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A Star in Midwinter by Cairistiona	9 Review(s)
Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/30/2009
"Thank you," Aragorn said. "You’ve always been my favorite brother, Elladan." Oh, how I love seeing the twins and Aragorn's interaction with them! And Ivorwen---I adore your Ivorwen! Swooped, lol! And I can completely and totally see her one day tending to a very ill Aragorn, and wouldn't that be sweet . . . but I digress ... I tend to think of everyone in terms of how well they'd care for him! This is just a wonderful look at Dunedain life. And uh-oh . . . how harsh it can be that even Mettare is interrupted! Author Reply: Thank you, Lily! I think Ivorwen would take very good care of Aragorn... and has had more experience at it than she really wants! And yeah, Aragorn and his brothers, what can you say... they're brothers! g Glad you enjoyed this.

Canafinwe	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/22/2009
Ooh, now, if I liked Aragorn the benefactor, I love Aragorn the cherished grandson! It's such a homey image, Aragorn sitting at his grandmother's table while she feeds him and dotes upon him! You portray Ivorwen and Dirhael so beautifully: wise and noble, and yet also kind and very down-to-earth. They're a delight to read about! It's wonderful that Aragorn has such wise grandparents to whom he can voice his doubts... and doubly wonderful that they're able to affirm his judgement. It must be comforting to have that support once in a while -- it would be rare enough in the field, I think. The scene with the children is absolutely fantastic! I've seen kids do this, too. It's such a deliciously human moment, and once again a wonderful respite from Aragorn's usual toils. It's so refreshing to see him at home, amongst his own people who know him and love him. The gathering of the gifts was fabulous: you thought of everything! I thoroughly loved the scene with Elladan and Elrohir (even if they did bring grim tidings). My favourite part, though, was the joke about Halbarad and his wife, and the fact that they have four children. I approve of large families, and Tolkien did, too! I hope we'll have a chance to meet Halbarad's wife, and to see our dour-handed Ranger with his family! But of course, it wouldn't be much of a story without a dangerous errand, and so it seems we're off to hunt wolves... I wish everyone good luck with that one! Author Reply: Thank you! I definitely see Aragorn leaning on the love and strength of his grandparents when he is home with his Dunedain people. I imagine they fed his soul with love, his mind with wisdom and, at least on Ivorwen's part, his belly with food! And he of course would be the apple of their eye--Halbarad, too, but Aragorn especially since he lost his father so early and at least at this point, does not have his mother present to lend succor and comfort. I always saw Aragorn as someone to whom children would be naturally drawn. So why not a gang tackle! I've been on the receiving end of gang hugs from the children at church and there's nothing that beats it, so I wanted to be sure Aragorn knew that feeling. And large families... yes, Halbarad and Miriel will have that. The Dunedain tended not to have a lot of children but someone has to work to repopulate their people. g Thanks for the review!

Midnight Promise	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/18/2009
Hola! So, watched Born of Hope, and I liked it! Lol, when one of the twins throws his brother the bow it made it more personal. . .and more amusing. :) Ugh, I want my student days to be long over too. . .Lol. Aw, Aragorn is so nice! He better be to our boy though. :3 Hmm, does Denlad know how to fight at this age? o_O Haha! ("You’ve always been my favorite brother, Elladan." ) Hehe. Always adore the brotherly love! :D Cheers! MP Author Reply: Thanks, MP... glad you liked the lighter moments in this. I definitely see Aragorn and the twins bantering quite a bit, as any brothers tend to do. As for Denlad fighting, I think he has much to learn first! :) Born of Hope was such a wonderful film... I do hope more like it come out! Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/18/2009
I was hoping this time Aragorn and his rangers would have a wonderfully calm and cheerful time in your fiction, and enjoy their Mettarë in peace to their little hearts content. Knowing you, though, I should have known this was not to be. What a gloriously wonderful chapter though. It warmed my heart to see this gentle, homely side of Aragorn enjoying peace and quiet in the midst of his kin and his friends. I've been always sure he cherished these peaceful moment above most, and since we don't get to see too many of them in fan fiction it was a joy to see this in your story. I found the sight of Aragorn with Dírhael and Ivorwen most touching, and the bit in which Ivorwen tenderly reaches out to touch his cheek, calling him dear one a most poignant and endearing detail. To see Aragorn romping with the children was a total delight, as was his thoughtfulness and generousness in the scene in which he gathered the presents he was going to give to Denland. I also enjoyed very much the humour you instilled in the scene with Elladan and Elrohir. Now, to expect that they all would have no adventures was too much, wasn't it? LOL I hope you noticed I loved this chapter. Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! And no, with my stories, nothing seems to stay peaceful for long! Adventure is ahead. :) I'm glad you liked these tender moments. I love the thought of Aragorn interacting with his maternal grandparents... how much they must have loved their grandson! And yes, I did notice how much you loved this. g Thanks for the review!

Vilwarin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/18/2009
Oh no! That is so mean of you! I was going to say how I loved the scene with the children, the fact that Aragorn drowns in gifts from others and how much he cares for young Denlad. And now that! It must be a hard winter indeed that such shy creatures as wolves come out and attack men! Or are those not normal wolves but something sent by the Enemy? shudders Author Reply: I know, I know, I'm a meany! g As for the shy wolves... I'm not sure that even "ordinary" M-e wolves are going to behave like our own wolves. M-e creatures all seem to have that wonderful other-worldliness that's so fun to play around with. Thanks for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/18/2009
I certainly wouldn't want to spend Mettarë hunting wolves! joins Aragorn in grimacing I hope Denlad will not drop dead from embarrassment and gratitude when he receives all those gifts. ;-) Aragorn's enthusiasm in preparing the gifts for Denlad was sweet. I hope those wolves won't ruin everything now. Loved it! :) Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! I don't think I'd want to spend it hunting wolves, either. I'm not sure I'd want to spend anything hunting wolves! shivers I'm glad you liked a glimpse of Aragorn playing Santa. g Thanks for the review!

Mirach	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/18/2009
Ah, the presents! I was smiling with Aragorn in expectation of Denlad unwrapping them. It was really joyful to read this chapter, especially about the children and peppermint sticks. Fourty-eleven of them? ;) And Ivorwen But the end was sobering. No celebration... So it is not such a peaceful story as it seemed at the beginning. It's hard to miss the celebration, but of course, duty comes first... I'm curious what happens, and how the celebration wil go at last. Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach! It was so fun to write Aragorn playing Santa, anticipating Denlad's happiness. And hmm, perhaps there was forty-eleven of those peppermints in his pockets! LOL And yes, sadly, as is often the case even in real life for soldiers, duty comes before celebrating. Thanks for the review!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/18/2009
I love the way you show Aragorn's kindness and care for his young protege. I think they usually sweetened drinks with honey in the olden days. I'm enjoying this gimpse of life in a Ranger village very much. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! I'm glad you're enjoying the tale. Honey or sugar, either one, poor Denlad doesn't have any to offer his Chieftain. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story--thanks for the review!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/18/2009
What wonderful gifts, and what a wonderful Chieftain. I especially appreciate this: "Aragorn felt strongly that the young man needed that formal assurance that here at last were the people with whom he belonged, with whom he could build the rest of his life." I wrote my 'Quarantined' stories around giving young Frodo that assurance, and I always enjoy that theme. Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound! As I see Aragorn, I think creating a sense of belonging, of unity, would be very important to him, being one charged with holding together a scattered people, and then eventually rebuilding a war-torn nation. It's fun to explore that side him, isn't it? Thanks for the review!

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