I fully intended to review this the other day. I really felt as though I was there. I could feel the terror, the exhaustion, the desperate need to make it to Minas Tirith in time. Phew! I was tired out myself at the end of it.
A wonderfully atmospheric story and how good to read this bit from Aragorn's POV.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Baggins Babe, for taking the trouble to leave a review. I always feel especially honoured when I get to hear from the Shirefolk!
This was a part of the tale I really felt needed exploring from Aragorn's POV. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.
utfrog
· 21 April 2009
· Chapter 32: The Black Ships
Simply excellent - wonderful job of describing a crucial part of the story that does not receive enough attention.
Thank you
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Utfrog for your review. In 'Letters' Tolkien says that the full tale belongs rather to 'The Saga of Aragorn Arathorn's Son' than to his story [a saga I'm sure we all wish he had actually written!] so I quite agree, this great heroic achievement doesn't recieve anything like enough attention! I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed my version of it.
Estelcontar
· 21 April 2009
· Chapter 32: The Black Ships
I absolutely loved The Black Ships. You did a most wonderful job of letting us see how gruelling that trip from The Stone of Erech to The Pelargir must have been. You've shown us how Aragorn by the strenght of his will alone overcome his weariness, and pushed beyond human endurance to achieve his goal, and how, as Legolas says, for the love of him The Grey Company overcame their own weariness and fear to follow him.
I loved the part in which Halbarad methodically folds the banner, and how that pierced Aragorn's heart because Aragorn felt all the love and loyalty embodied in that action. It is a most poignantt glimpse of their close relationship, as also is the dialogue between them. Aragorn's words that "one of the Dúnedain, and a dúnadan alone, should bear" Aragorn's standard says it all, doesn't it?
I also loved the protective way the twins treated Aragorn, and how Aragorn deferred to their will to spare him, but how ultimately they deferred to him. And I liked very much the lighter note you struck with Gimli.
As for the ending, I think it's perfect. I loved the idea of Elrond sending the Elendilmir as a gesture of his belief in Aragorn. As for Aragorn's mind, I think that again you have given us a very faithful portrayal of him.
Well done indeed.
Author's reply
Ah thank you once again, Estelcontar, for your wonderful review. This chapter was a joy to write, if a difficult one with all the details to untangle.
I'm sure the banner of Arwen must have been a great symbol of hope for all the Dunedain and I'm glad you enjoyed that. And donning the Elendilmir must had been a great moment for Aragorn. I like to think Elrond personally sent it for him as an encouragement!
Larner
· 21 April 2009
· Chapter 32: The Black Ships
Indeed he has proven himself capable of commanding living and dead, friend and newly found allies. If anyone has ever been worthy to wear the Elendilmir, it must be Aragorn son of Arathorn. Now, to rest and prepare for the battle to come, for it will itself be bitter.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner, for your review. I find it hard to imagine the stress Aragorn must have been under on this journey. As you so rightly say, he really did prove himself in all that he did.
shirebound
· 21 April 2009
· Chapter 32: The Black Ships
Magnificent. This epic you're weaving deserves a place in the Appendices.
But poor you, having to go through every moment of this with Aragorn and his men! I'm sure this was a difficult chapter to write.
Author's reply
Gosh, thank you so much, Shirebound.
Yes, this was quite the epic journey and tricky to write as I needed to be continually checking dates and places from the Tale of Years and ROTK. Ultimately though, I was very glad to bring Aragorn triumphantly through it all!
Estelcontar
· 20 April 2009
· Chapter 31: Isildur's Heir
I really, really loved your take on The Paths. I like the way you managed to fit in Aragorn's worry about Elrond and Arwen's anxiety for their loved ones; his guilt in relation to Éowyn and the hints about the ordeal that wrestling the palantír to his will must have been. But I especially loved it because you managed to illustrate very sensitively the strenght of Aragorn's will. He overcame fear, and because he did, so did the others: men, dwarves and horses. I'm always surprised when people who love Elves admire Legolas because he felt no fear. If you feel no fear, where's the merit? But when one, like Aragorn fears, faces his fear, overcomes it, and threads the needed Path leading others because it must be done, then, there's indeed a lot of merit in one's actions. You very sensitively made this point very clear in this chapter.
The ending is very moving. I just loved the effect Arwen's banner had on Aragorn, and Aragorn's realization that this was his hour was totally thrilling. I felt like cheering him again.
Our Aragorn's are so similar, I just cannot but help loving every bit you write about him.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked this as I love writing heroic Aragorn! So often he is portrayed drowning in angst yet I much prefer to celebrate the greatness of the man. This really was his darkest moment yet all the same he overcame his fear and triumphed magnificently.
Thank you for your lovely review.
Estelcontar
· 20 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
I think Éowyn is a most perceptive chapter. You've managed to show us that Éowyn was not really in love with Aragorn, but with the freedom that marrying him would represent, or, as Aragorn so wisely put: "she loves only a shadow and a thought: a hope of glory and great deeds, and lands far from the fields of Rohan." All this was there in the musings you gave to Éowyn, as was her despair at her situation. As I never tire of saying, well done indeed.
Author's reply
I'm sure Eowyn was in quite a desperate state by then and Aragorn really was her knight in shining armour who arrived at just the right moment.
Thank you so much for your kind review.
Estelcontar
· 20 April 2009
· Chapter 29: The Palantir
What a most wonderful chapter!It does give us a most tantalizing, and emotional depiction of what Aragorn must have felt and suffered when he confronted Sauron, revealed himself, and wrestled the Isengard palantír to his will. It must have been a frightful ordeal, and a tribute to Aragorn's strength of mind that he was successful, and here you've managed to paint a totally lifelike picture of it.
Aragorn and Halbarad's dialogue was wonderfully revealing: it showed Aragorn's strength, Halbarad's loyalty and their mutual love and affection, while Halbarad's dry humour and down to earthness served to lighten the mood of the chapter somewhat. They balance each other most nicely
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar. This was a fascinating chapter to write as we are given so little to go on yet the impact of what happened in that tower was enormous. I'm so glad you found the dialogue realistic. Poor Halbarad must have been very overwhelmed by all he was hearing.
BeeGee
· 19 April 2009
· Chapter 9: The Rival
I just started reading this great story. As I read this chapter I thought that Denethor and Thorongil had much in common too, but the one thing that (I think) caused their division was Denethor's lack of self-confidence, or maybe I'd call it "self-worth". You have brought this out very well. If he had truly thought, he would have known that of course his father loved him more than Thorongil. However, it was that tiny flaw of jealousy in Denethor's character that made him such a great tool for Sauron to use. Your last line "He almost felt sorry for the good captain." gave me a pang of regret because in the end Denethor lost Finduilas, Boromir, Faramir (through his estrangement of him), Gondor, his mind, his character, and his life.
Author's reply
Hi BeeGee. I'm delighted to receive your thoughtful review and am so glad you're enjoying this story. You've completely hit the nail on the head about these two great rivals. Denethor and Aragorn were so similar in so many ways yet Denethor had that fatal flaw - jealousy. He had pride where Aragorn had humility. Without it they might have been friends, but then everything would have been different!
Larner
· 16 April 2009
· Chapter 31: Isildur's Heir
Worthy has he proved! Now indeed is Strider put behind him, and now indeed he is Elessar, the Renewer!
Nicely done!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner. It must have been quite a moment after a lifetime of disguises to finally throw them away and be his true self at last.
Jancy
· 16 April 2009
· Chapter 31: Isildur's Heir
Hello!
This is a cool chapter. It goes very well with the book scene. I can almost picture it when I read this.
Author's reply
Hi Jancy. Thank you so much for leaving a review. I did a huge amount of cross checking to with the book when I wrote this so as to be sure of keeping the facts straight so I'm very pleased it felt right to you.
Linda Hoyland
· 15 April 2009
· Chapter 31: Isildur's Heir
I always wish Tolkien had told us about this directly,so this is as good as finding a lost chapter from the book.You capture the utter horrow brilliantly and Aragorn's amazing courage.
Author's reply
Linda, you have so made my day! It was capturing Aragorn's courage that I particularly wanted to do here. I really believe this was his greatest test and one of the most important chapters in this telling of his lifestory. I'm so pleased that came through.
Linda Hoyland
· 15 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
You capture Eowyn's frustration,infatuation and sorrow brilliantly here.
Author's reply
Thank you very much, Linda, I'm glad you thought so.
Celeritas
· 15 April 2009
· Chapter 31: Isildur's Heir
Very evocative piece. I do not hold much for in-book gapfiller that repeats scenes already given in Tolkien (and this scene in particular I thought did well by sticking to Gimli's or a more or less objective viewpoint rather than Aragorn's) but I found myself liking this nonetheless. You did a good enough job evoking the fear of this place that I now have (and shall have for a while) Stephen Oliver's incidental creepy music for the BBC audio adaptation of the Paths of Dead sequence (which IMO is the best of their Aragorn scenes).
Highlights:
If my men hold fast, their mounts will too. My men will hold fast, if I do.
This quote for me encapsulates all the tension in this sequence. *chills*
I remind myself I am Isildur’s heir, the blood of Tuor and Beren flows in my veins. I will not cower before the ghosts of traitors such as these.
You know, put that way it sounds as if the Dead have a lot more of a reputation than they deserve...
Typo: we come at last to the Hill of Erech and to the great unearthly black stone than stands there.
"Than" should be "that," I take it?
Author's reply
Thank you so much, as always, for your very thoughtful comments. I agree with you about not enjoying fics that rework scenes we are given by the man himself [one reason 'A of A' doesn't have many chapters covering the actual time span of the book] but this is one scene I do wish we had been given from Aragorn's perspective. When Gimli says 'does he feel no fear?' I really want to know the answer!
I too very much enjoyed that scene from the BBC version which was vastly superior to all those skulls in PJ's. I'm not though a huge fan of Robert Stephens's rather arrogant Aragorn. I prefer John Hurt's, though of course [IMHO] no one holds a candle to Viggo!
Thank you too for the typo. Can you believe, even now, I read that and thought 'what's wrong here then'! Hopeless!
shirebound
· 14 April 2009
· Chapter 31: Isildur's Heir
the threshold of this cornerstone of my life
I feel tears prick my eyes as I gaze with wonder at this fulfilment of my beloved’s long labour. What hope and longing, and love has gone into every stitch as hour upon hour she sat in her workroom and made this for me? I feel humbled to receive such a gift. This is indeed a standard worthy of a king.
This is beautifully written. What a dreadful place, what a desperate deed.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Shirebound. It was indeed Aragorn's darkest moment, I think.
Minerva Organa
· 11 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
I really enjoyed this!! It's an interesting perspective, seeing things from Eowyn's point of view. I think you captured it quite nicely =).
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Minerva. It's lovely to hear from new reviewers and I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter.
Celeritas
· 10 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
I enjoyed Eowyn's pragmatism in thinking of Aragorn as a potential mate and not simply "crushing" on him.
She didn't pick up on his not-so-subtle "my heart dwells in Rivendell," though? That's interesting, and colors her decisions a bit differently. Can't wait till the poor woman runs into a man who can actually give her his love.
Author's reply
Thanks so much, Celeritas, I'm glad you enjoyed this. I imagine that as the niece of the king she would have to give some thought to suitability. You've a good point there about 'Rivendell' and if I had written this from 3rd person POV would have talked about it. I don't, though, think she did pick up on that hint which was about as heavy as Aragorn could get away with without making it obvious that he knew her thoughts and so embarassing her completely. I'm sure it was a case of 'love is deaf'! I might be wrong here, but it seems to me this was something she chose to ignore; her later actions seemed to suggest that and she didn't seek comfort by saying to herself, something like: 'ah well, he's probably already spoken for anyway'! As things turned out, it was just as well she didn't LOL!
Tracy Hughes
· 9 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
I just wanted to tell you how much I really enjoyed this chapter. The chapters on Rohan and its people were some of my favorite parts in the books. You really captured Eowyn's despair, and I thought the chapter was really touching. Plus, I like how you add a bit more regarding what was going on in Edoras before Aragorn's arrival. It was a really good chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Tracy. I was afraid this chapter was a bit 'something and nothing' but your kind comments reassure my enormously. Eowyn was very young and must have been devastated when this one potential lifeline was lost to her. Thank you for your review.
Larner
· 7 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
How very appropriate to the White Lady. Yes, I can see this.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner; I'm glad.
Cairistiona
· 7 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of Eowyn, but you've painted such a sympathetic picture of her here. Who wouldn't be swept away if Aragorn suddenly stepped into the picture, especially if the situation was as dark and seeming hopeless as Eowyn's was. He walked into her life at a very vulnerable time and it's little wonder she became infatuated with him. When I read this, I was comforted by knowing that ultimately Eowyn found her true love. Otherwise, it would be quite devastating, the way Aragorn rode out. Others may have seen the pain on his face, but she didn't, and that made it very hard for her, I would imagine. Really well done!
Author's reply
You've hit the nail on the head there about Eowyn not knowing how much Aragorn suffered when he was forced to abandon her. She must have felt life simply couldn't get much worse at that time. No wonder she despaired.
I'm very glad you liked this as I was rather stumped by how to write about Eowyn when every encounter she has with Aragorn is already covered in canon.
Thank you so much, Cairstiona, for reviewing.
shirebound
· 7 April 2009
· Chapter 30: Eowyn
Beautifully done.
Author's reply
Thank you!
Celeritas
· 2 April 2009
· Chapter 29: The Palantir
Oof, this was a lot more overtly violent than I'd imagined (the struggle with the Palantir, I mean). But this is one of my favorite moments in the Aragorn storyline because for the first time he really does take matters into his own hands, going against even Gandalf's counsel! No wonder Halbarad was so worried!
And I liked the added detail of Aragorn making a visit to the Rangers in November and letting Halbarad at least now know of their secret hope. Now we can sit back and watch the hasty stroke go awry!
Author's reply
I'm guessing that if Sauron could physically hurt Pippin, who after all just looked in the Palantir by accident, he would have been far more brutal in his assault on someone who was actively challenging him for control of it. I'm sure it must have been a very unpleasant experience!
I love this part of his story too - it really is Aragorn's moment, isn't it?
Next up, is a quick look at Aragorn from Eowyn's POV, but then the story returns for the Paths of the Dead, followed by the ride to Pelargir and the talking of the Black Ships, something I so wish the Professor had given us in full!
Thank you so much, Celeritas, for your review. I'm glad too that you liked the idea of Aragorn having returned to his men during that two months when the hobbits were in Rivendell. I feel that after the incident at Sarn Ford, he would have been quite desperate to speak with them.
Larner
· 31 March 2009
· Chapter 29: The Palantir
All too likely! Very well portrayed.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner, I'm glad you think so.
Linda Hoyland
· 31 March 2009
· Chapter 29: The Palantir
This is a great chapter and look at a scene I wish Tolkien had told us more about. I just love Halbarad here and Aragorn's resolute courage.
Author's reply
Than you so much, Linda. I too wish Tolkien had given us this scene but I'm so glad you liked this version of it.
shirebound
· 31 March 2009
· Chapter 29: The Palantir
What a compelling picture you paint, not only of this incredible event, but to show us even more completely the selfless and courageous heart of Aragorn... and those who love and honor him.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Shirebound, for your kind review. I do feel it was very much the measure of the man that he decided on the course he did. How easy it would have been to give in to the doubts of those around him.