The Heir Apparent by Mirkwoodmaiden
Larner · 9 March 2020 · Chapter 5: Owing the past; Owing the future
Now they are wed, and their happiness seems complete. Grief will come in its time, but for now there is the joy of the moment.
Author's reply
Larner! Exactly! In these few chapters I wanted to give them as much of the happiness of a normal life as I could, blissful in their ignorance of what was to come. Before it is all shattered as it had to be. Thank you the re-reviewing! :-) MM
Larner · 7 March 2020 · Chapter 4: Elvellon
I am glad she unbent enough to let him know the basis of her sorrow. Gilraen will depend on his support when the time comes.
Author's reply
True! Gilraen was given a very hard road to travel, I wanted her to have as much support as possible. MM
Larner · 7 March 2020 · Chapter 3: A Wedding Awaits
It takes faith to make such a garment in this manner, involving Gilraen as was done. May it remind her ever of the joy of her marriage.
Author's reply
Larner! So true. I really wanted to show how important and special marriage was to the women of the Dunedain. It was their own unique way of contributing to the legacy of their people. It was also why Ivorwen did not tell Gilraen of her vision. She wanted her daughter to have those few happy years untainted by what would be. MM
Larner · 7 March 2020 · Chapter 2: A Gift Bestowed
Am revisiting this, and rejoicing to do so. Alas for the visions of both Dirhael and Ivorwen.
Author's reply
Larner! So glad you are re-reading and enjoying the visit! And yes, It is so hard for Dirhael and Ivorwen to know that their child will be made unhappy by the very thing that the Dunedain have lived for. MM
Lindelea · 7 March 2020 · Chapter 1: A Gift Received
I think I missed this when it was first being posted. At least, I don’t remember reading it before. (Though sometimes my mind has played tricks on me, and I have left a glowing review on a story that seemed “new” to me, only to discover in reading other reviews that I too had left one at an earlier time. Yikes!) Fascinating, well-rounded (I’m not sure that’s the term I want; something meaning carefully thought out and rich in detail) vision of the life in the North lands for the people of broken Arnor. Erkenthal thought Arathorn, be gentle with him for he is so young as a small smile widened his face. Ah, he appears to know Arathorn so well, and trust him. I wonder if Arathorn is a healer with a gift for bringing out the power of athelas?
Author's reply
Lindelea! Hello! So happy to see your review! I finished this story back in 2005 so it has been a long while. I'm glad you found it now! In this story Arathorn and Erkenthal have been compatriot warriors together for years. Brothers-in-arms together for longer than either care to remember! :-) I never thought about Arathorn having those healing powers, but he is the heir before Aragorn and has the same kinship to Elros and therefore Elrond. So yeah he could. Hmmm...possible story offshoot! I have always been fascinated by the Dunedain Rangers. How do a people with only a driving purpose survive the destruction of their cities and their entire society for over a thousand years. Arthedain the last of the three kingdoms of Arnor fell in TA 1974. I thought about it and how they were called a wandering, dwindling people, but you need some sort of society (even it is radically different from what you had before) when for the Dunedain who were long living if only for the Rangers to marry and have children in order to keep their purpose in life going. I thought of an Anglo-saxon-ish system of Chieftain and Thanes loosely combined with the Plains Indians that had Winter villages. Basically I had a lot of fun thinking of it all and framing it all around Arathorn and Gilraen meeting and basing it all on the appendices in the back of ROTK. Thanks again for the encouragement! Hope you enjoy the rest of the story! MM
Ajones · 13 May 2019 · Chapter 9999: Beyond the Veil
Thank you so much am for writing such a wonderful tale that filled in some of the blanks. Enjoyed it so much, didn’t want it to end. The camaraderie, honor and loyalty between the men was so refreshing to read...characteristics of long ago.
Author's reply
Thank you very much!! So glad you enjoyed it!! I loved writing it. Looking back and re-reading there are a few chapters I'm thinking of adding.
ShimmeringWater · 21 June 2007 · Chapter 9999: Beyond the Veil
This story is an amazing piece. In my opinion the best authors are those who are not only able to write a beautiful story but those who can write the perfect ending. I loved the way you wrote the interactions between all the characters, specially the twins. I'll be for ever grateful to you for keeping Tolkien's work alive.SW
Author's reply
Shimmering Water! So glad that you enjoyed the story! I really enjoyed working on it. I found the twins an absolute joy to write. About the epilogue, it was what I envisioned when I started writing the story and I was really happy that by the time I had finished the last chapter that the same epilogue felt like it needed to be written! Thanks again for reading and sending your thoughts, it is really appreciated! :) MM
Guardian Angel of Wolves · 5 April 2006 · Chapter 9999: Beyond the Veil
I think it's a great epilogue, very peaceful and with a promise fulfilled. :D Over all, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this extraordinarily well-written piece of craftmanship. ;) Everything was explaine and described down to the very last detail; with the reader learning the characters innermost thoughts and feelings. Wonderful. I cannot find any flaw and compliment you.
Amala Nagappan · 2 December 2005 · Chapter 9999: Beyond the Veil
Loved the way you tied the book in with your story very well done.
daw the minstrel · 19 November 2005 · Chapter 9999: Beyond the Veil
I liked this a lot. And I like to think that at the end of Arda, all the races were united.
Author's reply
Daw! Thanks! I'm so glad that you liked it! I've enjoyed so many of your stories so I'm very happy that you've had a good time with one of mine! Yeahh!! I would hope that at the end of Arda all races would join together beyond the veil! MM
Larner · 11 November 2005 · Chapter 18: A Story to Tell...
Finally have finished, and am so glad I stayed with it. Look now for the epilogue. One correction--several places you use "LEAD" when you mean "LED." There were a few other homonyms similarly misused, but this one, for some reason, is one that disturbs me (ALOT is another misuse of language that grates on me). The story is lovely, and love the family dynamics shown. Also the awareness in this chapter of the approach of Gandalf and Aragorn's natural defensive behavior which is relaxed when reassured the newcomer is known after all. And I love how Erethrain has waited so long to hear "Uncle" from his nephew, and his joy when it comes. Thanks for a wonderful tale.
Author's reply
Larner! That's so much for reading it! I really came to love Erithain and just thought being the kind of person Erithain was, this separation would have sat heavy on his heart even after a few years had past. I wanted to bring them together again. I have got to watch those spelling and usuage mistakes!!! Grrrr! Author Reply: Or rather "usage" mistakes. Geez!! LOL!
Larner · 10 November 2005 · Chapter 17: Reckonings of the heart
Yes, the moment of grief for the one who has been father to the one and as father to the other, when he knows two will know a greater grief than Elves should know, but whether it will be Arwen and himself or Arwen and Aragorn is yet to be shown. Love the moment with the sword. Well written.
Author's reply
For Elrond the victory in Middle Earth is bittersweet. If the Men of the West win he will lose Arwen. If they lose then suffering will great indeed. Elrond has given so much to Middle Earth and as a reward he loses she whom he treasured most in the world. Sad. The moment with the sword sort of refers to a ficlet I wrote called "Shards of Memory." And that was born out of the film when Aragorn is looking at the shards of Narsil after Boromir has left. I thought if these shards are on constant display wouldn't they attract the attention of a bright, inquisitive 10 year old such as Estel. Hmmm! the plot bunnies would not allow me to rest until I wrote it! Really glad that you like the scene! MM
Larner · 10 November 2005 · Chapter 16: A Father's Love
It is better this way. Beautiful revelation, and love the detail of the Tree and Stars hiding the signs of the King. Very well done.
Larner · 10 November 2005 · Chapter 15: Hannon le
One correction--the Winged Crown is not a circlet, but a helm, and the wings are not those of eagles but of sea birds, in token that Elendil and his folk came over the sea. Other than that this is a wonderful chapter, showing the ties being forged between Wood and the world of Men of the Northern Dunedain.
Author's reply
Larner! Now that I think about it, you are right! Thanks for pointing it out! I shall re-read and fix!! Oops! :-) MM
Larner · 9 November 2005 · Chapter 14: I am not alone
A wonderful meeting between two who become very close on the quest. We don't know that the two of them had met before the quest, but neither do we know that they didn't. At least neither of Elrond's sons became their enemy there in their initial search.
Author's reply
I think I was influenced somewhat by the films in my desire to depict a close relationship between Aragorn and Legolas. In the Book as you say we do not know one way or another. Also I thought Estel needed a situation where he was on his own away from his family to face danger on his own and learn that he can stand on his own two feet so I combined this with my idea of meeting him up with the longer living characters that of the Nine Walkers! Glad you liked it! MM
Larner · 9 November 2005 · Chapter 13: The Memory of Love
Excellent descriptions of the battle and the reunion with his uncle. And I love the blessing--I, too, had Elrond swearing Aragorn only to draw his weapons at need.
Author's reply
I try hard to make the battle scenes read well, so I'm happy that you think they came across successfully! Yeah!! About the blessing I thought it was important to have some sort of ceremony commemorating Estel's coming of age and that it is stated that Aragorn is not to wreck havoc, but to bring justice. Also I thought it was important to bring Erithain back the story before Aragorn returned to the Dunedain, so that Aragorn would have a real connection to the Dunedain and not just a one that is only spoken of. Glad that you are still reading the story and enjoying it! MM
Larner · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 12: I will learn
Lesson learned, even if from experience. And all three sons are reproved and grow as a result.
Larner · 8 November 2005 · Chapter 11: Hope is kindled
The younger the individual when learning languages, the more facility they tend to show in learning more. I think Aragorn in the end probably was fluent in Adunaic, Sindarin, Westron, and Quenya, and added in Haradri and Rhunic and the Trade Tongue as he'd traveled widely. And as I have Gandalf first seeing Aragorn at about age eleven, I certainly can't complain about you having their first encounter at five! Love the frog and the fallen table.
Author's reply
Larner! I did a little research on the Internet about language acquistion in the very young before I wrote the chapter and it seems that children can become fluent in both languages. They can have seemingly two mother tongues and can think in terms of both of them. Aragorn could keep Westron as his native tongue or not. Ah! The frog and the fallen table...what would be of real importance to Estel! I think we have our answer! :-)) MM
Larner · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 10: Acceptance
Not all chapters need to be longer--each should end where you sense it should. Like the movie-verse touch of the telescope and "What shall we do?" Very much appreciated, I find. Decent descriptions of settings. I find I like it well.
Larner · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 9: A Gift from the Valar
Your special characters are found in your start menu, as long as you have a Windows operating system. Look under Programs > Accessories > Systems Tools > Character Map. Double Click on the particular character you wish saved and then the Copy button, then do Ctrl-V to paste it into place. Took me a while to learn.... Lovely introduction to Imladris and description of getting Aragorn to smile again. Hope all is well with you, and thanks so much for the feedback in Fostering.
Author's reply
Larner! Thanks for the tip! I thought the chapter came across well and I really wanted Aragorn to smile again by the end of the chapter and he did! I'm definitely enjoying Fostering! MM
Larner · 7 November 2005 · Chapter 8: Never be afraid
No, I don't mind the AU elements at all. Just wish I'd had more time to read it as it was written and first posted. A couple typos, but not too bad (and as we ALL have typos on occasion I ain't complaining). Interesting reason for why Aragorn went then, and for them to have the chance to say goodbye as well.
Author's reply
Larner! Don't even think about when you started reading my story! I'm just glad that you are now enjoying so much now! I thought hard about the AU elements and they just seemed to work well with the story as I was writing it! You just can't have a heartfelt conversation with an arrow in the eye! Only a bit distracting! ;-) Dreaded typos, Y'know you can real something a hundred times and still not catch everything. My MA Dissertation was the same way! I think two other than myself read the darn thing and still I see typos! Grrr! :-)) MM
Larner · 5 November 2005 · Chapter 6: A seed is sown
A beautiful introduction of the boy who will be king. I think several of us have latched onto that meaning and have continued to use it in spite of Tolkien having discarded it. Lovely images here of Arathorn managing to share Annuminas with Aragorn before his own tragic end.
Larner · 5 November 2005 · Chapter 5: Owing the past; Owing the future
One of my very favorite writers is Rosemary Sutcliff, whose historical novels mostly set in Roman Britain are so wonderfully evocative of the cultures of the past within Britain. (It was because of her my husband, brother, and I found ourselves one day walking atop Hadrian's wall, only to be buzzed by four RAF fighter jets practicing low altitude maneuvers--such an ironic moment, to be atop the symbol of the ancient might of the Roman Empire in Britain while just over us flew the symbor of the might of today!) The culture you've described is so similar to the types of cultures she shows in her books. And believe me--for me to compare you to her works is high praise. I thank you for this look at the culture that has slipped back in time, seeking to bring all back to a future that is keeping with that of its sister so far to the south.
Author's reply
Larner! Thank you so much for the compliment! Baggins Babe was telling me what a good writer she is. I'll have to check out some of her books! Hadrian's wall and RAF fighter jets! Hmmmmm!! Definitely an interesting juxtaposition! I'm so glad that you are finding such enjoyment in the story! I lived in York for a year and it was beautiful! A very picturesque city surrounded by its medieval walls! Lovely! MM
Larner · 3 November 2005 · Chapter 4: Elvellon
Foreknowledge can indeed be painful, particularly when it shows such lossed. To know Aragorn must be born and held in safety in Rivendell to both protect him and to prepare him for his destiny must have been horrible for the mother of Gilraen. I've written one story in which Gilraen is an active character, "Fostering." I'd like your feedback on how you see her portrayed there. I know I am thoroughly enjoying this one so far, although I realize I started a bit late. Thanks for the feedback you've given me.
Author's reply
Larner! I'm so gald that you are enjoying the story. I've really had a lot of fun creating it! I can only imagine how hard it would to allow a child of yours to follow a path that will lead her into unhappiness, In fact, knowing all that you've been raised to believe in and hope for will not happen if you try to prevent your own child's unhappiness. That would be hard indeed! Thanks for reading and responding. We write because we want to, but it is always lovely to know that my writing has touched somebody! MM
Larner · 2 November 2005 · Chapter 3: A Wedding Awaits
Yes, the wedding garment being a document bearing testimony between mother and daughter is a wonderful image. And I love Gilraen taking her beloved off on an unwanted jaunt "picking weeds". Silly man! He needs to realize that this is not "woman's" work but "their" moment together, preparing for what is to come.
Author's reply
Larner! I'm really happy that you are enjoying the story! I did love the bit of naughtiness that Gilraen and Arathorn! I thought they needed a bit of time alone, before they embark upon married life!! Also I wanted to create more of the Dunedain society than I had previously read. And historically speaking it is the women who give a society shape and foundation. They tended to hearth and home. So I thought a good way to flesh out Dunedain society was to speak of what relationships the women formed. Family would all important and the handing down of knowledge from mother to daughter would most definitely be a special one. Glad you liked it. MM