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The Ranger and the Man In Yellow Boots by Cairistiona	17 Review(s)
Lexilooper	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/29/2026
"You should have seen him!" Elladan glanced in amusement at Elrohir as they both sat on the ground, leaning back against a fallen log beside the small campfire. Their younger brother was fully a man now, and seldom did he resemble the young boy he had once been, a bright-eyed lad who chattered non-stop any time he came upon some enthralling new discovery. But sometimes, like now, the man gave way to the lad and Estel seemed ten years old again. AWWWWW yayyyyyyy he's with his brothers <333 and they get to see the little boy again for a moment <333 "He reminded me of a little wren," Estel said, his hand flapping as if it were a small bird. "You know how they are, flitting and hopping and busy and then stopping in the middle of it to sing a merry song... he was just like that. There were times he nearly made me laugh out loud, though I dared not for fear of offending him, and besides, there was something else... a sort of agelessness in his eyes that told me that here was someone at whom I should never laugh, ever. Are you certain you've never met him?" He looked from one twin to the other, eyes shining as he leaned forward, his entire body seeming to quiver with earnest hopefulness. SKDHFSGKH FLAPPING HIS HAND LIKE A LITTLE WREN <333 HIS EXCITEMENT The little boy all over again, Elladan thought, and buried the welling pain of nostalgia in a large bite of half-burnt coney. It tasted horrid, but hunger is never particular, and he was grateful that Estel had more than enough to share when he and Elrohir stepped from the growing shadows into his camp outside Archet. "No, Estel," he said, "I am afraid I have only heard of him, from Glorfindel and Erestor. What of you, Elrohir?" AWWWWW <333 the little boy and also that he can love this while also loving the man he's become. And he doesn't still see him as ONLY a little boy, he sees all of Estel <3 lolll the coney. stepping into his camp <333 He shook his head, not even bothering to grunt as he attacked his own meat. Elladan smiled faintly; they really had been hungry. It was fortunate that Estel had nabbed three coneys in his snares, though perhaps it might have been better had they arrived before Estel had actually tried to cook them. Elladan did wonder, sometimes, how they had failed so completely to teach Estel how to cook. YEAH THAT WOULD'VE BEEN GOOD VERY IMPORTANT LESSON OH PLEASE TEACH HIM NOW BEFORE ALL THE OTHER STORIES HAPPEN XD "Maybe I can take you–" Elladan laughed. "Sit, Estel. No one with any prudence goes rushing toward the Old Forest at twilight. Besides, it's a day's journey away, at least, and we're still eating." lollll aww he's so excited "And you," Elrohir said pointedly, "have business north of here." YEP ':D Very important business indeed: two days hence, Aragorn would be taking his rightful place among the Dúnedain in their hidden village beyond Deadman's Dike in the North Downs. And seeing how poor hunting had been as Elladan and Elrohir traveled toward their rendevous in Archet, Elladan was sure neither of them wanted to exchange the comforts of their foster brother's fire for a fruitless chase after the will o' the wisp that was Tom Bombadil. mmmm fair Estel blushed and sat back down. "You're right. I just... I would love for you to meet him. Maybe you could tell me then just who he is." sdaksfdjgskh <3333 I love how his reaction isn't "I'VE MET SOMEONE YOU HAVEN'T HA" it's "I WANNA INTRODUCE YOU AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK YOU'LL SEE MORE THAN ME AND THEN YOU CAN TEACH ME" so cute <3333 and humble "From the sounds of it," Elrohir said, finally looking up from his single-minded devotion to the coney's hind leg, "I'd say he's a cheerful little purveyor of nonsensical rhyme." lolllll well that too yes but "But he's more, don't you see? He knows things. He knew about me." yessss "Because he is friend to Gandalf. He no doubt mentioned to him that you were heading to your people at last," Elladan shrugged. I mean sure but. Also. "But I have never met Gandalf. I doubt he knows I exist!" sahkdfsghks not YET he hasn't but soon enough they will be fast friends <333 "He knows," Elrohir said. "Gandalf knows most things." aww he does indeed <3 lol pretty true "But why would Gandalf tell Tom Bombadil about me if my existence is supposed to be a closely-held secret? If he told, then it must be because Tom is special in some way, and if so, then how? Who is he, really?" mm yes great questions good thinking Aragorn <3 "Gandalf has his confidantes, all of whom are trustworthy but many of whom are as ordinary as an oak tree," uhhhhhh sure not this one Elrohir said, clearly bored with the entire topic. "It is not for us to question a Maia. Besides, for all we know, Gandalf might have told every innkeeper from Rivendell to the Grey Havens about you. Maybe you're no more special than an acorn from that tree behind you." lolllll sureeee Aragorn mouth opened and closed a few times but nothing came out. His eyes flashed as he started to rise. WRATH KINDLED XD "Peace, Estel. My brother is tweaking at your tail, that's all." Elladan stretched out his legs with a languid motion and crossed them at the ankles. "I'm sure Gandalf hasn't revealed you to anyone who cannot be trusted. Of course, one might wonder about the judgment of a Maia who trusts Elrohir, since Elbereth knows there's nothing of note about him." Elrohir hurled an empty bone, which Elladan ducked easily. LOLLLLLLL skdhsfghk cute I love seeing Elladan now be the one to defend Estel from Elrohir instead of the other way around <333 "tweaking at your tail" ELBERETH KNOWS THERE'S NOTHING OF NOTE ABOUT HIM XD really only the half-elven brother of Elrohir would say that Estel let out a disgusted huff of a breath and threw his hands in the air. "Very well, I can see I cannot convince either of you." Elladan squeezed Aragorn's shoulder. "Estel, you have always had a burning desire to know everything under Arda to its very last detail. And that's a good trait; I am not disparaging you for it. But you must accept that sometimes there will be things that are beyond your understanding." awww yes I love him for his burning desire to know everything under Arda to its very last detail <333 that's a very sweet description. It's not that he wants to be a know-it-all, rather, he wants to know THEM all. Each little thing dear to Eru is dear to himself <333 I'm a little like that, I think, and want to be more like that, for although I know I cannot possibly learn anywhere near everything, sometimes my motivation is lacking even if my desire is not, and then my desire only brings me to a regret. "Like Tom Bombadil?" "Exactly. And you are right; despite our jesting, Tom Bombadil is special. He... well, suffice to simply say that he is. He is his own master, according to Gandalf, and is from before anyone, and likely he will outlive all. He lives now within his own borders and by his own council and by the whims of the wind, from what I understand of him. Be grateful that he found you and befriended you, and worry not about the rest." awww thank youuuu that is a better explanation of Tom Bombadil than anything that has yet been said, or than much that could be said <3 and better than dismissing him as perhaps a nobody Estel looked far from mollified, but he nodded and wrestled a bite of meat off the bone. He chewed, his gaze darkening as it lost itself in the view to the north. Elladan eyed him carefully, for he seemed suddenly to shrink, his shoulders falling and his knees gathering to his chest, and Elladan had the thought that perhaps it wasn't an eagerness to see Tom Bombadil that had Estel so keen to turn around and hurry in the opposite direction from their destination. But he said nothing, and soon Estel's voice came, small and uncertain. awwwwwwww shrinking from the North <:( thank you Elladan for seeing that "Elladan?" "What, Littlest?" Elladan asked gently, SKADKFHSGFDGSKH THAT NICKNAME <33333 I'm glad I read that other fic for such was the change in his entire demeanor that Elladan was reminded again of the younger Estel, the boy who would come creeping into his bedroom late in the night, frightened from a nightmare or a strange noise outside his window. It was during those times that Elladan would cuddle him close and call him the littlest but the bravest warrior and let him fall asleep beside him. awwwwwwwwww <:( <333333 <:)))) ‘Littlest' had stuck as an endearment, but only used in times of Estel's deepest emotional turmoil. It was never, under threat of Elladan's iron fist, to be held in jest. Even Elrohir had better sense than to do that. In fact, Elrohir at the sound of the name sat up a little straighter and looked on with concern. skdhskghdfgjksfghsdfkhghdjfgh that is so beautiful a name of endearment held for the most troubled and vulnerable times, and as a vulnerable name he holds a fierce defense about it no one dare abuse <3333 that is the sweetest thing and able to signify that he Sees him and is ready to listen, with that name. Not belittling, but a hand of comfort. "I... I am ready, I think, and of course eager to take my place as Chieftain, you know that. You both do," he added with a glance to include Elrohir. "Of course," Elladan murmured. Elrohir nodded. <33 "But what of them?" Aragorn blurted as he waved his arm to encompass the entire northern horizon, and then his words poured forth like troubled water through a broken dike. "Do you really think the Dúnedain will accept me? As their chieftain? Eventually, I mean, because of course I do not want to charge in and immediately take over. I know I must prove myself first, and learn their ways and customs. That is, I know the customs of the Dúnedain, in my head, but living by those rules... it puts them in your heart, and I have to do that first, do you see what I mean? I need to learn their ways as one who has always lived among them before I act on my rightful office of chieftain. Does that make sense?" awww <:(( yes his uncertainty and his fears Elladan barely had time to nod in agreement before Estel rushed on. skjdashfsg he's so anxious he's trying to stumble through everything "But that's what worries me... I haven't lived among them. Living nearly all my life only in Rivendell... there are bound to be little things that I do that will be hopelessly wrong. I'm sure to insult someone, without realizing. Or forget to say something or do something and cause offense. I worry that I will be too different. Tom Bombadil even commented on my Rivendell accent. What if they find me too foreign? Too odd? What if they can't even understand how I talk?" skdshfsghsjg <:(((( mostly worries that probably will indeed come true except that last one. But also with his extreme awareness of this, and their graciousness, I can't imagine too many problems will actually come. He comes as no great and prideful king from Rivendell, but as a young man of noble descent who knows much but is more eager still to learn much and to love much. Elladan's eyebrows rose. "Why on earth would you think that?" <33 Estel looked down at his hands. He shrugged but didn't immediately say anything. "Estel." awwwww <333 I love when people just say their name and you know what it means "I... I had a dream that night at Tom Bombadil's, and several nights since, of that very thing. That when we arrived at the village, they spoke but it sounded of gibberish to my ear, and when I spoke it must have been incomprehensible to them, for they shrugged and turned away and abandoned me." <:(((((( ABANDONED one of his greatest fears perhaps. Perhaps all of ours. Betrayal, abandonment, rejection of love. Elladan was tempted to laugh but for the very real anxiety underlying the words. Estel, on the cusp of a new life and eager to prove himself, was having a wholly understandable if completely unfounded crisis of confidence here at the last. Elladan dared not tease, for what young man wouldn't be suffering the pangs of doubt at such a time? awwwww thank you for understanding, Elladan, even seeing how unfounded his fears are <333 He moved closer and draped his arm across his shoulders and gave him a brief, tight hug. "Yes, Estel, they will accept you. You know the customs of your people better than you realize, thanks to your mother's tutelage. And you are not wholly unknown to the Dúnedain, though we have let news of your life lapse to the point where many now believe the rumors that say the line of kings is truly ended. Right or wrong, we let those rumors persist because they kept you that much safer from the enemy, though I hate that it came at the cost of your people's hope. aww <:((((( that's so sad. They will be so joyful to know he lives again. and he knows them better than he realizes <333 "But even so, some know all about you: Halthir, Gilraen's brother, and his son Halbarad, your cousin. Visits you have had from both, and neither had the least problem understanding your speech. AWW YAY HE HAS MET HALBARAD <333 yayyyy that's exactly how they're related I mean I assumed it was through Gilraen but like And you know that your grandparents Dirhael and Ivorwen have been keeping up with your progress, through stories Elrohir and I have relayed. Both love you in their hearts though they have yet to behold your face or hold you in their arms." He hesitated, his thoughts taken by Ivorwen. "Ivorwen loves you so, Estel. She once told me that her arms ached to hold her grandson." AWWWWWWWWW SKDAHGSFHGSDGHDSFJGDS <:((((( I LOVE THEM I LOVE HER this makes me love Imbecamiel's story even more as well <333 when she gets to hold her grandsonnnn He had to stop, then, as the memory of her tears unleashed too much sorrow in his heart. SDKSGHFGHSFGHSDGHDSKGHAFJHGSKG <:( <33333333 WEEPING OVER NOT BEING ABLE TO HOLD HIM <3 HIS HEART ACHING FOR HER These last twenty years had been difficult, as hard as any he could remember. Too long had he helplessly watched these people struggle to hold to hope, hard-pressed on every side, dwindling and yet bravely hanging on to their culture with every fibre of their being. How many times had Elladan longed to leap to the nearest roof and shout, Behold, find joy, for your hope yet lives, protected by secrecy all these long years! But he couldn't, nor could Elrohir, and it had worn on their own hearts until they too wearied from despair. That he and his brother found relief in the knowledge that there waited in Rivendell the one who would return hope to his people was little comfort when they could not speak of it to those who most needed to hear it. SKDHAGSGHSHGKSHDFGJ <:((((( he is so tender. That would be desperately hard indeed. "as hard as he could remember" skashdjksg and he remembers many. Helplessss <:( unable to help their despair even though he knows the answer "little comfort when they could not speak of it to those who most needed to hear it" yessss But the day following tomorrow... that day at last Elladan would have his moment to shout from the rooftops! He felt ready to burst with pride and joy, for he knew Aragorn's heart and knew, Valar willing, Aragorn would be the mighty king for whom they had waited so many long years. But how to tell all of that to this young man who had not the slightest inkling of the joy his simple appearance – unskilled, untested, odd accent and all – was about to unleash? SKDHFHGKAHDJKGSHGKJAGF AWWWWWWWWWWWW HE IS SO EXCITED <3333 opposite from Aragorn lol <3 he knew Aragorn's heart and knew Valar willing he would be the mighty king <3333 he can see him much better than Aragorn yet sees himself awwwwwww had not the slightest inkling the joy he was about to unleash and including all those "shortcomings" he sees in himself, as being part of that unleashing <33 "Elladan?" Estel's voice was if anything even more anxious. awwwww <:( he's just so worried SILENCE WHAT IS HE THINKING Elladan regarded him. Strong, keen-eyed, firm of jaw and mind... even consumed with worry, Estel had the look of Elendur and Elendil, moreso even than Arathorn had possessed. whoaaaa wait did he know Elendil?? okay it looks like he was perhaps born just after his time. but still. "Your people will need only look at your face," Elladan finally said, "and they will weep with joy that their hope has returned. But lest your worries keep you from sleep tonight, I say this: look to Halbarad as your compass. He refuses to talk to Elrohir and I about anything but you. ‘What of Aragorn?' he will whisper when no one is near. ‘How tall is he now? When will he join us? Is he good with a bow? Can he hunt a wild stag? Will he be a good warrior? Does he know farming and husbandry and how to keep a village fed and warm through a hard winter? Will he be a canny trader? And tell him to be sure he doesn't slice off his foot with his own sword...and here, take these letters to him and have you any for me from him...' You'd think the two of you were betrothed." SKADJFADKDFHSGDFHSGHKSDHGJSDHSSSSSS XDDD I LOVE HIMMMMMMMMMMM YOU'D THINK THEY WERE BETROTHED HAVE YOU ANY LETTERS HERE ARE SOME FOR HIM THEYRE PEN PALS <33333 WHAT OF ARAGORN HE WILL WHISPER WHEN NO ONE IS NEAR <333333 oh how I adore his adoration <333 another big brother for Aragorn <3 Elrohir choked on a laugh. "I wonder if father would be more accepting of that union than the one Estel has in mind!" SKADJHSGKDH XDDD Estel's face flamed bright red. "Hold your tongue! You forget I am big enough now to beat you until you are indistinguishable from the dust in which you now sit." sdjhgksjdh XD hmm Elrohir smirked at him and took another bite of meat. he's like. big enough maybe. strong enough and skilled enough? did I not help to teach you? actually I'd be interested to see how they match up. and then at like the battle of Pelennor fields, I think Aragorn got him beat :) "Getting back to your question," Elladan continued, his voice softening, "Let me say one last time to end all doubt: Yes, Estel, Aragorn, Arathorn's son. They will accept you. I say again, you will bring them hope." awwwwww yesssss well summarized <3 "I only pray their hope is not misplaced." Elladan reached over and tapped Estel under his chin, lifting it as he did. awwww yesss my favorite <3 "Here now. Enough of this. You will be a great leader if nothing else because of your humility. But do not let humility sink into doubt. And do not mistake tonight's spate of nerves for inability or unworthiness. You suffer only from the normal jangling nerves afflicting any worthy man on the cusp of taking on a great task at which he dare not fail." skasdhsj yesss and do not let humility sink into doubt Estel said nothing. But after a long moment, he nodded and set his jaw and squared his shoulders and Elladan smiled, for he had seen that look before, that shaking off of uncertainty and worry. He knew Estel was giving himself a stern talking to, banishing that inner voice of doubt. After one last deep breath, it was not Estel but Aragorn that stood. He tossed the bones of his meal into the fire and shook his blankets out, spreading them more smoothly for the night. When he glanced back at Elladan, his gaze was firm, the little boy once again lost to the past and the man... the Chieftain... firmly in place. "Since you're both here, you two can split the watches. I haven't had a full night's sleep in the fortnight since I left the house of Tom Bombadil." He stretched himself out on his back, yawned mightily, then immediately fell into a deep sleep. AWWWWW THERE'S ARAGORN NOT ESTEL STANDING FROM THE DOUBT <3333 as much as I love Estel, and that name, I love when his elven-family clearly sees Aragorn, with that name taken upon him <3 "Already issuing orders," Elrohir chuckled. "And already sleeping like a warrior." yesssss lolllll "‘When and where you can, and don't waste time getting there.' I can still hear Glorfindel telling us that over and over. It seems Aragorn took that lessen to heart." lol yessss good advice motto of my life when I was working 4 nights a week "As he did all his lessons. He will be an excellent chieftain, despite whatever his doubts whisper to him in the night watches." awwwwwwww in the night watches <:( "And a greater king than Arda has known since Elendil." SKADHGH <333 yesssss <:) "You foresee that?" "No. That is simply my own assessment, no doubt tainted by my love for him as a brother. Still, I have dreamt of him sitting on a white throne, wearing the winged crown. I do not know if it will come to pass, of course, but I think..." His words trailed. "I think he has brought hope to us all," Elrohir said. AWWWWW <3333 INDEEDDDD Elladan nodded. "Get you to sleep like Aragorn, brother. I will stand the first watch. I am not overly tired as yet, and I want to think on things." aww yay <3 "You need not tell me twice. But do not stay up the entire night pondering the mysteries of the world. I have no wish to travel with a cranky companion tomorrow." LOL FAIR "As if I am ever cranky!" Elrohir showed his opinion of that statement with a snort loud enough to make Aragorn stir. "What?" he asked sleepily. "Nothing," Elladan said. "Just my brother's flatulence. You know how he gets." Aragorn gave Elrohir a look of disgust, then rolled away from them and went back to sleep. LOLLL Elladan grinned up at the stars, suddenly more lighthearted and full of joy than he had been in many long years. SKADHGKSHD <3333 his hope indeed Tonight they would sleep and pass the watches with silly jests and brotherly encouragements. Tomorrow they would travel with much the same. But then the day after... awwww yes The world changes. SADDKHSFKSGHDGKHSDKGJHS <33333 He glanced at Aragorn, sleeping with his arm flung over his tousled head, and grinned even wider. He only hoped Arda was ready. SKDHAKDGHSJKDFGHSDFJKGDFSJGSHDFG THE CUTESTTTTTTTT GRINNING AT THE VERY HUMAN MOMENT OF THIS ARAGORN THE WORLD BETTER BE READY FOR <33 DO YOU HAVE A FIC WHERE HE MEETS THEM PLEASE PLEASEEEEEEEE TELL ME YOU DO in the meantime I noticed there is a sequel bit to the Hobbit and the Ranger :))))) <3

PSW	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/14/2015
Another great story! Tom's songs were fun, and sounded just right! And then the shift to Aragorn's worries about his impending Chieftain-hood. His concerns seem quite realistic for a young man of his experience, agreed. I like the path you took with it -- in fact, I would love to see your version of this time during his life. I haven't run across one that seemed quite right to me so far, but this conversation seemed to walk a very good line between anxiety and how things have been and how they will likely be. I enjoyed both 'parts' of this story, thanks so much for writing! :-) Author Reply: Okay, I'm mortified that I'm thanking you for this SEVEN YEARS after you left it, but... thank you!! I've been out of the Tolkien fandom, at least in terms of actively writing, for quite some time and checking reviews didn't seem like something I needed to do, but now that I know this website's notifications are borked, I'll have to check in a little more often. I'm glad you liked my take on this period of Aragorn's life. It really is hard to fill in those blanks with the right measure of bravery, innocence--or maybe naivete is a better word--hopefulness and nervousness. It seems like stories either make him too dejected or too optimistic when I feel the most human emotions would put him somewhere in between, with some days better than others, but most days optimistic.

TheDreamer	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 10/2/2012
I have to thank you for writing this! Tom Bombadill is my favorite character from my childhood, and I can never find any fanfic about him ;) Also loved the part when the twins talked about Halbarad: ‘How tall is he now? When will he join us? Is he good with a bow? Can he hunt a wild stag? Will he be a good warrior? Does he know farming and husbandry and how to keep a village fed and warm through a hard winter?' Well, you know the rest... :) Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamer! So glad you enjoyed this. You're very right in that there's little fanfic out there for Tom Bombadil, probably because he's a hard character to get a good grasp on! Or at least he was for me. The twins and Halbarad are far more in my wheelhouse. I figure as much time as the Sons of Elrond spent with the Dunedain, they probably knew Halbarad well and likely had to put up with all his eager questions about Aragorn! Thanks for the review!

layne	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/10/2011
I love the bantering and the teasing between them and yet the twins' protectiveness ( especially Elladan's ) of Estel shone bright and true. And oh, Estel, you needn't have worried, your people would accept you, and more! Btw, that bit about Estel being Halbarad's love interest had me grinning like a loon lol. Author Reply: Thank you, layne! So glad you enjoyed this, and especially the bantering... I love writing brotherly teasing between these three. :)

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/5/2011
A perfect ending to a most delightful tale. I'm so glad you expanded it. I like your Elladan, and can so understand him. His use of "litlest" as an endearment was just the right touch and a very subtle way of showing the special relationship which, I imagine, existed between the twins and Aragorn. Besides you did a great job of showing between the lines how both of them felt in relation to the Dúnedain of Arnor, and that is something rare to see in fan fiction. To my mind your young Aragorn is spot on. He feels as insecure as a young man suddenly burdened by the load of responsability thrust upon him must have felt, but, on the other hand, we also glimpse the humility, wiseness, and strength of mind that were so conspicuously present in the Aragorn we came to to know and love. Great story! Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar--so glad you liked the entire tale and the "expansion" parts. :) I love to think about the relationship between the twins and Aragorn... like you say, I'm sure it had to have been a special one, and very deep. And I do like writing the twins and their relationship with the Dunedain--there's such a special bond there and I agree completely that it gets overlooked in most fanfiction. Here's to filling that gap! :)

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/4/2011
A lovely way to end this story, with Aragorn's meeting with Tom as sort of an odd but necessary precursor to his upcoming return to his own people. The future king having been helped and hosted by so ancient and powerful a spirit seems a fitting part of Aragorn's hero's journey. Aragorn is very realistically written here, bold, strong, but still very young and untested, and smart enough to be aware of that, and concerned as to how his people will react to him. Author Reply: Thank you, Raksha! So glad you liked the way the story wrapped up. I hadn't really thought about Aragorn's visit with Tom being a part of his "hero's journey" but in looking at it in light of your comment, I think I have to agree. It's really fascinating to think about what sorts of moments he had, what encounters and with whom, during his life that Tolkien never gives us the barest hint about. But he had to have been helped along his way by many folk, and it's fun to explore those possibilities.

Minerva Organa	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/2/2011
Well, this is the second time today you've left me with a huge silly grin on my face!!! I adored this last chapter especially...I love how realistically you've capture what Aragorn must have been feeling on the eve of his joining the Dunedain, as well as the interactions between him and the twins. And I loved the bit about Halbarad! A lovely ending to a lovely story :D. Author Reply: Thank you, Minerva! I do like leaving silly grins on people's faces. :) So glad you enjoyed the story.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/1/2011
I loved the way you incorporated Tolkien's own comments about Tom. I'm glad Aragorn had the twins to encourage him. A most enjoyable story. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda... so glad you enjoyed it!

rs	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/31/2011
Wonderful chapter. I love Aragorn's inquisitiveness on Tom Bombadil... so much childlike excitement. I think Tom brings that out in anybody that comes upon him. Love, love the relationship between Aragorn and the twins. The gestures of brotherly love (tapping Estel under the chin); the joking around of Aragorn's "union"; the endearment "littlest" makes their relationship so true to life and conjures up so many "brotherly" moments in my mind. melts* Letters to and from Halbarad?; visits from Halthir and Halbarad in Rivendell? Sounds like a "heads up" for a new story. If it is..can't wait!!! I chuckled at the image of the twins gnawing on the coney and trying to ignore the unpleasant taste of Estel's cooking. They were definitely hungry! Very enjoyable story. Author Reply: Thank you, RS! So glad you enjoyed this last chapter, and yay, made you melt! g I love writing brotherly moments, whether it's between actual brothers or friends-close-as-brothers. And yes, the visit from Halthir and Halbarad foreshadows another story--thought technically it doesn't foreshadow this story internally, since the visits take place when Estel is only ten. But it definitely refers to a story that I've been working on for quite a while, telling of Halbarad's coming of age. Thanks for reading this, and for reviewing! Until next time!

Mirach	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/30/2011
I really didn't expect the twins to show up here! Their care for their little brother was really touching, as well as amusing in places. When speaking among themselves, they were just amusing - as I would expect after a few hundreds years of being twins. With the joke about Halbarad, I almost thought Elrohir has overstepped the boundaries, as his love must be quite sensitive topic to Aragorn (daydreaming about Arwen and not paying attention to the way shows that), so I'm gklad he didn't continue in that line of conversation. There is a great range of moods that Aragorn goes through in this chapter - from enthusiastic and then anxious Estel (he really looked very young in the first part of the chapter), to the determined Aragorn. The first step on the long, long journey that awaits him yet, ending with yet another name - Elessar. Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach! I wondered if I'd surprise readers by jumping ahead to the rendezvous with the twins. :) But I felt I'd wrung all I could from Tom Bombadil, and it was time to nudge Aragorn closer to his destiny, even if it did cause him to panic a little. And no, Aragorn would not have let Elrohir continue on in that vein... I think he was quite serious in his threat to pound Elrohir into dust, and I think by that point in his life, he was strong enough to do just that. But it was only the sort of brotherly teasing that goes on among those who are very close. Glad you enjoyed the story!

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