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At Hope's Edge by Cairistiona	10 Review(s)
Dreamdeer	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/3/2009
Each chapter just gets better and better. The emotional veracity of this one shows no flaw that I can detect. Not every writer could handle the rapid shifts of humor, grief, compassion, loyalty, defiance, gentleness and anger, but Cairistiona manages deftly. Author Reply: Thank you again! My goodness, you're doing my ego good with these reviews. I always try to get the emotions of the characters as right as I can... I don't want the men too weepy but nor do I want them emotionless automatons. Finding the balance can be tricky, so I'm relieved you've found I'm hitting it right each time. :)

Stefania	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/1/2009
Hey Cairistiona - I just wanted to leave a little note to tell you I am loving this story so far. The language you have used to described difficult feelings and angsty moments is spot on. Not only that, the tough situations haven't become maudlin and over the top so far. Good job. I'm off to the next chapter. - Steff Author Reply: Thank you, Steff! I'm glad you're enjoying the story and especially appreciate your comment that the tough situations haven't become maudlin. That's something I really do hope to avoid in my stories, so that's encouraging to hear. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story and thanks for the review!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/25/2009
Ah, exactly what I'd expect from the two of them. Am so glad the two men managed to live. Now, to see to Windlydale. Excellent. Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! And first off, my apologies for my lateness in replying. Somehow the alert for your review ended up in my spam folder. scratching head I'm glad you liked this chapter and glad you're happy Bilfen and Kenevir survived--I'm kind of relieved myself. :) Thanks again for the review!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/20/2009
I'm so glad Aragorn's friend survived. I just love the relationship you write for him and Halbarad.Aragorn needs to take the good advice and go to Rivendell as he is obviously ill. A wonderful chapter. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! I think we're all very glad Bilfen survived (even me, because I wasn't sure at first he was going to!). I'm glad you like my take on Halbarad and Aragorn. And yes, Halbarad would definitely agree with you that Aragorn should haul himself to Rivendell and out of danger... but it remains to be seen whether Aragorn will be that sensible! Thanks again for the lovely review.

MP brennan	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2009
Bilfen and Kenevir are alive! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! (Doesn't take much to make me happy, does it?) ;-) Great chapter, as usual. The character interactions are wonderful. Whether it's Aragorn and Denlad, Aragorn and Halbarad, or some combination therein, the characterizations and dialogue were spot on. Halbarad's impression of a mother hen gets sharper with each passing chapter, and with the dialogue at the end we see that it's not just for comic relief--there are good, understandable reasons for him to act this way. And Bilfen . . . don't get me started. I'm eagerly awaiting more! cheers! -Brennan Author Reply: LOL! Thank you, Brennan! I can definitely sense a trend here, that people are happy to see Bilfen and Kenevir are alive. grin I'm so glad you like Bilfen--I'm really fond of him myself (and thinking I need to use him more in other stories). And you've definitely hit on Halbarad's motivations perfectly: he keeps much of his words light (almost reminiscent of Hobbits hiding deeper feelings behind a jest) but he takes his role as protector very, very seriously. He sees himself as "keeper of the King" and he will do whatever it takes to make sure Aragorn lives to see the throne... even to following Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead when he knows his own death lies beyond. Tolkien birthed a great character there but left him not much more than a sketchy outline--I'm just coloring him in and hoping to do him justice. Glad you're enjoying this and thank you so much for the lovely review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2009
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! So both Bilfen and Kenevir survived. I'm sooooooooooooo glad you spared them. Bilfen is a character with such a relish for life that even his sorrowfulness and despair give way to the need to care for the living. He was like a most needed breath of fresh air coming into that cave. And I fell in love with Kenevir when I read "No Greater Comfort". It would have been a pity if both had died. I liked the dialogue between Halbarad and Aragorn. Halbarad's dry, ironic humour is there again, and he needs it to knock some sense into Aragorn's stubborn head. The chemistry between the two is just about perfect. Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! Three cheers for Bilfen and Kenevir, eh? LOL I agree, it is good to have them back on Arda (although they never really left... just to Bree). I was just thinking the other day it might be interesting to explore a story where we find out how Kenevir ended up the way he does. Someday! I'm glad you're still enjoying my Halbarad and how he handles Aragorn--he really has learned through the years how to "manage" his friend. I wonder if his father had any similar troubles managing Arathorn! Thanks again for the review!

Inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2009
Ah, Halbarad is a good friend indeed! What a roller coaster of emotion there was in this chapter, but all so seemlessly and convincingly done. The 'hug factor' for Aragorn just keeps on rising. Wonderful stuff! Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth! I definitely want to keep racking up the hugs for Aragorn. :) And yes, very much an emotional maelstrom for Aragorn & Co. And it's only really just beginning.... Thanks again for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2009
Can you see the big, happy grin on my face? bg To see Bilfen and Kenevir again is something I certainly would not have expected (thanks to a certain evil author ;-). It's really a ray of hope in the midst of all this mysterious darkness. Also, I want to hug Denlad. Him apologizing to Aragorn is more than I would have hoped for. It's just good to know he doesn't blame Aragorn for anything. It's already difficult enough for all of them without starting any blame-games. The Valar bless Halbarad, btw. He really tries valiantly to keep his chieftain safe and sane, even if Aragorn does his best to boycott him. I would feel much better if Aragorn chose to go to Rivendell, too - which is why I'm very sure he won't go. g Poor Halbarad, I hope Aragorn at least won't choose to send him to Rivendell. Aragorn riding on with only three companions is bad enough. I do have a really bad feeling about all this, but I guess I'm not the only one. I'm looking forward to see what will happen next! :) Almut Author Reply: Oh, Almut, your reviews always bring a smile to my face--thank you! (Well, all reviews make me smile but yours are always so detailed, I appreciate them.) I figured you might be happy to read this chapter. I really did plan on killing off Bilfen and Kenevir, but in the end I just couldn't do it. And the story needed an upswing, so voila, they live! And yes, I will gladly claim the title Evil Author. mwu ha ha! And yes, Denlad and Halbarad both earn their hugs in this chapter. Denlad for doing the upstanding thing and clearing the air, and Halbarad for, well, putting up with a cantankerous Chieftain who only promises to get more cantankerous as time goes on. Hang onto your hat when next weekend's chapter hits. Thanks again for the review!

Elflingimp	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2009
Just wanted you to know I love your story, it is written so very Tolkeinish almost as if it were part of LOTR, it is right in tune with it Hugs Deb the Imp Author Reply: Thank you so much, Deb! To be told that this is in keeping with Tolkien and LOTR is high praise and I so appreciate it. I'm glad you're still hanging in there with the story. Much more to come! Thanks again for the lovely compliment.

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2009
Mm... So much about this chapter that I liked. The emotions--my heart goes out to Aragorn. Descriptions--you very, very good at this. A wonderful read for this frigid Saturday. ~Cal Author Reply: Thank you, Cal! I'm glad it gave you something to distract from the nasty cold air outside. Emotions and descriptions... I always hope they're vivid enough to capture the readers' imaginations and tug their heartstrings. Our Rangers are really hurting right now, but Bilfen's arrival helped a bit. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

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