Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

At Hope's Edge  by Cairistiona 12 Review(s)
EllynnReviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/24/2010
I so adore your humor! :) Many lines in this chapter are so funny and crazy! *lol*
But the end... :( Is this actually the first time (at least in this story) when Aragorn fooled Halbarad with his explanation? Looks like it might be so... :(

Author Reply: Aragorn can be very convincing when he doesn't want Halbarad to worry. *g* Or when he thinks he can handle the problem by himself!

I'm glad you're enjoying the humor in this. I see Aragorn and Halbarad as having that sort of close bond that lets them banter and tease... with Halbarad always staying just this side of insubordination! :)

Thanks for the review... you're really flying through this story!

DreamdeerReviewed Chapter: 10 on 8/5/2009
Aragorn's realistically slow recovery gives the reader a chance to breathe and enjoy the comfort of camaraderie between these increasingly beloved characters. But we're never completely off the hook. Enough darkness enters in to keep the reader on edge, knowing that Aragorn's not off the hook yet.

Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamdeer! It really warms my heart to hear a reader refer to my characters as "increasingly beloved". Wow. I'm so glad they've grown on you hopefully as much as they grew on me as I developed them. It's always chancy, writing original characters in a fandom. Thank you for the kind words. :)

AiwenReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/22/2009
I have been enjoying reading of Aragorn's misadventures. Thank you for writing. I must admit I'm rather startled to encounter Nazgul across the river this early in the third age. I thought they were still still hiding in Morgul, Dol Guldor and Mordor at this point.

Author Reply: Thank you, Aiwen, for leaving a review to let me know you're enjoying this. And yes, the Nazgul did mostly stay in those places during this time... but in my little sub-universe, one strayed north and west, much to Aragorn's dismay I'm sure. It's probably stretching canon a bit (or more likely to the screaming point) but I wanted to tell a give the Aragorn-encounters-a-wraith fic a new twist.

Ainu LaireReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/14/2009
Heh, I love the beginning of the chapter! I do wonder if it is merely the Black Breath affecting Aragorn, or something else. The blade did not pierce him, so it was not that... perhaps he is near, and he feels the wraith's presence because of the close contact.

Still, I'd like to see more about this child, and this mother, and perhaps find out the reason why they live isolated and not in any, say fortified village with other Dunedain families xD

Author Reply: Thank you, Laire... glad this chapter has you wondering. :) As for Neala and Randir... I figure not all the Dunedain lived near villages. Some had to do the farming etc. I guess I sort of see the North a bit like the way the western US was before large scale settlement. Many were in towns and forts but there were also those scattered outside those safer spots. And they're not *too* far from Bracken's Ford and Windydale. Thanks for the review!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/13/2009
It is good to see Aragorn starting to recover but I feel he needs Elrond's help. Halbarad makes a great nurse.You bring the Rangers very vividly to life as well as Aragorn.

Author Reply: Thank you, Linda... I'm glad you like how I write the Rangers. And yes, Aragorn really does need to get to Rivendell, silly boy. Thanks again for the review!

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/13/2009
Now that's definitely not a good way to wake up! *g* Poor Aragorn.

//One Halbarad was vexation enough. The very idea of there ever being three of him was simply too much to take. //
LOL! I don't know - I think three Halbarads would probably be quite useful in case they encounter the Nazgul again, or to drag a certain stubborn chieftain from the pits of self-doubt. Aragorn would likely not stand a chance against them. ;-)

//"When anger stirs you into acting like the king you will be someday, it’s all I can do not to drop to one knee and grovel."//
*chuckles* Halbarad really has his very own way of showing respect to his chieftain! I'm glad he's there - the situation and Aragorn's gloomy thoughts definitely need some humour to lighten them up.

I don't like that Aragorn still has that nightmare. Of no consequence! *snorts* I wish someone would sit on him and hold a bowl with athelas under his nose until he's rid of whatever it is that's plaguing him!

Malthen's home seems to be a really beautiful place. I would like to live there myself, as long as there aren't any Nazgul around. ;-)

//Darkness still vexed the corners of his mind. Some lingering... presence. //
That can't be good and I also don't like that that bruise still hurts so much. I wish he had told Halbarad. Stupid stubborn ranger!

Another great chapter with a nice bit of dark foreshadowing at the end. It really makes me want to know what's wrong with Aragorn. ;-) Looking forward to the next chapter!

Almut

Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! I'm glad you liked this chapter and the humor and the dark bits, both. I *hope* to get the next chapter up usual time, but RL being what it is, I have no idea. But I do promise to update as soon as I can. Thanks again for the review.

Calenlass GreenleafReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/13/2009
The beginning was certainly...interesting. *grins* Even if Aragorn doesn't find it funny.

//But his smile slipped away as he thought of the far more worrisome ache in his chest. He shut his eyes, turning his face to the sun, but try as he might, its warmth and light could not penetrate the chill in his heart.//

*worries* This certainly does make me anxious.

Great writing. I won't be able to read the next few updates, but I'll do my best to catch up when I get back. :)

~Cal

Author Reply: Thank you, Cal... glad you liked it, and yeah, the start of the chapter was funny, but definitely at poor Aragorn's expense, wasn't it? :) Just catch up when you get back. Thanks again for the review!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/12/2009
And why am I convinced he needs to be put in Elrond's hands--immediately?

Author Reply: Perhaps because that's exactly what he needs to do with himself? But do you really think he will? *grin* Thanks for the review!

phyloxenaReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/12/2009
This was lovely. I was following the story from the beginning, but the line about Aragorn not believing in some kind of ghosts was too good to keep lurking silently! Even in fantastic world there are things that don't exist.

Author Reply: Thank you from coming out of lurkdom to leave such a kind review, phyloxena! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. And yes, I imagine even in Middle-earth there are a few things that are just too big a stretch of the imagination even for Aragorn, who likely feels he's seen it all. I hope you continue to enjoy the story and leave an occasional review so I know I haven't lost you. Thanks again!

MP brennanReviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/12/2009
Another beautiful chapter. Your depiction of the farm is just lovely. The little details--like the stable that used to be blue--really bring it to life.

I don't know what I'm going to do when this fic is over and I can't get my fix of adorable Aragorn/Halbarad interaction anymore:)

"He settled for glaring at Halbarad– all three of him–instead. Then he shut his eyes. One Halbarad was vexation enough. The very idea of there ever being three of him was simply too much to take."
"Then, openly grinning at Aragorn’s snort of disbelief, he added, "But seeing as you are now back to being nothing more than a lowly Dúnedain chieftain, and one flat on his back, no less, I will, in the best manner of certain members of Bree society, try to hide any sign of respect, Mr. Strider." "

:) :) :) :) :)

Just great.

The detail about the Rangers fixing up the farm was a nice touch, though I wonder how much they'll get done in two days when two of them have to keep watch at all times. Lots of painful realities for our favorite Ranger to face.

To summarize, great job (as usual), and I'm looking forward to more!

peace,
-Brennan

Author Reply: Thank you, Brennan! I'm so glad you liked this, and enjoyed the details and the humor. This chapter, unlike some of the others, was really a lot of fun to write, because I was able to really explore Halbarad's character in a bit more depth and as a leader with his worries about having to stay when he knows they need to get on to Windydale. Responsibility weighs as heavily on him as it does on Aragorn. And yes, they won't get a lot done, but they'll do a few things for Neala and Randir. Those Rangers are all pretty handy. ;) And fear not, as Bernard Cornwell likes to put at the end of his Richard Sharpe books about Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper, Halbarad and Aragorn will ride again in future stories (and if you've never read the Sharpe series, I highly recommend them). I'm far from done with those two, even when this is finished. :) Thanks again for the review!

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List