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A Good Man is Hard to Find by Wordweaver	8 Review(s)
Jule	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/6/2005
Thank you for this very intrigueing story. Although it doe sem harsh Aragorn leaing his 12 year old to ruke I can see it as a very viable and sensible thing to do. Arwen is the selfis youngest child of an elf lord. She could easily mean to leave for short visit and come ack a century later. What is a century to those alive thousands of years but in Gondor Aragorn would be dead and they would once again be without a king. As sad as it is Eldarion needed to be kept in Minas Tirith I just hope he realizes his naneth backed his loving Ada into a corner. I would hate to think the kids did not think their Papa loved them.

	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/5/2005
Man, we knew Aragorn was a self-doubter, but being so unsure about Arwen's love? It seems a bit much. Maybe if the story was taking place years later, when Arwen's sea longing would have been stronger, it would seem more fitting. As it is, Eldarion's youth may keep Arwen in the city for a while longer, but since Aragorn says "he would not try to hold her," leaving when his son is so young seems rather irresponsible and un-Aragornish. Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting premise, and Aragorn's concern for the future kingship rings true, but it seems like the story may be set at the wrong time. Author Reply: The issue is not Arwen's age, but the age of their marriage. She is already 2,808 years old, and could easily be growing weary of Middle Earth, especially since so many of her closest relatives have already departed. Aragorn had believed that his love would be enough to compensate Arwen for all she was giving up to stay with him, but her yearning to go home to Rivendell makes him believe he was wrong. They have been married long enough that the "honeymoon" is over. They are busy with young children and affairs of state and haven't been making their own relationship a priority. They have been arguing, for a long while. Aragorn is man of few words, the strong, silent type. He's tired of arguing, so he walks away. As in any family where the marriage is in jeopardy, it is the children who suffer. It's also important to remember that Aragorn was raised by a single mother. He had to be mentored by a foster father. He doesn't want to lose his son, but the reality is that when men lose the mother's of their children, they often lose the children too. He believes he has no other option, and that Eldarion will pull through, as he did, with the guidance and nurture of a compassionate mentor, who will appear in a later chapter.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2005
I like the conflict over Arwen's longing for her Elvish roots. However, you've overlooked that Arwen cannot retract her choice; she can never take a ship to Valinor; she will live and die in Middle-earth. I have trouble believing that Aragorn would burden his twelve-year-old son with the kingship to go play Ranger. But if he is doing it, he should have at least alerted Faramir, whose job it now is, as Steward of Gondor, to run the kingdom until Eldarion comes of age. Author Reply: I believe that Arwen can retract her choice, and so did Aragorn. On his deathbed he tells her, "The uttermost choice is before you: to repent and go to the Havens and bear away into the West the memory of our days together...or to abide the Doom of Men." I take her response, "There is now no ship that would bear me hence," to mean that last of the Elven ships have sailed, not that it would be impossible for her to take one if it were available. Since my story is set only twenty years into the Fourth Age, I imagine there would still have been a sizable Elven population making its way to the Havens. As to Eldarion, Aragorn only burdens him with the kingship in order to ensure that he won't be taken from Middle Earth altogether. Faramir will step in to do his job, as well. Keep reading. Author Reply: I believe that Arwen can retract her choice, and so did Aragorn. On his deathbed he tells her, "The uttermost choice is before you: to repent and go to the Havens and bear away into the West the memory of our days together...or to abide the Doom of Men." I take her response, "There is now no ship that would bear me hence," to mean that last of the Elven ships have sailed, not that it would be impossible for her to take one if it were available. Since my story is set only twenty years into the Fourth Age, I imagine there would still have been a sizable Elven population making its way to the Havens. As to Eldarion, Aragorn only burdens him with the kingship in order to ensure that he won't be taken from Middle Earth altogether. He sees this as a dynastic crisis similar to the one which induced his grandparents to allow Gilraen to marry young because they feared that Arathorn would be shortlived. Faramir will step in to do his job, as well. Keep reading.

Lamiel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2005
This is certainly an intriguing premise, and your style is clear and makes for an entertaining read. I shall be interested to see where you go with this.

Galatyn Renner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2005
"Wrapped in his weathered cloak....Strider the Ranger had returned." This paragraph made me almost happy for Aragorn. I liked the way that you recast the events of Appendix A. THey seemed to support Aragorn's actions. I also like Aragorn's plan to return as Thorongil...again. I will follow this story with great interest. G. R.

Julia	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2005
What the heck is up with Aragorn? If he was so unsure of Arwen's returning, he should have gone with her and had Faramir take over until his return, or let her go and then gone to escort her home in a couple of months. Poor little Eldarion, thinking he's going to have to take over as King of Gondor at age 12! I hope Leggy can find Aragorn before something bad happens. If I was one of Gondor's enemies, I'd think this was a perfect time for an attack with the King gone.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2005
Like the frst chapter of your story. The differences of time between a elf and man. Aragorn should have gone with Arwin, to make sure she came back after awhile. He could alway have used a vacation. Looking forward to more

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2005
Interesting start. Aragorn is very insecure, isn't he? Arwen only wants to go and visit her brothers and grandfather. If he thinks she'll forget to come back, he could arrange to join her in a couple of months and escort her back. Manipulative, too - even if he thinks his reasons are impeccable. He's made it practically impossible for her to get out of the city. If he thinks this is a good way to get her interest, he could be proved wrong!

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