Andrea
· 31 August 2009
· Chapter 14: The Morning After
This is definitely the comfort part! And I like it very much :-)
Who could beat a dwarf in a drinking contest? Maybe a hobbit?
Gimli has begun to find out that he has more in common with the "troublesome Elf" than he ever expected to have.
And Frodo is as stubborn as ever! If that isn't a good sign!
Sam, however, is a genius ;-)
Author's reply
Sam is a genius, awake or asleep! What a joy to dive into 'the comfort part'. Glad you're enjoying it! :)
grumpy
· 30 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
THe healer gets to be healed by his one time student. SO glad that Arwen and Aragorn can be of help to each other. Just shows that they were ment to be together.
Author's reply
I thought it would be interesting for Elrond to need help from Aragorn, and also his daughter. Thanks for the review. :)
Larner
· 30 August 2009
· Chapter 14: The Morning After
Ah, excellent--most excellent! Already a thawing in Elf/Dwarf relations, a plot to see recovering Hobbits suitably fed in spite of healers, and sleeping Sam answers a riddle! Heh!
Lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you! Legolas and Gimli have had a lot of time to think and learn, and they're both coming to the same conclusions about what's needed, and why they're there. It's really interesting to think about what this time in Rivendell might have been like.
Sam's timing is always excellent, isn't it? :)
Inzilbeth
· 30 August 2009
· Chapter 14: The Morning After
It's very nice to have a break of the action and just have a quiet, ordinary [ish] morning in Rivendell. What more could anyone want! Thank you for that chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. They all deserve a break from the frantic rescues and hurts. A quiet morning is exactly what I was trying for.
Dreamflower
· 30 August 2009
· Chapter 14: The Morning After
Goodness! I thought for a few minutes there the site was not going to let me in to the review screen!
I love the gentle, quiet pace of this chapter-- very much the atmosphere of a "morning after" some momentous event, when everyone is tired and trying to rest and process what has gone before.
Frodo's riddle game with Gandalf was really fun, and I liked the surprise of Sam's answer at the end!
Delightful chapter, Shirebound! It really made me smile.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you. I'm glad this chapter felt restful after the last ones. That's exactly what I was trying to achieve.
Goodness, riddles are hard to write! But the characters guess them so easily. :)
6336
· 30 August 2009
· Chapter 14: The Morning After
Oh, Sam and his Elves! Shakes head!
Well looks like everybody is recovering nicely, can't wait for next chapter to see how Legolas and Elrond are doing.
Lynda
Author's reply
Sam must have loved visiting Rivendell and Lorien, whatever the reasons, to really see and hear and experience Elves close up.
Thanks, Lynda. I love the 'comfort' part of stories. :)
GamgeeFest
· 16 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
A wizard cannot be wheedled... only convinced to do something they were going to do anyway? ;) I love Aragorn's description of the hobbits. :D
So this is Aragorn's first foray into calling back wandering spirits. I love that Arwen served as his anchor to Middle-earth, and I found Elrond's unconscious wanderings fascinating, as well as his thoughts about the new pool being formed by the flood waters. Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. Tolkien gave us such a fascinating area to explore regarding Aragorn's bloodline and its conferring special abilities. It was challenging to weave all this together!
only convinced to do something they were going to do anyway?
LOL, stay tuned for chapter 14. :)
Estelcontar
· 9 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
That was a most lovely chapter. Your version of how Aragorn came to learn how to use his healing power is very convincing. I especially enjoyed having Elrond see Aragorn as Elros, and the detail of having Glorfindel mention that Arathorn was most skilled in the use of Athelas. It's a good reminder that it was not restricted to Aragorn, but a gift of the house of Elros.
Of course the fact that Aragorn needed Arwen's strenght to anchor him was perfect too.
Well done indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. It was interesting to try to weave past, present, and future into this chapter, and imagine a glimpse into the training of Elros's remarkable descendants.
Grey Wonderer
· 9 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
WOW! This was very powerful and I liked the way this seems to connected to the time later in the Quest when Aragorn will need to call Frodo and Sam back to the world. It seems as if this needed to happen to prepare him in some way for what he would face.
Oh, and I adore this line: (“They remain hobbits -- stubborn, exasperating, resilient, and altogether remarkable,”)
And may they always remain hobbits!
Author's reply
Oh, thank you. I do like to imagine how folks learn the skills they need later (such as Aragorn's unique ability to call back 'wandering souls').
Bless our hobbits! They're unique, lovable, and remarkable beings, and it's fun when that can be recognized.
Baggins Babe
· 8 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
What a brilliant chapter, Shirebound. I loved every bit of it. Poor Elrond - so much effort to hold back that water. It was wonderful to see Aragorn and Arwen working together, and how perfect that somehow Elrond thought Aragorn was Elros. at least it gave him the strength to go on, and the athelas did its work.
“Wizards cannot be 'wheedled',” Gandalf declared.
*snigger* We'll see about that!
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm so happy you enjoyed this chapter!
Ahhh, wizard wheedling. Surely one of a hobbit's favorite pastimes!
GreyLynx
· 8 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
Elrond is back, and thank the Valar, he lives! Very nice chapter, me wants more :D cheers!
Author's reply
Thank you very much!
Dreamflower
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
I read this just before I had to leave for work, so I didn't have time to let you know how much I love this! It's always fun for me to see the healer in need of healing-- and Elrond certainly is.
I love the way Arwen supports Aragorn in this-- just beautifully portrayed!
And the way in which Elrond saw his brother in Aragorn was delightful.
As always, I look forward to more!
Author's reply
I appreciate your comments so much. Isn't it fun when a healer needs TLC? I wanted to make sure Aragorn was needed not just for Frodo, but for Elrond as well. I'm so relieved it seems to have worked out! :)
cookiefleck
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
I was thinking while reading this chapter that we have it so easy ourselves... none of this wandering around in confusion in other "dimensions." ;o) I liked the chapter, particularly the part written from Elrond's viewpoint... very well done. And Aragorn is such a rock, isn't he?
Author's reply
Thank you. Poor Elrond probably isn't used to being 'out of control' like this. How fortunate that Aragorn just happened to be in Rivendell. :)
Inzilbeth
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
A fascinating chapter, very well told, Shirebond. It seems sensible that Aragorn had practised his skills before he used them in the Houses of Healing and having Arwen strengthen him was a nice touch. And I very much liked Elrond confusing Aragorn with Elros.
'A wizard can not be wheedled!' Lol! Quite so!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I like imagining the 'backstory' (as you do) of things we take for granted -- such as Aragorn learning how to call back someone from the brink of death.
Wizard wheedling... *grins*
Ainu Laire
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
Heh, Sam needs to be high on medication- or drunk- more often. >:) He was hilarious. Pippin better not be embarassing him about what he said, though!
Oh, yay, Aragorn healing Elrond. A most unexpected twist, considering how often I read the opposite... good to know when the Ranger learned to use his skill.
... Iwouldn'tmindbeingcarriedbyhimeither.... 0:)
Author's reply
I do love tipsy!hobbits, whatever the cause. That chapter was a lot of fun to imagine and write.
I enjoy turning the tables on things, and Elrond in need of healing from a 'mortal' was an interesting notion to contemplate. And... tonight before bed, you have Arwen's (temporary) permission to imagine Aragorn sweeping you into his arms. :)
Andrea
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
“Frodo is not to walk on that leg yet, Gandalf,” Aragorn warned. “Do not let him wheedle you into allowing it.”
“Wizards cannot be 'wheedled',” Gandalf declared.
Aragorn just smiled knowingly.
But Gandalf does know Frodo, doesn't he ;-)
Great chapter and so well-considered! There had to be a first time for Aragorn to call someone back. That this someone was Elrond himself made it even more thrilling (for me and for Aragorn). Being a descendant of Elros he was indeed the only one who could have accomplished the task. And with the aid of Arwen he did it very well!
I wonder, though, what it was that Gandalf would have had to do if Aragorn had not succeeded. (Tricksy if-clause! I hope it's right ;-))
Author's reply
I do love the whole idea of wizard-wheedling. :)
Thank you for your lovely comments! Yes, there always has to be a 'first time'. I explored this idea a bit in "Quarantined", but wanted to try more of a canon-oriented take on it.
I might be expanding on that "what if" of Gandalf's in a later chapter... :)
lbilover
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
I love how this expands on canon and ties in with Aragorn later calling back Merry and Eowyn. This chapter was so very moving, Shirebound. I have a greater appreciation for Arwen, seeing her through your story. Thank you!
Author's reply
Oh my, I really appreciate that. I haven't written much about Arwen, but I she must have been a truly exceptional person.
Antane
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
“Frodo is not to walk on that leg yet, Gandalf,” Aragorn warned. “Do not let him wheedle you into allowing it.”
“Wizards cannot be 'wheedled',” Gandalf declared.
Aragorn just smiled knowingly.
Love that! Because of course Aragorn is right!
Also very interesting this whole part about Elrond. And his
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Antane! That little exchange nearly didn't make it into the chapter, but it really tickled me. I'm glad you like it too.
Larner
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
"Wizards cannot be wheedled"? Oh, yeah? Sounds like a challenge to me! And I do believe Elros himself was allowed to use his descendant in order to see to it his brother was strengthened enough to return. It would certainly assist Aragorn to learn what he will need when he must recall the wandering spirits of Faramir, Eowyn, and Merry, all of which are mere practice for the time it will be Frodo and Sam he must convince to return.
Excellent!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I really agonized over this chapter, trying to figure out what Aragorn could do for Elrond that Glorfindel, Arwen, and even Gandalf could not. Aragorn will need all the education he can get in the months and years to come.
Wizard wheedling. Something at which hobbits are most highly skilled. :)
6336
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
Oh, lovely chapter! Aragorn is finally coming into his own, he will need this knowledge when he calls Eowyn, Faramir and Merry and others back from the Black Breath after the Battle on the Pelennor and at Cormallen!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Thank you! It's such fun to imagine the 'backstory' of how Aragorn might have learned all the skills he would need as healer-king.
Cairistiona
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
Ahh, Elrond's coming back! Whew. Very nice use of Aragorn to provide the strength Elrond needed, and Arwen giving Aragorn strength. I loved the connection you drew to Elros, both in the physical resemblence and in the way that Elrond took Aragorn's to be his brother's. Since Elrond apparently never really heard in Aragorn's regular speaking voice any resemblence to Elros', it's fascinating to think about how that happened in this situation. Very compelling chapter!
Author's reply
Thank you, I appreciate that! When I began this story I wanted Aragorn to be in Imladris both to help Frodo and also Elrond, but it took me quite awhile to work out the details in a way that seemed plausible. As different people seem to perceive different fragrances when athelas is used, I began to wonder if they might hear a different "voice" when Aragorn calls, depending on which one would help them feel the greatest strength and trust.
Lindelea
· 7 August 2009
· Chapter 13: His Brother's Keeper
Ooooh. Skillfully wrought. Beautifully done, the weaving of past, present... and future.
This is a lovely gapfiller, and very plausibly explains Aragorn's completing his learning of the use of athelas. (I've been contemplating a related thought, how the use of athelas was discovered, in my story of the first chief of the Rangers. Interestingly enough, Glorfindel played a large part there, too.)
Author's reply
Thank you. I do a lot of thinking (no big surprise) about healing in Middle-earth, and all the tantalizing tidbits the Professor left for us to expand upon. Your story idea sounds most intriguing!
Virtuelle
· 1 August 2009
· Chapter 12: Feeling No Pain
What a wonderful chapter, shirebound. I just read the story up to this today. You always do such a wonderful job of drawing us readers in and holding our intrest. I am dying to know what happens to Lord Elrond and how Aragorn assists him. Can't wait for your next chapter.
Author's reply
Oh my, thank you. What lovely compliments!
And I'm working on chapter 13 this very minute. It's ALL about Lord Elrond and how Aragorn assists him, what fun. :)
grumpy
· 30 July 2009
· Chapter 12: Feeling No Pain
Stew and Arwen, what more could a ranger want. Well maybe hobbits to stay in one place and not wander arround while they are not well. Love to have tea with Bilbo.
Author's reply
A Ranger's work is never done. :)
Gentle Hobbit
· 23 July 2009
· Chapter 12: Feeling No Pain
I love giggly Sam! What a relief it must be for all of them to know that all of the others are safe!
Author's reply
Thank you. Dear Sam!
I'm sure it's a great relief to them (and to me, as well!). :)