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A Star in Midwinter  by Cairistiona 8 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/12/2010
I just love the banter between Aragorn and Halbarad. A most enjoyable chapter.

Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed it--thank you!

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/28/2009
Wonderful Aragorn/Halbarad dialogue - they put me in mind of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in the classic "Road to" comedies, only they're Dunedain Rangers and so they're taller, grimmer, and more more deadly of course!

Author Reply: LOL... I've never actually watched those movies, so I can't claim any influence on my Halbarad and Aragorn, but I'm honored nonetheless to have my stuff compared to that sort of classic bantering. :) I imagine the Dunedain would be quite a bit taller, grimmer and deadlier than Bing and Bob. *g* Thanks for the review!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/28/2009
Quite the bantering. At least they are nearly home.

Author Reply: Halbarad's toes will be happy! Thanks!

MirachReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/27/2009
I loved Aragorn’s and Halbarad’s friendly banter! I can’t say which part I enjoyed most because they were all perfect! And they are returning home! Let’s celebrate Mettare!

Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach! I'm glad you liked this lighter chapter (yay, a light moment at last!) Yes, onward to the celebration!

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/25/2009
I love the bantering between Aragorn and Halbarad. ;-) I always enjoy the way you write the two of them together. They make a nice pair right now, one of them almost limping, the other one unable to lift his arm. I guess Ivorwen and Miriel won't be too happy. I'm already beginning to feel sorry for Denlad - I hope he'll survive Halbarad's first lesson, lol. Somehow I can't imagine him using the same method Aragorn did to make Halbarad back off. *g* Oh, and I completely agree with Aragorn - I have no desire to know where exactly Halbarad plans to put his feet. :D

Author Reply: LOL! No, I can't see Denlad stomping on Halbarad's instep, either! It'll be interesting to see how those first days of training go between the two of them. I have a feeling Halbarad may have to be a bit more gentle... which will likely make him want to tear his hair out. *g*

And yeah, I'm with you and Aragorn... where Halbarad sticks his feet is his and Miriel's business, thank you very much. LOL

Thanks for the review!

CanafinweReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/24/2009
Ooh, this was a Halbarad-tastic chapter! Poor man: you had me wincing in sympathy when he was walking his horse on frost-bitten feet! But more delightful still was the banter between the Ranger and his Chieftain. The teasing, the innuendo intended to embarrass the bachelor, the staunch love and loyalty that shine through it all... delicious!

I must say, though, that I found one passage awfully hard to bear. The exchange proceeds as follows:

"I am still not certain my oath extends to drowning in stagnant, muddy waters."

"You dried out."

"I came up with leeches clinging all over me!"

"But you lived."

"I hate leeches."

"But you lived."

Oh, the bitter irony. It hurts so much, especially in this scene where we see these two bantering like the dear friends they are, that Halbarad did not survive to see Aragorn crowned -- and that Aragorn had to come to victory only after losing his beloved kinsman. The hopeful note that comes with the reminder that Halbarad has a son, who doubtless will be raised to serve his Chieftain with love and devotion, does only a little to offset that sobering reminder. Brilliantly done!

You bring us back quickly enough into the good-natured needling. "Evil streak" indeed! Poor Aragorn: Halbarad has a vicious tongue on him!

And they're headed home now. Yay! Belated Mettare celebration imminent!


Author Reply: Thank you, Canafinwe... you know, you've given me a new perspective on that bit about the leeches and surviving, because to my mind I was thinking only of the teasing, since in my own little "universe", neither Halbarad nor Aragorn have had any sort of foresight about Halbarad's death (although I do believe they both knew of it long before the moment Halbarad speaks on the Paths of the Dead, just from the way Aragorn doesn't really address it there. I think had Halbarad laid that on Aragorn at that moment, Aragorn would have surely reacted more). Anyway, I digress a bit, but yes, it does make that passage very bittersweet, doesn't it, that we as readers know what will transpire in the years ahead. But thankfully, for this light moment, the two of them are blissfully unaware.

And yes, Mettare ahead! Tomorrow will come the final chapter, and the epilogue. I'm going to go ahead and post both since it's Christmas day, so that those who find time can enjoy the conclusion of the story as their Christmas gift from me. :)

Thanks again for the thoughtful review!

VilwarinReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/24/2009
Thanks a lot for this light-hearted chapter. I had a miserable day and this cheered me up again. Love the banter.

Author Reply: Oh, I'm sorry you're having a miserable day... but I am glad this helped ease things a little. Thanks for the review!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/24/2009
What a wonderful conversation, so full of wisdom and love and gentle teasing. My favorite kind!

Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound! Glad you enjoyed it... I love it when Halbarad and Aragorn get into it with each other. :)

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