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None For Herself by Thundera Tiger	15 Review(s)
Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/10/2004
To be honest, I don’t think anything I could say in a review would accurately convey how moved I was by this piece - I found it so truly touching. Where to start? Well, I loved the way you chose Halbarad’s viewpoint for us to concentrate on first. You did a great job in showing the loneliness and bleakness of the landscape, while at the same time ensuring that we understand how in tune the Rangers are with this world, as well as that despite the loneliness of their lifestyle there is a camaraderie and friendship among these Rangers. The description of Aragorn’s appearance almost had me in tears. I think you captured perfectly the idea of someone who is weighted by grief but at the same time, in the urgency of his journey, carries a sense of wildness and disbelief, almost as though he has concentrated solely and determinedly on this journey for fear of focusing too much on this tragedy. I can’t tell you how glad I am that Halbarad gave her a proper burial in a marked grave. Even if the stone with her name was to be removed afterwards, it speaks volumes of how much esteem in which he held the mother of his friend. The repetition of “She was gone” is so powerful. I thought it really showed the way he battles with this concept of emptiness and lonesomeness, as though it’s not right that she should be gone at all. I love that you chose Gilraen to be such an influence on Aragorn. It’s definitely the way I’d prefer to see it too. You created an amazing picture of her as someone for whom her son was her whole world. It seems that she knew what his destiny would mean for him and tried to help him to be as prepared as possible, while always allowing him to be independent and willing to listen to him when he wanted her counsel. Oh, and I love the little glimpses you give us into her character – telling tales to her young son, and a battle of wits against Glorfindel (I’d love to have been there for that!). I particularly liked the idea of her ensuring that Aragorn knew his history from the point of view of men as well as elves, as though she is determined that he knows his heritage. I felt so sad that Aragorn regrets that he had been away from her so much, especially towards the end of her days, but I think that really it says a lot about her strength of character that he almost believed that she would always be there. Halbarad really comes across as such a good friend. He might feel uncertain as to what to do but in times of grief it’s the practicalities that we appreciate and such simple things as providing space for his friend to grieve and a place to rest, food to eat and a willing ear are what make all the difference. By the way, I liked his thoughts about the rain. It does seem as though the world should weep. It’s funny how much things like this can mean. My grandmother always said that she wanted it to rain on her coffin – a sprinkling of rain is supposed to mean that the soul has reached Heaven. She died about a month ago and as the coffin was lifted into the church, lo and behold there was a shower of rain. I’m glad she got her wish and I suppose it comforted us too. Anyway, Halbarad’s thoughts just reminded me of this;) "Ónen i-Estel Edain, ú-chebin estel anim.” It’s interesting that in this moment of despair Aragorn chooses to believe that this is about his absence at her end. I always thought it was enigmatic enough that we can’t be quite sure how she intended it. I mean, I know what she was saying, but to me there is a hint of regret to the statement that must be quite heartbreaking for Aragorn. But then, I guess it could also just be seen as a statement of fact, or even of satisfaction at the end that she did what she had set out to do and gave her son fully over to his fate and to the world of Men who would need him more than she did. I’m totally rambling, aren’t I?! Sorry! Anyway, I loved it – your use of language and emotion are breathtaking and together with a wonderful sense of history running throughout you’ve created a superb piece and an obviously heartfelt tribute to mothers the world over. Author Reply: Dot, you can't possible ramble better than I can ramble. Believe me when I tell you that I am a consummate rambler. You'd have to spend many hours in practice to ramble as well as I can. So, no. You didn't ramble. I loved your review! And what I loved most about it is that you picked up on narrative choices and gave me specific feedback on them. Which is something I hunger for, so thank you very much! For example, your comments on Halbarad and the landscape tell me quite a bit. Never has the scenery driven me so much when writing a fic, and I wasn't sure that this was a good thing. To be honest, I was terrified that the setting was going to overwhelm the plot. Thank you for relieving these fears! And the fact that you described Aragorn exactly as I pictured him lets me know that I'm not slacking off in the area of physical descriptions. which is also something I was worried about. And I had wondered if the phrase "she was gone" turned into overkill (pun only partially intended) toward the end, and your comments once again let me know that I'm on the right track. It's reviewers like you that really let me know how I'm doing as an author. And things you don't mention that I worked on are things that I know need more emphasis and better detailing. So thank you for the time you took when writing this review. It truly is appreciated. I wouldn't be able to keep doing this without comments like these. Thank you again! (On a rather unrelated note, I loved the story about rain on your grandmother's coffin. That was really neat.)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/10/2004
It's true. Behind every great man is his momma. What I find interesting about this is that it seems to be the logical, extreme conclusion of the view of traditional motherhood that lasted from the Victorian era through about 1973 or so -- the idea that the greatest good a woman could do would be to pour her whole self into her children. I don't doubt that Tolkien himself subscribed at least partially to his view (though I have heard reports that his daughter didn't), but it's interesting to see what happens when someone actually does that. Premature aging and an early death. I suppose that what makes it noble and bearable for Gilraen is that she seems to have done all she did by choice. She chose, with open eyes, to get married young and then to devote her entire life to perfecting her child. In that way, one could say that Aragorn is her great artistic triumph. But a lot of those women between 1873 and 1973 who sublimated themselves into their children because it was What You Did ended up also keeping no hope for themselves and died relatively unhappy. It's one thing to choose a fate like Gilraen's; it's quite another to have it chosen for you by custom. Perhaps it is the fact that everything Gilraen did was the result of a conscious choice that kept Aragorn from ending up as a spoiled, neurotic momma's boy. And that, in the end, is what makes this a feminist tale. Gilraen made her choices freely and did the best she could by them and by her son. Author Reply: I have such issues with feminism sometimes. The movement was good, the ideals were noble, but since then, it's become so skewed. Ready for my opinion of Women's Rights? Women's Rights do not mean that every wife must leave the home and try to become CEO of a multi-million dollar international conglomerate. Women's Rights means that women may do that if they wish to do that. It also means that they may stay at home and tend children if they wish to do that. It's all about choice, and after that, the feminist movement should have no say. Their job was to make available the option to choose a lifestyle, a career, a politician, etc. But after the choice is available, the individual woman should be the one making the calls. Anyway, that's how I saw Gilraen, though when I wrote her, I wasn't specifically thinking about feminism. But those were still my ideas. She chose to sacrifice everything for Aragorn. She chose to marry Arathorn when she did. Did she regret this, in the end? I'd say that there was a twinge of regret. But even though she's a remarkable woman, Gilraen is still only human. And she knows she can't complain because she chose this road knowing full well what most of the consequences would be. That doesn't mean she can't wish for a few more years if it would mean seeing her son married or safe or any of those things that mothers want for their children. She would be crazy not to want these things, and so I think that her passing wasn't the epitome of happiness for Gilraen. But neither was it an utter tragedy for her. Gilraen chose to be dutiful, and she held to it until the end. Gyah! looks at reply Sorry, you pressed a button and I climbed onto a soapbox. My apologies, especially since you basically said everything that I said in my little rant. Argh. Well, I loved your comments and they were very insightful. You can tell I loved them because they prompted a positive rant. Once again, sorry about that, and thanks so much for the thought you put into your reviews. You're always making me think and reconsider, which is something I love about what you write. Thanks again!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/10/2004
That's a wonderful story. What a lovely tribute not just to Gilraen (and mothers everywhere), but to the love and respect of Aragorn's men and the thoughts and fears that come to us all in the night. A beautiful piece. Author Reply: Ooo, thank you for picking up on the subplot. Well, it wasn't quite a subplot, but I found myself crafting a story about the Rangers in tandem with a story about Aragorn and Gilraen. And I wondered if anyone would pick up on the secondary story, especially after I trimmed it back. (You should have seen it in earlier drafts. It was out of control.) Anyway, I'm gratified to see that you noted the historical Ranger story as well as the story about Rangers in general, especially regarding grief. I suddenly feel as though all the research was worth it. Thank you!

fadagaski	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/10/2004
That was beautiful. Truly. Your portrayal of Gilraen is exactly what I've always imagined she was like - it's nigh impossible to find someone who shares my view in this. And her relationship with Aragorn ... beautiful. Very similar to my mother and me - which of course made the whole story all the more difficult to read because of the whole mortality issue. But so beautiful. Thank you for that. Author Reply: I think most of us hold our mothers in a sort of reverential awe. I say "most" even though I can name quite a few exceptions, but for me, it holds true. My mother is perfect, and I will challenge any one who says otherwise. That's the kind of view I wanted Aragorn to have of Gilraen, because if Gilraen's sacrifice is any indication, she was an exceptional mother. Anyway, I'm glad you liked it and that it touched you. That really does make my day. I was rather uncertain of this fic.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/10/2004
Fantastic! I did not have time to read all, but what I did read was up to your usual high standard. You make me "see" the landscape so clearly; more than mere maps can tell... your characters are clearly drawn and have unique personalities. The story appears to be carefully researched (I say "appears" only because I read in such haste and only got about halfway through before I had to quit--even now I type in haste and hope to finish my thought before I'm called away). In addition, the story tugs at the emotions. It is not a story to be read in haste, nor skimmed, but savoured slowly. I hope to do that. Hope to. I did run across one typo fairly early on, before I began to rush, pressed for time. "Anyone else would not be so foolish or so desperate as to hazard thi speed." I hope to come back to read the rest later. Thanks for an excellent read! Author Reply: Thanks for the catch! I just fixed it, and then my formatting when all wacky and I had to fix that, too. Hopefully it's all working now. crosses fingers Anyway, I'm glad you paused to skim this story and I'm even more grateful that you took the time to comment. Believe me, I appreciate it. In particular, I am so grateful that you commented on the landscape, because that became an intense driving force for this fic. I had no idea that it would play such a prominent part, but it kept coming up so I eventually gave it and let it be a character in its own right. It was a unique experience, and I'm relieved that the landscape came across as clearly as it did. It was staring me in the face, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to convey that in fic form. Thanks for the comments and also for all the support you give me. I look forward to your reviews every time!

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