Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search
swiss replica watches replica watches uk Replica Rolex DateJust Watches

Bear It Still For Me A While  by Cairistiona 7 Review(s)
PSWReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/2/2021
This story causes so many thoughts to swirl about in my mind. The beauty and sadness of Halbarad’s musings and his understanding of what will come, as well as our own understanding that he would never choose to be anywhere else even so. Aragorn is too beloved — his wife and children and grandchildren are too beloved — his home and people are too beloved to do anything else.

Author Reply: First off, MANY apologies for not seeing this review! Notifications are apparently broken on this site and I didn't realize it until, well, right now, in the year of our Lord 2022. *sigh*

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Halbarad's fate always just crushes me when I get to that part of the books and this is sort of a love letter to the bravery that Tolkien left largely off-stage. I've always thought that Halbarad's death probably was a reflection of the friends that Tolkien lost in the war, and that's such a universal experience for soldiers, even the real-world ones that don't necessarily have any sort of premonition of what's to come. I think in some ways, Halbarad's "sight" into his own death was like a source of strength, even wrapped in sorrow as it was. Duty and love, those were the earmarks of Halbarad's character, right up to the end.

HanasianReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/2/2017
It's been a number of years since I left a review of your 'Hope' story. Found my way back here and saw I had put you on my favourites list, so decided to read more of your writing! The first one I read is this. Wonderfully written! I love the balanced style you use between the narrative and dialogue! I also added your Ranger names to my list I'm compiling names for the other thirty Rangers from fanfics and RPs. Your three gets me up to 14!

Anyway, off to read more of your fine writing!

Author Reply: Thanks so much! I'm always happy to hear that a reader has returned to try my stories. I'm glad you liked this. (As for names, please be aware that "Denlad" doesn't really have a true Tolkien origin... I chose that name when I was still new to the fandom.)

RyanweReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/18/2016
Dear Cairistiona, this story stirred something in my heart with its perfect balance between memories and present and wonderful characterization of my favourite characters (in between, I first became interested in Halbarad through your stories). Reading it while listening to the beautiful podcast on Naice a Nilme was fantastic. Don't know why it has so few reviews, it's really a masterpiece. Keep on writing and thank you for sharing your great stories!

Author Reply: Thank you, Ryanwe! I'm so glad this moved you and that my stories helped interest you in Halbarad. He's so near and dear to me that I have a hard time writing stories that touch on his death, yet the way his foreknowledge of his death revealed how nobly he lived his life makes it difficult *not* to touch on it. In some ways I guess it's fortunate that Tolkien left a LOT of room to fill in the blanks with Halbarad. Thanks for reading!

PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/5/2015
This is fantastic! The imagery, the flashbacks, the homesickness and the sense of foreboding that Halbarad has is so well captured in this fic. I love the tone you have this in by making it somber and ominous that Halbarad may not make it back. :tears: Awesome! (And i rarely read Halbarad fics so you had me captivated!)

Author Reply: Thank you! I always feel doubly grateful when someone takes a chance on reading a story of mine that features a character they don't normally read and find themselves touched by it. That lets me know I've done my job well as a writer. :) *hugs*

rsReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/7/2014
Saw this posted a while ago. It took all that I can to actually finally read it. You know how I feel about Halbarad.

Emotions, emotions! Darn it! You did it again!!!! THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL! *SNIFF*

rs

Author Reply: First off, apologies for the late reply! Somehow I never got the notice for this review! Grr.

Anyway... so glad you were able to "gird yourself up" to read this. I have a feeling a lot of people gave it a miss because of the subject matter (based on how few reviews it's gotten). I wanted to explore the idea that Halbarad was at peace with the foresight he had. It's a special story for me so I'm deeply appreciative of anyone who actually reads it.

Thanks so much for the review! *hugs*

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/24/2014
Ah. (long drawn-out sigh) Beautifully done. I love how you weave past and present time together, how Halbarad draws strength from the small and commonplace, as well as his faith in the future foretold. Halbarad, as written here, fits will with the honour and dignity of the character in the book who said of a fateful doorway, '...and my death lies beyond it.' (Quoting from memory, but I think I've got it right.)

Author Reply: Thank you, Lindelea! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. It was one of those stories that I don't think I could have written without having written and thought about so much of Halbarad's life beyond what we see in the book. He really is a canon character that piqued my interest and love. Yes, you got the quote right: "This is an evil door, and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless..." Definitely the words of a man who is exceedingly honorable and brave. I'm glad you feel this gap-filler does him justice.

Thanks for reading and for your kind words!

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/24/2014
Halbarad! It is so painful to read about his last battle.
The rest of the gang is three: Denlad, Eledh and Galadh.
It is a bittersweet story, because I really love all of them and their stories with Aragorn, and to know that it is the end for Halbarad and maybe some more. Sad, but a Victory that will give Aragorn the opportunity to become King at last.

Author Reply: I know exactly how you feel, Fantasia, which is why this tale doesn't go all the way to his end. I'm just not sure I'm brave enough to attempt that! But this one was a way of showing how he'd come to terms with his foresight. And yes, a wee glimpse of the rest of the gang! I wanted to include them in more detail, but Elladan horned into the scene and I couldn't tell him no. :)

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

Return to Chapter List