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| At Hope's Edge by Cairistiona | 15 Review(s) |
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| Dreamdeer | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 8/10/2009 |
| Beautiful. We learn more of Elrond's heart from this one chapter than many people put into entire collections of fanfic dedicated to him. Not all of it directly, and perhaps it's better that way. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Dreamdeer... that is high praise indeed. I see Elrond as such a loving influence on Aragorn's life and a father in every sense except physically, and that is what colors my "take" on him. I'm glad it struck such a positive chord with you. | |
| Estelcontar | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/20/2009 |
| What a relief! I'm so glad Elrond managed to deliver Aragorn. This was another chapter that had me gripping the edge of my chair. Your description of the dream sequence was engrossing, and yours "No", Aragorn growled, staggering to his feet. I will not let you take me." was just about perfect, and made me very happy because it highlights the strenght of Aragorn's will, and his determination. Elrond and Aragorn's scenes were very emotional, but just at the right pitch. All the wistifulness, poingnancy and love ingrained in their relationshiship is there for us to see. I'm glad they have both found each other. Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar... this chapter was a bit of a chair-gripper, wasn't it? Yes, I had to write Aragorn as fighting to the very last shred of strength. Even when he's down and it all looks hopeless, he still resists Elrond, trying to hide his true identity as long as he can. This was a bit of a gut-wrencher to write, actually, because I found myself wanting Aragorn to immediately accept Elrond and get on with the healing! But of course, he wouldn't, because there really was nothing trustworthy in that wretched place and he'd already been horribly fooled by "Halbarad". Anyway, I'm glad you liked it and thanks for the review! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/16/2009 |
| Ah--find myself glad that Gandalf is there as well, and that his fea was found before it was quite lost in the falseness of the dream. Deliverance indeed! Author Reply: Thank you, Larner... I do think that Elrond no doubt relied heavily on Gandalf and Erestor both during this time, although we don't see that because we're looking at this story strictly through Aragorn's eyes. But yes, a relief that deliverance came! Thanks for the review! | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/16/2009 |
| I can't quite decide which is my favourite chapter in the whole of this excellent story but this is a hot contender. Quite brilliant! Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth! It's one of my favorites as well... and like you, I can never decide which is my own favorite. I know which *aren't* my favorites but to try to choose one as *the* favorite... can't seem to do it. I'm just glad you liked this chapter so well. Thanks for the review! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/14/2009 |
| Awwww. Every guy needs a father like Elrond to come home to when the going gets really, really tough. Hope things improve for Aragorn now! Author Reply: Isn't Elrond a great father? :) Thanks for the review, Raksha! | |
| Minerva Organa | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/14/2009 |
| This is such an incredible story, really. The way you describe Aragorn's struggles/nightmares...such good imagery, it's so easy to imagine being there. The parts with Elrond were also really poignant. Definitely a big sigh of relief after Elrond brought him back. Slowly but surely, he's getting there... Author Reply: Thank you, Minerva! Yes, Aragorn's slowly getting his long overdue healing--still a ways to go yet but he's definitely making progress and in the right place for it. I'm glad you're enjoying the story--thanks for the review! | |
| Silivren Tinu | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/14/2009 |
| Your description of the dark world Aragorn found himself in at the beginning of the chapter was a masterpiece. I guess that's what Middle-earth would have looked like if Sauron had won. *shivers* Poor Aragorn. *huggles him* I loved your idea of including the eagle and the star and of letting them be the means for Elrond to find Aragorn. Your description of Elrond when he first appeared in that dream world was beautiful (//Shimmering with light and more radiant and powerful than Aragorn had ever seen him//). Judging from what Aragorn read in his face (and in Erestor's later on) it must have been a close call. I loved the conversation between Elrond and Aragorn and how Aragorn step by step began to believe that it was truly his father there, come to rescue him. The atmosphere in the healing room was such a relief after that dark nightmare! Friendly (if slightly drawn) faces, athelas, water, and a hug - what more can you want? *g* Judging from Aragorn's interpretation of the sorrow he saw in Elrond's eyes, I think the two of them still have a lot of talking to do, though. Fortunately, I think Elrond is quite aware of that, too. Well, that chapter was a nice rollercoaster ride. *breathes again* It's so nice that Aragorn is finally healed from whatever that Nazgul did to him! Loved it. :) Almut Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! Glad you liked this wild chapter... that's a very good point you make. Arda likely would have looked like Aragorn's nightmare if Sauron had won. Doesn't bear thinking about, does it! And yes, Elrond shimmering with light was an indication of just how near death Aragorn was... he was seeing Elrond sort of like Frodo saw Glorfindel--in his true glory. I figure even a Half-Elf would have that same sort of look, especially as powerful a healer and Lord as Elrond was. It was quite a battle for Elrond... for all of them, really, but especially for Elrond. Hard enough to call one back from the BB but even more so when it's your own son... all those emotions piled on top. Elrond had a hard time of it but he came through. :) Now to heal everything else! Thanks for the review! | |
| Lily Baggins | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/13/2009 |
| Oh my goodness---this was SO worth waiting for!!!!! What a chapter! Chilling, frightening for Aragorn, and yet so sweet and poignant at the same time. I absolutely loved the Aragorn-Elrond dynamic here, and your descriptions of Aragorn's despairing dreams and nightmares were awesome. Especially him equating his arm pain with chains, when it was actually Erestor cleaning his arm. I'm quite sure I liked Elrond's little kisses on the brow best, though (maybe it's because the fangirl in me longs to do the same thing and I'm living vicariously?). But in all seriousness, while I adored the LOTR movies I sorely missed the fatherly love between Aragorn and Elrond, and fics such as this one fill that gap so nicely. Your moments here were so incredibly tender---of the sort I'm always looking for but too rarely find in fic---I'm surprised I didn't turn into a goo puddle right here in my chair. I thought I read you saying that Aragorn has some healing yet to go. Oh, please tell me that perhaps the healing moments are not over? That perhaps there is more tending and TLC to come? Mayhap more pain and discomfort from the infection? I'm absolutely dying for more sick and feverish Aragorn as you write him, especially when Elrond and Gandalf are involved in his caretaking. I shall quit droning now. I fear I love a great fanfic a little too much! Author Reply: Thank you, Lily! And please, feel free to drone on as long as you want! I quite like the sound of your droning. *grin* The movies did sort of short-change us on the healing/comfort end of things, didn't they... especially with Aragorn. We had to be happy with him simply being so strong that he didn't need help, for the most part. And yes, wouldn't it have been wonderful to have seen the tenderness between Elrond and Aragorn. Ah well, that's what makes fanfiction so nice. I'm very glad you like how I render it... it's a little tricky, because I don't want to ever let it fall into sentimentality, because these are two men we're dealing with. So I'm glad it all evoked the right feelings. (And when this story is all finished, I do plan on posting a bit of an "extra scene", of the healing of the BB from Elrond's POV... I had to write that out first, to see what really happened, since Aragorn was unconscious and wouldn't tell me! LOL) And yes, there's still more to come with this tale. Aragorn's a sick puppy still, even though the BB is now dealt with. Thanks for the review! | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/13/2009 |
| Poor Aragorn to see such dreadful visions under the influence of the Shadow.Thank Goodness Elrond could reach him. I just hope he is made to rest and get his strength back now. Author Reply: Yes, let's hope so! Thank you for the review, Linda! | |
| Marethiel | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 4/13/2009 |
| Aragorn nodded and closed his eyes. He was so tired, and still in so much pain. But there was a spaciousness, a weightlessness, within him that had not been there in a long, long time. Gone was any trace of a dark shadow, and as he dared turn his thoughts toward the Nazgûl, he felt only memory, like so many of his other memories of horrific events and bitter tragedies and hard-won and hard-lost battles. Wrenching and sorrow-filled and still so fresh that it almost brought physical pain, but still... it was merely a memory. Nothing more. He sighed softly and looked again at Elrond. His father was watching him with a curious expression – a wistfulness, but with a depth of sorrow that only immortal elves could know. "Adar?" he said softly, asking with his eyes questions he had no strength to speak. Elrond blinked, then a ghost of a smile lit his face. He laid a hand against Aragorn’s cheek and the sorrow fled from his eyes. "Worry not," he said. "I am not troubled. Not any more." Aragorn frowned, not accepting the words. He knew what had put the sorrow in Elrond’s eyes – his betrothal to Arwen, his failure as a leader... so many, many things, but mostly his love for Arwen. But he dared not speak of it, so he simply whispered, brokenly, "I am sorry, Adar." Elrond’s eyes filled with concern. "Shh. You have nothing to be sorry for, my son. Cease your worries, Estel, for there is truly no need." He pulled the blanket up closer to Aragorn’s chin and smoothed it over his arms. "Now get some sleep. There will be time for talk later." This is the Elrond I believe in; not the version that snapped "She stays for YOU. She belongs with her people!" from Jackson's films. Beautiful evoked; well done! I love it. Our poor Aragorn... but now safe in his Ada's care. ~Marethiel Author Reply: Thank you, Marethiel! I do think most of us prefer the book version of Elrond to the movies... much as I love the movies, I usually have to fast forward during the Elrond bits. Except for the end where he whispers to Arwen to "Go on" with that happy/sorrowful look on his face as he brings her to newly crowned King Elessar. That was perfect. Anyway, glad you liked this chapter and like my take on Elrond. I see them as having a relationship that is loving, but occasionally has tense moments or misunderstandings because of Arwen. But I would think Elrond would drop everything in a heartbeat when his son is in dire straits of any sort. So to that end, it was really fun making sure he gave Aragorn all the loving care he desperately needs here. Thanks for the review! | |