Reviews (42)

Saelind · 1 December 2025 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

I had a vague recollection of reading this story when it first came out long ago, and upon searching for it again to get myself in the mood for writing my own Bree-setting fic I am infuriated with my past self for not leaving a review! Because this very much deserves one!! The whole thing is phenomenal, but I adore the first two chapters especially. Such an affecting picture of, as child Barliman put it, the unfairness of his father and the way he treats strangers. Contrasted then by his actions as an adult - where he still carries the prejudice, to be sure, but it doesn't stop him from treating everyone with fairness & kindness - makes the nastiness of his father all the more stark. Loved Old Tim's pragmatism, as well - what a great portrait of a character who only shows up in this one moment. And the tale-within-a-tale is so well done, too!! I recall reading that story in its own right too, and this was a great way to revisit it.

Gwaeros · 9 December 2017 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

'Folk would put on airs in an inn, but he’d never known one to put on irony'. What a wonderful line!

Kath · 17 February 2016 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

Another truly absorbing story! I try to ration myself to a bit at a time, but just had to finish it! No one writes about Aragorn like you do, such an honourable and principled hero. Can't wait to read more. Thank you so much for these stories.

obsidianj · 24 November 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

What a lovely tale. I was hanging on every word just like Barliman. Did he ever realize that the storyteller was the same as all those years ago? You painted such a vivid picture of the inn and the atmosphere there that I could see it in my mind.

obsidianj · 23 November 2015 · Chapter 1: The Stranger: November, 2980

I love this look at Aragorn in his early days. His quiet dignity even when treated less than favorably by Barliman's father. I love your characterization of Barliman. He will be a better innkeeper than his father, although Ranger's will not be his favorite customers.

Rowanfair · 20 November 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

As you may guess, I am truely caught in your enchantment by now. Another heart warming tale. Just can't stop reading... Poor Aragorn - will you ever leave him just whole and sound? I admit it took some time to realize the primary Barliman to be the senior. And I admire your skill to display well known characters in a refreshing new way through the eye of another. Theoden this time. Thank you for sharing all this!

Larner · 19 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

Ah, but definitely the perfect end to that story! Love Barliman here, proving himself to be anything but as niggardly as his father! But he's still ignoring his own recognition as well as the fact that Strider here was badly wounded. He's the beginnings of the Barliman we know and love! Thanks for the tales, both the one involving Barliman and the tale within the tale as well!

Larner · 18 September 2015 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

I've been giggling through this one. Poor Barliman is ignoring the very clues he notices, and doesn't appear to appreciate as yet that Strider's injured. I'm glad he's thinking of bringing the water, which will be much appreciated, I'm sure!

Larner · 18 September 2015 · Chapter 2: A Tale: November, 2980

And Barli doesn't realize that he's just met the Eagle, much less that this very Ranger will one day go off with four Hobbits and a Wizard and not return to Bree until the new Age begins, with all renewed and a brighter future there for all--all save one single Hobbit who must leave to find his own reward.

Larner · 18 September 2015 · Chapter 1: The Stranger: November, 2980

He's met Strider for the first time, has he? And he'll hear quite the story, if we know our favorite Ranger. I'm sorry that his own prejudices will grow as time goes on. At least he is properly compassionate now.

curiouswombat · 12 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

What an excellent story - I enjoyed the glimpse into the Butterbur family life, and Barliman's father, and especially I liked the way this fits so nicely with The Devilry of Edoras to tell us more of Aragorn's life as Thorongil.

Aromene · 12 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

Well, Aragorn may be a good storyteller, but you're even better! Wonderful story; I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

shirebound · 12 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

*applauds* I enjoyed this story very much. Oh, how it will shock Barli's entire world to later learn that Strider has become King! A tale for another time, perhaps... :)

someone · 12 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

Great tale within the tale! I like how Butterbur gradually accepts that Strider just might know the right story. However, I pity the sergeant: at once thrown into a jail and then unable to tell what had happened. Is it possible that Thengel would have known who to blame and was testing the captain, or would he really have punished The Eagle for finding the prince? I was surprised that a soldier in Rohan can't tell the truth if it harms his captain, even in something like a court of justice. I'm glad that there were no repercussions for riding one of the maeras, but that may be because no one but Theoden knew. Barliman is a good man, letting his dishwasher eat what he wants and even before doing the dishes. I can't agree with his way of disposing of the guests' washing water, though. It may be easier to chuck it out of the window, but really, now he has bloody snow in a very visible place in the courtyard. Better to choose a single place out of sight. I wonder, did Aragorn expect to hear that the ranger who had nearly broken his word was himself? And I'm still smiling at the thought of Thorongil standing in front of Thengel with straw in his hair. Thank you for this story!

Celeth · 12 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

I feel pretty much like the way Barliman must have felt, sitting there before the unknown (to him) Ranger and hanging on each word, so engrossed with the story that it takes a while for him to realize that the storyteller has finished. And then feeling sad because it is over. I keep thinking of that moment when he exclaimed about "Strider, him with the golden cup and all!" towards the end of LOTR when Gandalf and the hobbits bring him the news of Strider's coronation, and incidentally, when he admits that "those Rangers" were not so bad after all. Thank you again for this lovely story. I love the way you portray Strider and Barli, and the way they interact, consistent with LOTR. Hoping for more stories...

Matt · 12 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

Nicely done, and a great story to show how Aragorn's travels taught him to understand the lot of the weak and disadvantaged. Thanks loads for your hard work on this.

Jane F. · 12 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

I have enjoyed this story so much - made myself late for work because I saw chapter 2 had been posted and I couldn't bear to stop reading . Young Barli was so sweet B-) & Aragorn so pigheadedly honest in the face of harsh treatment.

DoggieGirl · 11 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

It was a good end. I knew you couldn't really have Aragorn himself as the same stranger those many years ago, but we all like to hope. I really would love to imagine that Barliman met Aragorn after he became king sometime and everything was revealed. What a total surprise that would have been. I am always impressed with self-control that Aragorn processes. I am sure it was so hard to bear the Bree folks's and disparaging and often rude comments about rangers when he and his men are literally bleeding and dying for them. At this point Aragorn seems to have resigned himself to the fact that Barliman will always be in the dark about the true link between himself and the mysterious stranger. I am glad that Barli leaned his lessons well and that Aragorn got to have a good meal and a bit of kindness. It sounds like he really needed it. But did you really have to leave us with such a mysterious injury! This is going to be as bad as the strangers unfinished story for Barliman. How did he get injured and why and did Barliman ever put two and two together and realize that Aragorn was injured? It was such a tantalizing detail that it needed a story itself. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed your story and kind of solid character that your version of Aragorn has. Good work. Can't wait to read more of your work.

UTfrog · 11 September 2015 · Chapter 4: An Ending: November, 2995

Lovely ending to a great story. I can see the Butterbur of this tale as the Butterbur of your first story. Thank you so much.

shirebound · 10 September 2015 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

Walker or Stalker or Prowler…... Love it! What a wonderful back-story for Barliman, and the Prancing Pony, and the courteous, suspicious, mysterious ways of Rangers. "‘Simple as that,’ Strider echoed. He tilted his head to one side and studied Barliman pensively. ‘What a thing, to have such a choice,’ he murmured. He lifted the mug to his lips. He was not drinking in healthy gulps as a man ought to, but nursing it: savouring every drop of the brew as if he had not had good beer in years and knew not when he would see his next. I wish I was there to buy him a supper!

ainisarie · 10 September 2015 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

I suspect/hope that Aragorn will surprise Barliman and finish the tale. Barli is not a bad person at all. Scatterbrained and busy, yes, but not unkind. I think his suspicion of Rangers is that, like most people, he has no idea what they do besides wander. They don't seem quite reputable by his standards, even if he knows nothing bad about them. So, he is wary of them but not to the point where he refuses to allow them into his inn. Also, i want to know the rest of the story too.

TheAnswerIsDawn · 10 September 2015 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

'Folk would put on airs in an inn, but he’d never known one to put on irony.' What a wonderful line!

someone · 10 September 2015 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

How long has Barliman been now in charge, about half a year? He has managed well, if The Pony's reputation has already grown. Interesting detail that Strider is not wealthy by even ranger standards (and has clothes of matching colors). Either it has bern a long time since he was able to resupply or he really doesn't have any more. However, the lord of the dunedain must have some sort of income, trade or something, right? So that he could sometimes buy a real dinner and not eat bread like that (soaked in beer, of all things!). I am almost waiting for him to offer to do the dishes in exchange of a meal, as Barliman clearly thought he was good at that job. I was already suspicious when Barliman noticed that Strider was using only one hand, and then it was a "prudent" time to visit the inn again and the odd sounds from behind the door... What has happened to the poor ranger? A couple of nice details: Barliman's starting memory problems and the "courtyard" (of course Strider would think of The Pony as a palace, as he couldn't possibly have seen anything better!) and Barliman's surprise that a ranger can read.

NotACat · 10 September 2015 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

Another kind of "cliff-hanger", and we can guess that this will likewise remain unresolved for the most part, because we know how these two interacted by the time Frodo and his bunch arrived in the Prancing Pony. I am most intrigued to see how you do resolve it, given those restrictions!

DoggieGirl · 9 September 2015 · Chapter 3: That Ranger: November, 2995

As always, you painted the reality of Barli's present life with subtle details that made it seem real. By the time the mysterious stranger appeared I already had everything pictured in my minds eye. Nicely done. Poor Barli. He just doesn't have a well organized brain to remember fine details. of course it was a long time ago for him and only one night. So I guess it might have been easy to forget a face and voice. Aragorn ironic and understated responses were classic of him. When he replied that he read "a little" I definitely snorted in amusement. That is such an understatement from a man who knows how to read four or five languages fluently and probably understands others. I don't envy Aragorn's lunchin though. It sounds pretty disgusting all right. A ranger's lot doesn't often provide for a tasty, chew-able lunch with fancy trimmings now does it. The timing and even the short handedness of Barli seem to echo their first meeting. What worries me is the injury that Aragorn is concealing. I thought it was a little strange at first,,that Aragorn would stop buy so early in the day. But now I am wondering if he has something that cannot wait to long to be dealt with. I can't wait to see what happens next.