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The Ranger and the Eagles by Cairistiona	13 Review(s)
Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/19/2011
I just love your eagles. THeir sorrow nicely mirrors poor wounded Aragorn's pain.It is heartrending to see him like this. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda... what an interesting comparison of the Eagles' heartbreak to Aragorn's pain. I hadn't thought about the two mirroring each other--thank you for sharing that insight!

Darkover	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/14/2011
Dear Cairistiona: Another great chapter! I enjoyed reading this very much, and I appreciate the rapidity with which you posted it. If I have any criticism at all, it is that IMHO you may have anthromorphicized (sp?) the Eagles too much. But that is just me, and this is Middle-Earth, after all, where lots of creatures speak, and the nobler ones have compassion. Otherwise, though, you wrote this chapter with your usual great skill, including explaining such details as what an eagle was doing with blankets, and the methods they used to keep the Man and the Wizard warm and fed--they were the kind of solutions that might be found by two Eagles, not by humans. I also found myself getting upset and sympathizing with Menelris and Durvain on the loss of their fledgling. Indeed, the h/c of this chapter was particularly good, and I love well-done h/c! I'm glad you didn't leave Aragorn unconscious the whole time, and that he had some things to contribute to the chapter. Your portrayal of Gandalf was also especially good, IMHO--I liked the part about how Aragorn engenders paternal feelings in the wizard. And while I don't know if our favorite Ranger was in a position to appreciate it, I liked the way Gandalf kept trying to comfort him by patting his shoulder. I doubt if Aragorn, practical though he is, thought Gandalf mad; he probably appreciated the effort. When you're sick, injured, or miserable, even small gestures can make a difference in how you feel, and I believe Aragorn would appreciate that, even if he wouldn't mention it. Thank you for this most enjoyable chapter, and I continue to await the next one! Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Thank you, Darkover... very thoughtful review! I'm glad you're enjoying the chapter (and it is my habit never to start posting a story until I have it completely finished, so hopefully there'll never be six-month long or more gaps in posting. Real life can throw a monkey wrench in things, of course, but I try to post on Monday and Thursday). I'm glad you enjoyed the interaction between Aragorn and Gandalf... writing h/c with those two isn't the norm but it's been very fun to explore. And I don't like leaving Aragorn unconscious for too long--he's much more interesting to me awake and talking, or at least trying to talk. As for the Eagles, aside from giving them more depth and personality, I don't feel I've anthropomorphized them any more than Tolkien already has--as you say, this is Middle-earth, where talking animals do show up from time to time. In LOTR the Eagles are not as "talkative" but in "The Hobbit" they are, and I've based my characterizing on both sets of books, and on what I could glean from "The Silm", "History of M-e", etc. I felt it safe to assume they had lives and community and what-not similar to Men... they did have Chieftains and a Lord, after all, and showed up in very militaristic flying ranks at the Black Gates. I also researched real eagles and added in what I could of their way of living as well (which is where all the bits about nests and, sadly, that half the fledglings die on their first flights come from). At any rate, lest I bore you with the fascination I gained for eagles, both real and imaginary, I'll just say that I'm glad that my take on them hasn't caused you to lose interest in the tale. Thanks again for the review!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/14/2011
Awww, Menelris and Durvain are such a sweet pair! I'd like to cuddle them, but I fear they're probably a bit too big for that. g Birds have always been my favourite pets and I can only say you write the both of them and their entire demeanor perfectly (of course, budgies tend to be a bit different from eagles, but their mannerisms are still very much the same ;-). How sad that they had to lose poor Belechen in such a way! I already got the impression during the last chapter that Menelris rather enjoys mothering Aragorn (I'm sure he'd make a cute fledgling :D). //He suddenly fluffed his feathers until he was nearly twice his size, an alarming sight that, even knowing Eagles as allies who would never bring him harm, nonetheless caused Gandalf to take an involuntary step backwards.// I love it when birds do that! I wish someone would draw Menelris and Durvain, that scene included. //It was a tight fit, but he wiggled and squirmed and shook his tail feathers and made it inside with the loss of only two feathers that the wind picked up and blew out into the storm. // Another one of my favourite moments - Durvain must have looked so cute! g I really loved this chapter, in case you couldn't tell. ;-) Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! I'm so glad you liked this chapter, and liked my birds. g It's funny--I don't really like the idea of birds as pets, but I love looking at them at the feeders, and at the exotic ones in zoos. And I love it when I spot eagles, which is rare. So all that feather-fluffing and head-bobbing and such came from a lot of observation, even if it was from a distance. I'm glad it all rang true to a bird lover! And I would LOVE to see a drawing of Aragorn with these two... I just wish I could draw. sigh Thanks again for the review!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2011
I LOVE Durvain! He's darling---such a gentlemanly eagle, with a compassionate heart. I like to imagine him as the healer among the eagles, if eagles have such a thing. And their poor fledgling... so sad. I have to say that Aragorn's fear of the eagles has me also imagining that maybe he once encountered some giant, exotic, desert bird-of-prey in Harad that attacked him or something! At least, it's an interesting thought, lol! Or maybe he's just not completely himself due to the head injury---that's a likely scenario. I wonder if that might be one of Aragorn's blankets that Durvain picked up? Maybe our poor Ranger has been suffering for quite a long time from the cold, poor thing! Who knows? My very favorite part of this chapter was seeing Gandalf become emotional over Aragorn's weakened state. Oh my... I live for that sort of stuff! I haven't really read much (if any?) fic so clearly describing Gandalf's attitude toward Aragorn, and so seeing that care and affection described here is just . . . wonderful. I felt like a melty puddle of goo after reading---with a lot of pity thrown in, because I well know that "hollow in the pit of your stomach" feeling you get when you're worried about the health of a loved one. It's a sinking, awful feeling, and you described it perfectly. No, I haven't seen Gandalf that shaken up before, and it was so nicely done. And it goes without saying, doesn't it, that I ate up every wee bit of Aragorn's suffering and discomfort? Oh, absolutely! He does seem to be in quite a bit of pain, poor fellow, and I imagine the eagle down is going to be a real boon. Of course when Aragorn smiled and touched the down to his cheek, I wished I could just jump into the story and squeeze him! I don't think I can wait for the next chapter---I need it yesterday, of course! Author Reply: Ah, thank you, Lily! I'm so glad you like Durvain... when I was writing him I was really hoping everyone would take to him, because I kinda fell in love with him, too (if that's not too indulgent to say!). Funny how you get attached to certain OCs more than others--Durvain's now got a special niche in my heart right next to Denlad. :) Who knows, he might indeed be a healer, and it's an interesting thought that it might be one of Aragorn's blankets. Heaven knows after an avalanche, he might have lost some of his stuff. And I'm glad the eagle-down & smile made you want to squeeze Aragorn... but squeeze gently! He's a bit fragile right now. g Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2011
In my second read, I still enjoyed to bits. I like your Durvain. He's a very plucky one, and most admirably so because he is a bit of a runt. Having been one myself, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for plucky, and kind-hearted runts like Durvain. My Lady Meneldir was very wise in her choice of a mate. I also liked seeing Durvain and Aragorn together and Aragorn's reaction to Durvain. Needless to say, I loved the idea of Gandalf having paternal feelings for Aragorn. Somehow it feels right. Poor Belechen! What a sad fate. I'm glad Meneldir found someone as worthy as our ranger to lavish her mothering instincts on. Author Reply: Yay! Thank you, Estelcontar... I'm always glad when things hold up to a second reading. Durvain really is a bit of a plucky runt, isn't he! I've got a soft spot for runts, too, so it was fun to explore that in this character. And I've always seen Gandalf as another father-figure for Aragorn, albeit one with a sort of comrade-in-arms sort of flavor as well. It's an interesting dynamic, the relationship between those two.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2011
I find I LOVE Durvain. Menelris is a most discerning soul to have taken this gentle soul as her mate! A lovely chapter! And I grieve for the loss of their eaglet. Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! So glad you love Durvain... he needs love. :) And I'm glad that their story touched your emotions. Thanks for the review!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2011
What dear, wonderful eagles! I just adore them both. Such a sad experience for them, but it's lovely that Menelris has someone to 'mother' again. Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound! So glad you like them. :) Menelris is more the "fiercely protective" mother figure, whereas Durvain is sweetness personified and a nurturer through and through... and they both needed someone to care for. Lucky Aragorn!

LisaG	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2011
Very sweet! I'm really loving the eagles in this story. :) It's good that Gandalf has a "friend" to lean on and help him with our sweet injured ranger. I wonder if Aragorn's fear of the eagles is based off of a bad experience with them as a child? He seems awfully fearful of them...or is it just the fever of the infection that's not letting him think straight? Author Reply: Thank you, LisaG! So glad you're enjoying the Eagles; they really have arrived at the right moment, as Eagles tend to do. :) As for Aragorn's fear... could be any number of factors, including those you mention. And it could just be the sheer size and unexpected appearance of it in cave--waking up expecting to see only Gandalf and seeing an Eagle instead might be enough to make anyone's eyes widen a bit. Perhaps future chapters will tell... g Thanks again for the review!

Elflingimp	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2011
Sniff,sniff.....well I got all emotional over this chapter, gosh have any extra kleenex? What wonderful way with words you have, it is a true talent. Hugs The Imp Author Reply: Aw, thank you, Imp! I'm so glad this chapter moved you! hands you tissues

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/13/2011
Ay Cairistiona! what a beautiful chapter. These pair of Eagles are the best thing that have happened to Aragorn and Gandalf in years, I'm sure. I laugh when I read this: "The things one learns, even at my great age" and their love for each other is so beautiful And then, you have me in tears with Belechen's story. And all the care and concern of Durvain towards Aragorn, it is very touching. At least, it wasn't only me, Gandalf was almost crying, because the Eagles and Aragorn. Lovely chapter. Now, I'm still worry about Aragorn's health, you really push the poor guy to his limits. Thanks Author Reply: Thank you, Fantasia! How gratifying it is to hear that a reader laughed and cried in all the right spots. :) You know, I think I've about pushed poor Gandalf to his limits in this one! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks again.

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