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The Riddle of Strider  by Cairistiona 13 Review(s)
SuzelleReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/30/2011
Sooooo to distract me/get me out of depressing writer's block, I am re-reading various fics that I enjoy. One of which is this one. And I had completely forgotten the ending of this chapter, and I cackled for about a good ten minutes. This is just as lovely reading the second time! *g*

Author Reply: Hee! Glad you liked it the 2nd time around, and may it bump you out of your writer's block. Can't have that, nope. There really needs to be a vaccination or something for writer's block....

Lily BagginsReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
Oh, I loved this chapter! Love love love. Trust you to fit in a little angst and comfort for Aragorn here, and I adored every minute of it. Especially Merry being so very observant and realizing that there's something wrong with Aragorn.

And of course, the reunion between Aragorn and Elrond and Aragorn's subsequent awakening. You know, I have a thing for reading about my favorite characters sleeping and enjoying sleep, and this was lovely! And I laughed at Aragorn's reaction to Arwen's presence. Can I say that I'd enjoy being Arwen here, getting to meet up with a sleepy, warm ranger in his bed? Yes.

The ending of this chapter was the best! Oh yes, some stern Aragorn there when need be. :)


Author Reply: Thank you, Lily! I kind of have a thing about warm, sleepy Rangers too. *g* And what a nice wake-up call for him, eh? I'm so glad you enjoyed this--I have to admit, as I wrote the h/c I was thinking about you. :) Thanks again for the review!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
What a delightful second chapter!

I loved the breakfast Merry brought him!
The ‘slice’ of roast beef was a pile three inches high, buried in gravy, and a ‘few’ sweet buns amounted to at least a half dozen. The greens looked more like a forested mountain, and somewhere in Rivendell a vast orchard had been denuded of all its apples in order to provide him his baked fruit.

Marvelously hobbity!

I also liked the discussion of the Black Breath, and Merry's own instant understanding after his brief encounter with it in Bree. (That makes me want to give you a little bunny: after Merry's healing in Minas Tirith, will he recall this time, and this conversation, and know that the King who healed him knew only too well how he'd suffered? Would he talk about it with his new friend Faramir, who also had suffered it, as they wait in the Houses of Healing? *nudges bunny with toe a little closer*)

It's so like Merry's protective nature, to stay with Strider all night, and to take his "duty" as chaperone so seriously! I must say, I love the sense of humor you've given Elrond. He had to know that Merry would be no match for Aragorn and Arwen together! But it must have amused him to put them to the trouble.) Most writers make Elrond far too serious and dignified to pull a jest like that, or if they *do* give him a sense of humor, they go over the top with it. This was just right!

Nice bit of Aragorn h/c, but then you excell at that!


Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamflower! Ooh, what an intriguing plot bunny... I'll put that away in my ideas folder. This is only the first time I've tried writing Merry, and I've never tried my hand at Faramir, but that might be a very good way to dip my toe into those waters. I do want to follow up on the whole idea of them having guessed, unwittingly, that Aragorn was king, so that might all work together somehow.

I'm so glad you like the twinkle I put in Elrond's eye. I've always seen him as someone who, despite the sorrows he's endured, is strong enough to retain a sense of humor. But no, it would never be slapstick or over the top. I'm also glad you like my take on h/c. I do truly love h/c in any story, fanfic or regular fic, so it's always nice to know someone feels I've done it well.

Thanks for the review... and the bunny! *plops him in hutch and gives him carrots*

RSReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
"Aragorn reached for Arwen, but suddenly a small hand slapped his. "That will be enough of that, Strider!" And Aragorn's reaction is priceless!

I don't think anybody slaps this Ranger and wakes up the next day without bruises! -- Unless your a lovable hobbit like Merry!

This has all the elements that I love in a story! Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author Reply: Thanks, RS! I'm so glad you mentioned the hand slapping bit--I had so much fun imagining anyone daring to do that, and Aragorn's reaction when they did. He gets slapped by Halbarad a lot in my tales, for various reason, but it's altogether different when a hobbit has the temerity to do it!

The next chapter is up and the tale is finished... I hope you enjoy it! Thanks again for the review. :)

EstelcontarReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
This chapter got everything: angst, romance and humour. I found your description of the effects of the black breath on Aragorn totally convincing. Need I say I loved to see Aragorn and Arwen together? And as usual you've added the right amount of humour to balance things very nicely indeed.

I'm sooooooooooo looking forward to reading chapter three.

Author Reply: Thanks, Estelcontar! I do like to mix a bit of everything into my stories and this chapter ended up being a bit of a microcosm of my writing style. I'm glad you enjoyed it... and I had a feeling you'd enjoy seeing Aragorn and Arwen together. ;) Thanks for the review, and enjoy chapter 3!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
Poor Aragorn!I can imagine the Nazgul might effect him badly. Merry is so caring here as in Elrond.Then what better tonic than Arwen? A most enjoyable chapter.

Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! Indeed, what better tonic! I imagine Aragorn was definitely feeling no pain or fatigue at that moment. *g* I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. :)

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
Poor Aragorn. Love Merry and Elrond's care. Very sweet of Merry to stay all night and hold Aragorn's hand part of the time.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Thanks, Antane... I just loved the idea of Merry holding vigil over Aragorn after he held such constant vigil over their safety all that way.

Thank you again for the review!

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
Cairistiona, welcome back. You know that I love your stories, tahnk you so much for posting.
That black breath is a serious illness, my, it just come back over and over again, so glad that this time was very shallow....

Waiting for more...where are Aragorn gang, his merry rangers? missing them...


Author Reply: Thank you, Fantasia... I have to say it's nice to have finally gotten a story finished. :)

I'm glad you enjoyed this... yes, that BB is very insidious stuff, isn't it?

Aragorn and his Merry Rangers will be back eventually, yes. And so will a young Halbarad eventually. Just have to get the darn stories finished!

Thanks again for the review (and the welcome back!)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
Ah, yes--she gives him excellent reason to give over sleeping right now! And love Merry's concern and intent to care for Strider as Strider cared for him!

Thanks for this chapter!

Author Reply: Thank you, Larner! I definitely see Merry as one who would want to repay his debts, especially when it comes for caring for his loved ones (and I imagine by this point there's strong affection between the hobbits and Strider). Thank you for the kind review!

Minerva OrganaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/18/2010
LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!

That is all. This was absolutely wonderful, Cairistiona, thank you so much! I adored your Merry, it's so nice to get a story with him and Aragorn together! Their interactions with each other were great, and the ending was priceless!!! :D

Author Reply: Thank *you* for the great idea. I don't know that I ever would have written Aragorn and Merry together otherwise but it turned out to be great fun. Still one more chapter to go, though, so we're not at the ending just yet. :) Thanks again for the review!

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