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| Midsummer in the Year of the Fall of Sauron by Cairistiona | 24 Review(s) |
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| Calenlass Greenleaf | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/14/2009 |
| Reading this again. :) I loved the quiet passion in this story. Can I say I envy these two? Aragorn and Arwen were made for each other--perfectly. And this portrayal is simply beautiful. ~Cal Author Reply: Thank you, Cal! What an honor that you read it twice! I'm glad you liked it, and yes, I do think that Aragorn and Arwen were kindred spirits in every sense of the term. Definitely a relationship that can be envied. :) Thanks again! | |
| Samara | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/14/2009 |
| This is so beautifully written. The nervousness, the fear and the love Aragorn feels shine through your words, reaching out to capture me as clearly is if those feelings were my own. You have snatched the moment of his doubt and humanity, and you have preserved it forever in this beautiful tale. Amazing job. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Samara. I'm so glad you liked this. It's not my usual type of writing, inasmuch as I usually stick to Aragorn and the Rangers and leave writing about the ladies to others. But I do like exploring Aragorn's humanity, which sometimes gets overlooked in the hero worship. I think he was much like any of us, with some hidden doubts that he needed help in overcoming. Thanks for your review! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/14/2009 |
| This is a beautiful, very romantic story, and quite realistic, I think. They both deserve this happy ending and joy in one another. Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound! I'm so glad you liked this. I took a bit of a risk, trying my hand at romance, which I've never really done before. They definitely deserved their long-delayed happy ending. Thanks again for the review! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/14/2009 |
| Ooh, what a lovely Valentine's Day story. I've explored the possibilities of erotica in Tolkien fanfiction (with a different couple), which has been a good experience as a writer, and I'm always intrigued to see how other writers handle S-E-X in Tolkien's realm. This is a wonderful rendition of the tensions and frustrations and anticipations of a wedding night; and what's more, you combine the very real feelings of an old soldier with the power and history of the life of Aragorn. And the sense of transition is wonderful - here's a man who is used to being a warrior and a Ranger, sleeping in ditches and other rough places, now ensconced in the highest seat of human power in the West of Middle-earth; and he's antsy and starts at shadows and is nervous when awakening without his sword at hand; and also gets lost in his very large new home. Turning from a life of near-constant danger and hardship to a life of great power and statesmanship is a huge change. Aragorn has been a leader, a Chieftain, but never had so many people serving him, and doubtless seeking influence and favor from him. I loved the references to Faramir as someone who understands the battle-fatigue; and who reassures his new King with understanding and a bit of humor. I think Faramir will become more at ease with him in time, but the trust and love are there from the start. I loved the bit where Aragorn was impatient to start consummating, and Arwen said she'd be ready in an hour. And Aragorn refusing to wear slippers because he thinks they're womanish is somehow very right. The catalogue of scars reminds us of the perils that this new bridegroom has fought, the warfare that has often come close to killing him. The S-E-X is handled just the way I like it - beautifully and passionately written but in an understated way, just enough to make a reader smile and feel the characters melt, and then the curtains come down. The love is powerfully intertwined with the S-E-X; and that's my favorite type of love scene. I have wanted for years to try writing a story like this, and had similar ideas; but you've done it better. Very good job! Author Reply: Oh, Raksha, where do I start? What a lovely review, and yes, yes, yes, I agree with you completely about, as you put it, "S-E-X" (love that) in LOTR... I don't like going into what basically becomes a lesson in physiology. Much better to let the curtain fall or the lights fade out and let the reader imagine the rest. And yes, love and communication and that sense of meeting of the souls as well as the body is key, in my opinion, of a good love scene. And I've always thought Aragorn might have had a hard time making that huge transition from warrior to regent... from being on the front lines to leading from a place of protection, from living a life of warfare to one of peace... it had to have felt surreal at times. Thank you for such a thoughtful review... I would love to see you try your hand at something like this. I think you'd do a lovely job. | |