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| Like Swords by PSW | 11 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Robbie | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/22/2025 |
| You moved me to tears. I'm glad you braved this topic, as such is neglected in the book (unavoidable, with such a long story, I guess, but still regrettable). Your writing is calm, but intriguing and shows a lot of thought and insight. We see next to nothing of Aragorn in interaction with his kinsmen. I feel like a missing piece is filled in the story. Thank you. Author Reply: Thank you for your lovely comments - I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And I agree, I wish there was more about this particular group - they seem such an important part of Aragorn's life. | |
| Itarille | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/21/2025 |
| I forgot to mention: I like Dorhaur a lot from your story Beyond Imladris, and it seems very fitting that he lived a long life, still hale in his old age, and died at the momentous Battle of the Pelennor Field. Did all three of Dorhaur's sons fall in that battle? And Baradhald (the antagonist in Beyond Imladris, if I recall the name correctly) fought valiantly as well! I loved this detail. Author Reply: I don't think Dorhaur would have had it any other way. <3 And I'm happy you caught the mention of Baradhald - in my mind, he was never an overtly pleasant soul but did have a redemption arc of some kind. At least, enough that he would have been with his brethren defending their chieftain here ... No, only Demedhel. Duinath fell to an orc arrow 15 to 20 years ago - Derinadh (Dorhaur the younger's cousin that died here) was his son. And Daelin had very recently before they set out been seriously wounded - Dorhaur (his son) does not know whether he will yet live when they return. | |
| Itarille | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/21/2025 |
| PSW, what a beautiful story! I love the idea of an all-night vigil for the dead--it is very plausible that the Dunedain would have such a custom. I feel for the Northern Dunedain: seventeen of their company dead, and their Chieftain could not even be with them for one night's vigil. I also love how you include two men of Gondor in the Dunedain's vigil. Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I always imagined the Grey Company must have taken heavy losses - they are Aragorn's particular people and would have been particularly set on ensuring their Chieftain's safety throughout the battle, knowing better than most perhaps his importance. Also, after Halbarad was killed someone else would have needed to take up Aragorn's standard, making that man a target, and down the line ... Thanks so much for your comments! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/21/2025 |
| The ritual of an all night vigil for the dead is simple and beautiful, and you describe it so well. I'm surprised to see the sons of Elrond participating in mourning the dead when they too should be in the Houses of Healing along with Aragorn, trying to save the living. They must have been healers like their father, but there's just not enough about them in the books. As I recall, Aragorn does send for them later and that's what they do for the rest of the night and probably beyond. I'd love to see you write about that part too. Author Reply: Yeah, it's hard to say what Elladan and Elrohir were doing when Aragorn first went to the Houses of Healing. I even checked that section because I was like, am I sure he didn't bring them along? But as you say, he definitely called for them later - and who knows why. Perhaps he wanted to see the situation first. Perhaps they had determined to follow his lead regarding their role, as this is his circus (as we might say). Whatever reason, I thought they may be with the Northern Dunedain until then, with whom they have so often ridden and with whom they traveled this time. There's so much about this time left open to the imagination! Thanks so much for your comments! | |
| bobbygniu | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/19/2025 |
| Wonderful story. The grey company is one of my favorite parts of LOTR. I do hope you continue the story. Author Reply: Thank you! The Grey Company is also one of my favorite parts - they do spark the imagination and I wish there was more about them in canon. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :-) | |
| Erulissé | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/18/2025 |
| Wow. That was deep. I always wondered what Aragorn was doing when he was fetched to the City to rescue Merry and Eowyn and Faramir. This fills that gap so well. I felt like I was there. “I vow to you that your kin will be as my own this night.” That hits hard. Sometimes just that solidarity and sincerity when nothing can ease the grief you feel can give comfort. I could feel the weight. It was spectacular. Author Reply: Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it. I assumed, since he impressed upon Eomer and Imrahil that he would wait outside the city simply as the captain of the northern Rangers, that he would have indeed been acting in that capacity. And yes - solidarity and sincerity eases many a difficult blow. Thanks so much for your comments! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2025 |
| Oh... As I wrote in my lost review (all that typing on a phone, only to post an empty review!) this narrative brought me to tears. I love Dorhaur's grandfather in the other story I'm reading; he won my heart with his courage, good sense, and understanding. It was so hard to say goodbye to him here. It seems so right that Aragorn would have kept vigil with him, among all the others, until the dawning... except for pressing circumstances. It broke my heart to read that more than half of them perished in the battle. (I mean, I knew from the book that Halbarad died there, but so many... and the fact that only thirty of them rode to the South speaks to me of the difficulty the Northerners encountered in being able to spare only so small a number – and how hard-pressed those who remained in the North-lands must have been after they left.) And yet the courage and wisdom of Haladan, himself wounded and having suffered grievous loss, broke my heart a little more, it felt like, and that he 'spoke for them all'. “Go, Aragorn. You must not sacrifice the living for the dead. The numbers we have here will suffice.” The generosity of the battle-wearied young Gondorians is moving, from the description you give of them to "As long as you need..." and Valgil's simple vow. Just as in that old saying, 'It takes one to know one'; I recently added Itarille's story The Steward and the King to my favorites list, along with Of Hearth and Home. I'm looking forward to reading more of Itarille's stories – and yours! The two of you (among others) have kindled my interest in the Northern Dúnedain and expanded my want-to-read list at just the right time. All that to say, I'm very glad Itarille encouraged you to write on this topic, and I would love to see more of your characters and their stories. (And I'm glad I haven't finished Beyond Imladris yet, for I hate to see the last of Dorhaur's grandfather...) Author Reply: I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. It was sad, of course - but then, LoTR is sad. It was hard for me to say goodbye to Dorhaur (son of Dedhalin) too ... but I don't think he would have been anywhere else at this time. And as for the rest who perished - it seems to me that Aragorn's kin from the North had come to fight beside him, and they knew (and have always known) the full story of who this is and what it means for him to come through victorious (and alive). They would have been set on ensuring his survival. (Also, once Halbarad fell no doubt others took up the standard, which would have made them targets.) In my head, Halbarad made at least one man from each family stay behind, and didn't take the time to wait for all the scattered Rangers to be gathered - they took who they could and rode. So perhaps there are more left than there might otherwise be ... but I still don't think it could be a large number. The northern Dunedain are definitely a dwindling people. Thx so much for your comments, I appreciate them! | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2025 |
| PSW! This was wonderful. I love the idea of this kind of funeral rites and love the realization on Dorhaur's part that Gondorian rites are not so very different from their's. After all a long time back they came from the same people. They are all Men of the West. I think there can be more to write in this vein! Thanks for this! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Yes! They once all came from the same place and people, and although they have grown apart still they have much in common. Thanks so much for your lovely comments! | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2025 |
| PSW! Very good idea for this story! And I love that Dorhaur, grandson of Dorhaur is here and unfortunately his grandfather, Aragorn's first friend of the Dunedain lie dead. :~( I love it when characters are brought forth from other stories! "I am Valgil, son of Veregil, and I vow to you that your kin will be as my own this night.” The simple declaration hit Dorhaur hard. He closed his eyes and bowed his chin to his breast, laying a hand upon the Gondorian shoulder at his side." *weep* Gotta dash to work! will finish this Story at break! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: I love including characters from previous stories! I feel like it gives the world continuity ... Yes - I was sad about Dorhaur too but just didn't see another way. There wasn't anywhere else he would have been at that time but between Aragorn and the swords of Mordor ... :-( | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2025 |
| This vigil is incredibly moving and beautifully described. Author Reply: Thank you - I'm happy you enjoyed the story! | |