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The Ranger and the Hobbit by Cairistiona	14 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/27/2026
ooh this chapter title Dawn was still an hour away, although the eastern horizon held the first hints of sunrise. Denlad smiled as he looked at the three sleeping men... or rather two sleeping men and one softly snoring hobbit. Aragorn was sandwiched between Halbarad and Ferdinand. Halbarad had his hand on Aragorn’s left arm, and Ferdinand was curled in a ball with his back against Aragorn’s right arm. Valar help Aragorn if he wanted to roll over, but there was no doubt he was very safely guarded on all sides. AWWWWWWWWWW SKAFDHG <33 Ferdinand there too lollll Valar help him if he wanted to roll over very safely guarded <333 Denlad carefully stepped around all three to kneel by Halbarad’s side. He touched Halbarad’s shoulder lightly. When Halbarad’s eyes immediately opened, Denlad jerked his head toward the fire. Halbarad sat up, blinking and yawning, then climbed to his feet. He glanced at Aragorn, saw Ferdinand and shot a questioning glance at Denlad. lolll "He’s following your lead," Denlad whispered. AWWW oh Halbarad's protecting that side? I must protect this one. "As should you," Halbarad said in equally quiet tones. "Sleep on my bedroll beside Aragorn. I do not want him exposed to any dangers from the bushes." awwww <333 yess especially as thrice already they have been attacked from the bushes (at least I assume the first guy to attack Aragorn was also hiding in the bushes) "Tempting as that is, considering how much nicer your blankets are than mine, lollll <3 I’ll have to decline. Horsemen approach, from the Road." oooh okay considering the chapter title...is it more bandits??? "Eledh?" OOOH "The morn is too dark yet for seeing, but that would be my guess, yes." YAY I sure hope perhaps Ferdinand is just cautious "It’s so dark they may not spot my cairn, although I used white stones. I’ll go meet them and lead them in–and make sure that it is truly our men and not more Southrons." He started to move away, then looked back. "And thank you for letting me sleep." aww yeah I noticed it's been nearly the entire night "It was nothing. I still have the stamina of youth, whereas you..." He shrugged eloquently and then laughed as Halbarad scowled at him before slipping into the trees. LOLLLL eloquently Aragorn coughed, then winced and opened his eyes in time to see Halbarad disappear. "What’s happening?" aww <3 Aragorn "I hope reinforcements have arrived," Denlad said. "If not, then we may instead have another battle on our hands." yessss nooooo "Valar forbid," Aragorn muttered. He started to sit up but stopped and, like Halbarad, stared at Ferdinand. "What in the world–" SAHKDJGDSFD "I deem it a pint-sized bodyguard," Denlad said. LOLLL "I deem it" hehehe cuteeee Aragorn edged carefully away from Ferdinand and pushed himself upright with much more ease than he had the evening before. he's healingggg <3 last night he still needed help sitting up, indeed I originally thought that was why he stopped Ferdinand muttered something and, without waking, scooted back until he was again pressed up against Aragorn. LOLL Denlad grinned. "A very tenacious pint-sized bodyguard." LOLLLL <33 "Or perhaps more likely he is merely cold." Aragorn gently moved the blanket off himself and onto Ferdinand, who mumbled something, rolled onto his back, and resumed his soft snores. Aragorn tossed a knowing smile at Denlad, then gathered his legs underneath him. XD well I guess it worked dang trying to stand? Denlad watched him uncertainly. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" thank you <3 please question it "Quite sure. I am tired of having every need attended to in full view of everyone." His eyes held a grim light. "I desire privacy. Greatly." AWW <:( THE GRIM LIGHT "Greatly." okay he softened me I will allow him to stand and have some privacy on his own, poor boy. Angst. Denlad hid a smile as he silently offered his arm and Aragorn hauled himself to his feet. He swayed for a moment, still gripping Denlad's arm. awww <3 his arm "Aragorn?" yessss "A moment," Aragorn said, frowing in concentration as he stared at the ground. He finally took a careful breath and nodded. He released Denlad's arm. "I was dizzy, but it passed. I'm better. Much better." yesss lol are you I mostly trust him this time but there's always the chance, no, the near certainty that he is still hiding part of his dizziness/pain/etc "I’m glad to see you on your feet. Surprised, but glad." <333 same "Just don't tell Halbarad I'm up." LOL "I won't, if you promise not to collapse and tear everything loose again." AWWW he's like we can conspire on this ON THE CONDITION "No fear of that." He took a step toward the bushes, then glanced back. "I tend to be a quick healer." okay there had better not be any Southrons in those bushes and Halbarad better be careful in his investigation of those horsemen, lest they are not Eledh and spot him "As long as no Wraiths are involved?" OPE XD Aragorn’s smile flashed in the dim light, but he said nothing. <33 He moved off slowly and carefully into the bushes, and Denlad walked to the fire. good. SLOW AND CAREFUL PLEASE He wished he might catch a bit of sleep, for all jests aside, he was unutterably weary and more than a bit cross, but Eledh and whoever he brought with him would no doubt be hungry. Denlad stirred the coals a bit, adding some wood to coax enough heat for cooking and then set the iron spider over them to warm. skahdjg <:((( unutterably weary and more than a bit cross aware of being grumpy because of tiredness also I call it grumpy when I am easily irritated for lack of sleep, simply because it is a more common word now, but I feel like "more than a bit cross", or in general the use of the word cross for such a situation, is much more fitting and perhaps I should use it :) I STILL DO WORRY THOUGH AT HIS PRESUMPTION OF THIS BEING ELEDH AND HIS MEN TO THE POINT OF STARTING TO MAKE FOOD FOR THEM I forgot it's nearly dawn now. He held his hands out to the fire. The pre-dawn hours always held a chill that, no matter how warm the summer, Denlad never felt eased until the sun was fully up. He had no real fear of the night, but still, he was always one to look to the sun with relief when it finally climbed above the horizon to push away the darkness. fair <3 I would too if I lived in such times and places He edged a bit closer to the fire, but kept his gaze away from the flames as much as he could, to preserve his night vision. GOOD THANK YOU There was a bit of a rustling noise in the bushes where Aragorn had disappeared. Denlad wondered if he should go help him. Quick healer he may be, but it was after all only yesterday that his fever broke. But he remembered the look in Aragorn's eyes and figured he would be granting Aragorn no favors by intruding. If he needed help, he would call out. um um you are REALLY concerning me It does not usually go well when one of the Dunedain or any of Aragorn or his other friends (Elves and Gandalf) try to ignore their instincts or cautions uhhhh Like if nothing is wrong Aragorn really would be quite frustrated BUT Still, he kept an eye on the bushes where he expected Aragorn to return. The night was quiet, and the shadows seemed to hold little threat... he's still not returned...trying not to freak out So it came as a mystifying surprise when a spot between his shoulder blades suddenly tightened. EEP EEP EEP He spun on his heels to cast a quick glance behind him. Nothing. The shadows were still, the leaves and trees quiet except for the random rustling of small night-hunting animals. YES BUT THESE SOUTHRONS ARE NOTORIOUSLY SNEAKY REMEMBER LAST TIME He watched, intent but keeping his eyes almost unfocused so he might catch any hint of movement in the dark. Good. Thank you <333 The leaves stirred gently, whispering to one another in their secret way, and a soft breeze caressed his cheek, then strengthened enough to lift his hair from his brow and blow it back. He glanced up at the stars. Gil-Estel sailed low on the eastern horizon, and Eärendil gazed upon the earth through a lacy veil of thin clouds coming in from the west. Storms moving in, from the feel of the wind. hmm will this cause problems He breathed deep, but suddenly grimaced. He was expecting the freshness of midsummer and perhaps the metallic tang of approaching rain, but there was another odor, a hint there and gone so quickly he could not place it, but it immediately conjured a memory of healing wards, and sickness, and fouled wounds. It could not be Aragorn... his wound was not infected, and the wind did not come from that direction. THE GUY WHO WAS NOT CONFIRMED DEAD???? He glanced around the camp but saw no forgotten bandages. He knew he had burned them as he changed them; it was his habit, wrought by tending far too many wounded men. There was no diminishing the importance of keeping a sickroom clean, even one out in the wilds on the dirt beside a fire. <33 he is a good healer I am very grateful for the healing wisdom the Elves have that is not comparable to most of our history ':D He remained motionless, tense, letting the air drift across him. The smell did not return. Likely it was merely some hapless animal that died out in the woods. UMMMMMM VERY REASONABLE ASSUMPTION BUT He shrugged then, putting off the unwarranted trepidation to an overactive imagination and too many long days on edge. He turned from shapeless fears to a more tangible problem: the fire, which stubbornly refused to stay well lit. Aggravated, he leaned down and put another log on it, then stirred it some more. At this rate, breakfast would need be served cold if they wanted to eat before noon. A coal suddenly popped and a burning fragment landed in a fold on his shirt. He hopped up with a mumbled curse and brushed it away before it could set his last shirt on fire. The move saved his life. SJRDGHKSDSSSSS I KNEW IT First came a hiss from behind, then pain sliced hot across his leg, and an arrow embedded itself in one of the burning logs. With a startled cry, he dove and rolled into the bushes beyond the campsite. Denlad glanced down at his leg and saw a tear in his leggings, and a narrow trace of blood across the skin of his upper thigh. Nothing more than a scratch, thank the Valar. But even as he looked back up, another arrow sped past his head to thunk quivering in the tree trunk beside him. "Ferdinand! Get in the bushes! SKASHGKHS sliceeeee <:( good only a scratch <3 <333 his quick commands, taking charge <3 Strider, stay where you are!" (assuming he's still there) Ferdinand stirred, and Denlad had a glimpse of wide eyes before Ferdinand slithered out from the blankets and under the nearest bush. <33 good job Knowing despite his call that Aragorn would be moving to affect his own attack, Denlad concentrated his efforts on finding the hidden archer. Staying on his belly, he scooted as quietly as he could to the left, working toward the archer, trying to avoid shaking any bushes and giving away his position. He reached a small boulder, and throwing himself behind its scant cover, he eased his head around to look for his unknown attacker. yessssss go Denlad First he looked toward the camp, but saw nothing but the now cheerfully burning fire. Of Ferdinand there was no sign, nor of Aragorn. Of Aragorn he had no worries, even though he's like to try and attack? Lol but Ferdinand... who knows what the hobbit might do. "Stay hidden, Ferdinand," Denlad whispered. "For Valar’s sake, stay hidden." :))) 'Ware a hobbit throwing stones After a long moment of tense silence in which nothing moved, he chanced to ease away from his sheltering rock. He tried to plumb the shadows, but with no moon, their inky depths held tight to their secrets. He climbed to his feet and, drawing his sword, sprinted through an opening in the brush, still moving to his left, hoping to circle round and find the hidden assassin. He vaguely wondered how far away Halbarad was, and if he heard all his shouting and crashing about, but he could not rely on Halbarad’s timely return. Denlad kept pushing on, every muscle tense, expecting at any moment to feel the deadly thump of an arrow burying itself in his flesh. He was in shadows, but still... a stray glint of firelight on his sword would be all the target a good archer needed. AAAAAAAAA STRESSFULLLL knowing any moment you may very well be shot He slowed, knowing that unless the archer had moved, he had to be just ahead. He wondered at that, for surely the archer had to have heard him blundering through the trees. Likely the archer was moving away from Denlad and toward Aragorn. nooo Who could this man be? An orc? Or... He remembered the whiff of foul odor, the memory of suppurating wounds, and a dreadful thought wormed into his mind. "No, surely it cannot be," Denlad breathed, then quickened his pace, knowing he was making far too much noise but if it drew the archer back toward him and away from Ferdinand and Aragorn, so much the better. SKSAHDJFSDGH YEP YEP SO IT HAS BEEN FORESHADOWED He came around at last to where the archer’s original position likely had been. Sight was nearly useless, so he felt with his hand. He could not be sure, but it seemed there was an area of flattened leaves, perhaps where the man’s knee had rested. Then he felt something wet. He pulled his hand to his nose. Blood. The man was injured, then, which knowledge only made the knot of dread tighten. How could I have been so foolish... <:(((((( so perhaps the horsemen ARE Eledh and his men, but created an untimely diversion for Halbarad Licking his lips, he continued on, following more quietly now. He stopped and listened but heard nothing. He came up on a group of three trees, grown so close together that their bases had fused into one large trunk. He squatted behind it and peered around one of the boles and finally saw his man, outlined in the firelight, and his fears were confirmed. It was the Southron he had stabbed and left for dead. SKADJHGSKDH THERE WE ARE HOW HE SURVIVED AND TRACKED THEM HERE THE VALAR KNOW How he had survived, Denlad could not begin to guess, there we go lol but he cursed himself for not having finished him off when he had the opportunity. No matter, though, for the man was before him now, and even as Denlad watched, he eased his bow upward, aiming toward an unseen target. NOO With no time to think of the consequences, Denlad leapt out from the tree. "Hey!" he cried, and was simultaneously exultant and terrified when the archer spun and loosed the arrow. SKADHGSKGHSDJGHDFSJ um sooo fair exactly what he was hoping for sort of but also extremely dangerous Denlad ducked but the arrow hit high on his left shoulder, the force of it knocking him backwards. He lost his footing and crashed back against the tree. Curiously, there was little pain. He shoved himself upright to try to rush the archer, but pain or no, his legs suddenly wanted little to do with answering him. He dropped to one knee and looked up to see the archer nock another arrow to the string. SKASDHFKSGDJHSJKDH DENLADDDDDDD yessssssss shoulder, not life-threatening but great whump yesssss can't feel it yet, but his legs know there's a problem and will not be gainsaid NOT THE HELPLESSNESS Just as he was considering a desperate spear-like throw of his sword, skahfgsf Ferdinand stepped out from the bushes. In his hand was a stone, and quicker than Denlad’s eye could follow, he whipped his arm back and flung the stone at the archer. It hit the back of the man’s head with a sickening thump, and the archer’s arms went slack. The bow fell from lifeless fingers and the man slumped to the ground atop it. SJADSG FERDINAND <3333333 Denlad stared, too numb to speak. Aragorn stepped from the trees, his sword in hand. He pressed it against the man’s neck, and when the man did not stir, knelt and felt for a pulse. "He’s dead." SKASDHGKJSDHJKHSSSS FERDINANDDDDD YESSSS aw and yay Aragorn's here and he's got his sword <333 Denlad tried to speak, to call out "well done" to the doughty hobbit, but pain suddenly consumed him. He felt hot, then cold, then terribly sick. Not bothering to stifle a long groan, he slowly eased himself to the ground and rolled over on his back, trying hard to keep from looking at the shaft sticking out of his shoulder. SKAJFHGSKHFGHDSKGHSDJFKHD THE WAY THE PAIN COMES AND THE SICK FEELING SEEING THE SHAFT MAKING IT WORSE that would be very much physically disturbing to see that sticking out of your shoulder He heard startled cries, then, and footsteps. From far away, Aragorn called his name, and then worried grey eyes looked down at him. worried grey eyes awwww <33 Hands touched him, Ferdinand's small one grasping his and Aragorn's hands gentle but still lighting a fire of agony in his shoulder. He cried out, and somewhere in his cry he heard a soothing deep voice, murmuring encouragement, and then he heard nothing at all. AWWWW <333 they're taking care of him nowwwww CRYING OUT SOOTHING VOICE ANSWERING HIS DISTRESS <33 just as he has been doing for Aragorn "Where did you learn to throw stones like that?" Denlad asked. He was sitting beside Aragorn, leaning against a large boulder that Halbarad had dubbed the Rock of Healing, since, he grumbled, they had no House of Healing, despite desperately needing one with the way everyone was dropping like Easterlings before Tuor. SAKDHGSKD XD <33 the Rock of Healing indeed As Denlad understood it from Ferdinand’s account, Halbarad had not been happy to return to camp with Eledh and Galadh only to find that the Southron he had thought surely was dead had detoured from his journey to the Halls of Mandos to try to take Denlad and Aragorn along for company. PERFECTLY SAID XD ;_; detoured from his journey to take them for company Denlad had been unconscious throughout his stomping tirade, for which he was grateful. It was almost worth an arrow wound to be spared Halbarad’s tongue lashing for not having killed that Southron. LOLL FAIR <:( Denlad was giving himself plenty of lashings. He didn’t need more from Halbarad. <:(((((( Self-recriminations notwithstanding, Denlad was recovering well for having had a few days’ rest, though he was by no means ready to tackle any enemies. He shifted his arm in its sling and tried to ignore the throbbing in his left shoulder. Aside from the wound itself and a bloody great bruise blackening the side of his neck, shoulder and upper arm, oooh from the arrow? I mean makes sense it would cause a lot of bruising in the vicinity of the broken blood vessels he was no worse for wear, although try to tell that to Aragorn, who seemed bent on keeping him flat on his back for an entire week. LOLLL what a hypocrite but we love him <33 But no, he was well on the road to recovering, in no need of constant bedrest. And more importantly, he needed to satisfy his curiousity about Ferdinand’s stone-throwing prowess. <333 see I actually somewhat trust his judgement on this yessss important lol Ferdinand seemed not to have heard him, so he repeated his question, "Ferdinand, who taught you to fling stones with such deadly accuracy?" Ferdinand shrugged. "Every good hobbit can shy a stone. We learn it as children, catching rabbits or squirrels or scaring off crows. And he was a far bigger target than the rabbits I usually catch that way. Impossible to miss, really, that big and close." LOLL he's like. well he shouldn't have been so big if he didn't want to get hit. " ’Ware a hobbit throwing stones," Halbarad smiled from where he was stretched out in indolent ease alongside the fire, between Aragorn and Eledh, relaxed now that it appeared everyone would live. With Galadh on watch and Eledh's bow adding to their strength, Denlad had to admit he felt more at east himself. yessss awww <333 ALSO THEY'RE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN <3333 "I for one am glad that you’re as handy with those stones as Strider tells me you are with everything else," Eledh said. After he and Galadh had arrived, with horses, they had taken over the watches, and apparently some of the nursing duties. Denlad had awakened at one point to find Eledh sitting beside him, keeping watch over him. Denlad had felt such an overwhelming relief that help had finally arrived that he had promptly fallen back asleep, not waking until the next morning. AWWWWW <33 dang long sleep <3 "As am I grateful," Denlad said fervently. "Had that Southron had time to sling another arrow at me, it might have hit more than just muscle. I’m not sure we can afford to turn you loose, Master Hobbit. Saving Rangers is a rare talent among hobbits, and one I’m not sure we can easily deny ourselves." awwwww <3333 yesss a rare talent among hobbits indeed, and he has done it in two different ways now "But deny ourselves we must," Aragorn said. <:(( His voice was strong again, and he was eating and drinking and showing every good sign of recovery well in hand. Though his face was still a bit wan and sported several large black bruises, the swelling was gone. aww yayyyy <3333 eating and drinking STRONG VOICE but still a bit pale and darkly bruised :) "Ferdinand, you belong in the Shire, with your people. It is too dangerous out in the wilds, and it will only grow still more perilous as each dark day passes. I’ve a feeling the Shire will need your services far more than we will, much as we appreciate all you’ve done." awww <:(( MAYBE HE WILL HELP FATTY TRY TO FIGHT THE RUFFIANS Ferdinand blushed at the praise, but his eyes were sad. "I would far rather follow you men. But I suppose I cannot. One small hobbit likely cannot save the world, after all." uh whoa I literally gasped at the unexpected foreshadowing Denlad looked across the fire at Ferdinand, who looked more than a bit forlorn, and gave him a gentle smile. "No, it does not seem likely, does it? But who knows what strange turns fate may take. The doom of Middle-earth may yet be decided by one so small but doughty as you." SKADJHG <:(( AWW HE SOUNDS LIKE GANDALF Ferdinand tried to smile, but it failed to reach his eyes. Denlad and the rest of the men fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts, until finally Aragorn stirred. "Enough of this melancholy! We are all alive and more or less whole, if not still a bit pummeled and punctured. Let us save worrying over the end of the world for another hour. What we need now is music! I haven’t the breath yet for song, but what say you, Ferdinand? Have you a song for us?" sksdjghkhs Aragorn's like TIME for some CHEER <333 trust him to lighten their spirits awwwww yes his ribs are still cracked but Ferdinand's are not, and he is a hobbit after all <3 A spark finally shimmered in the little hobbit’s eyes. "Ah, a song. Yes, I do believe I can come up with something. Let me think...." He tapped his chin, staring at the gathering night. He took a breath, then began softly: aww yessss a spark <333 "Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight..."* SKADHGSKHFSDJKDSF THIS ONE <:((((( His voice trailed, then he gave a funny little laugh, a wistful sound that gave Denlad a queer sort of ache in his chest. "I suppose I shall have to leave the world behind and get back to my home and bed now." <:((( indeed. time at the moment to reverse the song. <:( which is usually melancholy for the opposite reason Denlad heard Aragorn release the softest of small sighs, then he walked over to Ferdinand. He slowly bent to one knee–recovering he may be, but Denlad could tell his wounds still pained him–and looked Ferdinand eye to eye. "Do not let your heart be heavy, dear friend. You have shown us your very high quality, and few have such opportunities in life to stand up and count for something as you have done. Should you do nothing more than return home to farm quietly in your Shire for the rest of your days, what you have done for me, and my men, is no small legacy." <:((( AWWWWW thank youuuuu and yesss thank you for noticing his wounds still pain him. He is, after all, recovering rather than recovered. our very high quality <333 as Sam will later say awww "if you feel you do nothing of import again be contented knowing the greatness of these deeds which you did when you had the chance" Ferdinand looked at Aragorn for a long moment, then looked at Denlad and Halbarad and finally, with a bit more shyness, at Eledh. Then he looked back at Aragorn and it seemed to Denlad that his countenance was suddenly like the clearing sky after a rain. "Right you are, young man!" he cried. "Go you sit yourself down, and I will see what I can come up with that’s worthy of such fine men’s fire." awwwwww <3333 young man hehehe After Aragorn settled himself with a small grunt, yep still pained Denlad leaned over and whispered, "That is why you are Chieftain and I am not. You found the words to cheer him when I could only offer empty platitudes." <:( awww he is good at it <3 "Is that the only reason why you are not in charge? Because I can cheer up woebegone Shirelings and you cannot?" SKAHG :) Denlad thought for a moment, then winked. "The only one I can think of." HEHEHEEEE AWWW YES THE WINK <3 I love themmmmmm Aragorn chuckled but any retort he may have had he kept to himself, for Ferdinand had picked up his spoon and was banging a beat on his spider. He paused the spoon. "A song, then, my friends, and one better suited to the occasion, for it is nigh suppertime, and I for one am feeling a bit peckish. Here we go then!" He resumed the beat and began: skjahdgsk "Fancy it roasted, fancy it toasted, Fancy it served on a platter Drink a good ale, sing a good tale..." SKADHGSKFDS BACK TO THIS ONE XDDD Aragorn threw back his head and laughed, then joined in, "A song of the heroes that mattered!" The men all gave a cheer, and Ferdinand blushed and waved a deprecating hand as he went back to preparing their supper. SKADHFSKDGHDJKGS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THAT MAKES ME GRIN DELIGHTEDLY ARAGORN'S FREE LAUGH JOINING IN STRONG DESPITE HIS BREATH AND ONLY THEY KNOW THIS IS JUST HOW THEY MET in true hobbit-fashion, despite Aragorn being a man. Ferdinand singing about food, and Aragorn deliriously joining in. Aragorn watched him, a smile still playing about his lips. "You are a hero, Master Hobbit," he whispered. "A hero indeed." SKADJFGSHDJKHSKFDSGSHDFJKDSG <:( <:) <333333

lisag	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 5/6/2010
Just re-read this story...great stuff. I wanted to add another post because the end of the last chapter always makes me wonder what would happen if Aragorn visited Bree after becoming King and Butterbur finally realized who he had been insulting all these years! I would love to see the man bowing and scraping, which I'm sure Aragorn would tell him wasn't necessary. I just don't like that Butterbur treats all the Rangers with such disdain when they've never done anything destructive or rude or improper in his inn. That would sure put a dent in his inn's AAA rating! ;) Author Reply: Thanks for the re-read! I'm glad you like it well enough to give it another go. :) And yes, I imagine Butterbur and so many of the residents around Bree and Archet and the Shire in general, would have had quite a shock when Aragorn returns. Despite how cranky I have him in this story, I don't see Butterbur as being entirely cold toward Rangers. He's simply had a run of bad customers and as the Rangers are quiet and mysterious and a little scary, he lumps them in with the bad eggs and Aragorn bore the brunt of that particular burst of frustrated anger (maybe knowing that, because the Rangers do tend to be polite, that he can vent his spleen without fear of getting punched in the nose!). And too, I think in my tale, which is set quite some years before he helps Aragorn with the Hobbits in FOTR, he's probably a bit more prejudiced against Rangers. Perhaps he mellows a bit with the years, gaining some measure of tolerance and understanding--enough that he does end up helping out in the end and shows himself not to be all that bad (AAA rating intact! g). I like to think so, anyway.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/28/2009
Well thank heavens for the talent of hobbits that can throw stones and het their targets. Love your story, nothing better then my favorite rangers, with a hobbit thrown in. Author Reply: Isn't it great that hobbits are such good stone throwers? I'm so glad you enjoyed this story... thank you for the review!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/28/2009
I would still like to know who it was who sent these Southrons here after Aragorn, and how they knew what signs to seek to know him, for it is obvious he was their primary target. And an excellent introduction to the capabilities of Hobbits meeting Ferdinand had proved. Yes, I do believe it would be very wise for him to get himself back to the Tooklands! Heh! Wonderful story! Author Reply: Thanks, Larner! I'm glad you enjoyed the story... and I actually am with you in wishing to know who sent the spies, but at this time in the storyline, it's more than likely they never did find out who. It can be frustrating if this weren't a gapfiller fic... but as a gapfiller, where the reader does know how it all turns out, the tension of leaving the characters a bit in the dark to me is rather fascinating to play with. And yes, our Ferdinand needs to stay home where it's safe... although I do wonder how much to heart Ferdinand will take Aragorn's wise counsel! Thanks for the review!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/27/2009
I must admit I was so pleasantly surprised by Ferdinand! Not that I would have expected any less from such a brave little soul. How darling that he assigned himself to the task of being Aragorn's bodyguard. :) Poor Denlad is going to be more haunted by the fact that the Southron could have killed Aragorn than by his own arrow wound, I'm sure. I'm so glad Denlad only suffered an arrow wound and nothing worse---I can't bear to think of him being killed off. What lovely banter between them all at the end! This was a wonderful chapter and I'm very sad to see that the story seems to be wrapping up. I'll miss Ferdinand terribly---and hope hope hope you have more stories on your plate featuring our favorite ranger and his cronies. Looking forward to the epilogue---and a little sad, too, of course, that it will be the last chapter. Author Reply: Thanks, Lily! It always makes me a little sad, too, when that last chapter is finished. But yes, there'll be more stories with our intrepid Rangers! And I can't really bear the thought of killing off Denlad either, so I hope it never happens. Aragorn's going to be bereft enough when Halbarad dies! But who knows what turns life takes. And yes, I do think Ferdinand likely did think he was doing his part to help guard Strider... although I think Aragorn was also partly right in that Ferdinand was cold. LOL I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter... thanks for the review!

Erulisse	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/25/2009
This has been a very enjoyable exercise in differing characters under pressure. Ferdinand is a great character - I'm going to miss him when I read more "standard" hobbit stories. I have enjoyed every chapter and I'll be sorry to see this end. Author Reply: Thank you, Erulisse! Those are very kind words... I'm so glad you enjoyed this story. I think the best stories always have some sort of huge, almost insurmountable dilemma of some sort and I try to work that into my multi-chapter tales. I really did enjoy exploring what a "non-Fellowship" hobbit might do when he finds himself caught up in a smaller scale incident of the evils of Arda. I do think Ferdinand will appear again... he's too fun to leave behind completely. There's an epilogue yet to come--thank you for the review!

Minerva Organa	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/25/2009
Oh, you put in my favorite poem!! Yay!!! And just when they think they're all safe...they're totally not! I liked that in the end Ferdinand was the one who saved the day...not a sword or an arrow but a well placed stone =). I'm gonna miss that hobbit! Author Reply: Thanks, Minerva! So that one's your favorite, eh? Mine's still the one Bilbo wrote about Aragorn but this one fit the story perfectly and is also one I like a lot. And I definitely had to give Ferdinand one more chance to be the hero and that little detail about hobbits being dead shots with stones was something I just had to use. :) I doubt we've seen the last of Ferdinand! Epilogue will be coming soon. Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/25/2009
I should have known that this being a story of yours, I should have expected something happening to our poor rangers. I imagine how guilty poor Denlad must have felt when he saw that southron showing up and threatening them so. It was a very tense and suspenseful and vivid scene indeed. I cheered Ferdinand and his stone throwing skills, and was very glad to see Aragorn on his two feet again, and able to take care of himself once more. I loved the beginning. It was very delightful to see Aragorn sandwiched between two such doughty protectors. The pint-sized bodyguard had me chuckling out loud. The ending was great to. I could just picture irrepressible Ferdinand banging a beat on his spider and singing that delicious hobbit song. Just lovely Hopefully nothing untoward is going to happen in the epilogue. Anyway, I'm keeping my fingers crossed to help their chances. wide grin Author Reply: Thanks, Estelcontar! Yes, it had to have been a sickening realization, knowing that the Southron was still alive. I imagine poor Denlad was in a bit of shock over that, to say the least. Good thing they had Ferdinand with them. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter with all it's ups and downs... and yes, knowing me, it probably would help the Rangers to keep your fingers crossed. g Thanks for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/25/2009
"One small hobbit likely cannot save the world, after all." If only he knew! g Having that Southron show up again really was mean! I'm glad he's truly and without a doubt dead now, thanks to a certain valiant hobbit. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to let hobbits guard rangers, instead of the other way around. :D Ferdinand definitely seems to be up to the job. Poor Denlad - you just had to let him get shot when no one expected any danger anymore, didn't you? g Well, at least it wasn't Aragorn - I don't think poor Halbarad had survived finding his chieftain half-dead for a second time. Those guys really need something like a portable House of Healing. I will really be sad when the time comes to say goodbye to Ferdinand - I guess I'm going to miss him whenever I read the books now. ;-) Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! I can think of no better compliment than when a reader says they'll miss a character of mine when they read the books! Wow! I'm glad Ferdinand left such an indelible impression... I know he has on me. :) I think he may have to show up again, somehow. And yeah, had to give Denlad a bit of a rough time, but it wasn't too bad. To my mind, the arrow just caught that big muscle on the top of the shoulder, so no major organs, just a lot of stiffness and bruising and of course the wound itself. He'll definitely live on to fight another day, and now two Rangers owe Ferdinand their lives. :) An epilogue to go and it will be finished. Thanks for the review!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/25/2009
very huge grin Oh, there are few things I enjoy more than a stone-throwing hobbit saving the day! It just tickles me pink! This story has been so fun to read-- I will keep your Ferdinand in my heart as one of my favorite OCs! Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamflower! I loved that part... and it almost didn't get added, until I remembered that technically we had never seen that last Southron die. Then an opportunity presented itself (much to Denlad's consternation... he's still unhappy with me for giving him an arrow wound just to show that a hobbit can throw stones. g) I'm glad you enjoyed this story... there's an epilogue still to come. And who knows, maybe Ferdinand will appear in some other story someday. :)

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