Enter the Ranger by Larner
Andrea · 10 March 2015 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
So, people start to figure out Aragorn's secret and he himself reveals more than before about his person. I think it won't be too long now until he reveals himself officially.
Author's reply
The time for the full unveiling draws nearer, of course, but is not yet, I fear. Thanks so!
Lindelea · 5 March 2015 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
I do like the irony that those closest to him (in proximity, that is) may well be the last to know...
Author's reply
I agree, Lindelea! Those who knew his father and grandfather will be most likely to recognize him, however. Thanks so!
Lindelea · 4 March 2015 · Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Beautifully phrased: to watch a master of the dance of death And this... The feeling of Hope Returning and Coming to Be was spreading even now amongst the Northern Dúnedain. Such a typical question from youth: “Do they eat different things than we do?” I remember a friend, who was a foreign student in our high school, complaining about some of the ignorant questions she faced. (Do they use toilet paper where you're from? Do they have toothpaste?) Fascinating accounting of Aragorn's "kingly" education. Why do I think Orominion is riding for a fall?
Author's reply
I suspect that as more and more people realized Aragorn had been returned to them and that the Line of Kings was not broken as they'd perhaps thought that such Hope would begin spreading throughout the lands controlled by the Northern Dunedain. If Elrond indeed fostered the Heirs to Isildur, I'd expect their educations to be as complete as possible. But to get this child when so very young, with the realization of what he might well become--don't you agree his education was likely to be exceptionally thorough? And Orominion is indeed sowing the seeds of his eventual great embarrassment. Heh!
Lindelea · 4 March 2015 · Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Stopping at this point in the chapter... “We thought he was dead!” whispered the healer. ...to say, I thought so, when the healer met Aragorn's gaze, and then when I read the above quoted line, I actually thumped my fist on the desk and said a triumphant, "Aha!" Now back to the reading...
Author's reply
Oh, yes--what a joyous shock that moment of recognition must have been!
Tari · 4 March 2015 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
This would make an excellent story. I'd love to know what happens next.
Author's reply
Well, as it is being written as I go, I hope you'll read the other chapters and get fully up-to-date, Tari! Heh! I will have another chapter in a few weeks, I suspect. Thanks so!
Lindelea · 3 March 2015 · Chapter 3: The Patrol
Y'know, I am looking forward to the first time the newcomer speaks in Adûnaic to the other youth... This chapter is rich with the kind of details that bring your writing to life. Well done!
Author's reply
Oh, he just might answer in Adunaic one day and embarrass several of them. Heh! Thanks so very much, Lindelea.
Lindelea · 2 March 2015 · Chapter 2: The Elven Princeling
Aragorn shows a great deal of wisdom and common sense in this chapter. I had to laugh, though, as he managed to get the last word at the end.
Author's reply
Well, he has to accept that he's going to react differently because of how he was raised, don't you think? And I'm glad you're enjoying this so!
iboneki · 2 March 2015 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
I love Iorgil. He appears wise and shrewd, and I enjoyed how quickly he figured it out. And I also liked how so many others are catching on as well. Aragorn was wise to join the patrol and prove himself this way. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
There are different ways to prove himself, and I just thought that this way would make a good deal of sense, and would differ enough from those tales in which he attached himself first to those who were ruling the Dunedain in his absence to be anything but a repeat. Iorgil is an interesting person, that's certain. It must have been a shock to see his friend's face on this young Man, however. Thanks so!
Matt · 2 March 2015 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
I really liked this chapter a lot because you took some time to tell a clear story and give a sense for what the characters were doing. In non-related business, memory serves you have a great deal of interest in issues of disability and although not a focus of many of my forthcoming projects I thought you might be interested to see the video I'm linking here as well as to look at a professional motivational speaking and community building web site I hope will be up by end of this week or at latest next. The video can be found at https://vimeo.com/118232953 the web site will be at www.drmatthewweed.com. I look forward to future installments of this story and thank you for your hard work on it.
Author's reply
I am honored! Thank you! I'll do my best to check out the link. I've been working with people with disabilities since my college years, and particularly with people with visual and learning disabilities. Now I'm working with disabled adults in the community after over thirty years of teaching. Thanks so, Matt.
Lindelea · 2 March 2015 · Chapter 2: The Elven Princeling
Oh, my, you've written quite a bit in this, and I'm still in chapter 2! Will plan to catch up next time I'm online... Such a treat to look forward to!
Author's reply
Yup! And have more still to write!
Dreamflower · 2 March 2015 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
The secret is gradually becoming no secret. Not hard for those who'd known his father and/or grandfather to figure out. But still, most of those in the patrol have yet to figure it out.
Author's reply
I do believe that Berevrion has figured it out, and others will follow, I'm certain. Iorgil would have known earlier had he gone to the meet at Amon Sul, of course. But now even he and his daughter know. Thanks so!
shirebound · 2 March 2015 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
Oh, I like Iorgil very much! He might be a very trusted and wise counselor for Aragorn.
Author's reply
This is true, as long as he and Dirhael can get along, of course! Heh! Thanks so, Shirebound.
obsidianj · 8 February 2015 · Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
This interview went better than I thought. I can understand that Dirhael is not happy having Aragorn returned and before he can assess him himself, the young man goes out on a dangerous patrol. I think Dirhael would have liked it better to keep Aragorn as safe as possible. But that would not help to get Aragorn accepted in these dangerous times.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, Dirhael had wanted first go at his grandson, I believe. But Aragorn has his own ideas of what he needs to do to find acceptance. Thanks so, and sorry for the delayed response--life as been busy!
obsidianj · 8 February 2015 · Chapter 5: Danger
That could have ended badly. This power bow seems to be a deadly weapon if it goes clearly through a body. The young Dunedain got lucky. This turns out to be an eventful patrol. First orcs then men and now Dunlendings.
obsidianj · 8 February 2015 · Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Orominion is turning into a troublemaker. I think he is missing some basic and vital education. He needs a lesson. Being poor is no excuse for taking from others without asking, especially after Turin told him to come to him when he is in need.
Author's reply
I suspect that Orominion is nowhere as poor as he claims. And he will eventually get his proper comeuppance!
obsidianj · 8 February 2015 · Chapter 3: The Patrol
Aragorn shows his worth more and more. I liked how Turin refers to Aragorn when Orominion asked which way the orcs had come. I loved the last line of Orominion dreaming of Earendil. Is he about to put two and two together? But the idea of having the son of Arathorn coming back to them has to be very far from his mind. He is too young to have known Arathorn so he only heard stories.
Author's reply
Gads--I've missed so many comments in this story! I do apologize! Aragorn did dwell in the House of Elrond for a good long time, and I suspect that with his heritage and training his songs could inspire others to dream the images of what he sang at least from time to time. Orominion still has a time to go before he realizes just who Peredhrion really is. Again, thanks and please forgive me my tardiness in responding to your comments.
obsidianj · 8 February 2015 · Chapter 2: The Elven Princeling
I'm enjoying this story very much. You paint a realistic picture of the young men in this group. Aragorn cannot hide his training and I can understand Orominion. He feels threatened by Aragorn's "otherness" and reacts the only way he can think of. His companions are not better. Let's just hope they all adjust to each other soon.
Author's reply
So often we respond to that which feels alien as these young men did, and particularly Orominion. It couldn't have been easy to return to his parents' people as Aragorn did and for all to feel comfortable with one another right away, I'd think.
obsidianj · 8 February 2015 · Chapter 1: Building on the Ruins
I like this introduction. It must have been nerve racking for Aragorn. I liked the reassurance he got from Elrohir's little touch on the shoulder. And I guess Halbarad is the other young man.
Author's reply
You were certainly correct about the other youth being Halbarad. And when he found himself walking into a new life, how difficult it must have been for Aragorn!
obsidianj · 8 February 2015 · Chapter 0: Words of Hope
A great start. I can imagine the images floating through Halbeleg's mind with the thought of Aragorn disarming one of the twins. The twins come across a bit like oracles. They leave a cryptic message and leave *grin*.
Author's reply
Well, they'd done what they came for, after all! Heh! Thanks so!
Matt · 20 January 2015 · Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
Nice job on this. I wish the chapters were longer but you are doing a great job reintroducing Aragorn to his people even with short chapters. Family politics is an important thing and you handle it really well here. Thanks for your hard work on this, I'll be watching for future installments.
Author's reply
And thank you, too. I hope to have the next chapter up fairly soon.
Linda Hoyland · 18 January 2015 · Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
I like it that Aragorn is already proving he is the king to be.
Author's reply
Yes, he is already proving himself, and as much TO himself as to others, I think. Thanks so, Linda!
Andrea · 18 January 2015 · Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
It will be ironic, don’t you think, if it is those who are with him who realize last who he truly is. It will be indeed! I'm looking forward to reading that particular chapter! I think the conversation went better than Halbaleg expected. After all, how could Dirhael not understand Aragorn's reasons for going on that patrol when he himself did the same thing when he was young?
Author's reply
Indeed! Aragorn is only following in the same path as his fathers, after all, although his own path will go on long beyond theirs, and to heights not known in many lives of Men.
Fiondil · 17 January 2015 · Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
I can certainly understand Dirhael's frustrations about everything, but Halbaleg is right, too, and it's obvious that Aragorn thought of everything very carefully. I'm still waiting for the big reveal among his fellow trainees. I think some of them will get a very unpleasant surprise when it happens. Glad you're still writing this, Larner. I look forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, still working on it. It and Stirring Rings! It must have been shocking for Estel to learn the name given him at his birth and his place in the world, but I do think this would have been a good way to reintegrate into his own people. And, yes, I think some of his new fellows will be very surprised when they realize who his is and who he is intended to be!
Dreamflower · 16 January 2015 · Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
This is such a likely conversation. I like the way Halbeleg makes it clear to Dirhael that Aragorn thought of everything ahead of time, and covered all his bases when he decided to join the training patrol.
Author's reply
It would be difficult to accept that your grandchild did survive such an illness in spite of what had been said about the matter, and that you had been left out of the loop. But I do believe Estel, once he realized he was Aragorn, would begin thinking long and hard about how best to reenter his people. And this would be a good way to do so, I'd think. Thank you so, Dreamflower!
shirebound · 16 January 2015 · Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
I don't blame Dírhael for being miffed that he was kept in the dark. Are we to wait until all of the prophecies are fulfilled, and leave him with nothing of worth here in the north for him to claim as his kingdom? So true! This must have been a confusing, yet encouraging time for all of them.
Author's reply
They were all, after all, now standing upon the brink. Would all turn to the good or would evil take them at last? It's hard to think that work to begin restoration for the land might all be for nothing; but it would be better than to be giving into despair prematurely, I would think. Time to be reaching for growth again, I'd think. Thank you so, Shirebound.