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| A Matter of Honor by meckinock | 22 Review(s) |
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| Klose | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/16/2007 |
| I've read this story twice already, I think, havivng randomly discovered it somehwere in late December, I think... I never thought I could do justice to this wonderful story with a review, but I'm reading this again and I'll attempt to do this in stages. ;) I think this chapter and the next are one of my favourites of this story - the entire exchange with "Saddlebags" (LOL!) was utterly *priceless* In fact, Saddlebags looked like he probably hadn’t held a weapon since -- well, probably since the Last Alliance, Halbarad concluded despondently -- where spindly old Saddlebags had undoubtedly slain more orcs than Halbarad had seen in his lifetime. He was doomed. The Elf standing over him smiled dangerously. “Yes, you are.” *dies* One does wonder if Saerbellas wasn't responding so much to Halbarad's refusal of a bath as he was reading Halbarad's mind... you have such a flair for such casual humour, and this dry wit really brings Halbarad to life - I'm reminded suddenly of a line in chapter one: Halbarad reminded himself for the fiftieth time to strangle Aragorn for instigating the bestowal of Bree names. Apologies for all this rampant line-quoting, but, ack, there are just so many priceless lines that make me squee and bounce. “It pleases me to see you feeling better, Halbarad, but I must ask you to refrain from tormenting the staff.” *dies again* Brilliant, brilliant. That line made me love and respect Elrond so much more... It's just a sum of how your characters are all so believable and loveable, so dynamic in their emotions, words and actions. And the change in the atmosphere to grim seriousness with the revelation of Halbarad's vision was expertly executed. Rather sad that Halbarad will never really see Minas Tirith... sigh. Elrond's conversation with Aragorn was very touching - and interesting, also, especially Elrond said about Elros' legacy. It's an important recurring theme in Tolkien's Arda-verse, I think, that the legacy of Men lives on after them in their children... the image of the crumbled insides of the wooden box was a rather poignant depiction of Elrond's realisation of the bitter side of Elven immortality. Well - enough of my babbling for this chapter, I think. See you at chapter 6! :D Author Reply: Oh, my goodness! I feel like it's Christmas in February. I will be back with more coherent responses :-) Author Reply: Wow. It's always so exciting to have a story discovered by someone new after it's been around for a while, and even more when someone takes the time to leave such a detailed,thoughtful, and kind review as you have. From a technical standpoint, it's really good to hear that you enjoyed the humor in this chapter, and in turn the transition to weightier topics, because that can be a tricky mix. But please don't ever apologize for squeeing and bouncing. For one thing, bouncing is contagious, you know - I'm bouncing now also! And for another, it doesn't matter how technically well-crafted a story is, it has to have emotional appeal or it has failed. So your excitement means the world to me, really and truly. And I should mention that I do love hearing which lines grabbed you, so thank you for that, too! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/30/2006 |
| I had to stop here for lack of time, but I have been mulling on it for the whole week. It is actually wondrous. I like how the sentences seem to flow (no doubt it takes time and dedicate polishing but it comes out as effortless and natural and... boy, do I like Halbarad's intelligent, self-deprecating, sarcastic and compassionate sense of humour?) And I'm also smitten by Gandalf. I get angry at movie Gandalf most of the times, and yours reminds me of what I think he would be, an old man, full of wisdom, and with a heavy task: influencing people, without having actual authority, (although he might feel he could force them with a knock of his wand!! Now, resiting that temptation was hard!. And still he has managed to do that, and he manages to argue Aragorn's case before Elrond, and the half Elf would suffer him to do so, and he is also ready to cut Aragorn's leg, in a perfect show of deep trust in the Music... and he feels his own weariness and doubts the sanity of his mission in "such" equipment... These Maiar are actually the understated, undervalued heroes, it comes out so clearly here! :-) The river crossing... to put it mildly, was thrilling! I am amazed at your descriptions, at how nature, and all senses are called in for a short sentence or an action scene. We can feel the cold, the water's strength, their tiredness and even their bruises, while led at fast pace to ruin first, and to safety later! And I particularly liked this last chapter, from the mock name (Saddlebags indeed!) to poor Halbarad's premonition. HIs conversation with ELrond was very comforting, I found, despite the grim subject. They understand and admire each other and I liked that, for all his misgivings of the "elven spa," Halbarad is respected there and he seems to know it, for Elrond talks to him as if to someone he respects and Halbarad seems quite at ease, despite the situation. And the last conversation between father and son.. stepping around the subject, discussing philosphy to reach their point! Elrond's admission that his brother's legacy was far greater than his really blew me away! I have seen that in ffic very rarely,yet it is such truth, and one that took these powerful and wise elves three ages to understand! Elrond is even greater for understanding it and admitting it, and you the Chieftain of fanfic writers por so intelligently letting it show at this point of their lives. Wondrous. Author Reply: Wow, Perelleth. I don't know what to say. I'm very, very glad you're enjoying the story. Halbarad is of course a dream to write. I do think Elrond respects him, and I think Halbarad was surprised to find how comfortable he felt with him. Gandalf was a challenge. I was really | |
| phoenix23531 | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/7/2005 |
| Oh goodness, I haven't laughed that hard in a while! I'm going to get fired if you keep this up - trying to laugh under one's breath and answering the phone without chortling is really difficult after reading such a scrumptuous chapter. Halbarad at his best (or worst)! I love your characterisation of this most neglected ranger. And Saddlebags was a hoot! I especially loved the double-edge of the line "The elf standing over him smiled dangerously. 'Yes, you are.'" applying both to Halbarad's taking a bath and his assertion that he was in no way going to make it out of that room with his dignity or body intact. Elrond's interaction with Aragorn was very touching. I loved Elrond's description of the elven experience with time using art, and the gentle and generous acceptance of the union between Aragorn and Arwen. Elrond has always been my favorite character both because of his deeds and devotion to Middle Earth and because of all the hardships he has suffered. I see him as Tolkien's most tragic character and yet his most wonderful at that. THank you for doing him justice by maintaining his gentle dignity. Well, can't wait for the next chapter, so I'll say congrats for now! All the best, phoenix23531 Author Reply: Hi, Phoenix, I'm glad you got a kick out of Halbarad's little encounter with Saddlebags. Writing that little diversion helped bolster me for the angsty part to follow! Which I'm also glad you enjoyed. For Elrond the sacrifice of his daughter surely must be the greatest test of his devotion to Middle Earth, and while his decision was never in question, I enjoyed exploring the notion that he struggled to find peace with it. Elrond is one who just seems to keep emptying himself for the sake of others, and even for one with such a generous spirit I thought there must come a point where he wants to say, "enough! I agree that there is a great tragedy and a great dignity about him. Thanks for the congrats! | |
| RS | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/1/2005 |
| Hello, When I pulled this fic up I realized that it was a sequal to a previous story. I thought I better read the first one to better understand this one..but I'll read the first paragraph anyway. Well, that did me in. I was sucked into the story. I was at the point of no return. I was broken out of my reverie when I felt my daughter tapping me on the shoulder asking "when are we going to have dinner". (Darn!! I have to feed my family!!!) I finally finished reading and all I can say is WOW!!! WHAT A MASTERPIECE!!! This is so BEAUTIFUL!!! My emotions are spent. Not many stories pull at my heart strings like this one. Your characters are so real!!. Such inner turmoil that Aragorn and Elrond are going through. The reconcilliation between these two took my breath away. What a beautiful moment!! I love Halbarad. His love, dedication, and devotion towards Aragorn endeared him to me. My heart sank when he described his dream regarding Minas Tirith. Knowing that he may not make it but is willing to follow Aragorn to "clear his path" gets me right here (my hand over my heart). The sacrifices each person is willing to go through for what the believe in and what they love. Gandalf--the way he talks around a certain subject but one understands; and his self-doubting makes the reader realizes that he is also a person too (though he's more than that!)who's afraid to make mistakes. The twins, Glorfindel, Saddlebags (hilarious), and Dudo--I love his devotion towards Halbarad. Wonderfully written! This story is so full of emotions that make me cry, but it does not lack humor also. The banter between ARagorn and Halbarad, the scene between Halbarad and Saddlebags...had me laughing on the floor! Halbarad has become one of my favorite characters!! I am babbling. But I just wanted to let you know how much I love and enjoy this story. Please update soon!!! I am so pleased to have read Viggomaniacs angst list. I would not have read this if it weren't for her. If you have any way of getting in touch with Viggomaniac please tell her THANK YOU!! and Thank you for this wonderful work..hurry up!!! Author Reply: Crikey, RS, I'm so worried about your poor starving children now I don't think I'll be able sleep tonight. And if I do, I'll dream about your daughter holding up her empty food bowl like Oliver Twist. But if your daughter can forgive a little child neglect, I have to let you know it brought a huge grin to my face to hear that the story grabbed you and pulled you in and brought tears to your eyes and laughter to your floor. If it's babbling, then I love it. And you can be sure I've already written Viggomaniac to thank her again for the recommending it. She's wonderful to maintain such an extensive recs list and I'm very thankful it pointed you here. RL has slowed me down lately but I'm trying to get the next chapter up soon. | |
| D. | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/22/2005 |
| Well, you've certainly outdone yourself with this one. Apparently writing the meeting with Aragorn and Elrond was giving you a bit of stress? Well you could have fooled me... that was the most beautiful, flawless, magnificient of any of the "reconciliations" out there. I think it's also the most true to each of their characters. You do a phenomenal justice to these two very complex individuals... I'm constantly amazed by your work. In fact, I think this is so believable and so spot on that I'll probably have trouble separating it from actual canon when I read or watch the movies. Then again, I don't really want to separate it because if I had my druthers they would have had this conversation somewhere in the appendices. Sigh. Marvelous. Author Reply: How could I complain about a bit of stress when I get feedback like this? I'm finding myself just reading the adjectives in Sequence, purring in blissful rapture. ...where was I? You're an angel and this is much more than I deserve! Thanks. | |
| viggomaniac | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/2/2005 |
| I'll say 'uncle' right now, because there's simply no way to top 'The Karenator's' review. It was so good I had to print it off. Good grief, I'm still laughing. As always, I begged and begged and begged for the new chapter and what did I do when it finally was posted? I waited a week and a half before I read it! But not to worry -- it's only because I had to satisfy my own peculiar habits. I always print off my favorite stories as soon as they are posted, but I don't always read them right away. There has to be a sufficiently lousy day weatherwise, where I can curl up on my couch with a cup of hot chocolate, the family has to be away, and the house has to be clean, before I can sit down and REALLY enjoy reading a story. Unfortunately, it's hard to meet all those standards, especially if I sit around reading fan fiction and am lazy to boot. Ah, but the wait was worth it. I just love your stories. Halbarad's confrontation with 'Saddlebags' was priceless. The wit with which you endow his character is an absolute delight. Honestly, I can just imagine that ultra-manly ranger feeling hopelessly hemmed in by the elvish environment. And your description of 'Saddlebags' -- masterfully done. Elrond's gentle ribbing of Halbarad seems to be something the ranger can't quite grasp, but he came close. But drat! That darn painting! We all know what's going to happen to the Rugged Ranger someday, but that grim reminder was really quite sad. Ah well, he is never one to shrink back from doing what's best for everyone. And you have captured that very well in this chapter. Your stories give me such a profound respect for this courageous man, the humorous scenes all the more touching because of the depth of his character. And lastly, the Elrond/Aragorn reconciliation. Beautifully and subtly done. I am SO in love with the concept of Elrond being torn emotionally by the Aragorn/Arwen love affair. Who wouldn't be? And yet, underneath it all, his emotions don't rule the day. Agonizing as it might be for Aragorn and Arwen to have to wait for him to become the rightful king, Elrond, like Halbarad, must keep in mind the greater good of Middle-earth. And of course, this makes for wonderfully bittersweet fan fiction. But the ending here -- what a sacrifice Elrond is making nonetheless. And Gandalf, that crafty wizard -- he must be pleased with the turn of events. Oh well, I've rambled enough. Just have to thank you again for this tremendously captivating story. I look forward to your next chapter (although I suppose that doesn't surprise you). Author Reply: Your description of your "reading zone" made me smile - it sounds lovely and oh so cozy. I feel privileged to have my chapter saved to read in such a lovely environment. I also find it difficult to read on-line. And I'm certainly in no position to give anyone a hard time over a delayed review - but it is a delight to hear from you, as always! I do love giving Halbarad a down-to-earth, unpretentious personality. He's not awed by much, as demonstrated by his reaction to Imladris's finest guest quarters - but he's still awed by Elrond. For him it must be as if King David were still alive after 3,000 years and living on the big estate just down the road. But the two of them share a commitment to the future and a willingness sacrifice whatever it takes to realize it. I'm so glad the Elrond/Aragorn reconciliation is over! I think it was more agonizing for me than it was for them. I think Gandalf is satisfied with the results. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/27/2005 |
| Johnny Halbarad, PI, cracked open a sticky eye. Nope, he wasn't in Kansas anymore. The decor of the room suggested he had landed in the Ritz Carlton or, if he was lucky, in Miss Notyurnana's Home for Wayward Girls. The mirror over the bed voted for the happy home of the wayward. Halbarad was not, however, easily distracted from a duty that had taken more time than balancing the Dunedain budget, a budget that had to support a population the size of a Muppet movie on a cow, a goat and a mangy ranger's salary--which was nothing. Where was the duty anyway; the friend he had lost times often than the Braves had lost the playoffs? The PI was thinking the best way to gad about the place to look for the misplaced chieftain was by streaking, but changed his mind when his southern end went numb from a breeze colder than if the outhouse door had been left open. There were some things even a ranger wouldn't do. As if being stuck in a room the temperature of a meat locker wasn't enough, the house doc meandered in. The guy looked like Vincent Price after a vampire had relieved him of all his platelets, leaving a pasty Gumby figure that bordered on being Twiggy's twin. Sad Sack, also known as Saddlebags, was the kind of doc a smart guy would sue for the malpractice. Just the fact the weasel breathed was enough of a reason to obtain legal counsel and carry a 9" blade at all times. The guy acted like a fairy and if the PI was a betting man--and he was,--he'd toss down a coin that the guy grew pansies as a side job. A doc who dabbled more in dirt than dainty toiletries would normally be the PI's kind of guy, but this ghost of Freddy Krueger made Halbarad's short hairs stand up like they were Gomer Pyle saluting Sergeant Carter. Leave it up to this guy, Halbarad figured, and he would be appearing on Oprah with the sallow sawbones to discuss trust issues. Halbarad trusted him all right, with stopping 9 inches of cold steel between his ribs. No matter, this PI could sing show tunes until the pallid pill peddler pranced off to pick another peach to poke and prod. Halbarad had counted on brown nosing the guy until Casper showed up with a china bowl full of scented water. Casting out all ideas of being nice to the pansy pusher, Halbarad set his jaw and said, "I see dead people." Spookybags sneered. "So what? I know the Great Pumpkin and he ain't gonna put up with you smelling like The Corpse Bride." Before the two could audition for the WWF, the Last Homely Dad peeked around the door. "What's up, doc?" Scaryfairy backed up and pretended to bow, but the PI knew his kind; the waspy wraith was checking out the Homely Dad for major arteries. Nothing short of a stake to the heart and recall on his wit by Mattel would stop this dark leech from Mordor's moat. The bloodless boob left, unwillingly and with a chip on his shoulder, but he took a powder, gandering the Homely Dad one last time like he was straw connected straight to a pumpkin slushy. The PI was sure he heard the sounds of an occupied belfry when the pale phantom disappeared in a poof of guano. "So what's eating at you, Halbarad Van Helsingion?" the lord of the Homeliest Homely House asked. Waving his hand through the air like a white flag, the PI burped up the last sausage he had eaten on the emergency run. "Nothing," he said, now waving the odor of rank sausage and rank ranger from his nose. "You look like the Wicked Witch cooked your gizzard," the Dad said. "Nah," Halbarad said. "I got my garlic and my pail of water to melt her warts. But I spend more than my usual drop-in with the Man of Sand. He was in a real yakky way." The Dad's eyes lit up like the Democratic Party seeing new poll results. "A dream?" he asked. "A nightmare to put Doctor Frankenstein into a catatonic state," the PI said, wondering if a guy who'd keep a blanched banshee on staff could be trusted. "Tell me about it," the Dad said, wringing his hands in the same kind of gushing glee the guy with the axe got right before he lopped a head. "Well, you see," the PI said pointing to a painting on the wall depicting a yellow brick road, "I was out for a stroll and all these flying monkeys were dive bombing me. There was this guy dressed up like an oil can and another dressed up like a haystack. I was carrying this flag. You know the kind with a skull and crossbones painted on it like Happy Jack's, the burger joint down in the red light district of Tharbad. Then I saw Aragorn all dressed up in a blue gingham dress and sporting these ruby red slippers." "It was the sausage," the Homely Dad said as he waved his hand in front of his face. "But I didn't get to the part where all I got were rocks in my trick or treat bag," Halbarad moaned. "I was getting to the best part, the part where a beagle flies on his doghouse and shoots down all the monkeys." The Homely Dad stood up and put some distance between himself and the bumptious burper. Snatching the picture off the wall, a picture painted by some whacked out guy who'd never laid an eye on the road, the Dad waged a bony finger at the PI. "Stay put or I'll round up Lon Chaney to sit guard at your door and howl." "Where you going with the Road to Wiz?" the PI asked. "Somewhere where it will be safe and sound," the Dad replied, looking over the painting like it was his long lost relative. "The place all wizzes go: The water closet." ### The Homely Dad blew the dust off the throne and took in the crepe drape hanging over the shower. The Road to Wiz would look perfect hanging here. Feeling more talented than Galadriel with a bolt of burgundy, he strolled like the master of interior design to check up on his foster son; the mangiest ranger of them all. Instead of finding the begrimed bogtrotter tucked into bed like a dried pea in dirt, he found the smutched son baking in the sun with a tinfoil plate catching rays. A halo of light reflected on the maggot white mug of the ranger."You know the sun will make you look like a crow landing pad?" he said. "It's an art form," the ranger replied tilting the pie pan to catch the best bake. "What is the purpose of art, my corrugated charge?" the Dad asked in a voice so mellow Donovan once lipped out some lyrics about him. Aragorn grinned like the only rooster in a hundred leagues from the sea. "To get chicks." The Dad got a buckle in his gut, but there was only so much he could do when the chick was looking for somebody to henpeck. "And yet even chickens," he said, "whose ability to lay eggs may outlast the stoutest rooster, weary of cracked eggs. The hen may sit upon it as it is her gift from The Great Beak, but eggs scramble and become too rotten to hold in fond memories. Even her coup will crack and crumble beneath the weight of years. Someday maybe the whole farm will fall, and yet this chick endures, untouched by the forces of commercial egg production. What will your art be to her then? She is powerless to stop laying, to protect herself from the ravages of time. But as much as you, we would remember all the eggs destined to be lost - a perfect oval, a globe of yolk, a cloister of cholesterol, a spring sphere, a runny rose. How can things we love pass from our sight and be lost forever? It is a mystery beyond the understanding of any but The Great Beak.” Aragorn’s face was tight; his gaze fixed woodenly ahead. "I," he stammered, "I..I want to be the best roasted rooster I can be." The Homely Dad smiled sadly. "I had hoped my greatest omelets were behind me, and I desperately wished to save those eggs I love from cracks and frying pans. But that which I love is mine to hold in a rusty coup only, not to build wire fences around to keep the roosters out." Aragorn punched his hand into the air. "All right!" Defeated and feeling lower than American Idol's ratings, the Dad said, "I have sent for the chick to return to the farm." "No way!" the ranger yelped louder than a poodle sighting the mailman. "Way," the Dad intoned as a gray blur, hovering in the air above them, caught his eye. The wizard had his wand pointed at the Dad. Tiny sparks flew from its end and the Dad knew then, he had been jinxed more than Darren Stephens. The Dad smiled; he wondered what the wizard would look like without a beard. Ray's Dog What a terrific chapter, Ranger. Halbarad swatting Saddlebags' hand away made me laugh. I loved the discussion between Elrond and Aragorn. Guys rarely seem to just come out say what they've got to say...especially if there's emotional baggage being toted around. Talking about art was a great way to smooth the way for these two guys to hit their points without actually having to get messy. I loved the entire discussion. In fact, I loved this chapter! I think I've already read it four or five times...of course, I had to help the dog while he was trying to string something together. I can't say 'something coherent', because that's not an essential. I'm looking forward to more, Karen Author Reply: I'm looking forward to more, too! I don't know how you'll ever top this. My hat's off to the dog. And thanks for keeping him in Milk Bones. | |
| Estelcontar | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/24/2005 |
| Being a Latin American you had me once again jumping all over the place to the eternal disgust of my better half, who was sure I had lost it completely. I was so afraid you had given up on the story! That made me sad because I was sure you would write a reconciliation scene between Aragorn and Elrond which would be worth reading. I couldn't have been more right. It was a very touching scene, and very much in character too for both of them - at least the way I've always understood them to be: compassionate and selfless persons who love each other deeply and who suffer from hurting each other. I imagine that must have been very difficult to write. Your Halbarad never ceases to amaze me. That bit were he finds himself "oddly homesick for bare plank floorboards and threadbare" is so revealing and sounds so true. And thanks for giving us the wonderful light moments with poor Saddlebags (I was trying to figure out how you would come with a Elvish name that would fit, and Saerbellas does perfectly. If it didn't, the entire effect would be a bit ruined, wouldn't it?). They balance very effectively with the emotion that follows. Author Reply: I'm excited that I was able to get you jumping, even if your better half didn't appeciate the dancing routine. I feel very grateful to have readers who are looking for the next chapter, so I really felt bad about the delay in posting. Sorry! You're right; that reconciliation scene was a hard one to write; it felt like a balancing act on a strand of dental floss. The light-hearted scenes were my reward for slogging through the angsty stuff :-) Thanks for the review; it brought a big smile to my face. Oh, and Halbarad will get to see those dear old floorboards in a few chapters... | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/23/2005 |
| What a great chapter to wake up too. Halbarad clad in his rosey sheets being backed into a corner by a orchid growing, wraithlike healer, who wants to give him a bath. Don't you just love the elves and rangers. That was some dream that Halbarad had, it was quite brave of him to go into battle knowing what was going to happen to himself. Elrond did put the painting in Arwin's room right? I love how you wrote Elrond and Aragorn coming back together, and that Elrond was going to speak to him as a man, not a lord or a father. Wonderfully done. looking forward to more. Author Reply: Grumpy! It's always a delight to hear from you. Your summary of Halbarad's predicament made me laugh. I agree that Halbarad is indeed brave, despite what he says. And yes, that was Arwen's room that got the painting. Thanks for the wonderful review. | |
| Apsenniel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/23/2005 |
| As always, beautifully written. I was just thinking about this story yesterday, wondering if an update would come soon. The relationship between Aragorn and Elrond is wonderfully fleshed out in your story. I can feel the tension and sadness between them. I'm happy to see that Gandalf is setting Elrond on the right path here....and hopefully, Aragorn will follow as well. Author Reply: Thank you very much, Apsenniel. The Elrond-Aragorn relationship struck me as typical in families confronting a difficult situation - good people who love each other still sometimes don't know how to make everything right. Elrond is being asked something almost beyond his capacity to give, and Gandalf is worried about him as much as Aragorn. | |