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

The Eagle on the Ramparts  by Canafinwe 13 Review(s)
gf9PEQHEbReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/2/2015
salam fogholade bood katshe nabashid faghat ye khahesh man sale3vome dabirestanam va darbareye fizike kooantomi faghat dar hadde hamin videoi ke alan didam etela daram mishe esme chandta ketab ro bazekre nevisandehashoon behem begin ta betoonam bishtar motale sham ??bazam mamnoon

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/28/2015
I love this chapter. Finally, Denethor shows some redeeming features *g*. Thorongil's new captain is also a likable fellow. It seems as if Thorongil's fortune's are looking up. I had to laugh at the quartemaster's grumbling that they never made something cheap for someone of Thorongil's stature.

Cimarron's Girl Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/31/2015
Oh, I am so excited to finally be reading this story! Thank you for the rapid updates!

I must say I am really impressed with your portrayal of all of the characters in your tales, but most of all the image of Denethor that your create. His relationship with Thorongil/Aragorn is absolutely fascinating to me; they are two men so alike, at least in appearance, yet they were "unfriends" from the very beginning of their relationship. However, it is important to remember that Denethor is not an evil man, despite his differences with Thorongil; he is a complex character, ultimately misguided in his intentions, but not evil. I think you capture the essence of this very well, particularly in the moment where Denethor is conniving to prevent the marriage between Jamon the Easterling and a Gondorian woman; Denethor's thought "It was not in the best interests of the merchant’s daughter to wed this swarthy stranger. He had only to help her see it" is a perfect example.

I also appreciate your demonstration of Denethor's keen mind - he has a sharp mind indeed to immediately note Thorongil's use of the phrases "that name" and "the men." Aragorn will have to watch his tongue very carefully to outwit Denethor! You really capture Aragorn well in this instance too - he is quick to respond in a manner that is both polite and evasive to questioning, and he remains humble and willing to endure the indignities of a common soldier despite his former position as an Undermarshal. Seems perfectly in-character with the noble Aragorn that we see in the books!

I'm really eager to see what will happen when Ecthelion finally opens Thengel's letter; I wonder if it will precipitate an introduction between the Steward and his future captain. I assume Thengel wrote a glowing letter of character, and I can't help but imagine how everyone will respond.

Also, I already love Minardil (he seems like and kind and fair captain) and I'm intrigued by the case of Jamon the Easterling. As always, I can't wait to see how all this saga unfolds!

Author Reply: Thank you for reading! I'm so glad you're liking it so far, and especially that the characters are coming across well. I agree completely: Denethor is not evil, and at this point he's not even being used by evil. He's a proud man, and he has his flaws, but he genuinely wants what he believes is best for his country. Paternalistic, yes. Evil, no. And he truly is brilliantly intelligent: an equal match (or nearly) for his new rival.

So glad you like Minardil, too! ;-)

LoriReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/30/2015
One thing that seems to always be true about Aragorn is that it takes only a short amount of time before the people he is with come to love him based on not who his ancestors are but on who he is as a person. Already his fellow soldiers are beginning to like him I think. For the man Thornogil defeated to not show any resentment and almost seem to deem it a pleasure to be beaten by someone such as Thorongil is really telling about how Aragorn deals with people, especially those who he may be superior in skill to. Denethor is skilled and talented but treats people disdainfully that fall short of his mark and saps any pride of their work and psychologically discourages ever hoping to better it. Aragorn inspires men to be proud of their hard work and to achieve even greater feats. Two very different approaches by two very different men.

Wow, that was quite the encounter with Denethor! Thorongil is truly respectful and willing to serve Denethor and to humble himself to do so, but is more than a match for Denethor in terms of will. It is amazing how he can simultaneously be kneeling in the dirt in complete and sincere humility and service and yet show the character and indomitable will of a future king and leader of men and refusing to be cowed by Denethor's demands (albeit respectfully).

Can't wait for more. I really appreciate how fast you are putting these chapters up. I know it must be tough as a writer. But As a reader, I can't say how much I look forward to checking everyday to see if you have updated. Keep up the great work.

Author Reply: That's very true. Even Sam only took one night to come around. ;-) These two men do indeed have very different ways of dealing with people. So both are respected and obeyed, but only one is loved. It is fascinating to write Thorongil for just that reason: his humility and grace shine forth, and he is genuinely willing to serve... yet there are matters in which he will not yield.

I'm sure I won't be able to maintain this posting pace forever, but I'll keep it up as long as I can! It's great to be busting pages.

SnehaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/30/2015
Finally they meet! It is sad that they could have been such a powerful force together but Denethor chose to be envious. I am very happy that Aragorn got to eat finally! I love your writing, it is so genuine and you convey your intent well without using modern words.

Author Reply: It's very true. Happily Denethor's professionalism will win out *some* of the time! I couldn't leave Thorongil hungry *too* long this time. Not realistic. ;-)

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/30/2015
This is a beautifully conceived meeting between Thorongil and Denethor.

Author Reply: Thank you so much! It was interesting to explore the dynamics between them.

AromeneReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/30/2015
I admit, I get a certain amount of pleasure out of Denethor being on an uneven footing with Aragorn. I loved how this meeting played out, and I think it's very true to both of them. I wonder what Denethor will think when he learns the contents of the letter?


Author Reply: Heh. I'm glad its enjoyable. He won't always be the one on the back foot, though: he's a worthy match for his new rival, and Thorongil is still a young man (53 years until the War of the Ring!). Cheers!

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/30/2015
So even before Throngil met the Steward, Denethor judged him a danger. Such shortsightedness in a man supposed to be brilliant. Sad since Gondor could have prospered under those 3 men. You are doing a great job with this. Thank you.

Author Reply: Thank you! Yes, it really is sad that Denethor's flaws so stunted his potential and that of Gondor as a whole. It's a tragedy.

someoneReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/30/2015
A lovely chapter, Thorongil got some food and met friendly people! Or not friendly, in case of Denethor.

I can just imagine Minardil's face when this strange new recruit, face filled with joy, brandishes a rusty, old sword! The sword and the man fit together; both hidden beneath superficial dirt.

It is nice to see how Thorongil's real... being, for lack of better word, shines through. The way he behaves with the tailor and Denethor doesn't really fit his image, and Minardil must be very confused by now. He seems to be a very intelligent man, but Thorongil is someone beyond his experience to understand.

And last, thank you for the vocabulary in these stories. It is not that often that I need a dictionary these days, but you seem to send me looking for strange words quite frequently ("genuflect" this time). It is nice to learn new things.

Author Reply: Yes, I'm sure Minardil is a bit puzzled: Thorongil is not your average recruit. I'm glad you liked this (mostly pleasant) chapter. It's always great to know my vocab is strong, too! It's been many, many years in the making.

AranadhelReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/30/2015
Mellon... I will say it now. I have read a lot of LOTR fanfictions these past few years and no one... I repeat no one in my humble opinion comes close to how you write about Estel. So so much like in the book and you are continuing the Professor's work as it were his own handwriting.

I look forward to all your future stories of Estel.

The loyal Malaysian fan.

Author Reply: I cannot express how awed I am by such praise. Thank you. I don't know what more I can say. That's just... I'm humbled. Thank you.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List