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Cantrip  by bryn 16 Review(s)
Kitt of LindonReviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/23/2004
Hah! I thought so, no respectable Ranger bathes and shaves everyday. Lavender! No wonder Aragorn stands out so much. Well, according to the Movie he gives up the bathing and shaving part. I always thought it was an unwritten Ranger code not to use soap, but did Aragorn still use Lavender soap all those years later, I wonder?

calenoreReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/20/2003
Good for Halbarad. Those Rangers will learn their lesson eventually, I hope.

Author Reply: calenore- I agree! Aragorn and Halbarad will show them how it's done! :)

ImrahoilReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/15/2003
Hello Bryn,

do you remember Cantrip? This is a story, written by you, and it awaits to be continued. Eagerly.
Beware, an overripe plot bunny might become poisonous.

A friend

Author Reply: Imrahoil- *lol* I assure you, I haven't forgotten about this one! Yes, the plot bunny was becoming rather large. Elephant size, actually. ;) Thank you for the review!

RenReviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/30/2003
Another great chapter! Poor Aragorn, having to leave fair elfs for raucous, crude human males. I feel his pain. >_Update soon!!

Author Reply: Ren- Poor Aragorn is right! He doesn't get any time in this chapter, but next chapter he'll end up in Halbarad's clutches. Good ole Halbarad will make a man out of him yet. *snicker* Thank you for the review!

Miss AranelReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/24/2003
Just a very quick review this time, since I've only got a few minutes.

I enjoyed the sword practice bit---it is amusing in a way that Aragorn, who is considered by the Rangers to be a bit to "prissy", is also one of the best swordsmen among them. Perhaps Halbarad will benefit from continuing to go up against him.

The bit with the soap was amusing as well---"soap on a thread"! I adore the smell of lavender (I have three plants in my room), but I suppose it's far too girly-smelling for a self-respecting Man. Time to break out the "Mountain Fresh" variety, eh?

Another great update; I continue to enjoy this very much!

--Aranel



Author Reply: Aranel- E2 and Glorfindel probably taught Aragorn a thing or two about weapons, I imagine. Elves can probably do lavender. Rangers though... not so much. ;) Thank you for the great review!!

Kal who is weary of writing "The Magnificent" and will be known simply as "Kal" from here on outReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/20/2003
Couldn't remember if I already reviewed, so you get another one! And, if I haven't, you get one!

Being a ranger would be fun... it would be a lot like going to a REALLY intense summer camp! Maybe boot camp, but more fun... how do you hold something you protect in suspicion? Because if you are suspicious about it, wouldn't you have a hard time guarding it, because if it got attacked, you might think that it had staged the attack so that you would start fighting and get killed (truly, this is how my mind works!). So, wouldn't it be better to trust them? And why would someone be suspicious of their protectors? That must not be a very healthy relationship.

o.O? Blinking flowers? Where did Halbarad pick that up from? Interesting... I think Aragorn should slaughter all of the elder Dunedain and take over (I'm in a slight mood for carnage, could you tell?)! That was a NICE move Halbarad pulled, with the knife! I like it. Aww... poor wittle Aragorn (that was sarcasm; I have very little tolerance for him)... perhaps if he didn't take it into his hands to try and teach all the little Dunedain's how to fight properly, other people would like him more... just a thought...

*sigh* no Leggie? Oh well; Glorfindel's second-best (only don't tell him I said that!); he'll do nicely! "Shoot first, ask questions later" probably isn't the best tactic, especially when other elves come into your wood... ah well, whatever works! But they'd better hope that orcs don't figure out how to put bells on wargs (I don't think orcs would ride horses, although they might)... that would be bad...

Switching topics completely: I have to write a fable; any ideas of good gossip topics (my moral is "ne pas faire des commérages" (don't gossip), and I need a good gossip topic. And names! Names from the Silmarillion, preferable female.

Hugs and Cookies =)


Author Reply: Kal (who is still Magnificent)- How does the saying go? "Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies even closer." Yes, Halbarad has a nice little mouth on him. I need to keep it inventive without actually cursing. (Blinking flowers sounded, uh, sort of vulgar in a not-vulgar way... well it made sense in my head.) ;) Look who popped up! The springy little Tree Hopper could stay well enough away. Ah well, I suppose most people won't object to Legolas randomly appearing. *snort* Bells on wargs! I'm beginning to get some strange christmas carols running through my head. (Jingle Bells, indeed!) *wince* I gather your fable is already written? I usually take scientific names and alter them slightly so they don't sound so latin-y. Or spell things backwards. Oh yay! Cookies!!! Thank you for the wonderful review!!! :)

Earwen of AlqualondeReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/19/2003
love it so much! Especially when there is plenty of Halbarad. It would be definitely interesting to see how Aragorn adapts to the life of a Ranger. And lavender? LOL. have I mentioned I love this story?

Author Reply: Earwen- Not so much Halbarad this chapter, but he'll get plenty of time next chapter. (Who knew he was a barber? I certainly didn't...) Thank you for the great review! I'm so glad you like this story!

Orophins DottirReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/18/2003
I'm truly enjoying this story and a number of others of yours read with pleasure. I say first a pox on Peter Jackson, may he be given to the wargs for lunch for giving the ford of Bruinen to ARWEN and reducing poor Gil-Galad to a single-shot as a spear carrier in the prologue! He should have thrown Aeglos at that bounder! Having gotten THAT out of my system, thanks for Glorfindel and the brethern E2. Those three and the brethern HRO (never say that Orophin is aught but the youngest--I defy you and Haldir would slap you silly) have been my favorite "minor characters" for lo these many years, so it's a joy to see them in action. Anyway while lurking in the parking lot of Walmart (has word been sent to you that one has opened here in Taur-E-Ndaedalos?) whilst my liege shopped, I was approached by the plot bunny as I read from TRotK, and forced (we have received had word here that he bites) to send you this quote from "The Passing of the Grey Company". Says Mr. Soap-on-a-Thread (oops, rope!) to your boy Halbarad:

"There go three that I love, and the smallest not the least,. . .He knows not to what end he rides; yet if he knew, he still would go on." To which Halbarad replies: "A little people but of great worth are the Shire-folk. . . .Little do they know of our long labour for the safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not."

Now, I really would like to see your "Education of Aragon" address Aragon's first encounters with Hobbits and just why the heck the Rangers decided to be bothered with them in the first place.

My unsolicited advice is to give it up on Elf Boy Legolas and being neutral on his hair/eye color. Neutrality seldom works, just look at Sweden and Switzerland. I first read these books over 30 years ago (Second Age?) and I and everyone I knew were just convinced he was blond (adjective, masculine formation). I have no earthly idea why at this point in time (as you fade from Middle Earth, you get these senior moments) but it was one of the few things we didn't argue about on the books. After Orlando Bloom's portrayal (which I think was splendid and definitive on the screen), the idea of a dark-haired elf in this slot really won't fly, and you miss out on all those wonderful opportunities for simile.

Two points, one not even related to this particular story:

First, I know you've alluded to it, but I might suggest the torture of E2's mother Celebrían as the reason for their unrelenting pursuit of Sauron's minions could be made more apparent.

Second, "crebain" is the plural form; the singular is "craban". Sorry, but to one with a degree in a highly inflected/declined language, nodding acquaintance with about six others and a lifelong passion for philology and all its consonant shifts and other delights, I could not remain silent!

Keep writing and don't chop this one off too short. I, for one, will wait patiently if you have other plates to spin.


Author Reply: Orophins Dottir- I admit I've never been an Arwen fan. What did she do? She ran out on her family, then sat around sewing a shiny flag for Aragorn during the War. I mean, seriously... Eowyn is so much cooler. (No qualms that she ended up with Faramir though.) I've decided that the Ranger camp is to the east, past Mirkwood and the lot. I know it's technically not Ranger territory, but I figured as they journey alone, their camps need to be somewhere where very few people will see. Hence, the Wilderlands. A journey to the Shire would be too far. Definitely filed away for a later plot bunny though. I've always wondered why Tolkien never gave a coloration to Legolas. For some odd reason, I like it. Perhaps because it's aggravating. *lol* Ooh, will definitely touch on the subject of Celebrian. Looks like Elrond is going to have to have a talk with E2 as it is, and words will probably be exchanged. All in all, I'm a little worried over Chapter 4. It's kind of spacey. Given all the medication I'm on, it's a marvel the thing is coherent at all. *shakes head* Language major I am not! *lol* ;) Grammar and I don't quite mix--you may have noticed I tend to Capitalize random Nouns as well. Thank you for the great pointers, and the fabulous review! :) (By the way, I'm wicked excited to get caught up on your tale...)

Nerwen CalaelenReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/18/2003
Another interesting chapter. I like the way you have show the differences between the way Aragorn has been taught to behave by the elves and the way a ranger is expected to behave.
I look forward to reading more.

Author Reply: Nerwen- Thank you! Playing around with Aragorn's mind is fun--he's a man who thinks like an elf who's trying to live with men... The poor guy is just confused. ;) Thank you for the review!!

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/18/2003
just findhed reading chapter three and loved it, Soap on a rope, and folding his clothes, he has a long way to go, sort of like at a start of a trip everything is nice and neat by the end the car is totally trashed and you don't care, because it is so much easier.
Can't wait for more of how Aragorn becomes a "man"


Author Reply: grumpy- Estel Who Thinks He's An Elf will be well on his way to Strider of the Rangers, just you wait and see... ;) Thank you for the review!!

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