I really like the idea of the Palantir of Elostirion being used in the future to look back over the straight road on Middle-earth.
It's lovely seeing the love and sorrow reflected here. Someone's heart had to be broken when Arwen made her choice, but at least everyone's going through this rather painful time with eyes full of understanding for the others.
Author's reply
It's a sad situation all round and for Elrond especially. I really wanted to show how both Elrond and Aragorn had come through their respective pain and guilt to reach a loving understanding.
Elrond taking the Palantir with him intrigued me when I first read it as I too really liked the idea for him still being able to glimpse Middle-earth.
Thank you so much for your review, Celeritas.
Celeritas
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 35: The White Tree
It's another romance chapter aaaaaggggggghhh...
*coughs and snaps out of very, very pleasant reverie*
Very glad Faramir showed up here; he seems like a very pleasant fellow as he ought to be. Aragorn's calm response compared to his surging emotions was almost funny.
As for the romantic bit itself--you did an excellent job of showing just enough and then letting the couple have their privacy. I especially appreciated their referencing Beren and Luthien before eros fully took over.
Author's reply
LOL! Yes, definitely the right point to draw the curtains!
I'm glad you liked the mention of Beren and Luthien there. It did feel appropriate at that moment. And Faramir had to get a look in somewhere!
Thanks for your review, Celeritas.
Celeritas
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 34: The Hands of the King
This is one of my favorites, being such a hobbit fancier (and finding often that I like non-hobbit writers' takes on hobbits even more than those who are accustomed to writing about them).
This is certainly the case with your Frodo in this piece--the beautiful simplicity in his language is haunting, as is that very hobbity path and gate. I've read a lot of takes on this and usually he needs to agonize a bit more before he comes to a decision; this one by comparison is rather refreshing. (I would, however, think that Frodo would by now know that Sam would follow him everywhere; still, that's as good a reason as any for his turning back.)
Sam being the more difficult one to convince was also a lovely change of pace, and his despair at having lost Frodo and being too tired was heartaching. I liked how you used his possessiveness (in a good sort of way) of Frodo to good effect here.
I loved this one.
Author's reply
Oh thank you so much, Celeritas. This was a difficult chapter to write because I was out of my comfort zone on two counts. When I write about Aragorn I have virtually every detail of canon well and truly in my head so I can approach any situation fairly confident of how he would handle it. I don't have anywhere near that same degree of certainty where Sam and Frodo are concerned and so proceed more cautiously and, as a consequence, tend to play safe! [Yes, you are right, Frodo should know that; good point]. My other area of uncertainly was this whole question of recalling someone from near death so I'm glad the simple rustic scene worked.
Sam's reticence here was based on his initial reluctance to trust Strider in the Prancing Pony, as you no doubt guessed!
I'm so thrilled this one is a favourite. Thank you.
Celeritas
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 33: Halbarad
A really lovely tribute to the soon-to-be-fallen Halbarad here; it's nice to have a short introspective piece after the long action-packed whammies. Since he was able to foresee it I like to think that Halbarad did eventually come to some acceptance of his fate and even saw it as an honor to die in the service of the King Returned and his friend.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you agree with me here, Celeritas. I can't imagine Halbard viewing his fate any other way.
Thank you so much for your review.
Celeritas
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 32: The Black Ships
I'm rereading this about a month and a half after I first did (shame my lazy phalanges!) and have noticed a number of things I didn't the first time (since the first time I was so caught up in the gruelling pace and weariness of tone that pervades the piece).
1). Halbarad's foresight is of course tragic, and I love how this is touched upon only subtly in the conversation between him and Aragorn--the unease, Halbarad's diverting the subject (suggesting acceptance? not wishing to burden his friend? I love unanswered questions).
2). Gimli's wryness seems very in character as he attempts to take such a despairing situation down to earth (pun intended with eyes wide open). Elladan and Elrohir seem to have a similar function.
3). I like the idea of the shadow host being a little antsy and not wholly under Aragorn's control unless he makes it explicit. Makes them a little less of a deus ex machina.
4). "whimpering fops" is a great phrase.
5). You did a great job fleshing out Angbor in the limited space you had. He seems like quite a character!
6). The gift of the Elendilmir was an excellent gapfiller that I had never really realized existed. Once again you've put a lot of thought--of all kinds--into this.
The tension is wonderfully ratcheted up throughout this piece, and thank the Valar that they actually get some rest by the end of it!! Marvelous.
Author's reply
Thank you so much Celeritas for your lovely and thoughtful review. This was a very complex chapter to grapple with, partly because of the geography and the need to make sure everyone was in the right place on the right date, but also because there were so many set pieces to be drawn into it, all of which I felt had to be included here.
I'm so pleased you approved of my handling of Halbarad's fate. I was sure Aragorn would sense something was wrong and yet be unable to confront the situation for many reasons, not least the intense pressure he was under to single mindedly complete his mission.
Angbor, I felt must have made quite an impression on Aragorn for him to name him 'the fearless' so I'm glad you liked him!
Once again, thank you for all your kind comments.
Larner
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 39: The King of Arnor
Ah, so great a moment! Hooray! Eglerio for the King Returned!
Author's reply
LOL! Thank you, Larner. We can only imagine how much this moment meant to both the King and his People.
Estelcontar
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 39: The King of Arnor
What a glorious chapter. As you may imagine I revelled in it. It's so good to see Aragorn after all his toils come into his country as Elessar and the joy of his people at finally being able to welcome their beloved king home.
I found the scene at Gilraen's home very moving, and absolutely loved Elrond's inscription. It sounded just like something someone as wise and foresighted as Elrond would write, and does total justice to the Dúnedain of Arnor.
"Hope has ever dwelt in their hearts and may it yet be that the Hope we have raised between us will find a way to bring light to the Dúnedain in the dark days to come". It puts everything in a nutshell, doesn't it?
I loved the meeting of Aragorn Dírhael, Haladan (it's great to imagine Halbarad having a worthy son to follow his steps), and the glimpses we get of the hobbits and of Elladan and Elrohir. It goes without saying that I found Aragon's loving interlude with his family most delightful. Aragorn's conversation with Eldarion is most enlightening.
What I loved the most though is Aragorn's arrival in Annúminas and his joyful reception by his people. This is just perfect, as is the beautiful last paragraph in which we glimpse Ivorwen seeing her foresight come true, and taking joy in seeing Aragorn walk "slowly through the city and into the welcoming arms of a People who adored him."
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your lovely review. This chapter was all about bringing events full circle and it was a great pleasure to finally be able to do so! There were, as you mention, various loose ends to tie up and I felt any story called 'Aspects of Aragorn' ought to include something about all his heirlooms. Eldarion was the key to this!
And I'm so delighted you enjoyed those last paragraghs especially; I wish I could have joined in the cheering myself at that moment LOL!
Elflingimp
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 39: The King of Arnor
Sniff,sob,sniffs again, This was one of the best chapters you have ever written! Now I must go get the tissues. LOL! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Oh I'm so happy I made you cry! No, no, I don't mean that - hands The Imp a box of tissues - but I'm absolutely thrilled that you found this so moving.
This chapter was a joy to write to thank you so much.
Jancy
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 39: The King of Arnor
Hi
I’m not sure if I’ve ever reviewed this but I love reading this.
This is great. You put a lot of care into telling us about Aragorn’s life, and this expanding makes me impressed. How long did it take you to come up with all this information?
Anyway I look forward to the rest of this story.
Author's reply
Hi Jancy, I'm sure I've heard from you before so I'm very pleased to know you're still enjoying the story.
And thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, I have indeed put a great deal of time and care into trying to make this story both feel right and be factually accurate [nearly four years in fact] so I'm absolutely delighted that it shows!
There are still two more chapters to go so I do hope you enjoy them. Thank you again.
shirebound
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 39: The King of Arnor
I suspect that Haladan and Eldarion will be great friends.
This is truly magnificent, and I loved every detail. Behold the King!
Author's reply
I suspect that Haladan and Eldarion will be great friends.
What a lovely thought!
Thank you so much for your review, Shirebound, I must confess, I thoroughly enjoyed giving Aragorn the full on movie-star treatment!
Linda Hoyland
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 38: Star of the Dunedain
A lovely chapter.Sam so deserves this gift.I can feel Aragorn's joy a returning North again.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Linda. It was a lot of fun to write this chapter so I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
jgmsccc
· 2 June 2009
· Chapter 38: Star of the Dunedain
I am sorry that I have not reviewed more often. I am really enjoying this and love when I see new posts. I like the places in the story which you choose to expand.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased to know you are still reading and enjoying this story. The parts of Aragorn's story that I chose to expand were ones that particularly appealed to me so I'm delighted to know you agree!
Thank you so much for your review; it's good to hear from you again.
Estelcontar
· 2 June 2009
· Chapter 38: Star of the Dunedain
What a most enchanting chapter. I really, really enjoy reading about a happy Aragorn, and that's what you get here. I liked what you did with the hobbits too, and Sam especially sounds most lifelike.
Trust thoughtful Aragorn to know what the hobbits would expect of their king and dress accordingly. I especially liked the bits in which Aragorn mentions how dear to his heart was the rebuilding of Annúminas and Sam notices that Aragorn is 'more like a proper king". It's a very perceptive and delightful bit because it does gives us a glimpse through another's eye of how well Aragorn grew into the role of Elessar.
And of course I just loved the final paragraphs to bits because they're perfect.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your review. This was a very joyful chapter to write so I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. I don't know about being perfect but it's very kind of you to say so!
Raksha The Demon
· 2 June 2009
· Chapter 37: The King of Gondor
It's true that with great power comes great responsibility; and Aragorn can't just go wandering off into the wilderlands for months or years on end. You deal with this dilemma very elegantly - Aragorn is wise enough to know that he regrets his lost freedom, and wiser still to embrace and savor the compensations (not to mention remembering the down side of all that freedom - constant peril, cold, wet, etc.).
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you felt that to be a fair assessment of Aragorn's situation. The huge and very sudden change in his life on becoming king, I find very interesting. Having all your dreams come true, a bit like winning the lottery, must bring it's own problems, yet, Aragorn being the wise man he was, I'm sure coped very well with it all.
Thank you so much, Raksha, for your kind review.
Raksha The Demon
· 2 June 2009
· Chapter 38: Star of the Dunedain
A splendid picture of the King's return to the North and his meeting with the hobbits and their friends and families. And Sam being honored with the Star, of course, just icing on a yummy cake.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Raksha. It was great fun looking at this through the hobbits' eyes and trying to imagine what meeting a living legend must have been like.
Larner
· 2 June 2009
· Chapter 38: Star of the Dunedain
I can certainly appreciate why Rosie feels uncomfortable and anxious! As for Elanor's marveling at the Queen's robes--well, Arwen has had most of three thousand years to perfect her skill with a needle.
I'd understood that the Star of the Dunedain was the reproduction of the Elendilmir commissioned by Elrond after the original was lost in the Anduin with Isildur; but this certainly works!
Love it!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner, so much, glad you enjoyed it!
I'm sure the king coming to the Shire would be a massively wondrous event for everyone and I can well imagine Rosie's nervousness myself!
That's a very good point about the Elendilmir. Certainly, the implication in the Tale of Years is that it was indeed this jewel that Aragorn gave to Sam. However, as I'm running with the story of the two Elendilmir's from UT, I've also gone by Christopher Tolkien's comments on that story where he says: 'The clear implication of the present passage is that King Elessar retained indefinitely the Elendilmir that was made for Valandil; and it seems to me in any case out of the question that he would have made a gift of it to the Major of the Shire, however greatly he esteemed him.'
Frustrating, it seems there's no reference as to what it was precisely that Sam recieved, hence my choice of heirloom here.
shirebound
· 2 June 2009
· Chapter 38: Star of the Dunedain
I feel I was right there at the bridge, as excited as the hobbits seeing and marveling at this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The days of joy are upon all of them.
Author's reply
I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this chapter, Shirebound. I would really like to dedicate it to you for being such a wonderful reviewer throughout. Thank you.
RS
· 30 May 2009
· Chapter 37: The King of Gondor
I always pictured Arwen and Aragorn having twins!! Gilraen and Celebrian..perfect! Actually...I pictured them to have five or seven kids! I agree with your reviewers. It is so nice to see a glimpse of ARagorn and Arwen's blissful life, crying babies and all, and to have their brothers share it.
I do hope we get to see the royal family visit Arnor soon!
Author's reply
Oh I'm so pleased you liked the idea for the daughters. With so many sets of twins in the family, it seemed at least a possibility that Arwen would have them.
Yes, the Royal family does indeed get to visit Arnor. 'The Star of the Dunedain' is the next chapter and then 'The King of Arnor' when Aragorn finally returns to his people and the rebuilt Annuminas.
Thank you so much for your review, RS.
Linda Hoyland
· 29 May 2009
· Chapter 37: The King of Gondor
It is lovely to see Aragorn so happy and contented.A delightful chapter.
Author's reply
It was such a pleasant change to write him happy and fulfilled! Thank you for your review.
Estelcontar
· 26 May 2009
· Chapter 37: The King of Gondor
This is a most joyful chapter, and it did my heart good to read it because Aragorn really deserved the happiness you so delightfully described in it.
I loved reading about the joyful meeting of Aragorn, Elladan and Elrohir; Aragorn's wise rule bringing prosperity to Arnor and Gondor; how much Eldarion reminds Elladan and Elrohir of Estel; how Aragorn can calm a fractious daughter (somehow I've always imagined him loving children very much, and being very good with them). Mostly I loved your ending. It's just about perfect because it's spot on. I've always been sure that's exactly how Aragorn must have felt after he was made king.
As I mentioned before many times, I'm a sucker for these glimpses of happy Aragorn in the midst of his happy family because I think no one deserved happiness more than he and Arwen.
Author's reply
Many thanks, Estelcontar for your lovely review. I love happy endings and I too like to think that Aragorn and Arwen really did enjoy the bliss that they deserved to find together. I'm so glad this chapter worked as there was, of necessity, rather a lot of tying up of loose ends.
Larner
· 26 May 2009
· Chapter 37: The King of Gondor
Indeed Aragorn and his wife have been blessed as they see their rule confirmed, their people thrive, their lands at last knowing peace, their family grow. A wonderful interlude!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner. There must have been times when the King could hardly belief his good fortune at how well everything turned out in the end.
shirebound
· 26 May 2009
· Chapter 37: The King of Gondor
He leapt up the stairs to his family’s quarters, three at a time, his unfortunate guards struggling to keep pace with him.
I love that image! This family deserves all the peace and happiness for which they've worked and dreamed.
Author's reply
LOL! Thank you! It was a great pleasure to finally write a happy tale of domestic contentment.
Linda Hoyland
· 22 May 2009
· Chapter 36: Elrond
This feels exactly what Aragorn and Elrond would have said to each other.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda, I'm glad you thought so.
Larner
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 36: Elrond
Ah, but this is all to likely on both parts!
And I love the thought that the Palantir was a gift from Aragorn to the father of his heart, a gift to help ease the grief the parting must bring.
Thank you so for this one!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner. It just felt right somehow that this was how the Palantir came to be on that ship. I hope Elrond found some comfort from using it and Aragorn from knowing that he could.
Estelcontar
· 19 May 2009
· Chapter 36: Elrond
I loved Elrond. Your Elrond tells Aragorn the things that I've always imagined him telling his foster son when they parted for good, and so does your Aragorn too. I found it a very insightful, moving, poignant and bittersweet piece. In it, we get to see how wise, kind and generous both characters are. We also see how much they loved each other, and the sorrow that Elrond's departure brought to both.
I'm really impressed on how you've managed to give us such a touching portrait of their love for each other.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your kind review. This must have been a very sad parting indeed, with both Aragron and Elrond having to deal with a wide range of conflicting emotions. I'm glad you enjoyed it.