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The Heir Apparent by Mirkwoodmaiden	10 Review(s)
Fimbrethil	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/28/2025
I like to imagine he at some point went to where his father was buried. Maybe where he died. “One, above all, he was most anxious to behold in full knowledge of the bond that held them. Erithain, friend and uncle, awaited him in Fornost. There had always been a special bond between the boy and the quiet man who lead his people, but it was not until now did Aragorn understand why the bond was so strong. He greatly admired the Man of strong character and quiet manner. Seeing his friend again and calling him “uncle” was the thought that held together the pieces of his fracted and homesick heart. His destiny began its uncertain journey in Fornost and there waiting was a friend.” Indeed. aw. Well, he knows now. Also nice that the other Rangers also “admire him greatly” already. I guess that partly explains how he can leave them and live in the South for some 22 years. The other reason being they have already had a Steward 18 years. “Erithain thought of his friend’s words. “My lord” A title he never wanted. Even after eighteen years of being regent it still did not sound right to his ear. He had learned to bear it over the years, but he yearned for the days when Erkenthal would tease him and call him “Kid” and “little brother.” Those days however were long past; ended abruptly by events nearly twenty years ago that Erithain silently commemorated in his heart this day and all week. Events that saw Erithain’s life ripped to shreds and placed him as regent to his people. Erithain closed his eyes in remembrance of Arathorn, his Chieftain and his friend.” Alas. Ooh! 18 years exactly! “Aragorn looked at his mother. Such a change had come over her since it was revealed to Aragorn his destiny and parentage. She looked alive, more alive than he had ever known her to look. Gone was the haunted look that had always hid within her visage, replaced now by a spark of life that was in truth a joy to see. This was coupled with a fervency that almost took Aragorn aback, so strange it was to behold in his normally reticent and subdued mother.” Nice, I am glad she has that. In the Appendix she just skips from keeping it secret to worrying about Aragorn. She does go home though :) Gandalf! It has been an age! I was wondering if he would show up! Perfect timing as always ;) Did my Adar send you out here to keep me company, Gandalf?”, Aragorn inquired. “Would it bother you if he did?” The Maia inquired watching the younger man’s face. “No,” came the quiet answer, “It would comfort me to know that he cares.” Gandalf smiled as he said, “Well in that case, yes, he did send me. Although he told me not to tell you, lest you should think he was interfering.” hmmm. “Gandalf puffed once more before answering, “My friend, you show great wisdom, greater than you realize, by even posing the question. I have great hope for you. I could answer the question for you with any number of reassurances or cautions. And none of these answers would have any relevance. What I think does not matter. What your Naneth thinks does not matter. What matters is what you believe. It is your heart will be tested, your resilience to be examined. You must look inside your heart and find the truth within. There you will feel pain, the pain of separation, the pain of uncertainty, the pain of loss. If you are succeed you must find a way through that pain which will lead you toward your destiny. It will not be an easy route, but find it you must.” Gandalf’s voice stern up until now softened with his next words, “And find it you will, of that I am certain.” Ah, Gandalf is right. Aragorn does show much wisdom. “The word hit Erithain and set forth a storm of emotion raging through him. That one word changed his future forever. He smiled as he ran forth bouncing the gate back with such force that it rebounded back into place and he enveloped his nephew in a giant bear hug. “Aragorn! I’ve so waited and so longed for this day!” yay! A clearing of a throat distracted Erithain and for the first time he noticed that Aragorn had not arrived alone, “Gandalf! When did you get here?” A smile crinkled the old wizard’s eyes, “I arrived with Aragorn, standing right next to him.” Erithain’s earnest grey eyes grew wide, “Forgive me, Gandalf! I only had eyes for my nephew!” “And that is perfectly permissible, my dear boy! But it is also why we should take this conversation inside.” Gandalf finished pointedly. The import of Gandalf’s words dawned upon Erithain as he gestured towards the door, “Yes, of course.” After allowing Aragorn and Erithain to enter, Gandalf touched Erkenthal’s arm to stay him. “Let us give them a small time alone. Matters can keep long enough for that.” Erkenthal smiled and nodded his agreement.” Ah yes. “Aragorn’s words stopped Erithain short. He had in passing heard to Aragorn refer to Gilraen as “Naneth” and not “mother”, but it had never entered his mind until this moment how Elven his nephew had become. He looked at him. At 20 he was tall and sinewy and his plaited dark hair fell far past his shoulders in the Elven style. He held himself with a self-confidence and assurance and with a trace of arrogance that if not for the rounded ears would mark him as an Elf. He was also puzzled by his nephew’s statement about his mother. Gilraen had always had a fire about her. It was her fire that she was most known and feared for. He could only assume that the years had changed her. The thought saddened him. “I cannot speak to the former, but I am glad that she is well. And how are you?” I read a story where he earns his Ranger status with others, I guess it was not by you? Anyway, he does have to start living by Dunedain standards “Aragorn looked at him, eyes bright with hope and intelligence, curiosity sitting right behind, and Erithain realized in that moment that although he could be at a glance mistaken for an Elf anybody who truly looked into Aragorn’s grey eyes would see that he was indeed Arathorn’s son.” Nice. And I think “well” is rather condensing what he is feeling. Same for his mother. “And Erithain smiled back, and the pain of loss that had bound his heart for eighteen years, ever since he had held his weeping two-year nephew on the path just outside this very door and said goodbye, finally loosed itself allowing the bond between uncle and nephew to become whole again.” Awwww…and I rather think his sister knew him best. But I suppose she was never with him on patrols. “Erithain smiled thoughtfully when he heard that. While Aragorn had called his mother “Naneth” he had not called Arathorn “Adar.” For reasons inexplicable, this cheered Erithain greatly. “Your father was a great man and a good man. Those distinctions are important. Many are destined for greatness, but this does not mean they are always good. Your father was a great warrior, but he also had a good heart. Good enough to take an angry young boy who tried to kill him under his wing and show him how to be a man.” Aragorn looked at his uncle quizzically, Erithain paused at the puzzled expression on his beloved nephew’s face and smiled, “Pull up a chair, Aragorn. I have a story to tell.” Right ho. Time to turn back these very pages. I am glad both Arathorn and Aragorn may be called this. .

Nurayy	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 8/27/2021
How much weighs on Aragorn's shoulders. At an age when young people struggle and seek their identity, he has to leave everything behind, all that was familiar and he loved and new well, to find. And accept a new reality. And he masters it all sovereignly. I'm so glad he found a new family, and a new home. And I love how in his heart Imladris and his family there will always be there. All this makes him even more special for the richness he he carries in his being. Author Reply: Nurayy!! I'm guessing that this review was for Chapter Nineteen. After being away from this story for over ten years I decided that this portion of the story needed to be told. Again I am fascinated at what 20 year old Aragorn would have thought about and handled his transition from youngest son of Elrond to the Heir of Isildur. How would his people view him? How did he view himself? What would his re-definition of himself cost him emotionally? But he does find a new home among the Dunedain, acceptance and love. I have another half-finished chapter about Aragorn coming back to see Gilraen, back with her people, one last time before she dies. on this site unpublished. I would like to finish it soon. But I have three stories on-the-go already so it will have to wait! Be well! ((hugs)) MM

Nurayy	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 8/27/2021
This story is so nicely crafted. The characters shaped out wonderfully. What joy to see the reunion of Aragorn with his Uncle. There has been much pain and longing for so long. After the waiting the longing and feeling of loss and all Erithain endured, finally they are together without secrets. I love how you write Aragorn throughout the story. There is greatness and love in him, so noble. He is so much like his father, and his mother too, his family, you showed a great heritage. The rangers, how you write them, you do them honour. A great people. They have endured so much, they lead a hard life. And still they stay strong and fight and hope, so very admirable. I love how you show also Aragorn's/ Estel's elven side how is of both worlds. This story is a wonderful tribute to Aragorn! And so very deserved. Author Reply: Nurayy! Sorry for the late response. I am so happy that you have continued with this story. It is close to my heart. I took great joy in reuniting Erithain and Aragorn. "I love how you write Aragorn throughout the story. There is greatness and love in him, so noble. He is so much like his father, and his mother too, his family, you showed a great heritage. The rangers, how you write them, you do them honour. A great people. They have endured so much, they lead a hard life. And still they stay strong and fight and hope, so very admirable." Thank you for writing this. My love for Aragorn and my complete fascination with the Dunedain is what drove this story to be written so I am really happy that love for their nobility (both Aragorn and the Dunedain) came through strong in the story! They had to be a great and noble people to have survived as they did. hope you are well!! ((hugs)) MM

Nurayy	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 8/27/2021
This story is so nicely crafted. The characters shaped out wonderfully. What joy to see the reunion of Aragorn with his Uncle. There has been much pain and longing for so long. After the waiting the longing and feeling of loss and all Erithain endured, finally they are together without secrets. I love how you write Aragorn throughout the story. There is greatness and love in him, so noble. He is so much like his father, and his mother too, his family, you showed a great heritage. The rangers, how you write them, you do them honour. A great people. They have endured so much, they lead a hard life. And still they stay strong and fight and hope, so very admirable. I love how you show also Aragorn's/ Estel's elven side how is of both worlds. This story is a wonderful tribute to Aragorn! And so very deserved.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 4/10/2020
Ah, yes, there are stories to hear as well as lessons to be learned. I am sorry that Elrond did not warn Arwen that Aragorn was leaving Imladris, but that she had the chance to bid him farewell in spite of that. And now he is home where he was born, reunited with the Man who knew him best as a small child, not counting his parents. Now to learn his place here. Author Reply: Larner! Elrond's pain is still fresh and some of his actions are not the best or most thought out. When we are in pain we often don't think clearly. I thought he needed to know his uncle so he would have someone to come home to though he previously did not know any of it! MM

sue	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 3/15/2020
What a great story. Its epic is worthy to stand beside LOTR - filling in the corners as the hobbits say. I have enjoyed it very much. One 'bone' to pick. Gilgilath. That horse must be an old codger at 20! But he has been Estel's faithful Horse. He needs a soft retirement now. Author Reply: Sue! First I am so happy that you like it. "Its epic is worthy to stand beside LOTR" I blush thanks! Second, LOL yup I noticed that about Gilgilath as well. I could say as a cop-out answer that he is a Dunedain horse and therefore has a longer life. But truth be told he does need to be retired. Thanks for noticing! :-)) MM

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/11/2005
Finally have finished, and am so glad I stayed with it. Look now for the epilogue. One correction--several places you use "LEAD" when you mean "LED." There were a few other homonyms similarly misused, but this one, for some reason, is one that disturbs me (ALOT is another misuse of language that grates on me). The story is lovely, and love the family dynamics shown. Also the awareness in this chapter of the approach of Gandalf and Aragorn's natural defensive behavior which is relaxed when reassured the newcomer is known after all. And I love how Erethrain has waited so long to hear "Uncle" from his nephew, and his joy when it comes. Thanks for a wonderful tale. Author Reply: Larner! That's so much for reading it! I really came to love Erithain and just thought being the kind of person Erithain was, this separation would have sat heavy on his heart even after a few years had past. I wanted to bring them together again. I have got to watch those spelling and usuage mistakes!!! Grrrr! Author Reply: Or rather "usage" mistakes. Geez!! LOL!

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/2/2005
What a great story, from beginning to end. I love how you wrote all the characters, from the Dunadan, to the Elves. Your Estel, was wonderful to read. It is good that he has returned to the rangers. I loved his reunion with his uncle Erithain. Thanks for the good read.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/2/2005
At last Aragorn is reunited with his beloved uncle. All those years of waiting and longing on Erithain's part have now been rewarded. Also delighted to see Gandalf again - how lovely that he should be there with some encouragement at this difficult time in Aragorn's life. Lovely, MM - and you have to admit, I review much more speedily than some I could mention! :-))

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/1/2005
I was so glad to see this tonight. What a nice finish to the story and nice start to the new part of Aragorn's life. Author Reply: Daw! I'm glad that you liked the story. The chapter is a bit shorter than usual but it just felt finished as I typed the last line. There were other things I could have included, but I decided against them. So glad you liked it! MM

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