Reviews of The Mariner's Son

layne · 6 June 2014 · Chapter 4

Aragorn was perfect ( a king in every way! ) in the way he approached the mariner's son. Poor boy ...

Author's reply

I've always loved Aragorn's merciful side and the way he shows compassion to those who less understanding leaders might judge too harshly, so it was fun to explore that in an altogether different scenario than in the ROTK book where it was as military leader and then King where he showed mercy. This boy wasn't important in the bigger scheme of things, but yet Aragorn showed him dignity and compassion, which is what anyone who is authentic would do, I think. Thanks for reading, Layne!

layne · 4 June 2014 · Chapter 3

Aaah, and there I was thinking that the story title was refering to Aragorn himself, that the old man had "adopted" Aragorn during his period of amnesia. Am enjoying this a lot!

Author's reply

Fooled ya! :D Actually, just joking there because I never considered someone might think the title referred to Aragorn. I just love it when readers share their thoughts and interpretations and all, because it always gives me food for thought that inevitably goes into future stories. One of the things I love about fanfiction and the review/response process that you rarely see happen in published fiction. Glad you're enjoying this!

layne · 2 June 2014 · Chapter 1

I've started reading this and I'm liking it so far! And I'm wondering if that beggar was more than just a beggar, him getting the better of Aragorn like that.

Author's reply

Thanks, Layne! Ah, the beggar that got the better of our intrepid Ranger... I won't say anything for fear of spoilers, other than to say that even Rangers sometimes let down their guard. :) Thanks for reading this ancient tale of mine!

curiouswombat · 1 January 2014 · Chapter 4

I'm so glad that you mentioned this in the Snowflake Challenge as I hadn't read it before. Would you believe I have read it whilst there was a programme on TV about Hurricane Sandie, and people talking about being trapped by the rising water? It certainly made it very atmospheric!

Author's reply

Oh, what a terrific coincidence. I just hope no one in during Sandy had quite the level of trouble I put poor Aragorn through! Thanks for reading!

Lady Telcontar · 11 July 2009 · Chapter 4

What a touching story, Cairistiona. It is quite a unique one, I've never seen a plot with the likes of it before and if it's such a well-written tale like yours definitely is, one cannot help but be awed by it. You truly left me at a loss for words...

Author's reply

Thank you, Lady Telcontar! I'm so glad you liked this story. It was a fun tale to write and explore the issue of names and the effect a name, or lack thereof, may have on a person. It was my first attempt at LOTR fic, and I'm glad people are still enjoying it. Thank you so much for your kind review!

meckinock · 7 May 2008 · Chapter 4

What a nice story, Cairistiona. Enemies sometimes aren't really enemies. Aragorn's warmth and sensitivity really come through when he deals with the Mariner's son.

Author's reply

Thanks, Meckinock! I'm glad you liked my take on Aragorn. I definitely wanted to explore his caring, compassionate side with this, and you're right--foes are not always what they seem, and that was definitely the case here. Thanks again for the review!

Elentarri · 6 May 2008 · Chapter 4

Brilliant!

Author's reply

Thanks, Elentarri! Glad you enjoyed it.

Larner · 6 May 2008 · Chapter 4

I've been a special ed teacher for a very long time, and I see a few of my students and clients in this nameless child. An interesting tale. It's hard to imagine anyone giving up his name like that, or failing to give his child a name to help anchor his identity. Most intriguing.

Author's reply

Thank you for the reviews, Larner ... hope you don't mind if I respond to all of them with one reply. I'm glad you found the story intriguing--I know it's a bit unusual, having two characters with no name. It was odd for me, actually, because I tend to develop much of a character based on the name, so to not have names even after much research and musing was a bit of a stumper. But I think it worked out all right in the end. I hope, anyway. That's for the readers to decide, I suppose. It did afford me an opportunity to speculate a bit on the importance--or lack thereof--of names. And I liked the idea of contrasting a person who has absolutely no name, and hence no easily discernible future, with a person who has a list of names as long as his arm, and a future he is still unsure he can live up to. I figured they could each learn from one another, and hopefully that came through in the story. Anyway, I'm rambling ... I'm glad you found the story vivid and intriguing--and yes, like you, I'm very glad NOT to have been Aragorn tumbling about in that hurricane! And I'm gratified that you found hints of real people in these characters. Thanks again for taking the time to review!

Larner · 6 May 2008 · Chapter 3

I find myself wondering just who this Mariner is, as well as the nature of his son. A former lighthouse, now a storage shed, and the son locked Aragorn into it, after he took the Ring of Barahir? Hmmm.

Larner · 6 May 2008 · Chapter 2

Alas, poor Aragorn--injured once more, and torn from his perch. The descriptions are quite vivid, and I find myself glad it's NOT happening to me!

Larner · 6 May 2008 · Chapter 1

A most interesting situation. Now, who is this young beggar, and how is he related to Aragorn--or Isildur? We does wonders, we does we does....

Raksha The Demon · 5 May 2008 · Chapter 4

A good finale to a well-written and thoughtful action story. I'm not sure about the future of the Mariner's son; though; he seems to be something of a loose cannon when he wants something. The Mariner himself was a fascinating character; he certainly has been around if he's met hobbits andArathorn.

Author's reply

I don't know if the Mariner's son will have learned his lesson or not... but I think that'll be someone else's headache, for I imagine Aragorn beat a pretty hasty retreat out of there once he got his ring back. And yes, The Mariner is a bit of a mystery character. In a way, I'm kind of sorry to leave him behind, but I don't have any plans to revisit him or his son in any more stories. Although I guess, being citizens of Gondor, they may turn up for Elesser's coronation. Hmm, I wonder what the son would do when he gets a load of that shiny crown....*grin. Thanks again for the wonderful reviews, Raksha. You made my day!

Raksha The Demon · 5 May 2008 · Chapter 3

Well, the plot is thickening - Aragorn has amnesia, and appears to have been saved by his assailant's father. Aragorn's pain, fear and confusion are well-written, plausibly and evocatively without being overdone.

Author's reply

Thank you! I'm really glad you didn't find it overdone ... I'm always a little leery that what I think is emotional angst might in reality be just so much melodrama. And since this was a Teitho entry, I didn't have the benefit of a beta to tell me that I had gone over the top. So it's reassuring to hear you tell me I didn't!

Raksha The Demon · 5 May 2008 · Chapter 2

Uh-oh; out of the frying pan, into the fire indeed! A harrowing account of Aragorn's ordeal and escape, only to be struck down by Nature's own fury.

Author's reply

Mother Nature ... or Ulmo, take your pick ... isn't exactly being kind to our Ranger, is he?

Raksha The Demon · 5 May 2008 · Chapter 1

An good portrait of Aragorn at an emotional crossroads, caught between Gondor and his home in the north; and now in an increasingly dangerous predicament. Very suspenseful!

Author's reply

Thanks, Raksha! I'm glad you found my story and are enjoying it. And yes, I always figured Aragorn would have been in a bit of a muddle when he finally decided to leave Gondor, and Thorongil, behind. I just decided to up the ante even more by plunking him in a fairly nasty situation. I'm sure he hates me now...

Reviews (15)