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Light on the Way by Larner	61 Review(s)
Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/30/2004
Good explanation of Arwen's last months. Interesting how over 112 years, the fact that she was an Elf has become a myth rather than a statement of fact. Given another century, the people of Gondor (and elsewhere) will no longer believe in the existence of elves at all. Author Reply: I agree, and am glad you are finding so much to respond to in the story.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/29/2004
One of the best chapters, that reprises JRRT's theme of the fading of the magical and beautiful from Middle-earth - something I hate about the end of LOTR, since I don't want the magic to end. But you write it very well; Arwen's bereavement and the loss of her light since Aragorn took it with her; she cannot last, and though it hurts Eldarion, he accepts it. Interesting that her subjects, epitomized by the well-meaning Warden, are so far removed from the events of LOTR that they can't believe their queen is of Elf-kind. And sad. Author Reply: When something is with us for so long, we tend to take it for granted. That the Queen should have failed as she did seems, from the book, to have gone remarkably unnoted. And there are already so few Elves left in Middle Earth--once Legolas is gone, how long do you think the colony in Ithilien will continue? Not long, I fear.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/29/2004
great meeting between Frodo, Sam and Bilbo, and how each one was discribed. Lked how Aragorn was transformed to a youth, tall and royal and shining with a clear light, as he crossed the bridge. Also liked the Him seeing his grandaughter and grandson. looking forward to more. Author Reply: I always thought Aragorn was forced to grow up too soon, and feel he deserves some youth in the end, don't you?

Envinyatar	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/27/2004
Another great chapter, although moving in a somewhat unexpected direction - leaves me wondering why Aragorn should move on so fast, when those as ancient as Elros are still in the Halls of Waiting. Or do they remain behind as well, in the same way they can be in different halls? No doubt all will become clear. Loved the depictions of the different characters, especially Sam the Guardian, and I'm really looking forward to that meeting with Arwen. As for the bells tolling, obviously it's your choice, though I'd vote for changing it to 210. I can't remember if HoME ever explains why Tolkien changed his mind. I had read the 'rebel dwarf' story in HoME, and I also wish that had remained. I didn't realise it had lasted into the 1st edition. There's a complete set on offer on e-Bay just now - for £5000! Author Reply: The tolling of the bell has been changed to reflect Tolkien's own obvious wishes on the subject. Five thousand pounds? My, I wish I had that much right now--I'd be headed your way very quickly. Want to visit York once more.

grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/27/2004
What a great chapter, this is a great story. I love how Aragorn can be several places at one time. That he left himself in the halls of waiting and met more people he knew with the Rohirrim. So sad that Denethor was still trying to heal, loved the part about the mirror, putting in the window and the door, then taking away the mirror. So glad that Denethor went to meet his family, and that Aragorn wanted to be friends. Author Reply: Thanks for appreciating the imagery.

Imrahoil	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/27/2004
Interesting, I never expect what's coming next and how you will do it, always a good sign. But you are harsh in your treatment of Denethor or is it just the way I read it? To have him indulging again in his favourite mortal sin is, hmmm, yes, ... harsh. But it's a really good idea and very well written, and one can't say that it's out of character. Speculating now WHAT's coming next and very much looking forward to it. Author Reply: Pride and envy are difficult sins to divest oneself of, I always have found. Glad this has kept you involved. Hope the newest chapter is as intriguing.

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/26/2004
I have always pondered what would have happened once those from the War died and this is such a splendid way to have written it! Is everyone able to wander the halls? Like I notice that quite a few are in multiple places but is eveyone allowed to do that? Wow, the whole thing with Denethor was wonderful! Carrying his anger and madness really with him to the grave and beyond was very well done, I am glad that he will live a happy...afterlife. Oh, there can only be another set of people to meet can't there? Where are Sam and Frodo and Bilbo?! I hope that they will make an appearance soon! What a time all of these who love one another can have now that they are turly together forever! Thank you for this wonderful look at what happened after death! Gives a lot for the imagination to chew on! Author Reply: I would think you'd have to have a strong tie to a different culture, and strong associations on the part of members that culture, too, in order to be able to sit in their particular Hall. Aragorn, as Thorongil or Ælrich, as another fanfic sib had Thengel address him, rode among the Rohirrim for several years, then returned to establish strong relationships with Éomer, Théoden, and Éowyn, and those beside whom he fought at Helms Deep and who followed him to the Black Gate. He would definitely have reason to sit in their Hall as well as that of his own folk. And in order to see there were other halls I think you'd have to have traveled or read widely in your lifetime in order to appreciate others would establish their own images in the Afterlife. The rest of the Edain prior to the establishment of Númenor would probably have been closer in their view of the afterlife than those who followed Elros across the Sea, which is why I had Barahir meet Aragorn there rather than in the Hall of the Dúnedain. In deciding on the presence of different Halls, I was tying into the images Lewis had in The Great Divorce of each person in the grey town creating his own ineffective residence to give himself the illusion of shelter from the rain, and was strongly influenced by his description given by the one who traveled far out to peer into the windows of the great palace constructed by Napoleon, with that individual pacing endlessly blaming everyone else for his failures. If we develop our own Hells, certainly we also develop our own images of proper paradises, as well. Yet all these are illusional in part, particularly if we refuse to go beyond them to the Heart of the matter. And so Aragorn has yet to pass through the Gardens.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/26/2004
Wow. A lot of unfinished business is being taken care of in these last two chapters! Tolkien mentioned, I believe in one of the HoME (History of Middle-Earth) volumes, that Faramir and Eowyn's son was named Elboron, which means Faithful Star. HoME is not always considered canonical, so you can get away with naming Faramir's son Boromir, but I've always preferred Elboron, since that would make him one of the three 'El' sons - Eldarion, Elfwine (son of Eomer and Lothiriel) and Elboron. "I had hoped to have one who knew me serve as my Steward in Gondor, one whom I honored, one whose knowledge rivaled my own. Faramir was wise and learned beyond the standard of most men of his day, but he was not you, Denethor." Is Aragorn speaking of his feelings when he began his Kingship, or throughout it? I would think that Faramir's knowledge would have eventually surpassed that of Denethor, since Faramir was a wizard's pupil, had not been deceived and worn out by palantir mind games with Sauron, and since Faramir would have sought knowledge of other realms as well as that of and affecting Gondor. Who's the other Maia who Aragorn sees when coming to Denethor's chamber? Interesting idea that part of Denethor's grudge against Aragorn comes from Finduilas' fondness for Thorongil. I would think that Denethor would have asked Faramir's forgiveness before embracing him and the others of his family - Faramir was the one he had wronged most, and that step, and Faramir's certain forgiveness, would have been the final step in Denethor's healing. Aragorn could bring Denethor to the light, but it wasn't up to Aragorn to forgive Denethor for all his sins, it was up to Denethor to forgive himself, and I think, to do so, he would at least try to seek forgiveness of the one he'd wronged the most. Author Reply: Aragorn's desire for Denethor as Steward would indeed have been limited to the beginning of his reign. He and Denethor were within a year in age, and he would have had intimate insight into Denethor's leadership style, his competency, and so on; and I have often imagined them, early in his time as Thorongil, before Denethor began to become jealous, sitting together in the evening discussing philosophy and poetry, and Thorongil dodging questions about his background and his knowledge of the Elves and the doings of the northern Dúnedain. At the time of his accession he had seen Faramir only once, after all, when he healed Denethor's son. The only Maia I thought of Aragorn seeing was Olórin. Are you confused because I switched from Aragorn's POV to that of Denethor? We have less control over line spacing on the boards than when we can do proper text, so it isn't always as obvious when the POV changes. If so, I'll look at fixing things. I couldn't remember where I'd seen a name for Faramir and Éowyn's son, so thanks for reminding me of HoME. No, HoME isn't canonical, but it is more so than my own choices for the names of the children, so I will change the name now. As for your observation Denethor ought to have begged Faramir's forgiveness first, I think you're right. Will think on that one.

Envinyatar	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/26/2004
This just gets better. I though it was done after the first chapter and was surprised to see it was a WIP, not knowing where you could go after that. I'm very glad you did keep going, though. I've enjoyed it immensely and have to echo other comments on your characterisation and style. This last chapter blew me away. I thought you'd avoided the issue of Denethor in the last chapter and didn't blame you for that at all, but you've addressed it beautifully and movingly. I hate when people try to justify Denethor's behaviour by knocking Aragorn, but you've done them both justice. One issue about Aragorn's age. He did live to be 190 in the 1st edition, I believe, but in all later ones it was 210. Lucky you if you have a first edition, I'd love to read one as I think there are other quite significant changes. Thanks again for this, and looking forward to meetings with Frodo, Sam and Arwen whenever they're ready. Author Reply: This has me very intrigued. I first read LOTR in 63-64, so the first edition was where I first began looking at the appendices. My first personal set was the infamous Ace edition, and I went through two sets of that before my mother got me the hardback editions (the glue was awful). I kept my copy of the Ace ROTK, as I'd noted several differences between it and the second, but I'd NEVER thought to check out the differences between Aragorn's death dates. How odd. The most notable difference in the text itself was that Tolkien had removed a brief temper tantrum Aragorn aimed at Gimli during his recovery from the use of the Palantir: >>"You forget to whom you speak," said Aragorn sternly, and his eyes glinted. "What do you fear that I should say: that I had a rascal of a rebel dwarf here that I would gladly exchange for a serviceable orc? Nay, Gimli," he said in a softer voice....<< Now, that loss caught my attention the very first time I read the second edition. I have the hardback first edition of FOTR, but the second editions of TTT and ROTK, both of which had been out of stock when Mom tried to get me the set for my birthday at age fifteen. But when I was checking Aragorn's death date I was indeed reading from my Ace edtion. What say you--should I change the number of the tolls of the bell once more? Author Reply: Okay, the age has been changed to reflect Tolkien's change of mind from second edition on.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/24/2004
Larner, I have been wandering with wonder through your writing, (all of your stories,) And getting very little done in RL! Thank you so much for such a depth of emotion. You have developed the characters in ways that are very true to the way I feel about them and yet kept an element of distance or specialness that is in keeping with the subject matter. Brilliant stuff, I can't wait until you post more. Author Reply: Thank you for the honor.

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