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At Hope's Edge by Cairistiona	14 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/13/2025
"Her," Denlad interjected softly. Eledh cast a quizzical glance at Denlad, but continued, "Her... something to drink." <33 THIS CHAPTER TITLE OH "And no doubt frightened out of her wits," Denlad said. <33 CAN YOU IMAGINE FOUR DAYS Aragorn studied the tangled pile, finding little to like about the situation. Then he sat back on his heels and regarded Denlad. "Why do you think it is a girl?" There was a pause and then, softly, with a note of embarrassment, "I always wanted a little girl." "Do not feel embarrassed, Denlad. It is in the heart of all men to have a wife, a family." He could not stop the wistful tone creeping into his voice. "Your own hope will be fulfilled, Aragorn. Of that I am certain," Denlad said quietly. awwww THIS <:(((( these two dear, dear men He recalled his own childhood, when nightmares woke him crying in the dark and his father would steal into his room and sing him to sleep with quiet lullabies. SKASKDSF PICTURING ELROND DOING THIS <:((((( a father singing to a child is like. The most sweetest thing. And when it's kind Elrond...<3 A longing crossed Denlad’s face, there and gone so quickly that had Aragorn not been watching him, he would not have seen it. "I never learned much Quenya," Denlad admitted. "I barely feel I know Sindarin." Oh how I wish to know all languages. And here, where Sindarin is so beautiful and Quenya is almost like...the heavenly language. How the yearning would be strong. Maybe I should start learning. Or maybe I should try to keep learning something more useful XD "You speak it as well as any Dúnadan," Aragorn assured him quietly. He knew very well the hardships Denlad faced as a child. Far from the gentle life Aragorn had known in Rivendell, Denlad had spent his childhood years on a remote farm, with only his mother for company, and she a woman of questionable virtue and stern demeanor and little in the way of love for her fellow man. Aragorn remembered her reaction when once he tried to speak to her in Sindarin. She had all but hissed at him that he speak to her in the Common Tongue. One of the first things Denlad had done after he joined Aragorn’s patrol was lose himself in learning Sindarin, and he had done well for himself. Learning the difficult language had seemed, to Aragorn’s thinking, like walking through a door that led from darkness into light, and he had felt immense pride in seeing Denlad’s progress. He still held Denlad in high regard, actually. But he did not have the words to say such things without embarrassing the man. Still, Denlad gazed long at Aragorn, seeming to measure Aragorn’s words, looking for their deeper meaning and holding them against his own doubts, and finally, as if accepting their truth, his troubled gaze cleared and he nodded. "Thank you." <:(((( SKASHFJDSSFH I love them thank you for again giving the background <3 "I somehow doubt at this point in time he would be willing to do that again," Aragorn smiled. It was incongruous and probably a little ridiculous, but it felt good to talk of light matters in the midst of such horrors. "Besides, I was a relative. As the Rohirrim would put it, a brother-son, a nephew, although many generations removed." Denlad’s voice held a hint of laughter. "And I am certain that bit about ‘Sixteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain, Isildur’s heir didn’t cross his mind at all when he decided to take you in." "It may have, I suppose." XD <3 "I wasn’t raised as an Elf. Just raised with Elves. My mother and Lord Elrond both saw to it that I had a thorough understanding of my own people and their culture. Still... there were some surprises." "Such as?" "The food, for one. Or maybe I should say the lack thereof." "Lost some weight, did you?" "A little, yes," Aragorn admitted. "It took some getting used to, living in the wild, missing meals more often than not." that is such a good point. I always have a hard time reckoning those two sides of his life. They would not have tried to make him "soft" or sheltered, but were also certainly not going to treat him with neglect in a place of plenty. That likely would have done more harm than good. They fell silent again, then Aragorn ventured his own question. "And what of you, Denlad? What was hardest for you to get used to when you joined the Grey Company?" Denlad took a long time to answer, and when he did, his quiet reply cut straight to Aragorn’s heart. "Friendship." <:(( OH the shoulder squeeze <3 I love how Aragorn and them all have started saying her as well <3 Again, Denlad always wanting specifically a daughter squeezes my heart "hope lending them strength" <333 "Get back!" Aragorn cried, grabbing Halbarad around the waist and whirling him around to shove him toward Galadh. Galadh steadied Halbarad and they both ran toward the kitchen. Eledh scrambled after them but Denlad remained behind, on his belly, again reaching into the small opening with one arm. "Denlad, get out!" "I think I can reach her!" "No! It’s too dangerous!" Aragorn reached down and hauled Denlad to his feet. Denlad turned on him, fury flashing in his eyes, but Aragorn didn’t give him time to argue before shoving him hard toward the doorway where Eledh still waited. "Get him out of here! All of you, out!" AKSJDSFH Aragorn bodily yanking his men out <3 FURY FLASHING <:( of course It seemed to be holding. His gaze strayed back toward the tangled pile of timbers. I have to try. YESSSSS i would expect nothing less word I learned today: temerity. Thank you. It is a nice one. Skakjdfhs likening the building to a dying man Aragorn pushed himself hard against the opening, trying to gain another few inches... just a few... and his fingers closed on soft cloth and he felt movement under his hand and hope surged wild and soaring within him. He grasped the cloth as tightly as he could and pulled. Again the building groaned and he pulled and the child moved toward him and for an instant hope turned to joy. She’s going to make it... THE WILD HOPE And then the building shook once more and kept shaking and the timbers suddenly collapsed around his arm. He was trapped. He bit back a scream of frustration as pain bit deep into his upper arm and his hand reflexively opened and the cloth fell away. A board clattered to the floor inches from his foot and another scraped across his shoulders and all around him the cacophony of the building's death throes deafened him. He had to free himself, had to forget about the dying child... oh Valar, how can I save myself and not her... but he had to. She was gone. It was over. He choked on a sob and gritted his teeth and pulled his arm. The sleeve of his coat tore and jagged splinters plunged like needles into his flesh but then he was free and scrambling to his feet and running, the child left behind. SAKSDFHSKJHSKFHSJKFS THAT WAS DEVASTATING He staggered out of the building, where he fell to his knees in the mud and buried his face in his hands. He had come so close. So close. UTTERLY DEVASTATING Anger warred with sorrow in the tall Ranger’s blue eyes and Aragorn was certain a large part of the anger was deservedly aimed at him. He dropped his head and grasped his aching arm. oh there are no words "Let me see," Halbarad said, gently pulling Aragorn’s hand back. He peeled back the torn leather. "Now there's a bit of a mess for you. You’ve amassed a fine collection of splinters. It will hurt, but I’ll have to dig them out." "Just get on with it." thank you <3 Aragorn shrugged. If tearing it off at the shoulder would save the child, he would prefer living life as a cripple over enduring the pain he felt in his heart right now. He dropped his chin to his chest and shut his eyes. "Have the men gather the bodies of the townspeople for burial," he said dully. "Since we cannot save any of them, we will at least keep the vultures from further desecrating their remains." oh this is pain <:((((( wails

Ellynn	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/24/2010
Is it strange that Mallor's death shook me waaaaaaaaay much more than this little girl? But it is so. Perhaps I was "prepared" for it... or perhaps it is because we don't know anything about her, she is just "one of many", if you understand what I mean. I don't know. Please remind me - do you mention this event in some of your later stories? I really can't remember, and I have some blurry feeling that you do... Now I regret that I haven't read this earlier - before your later stories. I mean, I already know that this feeling of dread comes from the Nazgul, so a little bit of tension is taken from me. But then, perhaps I'd guess anyway? I'll never know. sigh But hey, although I know certain things in advance, don't think that your descriptions lose their strenght. The feeling of dread is so real, just like I read this without prior knowledge. Author Reply: I imagine that it varies from person to person how a character death might make them feel--for some, the death of a child, even an unknown, is far worse than the death of a warrior; for others, sympathies may lie with the warrior more. One never knows, as a writer, which way a reader will go and that's the fun of hearing from readers. I do know that both the deaths affect Aragorn deeply, however! And yes, I do tie all my stories together, because I'm trying to build my own little version of Eriador and Aragorn's life as a Ranger and Chieftain. So some things might not hit you as hard, having read hints of them in other stories first. But I hope that doesn't lessen your enjoyment of this story too much--like you say, hard to know if the sensation of dread might have been heightened, but hopefully that's not going to be too much of a detriment as you read this. Thanks for the review!

Dreamdeer	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/3/2009
(I guess this signs automatically anyway, even if you're not part of Arda, since the writer has written to me.) I found this an exceptionally moving chapter. It does not pull punches. It sets up one expectation and plunges you into a different outcome altogether, one truer and more difficult, but the reader does not need babied and the author knows it. The tension does not let up, yet the love between the characters makes all bearable. Cairistiona makes every detail of the situation vivid and pressing, from the most physical to the most abstract. And while she's at it, she sets us up for future chapters in an unexpected way. Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamdeer! This was another difficult chapter because I so wanted to save that child, but the story insisted that it couldn't be. Interesting how stories will take on wills of their own that way. I'm gratified that even though this was a hard chapter to read, it moved you. Thank you again for your kind reviews. :)

MP brennan	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/14/2009
Wow, this isn't going to lighten up any time soon, is it? Seriously, though, it's beautifully written. I'm strangely glad that you're taking the poor Ranger to the edge of despair and back; far too many authors "wimp out," in my opinion, by glossing over the pain and skipping to the fuzzy part. This story has much more impact because you're willing to go all the way. Wonderful characterization of both Aragorn and Denlad. Excellent writing over all. You do toy with the audience, making us think the child will be saved, but sometimes that's the best way to make us care. Looking forward to more. -Brennan Author Reply: Thank you, Brennan! What a lovely review! And no, unfortunately for Aragorn (and the rest), things in general won't be lightening up any time soon... bad as it is, Aragorn's still not really at hope's edge. I appreciate so much that you're actually glad to see this story going where I'm taking it... I too have the same thought sometimes, that a lot of fanfic doesn't really go far enough. Of course, conversely, I do think some go too far and take him beyond the edge of despair to what would be ruination, and then bring him back unscathed. With this story, I'm trying to keep it so that it fits both his character and canon--he does, after all, have to be the person we and the Hobbits meet at the Prancing Pony by the time I'm through with him. So there are limits set by Tolkien that I strive to stay within. But within those limits... yeah, there's lots of room for pushing Aragorn to the brink. And I'm so glad you're liking Denlad. He's one of my biggest risks, really, being an OC. You never really know how an OC will be received in fanfic, so I'm trying to make him as real as I can, as I am all the OCs in this. I realize I've packed quite a few in, but hopefully they'll add to everyone's enjoyment of the canon characters and not distract. Thanks again for the review! I think I need to go pop my ballooning ego now... grin

Inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2009
You absolutely feel Aragorn's despair in this chapter. We become so used to thinking of Aragorn the hero being able to set things right that something like this comes across as almost shocking. It was all too harrowingly real. Well done. Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth! It is so true that we're used to seeing Aragorn "fixing" everything... it's interesting to explore what happens when he runs up against something he's not able to. Does he crack? Does he falter? Or, like steel, is he tempered by the flames of hardship? Those are the questions in my mind as I wrote this, and hopefully by the end of the story we'll see just what the events have wrought in our Ranger. Thanks again for your review (and of course, always for your guidance!)

Rede	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/12/2009
I almost cried at this one. I've never come so close to feeling so absolutely miserable about a story. Very sad, and very well done. Author Reply: Thank you... I just hope that it doesn't make you so miserable that you quit reading it! :) Thank you for the review... it's gratifying to know when your writing has touched the emotions in such a strong way. I do hope you continue on with the story. Thank you again for the review!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/11/2009
Utterly heartrending.I was so hoping they could save the child and they tried so hard.Very well written. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda, for you kind words! Very sorrowful time for them, definitely. Thanks for reading and leaving such a nice review.

Szepilona10	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/11/2009
That is so sad! Update soon please! God Bless! ~Szepilona10~ Author Reply: Yes, it is a very sad time for Araogorn and the Rangers. Update next weekend, as usual. Thanks for reviewing!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/11/2009
Oh, that's so sad. Poor girl, and poor Aragorn and Denlad. It must break one's heart, to almost be able to save someone (especially a child) and then loose him/her. sigh I wonder what Denlad is thinking right now, I hope he isn't blaming Aragorn. Aragorn only wanted to save his life, after all, and he must be aware of that, even if he's angry right now. I like him, btw. To learn some details about both his and Aragorn's upbringing and the problems (or blessing) it brought with it was very interesting. Joining the Grey Company must have felt like heaven to Denlad, compared with his childhood. That he found it hardest to get used to something like friendship did not only touch Aragorn, but me, too. You really have poor Aragorn going through a lot of heartache in this story. Another wonderful chapter, and I'm already looking forward to whatever will come next. :) Almut Author Reply: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're liking Denlad... creating OC's is always a bit of a risk, and I've loaded up the story with a bunch, I realize. But Denlad's always had a special spot in my heart, so you'll see and hear more about him as the story goes on. And Eledh and Galadh as well, though they play more minor roles in this tale. But before too long, I'll add a story that explains fully how Eledh ended up being called an Elf Maid. ;) Anyway, yes, Denlad's got a storm of emotions going through him at this point, as do all the men. And yes, I'm really piling it on poor Aragorn... we'll see how much he can take! Thanks again for your review, this one and the others!

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/11/2009
Sob Oh, how desperately sad - but realistic, I think. There must be many times when rescuers come so close to saving someone but ultimately fail. I can understand why Aragorn blames himself - who wouldn't? - but there was nothing he could do. Jay Author Reply: Thank you, Jay! passing tissues I think you're exactly right... I don't think life then wasn't really any different than life now, when responders sometimes lose those they're trying to rescue--it's doubly wrenching when you've come so close. You're as wise as Halbarad in knowing there was nothing Aragorn could do. Of course, try telling that to Aragorn! Thank you for the review!

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