Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Your Heart Will Be True  by Write Sisters 5 Review(s)
RSReviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/7/2006
Love Strider's and Legolas' banter. Very funny .Yup, it does seem that trouble always follows these two. Tantur is a little too edgy, huh? And I'm sure our heros notice this too. Sigh, I love those Rohirrims. They are so....(what's the word I'm looking for?) heroic?, majestic?, valiant? larger than life?. Anyway, I just love them. "A thunder of hooves.." great description!

Your description of "Elessar the Warrior" is brilliant! .. "lethal capability" and "too deadly" hit the nail! Combined with all his other assets, he is just the man of my dreams...oops am I drifting somewhere else? Sorry. Back to the story. Viper in the wheat field? Oh No!

Again I applaud you for the action parts of your fic. They never fail to captivate me. So vivid! Never a dull moment! Who is this person swinging his club at Strider? Is it one of the Corsairs or is it Tantur? As usual, will be waiting for the update. Happy belated birthday to your sister!

Author Reply: *grins* Banter is one of the big reasons we like Aragorn and Legolas so much! Yup, they noticed Tantur alright -- trouble is they are more inclined to think he's just running away from home.

All of those terms seem to apply to the Rohirrim at some point or other!

*gestures* Come back to us, RS! *grins* Yes, Aragorn is one amazing guy alright. And 'Viper in the wheat field' was our artist rendering of 'snake in the grass', meaning the traitor in their midst.

Thank you so much! Very, VERY glad you enjoyed the action bits -- there are more, and bigger, to come. The club-swinger was a Corsair -- a prime example of Aragorn's and Legolas' bad luck: all the corsairs wanted was to burn a few fields!

Thanks for the great review!


ImbecamielReviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/5/2006
Well… I’m kinda almost-borderline-sort-of-late this time… *sheepish* BUT I do have a really good excuse! Y’see I was reading “Erfier, Only Mortal”, and I got a bit… um… distracted, and I didn’t want to quite reading, and then I suddenly realized that it was getting late and I’d only written half your review, so… yeah… But I’m here now! And I’m not *quite* late. Yet. *races off to review*

LOL, and Aragorn’s got a theory too! *giggles* Poor guy, you’ve gotta find *some* way of explaining a life like that. Either that, or so insane. Hmm, some might debate that Aragorn and Legolas settled on doing both… *g* Which would seem like a good way of introducing the theory which has been proposed by Nefhiriel and myself.

Ahem, so then, here it is, the great, the incredible, the brilliant, “Imbecamiel and Nefhiriel theory regarding the source of Strider‘s bad luck” (are you ready for this?): It’s the name. Now, before you simply dismiss my theory, allow me to explain myself. First look at his childhood. Overall, despite a few minor mishaps, there is very little that would be terribly unusual for any other boy. In fact, when his parents were killed, he had the incredibly *good* luck to be adopted by Elrond and his family. Then people started calling him Strider, and just LOOK what happened. Suddenly he can’t go ANYWHERE or do ANYTHING without getting into trouble. (And, even applying it to this particular story, he’s being called by other names, and he’s got the *good* luck to avoid an assassination attempt, and even protect most of his family from harm. Then he goes back to calling himself Strider, and look at all the things that start happening!) Now, lest you be led to believe that this is merely a single, isolated case, allow me to give you another illustration. My dog was a perfectly ordinary (if *very* intelligent ;-) puppy. THEN we named him Strider. Before he was a year old he’d had MORE visits to the vet... First, he got a luxating patella (his knee kept becoming dislocated), which is a *very* uncommon problem for this breed, and even *more* uncommon from this particular breeder. Now, normally, this is a relatively pain-free problem. But, of COURSE, this being Strider, he had to tear some ligament or something, making it extremely painful. The vet had to schedule an early surgery to correct it as soon as possible. Again, this being Strider, he caught pneumonia before the surgery could be performed, so it had to be delayed. After he had the surgery, there were *two MONTHS* of recovery time, during which he was supposed to take it easy. You think ELROND’S got it bad? Try convincing a nine-month-old puppy that not only can he *not* run around, he can’t even go outside off a short leash or walk up the stairs on his own! Then, as soon as he recovered from that, his OTHER knee went out, and we had to start all over again :-P A few months ago, he got an ear infection. Of course, again, being Strider, he couldn't get a simple one, he had to get one that dragged on for weeks. And naturally, he had to get it *just* before we left for vacation, too. This summer my dad let him out of his sight for just a couple of minutes while he was outside. When he got back, one of his front legs was all scratched up, with the fur scraped off the knee. We never did figure out what happened, since it doesn't really look like an animal bite, but it's rather odd for just having fallen or something, too. Then just recently he’s been having some health problems, so we took him to the vet. Again. We found out that: 1. He has mites on his ears. 2. The vet can’t figure out what else is wrong with him, despite multiple X-rays, blood tests and urine tests. However, it is *not* a simple infection, and one of the good possibilities is that he could be having some major kidney problems. I’m beginning to wonder whether we should rename him before anything ELSE happens… Ahem, but anyways, what do you think of our theory? Of course, it still doesn’t explain Legolas’ luck. Unless he’s right and it really IS Strider’s fault... *ponders*

Ooo… *winces* Aragorn, buddy, you might want to be careful there. I know things might look like they’re going well at the moment, but this *is* Arwen’s life that’s in the balance here. Honestly, Aragorn, thinking “Well, things are going well, we should have plenty of time…” is almost as bad as thinking “This couldn’t possibly get any worse”! *shakes head* With a record like yours, I’d be more cautious about things like that if I were you…

LOL! Even knowing Tantur’s a villain, I’ve just got to feel sorry for him. It’s got to be sooooo confusing, traveling with Aragorn and Legolas… After all these years and adventures, they’ve got far more than their share of inside jokes! *giggles* Oh man, though… If he’s got *any* heart at all, there’s got to be nothing to make him feel more guilty than traveling with these two, and being accepted by them, and actually getting to know the people he’s betrayed and hurt so much - and tried to hurt even more.

Hehe, one might think that suspicion was a character trait that came naturally along with the ability to ride horses in the Rohirrim… Either that, or Aragorn and Legolas just look like suspicious characters. Or both. *g* Hmm, looks like Aragorn’s been listening to some of those helpful old proverbs, though - “The best defense is a good offense.” Works pretty well with Theodran, at any rate… Speaking of which, Theodran’s really sweet! (ehm, though I rather doubt he’d appreciate hearing that. Might mess up the whole “stern-manly-dignity” thing he’s got going. *g*) He’s just so… Rohirric. And so completely confident in Eomir! Hehe, I like him so much! Already. Yeah, that’s kinda sad. I like all the characters immediately. Oh well. I don’t really care anyways. At least it’s happier than disliking everyone immediately :-)

//"I was pleased to see that the dramatic 'revealing of the ears' strategy still works. Gimli would be proud of you."// ROTFL! Poor Legolas, his anonymity - and freedom from teasing - sacrificed for the common good… Ah well, at least he got to be cool and dramatic while he was doing it. *g*

Yay! I’m glad they finally know about Mavranor, though! Even if they can’t do anything much from where they are at the moment, it’s always better when they at least know what they’re up against!

*glances at flame-wielding Corsairs* Um… *pokes Aragorn* Remember what I said about it being a bad idea to think too optimistically about everything going well? Well, this may not be the greatest time to mention it, but… I told you so. *attempts to hide smug look* Oh yeah, and while I’m telling you so - you might want to look out for Tantur. ‘Cause he’s a traitor and already tried to kill you and your entire family once and is probably not going to have too meny scruples about trying to kill you and Legolas to get the antidote, ‘cause he accidentally got himself poisoned too, and… Aragorn? Are you even listening to me? *looks around* Guess not. *sighs*

Whoa! The action is picking up! And Legolas and Aragorn are hurt/unconscious/generally in a very bad position! Yes! *blinks* I… ah… I mean, I do hope they’re alright? Just not…. *too* alright. *eg*

Absolutely wonderful chapter, as always! And VERY MUCH looking forward to more!

Imbecamiel


P.S. LOL, oh yes, you most definitely do write many phrases that “just reach out and grab” me! You two have obviously put so much hard work into this story, it’s so wonderful to have something so solid and *good* to read - certainly a rare enough find in fanfiction! (hehe, and I’m very glad you like writing Bartho and Erynbenn together - I certainly LOVE reading them!)

P.P.S. I certainly will keep your advice about trying different things in mind if I should ever attempt to write anything “real”! Heh, though really, I very much doubt I ever will write anything beyond a short article or two. I’ve got plenty of ideas and inspiration - but only for other people’s stories. Which would be why I’m the editor, not the writer of the family… Ah well, I love my job :-)

P.P.P.S. Ooo, a seamstress-in-training-type-person! Hehe, that does sound like a very fun job! I’ve always wished I had more sewing talent… Alas, I’ve never really had anyone to learn from. *sighs* I did love making our elven capes for the ROTK midnight showing, though! Do you mainly use patterns for what you do, or do you make up ones of your own?

P.P.P.P.S. Oh, would you e-mail me the Elvish dictionary? I’d really appreciate that! I’ve never heard of that one before. Always looking for more Elvish resourses…

P.P.P.P.P.S. I’ll say Chloe’s a great writer! LOL, since my last review, I’ve read five of her stories, and am currently in the process of reading “Erfier”. I’ll have to drop her some reviews, when I’m not in such a hurry just to read her stories. *g* Maybe I really should take it slower and savor the opportunity to read some good new stories, instead of just re-re-re-re-re-reading my favorites, but… it’s easier said than done ;-) Not sure what I’ll do when I finish them all, though. Probably panic. *g*

Author Reply: *applauds* Almost-borderline-sort-of-late is looking pretty good from where I'm standing. At least I'm keeping to my almost-borderline-sort-of-schedule of 'one post every five days'. That's something! *grin*

Glad you’re liking Erfier! I guess I should forewarn you (though you may have figured this out already): Chloe hasn’t finished writing the series yet. She’s still at it! But it’s going kind of slow.

*ponders ‘Cami and Nef’s Theory of Disaster Attracting Strider-Titled Principles’* Ooh, I do love science! And your hypothesis is a very well-documented one; I’m only sorry the victim of such advanced and important scientific breakthroughs had to be your poor dog. *grin* Truly, it would be hilariously funny (with over-tones of Polly’s Kirotis attacks), if it weren’t for the fact that Puppy!Strider seems to have had a very rough life! At least he (as well as his namesake) have plenty of love to make up for the prevalence of disaster. And yes, I guess if this theory is true, Legolas’ lousy luck is a direct result of his close association with one of the dreaded ‘Strider’s of the world. *laughs* Oh well! Science has spoken, and who are we to balk? *grin*

Yes, caution would have been good. The hitch is that, with a name like ‘hope’ still in his background, it’s very hard for Aragorn to a fatalistic pessimist. Drat, eh? Then again, he also happens to be a Strider-named disaster-attracting injury-magnet who also WINS in the end! Haha!

*laughs* Poor Tantur indeed! Yes, he is in way over his head -- and maybe he’s only just beginning to realize that. Then again, surprise is a great advantage. At any rate, we never talked too much about Tantur’s past, but suffice it to say he was pretty much a bad egg all through by the time his uncle got him. It really wasn’t Duurben’s fault -- combination of a weak mother and a couple really bad influences. Unfortunately it also means that all of Tantur’s good points have been a well-rehearsed act.

*grins* Yeah, I’ll bet Theodran would take exception to being called ‘sweet’… Funnily enough, here is a place where (unlike Tantur) we built a backstory only to find we didn’t have much of a use for it. If you’ll remember back to the scene where Merry and Eomer are talking over the troubles they’ve had with the Rohirric noblemen (which Merry suggests may have been the work of outside enemies), Theodran’s name is mentioned. His fiancée, the granddaughter of Marshal Elfwild, was kidnapped briefly by Marshal Fram on the eve of Theodran’s and her wedding. He did manage to get her back, and she was fine. The conflict was sorted out by Eomer himself who discovered the manipulation of Queen Mavranor at the back of the crime. Theodran and his bride were happily wedded, but the incident left Theodran doubly suspicious of anyone passing through Rohan who might be a corsair in disguise. Anywho, we had too many characters already, so the story was jettisoned except for the line of Merry’s, “Or perhaps the new, highly unpleasant, rumor that Marshal Fram has kidnapped Marshal Elfwild's granddaughter on the eve of her wedding to Captain Theodran.” and, of course, Theodran’s remarkable brusqueness with three harmless strangers. Happily for Aragorn and Legolas, Theodran is a good young man well deserving of his early captaincy. Not to mention… *grins* …very sweet!

*laughs* The ‘revealing of the ears strategy’ was kind of an inside joke! We’d seen it done (by accident or design) in an incredible number fics and, though we enjoyed it every time, thought it was kind of a funny thing to keep happening. So we went ahead and let the characters cotton on to what an amazing effect it had on others! A most handy trick; would that we all had pointy ears!

Trust us not to let them recover/escape/succeed too easily! Having finally got them unconscious, we must savor the moment! *both sisters exchange glances* Man, are we sadistic. *grin* Ah, well, we let them recover/escape/succeed eventually!

Hey, being the editor is an extremely important job! That takes a similar, yet very unique set of skills all on its own; definitely an accomplishment if you can do it well. *grin* Not to mention how much your family lucked out to have a whole editor all to themselves!

Sewing is one of my favorite things in the world to do -- right up there with reading, writing, and playing guitar -- and it’s not too hard to teach yourself, if you can figure out the basics! I was taught the basics by my mom, but she never sewed clothing as much as she sewed quilts, so all that stuff I’ve had to teach myself. Wherever I possibly can, I use a pattern as directed -- I’m only just beginning to get into major pattern alteration, and making my own patterns (a fun idea indeed!) is a long way down the road. Ooh, you made cloaks for the midnight showing of ROTK? Wow! We dressed up (mostly in dresses I’d made for us over the years -- I finally had made myself one by that time), but we didn’t go to the midnight showing -- we went a couple days later. The most fun of that, of course, is all the funny looks you get from people who don’t know where you’re going! We dressed up for Narnia too -- I went as a dryad, all in green with leaves in my hair. *grin*

Thank you so much for your review! More en route, as soon as I can get it up!

Vicki_Turner Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/4/2006
Ah! I'm dying to know what's gonna happen next!!!!!!!!!

Author Reply: Well, we'll tell you, but only if you promise not to die! *grin*

VilwarinReviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/4/2006
"You realize that every time we do anything, be it enter Rohan or visit an inn or stroke a hobbit's pony, it leads to trouble. The conclusion is that we do not lead trouble — it already knows where we are going to be and it meets us there."

He has finally got it, how clever! In the perfect knowledge of the fact, he should not be so sure with his planning.

History repeating itsself, *lol*.
Master Elf? He has stolen Gimli's line!

Uh, oh, Corsairs again, and in the barley field. NO, Legolas suffering burns and Aragorn being beaten by a club.
What will happen? Will he be unconscious, or how can he react! What will Legolas be able to do.
Mhu, it is getting worse by the line!

~Vil

Author Reply: *grin* He had to cotton on eventually! I suppose he can't help it that, in spite of his tendencies towards disaster, his name was still 'hope'. It's a tough notion to break!

*laughs* Yes, we rather shamelessly borrowed the tone of their first meeting with Eomer. Partly it was weird Tantur out, I'll admit. *grin*

To paraphrase Mushu from 'Mulan': "They just popped out of the field! Like DAISIES!" *grin* This is to prove that Aragorn and Legolas really DO have the most rotten luck known to man or elf. The corsairs really had no other motive than to burn some of Rohan's fields. Figure, eh?

Further details on the way!

Lady SarumanReviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/4/2006
*snorts even louder than Legolas and Aragorn combined* Well, they still haven't suspected Tantur yet, though Legolas is starting to have a notion. Meeting the Rohirrim is always scary. And poor Legolas is injured! Waaaahhh!

Hershey's kisses/hugs,
Lady Saruman

P.S. Do you have a myspace?

-Lady Saruman ^_~

Author Reply: You're right: Legolas is getting suspicious. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that Tantur is Duurben's nephew, and as such he's kind of above any major suspicion. At most Aragorn and Legolas suspect him of getting into a fight with his uncle and 'running away from home', so to speak. Bleh! But they'll figure it out eventually.

...if they survive! *ominous look* Glad you're enjoying yourself! ;-)

No, 'myspace' just wasn't something either of us had time for... we heard they were cool, though!

Return to Chapter List