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Isildur's Heir  by Bodkin 27 Review(s)
GwynhyffarReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2006
Poor Aragorn, having to adjust to being put into a cage and on display. At least he has Arwen and Faramir there for support. Nice picture of some of the troubles he had adjusting.

Happy Birthday FP!

Author Reply: I think he'd have hated the cage even more than Eowyn. Being, as he was, far less accustomed to it! (At least, I suppose you could say his heritage was always a cage of a kind, but at least it was an outdoor, self-inflicted one!) Being expected to parade himself like a performing poodle won't have been to his taste at all.

Fortunately both Arwen and Faramir will do their best to loosen the bars for him.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2006
Nice picture of Aragorn's troubles in fitting in to his new role.

Two things really struck me though. One was the charitable picture of Isildur, who does get a bad rap. PJ's picture of him was so demonic it couldn't have helped matters any. The other was how Aragorn regards old traditions, how he regards time, versus how Arwen must regard it. She sees the length of it. At first you might think that would make her more likely to be conservative, but what you show is that it gives her perspective, makes her abler to judge tradition and not be bound by it.

Author Reply: Isildur was clearly Good People before the Ring fell in his hands and began whispering in his ear. One of the Faithful, who brought the sapling of the White Tree to Middle-earth. Headstrong, yes, and impetuous perhaps rather than disciplined through a long apprenticeship to hardship. Perhaps a bit over-confident about his own abilities, but still Good People.

There must have been difficulties for Arwen and Aragorn adjusting to marriage - no matter how much they loved each other. She's had thirty times as long to learn about things. And she's an elf. It might make it harder for her to welcome change - but, I think, to have chosen to marry Aragorn and embrace the fate of men must make her pretty open to new things. And startng afresh. (And then, so many of the customs must have seemed pretty weird - and pointless - to her anyway.)

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2006
‘Fresh with the fragrance of the sea, and full of healing rain. A rain to wash away the clinging dust of the past and bring on the new season’s growth. A spring breeze, mild and soft after the bitter gales of winter. One that opens doors and windows to let in the sweetness of new life – of new ideas.’ His smile twisted. ‘It is not much to ask.’

Hmmm! Yes, I can see Aragorn chafing against all those fuddy-duddy old customs and deciding to reform the you know what out of the place! Hmmm, maybe a little sequel could show us how he brought it all about?:D

Author Reply: I reckoned Denethor rather liked all the traditional formality. And deference. And now the whole court is in confusion, trying to work out how to treat a king - who surely needs even more deference than the Steward.

There are probably a number of very old books of court protocol currently being examined for ideas of how to behave! But I think that will be swept out the door quite quickly. Even without Aragorn's views, I can't see Arwen sticking this indefinitely!

ElflingimpReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2006
Bodkin that was wonderful! Happy Birthday French Pony.

Author Reply: Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! I do like this birthday story thing!

utfrog98Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2006
Please, please make this the first of a series. I have often wondered what happened the first few months of Aragorn and Arwen's reign.

Author Reply: I'll keep the suggestion in mind! I do think it would have been hard for Aragorn to go from outdoor Ranger to indoor King - even though he's probably been hoping for some of the perks for about 50 years.

He'd have to be careful to keep people on his side - but he's not going to want that kind of on-a-pedestal treatment. Or put up with it for long.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2006
I enjoyed this very much Bodkin. The clash between Custom and Aragorn's preferred way of Rule could be as epic as that between the Orcs and the Men of the West. But I am sure he will win in the end.

Author Reply: Thank you! It would be a tough battle ahead of him - he needs to have these people on his side - but he's not going to put up with being stuck up on that throne for long. Gondor will move into the Fourth Age - kicking and screaming, perhaps, but things will change.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2006
Poor Aragorn. Of course it is difficult for him to change his life so much after living in the wilds as a ranger for so many decades.

while anyone wishing to address the king needed to have the voice of a parade ground sergeant *giggle* Love that! At least he hasn't lost his sense of humour.

Glad Arwen came to the rescue, no matter what certain people might say of her speaking in this manner during the audience. Of couse she knew Aragorn didn't hear one single word of what was asked of him *grin*

I think between both of them and assisted by Faramir and Eowyn (can't imagine she would accept so much restraint!), they could change a lot of these age-old rules and the stiff etiquette. The breath of fresh air blowing through the Citadel would have to be quite strong, I suspect. It would be fun to see all the lordlings and servants and whoever else is affected by it coping with the new situation.

Author Reply: It must have been tough on Aragorn. However much he dreamt of the day - and the reward! - he was used to being a man of action living a hard life in the wild. Being dressed up in formal clothing and bowed to all the time - and expected to conform to centuries-old conventions - must have been tough.

And that high throne - I thought on seeing it how ridiculous it was! It goes further than making sure everyone knows the king is above them and actually places him beyond their reach to the point where he is cut off. I can't see Aragorn standing for that for long!

He would make sure that court life changed. But I don't think Aragorn would want to move too quickly - although he wouldn't want to delay so long as to make the old customs into new customs. But he has Arwen and Faramir to help him - and Arwen has been managing people for a long time while Faramir knows Gondor.

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