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The Ranger and the Hobbit by Cairistiona	12 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/23/2026
"I see smoke," Denlad said. He pointed upward, toward the crest of the hill. "Let us pray that it comes from Aragorn’s fire and that he is sitting beside it having a quiet second breakfast with that hobbit we saw." yessss actually Denlad failed to see much hope of that. "All that noise we made, surely he would have heard. I doubt it is his fire, or if it is, that he is sitting quietly beside it, unharmed." LOL Denlad <3 poor guy can't really imagine okay unharmed, yeah, he is not "Your optimism is overwhelming." Halbarad paused and turned around. "Can you not for a moment look on the bright side? Have your years at Aragorn’s side taught you nothing of hope?" loll aww <3 "Oh, hope I have in plenty. But I am also a realist. If Aragorn were up on that hill and whole, you know he would have flown to our side at the first clash of swords, which racket I’m sure was quite audible even from up there." FAIR AND TRUE <33 awwww they know he fierce and flying loyalty but that does not mean it is not his fire, or that he is not eating second (well, Ferdinand's second) breakfast he did actually come staggering a couple steps in the direction Halbarad stood silently for a long moment, by turns glaring at Denlad and staring up the hill. He finally sighed. "Why must you always be so infuriatingly right?" LOLLLLLLLLLL well I think they're both right I love his glares and stares <3333 he's so cute and fierce He turned around and continued his march up the hillside. Denlad smiled faintly, but it soon faded. What he would give to be wrong in this case! But if Aragorn was indeed by that fire, and the trail they followed seemed to bear that out, he was obviously too injured to have come to their aid, and if that were the case, his condition must be dire indeed. yesss surprisingly not life-threatening, unless it gets infected but still He sped up and passed Halbarad, suddenly possessed by an urgency even beyond the fear that had hastened them to this point. "Hurry," he called over his shoulder, and he heard Halbarad’s steps increase their pace. YESSS listening to his instincts <33 may well save Aragorn and Ferdinand's lives It was not a tall hill, but like most of the hills in this barren land, its steep and forbidding front hid a long gradual slope behind it, and it was for that more easy ascent the trail led. And no surprise, that, for no man, let alone one injured, could easily climb the granite cliffs that soared upward from the valley. Ledges here and there provided tenuous homes for the few trees hardy enough to survive the harsh winds and poor soil. Denlad saw a goat creeping along one such shelf before they lost view of the cliffs. mmm yes GOAT <3 As they hurried on, he spotted a flattened place in the grass and paused. Aragorn had fallen again. Denlad looked back toward the hill’s summit, wondering again about the hobbit. He bent low, looking carefully all around the flattened spot and finally found what he sought: a second pair of footprints, unmistakably hobbit, that had approached via a narrow game trail barely visible through the bracken and grassy weeds. "Look here, Halbarad. It seems we did glimpse a hobbit up on that cliff top. And it looks as though he stopped to help Aragorn." ooooooooooh YAY ah I did not really picture Aragorn as already having been partway up the hill, but it makes sense Halbarad hurried past, eyes on the ground. "They are walking side by side; but look! Aragorn’s feet are dragging, and the hobbit’s footprints are deeper here. I would guess the hobbit is all but carrying Aragorn at this point." awww <333 dragging feet and carrying hobbit "Are they so strong, hobbits?" "I would not have guessed so, but it seems this one at least is." yesss indeed They kept on, following the trail, and came to another spot of flattened grass, and from there the grasses lay smashed flat in a long curving trail up the hill as far as he could see. He looked more closely, nearly putting his nose in the dirt, and found a few green fibers. He held them up. "Halbarad, I think he’s dragging Aragorn, using Aragorn’s cloak as a sort of sledge. But why would he drag him so far? Why not simply build a fire here?" AWWWW YESSSSSSS thank you for showing us this part of the story Aragorn missed <333 but please hurry, friends "I think that this hobbit must know this area; perhaps he knows the grasses catch fire easily, and knows the summit is largely barren of vegetation. And, well, perhaps he has some knowledge of tactics and is heading for the highest ground." yesssss Denlad shook his head. What a wonder this Shireling must be! he is indeed :)))) There was no longer a need for care, so they started running down the well-defined trail. They topped a slope that Denlad felt must surely be the summit. But he stopped, confused. "I thought this must be the top, but I do not see the smoke, nor the fire." hmm so they found a pretty good hiding place actually, but for the smoke, it's hard to spot them even after climbing most of the path "There!" Halbarad pointed, and Denlad saw the problem. They had come up to the right of an outcropping of large grey boulders that blocked their path. He had thought them the crest of the hill, but now he remembered seeing them from below; they marked a spot just below the summit. He took a step to the side and finally spotted beyond them a grey-white finger of smoke reaching lazily upward, small against the blue vault above them. mmmmm there <3 They hurried forward, this time Halbarad taking the lead. Denlad thought about calling out to Aragorn, but that same urgency that had driven him to greater speed seemed suddenly to caution him to greater stealth. He reached out and touched Halbarad’s sleeve. Halbarad immediately stopped and looked back. ooooh YES keep following those instincts please <3 Denlad held a finger up to his lips, then motioned that he would go around the left side of the outcrop, where a scant trace of a game trail hugged the boulders above a sheer drop of at least fifty feet on its left. Halbarad shook his head and motioned instead to the less treacherous right side. He pointed to his own chest and then to the left side. Denlad pulled a face at him for taking the more hazardous route himself, but there was no time for arguing. He silently drew his sword and eased around the rocks, listening for any sound, looking for any movement that might signal something amiss. Seeing nothing, and hearing only the undisturbed soft buzz of small insects, he eased out from the rocks into a clearing. An untended fire burned in the middle of it. Halbarad came around from the other side of the rock. "Well?" Denlad asked. SKASKFDSH THEY WOULD ARGUE OVER THAT <333 "Nothing. I saw no one." Oh dear oh dear yup there's the fire and yet they're GONE Denlad frowned as he sheathed his sword. "This makes little sense." indeed "An untended fire, a meal cooking... it would appear whoever was here was interrupted, very abruptly." mmm yepppp Indeed, a skillet of sausages and potatoes sat unattended on the fire. Denlad, out of long habit, reached down and pulled the pan out of the flames and set it to the side, then kicked dirt over the fire lest it spread, although as Halbarad had earlier surmised, the hilltop was largely barren of vegetation. <33 also he is the one who's tolerable at cooking, right? Halbarad squatted on his heels and looked at the scattered tracks. "These are hobbit, and those are Aragorn’s. But look at this!" yessss it makes me happy that he has friends who know him well enough to identify him just by shoeprint <3 "A second man," Denlad said as he looked where Halbarad pointed. He followed another track and it led to a bedroll, and a pack. A cup lay on its side in the stain of its spilled water. "Someone was drinking, not many minutes ago... and that is Aragorn’s pack, and his cloak," he said, then he froze. "And here is his sword." SKJHDSGHJDG YESSS Halbarad stared it, his eyes bleak. "He would go nowhere willingly without his sword." ASKDGSDJFSHKGJSHDFJSG eyes bleak key word: WILLINGLY this also is significant to them because, while I know his state, they do not, and now they know that it is such that another man managed to wrest him from his sword and force him away from it. No easy feat to not only defeat but control Aragorn. And that would be worrisome indeed to them. "He reached for it... see that? A partial handprint near the sword... see his fingers?" He hesitated, then went on, "and that is part of a heel print. Halbarad, he reached for the sword and the man stamped on his hand." skashgjdfhksg yes I take great joy in them seeing each of his sufferings <3 "And then?" Denlad frowned as he tried to make sense of the jumble of footprints in the dust. He finally shook his head. "I cannot tell. It might be that he hauled Aragorn to his feet and then..." He stopped in frustration. There were simply too many smudges and unclear prints for him to make anything out. Aragorn would be able to read the signs, he thought with bitter irony. <:(( awwwwww he WOULD <3 anyone hostile hauling Aragorn to his feet or anywhere makes me happy for whump reasons they cannot possibly have gone far though!! I am impressed they disappeared at all, and early enough Halbarad and Denlad did not hear the struggle, though I suppose it was brief and relatively quiet for lack of swordfighting "This man’s tracks... it must be another Southron. They seem to be breeding like rats." INDEED "It very well could be," Denlad said absently, for a bush had suddenly claimed his attention. He touched Halbarad’s arm and gestured toward it. Its lower limbs were quivering as if in a light breeze. There was no breeze this calm morning. HEHEHEHE YESS Denlad pulled his sword again and he and Halbarad moved swiftly toward the bush. Halbarad yanked the branches aside and, with a loud squawk, a small hobbit leaped out, grasping at the air to find his balance. sksajdkg only him??? oh dear oh dear Denlad swiftly lifted his sword away and grabbed one of the small flailing hands. "Easy, Shireling! You are among friends." He steadied the hobbit and led him to a log and seated him. He noticed a scrape and a large bump on the hobbit’s temple. "What has happened here, can you tell us?" awww <3 poor guy, thank you for being gentle Denlad The hobbit blinked a few times then covered his face with his hands. "I failed! I tried to stop him taking Strider but he was too big and strong. He threw me away like I was naught but a bit of trash." sakjgs <:(( sounds just like a hobbit, not in a bad way sounds like Sam actually :) "Which way did they go, did you see?" Halbarad asked. He pulled his hands away, but he still looked stricken. "No. I... I must have hit my head. Everything went grey and fuzzy and then I opened my eyes and saw the two of you." <:((( noooo like Bilbo hehe SKSDHGK THE SOUTHRON MANAGED TO GO FARTHER THAN I THOUGHT even though we don't know if Ferdinand was out for seconds or minutes or what. I suppose it must have been longer than seconds. ARAGORN IS BASICALLY KIDNAPPED, DRAGGED AWAY, I AM HAPPY LIFE IS FULFILLED XD kidnapping fics are my favorite but it's not so much of a thing in Middle-earth, at least not relevant to Aragorn's life usually, so the closest thing I've seen is him getting tied up and tortured by blistering sun as punishment from some Southrons? I forget exactly the name of the place, for being from the North Halbarad sighed, then started searching the perimeter of the camp for signs. Denlad pulled out his shirttail and used it to gently dab at the still-bleeding scrape. "Do not be so hard on yourself, Master Hobbit. It takes more courage than most men have to take on a Southron twice your height. What is your name?" awwww thank you Denlad for taking this time to care for Ferdinand now and talk to him <3 and it may well be useful. Besides, all his generous care, I think he will appreciate someone taking a moment to now wipe away his blood AND GREAT POINT HE LITERALLY TRIED TO ATTACK SOMEONE TWICE HIS HEIGHT and if that is not courageous and a quite selfless defense of his new friend I do not know what is To give him credit, the hobbit gathered himself together and gave a small bow of his head. "Ferdinand Took, at your service." <33 he is indeed hardy "Well met, Ferdinand Took. I am Denlad, and I am at yours. And that man over there is Halbarad Dúnadan." awwww yay. well met indeed <333 I love them they're so cute their polite but genuine words "Strider said those were your names. We watched you from here, as you fought. Or at least I watched you. Strider couldn't see from his vantage point, so I told him what was happening." awww relating them just hanging out together, if it could be called that <3 "How badly is Strider injured?" YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS this question makes me happy now they get to hear a firsthand account. With a bonus of Aragorn not being there to downplay anything :) "I found him yesterday, in the field below. He had a knife wound, and likely some broken ribs. He was nearly on his last leg when I found him; yesssssss indeed he really wasn’t on any legs at all really, having made it to a stand but that was as far as he got. YESSSS :)) He lasted long enough to greet me, but then he sort of collapsed to his knees. I managed to help him sit down, but then he fainted dead away. I like when he dead faints :))) "dead faint" is so much better than just "faint" because it implies a certain depth of injury or exhaustion and complete oblivion/unreachable unconsciousness :) I got him to wake up a bit, and got him walking, but it wasn’t many more steps before he fell down again, and then nothing would wake him. I was that scared he would die, I am not ashamed to say. There was so much blood soaking his bandage; scared me silly, it did, and I’m not easily frightened. we can tell you're not and I love that it did <3 I think he is hurt worse than even I have been giving him credit for, only seeing his perspective after all :) I couldn’t imagine what had happened to him. He might have been cut nearly in two, for all I could see." He paused to take a deep breath, then continued. "I didn’t want to stay where we were; too open, you see. I didn’t know if whoever had done this was still lurking about. I saw he had a cloak, in his pack, and I took it and laid it out and sort of rolled him onto it and then grabbed the ends and started tugging. It took a while; he’s a big man, and you can see, I’m not big by any stretch of the imagination. But I had to get him up this hill, where I reckoned it would be safer for him to recover. But I guess I thought wrong. No one bothered us through the night, and so I didn’t reckon on there being another bandit, and especially not after seeing how you had taken care of those three down below." ooooh yeah I forgot he wasn't already wearing his cloak Halbarad returned to their side in time to hear this last. Concern creased his brow. "This man... how long ago did he take Strider?" awww CONCERN <3 Ferdinand glanced at the sun. "It could only have been minutes. I was fixing second breakfast when we stopped to watch your fight. I managed to get Strider to eat a slice of bacon–he won’t eat, gets sick if he does and that worries me. Losing the blood he has, he needs to eat to get his strength back. I cannot imagine why he cannot eat." LOLLL <3 imagine someone being so hurt they cannot eat! To be fair he did eat dinner (if only half) and then was sleeping nearly all the time in between. He only outright refused food when he first woke up. I do guess, though, that he hadn't eaten since before his wound, so besides that dinner it's been at least a day or two Denlad smothered a smile at Ferdinand’s outraged expression. Woe betide any man who does not eat the food offered by a hobbit. "Ofttimes pain steals a man’s appetite. I have medicine I can give him that will help that." LOLLL EXACTLY <333 woe betide any man XD thank you for explanation <3 "Oh, good, very good." Ferdinand looked relieved, but then his face fell. "Only we don’t know where he is. Oh dear..." aww also I'm impressed at Ferdinand's healing skill when hobbits don't often get into trouble. I suppose they need stitches now and then though, and perhaps even a bandage or two. Halbarad rested a hand on the hobbit’s shoulder. "Calm yourself. We will find him. I found their trail; it is clear and they are only minutes ahead of us, from the looks of it. We should be able to see them as soon as we round the summit." He gestured at the swelling on the side of Ferdinand’s head. "Will he be all right?" <333 making sure he's okay before running after Aragorn, they're so thoughtful and honorable and I love "I think so," Denlad said. "He will have a headache, but he seems relatively unharmed. His name is Ferdinand Took, by the way." <33 "I regret we must leave you so soon after meeting, Master Took, but time is short," Halbarad said. He pulled off his pack and set it beside Aragorn’s. "But we will be back, as soon as we find our friend." aww YAY party together then "I will keep the fire going." Denlad felt himself blush. "I’m sorry about kicking it out. I thought no one was here." <33 "No need apologizing; I can light it again easily enough." He dredged up a wobbly smile. "You saved my sausages from burning, at least." <333 yayyy hehe Denlad laughed. He liked these irrepressible hobbits. "Keep them warm for us. I’ve no doubt that Strider will be hungry when we bring him back." SKAJKGDS YES I DO TOO <33 particularly ones like Ferdinand. There are some not so optimistic or generous or such things, although there are a good many very good ones With a final look at Ferdinand’s scrape, finding it no longer bleeding, he stood and, after pulling off his own pack, save the healing supplies which he tucked under his belt, followed Halbarad, but Ferdinand suddenly called out, "Wait!" the healing supplies <3 which will be needed. If Aragorn has been being dragged around or perhaps even forced to walk he must be in agony Denlad stopped and turned. "You should know–I think I heard the man say something about paying back blood for blood." Ferdinand’s blue eyes held unshed tears. "Please hurry. I... I have grown very fond of Strider, in the hours I have known him." SKKSJKHGJSDH ooh this is good this is good um I think he has already paid for with a LOT of blood, if this is the same reason the first Southron attacked him, or if he also is another friend of the first and it is that man's blood he is avenging (yes I do know he probably means life for life lol) I also don't think I've seen someone before with a PERSONAL tergeted vendetta against Aragorn :)) (unless you count the grieving mother in At Hope's Edge but I do not, this is different) Halbarad cast a worried gaze at Denlad, then inclined his head to Ferdinand. "He is one to whom one’s love–and allegiance–come easily. And I have been remiss in not thanking you for all you have done for our friend. Words cannot really express my gratitude." AWWWWWWWWWWW SO TRUE he would know <33333 "Nor mine," Denlad added. "Just bring him back here, alive, and that will be all the thanks I will ever need." AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SKSAJHGSDKHDJSGK <333 a great big Aragorn fan club is all I needed, and not hard to gather <33 I so love when people love and appreciate him so deeply and easily

Mirach	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/12/2009
So the two rangers and hobbit meet, but still Aragorn is not safe... I remember waiting impatiently for the new chapter in this point, reading it to the end, and then waiting impatiently for the next one. I imagine Ferdinand throwing himself at the big Southron - like Bullroarer Took himself! Golf, anybody? =) Author Reply: It's too bad Ferdinand didn't knock that Southron's head off, isn't it! That would have simplified things tremendously and saved Aragorn a lot of pain and hardship. Thanks so much for going back through this to share your thoughts!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/11/2009
Oh my goodness... not only was Aragorn attacked, but now you've had him dragged off the by Southron! I wasn't expecting that---eeek! That doesn't look good. However, I know our intrepid ranger, and he's being tracked to two just-as-intrepid rangers, so I'll stay positive. I can only imagine the pain/torture/discomfort a mad and angry hot-headed Southron can inflict. This should be good. ;D Author Reply: Yeah, it's not often that poor Aragorn is dragged off anywhere, but he's not at his best by a long shot. Staying positive is good, though. This is Aragorn and the Dunedain after all. g Thanks for the review!

Minerva Organa	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/10/2009
Noooooo! Cliffie anyway!! LOL I shouldn't have expected any different. Oh poor Aragorn!! He just keeps getting himself into one mess of trouble after another... Author Reply: Hee hee!! Yeah, I cringed a little when I read your last review because I knew a definitely headdesk moment was coming for you. g Yeah, Aragorn's just having a run of reeeeally bad luck, isn't he? Thanks for the review!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/10/2009
Ah, yes--get the sausages out of the fire, and now save him, do! Hurry, men--fetch him back safely! Author Reply: LOL... I wonder how many readers are thinking, "Forget the darn sausages... go find Aragorn!!" Thanks for the review!

Elentarri	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/10/2009
Brilliant! I love the characterisation of Halbarad and Denlad. Please update very soon... the suspense is killing me. I :-) I need to know what has happened to poor Aragorn. And Master Took is cute too. Author Reply: Thank you! I'm always glad to hear that a reader likes how I handle the characters. And er, that the suspense is becoming life threatening. ;) I think we all need to know what's happening to Aragorn... so the update will come tomorrow morning. Thanks for the review!

Elflingimp	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/9/2009
Ack! You are forever leaving me on the edge of my seat. I am beginning to wonder if I will survive let alone Aragorn! LOL! Love your story thou. Hugs The Imp Author Reply: I'm beginning to wonder if I should have put a cardiac arrest risk alert at the front of this story. g I'm glad, though, that you're enjoying the crazy wild ride! Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/9/2009
What a most exciting chapter, Your description of Halbarad and Denland's climbing that hill in search of Aragorn is so vivid that I felt as if I were with them. And I do love your Halbarad's optimism. It is most endearing. What a plucky guy Ferdinand is. I felt like cheering him when he told his tale. I was hoping Halbarad and Denlad would get there in time to save Aragorn, but that was expecting too much wasn't it? And Halbarad's 'He is one to whom one's love and allegiance comes easily' is perfection itself. Great chapter! Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! Ooh, I like to hear that a reader feels like they're right there in the story with the characters. And yeah, sorry, but Halbarad and Denlad are still just a wee bit too far behind events. But we're getting closer, finally! Thanks for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/9/2009
Ferdinand is so sweet! I think he has just become my favourite hobbit! g It was so courageous of him to try to stop the Southron from taking Aragorn (he should have used the frying pan after all). I'm not surprised that Halbarad and Denlad already like him after having known him for no more than a few minutes. ;-) I don't think I would like whatever that Southron's planning for Aragorn. I'm really worried about him now. It seems the Southron saw the fight - I just hope he doesn't expect Halbarad and Denlad to follow him, because that would surely mean nothing good for Aragorn. Well, at least Ferdinand seems to be alright... and I hope Aragorn will soon sit (or more likey, lie) near that fire again and have a hobbit fuss over him and try to get him to eat some sausages. LOL. Looking forward to more! :) Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! Ooh, Ferdinand's your favorite hobbit?? Ferdinand gives you a big hobbity hug and a platter of sausage, potatoes and onions. :) I'm glad you liked this little chapter... things are rapidly coming together, but it's looking a bit dicey for poor Aragorn, isn't it? Thanks for hanging in there and for the review!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/9/2009
Oh my, this just gets suspensefuller and suspensefuller! At least these three have met, and Ferdinand knows that Strider's friends are on their way to find him. And LOL, at least the sausages didn't burn! What a wonderful hobbit you've brought us. Author Reply: Thank you! Yes, the three have finally met! And now to save Aragorn even as they saved the sausages! g I'm so glad you like Ferdinand, and thanks for the review!

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