UTfrog
· 16 January 2015
· Chapter 6: The Demands of Seniority
Thanks so very much for posting another chapter. This is a very intriguing story of a time where not too much has been written. I really am enjoying it. Thanks again.
Author's reply
Most of the stories I've seen of this time shows Aragorn returning and following Dirhael or his uncle and aunts and grandmother around, and one shows him learning in part from his father's mother, which I particularly like, I find. But I've always thought that he'd look to enter adult society in the same manner as most of the other young men in the Dunedain society, and suspect that this would be one of the most obvious manners in which young men were accepted as adults--to go through warrior training together in the Rangers.
Am so glad you are enjoying it!
Andrea
· 7 December 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
Know this—the more complicated the weapon, the more easily it can break down during use, and the greater the danger it poses to its own wielder should it do so.
A very important information which is still true in our times.
They were very lucky that the power bow only hit the tree trunk. Apparently even the Dunlendings are not really able to control their weapons!
Author's reply
Crossbows as opposed to longbows were rather like handguns compared to rifles--deadly and powerful enough, but with far less accuracy in the hands of a good archer. Power isn't everything, after all!
Linda Hoyland
· 7 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
I'm glad our heroes easily overcame this bank of ruffians. As always an enjoyable read and good to see more of this story.
Author's reply
I doubt these fellows were expecting much in the way of trouble as far as they were off the main roads, so they were fairly easy to overcome. Sorry it's taking so long, but sometimes that's the way the muse works, as I am certain you can appreciate.
shirebound
· 7 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
I'm greatly enjoying the wisdom and leadership of Baerdion. Aragorn was lucky to have so many worthy mentors.
Author's reply
He needed good instruction to learn how other mortals think, I believe, and Baerdion appears to have been an excellent teacher to be chosen as Malvegern's second and to remain in such a role throughout Aragorn's lifetime until after he became King. Thanks so, Shirebound!
Freyalyn
· 6 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
So glad to see an update of this at last! Thank you.
Author's reply
So glad that the muse cooperated at last. Thank YOU!
iboneki
· 6 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
Still my favorite WIP! Thanks so much for updating. I love seeing Aragorn from this perspective.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you're enjoying following this! There have been several stories looking at how Aragorn might have returned to his own people, so it was interesting to find a different way that might have happened. Thanks so, Iboneki!
Fiondil
· 6 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
I'd forgotten about this story and was pleased to find a new chapter. I hope you continue with it. I'm looking forward to when the recruits learn at last who is in their midst.
Author's reply
I had to do a correction suggested by Rhapsody for an earlier chapter, and for some dumb reason it refused to come easily. Once it was made the rest of this chapter finally came to me!
I do intend to continue with it, and in time they will realize who it is that rides with them, wearing Elven warrior braids. Now, to post the corrected chapter and this one to the other sites where this story is posted! Thanks so, Fiondil!
Dreamflower
· 6 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
Well, Orominion was saved by the bell again. He deserves the dressing down he was getting, but it's a shame there was no time for it to sink in properly.
So, the Dunlendings have cross-bows. I have to wonder from whom they got them. In terms of making them, they are more complicated and sophisticated than longbows, and I would think it would be beyond their skills. Hmmm...*looks shiftily towards Isengard*
Author's reply
You are certainly right about Orominion and what he deserves and how he keeps being saved from full consequences for what he "borrows" without permission.
I agree, the most likely source of crossbows for the Dunlendings would be Saruman. And I can imagine that they'd be excited about something that didn't take as much training and practice as it would take to become an excellent archer with a long bow. Thanks so, Dreamflower!
UTfrog
· 6 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
Thank you for this update. I have been enjoying the story d was so happy to see a new chapter. I like the way Aragorn is learning the ways of his people. Great job.
Author's reply
It's taken time to get this chapter done. I had to go back and do a correction to the chapter called "The Elven Princeling," and getting that done, as simple as the correction turned out to be in the end, seems to have drawn attention away from the chapter that was in progress on the computer! Heh! Thank you! Yes, both he is learning from his new fellows, and they are learning about them as well. It's an ongoing process, I think. Thanks so, UTfrog!
Matt
· 6 November 2014
· Chapter 5: Danger
Nice job on this, not being an archer myself, is the power bow a real device or a device of your fruitful imagination? thanks as always for your hard work on this, looking forward to more whenever it may come forth.
Author's reply
The "power bow" is a name I decided to allow the Dunedain to give to a crossbow. How users of long bows and perhaps horse bows might have looked upon a crossbow is something to think on, I believe. I can imagine the Dunlendings excited to have something that could so strongly shoot an arrow or quarrel, trying to replace skill with blunt force, and that they were introduced to the weapon perhaps by Saruman. It does take a good deal of strength and practice, after all, to become good with a long bow. The idea they might just point and click would perhaps have attracted them to the crossbow.
Aelaer
· 3 November 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
I have not read fan fiction in quite a few years, and this one was the first long story I decided to pick up. I am thoroughly enjoying it so far, and I think I am seeing that Aragorn will likely have to also perhaps help decide the punishment on the habitual thief so he grows into a better person.
I look forward to its continuation. :)
Author's reply
I apologize for not responding earlier, and hope you will continue reading this tale. I'm afraid it is taking longer between chapters than I prefer to take, but life hasn't been making it easy for me to write as much as I once did.
As for Orominion--I long ago named him one who was instrumental to most of the other recruits realizing who Aragorn actually was, so I have to establish how his behavior led to that incident.
Thanks for the comments--they help motivate me to write!
Freyalyn
· 20 August 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Is there an update coming up at any point soon for 'Enter The Ranger'? So looking forward to seeing where you take him in this story.
Author's reply
I see I missed several comments from a while back! Sorry about that, Freyalyn. At least you know this story isn't on hiatus. Thanks so!
Linda Hoyland
· 13 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
What an amazing education Aragorn has received.It would help him become so special. I like it that he does not kill lightly.
Author's reply
I hope it helps his new comrades begin to realize how carefully he's been prepared for his role, once they accept he is Arathorn's son. And I doubt that Aragorn was ever encouraged to kill lightly--in their world he must be able to kill those who would destroy others wantonly, but if he is to keep his humanity he can't become callous about it all.
Thanks so, Linda!
Andrea
· 6 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Oh dear, there will be a lot of trouble concerning Orominion. Hopefully he will be convinced to stop this "borrowing".
It was very interesting and sometimes funny to read all the questions the youths asked Peredhrion. But on the other hand it is really sad to realise that not one of them was spared the experience of violence at a rather young age.
Author's reply
Orominion is a special case, I fear. And his day of reckoning will come eventually.
The Dunedain lived in a world where enemies faced them from all sides. That those in the Breelands did not realize just who and what they were is sad, but sadder is that the Enemy sought to destroy them as he did.
Nieriel Raina
· 3 July 2014
· Chapter 2: The Elven Princeling
I am enjoying this story a lot! I've never really pondered Aragorn's return to his own people, but this makes a lot of sense. :)
One thing I feel I must comment on, however, is your giving Aragorn a YEARLING. AS a horse person who has been training very several years, I have to tell you that very few horse people START breaking young horses to saddle THAT soon and certainly none would be given even remotely heavy work until they were two to three years of age.
Yearlings are still developing and are not mature enough to carry a rider as large as Aragorn would be at this age for any distance without damaging the growing bones. Most horses are not started under saddle until 2-3 years old and do not start heavy work under saddle until they are 3-4. The exception perhaps being thoroughbreds which as broke and start work as yearlings under jockeys who weigh less than 100 lbs and many of those break down by the time they are 3.
I just cannot see the Dunedain risking valuable animals in such a manner. I also doubt they would send a green horse on a mission of any length. You would want a mount who does NOT jump or bolt or shy at new and scary situations, like butterflies! Or blowing leaves! Or a billowing cape! Eeep! These young men are learning under potentially dangerous situations. They would need proven mounts trained well enough to not need more training on the road so they might focus on what they need to do and learn, not worry about a mount freaking out on them (and yearlings do!)
Our two year old colt was started under saddle without a rider, just with ground work. He just turned three and is soon to begin to learn what it means to carry a rider for more than 10-15 minutes. Even then he won't be worked hard for a while. He has to learn his manners first as we have no desire to go flying through the air! Something I watched my nephew do repeatedly when breaking the colt's sire. :)
Okay, end lecture. ;) Not trying to be critical, it's just a topic near and dear to my heart and part of my everyday routine.
Author's reply
I grew up amidst dogs, cats, and chickens rather than larger animals, so I appreciate the information. I will edit this chapter then, and thank you so much for the information.
In most of the stories I've read in which Aragorn returns to the Dunedain he starts at the sides of elders, either his grandparents or uncle; I simply decided to take a different path.
Raksha The Demon
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 2: The Elven Princeling
This is not the rookie Ranger you want to sneak up on for a prank, kids!
Good chapter, subtly showing the young Aragorn's strengths and alienation. He also has a lot to learn.
iboneki
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
It's a joy every time I see this updated. Thanks for posting!
Author's reply
And I apologize for not responding to this comment earlier. Thank you for letting me know how much the story means to you!
Matt
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Another great chapter with some cool philosophical self-exploration on life, death and killing as well as some understandable teen-aged curiosity on Aragorn's early life. Thanks for your hard work on this, looking forward to future chapters as always.
Author's reply
I don't know how I managed to miss so many comments on this chapter. Thanks for sticking with me and reading whenever I manage to get another chapter written and posted.
Dreamflower
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Oh dear. Orominion is a petty thief. And yet he'd be shocked and insulted if someone named him that--because he doesn't try to hide what he does and takes something only if he thinks he "needs" it, he considers what he's doing is "borrowing" (although if no one noticed an item missing, he'd be unlikely ever to tell them.) I've encountered that type before, and it's really hard to convince them that their form of "borrowing" is, indeed, stealing!
But it looks as though Peredhrion is making his place secure among his new comrades; his description of how he grew up must have given a lot of them food for thought.
Author's reply
Gads--I missed almost every comment on chapter four! I so apologize. Life has been interesting, is all I can say.
I've dealt with the likes of Orominion as well, and I've not found much that gets through their denial and their feelings of deserving whatever they "borrow." But it's time that Peredhrion begins to settle in, and I think he's doing so admirably!
Lindelea
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 2: The Elven Princeling
I read as far as Aragorn's naming -- yet another name for him! He is a Man of many Names...
He shows himself as wise beyond his years. "Coming up through the ranks", yes, that is the way to earn respect and trust from those who will someday be his subordinates.
The new puppy has been with us for nearly a week. She is adorable, sweet, and affectionate... but shows signs of mischief and a sense of humour and perhaps living up to her name (Pandemonium, but for now, "Panda" suits her well) as she grows older and more confident.
Tari
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Having a petty thief around is not a good thing. Eventually he will want to take bigger things. I fear punitive action will have to be taken.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. As with anything you write, I loved it.
Are you going to ALEP3 by chance?
shirebound
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
“And he exhibits the King’s Gifts?” came the whispered question.
It's awe inspiring to realize how long the race of Men had carried the hope of the King Returned. How joyous it must have been to finally learn of the crowning of Aragorn.
I enjoyed listening to Aragorn's stories of his childhood along with the rest of the Men.
Freyalyn
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 4: Mutual Knowledge
Oh dear, I think Orominion is about to get his comeuppance - and if he's lucky he'll be alive to learn from it.
I love how the word about Aragorn's return is slowly being drip-fed into the various groupings of the Dunedain, and his own training party will be the last to know.
Lovely story.
Andrea
· 21 June 2014
· Chapter 3: The Patrol
So they are beginning to respect Aragorn. And they also feel that there is more about "Peredhrion" than meets the eye.
Somehow Orominion found all of this proper and comforting, and as he slept he dreamt of the first rising of Eärendil, back in the depths of time.
"Somehow" is the perfect word in this context.
I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
It's hard not to respect someone who has just probably saved the life--and arm--of a friend, I'd think. How right it must have felt to learn there was someone young who yet had such gifts as "Peredhrion" displays, Dunedain that these are. And I'm so glad you are looking forward to more, as more has been posted this morning. Thanks so, Andrea.
Linda Hoyland
· 18 June 2014
· Chapter 3: The Patrol
I'm glad to see that the others are starting to respect Aragorn. I see the Elves share the Moguls' knowledge of silk's properties.
Author's reply
Those who show honest respect toward others tend to garner it in return, after all, and particularly when they are good at what they do but don't dwell on that fact. And after millennia of living in Middle Earth, I do suspect that the Elves would indeed have learned of such things as the benefits of wearing silk under battle dress as well as garnering advanced medical knowledge and developing surgical techniques. And being raised by Elves would undoubtedly give Aragorn a good deal of advantage compared to the other young men in his patrol, I'd think. Now his task is to learn to work and communicate well with his own people, which couldn't have been the easiest thing to do when he's barely seen any Men over most of his life.