Hands of a Warrior by MP brennan
Suzelle · 19 August 2011 · Chapter 2: Healing
I was on a nostalgic fanfic re-read kick tonight, and I am so happy to have found this story again! I loved it two years ago and I love it now perhaps more. Leoma's growth over the course of the night, her discovery of her brother's own journey, and her interactions with Eowyn and Aragorn are all purely amazing (and I love that you use their hands to compare them so much). Beautiful.
eldawisdom · 14 February 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
I usually prefer the stories involving elves but you have most certainly changed my attitude. Your writing, whether short stories or long, is most incredible. Please continue with more fics. Take Care, Teri
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed this! If it helped you see some of the characters in a new light, then I've done what I set out to achieve. Thanks for the feedback and the encouragement. -Brennan
grumpy · 7 February 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
Hi, just came across this and wanted to tell you how much I liked it. It is a great story, I liked your discription of leo looking for her brother, and finding him with the "man from the north"
Author's reply
Thanks for the great review! I'm glad you liked my OC. I originally conceptualized her as a minor character in a larger piece, so there's a chance she'll appear in something else if I can get my lazy butt writing again. -Brennan
Larner · 13 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
Well told. I noted the movie-verse, as Book-Eowyn did not come to Helm's Deep, after all. I understand the frustration both Eowyn and Leoma know, as well as the fear for the little brother. And now the child has done a man's job and known a man's wound, and although she's lost her baby brother, hopefully she's found a brother she'll always be proud of.
Author's reply
Thanks for the thoughtful review. I'm glad you enjoyed this little tale. -Brennan
Larner · 13 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Breaking
Indeed a proper story for a protective woman-in-the-making of this people. Am so glad Eowyn recognizes fellow feeling in this girl.
Author's reply
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed this chapter! -Brennan
Ainariel · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
Really enjoyed this - the contrast between Aragorn and Eowyn was great - hope and despair embodied. I am anxious to see more of your work! Your detail is very descriptive - draws a picture in the mind - without getting bogged down in the details. Kudos!
Author's reply
Glad you liked this! I'm still trying to hash out a conclusion for a longer work, after which it will need to be betaed. Thanks so much for your support, and I hope you enjoy my next piece! -Brennan
Estelcontar · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
As I already told you this is a most engrossing tale. I really, really enjoyed reading it, especially chapter two because it features Aragorn and it was a most sensitive and poignant portrayal of his facet as a healer and as a caring leader.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for all the kind feedback; it keeps me writing. -Brennan
SurgicalSteel · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
I think you did an excellent job with both Aragorn and Gimli here. The opening scenes, in which Leoma is searching for her brother - that rings very true, too - and the bit where the arrow's removed? I'm a surgeon in RL, and one with an interest in the history of my profession. You got that spot-on right, and I can't even tell you how much I liked that! Many authors get those little things wrong and then try to blow it off with 'well, I'm not a medical professional,' when all it takes the the willingness to do your homework to get it right. Thank you for this story!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it! This is my first time writing Gimli, so I hope I did him justice. It's always tough writing about medical procedures. One person will say "It's done like this," and another will say "No, actually it's more like this." I'm a pre-vet student, but don't have a lot of real experience yet. I'm glad this met with your professional approval! -Brennan
Linda Hoyland · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
First the concrit.You don't pull out an arrow as it would tear the flesh worse http://www.springerlink.com/content/xyx16pgwex3tcmme/ "Your brother will recover" or"your brother will be well" sounds better than "Your brother will be fine" which is too modern. these are minor niggles,though in a truly excellent story. I really liked your OC and your Aragorn was just lovely.I especially liked the part about his hands. You caught well how much the innocent suffer in war.I enjoyed this story very much.
Author's reply
Glad you liked! Yeah, cairistiona warned me about too-modern dialogue, but somehow it always seems to slip through. The article you sent was very enlightening, although I could only read the abstract and the first page. One thing I noticed: most of the techniques they described were for removing arrowheads embedded in flesh or bone. Since the tip of the arrow went right through poor Haela and was cut off on the other side, I went with a simpler approach. I'll be sure to do plenty of research before I write another healing story. Thanks for the concrit and the resource! -Brennan
Elflingimp · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
It was a very interesting little story with a big heart, I enjoyed it a great deal and if purists don't like it because of whayever you said then they don't know a good story when they see one Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Aww, thanks! I'm not too worried; nobody seems to mind me playing in their universe as long as I put it back when I'm done;) Glad you enjoyed this piece! -Brennan
Cairistiona · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
"The infirmary is no less crowded, but healers and attendants alike part ranks to let the lord pass." I think that is about as concise a description of the impact Aragorn has on people as any. The entire story was so well done, and the descriptive elements are topnotch. Thanks for letting me lend a bit of a hand.
Author's reply
The hand was much appreciated! I'm glad you enjoyed the final product! -Brennan
curiouswombat · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
Personally I have no problem with bastardising the book and film verses, mind you, my own stories bastardise it even further by throwing a character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer into the years after the Ring War, so I might not be the best person to give an opinion on this! However I think that you did it very well and I was able to relate to Léoma; recognising how she must feel.
Author's reply
A Buffy character? Hmm . . . might have to read that . . . :-) Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked Léoma. She just popped into my head one day and demanded to be written. And, she's a stubborn little bugger ;-)
Eluthaun · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Healing
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, in particular the visual intensity of it. I chuckled at your comments at the end of each chapter, and encourage you in this one thing -since I can not pretend to improve your substantial talent in any way. You don't need to make excuses for your excellent work. It is yours, you have written it, and let it be. It shouldn't matter if you've blended movie and book, and the purists ought to forgive you, without a word being said, because of the candid delight interlaced with your words. I eagerly await the day you've completed another work.
Author's reply
Thanks for the great review! Yeah, the self-deprecation may have been a bit much. Oh well. I'm working on some longer pieces. I hope you'll be patient as I sort out some issues with them. I should have one posted soon.
Cairistiona · 6 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Breaking
This is such a good tale... I really like your OC (not a hint of Mary Sue about her) and I love the imagery you weave into your stories. The description of Eowyn's hands I found especially moving. :)
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed it! :-) -Brennan
SurgicalSteel · 6 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Breaking
I liked this very much - your OC is really engaging and it's an interesting perspective on Eowyn!
Author's reply
Thanks! Eowyn is one of my favorite characters, so I hope I did her justice. Chapter 2 is up! -Brennan
Tathrien · 5 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Breaking
Oh this was wonderful! I love the way you portrayed Eowyn; it just seemed to fit! Great job, and I look forward to your next chapter! ~Tathrien
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed! Chapter 2 is up. Hope you keep reading. -Brennan
Marethiel · 5 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Breaking
My mouth is dry. “My brother fights orcs tonight.” Her eyes seem far away. “So does mine.” (smile) Okay. That does it. You're one of my favorite writers... Lucky you, you'll get to hear me gush every time you post something. LOL. Well done, Brennan. Keep 'em comin'. ~Marethiel
Author's reply
:) Thanks! I'll do my best. The conclusion to this fic should be up in a couple of days . . . a little gushing every once in a while is good for the constitution . . . -Brennan p.s. Much of the credit for the lines you quoted go to my lovely beta, cairistiona. The original version stopped a couple paragraphs before that. She pointed out that this was random and wierd and suggested a little more interaction and subtle bonding. I ruminated, and this was the result.