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| Reconciliation by Larner | 17 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006 |
| Once again: Wow! Strider the Ranger is back! I loved the scene with the hobbit bounder - every inch a Took, I have to agree with Dreamflower. I also enjoyed the scene where Aragorn was met by Radagast as the last of the wizards and Cirdan the shipwright who will be one day among the last of the elves to leave Middle Earth. “The one force sufficient to move the will of a stubborn Baggins, I have learned, is that of an even more stubborn one.” LOL! Now, that is absolutely true. Aragorn's dream was very touching. It turned out that he was right and it really needed a Baggins to lead another Baggins back to life. I loved the description of Frodo's parents and that Aragorn's parents were there as well. They all knew somehow that Frodo and Aragorn were meant to be brothers. “When he hugged us,” Merry said softly, “it was one of the most—most intimate of embraces I’ve ever felt from anyone; but at the same time he was already withdrawing. Oh Merry, it must have been really hard for him to part from his cousin. Sometimes I think it must have been even harder for him than for Sam! Author Reply: The relationship we have with one is not that which we have with another, even if they are of similar intensity. Even if Merry and Sam have a similar feeling of being brothers to Frodo, the fact remains that for Merry it has been lifelong and from a beginning where Frodo is a member of Merry's personal family. Even the years of separation cannot change that. Frodo has been there for Merry literally all his life, but not from now on. I agree--in many ways it is harder for him than for Sam, although in others it's harder for Sam. So glad you enjoyed meeting Beligard, who so quickly realized this Ranger did indeed know his Hobbits. Yes, very much a Took, and one who's able to judge on his feet. Even if Frodo was evenly matched facing Bilbo, the fact remains he's outnumbered there aboard ship, and when he thinks Aragorn also sides with those who would see him accept healing he accepts it at last. And you know how I feel about the spiritual relationship between Aragorn and Frodo. I suspect that Radagast is indeed going to take a personal hand in the recovery of Middle Earth from Sauron's interference, so I suspect he'll go probably on the last ship with Cirdan himself. So glad you enjoyed this chapter. | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006 |
| How delightful to see a brief return of Strider the Ranger! The vision was most interesting. Obviously neither Gilraen or Bilbo ever shared their common insights with Aragorn. Perhaps someday Glorfindel can enlighten him. Although, he and Frodo discovered much on their own. How perfect that Radagast had been there to see them off. We do not read much about him in Tolkein, but I enjoy very much the wonderful fan-stories about him. He seems to be as tied to the earth as the elves. I also enjoyed seeing the twins journey south to be with their sister. She would need them then. Author Reply: I strongly suspect that Aragorn enjoyed reverting to his Strider persona from time to time, as it has to do with his coming to full acceptance among his own people. I do have Aragorn finally coming to awareness of the fact his mother miscarried two brothers for him, in "The Ties of Family." In that story, during the proposed conferences of the northern peoples, Aragorn is given his mother's diary by Elladan and Elrohir, who found it in their father's personal effects. I do think that there would be some to see the others off, and that realizing Aragorn was on his way Radagast would have lingered behind to speak with him on behalf of the Wizards. Probably Gandalf asked him to do so so as to reassure him at the end. And I've loved some of the stories I've read which include him, including Jodancingtree's "Following the Brown Wizard." And at this time I think the four children of Elrond would find themselves drawing together for mutual comfort. Thanks so much for the feedback. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006 |
| Underneath it all, Strider is still Strider. Tramping incognito through the Shire and letting Hobbits assume things about him, secretly loving every minute of it. That was a great scene with Strider and the Bounder. Interesting device of letting Aragorn have a vision of Frodo. Even though Frodo is no longer in this world, we can still keep tabs on him that way. I like the way you shifted the tone of the story from relatively light narrative to the more spiritual tone of describing the ship. Author Reply: Well, in this case riding the now alternate route intended for Men South of the Shire, but I agree--Aragorn's going to enjoy reverting to being Strider from time to time. In fact, later on in my stories I have some characters enjoying seeing him do just that. My stories do allow visions from time to time, I'm afraid--visions and the exchange of a bottle, of course! But in this case I suspect the vision was allowed by the Valar simply to hearten Frodo to linger within the bounds of Arda to his fulfillment. And you already know I do tend to shift the tone from time to time as my stories unfold. Such, after all, is life. Thanks so for the feedback. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006 |
| I want to echo every word your previous three reviewers have said Larner - It saves me a lot of typing *g*. This is a real treasure of a chapter as it expands on all the bits you know I especially love in your tale. I liked the way you echoed what Gandalf said to Radagast in the book (stay but a moment). For some reason Beligard reminded me of the Ewoks in Star Wars - not entirely a flattering comparison I know but cute anyway. Have just been spending lots more money on the car - another defective tire that could have blown on the motorway. The blood chills to think of it. Way too many potholes around here and too many miles up and down the M40. Author Reply: Am so glad I managed to catch so many moods and threads in a single chapter, Harrowcat. Aragorn fails to make it in time, but is reassured in a perhaps frightening way to learn that had he done so it might have been more than Frodo could accept; and he does get to see how things are changing and to get some business done and even meet with family and friends. The "stay but a moment" wasn't intentional, but I'm certain it was hanging around in my subconscious for just this interaction. And you find Beligard brings Ewoks to mind? Okay, can see the comparison--the little being on watch who, reassured this intruder is benign, sits down to share a meal with him. Have had to have both tie-rod ends replaced, and now the CVA joint. If I had my old Volvo, it would be about now I'd be having the exhaust system completely replaced AGAIN--one of the weaknesses in Volvos, I can tell you from intimate experience. Then it will be time for new tires for me, too, although it will be a time before I can afford new ones. And here it's WAY too many miles up and down Highway 101! Love to your parents and Jet. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006 |
| Poor Aragorn, all his haste and worry, and still he missed the farewell. Yet the reassurances that he received seems to have made it just as well, and he will not count the journey a wasted one. I especially loved his vision of Frodo's choice, and the way in which he was able to help him from afar! I also loved it that Radagast was there at the Havens--to see Gandalf off, I presume. Will Radagast play any more part in things of the Fourth Age? I wonder... I got a kick out of his encounter with the Bounder--that was truly a delight, and I just loved how Tookish he was--and how hobbity! I really loved that it was sharing breakfast that overcame his suspicions! LOL! And his skillet larger than Strider's. *giggle* And the meeting with Merry, Pippin and Sam was well done. I am so pleased they got to see him before he returned to Gondor. That was one more reason this trip could not be counted as a failure. Author Reply: No, after the meetings allowed him, I agree the trip was not a waste for Aragorn; and I, too, am glad he was allowed to watch from afar and help as he could as Frodo finally made the choice to not just leave the Shire but to actually allow himself to see what his life could become on Tol Eressea. Jodancingtree's Brown Wizard tales made me decide to have Radagast linger to the recovery of Middle Earth, which is why I have him visiting Fangorn during one of the trips south by the Hobbits in "The Ties of Family" and speaking to Sam of how well he's used Galadriel's gift. So glad you like Beligard--definitely a Took, and one who can assess on his feet and determine the stranger there on the road just beyond the Shire's borders is a friend--particularly as he shares his eggs and bacon. And of course a Hobbit's going to carry larger skillets than a Man--that's part of being a Hobbit, you know! I expanded the visit with Merry, Pippin, and Sam a bit from "For Eyes to See as Can," and am glad you approve. Yes, good enough reason in and of itself for Aragorn to have come north as he did! | |
| SlightlyTookish | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006 |
| Fascinating chapter. I especially love the part where Aragorn, his parents and Frodo's watched as Frodo chose to heal. I've never seen something like that before and it was really interesting. I'm enjoying this story very much. Author Reply: I tend to inject a spiritual element into my stories, and am so glad you appreciate seeing it here. I've tended to see Aragorn as a spiritual brother to Frodo and Sam both, and so those most concerned for whether or not Frodo would choose to continue would be drawn together to stand witness, I think. Thanks for the feedback. | |
| EstellaB | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/5/2006 |
| I really like this! Please update soon. Author Reply: Am so glad you like this, Estella. Usually I do my writing on the laptop, but its power supply just died. As a result I'm having to use the server instead, and I can't stand writing on it for hours at a time, so my updates will be a bit slower than usual, running every three days, I suspect, rather than every day or two as they usually do. Thanks so much for the feedback. | |