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The Heir Apparent by Mirkwoodmaiden	122 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/2/2005
An interesting look at that first meeting between Arathorn and his future bride. Author Reply: I'm glad you liked it!! It's a subject that doesn't get a lot of treatment and the Dunedain have always fascinated me! MM

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/1/2005
I was so glad to see this tonight. What a nice finish to the story and nice start to the new part of Aragorn's life. Author Reply: Daw! I'm glad that you liked the story. The chapter is a bit shorter than usual but it just felt finished as I typed the last line. There were other things I could have included, but I decided against them. So glad you liked it! MM

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/3/2005
Hi there. Great to see this back! I thought the opening of this chapter was particularly moving, with the idea that Aragorn has always felt a connection with the shards of Narsil but only now does he feel able to touch them again after all this time. And that connection gives such depth to the role that Aragorn has found will be his. I also love Elrond’s quiet strength and faith in him. I really like your Arwen! Already we can see that she has so much spirit and life in her. The other elves clearly love her too. I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting between Aragorn and Arwen. You’ve kept so closely to canon, yet it comes alive for us here. We all know this part of the story and I was wondering how you’d do it – I’m so impressed! I was really captivated by it. I just adore the idea that they’re both singing the same song, and your description of the trees soothing Aragorn’s troubled mind is just beautiful. And I must say, I thought Arwen handled a very odd moment with wonderful grace! One of my favourite parts of this chapter is the reunion between Arwen and Elrond. I really love the way he tries to make himself wait but just can’t and hurries down to meet her! And the joy that she brings him is beautiful to witness. At least, it is when I completely ignore what Elrond has yet to discover! “Long distance guilt.” LOL. I seem to recall that grandparents are good at that. Parents too. You made me smile to see the reunion between brothers and sister. It’s so heart-warming to see them relaxed and teasing. And every sister reserves the right to smack her brother when he’s misbehaving! “At the use of the word “Adar” Elrond’s heart sang. He had been forgiven.” That’s lovely. I’m glad for Elrond, because he really suffered in having to burden Aragorn with a past and a future. I couldn’t help laughing at Aragorn’s reaction to Arwen, even though my heart went out to Elrond. I liked the scene with Gilraen. It was very realistic and well done. I can completely see why she would want to save her son from any further grief. I though it was a very powerful moment when she says that she had to deny herself for the sake of her son’s destiny. As always, you wrote Elrond incredibly well. One tiny thing – he says that one day he’ll “depart for the East”, shouldn’t that be West? I was so moved by his turmoil and desperation in trying to make Aragorn see how things must be. And all the while there’s the heartbreaking sense that Elrond knows that fate will take over and he may only be delaying a choice instead of saving those he loves from making it. I love that they both attempt to offer some comfort and Aragorn’s silence was more effective in portraying his thoughts than anything he could have said. The hug was so touching and I had tears in my eyes at the last line. This is an excellent chapter. You’re doing such an incredible job. Author Reply: Dot! thanks so much for the wonderful review! You give so thought and attention to detail in the reviews. I so look forward to them whenever I post a chapter. Sorry I've been so late in replying. I've been so busy, I have been in a play "Much Ado About Nothing" and I'm playing Dogberry!! It has been a huge amount of fun.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 7/1/2005
This was beautifully done, MM! I have always loved this part of the appendices and it was wonderful to see those moments extended. I was particularly moved by Gilraen's sacrifice. It is easy to forget how much she gave up for her son and the future of the Dunedain, and I think she deserves more understanding than she sometimes receives. You have really captured Elrond and Aragorn especially, and I do love the twins! BB

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 6/30/2005
Stars, I never gave thought to the grief Gilraen would no doubt feel at the loss of even the name of her only child. But had he been known to be in Imladris for a certainty deadly foes would have massed at the borders to finish the line of Isildur. Gliraen’s brother as regent is logical and believable as well. Dark would be the days and little hope left, with the Enemy closing in again. Thank you. Short or long an enjoyable read. Author Reply: Eruanneth_Luin! I was just looking back through my reviews and realised that I had never answered your last couple of reviews! Very remiss of me! About Gilraen, I tried to think about what she would have thought about what had been foist upon her by life and I could only imagine that she would have been devastated by not being able to share so many memories about Arathorn with little Estel. Parents might share memories of the loved ones with the child as a way of sharing and maybe healing, but this was for the most part denied Gilraen. Her life is torn asunder and I was thinking that she never is really allowed to mend the pieces of her life and move on. I'm so glad that you've enjoyed the story. And thanks for the reviews! MM

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/30/2005
How often I have dreamed of entering the Hidden Valley of Imladris. But to go of dire necessity alone into a strange land peopled by even stranger folk would be doubly difficult. Elladan though a warrior, giving of himself to ease the sorrow of little Aragorn was tenderly thought out. Also Gilraen realizing that more was at stake than simply a grief-stricken mortal child. This excerpt from RotK tells of the mind-speech among Elves and Maia. 'Often long after the hobbits were wrapped in sleep they would sit together under the stars, recalling the ages that were gone and all their joys and labours in the world, or holding council, concerning the days to come. If any wanderer had chanced to pass, little would he have seen or heard, and it would have seemed to him only that he saw grey figures, carved in stone, memorials of forgotten things now lost in unpeopled lands. For they did not move or speak with mouth, looking from mind to mind; and only their shining eyes stirred and kindled as their thoughts went to and fro.' Another chapter well worth reading.

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/29/2005
Even though I knew it was coming, the pain of Aragorn and Gilraen losing father and husband to an orc arrow was a severe blow. Acquainting the boy with the twin elves who would be his closest friends and mentors during his early years was an especially nice touch. Having to give up the ones dearest to your heart for their safety would be difficult at best; but being specifically targeted for destruction by the Enemy sometimes makes a tough decision necessary. Author Reply: Eruanneth_Luin I realised I had never responded to your review! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review! I thought that if Aragorn had faces around him that he knew from Fornost it would make the transition a little easier. >being specifically targeted for destruction by the Enemy sometimes makes a >tough decision necessary. Arathorn does what he needs to do, cost him what it may. MM

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/29/2005
So many joys are strewn amid the sorrows. Down through many years of men the passing of kings and finally chiefs, all in the hope of a future reclaiming of the past as yet unseen. The arrival of the next Heir a link between past and future heralding the continuation unbroken is a blessing to this scattered dwindling people. You share their personal reflections and thoughts so well. Thank you.

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/29/2005
Beautiful! Such a sensitive touch you have with not only the pre-joining, but also the deep significance and responsibility undertaken by Arathorn and Gilraen beyond the joining of houses and bodies. I truly loved the vows given and received.

Eruanneth_Luin	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/29/2005
Once again you bring insightful details about the lightly sketched outlines provided by Prof. Tolkien. The wonder of meeting elves for the first time held me nearly breathless with the pleasure and your portrayal of the Sons of Elrond appealingly real. Yes, trepidation would have been felt by many upon encountering those living legends, and hesitance certainly, in trusting the unknown. In particular I loved the lightening transitions from playful to intense, as I perceive elves would be, especially the Half-elven, displaying the depth of feeling that remained hidden from most mortals. But underlying it all is the foreknowledge of ultimate dooms and losses even after the defeating of the great Evil of their day, which for cannot be escaped.

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