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At Hope's Edge  by Cairistiona 14 Review(s)
MikoNoNyteReviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/28/2013
Had to stop to remark again.

This has been an incredible journey thus far.

Your combat again has me grinning as most people cannot do melee or combat to save their lives.

And Glorfindel! OmG!!! I have loved this elf since the beginning but never EVER could find a fanfic that did him justice. Here is his justice. His confrontation with the Nazgul was epically enjoyable!

I could feel a bit sorry for Aragorn, giving up command, yet here is a guy who quibbles about even BEING in command some days - to hear him grumble anyways. And of course the combat of Glorfindel as witnessed by our intrepid Aragorn and Halbarad! Actually allowing the elf to enjoy his combat! Rich!

I'm quickly running out of praise for this. I'm finding more and more to like about it; not just as a fanfic, but as a well written story with lots of mature, professional descriptions and it warms my heart. Whatever took me so long to wander over here I'll never know, but I'm very glad I did.


Favorite quote so far (and it's getting more difficult when you use lines like this and get me giggling like a school-girl): "If you were as mighty a warrior as Glorfindel, who killed a Balrog, who died and was reborn, and who drove out the Witch-king from Arnor, you could put bells on your horse and sound trumpets everywhere you went and still the orcs would run far, far from you."

Author Reply: I'm still grinning over your review! Thank you so much. It means so much when someone likens my writing to professional standards, and I really am pleased you like my take on Glorfindel. I want to portray him as the ultimate warrior, but still having the joy of the Eldar--it's a fine line between too light and too grim with him. As for writing combat... I can only cast blame on all those Bernard Cornwell books I've read! His Sharpe novels are still a big influence on how I write action scenes.

I hope you continue enjoying this!

EllynnReviewed Chapter: 17 on 8/25/2010
It looks to me as though you are trying everything to keep me from my house work. :) The laundry still waits to be ironed, you know? I promised myself this morning that I'd read only two chapters and then go ironing. And look at me! I've just read the third, without pause, and I want to continue right away.
Ok. A compromise. I'll do some 30 minutes of ironing, and then I'm going back to reading.
Do I have to say more? I can't stop reading, this is really like an excellent action movie right in front of my eyes.

Author Reply: Wow, 30 minutes worth of ironing??? *tries to remember where my iron even is*

I'm glad to provide a diversion from your domestic chores--glad you're enjoying the action!

LisaGReviewed Chapter: 17 on 2/5/2010
That was great! I LOVE Glorfindel's confrontation with the Nazgul...you had me chuckling with his cocky attitude after running the wrait off.

But oh! Then you sunk us into heartbreak with Halbarad's fearome injury. I was teary eyes as Aragorn tried to deal with the situation...his hearbreak for his best friend was plapable. *sniff!*

Author Reply: Ooh, it does my sadistic heart good to hear a reader was moved to tears! *g* No, I'm not really sadistic but I am glad you found this chapter both humorous and wrenching enough to bring out chuckles and tissues. The rollercoaster just never ends for Aragorn, does it???

Thanks for the review!

DreamdeerReviewed Chapter: 17 on 8/10/2009
The intense detail that makes this chapter so realistic does not slow down the emotional rollercoaster in the least. The writer puts the reader through too many changes to describe, in a breathtakingly short period of time.

Author Reply: This chapter, admittedly, I had a very fun time writing, simply because of all the emotions that ran through it. I got to yank everyone--especially Aragorn-- from hither to yon by the end. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the review!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 17 on 4/4/2009
Poor Halbarad.That was a shock! At least Aragorn is going to Rivendell,but in dire circumstances.Another gripping chapter.

Author Reply: Thank you, Linda! Definitely a shocking turn... it really threw poor Aragorn for a loop, didn't it. But yes, they're now unequivocally heading to Rivendell! Thanks for the review!

Minerva OrganaReviewed Chapter: 17 on 3/28/2009
Wow. Just...wow. I loved this. Glorfindel against the Nazgul was kind of amazing. Your descriptions of his nonchalant manner throughout the entire thing...wonderful. I was a bit giggly.

And of course just as we think we're out of the woods (well, in terms of the Nazgul)...Halbarad! *wants to hug* Poor guy. I hope they get to Rivendell all right!

I love how much detail you always manage to put in your writing. The description of getting Aragorn and Halbarad situated with Asfaloth was really great. Little things like that always make it seem much more real. =D




Author Reply: Thank you, Minerva! I'm so glad you liked Glorfindel's fight... I did want to put a bit of humor into that, because I just can't see Glorfindel being overly concerned about a "mere" Nazgul, not with everything he's already conquered in his long years. And I see him as an Elf who really actually enjoys a good battle like that. So yes, giggly was a bit what I was going for as a reader reaction. :) And details, yes! I like to cram as many in that I can, especially when it's a situation that in "real life" might not really work. I can't imagine in our day of ambulances and splinting and restraints and ultra careful patient handling anyone putting a patient on a horse and galloping away into the night. So I had to make sure I showed them doing everything possible to secure Halbarad. They really were in a no-win situation, so risks had to be lessened in whatever way they could manage--battlefield improvisation, I guess you could call it. And thank goodness for Tolkien creating Asfaloth, or I would have had even greater headaches trying to get Halbarad (and Aragorn!) to Rivendell.

Of course... they're not there yet. *evil grin*

Thanks again for the review!

Silivren TinuReviewed Chapter: 17 on 3/24/2009
This chapter has just become my most favourite chapter of the entire story. I absolutely LOVED how you described Glorfindel and his battle with the wraith at the beginning! *faints from awesomeness* I would like to be able to quote some favourite sentences, but actually there was no sentence referring to Glorfindel I didn't love. ;-) I also liked how you described Aragorn and Halbarad's reactions to the wraith, and how Halbarad clung to Aragorn, probably without even noticing what he did. *g* I was really relieved when Glorfindel had finally managed to drive the Nazgul away, though it makes me a bit nervous that Aragorn still sensed something evil around (if that evil wasn't the orc who shot Halbarad).

Poor Halbarad! It seems he has finally managed to find a way to get Aragorn to Rivendell, but somehow I don't think that's exactly the way he had planned things to be. *g* I loved Aragorn's fear and worrying and Halbarad's unconditional trust in him. *huggles both of them* To let them ride to Rivendell together on Asfaloth's back was a wonderful idea of yours! I loved the Asfaloth-scenes in both book and movie, but I have to say I very much prefer him carrying two rangers instead of one hobbit. ;-) Hm... now you have me wondering if there'll be a Nazgul on their heels all the way to Imladris, too... *looks nervous*

I think this chapter had just about everything I love reading about! *happily huggles chapter*

Almut

Author Reply: Thank you, Almut! Wow, this is your favorite? Terrific! I'm glad to hear that because it really wasn't my favorite to write; it gave me headaches up until I posted it yesterday. LOL Getting that battle between Glorfindel and the Wraith just the way it needed to be was a challenge. I wanted him to chant the hymn but I needed it to be Sam's version of the hymn... but then that wasn't *quite* the official words the Elves sing of it... but then I ran across a quote from Letters saying that it could be that there were more stanzas to the entire hymn so there was my "excuse" should anyone protest too loud and long. LOL Oh the things we have to do to at least try to stick to canon! But I'm glad in the end it all worked so well for you. Once I had the chapter finished, I did like it, and yes, I tried to work in some of my own foreshadowing against the day Glorfindel will be called on to rescue another fallen hero, one much smaller. ;) Thanks again for the lovely review!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 17 on 3/23/2009
And this gets both of them safely into Elrond's care! Good idea, sending them on Asfaloth, who gets to practice for the day it is Frodo on his back!

Love the comments on the Wraith!

Author Reply: Thanks, Larner! I just couldn't see Aragorn taking a wagon all the way around to Rivendell... like Glorfindel points out, it would take far too long and be far too rough. So thank you, Professor Tolkien, for creating an almost magical horse in Asfaloth! I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, and thanks for the review!

EstelcontarReviewed Chapter: 17 on 3/23/2009
What a thrilling chapter. I just loved seeing Glorfindel confront the Nazgūl. It felt just right, and then when I thought everything was almost turning right Halbarad gets hit by that arrow, and Aragorn still under the effects of the black breath has to take him to Rivendell. A veritable clifhanger! And we have to wait another week for the next chapter. It's just not fair. *grin*


Author Reply: Thank you, Estelcontar! I'm glad you liked this chapter and how Glorfindel managed the Nazgul. Made fairly quick work of him, didn't he? And yes, bit of a wait to see if Aragorn gets Halbarad to Rivendell... maybe it won't be an entire week. I'm finding *I* want to see what happens next, and I already know! LOL Thanks for putting up with the constant cliffhangers, and thanks for the kind words, as always! :)

curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 17 on 3/23/2009
I am caught up with the story and also caught up in the story. Even though we know that both Aragorn and Halbarad must survive, and recover, I am still anxious to see them get safely to Rivendell. Well done!

Author Reply: Thank you, curiouswombat! Yes, canon shows us that obviously they survive. The question is how. And what lingering effects might there be. I'm glad you're enjoying the story...thanks for the review!

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