Reviews (153)

turnipgoat · 31 January 2004 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

that was absolutely fabulous.

Orophins Dottir · 29 January 2004 · Chapter 6: A Clandestine Raid

"He hesitated at the base and cast a hopeful glance toward Gandalf's glowing staff. "I don't suppose that thing would work for me?" "My dear boy," Gandalf answered, tightening his grip on it, "I shudder to think of the consequences." Absolutely love the Gandalf and Halbarad interaction. You write Gandalf well, not always an easy thing to do. "With a crack of breaking wood, he ripped the door off its hinges. He tossed the remains of the door into a corner and waved Gandalf to the cabinet, returning the wizard's look of diminishing patience with a shrug. "I guess they didn't bother to enchant the wood." *Elf sighs in admiration of Scruffy One. She has always wanted to try something of a similar nature on Mithrandir. However, there is that staff to consider. . .Elf does not wish to be turned into a black squirrel. Our archers use them for target practice. It would be just her luck. . .* I rather like Tillfield. Have no earthly idea why as he has few socially redeeming qualities. I mean, he guts chickens for a living! *Elf looks nervously at missive that has just been delivered to her. It appears to be in her mother's handwriting.* "The wizard smiled. "I may look decrepit to your eyes, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, young Dúnadan." *See! Elf warned you about that staff, Halbarad! Do you humans ever listen to the First Born?* Rolly is still a puzzle. I do not quite trust him, nor do I know whether he is telling the truth about what happened to him. Watch out, Aragorn! There appears to be a bit of a ruckus here at the moment. I think I suddenly have urgent business elsewhere. "Umm, do you think that you could tell that tall infuriated elven lady approaching that her daughter is on an urgent mission for her liege? Rivendell. Several weeks. Thanks!" *Elf throws on cloak and heads for the stables. Hopes Halbarad has the horse ready.* Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

Orophins Dottir · 27 January 2004 · Chapter 5: Spies in Bree

Eeeeeeeeeeeeyew! Rangers eat mutton. Blech. Well, now we know whom to invite when we must cull the elven flock of woolies. The queen of the South will be pleased. Interesting with Halbarad and the Shire. Admit I have always been a little puzzled about the Ranger devotion to the Shire. Is all about to be revealed? *SCREAMING laughter from elf. SCREAMING. Gandalf is asking Halbarad for a clean handkerchief??? A RANGER???. Whooping elf clutches door jamb to hold herself erect. And they call ME an optimist when I ask them to wash their hands in front of a roaring waterfall? " . . .beating heart of a dragon?" Elf whoops in uncontrolled laughter." A Prancing Pony spy ring is a sinister idea. Really. Can't wait until blue-eyed Mr. Underhill slouches in. "Hi, I'm Mr. Underhill. I am carrying a really secret and sinister THINGEE. Would anyone care for me to sing a song in the Common Room?" *Elf scribbles notation for Thranduil: Dunlending bandits - sinister activity. Send patrol to investigate.* Excellent chapter. Liked very much the interrogation by Halbarad. Ai, elf confesses. Halbarad is one of few humans that hath a certain attraction. Her mother, of course, would kill her for associating with anyone this scruffy. Elf scurries forth to next chapter. Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil P.S.--It was a fit of MADNESS. Madness. My liege doth love his dark son.

Orophins Dottir · 27 January 2004 · Chapter 4: Friend or Foe?

OK, Mangy One, I am back! And here, you thought you were safe! Shining example of elven reviewer picks up her quill: First comment *Elf bows in admiration, salutes Ranger, nibbles at fruit delicately and all without spilling a drop of her ink. Smirks at memory of human klutz and begins to scratch her quill across the page*: Your powers of description are wonderful. I could really see the whole scene before me. *Elf ponders whether, what with decapitation and all that copious blood, this is a good thing. Decides it is. Vivid is good. Despite blood.* Admirable. I am quite jealous of this. Do you have a correspondence course I could take? Also, many nice turnings of phrases: ". . .watching for the signature head cock which would signal that something useful had finally been dredged from the depths of the innkeeper's beleaguered memory." Love that "beleagured memory" idea for Butterbur. What pleases me most here about your writing is this characterization of the boy. I find it most intriguing. You tell me a little and make me want to know more, which is rotten for elven reader but quite a nice thing for a writer to be able to do. Umm, finally: These people are not very tidy, are they? No standards of cleanliness. All that blood and dirt. Are all humans this way? *Laughing hysterically, elf skitters off. By the time Mangy Ranger has loosed her sword "Emily" from her worn scabbard, light-footed elf will be safely back in Taur-E-Ndaedelos. Attending to her laundry.* Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil P. S. As she runs gracefully out of reach of the irate ranger, elf calls back, "Small typo in first line, Fair One? Should it not be "streambed"? Ruffians and rangers do not seem like the sauna types." *Toodles her long fingers at the noble Meckinock and increases her pace. The human appears to be gaining on her. Not good at all.*

Raquel · 19 January 2004 · Chapter 4: Friend or Foe?

Fantastic story! Great plot, great character development and enough twists to leave anyone hooked! But, talking about twists, I have reread your story many times and I still don't understand Aragorn's reference to Rolly's lie about a stone. I missed it. While waiting to ambush Aragorn, Rolly absently picks up another round stone. But later, I saw no description or reference to him discarding the stone or Aragorn inquiring about it. So, when Aragorn finally understands that Rolly is behind the whole mess and tell Rolly that he never trusted him fully because he lied about the stone... This is driving me nuts! Please, tell me what I missed (or where). By the way, any chance you will continue this story? Halbarad is my new hero, thanks to you.

Orophins Dottir · 12 January 2004 · Chapter 3: Ambush

Umm, do we sense a bit of a problem for our boy Aragorn here? I am very curious about this young one. He seems not so trustworthy and yet. . .Elf is confused *as usual say her fellow elves* and will keep her eyes open. Even when she sleeps. *Oh, you know about that. Worth a shot. Thought I could get points for elven dedication to duty.* Like your descriptive abilities: "High above them, at the edge of the bluff, the third member of their party sat huddled against a tree, a smallish mound of a human enveloped in a brown cloak, his arms wrapped around his knees. His position provided a perfect vantage point to observe the approach of the trail, but offered little protection from the incessant wind. Hours of watching and waiting in the cold rain had told on his thin frame. He pulled his cloak more tightly around him and leaned over the cliff face to peer down upon the cowled heads of his companions. They were arguing, though the sound of rushing water obscured all sounds of their voices. " Very nice indeed. Elf has a bone to pick with you. WE are not the only ones who name our weapons. Hast thou forgotten thy King Arthur and his sword "Excalibur"? So, there! Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

Orophins Dottir · 11 January 2004 · Chapter 2: An Urgent Message

Elves are not usually violent, but it is our considered opinion that Mithrandir should have indeed roasted Butterburr! You have a large number of characters, many of them none too savory. Elf is concerned for her safety. Thinkest thou that Balrog Mama might lend me her fiery whip? 'Twould be a comfort to me. Yes, Precioussssssss! Am still pondering goose. It is awesome. Well, on to next chapter! Noro lim, Arod, Noro lim! (Asfaloth hath the day off.) Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil

Orophins Dottir · 10 January 2004 · Chapter 1: The Trap is Laid

*Fanfare of elven trumpets! Harps and flutes abounding! The Scribe enters to review.* OK, now did you really think the ELF would not NOTICE when you left her poor "Wood-Elf" story lying by the side of the road? (Chapter THREE I belive it was of FOURTEEN Chapters?-- *taps elven foot in anger and offense*) She feared for your safety. She agonized at what harm had befallen you. She lit candles to Eru. She sent out searching parties to rescue you from the Uruks. She agonized in her bewilderment. Yet, she feared to consult the Balrog Mama, who was on "vacation" as you well know. So, she quivered in fear in Taur-E-Ndaedelos that she had somehow offended you. Elf has decided to give you the benefit of the doubt that the evil Real Life may simply have waylaid you. *Do not push it, Meckinock! Elves are not stupid. We are just trusting.* So, we are here to sweetly review thy story and set thee a shining example of fidelity. The Karentator assures her elven kindred that thou art a fine writer. *The Scribe bows low to the human and whips out her steno book of notes on this story.* We very much like your portrayal of the Rangers. Halbarad is among our favorite humans. We consider making him an honorary elf. I am not a human/ranger specialist. I am an elf. This whole chapter is giving me many insights into them. Scariest line for the Elf? This one: ". . .And then,' the other answered, smiling with a chill that the thief felt in his backbone, ‘we wait.'" Elf suddenly feels the need of her sweet Naneth. HELP! Nasty humans! Alarm! Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil P.S. Hist, Meckinock, say unto the fair Balrog Mama that she simply must post her story of young Legolas and his cousin Daeron when it is done! It is so perfect, so fair, so charming! Yet, she doubts it. Elven kin are torked at this. So, DO something, Human! Mayhap, she will listen to you! *Listening to humans rather than elven kin? Is this good? Will it annoy us further? I want to see that fic published. Will put up with humans.*

xsilicax · 8 January 2004 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

This was truly excellent! It was very tightly plotted, well executed with a terrific grasp of setting and mood, but what impressed me the most was your grasp of characters. Aragorn's wearied sense of duty, and Halbarad's loyalty both to his chieften and his kin were, well, heart-warming is the word that comes to mind. Dudo brought in some humour, which made the tension seem that might tighter, and Gandalf, as ever provided the blend of wise man and concerned grandfather that we love. I also loved the parallel betewen Aragorn and samll bad guy (whose name naturally fails to spring to mind when I need it, making it look as though I didn't read, lol). It does make you wonder just what sort of a person Aragorn could have become had he not had the peace of Imladris and the steady hands of his mother and Elrond to guide him. The one thing that I felt jarred a little was Aragorn's response to the death of Baranuir. Having reached an age of well roughly sixty, and captained men in both Rohan and Gondor, I would have thought he would have become a little more accustomed to death. Not innured to it by any means, so I do think it would have hurt him deeply, but perhaps not in quite the same manner. In Gondor and ROhan though he was under the rule of others' and ultimately the deaths there were not laid solely on his shoulders. Perhaps that is why it makes it so awful for him. Either way, it works very well in the story, and didn't spoil my enjoyment in any way. It just made me wonder slightly. I sincerely hope that there is a sequel to this on its way? I would dearly love to read the return to Rivendell, and see Dudo's reaction to Aragorn's 'ranger family'. Cathy, xx

Saber · 3 December 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

First off let me just say that I love this story to bits!!! OMG it's SO good! You have admirable skill as a writer and I salute you for it and for your convincing OCs. I was also thrilled that you included Halbarad so deeply. He's such an intriguing character but alas he is so often overlooked. Might I shamelessly beg for a sequel? PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE????? *hopeful smile* Pretty please?

Alawa · 23 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

Hi meckinock. I enjoyed this so much! It’s gripping, tragic, funny, moving, thoughtful and the all round characterisation is just outstanding. It’s well paced and plotted and very cleverly slotted into the setting and timeline. The action and locations jump off the page and the dialogue is brilliant. It’s a real pleasure to read a story that deals with some of Tolkien’s most serious themes with such an entertaining hand. Thanks for a great read. Alawa

Windfola · 20 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The complexity of the plot had me gripped and the descriptive details were terrific. Your orginal characters were very believable and I liked the 'unseen evil' of the hand behind the kidnappers. Your characterisation of Gndalf was particularly engaging. The only aspect that I had reservations about (and they were only small reservations) was whether Aragorn would have been quite so affected by the deaths of others by this stage in his life, having already seen sixty odd years of soldiering and warfare. But you could equally argue that he was suffering from emotional burnout! But the whole thing carried me along and left me hanging on to find out what would happen next.

The Karenator · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

The neon lights flashing outside Srider's room in downtown Bree sputtered and hissed like two rangy tomcats debating squatter rights of a run down fence. The ranger knew he was still alive since a corpse didn't have dreams that looked like Andy Warhol paintings...not to mention that he felt more stoved up than Abraham Lincoln's hat. Seeing old Gandalf was as welcome a sight as a rest area in South Gondor. The old wizard whipped out of his pocket a few yellow stained vials with the overdone flair of Houdini pulling two jaundiced rabbits from his magic hat and held them up for the ranger to see. The ranger might have been foggier than San Francisco at daybreak, but he knew something had scrambled his head lighter than his granny's biscuits and these vile vials were as guilty as the cable company was of overcharging. It wasn't just a bad business practice that had the ranger feeling so guilty, himself, that he would have turned himself into himself, but the bad vibes stuck in his gut like imitation crab turned sour. The Rolly kid had been perp and victim and he had dropped the ball on getting the kid into rehab and a solo spot with the Riders of Rohan Boys' Choir. While Gandalf wasn't exactly without sympathy for the ruined singing career of the kid, he rarely saw any future in manufactured boy bands and figured the kid would never have been able to get N'Sync with the stress of seeing Britney Spears kiss Madonna. Since nobody knew who was pulling the strings of the kid's career moves and when Gandalf found out from Strider that the kid had been stalking him, he figured it best that the kid ended up in dinner theater. Unfortunately, Strider didn't feel any better about the whole affair than if the kid had hit the big time and ended up porking out on fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. But a kid that James Dean-ed was only one check on the list of Strider's worries. He felt about as successful as the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs. He hadn't been this much of a looser since he tried to kiss Halbarad's sister and she had cleaned the bats out of his belfry with a right upper cut. When Johnny Halbarad had put a spit shine on the streets of Bree by polishing off a gaggle of riffraff that was as much of a challenge to him and his rangers as beating Girl Scouts in a three legged foot race, he looked up his battered buddy, but not before squirreling all Gandalf's leftovers off his plate and finding out that Gandalf was playing Hooked on Phonics for the Hobbit. Being a friend as faithful as Lassie, Halbarad rolled over to keep an eye on Strider so that Gandalf could get some shut eye the wizard needed more than Howdy Doody needed braces. He found Strider looking as cleaned up as a bridegroom after a bachelor's party that ended up in a street brawl, but still sporting enough black and blue to look like a Cajun dish with a side of Roquefort. Halbarad always took his jobs as seriously as a laying hen took breakfast and he gave a info-mercial demonstration of how to take the Midol left by the midwife. It didn't come as a complete surprise when his knee stopped cramping and he knocked out like a rotten tooth hitting a fist. By morning, things were looking better than a two for one special at IHOP. Everybody had finally gotten enough z-time to be able to string words in recognizable grunts and Strider was clearing up faster than a teenager on Acne Statin. But his hand was still as broken up as Al Gore was about Florida and Gandalf didn't think that even the king's men could put Humpy Dumpy together again. There was no more choice about what to do than the networks had in booting bad sitcoms; Strider would have to hightail it home and let his old man take a gander at a hand that looked as messed up as J.Lo's closet. Gandalf knew Strider would be about as happy about that as he would be about finding he was one number off winning the pot in Powerball. But the wizard let the ranger rename everyone with as many names as a Chicago phonebook, making the disgruntled ranger as happy as a hooker on holiday. But it was Tillfield who tagged Halbarad with a new handle that fit about as well as high heels on a pigeon toed troll. Despite it all, Halbarad was as gracious as a debutante in a juke joint, but inside he was holding off a bout of crapulence that turned his stomach as sour as wet socks left for a week in his pack. Bob Pearblossom. Not in this lifetime. I just hate that this story has come to an end, but you wrapped everything up just beautifully. There was a good balance of serious reflection along with good humor and even some words to the wise. You did such a fine job with characterizations in this tale. All your characters were well rounded and just came alive. I don't think I will ever see Halbarad except the way you portrayed him. He was such a wonderul character. In the end I felt sorrier for Rolly than I ever imagined I would. I just knew he was rotten from the beginning and prepared myself to gleefully see him taken out, but dadgumit, I got all compassionate for the poor guy. Tillfield was an absolute delight. And Bob Pearblossom! I love it! Halbarad will never live that down....at least, not as long Aragorn draws breath. I've already told you, but it bears repeating...your dialogue was superb! It moved quickly, flowed smoothly and read like people actually talking. You worked hard on this and it shows. Writing is never easy, even with a great deal of talent and you certainly have the talent, but the special touches that come from putting such thought and care into the construction of the characters and the story really makes a difference. You did good! I'm looking forward to the sequel. I can't wait to see what happens in Rivendell and what sort of mischief Dudo gets into. I think Gandalf is right...Elrond needs a little shaking up every age or two. Good show meckinock....good show! And most all...thank you for allowing me to have so much fun with your story. I've really worked my brain overtime to come up with silly run-on sentences full of ridiculous comparisons. I think it's time for Raymond Chandler's dog to take a nap. He's yapped just about enough. Thanks again for such a wonderful story. It was such a terrific gift to us all. Karen

Eledhwen · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

*Spluttering* Bob Pearblossom! For Halbarad! Lovely. I really enjoyed this story. It was beautifully written, exciting, and plausible. That last chapter had some wonderfully lyrical passages on destiny. I do love a good Aragorn, and your fabulous Halbarad made it extra good. Dudo was sweet. I'd like to see him arriving at Rivendell - please?

fliewatuet · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

The only complain I have about your story is that it was over too soon! Other than that, I loved every single chapter and I will re-read it more than once. Though I am not that delighted that the story is finished, I am quite glad that Aragorn got some rest after all (though Gandalf will have to drag him to Rivendell to truly heal). The interaction of the characters was wonderful, no matter whether Halbarad and Gandalf, Gandalf and Aragorn or Aragorn and Halbarad were talking to each other. They behaved just the way I always thought they would. And some more reasons for Aragorn pushing himself so hard were given in the end. No wonder he became a bit lost in his self-doubts (one of my pet-peeves with movie-Aragorn, by the way). Though I can well imagine that his destiny is quite a burden to bear, I always thought that by the time of the War of the Ring he had come to accept it. But in the context of your story, after a vain hunt for Gollum, the passage of the Misty Mountains in winter, witnessing first an attack upon his own people and then Baranuir's death, and finally being tricked and betrayed by a child, his doubts are more than justified. And Tillfield (or Dudo) became an honourable ranger in the end. He really deserved it (though I still have to figure out whether Halbarad deserves his Bree-name or not;-)). Did I already mention that I loved your story? Thanks for writing and sharing it, fliewatuet P.S> You won't believe it, but I actually continued writing Chapter 8 of 'Doomed to Live' today. Maybe I'll manage to get that chapter posted before the end of the year ...

grumpy · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

Wow, that was the best ending ever, this whole story has been. I stayed up late last night to read it, was going to save it for today but could not wait, like a hersey bar to a suger junkie, could not put it down. So the ranger finally gets to sleep in a bed, while Halbarad is off doing what he likes best, bashing heads. I loved the part when Halbarad drinks Aragorn's medicine, and it sends him off to dreamland. What is Gandalf going to do with two miscreant schoolboys! Sequel, Sequel, Sequel, Please oh please let there be a sequel! You can watch your EE DVD (i still have to buy mine, stupid work, plus why does Traverse City have to be so far away) anyways after you have had a good time with the dvd, please start to write more, I really need my dose of your storytelling, Bring on more adventures of Aragorn of the many names and Halbarad with his new Bree name.

Nightsky · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

What an excellent story! The ambiguity of Rolly was beautifully done; you kept me wondering whether he would be the hero or the villain until he declared himself near the end. And the parallels between Rolly and Dudo, and beween Rolly and Aragorn are intriguing. But the best part for me was Halbarad. We don't see enough of Halbarad in fanfiction, and your characterization of him was wonderful. And I loved seeing Gandalf through his eyes. I'm really curious about what's going to happen in Rivendell, though. Aragorn's been thoroughly hurt -- now it's time to see him healed. And to see where his relationship with *his* foster father is going to end up.

Port · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

Hi there! I just finished reading the story, and wow! I haven't read such a layered and wonderful piece in a long time. From the summary, to tell the truth, I wasn't expecting depth. More like another simple adventure story with maybe some angst. Luckily, I tried it out anyway. I'm so impressed. You had kept many balls in the air, so to speak, without dropping any. Aragorn's sense of disappointment and despair, his and Halbarad's conflict, the secret of the Shire, Dudo's struggle, the exterior plot of the kidnapping and rescue, Rolly, Aragorn's conflict concerning Elrond, the botched orc hunt and the young ranger's death, and more. When put like that, it seems so ambitious, yet you handled it all with calm finesse and perfect timing. I liked the parallels drawn. You contrasted Rolly and Dudo (I like his name, which sounds like the Spanish word for "doubt") so nicely. And then at the end you drew a line from them to the slain ranger boy by giving Dudo his name! It was so poetic, allowing Aragorn and Halbarad to partly come to terms with his loss and their own mistakes and grief. At the same time, it was an outer sign of Dudo's new understanding of himself and the world around him. So there's a lot happening beneath the surface, but it wouldn't have been the same without the characterization and the humour, which often went hand in hand. That's clearest in the case of Halbarad. For instance, his admiration of Aragorn's beheading stroke and the interplay between him and Dudo; they went a long way to making him an individual--one with a perverse sense of humour, a strong sense of right and wrong (he actually followed Aragorn to Bree in order to apologize; shows a lot of integrity), and a keen competence in everything that he does. My hat's off also to your Gandalf, who was at once mysterious and affable, fallable and wise. I could actually go through each character (Tolkien's and your own) and say how they're each completely distinguishable from each other and a dynamic personality, but that would take all night. I found myself laughing so often, especially at the end, with the naming ceremony. But the interrogation scene, with Gandalf listening at the door, Butterbur's brief appearance--and the revelation that Dudo could have spilled quicker if only given some food! That's gonna stay with me for a while. Thanks for that. Also, Aragorn's little statement, "Told you I smelled orcs," was a nice touch. Same with Halbarad's suspicions of where Aragorn got his oversized shirt. Ack, there's too many funny parts. I'll have to reread it sometime, cuz it's a fun read. What else? The understanding built between Rolly and Aragorn during their journey I thought was poignant and sensitive. It was also a little messed up, if you think about it. (I wonder what the Middle Earth equivalent of the Stockholm Syndrome would be called. Maybe the Rolly Syndrome?) They came to admire and respect each other even as they struggled to thwart each other. I imagine writing a relationship so complex would be difficult. You make it look easy. Also, I wanted to commend your handling of the rescue. You understated Halbarad's immense relief using only a few lines of dialogue. You had Halbarad "whisper" his glib response to Aragorn's question, "not trusting his voice." That said it all. Their interaction in the final chapter was great to read and tie up their loose ends, but I feel that small exchange made the latter more meaningful. It also made the rescue itself more satisfying, less anti-climactic. Finally, I wrote before that the mysterious bad guy seemed to lack personality and seemed pretty standard. Well, I stand corrected, having realized that he was, in fact, Rolly. Your references to his slight figure and smooth-skinned hands were pretty sneaky, all right. Nice job. At the same time, though, it seems to me that Rolly in those opening chapters spoke and behaved as more than a 14-year-old child. In truth, he does so throughout, but never with quite the same exalted way of speaking. He reads elvish, he mixes potions, he concocts complex plans, he throws his weight around with a man decades older than he, he cleans out Bree of all criminal competition--and he knows Gandalf and speaks of him with something akin to jealousy. This, I would say, is a kid who belongs in the honor's level courses at his high school. Are you planning to write another story where this is developed? Indeed, it seemed the only weak point that Rolly went unexplained. The mystery nags at me. In all, a great read. I hope to read more from you, and I hope you don't mind the long reviews. Thanks for the fun!

Caroline · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

I'm so sad to see this end 1 It has really brightened my days since I found it and I have now idea how to fill the empty space its' absense is going to leave me with. I can nly hope you will write a sequel, I am afraid that I am desperate for a continuation involving Aragorn's return to Rivendell. You have a fine sense of humour and I am sure you caould more than do a meeting between dudo and Elrond justice :) This was a wonderful chapter once morethough and brought all of the loose ends together very nicely. I lov Halbarads' bree name! I think that his and Gandalf's characterizations ave been the best things about this story. I adore Aragorn, don't het me wrong he is my overall favourite character, but you have "created" a fantastic character for HAlbarad and got Gandalf spot on and that I think is a difficult thing to do, though you make it seem so easy. Hope we hear more from you soon

daw the minstrel · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

I know that Aragorn is Tolkien's hero, but Halbarad is mine. The Street of the Not Painted Lately Doors - who can resist a man who says things like that? I also loved his crack about Aragorn's many names. Bob Pearblossom!!! OMG! No never suffer from crapulence! Oh yes, Aragorn should go to Rivendell. He needs to see Elrond about more than his hand. The merging of Tillfield and Baranuir was wonderfully done. The living boy helps to ease the pain over the one who died. This was a wonderful story, Meckinock. I look forward to many more. Welcome to the LOTR fanfic community.

strider's girl · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

This was a really brillient story. I am sad to see it end though. The characterisationo of every character was remarkable. I'd really like to read a reunion between Aragorn and Elrond and them settle their differences, and know about how they track Gollum. That would make a great sequel! So will there be a sequel? Please?

websterans · 19 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

Great story--glad you finished

dshael · 18 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

Excellent story. And calls for a sequel!

Nilmandra · 18 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

NO! No-no-no-no! Not the end! Take it back. Now! I want Aragorn to go home to Rivendell. He needs Ada Elrond to help him! He needs to go to set some things right! I want to see Dudo meet Bilbo. Aragorn and Gandlaf have to go off in October to find Gollum. Tolkien never told us how that happened! Its a gapfiller! We need to find out how Bob...er, I mean Halbarad does with his new name. No, no, no, no......*whine* Please?

Kathira · 18 November 2003 · Chapter 12: Ranger Names

This was a wonderful end to a terrific story. I find it very hard to believe that this is your first story. Or it's maybe just the first thing you've published online? If you wanted to pursue writing, I see no reason why you could not be published professionally. Plot, characterization and writing style are uniformly excellent. I encourage you to continue writing. (And for me, more Aragorn and the Rangers, please!)