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A Long and Weary Way by Canafinwe	8 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 2/5/2014
And so the comforting interlude comes to an end and the grim road is starting up again. This was a much needs break. Now Aragorn can tackle the next stretch of his long journey.

Suzelle	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 1/15/2014
I have had a long and rambling day so this may turn into a long and rambling review, apologies in advance: Finally got a chance to make further headway into this story today, and in many (trivial) ways it mirrored my own day very well! Had a nightmare of a morning commute which meant that I got to knock out four chapters at once, and it provided a much-needed distraction from the train disasters. Your descriptions of Fangorn are so vivid and beautiful, in their own haunting way--I love the notion of the forest itself being able to see into Aragorn's heart, his strengths and his weaknesses. I left off just as he gave the name "Estel" to the Elves, and I kept thinking about the story all day at work, and it aided in my motivation once some dreadful cramps started coming on--I kept saying to myself "come on lady, Aragorn has been dealing with all manner of unspeakable hardships and is still soldiering on, you can make it through a painless office job while suffering some back cramps." In the end, however, I was not as strong as Aragorn, and I had to leave work early so that I could go home and take care of myself for better to return tomorrow. And as I lay in bed with a hot water bottle it was very nice to read about Aragorn FINALLY getting some care and respite himself. I only wish that he could have given himself a longer break! Your Celeborn is positively wonderful--everything I'd imagine he would be. I got a little choked up once he started talking about Arwen--he clearly loves her so much ;_;. I find myself reluctant along with Aragorn to leave Lórien, imagining what lies ahead, but am relieved that he now finds himself with proper supplies and nourishment! This continues to be a phenomenal story, and I'm excited to keep reading! Author Reply: What a lovely review! I'm sorry to hear you had such a rough day. It sounds like quite the adventure, and I'm happy my story was there to distract you! I am so glad you liked the descriptions of Fangorn; it's such fascinating place, and I would have loved to have Aragorn explore it -- but alas, it was not to be. It's wonderful to know that you like my interpretation of Celeborn. It was interesting to have him by himself, because Galadriel tends to outshine him when they're together. It is clear from his interactions with Aragorn in the book how much he respects his grandson-in-law to be, and I have always felt that he must cherish Arwen. But the time in Lorien is necessarily brief, and a long road still lies ahead. I am so glad you've been enjoying the story! Thank you for the wonderful feedback.

HH	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 12/7/2013
I have been following the story with great interest .. as I do many of the stories here. Thank you for putting this together. I have to wonder why Aragorn would not spend just a little more time and get the supplies he needed to continue on .. surely just a few more days would have not cost him much in comparison to the benefit he would have gotten. And I also wonder why none of the elves were sent to travel with him to bring Gollum to Mirkwood. For such a critical task I would have expect a company of elves being sent with him as a escort. Anyway .. thats for putting the time and effort to write this ... Author Reply: Thank you! I'm very glad that you're following the story, and your question is a very valid one -- as well as something I considered carefully when making the decision. The narrative of the northward journey in The Unfinished Tales supplied most of my canonical support. For one, Tolkien makes much of Aragorn's fear of pursuit by Gollum's former captors: hence his desire not to linger anywhere too long. Second, with the distance they travel and the time in which they travel it ("with weariness"), a loss of more than two and a half days in Lorien has consequences on their average pace. I calculate two days in to the heart of the realm, and then two days out (as opposed to about a little more than a day if he skirts the marches). With this we would have to add the day he spent sleeping before Celeborn arrived, and at least two days for quantities of travel food to be prepared for him. Even then, he would not have been able to get much by way of winter clothing, since the Galadhrim don't have need of it themselves and therefore would not have such garments on hand. This loss of a week would require that for the rest of the journey Aragorn averages MORE than twenty miles a day. While this is certainly within his ordinary powers, it is not realistic for Gollum, who is walking also: on the road to Rivendell the hobbits manage only one twenty-mile day, and it leaves them utterly drained even though three of them are young, healthy and sturdy, and the fourth is mounted. Also, though Aragorn is not consciously aware of it, he has a sense that the extra days (and food, but little warm clothing) will not bring much extra benefit at all... which as you'll see in a couple of chapters is in fact the case.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 12/6/2013
I enjoyed this chapter more than I can say. Celeborn is such an interesting, yet little-known character; I enjoyed writing about him in my story "Mind to Mind". The details of Aragorn getting so blissfully clean after so long reminded me of one of my favorite (very old stories) by Ariel, "The Gift of Illuvatar", in which Frodo is gently but thoroughly cleansed after being rescued with Sam from The Mountain. What a pleasure to know that Aragorn has received such a respite. Author Reply: Oh, I'm glad you enjoyed it! After all the waiting, it was nice to be able to reward your patience with a chapter that was almost ALL comfort. I agree so much about Celeborn: under-appreciated but fascinating! This story gave me a chance to get him separate from Galadriel, which is always great because when they're together she tends to outshine him (understandably). I'm sure Aragorn absolutely loved the chance to wash. Of course, it wasn't a long soak in a tub full of hot water, as he might have had in the city (or in Rivendell, for instance), but after so long enduring filth and grime, it must have felt wonderful.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 12/6/2013
Wonderful chapter. I cannot even pick out my favorite part. However, I am glad Aragorn got his bath. Thank you. Author Reply: You're so very welcome! I couldn't have him turning up on Thranduil's doorstep with bits of Shelob's web still in his hair. Too cruel to both parties. So glad you liked the chapter!

Marianel	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 12/6/2013
I must also agree with theanswerofdawns musings of Aragorn and Celeborn because of i thought of the same:) Author Reply: Thank you! I love their relationship. The first time I read the book, I was struck by Aragorn's many thanks for the gift of boats, which of course was Celeborn's doing. Galadriel gave the mystical and inspirational gifts, but Celeborn gave the practical. That alone tells me a lot about his character!

Marianel	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 12/6/2013
Aaaah finally some rest and food and a bath for Estel the poor wretch!Though I easily think he could have used some more of Lothloriens hospitalities and the idea of more stashed away food.I wholly agree with Celeborn in this matter!But I can also see Estels point of moving on ofcourse with winter soon upon him and all.I must admire your frequency posting chapters to the pleasure of us all! Author Reply: Yes! Bathtime! I'm sure he would have been better off with the gifts of Caras Galadhon and of Lady Galadriel -- particularly as that almost certainly would have included lembas and a real cloak! But he cannot delay: Tolkien has him on a very fixed schedule, and he only has twenty-six days to make it the rest of the way to Thranduil's halls! I'm glad you're enjoying the quick updates! Soon enough we'll catch up to the last of the already-written chapters and they may slow a little after that, but I'll do my best to keep them coming!

TheAnswerIsDawn	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 12/6/2013
I love the relationship between Celeborn and Aragorn that you portray here, we get so little of it in canon, but this was masterfully done. Also, a great and gentle punishment for Hithfaer, and I can just imagine Celeborn's comical expression when he learns Gollum's name. :) Author Reply: Thank you so very much! It's true that we get so little of the relationship between Aragorn and his grandfather-in-law, but I find the tidbits we do get very telling. It was so wonderful to have the chance to expound upon them here. So good for Aragorn, too, to spend a little time in the care of someone who loves him. I'm glad you felt Hithfaer's reprimand was fitting; a lesson in courtesy, really. And to Elven ears surely 'Gollum' is one of the ugliest names ever devised! Author Reply: Thank you so very much! It's true that we get so little of the relationship between Aragorn and his grandfather-in-law, but I find the tidbits we do get very telling. It was so wonderful to have the chance to expound upon them here. So good for Aragorn, too, to spend a little time in the care of someone who loves him. I'm glad you felt Hithfaer's reprimand was fitting; a lesson in courtesy, really. And to Elven ears surely 'Gollum' is one of the ugliest names ever devised!

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