Endaewen · 2 April 2006 · Chapter 11: Eleven
I'm really enjoying this story. In it I can see the development into the characters we know from the books.
Author's reply
Thank you for your review, I'm glad that you are enjoying it!
Brothers at Heart by Radbooks
Reviews (89)
harrowcat · 2 April 2006 · Chapter 11: Eleven
This has been an interesting chapter Radbooks. I enjoyed it a lot, especially the final interaction between Aragorn and Halbarad and the silly sheep and twins.
Author's reply
I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter, harrowcat. It you only knew how many times that final scene between Aragorn and Halbarad was re-written... :) I'm glad it came off well. Yes, the sheep were silly, they are silly but it was fun to have a not so serious delay in their trip and to have a good reason for Aragorn and Hirgon to interact. Thanks for reviewing.
Amy · 2 April 2006 · Chapter 11: Eleven
I was almost as glad as the Rangers were to arrive at the outskirts of Dolomar. Orcs and sheep and disgruntled Rangers, oh, my! This account reminded me of accounts of Conestoga wagons travellers as the American West was settled. Moving is such a pain. I can't imagine why one of those rental truck companies advertises "adventure." I'd rather not run into orcs on the way, thank you, just don't let my wagon break down before we arrive! It's sweet to see young!Halbarad frustrated at not yet getting to do everything that full-fledged Rangers do. He and Aragorn are so serious and, I have to admit it, cute!
Author's reply
I'll admit that I made a comment to my friend that this part reminded me very much of a western movie as well! :) I was glad to get them to Dolomar and the move over with really very little trouble over all. I remember being Halbarad's age and being frustrated like that over things I wanted to do and couldn't and I see my nieces and nephews coming back from college for the summer and their parents treating them like children again after they've been on their own for 10 months. So I thought I would show that here as they are young even if Aragorn is in such a responsible position and really not that young in a sense. But poor Halbarad has too many people watching over him. :) Things lighten up a bit in the next chapter for them. Thanks for reviewing.
Larner · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 10: Ten
A leader thoughtful of the welfare of his men is a leader worth following. Interesting to learn Hirgon's story at the last. But to take out the anger at the father on the son is not politic or just. Interesting situation working here.
Author's reply
I've always seen Aragorn as someone who was thoughtful and compassionate of those around him, someone truly interested in others. Not a distant and lordly leader of men, but someone deeply interested in them and who truly cares for them. A reflection of his elvish upbringing, and, in this story, something I attributed to the influence of his mother as well. Ah, yes, Hirgon. It is definitely not just to take out your anger on the son, but jealousy and a broken heart do not usually lead to wisdom. Hurt people often do very unwise things. I imagine that when he learns what Aragorn has done to save his wife and children, he might even feel a little bit guilty... he might. :)
harrowcat · 25 March 2006 · Chapter 10: Ten
This just keeps getting better Radbooks! Juggling so many characters and giving each a different tone or feel is no mean feat - well done.
Author's reply
Thank you, Harrowcat! I do try, though it is difficult at times to give them all unique personalities... I've got too many of them, I know, but it should thin out here very soon.
Amy · 20 March 2006 · Chapter 9: Nine
Officiating at a funeral and breaking the news about deaths: Aragorn’s getting a full taste of the sad responsibilities of a chieftain, isn’t he? I liked the way that the other Rangers had to correct Aragorn from wanting to assign families to villages. His idea about the carts was a good one. His “feeling your pain” statement about having already left his own home and family made a great reply to objections about leaving the village. This sentence seems like the key to this story: “I knew when I returned that it would be difficult for a time; that I would need to learn the ways of the Dúnedain and people would have to learn to accept me and my ways which I knew would be different than my… father’s.” *intrigued about the opposition from Hirgon*
Author's reply
Yes, Aragorn is having to do a lot of the heart-breaking kinds of things that a chieftain has to do, and though he might be well-trained in many areas, nothing can really prepare you for dealing with death and grieving people. I do have plans to let him do some good things as well! But those are a little way down the road. Aragorn is fortunate to be surrounded by men that will give him guidance and direction on things and he is smart enough to be open to their advice. A truly wise man knows his limitations and is not too proud to take advice from others. I would say that sentence does pretty much sum up what I am trying to show in this story... that and Aragorn's relationship with Halbarad. I have strayed from that more than I would like and I keep trying to get back to their friendship a little more, to find the right balance between the two parts of the story that I envisioned. You will find out about Hirgon in the next chapter! Thanks for reviewing.
harrowcat · 19 March 2006 · Chapter 9: Nine
Oh good, you have caught up here so I can review. I am really enjoying this Radbooks especially the detailed look at village life. The develoing relationships are great.
Author's reply
Thanks, Harrowcat for your review! Yes, I did finally catch up with the story here. I'm glad that you enjoy the way I portray the village life, it's been interesting to try and capture that feeling and so I'm glad that it is coming across as I intended. The relationships are interesting to write and develop and I have really come to enjoy some of the OC's a lot - Halhigal, Nestad, and a few of the men back in Dolomar. Besides, of course, the relationship between Aragorn and Halbarad! I know their are so many characters though I do try and keep focused on certain 'main' ones and the smaller ones just sort of drift in and out as needed, so I hope it's not too confusing for readers. But a village has a lot of people and so there are lots of small interactions with people - mostly men here in Taurnand. Thanks again, Radbooks
Larner · 18 March 2006 · Chapter 9: Nine
There is always someone with a secret grudge against one or another or even a whole family. I'm certain we'll learn Hirgon's story soon. Good decisions by the young Chieftain. But I'm certain he'd have learned about making unpopular decisions from Elrond.
Author's reply
Larner, Yes, there are often secret grudges held against others, though Halhigal and Nestad both know what is going on and you will find out in the next chapter! :) Aragorn really did the only thing that he could to help his people survive through the winter and with this village being the smallest it will, in the long run, strengthen the other villages if they are not able to return. I am certain that Aragorn would have learned about making unpopular decisions from Elrond, but it is not the same as actually having to make them and seeing how they affected people right in front of him. Seeing their fear and grief of losing their homes and even if he knows it is the right thing to do, it would still be difficult for him and would make him question himself. As he gets older it would probably become easier for him, but I think at this stage of his life he would still have doubts about such a big decision. That's why he has a wise and caring Uncle to speak to! :) Thanks for reviewing!
Larner · 17 March 2006 · Chapter 8: Eight
And so we see him beginning his learning of how to do this vital form of healing, and developing his leadership skills. A young man already on his way to becoming a great King and leader of mortals.
Author's reply
I'm sure that Aragorn started using that healing sleep at young age, why would he not? If you have an ability like that I would think you would use it when it was necessary. And it couldn't have been easy to do something like that... at least it doesn't seem like it would be, not at first. :) Aragorn was very young when so many things happened to him - and then has to wait years to actually marry and become king! Within five or six years of this story he will be leaving the Dunedain and going down to Rohan and Gondor. Aragorn was quickly put into positions of responsibility in both of those lands and so you know they sensed things about him. I think there was just always an innate sense of authority about him and this time with the Dunedain gives him the chance to develop the crucial leadership skills he needs for his life. Thanks for reviewing!
Larner · 17 March 2006 · Chapter 7: Seven
Aha--we are catching up at last. Am looking forward to seeing this finally coming to new chapters over what I've read elsewhere. Of course, you don't need to send replies via email, but can respond here on the site, you know. Very much looking forward to following your work here from now on.
Author's reply
Yes, I am just about caught up with what I have on the other sites! I didn't want to post too many chapters here at one time, though even putting out a chapter every day might be too much, but it seems to be working all right so far. By the way, did you receive the Aragorn wallpaper I sent you? If not, I'll send it again, it was a rather good one! :) You can email me if you would like to have it.
rikwen · 13 March 2006 · Chapter 4: Four
I am just catching up on your tale here and I find it to be very interesting so far. Your descriptions of the people and the environment of the village that Aragorn has come to live in makes it come alive with real people and problems. It was a very meager existence that the Rangers and their families lived - the men on patrol a great deal of the time and the wives and children left behind to fend for themselves as well as they could. I also liked how you have developed the budding friendship between Aragorn and Halbarad - friends and becoming brothers. Aragorn does have a lot to learn here. Even though he has been well-trained by the elves in military strategy and weaponry, he still has a lot to learn about how men live and handle dangerous situations. It seems like he already has some good ideas about trained healers, educating younger children and food stocks. Everything Aragorn will need to know when he becomes king. I feel that he will still have to prove himself to some of his followers. I look forward to the rest of this tale.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing my story! I am glad that you have been enjoying it so far, I have tried to make it as realistic as I possibly can. Well, as realistic as I think it might have been for the Dunedain knowing how the men traveled and protected the different parts of the north. I think Aragorn also has an incredible amount of book knowledge, he was very well schooled in every area by Elrond and the elves, but that is not the same as practical experience. And, of course he is very young to be in the position he is in, but he is a quick learner and there is a strength and authority in him that people respond to. Thanks again!
Endaewen · 10 March 2006 · Chapter 2: Two
Nice! I think you've captured the feeling of life for the Dunedain, and Aragorn's feelings of uncertainty. We always see him as so confident and sure of himself. It's nice to see the early days.
Author's reply
Thanks for your review. I've always felt that there had to be a certain amount of uncertainty and questioning going on within Aragorn during that time of his life as he took over his role as leader of the Dunedain. He was so very young to be in that position and well-trained or not, you would still feel that, especially as he did not grow up among his people. Everything was new to him... even if he had read and learned about the Dunedain - and I'm sure he did - it is not the same as experiencing it. Aragorn is fortunate that he has had the proper training and that will help him overcome any difficulties he might encounter, but internally he might question himself for quite some time. Thanks again!
Larner · 10 March 2006 · Chapter 1: One
Ah, I rejoice to see this here, where it is easier to review and to receive feedback as well. So glad to see you here, my friend. You asked about longer paragraphs--have several friends who are dyslexic who have asked that paragraphs be fairly short and separated by a blank line to assist them in reading them. Well, it is fairly standard that the paragraphs are separated by blank lines on most sites, but the length of paragraphs tends to remain a matter of taste and style. Some insist on very short paragraphs of only a sentence or two; others write quite long paragraphs. I would look for natural breaks for paragraphs and use them accordingly. In looking at some of the longer ones here, I don't see them as excessively long. The one responding is very possibly one who has difficulty reading anyway. Anyway, am looking forward to following this story here from here on. Good to see you on board.
Author's reply
Thank you! I was thrilled to be accepted here. I knew that 'Safekeeping' did not fit the guidelines, but since I finally had one little short story finished as they required and I felt I had a good start on Brothers at Heart, they might accept me. I will post those completed chapters over the next week or week and a half until I am caught up. Thanks for your feedback on the paragraphs. I do use what I feel are natural breaks and most of the time, I do not see how I could just cut them in half say, without ruining the flow of the narrative. But I want to be sensitive to the needs of the readers as well and so that's why I asked. It is something I will keep in the back of my mind as I write. Thanks again and it is nice to be here.
harrowcat · 9 March 2006 · Chapter 1: One
Oh I am glad to see this story posted here Radbooks. Larner introduced me to it on the other site and I have been avidly following it but find it difficult to review there.
Author's reply
Thank you! I do remember recieving a review from you on the other site. I just received permission to post here and so will start posting the story here a little at a time until I catch up.