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Brothers at Heart  by Radbooks 3 Review(s)
AmyReviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/20/2006
Officiating at a funeral and breaking the news about deaths: Aragorn’s getting a full taste of the sad responsibilities of a chieftain, isn’t he?

I liked the way that the other Rangers had to correct Aragorn from wanting to assign families to villages. His idea about the carts was a good one. His “feeling your pain” statement about having already left his own home and family made a great reply to objections about leaving the village.

This sentence seems like the key to this story: “I knew when I returned that it would be difficult for a time; that I would need to learn the ways of the Dúnedain and people would have to learn to accept me and my ways which I knew would be different than my… father’s.”

*intrigued about the opposition from Hirgon*


Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn is having to do a lot of the heart-breaking kinds of things that a chieftain has to do, and though he might be well-trained in many areas, nothing can really prepare you for dealing with death and grieving people. I do have plans to let him do some good things as well! But those are a little way down the road.

Aragorn is fortunate to be surrounded by men that will give him guidance and direction on things and he is smart enough to be open to their advice. A truly wise man knows his limitations and is not too proud to take advice from others.

I would say that sentence does pretty much sum up what I am trying to show in this story... that and Aragorn's relationship with Halbarad. I have strayed from that more than I would like and I keep trying to get back to their friendship a little more, to find the right balance between the two parts of the story that I envisioned.

You will find out about Hirgon in the next chapter!

Thanks for reviewing.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/19/2006
Oh good, you have caught up here so I can review. I am really enjoying this Radbooks especially the detailed look at village life. The develoing relationships are great.

Author Reply: Thanks, Harrowcat for your review! Yes, I did finally catch up with the story here. I'm glad that you enjoy the way I portray the village life, it's been interesting to try and capture that feeling and so I'm glad that it is coming across as I intended.

The relationships are interesting to write and develop and I have really come to enjoy some of the OC's a lot - Halhigal, Nestad, and a few of the men back in Dolomar. Besides, of course, the relationship between Aragorn and Halbarad! I know their are so many characters though I do try and keep focused on certain 'main' ones and the smaller ones just sort of drift in and out as needed, so I hope it's not too confusing for readers. But a village has a lot of people and so there are lots of small interactions with people - mostly men here in Taurnand.

Thanks again, Radbooks

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/18/2006
There is always someone with a secret grudge against one or another or even a whole family. I'm certain we'll learn Hirgon's story soon.

Good decisions by the young Chieftain. But I'm certain he'd have learned about making unpopular decisions from Elrond.

Author Reply: Larner,

Yes, there are often secret grudges held against others, though Halhigal and Nestad both know what is going on and you will find out in the next chapter! :)

Aragorn really did the only thing that he could to help his people survive through the winter and with this village being the smallest it will, in the long run, strengthen the other villages if they are not able to return. I am certain that Aragorn would have learned about making unpopular decisions from Elrond, but it is not the same as actually having to make them and seeing how they affected people right in front of him. Seeing their fear and grief of losing their homes and even if he knows it is the right thing to do, it would still be difficult for him and would make him question himself. As he gets older it would probably become easier for him, but I think at this stage of his life he would still have doubts about such a big decision. That's why he has a wise and caring Uncle to speak to! :)

Thanks for reviewing!

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