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The Ragged Edge of Legend  by MP brennan 9 Review(s)
annajaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/14/2013
Really well done. More sadness than hopefulness, but that works, because after all your readers do know the happy ending, and this is an excellent contemplation of what did happen in the past and could have happened now. It made me feel very present in that moment, when there was more reason for Aragorn to doubt than to hope.

Author Reply: Thank you for the wonderful review! I'm glad this drew you in. I was trying to capture that precarious moment, with Aragorn teetering back and forth between hope and despair, not sure how it will all turn out. It helps, though, that the readers already know the happy ending!

-Brennan

Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/14/2013
Excellent story. It is definitely a different way of viewing the time just after the destruction of the Ring.

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!

-Brennan

CelethReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/13/2013
Wow, another delightful closeup of Aragorn (and Eomer too, in a lighter mood). Its a mark of Aragorn's humility that after the greatest victory in the long struggle against Sauron he recalls some of the failures along his long hard road, and focuses on the welfare of Frodo and Sam instead of taking his well-earned rest. This reminds me of one of Aragorn's remarks in the LOTR book "There go three that I love, and the smallest not the least." For some reason this story brought that to mind, although at the moment I am not sure if that was the exact thing he said.

I just love Aragorn the way you portray him in your stories. Thanks for sharing.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked it! I'd never touched on Aragorn's relationship with the hobbits before, but he did seem to become remarkably close to them, and to Frodo in particular. I had to include Eomer too, though, to remind Aragorn that there was, indeed, much to be joyful about.

-Brennan

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/13/2013
I can appreciate the associations he knows with the loss of the unknown family of Hobbits. We know that the sight of the Eagles signals the success of their search, but he still has that to learn, of course. Now, to begin the healing of all, including two small figures who will be surprised to learn they yet live!

Author Reply: Thanks for the awesome review!

-Brennan

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/11/2013
What a moving tale of the aftermath of the great battle. I love how the title fits the story on several levels--the end of war is never neat and clean, like in the tales, and the men fighting the wars never come away unscathed, either physically or emotionally. There are ragged edges everywhere that only time smooths to any extent. Neat and clean belong only to the tales that will be told (even if only in three words! That exchange made me smile). I love how you tie the memories of Aragorn's long and hard road with the effects of Sauron's reign on the North.... and then bring it all down to the victory at the end. It really shows how hard-won it was.

This one definitely got my vote; congrats on the win!

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Cairi! I love all the layers you pulled out of the title--some of those I'd thought of consciously, others I hadn't, but they all fit so well. I'm glad you enjoyed this story!

-Brennan

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/11/2013
What a moving gap filler. You give us a wonderful glimpse into Aragorn's humility, and the long years he spent 'fighting the long defeat', as it must have seemed.

Frodo and Sam were still no more than a strange rumor to him.

So true, which is why so many of us have enjoyed giving the hobbits as much post-War respect, comfort, and renown as possible.

Author Reply: Thanks, shirebound! I'm especially glad that you, in particular, liked this story. I started thinking about this moment after reading your hobbit tale "In the Keeping of the King," which I loved.

-Brennan

curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/11/2013
This rings so very true, it was not, immediately, a time for great joy. And I really like Éomer - noticing Roheryn when Aragorn is too deep in thought; lightening the moment, but not too much; offering reassurance.

Author Reply: Thanks! I'd never written Eomer before, and it was more fun than I'd expected. I'm glad you liked his part in this.

-Brennan

FiondilReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/11/2013
This story got one of my votes at Teitho and I really enjoyed it. The descriptions of the landscapes, both physical and emotional, are just breathtaking and pull you right into the scene. And that last line was just exquisite. IT sent shivers down my spine. Good job, MP!

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this tale.

-Brennan

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/10/2013
Congratulations on your win! Aragorn's feelings seem very true to life here.

Author Reply: Thank you so much!

-Brennan

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