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The Ranger and the Hobbit by Cairistiona	10 Review(s)
Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/27/2009
Oh my gosh I adore this chapter! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh---where to start? Well, with Aragorn waking up, I suppose, though the absolute HIGHLIGHT was when he got ill after the mushroom stew. Sagging in Halbarad's arms, no less. :) nods I am a little odd, but I YEARN for more stomach ailments and vomiting in fics. Believe me, I'm not being sarcastic---I'm utterly truthful here! :) There's something about it that makes a character so human and utterly vulnerable. Actually, no fic can have too much gritty realism to it, for my taste, when it comes to illness and hurt/comfort--the more detailed, the lovelier it is. And how perfect when Aragorn mentally forgave Halbarad upon realizing what a gentle nurse Halbarad is! And the part with Halbarad instinctively realizing that Aragorn needs a pillow under his head... that was wonderful. This is truly a h/c lover's dream fic. I'm in love with it. Author Reply: Thank you, Lily! I figured you'd find a lot to enjoy in this installment. g I'm all for gritty realism, to a point; I try to strike a balance between utterly realistic (aka gratuitous) and "less is more". But you've hit exactly on the thing I like about h/c: that it shows the vulnerable, human side of heroic characters that can otherwise seem so superhuman that we can't easily relate to them. There's nothing I dislike more than novels that have the hero take seven bullets (or arrows!) and by the next chapter is back on his horse riding around like nothing has happened! I'm glad you like those quiet moments with Halbarad being the gentle nurse... I do see him as having an incredible gentle streak in him, much as I see that in all the Dunedain. They can be fierce warriors but tender caregivers as well. Thanks for the review!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/25/2009
It's nice to see Aragorn making a recovery-- and enjoying Ferdinand's cooking at last. Halbarad is such a good caretaker for his friend-- I love the way you show their friendship. Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamflower! Yes, Aragorn finally was able to enjoy that stew, once he took it slower. I'm so glad you enjoy my take on Aragorn and Halbarad. It's such a fun relationship to explore and I love both those characters so much. Thanks for the review!

Inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/24/2009
I did so enjoy seeing Aragorn receiving some much needed care and attention. Very well done, as always. A note on the anonymous reviewer. As your beta who has also considering the canon implications of every line of both this story and ‘At Hope’s Edge’, I feel it might be appropriate for me to add to the comments of those who have already come to the defence of your most excellent story. We know very little about the religious beliefs of the Dúnedain. Estelcontar in an earlier review has already quoted from the most informative of the available passages. We do know that Aragorn is destined to become a Priest-king who will re-establish the traditions of the Númenoreans of giving thanks to Eru. We also know that he is uniquely educated among his men because of his Elvish upbringing and, whether because of this or because of events which happen later in his life, ultimately he has the Hope and the faith to relinquish his life willingly in a manner that, as far as we know, no one has done since the destruction of Númenor. He is also the leader of a failing people. It seems to me to be entirely consistent that he would, on occasion and in his capacity as chieftain, need to offer words of encouragement or comfort, which might well include mention of Eru and the hope of a better life beyond the bleak one of their present existence. As to the Nazgûl question, Raksha has already outlined the additional information on their whereabouts which we are given in UT. We do know that either two or three of the Nazgûl remained at Dol Guldor after Sauron returned to Mordor. We know that when Gandalf entered Dol Guldor in 1850 seeking Thrain, he discovered the Sauron was seeking Isildur’s heir. We also know that the Witch-king himself never returned to Eriador after his defeat at the Battle of Fornost but we no not know that none of those who remained in Dol guldor didn’t. And given that they are actively seeking Isildur’s heir, it does seem sensible that they should, at least occasionally, seek him in Isildur’s former kingdom. They were not to know that the intrepid ranger has spent most of his adult life travelling the length and breadth of Middle-earth. I’m not suggesting that the absence of a definite denial on Tolkien’s part should automatically be taken as a green light for any interpretation. The degrees of probability have to be measured, but in this case, I feel Cairstiona has made a good call, and, furthermore, by taking the initiative to label this story as AU she ought to have forestalled any criticism along those lines. Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth! I'm glad you liked this chapter... yes, Aragorn's finally gotten some much needed tender loving care. We can all breathe again! I appreciate, always, your support, both as beta and going the extra mile with your comments here. I feel very blessed to have both you and other very knowledgeable Tolkien fans assisting me in this and assuring me that I wasn't completely cracked in my interpretation of things. :) Thanks again!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/24/2009
Ah, if only he could be fully candid. Young Ferdibrand perhaps knows a bit more than he realizes! Hidden kings and rings that help hide.... Lovely! Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! I've always imagined Aragorn would chafe at having to keep any secrets from Halbarad, even if it is necessary. And oh yes, Ferdinand really has put more together than he even realizes, and Denlad definitely had his hands full trying to keep him from putting together all the pieces. Hopefully now that Aragorn's awake Denlad can defer all conversations about such things to upper management. ;) Thanks for the review!

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/23/2009
Loved the banter between Aragorn and Halbarad. You balance the atmospheres of the chapters--going from tense to angst to humourous in such a nice way. :) I really enjoyed this chapter! ~Cal Author Reply: Glad you liked it, Cal! I figure, like life, situations like this will go through ebbs and flows from angst to lightheartedness and back. I try to make sure the story follows that sort of organic flow. Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/23/2009
Finally, our ranger is safe and though not totally sound, sound enough. LOL That made me very happy because after what he's gone through, he most certainly deserves the respite, and so do Halbarad and Denland. They've been anxious enough. It was good to see both of them relaxed enough to crack jokes about Galadh's cooking, and Halbarad recovered enough to again be able cover his concern for Aragorn in irony. I really enjoyed both these bits. Ferdinand, of course, is a veritable treasure, worth his double weight in gold. A most satisfying chapter indeed. And more thoughts on the anonymous review: Let us not forget that the Númenórean kings were priest-kings. In the peak of the Meneltarma, the great mountain in central Númenor, was the Hallow of Eru, where 'No building, no raised altar, not even a pile of undressed stones ever stood there; and no other likeness of a temple did the Númenóreans possess in all the days of their grace, until the coming of Sauron....and there none might speak any word, save the King only. Thrice only in each year the King spoke, offering prayer for the coming year at the Erukyermë in the first days of spring, praise of Eru Ilúvatar at the Erulaitalë in midsummer, and thanksgiving to him at the Eruhantalë at the end of autumn. At these times the King ascended the mountain on foot followed by a great concourse of the peple, clad in white and garlanded, but silent. (Unfinished Tales, A Description of Númenor, p. 166. Furthermore, ccording to Tolkien, so were the Númenórean kings in Middle-earth until this Númenórean tradition was forgotten, but Aragorn presumably restored it: "...They had (I imagine) no petitionary prayers to God; but preserved the vestige of thanksgiving. (Those under special Elvish influence might call on the angelic powers for help in immediate peril or fear of evil enemies). It later appears that there had been a 'hallow' on Mindolluin, only approachable by the king, where he had anciently offered thanks, and praise on behalf of the people; but it had been forgotten. It was re-entered by Aragorn, and there he found a sapling of the white Tree, and replanted it in the Court of the fountain. It is to be presumed that with the reemergence of the lineal priest kings (of whom Luthien the Blessed Elf-maiden was a foremother) the worship of God would be renewed, and His Name (or title) be again more often heard. But there would be no temple of the True God while Numenorean influence lasted." (The Letters Of J.R.R. Tolkien, letter 156, p. 206. So, Cairistiona, I don't think you were so off canon at all. To my mind Raksha's very wise observation about Canon should be minded by all fanfiction writers and readers. Author Reply: Ooh, thank you, Estelcontar, for that lovely summation of Tolkien's ideas of Numenorean priest-kings. I know we've discussed it and I've discussed it with Inzilbeth on many occasions and there is definitely canon to base the idea of Aragorn speaking of Eru loving his children. I'm glad you provided more chapter and verse supporting that. And glad too that you enjoyed this chapter and the interplay between Aragorn and Halbarad. I see that as such a fun relationship... it's a friendship forged through hardships and those are the deepest. And since it's so deep, they can laugh and joke with one another when circumstances allow. I wonder sometimes how it might have gone had Halbarad survived... what role he would have played to King Elessar. It'd make a fascinating AU tale to explore someday. Thanks for the review and the information!

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/23/2009
This is fast; I'm at work, working like crazy, because we have (finally!!!) a very short week, which mean that we have to work more to cover the whole week. I feel bad complaining, when poor Aragorn is half dead, I read in some place that people that have lost a significant amount of blood needs a lot of liquid and rest (no IV around, I suppose) I hope that he can recover a little bit before more Southrons appear to make their life miserable....Mushroom, I can have them, as long they have more company, like beef, potatoes, carrots, celery...so you eat the rest and leave the mushrooms, tell Halbarad to do that. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving, in case that you don't update before Thursday. Back to work.... Author Reply: Thanks for squeezing in a review in your busy week, Fantasia! Yes, I'm sure Aragorn will be spending a lot of time drinking water and broth and working his way up to solid foods... but perhaps more slowly than he did at first! An IV would have been nice, along with a blood transfusion, but alas, this is Middle-earth and he'll just have to depend on his Numenorean bone marrow and spleen etc to do the work for him. :) Thanks and I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving, too! I'll probably update Wednesday this week, because of the holiday. :)

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/23/2009
"You will make a truly detestable king." That is just too adorable. What a wonderful conversation. Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound! I like letting Halbarad and Aragorn go at it. :)

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/23/2009
LOL! The conversation between Aragorn and Halbarad made me laugh more than once - that was a nice firework of humour you shot off there. g You know, I'm beginning to think poor travelling rangers should always have a hobbit with them to feed them. My confidence in the cooking abilities of rangers diminishes more with every story I read from you. ;-) I wish I could borrow Ferdinand to cook me some of that mushroom stew. I loved Halbarad putting that rolled-up cloak under Aragorn's head without having been asked. He's really such a wonderful mother hen! :D How Aragorn managed to not get himself killed while he stayed in Rohan and Gondor for all those years without Halbarad at his side will always remain a mystery to me (and poor Halbarad was probably worrying himself sick in the meantime). bg Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! Yes, I don't really think that most Rangers have much of a flare for cooking... no time to learn because they're too busy fighting off orcs and trolls and the like. The incident with the cake was based on a true story. Some of the guys in a cooking class I took in high school mistook the salt for sugar. The outcome was not pleasant. g And yes, I imagine Halbarad probably had a hard time of it while Aragorn was away all those years. It was probably only his responsibilities to their people that kept him from grabbing a horse and riding south to hunt Aragorn down. Thanks for the review... glad this chapter brought a smile!

Minerva Organa	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/23/2009
"And one who has never been overly troubled by the burden of humility." The grin only widened. Aaahhaha, Halbarad: His greatest strength... his modesty. His greatest weakness...it is possible for him to be a little too awesome. =D This was great!! And now I really want mushroom stew... Author Reply: LOL! I wonder if that's what happened to him on the Pelennor... overcome by his own awesomeness! g I'm glad you liked that little bit of humor between Aragorn and Halbarad. Thanks for the review!

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