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


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

At Hope's Edge by Cairistiona	12 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/17/2025
"Are you hungry? We have some broth." Aragorn grimaced. "No." He had slept for an hour, at most, before a horrible nightmare brought him gasping back to wakefulness. It was the same terrible vision of Halbarad binding him in chains and casting him before Sauron. He woke up shuddering with cold and crying out and Halbarad had flown to his side with the athelas and although it helped, he still felt shivery and unsettled. The thought of food, even broth, made his stomach do a slow flip. But then he looked at Halbarad’s worried eyes and tried to find a way to reassure him. "Perhaps later." YESS needing food but feeling revulsed at the thought of even something gentle, my favorite ALSO SKAKHFG HAHA NOT PEACEFUL SLEEP NOT YET >:)))) asjshfs it being with Halbarad, his most trusted friend and kinsman betraying him SUCH A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE and waking to Halbarad the EXACT OPPOSITE, FLYING to his side (love that way of putting it <3), and still feeling shivery and shaky "As you wish. We have had a hard time keeping you warm," Halbarad said as he reached out and laid the back of his hand against Aragorn’s forehead and then his cheek, "yet you do not seem to have fever. Is this coldness part of the Black Breath?" "It must be, although I am not certain." "Nothing has been certain since we left Chetwood," Halbarad sighed. He dipped a cloth into the bowl and slowly wrung it out. "However, it is certain that you are still cold even now." yessss Aragorn nodded. Truth to tell, he was miserable with cold. He pulled the blanket tighter under his chin. YESS trying not to let on that he is absolutely miserable with it, but Halbarad can at least partly guess "My arms, especially. Every time my sword hit his... " His voice trailed away. He had no words to describe the deadness each shocking parry of the Nazgûl blade had driven into his arms. To even bend his thoughts in that direction opened visions of horrible black hands clawing for his spirit. Even now he felt himself somehow falling, and the line between waking and nightmare wavered, and safety and comfort crumbled under a sudden onslaught of malice that Aragorn could not tell was real or simply remembered. He bit his lower lip hard, gripping the sides of the cot and telling himself he was safe, the Nazgûl was gone. I am safe! But the terror felt too real, too immediate. His breathing hitched and before he could stop it, a soft guttural cry escaped his throat. asdfsjshgksdf "the deadness each shocking parry of the Nazgul blade had driven into his arms" again like, I know Merry and Eowyn both actually struck the Nazgul and he did not but...STILL! That he fought the numbness without his arms immediately becoming useless yessss the being pulled towards nightmare memory at each recall I am safe! AGAIN THE TERROR ENVELOPING ARAGORN THE MOST COURAGEOUS OF MEN skasdfhjsh biting his lip AND gripping the cot AND STILL "a soft gutteral cry escaped his throat" SKADJSF I such a lovely whumpy line ESPECIALLY because Halbarad is watching and listening the cry being not loud this time but soft and weakly filled with a deep (gutteral) anguish, just. Loud and soft cries are both great for different things :) He heard as if from the depths of a well Halbarad’s voice. "Shhh. Peace, Aragorn, remember you are safe!" but he still felt himself slipping down, down into that chasm and he didn’t know if he had the strength to drag himself up from the blackness. But he stared hard at Halbarad’s eyes and slowly, slowly the fear started to leave. Halbarad quickly thrust the steaming athelas toward Aragorn’s face. "Breathe! Breathe as deep as you can!" AKSDHFDJF "peace, Aragorn, remember you are safe!" AKHDSFJKH MY HEART. The wishing peace upon him, hushing him gently, being an outside reminder that he is safe because the Valar know his own trying to tell himself is NOT enough for his needs,,, and quickly going please this one helps you!! Breathe as deep as you can! <:( <33 also "he didn't know if he had the strength to drag himself up from the blackness" skadjdk He did and the blackness took a reluctant step back and after another breath finally retreated enough that Aragorn’s heart calmed and he could ease his death grip on the cot. <3333 aww he was still death-gripping it his heart racing every time gets me. It shows how deeps the fear is. Like. Idk it's forcing opportunities on Aragorn for him to be like a child in need of and receiving comfort and it's kind of my favorite. Not something he can master himself, the terror is too deep. "I won’t ask what just happened," Halbarad said shakily, "for I would not want to trouble your spirit again, but I know now without doubt that you need more care than I can give. I think we should take you to Rivendell as soon as you’re able. You need the care of a real healer, not secondhand ministrations from a man taking orders from his own patient." skasdjfjsghskh I agree <33333 he wants to know but he doesn't want to trouble his spirit again <:( and I love how much Aragorn's spirit is being mentioned, how deep the hurt is aww lol from a man taking orders from his own patient <3 true Aragorn said nothing, but he quailed at the thought of journeying to Rivendell. It seemed as impossible as storming Thangorodrim, as exhausted as he felt. ASKFDSHSGJ how I love that Aragorn is reluctant now not because it feels like a cowardly retreat or unnecessary BUT BECAUSE HIS HEART QUAILS AT THE INSURMOUNTABLE JOURNEY IT NOW SEEMS I promise Halbarad will take you on his horse again if you need <3 Although somehow I don't think you'll like that as much being actually aware for the journey. "Shhh. Peace, Aragorn, remember you are safe!" okay coming back to this again because it is soothing to me <3 "No, we can send you... and the entire patrol with you. There is nothing the five of us can accomplish against such an enemy. We need help, and Rivendell is the closest aid." mm yesss the entire patrol this time <3 Aragorn shut his eyes. He had no strength to argue, even if there was something he could think of to counter Halbarad’s very sound logic. "We will discuss it later," he finally sighed. aww he's so tired can't counter his very sound logic lol "Of course. I’m pushing too hard again. The only thing you need to do now is rest. Try to go to sleep." aww <3 recognizing when he's pushing too hard Sleep was tempting, but knowing the nightmares lurking therein, he was reluctant to return to its uneasy embrace. He pulled the blanket back and stretched out his right arm, wincing at the stiffness of it. askjdh its uneasy embrace. What a misery when sleep is not an escape but a trap. Halbarad hold him while he sleeps? Although Halbarad must sleep too at some point "Shall I try laving it with the athelas?" <3 good idea I like the word "laving" it sounds very soothing and like. yeah. pain relieving? Aragorn nodded. Maybe the water’s warming touch would bring some life back into his deadened limbs. He watched as Halbarad, humming softly, rhythmically and gently ran the cloth down his arm. It felt good, the warm touch of it. <33 HE FEELS WARMTH not warm perhaps but a bit of warmth Halbarad suddenly chuckled and started softly singing. "‘Enchantment healed his weary feet ....’(1) I am no Luthien, nor are these your feet, but may winter’s touch flee your limbs as they fled poor Beren’s." He then continued to hum the beloved song, and Aragorn sighed, this time with contentment as warmth finally stole its way back into his limbs. He flexed his right hand. His fingers moved stiffly, but at least they moved. His left arm... he winced. Athelas would do little for that arm. The splinter wounds were stiff and very, very sore. skasgsjhsjkghsjkgsdj thank youuuuu for making me smile "nor are these your feet" HEHE <3 awwww at least they moved his left arm...:) "You tore the wound open, in the fight," Halbarad said, frowning. "There is no infection and Denlad cleaned it and re-bandaged it, but it will be that much longer in healing, I fear." "I seem to have made quite a mess of myself." aww <3 yes A glimmer of amusement suddenly softened the grim lines of Halbarad’s face. "Yes, it was a bit clumsy of you, all this." SKADH <333 those words are so cute. a bit clumsy of you, all this. He winked as he carefully lifted Aragorn’s left arm and wiped down the arm below the bandage. "I imagine you are finding this more to your liking than my horse balm." LOL okay he would never try to inflict that horror upon Aragorn in this case. Aragorn thought he was too tired for the smile he felt to reach his lips, but somehow he must have managed, for Halbarad’s amusement bloomed into a smile. "‘Tis a good thing to see something besides terror looking through your eyes." AKSJHJGHK AWW ALSO YOU ABSOLUTELY PIERCED MY HEART WITH THAT LAST STATEMENT suddenly rerunning through all their interactions and Halbarad can CLEARLY see the pure terror "looking through his eyes" (love) constantly. Particularly, like, watching his struggle when he was gripping the bed and softly crying out earlier, but, also implies that all this time it has still been there. And Halbarad can SEE it. And that hurts and also makes me so happy. He sees his pain, nay, his TERROR, and that is something worse. Fear is a lonely mental enemy but Halbarad sees. And Aragorn is not alone. Not alone. <333 Halbarad laid the cloth across Aragorn’s forehead for a moment, then gently wiped it across his cheeks. He pulled Aragorn’s torn shirt open. "Life distanced from death by the turn of the Nazgûl’s sword," he said softly. "You are indeed fortunate." He touched it lightly. awww yes the torn shirt Aragorn gasped. It felt like Halbarad had driven a dagger into him. He felt beads of sweat pop out on his forehead. SKADDFSHGJ that is such a visceral reaction I cannot even imagine because...well no one has ever driven a dagger into me, thankfully. Also IMMEDIATELY sweating from the pain, and thank you for remembering that symptom of intense pain. "I am sorry!" Halbarad cried. "I thought after two days it might not be as sore. I will not touch it again." He leaned forward and peered closely at it. "I do not see any broken skin, at least not in this light. But still... is there not something I could give you, to ease the pain?" askjdhf I thought so as well but I am glad it is not :) "Maybe some willow bark, if you have any." "I think there is some, yes. But for now, let me try placing this cloth against it. I will simply lay it across the bruise, without pressing. It is light, but tell me if even its weight causes you too much pain." Aragorn nodded, not trusting his voice. <33 SAKJFHSK in enough pain that he doesn't trust his voice with a steady responseee Halbarad gently laid the cloth across the bruise, carefully watching Aragorn’s face. "Better?" "No. Wait...." Finally the ache yielded. "Yes, it’s better." He felt muscles he hadn’t realized were clenched relax under the warming touch of the athelas. He wiped his forehead with a shaky hand. Halbarad still looked stricken at having caused him such pain, so he dredged up a smile. "Where did you learn a healer’s touch?" awwww <333 shakily wiping the sweat off his forehead looking stricken awwww he learned a healer's touch <333 "Where do you suppose? My teacher is stretched out before me. And I bet you thought I was not listening to your endless tedious lectures out on the trail." skasdjfhg <3333 my teacher is stretched out before me OKAY THE FACT THAT ARAGORN SPENDS RANDOM PARTS OF THEIR RIDES LECTURING ON HEALING I LOVE I bet some of that at least was teaching...oh I forgot his name <:( you know who. "You have learned much, Halbarad," Aragon murmured. Sleep’s relentless clamor returned, now that the pain eased. He shut his eyes, letting his thoughts wander where they may, for some reason–perhaps the athelas–no longer quite so fearful lest he fall into some bottomless black pit. The shadows were still there, but weaker and pushed back into the dark corners of his mind where, maybe for a moment, he could ignore them. skajhfjgs <3333 yay But sleep, for all its insistence, refused to come, and his thoughts returned to Halbarad. Aragorn would never have believed his gruff kinsman had such gentleness in him. He certainly had never shown it up to now. He remembered the stinging slap of that horrid horse balm across his shoulders. Revenge would be sweet... all I would need is some of Denlad’s fiery spices and Halbarad’s water skin. And although he knew he could never do it, he could not hold back a quiet laugh at the idea. LOLLL "I do not like the sound of that laugh," Halbarad commented as he removed the cloth and soaked it again in the athelas water. Aragorn smiled. "Nor the look of that smile! The last time you aimed it my way, you followed it with a sound thumping." AWWW okay how I love that Halbarad can HEAR and see the mischief in that laugh and smile. He immediately goes. Uh-oh. Time for a bit of banter <3 "Just thinking about that horse balm. And revenge." "Yes, well, I’ll thank you to get that look of retribution off your face. I only find comfort in knowing that you are too weak to swat a gnat right now." "I'll thank you" aww lollll how I love them Aragorn sobered. As Halbarad moved to put the cloth back on his chest, he reached out and grabbed his wrist to stop him. "Weak but alive, thanks to you." Aragorn did not try to blink away the tears stinging his eyes."I cannot thump you after all you’ve done. I cannot even find words sufficient to thank you." awwwww <333 HE DID NOT TRY TO BLINK THEM AWAY disproving a bit with being able to grab Halbarad's wrist. Still probably can't swat anything, but. "Ach, away with you and your weepy gratitude." He gently pulled his wrist free and placed the cloth again on Aragorn’s chest. "I have no doubt that, despite this lovely display of heartwarming thanks, you will get even with me as soon as your strength returns." <33 Aragorn breathed a laugh and again shut his eyes to try to slip into the embrace of sleep. He was so tired, weary beyond anything he had ever known. But even as he sought the refuge of rest, questions started to crowd his thoughts, swirling through his mind and demanding answers. He gave up trying to sleep and struggled to sit up. He made it as far as propping himself up on his right elbow before Halbarad stepped in to pull him up until he was sitting upright. He leaned back dizzily against the wall for a moment, and when the world finally settled down around him, he reached for the bowl of steaming athelas. askdfhgj now he can't sleep >:) even though he wants to now and I love that Halbarad does not try to keep him from sitting up, just helps him. I think Aragorn needs that right now. But Halbarad pulled it out of reach. "No, I think I best hold it, or you’ll bathe yourself in it, and we don’t have enough athelas to waste it so wantonly. And don’t glare. Those hands of yours are still trembling like leaves." aww lollll :) love significantly shaky hands Aragorn ruefully looked at his hands. They shook like those of a palsied old man. He balled his fists and let them lay in his lap, and pointedly ignored Halbarad’s smirk. They sat for a long moment without speaking, letting the fragrant steam do its work as Aragorn tried to catch his breath and felt grey and ill and old. aww feeling old and utterly exhausted and chilled But alive. Thank the Valar, alive. The wonder of it helped him ignore how wretched he felt. Halbarad finally pulled a small stool closer to the cot and set the bowl down on it. "So, do you think you will live after all?" BUT ALIVE <3 and Halbarad agrees did he tell him he did not think so? Or did he simply mumble things in his delirium? Aragorn smiled faintly. "I think so." He looked around the cottage. "Halbarad, where are we? Whose cottage–" great question "Aragorn!" a glad voice interrupted as the door flew open. Denlad came into the room with an armload of wood. He dropped it with a heedless clatter on the hearth, hardly noticing as the cat ran off, tail bushed out and hissing at being driven from his comfortable spot. Denlad’s gaze fixed on Aragorn as though he were afraid if he blinked Aragorn might disappear. He came over to the cot and squatted beside it, resting a concerned gaze on Aragorn’s face and a gentle hand on his forearm. "How fare you, Aragorn? It does my heart good to see you sitting up, but you look, well... I am sorry but I cannot say it in a more gentle way: you look terrible." DENLAD <33 Aragorn laughed. "I am not as bad off as I must look, Denlad. I will be well, given time." uh I am...not sure about that first part. I am grateful he looks sufficiently terrible though :). Invisible whump is kinda the worst. But I am also grateful he will be well given time. Remind me--it's fall? I'm tryna imagine the proper temperature Denlad drew a deep breath and blew it out, blinking rapidly. "I’m glad," he said, then rubbed a hand across his face. He gave Aragorn’s arm a squeeze. "Very glad." <333 Halbarad gave Denlad a sympathetic glance, then turned to Aragorn. "I have to admit, when I saw you lying there on the ground, I thought you were done for this world, you were so still and white. Your skin was like ice. And these two days have been... well, I won’t burden you with it. I’ll just say that when you woke up long enough to tell me about the athelas, I felt that perhaps hope had not abandoned us after all. I should have known you were made of sterner stuff. It will take more than a wraith to stop the Heir of Isildur, thank the Valar." skasjdhgsk <33 yeah I could hear it in his voice when he said "he's alive!" he had been so worried. I love momentarily hearing Halbarad's perspective <3. Also--if the black breath had taken him, would he have died like normal? Or would he have become a sort of wraith, as Frodo was in danger of?? Doomed to that misery until perhaps Sauron fell (if ever he did without Aragorn)?? That would have been horrible. And no, Estel had not abandoned them :) <3 plus we needed Aragorn to wake up in extra pain. So. :) "Or he’s gone for reinforcements and will be back to plague us with ten times their number," Denlad muttered. "Pessimism does not suit you, Denlad," Halbarad said. "I prefer to hope the Nazgûl finished whatever evil task he meant to accomplish and has now left our lands." "Hope for that seems dim," Aragorn sighed, "but remains a hope, all the same. I wish I knew why he was here." "As do I, but we must be satisfied that for now, he is gone," Halbarad said firmly, his hard glance daring Denlad to argue. "I feel no shadow." lol <333 no pessimism Aragorn was not sure if he would know the difference between an approaching Nazgûl and the shadows still lingering in his mind. He would have to trust to Halbarad’s discernment. He frowned as a memory stirred. "I remember... fire... flashing in the air. And shouting... for a moment, I thought I had somehow fallen from this time into the time of Beren. I do not really understand it now, though. The memory is too hazy." aww okay good point he has to rely on their discernment for the time being. His feelings would tell him the shadow of the Nazgul is a constant "You remember part of it aright," Denlad chuckled. "Would that you had seen it more clearly, Aragorn, but I suppose you were too far gone by that point. Our Halbarad snatched up a flaming brand in each hand and ran at the Nazgûl. ‘Get you gone and fly! For here is a fire that shall consume you, and all evil things!’ he bellowed, just like Beren of yore." <333 AWW how I love that also this interesting middle ground of Aragorn not yet faded but Halbarad and the others too focused on the survival of chasing it off, that by the time they can pay attention to Aragorn he could be dead as far as they can tell "Denlad, I’m sure Aragorn is not interested..." "I am sure he is," Aragorn countered softly. LOL THIS MADE ME GRIN AS WELL <33 the soft counter <:) in third person. He's like don't you dare tell me I don't want to listen to stories of your heroics, dear Halbarad. For heroics they are <3 "That Nazgûl turned toward him," Denlad continued, shooting a triumphant look at Halbarad, "and you could feel his rage pressing against all of us, and fearsome it was. I felt frozen in place, but not our Halbarad. He jabbed his torches at it again and cried, ‘You’ll not have your way this day, not while the arm of Halbarad is strong and the fire of my wrath burns!’" AWW Aragorn raised an eyebrow. Halbarad scratched his beard. "I might have said something like that, yes. It seemed appropriate, at the time." SKAJF XD I love it it did seem appropriate at the time. Very heroic and fitting. Denlad slapped Halbarad’s back. "They will sing of this in songs, old man, just as we do Beren and Carcharoth." Then his mirth died as he dropped his gaze to stare fixedly at his clenched hands. "You were able to do what the rest of us could not." <333 yesss aww :( do not be ashamed, Denlad "Feel no shame, Denlad," Aragorn said, and with an inward grimace at the irony of handing out advice he couldn’t follow himself, he continued, "This is the first anyone here in the North has seen of the Nazgûl for generations. They carry an evil none of us have ever encountered, and, unlike in Mirkwood, where they battle the Wraiths still, our knowledge of defeating them has largely fallen away into myth. That we failed to identify the source of the evil is not entirely surprising, although I should have known what it was, for I have been near Mordor and Dol Goldur and sensed the evil of the Enemy, from afar and from nearer than any man should pass. I have no excuse. But be that as it may, I could not have asked for greater valor than all of you have shown during this fell chase." skadkfsghk yesssss exactlyyy <33 Denlad failed to look convinced, and Halbarad merely grunted and wrung out the cloth and twisted it absently in his hands. They all fell silent, and Aragorn did not miss the shadows that fell across the faces of his two companions. It will be long before the nightmares from this fade. For the men to feel anything but failure that they did not earn. But if blame is to be laid at anyone’s feet, lay it at mine. He struggled for something to say, to break this gloom that had settled on them all. Then he cursed himself again for overlooking the obvious. "Halbarad, what of you? Are you sure the Black Breath didn’t affect you?" <:(( NOO THEY ALL FEEL TOO MUCH FAILURE YOU TOO, ARAGORN I do love Aragorn noting the irony of telling them words he's struggling to take to himself He shrugged. "Not enough to cause any problems. I felt him trying to... to probe my mind, if that makes sense." Aragorn nodded. "His voice intrudes into your thoughts." And claws at your soul... "Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. <33 I love kinda that they can understand this together Words that I didn’t understand–and didn’t want to understand, mind you–came into my mind, not through my ears but as clear and loud as if they had. It was disconcerting." "That’s one way of putting it," Aragorn agreed drily. LOL disconcerting Halbarad grinned. "Suffice to say, any lingering effects I might have felt, the athelas pretty much took care of. I don’t think I fought him long enough for him to do any permanent damage." "That and your skull is so thick even a Nazgûl can’t penetrate it," Denlad muttered, then ducked as Halbarad swung a fist toward his head. Aragorn smiled. Denlad and Halbarad hurling insults... life as it should be. Maybe we will somehow come through this after all. "How did you know to use fire?" AWW <333 Again the mirth faded, and Halbarad was long in answering. "I had nothing else," he finally said softly. "As I started for you, I saw how your blade eventually disintegrated under the Nazgûl’s. I feared my own sword would have been useless–it’s not Elven make like yours and not as strong. I hadn’t a hope with it. So it was fire or my bare hands. Fire seemed more of a threat." "You drove this wraith off much like Glorfindel drove off the Witch King. I will remember that," Aragorn murmured. Skasjdhkdgsjh yessss he surely shall <33 again I love that showing how he learned, and it was rather luck He leaned his head back against the wall. And I will remember how you succeeded where I failed. Not for the first time, the thought crossed his mind that Gondor might be better served by its Stewards than it would by a king as prone to error as he seemed to be. NOPE NOPE bro have you MET Denethor??? I suppose I don't know for sure if he's steward yet but it feels likely also. You both succeeded in your own ways. Remember that. "Aragorn?" Denlad asked softly. "Do you feel worse?" <3 Aragorn forced a smile. "No, I am well enough. Just too full of questions and too tired to ask them, nor comprehend the answers even if I did ask." Indeed, the questions crowded his mind almost as thickly as the Nazgûl’s foul words had: where was the Nazgûl now? Why was the wraith here? What evil might be unleashed next, and where? And how on Arda could they hope to drive him out? Somehow he did not think brandishing torches at him would chase him away for good. mmm yes "Time for answering questions later, I think," Halbarad said. "For now... you have earned your rest, son of Arathorn. Lay back down, and fear not any nightmares, for I will be here." askhghsh awwww <333 for I will be here <:) thank you Halbarad keep him safe be his anchor Aragorn nodded, but then once more realized that he had no idea where they were, whose farm they had taken over. It bothered him, but his thoughts were getting increasingly hard to focus and it seemed less and less important as each minute passed. He let Halbarad help him resettle himself. He shut his eyes. "Son of Arathorn," he murmured. "I think my father might have handled himself better in this than I did." But that was as much as he would speak of his failure. He would not burden his men with the need to prop up the shaky confidence of their leader. askjhd mm yes bothers me slightly too noooo would he really though? mm hmm AGAIN SEEING EVEN THAT AS SOMETHING HE SHOULD NOT VOICE TO BURDEN OTHERS Aragorn my friend, you have much to learn <3 Halbarad tucked the blanket around Aragorn’s shoulders. "I think you give yourself too little credit, but that argument can wait as well. Sleep. That’s an order." <3333 yes do argue it someday that's an order <33 thank youuu "Yes, sir," Aragorn tried to answer, but he was asleep before he could form the words. awwwwww

Ellynn	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/24/2010
"You drove this wraith off much like Glorfindel drove off the Witch King." Erm, what exactly are you refering to? I remember there was some conflict with Witch king earlier in the Third Age, but I don't remember Glorfindel had torches... unsure Or do you mean "drove off" generally, without speaking of the way how to do it? And I knew someone would mention how thick Halbarad's head was! lol Author Reply: Aragorn's speaking in generalities here as far as the specifics of how Glorfindel drove off the Witch-king, which, as far as I can research, isn't given in detail (or if it is, I've lost track of where to find it!). Aragorn's statement has a twofold meaning: first, he is giving Halbarad a compliment, elevating him to Glorfindel's exalted company as one who drove off a Wraith. But secondly, and more importantly, I want to leave the idea that Aragorn has learned, by Halbarad's actions, that fire will drive off a wraith. And it is that detail that connects this story to canon, specifically to Weathertop and Frodo's "glimpse of Strider leaping out of the darkness with a flaming brand of wood in either hand", as it appears in "A Knife in the Dark" in "The Fellowship of the Ring". I wanted to use this scene as a way of showing one way in which Aragorn might have learned that fire can drive away a wraith. Hope that helps!

Dreamdeer	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/4/2009
The banter and teasing that seemed so lighthearted before now becomes a lifesaver thrown out into Aragorn's black ocean. Jesting on the edge of such profound anxiety takes a particular kind of courage, and this comes through powerfully in the story. Author Reply: Thank you again, Dreamdeer... having come from a family who handles grief and stress with humor, I know firsthand the relief and the strength that can come from that sort of "therapy". Not that my Rangers are cognizant of using humor as therapy of course, but it's part of the bond that holds them together--and yes, it sort of tosses a life ring to Aragorn as he struggles against the lingering effects of the Black Breath. Thanks again for another lovely review!

Minerva Organa	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/23/2009
Oh, Aragorn... wants to hug. He needs to get to Rivendell soon and have Elrond tell him to stop blaming himself. Although I suppose if it were that easy there would be no story, would there? And then I would be sad. I really enjoyed this chapter, a lovely interlude. I adore the interactions between Halbarad and Aragorn...and Denlad's account of Halbarad fighting the Nazgul was amazing. =D Author Reply: Thank you, Minerva! I'm glad you liked this chapter... yes, lots of personal moments between the three in this, and you're definitely right in that there wouldn't be a story if Aragorn had simply said, "Okay, let's go to Rivendell; I don't really feel well after all." grin Thanks again for the review!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/9/2009
Another outstanding chapter.I just love the way Halbarad and Denlad care for Aragorn.It is rare to see our hero so frail.He does need to go to Rivendell.I love the idea that a situation like this was how Aragorn knew what to do in LOTR. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! I'm so glad you liked this chapter, and yes, it is rare to see Aragorn in this light, which is fortunate for Middle-earth. And while I do think that Aragorn had teaching, as young man and child in Rivendell, I imagine a lot of the practical lessons he learned as a grown man and as chieftain and all his errantries as Thorongil probably contributed as much if not more to his becoming Elven-wise. Like the title of this chapter, I'm trying to piece together some of those missing elements in his back story, to see how he might have come up with some of the things Tolkien actually gave us in detail. Thanks again for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/7/2009
It seems Aragorn is definitely not out of the woods yet. eyes ranger worriedly Bringing him to Imladris sounds like a really good idea to me, though I can understand that poor Aragorn doesn't really feel up to travelling right now. I loved that you gave Denlad the chance to recount Halbarad's heroic deeds. After all he has done and risked, Halbarad really deserves some limelight (though he's likely still blushing g). //"So it was fire or my bare hands. Fire seemed more of a threat."// For my part, I'm really glad he chose fire! I'm quite sure Halbarad would have attacked that Nazgul even if he had had to do it with his bare hands, and that image makes me more than a little bit nervous. ;-) Halbarad really is a wonderful mother hen. g It seems he really has his work cut out for him, where Aragorn's self-doubts are concerned. Another chapter I thoroughly enjoyed! (And of course I'm already looking forward to the next one ;-) Almut Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Yes, Aragorn is far from out of the woods but he'll get some rest for a while, anyway. And I had the same thought, that Halbarad needed his moment in the sun. :) The idea of him attacking the Nazgul with his bare hands is definitely one that makes the palms sweat, I agree. I hate to think how that would have turned out. Thanks again for the review!

inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/6/2009
I do so enjoy your Halbarad and Aragorn chapters and this one is no exception. The Dunedain must have spent so many years worrying about Aragorn when he was abroad that it must have been very tempting to try and wrap him in cotton wool when he at last returned to them. Halbarad is right to be to concerned though he of course had little knowledge of the BB. Another great chapter. Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth! Yes, I'm sure they did have a tendency to want to coddle Aragorn and protect him, since he had no heir as yet, and of course, no chance at it unless he succeeded at becoming king. Talk about operating without a net... I'm sure that weighed heavily on Halbarad's mind. As always, thank you for the review!

Calenlass	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/6/2009
(Leaving a review before I head in for more sleep) A nice "interlude." So you're going to let Aragorn recover before heaping more on his dish, yes? :) Too many things that I loved about this chapter, so all I'll say is that this was a wonderful read. Take care! ~Cal Author Reply: hee hee... you know me far too well. Yes, a bit of a breather for Aragorn & Co. before ... well, you'll find out in upcoming chapters. But for now, a bit of life on the farm ahead. ;) Thanks for the review, and get some good sleep!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/6/2009
The uncertainty planted by the Nazgul's malice will take time to defeat, evidently. Nicely done. Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! I definitely wanted to create a scenario showing that it will take time to overcome the BB, so I'm glad you mentioned that. Glad you liked the chapter and thanks for the kind review.

MP brennan	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 2/5/2009
Hey, I can't even tell you how much I loved this chapter. It was just the interlude we needed to catch our breath, but still held some angst of its own. I particularly loved the moment towards the beginning where Aragorn is fighting to keep from falling under the Black Breath again. I've always seen the BB as symbolizing depression and other illnesses, just externalized and much more dramatic. This piece fits very well with that reading; you show how even after "recovery" he continues to struggle with it. Kudos for bringing a new and deeper dimension to the BB! Great work overall. This is a transition chapter, and those can be hard to write, but you did it seamlessly. I'm left satisfied with what's happened so far and anxious to see what happens next. So write fast, kay? cheers, -Brennan Author Reply: Thank you, Brennan! I'm glad you're enjoying my take on the BB... I've always thought it could have some lingering effects and that's definitely what I'm exploring here. That, and the lingering effects of the other traumatic things Aragorn's going through. The BB is just one element of a host of issues confronting our poor Ranger. And yes, we've entered a bit of an interlude here. Gotta give the men and Aragorn some time to recover. :) Thanks again for the review! RL (which has gotten quite complicated of late) not interfering, next chapter should go up in a week.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List