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The Ranger and the Hobbit by Cairistiona	18 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/23/2026
"Will this Eledh of yours bring horses?" The voice cut through the smothering mist of Aragorn’s uneasy slumber. skadhgksj his slumber not being so much restful as smothering, uneasy Horses... why would Eledh bring horses... loll "He will bring horses, yes," Halbarad’s low voice rumbled. He sounded irked, but then he so often sounded irked that it told Aragorn nothing. LOLL I love him XD he's like well yes what else is new Why were they so concerned about Eledh and whether he would bring horses? lolll coming back to this confusedly He tried to open his eyes. Did not succeed. One felt swollen shut and the other simply could not be bothered to respond. It mattered not, he supposed, if he could not open his eyes. Halbarad was nearby... he would see to keeping him safe... ooooh yes swollen shut now he must look a real sight <:( AWWW IT DOESN'T MATTER IF HE CAN OPEN HIS EYES SO LONG AS HALBARAD IS NEAR <33 he will keep him safe Safe. A vague whisper of alarm edged against his mind. He was safe, surely... skafjkdshsg the trauma resurfacing at that word, instinctively not knowing whether to trust it What if he were not? <:((( oh poor traumatized boy His hand jerked of its own accord, moving toward the hilt of his sword. sksakdhgsj <:( His left eye finally deigned to open, taking even longer to focus. And then he saw only a canopy of green leaves over his head. Blue sky beyond. Such a light breeze that only one leaf was stirring, fluttering madly as though it were trying to get all the other leaves to join in and was frustrated that none would. lolllll cute leaf He could not find his sword. His hand moved restlessly against his side. The hilt should be there, right there... had he dropped it? Had there been a battle? skajdfskhdjgsh panicking now There must have been. That, or he had been trampled by a herd of oliphaunts. It was a throw of the dice. LOLLLL <:( he's like well just as likely as not it was oliphaunts with how I feel A footfall beside him and Denlad’s face blocked Aragorn’s view of the leaves. "Rest easy, Aragorn," he said quietly. He was smiling but his eyes were worried. "You are safe." AWW DENLAD <33 That word again. Aragorn blinked his one good eye. He worried a bit about why Denlad felt he needed to tell him he was safe. Have I not been safe? Sksadhgksjhdfh <:(( But then he realized he was worried more about the worry in Denlad’s eyes. SAKJDHGS <333 "What has happened?" he asked, or tried to. What actually came out was a strangled, moaning, "Wha’?" He shut his mouth in embarrassment. aaaaasdkhsjfsgh trying to ask a simple clear-minded question but unable to manage more than a strangled moan embarrassed at the painful sound and failure <:((( "Shh. Do not try to talk yet." Denlad eased his hand behind Aragorn’s head and lifted it. Aragorn let out another scratchy, garbled cry as pain pounded through his skull. He winced and more pain assaulted him. Valar, what has happened...have wargs been gnawing on my face? SKHSKHDG HIS GARBLED CRY <3 wargs or something like it A cool cup pressed against his lips and despite the pain he drank greedily. The cup was pulled away long before he was satisfied. sakdjg <:((( he wants more but Denlad is like. Let's take it slow. The hand lowered his head back and again all he could see were leaves, that single one still flapping about like a deranged butterfly. lolllllllll He concentrated fiercely, and then very carefully whispered, "What happened?" AWWWWW I love when he uses that determined will of his for something like this. Carefully concentrating to whisper two words that sound like he at least has his wits, and to get the information he is desperate for going "okay body you won't let me talk? well then I will carefully whisper the most important things and you can't stop me" "Do you remember the Southron spies?" Denlad asked. Southrons... ooh Aragorn groaned as dim bits of memory returned. Stabbed, beaten, nearly blinded. Maybe he was blind. He swallowed hard. "How bad?" skasjghskfhgs <:( the immediate groan at the torturous memory swallowing <:( "Probably not quite as bad as it must feel. You have lost a lot of blood, and are bruised and I would not be surprised if you have a bit of a concussion." aww <3 good and thank you also for guessing that his pain is worse than the actual danger of his wounds "My eye..." aww "It’s swollen shut, but you were seeing out of it, earlier. I think it will recover." <333 good That was something, at any rate. He reached up to touch it, but Denlad caught his hand. "Best not." yesss all these people stopping him from tryna touch all the things hehe "Can’t open it." <:( "I know. It has become more swollen in the last two hours, but now that we’ve got you settled, I’ve been holding a cold cloth against it. It seems to be holding back the swelling." <333 thank you "Two hours?" "Yes. We found you a bit over two hours ago. You spoke then; do you remember?" Aragorn nodded, his eye drifting shut again because it was simply too much trouble to keep it open. His thoughts increasingly disappeared into foggy corners, hiding just beyond reach. "You... and Halbr’d...." awww yess <:( that's so frustrated, the foggy corners but he remembers THEM <33 He heard a footstep, a crunching of ground and gravel, and then a hand touched his. Aragorn knew without looking it was Halbarad. Never far away, his kinsman. He opened his good eye again, with effort, to see Halbarad’s stricken gaze. Aragorn tried to smile reassuringly but that hurt far too much so instead he gave Halbarad’s hand an encouraging squeeze. "Worry not," he whispered, knowing he would do better to tell the wind to stop blowing. Worrying was Halbarad’s favorite way to pass the time. AWWWWW SKJADHGSKH XD worrying was Halbarad's favorite way to pass the time XD I'm sure his stricken gaze <:( immediately knowing it's him <3333 and this time in his healing he doesn't have to wish for Halbarad. He is here <3 yess failing to smile so squeezing his hand instead And indeed, Halbarad’s words confirmed it. "I will stop worrying when you are back on your feet, with two good eyes keen and bright and looking to the far horizons once more." awwww yes <:( "Not too... keen right now." skahgksjdgh he will not try to hide that "No, but you will be again, soon enough," Denlad said briskly. Aragorn had the impression Denlad’s words were aimed more at Halbarad than himself. So like those two, one always fussing at the other... there were two hobbits he knew, in Bree, who fussed like that... aww <33333 skashkg I love them He frowned. Hobbits... Aragorn started. Ferdinand! Had he heard his voice or was it only in his dream? He looked... yes! There was Ferdinand, stamping around getting pots and pans organized. "Ferdinand," he called, or tried to. He frowned when his call was little more than a gasp. AWW the way he keeps urgently remembering him <3 the gasp But the little hobbit heard him and scurried over, a bright smile lighting his face. "Strider! Oh, you don’t know how happy I am to see you awake and alive." awww he's so cheerful "Are you... did he hurt you?" of course he would check <3 "No, no. Just a few bumps, nothing more. Nothing like what you’ve gone through, my poor boy. You look in need of a cold compress. Two or three of them, more like. There is nothing like a cold cloth when you’ve banged into something. I crashed my head against a cupboard door once and didn’t it just hurt. Made me see stars, it did. But a cold cloth was just the ticket for it. Absolutely the best thing–" LOLL I'm sure it was thank you "And that is just what I want you to do, Ferdinand," Denlad interrupted. He handed him a handful of cloths–Aragorn thought they looked like the remains of Denlad’s brown shirt–and pointed toward a spring bubbling out of the rocks. "Keep these cloths cool and wet and hold them gently, very gently, against Ara– against Strider’s face." skajdfh interrupting with HERE IS A TASK Ara- hehe "Oh yes, capital! I will do that straight off. You just rest easy, young Strider. Let us take care of you. No need to worry at–" lollll "Ferdinand," Denlad interrupted again. He took the hobbit gently by the shoulders and turned him around and gave him the slightest push. "The spring." LOLLL I am chuckling <33 I love them Ferdinand took the cloths... and the not so subtle hint... and scuttled over to the spring. Had Aragorn felt better he might have laughed. Denlad seemed well able to manage the irrepressible little Shireling. LOL YES AWW Aragorn frowned. He let go of Halbarad’s hand to reach for Denlad’s. Touched the bandage and looked questioningly. SKAJFHG <333 "It’s nothing. I slipped, fell on the rocks. Clumsy of me." "Your neck..." yess checking everything <3 the healer and dad he is "Hmm?" Denlad reached up, as though he had forgotten. "Oh. That is from a battle of our own we had with a few of the Southrons. One of them got me by the throat, but he did not like the results." ohhh yes Aragorn vaguely remembered Ferdinand’s spotty report. "You... killed him..." "He’s likely dead by now, yes," Halbarad said. "Denlad stabbed him in the gut." yesss Denlad "likely" uh Aragorn closed his eyes again. "May he... be truly dead. I grow weary of Southrons." <:((( he is weary indeed. It is not often he wishes for the death of another. "I’m sure he’s dead. Wounds like that... yes, he’s bound to be," Halbarad assured him. Aragorn would have felt better had they known for certain, but surely Halbarad was right. A man rarely came back from such wounds, even under the hand of the most skilled healer. so uh I wasn't worried but uh. I am getting a little worried. What if the man decides to drink the pain stuff little by little so he never falls asleep and then...heals? And does not think much of the mercy showed him? At the least I expect the worry will haunt Aragorn's sleep and perhaps even waking thought until it can be confirmed. anyways the "surely" just. worries me. He drifted a bit, his thoughts murky. His own battle with the Southron seemed something very recent and yet at the same time so far back that he could barely remember it. But as Denlad checked his bandages, he touched Aragorn’s neck and the pain from the bruises put him back there, on that grassy plain, the hands closing on his throat, and darkness falling.... Before he knew what he was doing, he reached up and shoved Denlad’s hand away. "No!" SAKAJKGDSSH CRYING OUT NO THE IMMEDIATE FLASHBACK "I’m sorry!" Denlad cried. aww <33 Aragorn came to himself again, his breathing heavy and painful. "No... no, I’m sorry... I thought..." <:((( yes he sure is traumatized "Shh," Denlad said. He laid a calming hand on Aragorn’s forehead. "I should have told you I needed to check the bruises on your throat." awwww the hand on forehead <3333 "I just... it brought it back." He tried to reach for his throat, to reassure himself, but Denlad gently restrained him. "Best leave it be." <:((( thank you for being open Aragorn yess the gentle restraint again Aragorn nodded. He felt Denlad brush his hair away from his neck. "I’m just looking. I won’t touch you, I promise." awwww brushing hair away <3 "You can... now that.. I know." And he did, feather light, for just a moment. Gentle as he was, Denlad’s touch brought the fell memories back... the rough fingers on his throat, closing down until life itself seemed forfeit beyond all hope. But then Aragorn's breath caught as he remembered what else happened. He looked wonderingly at Denlad. "You shouted..." skasjgkhsf ooh breath catch Denlad blushed. "Aye. I was too far away to help, and I fear my frustration got the better of me." blush <:( <33 aww Denlad it's not a BAD thing you have the loudest voice Aragorn knows <3 "No... your shout..." He stopped, swallowed, then reached up and grabbed Denlad’s arm. It pulled at the wound in his side, hurting him, but he had to do it. "Your shout saved me." SKAJSDDKSGDHFKSJS THOSE WORDS <333 and determined to grasp Denlad's arm to tell him this, so help him... Denlad glanced quickly at Halbarad, then back to Aragorn. "He was choking me... but he heard you... looked up." Aragorn paused again. He was lightheaded, not getting enough air, but he needed Denlad to know. "You distracted him. I... was able to grab his dagger..." asdjksfhgf lightheaded as he tries to speak more words than his lungs can hold Tears glimmered in Denlad’s eyes. He seemed unable to speak. AASKJDHGKS AWWWWWWWWW <:((( <33333 DENLAD'S CRY OF FRUSTRATION SAVED HIS LIFE <333 Aragorn wanted to say more, but his strength failed him, and his arm fell back to his side. His thoughts again threatened to fade into shadow. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaasjkdghsjhdf to fade into shadow He heard Denlad clear his throat, then his voice came softly but with a bit of urgency. "Aragorn, before you drift off, can you tell me if you hurt anywhere other than your arm, your ribs and your face?" Denlad asked. awwww yes the soft urgency It seemed to take every last remnant of his strength, but he smiled as he murmured, "Is that not enough?" :))) awwwww a bit of humor, even a smile "More than enough," Denlad answered, amused. "But I don’t want to miss any other wounds." <333 skakdhgsj he amused him "Those are... are... only ones," Aragorn whispered. He was starting to feel beyond terrible. aaaaaaaaaaaaaskjdhgkjshdf beyond terrible <:((( YES Denlad laid the back of his hand on Aragorn’s forehead. "You grow a bit warm." oooh Aragorn wanted to assure Denlad that fever was not setting in, but he knew the lie for what it was. OOOOH YES HEHE Sunlight was fast growing too bright. He shut his eye against the stabbing rays. Denlad said something to him but his words seemed to splinter into meaningless babble. Thought again drifted, not toward restful slumber but toward that bedimmed realm that is neither sleeping nor waking. Sounds too loud and too sharp lanced like steel shards through his skull. His own cry of protest shredded to nothing more than a feeble whimper against the cacophonic blades. SAKDJGKSHFD THAT SOUNDS MISERABLE AND AGONIZING NOT THAT BEDIMMED REALM OF NO REST AND NO TRUE AWARENESS NOT THE BRIGHT SPLINTERS OF LIGHT AND SOUND TRYING TO SCREAM IN PROTEST BUT THE FEEBLE WHIMPER IS JUST AS GOOD "Aragorn?" ooh was that in response <3 has time passed or is it the same Denlad’s voice cut too deeply. Aragon needed to cover his ears, block out the sounds and the fear and the capturing dreams that even now clutched at his consciousness... dreams he remembered from last time... a black river... hopelessness... sksjadkhgdsjg THE NIGHTMARES ARE STILL ROOTED IN HIS HEAD READY TO AWAKE GIVEN ANY CHANCE wanting to cover his earsss and escape the capturing dreamssss even a friend's voice hurting sharply "He burns with fever." That was Halbarad. "Have you the willow bark?" mmm yes "Aye, and a very small bit of poppy. His head might be injured, but I think it worth the risk, to give him some respite from the pain. The fever I am not too worried about– his wound shows no sign of infection, so I think it is merely the overall hurt that’s been done to him that’s causing him fever. The pain is a bigger worry to me, for I have seen pain so tear at a body that a man cannot keep fighting. But the good news is that the medicine that helps fever also helps pain. Give it to him just a sip at a time." awwwww yesss good no infection skajds so tear at a body, Aragorn is too near that line I think, though his fighting should never be underestimated yesssssss time to feed Aragorn more medicine hopefully that will NOT taste so horrible as Grimbeorn's lol Movement. A hand on the back of his head. A cup to his bruised lips. Halbarad’s gentle voice telling him to drink. Water caustic with the taste of willow bark sloshed into his mouth. If there was poppy in it, he could not tell. yesssss gentle Halbarad <33333 He swallowed. "A bit more now, just a bit. I know it tastes like something brewed by Sauron himself, but you must drink it. There you go." awww yessss people hand-feeding (there's not really a word for giving someone drink) a barely aware and rather reluctant Aragorn water/medicine bit by bit is my favorite He grimaced but swallowed more of the bitter stuff and Halbarad’s hand lowered his head back to the ground. yesss good <3 perhaps the poppy will help keep the dreams from being so evil? I do not know what kind of dreams poppy gives uhhh according to google it's more likely to cause vivid nightmares although perhaps has potential to soften them, but I don't know this may be too low a dose to do anything. It sounds like if it does do anything it'll make the nightmares worse though... A cold dampness suddenly touched his bruised eye and he flinched. "Oh dear, I am sorry. I should have warned you." aww <3 "Fer’nand." His own voice. Faded like cloth left too long in the sun. lolll making up great similes even nearly asleep <3 "Shhh. Don’t speak, Mr. Strider. I am afraid for the moment your wounds have gotten the better of you, but we will take care of you. Yes, my dear boy, your two strapping friends and I will take good care of you. Shhh." awwwww two strapping friends is a great summary of them XD The coolness and the voices and a hand touching his calmed him, soothed him. Maybe the dreams would not be evil... would not... trap him... SKAJDGSK POOR BOY STILL HOPES BECAUSE HE HAS NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO FALL INTO THEIR EMBRACE <:( He sighed and let go of the waking world. <:((( and I expect into evil dreams indeed

Ainu Laire	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/18/2009
"The hand lowered his head back and again all he could see were leaves, that single one still flapping about like a deranged butterfly." This is quite possibly one of the best lines I've ever read. Thank you for that laugh. Anyways- always good to see Aragorn on the mend. Now they need to bring him to Rivendell or something. You know, two hobbits in Rivendell... that would be amazing to watch. And good ol' Ferdinand deserves to see it, after all he's done to help. And, yea, I think the rest would be good for Aragorn. Looking forward to more, as always. Author Reply: Thanks, Laire! I'm so glad you liked that line... I don't know how many times walking through the woods I've seen one leaf flittering and fluttering like mad, when none of the other leaves are stirring. So that's where that came from and it's one of my favorite lines, actually. g Hmm, Rivendell's reeeeeally far away... and although it's interesting to think about how Elrond might react to having Ferdinand underfoot, I don't think they'll need to head that way. Thanks for the review!

Mirach	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/18/2009
The the "Safe" in the title I would add "finally"... I love this chapter! Aragorn is still miserable, but he has friends around him who care for him, and he is finally safe indeed (I hope the remaining Sauthorn isn't up to something). By now I have read the chapter 3 times, and I'm going to read it again, I think! =) Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach! Wow, you've read it 3 times?? I'm grateful, because I know you're busy with NaNo, so that's a high honor. I'm glad you enjoyed this... it is good to finally take a semi-deep breath and know at least for now he's in good hands with a good chance to finally recover. Whew! Thanks for the review!

BeeGee	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/17/2009
A great chapter that illustrates the close relationship between Aragorn, Halbarad and Denlad. Great characterization of Ferdinand as well. You really choose your words well! However, I agree with several other reviewers here; I have a suspicion that the "dead" Southron will pop up again. :D I should't say "pop up", I guess, he seems beyond being able to "pop up". I had an image of him crawling through the underbrush; holding his entrails in one hand and a long shiny dagger in the other, bent on revenge. LOL! Whatever is in store for our Rangers and Hobbit, I'm sure your version will be better than mine! Author Reply: Oh wow, what a visual! LOL!! Glad I wasn't eating. :P But thank you for the review... this chapter was definitely about showing the relationships between the three and the interactions with Ferdinand (to a lesser degree). And providing Aragorn with some well-earned comfort. As for the Southron... hmmm... I think less said the better. g Thanks again for the review, BeeGee!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2009
Well, I shall be very busy tonight! I will be busy gathering the materials I need to build my "Shrine to Cairistiona," you see. I think it shall occupy the far corner of my living room and perhaps contain some nicely scented candles, as well . . . Oh, this was a marvelous chapter! It was perfect, the way we saw through the (very swollen and fuzzy-seeing) eyes of Aragorn as he slowly regained consciousness and had to deal with the pain and discomfort and frightening memories. I ADORE the "mother-henning," as I saw you stated in an earlier review response. I find that I don't get to read it nearly as often as I would like in fanfic, so to see such lovely examples here... sighs blissfully And how I enjoy seeing Halbarad through Aragorn's eyes---a worrier, indeed. I think Aragorn has given him just cause to be a worrier! I cannot wait for the next chapter---and where will they head, I wonder, if Eledh does manage to bring the horses? And eeek---I foresee some foreshadowing about the possible fate of the injured Southron. Oh, dear! Author Reply: Oh, Lily, you do make me laugh! A shrine! Good heavens. No need for that, dear. Your reviews are quite sufficient to brighten my day. :) I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter... I like seeing characters through other character's eyes, too, and it's always fun to see what Aragorn privately thinks about his kinsman. I think you're absolutely right in that Aragorn has given Halbarad more than enough practice at worrying to have become an expert at it! Next chapter won't be too long in coming... thanks for the review!

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2009
Oh, poor Aragorn! I love how Denlad seems able to get Ferdinand back on track far better than Strider was able to! Halbarad's care and worry came through just right. I think you did an excellent job of making the reader experience that awful in-between place that being severely injured puts one into. I cringed along with Strider and I felt so bad for Denlad when he accidentally sent Strider into the flashback. This was a well-written interlude, and I really do hope that the next chapter continues to give Aragorn a break from the "excitement" that he went through in the previous chapter! Well done! Author Reply: Thanks, Rhyselle! I'm glad you liked this chapter... yes, Denlad does seem to be able to handle Ferdinand. Maybe he can give Aragorn some pointers! I'm glad you liked how I handled Aragorn's confusion and struggle to stay coherent, and how I wrote Halbarad. I so love writing Halbarad, and even though in this story we're getting smaller glimpses of him, I tried to make those moments as vivid as possible. And yes, let's hope Aragorn's adventures in future chapter come a little less painfully. Thanks for the review!

Inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2009
This is such a lovely, warm-hearted chapter; Halbarad and Denlad reassuring each other as well as Aragorn, and Aragorn fretting about everyone else. I very much enjoyed the additional passage too, especially that Aragorn felt he needed to tell Denlad with such urgency that it was his shout that had saved him. And now for Aragorn to get some much needed rest. A beautifully written chapter, as always. Author Reply: Thanks, Inzilbeth! Yes, that's the Almut-inspired bit... it made perfect sense to me to have Aragorn strive to tell Denlad that he had done well. It's part of being a good leader, to give credit where due and of course Aragorn would want to be sure to do that, even on the verge of losing consciousness. Glad you enjoyed the chapter and thanks for the review!

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2009
Ferdinand should be paid to be Aragorn's permanent nanny/healer/cook/morale officer; at least so Halbarad can take a break from the job, LOL! Really, keeping the Heir of Isildur in one piece is something of a full-time job! (now you've got me wondering if the Northern Dunedain and Imladris Elves all urged Aragorn to go and spend time in Rohan and Gondor so that other folks could look after him). Good chapter! Author Reply: LOL! What a thought, everyone conspiring to get rid of Aragorn for a while so they could rest! I like that. g I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter... I do think Ferdinand would make a good Chieftain-tender. But I also think Halbarad likely wouldn't want to give up the job... he barely tolerates Denlad helping out, I think. g Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2009
A short chapter but very to the point. I really enjoyed it. I think the detail of Aragorn looking for his sword as soon as he was again barely conscious even after registering Halbarad's voice, with its connotation of safety, was very telling and a great illustration of the dangerous life he and his man lived. It is also very telling how his desire to reassure Halbarad and Denlad, and his worry about Ferdinand's safety wins through his pain and his weakness. Very characteristic of our ranger indeed. Halbarad's worry and Denland's desire to assuage it was very moving too. I wonderful chapter as usual. Author Reply: Thanks, Estelcontar! I'm glad you liked this chapter (it's changed a bit since you read it last). I did try to keep in mind Aragorn's characteristic caring for others and trust in Halbarad as I wrote his actions upon wakening. I really do think he likely does worry about others far more than himself... taking that attitude of "well, I'm breathing, so now how's everyone else doing?" g And yes, their lives likely always had them checking for their weapons upon first conscious thought, whether it be simply waking in the morning or recovering from illness or wounds. Thanks for the review!

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2009
(Couldn't review this morning...pokes computer) I hope that Southron is alive, but...as fanfic taught me, authors are evil and people who should be dead sometimes aren't. gives suspicious look You're not planning thing, are you? XD Anyway, loved this chapter. Poor Aragorn, yes, but...I love the angst. Thanks for writing! ~Cal Author Reply: Ah, glad you liked the chapter! As for the rest... time alone will tell! And tell your computer to behave and let you review when you need to. g Thanks for the review!

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