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At Hope's Edge by Cairistiona	13 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/17/2025
He must have lost his mind. lol oops He groaned and slowly sat up. Every muscle protested. He could never recall being so stiff, sore, and weak in his life. He was not certain but what even his hair ached. He rubbed his face, feeling every one of his years. Acutely. I suppose even a mere sixty-nine-year-old Númenórean can feel old after battling a Nazgfl. But to then be confronted by ghosts...or more likely the apparent loss of one’s sanity... mm yes I think they can also thank you!! For telling me the age. For I have indeed wondered. And this makes sense. Okay wait. Is this like...a year before Bilbo gives Frodo the Ring then? If Aragorn is 87 later (I think) and Frodo has it for 17 years before leaving... He scrubbed at his face with both hands and whispered, "What did I just see?" A chuckle from the doorway surprised him. He had thought he was alone. "It wasn’t a lost spirit," Halbarad said. He walked over to sit on the edge of Aragorn’s bed. "That was Mallor’s younger brother. Mirror image of Mallor, even though he’s nearly four years younger. He could no longer contain his curiosity about the Chieftain of the Dúnedain and apparently sneaked in here to see just what you looked like." sakdfhdsj okay wait now looking back that was the cutest interaction ever XD <3 I want a drawing this makes me happy now "Yes, this is their farm. When we ran from the Nazgûl, we had the choice of crossing the river into the Wilds and seeking Rivendell, or trying for more immediate shelter. Denlad knew their farm was not far off, and he thought it best to seek the shelter there. And he was right—trying to go all the way to Rivendell might have been the end of you." mmm good call very good call Aragorn frowned. "So Mallor’s mother learned of her son’s death in the midst of our invasion of her home." He pinched the bridge of his nose. He could not remember the last time in his life when things had gone according to plan. "This was not how I would have broken the news to her." skaskdfh <:(( okay but. I would not say that is your fault Aragorn. Life has dealt you many decisions with no good paths. "Nor I, but ofttimes life does not acquiesce to our plans. I tried to comfort her as best as I could." <33 thank you "But where is she? Surely you did not drive her from her own home? We’ve taken enough from her!" Halbarad gave him a look his accusation deserved. lol yesss good He's like okay you really think so little of me "Of course not we did not drive her from her home! There’s a small house beside this one... a little cottage where she said Malthen’s mother once lived. She’s staying there, with Randir, the one who just scared the living wits out of you. Her name is Neala, by the way. She is waiting for you to give her leave to come." <33 okay I love how he said Randir scared the living daylights out of Aragorn, not the other way around. Randir may have been like eep sorry! But like. Aragorn is the traumatized one who went WHAT IN THE GHOST and hit the wall XD <3 "Give her leave? When we are uninvited guests in her own home? And when she has already lost two of her loved ones in my service? No... I will go to her this very morning." He swung his legs over the bed, causing Halbarad to scramble to his feet out of the way. Aragorn saw the protest in Halbarad’s face and hardened his voice as he staggered upright. "She will not come to me like some supplicant on her knees! I am the one in greatly in her debt, and... and... I will... I.... " He stammered to a halt as the room suddenly seemed to fade and slide away from him. awwww he's so cute YES PREMATURELY FORCING HIMSELF TO STAND AND THEN room spinning worse than ever Halbarad’s hand immediately grasped his arm. "Easy, easy," he soothed as he guided Aragorn back into bed. "Calm yourself–you’re not ready to be up yet." <33 he's like okay I let you try now BACK TO BED "...I will give her the honor she deserves," he finished stubbornly, but the way he had to gasp it took all the fire out of his declaration. 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. <33 SJKAHDFJS XDDD cackling all three of him the very idea being too much to take XD how I love them My apologies, my lord," he said, drawing Aragorn’s gaze again. If Aragorn could but focus his eyes, he was sure he would see that Halbarad’s cheeks were aflame. "You are right, of course." <3 I love how they do also like. Halbarad is like okay you're right of course about giving her the respect she deserves. Whether or not there's fire in your voice. "Apology accepted," Aragorn muttered. He wanted to glare one more time, but the spinning room forced him to shut his eyes again. But the contrition in Halbarad’s voice immediately melted all his anger. Still, when the room finally settled down and he dared open his eyes again, he managed a weak glare. "And don’t call me ‘lord’." loll aw "Aragorn," Halbarad protested somewhat petulantly, but with a gleam in his eyes that Aragorn liked even less than seeing three Halbarads, "you know that there are times when I simply cannot help but call you that. 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." 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." aww LOL the gleam he liked even less than three Halbarads XD ah yay he's laying down again "Thank you. I think." XD <33 Halbarad’s smile changed to a grimace. "Driven her from her home, indeed." This time it was Aragorn who felt his cheeks warm. "Now I am the one who is sorry. I meant no insult. Her sorrow lies heavy on my conscience, and regret made my words clumsy. Forgive me." mm yes <33 both apologizing. How I love them. And love that Aragorn can speak in full sentences again <3 (I think.) "I would appreciate that. So how do you fare this morning, aside from the obvious in that you are not quite ready to leap to your feet? You seemed to have had quite a rough night." aww <3 thanks for noticing "Dark dreams, nothing more. I suppose it’s to be expected, after...." He lifted one shoulder in a rueful shrug, leaving the words unsaid. The same nightmare had chased him throughout the night. Floating, coming ashore, Halbarad and Denlad slapping him in chains. The ring and the hilt ripped from him. And the added enjoyment of watching Halbarad spit on him as he told him was unfit to be king. It had been a far from restful night. skasdfhsgh <:(((( the ring too, his other great heirloom <:( saksjhf the added enjoyment oh my poor boy Halbarad frowned. "These nightmares... I am sorry you’re having such troubles. The athelas seems to help somewhat, but you seem to go straight back to them as soon as you fall asleep. Tonight I will make sure one of us keeps the athelas steaming throughout the night." mmmm literally no sleep before nightmares take him again :( "Can you do it by yourself?" Aragorn stared at him without answering. "Of course. Very well, then. I will, er, be outside. If you need help, call out and I’ll...." Aragorn continued to stare. "Of course, you won’t need help." Halbarad moved quickly to the door. SKASDJGSHK XDDDD i was wondering about that, thanks for bringing it up Aragorn managed just fine by himself, thank the Valar. He grimaced at the thought of having to call Halbarad back inside to help him. It was one thing for Halbarad to have assisted with all of that when Aragorn was unconscious and unaware, but the very thought of being conscious and having then to call on his help... Best not to think about it. lolllll yes He limped carefully across the room. Getting up more slowly, in stages, had been the solution to the vertigo problem, and he was not surprised at his overall weakness, nor the aches and pains of his stiff and sore muscles. But he was dismayed to discover that in addition to all that, his left ankle felt well and truly wrenched. He vaguely remembered turning it on a stone at some point during the fight. Two days lying in bed in varying states of unconsciousness seemed to have done little to speed its healing. He supposed a wrenched ankle was a small price to pay for avoiding a Morgul blade marked with his death, but between the ankle and his wounded left arm, his entire left side was well nigh useless. <33 yayy thank you for replacing "he can sorta walk now" with "well also his ankle doesn't really work and his left side is mostly useless for the time being :))" makes me happy. And I do remember that stone. I forgot though. He shook off the dark thought. Simple logic reminded him that he was not the cause, that they had no choice but to face the battle the enemy laid before them. But tell that to my heart.... <:(( at least he has the logic balancing a little Halbarad’s soft voice interrupted his joyless reverie. "Needs some work," he said as he came around the corner of the house, a hammer in his hand, and when Aragorn only nodded, continued, "Randir does what he can, but he’s young–he has seen only twelve summers. He has his hands full just taking care of the horses." aww yes hammer <3 "And he does well with them. But you are right in saying this place needs some care. If we can do so without insult, I think, before we resume our pursuit of this Nazgûl and his orcs, we must make things right for them. We cannot tarry long, but while we do, the men can do some repairs for them, although it seems too small a thing compared to what they have lost. What she has lost." darn. No Rivendell? Also <33 I love these things. He does very well with the horses (the most important to care for, as they are living). And they will try to help a little with other things while they are here <33 "Aye, it won’t bring her husband or son back, now, will it? But it will help, whatever we are able to accomplish, and I have already spoken to her about it. She was very grateful for anything we might do, so no fears of insulting her pride. oh good <3 And to be honest, I do think we will have the time to do quite a bit. You need at least a week–no, don’t argue! I am the one looking at the grayness in your skin and dark circles under your eyes and the tremble in your hands that you think you are hiding. Healer or no, I say you need a week. At least. Besides, the men are weary as well. It’s been a hard road of late and much as I would desire we ride forth right now, we would do Windydale no good at all to show up as battered as we are." His troubled gaze dropped to the hammer in his hand, then toward the horizon before coming back to Aragorn. "Perhaps taking a day or two to rebuild what the enemy and time have torn down will restore us better than any medicine." yess the gray skin AND THE TREMBLE YOU THINK YOU ARE HIDING <3 yesss I think that may very well be true <3 Halbarad flipped the hammer end over end in his hand, hefting it and then taking a swing at an imaginary nail somewhere in the air in front of him. He finally shrugged. "It’s Denlad. You saw how he was last night, and you know how fell moods plague him at times... he’s as bad as you for taking on burdens of guilt that don’t belong to him." His glance caught Aragorn’s and let him know that Halbarad knew exactly the dark paths his thoughts had taken him. <333 I love how discerning he is Aragorn looked away, refusing to acknowledge Halbarad’s unspoken concern. "Have you talked to him?" lol Aragornnn "Until my face turned blue!" Halbarad growled. He pointed the hammer accusingly. "He also has you beat for being stubborn. If I did not know better, I would swear you were long lost brothers." LOL how I love him "How bad is it?" "Who can tell? He may snap out of it tomorrow, or he might mope around for days yet. It gets on my nerves, to be honest." Aragorn smiled. Halbarad might hold Aragorn by the hand to bring him back from the dark pit of despair, but he had no patience to spare for so coddling any other man. "If he doesn’t come out of this on his own, I will talk to him." XD <333 I am grateful he will hold Aragorn's hand, at least. He needs it. :) "Now who is taking on unwarranted guilt? Taking comfort that your own family is safe is nothing to be ashamed of. I too am very glad that Arwen is safe in Lórien, and my father in Rivendell. And I wish my mother had stayed there." He worked his shoulders and neck, then flexed his left arm carefully. "I am sure we can all move out together. I will not need an entire week. I am not at my best but I think by tomorrow I will have sufficient strength to travel, and should the need to fight come upon us, I can manage." <33 yes there is no need for guilt in that Aragorn. Buddy. Quit. I say this with all the love in my heart. Halbarad let out a longsuffering sigh. "So speaks a man who can barely stand up. THANK YOU yess buckle knees buckle sit down <3 "And when do you actually sleep, Halbarad?" GREAT QUESTION I WAS WONDERING THE SAME He grinned. "Had you not noticed? When I’m taking care of you. I’ve done it so often I can do it in my sleep." LOL "Halbarad." "I am getting my sleep, fear not." Aragorn hardly believed him, but he let the matter drop. uh-huh. Yeah I don't believe either. But I fear now is not the time for that matter either. Mm October thank you for answering my other question XD He frowned. Darkness still vexed the corners of his mind. Some lingering... presence. He shivered slightly, and absently started to rub the spot where the blade struck him, only to stop when the merest brush of his tunic against the bruise seemed to drive a dagger into his chest. He clenched his teeth against the pain, and for a moment, the sunlight dimmed and he felt his gaze traveling unbidden to distant, dark places. It was a darkness beyond losing his vision from pain, beyond the loss of sight from mere lightheadedness. It was a darkness that was somehow... alive. He shuddered. saksjdfsjghsjgh I love this lingering sword-pain do not touch akfsh the darkness :( "Aragorn?" Halbarad’s voice brought him back. He blinked and saw once again the bright morning and the grazing horses. He took a careful breath and held it for a moment before letting it out slowly. "I’m sorry. It’s just..." He left the thought unsaid, for somehow the very idea of speaking it aloud brought a frisson of fear down his back. "I think that I may have a broken rib or two," he lied. "Shall I wrap them? I didn’t think you had any broken ribs when I checked you yesterday." He moved to Aragorn’s side. "No, no. There’s no need for wrapping them." He made a pretense of wincing as he let Halbarad press on ribs that felt completely free of any pain. "Perhaps they are merely bruised." mmm Aragorn buddy please don't lie only time he's lied about having an injury he doesn't have, ever, probably XD :') Halbarad face cleared. aww he's like HE WANTS TO ACTUALLY EAT THINGS?? YAY 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. <:(((( skadhafjsg tell someone please yeah I was worried about it being. Over your heart. yayyy

Ellynn	Reviewed 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!

Dreamdeer	Reviewed 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. :)

Aiwen	Reviewed 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 Laire	Reviewed 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 Hoyland	Reviewed 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 Tinu	Reviewed 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 Greenleaf	Reviewed 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!

Larner	Reviewed 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!

phyloxena	Reviewed 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!

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