Cairistiona · 3 September 2009 · Chapter 1: The Grace Given to Me
I'm so glad you've posted this story here... I've already reviewed it elsewhere but it bears repeating: what a wonderfully poignant and moving look at Elessar's final decision. I don't think anyone's done it any better than this. In many readings of it, one passage always springs at me: "I have lived a full life. I have known hate and love, suffering and healing, war and peace, danger and shelter. I have lost loved ones and overcame many hardships. I have had many names and disguises, fought in fierce battles. I bled and my blood soaked the soil of many edges of Middle-earth. I cried and the earth drank my tears. I have battled with darkness itself, my will pitted against the devouring fire of the lidless eye. I have walked the paths that no man dared to walk, in the shadow of the Dead. I faced death and the end of all that was fair in this world, the end without hope when I gave it all and left none for myself. And I saw the hope rekindled, like a spark that lights a flame consuming the darkness." That Aragorn went through that level of pain and suffering and sacrifice and still came through to see his hope... and his efforts... vindicated is the triumph that crowns a life lived in service for others. I hope this does well for you in the MEFAs. It really deserves to. :)
Author's reply
I'm glad that I could join this archive! Thank you for reviewing again, and for telling me that you have read it more times, that's a great honor to me and I really appreciate it! What you said is the reason why I not only love Aragorn like a favourite character, but why I find him a paragon of fulfilled life - until the death... And this story wouldn't be in the MEFAs without you, so many thanks for the nomination!