Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

A Long and Weary Way by Canafinwe	10 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 11/15/2015
Another beautiful chapter. First the cozy scene with Bilbo and then the encounter with Elrond. Aragorn is lucky that he has friends and loved ones that deeply care about him. Author Reply: Yes, now the healing can finally begin. I'm so glad you liked this. Bilbo is amazingly lovely to write!

Camp6311	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/30/2015
"He could no longer make sense of the murmured words of comfort, but all at once he felt a radiating warmth spreading from beneath Elrond’s hand." I'm reading into this that Elrond is using Vilya's power to aide in Aragon's recovery, a decision that will quicken Aragorn's healing, but hasten his departure from Rivendell. I don't think anyone wishes that, but they all know it's necessity and what is at stake. It's already spring, and we know that the Nine will breach the river in June! Author Reply: Happily they have a little more time than that: we are at the end of April, 3017. It is nearly a year before Gandalf has his fateful conversation with Frodo and fourteen months before the Nazgûl seize control of the bridge. Still, Aragorn has to regain his full strength and resume his labours as promptly as possible, poor man!

someone	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/30/2015
I think that Bilbo is one of the most loveable characters in Tolkien's world, and this shows it well. He had the most powerful object in Middle-earth and used it to escape tiresome relatives! The ring didn't have much to work with. His reactions in this story fit well with his personality, too, especially with Aragorn's scars and the brass brooch. Interesting thought that Frodo is the only person to get the ring honestly. Perhaps it helped that he hadn't taken or even wanted it for himself at any point before the quest. Elrond's gardens at spring are so different from the places you've shown us earlier in this story! The spot by the river sounds really nice. I like how Aragorn and Elrond are just sitting there in the grass. And the way Elrond presented the cup... Is that from where Thorongil's skills as a cupbearer in your other story came? The discussion at the end of the chapter is interesting, too. Author Reply: I couldn't agree more about Bilbo: loveable is precisely the word for him! It's both profound and hilarious that the Ring found him, of all people, to be the agent of its escape. It's heartwarming to know that you found my portrayal fitting: thank you! It was delightful to describe such a lovely place, especially after all the other settings! And yes: Aragorn learned his cupbearing from Elrond, who has it in his skill set from his early years as a retainer to Gil-galad.

Cimarron's Girl	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/29/2015
I know I'm repeating myself, but this chapter is once again lovely to read; it is an example of exceptionally high-quality writing and is very well-characterized. I am really pleased by your fantastic job of capturing the mannerisms of different characters! You have given every character, from Bilbo to Aragorn to Gandalf and Elrond, a distinct vocabulary and speech structure; a writer really has to get in tune with each character's mentality in order to do this, and you pull it off excellently. I snickered at the part in the beginning, where Bilbo says he used the ring to "[hide] from Sackville-Bagginses on a Saturday afternoon." Sounds so very much like the Bilbo I have always imagined! I also liked Aragorn's promise to Bilbo about protecting Frodo. It adds a lot more depth to his statement to Frodo in Bree: "if by life or death I can save you, I will." In addition, I am intrigued by your thoughts on the manner of the Ring's passage to Frodo. I had never previously considered the fact that Frodo was the only Ring-bearer (other than Sauron, I suppose, given that he created it) to really "come by" the Ring honestly. I'm not sure (it's been a long time since I read the books), but I don't recall that idea being explored in them. Anyways, this is a really clever detail to add, as it does make perfect sense. I felt so sorry for Bilbo, though, when he saw the scars on Aragorn's arm from Gollum's teeth! Poor Bilbo, I hope he really does understand that none of the mess with the Ring is truly his fault. On the other hand, I'm sure it must be a great delight to Elrond, as a healer, to know that his foster-son has saved lives using the skills he was taught in Rivendell. There are few things comparable to the satisfaction and pride of a teacher hearing praise for the accomplishments of their student(s). I did see one thing, an extremely minor error, in reference to Elrond: You wrote that "Aragorn looked at the Peredhil in mild surprise." I believe Peredhil is the plural form of half-elven and the singular is Peredhel, but I could be incorrect. Once again, great job! I can't wait to hear more! Perhaps we will even get to see Aragorn's return to the Dunedain and meeting with Halbarad? That would be another interesting chapter to this tale... Best wishes from the Washington woodlands! :) Author Reply: Thank you so much for your beautiful words. These characters are all so very dear to my heart: I can think of no higher praise than to learn I've captured them. (And Bilbo's cheeky streak! There's a bit of him in Pippin, and no mistake!) I love that quotation with a passion, and all that lies behind it. It was on my mind when I wrote that passage. I'm thrilled that you see it there, too! Poor Bilbo! He does understand, but of course feeling it is another thing. There are notes of remorse in the Book, too. Thank you for the correction! "Peredhil" was long ago added to my word processor's dictionary, while "Peredhel" was not: I most often use the adjective, rather than the noun! I'll fix it stat. As for Aragorn's return to the Dúnedain... can't say.

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/29/2015
Lovely. You have developed Master Baggins's personality wonderfully here. the friendship between the two really comes through. You are one author whom I would like to see writing the meeting between the two when Bilbo retires to Rivendell. There is one point that many do not mention. One of the reasons why the fatherless boy and his grieving mother could have a season of peace in Rivendell was that the Ring lay quietly in Bilbo's keeping, for long enough for Aragorn to grow. I also like your comments about Frodo and the Ring. The whole comparison reminded me of Lancelot and Galahad from the Arthur tales. Lancelot was a strong, noble man, but tragically flawed. Galahad came after him, and was known for his pure heart. Old threads woven yet again into new stories. Author Reply: I love the friendship between Bilbo and Aragorn: it's a privilege to explore it. That's a very good point about Aragorn's own childhood peace being at least partly due to Bilbo's possession of the Ring! Indeed, the same could be said of his years of errantry and growth into the mighty leader he becomes. Had he been locked in war with an undefeatable Ring-possessing Sauron, he never would have had a chance. Lancelot and Galahad are a wonderful parallel! Yes, it's precisely the same idea: essential innocence having a protective power that even the well-intentioned but fallible cannot.

Aromene	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/28/2015
Oh, poor, dear Bilbo. I'm glad Aragorn's words of wisdom made such a difference to him. He's such a dear, old soul. I always loved LotR era Bilbo the most. Sounds like a lovely little corner of the Valley; I could use a little rock like that! I could also use some of Elrond's wisdom these days too. :) Author Reply: Oh, I agree! Bilbo is amazing, and in his later years he's just such a beautiful, loyal heart. I'm sure we could all use an Elrond in our lives!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/28/2015
What a marvelous chapter, especially the final two paragraphs. There are many layers to Aragorn in need of healing, and this is the place (and people) to aid him best. These are some of my favorite parts of this chapter, all very perceptive ideas: After all, it would be natural to assume such a treasure would be passed down from generation to generation Now the One Ring, which seems to twist to evil any questionable act, can take no strength from the way in which Frodo came to hold it. He did not take it, did not coerce it from you; did not even know that it was coming to him until you had already made the gift. He alone of all those who have borne it is wholly untarnished in that respect. And of course, since I love hobbits so... It was another gift of Bilbo’s: to awaken mirth in the grimmest of recollections. Author Reply: Thank you so much! It's great to know you like my reasoning with those points. As for the third, the hobbits' ability to bring cheer where it is least expected is one of their greatest strengths, isn't it?

Robnrun	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/28/2015
Even with the journey over, this story remains completely entrancing. Of course, stories don't end in real life when the action does! It is interesting to examine what is or is not said by people after such a trial. You have Aragorn telling his story in a very realistic fashion, what and how he tells it to Arwen, Elrond, and Bilbo creates a sense of depth. I would be most intrigued to see his meeting with Halbarad, fifteen years absence and a great demand on an already stretched force, there would be tension between even the closest leader and his second. I also have to say, I would love to read an epilogue of sorts. Does Faramir ever learn, in later years, what his part was? Author Reply: Thank you so much! I'm glad the falling action isn't dull. That's always a risk, but I feel that there are so many unresolved issues at the end of this journey. Aragorn's method of telling of his deeds is always very illuminating. I'm delighted to know I've captured it. As for the meeting with Halbarad... well, the absence wasn't continuous, but you're right! There will definitely be some tension with respect to these new orders. I'm glad to know you'd like a follow-up! I'm actually going to be posting an Appendix of sorts, including among other things Faramir's discovery of his contribution to this quest.

NotACat	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/28/2015
Nicely done! I can imagine that Bilbo would have many questions, both pertinent and impertinent, but the thing he would most want to know is that he has not himself caused harm to Frodo. Just a couple of questions of my own: is the brooch made of brass or bronze? As far as I know they are distinct: both alloys of copper but with zinc or tin respectively. Also: "He took plucked the stopper" has an extraneous word (it only stands out because your copy-editing is usually pretty meticulous ;-) Author Reply: Thanks for the redundancy check! I changed my order of operations in that sentence, and obviously didn't clean up properly. ;-) Fixed now! And yes: the brooch is bronze. Mea culpa!! I'm sure that fear for Frodo was foremost on BIlbo's mind, though he had to work up to giving it voice. Poor dear! There's no way he could have known, of course.

DoggieGirl	Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/27/2015
Aragorn's strength of will is one of the most amazing things. It is very strong and does sustain him through all kinds of trials. I also liked his conversation with Bilbo. Aragorn can help others feel so much better about situations so it is good o see others doing the same for Aragorn too. Elrond commenting that it was nice to hear that his protege did so well was also very good. Author Reply: So true! It's his will, after all, that carries him through his greatest test, from wresting control of the Palantír from Sauron to mustering an army of thousands on the strength of his word. It's lovely to know that you liked the scene with Bilbo, and seeing both sides of the coin. Thank you as always for the wonderful remarks!

Return to Chapter List