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| A Star in Midwinter by Cairistiona | 16 Review(s) |
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| Minerva Organa | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/22/2010 |
| Just wanted to mention that I'm giving this story a well-deserved holiday re-read, and I'm loving it just as much the second time around!! Author Reply: Awww, thanks for rereading! And for letting me know you're rereading! And for letting my know it's still good as a re-read! *g* Merry Christmas! | |
| Lily Baggins | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/30/2009 |
| Oh Denlad, oh Denlad... you are so cute in your befuddlement. And oh---love the conversation about the chickens! Here Denlad is, so in awe of Aragorn, and Aragorn is talking about raising chickens! Ah, how lucky Denlad is to have someone like Aragorn watching out for him. But, I think he knows it well enough! Author Reply: Thanks, Lily... I imagine it is more than a little disconcerting when your hero suddenly starts talking about very mundane things like chickens! LOL I'm glad you liked this first chapter. :) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/24/2009 |
| It's time to belong somewhere, it appears! Nice to learn the backstory for Denlad. Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about him. :) | |
| Canafinwe | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/22/2009 |
| Sorry for the delay in reading! Time is at a premium this week. My reviews will be shorter than usual for the same reason, I'm afraid. My humblest apologies. I haven't seen much of Denlad so far, so it's lovely to get some of the backstory that is hinted at in the early chapters of "At Hope's Edge". Poor child: what an unhappy life he has led! You were tugging at my heartstrings with his lonely perspective of the goings-on of the Dunedain. Of course, *we* know they are kind and friendly folk, and would gladly include him in their preparations, but poor Denlad has no way of knowing that. Even more painful is the account of his miserable months tending his mother. He may be almost grown, but he's still too young to bear such burdens on his own. That the knowledge of his close brush with starvation "still woke him shuddering in the night" is even more wrenching. It's so wonderful to see Aragorn in this light: a mentor, and a benefactor, doing what he can to comfort and aid one of his folk. Small wonder Denlad grows into one of the Chieftain's chosen men -- I can already see the seeds of that fierce loyalty being sown here! Lovely chapter all 'round! On to the next... Author Reply: Thank you, Canafinwe! And goodness, I'm just glad you're having a chance to read this... I know everyone's very busy this week. Don't fret a bit about the length of your reviews. :) I'm so glad you're enjoying this deeper look into Denlad's character. I've long wanted to start on that and this plot idea blossomed into a perfect opportunity. The seeds of loyalty were definitely sown both here and every year that Aragorn visited him as a young boy. But now is when the sowing gives way to the nurturing, I think. I hope you enjoy the entire tale! | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2009 |
| This story is a pure joy! Not only is your Denlad a peach of a character, you also provide some delightful insights into the lives of the Dunedain. I love your take on Dirhael. He seems to be everything you would expect of a man who has seem much suffering yet still lives in hope of better days. And it is always good to see Aragorn at this stage of his life; now an experienced captain but not infallible. As always, an unmissable read! Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth! I'm so glad for your help on this, and also very glad you like the story. I think Dirhael is a fascinating character--he's lived so long and seen so much. I'm very much enjoying him in this, as well as Ivorwen. And yes, goes without saying it's fun to look at this point of Aragorn's life as well. Thank you for the review! | |
| Silivren Tinu | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2009 |
| Poor Denlad! You make me want to give him a big hug! *huggles embarrassed ranger-to-be* I love Aragorn - he's really great at taking care of his people, and he always seems to have the right words to say to make someone feel better (though at the moment, his words and friendliness probably confuse Denlad to no end). It's just heartwarming to think of what fate has in store for Denlad now, especially compared to what he's been through before. What a lonely and miserable life he's had. This chapter already makes me look forward to reading more! :) Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! I'm certain Denlad appreciates the hugs... even though they're also likely confusing him as much as Aragorn's kindness! *g* Ah, embarrassed, confused, grieving, lonely... he's in a muddle, all right. I'm glad you enjoyed this first chapter--hopefully you'll enjoy the rest just as much! Thanks for the review! | |
| Mirach | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2009 |
| Ah, a heartwarming story for Christmas from Cairistiona! Or, it promises to be, at least, because we already know Denlad and his close friendship with Aragorn later. And it is good to see them relax and enjoy the warmth of home for once. I was astounded how you managed to show the building of the fire like a dance with the rhythm of your words. I hope they show Denlad that he belongs there, too. Aragorn cares for every one of his people, as you show clearly here. Being a chieftain is more then leading them in fights, and that is often forgotten. And he has his own chicken! Aw, that made me feel so nostalgic... It reminds me on my great-grandmother when I was a small child. She had three chicken, and they were her pets, and mine too, together with her, and then after she died. They didn't have names, either, just Thin White, Thick White and Brown. This makes Aragorn and Denlad even closer to me, and brings the memory of my great-grandmother. Thank you! Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach! Knowing how poetic your own writing is, I'm very flattered that you liked how I used a bit of rhythm in the bonfire scene... I'm not very handy with things like that so it means a lot to hear from someone who is that I stumbled upon a more poetic way of describing something! And how neat that the chickens brought back memories for you! Although I've never had chickens myself, I've heard stories of my grandmother having a chicken that lived in her house with her, grandly named Chanticleer, and I have aunts and uncles who have chickens and treat them as pets. So I suppose it's not such an uncommon thing! Thanks for the review! | |
| Vilwarin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2009 |
| Oh, what a wonderful beginning to a mettare story. I really had to cry all the way through. I think I can partly relate to Denlad; it is very hard to begin a new life among people that are so different from you. They are a tight community and know each other intimately - and you are the outsider. You know nothing about them or their customs and even look different. And for a shy man it is only natural to draw back into himself, which intensifies the feeling of not belonging. And then there is, of course, the feeling of being overwhelmed by the kindness of others that probably accept you more readily than you think. Again, wonderfully done and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Author Reply: Thank you, Vilwarin! Oh, you really have pegged what I'm trying to do with Denlad in this chapter and story. I think we've all been in that situation, perhaps not always as dramatically as Denlad but still finding ourselves as outsiders, wondering if the kindness is real, wondering how to possibly weave ourselves into a community that seems not to really *need* us. Those are the themes, to my mind, that Denlad as a character represents. As I told Radbooks in reply her review, I feel odd saying that I'm glad I made you cry, but I am incredibly encouraged that this chapter has brought readers to tears... it's so reassuring to know that I've created a character that people can relate to and connect with to that extent. Thank you for the review! | |
| Ellynn | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/18/2009 |
| Aww, a story about Denlad. :) I'm so glad to read more about him. Poor guy, feeling so lonely and sad at the moment. Can I come in and comfort him a little' *laughing* I love the description of the village and cottage. P.S. The chieftain and chicken? What a picture! :))) Author Reply: Thank you, Ellynn! Somehow I missed responding to this review... my apologies! And yes, chieftains and chickens, who knew! LOL I kind of liked that picture myself. And I'm certain that Denlad would LOVE for you to go in with some comforting hugs. :) | |
| Elentarri | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/17/2009 |
| Hay!! Another story!! :) I love Denlad. And great writing as usual. Author Reply: Thank you, Elentarri! I'm always so happy to hear that someone loves Denlad. The poor boy needs a lot of love. :) Thanks for the review and enjoy the tale! | |