curiouswombat
· 11 October 2011
· Chapter 9: It's Always The Brown Eyes I Remember...
Poor Denlad - such a burden to bear as a child, and difficult not to feel harshly about someone who you think may be kin to the perpetrator. Although I'm sure Bowen's father was a friend to Aragorn - so perhaps Denlad is wrong - or it is a more distant relationship.
And now we have to hope all goes well for Flora.
Author's reply
Thank you, curiouswombat! Denlad's childhood did leave him a lot of bad memories to conquer, and unfortunately, sometimes things he thought he'd put behind him get stirred back to life, as they do. But I have a feeling sorting out his own problems will have to wait until after he helps sort out a far more pressing issue with Flora!
Fantasia
· 11 October 2011
· Chapter 9: It's Always The Brown Eyes I Remember...
Poor Denlad. Really, those are terrible memories. Maybe it was better to tell to someone, it may help. He is an extraordinary man, he loved his Mother not matter what. Many people could have been bitter and resentful. Very scary how they have to "deal" with the cruel men in their little farm.
Halbarad is such a good man too. I suppose that a lot of people won't know what to say about Denlad's story.
And he is very similar to Aragorn, even if he doesn't realized.
A baby is coming!
Author's reply
Thanks, Fantasia... yes, Denlad really did have a harsh childhood, no two ways about it. But he also learned about love, as imperfect as his mother's may have been, so the seeds of a good life where there, ready to germinate once he moved away to live with the Dunedain, thank goodness. And I do think Halbarad is very much like Aragorn! For one thing, in my universe, he could conceivably be the next in line to be king if Aragorn were killed (Valar forbid!) and all other considerations fell into place (like Gondor accepting him). He's after all a cousin with some of the same royal blood in his veins, though not in the direct line (in my 'verse, Halbarad's father is Gilraen's brother and hence part of Isildur's line as well, though because his mother isn't royal, he's not doubly in the line like Aragorn is, through Arathorn and Gilraen). So he needs to have that same sort of bravery, compassion and leadership skills as Aragorn, though of course he's not as great as Aragorn and would quickly be the first to point that out. *g*
Layne
· 10 October 2011
· Chapter 5: A Ragtag Stray Like Strider
Flora is a *wonderful* lady indeed and I do hope Strider will be the one who delivers the baby!
Author's reply
Thanks, Layne! Wouldn't you love to have Flora taking care of you if you were ill? Strider's in good hands. :)
Linda Hoyland
· 9 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
I just love the way you write Aragorn and Halbarad.A most enjoyable chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda! Glad you enjoy them. :)
Suzelle
· 8 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
Hah! Research!! *g*
Lovely chapter as ever, my dear. The bit between Flora and Bowen was precious (good lord, that is a *lot* of baking!), and I love that now even Bowen is getting a bit of Denlad's backstory. Though my theory as to Denlad's crabby mood has yet to play out! Hmmm...*speculates*...
Out of curiosity, just how many children do Halbarad and Miriel have? I know that it's a lot (especially by Dunedain standards), but I Is Curious...
Author's reply
Yay for research! *g*
Thank you, Suz... so glad you liked this and that it's causing yet more Denlad-moodiness speculation. *g* And it was a lot of baking, wasn't it?? She must have one of those mega-sized stone baking ovens. Maybe Bowen built it with leftover stone from the patio project.
As for Halbarad & Miriel's children... that'll come out in an upcoming chapter. :) Suffice to say, it's a lot. Even by non-Dunedain standards. It's not for nothing that they all tease them that they're so fertile all they have to do is pass each other in a room and nine months later out pops another baby. :) Why I decided to make them try single-handedly to repopulate the Dunedain people, I have no idea. It just seemed to fit their relationship. *g*
Nath
· 8 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
Hmmm... if Denlad is going to keep this up, the carpets may not be the only things getting a beating... (or at least a severe threat of one). Interestingly, his beef seems to be with Bowen alone, rather than with Flora.
Good to see that Bowen keeps guessing at the truth of Strider's identity (which would probably upset Denlad even more if he knew).
And also to the good that Halbarad didn't strain his arm again hunting.
"Did you know her?"
Halbarad glared at him.
"Not in that way!" Bowen squawked.
*snerk* poor Bowen...
Author's reply
Hee! Glad that little exchange gave you a *snerk* moment. It's actually my favorite part of the chapter. *g*
Nath
· 8 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
Banter between Aragorn and Halbarad is always welcome:)
At least Aragorn is feeling slightly better, and the tale of how he got to be sick is frustrating (although the reactions of these people are all too human, even if unfair to the person attempting to help them). Just as well he has Halbarad at hand to stop him from wallowing too much.
Author's reply
Thanks, Nath... you've hit it right on the head: it is human nature to do that sort of "bite the hand that feeds you", and that's exactly what happened to poor Aragorn. Add in the idea that Rangers were viewed with suspicion on top of that and it really wasn't a situation where he could have emerged unscathed. Thank goodness he found Bowen and now has Halbarad to cheer him up as well.
Darkover
· 7 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
Dear Cairistiona: This was a most interesting chapter. As usual, you wrote superlative dialogue, and the parts about Denlad's past were helpful in providing background about him to readers who may not yet have read the first story. Both Halbarad and Bowen are beautifully in-character in this intriguing chapter, and I'm delighted that Bowen is beginning to understand something of the life that Rangers must lead. Concerning Denlad's suspicious and/or latently hostile attitude toward their host, I too am puzzled by it, but at least it hints at tempting material to come in future chapters. Also, I vaguely remember reading something once about the custom you mentioned about the father's cake, although I didn't recall the details, or know about the custom of providing buns and shortbread to guests. That was especially interesting! Thanks for this most recent and enjoyable installment in a story that keeps getting better and better. Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
Thanks, Darkover! I think any time you use a recurring OC you really need to include the basics about his back story, not to drive it into the ground but just to bring new leaders into the loop. And then also, you need to reveal a little more about that character at the same time so he grows over time, just as a real person would. Which should pretty much answer your speculation with a resounding "Yes, more tempting material yet to come!" *g*
As for the customs about childbirth, there seems to be no end of them. I googled "childbirth customs and superstitions" and got seemingly thousands of them. It took a while to sort out some would be plausible to Middle-earth! It's interesting to research how people coped with risk in the days before modern medicine.
Thanks as always for the review!
Estelcontar
· 7 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
Now here is another chapter which is going to grace my list of favourites. The entire scene between Bowen and Flora was totally delicious, so understatedly funny and soooooooooo true to life. The bit about Bowen putting sugar on his eggs had me chuckling out loud. It was perfect, as was Flora's cleaning rampage.
I see Denlad has still got a bee under his bonnet. I'm really getting very curious about what is bothering him. I enjoyed the glimpses about his back-story too. The truth is I enjoyed everything about this chapter.
I absolutely love the little bits of folk tradition that you add to your stories. They add a lot of atmosphere to them, especially to this folklore buff here.
Well done indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you, Estelcontar! Soooo glad you chuckled at the humor in this--I do like to toss in funny little bits like that. To me it makes the characters feel a little more real, somehow. I'm glad you liked the folklore, too. To me it adds a layer of connectedness (if that's a word) to real life between Tolkien's world and our world to throw in little things like that from "real life" that fit seamlessly into Middle-earth. As all of this is intended as a possible "ancient history" of England, it didn't seem amiss to include a few folkways like that.
Thanks for your review!
shirebound
· 7 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
What a dear story. I'm so happy that Strider is on the mend! And poor Bowen with so much on his mind now, but hopefully all will go well.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! I didn't expect you'd have a chance to read this yet so I'm pleasantly surprised to get your review. :) It is nice to see Strider smiling again at last, isn't it! Now to see about that baby-on-the-way...
curiouswombat
· 7 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
Hmm - I wonder what is bothering poor Denlad?
I have a good, historical, recipe for pepper-cake - I really must make it some time!
Author's reply
Oh, I'd love to know your recipe! I wonder if it's the same sort of cake that my research source referenced. Do you mind putting it up on your LJ if you do decide to make it?
I'm sure Halbarad will suss out Denlad's problems, eventually. The question is, will he be sweet and kind about it, or, as he implies, pummel it out of him!
Fantasia
· 7 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
A baby is coming soon! Good that Strider is getting better and we have kingsfoil. Maybe they will be needed.
And Denlad, I think that he is going to be reprimanded.
Author's reply
Yes, a baby on the way from the looks of it! Poor Bowen, he's beset by Rangers and now the hour he's been dreading is looking to be at hand. He may be the one in need of kingsfoil before it's all said and done.
Thanks for the review!
LisaG
· 7 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
Interesting custom with the birth cake...I've never heard of that before. See what you learn when you read fan fiction?! :)
I hope Halbarad can get through to Denlad...if not, I'm sure Strider has noticed the boy's mood and can sort him out.
If Flora needs assistance with the birth, will it be Strider or Denlad that will help? Strider may not be well enough to help, but I bet Denlad has probably never delivered a baby and will be petrified to do so. Maybe a tag team of Denlad doing the physical work with Strider coaching will work.
Author's reply
Thanks, LisaG! Isn't that a fascinating custom, the birthing cake? I found so many different superstitions and customs when I started researching it, all very fascinating. I've worked a few into this story that I thought seemed like something a Breelander might follow, so there's a few more to learn about in upcoming chapters. I am to educate! *g* Okay, no, that's not entirely true--mostly I just like to play in Tolkien's sandbox. *g*
Hmm, as to who will help the delivery... I can only say wait and see! :)
Mirach
· 7 October 2011
· Chapter 8: Beating Carpets Was Probably Good For Him
It seems there are no complications so far - Aragorn is recovering, Halbarad didn't strain his hand when hunting, it also looks like everything is as it should be with Flora's baby (but it may be too soon to tell yet)... only Denlad is sulking. He must have really scared Bowen, I imagine! Somebody should really talk/beat some sense into him, he's spoiling the overall atmosphere ;P
Author's reply
Thanks, Mirach! Ah, somebody has to be the pepper in the dish and this time it's Denlad keeping things from getting too treacly and sweet. *g* But he has his reasons....
Mirach
· 6 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
With this story, you have the tendency to post the chapters right before I have to go somewhere, so I have a few minutes to read the chapter before leaving. Then I don't have time to review... I got to it now, at least.
When I saw the title of thos chapter, I was really worried, and glad to find out at the end the thread was not so delicate. I love Halbarad's humour =) But when I read Aragorn's explanation about hiw he fell ill, my heart really ached for him. I can barely imagine a worse situation in these circumstances...
Author's reply
Thanks, Mirach! Sorry my chapters keep finding you on your way out the door! But thank you for squeezing in the read and coming back later with a review. Yeah, that chapter title is a little misleading... I'm evil that way. But it's also the theme of Halbarad's thoughts, so it's not *completely* misleading. Aragorn really did have a hard time of it, but as is his habit, he's bouncing back. :)
Hopefully you won't be flying out the door when I post the next chapter!
Layne
· 6 October 2011
· Chapter 4: Valar Forbid Anyone Turn Down Your Oatmeal
> slices of gravy-drowned beef, generous portions of buttered peas and steaming mounds of potatoes cooked with cabbage.
Oh my ... *drooooooools* That sounds very, very delicious. Eeeek, too bad Halbarad and Denlad were unable to enjoy them to the fullest. I was like, oh please don't let them find out about Aragorn until after they had their meal :))
Author's reply
Thanks, Layne! I admit to making myself hungry, writing that. Wouldn't you just love to be able to stroll into the Prancing Pony and order a platter? *sigh* But alas, even Denlad and Halbarad didn't get any that day.
Larner
· 5 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
Glad he's feeling some better at least. And I hope he has no difficulty finding that hart.
Now--to learn what ails Denlad with these folk.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! Yes, Denlad is definitely not our usual Denlad, is he? Poor Bowen is not getting a good first impression of him!
Lily Baggins
· 5 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
You know, Denlad reminds me greatly of my brother sometimes, when I pester him to death about something and I can tell he's just NOT in the mood to discuss it, lol!
It gets curiouser and curiouser... I do wonder what's behind Denlad's mood. Maybe it's just as simple as the homey atmosphere, and wishing for a childhood that he never had.
How I love seeing Halbarad look in on and scrutinizing Aragorn, and seeming to know Aragorn's every habit down to the way he sleeps! That's adorable. Talk about a Mother Hen.
What an interesting backstory to how Aragorn found himself ill and in this situation... it really makes me feel very sorry for him. I can't imagine how hard it would be to see a little child die from illness like that.
That's something I truly appreciate in your stories... the reminder that Middle-earth is a rough, frightening place where lives are cut short and dread diseases come to call and good people die even though they shouldn't. It really adds an air of realism to all of your writing.
Author's reply
Aw, thank you, Lily... so glad you like the "gritty realism" of my stories. I don't go into tremendous detail always, but I do see M-e as a dangerous place that presents daily challenges to survival, even in the "civilized" areas. I try to incorporate that into my narratives in some way or another. As much as I like to romanticize that world and think how awesome it'd be to live there... er, no. It really wouldn't be as awesome as I think. In fact, it'd be doggone scary when you got right down to it.
Glad you liked the Halbarad scenes with poor Aragorn. Halbarad really does know his chieftain's every habit, from such long and close association. And no doubt from getting whacked in the face with his arm when they've had to sleep in close quarters. *g* I do feel for Arwen, if Aragorn really does sleep as sprawled out as I imagine.
And how much do I love it that Denlad reminds me of your brother! It reassures me that I'm writing him as a real person. :)
Thanks again, my dear!
Lily Baggins
· 5 October 2011
· Chapter 6: This One Was A Hawk And No Mistake
Oh, I loved this chapter!
Well, obviously, Bowen is missing something if he cannot appreciate and admire the beauty of a tall, fierce-looking Ranger---even if he is scruffy and looks like a vagabond. Flora clearly does appreciate such---that scene really had me smiling.
And of course, the conversation between Halbarad and Bowen was wonderful... right down to the last sentence. I can't wait to see Bowen find out much more about the proud Dunedain than he ever imagined---and I'll be very curious indeed to know if he finds out Aragorn's true identity in this story.
Author's reply
Thanks, Lily! "Well, obviously, Bowen is missing something if he cannot appreciate and admire the beauty of a tall, fierce-looking Ranger"... I know!! How could you not see the sexy! LOL Well, okay, I suppose if you're a happily married thoroughly hetero male like Bowen, you might not really get it. But Flora, yes... she definitely gets Halbarad. *g* Ah, fangirls in Breeland, who knew!
May you continue to enjoy the story as it unfolds!
Lily Baggins
· 5 October 2011
· Chapter 5: A Ragtag Stray Like Strider
Yup, that's our Aragorn, all right... always putting others first. But the poor man can hardly walk, much less get up on a horse, so luckily that decided things for him!
Thoroughly enjoyed this chapter, and the idea that Bowen sort of has a habit of bringing needy ones home to Flora's care. Probably humans, hobbits, and animals all three!
I have a super-secret feeling that Aragorn's healing skills are going to be needed before the end of the story, and that Bowen will consider it a stroke of lucky fate that he insisted Aragorn go home with him.
I loved Flora's "Of what? Wild animals?" Poor misunderstood Aragorn! But alas---probably not for long, one hopes!
Delightful chapter!
Author's reply
Thank you, Lily! You know, I wouldn't put it past Bowen to bring home an Elf as well, if he found one. So glad you liked the chapter and all its different layers. Bowen and Flora both have a lot to learn, don't they!
Darkover
· 4 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
Dear Cairistiona: No surprise: I enjoyed reading this chapter, too. Halbarad is his usual practical, down-to-earth self, even when he is worried about Aragorn. Denlad clearly has something on his mind, and I suppose we will learn what it is in due time. Is he having the same thought that Halbarad is--that the future of Strider and of the Dunedain always seems to be hanging by a thread? Or is he unfairly and rather irrationally resenting Strider because Strider "has the luck of a widow's son," which presumably means that even when he suffers some misfortune, someone like Bowen Rushlight comes along to help him? Denlad might be resenting Strider because he believes that Strider is "lucky," or at least luckier than he, and supposedly has not suffered as much. I hope I am wrong in suggesting that possibility. I loved the conversation between Halbarad and Aragorn. Under the circumstances it would be very easy for Aragorn to lapse into depression, and Halbarad knows just how to talk to him. You have a gift for writing good dialogue, and nowhere is that more apparent than in conversations between those two. They sound exactly like what they are--two men who have known each other for years, who are very close, and who have great affection for each other. Halbarad is also a very good leader in his own right, as he does not lose sight of the necessity of thinking about and taking care of the other men, even as he worries about his Chieftain and the latter's illness. As for Aragorn himself, he is a much nicer person than I am. I'm referring to the family he saved by treating and nursing them all through their illness. I understand they were ill, and I understand they were grief-stricken, but after Strider went to all that trouble to heal and to save (when he could) people whom he did not even know, and not only do they not show even the slightest gratitude, they then blame him for the death of their daughter and the necessity of burying her! Frankly, I would have been furious. They wouldn't have had to order me gone; I would have left on my own. Strider is definitely a good man, but it is a bit unreasonable to expect him to be a plaster saint. It would be natural to be at least a bit peeved under those circumstances, and I do not believe the Strider of the bookverse would feel guilt. Just my opinion. Otherwise, this chapter was flawless, and I happily await the next. Thanks for writing and posting this story. Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
Thank you, Darkover! It's always interesting to hear the thoughts and speculations of readers, so your speculation on why Denlad's so worked up is very fascinating to me, even though of course, I can't comment on whether you're right or wrong! *g* I'm glad you liked the dialogue between Halbarad and Aragorn.
I don't agree with you, however, about your conclusions on how I handled Aragorn and his reaction to the situation in which he was unable to heal the child and was subsequently chased from their house. I don't think it makes him a "plaster saint" to withold any expression of fury or even pique over his ill treatment at their hands. As I see him, Aragorn has a rare compassion and tolerance for people--he expresses no real anger at the Council of Elrond over the Rangers' treatment by the people they watched over, after all. Regret and disappointment, perhaps, but I think Aragorn always kept in mind that the people of Bree were good folk, if shortsighted and heedless. He also knew that these were the people he would someday rule, and I think that because he was counted as the Great King, he ruled with compassion and wisdom, and that compassion and wisdom wasn't something that only became evident once the crown was placed upon his head. I think both were evident from his earliest days as Chieftain (and the compassion certainly something no doubt innate from birth). It's that compassion for a hurting family that rules his emotions here so many days after the fact. Perhaps in the "heat of the moment", as he walked through the rain, exhausted and ill, he might have indulged in a little self-pity, but he surely would have chided himself for such self indulgence. Certainly by this point, talking with Halbarad, he would have long banished any self-pitying anger.
And as for your statement, "I do not believe the Strider of the bookverse would feel guilt." I again have to respectfully disagree. I don't see him suffering debilitating guilt, certainly, but as a healer and as a human being, losing a patient is a wrenching, shattering thing and Aragorn is no more immune to it than anyone. No doctor worth his degree would fail to go through much soul-searching after losing a patient, and that indeed is what Aragorn goes through here. Again, we don't see every moment leading up to this conversational confession with Halbarad, but it's not a stretch to think that Aragorn would have felt the full range of human emotions in the hours after the child died: anger with himself, second guessing his actions, asking what more he could have done, feeling their treatment of him justifiable punishment, and then finally, as he himself says, acceptance that the emotion of guilt--his "heart's false accusal"--is just that: false. I don't see that such human processing of a tragic situation goes against anything in Aragorn's canon character. The process of self-examination and soul-searching is universal; that Aragorn comes out of it stronger for it is what shows his wisdom and strength.
Always interesting, discussing character interpretation and motivation! Thanks for your thoughtful and honest review.
Estelcontar
· 4 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
Trust Aragorn to get sick while trying to help others. I like it very much that he takes no blame and is not riddled with guilt because of the father's reaction though. Aragorn was too strong and wise to do so to my mind.
As usual I loved Halbarad's dry irony. And now you have me wondering about what caused Denlad's reaction to Halbarad's questioning. I sense a story there. *g*
Author's reply
Thanks, Estelcontar! I agree... though Aragorn is likely as subject as the rest of us to fixing undue blame to his own shoulders, eventually he sorts himself out. And if he doesn't, Halbarad's there to do it for him. *g*
I think most every reader so far is sensing a story behind Denlad's mood. Hmmm, whatever could it be???
LisaG
· 4 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
Ah, lovely chapter! I do so adore the verbal sparring between Aragorn and Halbarad...funny and heartwarming at the same time. Poor Aragorn bearing guilt he shouldn't and especially after caring for that entire family and getting sick as a thank you!
Now what's wrong with Denlad? What's with this mood? Is it just worry over Aragorn's health or something more?
Author's reply
Thanks, LisaG! Glad you liked the banter. And so many questions about Denlad! *g* He's got everyone worrying, hasn't he! Time will tell the reasons why (or, in other words, you didn't really expect me to answer, surely!*g*)
Thanks again!
Elentarri
· 4 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
That's so sad... Poor Aragorn. I hope we find out what is bugging Denlad soon :) I would like to know more about him. I also hope you have Aragorn stick around long enough for the baby to be born...? Also, having a whole horde of Rangers pitch up may be fun. :)
BTW - How many chapters (more or less) is this story? I feel it may be your best one yet. :D
Author's reply
Thanks, Elentarri! Wow, my best yet? Gosh. I'll leave that for you to decide, but I'm glad you think it may be. As to your questions, I can really only answer one: this story has 13 chapters. :) The rest of your questions/speculations you'll just have to wait and see.
Fantasia
· 4 October 2011
· Chapter 7: Hanging On So Delicate A Thread
Poor Aragorn. And I suppose that Denlad is remembering old times? did he ever was in Bree with his mon when he was a child? I remember that you said that when he was a child, wherever they lived, the town people use to bully him as soon they found out what his mother did for living. I'm sure that he had a very sad childhood.
Author's reply
Thank you, Fantasia! I'm going to have to play the Mysterious and Inscrutable Author and not give any real answers to your questions, because I want you to keep reading the story to find out the reason (or reasons) behind Denlad's odd mood. *g* But you're right in that in other stories, it's established that Denlad had a very rough childhood, because of his mother's manner of earning a living. But that's all I'll say for now. You and Halbarad both will have to wait until Denlad's willing to talk!