The Ranger and the Eagles by Cairistiona
curiouswombat · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
A very realistic bit of surgery there, I think.
Author's reply
Ah, thank you! I was hoping I was getting it somewhat reasonable, given that this is Middle-earth and not exactly modern times, nor a skilled healer. :)
Silivren Tinu · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
I really love the title of this chapter! It's so perfectly Gandalf. *g* Poor Gandalf, btw. It's really no use to have a skilled healer with you if it's *you* who has to patch up said skilled healer! //"You do have a great heart, Aragorn," he said, "even if it is temporarily frozen."// LOL! I very much enjoyed Gandalf's ongoing monologue - as angsty as this chapter may be, Gandalf's comments kept making me chuckle. I guess I many hvave mentioned once or twice or several times that I like your sense of humour. ;-) I'm just glad Aragorn was mostly unconscious throughout the procedure of removing that branch (I bet Gandalf agrees with me). It seems the two of them are in for some very rough and difficult days, though. Don't tell him I said that, but I think Gandalf would make a great healer (at least if you don't leave him a choice). *g*
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the humor in this... Gandalf is always so funny in canon (at least, I find him that way) that I tried to instill a bit of that here, even in dire circumstances. And yes, I think it's a very good thing that Aragorn was too exhausted by his ordeal to be very aware of what was happening. And I won't tell Gandalf what you said... I have a feeling if he thought he'd have to do more such healing work, he'd run back to the Blessed Realm so fast he wouldn't need a ship. ;) Thanks for the review!
Vilwarin · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
Ouch. Poor Aragorn. Accidents in the wild can happen so easily and yet cause so much damage - no Orcs needed. If I'd been Gandalf I probably would have panicked. Good thing he is a wizard and can keep a cool head. He might request more than some first aid lessons once he gets back, though. I liked the undressing scene. Trousers and hose isn't a combination you see very often - but it certainly would have been warm. I only wonder how Aragorn was able to move his toes - it must have been pretty tight down there. Maybe they were different sizes or knittted ones? ;)
Author's reply
Thank you, Vilwarin! LOL... I wonder now how Aragorn wiggled his toes, too. *g* We'll just imagine they were somewhat stretchy knits. Or oversized. Or something! I figured, clambering through such high mountains, trousers over hose wasn't too far-fetched combination... he'd have to keep himself very warm (and I reeeeally didn't want to add frostbite to his woes). And yes, I do think Gandalf will likely march into Imladris come spring and demand more medical training from Elrond! Thanks for the review!
Mirach · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
Aww, great chapter! I love stories about Aragorn and Gandalf, their friendship is much more interesting to me than the one of Aragorn and Legolas that so many authors write about. Gandalf's muttering to himself or to Aragorn was almost comical in places, which created a lively contrast to the dire situation. The examination of injuries was almost like a detective story. Of course the real cause will come last! And it's clear now that Aragorn has indeed been in the avalanche that Gandal saw earlier. And I think the situation will grow worse yet - we have to meet the eagles still!
Author's reply
Thank you, Mirach! I think Gandalf and Aragorn's friendship is definitely fascinating, and too little explored through fanfic (although I intend to make up for that deficit). I'm glad you liked the bits of humor in this. To me, such a dire situation could be too heavy to read if there isn't some sort of lighter elements sprinkled throughout. And yes, the eagles are still to come--gosh, when *are* those pesky birds ever going to show up?? *g* Thanks for the review!
Midnight Promise · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
Yes, yes - this chapter DID mollify me a tiny bit. . . JUST a tiny bit. ;-) "He had wondered, at the time, just how often Aragorn had attacked his own father in just such a way. The droll tilt of Elrond’s smile certainly hinted at painful experience." <--- Dude, it is so mean to tease the readers with possible bunny plots! Haha, 'aw' though! Your Elrond&Estel stories are always warm and fuzzy, and I hope to read something to that affect with the above mentioned. ^o^ *shameless bribe with internet candy* Lol. Chapter titles always bring a smile, along with the anticipation! :) Ah, um, OW?! He got nailed with a tree branch? Oh dears. . .I swear, that child has enough bad luck to get him IN those situations, but enough luck to get him OUT. Hmm, contradicting, yet true. ;3 Lol! Is that pot of salve Halbarad's recipe? ;) Yay for mutual fantastic holidays! Haha, hope that awesomeness has been extended to now. :-) Cheers, MP
Author's reply
Thank you, MP! Gosh, you've made me giggle this morning. *g* I'm glad to have mollified you a bit, at least, although I know you'd prefer the every-five-minutes method of story posting! And ooh, that's a good idea, to write up whatever might have happened to have made Elrond warn against Aragorn attacking. *adds it to my plot bunny list* And ding-ding-ding!! You win the Sharp-Eyed-Reader Award! That was indeed Halbarad's stinky salve that Gandalf unfortunately sniffed. Thanks for the review... next chapter comes Thursday!
Lily Baggins · 4 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
Wow, wow, wow... *heart is a-flutter* This is a veritable FEAST of magnificence for an Aragorn h/c lover like me! I couldn't even begin to tell you what I love most about it---too many things to list! But I'm sure that Aragorn's pitiful cries and Gandalf stroking his hair are at the top of the list. :) Impaled by a tree branch, eh? Now THAT is something to enjoy---we don't often get to read about Aragorn suffering from such an injury---something that is, as Gandalf puts it, so "unnatural." And it seems he has a whole host of other minor discomforts---too delicious! I have to say that Gandalf's resourcefulness here is amazing, and just what I'd expect from him. He definitely isn't hasty or rash and he thinks things through, doesn't he? I have a feeling he made the right decision regarding the wound. The detail in this story is incredibly mesmerizing---this is what all h/c stories should aspire to be! At least in my book. I sit and read this and just want to read it over and over and over again a zillion times to make sure I caught every juicy tidbit---every groan, moan, and cry that Aragorn utters! Oh, how I love Gandalf's comforting here... the talking, the stroking of Aragorn's hair, the patting of his leg... *melts* It's so sweet and fatherly---just what I love in such a story. And now I'm off to read it again---and I cannot WAIT for chapter three!
Author's reply
Thank you, Lily! I'm soooooo relieved this chapter worked for you--I was sweating those medical details, trust me. LOL (Still sweating them, actually, as I'm sure there's some mistakes despite my research! I just hope any medical professionals who might read this go easy on me...) And I wanted to make sure I had a balance between technical stuff and the comforting--I'm bad for going too far towards the technical. So I'm glad I managed to get enough comfort in it for you. :) And the tree branch thing... I think I've seen a couple stories out there where he's fallen from a tree and impaled himself, but I've never seen him get injured like that in an avalanche. In fact, I don't know that I've ever seen any snow-avalanche stories out there, but it seems to be a genuine risk in the mountains. From what I researched, snow avalanches are perilously easy to start. *shivers* There's a reason I don't go skiing.... And it's soooo fun to write Fatherly Gandalf, especially in regards to Aragorn. I imagine their friendship had a large father-son component to it, as well as mutual respect. So many facets to explore there. :) Glad you're enjoying this and thanks for the review!
Estelcontar · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
I enjoyed chapter 2 even more now that I've re-read it. As I told you before, you made the description of Gandalf stripping Aragorn and searching for wounds very gripping, and very revealing. I like the way you make us have glimpses of Gandalf's mind and heart through his monologue. You show us his compassion and all his love for Aragorn there. Such details as Aragorn's unconscious need of having his sword next to him are very telling too. They tell us a lot about the dangerous life he leads. I also like the way you managed to remind us of Aragorn's strength even if he's just lying there unconscious. Well done.
Author's reply
Thank you, Estelcontar! You know, it was really tricky, making this chapter work, because it *is* basically a long monologue. Keeping it in Gandalf's voice helped but I was afraid it'd come across too much like a medical book. LOL So I'm glad those non-medical details helped balance it out for you. (And I have to giggle at your mention that Gandalf stripping Aragorn was "revealing". *snicker giggle* I know that's not how you meant it, but it was a funny unintentional pun. *g*) Thanks for the review!
Elflingimp · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
I have to say you have Gandolf's character down to a tee, I was cringing and feeling the pain too as Gandolf did all his surgery, Ugh! Well at least they have a fire, that is one mercy. Will be waiting for more, storyteller. Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Thank you, Imp! I was cringing a bit writing this, so I know how you must be feeling. And yes, thank goodness for a nice big fire at last! More to come Thursday. Thanks for reading and for the nice review!
AzureSkye · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
Mmm, this was a wonderfully written chapter. I loved the shifts of touch and speech that Gandalf shows. At first touch is pragmatic, checking to see if anything's broken, removing wet clothing, ect. Gandalf's words at this time are inconsequential, asking Aragorn things that he would like to know if he was awake. Then when you got to the "splinter" (Where did you dream that up? It gave me the shivers.) touch changes to comfort, Gandalf is stroking Aragorn's hair, rubbing his back, is arm, attempting to give comfort. His words change too, instead of calling him Aragorn it's gone to "boy" or "dear boy". Then it shifts back to pragmatic, with the ensuing surgery to remove the branch. I really hope that Gandalf's done the right thing and Aragorn will be fine with no more mishaps, but somehow I really doubt that.....and there's still the little matter of the title referring to eagles....I can't wait!
Author's reply
Thank you, AzureSkye! I'm so glad you liked this, and all those details (I confess at times I worried I was getting TOO detailed with this, but I had to go with what felt like a proper telling of the scene). Gandalf's mood and touches definitely shift from moment to moment, as Aragorn needs dictated, and also as Gandalf himself needed--I think he found comfort in the touch and the talk as much as Aragorn might have had he been awake and able to say (I think, like Gandalf hoped, Aragorn *was* aware of all Gandalf was doing, on some deep level). Talking to Aragorn and touching him from time to time grounded and calmed Gandalf, I think, and let him get on with a very hard task. As for the "splinter" wound... hee hee... I have an evil mind, what can I say! And it seemed to fit the circumstances surrounding the injury. Mountains can be very dangerous places! Thanks for the well-thought-out review!
LisaG · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
This is great stuff! There are not enough Gandalf/Aragorn stories out there and we know they were great friends and knew each other many years. You write Gandalf very well, too. :) Now let's get our poor dear ranger-king warm and awake, so he knows he's in the company of friends!
Author's reply
Thank you, LisaG! I'm so glad you're enjoying this. I'm with you--there's a severe lack of Gandalf & Aragorn stories out there. It's a friendship well worth exploring. And yes, hopefully after a night of sleep Aragorn will finally open those big grey peepers of his and at least look around a bit! Thanks for the review!
shirebound · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
"Dear, dear boy..." Awwww, it's lovely to see Gandalf in healer-mode. He's very competent, and ever so compassionate.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! Gandalf is, I think, more competent than he feels here... healing isn't something he's done a lot of, but fortunately for Aragorn, Gandalf tends to do anything and everything well, despite inexperience. :) Thanks for the review!
EllyBaggins · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 2: Better at Blazes Than Bandages
I'm very much enjoying this so far :)
Author's reply
Thank you, EllyBaggins! So glad to hear it. :)
Midnight Promise · 3 January 2011 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
*Sputters!* No new updates from you in a while, and then you have the AUDACITY to not update every five minutes until everything is posted?! For shame! ;) "He smoothed his offended whiskers," Haha, he reminds me of a disgruntled feline. :-D Those little tidbits help center the story around the characters; the little quirks of each are always endearing. Hurt/comfort? *Grabs the chocolate and warm, fuzzy socks* I'm in. ;D Aragorn's entering plea was perfect, tugged at the heartstrings. :/ Eager for more, and hope the Holidays were happy ones! MP
Author's reply
LOL!! Thank you, MP... yes, I am a bit audacious in not slapping the entire thing up in one day, I admit. *g* But I hope today's posting of chapter 2 will mollify you for a bit. :) So glad you enjoyed this first chapter! I do love exploring character quirks... like you say, it's what endears characters to readers, and Gandalf's whiskers and eyebrows to me always seem to have a life of their own. Keep the socks on and the chocolate at hand; much more is on the way! Thanks for the review and the holiday wishes. Mine were terrific, and I hope your holidays were lovely as well. :)
Linda Hoyland · 1 January 2011 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
You made me feel cold reading this! Great descrition and a wonderful beginning!
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda, although I would imagine making you feel cold is the last thing you need right now! LOL But I'm glad you found yourself "there" with Gandalf and Aragorn. *hands you an electric blanket* Thanks for the review!
Elflingimp · 31 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
First, Happy New Year! Second, That was really good! Hope I see another chapter soon. Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
And a happy New Year to you as well, Imp! So glad you enjoyed this; another is coming on Monday. Thanks for the review!
Vilwarin · 31 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
Yay, the story is being posted at last! I think you captured Gandalf perfectly - a great combination of old man and wizard. And that dreadful weather they're in! Makes you appreciate a warm home all the more. I somehow suspect that Gandalf will get a bigger fire soon, though. I'm waiting eagerly for the next chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you, Vilwarin! I'm so glad you enjoyed this first chapter... and I suspect you're right about that bigger fire. :) Thanks for the review, and Happy New Year!
Raksha The Demon · 31 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
Break out the athelas! Or at least some bandaids! Poor Aragorn needs some TLC, since it would be difficult to do his own healing at this point. It's not always easy to realize, in our comfortable hi-tech lives, how treacherous it can be to get hurt in the wild; when one doesn't have tetanus shots and antibiotics regularly available. Hurry up with the next chapter!
Author's reply
LOL... next chapter will be up on Monday. :) And yes, Aragorn's hardly in a position to pull off a "physician, heal thyself" move, is he. Too frozen, for one thing, and who knows what else... Gandalf will have his hands full, I think! Thanks for the review, Raksha!
Radbooks · 31 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
Ah, this is a really nice start! An Aragorn and Gandalf story for the holidays is always welcome - well, it's welcome at anytime of the year, but you know what I mean. :) I love the imagery you painted of Gandalf in the cave, it was very well done. I could just see him there in the cold huddling over his hat-sized fire. Looking forward to the next chapter! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Author's reply
Thank you, Radbooks! I'm so glad you liked this... and yes, I do know what you mean. :) It was really interesting to visual poor, half-frozen Gandalf and his tiny little fire, especially in light of his ability to set the world ablaze should he so choose. May you and yours have a blessed New Year as well! Thanks for the review.
Lily Baggins · 31 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
Oh wow... I saw this chapter and my heart just about leaped out of my chest with excitement! And so far, it is FAR MORE WONDERFUL than even I could have expected! You really caught the cold, lonely feeling one would have camped up in an isolated cave in the Misty Mountains... cold, miserable, full of danger, and absolutely unforgiving. I felt like I was THERE. I really do love Gandalf's feeling of foreboding here. Something draws him to look out of that cave entrance... and oh my goodness, what a fantastic entrance for Aragorn! Have I ever mentioned how much I adore him collapsing? The entire chapter sent shivers up my spine... and now I'm dreadfully afraid of exactly what Gandalf is going to discover regarding Aragorn's condition (okay, I must admit... excited, too! Excruciatingly so---to bring on the comfort!) I am in heaven reading this---thank you so much for expanding that drabble idea! This is really a wonderful start to 2011.
Author's reply
Yaaaaay! I was hoping you'd get a chance to hop online and see I'd started posting. *g* I need to thank you for the wonderful plot idea, because I don't think it would have happened had you not requested a Gandalf-Aragorn h/c scene. Of course, now that I've written this, it seems so obvious! LOL I'm glad you felt like you where right there in the cave with him... I always aim for that "you are there" feeling when I write. And hmm, yes, you may have mentioned adoring seeing poor Aragorn collapse, a time or two! Hope you enjoy the rest of the ride... this one really did turn into a crazy kind of adventure, so fasten your seatbelt. :) Thanks for the review!
Estelcontar · 30 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
I'm so glad you're finally posting this tale. You know how much I liked this chapter when I first read it. I like it even more now that I've read it a second time. Your description of that freezing evening in that small cave and how it affected Gandalf was so vivid, I again felt nearly as frozen as he did. The dichotomy between Gandalf's hidden strength, and the handicaps and desires of his mortal body was very well put, and his foreboding of Aragorn's predicament worked perfectly as a foreshadowing of Aragorn's dramatic entry, which I enjoyed very much indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! And thank you for your feedback as I was writing this; it most definitely improved the story. I did especially want to touch on that dichotomy with Gandalf--the hidden strength and the "old" body. When you read "The Hobbit" it just seems so incredible, at least to me, that he can clamber up a pine tree and yet look like a bent little old man. And there are moments like that throughout LOTR, of course. Gandalf really is an amazing character. And Aragorn... well, everyone knows by now my thoughts on Aragorn! *g* Thanks for the review!
Larner · 30 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
At least he is there to succor his friend as is needed. Now--to get him into the cave and the shelter and relative warmth it can offer.
Author's reply
Yes, he needs succor fairly desperately, doesn't he! Thank you for reading, Larner!
Inzilbeth · 30 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
I'm so glad to see this excellent tale up at last. Stories featuring the friendship of Gandalf and Aragorn are rare enough, stories featuring Aragorn and, err, you-know-who [not wanting to give the plot away here!] are even rarer, making this adventure a real treat. It is the attention to the little details though which really brings this opening chapter alive. Very well done.
Author's reply
Thank you! And oh, you are so right in that stories of "you-know-who" are practically non-existent. He's not listed on most character lists, poor fellow. But he'll get his moment in the sun, in later chapters. *g* And I wonder if anyone reading this review will figure out who we're talking about! LOL Thank you for the review, and for your help!
Mirach · 30 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
I have been waiting for this story eagerly, and I'm glad to see it! I'm loving it since the summary - hurt/comfort between Aragorn and Gandalf is something I always like to read, and from you it means a promise of a great story. I especially liked the insight into the character of Gandalf/Olórin. And the foreboding just had to be true, didn't it? Oh Elbereth, hear me, send the next chapter soon!
Author's reply
Thank you, Mirach! Hopefully Elbereth will hear and send you another chapter on Monday. *g* Glad you liked the start to this... Gandalf-Aragorn h/c is a bit of a rare bird but it's very fun to explore! I hope the rest of the story holds up to your expectations. :) Thanks again for the review.
Silivren Tinu · 30 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
What a nice beginning! Well, probably not for Aragorn and Gandalf, but for the rest of us. *g* It seems Gandalf's worries were only too well-founded. I wonder if Aragorn got indeed trapped in that avalanche. *shudders* This story is sure off to a great start! :D
Author's reply
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this. Yes, not so great a start for either of our heroes, is it! I'll be posting the next chapter on Monday, most likely. Thanks for the review!
frodo16424 · 30 December 2010 · Chapter 1: "Elbereth... hear me... help me..."
Great beginning. Can't wait for more.
Author's reply
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it... more to come next week. :)