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| Brothers at Heart by Radbooks | 88 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/9/2006 |
| Ladrenil's courtesy and acceptance has given a worthy example to the rest of Dolomar as to how to accept the newcomers. So-Halbarad is beginning to notice the young ladies, is he? A wonderful thing for a young man of his age. And he's realizing his cousin has different standards for considering an appropriate age difference.... Wait until he learns for certain whom his cousin considers as the queen of his heart! Lovely homecoming for all of them. Author Reply: Thanks for the review, Larner! Yes, Halbarad is noticing the young ladies though he wouldn't typically marry for quite a few years in 'my' idea of the Dunedain. But it seemed a pretty natural thing for two young men to discuss and so I just had to bring up the age difference... how could I not? :) Halbarad won't find out about Arwen in this story but he will be shocked when he finds out, 3,000 years is a little much! Ladrenil did really set the tone for the acceptance of the people into the village. The fact that the homes were set up and ready for them and supper was prepared, etc., all of those things would go a long way to easing your nervousness about being welcomed and not being a burden. Thanks again! | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/9/2006 |
| I continue to harbor a fondness for sharp-tongued Ivorwen. Aragorn doesn't show that testiness often, but I can imagine that he didn't suffer fools gladly. My favorite part of the chapter is at the beginning, with the hilarious discussion of older women! Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing, Amy! I'm pretty fond of Ivorwen myself, the character has really grown on me and has become much more than I ever thought she would be. Some characters just do that. I don't believe that Aragorn thinks his grandmother is a fool, I think he is starting to read her fairly well and knows she has been hurt by the things of life and sometimes says things that she doesn't really mean. I'm glad you liked the discussion between Aragorn and Halbarad about older women... I figured they had to talk about women some time and it just seemed natural for the subject of older women to come up. When Halbarad finds out about Arwen, which won't happen in this story, he will be shocked! Thanks again, Radbooks | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/9/2006 |
| I am glad to see them all safely at Dolomar. I am also glad to see Aragorn's relationship with his grandmother developing, albeit slowly. Looking forward to lots more of this Radbooks. Author Reply: Thank you for reviewing, I appreciate it. Yes, they were able to get all home safely, with just a little bit of tension on the way. I think they've seen enough of orcs and tragedy for a time. Aragorn and Ivorwen's relationship is growing step-by-step and while she'll never be a milk and cookie kind of grandmother, I do think they will eventually have at least a level of relationship that will be satisfying to both of them. Radbooks | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/2/2006 |
| Yes, the first of Aragorn's brothers among mortals. The respect Aragorn shows Hirgon as a father and an experienced Ranger is beginning to make itself felt. Am as proud of him as Halhigal is, I think. And Nestad also is serving as a proper mentor to this one intended to be Lord among Men. And to not pursue the orcs must be very frustrating! Author Reply: I think the only way that Hirgon would be able to really 'see' Aragorn for who he is and not as just his father's son is if Aragorn treats him with the respect he deserves. (Not that Arathorn treated him poorly either, even though it felt that way to Hirgon!) Hirgon does have some good qualities, they are just hidden and a good leader will bring them out. I really like Nestad too, he's one of those characters that has just grown on me and become more than what I had envisioned for him, but definitely is a mentor. Aragorn needs people like him around who are not afraid to speak their hearts and mind and yet support him unconditionally. Yes, I think that Halbarad truly was a brother to Aragorn and that is why I was always sad when he died in the books. But it does give me things to write about, doesn't it? :) Orcs are always frustrating and yet sometimes the bad guys get away... sometimes life doesn't always work out as neatly as you would like it to. | |
| Endaewen | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/2/2006 |
| I'm really enjoying this story. In it I can see the development into the characters we know from the books. Author Reply: Thank you for your review, I'm glad that you are enjoying it! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/2/2006 |
| This has been an interesting chapter Radbooks. I enjoyed it a lot, especially the final interaction between Aragorn and Halbarad and the silly sheep and twins. Author Reply: I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter, harrowcat. It you only knew how many times that final scene between Aragorn and Halbarad was re-written... :) I'm glad it came off well. Yes, the sheep were silly, they are silly but it was fun to have a not so serious delay in their trip and to have a good reason for Aragorn and Hirgon to interact. Thanks for reviewing. | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/2/2006 |
| I was almost as glad as the Rangers were to arrive at the outskirts of Dolomar. Orcs and sheep and disgruntled Rangers, oh, my! This account reminded me of accounts of Conestoga wagons travellers as the American West was settled. Moving is such a pain. I can't imagine why one of those rental truck companies advertises "adventure." I'd rather not run into orcs on the way, thank you, just don't let my wagon break down before we arrive! It's sweet to see young!Halbarad frustrated at not yet getting to do everything that full-fledged Rangers do. He and Aragorn are so serious and, I have to admit it, cute! Author Reply: I'll admit that I made a comment to my friend that this part reminded me very much of a western movie as well! :) I was glad to get them to Dolomar and the move over with really very little trouble over all. I remember being Halbarad's age and being frustrated like that over things I wanted to do and couldn't and I see my nieces and nephews coming back from college for the summer and their parents treating them like children again after they've been on their own for 10 months. So I thought I would show that here as they are young even if Aragorn is in such a responsible position and really not that young in a sense. But poor Halbarad has too many people watching over him. :) Things lighten up a bit in the next chapter for them. Thanks for reviewing. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/25/2006 |
| A leader thoughtful of the welfare of his men is a leader worth following. Interesting to learn Hirgon's story at the last. But to take out the anger at the father on the son is not politic or just. Interesting situation working here. Author Reply: I've always seen Aragorn as someone who was thoughtful and compassionate of those around him, someone truly interested in others. Not a distant and lordly leader of men, but someone deeply interested in them and who truly cares for them. A reflection of his elvish upbringing, and, in this story, something I attributed to the influence of his mother as well. Ah, yes, Hirgon. It is definitely not just to take out your anger on the son, but jealousy and a broken heart do not usually lead to wisdom. Hurt people often do very unwise things. I imagine that when he learns what Aragorn has done to save his wife and children, he might even feel a little bit guilty... he might. :) | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/25/2006 |
| This just keeps getting better Radbooks! Juggling so many characters and giving each a different tone or feel is no mean feat - well done. Author Reply: Thank you, Harrowcat! I do try, though it is difficult at times to give them all unique personalities... I've got too many of them, I know, but it should thin out here very soon. | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/20/2006 |
| Officiating at a funeral and breaking the news about deaths: Aragorn’s getting a full taste of the sad responsibilities of a chieftain, isn’t he? I liked the way that the other Rangers had to correct Aragorn from wanting to assign families to villages. His idea about the carts was a good one. His “feeling your pain” statement about having already left his own home and family made a great reply to objections about leaving the village. This sentence seems like the key to this story: “I knew when I returned that it would be difficult for a time; that I would need to learn the ways of the Dúnedain and people would have to learn to accept me and my ways which I knew would be different than my… father’s.” *intrigued about the opposition from Hirgon* Author Reply: Yes, Aragorn is having to do a lot of the heart-breaking kinds of things that a chieftain has to do, and though he might be well-trained in many areas, nothing can really prepare you for dealing with death and grieving people. I do have plans to let him do some good things as well! But those are a little way down the road. Aragorn is fortunate to be surrounded by men that will give him guidance and direction on things and he is smart enough to be open to their advice. A truly wise man knows his limitations and is not too proud to take advice from others. I would say that sentence does pretty much sum up what I am trying to show in this story... that and Aragorn's relationship with Halbarad. I have strayed from that more than I would like and I keep trying to get back to their friendship a little more, to find the right balance between the two parts of the story that I envisioned. You will find out about Hirgon in the next chapter! Thanks for reviewing. | |