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No Better Name by Cairistiona	14 Review(s)
Layne	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/12/2011
A wonderful first meeting :) And I love the way Bowen is learning all those new things about the Rangers. Yup, never thought that Strider could read :DDDD Author Reply: Hee hee! Thanks, Layne! I thought it might be kind of funny for Bowen to think Rangers were illiterate. I don't think it's entirely an unreasonable assumption, since I doubt any of the Breelanders ever saw a Ranger sitting under a tree with his nose in a book. g Little do they know!!

Lily Baggins	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/5/2011
Oh, I loved this chapter! Well, obviously, Bowen is missing something if he cannot appreciate and admire the beauty of a tall, fierce-looking Ranger---even if he is scruffy and looks like a vagabond. Flora clearly does appreciate such---that scene really had me smiling. And of course, the conversation between Halbarad and Bowen was wonderful... right down to the last sentence. I can't wait to see Bowen find out much more about the proud Dunedain than he ever imagined---and I'll be very curious indeed to know if he finds out Aragorn's true identity in this story. Author Reply: Thanks, Lily! "Well, obviously, Bowen is missing something if he cannot appreciate and admire the beauty of a tall, fierce-looking Ranger"... I know!! How could you not see the sexy! LOL Well, okay, I suppose if you're a happily married thoroughly hetero male like Bowen, you might not really get it. But Flora, yes... she definitely gets Halbarad. g Ah, fangirls in Breeland, who knew! May you continue to enjoy the story as it unfolds!

Vilwarin	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/2/2011
No, of course Strider does not believe in huge, dangerous spiders. What a silly notion. ;) Oh, and Bowen an educated man, him being able to read. And Halbarad's books no less! It must be good for him to see that they serve to bring joy to another person and are not lost somewhere in the wild. Author Reply: Thanks, Vilwarin! I liked the idea of giving Bowen a twist by having him owning a few books. Having them be Halbarad's old ones adds a nice little background detail to Halbarad as well. I have a feeling Bowen might be completely shocked at what Strider believes in. g

Nath	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/2/2011
Of course, those men also thought there were giant spiders living in enchanted woods far to the east. Indeed, the very thought is ridiculous! And Halbarad does have some nice manners once he stops glowering at poor Bowen, starting with the taking off his sword. I'm in a melted puddle of Awwwwwww after your description of Halbarad looking in on Strider (and there's a Ranger in need of a hug, no mistake). Of course, I'm also burning with curiosity about the back story for the books... Author Reply: Thanks, Nath! Yay, I melted a reader! what I live for h/c is always such a fun thing to write with those two. As to Halbarad's back story... that too shall be posted in a big story, eventually. :)

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/2/2011
I find I rather like Ruddy already, and love the thought of Halbarad finding his father's books here, well cared for and loved. Yes, a hawk indeed to Strider's Eagle, both doing their best by all they meet. Excellent! Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! "...both doing their best by all they meet." I love that you said this, because that's how I see the Rangers always conducting themselves. A remnant people who thanklessly guard those who hold them in contempt must really be a cut above when it comes to generosity in attitude and behavior. And yay, you liked Ruddy! His tale is thumping happily to hear that. :)

Suzelle	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/1/2011
Oh, Cairistiona, this is such a delight. I can't even tell you. But wait! Yes I can :D. I love the analogy of Aragorn as an eagle and Halbarad as a hawk. So very fitting :D. The initial meeting of the Rangers and Bowen was everything I could have hoped for and more. I love that even after hosting Strider he's still so suspicious of them, and they of him, until Halbarad finally becomes slighty more warm and fuzzy :P. The mustard poultice LOL! Poor, poor Strider...so good that he's in Flora's hands right now (and I really love Flora!!). And oh, the exchange between Bowen and Halbarad about the books was such a beautiful touch. It says so much about Halbarad, and the Dunedain, and Bowen himself all in one fell swoop. My heart is fit to burst with love for them all. Author Reply: Thank you, Suzelle! I'm so glad you liked everything that was going on in this chapter--there really was quite a bit this time, wasn't there! And "slightly more warm and fuzzy" is probably about as close as most people, at least most Breelanders and non-Dunedain folk, would ever describe Halbarad. I have a picture in my head of what he looks like and "soft" probably only applies to his hair! g

LisaG	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/1/2011
Bowen's (and most of Arda's) prejudices against the Rangers was so sad to read. I like that you make them a noble, learned people that are simply misunderstood. Lovely scene with Halbarad and Strider, though Aragorn was sleeping. Nice to know so many are looking out for him. Lastly...mwa ha ha ha ha...Aragorn afraid of a spider! Oh the images in my head! :D Author Reply: Thanks, LisaG! Hee... I have a feeling the only spiders Aragorn is afraid of are the Mirkwood/Mordor variety. I imagine little spiders are no good deal after you've had to deal with those! As for my making the Rangers noble but misunderstood... I think mostly I'm just carrying on with how Tolkien wrote them. He created in the remnants of the Faithful a people just as noble as the Edain when the Valar granted them the Land of Gift. It just took a long time for everyone to figure that out (and I wonder if some never figured it out even when Aragorn came back as king!).

Elflingimp	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/30/2011
What a wonderful chapter! I just love your tales with Hobbits and Strider, they are comforting in a way. Hugs The Imp Author Reply: Thanks, Imp! Although there aren't hobbits in this story, I think some of the more honest and good-hearted Men in Bree had the same sort of mindset as the Hobbits... caring and goodhearted and generous in the way that rural folk are. Definitely a folk to make a person feel comforted (and comfortable)!

Estelcontar	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/30/2011
Now that Denlad and Halbarad have arrived at Bowen's farm, I see poor Aragorn hasn't got a chance. He's going to have to put up with the four of them mothering him. Something tells me that once he wakes up, he is going to wish he were still sleeping. LOL And Bowen is learning a lot of things about "them rangers", isn't he? So Bowen's treasured books used to belong to Halbarad. What a good way to highlight Halbarad's intrinsic generosity. Most enjoyable chapter indeed. Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! No, Aragorn hasn't a chance at avoiding cossetting now! But he needs it, so it's just as well he has no choice. g Glad you're enjoying the story!

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/30/2011
This chapter is so bittersweet. I laugh with he details, the mustard poultice, Halbarad's long hair, Denlad's muteness, Flora's flattering with Halbarad. And then, feel so sad about the book's story, Halbarad's melancholic about the Dunadan fate. Really, a wonderful chapter. Author Reply: Thanks, Fantasia... there is a sort of bittersweetness to this chapter, though I hadn't really set out to write it intentionally. I guess with Tolkien there's always going to be those bittersweet moments, isn't there. Eventually everyone will get to hear the full story behind those books and Halbarad's younger years, and it is bittersweet, just as he says.

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