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| A Matter of Honor by meckinock | 16 Review(s) |
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| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 7/16/2006 |
| Whoa! This is so entangled! I was shocked when Aragorn found the letters, not knowing what he might have read, but then, when he tells Halbarad! That surely was a shock for him, and thankfully he was wise wnough to share his worry with his friend! I really liked Aragorn´s worry that he could not live another man´s life, and particularly not the life that might await him... and his determination to go to the end, even if unearthing what he fears he is unearthing would be such a shock for all involved from Gondor to Arnor, not to mention ELrond and Arwen! NO wonder he´s so appalled. Now, I´m most impressed by your descriptions. I particularly liked the chapter where Halbarad leaves Rivendell. THe landscape is perfectly detailed and I can very well see the bony earth, the contrast between the vegetation and all, but when he gets the course of the small river to reach the hidden way to their settlement! boy that was great! It was as if entering the time tunnel into some forgotten middle age village...or the still alive remnants of such places in the mountain, less favoured areas throughout Europe.. PErfect, at least in my experience! I could even feel the smells! The hoarse but caring Rangers are so convincing, again they remind me of enduring farmers, economic with words yet overgenerous with their hearts. Eirien is such a wonderful match for Halbarad, and I realy liked to see that he was a grandfather! And then again, the description when they found the bodies! Boy, you are so convincing and direct, cutting to the bone of the situation with a shot of words that at times leaves me reeling when I finally stop and read back and see all that has been said in such a powerful economic way. I bow to you. To the point that I´m enjoying this enough to save that -for now- last chapter for next occasion, when it has some company... And do not think that I´m nudging you or something... take this as a command! Seriously, great job in a gripping what if! and wondrous characterization and description. I´m so hooked! Author Reply: The intriguing thing for me about this whole "lost heir" subplot is how even if Aragorn's worst fears are not true, they still have the power to destroy his dreams. But instead of playing the odds and hoping the secret will stay buried, he deliberately goes out and digs it up. Tolkien makes it too easy for Aragorn, in a way. Even though he carries a great burden, he knows his dreams will all come true if he succeeds at his task. I guess I wanted to see how he'd react if that guarantee were taken from him. I was dying to write Eirien ever since first story where Halbarad tells Aragorn he came after him because his wife made him do it. I like to give Halbarad all the things that Aragorn must forego to be Aragorn - a home, a wife, children (and grandchildren) and a solid sense of belonging somewhere. I'm trying real hard to get the next chapter out this weekend. Thanks for the....er, nudge. | |
| fliewatuet | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/20/2006 |
| Needless to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter (as I did all the others), even if it took me quite some time to finally type up a review. I absolutely love your Halbarad! There are so many little details I love about him - from his certainty that Aragorn was ready to talk when he did, to his squeamishness when they discovered the corpses - that I cannot list them all. Be assured that I occasionally squee in delight when reading and re-reading what you have written so far. And now, as if Aragorn had not enough to trouble his mind, you threw in a pack of recless horsemen who have abducted a girl and are heading straight to where Halbarad's son is stationed. That leaves me to wonder when and if in how many pieces Aragorn and Halbarad will reach Tharbad. Author Reply: Thanks, fliewatuet. I get a kick out of discovering new things about Halbarad, too - like the fact that the roughest, toughest Ranger in Eriador gets squeamish around dead bodies. | |
| Audra | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/19/2006 |
| I don't think there's anything left to be said that everyone else hasn't covered. I'm not sure I could put it into words anyway. Fantastic work. You never disappoint. Author Reply: Wow. I think you found just the perfect words to make my day, Audra. It's always my aim not to disappoint! I really appreciate the support and encouragement. | |
| pipinheart | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/14/2006 |
Very nice... Aragorn is tormenting himself. The child may not even be a brother of his, but it is understandable that he can't rest until he knows the truth... Good thing Halbarad is with him to make sure he dosen't do anythink unwise. He should tell elrond, it is almost as if he fears Elrond won't love him if he isn't his fathers Heir.... I hope the children weren't captured Update soon.... Author Reply: If you ask Halbarad, he'll say it's already unwise. But he's not ready to throw Aragorn on the back of his horse and haul him back to Rivendell...yet. Aragorn was too shocked, horrified, and mortified at what he'd found to tell Elrond right away. He knows he has to eventually, but he wants the facts first. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/8/2006 |
| "Really, Boss," the PI muttered to no one save the bumble bee that rode on the mane of his horse. Lazy insect. Hitching a ride. But, the PI had to admit, the rotund bee was a good listener. "My granny could follow these tracks with a snout fully loaded with Boones Farm and a keg of Butterbur's Bud strapped to her back." The boss was up to something as sure as Voldermort was an ugly worm with a receding hair line. Not even hair restorers would give him the David Cassidy look. No matter. The PI was on to the chief. He could track the Partridge Family's rise to fame without a radio or a smart-mouthed red-headed kid to snitch. The PI found the chief slipping along the trail on a hot horse as innocently as Darren Stevens went down the aisle. "I see Stella got her groove back," he said. "But your mama is six feet under twenty miles back." "My name's not Stella and I ain't going to HBO." "Ah," the PI said. "Then you must be jumping ship over to CBS with Katie." "Nope." The chief stopped talking there, but the PI knew it was only a matter of time until he cracked him like the DaVinci Code. The sun set like a red rubber ball--a one hit wonder--and the PI was sure if he could have set the mood to music he could have retired to Simon and Garfunkel in southern Eriador to live out his days as a wealthy ex-husband of Princess Leia. As it was, his job was to block trouble for the boss like the Refrigerator Perry clearing out the line for the Bears. After they’d set up camp for the night at a Motel 6 and got take-out, the PI pondered his next move. "So what's got your sisters twisted?" he asked after he scooped up the last of his double order of fries from the Golden Arches. The chief tossed a Ronald McDonald cookie and a leather packet into his lap. It was obvious the pack had been left over from the days of The Young Riders and before Josh Brolin's old man married a Funny Girl. The PI skimmed letters more crinkled than Granny Clampett's backside. "What?" he yelped. "A half-blood prince?" "As sure as a six-book deal from Scholastic can make you richer than the queen." "This is more screwed up than Brad Pitt's love life." The PI scratched at his beard like Underdog digging for clues to save Sweet Polly Purebred. He leveled his gaze on the boss. "Does the Last Homely Dad know about this?" The full-blood prince and chieftain’s eyes popped bigger than Inigo Montoya's vendetta. "Not from my lips," the boss said. "My betrothal is boffed if he finds out the Ring of Barahir is bogus." "Where exactly are you going to run this half-blood whelp to ground?" "I'll find him if I have to dig like a bride through a forty-layer cake to find a diamond chip." This news had thrown the PI off his game like Tiger Woods missing a putt. Thinking clearly had clearly cleared the chieftain’s cranium for the time being. The PI had to clear his cranium too. He’d sleep on it. Back on the road to perdition early the next day, the PI followed along behind the boss with all the enthusiasm of a drag queen signing up for the draft. Lost in thoughts more horrifying than Phyllis Diller’s ‘do, he started when the boss dropped off his hot ride and took a gander at the ground. “Tracks,” the chief said. “Six fairies on horseback wearing custom made tutus in the shape of lilies, Lee Press-On nails, Max Factor eye shadow in peony pink, twenty-six cents in the lead rider’s pocket, and all armed with wands from the prop shop of Harry Potter.” He caught the PI in a stare that would weld Double Mint to the bottom side of a school desk. “The fruits were on the heels of four people, on foot, carrying two duffle bags, a liter of Jim Beam, an entire set of Emeril’s non-stick cookware, a Waring Blender, two sides of bacon, Paris Hilton’s biography….” “I get the picture,” the PI said. “Traveling light.” Then there was a flash of another kind of light, so bright the PI and the ranger had to pull out their Ray Bans. “What was that?” asked the ranger. “Ah, crap!” The PI knew the MO. It’d happened before, back when he was a cub PI doing his time pounding the hillside learning his trade. “The Zorthonians.” “The who?” “No, not The Who; they’ve not been the same since Roger Daltrey cut his hair and that Pete Townshend incident. I’m talking about the slimiest, most arrogant roaches whoever cruised the galaxy.” The PI motioned to his horse and walked on. “Come on, I’ll show you.” In the middle of a field of poppies and rye grass, the PI pointed to a large circle. The grass lay on its side in whorls as if it had been trampled by drunken Hell’s Angels doing wheelies after an Easy Rider filmfest. “See,” he said. “Crop abuse.” The chief ranger glanced at the circle shaped like a big eye with long lashes that batted when the wind blew. But his interest was in a grove of trees where three sets of shoes had been hung from a limb. “Look at this.” The PI studied the lynched footwear. “Yep, Zorthonians.” He spat. “The bastards.” Moving a shoe from side to side, the boss turned it over. The stench was suffocating. Both men clapped their hands over their noses. “Still smells. They’ve not been out of these for more than a day.” The PI turned, searching the damaged field. “Where’s the forth set? The girl’s?” His gut twisted like Chubby Checker. The Zonthonians were known for packing off with ladies’ shoes. Strange bunch. He suspected the oddball aliens were into cross dressing, but he’d never been able to finger them. When the boss didn’t reply, but stood as silent as Marcel Marceau, the PI pointed down the yellow brick road that snaked toward the Emerald City. “We don’t have time to bury them now. We’ve got to get on the trail of these sickos. When shoes show up swinging from a sycamore, you can bet your last Chucky Cheese token they’re headed for the nearest town to complete their ensemble.” The boss walked slowly back to his ride. His shoulders were slumped and his eyes were glazed and dazed from the horror. It was like a Nike commercial gone bad. The PI sighed and followed. Johnny Halbarad had seen too much today, but still, he couldn’t help but hope that the half-blood prince--if he existed--wasn’t a snitch for a band of natty nonterrestrials. Ray’s Dog Human reviewer: Wow! What a good read. The descriptions were wonderful and I always love the witty banter between these two. And Halbarad even caught the chieftain in a lie. A minor one, possibly even one of perspective, but Halbarad knows when to call a spade a spade. I laughed out loud when Arathorn’s mailman turned out to be Halbarad’s father. That set the ranger on his heels. I really liked Halbarad’s reaction to the letters. He got the implication right off the bat, but he sure wasn’t ready to believe it. Even if it was true that Arathorn had another son, he was loyal to Aragorn and not the turnip farmer. The poor family! This throws a wrench into Aragorn’s plans. I can’t wait to see how this plays out. Looking forward to the next chapter. Once again, WONDERFUL chapter. Karen Author Reply: Halbarad wasn't truly horrified until he found out his father was in the middle of it, too. You crack me up. Aliens and shoes. Well done. You're like a humor heat pump. You can vacuum random humor molecules out of the most un-funny subjects. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/7/2006 |
| *sigh of satisfaction* God, I love this. No-one writes brooding men like you do, Meckinock! I’m sure Halbarad and Aragorn would be appalled to know how many people you have drooling over them ;-) I love how well Halbarad knows Aragorn and just heads straight to the place where he tried to give any followers the slip. And in turn Aragorn shows no surprise that his friend has caught up with him. Even if that’s not exactly what he wanted to happen. In fairness to Halbarad, the guy is certainly persistent. I’d be annoyed with Aragorn if I wasn’t feeling so sorry for him. If he has to go through this, he could really do with being a bit healthier. I had to laugh, though, at Halbarad briefly wondering if Aragorn was headed to Mordor and then dismissing the thought based purely on the amount of supplies he had with him. I was glad to see that Aragorn did confide in Halbarad in the end. I was so afraid he wouldn’t! Halbarad’s reaction was perfect, I thought. The shock and dread that set in as he realises the implication of this reminds us that this isn’t just a personal issue – in fact, it makes my head spin to think of all it could mean. Not that I believe it for a second, of course ;-) “Brueglir!” Halbarad snatched the letters back and riffled through them. “My father,” he said in amazement. What the…??! Ok, I must admit, the letters do sound pretty conclusive. I don’t suppose it could be something as simple as the ranger in question being a friend of Arathorn’s so that he felt he should get to know and provide for the boy, but he’s not actually the father… Or he rescued them from somewhere… Arathorn may have provided a cow and taken the boy fishing but there’s no way he was the kind of person to keep his own child secret (excuse me while I convince myself!) and besides, he was too close to Elrond’s sons for that kind of secret when he knew that his son would be heir to more than just a house and a few chickens. In fact (I’m on a roll now!) surely everyone would have known who Arathorn was. So the woman, even Dunlending, would have been aware of at least some of the possibilities for the future of a son of Arathorn – Chieftain of the Dunedain, I mean. Which is a long-winded way of me saying that I have no idea what’s going on but am with Halbarad on the “doesn’t prove anything” and I’m so dying to know what it’s really all about! This bit intrigues me as well: “Your father ended this relationship. He cut off contact with the woman. *ponders* Would you have the Dúnedain be led through our darkest hour by a Dunlending turnip farmer? ROTFL!! He does have a way with words. If ever I wanted someone to speak plainly to me, I think I’d opt for Halbarad! Just as funny is this: In the few moments he’d been admiring the roadside lilies, Aragorn had gotten off his horse. I always seem to spend a lot of time sitting here with a ridiculous grin on my face when I’m reading your chapters :-) But what a horrible thing they’ve stumbled across. The scene was a little too vivid for me. I’m afraid for the girl. And Halbarad’s son is in Tharbad too. So. It looks like the boys might end up with more to do there than they thought. This really was a very fine chapter. I’m just addicted to your style of writing. Oh, and I wanted to say how impressed I am with not just your knowledge of the history, but the way you wind it in so seamlessly so that we know that it’s part of these people. And I get the impression that the author is very fond of geography too ;-) Excellent stuff, Meckinock. Author Reply: No one loves brooding men more than I do, Dot! And for sure no one loves hearing that the chapter put a smile on your face more than I do. You're too kind, as always. When you point out how the good bits tickled you, we both end up with silly grins. I liked contrasting here how Halbarad can read Aragorn's physical clues like a book, but he can't see past the wall of silence Aragorn has put up. Until, as you pointed out, Aragorn decides to let him in. Even then, Halbarad is pretty exasperated with his boss, but he doesn't know what else to do but stick by him. I was trying to drop in enough history to provide context without insulting the readers' or Halbarad's intelligence, so I'm glad it seemed smooth to you. And yeah, the author is a map geek. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/4/2006 |
| Ah, that poor family, what a nasty way to go. Glad that Aragorn has Halbarad by his side, as they go after the bad guys. Bad guys who are heading towards where Halabarad's son is. Poor Aragorn he never even got to go fishing with his father, and now he is looking for someone who has. I really think they should ask the older generation, Halbarad's father night have said something to his wife. Aragorn is in a pickle, what with Arwin, the kingship and all. I think I wouldn't mind a slug of that wine. Author Reply: Halbarad's father did NOT say anything to his wife. And that's all I'll say... You may have a slug of wine. | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/4/2006 |
| Well Aragorn is sure in a foul mood! I guess I would be too,I love Halbarads drinking style it seems to solve his problems for the moment HaHa Ugh your descriptions of the dead almost made me sick. I hope they rescue the girl and kick someones butt, something has to go right at some point in time,I hope? Author Reply: Yes, something has to go right. I promise. | |
| RS | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/4/2006 |
| I've learned a very important lesson today: As I could not wait to read this chapter, I decided to read while I ate my breakfast of bagels and milk. Here I was totally engrossed in Aragorn's telling of his troubles and woes while his quick witted, sarcastic but fun-loving side-kick Halbarad listened intensely. As the story unfolds, the reader--me--is thinking of all the possibilities that might have happened at Tharbad with Arathorn. You know, real serious. And then you--the author--comes up with the line "Halbarad felt his jaw fall open, and pouring wine into it seemed the most sensible thing to do". Well, it's a good thing I turned my head in time; otherwise I would have had milk all over the pages! Did you know that one cannot laugh (guffaw is the right description) and drink milk at the same time! Milk through the nose is not very fun! In fact it hurts!! The lesson: do not read Meckinock fiction while drinking milk! Gotta hand it to you. I should call you "the mailman" because you deliver! Your writing has everything and the reader does not miss a thing! Movements, expressions, smells, the mood, descriptions..need I go on? I'm so glad of the laughter because this story turned dark real quick. Your description of the bodies was so vivid and so real that it gave me shivers and almost made me sick (Halbarad can join me in sticking my head in the toilet and we both can vomit together!--sorry) The flies, the stench, everything! This was so captivating! The transformation of each character was well-written; from two ordinary buddies on a "trip" to the well-trained and serious Rangers/Warriors! Aragorn's problem will have to take a backseat right now--I assume. Or is everything intertwined? I just hope nothing happens to Halbarad's son and anyone else! And I know there is a very good and legitimate explanation for those letters. Aragorn is the Heir of Isildur! Will be waiting for the next chapter! Thanks for an incredible read! Author Reply: Are you suggesting I have a sick sense of humor? I've found that the only topics it's absolutely forbidden to make light of are 9/11 and....um, never mind. At least you had the presence of mind to print the chapter so you weren't risking the keyboard. Hilarious but retch-worthy; have to think on this a while. I think it's only in reading this review that I realize how utterly strange this chapter must have been...but I'm glad you liked it. | |
| Estelcontar | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/3/2006 |
| Wonderful chapter. I just love Aragorn and Halbarad together. They sound true, and they feel right together. Like wise Halbarad, I think the letter has false written all over it. In a situation like that, though, I can't see Aragorn doing anything else but trying to find out the truth. He would not be satisfied with anything less. The surprising "who dunit" turn of the events was very effective too. But this must have been a very difficult chapter to write. Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn! Listen to Halbarad! And Estelcontar! Oh, well. We tried. This chapter was hard to write for a lot of reasons, some of which related purely to my schedule, and some to angst oversaturation. But writing Aragorn and Halbarad together always makes me feel better, even if they're doing something yucky. | |