Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Ties of Family by Larner	8 Review(s)
Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/4/2006
Yeah, did you know anyone could leave this many reviews? :) I've probably come close to burying you by now, but I must tell you I adore this! “Drink this, Strider, and don’t argue,” Sam said. Aragorn continued to look down on him for some time, but Sam’s expression didn’t change. “I’m not falling back until you do,” the gardener advised. “And you can stop looking at me that way. Didn’t work for him, and it won’t work for you, neither.” Yes, that's our Sam. I love the image of him giving Aragorn the same argument I'm sure he had to have given Frodo many a time. LOL! Author Reply: Yes, Sam treats his spiritual brothers the same, and in the end they both obey him.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 7/20/2005
Very much enjoying reading this story, I am a little behind on things. Anyways loveed this chapter, with Hardon trying to get Aragorn to let him do the deed. Plus Sam and company helping Aragorn feel better afterwards. Looking forward to the rest of the story. Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you've dipped into this one, and that you appreciate all working to try to ease Aragorn's way as they can. Thank you for letting me know you found it! Hope your summer's day is as fair as ours here has been.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 6/19/2005
The argument between Aragorn and Hardorn in the beginning was so understandable! Of course Aragorn was right, he had to do it himself, but it was good to know Hardorn wanted to spare him this and how frustrated Hardorn was after Aragorn's refusal to let him do it. It is so heartwarming to see how all his kin and friends try to help Aragorn. Not only Hardorn, but afterwards the members of the Fellowship as well. I loved it how Sam brought the waterskin and insisted Aragorn had to drink. And then they brought the children to cheer him up. The Hobbits certainly know how to handle stubborn Rangers! The King's gift does fit in here very well. The theme is new to me, but it is something that could easyly have been a piece of the nature of the great Kings of Númenor, if I think about it. A pity it is not something that exists in our world. If all the rulers would feel the deaths for which they are responsible our world were much peacefuller. Author Reply: Not only the deaths, but the joys as well. It would make it far more likely our leaders would be positive forces instead of going off at tangents, wouldn't it?

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 6/19/2005
Oh, these last two chapters tear at the heart. Knowing the personal cost of what he has to do, yet Aragorn chooses to do it anyway. That is a hard thing for anyone to do - to do the right thing even when the cost is so high to themself. I enjoy the details you put in... well, these details were hard, but still... I was thinking of the blood on his shirt when he came back. Then how Sam made him drink the tea and Pippin and Merry rallied around him and wouldn't let him draw into himself. Very good. Poor Hardon, yet Aragorn was right to do it... he was going to feel it anyway and he was not a man to let others always do the unpleasant tasks. Oh, I thought that the punishment for Beasty was just and well thought out by Aragorn. And for the rest of the Angmar men, as well! Nicely done as always! Even when it's a tough chapter like these, you do them so well. ;) Author Reply: Thank you, Radbooks. I try to put in just enough detail to make it real without clubbing people over the head--seems our modern literature all too often seems to think we need explicit details to the point we not only fail to support imagination, but we become desensitized to violence and to romance as well. And I agree--Aragorn was right in this case to follow through on what needed to be done.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 6/19/2005
Great chapter as usual Larner. The execution was handled beautifully. May we all have friends like these - and be a friend like these. I am glad that you didn't let Pippin witness the execution. And Sam as healer to the one who had healed him - Perfect! Author Reply: Sam has had a lot of practical experience by this time, and knows what is likely to help. And I agree--Pippin ought not to have seen such an act. Thanks so much for the feedback.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 6/18/2005
I love the way everyone rallied around Aragorn in his distress-- Sam's stern and stubborn insistence was brilliant: “Drink this, Strider, and don’t argue,” Sam said. Aragorn continued to look down on him for some time, but Sam’s expression didn’t change. “I’m not falling back until you do,” the gardener advised. “And you can stop looking at me that way. Didn’t work for him, and it won’t work for you, neither.” And then Merry and Pippin inundating him with the children, so that he could not stay gloomy if he wanted to. I love the way that this episode with Aragorn leads to a greater understanding among the hobbits for what Frodo also went through. I am very intrigued with your idea of "the King's Gift". It's very unique, yet I see nothing in canon that would contradict it. Beautiful idea! Author Reply: As a reader of mythology, Tolkien would have been aware of the concept of the Sacred King who stands between God (or the gods) and the people, who is wedded to the land and whose health reflects that of the nation. He even wrote that in the Hallows on Atallante only the King was allowed to speak, that he spoke to the Valar and the Creator for the people of Numenor. And it is Aragorn who is shown the ancient Hallows where only the Kings go on Mount Mindolluin by Olorin as Gandalf. The awareness of the people's plight would be part of the Sacred King's life. It's not that uncommon a gift according to myth and legend; and so I sort of extended it into Tolkien's own mythology, and gave it to both Frodo and Aragorn, both of whom share so much in spite of their manifest differences. And Sam sees little difference between Frodo's needs and Aragorn's. And who can stay gloomy surrounded by the Holy Fool and a number of small children?

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 6/18/2005
Oh my, the King's Gift. Such a double-edged gift! “Drink this, Strider, and don’t argue,” Sam said. Aragorn continued to look down on him for some time, but Sam’s expression didn’t change. “I’m not falling back until you do,” the gardener advised. “And you can stop looking at me that way. Didn’t work for him, and it won’t work for you, neither.” Even the King could not resist that, and an unwilling grin cracked the stiffness that had enveloped him, and at last a single tear ran down his face as he accepted the waterskin and drank from it. I can't think of any better way to show Sam's love for 'Strider' than the fact that he wouldn't let the King refuse what he offered. Author Reply: The stubborness of Hobbits has done a powerful amount of good in Middle Earth, and Sam has displayed his own share of stubborness to good effect. Yes, it's a stubborness born of love. Too bad we don't insist on leaders with the King's Gift--it would make for a far better-led world, I think.

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 6/18/2005
Good old Sam...Seeing what needed done and wouldn't step down until Aragorn listened to him. Bless the dear hobbit. You wrote the execution just right. Enough details to know it was done and w/little details on what happened. It was enough to see how Aragorn reacted to it to lend this chapter the sombre tone needed at the beginning of it. And the arguement w/his cousin...I can so see that happening. Not only as his cousin, but also as a member of his guard, Hardorn would want to protect Aragorn from the ugliest portions of what being a King brings. As Aragorn told him though, it is his responsiblity to hand down justice and see it carried out. It's another aspect to Aragorn's character and sense of honour that he would not allow anyone else to carry out the leader of the Angmarians sentence. A pity more of our leaders today aren't like that. Loved how Merry, Pippin and the children were able to finally bring Aragorn back and start the lessening of the shock of the events of the morning. Little ones really are the rays of sunshine in our lives and can simply help by laughing. Wonderful chapter and looking forward to more. Author Reply: Yes, the children would help restore the feeling of balance Aragorn needed right then, I think. And I, too, found myself seeing that argument as I wrote it and as I've reread it, and empathizing with both sides.

Return to Chapter List