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At Hope's Edge  by Cairistiona 9 Review(s)
EllynnReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/24/2010
Well, well. :) I remember a few lines from "The Ranger and the Hobbit", when Denlad is thinking of his little family and "a boy he loves as his own". :) Now, would that family be Neala and Randir? *g*
I am glad that you included a little bit of romance, too. I am looking forward to see how it will go on. :)

Author Reply: *whistling innocently* Why, whatever are you talking about? Neala and Denlad together??? That shy man ever marrying???

I must plead the right to remain silent on the grounds that I don't like giving out answers that a reader will discover later in the story. *g*


DreamdeerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 8/5/2009
I enjoyed this peaceful interlude between storms, taking the time to get to know Denlad's back-story and how it interwove with his present life. Cairistiona keeps the reader's awareness of the setting and situation fresh even as she tells stories within stories. As usual, well done!

Author Reply: Thanks! I do like a story that's multi-layered and it worked well to focus on Denlad and telling his story in this particular tale. Other stories will do the same with Eledh and Galadh, so they'll have their moments in the spotlight. And yes, a story as intense as this one needs those places to let the reader catch his or her breath... but not too long a moment. ;) Thanks again!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2009
I'm glad Aragorn is coming to realise he needs Elrond's help.I liked the story of Denlad and how Aragorn took an interest in him.

Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! Yes, even a stubborn Ranger gifted with healing abilities like Aragorn has to realize that some things *might* be a little beyond his control. Of course, we're still a long way from Rivendell. Very glad you liked Denlad's story... he's had a tough life, that boy. Thanks again for the review!

Lady_RoisinReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2009
Just wanted to say again how very much I love this story. I know I've been reviewing it at N&N, but, seriously, if this was a book at the store, I would buy it. Your writing is so inspiring, and your OCs are great. I love how they play a big role, but they get the same care as the canon characters do, and have a great deal of depth and personality. I love your Aragorn too.

Author Reply: Thank you, Roisin! Wow, you didn't have to leave a review here, too, but thank you for taking the time. I'm flattered that you would pay money for my writing (my dream is someday people might do just that) and I'm so glad you like my OC's and feel they add to the story. And Aragorn... well, he's my favorite, so it makes me very happy when others feel I've got him "right". Thank you again for the review!

EstelcontarReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2009
What a wonderful chapter. I really enjoyed that lighthearted part in which we witness Eledh's fall, with Deland reminding Aragorn of a very large spider, picking something from the thatching. It had me chuckling again. Poor Eledh.

I see that Aragorn isn't yet completely free from the after effects of his battle with the Nazgul. Aragorn alone and exposed on a wind-swept ledge is a very vivid, and very effective image indeed. I'm sure he will make no misstep.

It was so good to get to know Denlad's back story. It does indeed explain why he's shy around women and why he's so loyal to Aragorn. I do hope Neala gets her way with him. LOL

A most enjoyable chapter indeed.

Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! I'm glad you liked this chapter, and Denlad's fake (maybe!) spider prank on poor Eledh. I do hope that was a dead spider he picked up from the thatching. *grin* Yes, and Aragorn's feeling pretty vulnerable right now, poor Ranger. And I'm glad you liked hearing of Denlad's backstory. As I've mentioned on other review replies, I wasn't 100% sure it was good to put all that in the story, but it seems to have worked out all right. Thanks again for the review!

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2009
Denlad and Neala would make such a nice couple! *g* Tell him I absolutely forbid him to get himself killed! ;-) Denlad's story is really a sad one. I'm glad Aragorn was there to keep an eye on him. It's really remarkable that Denlad did not forget how to love, and grew up to be a good man in spite of the difficult childhood he must have had. I liked that he was even able to soften his mother's heart in the end. :) I hope Neala is a patient woman, he'd really deserve some happiness.

I'm glad Aragorn at least thinks about the nature of his wound and what's wrong with him, even if he doesn't share his worries or problems with anyone else (I wish I could drag him to Rivendell - I'd feel much better after Elrond has had a look at him!).

"He felt... exposed. Alone and naked and terribly vulnerable, as if he were somehow trapped on a wind-swept ledge, with no one to throw down a rope and help him climb back to safety. One misstep..." - This is really not very reassuring. Somehow I'm beginning to doubt time will heal this specific injury.

Loved it (though that's probably quite obvious *g*)!

Almut

Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! So glad you liked this latest installment! It's very reassuring to me that you're able to feel such sympathy for Denlad, considering all we really know about him is what's revealed in this story. One of these days I'll tell his tale in a separate fic, but it's good to know that even with the limited information about him here, you're feeling strongly about him. And yes, not really the time to feel comfortable about Aragorn's seeming recovery, is it! Thanks again for the review, and yes, I will tell Denlad to be extra careful. :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2009
A wonderful look at life on a Dunedain farmstead. And I hope indeed that Neala wins over Denladh--he needs some taming and comforting.

Now--to get Aragorn to Rivendell whether he wishes to go or not.

Author Reply: Thanks, Larner... you know, Aragorn *really* needs to listen to you. But somehow I worry he won't ...

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2009
This is such a beautiful chapter, so well written, I just can "see" them...I love this story...well, Aragon the matchmaker...I liked the spider joke scene, to see the rangers behaving as normal human beings is priceless

Now, he needs to go and see Elrond and he knows that, but I suppose that he will keep pushing himself until Halbarad force him to go to Imladris.

I was thinking that maybe Elrond will send some help when he receives the news from the survivors, maybe the twins? I'm sure that he will come to the conclusion that there is more than orcs around and I just think that Aragon and his little band of Rangers need help. And please, do not kill Denlad now or any of them, I can't take another loss.


Thanks, Fantasia

Author Reply: Thank you, Fantasia! I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and its touch of "ordinary" life. And yes, Aragorn's in quite a state, isn't he. Who knows when he will finally accede to Halbarad's good sense. Sometimes it seems that "sensible" and "Aragorn" are not concepts seen often together. ;) Glad you like all my Rangers well enough not to want to lose any of them. I don't really want to lose any more, myself, but that will be up to them, and how well they continue to fight this Nazgul. Time will tell! Thanks again for the review!

Ainu LaireReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2009
Aww, a love story! :P That's adorable.

I have a feeling that this little boo-boo isn't going to go away soon- and the nightmares likely won't, either. And perhaps not easily. A Nazgul is no small foe. This is the calm before the storm. Dun dun dun.

Author Reply: Thank you, Laire! I'm glad you like the little Denlad/Neala subplot. It almost didn't make the cut... I was afraid it might be too distracting. But then I thought about how real life isn't all just one-dimensionally big, bad and ugly, and neither should it be for our Rangers. And those two just would *not* quit making moon eyes at each other...

And yes, definitely in the calm moments for now.

Glad you liked this and thanks for the review!

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