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Pale-Faced Tark  by Canafinwe 6 Review(s)
LexilooperReviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/1/2026
The ring has such history it’s INCREDIBLE. No wonder Aragorn feels so agonized over giving it up, even to save his life.

Yesssss trembling and trying to stifle sobs of agony skajdkfj the whump my beloved
I may have previously said this but I got pretty badly sunburned last summer and it was indeed so painful, particularly the part that I peeled off early (it came off VERY easily i didn’t realize it wasnt ready) that part especially hurt so bad when anything touched it, and it took forever to heal. And it was in fact all wet beneath, until it got painfully dry. Anyways it was ouch and this is SO MUCH WORSE I can only imagine the mat sticking to all the blistered and prematurely shedding skin aaaaaa

This man I love him so muchhhhh not only tolerating but helping Aragorn, giving him what he needs to survive beyond what Aragorn would try to survive off,

'It is of no use to me. No man should have to trade his only treasure for his life,' the old man said, and the inscrutable black eyes were suddenly gentle. 'Go, and remember we do not all hate without cause.'
SKAJDJFJD THISSSS
THESE LINESS
BEAUTIFUL

I love love love stories that explain the stories behind Aragorn’s words and comments in the book (my other favorite being At Hope’s Edge by Cairistiona) aaaaaaaaa

LexilooperReviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/1/2026
Ooh yep it was him
“He had not thought of the innocent when he planned the venture” I love that he is thinking of them now, learning from it, recognizing his lapse in compassion

The last rope was withdrawn. The rich man strode away, back into the village. Thorongil remained, kneeling next to the pillory and trying to master himself. He was friendless and alone, all but naked in the gathering night, shivering with fever and desperate for water. His chest heaved violently and he had to force himself to breathe. He had to calm himself. He had to think rationally.
Skakskdkdkdk the panic and desperation

The soles of his feet being burnedddd

Ranga by ranga…I love so much how completely in-universe it is

Even had the streets been lined with onlookers, he would have been past caring. All that he cared for was to reach the well. He did not know how he would have the strength to stand, nor how his shaking arms could draw the water, but he knew, he knew that he had to reach the well.
It is so…well, interesting, I guess, how suffering and desperate human need can so completely humble just about anyone to the point where they really do not care at all what anyone else is thinking or if they are watching

That the same brutal treatment might well have met a man of Harad in a small wayside town in Gondor filled him with sickening shame.
Yessss good, for no human or animal should ever be treated such
Not that Aragorn would ever, but he may not have realized others were doing it before

The sound that tore from Thorongil's bleeding lips was harsh and inhuman.
Thissssss

YESSS DRINKING TOO QUICKLY
also I love the respect he gained from the man last chapter by having the presence of mind to drink slowly and carefully
While his fear of the water being grabbed away during his pauses also being delicious

Okay I’m gonna try and sleep now, perhaps will finish this tomorrow perhaps not

RowanfairReviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/18/2017
I agree this story needed a closure (and I am looking forward to more about Thorongils whereabouts after having left Gondor behind...)

Great idea to decide for THAT price! I´ve never been aware of the full history of this particular item! One can truly imagine the torture in having to part with a piece invaluable like that.

Thanks for coming back to the old man in reminding us that there will remain hope to find pure integrity and a kind heart even among enemies, always. I also appreciate, you allow Thorongil to reflect on his own part in a gruel history between two very different people.There is always two sides to a medal...

And, NO - I am NOT going to lament this time, about what you put your main character through ;-)))... getting used to it finally... :-)
Just hope for more (well - challenges, not necessarily suffering) ...

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/3/2014
This moving and powerful story has haunted me since I first read it.

GoldenRemembranceReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/24/2013
How interesting! I would love to know more about how Aragorn stops going south and ends up heading north again. At this rate he will simply end up circumnavigating middle earth!

Author Reply: Thank you! Yes, he eventually accomplished what he sought out to do and turned north again. Maybe I'll write that one someday; it's an intriguing idea.

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/23/2013
I nearly missed this completion. I am so glad I saw it. The original story was excellent, but the additional chapter raises it to outstanding. It really teaches why Aragorn wanted to make a lasting peace after the war. Thank you.

Author Reply: Thank you so much! I've always found it very telling that he sued for peace with Harad, but not with Rhun. I'm delighted you liked this piece.

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