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A Matter of Honor by meckinock	322 Review(s)
Klose	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/16/2007
Ah, there are so many tantalising possibilities you've hinted at in this chapter... Saerbellas being rather of Halbarad's great-great-great-grandfather, now there's something that I'd love to know more about! (And, also, what Elladan and Elrohir might wanted to have discussed about Halbarad's mother! grapples) Halbarad's discomfort at this reminder of the antiquity of the Elves of Imladris was certainly understandable, and it does make me wonder about how they see it - the distant descendants of the first Dunedain they must have befriended, how they must be so different and so similar from their ancestors... and each passing on quicker than they might like. I'm thinking you're primarily a Man-writer (as odd as that sounds), but you have such a gift for bringing all characters to life - from Halbarad to Aragorn to Gandalf to the Elves to Dudo. I'm not terribly interested in Hobbits, I'll admit, but Dudo's rather stolen my heart, I think. And, also, I don't think we'll see too much more of the Elves for the rest of the story (if I'm remembering correctly), I'd just like to say again that I adore your depiction of them. As seen in Elrohir's exchange with Halbarad re: Dudo, they're as wise and melancholy as Tolkien portrayed them, and kind, too. (This particular struck me in this line: Glorfindel appeared behind Dudo’s chair and pulled it back from the table. “Save your questions for the Hall of Fire, Master Dudo,” he said, extending a hand as the hobbit twisted around to peer up at him. “It is time for singing. Do you like to sing?” It's rather innocent as far as it's role in the entire scene goes, but it's just so perfect in its simplicity. Also perfect is drunk!Elladan, whose antics inspire me to write fanfiction of my own, LOL. Elrond's resignation and Glorfindel's disapproval are just the icing on the cake... for Elladan's drunken poetry ain't too bad, I'm thinking! "Halbarad, morose and dour" - ahahaha! :D! Halbarad's familiarity with Elladan's inebriated singing gives me an image of Elrond's sons and some Rangers around a campfire, all a bit heady from too much ale... as I said, you offer up some very tantalising possibilities in this chapter... Once again, you very deftly bring the story back to serious matters. Halbarad's conversation with Dudo about the dangers of being too infatuated with Rivendell - just, wow. It was nothing short of exquisite. And a poignant way of showing the "other side", a nice contrast to Elrond's perspective in the previous chapter. Such is Rivendell, Dudo – an image of what awaits us, maybe, after our toil here is done; and a refuge, from time to time, from the trials of mortal life. sighs Gorgeous. Apologies for all this incoherence, but this is just such a wonderful story, and despite repeated readings, I cannot get over how well-written it is. Action, drama, relationships, humour, flawed, loveable characters - it's what I look for in any good story, and I'm just so glad I found this story, which most definitely has all of the above, and more. Good stuff, Meckinock! Now to slowly tackle the remainder of this story... :D Author Reply: Thank you for the gift of knowing that I've been able to brighten your day and that you're glad you found the story. I can't tell you how elated it makes me. I am primarily a Man-writer, yes (that does sound somewhat odd, doesn't it?), and I'm not sure I could sustain an entire story about just Elves, for example. I'm pretty rooted in the grubby, smelly, mortal types. But I enjoyed the challenge of writing all the various races that ended up populating this portion of the story and seeing how they would interact. I'm glad you pointed out that brief interaction between Glorfindel and Dudo. I just see the Elves as being endlessly kind and indulgent of a hobbit - and of course there's evidence of this in the way Elrond welcomed Bilbo. Also perfect is drunk!Elladan, whose antics inspire me to write fanfiction of my own, LOL. No way. I thought I'd be tarred and feathered for drunk!Elladan, frankly :-) I did somewhat imagine that Elrond's sons let their hair down occasionally when they're out in the Wild with the Rangers. Yes, that's an appealing image... I'm glad you liked Halbarad's talk with Dudo; it was sort of at the heart of my exploration of the anomaly that Rivendell and its inhabitants would have presented to the mortal residents of Eriador. Thank you again so much. I'm fairly incoherent in my ability to convey the extent to which I'm grateful for your review; just please believe I am!.

Klose	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/16/2007
I've read this story twice already, I think, havivng randomly discovered it somehwere in late December, I think... I never thought I could do justice to this wonderful story with a review, but I'm reading this again and I'll attempt to do this in stages. ;) I think this chapter and the next are one of my favourites of this story - the entire exchange with "Saddlebags" (LOL!) was utterly priceless In fact, Saddlebags looked like he probably hadn’t held a weapon since -- well, probably since the Last Alliance, Halbarad concluded despondently -- where spindly old Saddlebags had undoubtedly slain more orcs than Halbarad had seen in his lifetime. He was doomed. The Elf standing over him smiled dangerously. “Yes, you are.” dies One does wonder if Saerbellas wasn't responding so much to Halbarad's refusal of a bath as he was reading Halbarad's mind... you have such a flair for such casual humour, and this dry wit really brings Halbarad to life - I'm reminded suddenly of a line in chapter one: Halbarad reminded himself for the fiftieth time to strangle Aragorn for instigating the bestowal of Bree names. Apologies for all this rampant line-quoting, but, ack, there are just so many priceless lines that make me squee and bounce. “It pleases me to see you feeling better, Halbarad, but I must ask you to refrain from tormenting the staff.” dies again Brilliant, brilliant. That line made me love and respect Elrond so much more... It's just a sum of how your characters are all so believable and loveable, so dynamic in their emotions, words and actions. And the change in the atmosphere to grim seriousness with the revelation of Halbarad's vision was expertly executed. Rather sad that Halbarad will never really see Minas Tirith... sigh. Elrond's conversation with Aragorn was very touching - and interesting, also, especially Elrond said about Elros' legacy. It's an important recurring theme in Tolkien's Arda-verse, I think, that the legacy of Men lives on after them in their children... the image of the crumbled insides of the wooden box was a rather poignant depiction of Elrond's realisation of the bitter side of Elven immortality. Well - enough of my babbling for this chapter, I think. See you at chapter 6! :D Author Reply: Oh, my goodness! I feel like it's Christmas in February. I will be back with more coherent responses :-) Author Reply: Wow. It's always so exciting to have a story discovered by someone new after it's been around for a while, and even more when someone takes the time to leave such a detailed,thoughtful, and kind review as you have. From a technical standpoint, it's really good to hear that you enjoyed the humor in this chapter, and in turn the transition to weightier topics, because that can be a tricky mix. But please don't ever apologize for squeeing and bouncing. For one thing, bouncing is contagious, you know - I'm bouncing now also! And for another, it doesn't matter how technically well-crafted a story is, it has to have emotional appeal or it has failed. So your excitement means the world to me, really and truly. And I should mention that I do love hearing which lines grabbed you, so thank you for that, too!

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 10/25/2006
This is handy! Especially for those of us who are a bit challenged when it comes to keeping timelines straight. I really enjoy reading people's author's notes. Yes, I know I'm weird. But, um, I hope you aren't offended if I have absolutely no intention of e-mailing you to discuss the socio-economic structure of Dunedain society... ;-) Author Reply: I have absolutely no intention of e-mailing you to discuss the socio-economic structure of Dunedain society... ;-) Darn.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/25/2006
Ah. Now, while much of the last chapter made me smile, this one had me sniffling over my tea. It was painful and poignant and just perfect. It was just so fitting to bring it back to Dudo and Halbarad’s friendship. I really like how you give us little hints about Dudo’s life in the Shire. We get enough of a sense of his story to feel intrigued, and yet satisfied too – we feel we’re looking at a character who has seen and done so many things since we last saw him but what’s important is the person he is now. For a moment the opening scene seems an ordinary, hobbity one. Dudo appears to have settled in and found a place for himself. But there’s a feeling of hurt in him that’s there even before he knows who his visitors are. It’s as though – and I could be wrong – he’s making a life for himself but beyond existing has lost interest in most things because he feels hugely let down. I just love the description of Gandalf as a gleaming, bright Gandalf, like a silver candlestick with all the tarnish scrubbed off. What a wonderful way of describing his change. It must have been pretty amazing to Dudo so I nearly cried when he greeted him without affection and without a trace of his old spirited nature. I like the idea that Gandalf came and connected the threads for Dudo, showed Saruman’s role in events, the long and complicated web of treachery that Saruman wove. But then, does that matter now to Dudo? For the simple, honest and honourable person he is, what matters to him is that hobbits died, as it mattered that the boy Rolly died, and that people he thought were his friends seem to have betrayed him. I suppose too, that there was only a certain amount that the Shirefolk would have known and when you’re fighting your own battles, does it matter what its place is in the scheme of things? Actually, it must have made it harder for Dudo that most of the Shire were unaware of the Rangers’ guard and would not have been waiting for help that never came. Dudo knew and for all his courage and for all that he fought hard to save the Shire, he must have wondered and despaired when they didn’t come. And now that the battle is over, that despair becomes a more personal sense of betrayal. I really felt for him in his belief that Halbarad lied. That moment when Pippin gives Dudo the dagger is heartbreaking. I have a lump in my throat even now at the thought that Halbarad did as Dudo told him – used the dagger to protect Aragorn. Yes, there is irony in the fact that they thought Dudo was going to a safe place but really, he wanted Halbarad to have the dagger because he’d need it to play his part in securing the bright future that had Aragorn on the throne and working towards a world at peace. And that dagger is a symbol of the friendship between Dudo and Halbarad who each, I think, made a difference in the life of the other. I’m so glad for Dudo that he knows now that Halbarad fulfilled his dream and his duty, that he died making hope a reality. Perhaps one day he will travel to see where he lies (and you know, I think he and Hurin would like each other!) but for now it’s probably enough to know that he lies in peace and the open air, in sight of everything he strived for and watched over by Aragorn - and far off in the Shire Dudo can grieve for the loss of his friend. Ack, I’m gone all teary again. This was a very moving and appropriate ending to a wonderful, skilfully written story. The more I learn about writing, the more in awe I am of yours! I enjoyed every minute of this tale. As well as writing an engaging story and downright intriguing mystery, you’ve brought us closer to the Dunedain and given me new insight into the character of these noble, honourable people. You’ve made them colourful and believable and created a community full of different personalities, with their own share of hardships but who stand proud and steadfast in their heritage and their hope. More than that, you’ve taken Halbarad and made him real – a man with strengths and flaws, a man who laughs and loves and fights and dreams and believes and hopes, whose loyalty made him who he was and helped Aragorn become what he was born to be. And hey, the image of Halbarad as a sweaty, dirty Ranger who’s not adverse to a bit of rough-and-tumble in the mud was pretty attractive too ;-) Thanks for the journey, Meckinock. Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed the story bending back around to Halbarad and Dudo, Dot. I wanted to bring closure to their journey of friendship that began with that very first inauspicious meeting at the Prancing Pony. Dudo went to the Shire believing he was escaping the evils of the outside world, and it seemed to me he would instinctively yearn for Halbarad when those evils found him again; would remember Halbarad's promise to protect the Shire and feel abandoned. I think Dudo needed Gandalf to remind him that Halbarad gave him a more important gift than the dagger, and to help him see past his own self-pity to appreciate the triumph of spirit that brought down Sauron. Dudo will be OK now, I think. He might even not be as grumpy with Lily the next time he sees her :-) I have very much enjoyed spending time with all these characters, particularly one very special Ranger - your description of him brings tears to my eyes. And hey, the image of Halbarad as a sweaty, dirty Ranger who’s not adverse to a bit of rough-and-tumble in the mud was pretty attractive too ;-) Well, and a smile, too. Thanks, Dot.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 10/24/2006
I’m so sorry for being appallingly late. Please know that I adore your writing and read each chapter with great excitement as soon as you post, even if it takes me a ridiculous length of time to get around to reviewing. So… Poor Halbarad must have been frantic. But oh, I love dear, practical, logical Halbarad. In the midst of all this smoke and mumbo jumbo, he just wants to know what the old biddy has done to his friend. Me, I’m not a bit logical and was more than a little freaked out. What really made me feel for the denigha was her awareness of the lack of purpose of the Dunlendings’ existence in comparison to the Dunedain. The Dunlendings do what they do because they always have – there is no reason to question it, no reason to change and nothing to suggest a different future. Which is one thing if that’s all you’ve known, but if you’ve encountered these Dunedain, with their deep sense of honour and duty, their quiet heroism, their kindness, their belief and faith and steadfast hope… then you’ve been touched by something different and how can you ever be fully content in your own life again? You know, I’m glad for her that she got this chance to meet Dunedain again, to recognise the person who is the focus of that hope and know that the future they so strongly believed in will soon become a reality. And, of course, her own people are part of that future. I really liked the scene near Bega’s cabin. There was a great sense of atmosphere – to me, it seemed very peaceful. Too peaceful even for memories, really, if that makes sense. Perhaps that helped Aragorn to step away, to stop searching and make the decision to face the story in the present and future, not the past. Even if that’s not the decision that Halbarad would make. I think Aragorn has a lot of humility – it gives him that nobility, but sometimes it makes him brood and turn inwards and question himself instead of talking to people, sometimes it just adds to the already heavy burden of duty. Neither he nor Halbarad has less honour than the other but Halbarad – I think – is a man of action, who lives in the present and can look forward, not back. Aragorn… well, he wears history and heritage like a cloak. It was a very moving moment when he realises that even if he cannot have Arwen, he will go on and do his duty as he was born to do. He believes in it, and his people believe in it. But his longing for Arwen brought tears to my eyes – I admit that I was very glad at that moment that I know what his future holds! (I’ll also admit that for a second I thought that was it and we were never going to find out what happened. I was planning evil e-mails to you.) “I think we need to have another talk about the Ranger code of loyalty.” LOL!! Hilarious. Oh, and this: "I cannot wait to hear what grave perils have taken you away from honest work about the house this time.” I love these people. Don’t tell Halbarad I said so, but Nelaer has really grown on me. And Eirien and Halbarad together always make me smile. Though I think my favourite image is of the two tough Rangers wrapped in blankets and being alternately fussed over and chastised. I’m still chuckling at the image of Eirien looking after Halbarad while Aragorn gets the same, though “somewhat less tenderly administered, treatment from Brandol.” snort Of course, then I was torn between cringing along with Halbarad when Aragorn decided to speak to them all, and bouncing with excitement at the prospect of the mystery being solved. And Aragorn clearly didn’t get whatever reaction he was expecting. “Halbarad, has he been struck in the head?” Scurrying forward, Fimenel waved a hand in front of Aragorn’s eyes. “Aragorn, how many fingers am I holding up?” ROTFL!! Poor guy. I can’t help grinning at the thought that the women knew all along. I knew he should have just asked Meneliel. I could feel the silent, desperate communication between the women as they decide what to say to him. Let it never be said that the Dunedain cannot keep a secret, eh?! And oh my gosh, Meleniel and Brandol!!! Meckinock, you’re amazing. What a story. It really shows Meneliel’s strength and kindness – in fact it’s setting aside personal griefs or any prejudices and making a difference to even one person that’s so much a part of who the Dunedain are. I feel sorry for Gilraen finding those letters but hey, at least she had sense to talk to someone! I just loved the scene between Aragorn, Brandol and Halbarad. There’s such closeness there. And Aragorn and Halbarad immediately reassure Brandol of their acceptance and friendship when he must have had a moment of doubt. I was glad to see that Aragorn got his chance to visit Gilraen’s grave. His regret for her brought tears to my eyes but I thought the way he talks to her was very easy, admitting his mistakes and doubts and talking about his next steps as he’s probably done with her before. It actually made me smile, when I would have thought it would be a scene that would make me cry. I also really liked the parting between Halbarad and Aragorn – Aragorn moves on as he must as Halbarad waits in patient support until he’s needed as he always does. Did Aragorn really think Elrond wouldn’t know he was home? Sleep in the stable my foot. Elrond must have been so worried – I thought the way he “moved toward him slowly, as if approaching a skittish horse” really shows how troubled Aragorn must have seemed to him. Reluctant to speak her name lest Elrond explain he’d meant the cook howls with laughter There was I, all sombre and serious and then you throw in a line like that. Hysterical. And oh, what a lovely scene between Aragorn and Arwen. There is no question as to the depth of her love for him. He deserved to end this adventure in her arms. But what really made me smile was the thank you to Elrond who, like the Dunedain, will sacrifice everything for hope. I’ve rambled too much again… Well, I’ll stop for now. And hopefully get to the epilogue tomorrow. This was a great chapter, with so many beautiful moments and dotted with that wonderful humour that it so uniquely yours. Author Reply: You sure can call 'em, Dot. In Chapter 8 it was But it’s Arathorn’s secret and not Gilraen’s so it sounds like there’s another child, older than Aragorn. and in Chapter 9, it was And Aragorn’s friggin well gone. If he wanted answers to his secrets, he should have just asked Meneliel. LOL. Yes, he should have indeed. But the story would have been about six chapters shorter. You really made me think about what was happening to Aragorn in the clearing where Bega's cabin stood. I love your observation that it was too peaceful even for memories and got him turned around to think to the future instead of the past. I think he was able to put the past to rest there and make peace with whatever future lay ahead of him. Your contrast of Halbarad's character and Aragorn's is very discerning, too. Aragorn is so burdened by his history and destiny as to be hobbled sometimes by worry that he'll do the wrong thing or take a misstep. Halbarad just puts one foot ahead of the other, I think. (I’ll also admit that for a second I thought that was it and we were never going to find out what happened. I was planning evil e-mails to you.) Hehe. That's what you were supposed to think. I feel sorry for Gilraen finding those letters but hey, at least she had sense to talk to someone! Of course. She's a woman :-) I wanted Aragorn to see his mother's grave at last but I really didn't want the scene to get too maudlin. There was so much he could have said, I'm sure. I didn't know where to begin putting words in his mouth. So I just went with what came out and I'm glad it made you smile. I liked the feeling that they were very comfortable with one another and he could tell her anything. Did Aragorn really think Elrond wouldn’t know he was home? Sleep in the stable my foot. LOL. Silly Ranger. I just didn't have a long scene with Arwen in me, so I'm glad you liked the little snippet. As always, Dot, I love your insight into the story and it's simply not possible for you too ramble too much.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 10/14/2006
Very interesting. And logical! Author Reply: I enjoyed it :-) The geography was even more fun but I haven't figured out how to post a map yet.

RS	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/12/2006
Sigh! I know Halbarad's fate and yet it doesn't get any easier when I read about it. You know that feeling when you get when you feel something is wrong and you start sweating, the adrenaline is surging through your body, and you get that cold, tingling feeling crawling up your spine all the way to the back of your neck? Well, I got that feeling when Gandalf pulled out the dagger (and I'm sure so did Dudo). "He dreamt of seeing the King's banners flying over the city." "He saw them Dudo. He saw them long ago." BEAUTIFUL! I don't have any tissues left! I'll just use my sleaves! Thanks for a lovely story! Author Reply: Your description of the creepy crawlies was giving me creepy crawlies, RS! I feel bad now for putting Dudo through all that. I know he did not want to see that knife. Thank you for sharing with me your impressions of the story - it makes me feel glad to know it touched you. I owe you a Kleenex.

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 10/11/2006
What a great idea! Thank you very much, Meckinock, for sharing this detailed job! I love doing that kind of pondering, and also love following other people's efforts. I'm terribly weird, I know! The history of the south eastern lands is very entertaining (to me) maybe because so little is said. I found your Dunledings very convincing. I think I once read somewhere that the Dunedain "capital" at the Angle and the more or less permanent settlement at Tharbad had become fanon canon, and both are only too plausible to me. Now, I have been wondering. Since Halbarad meets Aragorn in Rohan with such a very small force of thirty other Rangers (plus E2, I think) I am now wondering where the rest of the Dunedain were at that time, since they seem not to have been involved in protecting the Shire...Is there anything in the Appendices about that? I do not seem to remember... Maybe the rest of the Dunedain had to repel Dunleding attacks? Or joined Glorfindel to prepare the last defence of Imaldris, should the worst come to happen? Or rather joined the fray in Minas Tirith on their own? But there would surely be some mention of it in the books? See? Dudo made me wonder. I had never before thought about this. Thank you again. I am sure you will come back to us with more tales of the angle. Take your deserved rest! Author Reply: You're just egging me on, aren't you, Perelleth? I think I once read somewhere that the Dunedain "capital" at the Angle and the more or less permanent settlement at Tharbad had become fanon canon, and both are only too plausible to me. The Angle is pretty well-established fanon, with some basis in Tolkien's non-canonical references to a "hidden fastness in the wilds of Eriador" (Michael Martinez was probably responsible for popularizing the concept of the Angle as Dunedain HQ) but Tolkien never really nailed down location of the Dunedain home base, if in fact such a thing existed. where the rest of the Dunedain were at that time, since they seem not to have been involved in protecting the Shire...Is there anything in the Appendices about that? Big old Can O'Worms. Canon is silent, making this the topic of much fervent debate. Halbarad managed to assemble 30 Rangers for the Grey Company, all that could be "gathered in haste." You'd think your 30 guys who could be gathered in haste would be the 30 guys nearest to your jumping-off point, which was probably Rivendell (since the word came from there, and Halbarad had a package to pick up.) But somehow the Shire, which the Rangers had taken great pains to keep safe all these years and which was 300 miles west of Rivendell, was left unprotected, so did the Grey Company deplete the Shire Guard? If so, how come they couldn't get any Rangers from closer to the Misty Mountains? Dunno. I do think that if Halbarad would go so far as to leave the Shire unprotected (which he did), he would not then leave anybody in reserve against Dunlending attacks, etc. He knew he was heading into Armageddon and he would want to give Aragorn every chance. See what you started? As Dudo and Halbarad grew closer, I just found the irony inescapable that Halbarad states in ROTK, "A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk"...little do they know of our long labour for the safekeeping of their borders, yet I grudge it not" and yet the Rangers wouldn't be there to protect those borders when Sharkey's ruffians came. And Dudo would be the one person to expect them to.

Grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 10/11/2006
Poor Dudo, to find out the reason Halbarad did not come, was because he was dead. Ok, I cryed during this chapter, I alway cry at Halbarad's death, wish I could talk Pr. Tolkien into changing a few lines in his book. " like a silver candlestick, with all the tarnish scrubbed off" one of the lines I like reading so well. Great story, and I do hope someday to read more from you about my favorite rangers. Author Reply: I'm sorry I keep making you drag out the Kleenex box, Grumpy. While I was bringing Dudo and Halbarad together throughout the course of the two stories, I always had this outcome in the back of my mind; but that didn't make it any easier to write. I wish you could talk to Professor Tolkien, too. You know, there aren't too many people who've stuck with me since the beginning, Grumpy. You never fail to brighten my day, and I want to thank you with all my heart for your support, encouragement, and humor.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 10/11/2006
What a good idea, I must try to sometime create a timrlinfe for my own stories Author Reply: Oh, definitely! It's kind of fun to squeeze everything into the canon timeline.

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