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The Ranger and the Eagles by Cairistiona	16 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/17/2026
The euphoria, unfortunately, lasted only a few minutes. The gentle rise and fall of each wing beat eventually passed from the illusion of a relaxing float on gentle seas to the upheaval of a ship in the roughest waters imaginable. mm yep there it is With each plunge, his stomach rose into his throat, and with each gentle climb, it dropped to his bowels. He could only grind his jaws together and endure, his eyes screwed shut. But he could not stop a short, keening moan coming with each breath. skashfjshsjghsjsj <:((( moaninggggg with each breathhhhh "Strider? Is something wrong?" He didn’t dare open his lips. "Mmm-mmm." oh dear I can't even tell if that's a denial or affirmation and I don't know if Durvain can either (probably attempted denial, knowing Aragorn) "Am I squeezing too tightly?" The talons loosened, and Aragorn frantically grasped Durvain’s leg. "No!" he cried, and with that, his battle with his stomach was lost. OH DEAR considerate of him to think of that though <3 "Oh dear," Durvain said. "I suppose I should be honored that you managed to hit my foot with that. But I must say, it’s a most unpleasant custom you Men hold to. SKADHGJSGJDSGHJGSFHDSGHDJDSJFF OH MY GOSHHHHHHHHHHHHH HOW I CACKLEDDDDDDDDDDDDD and I slightly lost my battle with silence and snorted a couple times I SUPPOSE I SHOULD BE HONORED THAT YOU MANAGED TO HIT MY FOOT WITH THAT hey, I kinda hope that happends to me now so I can think of this XDD It reminds me too much of the way vultures urinate on their own legs. Such disgusting birds, vultures, though I suppose they have their uses. Surely you don’t do that as well?" OH DEAR NOPE WE DO NOT XD "No," Aragorn said with a slight laugh. lol aww he can laugh sort of His stomach felt better, a temporary condition, he was sure, for he remembered the horrendous bout of seasickness that had beset him and all his fellow sailors as they fought on a storm-tossed sea in Steward Echthelion’s service in Gondor. Nausea had built and built and built until death looked a welcome escape; then relief finally came after a spate of retching over the side. Life then was tolerable until the cycle started all over again. This sickness from flying felt much the same. ohh dear yeah makes total sense so perhaps this is not so much concussion as airsickness. Likely both, really. Knowing this quiescent period could not last, he nonetheless dredged up a smile. "Gandalf was making a joke. Men don’t do that. This is not a sign of... of anything except illness from too much unsettling movement." lolll probably good to explain that to him <3 "Ah, I understand. But I am sorry you are ill. Is there anything I can do?" <333 he's so compassionate he doesn't even like get embarrassed at misunderstanding the joke or anything "Just get to Beorn’s with all due speed," Aragorn said miserably. His stomach was already quivering again. <:((( so miserable Durvain fell silent and they sped through the clouds. Aragorn saw the Anduin slip by far below, and then shortly after that Durvain tilted his wings and they started to descend, slowly at first and then in increasingly tighter circles. And if Aragorn’s stomach had been unhappy before, it became enraged at this new torment. He swallowed and swallowed but again, events overtook him. Fortunately for Durvain’s feet, there was nothing left for him to bring up. lolll fortunate indeed <3 but dry retching is its own misery "Dear me, you really are ill, my friend." <:( thank you Durvain for appreciating <3 "It’s like seasickness," Aragorn groaned. He coughed a few more times and wondered quite seriously if he could give up his life even if he were not yet king, and then quickly recanted, just in case Mandos heard and held him to his decision. He did not, after all, really want to die. Much. yeah he really is feeling awful <:( that "much" XD is so relatable "Seasickness? But we are nowhere near the sea. We are in the air, above Beorn’s Hall. No sea for many hundreds of leagues. So can you tell me how you can get sick from the sea when it is so far away?" Aragorn tried to sort out an answer, but such cogitations were utterly beyond him. "Ask Gandalf," he finally mumbled. LOLLLL love this <33 he's like I can't find words but Gandalf will know "I believe I will, as soon as we land. And it looks as though we have a clear passage into Beorn’s very courtyard, although I think out of courtesy I’ll land on the grass. I do not see any archers below, nor even any sheep. His horses do not look any too pleased to see me, though." lolll yay thank you Beorn <3 Aragorn pried his eyes open and saw very far below fields that looked to have been filled with crops – flowers, he guessed, for Beorn’s honey bees were renowned – that had now gone dormant with winter’s approach. Beyond them was a patch of woods, and within that patch, tucked within a hedgerow, were several long buildings. He saw thatched roofs and a great house with two wings or outbuildings that put the entire affair in the shape of a C. There was a courtyard within the embracing walls, and in that courtyard, two shining horses raced back and forth, obviously watching their approach. It was all fascinating and had Aragorn not felt so awful, he would have been eagerly looking forward to exploring it all, should Beorn allow. But instead, he watched with only the barest of dull interest as everything grew larger and closer...closer... the trees above their heads now... skasjhsjdkfg the usual eager urge to explore contrasted so starkly with a bare dull interesttttt he is unwell the walls of the buildings looming... and finally Durvain was flaring his wings and landing easily on one leg. He gently lowered Aragorn to the ground at the edge of the courtyard and released him. "There. An easier landing this time for you." <33 thanks Aragorn mumbled his thanks, but he was too relieved to be on steady, solid ground to do much more than lay quietly grasping handfuls of grass while he waited for the sweating and shaking to pass. When it failed to do so, he prayed for blessed oblivion to release him from his woes. Surely it would not take long, as weak as his grip on consciousness felt... skasdjfhjf too defeated, that he lays quietly <:( that is so whumpy for any character that tends to refuse to do any such thing and grasping the grass for a bit of something to hold <3 how many ways can I say he is sickly skasjh and then the sweating and shaking won't passss (to be fair he has a fever) AND THEN PRAYING FOR RELEASE OF CONSCIOUSNESS not able to pass out but longing for oblivion from the miserable existence is so good yesss weak grip...if anyone leaves him be he will indeed pass out Durvain brushed him with his wingtip feathers and cooed softly and soothingly. "Did you get too cold? You’re shaking terribly." awww <33 thanks Durvain He tried to answer, but his chattering teeth got in the way. perhaps caught a chill? :) Durvain stopped his stroking and settled himself, belly down, in the grass. He then rested his wing across Aragorn like a great feathery blanket. It felt extraordinary, to be tucked so under the warmth of an eagle’s wing. SKASHDDGJSHJKHJHDGDS <33333 his fatheringggggg tucking Aragorn under his winggggg it felt extraordinary <333 even in his agony He sighed quietly, feeling the worst of his shivering ease, though he was still racked with sudden shudders and felt alarmingly, desperately ill. ooooh He knew what the problem was; he was in shock. His wound, the exertions from the fight, the sickness from flying... it was all too much, and he feared his body was shutting down. YEP He knew he should try to put himself in a healing sleep, but his mind was too cluttered yessss he knows what must be done but can't do it now with pain and fever and concussion to let him think on anything other the dull litany of Gandalf, hurry... please hurry... please... SKASJDHSGJHSJGJDFJ BEGGING IN HIS MIND FOR GANDALF TO HURRY AND HELP HIM BEFORE HE IS LOST <3333 skahdfsgjshjf that signals urgency and danger and exhaustion like nothing else He drifted, lost to all but his misery, until suddenly the wing lifted and cold air struck him and harsh voices rang around them. skadhsdjgjsf lost to all BUT his misery "What’s this, an eagle on my path! Get you gone and don’t think about stealing any of my sheep! Shoo! Wait... here now, who’s that you’re hiding? Did you kill him?" nooooooooo NOT AT ALL A second voice interrupted. "Alas, there’s another coming! With someone atop him!" loll YAY GANDALF Aragorn tried to open his eyes, but they would not answer. He felt the light vibration and thump of Menelris’ feet hitting the ground, and then Gandalf’s voice, "Stay your weapons! These Eagles have no interest in your animals, nor did they harm this man! He is gravely injured, yes, and ill, but not at their hands. He needs your compassion and the Eagles your gratitude, Master Beorn!" sakhgjs thank you Gandalf <33 did you hear their conversation "Gandalf! I told you my door is always open, but to come with Eagles this time! I know they’re on the side of good, but they still eat my sheep." lol fair "These two are not here for hunting, Beorn." There was a pause, then a reluctant, "Very well, I will trust your word." thanks Beorn <3 Then in a lighter vein, "So, did you bring dwarves and a hobbit to overrun my hall again?" loll now is not really time for jokes but I appreciate it "No, there is only my friend here–" "So you say, but last time ‘a friend or two’ turned into fourteen! Who else have you got hid in the bushes or under your cloak, my good friend?" LOL he's like come on Gandalf you can tell me how many you really have I know you and Gandalf's like...but "No one, and you can trust that word as well," Gandalf replied testily. "Now if you’ve any sense of compassion at all, which I know you do, now that you’re older and wiser, you’ll stop with your infernal questions and see to my friend there while I get down..." lol he's like okay we're done fooling around Aragorn needs help More crunching footsteps, then a hand touched Aragorn’s forehead, then lightly upon his back. "He’s bleeding, all right; see his back? Even through all those clothes. Burning up with fever as well, poor man. Get his feet, Grimbeorn. He’s no dwarf, that’s for certain, and I’m too old to haul men the size of him by myself these days." OH YEAH HIS SON oooooh bleeding even through??? dang And then hands turned him over and lifted him and suddenly his head lolled against a barrel of a chest. He heard a great strong heartbeat and felt scratchy wool against his cheek and the man’s whiskers tickled his forehead. The tunic smelled of horse and dogs and the gamey, musky scent of bear. Aragorn finally got his eyes open and squinted upward, where he beheld a face, stern but kindly, with bushy black eyebrows beetling over intelligent and inquisitive eyes. Around it all floated a cloud of silver and black hair and a beard hoary with age. It was by far the largest head and the broadest shoulders he had ever seen. "Beorn?" he mumbled. yessss barely manages to look and mumble "Aye, ‘tis Beorn, and ‘tis my hall I’m dragging you into, where I suppose you’ll bleed all over my clean floors and bed linens," he said gruffly. "But better that than leave you to bleed on my grass. Upsets the horses, men bleeding where they can smell it." <33 lol I love him and his gruff way of saying "I'm bringing you inside so we can take care of you poor boy" Aragorn had nothing to say to that. An apology seemed pointless, even if he could form the words, and besides, as Beorn and Grimbeorn carried him in through a dark doorway, his attention was caught by such an odd sight that he immediately dismissed it as nothing but fever-driven hallucination. loll not even attempting an apology Dogs did not, after all, go around lighting lamps. LOLLLLLLLL i think he will find that one is not a hallucination Aragorn had no memory of the next two days, other than dim recollections of pain, sickness and confusion and, far more troublesome, visions of dogs walking about on their hind legs, sheep serving him drinks and more dogs tending the fire. He even imagined a little white pony who brought him blankets. He was certain he was losing his mind. oh dear poor guy, knowing about that probably would have done a lot for his peace of mind When he finally awakened on the third day, fully himself again – or so he hoped – it was to see a dog sitting beside his bed, with his chin resting on Aragorn’s arm and deep brown eyes looking at him soulfully. He looked at it uncertainly for a long moment, but it seemed real enough. "Good boy," he whispered, and patted the dog’s noble head. awwwwww the whisper <33 patting his head his noble head, to be exact, he must like dogs <333 (I think he likes all animals) The dog immediately sat straight up, his mouth opening in what could only be said to be a delighted grin. He yipped once, then ran off. On all fours, Aragorn was relieved to see. He watched him trot, tail high and wagging like a flag, through a vast hall, and then disappear through a door at its opposite end. aww off to tell the others I expect I love how happy the dog reacts <3 Aragorn looked at the blackened rafters, the great wooden beams, the vastness of the place and felt very small, tucked up as he was against one wall. And as small as he felt, he could just imagine how poor little Bilbo must have felt. And like Bilbo, he was lying on some sort of raised platform. I love how he obviously grew up asking for Bilbo's stories over and over <3 As far as he could tell, he was near the middle of the building, no doubt in the warmest part thanks to a fire burning merrily beside him. He could feel the warmth against his face. There was a table just beyond the fire, lined with sawn tree trunks for seats. No one seemed to be in the room with him. That surprised him a bit; he would have expected to see Gandalf hovering somewhere nearby, ready to start patting his shoulder. LOLLLLLLLL ready to start patting his shoulder like the madman he is He tentatively raised his head, and when the room stayed steady, he tried to push himself to a seated position. Surprisingly, he had the strength to sit up, but the movement pulled painfully against the stitches in his back, so he gently laid back. Sitting could wait, he supposed; there was little sense in pushing himself too soon and suffering a setback for his troubles. The pillows under his head and shoulders were soft, as was the crackling, straw-filled mattress beneath him. Comfortable enough, though nowhere near as soft as eagle down. WHOA HE'S ACTUALLY BEING REASONABLE <3 I suppose now that he doesn't have to prove he's well enough to ride on eagles Thinking about the down led his thoughts to Menelris and Durvain. Were they still nearby? Or had they flown back to their eyrie? There were no windows in the room through which to look for them. He felt a pang at the thought that he might never see them again. He wished he had been able to thank them. He wished he could have spent more time with them. He wished... <:((( awwww that would be so sadddd As improbable as it seemed, he wished he might go flying again, when he was fit and whole and able to enjoy the experience. He supposed the chances of that were slim. AWWWWWW <:( he wants to flyyyyyy I hope he gets to I hope he flies with Durvain I hope he sees them again A door squeaked across the room as it opened part way and then stopped. Beyond it, Aragorn heard a rumble of a voice speaking in a strange tongue that sounded almost like a dog barking. Aragorn would hardly have considered himself conversant in such odd speech, but he found he was able to make out some of the words, "Good... is awake. ....along... fetch Gandalf." lol trust Aragorn to understand a bit And then Beorn himself came through the door. He seemed to fill the entire hall, so strong was his presence. Aragorn tried to hitch himself higher on his pillows. aww of course he does he probably looks quite pitiful trying to do that though however I just realized he can sleep on his back again, which is nice Beorn waved hands that seemed as big as loaves of bread. "No, no... settle down. You’ve been sick, and I don’t need fussed over. And whatever you do, don’t offer me your services; if I need them, I’ll ask. Which I don’t think I will, because you’ve been beating at death’s door these last two days and if you had the strength to lift a spoon to feed yourself, I’d be surprised." He stopped beside Aragorn’s bed and smiled down at him from what seemed an impossibly great height. "Aye, you’ve got them, all right, just as Gandalf says." lolll I like him <33 thank you Beorn lolll yep let's watch him try to lift a spoon "Got them? Got what?" He looked at his hands and touched his cheeks, wondering if he’d broken out in spots. LOLL "A king’s eyes, bright and keen. Good to see them clear again, Aragorn." awwww <3333 he sees themmmm I love Aragorn's eyes "You know who–" lolll it is good to hear Aragorn's proper name again "Yes, yes, I know who you are. But put away your fear; who would I tell? The bears? My dogs? They care more of cabbages than kings. true <3 And my people can be trusted, to a man, woman and child. We’ve been fighting on your side, after all, for as long as I’ve been here, despite rumors that I’m a contrary old crosspatch who cares only about himself and trusts no one. Here, though, let me get a chair if we’re to have a proper visit. Ninety years is a lot to ask out of a pair of knees, and they tend to creak very loudly if I stand on them long." mmm fair I suppose he is indeed getting old He pulled a great black chair from the end of the table. It scraped against the floor and groaned a bit as he settled into it. He crossed his hands on his belly, stretched his legs out long before him and regarded Aragorn with eyes that were at once kind but also somewhat guarded, as though he were willing to put up with guests but never altogether trusted that they wouldn’t make off with the spoons. "How are you?" LOLLLLLL has Lobelia come to call?????? "Weary. But better, I think. I feel a bit stronger than I have of late." "Good to hear. Head still hurt?" "No," Aragorn said, with vast relief. yesssss I'm impressed, it was raging before, I'm not surprised he's so relieved "Belly hurt?" "No." yayy (also "belly" sounds like Beorn) "How’s your back?" "Stiff and very sore." fair "You’ll need to stay abed another day at least, I think. Let it get a good start on healing before you go bouncing around doing whatever it is you do. Hunting for that Gollum creature, Gandalf tells me." LOLLL before you go bouncing around, I mean, fair enough description "I think that task must be put aside for now. Even if I hadn’t gotten hurt, we were close to heading home for the winter." "And home is where?" There’s a question, Aragorn thought. These days, where did he truly call home? Chetwood, where he stayed while guarding the Shire? If home is where one is surrounded by caring and friendly neighbors, that hardly counted. Rivendell? Home of his heart, where he was loved by its people, yes, but he had not actually dwelt there in decades. The little hidden village beyond Fornost, where many of his Rangers’ wives and children lived? He had no such family of his own.... hmmm <:(((( Thinking on it all was too dreary. "Arnor," he finally said. True enough, he supposed... hmm the depression :( "Bit of a large estate, Arnor." lol true Aragorn smiled, but it faded quickly. <3 <:( "Here now, I didn’t mean to pry. Gandalf told me you walk a hard road and I can see your journey has written more than a bit of sadness on your soul. So, we’ll put aside talking about such things in favor of discussing food. You must be thirsty. Are you hungry? I can bring in some cream and honey cakes, or perhaps just a slice or two of toast. Mild foods that won’t be too hard on your stomach. I don’t want you getting sick again." "Again?" ooh "You don’t remember, do you?" oooh "I remember being sick when we were flying, and I remember lying on the ground, and you and Grimbeorn carrying me. But after that..." He shook his head, choosing not to tell about his wild hallucinations of fire-tending dogs and ponies acting as valets. lolllll uh not hallucinations "Just as well. I have seen men in miserable straits before but you surpassed them all for groaning and shivering and tossing back everything we tried to get down your throat. That wound really turned on you, and in a hurry, according to Gandalf. He said you had been improving, but all that flew out the window, along with the contents of your stomach, for a day or so." skajshgskj yessss Aragorn surpassing all the misery Beorn has seen <3 I'm not surprised really and I'm glad he too appreciates Aragorn's suffering "tried to get down your throat" yessss picturing them all trying to pour water down Aragorn's throat and him choking and then letting it all out again and fair enough that it turned, after the ordeal that was flying. If Aragorn really would have gotten weaker in the cave it's a good thing they didn't wait Aragorn felt his cheeks burn. He was sure he was as red as the candles on the table. "I’m sorry to have caused you so much trouble." Beorn waved a hand in dismissal. "It’s not like you could help yourself. You were so taken with fever that you were out of your head completely. Besides, you didn’t bother me; my son Grimbeorn and Gandalf were the ones that looked after you, so if you’re going to fuss about with apologizing, save it for them." Beorn reached over and felt Aragorn’s forehead. "There, that’s better. No fever that I can tell, though I’m more used to checking horses and sheep than men." He chuckled, and as he did his merry eyes nearly disappeared in a maze of fine wrinkles. thank you <3333 Aragorn smiled in return, and this time it did not fade into melancholy, although it did fade to uncertainty. While he found himself warming to this huge fellow sitting beside him, he also felt unaccountably shy. His head buzzed with a thousand questions to ask this legendary figure who had loomed so large in his childhood tales, but he found himself unable to put any to words. One does not, after all, at his age beg to see Beorn to change into a bear, no matter how dearly the child in him wanted to. skasdhsfg awwwww he certainly still has that child in him <33 I love this completely relatable reaction to meeting a larger-than-life childhood hero yay no melancholy this time "Do you always sit and stare at people like a frightened deer, or have I got something in my hair?" Beorn reached up and brushed at his mop of wavy hair. LOLL <3 thank you for calling Aragorn a frightened deer it makes me happy Aragorn hadn’t thought it possible for his face to burn any more than it had been but now he feared he might burst into flames, so hot was his embarrassment. "No, Master Beorn. I’m sorry... meeting you is such an honor, I fear my tongue is tied completely in knots." lolll <33 well, well said "Well untie it, because kings should never be tongue tied, and I don’t bite. <333 I understand Aragorn's awe but I love that Beorn's like hey you're a king you're plenty great yourself I should think! At least, not anymore. Fifty-some years ago, I might have sent you and your eagle and your wizard packing with arrows whizzing past your ears, but as Gandalf said, I’ve gained a little more wisdom in my old age. Those dwarves and that little hobbit, Bilbo, melted the thorns around my heart, if you don’t mind me mixing my metaphors." awwww <333 I love that "No, no... of course not." He winced inwardly, wishing he could say something that held at least a modicum of intelligence, but his power of speech seemed to have dwindled to mute idiocy before the intensity of Beorn’s presence. What must he have been like in the prime of his years, Aragorn wondered, then to his horror he realized Beorn was still speaking and he had no idea what he had just said. skahdgksj he's like OOPS "... was a hard one, I won’t deny it. Losing all of my kind to goblins, then living at Mirkwood’s edge and fighting those same goblins and sometimes evil Men... I killed them all off, as they came, but it hardened me. I feared the entire world had turned to evil and treated all who came to my door with suspicion, if I even let them come near my door at all. But Gandalf and his bizarre company of heroes battered down all those defenses, I’m not ashamed to say, so much so that I even went to war at their side! It was a revelation to discover that there were still good folk left in the world, beyond that handful of Elves hiding away in Mirkwood under Thranduil’s reign. So now I welcome visitors, after a fashion, as long as they’re on the side of good. Even visitors who are as much trouble as you." awwwww <333 I love how open and warm he is like I was hardened to the world! And then Bilbo and the dwarves showed me there was good! <333 "I do thank you, for everything." "You’re welcome. Now, enough thanking and apologizing and such. I’m getting bored with it, and despite my warm hospitality, I do not suffer boring guests gladly, and I suspect that despite your apparently shy nature – funny, Gandalf never said anything about you being so bashful – at any rate, I imagine you’re an interesting fellow, being a king in exile as you are. You are the last of your line even as I am, and I want to hear your thoughts on that, if you have any behind that wide-eyed look of wonder you keep giving me. So I have plenty of questions for you, but the first is, are you ready for some honey cakes and cream?" lollllll Aragorn is now shy, bashful, wide-eyed wonder, things many others never see him be XD Aragorn blinked a bit, thrown completely off guard by the sudden rather prosaic question. "Oh, yes... yes, please. Thank you." Would he ever manage to say anything beyond the simple response any well-mannered boy of five could blather? But he supposed that was better than rudeness. If he were to make himself out to be a brainless imbecile, best to be a polite brainless imbecile. LOLLLLLLLLL well fair As Beorn clapped his hands and signaled to someone beyond the shadowy doorway, Aragorn tried again to spot a window. Finding none, he asked, relieved to finally say something beyond a school boy’s please and thank you, "Can you tell me what time it is?" lolll yay oh yeah that's literally the only way to tell time besides asking so, fair "Morning, an hour past dawn. In the summer I’d be out with the hives, getting my honey. But the nights have turned cold and the days cool and my bees are sleeping now, waiting for spring. I expect I’ll be here one more spring, though I must tell you, Aragorn, that I feel my time draws nigh. I’ve a feeling somehow that this winter will be my last." saddddd <:( I like him It seemed such a disquieting thing to say, and yet Beorn spoke as though he were merely discussing the weather. Aragorn searched vainly for a response. lollll fair <3 "Does my saying that startle you, boy?" hmm Aragorn shook his head, then nodded... and then he studied Beorn’s eyes for a long moment. skadj I love his can't decide how to answer He saw in their depths a wisdom and peace that stirred something deep within him, and broke, at last, the crippling intimidation he had been suffering. yayyyyy He took a breath and said, "I am hardly a boy, but no, your words do not startle me, exactly. At least, not in the sense that they would have startled a man less familiar with trust. If I seem at a loss, it’s because I am perhaps a bit envious. You seem so accepting of the nearness of death, speaking of it almost as a man speaks of... of changing his socks. Faith I might have that more lies beyond this life than memory, but I do not know that I would be so calm in considering the actual ending of my life." yesss he no longer sounds like a brainless imbecile I wonder if Beorn is like whoa so he does speak "Even though you are Númenórean, and if what Gandalf tells me is correct and that your own words seem to attest, still hold faith in Erú and the Valar and life beyond this one?" hmm yes he does Aragorn thought for a long moment. "Yes, but..." he started, then paused again, carefully choosing his words. "Perhaps it is not that I fear death, for as you say, I hold to the same trust the Men of Westernesse kept." He smiled slightly. "Elrond named me Estel, as a child, and a more fitting name I cannot imagine, for estel – hope with trust – I have in plenty. So I do not fear death itself. But... I suppose I live too near danger to really think on it, death, much. To even consider the boon of a death late in life, at the end of my days..." He shook his head, unable to find the words. oooooh and I love that he completely accepts and feels his name fitting again but that is an interesting thought, how it would be hard for him to think too much of death or hope too much to die of old age against all odds,,, But Beorn sat quietly waiting, with expectant compassion, so Aragorn struggled on. <33 with expectant compassion, I don't think I've heard those words together before "I know I should not think long on those in my line who perished too early... my father, my grandfather. Even my namesake, the first Aragorn, who was taken by wolves. Thinking on them is folly, to be sure, but so too is looking too far to my own future, for I have no idea what it may hold, for good or ill. But I do look. I cannot help it. And when I do...." mmmm that's a good point, how many of them died He stopped and rubbed his suddenly sweating hand along his leg, chiding himself for his utter lack of eloquence. skajdf sweating hand <3 He tried again, "When I look too long in either direction, the past tries to ensnare me with fears of a similar fate, of an early death before I accomplish my life’s goals, and the future shrouds all hope in uncertainty. Taken together, they too easily drain me of all my courage," he finished in a rush, as if by saying it quickly it made the words any less shameful. aww but that makes perfect sense <:( But Beorn showed no censure. He merely nodded, slowly. thank youuuuu <3333 for not thinking he should be ashamed "Courage is not something that any man has in infinite supply, is it, and sitting in safety, looking ahead at possible dangers, there’s no way any man can know his courage will stand him in good stead. And that makes him doubt himself, although from what I hear you rarely have such troubles. lol well I suppose it depends on the sort of self doubt? Still, even the best of us can have a moment where we wonder, especially when the past’s example is far from encouraging. As for the future, and any hope for happiness and peace... that too can wither in the face of insurmountable odds. It seems to me a man must apportion hope – and courage – out to himself, day by day, for it to last the duration." hmmmm that sounds wise, certainly, but I don't know how one puts it into practice Aragorn took a deep breath. He had hoped... nay, he realized, it was stronger than that: he had depended upon Beorn’s understanding, and the relief he felt at Beorn’s wise compassion nearly brought him to tears. "Yes. That is it, exactly. I have learned that I cannot look too far behind or ahead. And yet..." He stopped. aww yay <3 almost tears "Yet? Don’t tell me there’s more obfuscation coming! Well, if you must, speak and get it out so I can untangle the meaning before the day has completely got away from us." LOL hey I think "and yet"s are my job in life. I really like making very tangly reasonings that have more and more layers to my thoughts Again, Aragorn’s cheeks flared. "I’m sorry. I... maybe it is the blow to the head. I cannot seem to express myself very well." <3 honey "You’re doing fine, lad. I’ve heard worse nonsense from my own son, who to my knowledge has never banged himself in the head in his life. Go on, now. Go on." LOLLLL thanks "All right," Aragorn said. He took one more moment to think, then plunged straight in. "I say that I should not look ahead, and yet I find I must, sometimes, for though I doubt not what lies beyond this life, I also have a hope for this life, one that I cling to when all seems too dark to survive. It is a priceless thing, and I long for it, but it cannot be mine unless I reach those goals that seem beyond reach." He winced. Hope and courage and fear and love... he was never comfortable speaking these things aloud, and it showed. Despite his best effort, he was rambling like one whose wits are lost, and making a proper hash of all of it. awww I love him, and I love the weaknesses you show in him, and how he is also perhaps yet learning to speak of those things Beorn’s eyebrows went up. "If I were to hazard a guess at the true meaning behind your rather enigmatic words, I’d say you speak of love." AHH I see <3 Aragorn nodded but said no more. <:( "Well. You are far from the only man who finds hope in the love of a good woman. Whoever she is, I am glad she has that boon to give to you. A man needs a helpmeet, and the promise of a happy future to hold him in good stead when the going gets rough." awwww <33 "She does that. In every way," Aragorn said softly. SADKJDFGHGJKH <3333 Beorn smiled. "My wife brought me more joy than I would have ever imagined. And she gave me a fine son in Grimbeorn. He will be a good leader for my people, when I am gone." <:( <333 :)) Aragorn shifted a bit, trying in vain to chase away the sudden ache in his heart. Would he ever have a family? A wife? A son to carry on after he was gone? <:(((((((( honeyyyy you willll Beorn gave him a kind look. "I have saddened you again, it seems. Perhaps the philosophies of an old skinchanger are not what you need right now." "No, no," Aragorn protested, holding a hand out to stay Beorn from rising. "Truly, I am not normally so cheerless. Perhaps it is the wound. Or simply fatigue. Gandalf will attest that I tend to become overly morose and too absorbed by doubt and self pity when weariness is upon me." aww <33 he's like WAIT DON'T GO <3 he's also very self-aware "You and I are alike in that way; Grimbeorn growls at me and threatens to take away my honey. As if he could!" lolllll aw Aragorn smiled. "I would think that a difficult task, if not impossible." "You think right! I may be old, but the day has yet to come that my upstart son can best me." He turned toward the doorway and shouted, "Do you hear that, Grimbeorn?" A muffled voice shouted something back, the words indistinct but the tone clear: Grimbeorn failed to agree with his father’s assessment. Aragorn thought he heard a snort, in fact. LOLLLLLLLLLL that is so cute they are officially a father and son now "Ach, don’t listen to him," Beorn winked. "He’s just cross because I told him to move all the rams into the north paddock, along the hedge and out of the way of the ewes. Three of the ewes have come into their season, and I don’t want any lambs out of that lot but try telling that to the rams. They’re rioting. So short of dousing them with buckets of cold well water to cool their ardour, the rams must be moved. And have you ever tried moving lovesick rams away from the objects of their affection?" LOLLLL "No, I can’t say that I have." "It’s no easy task. And thus Grimbeorn has become simply Grim, but you’ve cheered up considerably, so I consider my work for the day to be done." LOLLLLLLLLLL has become simply Grim awwww his work for the day was to cheer Aragorn <333 "And so early, at that," Aragorn laughed. "Maybe you can spare a moment, then, to tell me if the Eagles are still here?" aww "They’ve left, right after dropping you and the wizard at my doorstep. But here now, don’t look so crestfallen. The little one, Druvish, Dervish–" awww he can immediately tell "Durvain." "Durvain! He said he’d be back in a few days, when his wing was better. They wanted to be nearer the river and food, I think. At any rate, that was the day before yesterday, so he ought to be arriving any time now. I’ve warned the horses and told the sheep, so they won’t be upset." YAYY <3 "Do you speak the languages of all the animals?" "Oh yes. All the time. Especially the dogs, and of course the bears." His voice grew wistful. "It has been far too long since I’ve seen my friends." <333 If there were ever a chance to ask Beorn about his skin-changing skills, this was it, but there came a clatter at the far end of the hall, and Gandalf hurried in, his robes flapping about him and dogs bounding ahead of him. He carried in his hands a small bottle and a cup. "Aragorn!" he cried happily, setting both on the table and hurrying to his bedside. He took both of Aragorn’s hands in his. "Oh, it’s good to see you awake and yourself again. You had me very worried." SAKJF GANDALF <3 he like. Cannot contain himself. "Hello, Gandalf," Aragorn smiled. <333 and his rather gentler but still sincerely happy greeting "Hello, indeed. These past few days have seemed endless but here you are, bright-eyed and with color in your cheeks again. Are you hungry? Do you need anything? Here, I’ve brought some miruvor. I do think it’s safe for you to have a bit, now." He hurried back to the table and poured a bit into the cup and held it for Aragorn to drink. "Just a sip, as you know." lollll all the questions <3 Aragorn swallowed a mouthful of the fragrant, clear liquid and sighed as he felt it work. A brightness that had long been missing from his thoughts came upon him, and he felt a return of some of the strength in his limbs. awwww a brightness missing from his thoughts <3 Gandalf smiled. "There’s the ticket. Now you’re looking more yourself. Do you want some food?" awww he is being extremely fatherly and fussing over him very much "Beorn has arranged for something to be brought, thank you." <333 And even as he said it, a very amazing thing happened: a dog trotted in, and Beorn started chattering away at it, in that same odd language Aragorn heard before. Beorn sounded a bit cross, and Aragorn made out the words "only cakes and cream" and "taking so long" and then the dog nodded... nodded... and trotted over to a door, disappeared through it. lollll Aragorn you do remember he said he can talk to them? I suppose you still didn't expect this Aragorn stared at Beorn, who let out an impatient huff. "I apologize, Aragorn. I asked why it was taking them so long, as it’s simply cream and cakes and some water. He’s gone off to check." lollll uh I don't think that's why he was staring Before Aragorn could form a reply to that, the door re-opened and a different dog appeared, this time walking on his hind legs and balancing a tray with a pitcher and cup on it across his front legs. Aragorn felt his eyebrows rise and his eyes widen, and he was sure his jaw had dropped somewhere to his chest. "What... I mean, that’s a.... So it wasn’t the fever..." Gandalf started to chuckle, so he spluttered to a stop. LOLLL <3 and the embarrassment obvious in him spluttering to a stop poor guy "Good heavens, Aragorn, surely you’ve heard of the wonders of Beorn’s Hall?" "Well, yes... that is to say, I’ve heard the stories since I was a child, but... I thought... I assumed a lot of it was made up just to entertain me as a small child. I mean no offense, Master Beorn," he added quickly. lol okay FAIR and also makes sense why he was convinced they were hallucinations. He imagined these things as a child and heard these stories and now his brain is putting them there Beorn threw his head back and it seemed his laughter shook the very rafters. He lost himself in mirth for quite some minutes and then finally wiped tears from his eyes. "So I entertain small children, do I? Oh, that’s rich. I like that, I do." LOLLL I like how entertained he is by this He barked some more of the gibberish at the dog sitting beside him, and the dog in turn wagged his tail and seemed to laugh as he looked at Aragorn, who was feeling more and more foolish and out of his element with each passing moment. oh poor guy :'(( "Well, enough laughter at your expense, young man," Beorn said. "Time to get some food into you. Gandalf, if you will assist, we’ll help Aragorn sit up." He stood and lifted a lid that was cleverly built into one of the platforms. He retrieved more pillows from the space beneath and handed them to Gandalf. ooh I like that little pillow box his house is just so comfortable Then he slid a great arm beneath Aragorn’s shoulders. "No, don’t try to do this yourself; you’ll tear the stitches. Let me do the lifting." (uh so he may have already done but thank you. I do love him being lifted.) Aragorn relaxed and Beorn seemed to lift him without a bit of strain. Gandalf swiftly piled the pillows behind him and Beorn eased him back against them. There was a bit of dull discomfort where the pillows pressed against his wound, but it was tolerable. "How’s that? Comfortable?" he asked. SKASJKHF THAT IS IMPRESSIVE HE HAS HEALED MUCH to be fair "dull discomfort" by Aragorn's standards is rather different from anyone else's but "It’s wonderful. Thank you." for once the truth <3 Beorn reached under the tray held by the dog and pulled down four legs that had been folded beneath it. He then settled the tray across Aragorn’s lap. "Fit for a king," he said with a flourish, then sat back down in his chair. "Now eat." aww :)) Aragorn smiled, and immediately took a long draught of water flavored with honey. It tasted wonderful and his stomach seemed accepting... nay, demanding, so he took a bite of a thick slice of cake drizzled with honey. It tasted heavenly. "Good," he mumbled as he took a bigger bite, and then another. awww yesss HE GETS TO ENJOY FOOD poor guy is absolutely starving he hasn't eaten in days and hasn't eaten properly in...many more, I'm sure (yay I made a baby rhyme) "You’ll find no finer honey cakes anywhere in Middle-earth." Aragorn believed it. He finished off the first cake and started on a second one, this time chewing slowly, eyes shut to better concentrate on the marvelous flavors and texture. The cake tasted sweet, but not cloying, and brought to mind summer breezes and the soft scent of clover. He could almost hear the drowsy hum of bees and the distant song of birds and cries of Eagles. He opened his eyes with a start. "Was that–" yessss I love his getting a moment to just ENJOY DILISHISH FOOD "It sounded like Menelris," Gandalf exclaimed, "and she sounds distressed!" He and Beorn both hurried from the hall, leaving Aragorn sitting with the last of the honey cakes halfway to his mouth. WAIT OH NO DISTRESSED or were some archers just not warned He shoveled it in, then handed the tray to the dog who was still standing beside his bed. ooooh hehe I see where this is going :) That he would ever hand a tray over to a dog... he shook his head at the wonder of the world and threw back the blankets. LOLL I love his little moment of well this is life now <3 Gritting his teeth, he forced himself with difficulty to his feet. The dog gave out a worried yip and moved close enough for Aragorn to steady himself with a hand on its head. "Thank you," he gasped, then wondered how in the world he would manage to walk all that way when he could barely straighten. He needed a cane. "Please, I don’t know if you can understand me, but I need a cane. Or a walking stick. Something to lean on besides your head." awwwww the dog(s) is(are) my favorite <3 also not me suddenly trying to picture Aragorn...in white pajamas with blue pinstripes?? Because he's getting out of bed for the first time in awhile?? the thing is that also makes him look a lot more like the Man in the Yellow Hat than Aragorn so...I gotta picture his actual clothes again like his face is literally incompatible with the pajamas and has left my mind The dog wagged his tail, barked once, and then trotted away, leaving Aragorn to stand swaying beside the fire. He put a hand on his back, to brace it, and set his feet a bit wider as he slowly straightened completely. It was astounding, really, how one discovered upon receiving a back injury that every single muscle in one’s body was directly connected to the back. He could barely wiggle his toes without it sending a spasm across his lower back; the very idea of walking anywhere seemed a cruel joke. FAIR I am now wiggling my toes and feeling it slightly in my back hehe a cruel joke I love these ways you imply his agony But as he was starting to feel a bit lightheaded, he grabbed his back with both hands and shuffled closer to the table. Rheumy old men had nothing on him, he thought ruefully. LOLL <3 He reached the table, caught himself up against it, and was considering the risks against the benefits of lowering himself to one of the stools when the dog came trotting back in, proudly carrying Gandalf’s staff in his mouth. oh that happened fair enough it's a walking stick Appalled, Aragorn shook his head. "No, no... that belongs to Gandalf. It’s very special and I dare not use it." aww the way he's explaining it <3 But the dog merely stood beside him, wagging his tail, the long staff rather ludicrously sticking out by a yard on either side of his mouth. Aragorn watched in horrid fascination as a string of drool stretched from the dog’s jaw down the staff and onto the floor. He shut his eyes, wincing at such a desecration. But there came another muffled cry from outside. Aragorn sighed, opened his eyes and took the staff from the dog’s mouth. He wiped the drool against his sleeve and, leaning heavily upon its support, started slowly for the door, cringing at the indignities he was inflicting on Gandalf’s rod of office. Gandalf would surely roast him. LOLLLLLL oops yeah I like...never really thought of anyone else attempting to even hold Gandalf's staff except Saruman I suppose also...if he wouldn't already roast him for getting out of bed in the first place this feels rather like his insistence on participating in the second battle against the wraith XD <3

layne	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 2/16/2011
I really need to brush up on the story of 'The Hobbit' esp in the light of the upcoming movie. It's been a while since I last read it, I think was only 13 or 14 at that time. So Beorn was a skin-changer? He could turn into other shapes/animals then? Author Reply: Yes, Beorn was a skin-changer, the last of his kind. He was also a man--not a wizard or anything like that, just a man with a very unique gift. He turned into a bear--I'd have to look up whether he could change into anything else--most of the time, and when he fought at the Battle of Five Armies, it was as a bear. He had a son, Grimbeorn, but apparently the "skin-changing gene" didn't pass to him. The chapters in "The Hobbit" with the Eagles and where Bilbo & Co. arrive at Beorn's Hall is my favorite in the entire book. My story owes a huge debt to those two chapters. :)

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/29/2011
I just loved the eagle tucking Aragorn under his wing and Beorn and Aragorn's conversation. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! So glad you enjoyed this chapter. :)

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/26/2011
I've just spent most of the evening reading this fantastic tale and I can't wait for the next installment. I just hope that Durvain is alright, as you've left us quite a worrisome cliffhanger there. I miss LJ and chatting w/you and everyone else. There's been no word on the lump and it's been a month now since the tests, so...Hopefully in this case, no news is good news. Can't wait to read the next chapter!! :o) Author Reply: Hi, Tigger!! I'm so glad to hear from you... I've been wondering how things were going. Yes, let's keep fingers crossed that no news is good news, but it would be nice if they'd call you or send a letter to let you know so you can stop worrying. We've missed you over at LJ! I'm glad you're able to read the story, even if you're still limited as to online access... I'll be posting another chapter this morning! Thank you so much for the review!

LisaG	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/26/2011
LOL! Love Aragorn's reactions to Beorn and his household...must be quite a shock to see childhood stories come to life! I wonder what the trouble is with the eagles...was Durvain hurt worse than they thought? Author Reply: Thanks, LisaG! Can you imagine being feverish and injured and seeing all those animals doing all those crazy things?? Little wonder he doubted his sanity! Now on to see about those Eagles!

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/25/2011
LOL, I very much hope Gandalf won't roast him after he had to go to so much trouble to keep him alive! I can't imagine he'll be happy once he realizes what his staff is currently being used for, though. g I really hope Menelris is alright and that nothing has happened to Durvain, though I'm quite sure that's too much to hope for. A distressed Menelris can't mean anything good. Well, at least it seems Aragorn is about to meet the eagles again, even if it may not be in the way he had wished for. I've always loved Beorn and I think you've really done him and his hall justice! You've also given me a great craving for honeycakes. looks wistful I hope Aragorn will get to see Beorn changing into a bear! It's really good to see Aragorn feeling better, though that won't last long if he goes on like that. eyes him worriedly I can't wait to hear what's happened to my favourite eagles! :) Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! Yes, hopefully Aragorn's fears of being next on the rotisserie are unfounded! I'm glad you liked my take on Beorn... he's my favorite character in "The Hobbit" and I wanted to do him justice. And yes, now I want a honeycake, too!! I may have to find a recipe.... but first we have to see too the poor Eagles. Thanks for the review!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/25/2011
I have a suspicion that Gandalf will indeed roast him---but will it be for treating his staff so disrespectfully, or for getting up out of bed while still recovering? Oh, I can't wait to read and find out! How much did I love this chapter? Well, I adore Beorn---he's just a perfect mixture of gruffness and compassion. And I so enjoyed his and Aragorn's little talk---especially since Aragorn was so star-struck. And melancholy at times, which is really so realistic after you've been very ill. So nicely done. I'm looking forward to more of Beorn, and I really enjoy the way he treats Aragorn. Now, the sickness---how I LOVED the description of Aragorn's sickness and Beorn telling him (and unintentionally embarrassing him) about the details. Your way of describing Aragorn's physical discomforts is always so perfect---I eat it up like candy. Lovely, lovely, the thought of Aragorn delirious and vomiting and shivering and well, all of that! (I would give my eyeteeth and more than a few body parts to ever read the details of those two days from Aragorn's fevered, delirious POV, with Gandalf caring for him and wiping his face and brow and soothing him as he vomits and uttering kind words and changing his blankets and all... you have such a way with those scenes!) Ah, I wish this story could go on forever, I do. I'm very worried about the eagles... something tells me that Durvain is in big trouble. Oh, goodness, I hope it all turns out all right in the end... I feel like the eagles are great friends of mine now. And how I laughed at Durvain's speech about the vultures! That is educational. I'm almost sorry---okay, very sorry---that Aragorn seems to be recovering. I've so enjoyed his pitiful state, so enjoyed it more than words can say. But I suppose he's going to have to buck up and get his health back eventually or he can't ever realize his destiny, darn it. I sure wish I had some honeycakes and cream right now! But I suppose the closest thing I can come to are Twinkies. A pretty sorry excuse, I know! Author Reply: Thank you, Lily! I wondered if you'd be sorry to see Aragorn getting better. g But he can't stay ill forever; he does have that whole destiny thing to attend to, after all. But I'm flattered by how well you enjoy my take on things when he's not exactly up to snuff. :) And I had a feeling you'd tell me you wanted to see those two days in intimate detail! LOL Maybe I'll write it up special just for you; unfortunately, it would have dragged down the pace of things too much to include, since it would have been an entire chapter all by itself... it was time to let Aragorn get back on his feet (if barely!). He has Eagles to see to! I'm so glad you count the Eagles as friends now! I really did hope to endear these two to everyone's hearts, so that makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over. g And great, now I want a Twinkie.... Thanks for the review!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/24/2011
I'm glad they went to Beorn with all due speed or Aragorn's stomach might have decided to part company with him for good. So, Aragorn's stomach did not let him enjoy his flight. What a pity! A grat chapter this on: Beorn and Aragorn's discussion of death sounded very credible and convincing. Aragorn's waking up to see that dog's soulful look; the delighted grin, and the dog trotting of on all fours to call Beorn was a lovely scene indeed, as was Aragorn thinking the helpful animals were visions caused by his delirium. I liked very much how you portrayed Beorn. He sounded very much like what a wise older Beorn should sound like. And the idea of Aragorn using Gandalf's staff as a cane is goooooooood. Let's hope Gandalf does not roast him. g Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! That would have been terrible, had Aragorn's stomach parted ways with him for good! LOL This chapter was both a joy and a huge challenge, what with getting that conversation just right according to canon, so I'm glad you enjoyed it and found it convincing. Beorn is so fascinating to me; it was fun to extrapolate how he might have mellowed with age and what sort of lasting effects Bilbo and Co, and the Battle of Five Armies and all that might have had on him. And yes, now to see what's up with the Eagles and how Gandalf will react when Aragorn tells him the dog drooled all over his staff! Thanks for the review!

Mirach	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/24/2011
This was a lovely chapter! It's wonderful to see poor sick Aragron getting better, and even meeting Beorn. That was a fascinating dialogue he had with the old skinchanger, from the initial embarassment of meeting a legend from his childhood tales to the deeper topics, and I'm glad he found compassion in Beorn. We know that he will pass every test laid beore him in his life, including the last one, but he does not know yet, and the uncertainty and the seemingly unreachable goal before him must be a heavy burden. And, just for your information, I'm very worried for Durvain now! Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach! I'm glad you liked this chapter--there was a lot going on in it, not least of which was Beorn finally getting a well-deserved moment in the fanfiction spotlight. g I'm glad you liked my take on him. As for Aragorn, I think you've hit on something interesting--I think sometimes because we know he'll meet every test and pass with flying colors, that he never had a moment's doubt. But you're right--he didn't know, at this time especially, how he would hold up to the challenges ahead, and I would imagine that weighed on him quite a lot from time to time. And yes, what of Durvain! We'll find out, next chapter. :) Thanks for the review!

Darkover	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/24/2011
Dear Cairistiona: This is the most delightful chapter so far! Your descriptive style was well done, as always, and I loved the conversations between Aragorn and Beorn. You also gave the reader your interepretation of why Beorn seemed so suspicious and unwelcoming in the past: well done. It was also interesting to hear some of Aragorn's thoughts and feelings on his situation. The man has had a hard time of it lately, he has also been wounded and sick as a dog, and I more than sympathize with his worries that he will never be able to accomplish his life's goals. It must be frustrating in the extreme, as from his POV at this time, he is no nearer to his goals of having a home of his own (as you wisely and sensitively made the point,) being King of Gondor, marrying Arwen, and having his own family, than he was when he first went out into the wild as a very young man. BTW, IMHO you did a lovely job of capturing Beorn's gruff character, as well as his exotic household. And let us not forget Durvain! I really like that Eagle. I was unaware that vultures urinate down their legs. This story has been educational in some weird ways. This is my favorite chapter so far--have I said that before? If so, you keep outdoing yourself. I thoroughly enjoy this story, and I eagerly await the next chapter. Take care! Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Thank you, Darkover! I'm very glad the story is improving with each chapter--and glad you were educated a bit! Vultures do indeed urinate on their own legs. Biologists believe it's to sanitize them from the bacteria on the carrion. Lovely thought, eh? I would imagine, if you could ask an eagle, they might express their disgust over the habit, so Durvain perhaps speaks for Eagles everywhere, or so I imagine! And Beorn is my favorite character in "The Hobbit", so it was fun to explore the possibilities for why he is the way he is, and how he might have been at the very end of his life. I think there had to have been times when the hard road Aragorn walked weighed heavily on his spirits, especially when he was tired, ill, or injured, or in this case, all three. But at the same time, it shows the strength of his character and faith that he never gave in to despair. I tried to show a glimpse of that strength in this conversation, even if Aragorn did sort of bumble and fumble his way to expressing himself! A concussion will do that... Thanks again for the review!

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