Loved the part where little Edainion (how old is he now, anyway) said goodnight to his unborn "torinya". What's he going to do if the infant turns out to be a girl? I hope Aragorn gets to see them again before too many years go by...
Author's reply
Loved the part where little Edainion (how old is he now, anyway) said goodnight to his unborn "torinya".
Thanks Raksha! Inspired by real-life checking on my little brother, who I desperately wanted to be a little sister. Letsee... *checks calendar*... he's 6 years old.
What's he going to do if the infant turns out to be a girl?
LOL! If he's anything like me, pout and be disappointed, but then fall absolutely in love with her once he sees her.
ella
· 25 October 2006
· Chapter 39
I have never reviewed any story before but I just had to say something about this. It is truly exceptional. I am utterly engrossed in and enthralled by it. My only worry is that, as I've noticed with some other stories, it will get abandoned before it's finished. I don't think I could stand the frustration of not knowing how things turn out! So please do keep up the excellent work.
Author's reply
Awwww. Thanks, ella! That's music to an obsessive little writer's ears. :oD I'm glad you're enjoying it.
I have never reviewed any story before
Well, then, in that case I am doubly honored to have been singled out.
My only worry is that, as I've noticed with some other stories, it will get abandoned before it's finished.
Yes, actually one of my paranoias, as well, which is why I didn't start posting it until I was relatively close to finishing, and then did start posting to help get me over that hump of writing the chapters that are more "perspiration" than "inspiration." That way I have deadlines. :) If it's any reassurance, you should know that I have the last 5 chapters completely written and ready to roll. Just gotta write more to get to that point.
Thanks again!
~Silli
Raksha The Demon
· 22 October 2006
· Chapter 38
An excellent chapter, sweet and poignant and chilling with the anticipated loss of Aragorn from his son and wife for several years. I loved the bit with Aragorn worn out from sparring with his little boy. And I hope that Edainion will have a little brother or sister, to relieve the hole in both their hearts after Aragorn leaves.
I wish there would be some reference to the dates of each chapter, either in the table of contents, or above the chapter's text.
Author's reply
An excellent chapter, sweet and poignant and chilling with the anticipated loss of Aragorn from his son and wife for several years. I loved the bit with Aragorn worn out from sparring with his little boy.
Thanks Raksha. :)
And I hope that Edainion will have a little brother or sister, to relieve the hole in both their hearts after Aragorn leaves.
LOL! Funny how often I have to bite my tongue.
I wish there would be some reference to the dates of each chapter, either in the table of contents, or above the chapter's text.
There've been enough requests for such a thing that I'm seriously considering something like that. I'm just not sure how to do it without it interfering with the mood I've attempting to build. I'll give it some more thought. Maybe a "quote" from the books Nienelen keeps.
Radbooks
· 21 October 2006
· Chapter 37
Wonderful chapter! I loved the image of Aragorn watching her in the water and then joining her... working and talking together. He sought her out and didn't go and find his son first... that was wonderful! :) 'Little Wren' that was funny! What is it with Aragorn and bird names for the women he loves? :) What year is it now in the story?
Author's reply
I loved the image of Aragorn watching her in the water and then joining her... working and talking together. He sought her out and didn't go and find his son first... that was wonderful!
Thanks Radbooks. :)
What year is it now in the story?
*checks calendar* It's about midsummer 3015.
Thanks again!
~Silli
Radbooks
· 21 October 2006
· Chapter 36
Well, that fortress sounds like simply a wonderful place to live. :) It must have been very hard for the Dunedain to have their men off guarding the Shire (even if they didn't know where they were) when they needed them at home to protect them and their families. I totally understand Bachor's frustration even as I know the big picture - that at this time, the Shire is more important than even the lives of the Dunedain families. Ouch.
Author's reply
Well, that fortress sounds like simply a wonderful place to live.
*snork* Is that a hint of sarcasm I'm detecting, Ms. Radbooks? :D
I totally understand Bachor's frustration even as I know the big picture - that at this time, the Shire is more important than even the lives of the Dunedain families. Ouch.
Yeah, I think the Dunedain of the North rather got a raw deal. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give them a voice.
AM
· 16 October 2006
· Chapter 37
That was so sweet.
Author's reply
Thanks, AM. I hope it was worth the wait. :)
~Silli
Radbooks
· 6 October 2006
· Chapter 35
I'm glad that Gelir is going to get better... at least I think so. :) I like the young man who is still so full of life. That was a moving 'gift' that she gave to Aragorn - the tunic was a very practical gift that represented hours and hours of labor, but you know that Aragorn appreciated the knowledge that Gelir was doing so well even more... although, it was probably a close thing! :) I'm anxious to see what Nienelen is going to do when the pledge-holders all get together, it should be interesting.
Author's reply
I'm glad that Gelir is going to get better... at least I think so. :) I like the young man who is still so full of life.
Thanks, Radbooks! Hee. I actually modeled him after a guy I work with. Same with Pelara - uh, though she's modeled after a woman. ;)
Thanks again!
~Silli
Radbooks
· 6 October 2006
· Chapter 34
I was glad that she asked Aragorn what had happened to his men. I know that is not usually something a woman would be interested in or would ask, but I think it's good for her to know those things. I enjoyed all of their conversation together... seeing Gelir getting hurt and knowing it could be her some day and sharing that with Aragorn was a good thing for her to do. He needs to understand her fears, and to understand now how that effects him. He can also be extremely annoying at times! :)
Author's reply
He can also be extremely annoying at times! :)
*snork* I have to tell you, I really had not anticipated the reactions to the Aragorn I'm writing. I thought I'd have an awful time getting the reader to identify with my OFC, what with Aragorn being so well-known and near-universally admired. I suppose I shouldn't have worked as hard as I did. ;)
But, I hope that the annoyance I'm generating at Aragorn is of the normal thing that happens when you put men and women together in an intimate relationship, particularly when the culture around them defines who they are and their spheres of operating in such opposing terms.
Radbooks
· 6 October 2006
· Chapter 33
I've been so busy that I haven't had time to review the last few weeks, but that doesn't mean that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed the last four chapters! :) These ones where Aragorn had Edainion out on his 'adventure' and Neinelen was at home waiting and worrying were so good. It was good for Aragorn to have time with his son, but oh the start of the heartache... well, more heartache, for her. It's always interesting when a father is gone most of the time that the mother is left with the disciplining (of course!) and the father gets to come home and do the fun stuff with the children. :)
Author's reply
It's always interesting when a father is gone most of the time that the mother is left with the disciplining (of course!) and the father gets to come home and do the fun stuff with the children. :)
And I'm sure it's absolutely maddening to have Edainion jump up from his seat at a single word from his father, but his mother has to cajole and soothe and be very very firm at even the simplest of things. :D
~Silli
AM
· 1 October 2006
· Chapter 34
"I wish most, by touch and soft kisses, to gentle away the weariness that settles now upon his features. There is another who may have permission to do so, but I do not." How sad that she feels that way.
Author's reply
Thanks, AM!
(Oh dear, I think I'm repeating myself, here, with the material you quoted. *squint* Yep. *face-palm* I suppose that's bound to happen since I don't always write chapters sequentially. This chapter was actually probably written a year ago or so, whereas chapter 35 was just written this weekend. Ah, well. Time to get out the red pen again. ;) )
AM
· 23 September 2006
· Chapter 33
Just like a man: let's the kids do whatever, comes home whenever, and forgets what you sent him for.
Author's reply
I figured some things haven't changed that much in a thousand years. ;o)
~Silli
Radbooks
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 31
Well, I'm glad to see that Aragorn knows his wife's name! :) This was the first time he has said it aloud in the story... I've been wondering if either of them will ever say their names to each other. I did like the harvest ritual... it was nicely done.
I am wondering about their relationship, though. Do you not think that after six years he would have fallen in love with her no matter how he felt about Arwen? That being with someone who loves you so deeply and is the mother of your child doesn't change how you feel about them and friendship doesn't change into love over time? I don't know if that would happen or not and he is gone so much and I would guess that each time he comes back it's almost like starting over, but it's something I've wondered about so I thought I would ask you for your thoughts! :)
Looking forward to the next chapters!!
Author's reply
Well, I'm glad to see that Aragorn knows his wife's name!
*g*
Do you not think that after six years he would have fallen in love with her no matter how he felt about Arwen?
Hmmm.. a good question, and one I struggled with a bit. The way I think about it is that Aragorn has been in love with Arwen since he was 20 years old. He's barely known himself without a time when he loved her. He's in his 70's during the time of this story, so that's 50 years of loving someone. If you think about those couples you know in their 70's and 80's and just how intertwined they are, it would be very hard to even know who you are without that other person.
And, I think too, that you're right about the effect of Aragorn being gone so much of the time. A few steps forward and a couple back, each time.
So, in all, I think that over time Aragorn is becoming deeply fond of Nienelen. At this point in the story, they've carved out a carefully defined friendship. And now they have a child, it takes some of the intense focus off their relationship and puts it on their son. I would think their lives would become more about a partnership in which they share responsibilities for the Dunedain and for their son. I think that that can be a very stable dynamic that doesn't put pressure on them to become more and more intimate with each other, because they have other things on which to focus.
Hope that makes sense.
Thanks Radbooks!
~Silli
Radbooks
· 22 September 2006
· Chapter 30
I just realized I never got back to review this chapter. It was bittersweet as they often are. I loved that Aragorn was there and helped take care of Nienelen during her pregnancy... he needed to. Yet, even then the fact that she couldn't even show her love for him during all that time was so sad.
Aragorn's name of the child was interesting since it wasn't an 'Ara' name which they had used for hundreds of years at least. Though I know it goes with Eldarion. I also wondered if that was the first time Elrond even knew that Aragorn had married... did Arwen know before this time? I assume he had told her, but I wasn't sure. Then the fact that he gives his son a kiss more loving than his wife was sad.
Author's reply
Aragorn's name of the child was interesting since it wasn't an 'Ara' name which they had used for hundreds of years at least.
Yep! Good catch, Radbooks. :oD
I also wondered if that was the first time Elrond even knew that Aragorn had married... did Arwen know before this time?
I figured he would have had a notice sent after their marriage. But, given that Aragorn and Nienelen weren't communicating very much at the time, it probably happened outside her POV.
Thanks Radbooks!
~Silli
Raksha The Demon
· 17 September 2006
· Chapter 31
Nifty chapter, showing the baby growing up loved and indulged. I liked Nienelen's tale of Aragorn among the Rohirrim. And her conversation with Aragorn, gently prodding him to take the boy out on a necessary errand, was wonderful, she's grown much more confident. And I loved the bit about the green coat and the horse's decorated mane...
Author's reply
And her conversation with Aragorn...was wonderful, she's grown much more confident.
Thanks! Yep. I wanted to explore the dynamic of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and see what happened. LOL! Little does Aragorn know what he's creating. *G*
I loved the bit about the green coat
Yeah, you may notice that I've been including bits of Aragorn's costume from the movies... and then then whole thing about Elven silks. Ngila is my hero. Gorgeous stuff.
Thanks again, Raksha!
~Silli
Raksha The Demon
· 17 September 2006
· Chapter 30
A fateful chapter, excellently told. Finally, Aragorn's heir, the child for whom he bound himself and Nienelen in a marriage of convenience, is born. It's a tribute to both Nienelen and Aragorn that their marriage has been made pleasant with mutual respect and some passion.
Please don't kill off the kid. And give him sisters, so Nienelen will have company when the guys go off to war.
I see Aragorn is just as clueless about naming his son as he is in the true LOTR timeline - both "Son of Elves" and "Son of Men" seem like names that would spark a lot of teasing from other Dunedain kids...
Did Aragorn use athelas to help Nienelen? I couldn't tell...
Author's reply
A fateful chapter, excellently told.
Thanks, Raksha!
I see Aragorn is just as clueless about naming his son as he is in the true LOTR timeline - both "Son of Elves" and "Son of Men" seem like names that would spark a lot of teasing from other Dunedain kids...
*snork* Hadn't thought of it that way. But then, in a community in which he bears company with other people named Bachor, Tanaes, Tanion, etc., he could do a bit of teasing back, I suppose.
Did Aragorn use athelas to help Nienelen?
No. I did consider it though. I ended up deciding against it, wanting to reserve the athelas use for medicinal purposes. I decided, instead, to make it something purely the venue of women, tied to their spirituality and part of the cycle of life, rather than "medicalize" it in some way.
Author Reply: Did Aragorn use athelas to help Nienelen?
Ya know, Raksha, sometimes I'm more than a little dense. Finally dawned on me that you were probably talking about when he was making her more comfortable when she was ill. (d'uh) Uhm.. no, he didn't. Just cold well-water and a soporific to drink (cowslip). Figured he'd save the athelas for more extreme needs.
~Silli
AM
· 16 September 2006
· Chapter 31
This is so good. But I'm still very worried about how it's going to end.
Author's reply
Hey there, AM. Nice to "see" you again. Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you're still enjoying the story.
~Silli
Radbooks
· 11 September 2006
· Chapter 28
I finally had a moment to review these chapters! I read them greedily first thing Saturday morning, but then I always read them more slowly one more time before I write my review so that I don't miss anything. Well, also I just like to read it again! *grin*
Anyway, wow, Nienelen and Halbarad had quite a 'discussion' there. I assume that Aragorn and Halbarad's disagreement was over Aragorn listening so much to her and him depending on her and Halbarad not thinking that she could/should do that. Aragorn is coming to depend on her a lot and I don't think that Halbarad understands that at all. I think Aragorn will use anyone that can help him at this point whether they be man or woman... they need the help!
And now she is pregnant... I knew it would happen, but I wonder what will happen to the baby. I loved the whole harvest festival section and them dancing and being together... it was nice for them to have time together like that. I laughed when Aragorn found out he had made the blanket and then when she went on and on about all of the little things that go on. It's like she comes out of her shell at times. :)
Author's reply
I laughed when Aragorn found out he had made the blanket and then when she went on and on about all of the little things that go on. It's like she comes out of her shell at times.
Good! I'm glad you found it amusing. I kept thinking of the description of Aragorn as grim, but with a deep well of mirth that would burst from him at times. That must have been a sight to see, and I think Nienelen very willing to work at opening herself and teasing him to bring it out of him.
wow, Nienelen and Halbarad had quite a 'discussion' there.
Yep! It was building for a while, there. I think Halbarad has been delighted that Nienelen babies Aragorn whenever she gets the chance, more opportunity for Hal to tease his kin. But, yeah, I don't think he had anticipated Aragorn's need for someone to take a leadership role. I'd imagine he'd be scared out of his wits and feel the weight of the responsibility of the choice he made doubly. I think Aragorn is more able to take things on faith, where Halbarad wants to see the evidence - touch it, smell it, see it up close - before he really trusts it. But, he loves his kin with all his heart, and if Aragorn says it shall be so then Halbarad will see it through, even if it means standing on the edge of a precipice and letting go.
(LOL! Listen to me, going on as if they were real. ;oP)
Anyway, thanks for continuing to read and being so generous with your reactions!
~Silli
Cornelia
· 9 September 2006
· Chapter 29
You mentioned Roheryn in the last chapter as Aragorn´s new warhorse. Do you know this name means "Horse of the Lady"? I don´t need to tell you, which Lady...
Nienelen must know that, too.
By the way, did you chose the name Nienelen with a purpose? It sound suspiciously like Nienor Niniel...
Please keep up this great work! I´m always waiting impatiently for the next chapters!
Author's reply
You mentioned Roheryn in the last chapter as Aragorn´s new warhorse. Do you know this name means "Horse of the Lady"? I don´t need to tell you, which Lady...
*face-palm* Oh.. dear... LOL! (Aragorn! You CAD!)
Uhm, you know, I think I knew this at one point long ago, but obviously it had become buried in that lumber-room that is my mind. It certainly makes sense if Roheryn was a gift from Arwen, give how expensive the beasts were.
Nienelen must know that, too.
Perhaps this can be another reason why she has a bit of an antipathy for the beast. ;o) Though, I had been thinking of it in terms of a woman's reaction to "Boys and Their Toys."
did you chose the name Nienelen with a purpose? It sound suspiciously like Nienor Niniel...
Yes, I did. She shares a common root word with Nienor, as well as the Vala Nienna. Nienelen = nien - grief or mourning, elen - star. When "rendered in the Common Tongue" her name is a play on "mourning star." I was hoping to evoke a tension between grief (as in mourning) and hope (as in Earendil/morning star).
Please keep up this great work! I´m always waiting impatiently for the next chapters!
*g* Thanks Cornelia! I'm pleased you're enjoying it.
Amy
· 9 September 2006
· Chapter 29
Really, really lovely to watch this unfold.
And unexpected. The pregnancy was a surprise, but infant mortality no doubt was high among the Dunedain, so I am taking nothing for granted.
Me for Minas Tirith, no question. Being a Dunedain woman would have been way too difficult.
But their harvest dance was lovely, all the more so for being so understated in dress and behavior.
Author's reply
Really, really lovely to watch this unfold.
Thanks Amy.
Yeah, this part was quite enjoyable to write. We often have to live with some hard compromises in our lives, and it was nice to be able to show both of them in a place where they'd made some peace with this.
Laurelin
· 5 September 2006
· Chapter 75: Character list and Reference Material
Your story is very good. The AU is very believable, more than what happened in the LotR ;) , and the OCs are realistic, each has his/her own personality. The language you use is also great. I have just one complaint: There are not enough chapters! So please, update soon :)
L.
Author's reply
Thanks Laurelin! I'm glad you're enjoying it and find it plausible.
I have just one complaint: There are not enough chapters!
*SNORK*
Yeah, yeah... we'll see if you still think that when we're all done. ;o)
~Silli
Radbooks
· 3 September 2006
· Chapter 27
Oh, wow. What can I say here? You can see it all coming together and I just ache for this woman who has given her best and done all that has been asked of her and now can very clearly see what will probably happen to her. To stand in front of their people, childless, while this 'divorce' was happening would have been horrifying. Yet, isn't it just as horrible that the woman is the one that is to blame? But, she always is... and has no say in what happens to her. But, it is realistic of many times and cultures and places. :(
I can't wait to see what happens next... sort of. :)
Author's reply
I can't wait to see what happens next... sort of. :)
*g*
*exercises massive quantities of restraint*
Phew! Okay.... ;oD
Thanks Radbooks!
Radbooks
· 3 September 2006
· Chapter 26
Well, this chapter made me cry. It was hard to read it because of the tears in my eyes... I could just feel Nienelen's pain so strongly there and there was no comfort for her. I know Aragorn tried to apologize and sort of did, but honestly it was not him that really needed to do so. Although as her husband he should have stopped Halbarad. But Halbarad should never have started it.
I was not sure why he felt the need to attack her like that. Was he jealous of her because Aragorn was listening to her counsel and he feared her taking his place? That was the only reason I could see for it because otherwise it really didn't fit his character otherwise. But, then we didn't get to see what happened between the two of them. I was disappointed by that because the two of them have had a level of friendship and I would think that would be gone now and she doesn't need another hurt like that in her life. I like Halbarad a lot as a character - the story I'm writing is based on his and Aragorn's friendship - and I hope we get to at least see the two of them together again to know whether or not there was some kind of resolution between them. Although, knowing Nienelen she's probably just been able to hide her hurt away.
Oh, I did like it when Aragorn told her that her aunt was a good woman because he knew the woman she had raised. That was a nice compliment...
Author's reply
I know Aragorn tried to apologize and sort of did,
Yeah, she didn't really let him, did she. Poor guy, caught in the middle like that. I'm sure, later, he'll slap Halbarad upside the head. ;o)
I was not sure why he felt the need to attack her like that. Was he jealous of her because Aragorn was listening to her counsel and he feared her taking his place? That was the only reason I could see for it because otherwise it really didn't fit his character otherwise.
uh-oh. Hmmm... that's certainly part of it. Things are changing in that "triangle" and it wouldn't be unusual for even the best-intentioned friends to feel a little shaken-up and act on it without realizing it.
Thanks for letting me know your surprise at seeing this come out of Halbarad! I think I may not have done my job setting it up properly if it feels like it's edging on being OOC. So, I went back and tweaked it a little (and foreward, too, but you'll have to wait for that ;oP )and hopefully that'll help.
Amy
· 3 September 2006
· Chapter 27
So annulment is one of the options, set out in black and white. It seems like the woman blames herself for not having children, and it's hard to imagine their not having affection for each other after 5 years together. Hard to see how it can be just a business relationship.
Halbarad's remark was cruel. Probably unintentional, but he should have thought about what he was saying.
Poor Nienelen, also blaming herself, apparently, and taking it all to heart.
Obviously, I'm still reading. Your reply to my previous review was lovely and made me reconsider. I'll just take it one or two chapters at a time and see if my heart can take the secondhand heartbreak!
Author's reply
Halbarad's remark was cruel. Probably unintentional, but he should have thought about what he was saying.
Yeah, think he had just a little bit too much ale, there, and pretty much preoccupied with lifting Aragorn's spirits. ;o)
So annulment is one of the options, set out in black and white. It seems like the woman blames herself for not having children, and it's hard to imagine their not having affection for each other after 5 years together. Hard to see how it can be just a business relationship.
Hmmmm.... does it come across that Nienelen worries that the Angle thinks that Aragorn may soon be pursuing this option, given that they've been married 2 years without hint of her producing any heirs, despite what appears on the surface to be a lusty relationship? Wonder if I should tweak this section a bit.
Your reply to my previous review was lovely and made me reconsider. I'll just take it one or two chapters at a time and see if my heart can take the secondhand heartbreak!
Awwwww...heartbreak by proxy? *hug* (And LOL! I see you made it through my soliloquy of a response to your last review... very kind of you. ;oD )
~Silli
Lyrelle
· 31 August 2006
· Chapter 9999: Excerpt from Chapter 12 - Rated R
I wanted to leave a review to this chapter because of how scary it is to post anything remotely smutty (at least for me), and tell you how heart-breakingly beautiful it is.
This story is one of my favorites. I can't wait for more! :)
Author's reply
tell you how heart-breakingly beautiful it is
Hey there, Lyrelle! I'm very pleased you liked it. Thanks for your kind words and for your thoughtfulness.
~ Silli
Radbooks
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 25
I wonder if Nienelen would have consented to marry Aragorn if she would have known all the things she would have to do for him. Not the regularly cooking, cleaning types of things, but the councils and building forts and things like that? :) And now she won't even have Halbarad around to be a buffer against the men who really don't much like listening to a woman whether or not she is the wife of their Chieftain or not! Aragorn asks much of her and she does it out of duty and her love for him, but it is a hard road for her nonetheless. I doubt I could be so strong, but then those were much different times and things were more often done for duty than they are these days. I loved her boldness at the end of the chapter. :)
Author's reply
I wonder if Nienelen would have consented to marry Aragorn if she would have known all the things she would have to do for him.
Yeah, I don't think so. I think it's like many things that we take on that are outside our comfort zone. We don't know just *how* outside the zone it's going to be until we get in the midst of it.
I doubt I could be so strong,
Oh... we tend to surprise ourselves. :oD
But then, too, I think some of her answer is a bit of bluster, as well. She knows she needs to, she sees the right of it, and will do it any way she can. Sometimes, I think, putting blindfolds on, not thinking too far ahead and pretending that the pitfalls aren't there, can carry you through more than if you think too much about it. Like jumping off a cliff. :o)