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A Long and Weary Way  by Canafinwe 5 Review(s)
obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 40 on 2/9/2014
I think Aragorn did the right thing. Gollum needed some punishment and Aragorn did not do it lightly. And don't forget, it was a different time and culture. I think Gollum expected some kind of punishment even if he didn't want it. If Aragorn would have just ignored Gollum's machinations, he would have lost the last of his credibility.

AiwendielReviewed Chapter: 40 on 12/11/2013
Dear Canafinwe, no need to worry overmuch about this chapter and implications. Your Aragorn would have been a less believable character if he hadn't done something to mete out a punishment of some sort. Mercy ruled in the end, after all. And Gollum is and will continue to be who and what he is, to the bitter end.
BTW re the previous chapter, artfully done, painfully done. Morning temp in my home city was 12 below F with 25 below windchill. Exposed flesh doesn't just get frostbite -- it freezes and turns black before it falls off! I can tell from local collective experience that Aragorn's environs just north of the Gladden must be more in the range of 10 below Celsius, not Farenheit! Water from inside a boot isn't liquid or even slush at my local temp, and survival times outdoors when wet are measured in minutes, single digits. Probably having the blood of Westernesse in you helps prevent frostbite, eh? But, we wonders... how in the heck does Gollum manage? What's he got running through his veins, antifreeze?!? He shouldn't have ears, fingertips, toes or the end of his nose after an experience like that! Makes him seem all the more alien and strange, how he continuously survives incredible deprivation.
Brr.. wonderful writing! Can't wait for more... anticipating the crossing of Anduin, presumably without Eagles, more's the pity...

Author Reply: Thank you so much! It was a challenge because I had no clear canon precedent; in the book, Aragorn's judgements are all heavily weighted by mitigating factors, and in this case there really aren't any. I'm glad that it came across well.

And the cold... yes, you nailed it! Minus ten Celsius when he falls into the river, falling to minus twelve overnight. This part of Middle-earth would never get quite as cold as what you describe: that's more what you'd find at Forochel! Not that Aragorn knows the numbers, of course. I have a feeling that for a Ranger temperature is measured on the 'Well, it wasn't quite cold enough to kill me before I lit a fire' scale. I'm working on the assumption that the blood of Westernesse DOES make one less susceptible to cold -- and of course, the lingering fire of divinity that he has through the line of Luthien can only help. As for Gollum... yes, his veins flow with antifreeze, malice, and the strange longevity that comes of having his soul inexorably tangled with the fate of the Ring (which is at present cosily tucked up in Bag End in front of a nice bedroom fire). The eeriness of it is very important to the story. Talk about your creepy travelling companion. *shudder*

So glad you liked it! And yes, another crossing of Anduin in his future, and the enchanted Forest Stream after that. So. Many. Rivers.

MarianelReviewed Chapter: 40 on 12/11/2013
yes dorwinion for us all! Agree with utfrog😄

Author Reply: Duly noted. Cheers!

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 40 on 12/11/2013
As did the Professor, again and again you have Aragorn show pity. As we all know these tiny mercies add up to a huge difference at the end. Great job. I suspect poor Aragorn has a long, miserable trip ahead. At the end, can we please have Aragorn sitting in a hot tub, eating, and drinking Dorwinion wine?



Author Reply: I cannot even express the warmth that suffused my chest when I saw a review to this most challenging of chapters that began with the words 'As did the Professor'. There is no higher praise I could hope to receive: thank you. Humbly I thank you. It means so much to know that it came across as I hoped. Thank you.

Hmm. Drinking in the tub? Sounds like a high-risk activity. *innocent eyes*

MarianelReviewed Chapter: 40 on 12/11/2013
I dont think you should worry overly much about this chapter because it is as enjoyable as the other ones.I think it was good that Estel choose to not whip Gollums hands because Saurons cruel staff had done that so terribly.That would surely have added even more distrust towards Estel and more haunting ghosts in Gollums mind.Estel himself included.Poor boys,awwh poor boys indeed.I actually fell into nerdery and checked a map of middle earth on Google .It looks to me that from their position by the Gladden river that they have to cross Anduin AGAIN sooner or later.Peewwh!!Poor boys awwh dear!

Author Reply: Thank you so much for the reassurance! It wasn't pleasant to write, but I think it came out well in the end, and it means a lot to have you confirm it was enjoyable despite the trouble in its crafting. I too am glad that Aragorn realized the flaw in his plan and made the merciful choice.

Yes, they must cross Anduin again! They cross five rivers on this trip, for a total of six crossings: Anduin, Limlight, Celebrant, Gladden, Anduin and the Forest Stream in Mirkwood. I still can't quite believe it. One almost has the sense of Tolkien sitting there looking at his own map and thinking 'Hmm... how many rivers can we possible force the poor man to ford?'!

Poor boys, verily.

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