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| The Heir Apparent by Mirkwoodmaiden | 127 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/23/2025 |
| MM! It's so nice today, I'm taking the laptop out on the deck to read, even though it upsets the cats. (I'm not sure if it's because they want to be outside themselves, or if they want me to be inside with them and providing a lap for their convenience. But they seem to hate it when I go outside.) I don't have internet access when I'm outside, so I cued up the chapter already (along with this review box) and will send this review once I go back inside again. ("There's more than one way to kiss a cat!" as we say around here, for our young ones always got upset at the idea of skinning a cat, even when talking about a certain move done on the monkey bars.) Now that I've successfully made it to the deck without dropping the laptop and closed the screen door to preclude any feline escape attempts, the Empress of All She Surveys and the Stealth Cat are staring fixedly at me. I will try to concentrate on the chapter... (How would you define "the First Watch"? How many Watches are there?) (As they camp beside the Brandywine, are they on the Shire side of the River or the Bree side? No, wait, you said "the northern side", which should tell me where they are. I know the Brandywine's origin is Lake Evendim; so are you describing where the River emerges from the Lake? Sorry, I'm finding that reading while outside may not be the best option as far as distractions go. Birdsong. A murder of crows all taking turns diving on a hawk perched at the top of a tall tree. Barking. Distant traffic noise. I didn't realize until now how quiet it is inside the house these days!) For all his youth, Erithain is a canny leader. Glorfindel! O my! (And the Twins. An added bonus. And I am reminded of the prescient dream that included Elladan.) Ah, Dirhael. You don't know it, but someday you will owe these Elves a great debt. Though perhaps from their perspective, the honour is just as much theirs to perform such a service. Thank goodness for the Man's perceptiveness and his unwillingness to shame his son! Ivorwen's mistaking Elrohir for Elladan is perfectly natural and brings a smile, even in the midst of this portentous meeting between Gilraen's mother and Elrond's sons. And oh! Of course they are here in their capacity of protecting Arathorn as the Heir! I hadn't thought of that... And she may be about to inform them that their protection will fail (or something will happen that is beyond their control) rather sooner than later... "two guardian angels" would sum things up in a nutshell, I should think. Wicked irony on the author's part... "she would soon be a widow" but for an unexpected (and even comical) reason. But I love Elladan's way of putting her at ease: I cannot take him anywhere really. What better way for Gilraen to learn more about her intended than by speaking with some of his dearest friends? And mead sounds like an excellent accompaniment to such conversation. (That said, my one taste of mead confirmed that I am a wine and cider drinker. Though mead sounds attractive, I didn't care for it when I had the chance to try it. Of course, different meads might taste different. I don't know.) "a ripping good yarn": So are the Elves on their best behavior, seeking to make a good impression, I wonder? I imagine they have known (and lost) a lot of Men, friends and acquaintances and relatives descended from Elrond's brother, over the centuries. "blessed or cursed" and unable to figure out which; that sounds quite real. And speaking of losses, with a few brief words of description, you have given Gilraen's brothers life and personalities and made them real. Poor Ivorwen. But like Elladan, I admire her. (And here is another instance of "gifted or cursed"! Common ground, it sounds like.) "More than ever, my lady." Elladan's response to Ivorwen's information and the chapter's tender ending brought tears to my eyes. *sigh* (((hugs))) Lin | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/21/2025 |
| MM! Gilraen is very perceptive, it seems. And I'm so glad she didn't decide to wait and marry later, or Aragorn would not have been born! She's observant, too, in noticing the thatch needing to be repaired later in the chapter. I love the teasing between Gilraen and Arathorn in the first part of the chapter! It sounds as if they are starting off on the right foot. Ah, those embarrassing older sisters! I see they are as onerous a burden amongst Ranger-folk as older sisters are in the Shire! (And bless Arathorn for his attempt not to add insult to injury.) I love the details you include in describing Nedraril's dwelling. "A groom!" She's quick on her toes, too. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" comes to mind in reading this scene. I love that the garment is a sort of record of Gilraen's life and learning. What a beautiful tradition. I have thoroughly enjoyed this chapter! I'm looking forward to reading more, hopefully tomorrow. (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! Thank you for the writing. I wanted to show the close loving relationship that have formed Gilraen's growing up! And the burgeoning close relationship between Arathorn and her. Arathorn aghast that he must "weed pick" LOL!! Older sister will do as older sisters will do, no matter the geography! LOL! I had a wonderful time imagining what Nedaril's house would look like and how they would prize such a simple thing as a ribbon living in remote lands near Lake Evendim. I imagine Dirhael bringing home the ribbon from a traveler selling his goods in Fornost. Also what kind of traditions would surround a girl whose duty is to marry to help fulfill the destiny of her people. I just love the idea that the community of women helped create her wedding gown. (((hugs))) MM P.S. Chapter 26 of "Destiny's Child" is up. I have managed to delay Aragorn breaking Eowyn's heart for yet another chapter. So not this one, but most likely next chapter! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/19/2025 |
| MM! I'm glad, at the start of the chapter, to see Erithain seeming to have more balance in light of circumstances, even to smiling warmly at Arathorn in welcome. He makes me smile every time he appears in the chapter. Alas, poor Dirhael and Ivorwen. How bittersweet to know that their daughter will be happy while also knowing that her happiness will be cut short. I wonder if it also occurs to them that the line of Chieftains (the direct descendants of Isildur) is at risk of dying out if Arathorn does not marry and beget an heir? Such an outcome would take away all hope for Middle-earth... wouldn't it? (Is Arador at all concerned about the succession?) By the way, your world-building is quite plausible in the discussion of marriage customs and the political system amongst the Dúnedain. It also crossed my mind that Elrond had the same concern for Arwen: no matter how happy she'd be on marrying Aragorn, she would almost inevitably know the terrible grief of outliving her husband. But now I'm wondering if Dirhael's discussion with Gilraen was a catalyst of sorts that tipped her over from neutral to thinking about love and marriage? I love Arathorn's comparison of the upcoming talk with Dirhael to past Orc-battles. But I suffered a pang when he said "all the days of my life", knowing how little time remains to him. Lake Evendim sounds beautiful. I loved the glimpse of Elladan escorting Gilraen and the young Heir to Imladris, as well as the vision of "her husband" (but really her grandson). I will have to look for that quote in my copy of HoME! Well done, as always. I'm looking forward to reading more, hopefully tomorrow but if not, then soon after. (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! Thank you for the wonderfully long review! I love it! Erithain become a favourite character of my mind. He just needed encouragement to start growing into his own. The succession is most definitely on their minds. It is the guiding force of Arador's life. Each Chieftain is only a caretaker until the time of the King but they do not know when that will be. I find them such an interesting people. Bound by honor and hope. And as Arador says they carry the legacy and are bound by it. They cannot force a marriage. They bound by their ideals and working for a possible future not an all-important present. I thought about how their society which I surmise was not too different from Gondorian society until Arthedain falls and their society is completely torn to shreds. They keep the living ideal working toward a possible future whereas Gondorian society kept looking to the past as the line of kings died out. It is tragic Dirhael and Iorwen that in order to bring the future they and all their people have striven for has to come with the sacrifice of their daughter's happiness. It has to happen but sacrifice has to be made. The same can be said for Elrond, he sacrifices so much of his own happiness so that the greater good is served. Dirhael has to know if Gilraen truly loves Arathorn which as you say I think that Gilraen didn't realize until she spoke with her father. Lake Evendim. I grew stomping around parts of Millerton Lake by near our town. Climbing rocks overlooking the lady early in the morning with my dad, hot coffee in hand. Water for me has always had a soothing effect, this is reflected in my description of Lake Evendim. The vision is what gives Iorwen both torment and comfort and is the deciding factor to Dirhael saying yes to the match. So happy you are enjoying it. Looking forward to the next review! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: "Climbing rocks and overlooking the LAKE" is what the line was supposed to be! DAMN AUTOCORRECT....what you don't think I'm going to take responsibility for my own typos. Pshaw!!! :-))) (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/17/2025 |
| MM! Starting again... Sometimes people shift blame for evil purposes (we watched an episode of Sharpe last night where a murderer pinned the blame on Major Sharpe), but sometimes they shift blame because they have a blind spot or because they cannot bear the knowledge that their decisions brought devastating consequences. I wonder which is the case with Dirhael? I doubt he'd have evil purposes, so I'm thinking it's either pride or unwillingness to own his stuff. His speeches are certainly to the point – sharply barbed, in many cases. Later in the chapter, you clearly show his capacity for honesty, even with his own uncomfortable truths. Thus, though he is indeed proud and bitter, he also sounds like an honorable Man. He always said it was men of stubbornness and conviction such as Dirhael that allowed the Dunedain of the north to survive the destruction of their kingdom for over 1000 years and keep their identity and their ways living for as long as they have. There's probably a lot of truth in this statement. Erithain sounds quite wise for his obvious youth; I have the feeling his wisdom was hard-won, but he learned his lessons well. But he is still very young to bear such heavy responsibility... This chapter is a fine example of why I love your stories so much. The details sound authentic (I know you do your research!) and pull the reader right into the scene, even smelling the smells and feeling the various textures along with seeing and hearing what the characters see and hear. And in a simple exchange of glances, you manage to put in so much information about the characters! The last part of the chapter left tears in my eyes. Well done. I'm doubly glad you added a chapter to this story and brought it back to the home page, where readers (self included) can more easily find it once more. (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! So glad you have started this journey. I found Chapter 20 started but never finished and I liked what I wrote and decided to finish the chapter. Dirhael has no evil intentions. He is grief-stricken. I love to write characters who don't always act rationally. We don't; why should they? I have always been fascinated by the Dunedain. They had to be a stern and driven people to have survived over a thousand years. They needed some sort of societal structure to survive. I did do a lot of research and sort of a loose cross of Saxon England and Native American plains Indians made the most sense. Dirhael is strickened by grief. He has let it get out of control. Emotional rash decisions are made. Pride and stubbornness to also play their part. Grief can be very isolating. Erithain has been thrust into responsibility way too early and a responsibility he never thought would come to him with two older brothers. As he says he wanted to talk to Dirhael but never felt as if he could intrude upon his grief. Erithain is seeing the example of Dirhael grief play itself out in anger. And Erithain learns this. Dirhael is shocked and disturbed when he realises what his grief has created. We learn often by example but both Dirhael and Erithain have enough emotional maturity to admit they were wrong. The last part just flowed with I was writing this back in the day. Erithain is a good kid who was just overwhelmed by everything that befell him and had to muddle through. So happy you are reading! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 5/16/2025 |
| From my review reply to you, just in case you don't see it where I typed it: (p.p.p.s. I started by glancing at the reviews for Heir Apparent and see I did read the first few chapters. I probably got slammed by work then, and the story moved off the home page as other authors updated their stories, and I lost track. At least, that's the explanation that makes the most sense to me. So I'll be starting over once again and hoping to get all the way to the latest chapter this time!) (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! Yeah! I'm glad that you are wanting to Sally forth and read my story. It is my first multi-chapter story and it is rather close to my heart. I really hope you like it. (((hugs))) MM | |
| Janvpals | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 5/18/2022 |
| this fic was so so so soooooo good omg!! i LOVED reading about arathorn and gilraen, and young aragorn growing up, and just. the. feels!!!! and the epilogue was so, so, sooooooooo well done omgggg thanks so much for writing this!!! Author Reply: So many apologies for not writing a response sooner! Life just happens! But though it is late in coming! Thank you so much for your review I poured my heart into this story and I am so glad it is appreciated!! Thanks! MM | |
| Hanasian | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/24/2021 |
| This is a most beautiful read of this period of the Dúnedain history. The dialogue and narrative really fills in the depth of the story and characters well. Aragorn naming his brother-in-law Erithain as regent chieftain for Aragorn is really awesome storytelling! I've only read this far today but plan on reading the rest soon. The only criticism I have is a minor one... Canonically, at the time of these events, Fornost had been an abandoned ruin haunted by wights since its sacking 960 years before by the Witch-King of Angmar, and had become known as 'Deadman's Dike' in local lore. Still, overall, great story this! Author Reply: Hanasian! Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to write! It really means so much to me! I have always been fascinated by the Dunedain and this story is the result. When I started this story many years I had in my mind I was thinking Fornost and after going back and adding chapters and doing some rewriting I discovered my mistake and realised that I should really have been referring to Annuminas. I need to go through the story to see if just changing the name would work or will I have to rewrite bits. Thank you again for reading and writing. Be Well; Stay Safe MM | |
| Nurayy | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 8/27/2021 |
| So beautiful and sad. It touched me to tears. And there is such peace in this. Author Reply: Nurayy!! I have always loved this Epilogue. It pratically wrote itself! I wanted that reunion between father and son and this poured off my fingertips and out onto the keyboard. So happy it touched you! Thank you for finishing this story! It really means a lot to me that you did! ((hugs)) Be safe! MM | |
| Nurayy | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 8/27/2021 |
| How much weighs on Aragorn's shoulders. At an age when young people struggle and seek their identity, he has to leave everything behind, all that was familiar and he loved and new well, to find. And accept a new reality. And he masters it all sovereignly. I'm so glad he found a new family, and a new home. And I love how in his heart Imladris and his family there will always be there. All this makes him even more special for the richness he he carries in his being. Author Reply: Nurayy!! I'm guessing that this review was for Chapter Nineteen. After being away from this story for over ten years I decided that this portion of the story needed to be told. Again I am fascinated at what 20 year old Aragorn would have thought about and handled his transition from youngest son of Elrond to the Heir of Isildur. How would his people view him? How did he view himself? What would his re-definition of himself cost him emotionally? But he does find a new home among the Dunedain, acceptance and love. I have another half-finished chapter about Aragorn coming back to see Gilraen, back with her people, one last time before she dies. on this site unpublished. I would like to finish it soon. But I have three stories on-the-go already so it will have to wait! Be well! ((hugs)) MM | |
| Nurayy | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 8/27/2021 |
| This story is so nicely crafted. The characters shaped out wonderfully. What joy to see the reunion of Aragorn with his Uncle. There has been much pain and longing for so long. After the waiting the longing and feeling of loss and all Erithain endured, finally they are together without secrets. I love how you write Aragorn throughout the story. There is greatness and love in him, so noble. He is so much like his father, and his mother too, his family, you showed a great heritage. The rangers, how you write them, you do them honour. A great people. They have endured so much, they lead a hard life. And still they stay strong and fight and hope, so very admirable. I love how you show also Aragorn's/ Estel's elven side how is of both worlds. This story is a wonderful tribute to Aragorn! And so very deserved. Author Reply: Nurayy! Sorry for the late response. I am so happy that you have continued with this story. It is close to my heart. I took great joy in reuniting Erithain and Aragorn. "I love how you write Aragorn throughout the story. There is greatness and love in him, so noble. He is so much like his father, and his mother too, his family, you showed a great heritage. The rangers, how you write them, you do them honour. A great people. They have endured so much, they lead a hard life. And still they stay strong and fight and hope, so very admirable." Thank you for writing this. My love for Aragorn and my complete fascination with the Dunedain is what drove this story to be written so I am really happy that love for their nobility (both Aragorn and the Dunedain) came through strong in the story! They had to be a great and noble people to have survived as they did. hope you are well!! ((hugs)) MM | |