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


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

A Matter of Honor by meckinock	19 Review(s)
Suzelle	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 11/10/2019
I cannot tell you what a treat it has been to read this fic over the past week. As I said, I have no idea how I missed it when it was first published, but I am glad that it came to me now. You craft tension so well and so vividly--just when I was sure things were on their way to rights with Aragorn this secret comes out from the dark and just wrecks him. You've got the stubborn idiot in him down as well--if he'd just TALKED to some people maybe he wouldn't have gotten them all in all that trouble :P. But it is good that it happened the way it did. I love all of your women so much, SO much. It's been kind of funny comparing/contrasting them to the women of the Dunedain in my own fic writing, whom I have come to know so well, but it's been incredibly cool to see someone else's take on them that lines up so much with my own vision (fittingly, since Hands of the Enemy had such a lasting impression on me!). You have nailed what I've always loved about this group: no matter the personalities of the individual women, they all have such inner strength, and loyalty, and their own bonds that they've formed in the absence of the men fighting on patrol. I adore the grannies playing dice together, and Eirien! Even Falathren; I've got quite a clear sense of and can see how much she is Halbarad's daughter (and, for that matter, how much his sons are his too!! I so appreciated that Hurin was so competent and collected even though he's an untested dreamer). This all wrapped up in such a bittersweet, heartfelt way, and I am very glad for the scene we got at Gilraen's grave. And this line: It will be good to have some company this time. You were right to say I spend too much time alone. I do not know how long I will be gone; but I suppose you are not surprised to hear that, either.” my BOY!!! Thank you for this story. I am so very grateful.

LisaG	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/1/2010
Wow...fascinating story! Leave it to the ever honorable Aragorn to do the right thing and try to find his supposed older brother...I'm just glad things worked out...I could never imagine him trying to become king if there was still a question of who fathered Bega's son and where he was. So did Aragorn confess what happened to Elrond? With their improved relationship, I would hope he's more open and honest with his adoptive father. And I hope A&A got some time to cuddle and coo! ;) Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing A Matter of Honor - it was very kind of you to take the time to let me know you enjoyed the story. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply - I missed a bunch of reviews somehow. meckinock

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/24/2006
I’m so sorry for being appallingly late. Please know that I adore your writing and read each chapter with great excitement as soon as you post, even if it takes me a ridiculous length of time to get around to reviewing. So… Poor Halbarad must have been frantic. But oh, I love dear, practical, logical Halbarad. In the midst of all this smoke and mumbo jumbo, he just wants to know what the old biddy has done to his friend. Me, I’m not a bit logical and was more than a little freaked out. What really made me feel for the denigha was her awareness of the lack of purpose of the Dunlendings’ existence in comparison to the Dunedain. The Dunlendings do what they do because they always have – there is no reason to question it, no reason to change and nothing to suggest a different future. Which is one thing if that’s all you’ve known, but if you’ve encountered these Dunedain, with their deep sense of honour and duty, their quiet heroism, their kindness, their belief and faith and steadfast hope… then you’ve been touched by something different and how can you ever be fully content in your own life again? You know, I’m glad for her that she got this chance to meet Dunedain again, to recognise the person who is the focus of that hope and know that the future they so strongly believed in will soon become a reality. And, of course, her own people are part of that future. I really liked the scene near Bega’s cabin. There was a great sense of atmosphere – to me, it seemed very peaceful. Too peaceful even for memories, really, if that makes sense. Perhaps that helped Aragorn to step away, to stop searching and make the decision to face the story in the present and future, not the past. Even if that’s not the decision that Halbarad would make. I think Aragorn has a lot of humility – it gives him that nobility, but sometimes it makes him brood and turn inwards and question himself instead of talking to people, sometimes it just adds to the already heavy burden of duty. Neither he nor Halbarad has less honour than the other but Halbarad – I think – is a man of action, who lives in the present and can look forward, not back. Aragorn… well, he wears history and heritage like a cloak. It was a very moving moment when he realises that even if he cannot have Arwen, he will go on and do his duty as he was born to do. He believes in it, and his people believe in it. But his longing for Arwen brought tears to my eyes – I admit that I was very glad at that moment that I know what his future holds! (I’ll also admit that for a second I thought that was it and we were never going to find out what happened. I was planning evil e-mails to you.) “I think we need to have another talk about the Ranger code of loyalty.” LOL!! Hilarious. Oh, and this: "I cannot wait to hear what grave perils have taken you away from honest work about the house this time.” I love these people. Don’t tell Halbarad I said so, but Nelaer has really grown on me. And Eirien and Halbarad together always make me smile. Though I think my favourite image is of the two tough Rangers wrapped in blankets and being alternately fussed over and chastised. I’m still chuckling at the image of Eirien looking after Halbarad while Aragorn gets the same, though “somewhat less tenderly administered, treatment from Brandol.” snort Of course, then I was torn between cringing along with Halbarad when Aragorn decided to speak to them all, and bouncing with excitement at the prospect of the mystery being solved. And Aragorn clearly didn’t get whatever reaction he was expecting. “Halbarad, has he been struck in the head?” Scurrying forward, Fimenel waved a hand in front of Aragorn’s eyes. “Aragorn, how many fingers am I holding up?” ROTFL!! Poor guy. I can’t help grinning at the thought that the women knew all along. I knew he should have just asked Meneliel. I could feel the silent, desperate communication between the women as they decide what to say to him. Let it never be said that the Dunedain cannot keep a secret, eh?! And oh my gosh, Meleniel and Brandol!!! Meckinock, you’re amazing. What a story. It really shows Meneliel’s strength and kindness – in fact it’s setting aside personal griefs or any prejudices and making a difference to even one person that’s so much a part of who the Dunedain are. I feel sorry for Gilraen finding those letters but hey, at least she had sense to talk to someone! I just loved the scene between Aragorn, Brandol and Halbarad. There’s such closeness there. And Aragorn and Halbarad immediately reassure Brandol of their acceptance and friendship when he must have had a moment of doubt. I was glad to see that Aragorn got his chance to visit Gilraen’s grave. His regret for her brought tears to my eyes but I thought the way he talks to her was very easy, admitting his mistakes and doubts and talking about his next steps as he’s probably done with her before. It actually made me smile, when I would have thought it would be a scene that would make me cry. I also really liked the parting between Halbarad and Aragorn – Aragorn moves on as he must as Halbarad waits in patient support until he’s needed as he always does. Did Aragorn really think Elrond wouldn’t know he was home? Sleep in the stable my foot. Elrond must have been so worried – I thought the way he “moved toward him slowly, as if approaching a skittish horse” really shows how troubled Aragorn must have seemed to him. Reluctant to speak her name lest Elrond explain he’d meant the cook howls with laughter There was I, all sombre and serious and then you throw in a line like that. Hysterical. And oh, what a lovely scene between Aragorn and Arwen. There is no question as to the depth of her love for him. He deserved to end this adventure in her arms. But what really made me smile was the thank you to Elrond who, like the Dunedain, will sacrifice everything for hope. I’ve rambled too much again… Well, I’ll stop for now. And hopefully get to the epilogue tomorrow. This was a great chapter, with so many beautiful moments and dotted with that wonderful humour that it so uniquely yours. Author Reply: You sure can call 'em, Dot. In Chapter 8 it was But it’s Arathorn’s secret and not Gilraen’s so it sounds like there’s another child, older than Aragorn. and in Chapter 9, it was And Aragorn’s friggin well gone. If he wanted answers to his secrets, he should have just asked Meneliel. LOL. Yes, he should have indeed. But the story would have been about six chapters shorter. You really made me think about what was happening to Aragorn in the clearing where Bega's cabin stood. I love your observation that it was too peaceful even for memories and got him turned around to think to the future instead of the past. I think he was able to put the past to rest there and make peace with whatever future lay ahead of him. Your contrast of Halbarad's character and Aragorn's is very discerning, too. Aragorn is so burdened by his history and destiny as to be hobbled sometimes by worry that he'll do the wrong thing or take a misstep. Halbarad just puts one foot ahead of the other, I think. (I’ll also admit that for a second I thought that was it and we were never going to find out what happened. I was planning evil e-mails to you.) Hehe. That's what you were supposed to think. I feel sorry for Gilraen finding those letters but hey, at least she had sense to talk to someone! Of course. She's a woman :-) I wanted Aragorn to see his mother's grave at last but I really didn't want the scene to get too maudlin. There was so much he could have said, I'm sure. I didn't know where to begin putting words in his mouth. So I just went with what came out and I'm glad it made you smile. I liked the feeling that they were very comfortable with one another and he could tell her anything. Did Aragorn really think Elrond wouldn’t know he was home? Sleep in the stable my foot. LOL. Silly Ranger. I just didn't have a long scene with Arwen in me, so I'm glad you liked the little snippet. As always, Dot, I love your insight into the story and it's simply not possible for you too ramble too much.

Grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/7/2006
Aragorn got the girl! Ok, elf lady, and he only gets to visit with her for awhile. But it will make him happy. He needs that after baring his soul. While standing in his bare feet, wrapped in a blanket, he is outdone by the woman of the village. You got me, I kept thinking it was Arathorn's daddy's love child. I love how the Dunadan woman took in the child and raised him as one of their own. Actually I love all your grannies, almost as much as I love how you write Aragorn and Halbarad. That part about Halbarad digging up the grave with his teeth, was priceless. Shame on Aragorn for trying to duck out, without the going away biscuits Bravo, a wonderful story, and a great ending. Your mother would have loved it. She must have been a great lady Author Reply: Hi, Grumpy, Actually Arathorn's daddy's love child was a scenario I considered very early. Good thinking! I'm glad you liked the dice-playing grannies as much as I did. Although apparently Halbarad's mom's baking leaves something to be desired :-) My mother was a great lady, thank you very much. And thank you for your wonderful sense of humor.

The Karenator	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/7/2006
No one paid the PI's drum solo the dignity of one hand clapping. So much for taste. He'd have to barge in using nothing but his wits and a shoulder sorer than Matt Lauer after interviewing Tom Cruise. The door broke open like a pimple on Jessica Simpson's face before doing infomercials. Smoke oozed out, smelling cheaper than a share of Walmart stock, and stinging his eyes. The PI found his boss, heaped up on the dusty plank floors like a pile of wet towels in the locker room after Monday Night Football. Johnny Halbarad, PI, a man who hadn't quit anything since Martin and Lewis broke up, stuffed his aching hands under the zoned-out chieftain and hauled him out of Martha Stewart's Haunted House of Hags and Haggis. That was a good thing. The chieftain, woozier than Ernest T. Bass on a Saturday night, mumbled, "Dark Shadows has been cancelled." "What?" the PI yelped. "Willie Loomis has been canned? Who'll do Angelique's mile-high hair-dos." The private eye shook his head. "Say it ain't so." Aunt Clara tottered over and sunk only slightly slower than the president's approval ratings down beside the boss. "Don't get your stubble in a French twist; that ain't what he's yakking about." The PI rummaged in his pocket for his wide tooth-comb. He scratched it across his cheeks. "Then what?" "The Spirit of Jim Beam is slow to leave him." "Who?" Aragorn shook himself like Lassie after saving Timmy from a raging river. "Johnny Walker's cousin once removed on his mother's side." Aunt Clara patted the chieftain's arm affectionately. "Did you find what you were looking for, Dunwitted?" "Dúnadan," Halbarad corrected her. "Dún..a..DAN." Her eyes brightened. "'Ro's brother?" The PI's stare drilled a hole in his boss. "It's time to split from this pop stand." ******** The rangers arrived back at the Triangle in a purple rain that would have made the artist formerly known as Prince green with envy. They were tired and layered with more dirt and mud than a Monster Truck Show in south Alabama. When they'd left Aunt Clara's, they swung through the old set for Little House on the Prairie to look for any evidence that Nellie had been real. Oleson's Store was nothing but a pile of planks and empty jars of face cream Mrs. Oleson had used by the case. Only one grassy hump nearby looked like a crew member of Six Feet Under had remained to see the last of the cast rooted to the old home place. The PI and his boss weren’t Goonies, grave-robbers or looking to work, so they passed on stirring up the dirt. When the ranger pulled into the Triangle, Mrs. PI called valet service and had their rides parked while she shooed the wet rangers inside to drop The Big Chill they carried like Kevin Costner's body before it landed on the cutting room floor. The boss, determined to play Truth or Consequences, stood up like Jim Bakker needing a new waterslide, and yodeled out a 'stand by'. "Hold it," the PI said. "You look worse than Mel Gibson at the end of 'Leathal Weapon II'. Take a load off. Watch the backside of your lids for the night. And remember: don't go fishing with Police Chief Brody. You might catch Jaws." Aragorn shook his head. "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." He took a deep breath. "I'm as fake as a three-dollar bill, as phony as Paris Hilton's hair color, a ruse of a ranger, a counterfeit king, a hoax of an heir, a specious spectacle….” “Nonsense,” Halbarad’s mother said. “If you’re a bunyip, then I’m Queen for a Day.” “It’s true,” the chieftain said looking sadder than Ronald McDonald after quarterly earnings. “My old man was a rooster in a foreign henhouse.” “Nah,” Meneliel said. “That was my stud muffin. Me and the girls fetched the Little Rascal when his mother fizzled out like 8-tracks. “ The PI’s eyes snapped open wider than Steve Tyler’s mouth. “It’s you!” he said to Brandol. “And all this time you were a member of The Brady Bunch and I didn’t know it.” “Yeah,” Brandol said. “But I was never meant to replace Greg. I’m just an ordinary ‘Ramblin’ Man’. Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man. Tryin’ to make a livin’, doin’ the best I can. I’m an All-man, brother.” Aragorn smiled wider than Julia Roberts at the Oscars. “Sweet Home Al a’ Brandol. My brother you Doobie until the end.” Human reviewer: I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this story. I know it took you far longer to see it through than you ever thought, but you did a masterful job of constructing every word and turn. I really like how in the end you allowed the mothers, the women, to be the ones who came together to see a child loved and cared for. Their strength is core of the Dúnedain community, what holds it together while the men are doing their best to see evil kept from their door. This is a very nice tribute to your mother and what she meant to you. I’m looking forward to the epilogue. The Dog adds that he was privileged to meet the ranger’s mom and she was indeed very proud of the ranger. He was very fond of her too. Adored her, in fact. After all, Ranger Mom did a really good job raising the dog’s favorite ranger until the ranger could master beheading in one fell swoop. Ranger Mom was free with the Milkbones, too, unlike some people—who shall go unnamed—who are a little stingy. Ranger Dad is a pretty cool guy too. Ray’s Dog also thanks the ranger for allowing him to be such a nuisance with his reviews. Thanks for the wonderful story. Author Reply: Oh, Karen. Once again one of the main reasons I'll be sorry to see the story end is that I'll have to say farewell to Ray's Dog. You weren't kidding when you said this chapter got his tail to waggin.' This was one of his best yet. I don't know what had me laughing hardest - The Spirit of Jim Beam, "dunwitted," or "Sweet Home Al a'Brandol". And just for the record, Ranger Mom thought you were pretty swell, too.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/7/2006
Wonderful ending, with all threads neatly tied together and the circle of Dunedain "denighas" sharing a tale or two with the big boys. Very cleverly done, meckinock, from beginning to end. I was impressed by Meleniel's strength, but also by the anticlimax resolution of it all, with aragorn standing there seriously and proclaiming The Truth while wrapped in a blanket, and the women "oh, yes, well, let me tell you one or two things about that," and Halbarad gaping as a fish out of water... Priceless. And it was good to see Aragorn reach Rivendell and having his short conversation with Elrond and then meeting Arwen. A nomad may feel that he is not truly at home anywhere, but he also knows that he is at home for a while in more than one place, and that, too, is priceless. A great tale. Congratulations. And surely your mum must have liked it too. I think it was a sweet present. Author Reply: Thank you very much, Perelleth. I get such a kick out of twist endings, and it killed me to take so much time getting to it. Poor Aragorn, but he really was serious about Doing the Right Thing. I'm glad he got to tell Elrond he was sorry, too. I imagine he and Arwen will get some quality time now before he has to leave with Gandalf again.

RS	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/7/2006
Wow! Wonderful ending! I never suspected Brandol to be the one until he kept popping up in the paragraphs trying to take the young one's out of the room due to his "infallible ear for trouble" (my thought was, what's he doing there?). While the Dunedain ladies were revealing their story, I had a moment of ..."wait a minute!....just as Aragorn said, "He's you isn't he?" Brilliant! Aragorn's moment at his mother's grave was very moving. And then you come up with "Your mother's biscuits", "She was horrified that you tried to leave them behind.", "You'll tell her it was an oversight?" A tender moment to "a Comedy tonight!" And of course I love the reunion between Aragorn and Arwen! Your author's note really hit home with me. I'm truly sorry about your mother. It is a touching gesture and a beautiful tribute to complete this on her birthday. It just reminded me that I have not called my mom and dad in a while. I don't know what to say but, "Have ya got another story?" I really enjoy your creative mind and hope you keep writing the adventures of my favorite Rangers. Can't wait for the epilogue...Need to go now, I have to make a phone call! PS - I was just wondering which one of those Dunedain ladies is closest to your mother's personality? Can I guess? Halbarad's mom! She was a hoot from the get go and I liked her immediately! Her pesonality and her dice! RS Author Reply: Oh, good, RS! My aim was for readers to get it just an instant before Aragorn did, so it worked (well, for you, at least.) And I found I could not let Aragorn leave without one last light-hearted scene with Halbarad. I'm no good writing Arwen so that scene was necessarily short :-) I'll do my best to cough up an occasional Ranger adventure, but this might be the last long one. Thank you so much, RS. I'm glad you enjoyed. PS - Bingo

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/6/2006
I just loved the way you worked things out.This has been a wonderful story and I haveeagerly awaited every chapter. I am so sorry your Mother was not here for the end and hope you can find some comfort in the pleasure your work brought to her.I am sure my Mother were she still in his life,would have been interested in my work too, though I am not sure what she would have made of all my angst epics. Author Reply: Thank you Linda; your words are very kind. I am sure your mother would be very proud of your writing, too. though I am not sure what she would have made of all my angst epics LOL. I think there were definitely parts my mother skipped over :-)

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/6/2006
There is so much about this chapter to like. The high points for me: The old deningha's hope - her recognition that the Dunedain are different and that perhaps the fate of her people is going to change soon. The Dunedain women: this is to me exactly how strong women behave when in a culture where the men are off doing the ranger thing. They band together, work it out, eek out a living, take care of each other and keep their secrets. Meneliel is my hero. She loved her husband enough to forgive, but also to care about what was a part of him. Raising Brandol as a son of the Dunedain shows the absolute class of these people. Aragorn's honor: there is a deep irony and humor here that he could have asked any of these women who are agemates of his father and learned the answer. I won't be surprised at all if the twins, Elrond and even Arwen all know too, LOL. But I love that he cared enough for the Truth to seek it out. And on that last note, he might not see the significance now of his trip south, but we know it. Aragorn now has relationship with the Dunlendings to make peace with them. He has set the stage for when he is Elessar, King of the Reunited Realms. I like your note, too. That is what parents should be. I am glad you had such parents, and I swear there is an ip address hit from heaven on your chapter. Author Reply: Yup, the groundwork is laid for the Dunlendings to be brought into the fold. I don't know if the denigha lived to see it, but at least she had hope it was coming. I was wallowing - wallowing in the irony of Aragorn carefully protecting the women from this shameful secret. I agree the Dunedain women would have had to be close-knit and tough and resourceful to keep things running at home with the menfolk out roaming in the wild all the time. Meneliel is my hero, too.

SurgicalSteel	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/6/2006
Just lovely. I very much enjoyed this story, and I look forward to the epilogue. Author Reply: Thank you very much. The epilogue is coming...

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List