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The Heir Apparent  by Mirkwoodmaiden 134 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/8/2005
The younger the individual when learning languages, the more facility they tend to show in learning more. I think Aragorn in the end probably was fluent in Adunaic, Sindarin, Westron, and Quenya, and added in Haradri and Rhunic and the Trade Tongue as he'd traveled widely.

And as I have Gandalf first seeing Aragorn at about age eleven, I certainly can't complain about you having their first encounter at five!

Love the frog and the fallen table.

Author Reply: Larner!

I did a little research on the Internet about language acquistion in the very young before I wrote the chapter and it seems that children can become fluent in both languages. They can have seemingly two mother tongues and can think in terms of both of them. Aragorn could keep Westron as his native tongue or not.

Ah! The frog and the fallen table...what would be of real importance to Estel! I think we have our answer! :-))

MM

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 10 on 11/7/2005
Not all chapters need to be longer--each should end where you sense it should.

Like the movie-verse touch of the telescope and "What shall we do?" Very much appreciated, I find.

Decent descriptions of settings.

I find I like it well.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/7/2005
Your special characters are found in your start menu, as long as you have a Windows operating system. Look under Programs > Accessories > Systems Tools > Character Map. Double Click on the particular character you wish saved and then the Copy button, then do Ctrl-V to paste it into place. Took me a while to learn....

Lovely introduction to Imladris and description of getting Aragorn to smile again.

Hope all is well with you, and thanks so much for the feedback in Fostering.

Author Reply: Larner!

Thanks for the tip!

I thought the chapter came across well and I really wanted Aragorn to smile again by the end of the chapter and he did!

I'm definitely enjoying Fostering!

MM

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/7/2005
No, I don't mind the AU elements at all. Just wish I'd had more time to read it as it was written and first posted.

A couple typos, but not too bad (and as we ALL have typos on occasion I ain't complaining). Interesting reason for why Aragorn went then, and for them to have the chance to say goodbye as well.

Author Reply: Larner!

Don't even think about when you started reading my story! I'm just glad that you are now enjoying so much now!

I thought hard about the AU elements and they just seemed to work well with the story as I was writing it! You just can't have a heartfelt conversation with an arrow in the eye! Only a bit distracting! ;-)

Dreaded typos, Y'know you can real something a hundred times and still not catch everything. My MA Dissertation was the same way! I think two other than myself read the darn thing and still I see typos! Grrr! :-))

MM

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/5/2005
A beautiful introduction of the boy who will be king. I think several of us have latched onto that meaning and have continued to use it in spite of Tolkien having discarded it.

Lovely images here of Arathorn managing to share Annuminas with Aragorn before his own tragic end.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/5/2005
One of my very favorite writers is Rosemary Sutcliff, whose historical novels mostly set in Roman Britain are so wonderfully evocative of the cultures of the past within Britain. (It was because of her my husband, brother, and I found ourselves one day walking atop Hadrian's wall, only to be buzzed by four RAF fighter jets practicing low altitude maneuvers--such an ironic moment, to be atop the symbol of the ancient might of the Roman Empire in Britain while just over us flew the symbor of the might of today!) The culture you've described is so similar to the types of cultures she shows in her books. And believe me--for me to compare you to her works is high praise.

I thank you for this look at the culture that has slipped back in time, seeking to bring all back to a future that is keeping with that of its sister so far to the south.

Author Reply: Larner!

Thank you so much for the compliment! Baggins Babe was telling me what a good writer she is. I'll have to check out some of her books!

Hadrian's wall and RAF fighter jets! Hmmmmm!! Definitely an interesting juxtaposition!

I'm so glad that you are finding such enjoyment in the story!

I lived in York for a year and it was beautiful! A very picturesque city surrounded by its medieval walls! Lovely!

MM

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/3/2005
Foreknowledge can indeed be painful, particularly when it shows such lossed. To know Aragorn must be born and held in safety in Rivendell to both protect him and to prepare him for his destiny must have been horrible for the mother of Gilraen.

I've written one story in which Gilraen is an active character, "Fostering." I'd like your feedback on how you see her portrayed there. I know I am thoroughly enjoying this one so far, although I realize I started a bit late.

Thanks for the feedback you've given me.

Author Reply: Larner!

I'm so gald that you are enjoying the story. I've really had a lot of fun creating it!

I can only imagine how hard it would to allow a child of yours to follow a path that will lead her into unhappiness, In fact, knowing all that you've been raised to believe in and hope for will not happen if you try to prevent your own child's unhappiness. That would be hard indeed!

Thanks for reading and responding. We write because we want to, but it is always lovely to know that my writing has touched somebody!

MM

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/2/2005
Yes, the wedding garment being a document bearing testimony between mother and daughter is a wonderful image. And I love Gilraen taking her beloved off on an unwanted jaunt "picking weeds". Silly man! He needs to realize that this is not "woman's" work but "their" moment together, preparing for what is to come.

Author Reply: Larner!

I'm really happy that you are enjoying the story! I did love the bit of naughtiness that Gilraen and Arathorn! I thought they needed a bit of time alone, before they embark upon married life!!

Also I wanted to create more of the Dunedain society than I had previously read. And historically speaking it is the women who give a society shape and foundation. They tended to hearth and home. So I thought a good way to flesh out Dunedain society was to speak of what relationships the women formed. Family would all important and the handing down of knowledge from mother to daughter would most definitely be a special one. Glad you liked it.

MM

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 18 on 11/2/2005
What a great story, from beginning to end. I love how you wrote all the characters, from the Dunadan, to the Elves. Your Estel, was wonderful to read. It is good that he has returned to the rangers. I loved his reunion with his uncle Erithain. Thanks for the good read.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/2/2005
Beautiful imagery, and love the Thane sitting on the rocks overlooking the lake and its windblown waves. Gorgeous!

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