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A Star in Midwinter  by Cairistiona 13 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/10/2010
A beautiful chapter. I loved the oathtaking.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you liked that... it was probably the hardest thing to write in the entire tale! Thanks for the review!

Lily BagginsReviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/23/2010
Oh, I love Denlad's concern for Aragorn here! And gosh, Aragorn is just like Santa Claus . . . what a nice load of presents! I love how Denlad was so surprised and overwhelmed.

I need an Aragorn to cheer me up on a regular basis!

Author Reply: Thanks, Lily! Wouldn't it be great to have Aragorn putting together presents for you like that? He sure caught Denlad by surprise. :) Thanks for the review!

MirachReviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/1/2010
"No, you cannot wear the wolf head...“ lol, I think I can guess whose line that was. This chapter was just wonderful, like a night of dance and joy and celebration. For once we got a chance to see not the scathered remnants of the Northern kingdom, but proud people who remember and praise their traditions, and can find joy even in the dark times and hope for a bright future. It was very touching, a mix of good feeling for all the Dúnedain, and for personally for Denlad and Aragorn. It was so nice to see his joy from the gifts together with Aragorn, and in the moment when he received the star of Dúnedain, I was glad for him, and very proud.

P.S. Eärendil too watched tonight, and he was touched by the tradition of ligtning the fire, and glad that he still can bring hope to these valiant people.


Author Reply: Thank you, Mirach! I'm so glad you enjoyed their celebration... I wondered if anyone would try to match up the snatches of conversation with their speakers. I figured Halbarad's was fairly obvious, yes. *g* Can't you just see little Halbaron hanging on his arm, "Please! Please, can I? Can I? Please, Ada, can I wear it just for for a minute?" *g* Poor Halbarad.

And I'm so glad Earendil was touched by this! I imagine he's seen his share of Mettare celebrations, hasn't he? :)

Thank you so much for the review!

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/28/2009
Denlad's joy at finding a place to not only live but belong comes to life here. The kid reminds me of Aragorn; minus the legendary ancestry and legitimacy and upbringing; they've both grown up as outsiders and come to belong to the Dunedain. I think Aragorn has felt the parallels too.

Anyway, a lovely chapter to end with.

Author Reply: Thanks, Raksha... that's a very good point that I hadn't consciously considered, that Aragorn would feel a connection with Denlad based on his "outsider" status. He would definitely know that feeling, if not to such an extreme extent as Denlad. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/28/2009
He will prove himself many times in the coming years. It is fitting that at the beginning of the new year of the Sun he should find a new life to live.

Author Reply: It is a nice time to make a fresh start, isn't it? Although just like the sun's returning doesn't immediately bring warmth, his life won't immediately be perfect, but far better that his now accepted into a supportive community that will become family to him. Thanks for the review!

ElentarriReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/27/2009
YAY!!! That was so lovely!

Author Reply: Thank you, Elentarri! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

CanafinweReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/27/2009
Wow! After all of the anticipation, you still manage to exceed my expectations! You're gifted, my friend!

Denlad is so sweet; taking note of Aragorn's hidden pain and favoured arm, rushing in to help. Aragorn's happiness to see him is lovely to! I love how his first consideration is to inquire after Denlad's welfare during the storm! I do love Dirhael -- "Aye, if you... that is, the men are not too weary." -- and Ivorwen's thinning lips! But of course, even Aragorn's grandparents don't stand a chance against his indomitable will!

The giving of the gifts was simply gorgeous! Denlad's eagerness to don his new boots was thoroughly adorable! Poor child: he needed them badly! Inevitably, though he accepts the gifts of necessity with eager grace, he is stunned by the sword. I love Denlad! He's fabulous!

Aww.. and he says "I'm sorry" in response to Halbarad's frostbitten toes! His first prolonged conversation with the dreaded Halbarad seemed to go well! I do hope our favourite (well... second favourite?) Ranger isn't too hard on his new pupil.

The presentation of Denlad's star was beautiful. I had tears in my eyes. It's so wonderful to see the acceptance of the Dunedain, and Aragorn's faith, and Denlad's humble astonishment and joy... Wonderful! It's a beautiful denoument to a beautiful story!

Author Reply: Thank you so much, Canafinwe! Gosh, now that the story is nearly at an end for you I must say I'll miss these wonderful reviews you've given. (I suppose I'll just have to get busy writing new stories!) I'm so glad you enjoyed the events in this chapter... so much emotion amongst the people, seeing their men arriving home more or less in one piece, and Denlad again feeling that insecurity of being on the outside looking in... it was so wonderful to finally be able to write these scenes that brought him joy at last! So knowing that this moved you and caused you to feel that much more love for Denlad makes my day! Thank you so much for this and all your other reviews!

EstelcontarReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/26/2009
What a most joyous chapter you've gifted us with. I really, really loved seeing the rangers arrive safely to enjoy Mettarë with their family and kin. I loved seeing the beginning of Halbarad and Denlad's friendship. I loved seeing Aragorn among his folk. I loved seeing Denlad being accepted and accepting his new life, and mostly I loved seeing the Dúnedain joyfully celebrating the gift of life together.

As you can see I just loved everything about this delightful chapter of yours.

Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! I'm so glad you enjoyed this "almost final" chapter. It was definitely the culmination of a long wait for everyone, but especially so for Denlad in his long wait to finally feel like he was accepted and loved. It's still going to be a sometimes rough journey for him but he's off to a good start. :) Thank you for the review!

EllynnReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/25/2009
Awww, wonderful. I am just an observer, and my eyes filled with tears in the end; I can imagine poor Denlad was overwhelmed with emotions. Well done! :)

P.S. I see that astronomy lesson is learned well. :) *proud* :))

Author Reply: Thank you, Ellynn! And yes, LOL, I made sure I had the star right... it wasn't too tricky for this chapter as all I had to do was look out at the sunset that night. *g* But thank you for keeping me straight on all things astronomical! I'm so glad you were moved by this chapter... Denlad really deserved to finally get his pin! Thank you so much for the review!

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/25/2009
That was beautiful! Poor Denlad - it was mean to make him believe he would never have a chance to get such a star. ;-) Well, at least he knows now that Halbarad doesn't always bite. I guess Aragorn must have been very pleased with Denlad's reaction to the gifts he had for him. I loved the oath of the Dunedain, btw. Great chapter! :)

Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! I think Aragorn was very pleased, yes, and grateful he was able to give them to Denlad as he planned and not have to hear that Denlad had found everything while Aragorn was gone. *g* And yeah, it might have been a teeny bit mean to make Denlad think he'd never get his star... but then I'm known to be a wee bit hard on my characters. *evil grin*

Thanks for the review!

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