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Like Swords  by PSW 3 Review(s)
shireboundReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/26/2025
His father had loved Aragorn. He would have loved Elessar Telcontar also, but had not been given that opportunity.

It really is a joy to imagine scenarios in which Halbarad lived to know his friend, captain, and king in a whole new way.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/26/2025
p.s. I forgot to ask: Is Haladan aware of the parallels between the Northern and Southern Rangers and the role Faramir and his Men played in Ithilien? They may have a lot more in common than he knows at this point.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/26/2025
The "something more than a light repast" sounds wonderful. I got hungry just reading the list of good things. And being hungry is an excellent reason to eat when invited to do so, even if you suspect it might be a breach of etiquette in this unfamiliar place, and while worried that the familiar leader is gone, so transformed as to be unrecognisable, dissolving the bonds forged between them. At least Haladan retains enough confidence in his kinsman to think, Still, if Haladan was certain of anything, it was that the man would not tell him to eat and then be offended when he complied.

The repeated name trouble ("Arag—Elessar") made me laugh. My brain misfires much the same way, and always has, quite annoyingly.

Mention of healers and scheduled meals and "obvious pallor and general air of fatigue" constitutes a nice bit of Faramir-angst. Well-balanced, not overdone, and enhancing the conversation ahead by providing an anchor of sorts in terms of Faramir's state of mind and health. What I mean to convey is that you deftly show Faramir's "quality", as Sam put it some time earlier, in his thoughtful approach to Haladan, especially in light of his current... would "infirmity" be too strong a term? Stage of recovery?

That said, Haladan himself is no slouch despite his worries about making a fool of himself.

Hmm. Methinks Faramir just almost let a cat out of a bag? (Alas, poor cat.) "Chosen..." Quite an interesting hint.

Dare I ask if Beregond comes into the story at all? When he was relieved of his duty, he was assigned to guard Faramir in the Houses of Healing, and he marched to the Black Gate as the Captain of a Company of Men from the City (rather than regular guardsmen, if I'm remembering right). Has Faramir been declared the Prince of Ithilien yet? Is this happening before or after Beregond's trial? I ask because Beregond's conversation with Pippin when they meet makes me think he'd be just as eager to learn about the lives and endeavours of the Northern Rangers. Why, he seemed as thirsty for information and curious and inquisitive as Pippin, as full of questions, and as quick to laugh, "tall and proud and noble" but not full of himself.

Also, as a Northerner, Haladan would probably know some hobbits, I should think? But of course, JRRT said that the Rangers held themselves aloof from the people of Bree. Still, Bilbo seemed to know Aragorn fairly well. Has Haladan interacted with Bilbo in the past? Will he meet the Travellers from the Shire in this story, do you think?

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