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The Ranger and the Hobbit  by Cairistiona 19 Review(s)
hebeidReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/30/2019
I remember reading part of this story, probably a few (or several?) years ago, bit for whatever reason I never finished it. So what a delight it was to get to read it all the way through! My love for your writing hasn't faded in the slightest, and it likely never will; I am so lucky to have come across this archive all those years ago, and so relieved that it is still here and holding all these treasured memories. I'm probably going to re/read all of your stuff in the near (ish) future - it's fall, and fall is a Rangerly time of year, I find. Thank you so much for sharing your skill and your hard work time and time again, and I hope that wherever you are now, whatever you're doing with your days, you are happy and safe and contented and cared for.


Author Reply: Thank you so much! I'm glad you rediscovered this one and finished it... it's actually one of my favorites, because I got to write a hobbit character, something I haven't done much.

I'm doing well--haven't written LOTR fic in a long time, having switched over to Captain America fandom, but I still harbor hopes to return to LOTR fic when the muse reawakens one day (I'm hoping that the new Amazon series helps ignite the fandom, even if it won't probably include much about the Dunedain or Aragorn).

Happy reading and thank you again for your kind words!

MP brennanReviewed Chapter: 13 on 1/13/2013
Just dropping by to mention how much I enjoyed this fic. Ferdinand is a delightful OC. He's just the right balance of Tookish and hobbity if that makes any sense. :) I loved the little details like him carrying eggs around out in the wild so he could have Second Breakfast. And his tangents are wonderful.

As usual, the dynamic between the rangers was great. I liked Denlad and Halbarad's partnership--especially the way it's implied at the beginning that Denlad knows how to play Halbarad to get what he wants. At the same time, they balance each other really well. I liked how you showed them having to lean on each other to get through it all.

This, though, was my favorite exchange:

"And here I thought you regularly get yourself maimed simply to torment me."

"That is part of the appeal, yes. Every dark cloud must have its bit of mithril lining, after all."

"You will make a truly detestable king."

Aragorn grinned. "Thank you. May I have some more of that stew?"

Please don't ever stop writing those two!

Author Reply: Thank you, MP! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I still wonder how Ferdinand manages to carry eggs without breaking them, but leave it to a Hobbit to figure it out. *g* I do hope to continue writing Aragorn and Halbarad... I enjoy their friendship/kinship far too much to ever stop, I think!

LisaGReviewed Chapter: 13 on 2/2/2010
Spectacular story! Full of peril, angst, comfort, humor, bravery, courage, friendship, caring and love. Don't get any better than that!

Author Reply: Thank you, Lisa! I can see you're working through all my stories. *g* I'm so glad you enjoyed this one... it was so fun to write (they're all fun, really, but this one didn't have too many glitches I had to sort out). I try to put elements of all those things in my stories, to keep them as well-rounded as I can, so I appreciate your mention of them. :) Thanks for the review!

Lily BagginsReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/30/2009
Well, this has been a thrilling ride, but I'm so very sorry to see it end! I've adored it from start to finish.

The ending here was a really telling look at how Ferdinand so easily accepted Aragorn and showed his gratefulness, when contrasted with Butterbur's barely concealed contempt. Oh, how I love Aragorn's control and his wish to just give in and let Butterbur have an earful!

I do hope we might see Ferdinand again! I mean, he's still a young hobbit... methinks he might want to visit Rivendell someday or perhaps go to Minas Tirith many years in the future. :)

Gosh, I'm going to be reading and re-reading this one. I'll have you know that I'm one of those who VERY frequently revisits At Hope's Edge, as well. I've lost count how many times I've read it.

This will be one of my favorites, I know. Thank you for gracing us with such a wonderful story.



Author Reply: Thank you so much, Lily! I'm glad this is a story you'll return to again--I do hope that my stories are worth a second read and it's nice to hear from a reader who's already got re-reads planned (and is also reading At Hope's Edge over and over! Wow!) :)

I definitely can see Ferdinand trekking to Minas Tirith--knowing him, he'll probably just show up unannounced and unexpected, whistling a merry tune just like along that path in the wilds, confounding the palace guards and feeling right at home.

Thanks again for the lovely reviews and all the support you give my stories! It's much appreciated!

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/30/2009
I'm so sad to see Ferdinand in his way to the Shire and to see that this story has come to an end. I'll miss Aragorn and his gang.

You know, what a good idea will be to see the reaction of Bree at the news that the King is no other that old Strider, they are such a bunch of ungrateful people.

Thanks Caristiona for this wonderful story and looking forward for more in the future. Maybe you have one planned as a Christmas gift for us, please?


Author Reply: Thank you, Fantasia! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story... I'm sad to see it end, too, because it was so much fun to write.

I do want to do some sort of story for Christmas, if the muse cooperates and if time allows. *crossing fingers*

Thanks again for all your reviews and encouragement!

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/29/2009
I really hope Ferdinand will reappear in another story - he's barely gone, and I'm already missing him. Well, I guess Aragorn feels the same way right now. It's too bad Ferdinand isn't the landlord of the Prancing Pony. ;-) Butterbur is not only trying Aragorn's patience, he's also trying mine. *glowers* It's probably a good thing Halbarad is taking care of the horses. Somehow I don't think he would have taken kindly to Butterbur insulting Aragorn (and all other rangers) after all he's just been through. *shakes head* That landlord really is a fool! I wonder if he ever learned about Aragorn's true identity and how he reacted to it (I bet he fainted, lol). A great story, Cairistiona - I enjoyed reading it from beginning to end. :)

Author Reply: Thanks, Almut! Yeah, I think Halbarad might have popped a gasket if he heard what Butterbur had to say to Aragorn! Just as well he was out with the horses. I do sometimes wonder what Butterbur's reaction was when he found out the Strider he used to more or less abuse all the time ended up becoming the King of the Realm. I imagine he served himself up a LOT of humble pie! LOL

I'm glad you enjoyed the story and enjoyed Ferdinand so much... I do think he'll be back at some point. Just have to figure out when and how. :) Thanks for the reviews throughout and of course for this one!

snarkyReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/28/2009
Wonderful story. Your OCs were fabulous.

What's next from you? Any stories on the horizon? :)

Author Reply: Thank you, snarky, for the definitely not-snarky review! I'm glad you enjoyed the story and the OCs especially.

As for what's next... I have several multi-chapter WIPs but none are near completion. I'm hoping to get some short stories done (I'd love to do something for Christmas but I'm still waiting for inspiration to strike), and I will be adding a bit more to the appendix for At Hope's Edge.

Thanks for asking, and thanks for the review!

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/28/2009
Excellent interaction between Aragorn and Butterbur. You convey the hidden king's pent-up frustration with the innkeeper's distrust very well. After all he's been through, Aragorn having to endure such scorn from a provincial innkeeper is almost too much!

A most enjoyable story, and I loved Halbarad's mother-henning Aragorn. Somebody has to!

Author Reply: Thank you, Raksha! I'm glad you enjoyed this story... you're entirely right in that Aragorn needs mother-henning, and what better candidate at this point in his life than Halbarad. And yes, it does seem too much insult to injury, Butterbur's reactions to Aragorn's arrival, but I do imagine that was likely the reception Aragorn and the rest of the Rangers received--lumped in with the wild troublemakers, without any attempt at understanding. It made their hard road that much harder, I think.

Thank you for your kind feedback all throughout this tale!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/28/2009
Ah, if they only knew!

Was glad to see this here, Cairistiona. Joy to you and yours, as we pass Thanksgiving and approach Advent and Hannukah and so on. May the Light return to bless us all, even Ferdinand Took and his stubborn, delightful Tookishness!

Author Reply: Thank you, Larner, and yes, the same in return to you this holiday season! I'm so glad you enjoyed this tale and my first foray into writing hobbits. Ferdinand was a fun character to write and I do think eventually I'll have to return to him in a tale of some sort. Thanks for all your reviews!

InzilbethReviewed Chapter: 13 on 11/28/2009
After all the kindness and love that Aragorn has been given by both his companions and Ferdinand, it must have been so hard to 'return to work' and suffer again the mistrust of those he protects.

This has been a most wonderful story, hair-raising exciting in places but ultimately so heart-warming and satisfying. Your Ferdinand is an absolute treat and everything any self respecting Took should be! Many congratulations on a excellent job well done. As always, I feel very privileged to beta for you.

Author Reply: Thanks, Inzilbeth! As always, my stories would be far less without your excellent guidance in all things canon. :)

It does really seem, in a way, a return-to-work situation at Bree for Aragorn, although his time away hardly was a vacation. I like to believe, though, that he gets a complete rest and recuperation in the quiet room at the top of the stairs before he has to head back out to the wilds. It's too bad, really, that he couldn't go home with Ferdinand!

Thanks again for all your help!

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