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The Ranger and the Eagles by Cairistiona	11 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/19/2026
A missing scene for Chapter 8 closes out the tale. Aragorn may have had no memory of those two days spent in delirium, but that's no reason we can't have a peek at what transpired. HAHAHHAHAHA THANK YOU THE ONLY THING I WAS MISSING "Please Try Not to Bite Me Like Last Time." XD I am convinced this is the best chapter title, it sounds like it's time for what Elrond was worried would happen when Gandalf cleaned Aragorn's wound He could not warm himself. yesssss miserably freezing Aragorn my favorite (not my own favorite because then I can't sleep :)) like under the Black Breath Aragorn and Imbecamiel's hypothermia Aragorn :) Cold seemed to have seeped into his very marrow and no matter how many blankets were laid atop him and how many warm stones were placed along his body, he shuddered and shook and felt the avalanche’s cold fist hit him again and again. yesssssssss violently shuddering and everyone trying to pile warmth upon him but it's not workinggg Soft voices spoke to him, but he could not understand the words. Someone might have said his name, but the cold snatched all meaning away. Maybe... maybe he did not have a name... maybe all that made up his essence, his fëa, had been snatched away, flung into the chill void. Maybe this aching, freezing shell was all that was left of him, was all that he had ever been... sdjaksfsgfdjgsdfh maybe he did not have a nameeeee But he remembered... had vague memories... of a past... a future... yessss good He shuddered again. The memories darkened... the avalanche... Was that it, then? Was he alone, buried in snow? <:((( nooo remember the soft voices He must be... he was so cold... so cold.... He could feel Death’s frozen hand reaching for him... grasping... holding not a gift but only despair... sakdjsgh which Death could be a gift, bringing relief, but this time it brings only a frozen despair It touched his face. He cried out, weakly, tried to turn aside, but the hand was relentless, grabbing his jaw, pulling his mouth open. He tried to bite the fingers, but he was too slow, and then something hard pressed against his lips. He clamped them shut and jerked his head away but the hands brought it back and then they covered his nose and he couldn’t breathe and he gasped and foul liquid splashed into his mouth and against his throat and it burned him and he gagged and retched and through red agony he heard a dismayed cry from somewhere beyond this frozen hell. SKADJFHSDHG THIS IS SUCH A GOOD WHUMPY PARAGRAPHHH trying to escape the hand, literally crying out, the force-feeding (my favorite) and he tries to bite the fingers heheheheee skajdhdfsgjkh you know someone is trying to help but he's extremely disoriented and all he can feel is being suffocated, burning liquid forced down his throat, "and through red agony" sksajhfsgjkghjsdkhsgdgjkhssssss yessssss "Good gracious, what are you doing! You’ve all the gentleness of a Breeland butcher!" SKAJSDHSJKG XD YESSS GANDALF THANK YOU come teach...whoever this is, Beorn or Grimbeorn I'm guessing, how to take care of a sick person without coming off as a heartless torturer XD And then Death reached for him again, but no.... He scarcely trusted his senses, but arms held him, folded him into a tender embrace... surely Death would not be so gentle... and finally the confusion lifted. He opened his eyes but saw only vague shadows. More hands pulled away the soiled blankets.... it shamed him, for he knew the mess was his... and someone gently held a warm cloth against his forehead. SKADHFSKJG <3333 surely Death would not be so gentle no don't be shamed <:( awwww a warm cloth <3 A soothing voice murmured in his ear. He knew that voice. And he realized he knew the arms and the robes and the scent. He spoke the name in a frail whisper. "Gandalf..." skasdjfhgsjdghsdfjgshdj <333333 the comfort he finds in being held by Gandalfffff "Shh, shhhh," It was Gandalf, and Aragorn reached up and wrapped strengthless fingers around a sleeve. yessss strengthless but just enough movement to hang on to his sleeve <3 "Sorry... sorry..." He was babbling, he knew, but he could not form any other word. It had been Gandalf, and he had thought him Death... it was unforgiveable. "Sorry." <:( only fevered Aragorn would think that fevered mistake unforgiveable "There now, no need for apologies, my dear, dear boy. Shhh." yessss keep calling him that <3 "What’s... wrong... with me?" "Your wound has turned for the worst, I fear, and fever has a fierce hold on you. You must fight it, Aragorn." Gandalf had never sounded so stricken. So terrified. "Call on your strength, on your healing skills. You must, or all will be lost." <:((((( skasshfjkdghjkdsghdsjg stricken Gandalf terrified for his boy's lifeee "So cold. Tired." I'm not sure Aragorn has the capacity right now to even think of his healing skills but he is a natural fighter, and if any strength is there he will summon it "I know, but you must keep fighting." He pulled him closer to his breast and stroked his hair. "You must keep fighting." <333 <:((( Aragorn nodded. He hurt, oh how he hurt, but he sighed and whispered, "I will ...fight..." skadhfsjfsgjgsf the repeated "oh how he hurt", and sighing before agreeing to fight, because he's committing to more and prolonged pain <:((( His eyes drifted shut and he slid into the blackness of sleep. <33 sleep, child Gandalf shut his eyes tightly as Aragorn sagged against him. If he had thought that arriving at Beorn’s would set all things aright, he had been grievously mistaken. Aragorn held to life with a grip more feeble than the one he had on Gandalf’s sleeve, and now, going into dawn after a night of restless pain and mounting fever, death seemed to lurk under the very lintel, watching for its chance to swoop in and steal Aragorn from their arms. "Oh, Elbereth, lend him your strength. Lend him my strength, for he needs it more than I in this hour." SAJKHSKGJ <333 thank you, Gandalf, for your strength he would so readily trade it <:( skasjdfgk his grip on life even more feeble than his hand He laid Aragorn carefully back against the pillows. <333 awww "How is he?" Grimbeorn asked quietly as he shook out clean blankets warmed by the fire and spread them over Aragorn. yayyyy Grimbeorn I thought so yayy blankets warmed by fire "Weak. Very, very weak. I have seen him under the pall of the Black Breath and thought him near death then, but this..." His voice trailed away. skadhsgkjhsdjk COMPARING IT TO THE BLACK BREATH AND THIS BEING WORSE danggggg no wonder he's stricken Grimbeorn eased himself down beside Aragorn’s leg, a look of shame on his face. "I’m sorry about the medicine. I didn’t expect him to wake up and fight me. And I fear I am more used to medicating animals. That was ham-fisted of me." <:( aww thanks Grimbeorn like eeee sorry ham-fisted hehehe Aragorn waking up and fighting :) I love people fighting care entirely unintentionally or unconsciously or unable to restrain themselves Gandalf almost glared at him, but he realized that Grimbeorn was indeed trying his best, and he imagined, from the purple smudges beneath the man’s eyes, that Grimbeorn was nearly at the limit of his endurance. "No harm done. We will try the medicine again later. For now, we’ll let him rest, and see about some rest for ourselves. Or at least for you." thanks Gandalf <3 and thank you Grimbeorn for your help <333 "Worry not about me; I have plenty of strength left. But Aragorn... he seems not to shiver so much now. That and his speaking just now are surely good signs, don't you think?" hmm I hope shivering less slightly worries me that it is simply his strength draining, but perhaps it could be his fever is climbing less Gandalf said nothing. It was all too uncertain. He dipped his cloth into the warm water and again wiped down Aragorn’s cheeks and forehead. Aragorn murmured something, but Gandalf could not make it out. "His chills are fading, but his fever rises. I wish we could find a way to get the medicine to stay down." mmm noooo <:( still rises "Usually mixing it with honey works." But it had failed, both times they tried it. nooo (yesss) The only thing Aragorn seemed able to tolerate was small mouthfuls of water, and with such a high fever, he needed far more than mere dribs and drabs. But if that was all he could handle, then Gandalf would keep dribbling water in one drop at a time until the end of the Age, if that was what it required. But such tiny amounts... how could Aragorn hope to survive on such scant mouthfuls? But he shook himself. Surely a little was better than none, and none would be all Aragorn got if Gandalf kept losing himself in worried reverie. He reached for the cup and a clean cloth. He soaked the cloth and touched it to Aragorn’s cracked lips. "Come now, open just a little." SKADHFSGJK I LOVE again force-feeding or not-so-forceful feeding are both my favorite. Coaxing him to just open his mouth a little so he can drip in a trickle of water that Aragorn will probably not even be aware of is so good like even if he does wake up he has basically no part or choice in this. His body will swallow or reject it. The lips parted and he squeezed water in until he saw Aragorn swallow, then he dribbled some more. Aragorn again swallowed. Gandalf waited a few minutes and when Aragorn showed no sign of rejecting the offering, he repeated the process until the cup of water was finally gone. He sat back with a sigh, glancing at Grimbeorn, who instead of going off to find rest had stayed to watch. Grimbeorn nodded encouragingly but said nothing. There really wasn’t anything to say, after all. SAKJDFHSGKDJH FEEDING HIM WATER LITTLE BY LITTLE WITH A SOAKED CLOTH AS ARAGORN LATER FED HIS PUPPY IS SO CUTE Gnawing pain in his back woke him, but this time his wits seemed in better shape, and he felt hot instead of cold. He also felt as though Morgoth had been at him with Grond, but he didn’t think he was about to go the way of Fingolfin just yet. I sure hope not. Ouch ouch ouch. but yay for feeling hot instead of cold, maybe? Close, though. OOP He licked his lips. They were so dry they felt rough under his tongue. He sensed movement beside him and opened his eyes. The lids would barely respond, but he managed to peer through the slits. skajdfsg I love him being aware enough to like intentionally look through the slits of his lids but sick and weak enough to barely even command his eyelids to move What he saw made him change his mind about his wits. There was a sheep standing by his bed, holding a stack of blankets on its back. LOL Aragorn frowned and tried to blink but once his eyes shut, they refused to reopen. ah darn He felt a hand touch his shoulder, and then a finger upon his lips, rubbing a soothing balm across them. Then the press of a cup. He opened his mouth and tasted cool water. He swallowed, hoping for me, and after a moment, more indeed came. awwww yay okay that would feel so helpless, being given cool water and desperately hoping for more but not even able to ask, it's entirely up to the discretion of whoever is feeding him "Can you hear me, Aragorn?" a gentle voice asked. It was not Gandalf. Grimbeorn. It was Grimbeorn. Again, he tried to open his eyes to see, but they refused. "Aragorn?" aw hi Grimbeorn <3 He nodded. Twitched, more like it, but he hoped Grimbeorn would understand that he was hardly up for lengthy speeches. yesss LOL HARDLY an understatement indeed. he's not even up for a real nod of the head. "I am going to give you some medicine. It’s mixed with honey, but I fear it will still taste fairly rancid. Do you think you can manage to swallow it?" mmmm yes Aragorn licked his lips... the balm tasted sweet... and mustered the energy to give another twitch of a nod. yayyy thank you for the balm for his dry lips <3 "All right, then," Grimbeorn said, and then with a touch of humor, "Please try not to bite me like last time." LOL :) <3 XD So it had been Grimbeorn’s hands forcing his mouth open, earlier. hehehe not a fond memory "Are you ready, then? Here we go," he said, and without waiting for a response, slid his hand beneath Aragorn’s head and quite abruptly lifted it, and at that moment Aragorn knew he would not be swallowing anything. He gasped as the world spun madly about, and before he could brace himself, the water he had swallowed came back up and over the blankets. SKAJFG YES and at that moment Aragorn knew he would not be swallowing anything XD my favorite line yessss gasping at the tilt of the world, and no wonder with his head as it is. Also that'd be so painful to try and throw up while basically lying down, likeee "Oh dear." Grimbeorn lowered his head back to the pillow, and, while Aragorn coughed painfully and tried desperately to force the bed to stop spinning, he pulled away the blanket and flipped another... from the sheep’s back? Oh Elbereth, I have utterly and completely lost my mind... over him. "That was clumsy of me. I am terribly sorry, Aragorn. I’m not proving to be much of a dab hand at nursing." SKAJDSHGK YESSS coughing while already in such pain, would be absolute agony. The muscles would absolutely pull at his lower back and rock his already aggravated head lollll the sheep again Grimbeorn's cute contrite apology <3 Aragorn meant to say, "No need for apologies; I understand completely. Not everyone has a gentle touch... nothing to be ashamed of." All that actually came out was, "Nnnnuh..." lolll poor guy his mind is so impressively clear and yet he has almost no controlll, I mean getting some sound out is an improvement though, so good job Then Grimbeorn spoke to someone else. "He seems unable to tolerate lifting his head." "We must try to get the medicine in without doing that, then." That was Gandalf. Aragorn would always know that testy grumble, even when all his wits had spun to shreds. LOLL AWW <333 even when all his wits had spun to shreds "Can you steady him? Your touch is far gentler than mine." "Morgoth has a softer touch than you!" Gandalf snapped. "Grimbeorn, many things you may do well, and I do not question the sympathetic intents of your heart, but pray never take up leechcraft." LOL <3 fair. At least he's aware. It's making me miss Halbarad, like with his rough application of the horse balm :) although he quickly did learn a gentle touch afterward Aragorn felt warm hands on either side of his face. "Aragorn," Gandalf called softly, all traces of ire completely gone. awwwww <3 he's so soft now "Gan...off..." Had he no control at all over his tongue? "Gannn..." sskajsdg lol his cute frustrated attempts <3 "Shhhh, do not try to speak. Save your strength. Now, listen to me closely, my friend. I know it is very hard, and you’re so very tired, but we must get some of this medicine into you. But fear not, we will not lift your head again. But you must be extra careful not to choke when you swallow, no matter how badly it tastes. Can you do that, do you think?" mmm yess awwww I love the way he's speaking to him, so gently and yet also like he is a sane and aware person (which he is), and urgently ("listen to me closely") before Aragorn slips away again, and again, gently, "and you're so very tired" <:((( <3 "Y-yes," he whispered. And, feeling flush from his success at finally articulating a word, he felt sure he could do it, but just how horrific would the stuff taste? awww he's like I SAID A WORD I GOT THIS <3 After a few moments, he found out. It was truly rancid, as Grimbeorn had warned. Aragorn knew many medicines but he could not imagine what was in this vile concoction. Still, he carefully swallowed. His stomach clenched and rolled in stern protest, but he forced himself to hold it down, and after a few moments, he relaxed. skajdsghjksfd the torture but his incredible careful focus and control that is impressive but now that he relaxed...is he gonna throw it up again is he is he also does this medicine have a specific purpose, like lowering of fever or relief of pain or fighting infection, or is it more of a general treatment? "There you go, that’s the way," Gandalf said a shade too brightly. Had he the energy, Aragorn might have retorted that he was not, after all, a toddler finally trying turnips and so would he please refrain from speaking in such a ridiculous sing-song. But consciousness was slipping from him again, quite rapidly. LOLLL he's like. My dear Gandalf. YOU ARE BEING RIDICULOUS I'M NOT A...a...todd...zzzzz He wondered what ... had they put... in... that sounds like someone who has just drunk a sleeping draught XD although I don't think he needs such a thing to fall so immediately asleep Grimbeorn let out a huge sigh. "Thank goodness. Now maybe he’ll get some true rest and be able to fight off that fever." DID they put a sleeping draught in it? Gandalf nodded. "Sleeping can only help. But I wonder if we should put a hot compress against the wound." oh yeah I forgot he's on his back right now, right? I hope that's okay "Draw the poisons out?" mm good idea "Do you think it would do him harm?" hopefully not? It sounds like a good idea "I wouldn’t think so, no. I’ve treated infected wounds on horses with that very method." "Just you remember this is no horse we’re tending." LOLLLL we love Grimbeorn "Yes, sir," Grimbeorn sighed. "I truly am sorry." poor guy. he's really trying. he is just. not used to being gentle. A little surprising from someone who works with animals, but after all they are very tame animals. "Yes, yes, I know, and I should not snap at you so." Gandalf took a deep breath and stifled all evidence of his irritation with Grimbeorn. He actually found he was able to give the poor man a smile. "You mean well, and perhaps it is better to be nursed with clumsy compassion than with able hands but a cold heart. Now go prepare the compresses, if you please." awww very wise words indeed <3 And so they gathered what they needed, and for the remainder of the day, they applied warm, wet compresses against the wound, occasionally stopping to clean away the discharge. Aragorn woke at times, but his mind seemed to be wandering far afield, for he mumbled nonsensical things and spoke of riding to Bree and at one point seemed to hold an entire conversation with Halbarad about the proper technique for assisting ewes in difficult births. SKADJGS YES I miss Halbarad <33 I feel like going back and reading At Hope's Edge already. Should I do homework? Yes. Despite the dire situation, Grimbeorn was beside himself with mirth, listening. Then even Gandalf had to chuckle when, after Aragorn announced that he would now put his arm into the birth canal, the ewe that had been patiently bringing them hot cloths let out a terrified bleat and ran from the room. SKASJDSHF I DIEDDDD I love Grimbeorn's mirth as well "Is Aragorn a shepherd, then?" Grimbeorn asked, once he regained control of himself. "Only of the Dúnedain, to my knowledge. But I suppose he must put his hand to many tasks, as chieftain." Only after the words were out of his mouth did he realize what a terrible pun he had uttered, quite unintentionally, but Grimbeorn seemed not to notice. LOLLLL <333 I love how Aragorn's role shows how what you do in life is not limited to one specialty or path. I have always wanted to help deliver animals or human babies, but it looks like I will likely not be a nurse anymore, and so probably not a midwife. But who knows what life may bring, I may deliver an animal's baby yet "Well, I fear he’s chased Daisy off for good, and I can’t blame her. I’ll see about bringing some more cloths. Maybe I can convince one of the dogs to help." He left, and Gandalf examined the wound. It did seem to be less red, and he was unable to see much in the way of pus draining from it. XD yep the dogs <3 aw yayyyyyyyyy looking betterrrr He reached around and felt Aragorn’s forehead. It felt much cooler, and Aragorn’s mumbled ravings had stopped. It seemed that the ewe had delivered her lamb and all was well in the pastures of his fevered imagination. He allowed himself a smile as he brushed Aragorn’s hair back away from his brow and laid the back of his hand against Aragorn’s cheek. "You manage to look after your people and their livelihoods even in your delirium. My dear, dear boy." AWWWWW YESSS I LOVE HIM <333 still looking after people <3 all was well in the pastures of his fevered imagination <3333 He gave Aragorn’s shoulder a squeeze and then worked at gently affixing a loose bandage over the wound. It had been a long and hard battle, these past thirty-six hours, but as he listened to Aragorn’s easy, deep breathing, he felt they had turned death away from the threshold, and he dared hope that the morn would find Aragorn on the way to recovery at last. awww yayyyyyyyy <33333 somehow I think he is right thank you for this extra chapter!!!

Layne	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/3/2011
Poor Aragorn ... him thinking that he was with Death in his fever-addled dreams. And the ewe!!! :DDDD A very nice touch of comedy in the midst of all the agony and worry :) Author Reply: Hee hee! I like tossing in those funny moments, because that's what happens in real life (okay, not ewes that understand speech and bring blankets, but you know what I mean). Life has a tendency of throwing every emotion around willy-nilly and without any thought to decorum, and that's one of the things I wanted to show with this little scene. Glad you enjoyed it!

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/9/2011
A lovely chapter for Aragorn h/c fans such as myself! Author Reply: Thank you! It was an utter indulgence... and very fun for that! g

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/9/2011
I love this chapter so much I just had to review it again. Oh gosh, what's not to love? Delirious, feverish Aragorn; tender-loving-care from Gandalf; humor; pain... all of my favorite things where Aragorn is concerned. Your use of Aragorn's POV is absolutely awesome... I can just feel his confusion and discomfort. And I enjoyed how the story changed to Gandalf's and Grimbeorn's POVs, showing their worry and fear for Aragorn. And I'm laughing again at poor Daisy! Hmmmm, I wonder if Aragorn ended up helping with the lambing, etc., while waiting out the spring at Beorn's? Again, I'm so humbled that you wrote this for my birthday---and included the retching and well, the vulnerability that is so lovely to see in Aragorn when he's ill. He's always so strong, so capable, that to see him brought low by a wound is definitely a reader's dream. Or at least, mine! I could read a thousand stories just like this and never tire of them, truly. Thank you again for such a gift to us all! Author Reply: The pleasure was all mine, Lily... I had such fun writing all of this! I'm very, very glad you enjoyed it! hugs I'll have to start thinking about what to write you for next year's birthday. g

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/8/2011
LOL Poor Daisy. It's no wonder Aragorn chased her off. Can't say I blame her. g I love your Grimbeorn, but I most certainly would rather not have him nursing me. Author Reply: Thanks, Estelcontar! Yes, poor Daisy was none too pleased with the way the conversation was going, was she. LOL And I'm with you... I think I'd have a spontaneous recovery if I saw Grimbeorn approaching my sickbed!

Elflingimp	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/7/2011
Bravo,bravo!!! Well done, the icing on the cake! I have enjoyed this story so much! Can't stop laughing about the sheep thingy tho. Hugs The Imp Author Reply: LOL... Thank you, Imp! So glad you enjoyed this little "extra helping". I admit I giggled a bit when I pictured that poor ewe listening to Aragorn's, um, midwifery plans. g

Darkover	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/7/2011
Dear Cairistiona: This was very good! It was generous of you to write an appendix like this for all your h/c fans, of whom I am one. Poor Aragorn--when the gentlest person present is Gandalf, then you are in trouble! Although in defense of our favorite Wizard, he treated Aragorn with great kindness. You wrote the dialogue particularly well. I particularly liked the line; "Morgoth has a softer touch than you!" I enjoyed reading this very much. Thank you for writing and posting it. Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Thank you, Darkover! So glad you enjoyed this... it was a lot of fun to write, and you make a very good point--you definitely are in trouble if Gandalf's the gentlest one in the room. LOL I'm glad you enjoyed the humor and the comfort in this last little helping of h/c. Thanks again!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/7/2011
You certainly have me giggling at poor Daisy's expense! Heh! And I do pity Grimbeorn, but appreciate he's doing his very best. Lovely addition to the story! Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! So glad you liked this little extra snippet. Poor Grimbeorn--he didn't count on having to suddenly play nursemaid, did he!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/7/2011
when, after Aragorn announced that he would now put his arm into the birth canal, the ewe that had been patiently bringing them hot cloths let out a terrified bleat and ran from the room LOL! Omigosh, Lily must have been in spasms of joy with this chapter, and the entire story. What a marvelous tale. Author Reply: Thanks, shirebound... I think it's safe to say Lily did enjoy this, yep. :)

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/7/2011
Oh, this is priceless! Despite poor Aragorn illness, I was laughing so bad that my co-workers think now that I'm crazy. Thak you Cairistiona, this was really funny. Author Reply: Thank you, Fantasia! My apologies for giving you a reputation as a crazy lady among your colleagues, but I'm glad you enjoyed this. g

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