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

At Hope's Edge  by Cairistiona 10 Review(s)
EllynnReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/24/2010
Ok, I hate you a little less now. :) You made me laugh with this chapter, really. *lol* I wish I could be there (invisible) and see the scene. :))))
Perfectly written. ;)


P.S. A small lesson in astronomy. When seen in the evening, Venus is ALWAYS in the western horizon, and is slowly setting as the time goes by - because of Earth's rotation. ;)
But if you see Venus above eastern horizon (and it is rising, again because of Earth's rotation), it is dawn. ;) As the sky is apparently moving from east to west, and the Sun, which is at first deep bellow horizon, comes closer to horizon and the eastern sky becomes brighter, Venus apparently disappears, because the sky around it is brighter and brighter. Finally, a little before sunrise, we can't see it any more.
So, in your last sentence, if Aragorn is watching Earendil in the evening - and he is - it should be western horizon. :)

Author Reply: Ah, thank you for the correction.

Glad you laughed at that scene... it was definitely meant to counter the darker parts, and to show the depth of Halbarad's care for Aragorn and the depth of their friendship.

Thanks for the review!

Minerva OrganaReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/17/2009
Ermm...

This chapter may have made me laugh out loud. Kind of a lot. Maybe this is because I'm really tired, but mostly I think it's because it's really fantastic. The banter between Halbarad and Aragorn...*loves*

You really do the mix of comedy and angst quite well. The last paragraph in particular was very poignant. It's nice to know that even in the saddest moments of Aragorn's life, there're still touches of love, and hope that things will turn out for the better.

Author Reply: LOL... thank you, Minerva. It was supposed to have provided a bit of a chuckle, to lighten the mood a bit, so I'm glad it made you actually laugh out loud. Halbarad and Aragorn are fun to right when they're fussing at one another. And yes, real life is full of lighter moments even in the midst of the darker times, and I think it would be no less true for Aragorn and the Dunedain. Glad you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for the review!

Calenlass GreenleafReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/30/2008
It seems I've been very, very amiss in my reviewing.

This chapter was both amusing and sad. The last paragraph was perhaps my favorite, a perfect touch to end this part.

~Cal

Author Reply: No problem--it's a busy time of year for everyone. :) Glad you liked this chapter, and really glad you liked that last paragraph. It's a bit of a peaceful moment for him that was sorely needed.

Thanks again for the review!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/30/2008
Poor Aragorn, Halbarad should have found somewhere more private to try out the salve!His concern,though,for Aragorn is very moving as is Aragorn's watch scene.

Author Reply: Thanks, Linda! Glad you liked this. And yes, I bet Aragorn wished the same thing!

inzilbethReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/30/2008
I absolutely adore this chapter. You write humour every bit as well as angst and I'm never entirely sure which makes me the most sorry for Aragorn!

Author Reply: Thank you, Inzilbeth! Yeah, my humor kind of tends to be at Aragorn's expense, doesn't it? LOL Poor Strider. He can't win. *grin*

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/30/2008
LOL! Poor Aragorn! Sometimes it seems there's nothing worse than having people who truly care for you. *g*

//assuming that his glare had been sufficient to stop even an oliphaunt in its tracks//
He should have known better indeed - a worried mother hen is far worse than any oliphaunt could be! :D

I'm beginning to think Aragorn might have preferred having to drink Elrond's TEA after all. I really like Halbarad's protectiveness (and his obstinacy), it's so sweet and besides, I'm quite sure Aragorn needs it, judging from the way he's (not) taking care of himself.

//What an end that would be: the sixteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain, fallen not to trolls or orc arrow but to a misguided attempt to ease a set of sore muscles. //
With any luck, Sauron would have died laughing upon hearing this and Aragorn would have defeated him post-mortem without having to fight a single battle. *bg*

Loved it! :)

Almut

Author Reply: LOL ... Thank you, Almut! Your reviews always make me smile! Hmm, Sauron dying of laughter... now *there's* an AU plot bunny if I ever saw one! Would have made life a lot more simple for everyone, wouldn't it have? Well, except maybe Aragorn and Arwen. *grin* And there's a debate for all time: which is worse, Halbarad's Horse Balm or Lord Elrond's TEA?

Thanks again for the review--glad this chapter gave you a smile. :)

MarethielReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/29/2008
"Aragorn smiled faintly, and they sat watching the night, silent but in accord. It was moments like this, Aragorn realized, that acted as a balm to his aching soul just as Halbarad’s ointment had helped his aching shoulders, and far less painfully at that."

Awwwwwwwww!

Dadburn it, you write well... Your original characters are three-dimensional, I can hear their voices, and I see our poor Aragorn, frustrated, irritated and so endearingly sweet and caring. And Halbarad -- wonderful characterization.

I'm so glad I found your work; it has given me wonderful hours of escape into Middle Earth and I thank you.

~Marethiel

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Marethiel! It's always so reassuring when I hear that my OCs are drawn well... it's always a risk, adding your own people to M-e, so I'm glad mine are working out for you. And you've really summed up Aragorn well--he's not exactly in his most sunniest of moods in this story, is he, poor guy, and yet he still doesn't lose that deep sense of care for his men that's so essential to his character.

So glad to have a new reader! I hope you lose yourself for many, many more hours to come! Thank you again for leaving such a lovely review. :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/28/2008
Peace can come with soothed muscles, soothed bruises, and soothes spirits.

A lovely episode!

Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! I'm glad you liked this respite... and yes, they were in sore need of peace, Aragorn especially. Thanks for the review!

EstelcontarReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/28/2008
This was another most enjoyable chapter. I liked it's lighter mood, and dry humour. It cleared the air a bit, and gave our group of Rangers some much needed respite.

The scene in which Halbarad slaps the horse ointment on Aragorn's back is priceless. On the other hand, the one in which Aragorn gives Eledh a sidelong glance is most revealing. It shows how well he got along with his men, how well they understood him, and it also highlighted how stubborn he might be. After all, nobody, not even Aragorn is perfect. And who likes to be proved wrong?

I enjoyed this breather most thoroughly

Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! You're definitely right in saying no one likes to be proven wrong, not even Aragorn. I'm glad you liked the humor in this; it's definitely a bit of a respite for all the men. They'll need it. :)

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/28/2008
Oh, poor Aragorn; not only to endure the humiliation (LOL) of having one of his men look at his injuries, but to suffer the application of Halbarad's home remedy!

Excellent chapter - the humor is very credible and woven into the pathos of the situation.

Author Reply: Thank you, Raksha! I'm glad you liked the humor in this and found it believable. I figure a group of men as tightly knit as these are going to have some lighter moments even in the midst of dire situations--just like real life. Thanks again for leaving such a nice review. :)

Return to Chapter List