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Go Out in Joy  by Larner 9 Review(s)
AntaneReviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/19/2007
I was getting nervous there that Aragorn would come - a cry went up in my heart when he thought to keep himself back, though I understand why he would no matter how much his own heart ached and wanted to be there. Good he got that message from above. :) At least he's on his way - I hope he makes it in time.

Namarie, God bless, Antane

Author Reply: This time Aragorn needed reassurance from a higher authority than himself that he should break his own ban; and I'm glad, also, he had the chance to do so. Even if he were to arrive too late, it would still be of great benefit to those who must remain.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/12/2007
I'm so glad that Aragorn is going to Frodo,his comfort will be needed by them all.I liked the touch of the eagle.

Author Reply: I, too, am glad Aragorn has been convinced to enter the Shire in spite of himself. But I felt that to be certain he was doing the right thing Aragorn would need a sign from the Valar themselves.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/10/2007
Ah yes – that was what I had hoped for! As Aragorn has some days more than in the canon timeline, he has the change to arrive in time and to see Frodo again! *beams*
And I agree completely with the twins. Frodo’s wellbeing is so much more important than the ban of Men! I am *so* glad they convinced him to ignore the ban!

Even more happy I’m about the fact that Legolas and Gimli, Elladan and Elrohir are there, too. It is so reassuring to know they will be with Frodo!

Ah, so Aragorn remembers this encounter many years ago? Of course it was Frodo – he should ask them soon. I’m sure Frodo would be delighted to know that he had meet Aragorn back then the very first time.

And Beligard is following them? Well, maybe this time he is going to know a bit more about a certain Ranger before they are parting again ...

Author Reply: I never understood why in the original the full ban wasn't instituted until seven years afterwards; so, like Dreamflower I indicated there was a temporary ban first that was confirmed afterwards. But in this case he is needed for Frodo's sake, and all are conspiring to see to it he arrives just in time.

There will be representatives of the various races and peoples there; with Frodo choosing to die a Hobbit of the Shire the entire Shire is having to realize he actually did something important out there, so much so that these folk, including their new King, are going out of their way to be there.

Frodo and Aragorn will be a bit distracted when they do meet, I'm afraid, and not have a good deal to time to recall a trip to the Bridge Market so long ago.

And Beligard will get much more of an appreciation of Aragorn than he'd ever dream of ahead of time.

Speedy HobbitReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/10/2007
Awww, this fic is making me so sad! It is quite intriguing though, please update soon!

Author Reply: I love writing pathos, and this AU idea seemed the perfect vehicle for it. And hope you like today's addition to the story. Am so glad you find it intriguing.

Queen Galadriel'Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/8/2007
Man, I have to wonder if I'm going to find myself crying at some point during every chapter! :) But I must say that just now it's nice to have that release of tension at the end of the day.

Oh, I'm so glad the twins came along when they did! I have to admire Aragorn's strength of will, but at the same time, I'm appalled at him. I could not do it! I couldn't know one of my dearest friends was dying and not go to him, whatever had been said or done. I'm just glad his foster brothers argued some sense into him and he *is* going. But I do wonder how that whole situation of his entering the Shire will play out...

And as always, I just love Olorin! Such a dear and wise animal! :)

Ah, another cliff-hanger, but not such an unbearable one this time, though I'm still on the edge of my seat!
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Yes, somewhat of a cliffhanger, but I hope the ones I get aren't too unbearable.

Aragorn has had to develop great strength of will to stay the course over so long, waiting patiently for those last pieces to fall into place so that he could achieve his destiny and win the one prize he'd wanted. So, to break his own edict without the sign from Manwe he'd best do so would be difficult for him, I think. And his brothers would know after about ninety years how they need to handle him carefully and how to appeal to his logic, I'd think.

Am so very glad you like Olorin. He seems quite a sensible and sensitive horse, and having chosen to serve Aragorn he adds another tie between Gondor and Rohan, as it were.

And this one, due to its very subject matter, is definitely full of pathos. To find I do manage to move people emotionally is very fulfilling. Thank you.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/8/2007
Wow!
What shall I say after Dreamflower's wonderful review?

Gimli’s response was loud and long. Hah! That I can imagine! I had nearly forgotten about that ban, but Elladan was definitely right: Aragorn equals Frodo in stubbornness!

So I was very pleased that the sons of Elrond could convince Aragorn to come to Frodo's side. Their line of reasoning was indeed logic.

And the appearance of the Great Eagle was perfect!

“I’d just passed a party of Elves and a Dwarf into the Shire,” he told the other Hobbit, “and I think as I’d best follow after them and perhaps get ahead of them to speak to the Thain.”

I wonder if this is possible. The party will ride at slow pace, and if Beli knows a shortcut. Well, we'll see...

And I'm still wondering about Elanor, you know. But I can bear it a while longer ;-)

Author Reply: I suspect Gimli would find Aragorn's respect for the force of law in the face of emotional need to be unnecessarily complicated in most situations, and especially disturbing in this one, and that the twins, knowing Aragorn's strict dedication to integrity, would anticipate the problems they face. That Manwe would also have to indicate in this case emotional need takes precedent I would think would be the final stroke convincing Aragorn that in this case getting to Frodo's side was necessary.

And today you find out what Elanor might have heard (fortunately nothing dire, as you've probably found).

SurgicalSteelReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/8/2007
A bit of bittersweet laughter at the manner in which the brothers convinced Aragorn to go to Frodo's bedside - nicely done.

Author Reply: Glad you like it, SurgicalSteel. Between them and Manwe's Eagle, it appears Aragorn has accepted his responsibility to see to Frodo's comfort at the last.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/8/2007
As I hoped! Aragorn will get to be there! And I hadn't dared to hope Legolas and Gimli would, so that's a wonderful bonus--not only will they be of immense comfort to Frodo, but also to Sam, Merry and Pippin. And I look forward to their parents getting to meet these companions of the Fellowship.

You know, I often think JRRT made a mistake in having the ban on Men entering the Shire, and even holding the King to it, but it is quite a challenge to those of us who try to write canon-friendly fic to work around it sometimes. Some of us (and I am one also) kind of compound that problem by having the ban actually go into effect too early. (In my case, I call it a "trial period"--not to be cast into *permanent* effect until the canon date of 1427.) However, it does lend a lot of drama to a situation, and makes us have to be ingenious in thinking up ways to circumvent it.

I like the way you had Elladan and Elrohir use the catechism to convince Aragorn of where his duty lay, and to free him from his self-imposed edict. And the Eagle was a masterful touch, with Manwe himself overriding Elessar's decree.

I look forward to the arrival of this party at Bag End, and to the astonishment they will bring in their wake. And most especially to the joy that Frodo will have at the presence of his brother in spirit.

Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn will be there now, although the sixth is approaching at an alarming rate and they can't travel as quickly on the country lanes they're forced to use as they could on the Road, I fear.

It was interesting both you and I thought the Ban ought to have gone into effect almost immediately, with Aragorn making a temporary one first, then making it officially permanent seven years later. But for Aragorn to break a restriction he's set for others would be, for the type of person he was, difficult, I think.

I can see young Aragorn being sat down and taught his Numenorean catechism, can't you? That they'd use such a means to convince him to go to Frodo seemed only natural, and I'd think the Valar would also send a sign this need to go to Frodo was required of him.

As for when and how they arrive--I fear you will find that perhaps more dramatic than you might wish.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/8/2007
I am reading Larner - just speechless with delight and no time at all. Will be back with proper reviews as soon as I can.

Author Reply: I hope you manage to read both the last chapters. Am interested in seeing your reaction to this chapter, of course.

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