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To Save or to Salvage by MP brennan	10 Review(s)
shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/8/2013
Azzam had the strange impression that, though Dakheel’s eyes were fixed on his, the other man was looking through him and somehow past him. Like he was making a mental record of some larger story, with implications far beyond the humble question of two men and their lives. What a marvelous perception. It's so easy to picture these scenes, and understand the conflicting emotions of good men in difficult circumstances. Author Reply: Thank you for the review! It's good to hear that the conflict in this scene was effective and made sense. -Brennan

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/3/2013
Azzam really was a good man. I can really see why after this he was so desperate in Ransom to keep his own son OUT or Sauron's Grand Army. It is just rather sad that it took what it did to make that possible. And I just knew, after Hakim told Aragorn about the galley slaves who likely would have died in the ships which Thorongil's men burned, that Aragorn would try to do SOMETHING to make some kind of cosmic amends for their suffering. I think here we have the moment when he finally decided. Author Reply: Thank you for the wonderful review! (Sorry for the late reply . . . :)) I'm glad you liked this story. I wrote it in an attempt to expand on both Aragorn's motivations and Azzam's, so I'm glad it was effective in that regard. Peace, -Brennan

Nala	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2013
What a wonderful surprise it was to find this today! I really enjoyed this glimpse into Azzam's character: his ideas of mercy are interesting, to say the least, but I feel I can better appreciate the struggles he faces and the difficulty of his choices. The dual point of view was very effective, as well - I loved Aragorn's progression from hopelessness to determination. It was almost weird, though, to see Aragorn referred to as Aragorn, even by himself! He really became Dakheel throughout "Ransom," in my opinion: to Hakim and his family, he represented something very similar to - yet radically different from - themselves. From their perspective, 'Foreigner' is a good name for him, and I think that for their story, it suits him even better than 'Kingly valor' would have (though heaven knows he's always had plenty of that). Thanks so much for yet another great read! Author Reply: Thank you for the wonderful review! I'm glad you enjoyed Aragorn's character arc in this story. Actually, as I was writing it, I also found it weird to call him by his real name. 8) He did sort of disappear into his role in "Ransom." I need to get back in the habit, though, since I write other fics outside of this storyline. The last thing I need is for "Dakheel" to show up in, say, a pre-Gondor Ranger story set in Bree. ;) In general, if I'm writing from Aragorn's POV, I use whatever name he thinks of as his--so "Estel" for childhood fics and "Aragorn" for anything set after he turns twenty, even if everyone around him is calling him "Strider" or "Thorongil" (or "Dakheel"). The dude has too many names . . . -Brennan

Elentarri	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2013
You are diabolically evil! ;) Beautifully written as always. Can't wait for the next story. My refresh "button" might wear out before then though. I check for your updates several times a day even though I know there probably won't be anything new. ;) Author Reply: Thank you, I try! >:-D The next story is moving--I've got one chapter done, and one with the beta, so I just need to finish one more. Sorry for keeping you in suspense! -Brennan

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2013
Aha! Decision made, and he will do what he must to help prepare this land for its hoped-for freedom! Author Reply: Yes, and I find that making the decision is often so much more difficult than simply following through. Thanks for your wonderful reviews! -Brennan

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2013
Another fufilling tale. Well done. As raw as the cuts on Aragorn,s back. Author Reply: Thank you for another wonderful review! -Brennan

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2013
Fantastic addition to your great tale. This really fills in an important gap. Thank you for your work on this. Can we please have a light hearted epilogue in Gordor of the reunion dinner with Hakim, his son, and Aragorn? Then a reunion story when Hakim returns home and his sister learns the rest of the story? Yes, I am greedy, but I really love this story. Many thanks. Author Reply: Thanks for the great review! As for a light-hearted epilogue, I'll give it a shot, but be warned that (1) I have a lot of WIPs I need to deal with first and (2) fluff doesn't really come naturally to me. ;) -Brennan

Celeth	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2013
If this story had a face, it would definitely be Aragorn's: grim and unattractive on the surface,(particularly to certain people at Breeland), but beneath the dark exterior one can still get glimpses of courage, nobility, compassion, and hope. Even Azzam, although he seems to be the villain (and I want to beat him up for doing what he did to Aragorn!), has the saving grace of pity and a conscience that still tells him right from wrong, and of course the underlying reasons for his actions, the desire to protect his family. Thank you so much for sharing this masterful story. Author Reply: Thank you so much for the lovely review! I'm glad you enjoyed this story, dark and grim as it is. Your reaction to Azzam (wanting to beat him up but then coming to understand his reasoning, messed-up as it is) was pretty much exactly what I was going for. -Brennan

bookworm	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/7/2013
Oh, but that was painful, poor Azzam! So torn between his honor and his family, to tell himself "this is right" when he knows in his heart that it is not, but also that he is stuck between the hammer and the anvil. I loved when Aragorn tells him "I forgive you". Author Reply: Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm glad you felt for Azzam in this--I wrote it partly because I wanted to do his character justice. He really is in a tight spot. -Brennan

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/6/2013
Aragorn's courage is just amazing that he is willing to become a slave to help others. Any other man would have fled, I think.Love the Biblical influences. Another great story. Author Reply: Thanks for another wonderful review. I'm glad Aragorn's nobility came through in this. As for the Biblical influences, they seem to come through even when I'm not trying, but I felt like this story seemed to warrant that. -Brennan

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