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The Ranger and the Hobbit by Cairistiona	20 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 1/27/2026
"Do you think we’ll ever meet up with him again?" Halbarad asked softly. <:((( Aragorn eased himself in the saddle. The long days of jostling and jarring as they rode had been painful, but not as bad as he had feared. yess has to ride Still, he was relieved to have finally arrived at last at Bree after leaving the rest of his men, save Halbarad, behind at Chetwood. Denlad had insisted he did not need to go into Bree, so Aragorn left him in provisionary charge of the patrols, with a stern warning that should he return to Chetwood and find Denlad out on said patrols himself, before his shoulder fully healed, Denlad would be confined to digging ditches for the privvies, one-handed, with a spoon, until such time that Aragorn felt he had learned his lesson. SKDAHGSKHFKJSD THAT PUNISHMENT XDDDDDDD and of course in the punishment Aragorn would not risk hurting his shoulder Which, by Aragorn’s reckoning, would be somewhere between the end of the Fourth Age and the beginning of the Fifth. LOLLLLLL Denlad had been unbowed, grinning like a fool during Aragorn’s entire tirade, but he promised to behave and then said his good-byes to Ferdinand before finally turning off the Great East Road to head into the Chetwood, Eledh and Galadh in tow. SKJDAHGF <333 grinning like a fool, as he should at such loving threatenings <3 Now here, outside the Prancing Pony, Aragorn had given his own farewell to Ferdinand Took. They had both felt all the necessary words had been spoken those three nights past, around the fire, but Ferdinand had surprised Aragorn when, instead of shaking hands or offering a bow, he had given Aragorn a fierce hug. AWWWWW <33333 thank youuuuuu Aragorn needs more hugs Halbarad had gotten a more restrained handshake, and now, as Aragorn watched the hobbit walk away from them, heading toward his home and bed, he pondered Halbarad’s question and smiled. "I would say not likely, but this entire adventure was so unlikely that I begin to think that perhaps I leave too little room in my life, or at least my expectations, for pleasant surprises. So I will say only that I won’t rule out the bends and twists in the road bringing our paths together again." <333 yayyyy learning to lose a little pessimism :) not that he is naturally pessimistic, it is only his roads that have made him sometimes so. And yet he sees there is room for pleasant surprises. I sure hope they took the opportunity also to learn how to cook but...I doubt it "I hope so. I like him. He has a stout heart." <333 yess "Gandalf tells me there are other such brave hobbits, Bilbo foremost among them." awww AND ANOTHER COUSIN OF BILBO'S "Tookishness, in other words?" <33 yess "Evidently so. I think the world could use more Tookishness, to be honest." awwww yesssss They pulled up in the courtyard behind the Prancing Pony and dismounted. Aragorn couldn’t hold back a grunt, and Halbarad was instantly at his side. "I’m all right. Just a little stiff." :)) <3 still pained, and Halbarad still hovering <3 all is right and I am feeling very urged again to reread at hope's edge lol starting with bruises and stiff dismounts just as this is ending Nonetheless, Halbarad steadied him with a hand on his elbow as he took the reins. "I’ll take care of the horses. You get yourself in there and get a room and a hot bath and then get yourself into bed. I’ll be along in a bit with some food for us both." awww yess a hot bath <333 he surely could use I suppose his wounds are closed enough too that it will not sting too much? "Yes, mother." XDD hehehe Halbarad glared at him, then, after Aragorn pulled his pack off of his horse, walked the horses away toward the stable. heheheeee Aragorn looked around at the small cobbled yard and the inn that he knew so well. Barliman Butterbur was busy sweeping the stoop, and Nob, his Hobbit helper, was dumping a dishpan of dirty water into the small patch of herbs growing beside the door. Nob waved at him cheerfully but Butterbur merely cast a sour glance his way before hurrying back inside. Aragorn followed him more slowly, mulling over the many possible reasons for Barliman’s lack of enthusiastic greeting. Not enough customers, perhaps. Or too many customers. Or more likely, too many Ranger customers. awww <:(((((( this still makes me sad and always makes me think of his line to Frodo about being mistrusted NOB CHEERFULLY WAVING THOUGH THANK YOU <333 Aragorn paused before the door, set his shoulders and let himself in. <:( steeling himself Butterbur eyed him warily from behind his counter. Butterbur always eyed Aragorn warily, as if he half expected Aragorn at any moment to run him through with his sword. That Aragorn was never anything but the soul of polite regard around the man–save those times when Butterbur stamped out the last vestige of his patience and Aragorn’s ire caused his tongue to whip too sharply–never seemed to matter. skadhsfkhghdfjk <:(((( his internal hurt at this coldness from an otherwise kind and friendly man who is never friendly towards him despite his best efforts and everything he can do <:((( like his earlier "always tried to behave himself" the soul of polite regard (and we all know Aragorn is great at this) AWW HIS IRE CAUSING HIS TONGUE TO WHIP TOO SHARPLY we also know Aragorn is great at this when his patience is gone <:( <33 I love his sharp remarks Aragorn frightened Butterbur and likely always would. Ah well. Someday perhaps Aragorn would be able to explain himself, to present himself finally as king. He rarely allowed himself to daydream over possibilities that may never happen, but he couldn’t help smiling inwardly as he imagined the dumbfounded shock sure to be on Butterbur’s face should such a day finally arrive. AWWWWWWWW I SURE HOPE SO I WANNA SEEEEEE I love that Aragorn finds not only solace but some amusement in picturing this <3 Keeping his amusement well hidden, he quietly said, "A room, if you please. Two beds." <:( the picture of quiet reserve. Polite and yet the quietness feels like much hidden knowledge and personality and painnnnn "You and Master Halbarad?" "Aye." "You look a bit more ragged than usual, if I might say so, Strider." yesssss he notices "It has been a rough road of late." <:( Barliman’s eyes flicked to Aragorn’s face. "Walk into a door, did you? Or run afoul of some lady’s husband?" He chuckled at his own joke. mmmmmm he would NEVER Aragorn merely shook his head. Getting angry would be useless. "Nothing like that, no." He leaned down to set his pack at his feet and winced a bit when he straightened back up. <333 gentle response reminding himself of the reasons not to be provoked poor guy "Looks like you hurt your side." yessssss indeed "It is mending." "Good to hear it," he said, so tonelessly that Aragorn highly doubted the man’s sincerity, but he let it pass. <:( BUT I WANT HIM TO CARE I really like Butterbur and keep having to remember this is exactly his attitude towards Strider still in Fellowship, due to the nature of Aragorn's identity and secrecy and living in the wild <:( but someday, maybe then they will be friends Butterbur pushed the ledger in front of Aragorn, who grabbed the quill, dipped it in the ink and scribbled something that passed for Strider on the page. It consisted mostly of a large S followed by a squiggly line. Since it wasn’t his real name anyway, he felt no need to be neat about it. lolllll he's just a little cross and with good excuse <3 "Would you be needing a bath?" It was more a suggestion than a question but Aragorn took no offense. He knew he smelled worse than a herd of pigs. lol aww I'm glad he brought it up and won't see it as any trouble if Aragorn requests it "That would be most welcome, yes." aww <33 more than he knows, certainly He handed over some towels and a bar of lye soap. "Nob will bring you hot water. Usual room. Top of the stairs," he said gruffly. "Don’t break anything, don’t slosh the water all over, and no disturbing the peace, you understand? Usual rules. You know I don’t trust you Rangers any further than I can throw you, but I won’t keep any man with good coin from sheltering himself here, so long as he behaves." <:( "Master Butterbur," he protested, feigning a hurt expression. "You know I always behave." LOL <33 Butterbur may not recognize it, but taking the opportunity to joke with him a bit :) feigning a hurt expression XD (although there is perhaps some real hurt underneath <:() "Yes, well, to this point you have, but I also know your ilk and figure it only a matter of time before you get too much ale in you, and then it’s off you go, fighting and tearing up the furniture and breaking all the crockery. I just replaced twenty-three good mugs... twenty-three, mind you... from the last lot of wild men that trampled through like so many oliphaunts; I won’t be doing it again on account of you or your friend or cousin or whatever relation he is." SKADFHGKHGH THE SOUTHRONS, I'D GIVE A RIGHT GOOD WAGER "He is my cousin. And my friend," Aragorn told him quietly, not that he expected Butterbur to care one wit. awwww <333 quiet again, but needing to say how dear Halbarad is to him, cousin and friend <3 He tamped down his growing impatience, but his voice was tighter than he wished. "Drunken brawls not being generally conducive to convalescence, I am not planning to indulge in any. I wish only for a bed for a few nights, until I’m fully healed. " <:(( VERY FAIR he just wants rest I cannot imagine Aragorn ever in a drunken brawl, either. Without VERY good reason. Butterbur glanced at Aragorn’s side and had the grace to blush. aww THANK YOU <3 for remembering he is in fact hurting and you're just insulting him and lecturing about behavior "I don’t mean to be churlish, Strider. You know that. It’s just that I’ve about had my fill of this place being bashed to pieces, and it’s been times when you or... now, don’t be scowling at me, I’m sorry, poor choice of words... I mean to say those like you are here that things happen. You understand, surely. But like I say, I won’t deny any man a room, so long as he has good coin." mmm fair, when you think it is his type but it never is actually any Rangers who cause trouble, I wager. Just other men who have been spending time in the wild and traveling and so are also dark and dirty. Aragorn gave him a wry look as he dug in his pockets for his coins. "Your generosity is second only to your perspicacity, Barliman Butterbur." yess with "ilk" I have just learned two new words I get the feeling he says this rather sarcastically, at least inwards He pulled out a few and dropped them on the counter. Childish of him, perhaps, to goad the innkeeper, knowing that Butterbur likely had no idea what ‘perspicacity’ meant. But the prospect of salvaging a bit of private fun from the otherwise unpleasant exchange, an exchange that was far too wearyingly commonplace, was irresistible. lollll awwww <33 he is a man after all, whose deep patience is yet limited. And he was amply rewarded when Butterbur scowled as he scooped the coins up in his chubby hand. "Yes, well, you just keep your insults to yourself, Ranger. LOL Aragorn's like thank you for entertaining my wishes Aragorn honey XD don't goad the innkeeper. Even if he is goading you. I don’t wonder but what Bree would be better off without the lot of you." OH YEAH? SAYS WHO? they really have no idea who they are or what they do The battered remnants of Aragorn’s good humor melted in a hot flash of anger. <:( yesss Bree without us would likely have been burned to the ground or destroyed by trolls or worse long years ago. It is the strong arms, sharp steel and spilled blood of my people who hold your enemies at bay, Butterbur, and nothing less. SKASDHSKHGDFSJGS THE PAIN IN "AND THE SPILLED BLOOD OF MY PEOPLE" THE PEOPLE WHOM HE LOVES SO DEARLY AND MOURNS SO DEEPLY <:(((( But he said nothing, merely tightening his jaw as he took the towels, hefted his pack and headed slowly up the stairs. He paused at the top to catch his breath, glancing behind him to see Butterbur still scowling after him. Two other customers had joined him and stared up at him with suspicion darkening their eyes. He thought then of Ferdinand Took, of his many small kindnesses and encouraging words and selfless bravery, and sighed quietly. skdsahsgkhkshgdsf <33333 THANK YOU FERDINAND <3 for helping Aragorn hold on to the hope that there's some good left in this world, and it's worth fighting for. And love, bravery, and open kindness <333 He entered his room and closed the door, putting Barliman – and the unfriendly townspeople – behind him. <:((((((((( this is so sadddddddddd I'm sad when people don't like or appreciate him and it's so lonely for him of tender heart and great friendship to all willing to take it but I look forward to his bath and healing. I trust it was soothing and time spent with Halbarad more so <333 oooooh what do I read nextttt do I truly go back and read bits of At Hope's Edge or do I do homework or, more immediately, sleep :') love youuuuuu this was beautiful thank you alwaysssssss <33

hebeid	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2019
I remember reading part of this story, probably a few (or several?) years ago, bit for whatever reason I never finished it. So what a delight it was to get to read it all the way through! My love for your writing hasn't faded in the slightest, and it likely never will; I am so lucky to have come across this archive all those years ago, and so relieved that it is still here and holding all these treasured memories. I'm probably going to re/read all of your stuff in the near (ish) future - it's fall, and fall is a Rangerly time of year, I find. Thank you so much for sharing your skill and your hard work time and time again, and I hope that wherever you are now, whatever you're doing with your days, you are happy and safe and contented and cared for. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I'm glad you rediscovered this one and finished it... it's actually one of my favorites, because I got to write a hobbit character, something I haven't done much. I'm doing well--haven't written LOTR fic in a long time, having switched over to Captain America fandom, but I still harbor hopes to return to LOTR fic when the muse reawakens one day (I'm hoping that the new Amazon series helps ignite the fandom, even if it won't probably include much about the Dunedain or Aragorn). Happy reading and thank you again for your kind words!

MP brennan	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 1/13/2013
Just dropping by to mention how much I enjoyed this fic. Ferdinand is a delightful OC. He's just the right balance of Tookish and hobbity if that makes any sense. :) I loved the little details like him carrying eggs around out in the wild so he could have Second Breakfast. And his tangents are wonderful. As usual, the dynamic between the rangers was great. I liked Denlad and Halbarad's partnership--especially the way it's implied at the beginning that Denlad knows how to play Halbarad to get what he wants. At the same time, they balance each other really well. I liked how you showed them having to lean on each other to get through it all. This, though, was my favorite exchange: "And here I thought you regularly get yourself maimed simply to torment me." "That is part of the appeal, yes. Every dark cloud must have its bit of mithril lining, after all." "You will make a truly detestable king." Aragorn grinned. "Thank you. May I have some more of that stew?" Please don't ever stop writing those two! Author Reply: Thank you, MP! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I still wonder how Ferdinand manages to carry eggs without breaking them, but leave it to a Hobbit to figure it out. g I do hope to continue writing Aragorn and Halbarad... I enjoy their friendship/kinship far too much to ever stop, I think!

LisaG	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/2/2010
Spectacular story! Full of peril, angst, comfort, humor, bravery, courage, friendship, caring and love. Don't get any better than that! Author Reply: Thank you, Lisa! I can see you're working through all my stories. g I'm so glad you enjoyed this one... it was so fun to write (they're all fun, really, but this one didn't have too many glitches I had to sort out). I try to put elements of all those things in my stories, to keep them as well-rounded as I can, so I appreciate your mention of them. :) Thanks for the review!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/30/2009
Well, this has been a thrilling ride, but I'm so very sorry to see it end! I've adored it from start to finish. The ending here was a really telling look at how Ferdinand so easily accepted Aragorn and showed his gratefulness, when contrasted with Butterbur's barely concealed contempt. Oh, how I love Aragorn's control and his wish to just give in and let Butterbur have an earful! I do hope we might see Ferdinand again! I mean, he's still a young hobbit... methinks he might want to visit Rivendell someday or perhaps go to Minas Tirith many years in the future. :) Gosh, I'm going to be reading and re-reading this one. I'll have you know that I'm one of those who VERY frequently revisits At Hope's Edge, as well. I've lost count how many times I've read it. This will be one of my favorites, I know. Thank you for gracing us with such a wonderful story. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Lily! I'm glad this is a story you'll return to again--I do hope that my stories are worth a second read and it's nice to hear from a reader who's already got re-reads planned (and is also reading At Hope's Edge over and over! Wow!) :) I definitely can see Ferdinand trekking to Minas Tirith--knowing him, he'll probably just show up unannounced and unexpected, whistling a merry tune just like along that path in the wilds, confounding the palace guards and feeling right at home. Thanks again for the lovely reviews and all the support you give my stories! It's much appreciated!

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/30/2009
I'm so sad to see Ferdinand in his way to the Shire and to see that this story has come to an end. I'll miss Aragorn and his gang. You know, what a good idea will be to see the reaction of Bree at the news that the King is no other that old Strider, they are such a bunch of ungrateful people. Thanks Caristiona for this wonderful story and looking forward for more in the future. Maybe you have one planned as a Christmas gift for us, please? Author Reply: Thank you, Fantasia! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story... I'm sad to see it end, too, because it was so much fun to write. I do want to do some sort of story for Christmas, if the muse cooperates and if time allows. crossing fingers Thanks again for all your reviews and encouragement!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/29/2009
I really hope Ferdinand will reappear in another story - he's barely gone, and I'm already missing him. Well, I guess Aragorn feels the same way right now. It's too bad Ferdinand isn't the landlord of the Prancing Pony. ;-) Butterbur is not only trying Aragorn's patience, he's also trying mine. glowers It's probably a good thing Halbarad is taking care of the horses. Somehow I don't think he would have taken kindly to Butterbur insulting Aragorn (and all other rangers) after all he's just been through. shakes head That landlord really is a fool! I wonder if he ever learned about Aragorn's true identity and how he reacted to it (I bet he fainted, lol). A great story, Cairistiona - I enjoyed reading it from beginning to end. :) Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! Yeah, I think Halbarad might have popped a gasket if he heard what Butterbur had to say to Aragorn! Just as well he was out with the horses. I do sometimes wonder what Butterbur's reaction was when he found out the Strider he used to more or less abuse all the time ended up becoming the King of the Realm. I imagine he served himself up a LOT of humble pie! LOL I'm glad you enjoyed the story and enjoyed Ferdinand so much... I do think he'll be back at some point. Just have to figure out when and how. :) Thanks for the reviews throughout and of course for this one!

snarky	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/28/2009
Wonderful story. Your OCs were fabulous. What's next from you? Any stories on the horizon? :) Author Reply: Thank you, snarky, for the definitely not-snarky review! I'm glad you enjoyed the story and the OCs especially. As for what's next... I have several multi-chapter WIPs but none are near completion. I'm hoping to get some short stories done (I'd love to do something for Christmas but I'm still waiting for inspiration to strike), and I will be adding a bit more to the appendix for At Hope's Edge. Thanks for asking, and thanks for the review!

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/28/2009
Excellent interaction between Aragorn and Butterbur. You convey the hidden king's pent-up frustration with the innkeeper's distrust very well. After all he's been through, Aragorn having to endure such scorn from a provincial innkeeper is almost too much! A most enjoyable story, and I loved Halbarad's mother-henning Aragorn. Somebody has to! Author Reply: Thank you, Raksha! I'm glad you enjoyed this story... you're entirely right in that Aragorn needs mother-henning, and what better candidate at this point in his life than Halbarad. And yes, it does seem too much insult to injury, Butterbur's reactions to Aragorn's arrival, but I do imagine that was likely the reception Aragorn and the rest of the Rangers received--lumped in with the wild troublemakers, without any attempt at understanding. It made their hard road that much harder, I think. Thank you for your kind feedback all throughout this tale!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/28/2009
Ah, if they only knew! Was glad to see this here, Cairistiona. Joy to you and yours, as we pass Thanksgiving and approach Advent and Hannukah and so on. May the Light return to bless us all, even Ferdinand Took and his stubborn, delightful Tookishness! Author Reply: Thank you, Larner, and yes, the same in return to you this holiday season! I'm so glad you enjoyed this tale and my first foray into writing hobbits. Ferdinand was a fun character to write and I do think eventually I'll have to return to him in a tale of some sort. Thanks for all your reviews!

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