Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

In Empty Lands  by Larner 13 Review(s)
Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/21/2008
            Aragorn smiled ruefully.  “When I realized who it was, all I could think for a moment was of the small child with the chubby legs I last saw
with the hands of his mother on his shoulders.”
Hehehehe! I just find that amusing that Boromir has no idea and that Aragorn remembers the proud man as a little boy. :D

Love this conversation with Elrond.

Author Reply: Yes, a thing to delight in, that Aragorn as Thorongil knew the little boy and his parents, and now finds himself looking for the child in the father. And I, too, like the conversation between father and foster son.

Thanks so!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/15/2008
Love the interaction between Elrond and Aragorn at the beginning of this chapter about their relationship. It's good to see them going along so well (contrary to the movies), as they should be.

Ah yes, Aragorn feels very strongly about the destruction of It, even now, before his relationship with Frodo deepened and he began to really hate It! Though of course Elrond is right, too - Aragorn could not take It, he would not be able to withstand it for long.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you appreciate the way I see their relationship. To fear Elrond wished to disown him must have been a horrible thought! And, no, he could not have withstood the Ring himself, I fear. The Ring was created to rule Men, Elves, and Dwarves, after all.

Agan, I'm sorry I appear to have missed these reviews. Thanks so for bearing with me!

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/14/2008
And I curse Sauron anew for having created such a foul thing and setting It loose to trouble those of us who can only be expected to be influenced by Its will to evil - I'm wondering if this might be prophecy!

Spine-tingling chapter!

Author Reply: A prophecy, or merely a statement of fact? He now knows that he, too, is vulnerable to its power.

Thanks so for the feedback!

Kara's AuntyReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/14/2008
Hello Larner,

A touching moment between Aragorn and Elrond as they both acknowledgef the gap between them and yearned for its closure. There is good historical detailing evident that gives the story authenticity and the fears of both present of the pull of the Ring and their own susceptibility to it was very well done.

I await the next chapter eagerly.

M :)

Author Reply: Thanks once again for the detailed feedback. Am getting ready for another long shift at work, so may or may not be able to read your latest poem before I go--hope I can.

I wanted a chance to allow Aragorn to realize just how subtle the lure of the Ring could be and explore how close It came to meeting Its objective in corrupting him in a "safe" environment. He had to realize just how easily It could come to persuading anyone It pleased.

The next chapter--along with next chapters from several other stories--is being written now, and is nearly finished.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2008
A great chapter. I love the way you show the bond between Elrond and Aragorn and the power of the Ring.I should love to read your detailed version of Aragorn and Elrond fighting to save Frodo at Rivendell.I'm loving this story!

Author Reply: There would be a bond there, for all the tension of Arwen's fate between them; and in spite of the thought of losing his daughter as he lost his brother, I suspect that Elrond would vastly prefer that to the alternative--that all should fall under Sauron's darkness until the time was again right for him to perhaps be brought down.

I may one day look at that healing, but haven't felt equal to it as yet, particularly as I've read some wonderful alternative as to what happened and how. But perhaps one day....


Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/9/2008
A fine interpretation of the loving relationship between Elrond and his foster-son. Elrond is probably the only person in Middle-earth who dares boss Aragorn around and tell him he should have slept more. Watch out for that pesky Ring, Aragorn!

I like how Aragorn remembers Boromir as a chubby toddler; it shows the generations that Aragorn has witnessed be born and grow into manhood...

Author Reply: Am glad you approve, Raksha. I suspect the twins also tend to ride Aragorn some, and I also suspect that Frodo might have dared to do so on occasion, not to mention Sam in his so-practical manner.

The movies did much to make Aragorn appear a contemporary to Boromir, when in reality he was but a year's difference in age from Boromir's father. That needs to be remembered, I've always felt.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/9/2008
It does no good for any should you become ill for lack of rest

Wise words, Lord Elrond! From shirebound's latest story we know what might have happened in that case.

The conversation between Aragorn and Elrond was very insightful. We learn a lot about those two, their relationship, their fears, their worries and their knowledge about the malice of the One Ring.

Aragorn knew already that he wouldn't be able to master The Ring, but apparently he needed Elrond's confirmation to stop thinking about this possibility.

What I liked most in this chapter was Aragorn's admiration of Frodo's strength. To hear this from a man like Aragorn places much more emphasis on a fact that is sometimes overlooked.

On the other hand Aragorn fears that Boromir will not have enough strength to withstand the call of the Ring. We know that he was right. But it also shows that there is already a bond forming between those two.



Author Reply: There must have been a good deal of love between the two of them--the Man born to become King and his half-Elven father and mentor. In spite of the possibly divisive nature of Aragorn's love for Arwen still there had to be deep caring and mutual insight there.

I am certain Aragorn had to have thought at one point of becoming the Ringbearer, yet he said not a word of this possibility during that portion of the Quest. That being true, then when did he realize that he could not do this? So I envisioned this scene--what would Elrond have felt at the idea of his beloved fosterling perhaps carrying the Ring? And how might the Ring have begun working on Aragorn from the outset?

Knowing the Ring's nature from the beginning, how would one such as Aragorn have reacted to the one who carried It, particularly once the Morgul wound began sapping Frodo's ability to keep Its promptings somewhat baffled or muffled? Then there was the fact he saw Frodo fighting the Morgul wound for the two weeks of their journey from Weathertop--how could he not appreciate the innate strength of Hobbits in general and Frodo Baggins in particular?

And I do intend to examine the bond that does form between Boromir and Aragorn in this series of stories.

Thanks so for the feedback!

Ainu LaireReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/8/2008
Oh brilliant, brilliant. I am really enjoying this so far.

I do hope that Aragorn's and Boromir's relationship will be looked at further- I think that is one piece of canon that isn't looked at into enough (and admittedly, one that interests me quite a bit).

Author Reply: I hope to indeed examine that relationship more, although I will most likely examine how relationships developed--or didn't--with all the various members of the group.

Am so glad you appreciate this one.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/7/2008
I love this scene Larner. The tenderness and strength between these two is breathtakingly beautiful.

Author Reply: Thanks so, Harrowcat! I would think that there would be a good deal of love between Aragorn and Elrond, but that at times Aragorn would feel a degree of guilt about the pain he knew his own desire achieved would bring to his foster father. And that you believe it was beautiful--thanks so much!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/7/2008
And so we have a little preview of the Council. Poor Elrond, so torn between two griefs, and poor Aragorn, so torn between two loves. This is a very plausible conversation!

I look forward to seeing what's next!

Author Reply: Oh, I'm so glad you feel it is a likely conversation, and you have characterized it so well! Yes, grief and love tear at both of them at this time. Thanks so much, Dreamflower.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List