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| Tailings and Tales by Canafinwe | 10 Review(s) |
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| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/23/2015 |
| I love this look at Aragorn in his early days. His quiet dignity even when treated less than favorably by Barliman's father. I love your characterization of Barliman. He will be a better innkeeper than his father, although Ranger's will not be his favorite customers. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/18/2015 |
| He's met Strider for the first time, has he? And he'll hear quite the story, if we know our favorite Ranger. I'm sorry that his own prejudices will grow as time goes on. At least he is properly compassionate now. | |
| Aromene | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| Love, love, LOVE. Author Reply: Thank, thank, thank! | |
| DoggieGirl | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| This is such a good story. I was drawn in immediately by the details that you put in that painted the picture of the inn around me. It was almost like I was there. I really like stories from other character's perspectives about Aragorn. It tells things about Aragorn that we would never discover just from his perspective. I love Barli's character. Very well formed and fleshed out. I am very eagerly awaiting more. Author Reply: Thanks! I'm delighted that I was able to bring The Pony to life, even under a different proprietor. I agree completely about other characters' perceptions being telling. One of these days I really must write a piece from Gandalf's point of view... | |
| Celeth | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| What a beautiful story! I love the way you portray Strider's life pre-LOTR and thru the eyes of a young Barliman. It's so very sad and I almost can't bear all the humiliation he and his fellow Rangers had to endure at the hands of the very people they had to guard so faithfully and so valiantly. I keep thinking of the wonderful almost-paradise where he grew up, as foster son to the last remaining scion of the High King of the Noldor, not to mention his own status as King of Gondor and Arnor. Ah well but that last he still has to work for, and this sojourn in Bree is part of that rough road toward that throne... Based on your other stories, I suspect Aragorn is in for some unpleasant times in the chapters ahead. I will cringe and empathize almost to the point of crying, but I will have no choice but to read each and every chapter, and look forward to each one, because it will still be a lovely and masterfully written story. Even if poor Aragorn will often be the "victim"....Please handle with care hahaha!!! Author Reply: Thank you so much! I too must cringe at the Rangers' treatment in Bree, especially because it extends to good citizens and not merely scum like Bill Ferny. What is beautiful about the persecution is that we are able to see Aragorn (and presumably many of the others) bear it with grace and dignity undiminished by ignominious treatment. Especially in this piece, the contrast between the Ranger-stranger's current situation and his past life is enormous. His idyllic childhood in Rivendell, his security in Rohan, his honoured place in Gondor, and (most recently of all) his season as a great lord in Lóthlorien. Not to mention, as you say, his birthright. I can't promise un-unpleasant times, that's for sure. But I am so glad to know that I can rouse such empathy. Thank you: more than I can say! | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| I had to check to be sure. I am right that you wrote Beneath the Surface which is a story I have retread many times. Thank you. Author Reply: Yup, that's me! First Tolkien story I was ever brave enough to post online. I"m so glad to know it calls to be reread: that's high praise. | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| This is a delightful beginning to what I am sure will be a great story. I don't think I have ever read a young Barliman story before. Thanks Author Reply: Thanks! Young Barliman was just crying out to be written: who could resist that diminutive? | |
| quodamat | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| Hi, Canafinwe! I've been reading several of your stories lately, and am just amazed at the quality of your writing. (I'm hoping to do more reviews in the future--I only made an account on this site a few days ago.) It is remarkably vivid and gripping, and deeply emotional without being in the least melodramatic. You truly excel in the art of "show, don't tell"! This is a very poignant story, and I think it blends perfectly with how Aragorn's character comes across in his first canonical appearance: extremely capable and self-possessed, but with just enough of a melancholy aura about him to suggest deep loneliness and heartache underneath. I found this story to be a good reminder that most people are far more than what they seem, and that even the most seemingly disreputable individuals have needs, feelings, and stories to tell. It is a gentle but effective call to compassion, and for that--and for sharing your gift of writing--I thank you. Author Reply: I'm honoured that you think so highly of my writing: thank you very much! I love to read vivid writing, so I do my best to write something I would want to read. As for the characterization of Aragorn (and all these other wondrous people), that is the most important thing in my writing. Thank you for your kind words on the matter. Your last segment perfectly encapsulates the reason I love to write these pieces that have Aragorn in need of aid from ordinary folk. Because you're right: everyone is more than they seem. I see it all the time among my patients: the richness and kindness and stories beneath a disreputable exterior. Thank you for taking from this tale what I hoped to put into it. | |
| someone | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| This chapter was almost painful to read, I kept cringing when reading about the mysterious ranger eating leftovers from the plates of complete strangers and at the thought of those sheets! Two weeks, with most likely a different customer every night... The ranger must be thinking of the lice in Rohan, and even then there was only one person sharing his sheets instead of nearly fourteen. However, if this is after Gondor, perhaps even dirty sheets and leftovers feel like luxuries compared to his trip to Mordor. Little Barli will grow up to be a far better innkeeper than his father, if he gives his customers whole pints and clean sheets. And a meal for kitchen helpers without money. Author Reply: I do have to thank you, for of course it is meant to be painful and uncomfortable. The sad reality of mediaeval hostelry standards added to the utter disdain for vagrants makes a miserable combination. As you say, these things pale to the privations and miseries of Mordor. But of course this particular Ranger-stranger also cannot help comparing it to years as a favoured Captain and member of the court in Gondor, and to three months in Lóthlorien. Ah, the vicissitudes of a wanderer's life! Oh, there's no doubt that Barli will be a better innkeeper than his father! No doubt at all... Just too bad the Nazgûl had to go and shred all those clean sheets. | |
| Aranadhel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2015 |
| I think and feel you portray Aragorn the way how it should be (from the books) rather splendidly. Have read a couple of other stories in this forum by the other authors but you my dear Doctor got it spot on! It's as though I'm reading an extension of the late Professor's work. Now as you know me by now, I have a very very soft spot for the Noldor and also for the Dunedain of the North. However, I would love to see if you could introduce a few new characters of your own in your future stories, instead of the usual suspects of Halbarad, Dirhael and the sons of Elrond. I would imagine that even though 30 were able to be summoned hastily to ride South from the ROTK book the Dunedain would easily be in their hundreds if not at least a few thousands, just thinly spread out throughout Arnor Very pleased with your works. Need I remind you that always, Doctor? :) Have a good weekend. Aranadhel from Malaysia. Author Reply: Thank you so much for the wonderful comments. To begin, I'm absolutely thrilled to know that you like my portrayal of Aragorn. Staying faithful to these beautiful characters is the most important thing in my writing. Thanks, too, for the remarks on the Dúnedain! I've been "seeding" the North slowly through my works: both of Halbarad's parents, Beldir from "The Valley is Jolly", and in the following generation Meneldur, remembered by Aragorn to Eldarion. I'll be drawing on these characters when I need them. I agree that there must have been hundreds of Dúnedain at the time of the War of the Ring, but I would draw the line at under a thousand for one simple reason. The thirty men who rode as the Grey Company depleted the strength of the Rangers to such a degree that they were no longer able to protect Bree and the Shire despite the fact that there were no other major fronts in Eriador. For this to be a significant loss of manpower, I would estimate that the able-bodied adult male population would have been no more than five or six times that number (i.e.: that the loss was at least 20%, as historically in our world a loss even as high as 15% of a guerrilla force has been considered sustainable against foes superior in number and weaponry). We can enlarge this figure a little, because we also have to account for the casualties at Sarn Ford on Sept. 22 of the previous year, but even generous estimates allowing for a baby boom precipitated by optimism at the Chieftain's more frequent presence in the North after Bilbo leaves the Shire, an extrapolated total population is still quite small. Thank you for the reminder! It's never unappreciated, and often sorely needed. Cheers! Canafinwe | |