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Enter the Ranger by Larner	9 Review(s)
PSW	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/14/2017
It is a shame... but I think Aragorn will have to (and now has) learned that if you fight, you have to fight. There's a time after battle to treat everyone, and it good to do that -- but as he's seen, it's dangerous to your own side not to do your utmost in battle. It's a horrible thing, but I'm not sure what else he can really do....

Matt	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/7/2017
Which story (I assume its one of your short pieces?) includes the interaction with the Angmarians? I was looking and couldn't find something obvious. Author Reply: No, it is not one of the shorter pieces. The story is one of the novel-length works, "The Ties of Family." In it Aragorn returns to Arnor to take part in a meeting within Imladris of the Dunedain and their allies from the northern lands regarding trade and travel both east and west of the Misty Mountains, only to be attacked by a force of Angmarians who'd been sent south to the Breelands to assassinate the new King of Gondor and Arnor along the Road. The story also tells of various relatives of Frodo's who'd been left bereft when Frodo abandoned Middle Earth as they came to terms with his legacy. Those Angmarians who'd been taken prisoner where given a judgment to have their sword-hands cut off, but found that as he came to understand better the situation behind the orders for the raid Aragorn changed his mind in a unique way.

Matt	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/5/2017
Not even sure if this will work but don't have a better way to respond to your response. You're right, Tolkien does show mercy but under conditions where a victory is assured and the winning power is the stronger. IN the times this story covers, the Dunadaen are not the strongest power in the North, and I think this makes mercy a far harder thing to offer either tactically or strategically. Killing anyone is never an easy thing, but leaving them alive to come back and stab you in the back on pressure from their friends is just as problematic. Author Reply: I understand your reasoning. We will have to see to what this act of mercy comes, of course. In another story I've written Aragorn allows captured Angmarians to retain their right hands, but it is a well calculated risk that works out in his favor in the end.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/4/2017
“What kind of madman have you brought us, Malvegern?” demanded Duinhir. “Offering aid to our enemies!” Well, Duinhir has obviously a different opinion than Malvegern and Aragorn of how to deal with wounded enemies. Maybe he had very bad experiences. I wonder how long it takes him to realize who Peredhrion really is! Author Reply: I'm certain that once the fight was over, Aragorn would shift into healer-mode, which does not discern between friends and enemies; and others like Malvegern would see the potential for positive outcomes for this humanitarian care. Duinhir is more caught up in the moment, and as yet I don't know his history. As for how long it might be before others realize who Peredhrion really is--well that is coming very soon, I suspect! Heh! I think but one more chapter.

Matt	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 2/1/2017
Interesting chapter. Glad to see you working on this again. I have often questioned the purely fanon tendency to have either Aragorn or the elves save enemy warriors for debts of honor. I don't remember this anywhere in the core canon, and if JRR Tolkien has it in the various unfinished tales, I don't know. For me, this choice was a disappointing one here as it made this chapter feel a little less realistic than many others of your works. Still, a good read and as I said earlier, I'm always glad to see new chapters of this fic. Author Reply: Tolkien may not have stated that Aragorn or the Elves behaved in an altruistic manner in order to develop debts of honor, but still he indicated that once a fight was over, neither he nor the Dunedain went further to seek to punish the mere cannon fodder. The hillmen and Dunlendings who fought for Saruman at Helm's Deep he stated were amazed to be bade only to lay down their arms and return home, and to never take up weapons against Rohan in the future, for they'd been told they would be subjected to terrible tortures were they to allow themselves to be captured. It was similarly done after the battle at the Black Gates--the enemy's creatures were destroyed utterly, but the Men who'd fought in Sauron's armies were merely asked to realize they'd been duped by the Dark Lord, were made to swear they'd not attack Gondor again, and were dismissed to return to their own lands. So, as Aragorn acted as a trained healer is supposed to do, he may not have purposely thought about debts of honor, but others would have seen this as a good result of his offering medical aid to what had been seen as their enemies. If you would like to let me know how you think the two remaining raiders should have been treated, I'd love to discuss it further with you. Am working on what I believe will be the final chapter of this story, and hope to have it posted soon. Thanks so, Matt!

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/31/2017
As always I am thrilled to see a new chapter to any of your wonderful stories. You are filling in the early years of Aragorn's return beautifully. Thank you. Author Reply: Thanks so, UTfrog. I have loved Aragorn since I was a young teen, after all.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/31/2017
see to it that at least one young Man of Angmar knows the truth of our nature. What a wise and mature conclusion. How terrible is war! Author Reply: Malvegern is, I believe, a wise man, and one who has learned a good deal about human nature while working with his youthful charges. Yes, war is indeed terrible, and not something people should go into blindly.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/31/2017
So this is how Aragorn came to dislike dressing and carving meat, can't say I blame him. Being up front and personal with your enemy is a lot more immediate than doing it from a distance. Keep it coming, Lynda Author Reply: Not a pleasant introduction to the art of killing other men before they kill oneself and one's companions. I hope to have the next chapter done soon, but we will see what we will see, of course.

Aranadhel	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/31/2017
Larner my friend...always have I enjoyed reading the updates on this story. Excellent once more. Pray tell.. since you know I'm a fan of Elves... will they meet any along the way from Rivendell sans the sons of Elrond? Author Reply: I'm not certain, Aranadhel. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the denizens of Rivendell come to the "graduation," of course. Heh! Thanks so!

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