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Drabbles, Vignettes and Such  by Gandalfs apprentice 7 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 17 on 5/26/2006
A fantastic memorial to a brave man and good friend.

I truly love this one.

Author Reply: As a true Halbarad fancier, I find this very hard to bear. For all his fantasy, Tolkien was very realistic about some things, and this kind of loss is one.

Thanks for reading!

G.A.

RSReviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/17/2006
I am now in a state of melancholy. I do love the friendship and bond between Aragorn and Halbarad. Also I am so involved with your fic "The Sword of Elendil" that this little vignette has moved me so than anything. Wonderful!

Author Reply: Hi, RS! Yes, it's pretty painful. I hate it that Halbarad dies right before Aragorn comes into his own. Unfortunately it's all too real.... Have you read the new chapter in "Sword," "The Test of Battle"? Aragorn runs into some trouble...
G.A.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/16/2006
Oh, man. A nice glimpse of their friendship, but it's hard to imagine that was one of their last moments together. Aragorn needs him, yes, but he won't be there. Ouch.

Author Reply: Ouch, indeed. I wanted to write a farewell to Halbarad story, but not along the usual lines of the moment of death in the Pelennor, or Aragorn in the midst of mourning--rather to show what has actually been lost. It's a great and noble end for Halbarad, but a big part of me wishes Tolkien hadn't killed him off. I doubt Aragorn ever found such a friend again.... Faramir is too young for it to be the same.... BTW, how did you like the great-grandmother Saelind in "Sword"?

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/16/2006
Poor Halbarad, I always felt sorry for the guy, to come so close to seeing all fulfilled. I like it that they got one last chance to talk and laugh.

Author Reply: Tolkien doesn't tell us the death toll from the Battle of the Pelennor; we just get a list of some of the names. But there must have been MANY dead and wounded. Halbarad was Aragorn's biggest personal loss: his best friend and the man, who, for all intents and purposes, was Steward of Arnor.
Thanks for reading!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/16/2006
There is so much Tolkien did not say about Halbarad. he led the Dunedain while Aragorn went on his many journeys. He forsaw his own death on th other side of the paths of the Dead, yet he followed Aragorn anyway. So nice to see this filling in the details a bit. Love;ly piece!

Author Reply: That Tolkien said so little about Halbarad is, in a way, a blessing for the fanfic writers. After all, we don't even know how old he is supposed to be in LotR! It's more usual for him to be portrayed as older than Aragorn. I see them as nearly the same age, and like brothers in their relationship.

EnvinyatarReviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/15/2006
This was wonderful - and very moving. I liked the way you move from the epic speechmaking to the intimate, poignant conversation. A lovely little gapfiller.
Sorry to have been silent for so long - more reviews soon, I hope,
Envinyatar

Author Reply: Hi! I wanted to show both sides of Aragorn's and Halbarad's relationship, the personal and the political.
I have missed hearing from you! I do hope you have more time soon--

G.A.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/15/2006
That's a beautiful, stirring tribute to Halbarad -- a man about whom we know so little, but who meant so much to Aragorn.

Author Reply: Halbarad is, of course, one of my favorites and a major player in "The Sword of Elendil." Thanks for reading!
G.A.

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