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| Like Swords by PSW | 22 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| shirebound | Reviewed 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. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed 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. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed 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? | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/22/2025 |
| I get a kick out of how he keeps having to remind himself about the name "Ara-Elessar," especially since the new king probably wouldn't mind if he keeps calling him Aragorn. BTW, you've got this story marked complete over on fanfiction.net. Gotta have another chapter... Author Reply: Oh thx - it’s fixed now! Since I can’t make updates to FF from my iPad or phone, I often find things that got missed on that site… Yes - Ara-Elessar would indeed not mind ;-), and in fact makes that point soon enough. They’re all a little confused and trying to feel their way through the newness of things. Thx so much for your comments! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/22/2025 |
| Oooh, I eagerly await this meeting! once his ancestors, too, had known such prosperity and beauty. They had lost it for themselves—their fall into a fading people scratching a living from the rugged hills was none of Gondor’s doing or responsibility. It mattered not. They might not have gold and mithril in any quantity, but they had brought the line of the King safely through the centuries. He knew which he would choose, were he offered such an opportunity. This is so insightful. What a noble people. Author Reply: Yes, I must admit Haladan was a bit of a surprise to me. His reactions were … not at all what I expected, and I find that I really enjoyed writing him. He will be the perfect man for what Aragorn has in mind. ;-) Thx so much for your comments! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/21/2025 |
| Oh! I love Haladan's caution and discretion, along with his observational skills and his hard-won wisdom. And I find myself wondering, is this situation something of a setup, to give him and Faramir a chance to talk, or is it happenstance? Author Reply: Haladan was a bit of a mystery to me when I began writing this chapter, and he didn’t come out quite as I had envisioned but I suspect far better than anything i could have planned! I really enjoyed writing him. I honestly don’t know the answer to the second question - Aragorn hasn’t told me. Perhaps it’s a little of both… ;-) Thx so much for your comments! | |
| Itarille | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/19/2025 |
| Oh, you added a chapter! It was very thoughtful of Aragorn to place the Northern Dunedain within a larger company, instead of as his very vanguard. I liked the way you described different characters of the Dunedain. They are all dignified and wise. Thank you for sharing the story! Author Reply: Thanks for reading! Yes, I'm sure Aragorn wouldn't want to put them all out front again... The Northern Dunedain are all described as silent and grim and I'm sure they are to outsiders but of course they all have their own things going on as much as anyone else - and I'm sure their own feelings about what was to come. Thanks so much for your comments! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/17/2025 |
| Nice little sample of what various people might have been thinking at this celebration, and I love the little quip at the end. Author Reply: Thank you! The brothers just came to me there at the end, and I'm glad they were there to lighten the mood a bit. Thanks so much for commenting! | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/14/2025 |
| PSW! Been too busy to read this! Now I have a little time. I love the idea of the view point of each of the surviving Dunedain rangers. Each have their own view point. Themes of loss within the general celebration, yearning to recognized though that is never what any of them fight for and wanting to return home to their own. Thought of what Arnor would soon become. All wonderfully rendered and thought out! Thank you for this! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed. Yes - as we know there is no real celebration in Professor Tolkien's world without some sort of loss too, and it's different for each person. They'll all have to figure their way forward somehow... Thanks so much for reading and commenting! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/7/2025 |
| Ohhh, I'm just insatiable when it comes to Cormallen (especially when hobbits are involved). I love how you've woven the celebration of the multitude with the thoughts of these treasured few Men. Yet until this hour he had been theirs, and there was no man among them who would not have traded his life to reclaim that place denied now by circumstance and King. For King they now had, declared or no. The days of their Chieftain were no more. Beautifully said. Well done. Author Reply: What? You like it when the Hobbits are involved? ;-D I think I knew that ... So glad you enjoyed it! This was a different chapter, but fun. Thanks for your comments! | |