News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner | 12 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/31/2009 |
| Just...........beautiful. What else can I say? Except that I was feeling a little bent out of shape tonight. Not sure why. Touch of PMS maybe. Anyway, this story somehow smoothed out the kinks and put me at peace once more. Guess I have a good idea Who told me to read it.;) ~~~~{~@ | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/16/2008 |
| This is so bittersweet. It made me teary-eyed. It's just so hard to think of Aragorn dying. :*( It's good that he's peaceful about it, but I can't help thinking of Arwen's fate, which is more than sad. Love the use of all the different divices for keeping time. (A water clock? What is that, exactly?) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Water clocks came in several kinds. In some a metal bowl with a hole in it was floated in a larger basin of water; when the bowl filled, it would sink with a clang against the underlying basin, at which time it would be lifted up, emptied out, and set to float once more. The size of the hole was such it would take about a local hour for the floating bowl to fill and sink. In others a reservoir of water with a hole in it would be set over an underlying basin and filled with water, allowing the water to drip into the lower basin. Usually the receiving basin itself would be ingeniously suspended so that when it had received an hour's worth of water it would then tip out the water into a special lower drain or reservoir; once it was empty it would right itself and again receive another hour's worth of drops before emptying itself again. This is the type of clock I've envisioned. And although the thought of Aragorn makes us sad, I doubt he was all that upset about it--in fact, I suspect he was looking forward to it as the right, proper, and now desirable thing to do that he be ready for whatever might come next for him. I suspect his only regret was how his death would affect his beloved Arwen. | |
| Baggins Babe | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/13/2008 |
| Bittersweet and beautiful, Larner. I suppose anyone who has lived a long life feels the desire to re-join those who have gone before. I have known old people (and those who have been very ill) who say they are ready to go. For Aragorn this was Eru's Gift - to give up his life when he was ready, and when the time was right. Time sometimes goes by too quickly (as I fear it must have done for Arwen) and those clocks hold us all in their relentless grip. Only one tiny thing - would it not be the thirtieth day of Solmath? Aragorn was born on the 1st Rethe I believe. Author Reply: Ah--look in haste and regret it afterwards! Of course you're right, Baggins Babe! I'll get that corrected! Gads! And for Aragorn, I'm certain it indeed was Eru's Gift. Grace had been granted him, and I suspect that he ever gave thanks for every bit of it he knew. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/11/2008 |
| *sniff* That was beautiful, but sad. Aragorn setting everything in order and his last look at things like Frodo’s Shire calendar and An’Ma’Osiri’s waterclock and particularly his farewell to the White Tree and Gandalf made me tearing up. Author Reply: Ah, it's always wonderful when I learn that something I've written has moved someone so! And I love to think that little Ma'Osiri grew to be a great Farozi who cared for the man who saved the lives of so many in his family, and sent him such a thing. And I'd think Aragorn would appreciate the reminder of Gandalf's long care for him and the guidance given, Thanks so. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/10/2008 |
| Beautiful Larner. Very much one to keep. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Harrowcat. God bless your family. | |
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/10/2008 |
| Beautifully written, Larner! I would love to see some of those really fascinating time pieces in the Citadel. I'm an engineer, you know :) Aragorn did his very best to leave all in order for his son to take over the kingship. I'm quite sure that he doesn't fear what will come next. On the contrary, it seems he's looking forward to it, like Frodo and Sam did. Last but not least, I loved the image of Aragorn's grandson watching in fascination his moving shadow on the sundial! Author Reply: The one timepiece I forgot to mention was an hourglass, but after reading Raksha's story on HASA about Denethor with his hourglass I'm almost glad I didn't include it after all. I can't imagine Aragorn leaving many loose ends. And I think he would not fear what is to come. He knows it is time, and he does not wish to embarrass himself by lingering and losing his personal and physical integrity as have so many of his forebears. And I'm certain he felt the anticipation of reunion as well as trust that, as wonderful as this life had become for him, the next must be at least equally as good! And I'm so glad you like the thought of Valandil watching his shadow, with himself as a living gnomen! Thank you! | |
| mistry89 | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/10/2008 |
| I can't remember reading an Aragorn Passing story that put this sense of Right Time to it, at least to the point where I could see beyond the sadness to the reunions that would come. Usually, I just want to sob (which is the "proper" reaction to those stories - no negative comment for them was intended!). The pov seems to often be that of those about to lose their king/friend, or of a man worn down and weary), as Aragorn invoked the ability of his forebears to travel beyond the reach of the cares of the world. This time I see a different man. I do hope this makes sense! Thank you. Author Reply: This is a sort of prequel, if you will, to my own "Aragorn and Arwen Passing" story, "Light on the Way." For Men, there is a proper season for dying. Aragorn, as THE Dunadan, has outlived three generations of "normal" Men, and a couple of generations of Hobbits, and a half generation of Dwarves. Of those he has known and loves, only those of Elf-kind remain within Arda, and probably most of those are already gone West by now. He has survived battles that have claimed many who were close to him and a good percentage of those he led. He has undoubtedly survived assassination attempts. He has known peace and plenty after years of deprivation and desperate toil. He has known the desperation of a love he must at times wondered whether it could ever be achieved, and the fulfilment of that love in spite of all rational expectation of failure. He knows it is time, and I doubt he is that unhappy for himself. So many he loves are on "that side." And as with my view of Frodo, he is not frightened of what comes--indeed he is ready to open wings that are stirring within the crysalis his body has become so as to be ready for the next part of the adventure of Being. His concern instead is for the one he leaves behind, who has not the preparation he has had naturally for letting go when the time comes. I see both of them (and Sam with them) as individuals who who have accepted that they have indeed been blessed and who rejoice in that, and who have given over that fear in preference for the faith that what comes is merely part of what is intended for their further delight. I hope this has to some degree rung true for you. And you are most welcome. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/9/2008 |
| An interesting look at a time I haven't thought of before. I love his parting words to Arwen, about his hope for a life beyond and all that, but I hadn't thought of the time before those words. How nice for him to think he would be seeing his many brothers again. Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: He must have felt somewhat like Frodo before the quest, going about to fill his heart with memories to take with him, knowing "I won't be seeing this again--doing this again...." And he would indeed be looking forward, I think, to those coming reunions. So many he thought of as brothers of one sort or another. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/9/2008 |
| This is a beautiful story, and point of view. Aragorn truly brought back to the world of Men dignity, humility, and strength that would stand as a shining example for another Age. Author Reply: Oh, I so agree, Shirebound. Yes, Aragorn indeed brought all those qualities back to the world of Men. Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 5/9/2008 |
| This is a lovely snapshot of Aragorn's last day, or last hours. The theme of Time is artfully woven in here, with reference to the nifty ways that Men mark its passage. Great title too. I liked Aragorn's relationship with the White Tree - how sad that he and Arwen are now the only people in the City who remember when there was not a living Tree there - another consequence of the passage of time. And of course, I liked Aragorn's including Faramir in his list of friends who have gone before him. Good story, one of your best! Author Reply: The request for this birthday gift was that it look at time; and when one knows that the last ticks of the clock are sounding, that is when time tends to be most counted, I think. And Faramir was a special friend and surrogate brother/son/helpmeet of a particular sort, I think. Of course he'd look forward to that reunion! The Elves and Dwarves may remember the Tree as a sapling, but for those Men who live in Gondor now--I think all of them would have only seen it as a mature tree. The cycling of the seasons as evidenced by trees and other plants is indeed another reflection of time at work. So glad you appreciated it! Thanks, Raksha. | |