Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Fire in the Sky  by MP brennan 10 Review(s)
anonReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/26/2013
Wow, that was a fantastic little fic. I love how you write Aragorn and his various friendships. Keep it up.

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2013
I absolutely loved this story and guessed that it was yours. *g* You write Aragorn and Halbarad so well. I confess to giggling insanely as I imagined Aragorn and Gandalf sitting by some fire, knitting socks. :D But the humor was balanced with the foreboding and dare I say foresight on the part of Halbarad. He feels that change in the air already, and it was very sobering to read between the humor of all his lines, knowing what the very near future holds for all of them, and him especially. Really a terrific story--should have placed higher than mine!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/20/2013
Such a wonderful sight, even if from such a distance! I can appreciate Halbarad's concerns even as I agree with Aragorn as to the relative safety he should know as he travels swiftly to meet with the Wizard. Too bad these children, too soon to be adults, are unlikely to ever know a closer view of Gandalf's displays!

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing! It really is too bad. It's always troubled me that the price they pay for the eventual peace is the loss of so many magical things from Middle Earth.

-Brennan

rsReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/19/2013
Ha, Aragorn and Halbarad with rangers in training! I enjoyed this from the first sentence down to the last!
So realistic. And I love the exchange between Hal and Aragorn...knitting patterns! LOL!

And by the way...if my son was there, he'd be one of the two digging the latrine. :)

Author Reply: Thank you! Glad I could bring a smile to your face. ;)

-Brennan

acairfearannReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2013
Wonderful! So much depth and imagery packed into that. No wasted words, as an editor, I can tell you craft your pieces very well!

Author Reply: Thanks! I really had to fight the urge to ramble on, so it's good to know that that paid off.

-Brennan

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2013
This is a great idea and very well executed.

Did he fold a bit of himself into those ephemeral sparks? Was he diminished when they faded away?

Loved this.

No, actually, strike those words from your mind. I hope it is an utter waste of time.

Loved this.

And I loved Aragorn's thoughts comparing the Hobbits to the children with him. That really captures well who he is. Great story!


Author Reply: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this tale.

-Brennan

Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/18/2013
"He paused a moment, then said “No, actually, strike those words from your mind. I hope it is an utter waste of time. I hope you and Gandalf have nothing to exchange but weather reports and knitting patterns. Because what the two of you consider ‘worth the trouble’ should strike fear into lesser hearts.”

I just want to hug your stories! Great big bear hugs! :D



Author Reply: Aw, thanks! I'll admit I had a lot of fun with that line.

-Brennan

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/17/2013
I loved the idea of the Rangers and the children seeing Gandalf's fireworks. The children were very realistic.I don't personally think that girls would be trained with the boys, but as Tolkien didn't tell us, we don't know.
You had me utterly fooled with this story, I was certain Caristiona's was yours!
If you are ever stuck for an editor you can always ask me as I'd help if I were able.

Author Reply: Yeah, I suspected you were overestimating me this time! ;) I'm glad you liked the image that birthed this story!

As for the girls' training, I debated about leaving that in since I'm still trying to work out what it would entail. I feel that, given the perils facing all Northern Dunedain, the girls would get some training in weapons and survival, though it likely wouldn't be as intensive as what the boys get. The characters in my 'verse would need their daughters to be able to survive if, for instance, a village was raided and they had to flee cross-country. Thus, the blink-and-you-missed-it reference to teaching "the lads" how to number an army based on campfires; the girls just need to learn how to get the heck away. Since this was basically a camping trip and extended history lesson, I decided it made sense to include the girls. I hope to write more in the future about Dunedain kids and Ranger training, but first school will have to loosen its death-grip on my free time.

I may just take you up on your offer of editing. This story definitely could have used a beta's touch, but since I finished within hours of the deadline (while sleep-deprived from finals) it just wasn't possible. At the end of the day, there were much better stories at Teitho this time around (yours and Cairi's especially;), but I'm proud of myself just for finishing a story.

Thanks so much for reviewing!

-Brennan

SuzelleReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/17/2013
Oh I just loved this. As a former overnight camp counselor I have been in Aragorn and Halbarad's boots MANY a time (twelve/thirteen-year-olds are the worst age group don't even get me started :P), and you convey the situation--both its exasperations and rewards--so very well. And I adore the thought of Bilbo's party/Gandalf's fireworks being so boisterous/grand that you can see it from leagues away.

"But, he would provide better for them. Someday."

And it's a comfort to know that even if it's years away, some of these children will grow up to know peace. Thanks for such a great story!



Author Reply: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed Aragorn's mini-rangers, even when he didn't. I've actually worked at a sleep-away camp where I worked in the kitchens and discovered that scrubbing pans>>>>>controlling twelve-year-olds. So, I have great sympathy for Aragorn and Halbarad. ;)

I'm so glad you appreciated this tale and its underlying message.

-Brennan

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/17/2013
I enjoyed this so much! What a delightful, creative, and very thoughtful idea for a story. I particularly love the little details such as "But now on the return journey, the children seemed to be fresh out of reverence."

The children will never forget this night, and what a unique way for us to view it with them! Aragorn is an amazing Chieftain, and you write him so well.

Author Reply: Thank you for the review! I'm so glad you liked this little tale. It was fun to write.

-Brennan

Return to Chapter List