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At Hope's Edge by Cairistiona	8 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 12/17/2025
Aragorn lifted his fist to knock, then hesitated. He took a steadying breath, then stepped back a pace, tightening his grip both on the linen-wrapped sword he carried and on his shaky courage. As ever, he failed to understand why doing the right thing must always be so taxing on the nerves. that's such a great question <3 Despite the fact that he had eaten it hours earlier, Galadh’s burnt wild duck still sat like a rock in his stomach. How can a man manage to so overcook a duck so that it chews like old wood, yet at the same time leave it so greasy that.... He couldn’t suppress a shudder. "Do not think about it," he whispered to himself. "It will only bring back the nausea." LOLLLLL WHISPERING TO HIMSELF TRAUMATIZED BY THE DUCK Randir still stood uncertainly, staring at Aragorn as though moonstruck, until quick footsteps came up behind him and a small, work-roughened hand pulled him away from the doorway. "My apologies, Lord Aragorn!" Mallor’s mother cried. "I am Neala, and of course, you now know Randir. Please, come in." Blue eyes in a care-worn but still pretty face snapped with impatience as she shooed her son out of the way. She was younger than he expected, a bit older than Denlad, perhaps thirty-five or -six. "Randir, step aside and let him in before he falls down!" awww so baby young Aragorn smiled. "Is my weakness so obvious?" She gave him a frank, assessing look. "You look in danger of falling victim to the next light breeze." He followed her inside, and gratefully sank into the chair she offered. "You should not be up and taxing your strength so!" SAKJDHG THANK YOU <3 I love when other people can tell too and are like. You know I can tell you're about to fall over so do us all a favor and SIT DOWN. "You must be in league with Halbarad. Right now, he is pacing back and forth, worried that I will come to my end because I dared rise from my bed." lollll <333 "You have a wise friend." "And none with a more caring heart. <333 But I did not come here to speak with you about Halbarad. I came to offer you my deepest thanks, and my humblest apologies for the way we burst into your home. I fear that my men may have been overzealous in their care for me and put you out of your home without reason." LOL sure "Without reason? No, my lord, they had grave reason to do exactly as they did. I have never seen a man as near death as you were that night. And it was beyond my abilities to help you, so I thought it best to move Randir and myself out of the way." She made a gesture that took in the room, one that was very similar to the larger room at the other house, down to the cat on the hearth, although this particular specimen was orange and white. "We winter in this house, because it is smaller and easier to keep warm. We merely moved a week or two earlier than we would have otherwise. It was no burden." <333 saksdjuhgs she's like. Please. You looked nearly dead. <3 "If you say so, then I thank you." He dropped his eyes to the sword laying across his knees. "I also wanted to bring this to you." He carefully unwrapped the linen and revealed the well-oiled leather scabbard. His throat suddenly caught, as he looked at the hilt that had hung so proudly first at Malthen’s waist, and then from Mallor’s. He held the sword out to Neala, not trying to hide the emotion pooling in his eyes. "Mallor was a brave and valiant man. He is sorely missed." <3333 the sword At the sight of the familiar scabbard and sword, Neala let out a soft cry. She took it lovingly in her hands. "Mallor was so proud when he finally was able to strap on his father’s sword." She stroked the leather, lost in memory, then finally lifted the hilt to her lips and kissed it. Randir reached out with a tentative finger to touch it, then ran from the room. Aragorn winced as the door slammed loudly shut. skasdhfjshgh Neala sighed quietly. "His brother was everything to Randir. After their father died, Mallor, young though he was, took on the role of father to Randir. They were inseparable until the day Mallor left to take his place among your men. Randir was so proud of Mallor, as I was. As I still am," she said with a trembling smile. "I grieve, but I have no regrets. Mallor died doing what he was called to do from birth. But... I would ask one thing of you, though I feel perhaps I shouldn’t, for I see in your eyes that the death of my son causes you great pain." askddfhkg she is such a brave woman <333 I grieve but I have no regrets "Anything, my lady." "Then please, I must know... did he die quickly?" For a moment, Aragorn was unable to speak. "Yes," he finally managed. "He did not suffer, nor was his death in vain. He died saving Denlad from an orc’s pike." She nodded, her eyes burning with a fierce light despite her tears. "Then that is all the mother of a warrior can ask. He is now with his father, and Randir and I will remember him, as we do his father, with pride." skasdshjk <333 <:( how I love this. Tears. A fierce light. The mother of a warrior can ask. She is not bitter, she is sad, but so, so proud. <3 "Your strength does you great honor, Neala." At her embarrassed shrug, he continued. "I held Malthen, whom I fought alongside for many years before he fell, in the highest esteem. Few were braver than he. And now, having met you, I see that you are no less a true Dúnadan warrior than he." "I am no warrior, my lord." He reached out and caught her hand, looking into her eyes. "But you are, my lady. You and every wife and mother who sends husband or son to fight for me, for our people... it takes a rare bravery to do such a thing. I want you to know that it does not go unnoticed, or unappreciated." SKADHJHGSKJSH oh how meaningful this is <3333 and directly from Lord Aragorn. Thank you, thank you. he said nothing, but he could tell his words had touched her deeply. He smiled, releasing her hand and letting the weight of the moment pass. "Randir is in good hands." <333 yes "As he will eventually be in yours, my lord. He has the same warrior spirit singing in his veins as his brother and father. I won’t be able to keep him tied to hearth and home for very many more years." "Then I pray that whatever doom is before us is settled long before I need to call on his services. Even such a valiant mother as yourself needs to have one strong son beside her, especially living as you do, in such an isolated place." He glanced toward the door. "Do you think I should go to him?" awwwww <333 "Indeed," Aragorn laughed, but his mirth faded as his thoughts turned to a son of his own. I need a wife to have a son. And I need to be a king before I can wed the one I love. And that seems so far from my reach... "Lord Aragorn? Does something trouble you?" Aragorn felt himself blush slightly. He had not meant to wear his heart so plainly for her to see. his deep desire to be a father is so very precious to me <3 "We will be fine, don’t worry. Randir is a good boy, growing in strength and stature day by day. And you said yourself, I am a true Dúnadan." Her eyes sparkled with mirth and pride. "I said I was no warrior, but that does not mean I am helpless. I’ve no small talent with a bow. There are several orcs and bandits whose bones are moldering in the plains, thanks to a well-placed arrow." He laughed as he bowed his head to her. "I may have to recruit you instead of Randir! But still... do not hesitate to ask if you have any need. The Dúnedain are scattered and few, but it has always been my heart’s desire to strengthen the bonds between all of us, any way I can." skasdjhjsfdsk oh my goodness how I love her. YESS THE BOW <3 "And you have done that, and done it well," she assured him. Then she gave him what could only be a motherly look. "But right now, the only need I have is to feed this starving man who sits before me. You must take some tea, and some stew, and perhaps some bread and cake. While I’ve never laid eyes on you until two nights ago, I have a feeling that tunic you wear is not supposed to hang so loosely on your shoulders." YESSS thank you for noticing <3 Aragorn ruefully pulled at his shirt. "Ranger patrols are not known for their fine cuisine." <33 indeed :) She rewarded his small joke with a laugh so merry and a face so light that he felt he was surely glimpsing the pretty girl she must have once been, before life’s cares had whittled her countenance into sorrowful planes. Sorrowful but strong, he amended, and wasn’t sure if the woman before him was more beautiful than any untested young girl could be. As he watched her busying herself with bowls and cups and plates of steaming dishes, his thoughts strayed to another strong woman, a fair Elf maiden far away in Lothlórien. He rubbed his bare index finger, where the Ring of Barahir would have been had he not given it to Arwen as a betrothal gift. How he missed her right now as he sat amidst the comforts of a home that was not his own. Someday.... AKSJDHJSDKG this this more beautiful than any untested young girl could be and missing Arwen <333 and again his desire to make a home with herrr A clatter of crockery and the rich aroma of venison pulled him from his reverie. He looked at the table and was dismayed to see more food spread before him than he and all his Rangers could eat in an entire day. "This is too much!" he protested. "Nonsense. Besides, it is not all for you, but for your men as well." "But even so–" <33 "Hush, my lord. Do you know how long it has been since I’ve had the honor of cooking for more than Randir, Mallor and myself? Years! And I will not let it be said that the Chieftain of the Dúnedain and his men found my generosity lacking in any way. Now, eat!" okay YES it is honestly a joy to make food for people, who need it or enjoy it or both. Another way of offering hospitality. You do a beautiful job of not like, reducing people to "kitchen wife" and "hunting husband" or something, but enriching their roles and showing the deep desire to raise and family and protect and care for others and each other and the strength in all roles, both in learning to use a bow and in caring for a household while husband and son leave and fight and are killed, and all these things, anyways,,, "I recognize a direct order when I hear it," he laughed, then after briefly looking to the West and with an inward apology to the Valar for not standing, he obediently tucked a fork full of stew into his mouth. His eyes widened at the explosion of flavor. The meat melted on his tongue, and the spices... he’d not tasted such since leaving Rivendell many years ago. "There, I see in your eyes that I haven’t lost my touch!" YESSSS <33 also yes I love that custom "You truly have a gift!" He would have said more, but decided the best compliment he could pay her was to keep his mouth as full as possible. And he discovered that despite the Nazgûl, and despite the burnt offering Galadh had called breakfast, his appetite had very happily returned. OH THIS MADE ME SMILE SO BIG <3333 i'm so happy he finally met them

MP brennan	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/22/2009
This is a very sweet chapter. It was very poignant to meet Neala and see the woman's perspective on the long struggle. Far too often, their contributions go unnoticed. It takes an amazingly strong woman to pledge the life of her only remaining son to the cause that has killed the rest of her family. You are undeniably the queen of dialogue that is both Tolkien-styled and realistic to the modern reader. The unfailing humor of this story continues to amaze me. (Duck!) Kudos and chocolate for another great chap. Author Reply: Thank you, Brennan! I'm so glad you enjoyed Neala... I too see her as one who has amazing strength of character, or maybe amazing compared to our standards today. I think back to women in WWII and all the way back to the pioneer women of the US in the 1800s and what they had to deal with and did deal with, without complaint, and I think Neala has that same sort of sacrificial strength and pride that they did. They were women able to cope, and to do whatever was needed and still retain a sense of joy. That's basically who Neala is. And queen of dialogue? Well, I don't know about that, but it's kind of you to say. I do try to write the dialogue in the same sort of vein as Tolkien, but yes, a bit more easy to our modern expectations. It's a bit of a challenge to keep that balance and I'm glad you find that I do. Thanks again for another lovely review... and for the chocolate! ;)

inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/21/2009
Neala is a wonderful example of how Dunedain women very likely were; stoic, practical, fiercely proud of their men and prepared to lose them in the service of their people and lord. You're done a terrific job of portraying all that here, making her a very believable OC. Aragorn's sorrow is also very real and moving. A very well done conversation. Author Reply: Thank you, inzilbeth! I'm so glad you liked Neala and found her believable. That's the hardest thing about OC's, making them feel fully rounded and believable and, especially with female characters, not Mary Sue. I'm glad also you liked the conversation with Aragorn... hard to imagine the weight of all the men who've died in his service, and the difficulty of having to face their families with such news. It's a wonder, really, that Aragorn ever smiled, and a testimony to his strength that through all the sorrow he could still find joy. Thanks again for the review!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/20/2009
I find I truly like Mallor's mother here, and regret that she has lost both husband and older son to the long defense. Lovely. Now--how long will it take them to get Aragorn to Elrond? Author Reply: Thank you, Larner... glad you like Neala. And now, if I answered your question, why would you keep reading? grin Time alone will tell... Thanks for the review, and for continuing to read. :)

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/19/2009
Neala is a very courageous woman. I'm glad Aragorn is at least getting a good meal! Author Reply: Thank you, Linda... I think Aragorn was pretty glad of that himself. :)

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/19/2009
I loved To Make it Right Again. It's wonderful of you to give to your rangers and readers this delightful break from the stress, worry and sorrow you have been putting them through. I really, really liked your Neala. She is just the kind of strong woman I've always imagined the Dúnedain of Arnor to be. She reacted exactly as I expected them to react. She's extremely brave but caring, grounded in reality, proud of her heritage and of what the Dunedain stand and are fighting for, supportive, understanding and proud of her menfolk, and ready to defend her home and family when needed. Randir's hero worship of Aragorn is very true to life too, and what you would expect in a boy his age when confronted with someone like Aragorn. And I'm glad to see that Aragorn has recovered enough to again cast an ironic glance at Galadh's cooking skills. LOL Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! I'm glad you liked this chapter. It's more of the interlude, and hopefully I'm not slowing down the story too much in order to give the men a much needed bit of rest. Talking to the mothers of fallen Rangers had to have been one of the hardest jobs Aragorn had as Chieftain, yet I don't see him ever shirking that responsibility. I'm glad you liked Neala--the women had to have been remarkable to have lived such hard lives, more often than not losing their husbands to war or accident. Neala's definitely a survivor, as his Randir, in his young way. And yes, he definitely sees Aragorn as the ultimate hero. :) Thank you for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/19/2009
You know, I think I really wouldn't want to try Galadh's cooking bg Poor Aragorn. I like Neala - she really is a bit like Halbarad, sensible, courageous, and strong. ;-) //"I am no warrior, my lord." He reached out and caught her hand, looking into her eyes. "But you are, my lady. You and every wife and mother who sends husband or son to fight for me, for our people... it takes a rare bravery to do such a thing."// So true! Words like these are just what I love that ranger for, among other things. ;-) I'm glad Neala had the idea to feed Aragorn. I somehow don't think that the meal Galadh has provided has done anything for his recuperation, lol. It's good to see Aragorn's appetite return. Another chapter I really enjoyed - it was nice not to have to worry about Aragorn for a change. g Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! I'm glad you liked all this. Neala is a little bit like Halbarad, in the way all the Dunedain are: brave, sensible, hardy folk, all. And yes, Aragorn always has the right words to say, doesn't he? I'm glad you're not worrying about Aragorn. For now. grin Thanks for the review!

Marethiel	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 2/19/2009
Awwww... Okay, you have to do more with Neala... she's WONDERFUL! I love how we begin to see some healing for our poor Aragorn. Thank you. And I loved the surprise at how good the stew was! LOL Reminds me of feeding my adult son. :-) Very human, lovely touches of authenticity and pathos, beautiful images (love the cat reference, too). But your depiction of Neala as a woman of the Dunedain is superb. Well done! ~Marethiel Author Reply: Thank you, Marethiel! I'm glad you like Neala. Taking another risk with yet another OC, so I'm glad you felt she was a good example of a Dunedain woman. There'll be a bit more of her in the chapters to come, although she is a relatively minor character for this tale. But I'll likely include her in other stories. And yes, a bit more healing for Aragorn. For now. ;) Thanks for the review!

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