligations to their homes seriously enough. One minor, in fact very minor, complaint - every time the word maman was used, it jolted me out of Minas Tirith and into 19th century France or thereabouts. Thankfully, it wasn't used too often. I think Professor Tolkien would have strongly approved of this story; I seem to recall his saying in one of his letters that it did people good to doff their caps to the squire, in terms of teaching them humility. Now you have me wondering if any ambitious mother ever sent a daughter to take service in the Citadel to try to catch Denethor's eye (pre-marriage or during his widowhood) - I can imagine Denethor being either amused or annoyed, depending on the time and his mood, but definitely not taking advantage of such circumstances.

Laurelin · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes

Well, I liked your story very much, as always. You again demonstrated the ability to invent OCs and have me interested in them in the very next sentence ;) . I'm sad to see it end, but not so very much, since it means that you will update one of the unfinished stories, or write a new one :D . Looking forward to your next chapter / story, L.

Andrea · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

Hah! I knew that valet would be caught eventually. Wonderful ending, Larner! Ivormil learned his lessons so marvelously well, that he completely missed all the little details that told the reader much earlier that *he* was to become the new Lord of Bidwell ;-) The same is true for Systerien! Of course he would marry her. And I just loved it that they named their firstborn son Iorhael!

Halrohir · 16 December 2007 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

And it is with mixed emotions, that I read the conclusion of a well-crafted tale of Middle-Earth stories and heroes, rejoicing that I have been fortunate to have read it at all, and satisfied to see justice served, wrongs righted, fair maid's heart won, Eru in His firmament and all's right with Arda. I enjoyed the splendid detail you wove into the background of your story, making it believable and realistic to the reader. I enjoyed how each chapter flowed along, answering questions posed prior, and leaving more to be asked and wondered upon for the next. But most of all, I enjoyed the faithfulness to which you maintained the story to Tolkien canon - which is precisely why I came to this happy place to start. "Hannon le, mellon nin, linnod lin beleg!"

Grey Wonderer · 16 December 2007 · Chapter 6: On Lordship and Responsibility

I am very glad that Ivormil is not to be bannished as well. I have hopes for him. I dearly loved Pippin's list of what he was responsible for at home growing up and I liked the fact that Aragorn had to stop him from going on and on about what the Thain does. hehehe But this line, (and now my da is Thain, I’ll be Thain next, if my father doesn’t kill me when I return home for leaving the Shire without permission.”) Now that was perfect Pippin!

Grey Wonderer · 16 December 2007 · Chapter 5: The Accounts of Bidwell

Merry the accountant! I can see that working very well with his personality. He would be the one to know what's what when it comes to business. There are going to be some things to explain here when Merry gets finished. Then put Frodo on the trail and I think there will be some very big questions to answer.

Grey Wonderer · 16 December 2007 · Chapter 4: Lord in Question

Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Men of Arnor, and Mithrandir. I think someone is a bit nervous and a bit of a snob as well. This will not go well at all I think.

Fiondil · 15 December 2007 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

Nice ending, Larner, although I would've liked to have had a chapter describing everyone's reaction in Bidwell to seeing Ivormil returning with Angthorn and how he adapted to his new circumstances there. But I guess we can't have everything. *grin* By the way, if this is the last chapter you need to change the story status from "In Progress" to "Complete".

Linda Hoyland · 15 December 2007 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

A lovely chapter.I'm pleased Ivormil was restored and I loved Aragorn's scene with Systerien.

Linda Hoyland · 15 December 2007 · Chapter 7: Apprenticeship in Caring

I loved Aragorn's compassion towards Ivormil. I see now why his father wasn't punished more harshly. Is it fair on the patients to have the unqualified Ivormil helping and seeing their pain?

Linda Hoyland · 15 December 2007 · Chapter 6: On Lordship and Responsibility

Good to see that nasty spoiled lord punished as he deserved, though I thought the punishment for the clerk should have been no harsher than for his master

EpiscopalWitch · 15 December 2007 · Chapter 8: Waiting No Longer

A sweet ending! Of course we readers could tell early on that Ivormil was going to be installed as Lord of Bidwell, but it was so in character - his new, improved character - that he didn't have a clue. I'm sure that Systerien will make a truly noble Lady of Bidwell and will be enthusiastically welcomed by the citizens. I especially liked Aragorn's comment that those who serve well in lesser capacities are all the more likely to serve well in greater ones. I love Ivormil's decision to make his courtship of Systerien as public and as obviously King-approved as possible so as to silence everyone who might object to her "low" birth!