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| The Eagle on the Ramparts by Canafinwe | 13 Review(s) |
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| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/28/2015 |
| Denthor's peace will not be long lived. I can imagine his reaction when he comes back to hear all the talk about Thorongil and most in his favor to boot. He will not like it one bit. Poor Jamon, he thought he escaped the slave labor in the East only to come under a cruel Gondorian Captain. Did Denethor treat the "spy" like this? Then it would be no wonder that the guy turned traitor. I loved the scene between Anaiwen and her father. She is quite a smart Lady. | |
| someone | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/16/2015 |
| What I really like is the uneasy feeling Thorongil starts to get, when he sees all the soldiers come to watch. And even more the scene after the fight, when Thorongil is surprised that Minardil didn't even realize what was his mistake! I think those two will be sparring more in the future, just to get rid of the little mistakes. Anaiwen is a smart little lady and Denethor a sneaky man, managing to torment a man while looking like a sensible commander. Jamon should think of finding another trade. And now, for the next chapter! And to see if Anaiwen's council wasn't so good after all. Author Reply: Thank you, as always! Yes, even Thorongil is susceptible to a touch of stage fright now and then. I'm glad you liked that moment! Sound advice for Jamon, but first he'd need to work out that he's been targeted. He doesn't even know yet. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/14/2015 |
| I enjoyed that competition very much. :) Author Reply: Thank you! We were due for a little action, even without mortal stakes. | |
| Aromene | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/13/2015 |
| I loved the ending moment between Ecthelion and his daughter. She's wise beyond her years for certain! You have an amazing ability to describe a 'fight' without making it seem confusing or boring. I could almost picture it in my head, the two of the circling each other, trying to figure each other out. It was quite the match! Author Reply: I'm very relived it wasn't boring! That's always a danger with action sequences. Thank you! And how lovely that you liked Anaiwen's moment with her father. Cheers! | |
| Freyalyn | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/13/2015 |
| Another lovely update - and the duel was excellently written. I was gasping along with the watchers. But oh dear, your Denethor is a nasty piece of work. I can really see how he was followed through duty and honour but not love. Author Reply: Thank you! On both counts, unfortunately... Denethor is a cold, cold man. | |
| Matt | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/13/2015 |
| Really nice job on this chapter. The duel really helps shape Thorongil's skills and place in the guards. I also liked the conversation between Ecthelion and his daughter. She is very wise. I think her one of your characters and not one from JRRT? I should also note that I found ch7 an interesting read but definitely liked the chapters where Thorongil is with the people more than those when he's with the leaders....maybe Denithor is a bit too sharply pointed for now. Thanks for your hard work on this, looking forward to the next installment. Author Reply: Thank you very much. I"m glad you like Thorongil's interactions with ordinary people. I think that's one of his greatest strengths as a King, and it's wonderful to explore his early experiences. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and I appreciate the thoughtful feedback so much! | |
| quodamat | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/12/2015 |
| Hi, Canafinwe. Thanks for another great chapter! There were a few lines in this one that I particularly loved, such as "numerous other colourfully but vaguely named transgressions." Sounds like there are some good stories there! Maybe if you end up doing appendices for this story one day, some of them could find their way in. ;) I also loved the line "blades singing through the winter air like the sighs of a lovelorn giantess." I don't know who you came up with that imagery, but it's wonderfully creative and evocative! Finally, your description of the birds was so great: "Both drew back, wings half-spread, and circled one another with hops and little flaps. They were chirping indignantly, as if quarrelling, and the other birds retreated from the fracas." Aside from being a clever counterpart to the sword fight, it reminds me of the constant little tiffs and sparring among the birds that flutter around near a bird feeder at my parents' house, especially in winter. Watching them is wonderful cheap entertainment when I visit for Christmas! I like Anaiwen very much. If she's still around when Aragorn becomes king, she sounds like someone who would be very handy to have around: observant, clever, and discreet! Author Reply: Thank you! What a treat to know which lines struck you. I love to watch birds competing. They're so funny, and *so serious* about the whole thing! It's great that you like Anaiwen. Thank you! | |
| Lori | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/12/2015 |
| I adored the dual between Minardil and Thorongil. It was well paced and well written. Our humble soldier is becoming quite popular isn’t he. Of course, having a running record of unbeatable does help get that attention. This is only going to increase that attention. Poor guy didn’t even really see it coming. I like how you show that Aragorn has subtly changed over the years. I am sure he that because of who he was trained by, he was always almost superhumanly skilled at sword fighting, tracking, and blending into the wilderness. But there were other skills that slowly evolved over time such as learning how to blend into the background in a world of men. As you once said, he has learned a lot of that by the time we meet him as Strider. I like to see the evolution because it is real and I would have it any other way. Denethor shows again why his men fear him, why good captain such as Minardil feel they need to advocate for the men under their command, and why people don’t like him. His precious time undisturbed by thought of the latest newcomer, is about to be rudely and unpleasantly come to an end with all the talk of the duel. He will not be a happy camper that is for sure. But maybe he can challenge him next? Unless the Sable Guard of upper level get a shot first. Based on the questions Ecthelion wants to ask Thorongil, I am not sure he is going to get much informative answers. But Ecthelion would probably be able to handle that a lot better than Denethor though. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. His daughter seems like such a supporting and caring daughter. She seems very well apprised of the goings on of very lowly soldiers. I must say I am quite curious about that. Did she my accident just hear about this news because it was so freely circulated or is she personally taking an interest in the young, intriguing, unusual new recruit? Is she like this with any piece of news or she possible developing a slight crush-like interest in the fellow connected to the letter she delivered? It’s hard to tell, but certainly intriguing. Keep up the good work. Post again as soon as you can. Author Reply: It's so nice to know that Aragorn's youth shows here, and his slow development of some of those skills that, as you say, don't come quite as naturally. He was borne to be a King of Men, after all: hiding that had to take some practice! And Denethor... well, you really said it all very nicely. No spoilers on Anaiwen, of course! Thank you for the lovely, long review: the feedback is so very much appreciated. It makes posting a joy. | |
| Celeth | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/12/2015 |
| Oh, poor Jamon! I do hate Denethor so much! What a calculatingly hard and heartless man he is. No wonder it was so easy for Sauron to prey upon his mind. The swordfight between Minardil and Thorongil was fascinating! So it turns out that it was much more interesting than the Captain testing his new recruit's skill, after all. Champion of the Guard! Still, he would be no match for Thorongil's own teachers and trainers: the legendary Glorfindel and the Sons of Elrond, not to mention his experience fighting among the Dunedain and the Rohirrim. I really hope Ecthelion gets to re-interview Thorongil alone, before Denethor arrives and hears of the "famous swordfight." They will both be more relaxed without his presence hovering like a thundercloud in the background, or more like a thunderstorm, and not in the background, either! If Denethor was sleepless before he left, it will be even worse when he gets back. Oh this is getting more and more exciting! I can't wait for the next chapter. Author Reply: "Calculating" is one of the best words I've seen for describing Denethor. *shiver* Thunderstorm, indeed! I'm so glad the swordfight was interesting, and that the story is getting exciting. Thank you! | |
| DoggieGirl | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/12/2015 |
| I loved how Minardil acted all innocent about the fact that he was Champion of the guard. Oh didn't I mention that bit :) I knew that he seemed like an above average dedicated, skilled, and competent captain. But of course, we all know who trained Thorongil and how good he is so the end result was not much doubted. But you wrote a fun and enlightening way to get to that end. I liked how you explained how Thorongil tried to prolong duel bouts both not to completely humiliate the other person but also the see how he could help them get better. It fits his character perfectly. Minardil and Thorongil will get along so well together. But like Minardil, we know that Thorongil won't stay under his command for forever or even a terribly long time it seems. I can't wait for you next update. I always get so excited when I see you have posted. Author Reply: Heh. Glad you liked Minardil's little bit of insolence there. It's great to know the bout read well, and I'm glad you like my take on Thorongil's approach. Thank you as always for the wonderful remarks. | |