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The Seagoing Eagle  by perelleth 12 Review(s)
mystarlightReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/28/2018
Wonderful story again. Hope you will update it. Thank you so much for writing and sharing

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/3/2009
A very interesting and tense first chapter. Talk about intrigue.

I am fond of Hurin and am hoping this is not an AU - and that the boy becomes Warden... He played such an important part at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. As for his dad, I certainly like him - poor Galdor.

Hmmm - poison. Is this how dear Finduilas meets her end? Drat

And I love the portrayal of Denethor as a loving husband/father.

Aragorn definitely has his hands full, should be watching his back, and should flee from Gondor as soon as possible... if he ever expects to live!

Author Reply: Thank-you, Agapae, and apologies for the delay in answering.

For your tranquility, I do not write AUs. I am happy enough with what Tolkien set for us so I play inside the his reality, so, yes, Hurin will be where we know he is at the end of the War! :-).

And no, I am not aware of ever mentioning poison here... :-)

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/30/2009
Well this is a bit of bad luck,going on a mission with peaple that the stewart wants to get rid of. Wonder who is, or has been in his room.

Author Reply: LOLOL. Being the Steward's right hand has its drawbacks at times, it seems.

I have just posted the answer to your question.

Thank-you for stopping by, grumpy.

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/26/2009
This is so good!! Wonderful beginning!

But, you already know how much I love meticulous political intrigue as a source of conflict. And I will not go into highlights. Everything scene was fascinating, contributing fully to the whole atmosphere of loyalty and betrayal. Really great Shakespearean shadings going on here.

I love how you have hemmed in the nobility and Ecthelion himself with that "dense, tight net" you created out of a simple historical notation. This opening was a very entertaining setup for the mission to come. I am glad you kept Thorongil a soldier and that he would cling to that honor.

However, whether it is yet clear to him or not, he had bought into Ecthelion's purposes for his own sorta selfish reasons. He should indeed be deeply bothered by it and choose to listen better to the pleas of those who may themselves be involved with traitors when they say Hurin is actually innocent. Clearly, Hurin returns, but the story of how that happens will be quite interesting. Though I doubt we will see much more of Galdor, he was my favorite supporting role this chapter. I am hoping we get to meet some of Thorongil's staff and officers next chapter. If he does not end up in the Houses of Healing first!

Can't wait to meet Morlum, deadly agent of the Steward's secret police, which have so thoroughly frightened both court and family... Makes me speculate what other policies Ecthelion has quietly carried out in the past.

Your description of Aragorn's weariness reminded me that soon enough after this mission he went to Lothlorien apparantly burnt out. But, that was the place where so much changed for him and, as a result, for Gondor. You could almost say Denethor's disorienting example taught him something important about duty and love before his arrival in the Golden Wood...

And after all that, a cliffie! Yay!


Author Reply: Wow, thank-you! I am now worrying that this is not actually up to the expectations!

But I find it difficult to stick to a simple story, so at times I get into deeper waters than I intended. I hope I get out from this one!

Ruling GOndor in a troubled time as Ecthelioin's cannot be an easy task, and the exercise -and keeping- of power, often requires dark, murky, ruthless policies and actions. So here, apparently, Denethor and Ecthelion are at odds, though not openly, and Aragorn is burdened with a disputable task, that of leading men - and not just simple citizens- to their deaths without a trial.

We know not yet who is and who is not in that list, and what lengths Ecthelion is willing to go in his pruning, taking away healthy branches with the rotten ones so that he leaves his son a clean start... or either a start darkened by such a pruning? Such definite decisions often have their drawbacks. I think the situation is interesting also from the point of view of Aragorn, one who one day hopes to rule the realm and will be somehow grudged his part in such a blow against the nobility! But that is something Ecthelion had no way or knowing.

I am glad that you liked Galdor. Means that his anguish comes across. We all know that Hurin survives and keeps the second most important position in that court, so there is something wrong here...

And... yes, I decided to make this the proverbial drop that goes over the brim for Aragorn. After this adventure he will cross Anduin and leave GOndor.. and somehow in the following year he will end up in Lorien.... and his strength will be renewed with a real promise to hold on to.

Also, I would like to know more about what selfish reasons you can find in Aragorn's decision to obey Ecthelion's command, if you have the time and the inclination! :-) As I told Dot, reviews usually allow me to grasp povs that I may have easily missed.

Thank-you very much again.

DotReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/26/2009
Oh yay, a new story! But how strange - no elves!

This is very intriguing, Perelleth. And completely engrossing right from the start. I have a million questions but I'll spare you for now and try and sit tight ;-)


Author Reply: And completely engrossing right from the start. is it really? You know I always have trouble because my stories seem too slow but I do not feel up to the task of pacing them up...

I wondered if I could hold my attention without elves. I'm still struggling! :-) And do not hold back your questions! Questions often serve a distracted writer as myself to focus on points she thinks are clear enough which are not! :-) Thank-you as always, Dot.

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/25/2009
A very interesting and promising start to your story. I liked the idea that Ecthelion had told Aragorn he was free to leave after the mission. The plotters are a unique twist. Eagerly awaiting more.

Author Reply: Thank-you, Linda.That particular adventure in Umbar always caught my imagination but it took some time to to figure out more than what Tolkien says in a drabble! :-)

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/25/2009
Fascinating. A good beginning, leaving the reader wanting more.

I wonder just how trustworthy Morlum is?

Author Reply: Thank-you, Lindelea. That the reader wants more is a prize for the author!

And I am tickled that you wonder about Morlum.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/25/2009
Oh duh. Now I think I see about the perfume. Trade has been banned?

Author Reply: You clever girl! ;-)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/25/2009
Fascinating to think that somehow Hurin has been implicated in treason, and his father knows, as does Denethor. Most interesting situation. As we know Hurin survived to serve Denethor as Warden of the Keys, something happened to lead Thorongil to allow the young man to survive in spite of the Steward's orders.

And I find myself wondering what might have been in that flask other than perfume. Its drop seems to providential at this point.

Author Reply: Thank you as always, Larner.

Yes, Húrin is Denethor's Warden, so he will come out of this...somehow. Since Tolkien tells the basics of what happened with the Corsairs in a few lines, I thought I needed to thicken the plot! :-)

AiwenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/25/2009
Very interesting. Aragorn's gotten himself into a very awkward situation. I look forward to seeing where you take this.

Author Reply: Thank-you, Aiwen.
I look forward to seeing where you take this. Why! To Umbar and back, of course! :-)

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