News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| A Long and Weary Way by Canafinwe | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 11/14/2015 |
| You had to throw not only high altitude sickness at our hero, but also ice cold rain. I keep shivering with Aragorn. I did hiking in the mountains with pelting rain, but unlike Aragorn I had a nice warm bed at the end of the day and not some miserable night is sodden clothing. I just hope Aragon will not develop pneumonia. He is not in a state to just shrug off this kind of weather. I liked the way Aragorn and Gandalf worked together without having to discuss what to do. It shows their familiarity and experience with each other and this kind of weather. When the sun finally broke through I felt relieved for our friends and I hope Rivendell is not far away now. Author Reply: It was very interesting to write a journey with Aragorn and Gandalf 'alone together'. After so many shared journeys, I'm sure there were many things they did not even need to discuss. I'm glad you liked that! | |
| Marianel | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/19/2015 |
| "Left now with nothing to do but listen to the growl of falling stones and the grinding creak of breaking ice high above, Aragorn found himself hard pressed to keep his mind from roaming dangerously towards anger and impatienc" An awsome line that summons the whole way to home and the altitudesickness. Is that anytjing like what divers feel when they go to deep and surface too fast? Its when our dear Aragorn is thinking of the relative nearness to Imladris! It must be maddening and all that blasted rain that comes! It was a blessing when they finally drew near to the treeline and the could also enjoy the sun!😌 Im impressed indeed how quick you post chapters! Have a nice weekend! Author Reply: Thank you: it's always absolutely lovely to know when a line stands out! Yes, altitude sickness is exactly like what happens to a diver who surfaces too fast, and it can be just as deadly. *shiver* I'm so glad you liked the moment when the storm finally broke. That sunshine was very well deserved. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too! | |
| Lily Baggins | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/18/2015 |
| Well... I'm flabbergasted at the awesomeness of this chapter. You manage to beautifully capture Aragorn's utter misery as he is, to put it frankly, sick as a dog. The pace of this chapter is fantastic... I feel like I'm there on the road with the two travelers, feeling every raindrop, splash of mud, ice crystal, breeze... I'm thoroughly enjoying your descriptions of the terrain and the inhospitality of the mountain. But oh---it all pales in comparison to the loveliness of Gandalf's tender care of Aragorn. Every minute of it---from cushioning Aragorn's head to insisting he sleep. And oh my goodness---the scene just after the hard climb was perfect. How much did I adore it? Gandalf wiping Aragorn's face... reassuring... words cannot express how much I enjoyed. So... they aren't too far from home. I'm so hoping to see Aragorn in Rivendell... I can only imagine Elrond's reaction to all this. And I can't imagine Aragorn will arrive there in any better condition than he is now... maybe worse, as it seems he's almost working on a nice case of pneumonia. Anyway, bravo---LOVED IT! Author Reply: Wow. Thank you so much! I'm so glad you like the descriptions, and especially Gandalf's care for his friend. He's gone beyond scolding now, which I feel is very telling. But happily they *are* close to their destination, and then Elrond can take charge of the poor, worn-down Ranger. Thank you as always: such lovely feedback! It's great to know you think so highly of the story. Cheers! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/17/2015 |
| Whew. It took me a little over 12 hours to get through the whole, what with multiple interruptions, but you will never know how welcome this respite was, when I first started to read this morning. It was wonderful to immerse myself in the imaginings you've spun. Well done. If this was the High Pass, is there also a Low Pass? And if there was a reason for them to take the High Pass, instead, I missed it? Author Reply: That's dedication! Thank you so much. It's wonderful to know when my work is so appreciated. There are only two true mountain passes through the Hithaeglir: the High Pass and the Redhorn. The Redhorn is the lower of the two, but it is far, far out of their way: hundreds of miles to the south of both Thranduil's halls and Imladris. So the High Pass, though strenuous, is by far the best way home. | |
| Aromene | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/17/2015 |
| I'm glad they've reached the other side, and both alive. I was worried there for a bit...I do hope the descent now means the symptoms of the altitude sickness will ease. I have had mulit-day migraines and man, I wouldn't wish those on my worst enemy! I sympathize with Aragorn at lot. Also, how unpleasant hiking through sleet storms and icy rain can be. Author Reply: Oh, dear: I'm sorry! Migraines are a terrible burden. It's lovely to know that you identify with Aragorn, but I wouldn't wish that on *my* worst enemy, either. Luckily descent is guaranteed to ease altitude sickness, at least! | |
| Cimarron's Girl | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/17/2015 |
| Hi there, Canafinwe! I've been following this story for a long time now, but I'm sorry to say that I've never reviewed it before. I finally decided to make an account at SoA because I have read so many wonderful stories here (especially yours!), and I thought the first thing I ought to do is just let you know how impressed I am with your writing. I just can't pick any faults with your stories. In short: your attention to detail and your sense of realism are absolutely incredible. You have obviously performed in-depth research on the subjects relevant to the story, such as Aragorn's variety of health issues and the details of Tolkien's world. That dedication to your writing really impresses me; researching and writing must take up a lot of your time, but your stories are so much better for it. Basically, you adhere to Tolkien's vision of Middle-Earth masterfully, and I absolutely love that. Oh, and you even use a great vocabulary! For example, I enjoyed the phrase 'prolonged perambulation' from the last chapter. Just another one of the details that make your stories intelligently-written and a simple pleasure to read. Oh, as a horse owner/rider, I have also greatly appreciated your portrayal of the horses. Very realistic, as always, and I think Moroch is awesome! I'm very curious about her return to Mirkwood and Losfaron; will we get to hear anything about that? I'm going to miss this story when it finally comes to a close. Reading new updates has been a great joy of mine ever since I discovered this tale. However, I am also very excited to hear about Thorongil's adventures in Gondor! I was thrilled by your teaser, "The Sell-Sword and the Prince." Finally, since I think I read that you appreciate knowing where your readers are from, I'll say that I'm from Washington State in the U.S. of A. Not very exotic, I'm afraid. Cheers! Author Reply: Thank you so much! I'm honoured to know you think so highly of my work. Realism is important for me, and it's great to know when a reader also appreciates it. Research is a huge part of my work, and one of the most fascinating aspects of writing. I've learned so much in the course of writing this story. I cannot express how wonderful it is to know I've captured the horses' natures! Thank you. And it's lovely to know you're looking forward to my next long work! Hey, exotic is relative! I've always wanted to visit the northwest US. I understand the forests are something amazing to see! Your coast looks so breathtaking, too. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/17/2015 |
| Goodness, Aragorn is lucky to have reached Rivendell alive. I hope Gandalf, too, can rest and recuperate once they arrive. Author Reply: They both deserve it, don't they? Thank goodness for Elrond and his hidden haven! | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/17/2015 |
| Don't know how I missed the last chapter, but somehow I did. Reviewing both chapters, I am shivering with our heroes even though my chair is dry and comfy. You totally convey a miserable trip. Such a powerful piece. Thanks Author Reply: Thank you! It's always great to know when the sensory descriptions come out nicely. You spoil me! ;-) | |
| Celeth | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/17/2015 |
| (Breathes a sigh of relief) As much as I want this story to go on and on, I pity Aragorn too much to deny him his home indefinitely. He has suffered so much in this quest, even after he had completed his task. So I am just as glad as he is that he is now almost home. But surely he won't get home just yet... I can't wait for Elrond to heal his various aches and pains. The healers of Mirkwood are highly skilled I am sure, but Elrond has had more experience in healing the Dunedain and is therefore more familiar with the illnesses that plague mortals. Also there's nothing that can cure a lot of illnesses like being home and surrounded by your loved ones can. But I do hope Aragorn will have another adventure/quest soon? Or maybe Glorfindel too? He is my favorite elf and I gobble up stories about him like - well, like my favorite food haha! Please please let there be another story after this... Author Reply: It's good to know you're feeling for Aragorn. He really has had such a biter quest. I'm eager to have him home in Elrond's care, too. I can definitely promise another adventure. My next large project will tackle Thorongil's time in Gondor. Of course I've got some shorter pieces on the go, too! | |
| someone | Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 9/17/2015 |
| I'm grateful that you settled on just a rain, not a storm. The change in the air made me quite suspicious. This journey over the mountains would make a good movie, it is so easy to see the scenes when reading. Moroch is such an endearing horse! She seems almost to think of Aragorn as a foal in need of her help, but also trusts him completely when she has to. She is so happy about the little things, too, such as a firm road under her hooves. Poor Aragorn. He almost should have thrown the boots away when he wanted to. I couldn't help chuckling when they started to fill with water. But now, the mountains are nearly behind them. Shall we see Imladris in the next chapter? Author Reply: I couldn't recreate *every* aspect of Bilbo's journey, after all. The change in the air was just the drop in pressure preceding the rain. I'm so pleased that the journey was so easy to picture, thanks! So sweet that you like Moroch. She really does treat him a bit like a foal at times, doesn't she? As for those boots... ;-) | |