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


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Eagle on the Ramparts by Canafinwe	10 Review(s)
Camp6311	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/13/2015
Five to four 10th Company! No wonder spirits are high in the camp. I wonder what spirits are like in Second Company's camp? I liked the visit to the village too, and watching Aragorn begin to lay the foundations for his future as Gondor's ruler. Author Reply: Good question! Next chapter. ;-) I'm so glad you liked the visit to the village!

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/13/2015
I think Thorongil is too generous. Denethor does not strike me as a man overly concerned about his sister. Yes, it concerns him on one level, but there is nothing he can do, so he dismisses it from his mind and focuses on things he can do like the battle games. The young healer paints a really snobbish society in Gondor. If you had the misfortune of the wrong ancestry, you are out of luck. In a time of war Gondor should educate whoever they can get and reward performance more than ancestry. Author Reply: True, Denethor's unpleasantness has very little to do with Telpiriel's situation... but Thorongil has no way of knowing it. You're very right that this kind of distraction is Denethor's way of coping with his troubles. The society of Gondor has always struck me as extremely hierarchical: even their great city itself is based on some being "above" others. Cheers! And thanks as always for the delightful remarks.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/9/2015
That Denethor is simply one who accepts but one way to see things done for common tasks and has a tendency to discipline those least deserving of his orders and strictures Thorongil is too noble to question, obviously. But I, too, have felt he had a good deal of respect for those who do needful work and would expect, even insist, on the visitors to the Citadel to treat the servants with the respect they deserved once he was King. Author Reply: Yes, Thorongil is seeing what is in himself here: he would never be such a commander himself, and so he gives Denethor the benefit of the doubt. I do not doubt that you are right: he will be a King who ensures his servants are graciously treated at all times.

Celeth	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/8/2015
Its too bad that if he had his way, Denethor would never ever allow a lowly foot soldier within a stone's throw of his sister, not knowing that this particular foot soldier turned waterboy might be the only man in all of Gondor who has the skill and the gift of healing to help her. But then again, some illnesses really have no cure. Still, I wish that Thorongil would be given the chance to help Telperiel. Not just for her sake, but for Ecthelion's as well. I love the gentle old man already. I wonder what scenarios would be needed to get Thorongil into the home of the Steward's own daughter? Author Reply: I have to say I can certainly see Denethor's point of view on that one. Who could possibly guess that a young soldier of fortune would be one of the most gifted healers in the world? And of course, he who can disperse the Black Breath must surely have some talent in easing less unnatural melancholy. I'm so glad you love Ecthelion! I always have, and it is so exciting to finally write him. Cheers!

Sneha	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/8/2015
I enjoyed the little excursion! Midhon is an interesting character, I wish him well but you do draw out the meekness in his character well. It was well that Aragorn held his tongue, asking about Denethor's sister would have just made things worse. I do like your Ecthelion, his nobility come out but dare I say there is a softness to him and that is just how I think he would have been. Aragorn himself is kind but he will acquire a hardness to him later. Again I love how you weave Arwen in your chapters. "Once, long ago upon a night of wonder unrivalled.." had me smiling. It is like she is always present at the edge of his mind. I am curious to know your opinion on why you think no one spoke of Arwen during his childhood? I like your view of Gondorian society, confinement does seem counterintuitive. I am glad the two sisters will be together. Aragorn rightly deems it nonsensical but how much worse it would be for his wife when she would be bearing the heir of Gondor, that too after years without a king! That would make an interesting read! As always I await your next chapter! Author Reply: Thanks! Glad you liked the outing, and that you find Midhon interesting. Yes, Thorongil would have been ill-advised to press the issue further. It's lovely to know you concur with my take on Ecthelion. Ah, how wonderful that you picked up on the allusion to Arwen! I think the reason she was never mentioned during Estel's boyhood was natural rather than intentional. With the situation in the Misty Mountains (recall how difficult it was for Gandalf and his party of fourteen to cross them!), no one would have risked Arwen on such a journey after what happened to her mother. This implies that she was in Lothlorien for a very extended stay -- quite likely a couple hundred years at least. After such an absence, there would be less call to speak of her in the course of daily conversation. And it would not occur to anyone to tell Estel of her specifically, really. After all: they might never meet! Ooh, I've considered writing a piece on the topic of Arwen's first pregnancy! Very tempting for just that reason!

Matt	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/8/2015
I always enjoy the views into Ecthelion's family life most of all of the scenes in your story. Thexploration of Thorongil's interadction with his fellow soldiers is also well done, though I think the scene with the young healer is possibly a little too long. Thanks as always for your hard work on this, looking forward to future installments. Author Reply: Thank you! It's very good to know that you like the family scenes. I enjoy writing them. Thanks, too, for the feedback about the length of the last scene. I'll keep that in mind as I move forward. Cheers!

someone	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/8/2015
Well, for once Thorongil did not tell the truth (I would imagine that the Lord of the Dúnedain is not "no man´s lord"). I'm rather curious as to why he really wanted to visit the village; was it just curiosity? At least he made a good impression on the charcoal burners, and any knowledge might be useful later while working as an adviser (or a king). It was really interesting that though Thorongil's clothes were of an inferior fabric and dye, the young man called him a lord. Did he see through the disguise or was he just being polite? I almost laughed at Midhon's innocent comment about the poor not affording to go into confinement. Well, I doubt that there were many pregnant elves in Rivendell at that time, so perhaps the comment was not so wrong among the dúnedain. Or it is just a cultural thing. Midhon seems to be another underdog that the undercover king will take under his wing, almost like Jamon and Minardil (though Minardil was in a better position to start with). Ecthelion seems often to be almost unsure of what to do, far more so than his son. Perhaps it's good, at least he will accept other opinions. The idea that Anaiwen could keep Telpiriel company sounds like it could work. And if it does not, it is nicer to be miserable together. Author Reply: Well, he did add the qualifier of "here". :-) The young man addressed Thorongil as a lord for a couple of reasons. First, although his garments are indeed of inferior make by the standards of Minas Tirith, they are quite luxurious to these men on the lowest rungs of society. Second, Thorongil's manner is that of a lord: courteous, well-spoken, generous. Confinement: definitely cultural! I'm certain the Eldar do not observe it, either. :-P Thank you as always: its a lovely treat to read such feedback!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/8/2015
Another very thoughtful and interesting chapter. I especially like this: Seek out those who value what you have to say, and who take your honesty at its true worth. Author Reply: Thank you! It's always lovely to know what struck you, and I appreciate your feedback so very much.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/8/2015
Thorongil is so very right but everyone needing to appreciate all honest labor. He is building the strengths that will make him such a great commander and King by learning all he can of his subjects. Author Reply: I'm glad you feel that way. I think it's very true!

Aromene	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/8/2015
Oh, I loved the little side foray, and Aragorn's reasoning for it. I know nothing about charcoal production, so it was interesting to get bits and pieces of that. And to have Midhon open up about his past. I hope he and Aragorn can become something of friends! So many story lines...I wonder when (and how) they're all intersect. :D Author Reply: So glad you liked the excursion! Yes, there are quite a few threads floating around, aren't there? I hope you enjoy how they come together.

Return to Chapter List