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	13 Review(s)
Ellynn	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/25/2010
Awwww... melting Wonderful ending. :) P.s. "What a pleasure it would be to see the surprise on Eledh’s face as I hand it to him!" Now, I haven't read all of your stories (yet), and perhaps you have written a story about Eledh receiving a Galadrim bow and I have yet to discover it, but if you haven't, would you consider doing so? I would love to read it. :) Author Reply: Thank you, Ellynn! Glad you enjoyed it to the end. :) I haven't thought about writing a ficlet about Eledh receiving such a bow but it's something I'll keep in mind. Eventually I hope to tell more about Eledh (and Galadh) in stories but right now they're only works-in-progress (or merely ideas on a list). But a little "gap-filler" showing that would be kind of fun, I think, and something good to add to the appendices for this story.

Dreamdeer	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 8/13/2009
A good wrap-up. Realistic about the slow grind of convalescence, this chapter also fills in much-needed information that closes the wounds of earlier trauma in the tale. I particularly like seeing Halbarad's wife with child, since the story began with Aragorn's concern about his people's dwindling numbers, worrying about their possible extinction. Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamdeer... I'm glad you liked the wrap-up. It was a bit unusual, switching over to a journal style, but I wanted it to echo the letter in the prologue and hear Aragorn's direct thoughts. I like that you drew the connection between Halbarad's growing family and Aragorn's concerns... I hadn't really made that connection myself, but you're right, it's a nice balance, and reassuring to Aragorn. Thanks again for your review. :)

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 5/2/2009
A lovely epilogue - Aragorn really needed this time to relax and rest and recover. The thoughts about his big feet were funny; I'm sure he'd have long feet and hands. And poor Glorfindel got to play Chase-A-Wraith, but not Whack-A-Wraith (which would have pleased him more). Author Reply: Thank you, Raksha! Yes, poor Glorfindel never got his chance to truly win at Whack-A-Wraith but at least he made sure it was gone for the time being. And I'm sure that pleased him well enough for the moment. And I do wonder sometimes just what Aragorn's boot size was! :) Thanks for the review!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 4/28/2009
I love the way you show aragorn's gradual recovery here.His frustration, but also slowly returning hope are very vividly conveyed.I love the way you use the "Trotter" tale! Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! Glad you liked the epilogue and it's journal style. It seemed the only way to concisely show an entire year's worth of healing, and really show intimately what Aragorn was thinking about the entire ordeal. And yes, Elrond probably had all kinds of fun telling everyone about Trotter--I do find myself wondering what the twins may have done once they were reminded of that. grin Thanks for the review!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 4/24/2009
A wonderful way of leaving the story, looking at it all from his point of view as he recovered. Loved the contemplation of his large feet, and the oblique advice from Erestor of the wisdom of allowing love to grow and mature on its own. A very nice visit with our Aragorn, and a good backstory on how he came to know just how terrible the Nazgul are and his intimate understanding of how the Black Breath works. Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! I'm glad you liked the journal style of the epilogue, and enjoyed my take on how Aragorn found out first hand about the terrors of the Nazgul. Second part of the epilogue to go, and then the tale is complete. Thank you for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 4/24/2009
A beautiful ending - just perfect. :) Poor Aragorn, that was really a long and difficult convalescence! I had to grin about his reaction to the 'Trotter'-story. For his sake, I hope Elrond forgot to tell the twins of it, but I haven't much hope. ;-) The scene when Elrond walked in and noticed that Aragorn was reading the tale of Beren and Luthien was a sad one. It's so sad that there's still so much standing between them and that there's nothing that can be done about it. No one can be faulted for falling in love or loving his daughter, after all. I really wanted to huggle Aragorn after Elrond was gone. huggles him I'll never tire of hearing how Glorfindel deals with wraith. g //Glorfindel chased the wraith east, to the foot of the Misty Mountains north of Rivendell before turning back–he joked that he was wearying of shooing wraiths from these lands and would be pleased if I could try not to let such riffraff in again.// LOL! Aragorn must feel a lot better if he is already able to joke about wraith again! That Halbarad, Denlad, Galadh and Eledh were there on Mettare was such a sweet surprise! I could not think of a better Mettare-gift for Aragorn. ;-) I was very happy to see Neala and Denlad had become a pair in the meantime, they both really deserve it (and Randir, too)! Aragorn's sudden sadness over Arwen's absence was all to understandable. I loved that both Erestor and Halbarad noticed it and each offered comfort in their own way. This was just the heartwarming ending Aragorn deserved. ;-) Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us, Cairistiona! :) As I said before, I'm really going to miss it. Almut Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! But it's not quite over yet, dear... this was a "part 1", so you still have a final "part 2" to come on Monday. :) And then the "deleted scene" stuff. I'm so glad you liked this part of the epilogue--there's so much that Aragorn has to work through, but yes, he's definitely feeling better and able to make a bit of a jest with Glorfindel. I think Aragorn, at least "my" Aragorn, is likely the type of person who sometimes can find strength through humor. It won't always work for him, since we see that he still has a very visceral reaction to the Wraiths even as far down the road as the Prancing Pony, but yes, he's able to make a joke and that's always a good sign. I'm so glad you've been enjoying the story... I think I'll miss it, too! Ah well. On to the next after this, right? :) Thanks for the review!

Ainu Laire	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 4/23/2009
Weee... nice long epilogue! ... I have nothing of real value to say :/ I mean, I liked it! Elrond should now bring Arwen home. Srsly. Cheerio. Author Reply: Thanks, Laire! I'm glad you don't mind a nice long epilogue--I had no way to shorten it. LOL Yes, it would be nice if Arwen could have been there at Mettare, and I did actually write a version where she was the surprise instead of Halbarad et al, but alas, she was still in Lorien and it just didn't fit canon (or logistics) for her to come all the way home for a visit. Thanks for the review!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 4/23/2009
This story is like a feast for the Aragorn fan . . . and this chapter was a lovely, lovely dessert. Well, just the first course of dessert. :) I know a good story is a really good story when it actually makes me adore a favorite character even more than I already do. And this story does that. I got such a kick out of Aragorn's self-deprecation ("I fear I am turning into a right curmudgeon"--lol!), and his wry observations, and especially his impatience to be better. Truly, you've captured the exact personality of every bedridden man I've ever known! They do get upset and impatient to be better. :) I absolutely ate up (okay, enough with the eating metaphor, right?) the parts in which he fell prey again to illness. Oh my, how I'd kill to see Elrond being "not happy" with him when the fever returned! Or see Aragorn ill with the lung fever. bliss And the holiday---that was a wonderful part. I think so many people feel depressed during the holidays, and I see that Aragorn is no exception here. I enjoyed the little details of his making Arwen a bracelet (and finding it to be too dull for her), and his worry over nicking the new sword Elrond gave him. All the details make this story so rich. I'm so happy that Aragorn's family did their best to see he had a memorable Mettare, and I was thrilled to see Halbarad and his family and the other men show up. Denlad and Neala are together! That was perfect. I'm so looking forward to part 2 of this epilogue, and the appendices, as well. I simply can't get enough of this story! Author Reply: Thank you so, Lily! To hear someone say that they adore Aragorn even more after reading this is exactly what I want to hear! :) I love exploring the human side of Aragorn (not that he has any other species in him! LOL... maybe the "ordinary man" side of him is a better term). I think Aragorn was likely to have felt much the same ordinary things as any one of us--delight at being surprised by the unexpected arrival of friends at the holidays, wistful sadness (yes, perhaps even depression) at a loved one who's not there; worry over whether he's given the right gift... all those little things. I also don't see Aragorn as one overly accustomed to being ill or needing a long recovery from injury--at least not as long as this trial ended up. Poor Elrond had his hands full keeping Aragorn in bed! But Aragorn's also a wise person and he doesn't fight it too hard. Just hard enough to be, well, Aragorn. :) I'm glad you liked all this... part 2 coming Monday! Thanks for the review!

Minerva Organa	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 4/23/2009
"Erestor, I know from personal experience, can be easily eluded. You simply wait until he is so engrossed in an old manuscript that an oliphaunt could sit on him without his notice." snort giggle That line made me laugh, probably louder than was necessary ;-) And Denlad!!!! cheers I had so hoped that that would happen. I'm sure that they will be very happy together. And the whole description of Mettare....happy sigh wonderful. All in all, a fantastic fantastic epilogue. The journal style worked really well. Can't wait for Part 2! Author Reply: Thanks, Minerva! So glad you liked this and got a giggle from that particular line. I kind of think it sums up my image of an at times slightly absent-minded Erestor. Or maybe I should just say "focused". grin I do think he probably brings a singleminded purpose to all the things he does, whether it's examining an old manuscript, shooting at orcs (because I do think he's not just a dry, dusty bookworm), or cleaning out an arm wound. And yay, Denlad got the girl! I'm not a huge hand at writing romance but that was a fun little subplot. I found myself wishing I could have gone into it a little deeper but this particular story didn't lend itself to that. Ah well. Might have to do a flashback or something and show more of it. :) Glad you liked the journal style--I had fun writing this and part 2 as well. Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 4/23/2009
What a great epilogue. I loved that you wrote it in the form of a diary. I liked to see Aragorn's ironic sense of humour assert himself again ("another adventurous day of doing nothing but lying abed; Nothing to report today. The sun rose; I did not." LOL) These were nice touches. As was the paragraph in which Erestor tells him stories from his childhood that embarrass him. I really enjoyed the idea of Elrond reminiscing about Aragorn's childhood with anyone willing to listen. This paragraph and other similar ones illuminate how at home Aragorn felt in Rivendell, and how cherished and loved he was by everyone there. Besides, after all witnessing all he has gone through it's good to see him being loved and cosseted. LOL What made me very glad though is that in the midst of all that love, you made him miss Halbarad, his friends, and life with the Dúnedain. Since the Dúnedain were such a such a close knit group, who, according to what Tolkien wrote, seemed to live a very solidary life, I've always pictured Aragorn as missing all his friends, relatives, people and his daily life among them when he's away. That rarely gets shown in fan fiction. So, I'm really, really glad you did show it. And yay you married Denlad and Neala. I'm so glad you did. They both deserve some happiness. Can't wait for part II. Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! I'm glad you liked all the "homey" aspects of this. I do think Aragorn was much loved in Rivendell, even after the slightly messy betrothal issue came up, and I think especially Glorfindel and Erestor saw themselves as sort of surrogate uncles to Estel. Loved and cosseted is an excellent way to put it! And yes, I think one of my favorites aspects of Aragorn (to borrow a phrase from Inzilbeth!) is his love for his own people; you're right in that it's not gotten explored much in fanfiction, and one of my aims is to fill that little niche. :) Part 2 coming up Monday. Thanks for the review!

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List