The Riddle of Strider by Cairistiona
Linda Hoyland · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
Poor Aragorn!I can imagine the Nazgul might effect him badly. Merry is so caring here as in Elrond.Then what better tonic than Arwen? A most enjoyable chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda! Indeed, what better tonic! I imagine Aragorn was definitely feeling no pain or fatigue at that moment. *g* I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. :)
Linda Hoyland · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
I loved this conversation between Aragorn and Pippin.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Antane · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
Poor Aragorn. Love Merry and Elrond's care. Very sweet of Merry to stay all night and hold Aragorn's hand part of the time. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Antane... I just loved the idea of Merry holding vigil over Aragorn after he held such constant vigil over their safety all that way. Thank you again for the review!
Antane · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
What a sweet story! Love how solicitous Pippin is. *hugs him* Where would the world be without hobbity love? Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Antane! Pippin is the soul of hobbity love here... he certainly made Aragorn's day, didn't he?
Fantasia · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
Cairistiona, welcome back. You know that I love your stories, tahnk you so much for posting. That black breath is a serious illness, my, it just come back over and over again, so glad that this time was very shallow.... Waiting for more...where are Aragorn gang, his merry rangers? missing them...
Author's reply
Thank you, Fantasia... I have to say it's nice to have finally gotten a story finished. :) I'm glad you enjoyed this... yes, that BB is very insidious stuff, isn't it? Aragorn and his Merry Rangers will be back eventually, yes. And so will a young Halbarad eventually. Just have to get the darn stories finished! Thanks again for the review (and the welcome back!)
Larner · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
Ah, yes--she gives him excellent reason to give over sleeping right now! And love Merry's concern and intent to care for Strider as Strider cared for him! Thanks for this chapter!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! I definitely see Merry as one who would want to repay his debts, especially when it comes for caring for his loved ones (and I imagine by this point there's strong affection between the hobbits and Strider). Thank you for the kind review!
Minerva Organa · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! That is all. This was absolutely wonderful, Cairistiona, thank you so much! I adored your Merry, it's so nice to get a story with him and Aragorn together! Their interactions with each other were great, and the ending was priceless!!! :D
Author's reply
Thank *you* for the great idea. I don't know that I ever would have written Aragorn and Merry together otherwise but it turned out to be great fun. Still one more chapter to go, though, so we're not at the ending just yet. :) Thanks again for the review!
Mirach · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
I hoped Elrond will come to see Aragorn soon! I don't know what I liked most in this chapter, it was all perfect... A touch of darkness, and gentle comfort - I loved it, and the hobbits too. They seem to be very close with their wild guesses about the king =) And the impressive breakfast, and Merry as a chaperone, lol! I wonder who has eaten it at the end...
Author's reply
Thanks, Mirach! I do like my stories to have a bit of everything, even if they're short tales like this one. I'm glad you liked this chapter. That massive tray of food Merry brought did get abandoned, didn't it. I bet it went back to the kitchens where Pippin polished it off while waiting for his cake to come out of the oven. *g* Thanks for the review!
Envinyatar · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
Wonderful. I suffer from panic attacks, and found your description of the Black Breath very convincing. Loved the conversation between Merry and Aragorn, both perfectly in character, and Merry's night-time vigil was very moving. I also enjoyed the idea of Merry as chaperone, although the outcome was even better. Looking forward to the next chapter, and your next novel-length epic too ;)
Author's reply
Thank you, Envinyatar! Although, eek, I'm sorry you suffer from panic attacks. I think the BB does work on the psyche in that way, from the descriptions Tolkien gave. I'm glad that it rang true for you. And glad of course you liked Merry's role in this. Gosh, my next novel-length epic... um, goodness... *glances at the reams of rough drafts on my hard drive* It's a ways from publishing just yet--or actually "they", since I've got a couple WIPs that will be novel length. Just trying to figure out how to get them from A to B to posted! Thank you again for your kind review!
shirebound · 18 May 2010 · Chapter 2: Elrond's Your Father?
This is such a wonderful story I don't want it to end! From Pippin's "snack" to Aragorn knowing he could confide in Merry, the gentle healing, Merry watching over him all night, and the lovely reunion at last... *happy sigh*
Author's reply
Thanks, shirebound! It won't end just yet... one more chapter to go. But I'm very glad you're enjoying it. It was so fun to write the hobbits taking care of Strider!
Estelcontar · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
I told you how much I loved this story the first time I read it. It bears repeating though. I find it a total delight. Your Pippin is a very engaging person, and his caring concern, and acknowledgment of the debit the hobbits owe Aragorn are very touching indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you, Estelcontar! I'm glad you enjoyed it both times. *g* And I hope the remaining chapters prove just as entertaining. Thanks again for the review!
Raksha The Demon · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
Great start to what seems to be an intriguing tale. I love Aragorn's wry sense of humor, which, as usual, you capture brilliantly; and Pippin's self-assertion and capability for first aid - hobbit resourcefulness once again, even from the youngest hobbit of the Quest.
Author's reply
Thank you, Raksha! It was so fun to explore that aspect of Pippin's personality, and of course, I love Aragorn's wry humor. :) I hope you find the rest of the story just as entertaining. I'll be posting a chapter a day, if all goes well. Thanks again for the review!
Inzilbeth · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
I don't really know what else to say about this that I haven't already told you except to reinforce how much I love this. Your Pippin is a pure delight. I can just imagine a hobbit being totally at home rummaging through a cupboard on his hands and knees, but it is his concern for Aragorn and his recognition of what he did for the hobbits that is most touching. Wonderful!
Author's reply
Thank you, both for the beta and your kind words! :) I'm very glad you enjoyed this (I really enjoyed writing Pippin crawling in that cabinet! *g*) and very grateful for guiding me in all things canon as I wrote it!
Ellynn · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
Aww, wonderful. I love how you depict this relationship between Aragorn and Pippin, so full of warm friendship. So well done! P.s. And a small question from a non-native speaker... what is "long winded"? *blush*
Author's reply
Thank you, Ellynn! Glad you liked it, and no need to blush... to be "long winded" means to talk a *lot*. My take on Erestor is that he tends toward long, oftentimes scholarly answers to nearly any question, no matter how casual. :)
Larner · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
Ah, we DO love our Hobbits! Thanks for this one.
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this. :)
Elentarri · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
Yay! You are back! :D Wonderful story as always. Pippin is adorable. Please update soon and then you really need to write another story with Denlad, Halbarad and Aragorn. :D Happy writing Elentarri
Author's reply
Thank you, Elentarri! I'm glad you liked this... next update will be tomorrow, if all goes well. As for Aragorn, Halbarad and Denlad, they'll come along in another story eventually, although I don't have anything in the works at the moment. But I do have ideas to pursue when the muse... and time... cooperate. Thanks for the review and the encouragement. :)
Marethiel · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
This is delightful. I love how personable and real you make our beloved characters. One feels like a fly on the wall, observing what "really happened". And, I suppose, that's the mark of great fan fiction, when a writer crafts a story so well their thoughts and dialogue and situations feel as though they were part of the original story. Thank you! Am greatly looking forward to the next chapter! Marethiel
Author's reply
Thank you, Marethiel! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and touched that you would liken it to something that could have been in the original story. That's high praise indeed, and humbling. Thank you for the review--more tomorrow!
Radbooks · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
Ah, I remember this; it's a wonderful tale. I love the interaction between Aragorn and Pippin, and the part where Pip disappears into the cabinet is priceless! I don't remember the other parts of the story, but I may once you post them. :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this! And I've not posted the rest of the tale anywhere yet... that's all new, having sprung up after I initially posted this first chapter in a more stand-alone version on my LJ. So the next two chapters will be new to everyone. :) Thanks for the review!
shirebound · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
"I can’t picture you as a small boy at all." "I was, once. And Rivendell still bears the scars." I just love this. What a delightful conversation between these two. Strider did the best he could out there, and now Pippin is doing the same.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! When I wrote that line, I wondered just what scars Rivendell bears... maybe that will be another ficlet someday. And thank you again for a great idea that grew bigger than I expected!
Mirach · 17 May 2010 · Chapter 1: Rivendell Is Your Home?
A sweet and touching story, it was a delight to read this chapter! It is good to gave Aragorn some care after that hard journey, and the image of Pippin nearly dissappearing in the cabinet made me chuckle =)
Author's reply
Thank you, Mirach! I'm glad you enjoyed this installment... I liked that vision of Pip disappearing into the cabinet, too, and Strider sitting there gaping at him. *g* Thanks again for the review!