Reviews (24)

meckinock · 28 December 2017 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Thank you for being my friend.

meckinock · 31 December 2011 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Spending my New Year's Eve eating grocery store baked Brie with grocery store Shiraz, watching the Trilogy, and re-reading some of my favorite fanfics. This one still makes me smile. Thanks and Happy New Year, Nilmandra.

Ainu Laire · 16 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

That was an awesome story. I really enjoyed it a lot, and I love how you drew different parts of canon into one small tale. Excellent.

docmon · 11 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I really liked this interchange between Gandalf and Aragorn. The characters felt genuine, and this is a completely reasonable scenario for the origin of that name. A fine ending line too! well done!

Willow Smith · 9 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I found this through the MEFA listings because it happened to be the one below mine. I like it; everyone is in character, and it has that sense of Gandalf quietly affecting events that is carried through to the Lord of the Rings.

grumpy · 3 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I just love this story. There is poor Aragorn. with his pants down, trying to do a bit of healing and a wizard shows up, to get him a nudge, and a new name. At least Gandalf brought some food from home. Wonderful job of writng both Aragorn and Gandalf.

perelleth · 3 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

“What are you doing on the road so late?” Aragorn asked. “Looking for a place to camp, of course,” answered Mithrandir LOLOL! That was very elfy. Try again, Aragorn. Right question, right answer. It was a very enlightening conversation and a very likely meeting to me. “Thorongil,” he murmured. “I was just used to Aragorn.” That was great! And let's assume that he's not yet gained his Strider nick.. :-)

Eruanneth_Luin · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

There is so much to comment on in this tasty morsel. First there are the musings of Aragorn’s ‘verbal realization’ of his physical condition. Then Halbarad’s mention of the twins being the ‘most useful non-mortals he had ever met’ had me chuckling. Gandalf with his faultless logic and Aragorn with his perplexed enlightenment were wonderful. I do so enjoy your intriguing forays into the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the possible motivations for a variety of actions. It makes me wish my birthday came more than once a year!

The Karenator · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

A wizard is never late and arrives at precisely the right time. Such is your Gandalf. I loved him! I can only imagine what Aragorn thought when Gandalf turned up and his pants were down. Oh, dear. But Gandalf certainly made up for the unannounced visit with his suggestions about a path and name Aragorn could take. A delightful tale, Nilmandra. And what a great gift for our favorite ranger. I hope she enjoyed her birthday as much as I did. The story presents are gifts for everyone. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. You did a wonderful job. I'm so impressed...as I always am when I read your work. Thanks for letting all of us take part by reading.

Amy · 28 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I've been meaning to review this for several days, but kept getting distracted by the half-nekkid ranger (not meckinock, just to be clear about that!). I find Gandalf exasperating a lot of the time, and I was amused that Aragorn reacted that way, too, in their first meeting. I like the way that Aragorn is drawn home and to new lands, and Gandalf arriving as the deus ex machina to set these travels in motion. I really appreciate the way that you work out plausible scenarios for how Middle-earth heirlooms pass from hand to hand while giving the heirloom bearers their due.

Dot · 28 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

*looks around* Where are the elves? Ok, I’m willing to go with a worn-out, sweaty ranger for a while :-) This was really great, Nilmandra. What a lonely life it must have been for Aragorn as he tried to prepare himself to be someone able to undertake all that has been set before him. And it sounds like Elladan and Elrohir, for all their experience and wisdom, could never know what it’s like to be truly alone. Ah, Gandalf. He so calmly wanders onto the scene to give Aragorn a nudge in the right direction. I love how you write Gandalf. I really, really do. He’s straight from the pages of Tolkien. Poor Aragorn must have felt a bit bewildered there for a while. It didn’t help that he’d been caught with his trousers off. No doubt over the years he’ll get used to these appearances and deciphering the gruff and enigmatic comments. I thought it was very touching when Aragorn has that moment of longing for his home and his mother. He will do what he has to but that doesn’t mean that he’ll forget what made him the person he is now. And, of course, he’s just a young man here – he must have moments of homesickness and loneliness. I just love that Cook has sent Aragorn some of his favourite food. Clearly, not only was he a cherished child, but he’s still thought of in Imladris by more than his family. It also proves to him that Gandalf is someone trusted by those of Elrond’s House. This restless, troubled Aragorn at the beginning of his journey has obviously thought much about the best way to walk the path of his destiny but he seems, naturally, to find it difficult to know which step is next. He needs guidance at this stage and luckily has the wisdom to accept it – or to at least recognise that he should listen to those trusted by Elrond. It was a fascinating discussion between the two, as Gandalf pushes him in the right direction, yet still allows Aragorn to voice his thoughts and see for himself why this step would be the right one. Plus, it must feel good to him to know that he has support. And I love your ideas of the meaning behind the star and eagle of “Thorongil.” It’s so much more symbolic than I would ever have thought. Isn’t it such fun to see all the bits and pieces fall into place?! I like too that Gandalf is the one to give him that name. Though I did laugh at the last line! A/N: Come on, you knew there had to be some: Uh, yes. Yes, we did. But I love it when you think too much because I always end up learning something :-)

elliska · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

“What you really mean is ‘Why am I on this road at all? Where am I going?’ You must say what you really want to know.” Oh my! That is so Gandalf! You have his character absolutely perfect in this. I loved it! And I positively loved the interpretation of the name Thorongil and the reference to the Elessar and Gandalf's advice. One of the things I love about Gandalf is how he queitly moves all these events in the history of Middle Earth--just as he does here, reading Aragorn's heart and helping him make a decision that will have many important consequences. Wonderful!

SurgicalSteel · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I really enjoyed this - Gandalf was just perfect!

Bodkin · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Trust Mithrandir to turn up at a moment like this! I can just picture Aragorn prancing around in his smalls! And the poor lad. No sooner has he got used to being Aragorn than it's time for him to adopt his next alias. Still, he might as well get used to it. I love the cook who sent Mithrandir off with a selection of Estel's favourites. It really reinforces the fact that Aragorn was not a duty, but a much-loved child of Imladris. And, at the moment, a very lonely one. And the wine ... “He stashed this in my pack with a long suffering sigh, indicating we had missed one.” Elrond is pretending here, I sense. And also sending something to warm the son of his heart. And now Mithrandir has taken on the role of directing the whereabouts of Isildur's heir. Aragorn'll not be free of his manoeuvrings again until the king returns. Thorongil. Named by Mithrandir for symbolic reasons. Makes sense. The Elessar and the Star of the North - and let's give Denethor clues to make him suspicious! But at least Aragorn has a reason to visit Halbarad - and his mother and Imladris before he heads south. And the image of of half-dressed ranger will linger with me... Love the notes. Excellent supply of information. (I forgot to mention how impressive your history of the White Jewel was, too. Very comprehensive.) Great tale. Loved it.

harrowcat · 27 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I love your A/N almost as much as the stories Nilmandra. I especially liked the Elvish version of the 'trail bar'!

Jay of Lasgalen · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I love Gandalf when he is being mysterious and obscure. Nothing he says or does is without meaning or reason - and no brief encounter is ever by chance. There are lots of little snippets here I liked - Aragorn missing his mother; learning so much of healing from Elrond's teaching; the glimpses of Halbarad - and of course the entirely bewildering twins and their silent conversation. Really, I'm surprised Aragorn asked them that question - surely they're never alone in the wilderness?

shirebound · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Five years he had been in the wild, with only occasional visits to see them, and in some ways he had more questions now than when he had left. He had spent time among his people, but they were not dependent on him. He had learned what the rangers could teach him, and taken on responsibilities as one of them. He knew it was not enough. His eyes were drawn southward more often than not now; his desire to know what lay beyond the mountains filled his thoughts. What a marvelously written encounter. Gandalf does seem to arrive exactly where and when he needs to!

meckinock · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Muddy, bloody Aragorn. Oh, yes, Precious, that is my favorite treat. (And to answer Iwarren, yes, mine do always seem to be in that condition, don't they?) And I was so excited to see that Gandalf was the person meeting Aragorn in the woods. I love seeing those two together. Nilmandra, this is just spectacular. In addition to being wonderfully indulgent of my affinities, this story is really insightful. I'm with you; I sort of figured Gandalf meeting Aragorn in 2956 had something to do with Aragorn heading east in 2957, but I like the restlessness you've shown in Aragorn here, and his realization that if he's to fulfill the destiny laid out for him, he's going to have to do more and learn more than he can staying in Eriador as the Chieftain of the Northern Dunedain. I like the understated meeting between Gandalf and Aragorn, and Aragorn's initial wariness giving way to the beginning of trust. Aragorn is no dummy and he keeps his composure, but this match goes to Gandalf - he gets (almost) all the best lines, as always, and he's eager to start teaching his new pupil - You must say what you really want to know. How true! I wish someone had told me that when I was 25! The bit with the smoke-ring tower was a nice touch, too LOL. I like how easily Aragorn becomes at ease with Gandalf; although I suppose the care package from home was a nice enticement. It's nice to think of Elrond & sons siccing Gandalf on their wayward son. As always your research was impeccable, and where research did not suffice you drew logical conclusions based on the evidence. I like the idea that Gandalf bestowed the name of Thorongil on Aragorn. The best line, though, I think goes to Aragorn for once - "Thorongil," he muttered. "I was just used to Aragorn." ROTFLOL. Thank you! My whole weekend will be extra special because of this.

lwarren · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Oh my, Aragorn caught with his pants down! Don't you just hate it when that happens? LOL I had to laugh at grubby, grimy, bloody Aragorn! I just read the latest addition to Meckinock's (Happy Birthday, Meckinock!) story and her rangers are ALWAYS in that condition, it seems! :-) The idea of this being the first meeting of Aragorn and Mithrandir is wonderful! As usual, your stories are always so informative, long with the interesting notes you leave at the bottom! I found it particularly interesting that Aragorn would be feeling discontented with living his life just in the north, while realizing that he would need to be 'in touch' with the peoples of the South if he is really to fulfill prophecy! I also think your means of tying in the Elessar was most plausible! This was a great vignette, and leaves open all manner of other little stories, too! :-) Thank you for sharing it with us! Linda

Elflingimp · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

As always I enjoy reading your stories,you seem to satisfy my craving for more and more of Tolkiens world.

French Pony · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Of course Mithrandir would wait to make his appearance known until Aragorn was in the middle of tending his wound. The ol' wizard does seem to like to catch people with their pants down. As always, he seems to be about two steps ahead of anyone else in the conversation. His hints were perhaps rather broader than one might expect of him. Possibly this is because his audience is younger and less experienced than we usually see. Or perhaps it's that men tend to lose IQ points rapidly when their dangly bits are exposed to air.

AspenJules · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

Wow. Impressive. Very scholarly, but at the same time a totally engrossing and compelling vignette. Gandalf is so very Gandalf; Aragorn less so, but that is simply because he is so much younger he hasn't yet become the Ranger I am most familiar with. I can see in this Aragorn the seedling of the Aragorn he will become. I really enjoyed it, and feel like I learned something at the same time. I sure wish history lessons in school could have been this interesting!

daw the minstrel · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I love the explanation for "Eagle of the Star," a name that's always seemed pretty senseless to me. You're the best I know at piecing together the bits and pieces Tolkien left us. And I like this picture of the young Aragorn, aware of his destiny and wondering how to prepare himself for it. I also like the changes you made to this. I think it reads very plausibly.

RS · 26 May 2006 · Chapter 1: Call Yourself Thorongil

I really, really enjoyed this! Aragorn, a man after my own heart--washing and repairing his own clothes! Very funny about the flask, "..couldn't imagine why he thought I would want to carry it". Aragorn's reaction was typical Aragorn.."He smiled." (When I think Aragorn, I think of Viggo's portrayal in the movies which I thought was brilliant!) This was a delightful story! I love your notes. You keep me well-informed!