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| A Long and Weary Way by Canafinwe | 10 Review(s) |
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| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 11/13/2015 |
| The High-Pass is really high if Aragorn gets nose-bleeding again and his cough worsens. Your description of the nightly camp in the middle of the path with no place to stretch out sounds very uncomfortable. I have climbed mountains where the wind was relentless, so that even a shallow hollow in the ground was welcome to get out of the wind. Spending a whole night in that wind makes me shudder and Aragorn is still sick. I just hope he will not catch a bad cold. Author Reply: Yes, mountain winds are incredible! Majestic, yes, but so very draining. Not a pleasant road home; not at all. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/16/2015 |
| Fluid in the lungs as a result of starvation? I wonder if this might have impacted people's recovery after the Long Winter... Author Reply: Ooh, intriguing thought! I'm sure it would have. | |
| Lily Baggins | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/15/2015 |
| Well, it's official. This may be my favorite chapter of all. Hmmm... yes, it has all the qualities. Aragorn and Gandalf traveling... check... Aragorn feeling exhausted and having some difficulties... check... Gandalf concerned for Aragorn's health... check... Seriously, this is absolutely to die for---Aragorn attempting to hide his weaknesses and keep up and Gandalf sternly questioning him about his health. It's perfect---especially the severe coughing and dizziness and well, the fact that Aragorn is still not well and has a good deal of recovering yet to go. I bow to you---I am in awe of this chapter! Author Reply: Wow! Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked the dynamics here. Yes, Aragorn still does have a lot of recovery ahead. He didn't get to this state in a couple of weeks: it won't be resolved that swiftly, either. Thank you again: such extravagant praise! | |
| aromene | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/14/2015 |
| I have no idea what I'm going to do when this is over. Cry, probably. Then reread it. I love that you haven't skipped the mountains! Author Reply: Aw, that's so sweet! I'm glad to know you're happy to be in the mountains. I would have felt VERY guilty skipping this last hurdle, after going through all the others so thoroughly. It's not a *small* barrier, after all. | |
| someone | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/14/2015 |
| This chapter, with Gandalf and Aragorn almost on their own, shows well how deep their friendship is and how it is hard to imagine anything that they wouldn't survive on this journey. They really are a good team. I really liked how Gandalf compared Aragorn's expression to that of a child dreaming of sweets! That is a side of Aragorn that I can't remember having yet read in this story. It sounds like a very fitting comparison. Did Makan want to give back that which they exchanged on the first crossing? I can't remember what it was called... but the thing one can make fire with? I'm glad that even though the chapter was about starting an unpleasant crossing of the mountains, you left us (and A&G) with a shelter from the wind and toasting honey-cakes! Author Reply: I agree: such a good team! It's wonderful to write them out in the wild on their own, for just that reason. I'm glad you liked Gandalf's remark about Aragorn's thoughts of his beloved. I've explored just about every other corner of his character: now it's time for this one. Well, Makan was definitely thinking of returning the firesteel... (its the thing that you hit with the flint to make a good spark) It was nice to leave our heroes in relative comfort for once! Happy to know you liked it. | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/14/2015 |
| Those mountains must be high indeed. I appreciate the realism of Aragorn's recovery. He is not immediately at full strength and you are showing his long recovery. As always, thanks. Author Reply: Oh, they are. In The Hobbit, Thorin and Company get way above the treeline, and close enough to the snow (even in July!) that its troublesome for them. I'm glad you like the realistic pace of Aragorn's recovery. Considering what he went through, it would take time to return to his full vigour. | |
| Celeth | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/13/2015 |
| I love the interaction between Aragorn and Gandalf, especially when Gandalf loses his temper, so in tune with Gildor Inglorion's description of wizards, and Aragorn's patience in his wise responses, a bit like his foster-father, but still occasionally losing his patience as well. Aragorn may be wishing for a lonely road at the end of this chapter, but I could read volumes and volumes of similar stories about their adventures and journeys together, if only such stories existed!!! And you make their adventures seem so real, with your realistic descriptions of the High Pass and their road through it. Do you climb mountains too?! I must say too, how I love the gruff way Gandalf shows his concern for Aragorn's welfare. I feel sad that this story seems to be winding to a close. But I hope so much that there will be another story, and more. I am sorry if I am so "greedy," but I just can't help it. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I love their friendship, and it's wonderful to explore it. They really are equals in all but origin, at least at this point in the proceedings. It makes for amazing dynamics. Naw, I don't climb. Though I have spent my share of time up in some very lofty mountains, I usually take more modern means to get there. I don't think you're greedy: I'm flattered! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/13/2015 |
| Poor Aragorn, still far from the healing he needs and deserves. I hope Rivendell, Elrond, and Arwen are a balm for his mind, heart, and body. Author Reply: Ah, how can they not be? I've been longing for these chapters myself almost since I started writing this story. | |
| DoggieGirl | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/13/2015 |
| I loved how Gandolf knew exactly that Aragorn was thinking of Arwen and his "wistful eyes and tremulous smiles" comment. Aragron is such a man of duty and heroic action that we don't always see his tender longings for his beloved to be loved by her in return. His character is so strong in so many other aspects that his feelings of love could be no less deep. I can't seem to recall you ever writing about Aragorn and Arwen directly before, so I am very interested in how you write their interaction and deep connection when they get to Rivendale. You have surpassed almost all other authors in depicting Aragorn's character in its depth of nobility, duty, patience, endurance, endearing stubborness, courage, and real humanity. This whole story has been really good and fleshing out that character. Poor Aragorn. He just can't seem to get a break in health can he. He is still sick. I think a long prolonged rest at Rivendale is in order. At least there he will feel comfortable surrounded by his family and Arwen. And of course, there Gandolf will have at least four more allies perfectly eager and willing to insuring Aragorn doesn't further hurt himself due to his own stubbornness. Truthfully, I can understand both side quiet well. I hate to make a big deal when I am sick and don't want people to worry about me and such and kind of hide things from them so they don't. But on the other hand, I do want to help the people i love when they are hurt. Especially if it is something potentially pretty serious. Looks like Aragorn will be coming into Rivendale not so recovered and hale and healthy as he thought. Of course, the prospect of Arwen being his nurse to health might make a resting full recovery alot more attractive to ARagorn. Anyway, I loved the chapter as always and can't wait for more. Author Reply: Thank you so much! It's so true: Aragorn holds his longing for Arwen so close in his heart that we only ever catch glimpses of it. I really do believe that this is why, though: that temptation to simply run away with her as Beren did with Lúthien is the one thing that truly threatens to draw him from his duty. That is why Elrond's proscription is such an act of love. I'm honoured that you think so highly of my depiction of Aragorn. Thank you. It means more than I can say to read that. And yes, yes he *is* still unwell. He won't rest properly until he is home, though. Gandalf can definitely use the help, too! | |
| Aranadhel | Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/13/2015 |
| I can almost feel the cold that they have had to endure going over the High Pass... cute to see the scion of Elros wanting to debate with an Ainur of Valinor. Earendil must be shaking his head whenever he's on Vingilot overlooking them both from above. Well, mellon... I look forward to Imladris very soon... our dear Ranger misses a certain niece of Elros. Nice touch there, doc. I am sure his foster father is going to have a fit seeing Estel still mending from his injuries (internally) that is. Wonder if the twins will badger him much? Author Reply: Thank you! It's good to know the sensory imagery is effective. And actually, I think that Ban-breaking, Valar-defying Ëarendil would be very proud of his long grandchild... Why, yes! A certain brother of Elros (to continue the motif) is going to be exceedingly distressed... As for the twins, weeeeeell... | |