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| The Ranger and the Eagles by Cairistiona | 18 Review(s) |
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| Darkover | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| Dear Cairistiona: As always, you have done your usual excellent job of writing this latest chapter! Starting with the title, I loved it. Every character was portrayed so well--the still-healing but concerned, determined Aragorn, the gruff but concerned Gandalf, the blunt but interested Beorn, and the two Eagles, especially Durvain--all were a delight to read. As I believe I've said before, you have a gift for writing both dialogue and h/c. I'm very glad this story quickly outgrew a drabble, as it is a wonderful treat for any h/c fan. I particularly liked the interaction between Aragorn and Durvain. Your having Aragorn sing to the wounded Eagle was both canonical--"the hands of the king are the hands of a healer"--and deeply touching. I also liked the explanatory conversation our favorite Ranger had with Beorn, and their mutual promises of friendship. The readers were reminded of who Aragorn is, and why he is so important, both as Isildur's Heir, and as a friend. Even if Aragorn were not the last great hope of his people, he is such a good man that his life would be well worth the efforts to preserve it for that reason alone. You made this point beautifully, by doing such a fine job of writing about him. It was all so sweet without being the least bit saccharine. I am delighted that you post so often--and so well! I am looking forward to next time! Take care! Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Thank you so much, Darkover! I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter--one of the goals I had in particular, aside of course from the continuation of the h/c aspects of the tale, was setting up a scenario that might show how Aragorn may have secured the Beornings as allies well before he required their aid as he passed through with Gollum on his way to Mirkwood, so I'm particularly glad you commented on that aspect of the chapter. And I so agree with you when you say, "Even if Aragorn were not the last great hope of his people, he is such a good man that his life would be well worth the efforts to preserve it for that reason alone." Well said! Final chapter and then the epilogue should go up next week. Thanks again for this and all your reviews. :) | |
| LisaG | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| Oooo! I love Aragorn taking care of our sweet Durvain! Gandalf's like about being as stubborn as Aragorn was too true and very funny! I'm glad our healer King was able to soothe Durvain and allow the eagle and himself a restful, healing sleep. That was a sweet image of Aragorn sleeping against his eagle rescuer. :) Author Reply: Thank you, LisaG! I loved that image of Aragorn snuggling up against Durvain, too. *g* I think those two have a bond nothing can break now. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| What a lovely, lovely chapter. It made me feel so peaceful. When I touched on the idea of Aragorn being able to put himself into a healing sleep in "Keep Him Secret, Keep Him Safe", I didn't go into any detail... so this chapter makes me very happy. Dear Aragorn is going to need a hot bath soon, I think. :) Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound... I've long been fascinated by the idea of Aragorn doing the "healer, heal thyself" thing. I touched on it in "At Hope's Edge", also, but in a more oblique way than I did here, where I tried to show him actually going into a healing sleep, and then awakening and sorting out how he might have did such a thing (and of course, in answer to Beorn's question, why he apparently can't do that sometimes!) I think that level of healing was something Aragorn had to learn as he went along, becoming better at it all the time so that by the time he was required to pour forth all his power in order to heal the Hobbits, he knew fully well how to harness that power. But here at this time... not so much. *g* And I bet he'd love a hot bath! Thanks again for the review! | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| Aw! You sure catch the heart of Aragorn and mine with this chapter, my eyes are moist! and I would really like some of those honey cakes! LOL! Hugs The Imp Author Reply: Aw, thank you, Imp! I'm so glad this stirred your emotions to that extent! I have to say I wouldn't mind having a plate of those honeycakes right now, too. *g* | |
| Mirach | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| Very nice chapter! I'm glad Aragorn was able to help Durvain. The eagle really sounded like him, it's contagious! I imagine sleeping leaning on the soft feathers of a great eagle - it must be wonderful! I hope Aragorn gets a flight when they are both allright =) I liked the part with Beorn also, it shows more about Aragorn and who he really is (and that's what my next story will be about too, partially). Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach... glad you enjoyed this chapter. I think it must have been soooo warm and comfortable, leaning against an Eagle like that. And I'm glad you enjoyed Beorn's part in this--and how he pulled out of Aragorn information that isn't widely known. Beorn's sneaky that way, isn't he! But he's an ally, and a leader of his people, so he can be privy to things, I think, that perhaps others wouldn't be. Beorn's one of those characters that canon doesn't draw in detail, so he's open a bit to interpretation. And with your cryptic comment, your new story is already intriguing me! :) Thanks again for the review! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| Ah, but I do love Durvain, and wish I could entertain him myself! And Aragorn has won another ally! Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! Wouldn't it be grand to be able to have such a bird as a friend? And yes, Beorn's quite taken with Aragorn--thank goodness, because Aragorn will need the Beornings' help by the end of his long hunt. :) Thanks for the review! | |
| TolkienFan | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| So, this is an entertaining enough read, I suppose, but I have an issue with the whole convo between Beorn and Aragorn. You seem to have fallen prey to the popular fanon that almost everyone in Middle Earth knew that the wizards were Maiar. They didn't. If you'd read the essay on the Istari in 'Unfinished Tales,' you'd know that the Men of Middle Earth thought that the Istari were elves, because of their inordinately long lifespans. Gandalf's name is supposed to have meant 'elf of the wand' precisely because the men of the North believed him to be an elf and liked his occasional displays of wonder. There is absolutely zero evidence anywhere in canon to support the idea that Aragorn knew Gandalf was one of the Maiar, there's zero evidence in canon that he revealed that bit of information to anyone other than Cirdan, and I find it highly implausible that he'd have shared that information with Beorn. Author Reply: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I don't agree with your strict interpretation of canon, and my beta readers, whose knowledge of canon I trust implicitly, apparently found no trouble with my interpretation and representations. But each of us have our own tolerance level when it comes to such extrapolation, so I merely wish you the best and hope you can find an author whose writings more closely suit your needs. | |
| Ellynn | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/27/2011 |
| Awww, wonderful ending. :) Poor Durvain. :( I hope he will be well soon. Author Reply: Thank you, Ellynn! I have a feeling Durvain will recover more quickly than Aragorn! | |