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| A Long and Weary Way by Canafinwe | 11 Review(s) |
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| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 11/15/2015 |
| Such a lovely meeting between Bilbo and Aragorn. Smoking might not be best for Aragorn right now, but it conveys such a peaceful mood. Sitting with a good friend in front of the fire and smoking a pipe will go a long way to help Aragorn feel at home and leave the travails of the journey behind. Bilbo is the right person to make Aragorn feel better about his journey. He will not judge or question any of Aragorn's decisions, he will just listen and prod the telling of the tale along. Author Reply: Thank you! Happily they're not smoking tobacco: pipeweed's at least a little less noxious. Still, yes... not the best thing for those lungs! On the other hand, it helps him to feel more like himself, and that's so hugely important. Good old Bilbo! I agree: just the right fellow to make you feel you've come home. | |
| Lily Baggins | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/26/2015 |
| a hard-worn invalid entering his middle years... oh, Aragorn, you do ever underestimate yourself! I can perfectly relate to Aragorn's utter bliss at lying in his own room, in his own comfy bed. It must be heavenly after what he's been through. The conversation between Arwen and Aragorn was lovely. To see their longing... and yes, I can perfectly understand their attempting to keep from thinking too much about their futures. They can't get lost in such hopes and dreams when the world is falling apart right now. They have to take happiness in each others' company TODAY, where they can, and be content. I think that is exactly how Tolkien portrayed it. LOVED Bilbo... adorable as always. This chapter was awesome! Oh, Aragorn, don't smoke with those lungs!!!! Author Reply: Yes, he tends to do that. ;-) Thank you for your lovely remarks on Aragorn and Arwen! That longing, unfulfilled for so many years: they are such strong, beautiful people. So glad you liked Bilbo, too! He's an absolute joy, both to read and to write. I don't doubt he's equally marvellous to talk to! And the smoking... yup! A little too alluring for our long-deprived Ranger, lungs notwithstanding. ;-) | |
| Anne | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/26/2015 |
| I really enjoyed this story. It has a very engaging style and well defined and fleshed out characters. I will have to read more of your writing. I really liked a lot they way you write Arwen. She is a very really, strong, woman in your story. There is something though that I am kind of puzzled by. In the story you say that Aragorn and most probably Arwen too don't think very often about each other and their love for each other. To me that seems kind of impossible. If you are in love, enough to wait years in the hopes of wedding your beloved in a maybe or give up your immortality with family for your beloved, how can they not be thinking about each other pretty frequently. It might not be something that you think about constantly or even every day, but has to crop up at least a lot of the time. It almost seems like you are suggesting that they kind of forget each other when they are apart. I get that Aragorn is very duty driven and that he can't and won't do what his heart wants right now, but I don't think you can just stop thinking about what your heart wants just because you aren't going to have it right now. Maybe you can explain your view or interpretation of this so I can understand it a bit better. But whatever the case, I still loved the chapter and hope I have time to read more of this story in the future. Keep up the awesome and original writing style. Author Reply: Thank you so much, not only for your kind words but also for your reflection and your question. Regarding thinking of one another while apart, I firmly believe that they often do. Arwen would have no need to school her thoughts as Aragorn does on this journey, for those thoughts pose no danger to her resolve. For Aragorn, however, when walking a road where the reasons to turn aside are already so numerous, it would be perilous to allow himself to dwell upon the one temptation that earnestly threatens to draw him away from his duty. Throughout the Book we see moments where he struggles with that choice: to go on, with the burdens and the responsibilities and all they entail, or to cast aside the Quest and seek the peace and the settled life that he has always yearned for. There are numerous instances in the course of his journey with Gollum when he skirts this idea, actively burying thoughts of Arwen because it would be far too easy just to fling up his hands and quit. He is avoiding what Tolkien would have understood as "the near occasions of sin": those situations in which we place before ourselves the allure of doing what we must not -- not transgressions in themselves, but acts that make it infinitely more likely that we will stumble. As for setting aside thoughts of their specific hopes, I think this is only natural at this point in their life together. They have been holding these hopes for almost four decades now, while the world grows darker around them and the chance of achieving their dream seems to dwindle beneath the Shadow. There comes a time when a dream is more painful than uplifting to think of, and it becomes better to hold it secretly in the heart. Aragorn and Arwen are trying to find hope and support and joy in their present, imperfect as it is, because the future is so uncertain. Because both are foresighted, they are used to having some sense of what the future holds: being unable to see beyond the Shadow of the War of the Ring is disconcerting and terrifying for them both -- especially as this blindness extends to all the others (Elrond, Gandalf, Galadriel...) to whom they might otherwise have turned for reassurance. I hope this helps to explain my thinking. Thank you again for asking! It's a treasure to have such thoughtful readers! I'd love to discuss it further if you wish. | |
| Cimarron's Girl | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/25/2015 |
| Lovely chapter, again. The interaction between Aragorn and Arwen was sweet and well-done; I've read some stories that have overdone the romance between this couple, but you seem to have struck a perfect balance. I also appreciated the mention of Moroch and the connection to Calmiel. So glad Bilbo thought to give Aragorn some pipeweed! It's a nice touch to include, and Bilbo is well-characterized; I can almost hear his voice in my head when I read his lines. I imagine a smoke can't be to good for Aragorn's lungs, though. Sorry I didn't review the previous chapter; it too was a pleasure to read, but I lacked the time to respond. At any rate, I was thrilled when I saw you had another chapter up in this epic tale. Your writing never disappoints me! Author Reply: Oh, thank you! I did try to strike a careful balance with Aragorn and Arwen. Deep though their love is, they are also two grown people who have been betrothed now thirty-seven years: there should be a level of quiet comfort and dignity in their relationship. Glad you liked the visit to Moroch! I'm sure Arwen would have taken an interest in Calmiel, as a fellow migrant between two Elven realms. Heh. Well, a smoke may not be the best for Aragorn's lungs, but it's good for his spirit! I'm glad you liked that, and I'm delighted to know that you liked the last chapter, too. Thank you for taking the time to comment when you are able: it's always appreciated, and I know JUST how busy Real Life can be! Cheers! | |
| Aromene | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/25/2015 |
| I don't think I've made this comment before, but if I have I'm sorry for repeating myself. I adore your visuals. It doesn't matter if your describing Rivendell or Mirkwood or Aragorn's lonely road with Gollum; your visuals are amazingly graphic (in the design sense) and do detailed I can see it in my head when I'm reading those scenes. Love love love! In specific for this chapter by favorite part was Bilbo showing up! I loved how he wanted to ask a zillion questions. :) Author Reply: What a lovely thing to say! It's marvellous to know that it comes across so clearly: thank you. It's wonderful to know that the images come across. They're so clear in my own mind that I can never be sure if they truly translate, or if I'm filling in the blanks on my own. Ah, Bilbo! Yup: questions aplenty from our dear old hobbit! | |
| Camp6311 | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/25/2015 |
| "Behind that lay toils that, if unworthy of song or tale, were at least just cause for the belief that he had in each instance given of his very best" Finally, finally Aragorn is beginning to see his journey as everyone else from Lorien to Rivendell sees it, not as an almost failure, but as a successful completion to a 15 year mission. A mission that requied great strength and endurance of both mind and body. Being home, healing, and surrounded by those he loves is helping him put all he has been through into perspective. And it made a pretty worthy tale too.... Author Reply: Thank you for the lovely feedback! That's exactly the shift that has to happen, and Aragorn's started on the path at last. I blushed a little at your last line: thank you so much! | |
| TheAnswerIsDawn | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/25/2015 |
| Yay, Bilbo! I'm glad we finally get to meet him in person, after all the time's he's been mentioned. I wonder, will he ever know just how helpful he was to Aragorn? Author Reply: Good question! I've been looking forward to this reunion almost since the very beginning of the story. I'm glad you're happy to see it, too! | |
| someone | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/25/2015 |
| To tell the truth, I had forgotten that Bilbo would have been in Rivendell most if not all the time for the hunt. It must have been difficult to watch others look for Gollum, and know all the time that he shouldn't have introduced himself in that cave. But he really didn't have any way to know what would happen. It doesn't sound sensible to smoke with fluid in the lungs, espcially when Aragorn has had trouble breathing! Even a healer is not always sensible with his health, it seems. I'm glad that he has a good bed to sleep in and nice clothes, and some very good company. He deserves it. Arwen is a lovely, strong personality in your stories. I wonder, what sort of storied has Glorfindel been telling her... Author Reply: Yes, poor Bilbo! He would indeed have been in Rivendell for the whole period: it was his reaction to leaving the Ring that sparked Gandalf's renewed interest in finding Gollum to learn of its history. Bilbo could not have known, as you say, but we see in 'The Council of Elrond' how he rued his choices. Yup: even a healer is not always sensible. Of course, pipeweed is not as noxious as tobacco, and one doesn't *inhale* pipe smoke, but still... ;-) I'm glad that my Arwen comes across as a strong personality. Thank you! | |
| Aranadhel | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/25/2015 |
| Calmiel! Yeay! the fact that you mentionef about her and how ehem ehem Estel realized he doesn't remember her from Imladris! hahahaha glad that puzzle got sorted out. Hannon le. This story has made my day. Cheers from Kuala Lumpur :) Author Reply: So glad you liked that! Arwen would have known her and her history, and it seemed only fitting that she mention it: no doubt such expatriations are rare in these latter days. Cheers! | |
| DoggieGirl | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/24/2015 |
| I love the relaxed feel and unhurried pacing of the writing. It really does make it feel like long deserved richly enjoyed recuperation. I, of course, loved the Aragorn and Arwen bit. I was interested in your perspective that they didn't like to discuss or dwell on their hoped for future together. I think your explanation why that was done was good, but I still can't help but feel that every once in awhile a little bit of shared dream or vision of the future can be greatly motivating through the long agonizing wait. Arwen's longing for children was an echo of Aragorn's own and was both sweet and sad at the same time. I still looking forward to aragorn's haircut. I also like Bilbo's meeting with Aragorn. I don't think Aragorn is too willing to be very helpful in composing a song about his journey. But I can't help but wonder if and when the song already written about Aragorn during his time in Gondor is going to come out. Gandolf is certainly not going to keep that to himself. And here in Imladris, in contrast to Mirkwood, I think a lot of people will know exactly who the song is talking about. That should make it even more interesting. Anyway, as always, I loved it and can't wait for more. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I've tried to keep the pace appropriate throughout, and that applies to these chapters of healing as well. I agree that the vision of a shared future can be uplifting, and I do not doubt they have both taken strength from it in the past. At this point, however, they have been patiently enduring for thirty-seven years while the Shadow only deepens. On the threshold of these great deeds and darkest times, I believe it would be more painful than encouraging to dwell on such an (insofar as they can see) improbable outcome. It's lovely that you liked Arwen's longing for children and its echo of Aragorn's own. No, I don't think Bilbo will get much help from his friend the Donavan with *that* song. As for the other... *shrug* Thank you as always for the lovely feedback! It's hugely appreciated, and always such a treat to read. | |