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| A Matter of Honor by meckinock | 16 Review(s) |
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| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/3/2006 |
| Oh wow. Mood change or what. And Halbarad worrying about his 17 year old son and a 15 ish year old girl who has just seen her family cruelly slaughtered. A much more beak-dipping, fly-crawling kind of worry that is packed with immediate danger - but less serious in it potential impact on the world than some aged creased letters that threaten to dispossess the hope of Arda. I'm with Halbarad. It has unlikely written all over it. Arathorn's son, maybe, in the way that Aragorn is Elrond's. But Aragorn's right, too - any doubt in any mind could be enough to shift everything and cause the once and future king to fail. I wonder if Halbarad's mother knows more than he thinks. It would be delightfully ironic if she could illuminate them in a five minute conversation, when they are (clearly) going to go through agonies to try to find out the truth. Such a beautifully done mixture of moods - humour, scenery, angst, horror - and a reminder that being a leader and a king takes more than birth. Aragorn is the right person to chase windmills and throw himself against overwhelming odds whatever secrets emerge. And it's good to see him back on the job rather than wallowing in fears of dishonour and disinheritance. I shall go and read it again now. Author Reply: Don Quixote Aragorn! Well, you have a point. He's going to run off and be noble even if it kills him. And poor Halbarad is just along for the ride. What's a loyal Captain to do? And it's somewhat amazing, isn't it, how men tend to think women couldn't possibly know important stuff? Thanks, Bodkin | |
| Casso | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/2/2006 |
| Hail Meckinock, Love your writing, please don’t stop. Unlike Aragorn, I just can’t believe the older brother story. There has to be another explanation. The thing is, I imagine Arathorn to be something like Aragorn in character and I cannot see Aragorn denying the getting of a child regardless of the circumstances. If Arathorn had had an older son should he not have acknowledged him openly and then declared Aragorn his heir anyway? I think you torture Aragorn intentionaly. I like it. More please. Cheers, Casso Author Reply: Hey, Casso, You're not alone - Halbarad doesn't believe it, either! It does seem an ignoble a thing for Arathorn to have done, doesn't it? On the other hand, he did take the kid fishing... Not sure I want to cop to the gratuitous Aragorn abuse, but as long as you like it, I'll just say thanks. Glad you're finding it entertaining :-) More to come | |
| Gandalfs apprentice | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/2/2006 |
| I like the first confrontation between Aragorn and Halbarad--true to the character of both. And now the plot is really thickening! I hope you update soon! G.A. Author Reply: Hi, GA, Glad you liked the confrontation. It wore me out, though. I'm tempted to hang up the serious stuff and write fluff. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/2/2006 |
| Well, geez, that took an ugly turn. On the positive side, its enough to get the grim ranger's mind off his father's indiscretion and a missing potential halfbrother, but on the negative side... well, three people are brutally dead and one kidnapped. So now we are left to wonder what these bandits have to do with the story.. Like Halbarad, I think I need a drink. Author Reply: Are you suggesting I send out free samples of Dorwinion with every chapter? I'll have to think about that. In the meantime, yes, at least Aragorn has something to take his mind off his own worries for a while. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/2/2006 |
| Oh you are so good. Both parts of this were wonderful. Halbarad is always himself-- a pathetic drunk apparently, but a man who sees the world clearly and honestly. He sees the subtleties but he's not going to be diverted from what's most important and can do the most good. He's not going to split hairs and angst around. But poor Aragorn. There's an honest man who's about to lose everything. Everything! And it would be a tragedy not just for him but for all of ME. The scene with the butchered family is awful. You do sensory details so well, and they're never intrusive, be they grass flattened by flood or crows on carrion. And its always in the service of the story and the characters actions and feelings. Author Reply: Thanks, Daw. I'm flattered you felt the sensory details had a good balance - I know it's something you're very effective at in your own work. This chapter was hard - one of these days I'm just going to have Aragorn and Halbarad go fishing or something. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/2/2006 |
| This chapter was full of surprises.I love the way Halbarad is there for Aragorn and his faith in him. I shuddered at the rotting bodies,it was horrible to read which is a compiment to your writing. I hope they can both save the girl and find out about the other son of Arathorn.As always ,gripping and beautifully written. Author Reply: Hi, Linda, I can't get enough of Halbarad's loyalty to Aragorn either (obviously!) I guess if shuddering is a good thing, then thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. | |