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The Ranger and the Hobbit by Cairistiona	11 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/27/2026
It was the goodnight song of a lark that pulled Aragorn back from the amorphous nowhere he had been struggling to escape. That and Halbarad’s soft voice whispering to Denlad that he really didn’t much care for Ferdinand’s mushroom stew. the larkkk lolll I might not either, I am not too fond of mushrooms, but he is used to far worse cooking so I am surprised XD Aragorn laughed. AWWWW HE LAUGH "Look who’s awake!" Denlad cried. AWWW <3 Aragorn pried open his eyes, happy that they both complied, and squinted into the fire-lit shadows. yayyyyyy they both work now, swelling gone down Denlad grinned at him from a seat near the fire, and next to him sat Halbarad, his own face wreathed in smiles. On the other side of the fire, Ferdinand stood poking at what must be the mushroom stew. With his own glad cry, he raised his spoon in a salute. Aragorn suffered an unexpected pang as he realized how much, after this adventure ran its course, he would miss waking to find Ferdinand beside him, cooking something. AWWWWW WREATHED IN SMILES <:(((( skasdjgshjfg they will miss him indeed. Would that he could stay. Halbarad stood with a grunt and came over to kneel beside him, Denlad right behind him and Ferdinand stretching his neck to see around Denlad, and Aragorn’s mood quickly deteriorated from fond affection to annoyance. Must they stare at him like some farmer’s prize melon being judged at a fair? But before he had chance to vent his ire, Halbarad asked, "How do you feel?" LOLLL of course he grows grumpy as soon as they're focused on his wellbeing. Vent his ire lol <3 Tired, sore, aching, irritated and vexed, yesss but that was far too much bother to say. He simplified it to one hoarsely croaked word. "Thirsty." awww the croak <3 Denlad hurried to fetch a cup and Halbarad lifted Aragorn’s head so gently that all of Aragorn’s irritation melted. As Halbarad held the cup for him, he drank long and quickly, afraid Halbarad would pull it away, but Halbarad let him drink until the cup was empty. "Thank you. " AWWW thank you <3 THE LIFT SO GENTLE ALL IRRITATION IS GONE scared he'll pull it away like last time he wanted more but he gets all of it <3 He squinted at the dark sky. The faintest rose still colored the lower western horizon, but overhead the first of the night’s stars glinted. He felt he should know the hour but he could not think of the season of the year, or the month, nor even the week. "What time is it?" oooooh and so can't figure when the sun should be setting "The sun set about an hour ago," Halbarad supplied. "Or do you really mean what day is it?" hehehe "How long have I slept?" "It’s been about a day and a half." dang He thought a moment. "‘tis summer." It came out almost a question. He felt completely out of his reckoning. SKADHGK THE QUESTION YESS "Late June, to be exact." Halbarad’s voice was calm, but his eyes were dark with worry. Understandable, Aragorn thought. It wasn’t like him to lose track of the hour, let alone an entire season of the year. Halbarad felt Aragorn’s brow. skadhgkshfssss <333 I love his calm answer but silent dark worry Aragorn sees completely. And he knows exactly what he should know and how disoriented he is. "Fever?" "It seems better," Halbarad said, but his voice was uncertain. hmm we hope As well as it ought after sleeping for a day and a half. But Aragorn still felt a bit off kilter, somehow. Hot but shivery, brain too muddled to sort out night from day. He had felt it before, too many times. It never grew easier, recovering from wounds. awww <:((( Valar, how he hated fever. skhdksh yess "Do you think you can eat something?" Denlad asked. He gestured and Ferdinand scurried off and returned with a bowl. "Is that mushroom stew?" Aragorn wasn’t sure he was up to something so rich, much as he enjoyed mushrooms. mmmm yeah HEHE LIKE FRODO <3 "Just the broth," Ferdinand said. "I don’t think you best try anything solid yet." mmmm yeah "Help me sit up." It was difficult, but with Halbarad’s help he soon was leaning back against a log, alarmingly lightheaded, but sitting up. His side ached but it was tolerable, if one did not mind a warg gnawing on one’s ribs. And arm. And face. He resolutely forced his mind away from his injuries. yessss lightheaded. I'm honestly impressed and though he is lightheaded from injury, I expect he would be anyways simply from lack of food and adequate water the last many days IF ONE DID NOT MIND A WARG GNAWING ON ONE'S RIBS thank you for finally accurately defining what you mean when you claim "tolerable", Aragorn XD <3 THE WARGS GNAWS ON HIS ARM AND FACE AS WELL :D He was not very successful. yessssss :) "Can you hold the bowl?" Halbarad asked. Aragorn tried, but he couldn’t seem to keep a grasp on it. yess :) "Don’t scowl so; you lost a bucketload of blood and even the mighty Strider can’t do with only half his blood in him. Besides, it’s not like I’ve never had to spoon feed you," Halbarad added as he deftly gave Aragorn a spoonful of broth. awwww yesss <33 I WILL SAY IT AGAIN I LOVE PEOPLE FEEDING HIM :) him not being able to feed or water himself. Even if he can sit up, sort of. I love how Halbarad is practiced enough at this to be "deft" :)) "It doesn’t mean I have to like it," Aragorn mumbled after he swallowed. yess we don't expect you to :) The broth tasted good but after only a few spoonfuls he felt his stomach do a slow roll. He shut his eyes and clamped his mouth shut. yessss aww the pained look, trying to shut down, eyes and mouth to block everything out and focus on controlling his stomach "Feeling sick?" Denlad asked. :)) thank you Aragorn nodded. Perhaps sitting up had not been the best idea. He tried breathing deeply through his nose but that didn’t seem to help. He groaned and tried to lean to the side. Halbarad quickly handed the bowl to Denlad and grabbed Aragorn just as everything he had swallowed came back up. YESSS okay with his side, that would be excruciating. He really does not have the strength to be throwing up. Thank you for catching him Halbarad <3333 "I suppose I should not have let you drink that water so fast, nor let you eat so soon after," Halbarad said sheepishly as Aragorn sagged back in his arms. awwwww sagging in his arms yeahh well...I'm glad :) this is sort of exactly what I've been asking for lol :)) "Not your fault," he gasped. His head buzzed as though a swarm of bees had set up a hive between his ears. "Should have... gone more slowly." skadhsgskd he is regretting now buzzing head "You’re white as snow–too much blood lost for sitting up yet." Halbarad eased him to the ground again and tucked a blanket around him. "You’re right; we’ll take things a bit slower." yesssss white as snow Aragorn saw no reason to argue with that. At the moment, all he wanted out of life was to lose himself in blessed sleep until everything healed and ceased paining him. <:((( awwwwww not even having any desire to argue against laying down or taking things slow show how bad he's feeling A moment later, to his surprise, the fresh aroma of athelas wafted on the air. Denlad knelt beside him, holding a cloth. "I’m going to lave your side with the athelas," he said. "That should help you feel a bit better. I hope you don’t mind that I pulled it out of your pack. I didn’t have any in mine." awww yessss I forgot about that "I don’t mind, no," Aragorn murmured, shutting his eyes. Athelas was good for soothing aches, and Valar knew, he had plenty of those. He felt Denlad peel back the blankets and lift his shirt. The water was warm and soothing, and the fragrance settled the buzzing in his head. He sighed very softly. Athelas or no, his cracked ribs still did not allow for deep breaths. awwwww <33 he's like no complaints certainly for stealing my Athelas to use on me skashgjs soothing and warm <333 yesssss cannot breathe deeply "Better?" Denlad asked. Aragorn nodded. <333 "How’s your stomach? Better?" It wasn’t, entirely, and ginger tea sounded good, but he still was unsure when he would be able to afford more, so he needed to marshal what was left of his supply, to save what was left for others who may need it more. "I am better," he simply said, skirting any real answer. <:(( I appreciate your thoughtfulness but you need it tooo For a few moments, they sat quietly, enjoying the refreshing that the athelas brought. But eventually other matters crowded his mind, chief of which was that he was keeping his men pinned down tending him when they should be out patrolling. He looked at Halbarad and then Denlad. "You needn’t stay here with me. Get back to your patrols–" HONEY YOU WOULD DIE, LIKE AS NOT I suppose not with Ferdinand here to bring you food and water, trusting infection does not set in, but "Hush," Denlad immediately said. "You need us, you and Ferdinand both. The patrols can handle themselves for a few days yet. And the camp in Chetwood will get by without us as well." yesss thank you <3 "Unless Gaerbond lets Galadh do the cooking," Halbarad said. LOL Denlad’s eyes widened. "Surely he wouldn’t–" LOLLL HIS GENUINE HORROR "He must, for who else could do it with you here? As bad as Galadh is, at least he knows the difference between salt and sugar, which is more than I can say for Gaerbond after that last attempt of his." LOLLLL Aragorn laughed, then bit back a groan. "Pray do not make me laugh." yessssss he's like please??? no being funny? <:( Halbarad snorted. "Easy for you to laugh; you and your confounded luck–you were off with Gandalf chasing after who knows what and missed that disaster Gaerbond tried to pass off as cake. Whoever heard of mistaking the salt for sugar!" lolllllllllllllllll yep and getting into life-threatening disasters of his own "That is one meal I am glad I missed." Aragorn shifted, trying to find a comfortable position, but he stopped as pain suddenly grabbed the muscles in his side. yessss :) He waved off Denlad’s silent offer of more athelas and struggled to pull his shirt back in place. "So where was that luck when that bandit came to call?" aww AWW <:( "It was a spy, I guess, and no bandit, although we never really eked any sort of straight answer out of the one we caught," Halbarad said, gently slapping away Aragorn’s hand as he pulled Aragorn’s shirt smooth, yesss <3 slapping his hand away and fixing it for him "and you must admit, your luck did hold you in good stead. You might easily have died, and there’s no arguing that. TRUE <3 Now best you get some more sleep," Halbarad added with finality. He checked Aragorn’s blanket one more time, and with that, the three of them, evidently satisfied that Aragorn would not expire if they left his side, drifted back to their seats by the fire. aww <3 loll would not expire if they left his side As he lay quietly in the dark, Aragorn’s stomach slowly settled down. But his neck started to ache. He had a thought to put his arms up to cradle his head but he couldn’t raise his left arm without it pulling his side, and he couldn’t lay his head on his right arm without paining the laceration there. aww yesss the struggle He bent his legs and that helped, but what he really needed was a pillow. A nice fat feather pillow like the ones on his bed in Rivendell. He tried to stifle the longing. <:((( Rangers can survive perfectly well without any cosseting. Hadn’t he after all slept more nights on hard ground than in soft beds? He scowled at the stars and tried not to think about pillows. Or feather beds. Or soft linen sheets cool against his skin. skhahsdskg <:(( so they can, but need not always, and it is still hard not to have some comforts when so grievously wounded He shifted again to no noticeable improvement. <:( Halbarad tapped his shoulder. Aragorn jumped a bit. He had been so lost in his misery he hadn’t heard Halbarad approach. "Lift up," Halbarad said. He slid a rolled up cloak under Aragorn’s head. SKHDSHGKSDFHGSKHG <3333 awwwwww his silent approach and command, not even needing to ask what was needed All thoughts of feather pillows vanished. The cloak was as fine a bedding as any king could ask for. Certainly fine enough for this king, he thought with a wry smile. "How did you know–" SKADGKSHFHDF <3333 as fine a bedding as any king could ask for <:( for the love of Halbarad Halbarad just smiled and then walked back to the fire and spooned himself some more mushroom stew. He brought it back and sat down beside Aragorn. He leaned in and whispered, "Hobbits and their bloody love of mushrooms! I can hardly swallow the stuff, but it’s food." lollll ME Then more loudly, "Tell me if you want some. Or if the smell of it sets your stomach off and you wish that I should move." <33 "It smells fine. What I truly wish is that I dared try some." "How about one bite?" He held out the spoon and Aragorn dutifully chewed then swallowed. "Good," he said. awwww yay still "dutifully" shows it's a bit of a struggle "More?" "In a bit, perhaps." mm yes not quite ready He took a moment to study Halbarad’s face. "You have not told me of your own journey here." YESS <3 he wants to hear about it Halbarad told him, his words so spare and clipped that Aragorn barely felt he’d been told anything. He frowned. "What have you left out?" Hmm buddy he wants to hear all of it <3 Halbarad shrugged. "It is as I said. We trailed you; we fought off those spies; we found you. I only wish we had been faster. But there is nothing more to tell." "Halbarad." aww thank you <3 Halbarad set the bowl down. He plucked a small stick up and stared at it as he started breaking it into smaller and smaller pieces. He finally threw the last bit into the fire and sighed. "What should I say? Must I tell you of the worry and rampaging panic that is my lot every time you get yourself in a fix? The guilt I feel when I seem ever to arrive too late, after you’ve already been cut to ribbons or battered senseless or in this case, both? There. I’ve said it. Now you know the whole of it." sakhdskhfajdhjkhjk <:((((((( good job Halbarad thank you "Oh," Aragorn said. He thought for a moment of all the wise and compassionate words he could say, and rejected them all. "So it is nothing more than the usual panic and guilt that trouble you. Here my heart was worried it might be something far more dire." awww rejecting wise comfort in favor of what he judges Halbarad needs more Halbarad’s eyes darkened for a moment, but at Aragorn’s slow smile, he started to chuckle, then threw back his head and laughed. SKAJHSFK <333 Awwww trust Aragorn to be able to make him laugh in this moment getting mad for a second and then Aragorn's slow smile <333 "What of Denlad?" Aragorn said more quietly, after Halbarad’s mirth died. "How did he do?" <:(( aww "Better than I did, frankly. He is a steady one, Denlad is, even when I see that same fear rising in his eyes that I feel in my heart. He had a few dark moments I had to chide him a bit over, but to be honest, most times, especially here in the last few days, it was his good counsel that kept my spirits from failing." awwwww <333 "I am sorry, you know. I never intend for these sorts of things to happen." "And here I thought you regularly get yourself maimed simply to torment me." SAKHF XD I love them "That is part of the appeal, yes. Every dark cloud must have its bit of mithril lining, after all." SAKHSFJHSGKSH its mithril lining indeed "You will make a truly detestable king." SKAHFSJKHSJKGHSH XDDDDD CACKLING Aragorn grinned. "Thank you. AAAAKASHJSFKHKSH HE'S CACKLING TOO he's like, what a high compliment May I have some more of that stew?" Halbarad obliged, helping adjust the rolled-up cloak so Aragorn was a bit more upright. Aragorn slowly chewed. The stew tasted good, and it seemed his stomach was finally inclined to agree. aw yayyy "I wonder who their master was," Halbarad mused, giving Aragorn another spoonful. Aragorn had a very clear idea of who it might be, but he dared not say. Gandalf had sworn him to secrecy, and while Aragorn hated having to keep anything from his faithful captain, he could hardly go against the wishes of a Maiar. aww yeah I like him being able to share things with Halbarad <:( but it makes since HIS FAITHFUL CAPTAIN <3 THAT BEING HIS TITLE LIKE FARAMIR WILL BE WAIT NOOOOOOOO CAUSE FARAMIR REPLACES HALBARAD NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I COULD NOT THINK OF A BETTER REPLACEMENT BUT HOW DEVASTATING Halbarad and the men knew nothing of what they likely guarded: the One Ring, tucked away among the mathoms of a hobbit hole on Bagshot Row, Bag End. "Treasure hunters on behalf of some potentate, most likely. Coming to snatch all that rumored dragon treasure from Bilbo Baggins." loll perhaps "We cannot rule out Sauron, you know. Not after what happened along the Hoarwell." mmm "No." And please do not pursue that line of thought any further... lolllllll he's like don't be too sharp for your own good please "It had to be the Dark Lord. It makes no sense for anyone else to have sent such men." He lowered his voice to a bare whisper. "I worry that he’s looking for you, that somehow he found out the Heir lives." mmmm <:( no wonder he's worried about him always Aragorn stifled a sigh. Of course Halbarad would keep after the idea like a terrier after a rat. yesss lol if he sighed that would be a bit okay I suppose not give away too much. Halbarad might just assume he's weary of people worrying for his life, as always. That was Halbarad’s best trait, after all: dogged determination. Time for a bit of misdirection. Aragorn hated it, but until he spoke with Gandalf about it, and speak to him he would at first opportunity before this subterfuge drove him mad, he could not reveal anything. awwww <:( <333 :) the "subterfuge" of misleading his most loyal friends in their guessing driving him mad, how I love him <3 "I have seen many agents of the Dark Lord in my travels. These four lacked a subtlety one would expect from Sauron’s minions." I mean they WERE skilled in their sneakiness. But not very subtle in their purposes. "Perhaps they were hired by some intermediary who was less careful about the quality of his underlings." "Is someone counting pennies, perhaps? Mercenaries cheaply bought are generally less than useless. Not that I’ve ever hired any, mind you." LOLLLLLL not that I've ever bought any, mind you yes I'm sure he was suspicious of that "Cheaply bought, but these were far from useless. Two of them bested you, or nearly. They had to have some skill, after all, to nearly kill the best hunter and warrior in Middle-earth." YES EXACTLY yessss best hunter and warrior in Middle-earth <33 <:) Aragorn grimaced. "Skill had less to do with it than dumb luck. My foot fell into a gopher hole just as I tried to lunge. His dagger found my side as I was falling." mmm yeahhhh I wondered how he managed to get the jump on Aragorn enough to wound him so badly when Aragorn's still skilled enough to kill him that explains it "But still, you killed him. And you managed to kill the second one even as your life’s blood was pouring out of you. Dumb luck there, too? Perhaps, but I think it skill and nothing you say will convince me otherwise." okay wait are we still talking about the spy's skill or is it Aragorn's now XD <3 impressive indeed that he managed to kill him "Mmm." hehe :) "Well, whoever sent those miscreants, it’s merely idle speculation between two rather beaten up Rangers now. There’s nothing we can do to solve the problem this night, so unless you want more stew, I suggest you try to get some sleep." Aragorn is relieved lol "I have had enough, thank you. But what of you? How much sleep have you gotten these last few days?" awww "enough, thank you", he still can't manage more than a few nights GREAT POINT, not much I'd wager Halbarad yawned hugely. "Not enough. In fact, I am going to send Denlad off on first watch and stretch these weary bones out beside you. Can’t have creatures creeping in from the dark to gnaw on you while you’re indisposed, after all." awwwww yessss <333 Aragorn's like. Three wargs are already gnawing on me, thank you. But I'd appreciate if you prevented any joining them. Again Aragorn’s conscience smote him. Would that he could share everything, to tell Halbarad his fears and gain his cousin’s wise counsel. But no, not yet. Not yet. "You’re a good man, Halbarad." <:(((( but not yet AWWW HE IS <3 "I know," Halbarad tossed him a saucy grin. SKASHD saucy <3 "And one who has never been overly troubled by the burden of humility." SKAJSHGSJDHSSDJHKHS XDDDD The grin only widened. I LOVE THEMMMMMMM SKASFHJSDHFHSJGSDSSSS XDDD CACKLING OVER "and one who has never been overly troubled by the burden of humility" and Halbarad just GRINNING at himmm

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!

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