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The Ranger and the Eagles by Cairistiona	15 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/17/2026
It took only a week for Durvain to regain his feet. Or his wings, Aragorn supposed, as he watched him circle high above Beorn’s compound, working the wing and gaining strength seemingly hour by hour. He would soon fly off to the south, to warmer climes. aww yay awww no <:( Aragorn would miss him. awwwwww <:((( He carefully shifted the sleeping puppy in his lap and wished he could fly off to his own home and people. SKJADGH <3 Aragorn sitting with sleeping puppies in his lap <3 I love that he loves that but am not surprised poor guy again wishes for home His back was improving, thanks in no small part to the healing sleep he had finally attained, but it was still very stiff and sore, and there was a weakness there that only time and measured exercise would restore. mmm yes In the meantime, he moved as an old man, leaning hard on a walking stick and too quickly sinking into the nearest available chair with a deep groaning sigh of relief. yessss still the long painful healing process, good <3 love that his sighs of relief are so open He had finally gotten a look at the wound, twisting painfully... and briefly... around to see it in a mirror. Gandalf had done a masterful job at stitching it up. yesssss good job Gandalf There was only the thinnest line of sutures marching in a short row across the top of his hip bone, leaving a welt that promised to disappear into only the faintest of scars someday. Although the considerable damage to the muscle was still healing below the surface, there was little swelling and no longer any redness at all around the incision itself. He had much for which to be thankful. awww <3 indeed He eased himself a bit in the chair Beorn had set out for him in the courtyard and propped his left leg more securely on the small footstool. Keeping his leg slightly raised was the only thing that kept his back from pulling into sharp spasms when he was sitting. skajdf love love these things he has to do that remind everyone of his pain, like using a walking stick and a footstool, because he would not if he could handle it Even so, it tended to throb and cramp if he stayed in one position for long, so he fidgeted and wiggled constantly, it seemed, and felt fatigue all the more keenly because of it. yessssss fatigue all the more keen because of it, wonderful Since he eschewed taking anything for the pain, disliking in the extreme the groggy feeling that came with the relief, the only time he was truly comfortable was when he lay on his right side and thus relieved all strain from his back. Of course, spending all day long laying on his side was hardly entertaining, and so he forced himself to move around, and suffered because of it. mmmm yes and suffered because of it Still, things were getting better, day by day. He must be patient... yayyy good job And then he flinched at a spasm, one that seemed to shoot sparks all the way down his leg to his ankle, where they subsided from their fury into a sullen ache. HEHE flinch Why his ankle would ache because of a back wound he would never understand. LOLLLL fair He leaned to the side to try to ease it, twirling his foot round and round until the clamor died down. you can tell he is practiced in this His restlessness disturbed the sleeping puppy as well, who opened his tiny mouth in a silent cry. Aragorn stroked one finger along its tiny head. "Shhh, little one. All is well. I won’t wiggle again, at least for a little bit. Sleep, sweet one." awwwwwwwww Aragorn is very much a dog person, confirmed. Which fits with his connection to Beren and Luthien, really The puppy settled back into slumber. Although from his limp posture it looked like he would sleep until the start of the Fifth Age, he would need feeding again in an hour, and Aragorn would be happy to hold the cloth and steer the milk into the tiny mouth, drip by drip. The puppy was the runt of a litter, unable to latch on and nearly left for dead as it lay buried under his bigger, healthier littermates. Beorn had spied it, though, and handed its care off to Aragorn, since, as he put it to Gandalf with a wink, that sad excuse of a king-to-be had nothing better to do with himself and might as well earn his keep. And Aragorn had been happy to serve as nursemaid. It was soothing to sit and care for such a tiny creature, to be concerned with nothing more complicated than keeping it warm and fed. AWWWWWWW yes I wanna thank you Beorn <3333 his wink He tucked it into his shirt, where it snuggled against his skin. AWWWW tucking it into his shirt <33 I like doing this with baby chicks :) Though it was sunny here in the courtyard, where most of the wind was blocked by the walls of the buildings, such a mite of a puppy could still suffer a chill. Feeling its claws curling in with tiny, tickling digs, Aragorn smiled. He lifted his face to the sun, closed his eyes and let its warmth caress his cheeks and eyelids. A shadow cooled his face momentarily, then the sun returned. He squinted upward and watched Durvain’s easy circles. He remembered the few moments during his own harrowing journey through the air when exhilaration had replaced fear and suddenly had a desperate longing to be up there flying with him. awwww YAYY I want him to fly with him tooooo What a change a fortnight can make in one’s outlook! He had gone from being a man imprisoned by childhood fears of Eagles to one who eagerly looked forward to riding atop one. Glorfindel would be astounded. And what a thing that would be, to come flying into Rivendell on the back of an Eagle. He chuckled as he again closed eyes. YESSSSSSS I love also that Glorfindel still knows his fear awwww the pure happy laugh <3 I love those kind, just yourself and your thoughts and they are good "I see you’re entertaining yourself nicely," Gandalf said. hehe Aragorn did not bother to open his eyes. "I am just thinking of the looks on Elrond’s and Glorfindel’s faces, should I ever chance to arrive in Rivendell on the back of an Eagle." heheeee he's like please can we ride them to Rivendell please "I’m sure your father would barely bat an eye. He would merely be relieved you were in one piece, although the rarity of such an unscathed arrival might alone be enough to put him in a swoon. LOLLL Elrond swooning at the sight of his son returning healthy, poor guy How often have you come home without dragging along a bleeding limb or cradling a cracked skull?" "More than you’d think, actually." uh what's concerning is that Gandalf has reason to think that at all "Hmm. Well, when your current set of woes have subsided, whither then shall we go? Southward or to Rivendell?" "It will depend largely upon the weather, I think. Rivendell and parts west may not be an option until spring." He sighed. "I hope the winter is not overly harsh for my people. Having been gone with you all summer, I do not know the state of the harvest." mmmm that is true he does not and he must worry <:( they are his and his to care for and yet he has not seen them all year <:( "Elrond will see to it they are not wanting." <33 "I shall need to go to them, for a time, come spring." "And you shall. This chase of ours is an endurance race, not a sprint. Much as I want to find Gollum as soon as possible, it remains that he is one very small creature in a very vast country and will be very difficult to find, and impossible to find quickly. You cannot neglect your other duties. I, however, can continue on my own at whiles, though I must say I prefer the pleasure of your company, injured or otherwise." awwww saddddd to part again I forgot they began somewhat parted Aragorn nodded but said nothing. He put his hand over the small lump of puppy under his shirt and stroked it idly. "You seem troubled." mmm yay Aragorn glanced at him but still kept his peace. Nothing was troubling him beyond the usual worries: were his people warm, were they safe, what was Sauron planning, where was Gollum, how did they stand a chance at finding him.... And what, oh what, did the future hold for them all? Did they even have a future, or was it all a forlorn hope? Surely it cannot all be in vain.... sksajsjkghsjgsj Aragorn's worry <:((((( BECAUSE IT'S SO UNCERTAIN DARE HE EVEN HOPE, IMAGINE ALL GOING WELL, ALL WORKING OUT? It does not always He shut his eyes again, giving the sun every opportunity to melt away his worries. It was not particularly effective. lol yesss this is also VERY a mood a few moments of pure joy and happy laughter in the sun and then forlornness and then moments of allowing the sun to whisk away the despair...and yet it does not. It has returned, to stay again until the next such moments "Beorn certainly has enjoyed your company," Gandalf finally said. awwwww <33 "And I his. He is beyond anything I could have imagined from hearing the tales about him. I shall miss him, when we leave." "And I believe he will dearly miss you." <333 so cute YEP HE HAS ANOTHER FATHER <3 we should count them I do not think one can have too many A small smile, there and gone like mist. skasdhsj the depression "Aragorn, I must insist: what is it that troubles you?" yessss I love how I hear him say this, pressing and quizzical "I don’t know," he replied honestly. "I am... frustrated, perhaps. Or maybe I am tired. This interlude has been restful, but..." hmmmm Gandalf said nothing. And into his quietly demanding silence, Aragorn struggled on. "I cannot help but fear it is only the briefest break in a dark tide that is soon to overwhelm us." He sat for a long time, stroking the puppy, deep in thought. Then quietly, after a long silence, "Did you see the wave that drowned Númenor, Gandalf? No, of course you didn’t; it’s a foolish question. But it has been on my mind of late." mmmmmm yes well said. A frightening wave indeed Another quiet pause. Aragorn wished Gandalf would say something. Anything. But the wizard only regarded him with quiet compassion. He would have to flounder on and hope the words that came out made some sort of sense. sakdsjshkg I love how it's a thing that these people let him flounder until he finds his words, but the silence is pressing in a way that he knows he must speak his mind and not try and keep it to himself "I saw a wave once, a rogue thing that crashed into the coast of Belfalas. It was monstrous, that wave. Well over fifteen feet tall, it drove inland and washed away entire villages. But before it hit, the sea retreated. The waters nearly vanished from the inlet, and children ran along picking up treasures that the waters had left behind. It was only the warning from some canny old mariners that saved the children from being drowned when the waters came roaring back." He looked at Gandalf. "I fear this time is like that false peace before the killing wave crashes. That this interlude is only the hand of doom setting us up to be drowned, but no one knows to warn the children." skadjfsjgjskh that is a piercingly dark worry <3 Gandalf was a moment in answering. "You may well be right. The final dark wave may indeed be looming just beyond sight. But in this I believe you are wrong: you and I and Master Elrond and the wisest of the Wise are sounding the warning even now. We have some time to get the children out of harm’s way." awww thank youuuuu for giving me hope as well "How can you be sure?" "I have hope." <3333 Aragorn pulled in a breath, then slowly nodded. He shut his eyes again and leaned his head back. "I am named for hope, and have it in full, or so I believe. And yet...." A pause. "I do not know why I allow myself to lose sight of it so easily." skajdfsjhsjkg so fair "and have it in full, or so I believe. And yet..." "Of the highest lineage you may be, but you are as vulnerable as any of us to weariness and despair. Do not be so hard on yourself." yessss <33 "I will try," Aragorn promised. "Thank you, Gandalf." thank youuuu he will try to be gentle "Simply doing what a friend should." aww <333 "And great is my gratitude for that. And great also is my gratitude for Beorn. In my short time here, he has spoken wisdom to my heart that I might have lived an entire lifetime without learning on my own. Where is he this morning?" awwwww yes "Out with his sheep, I believe." "I wish–" "Yes?" "You’ll think me childish." :)) "I often do, so nothing you tell me now will change that." SKAJDSFG that's...comforting? I guess? Aragorn pulled a face. He glanced around to assure himself the courtyard was empty, then he leaned toward Gandalf and lowered his voice. "I would have liked to have seen Beorn change into a bear." yessssss aww his very carefully quietly embarrassed telling not wanting to be overheard Gandalf chuckled. "It is a sight to behold." "You’ve seen it?" he's a little jealous I think :) but not surprised "At the Battle of Five Armies, yes. I saw him arrive and saw him change into a bear, right before he went charging into the field." oooooh Aragorn shook his head in wonder. "What a marvel that must have been!" yessss "Skinchangers are... or were, I suppose I should say, for Beorn is the last among Men... one of Eru’s more inventive creations. It saddens me greatly to see them passing from Middle-earth." awwww I love that awww that is sad <:( "Will they still change shapes... after?" "Beyond the Dark Sea?" I always forget that Men's journey includes a sea as well Or is it the same sea that is to Mandos' halls before they continue on? Aragorn nodded. "I do not know. You’ll find out someday, I would think." hmmm yes "I am in no hurry." "It relieves me to hear you say that. awwwwww yes, for there was a point...where he was nearly suicidal, were it not for his inability to give up They fell silent, content to simply enjoy the quiet of each other’s presence. Aragorn was about to nod off when a sound, a testament to his continued injury <3 the scraping of a shoe upon the paving stones, stirred him. He opened one eye and saw it was Beorn. Aragorn started to straighten in his chair, then froze, his eyes wide. DID BEORN HEAR HIM Beorn stood tall and straight, but there was a glimmering play of light and shadow about him, not a glow so much as a sort of breaking of the lines of his body. Aragorn blinked hard several times, but the effect remained. The world around was crystal clear, but Beorn was... shifting... the lines of his body lengthening, the girth of his stomach and legs and arms growing. His hair, always wild, now grew and thickened until it covered his entire body. He fell forward onto arms that were no longer arms but sturdy bowed legs, and he braced himself on hands that had become great paws with massive claws. OOOOOOH And he was huge. Far larger than any bear Aragorn had ever seen, and far larger than the man Aragorn had come to know and count as friend. This Beorn... this bear... was wild and elemental and... terrifying. dangggggg far larger even than Beorn the man is HUGE Even though Aragorn knew Beorn would not attack, he still felt a frisson of fear ice his belly and spine. He could only imagine how great the terror of Beorn’s enemies must have been. skajdhdskhg fairrrrr Beorn let out a growl that seemed to shake the very walls of the buildings around them. Aragorn felt the puppy start and then tremble. He put his hand in his shirt and tucked it protectively around the small shivering body. "Shhh, ’tis only your Beorn," he whispered. AWWWWWWWWWW "'tis only your Beorn" <333333 Beorn stepped into the courtyard, right up to Aragorn, and thrust his muzzle into Aragorn’s face. He opened wide his mouth, and Aragorn was treated to a very intimate view of razor sharp teeth. The jaws snapped shut and Aragorn couldn’t stop himself from flinching violently backward. His chair tipped and he nearly upended himself. eep XD okay FAIR though treated to a very intimate view of razor sharp teeth...something tells me it was not really much of a treat XD As he floundered for his balance, Beorn stepped back and quicker than it takes to say, changed back into the form of a man. Had Aragorn blinked, he would have missed the transformation entirely. As it was, he only saw a vague shimmering blur that faded and left Beorn standing before him, laughing so hard tears ran down his cheeks. SKDHSGKJSGH XD what a trickster <3 he would LOVE Merry and Pippin "Ooh hoo," he hooted, then wiped his eyes and hooted some more. "That was worth every long year of my life, to see the look on your face as I snapped my jaws at you. Oh, to think I’ve terrified the man who will someday be the Great King of Gondor! I can enter Mandos’ Halls a happy man now!" SKASDKSHGJKSDH I CACKLEDDDDDD AT THAT LAST SENTENCE this is what makes his life fulfilled a great claim to fame XD Aragorn started to chuckle and soon he was laughing as hard as Beorn. It was several minutes before either of them regained control. "I thank you, Beorn. I was hoping to see you transform into a bear, although I must say I did not anticipate such a close view." SAKDHGJSHJKSGJSDF <333333 they are the cutest of friends, I LOVE that Aragorn can immediately and genuinely cackle along <333 "You didn’t soil yourself, I hope." Aragorn laughed and shook his head. "No, fear not. My dignity is intact in that regard." lollllll "Good. Because I wouldn’t have wanted that on my conscience." I like him, he's a good man :) He suddenly rubbed his bare arms. "A bit chilly out here when you have no clothes on, and no fur to cover you." Indeed, Beorn was as naked as the day he was born. His woolen tunic lay in shreds on the grass at the edge of the courtyard. Unconcerned, Beorn walked over and gathered them up, then nodded to Gandalf and Aragorn and disappeared into his hall, presumably to find clothes. LOLL <33 Aragorn sagged back in his chair with a breathless laugh. "Well. It appears my wish was granted." <333 awwwww skadjh XD "And then some," Gandalf chuckled. "You really should have seen the look on your face. I don’t think even the Eagles frightened you as much as Beorn just did." dangggg okay I was going to say Beorn wasn't the first to terrify Aragorn, but... "I may have a nightmare or two about those teeth." He pulled the puppy out from under his shirt. "And although I did not soil myself, poor little puppy here did." He plucked at the wet stain on his shirt. He handed the puppy to Gandalf and levered himself out of his chair. "I think I best do as Beorn and find a new shirt. Watch him for me, the puppy." lol yess <33 Gandalf raised the puppy in an acquiescing salute, then settled the small creature on his lap. AWWW I CAN JUST PICTURE GANDALF DOING THIS AND I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE GANDALF DOING THIS <3 It's all just so...domestic, I suppose. Aragorn started for the door, then paused. He looked around the courtyard, at the sunlit meadows, brown now with winter but restful for that nonetheless. He traced the land as it descended to the great hedge, then lifted his eyes to the mountains far to the west, where he had very nearly lost his life but in the process gained so much. AWWWWW he gained some great, dear allies and friends who he would never trade <333 He heard a cry far above him and shaded his eyes. Durvain circled and dived and climbed again, and Menelris flew beside him. Aragorn waved, and as one, the Eagles turned and descended until they landed lightly upon the lawn. Aragorn hobbled to the edge of the courtyard. "How fares the wing, Durvain?" awwww hehe yes thank you he still hobbles "It is whole now." He stretched it out in full and moved it about freely. "I am very glad." he heals quickly <3 but also to partly Aragorn's credit <3 Menelris bobbed her head and let out a pleased chirp. "We cannot thank you enough for all you did to help Durvain. But the weather is changing, and we will be leaving you now, I think. It is past time to be heading south." awww <:((( Aragorn was surprised at the crashing dismay he felt. That they would eventually leave he knew, but for their departure to have come so precipitously shook him. But he hid it carefully, or so he hoped. "Then I suppose," he started, then had to clear his throat, "I suppose this is farewell." SKASKJDHJSFDHGKSDGHSGJDF and I cannot help for I never have any way to reconcile the deep melancholy of a goodbye. I really do not like them much. "Only for a time," Durvain said. He walked forward and spread his wings. Aragorn felt an echo of the old fear, but it quickly vanished as he found himself enveloped in the Eagle’s vast wings. He reached around Durvain’s neck and buried his face in his feathers, wondering if it was for the last time. He blinked at the stinging in his eyes. ASKJDHSKJSHGJSKGHSJKGHJF THIS SWEETEST EMBRACE OF A MAN AND AN EAGLE burying his face in the feathers <:( "I will miss you, my friend," he said, his voice breaking despite his every attempt to control his emotions. skajdfhsjdgh <3333 "And I, you, but this is not good-bye. Only a farewell for a season. We will meet again, you will see. And I will take you aloft, when you are well. Next spring, I think, we will fly together on the gentle breezes." AWWWWW YAYY AND ONLY IN A FEW MONTHS TOO <3 this is making me think of Elrond telling Frodo they will see each other again soon, only it's even sooner <3 The wings withdrew and Aragorn stepped back. "I do want that," he said. He somehow found a smile. "Anticipation of it will warm my thoughts this winter." awwwwww yayyyyy Durvain glanced at Menelris, who bowed low toward Aragorn, and Durvain followed suit. "To the Great King," Menelris said solemnly. "Though you have yet to gain your throne, you have our allegiance and such protection as we can provide. You need only call, and we will answer." SKAJDSHJSDFGHSJDFKG <333 great and dear allies indeed. I love how Menelris bows first. To the Great King. Obviously she cannot be exactly speaking in capitals but I am sure that is just what she intended and I love love it her solemn and sincere respect <3 and no wonder, after she watched Aragorn hobble out of the hall to save her mate Moved, Aragorn bowed his head. His heart was full, but he could find no words. "Thank you," he finally said. "Thank you." He hoped it was enough. skajsdh awwww <3 The two Eagles straightened, and Menelris said, "Farewell, then, wherever you fare, until your eyries receive you at the journey’s end!" "May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks," Aragorn replied. awww he has learned their sayings <3 I forget, where do we hear this? It is familiar. Does Gandalf say it after the eagles rescue Frodo or something? Durvain chirped once, and then with a great flutter of wings and a buffeting of air, they were aloft and flying fast to the south. Aragorn watched them for as long as he could, until they vanished into the distant haze. The sun chose that moment to vanish behind lowering clouds gathering from the North, and the day seemed strangely empty and hollow. SKASJDHS PERFECTLY DESCRIBE THE FEELING AFTER A GOODBYE STRANGELY EMPTY AND HOLLOW He sighed and turned to Gandalf. "I wish life did not hold quite so many farewells." <:(( "You will see them again, come spring." <3 Aragorn nodded, but he could not shake the lonely feeling the Eagles’ departure had given him. yepppp "And in the meantime, you have a puppy to care for, and what will most likely be an entire winter of hearing Beorn’s tales by his fire." <33 yessss I bet he has such good ones A glimmer of warmth bloomed in his heart. "Will we stay, then?" AWWW he's so happy about it "I see no reason to try to beat westward against winter’s might, merely to exchange this warm fire for another that we might never reach." yesss great point Before Aragorn could reply, Beorn reappeared in the doorway, clad again in a brown woolen tunic. "Come inside, the two of you. I’ve bread and honey and good warm mead set for you! There’s a storm heading this way, if my eyes do not deceive me, so we will weather it by the fire and tell tales and eat until we burst or fall asleep, whichever comes first!" YESS that sounds heavenly <3 Gandalf leaned toward Aragorn, "But please, take a moment to change your shirt first." He winked. XD <333 Aragorn laughed, threw his arm around Gandalf’s shoulders, and together they walked into Beorn’s hall, just as the first flakes of snow swirled into the courtyard. AWWWWW laughing and throwing his arm around Gandalf's shouldersssss how I treasure their relationship and will appreciate it so much more in the Lord of the Rings now WAIT NO THAT MAKES GANDALF'S PRESUMED DEATH SO INFINITELY MORE DEVASTATING ahh the Hobbit, I see

layne	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/28/2011
OOOOOOOOOHHHH! Beorn shifting right in front of Aragorn, and just for him, that was beyond awesome!! I was hoping that Beorn would do that, and he did! Aragorn taking care of that little puppy was so, so adorable. And yes, Aragorn going back to Rivendell on the back of an eagle would be EPIC! Author Reply: Thank you! I had to write the shapeshifting scene... Tolkien never gave us anything about what that looked like and my imagination has played with it forever, wondering how it might look. So yes, Aragorn's inner little boy was satisfied, even if he did get a little too close a look at those teeth. g

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/9/2011
I'm often made to sit still by a cat on my lap. Aragorn's musings were so very human and relevant. I'm pleased Aragorn had his wishes granted to see Beorn change. Author Reply: My hubby has had that same thing happen to him of an evening... he sits down to watch a bit of television after a long day and the cat immediately jumps up to take a long nap on his lap. Instant enforced rest! So glad you enjoyed this chapter... thanks for the review!

Tigger	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/2/2011
Sigh...I knew the Eagles had to leave, but like Aragorn, am very sad to see them go. I hope we see them all meet each other again at some point. Love that image of Aragorm w/a puppy tucked into his tunic. Happy sigh... :o) This though... Aragorn started to chuckle and soon he was laughing as hard as Beorn. It was several minutes before either of them regained control. "I thank you, Beorn. I was hoping to see you transform into a bear, although I must say I did not anticipate such a close view." "You didn’t soil yourself, I hope." Had me ROTFLOL!! Still..Considering how close a look Aragorn got at those teeth, it's not that unreasonable a question. :oD Really enjoying this, but I have a feeling we're getting close to the end. BTW..I re read A Star In Midwinter on the weekend and I'm wondering if we're going to see more of Denlad in the future. Would love to know more about him and if he has indeed turned into a Mighty Warrior. I'm just saying... :oD Author Reply: Thank you, Tigger! So glad you liked all the crazy things in this chapter, and that you laughed a time or two. :) The end is getting close, you're right. The epilogue is now up, and there'll be a short gap-filler "appendix" story after that, and then it's on to some new adventure of Aragorn's or Halbarad's, or yes, Denlad! I still fully intend to tell Denlad's full story. :) Thanks for the review!

Matt	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/2/2011
What a great story. Nice character development and an excellent aattle in the air. You've got just enough action to make things work and, I suspect, potential for quite the long tale if you choose to go in that direction. Thanks for an excellent effort. Matt Author Reply: Thank you, Matt! I'm so glad you enjoyed this story... I do like writing action scenes, and I try to balance them against more introspective scenes and, of course, humor. Glad you liked the balance. I've written several multi-chapter, near novel-length tales, but the years-long hunt for Gollum I intend to tackle in "episodic", shorter novellas like this one, although I can't rule out a full novel-length story similar to my "At Hope's Edge" story. We'll see where the muse takes me with this particular part of Aragorn's life. Thanks again for the review, and hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/1/2011
Awwwwwwww! Aragorn's caring for a tiny puppy - how cute is that! I hope someone else is feeding the pup when Aragorn is sleeping at night, because at that age the pup is going to need feeding about every two hours. At least Aragorn didn't drop the puppy when Beorn went all Bear on him (heee!). Wonder what kind of dogs Beorn raises. Aragorn will recover all the faster when the puppy is old enough to steal his boots... Great chapter! Author Reply: Thank you, Raksha... glad you enjoyed this chapter! I would imagine Beorn would be sure to have someone taking the 'night shift' with the puppy; I guess you might say that that detail was beyond the scope of this story. :) And no, I don't think there was any risk of Aragorn dropping the puppy, even if he was about to flip over backward in his chair! As for the breeds of dogs... I don't know if Tolkien ever said what he had in mind, but I always picture something that looks a little like Irish wolfhounds when I read "The Hobbit". :)

Silivren Tinu	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/1/2011
Oh, Beorn has a wicked sense of humour! :D I had hoped Aragorn would get so see him change into a bear, but just like Aragorn I didn't expect him to be quite so... frightening. g It must be a great feeling to have that guy as your ally, though! I hope he won't manage to scare poor recuperating Aragorn to death during the winter months, lol. I was really sorry to see Menelris and Durvain leave, too. I hope their reunion with Aragorn and Aragorn's flight on Durvain will be part of this story! puppy eyes As always, I loved the Aragorn-Gandalf friendship scenes in this chapter. I can already tell I won't like having to say farewell to this story. ;-) Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! Yes, I do imagine Beorn as having a very wide mischievous streak in him, for some reason. But yes, wouldn't he have been a great ally?? Hopefully he'll behave himself for the rest of Aragorn's stay. As for a flight on Durvain... somehow I imagine Aragorn will get his ride eventually. g Thanks again!

Mirach	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/1/2011
Aww, Aragorn caring for a puppy! ******SYSTEM ERROR**** OVERLOAD OF CUTENESS **REBOOTING SYSTEM** Now, I hope I will be more coherent. I loved this chapter, and the light and warm feeling of it despite the ever-present doubts and worries. Beorn apparently enjoyed himself, too, in granting Aragorn his secret wish. I must wonder what did Durvain think about human customs when Aragorn came to greet him in a soiled shirt. What was that about vultures? ;) The leaving of the eagles was bittersweet. It will be a long winter, I think, waiting for spring when they will come again, and for the promised flight. I'm looking forward to it as much as Aragorn! But it will be a winter spent comfortably for once. And with puppies! ****SYSTEM ERROR**** OVERLOAD OF CUTENESS **REBOOTING SYSTEM**** Ahem. Author Reply: LOL! Thank you, Mirach--what a creative review! There was a bunch of cuteness in that chapter, wasn't there. And hopefully Durvain didn't even notice the little splotch on Aragorn's shirt! It might be a very long winter, and then poor Aragorn will have to say goodbye to that puppy... those farewells just never seem to end for the poor Ranger. Glad you enjoyed this!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/1/2011
Oh, this was a wonderfully heartwarming almost-end to this tale! Oh, I do love the thought of virile, sturdy Aragorn hobbling about like an old man---that image gave me a big smile. And I can only imagine the unpleasant sensations such a back injury would leave you prone to for a time. It would be easy to lapse into depression. Thankfully, Aragorn has puppy therapy! That was darling. And seeing Beorn change into a bear at last was delightful, and a true show of his affection for Aragorn (especially what with losing a perfectly good woollen tunic, lol). I can imagine it would frighten anybody to some degree! I loved Aragorn and the Eagles' final farewells, though it was sad to say goodbye to Durvain and Menelris. I have a feeling Aragorn will definitely be seeing them again, though, come spring! And will likely get another flying lesson, to boot. I think it's wonderful to see how happy and somewhat relieved Aragorn was to stay at Beorn's through the winter. I have a feeling you could post "Aragorn's Adventures During the Winter At Beorn's Hall" and we'd all eat it up! There's just no telling what he could get himself into... I'm going to be very sad and depressed to see this story end! You can't imagine how I've enjoyed looking forward to chapters and how awesome it has been to read such detailed and serious h/c. But I'm sad in a bittersweet way, as the story has been so wonderful, and now that it's nearly complete, I'll always have it to enjoy again and again. so we will weather it by the fire and tell tales and eat until we burst or fall asleep, whichever comes first!" Well, we have a storm coming here, too--I just heard some rain, actually---and I'd like NOTHING better than to hurry off into Beorn's Hall with Aragorn and Gandalf and partake of all of those things! Author Reply: Thank you, Lily! I'm so glad you liked this "almost-ending" (perfect term for it)! I like to think that Beorn's "showing off" his skinchanger abilities was a bit of a special treat that he doesn't do for just anyone. Definitely a sign of his growing friendship and respect for Aragorn. I know what you mean about that sadness that hits after a story ends... but there'll hopefully be more stories down the road, and yes, you can always revisit this one. I have a feeling I'll be doing that myself now and then, if I can dare say that out loud! LOL I did enjoy this story, and I thank you for giving me the plot bunny lo those many moons ago!

Darkover	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/31/2011
Dear Cairistiona: This was wonderful, as usual! Everything was wrapped up beautifully. All the characters made an appearance, everyone was in-character, and Aragorn got to see Beorn change into a bear. If Aragorn was childish, then I am childish, too, as I think seeing someone change into a bear would be pretty neat! The dialogue that you wrote, between Aragorn and Gandalf, was very moving, and completely in-tune with the h/c aspect of this excellent tale. I especially enjoyed that part of this chapter; you wrote that so well. Everyone deserves to know how highly his friends value him, and Aragorn, having had a difficult time of it, deserves that consideration more than most. I was glad to learn that he will be allowed to remain as Beorn's honored guest, and will enjoy the company of his old friend Gandalf, for awhile longer. Aragorn's goodbye to the Eagles was equally well-written. Well done, adapting some of Tolkien's lines from "The Hobbit." It was reassuring to learn that Aragorn would see his new avian friends and allies again in the future. The puppy was an inspired idea. Not only is its presence, and needed care, in keeping with Beorn's tradition of treating his animals as family members, but Aragorn is still weary and recovering from his wounds, at a stage when it is easy to slide back into depression. It is difficult to be depressed when one is cuddling a puppy, so Beorn's "assignment" of the puppy's care to Aragorn might have been as much for the sake of the Ranger as for the sake of the pup. Again, this was just a great story all the way through, and I am only sorry that it has ended. Thank you very much for writing and posting it. Take care! Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Thank you, Darkover! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tale start to finish (well, almost finish--there is an epilogue to come, on Thursday, blizzards permitting). I love your theory that Beorn may have had an ulterior motive in giving Aragorn the task of puppy-sitting. That's a very good point and one I hadn't considered. I'm glad you liked how I blended "The Hobbit" with this. I think that there's a tendency to forget about the events that took place in "The Hobbit" but they would have played a role in Aragorn's life, even the sort of "fairy tale" feel of the stories he heard as a child about Beorn. It was great fun to drop Aragorn into one of those childhood stories and see his reaction--and a childlike glee at seeing Beorn turn into a bear didn't seem too unreasonable a thing for him to feel. Aragorn may have been grim, but who wouldn't, as you say, want to see someone turn into a bear! :) Thanks so much for this and for all the reviews you've left for this story. You've encouraged me greatly!

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