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| The Heir Apparent by Mirkwoodmaiden | 122 Review(s) |
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| Eruanneth_Luin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/29/2005 |
| Ah, the joy of new-found love on bloom, filled with laughter and discovery. No timid, soft-spoken maid has the Chieftain’s son chosen, but one well suited to his own fire. The interplay between the pair as each learns the ways of the other calls to mind the growing together yet to come. Arathorn as a somewhat dazed, bemused lover is perfect. So beautifully done; the wedding gifts from her Ivorwen ‘the woven document of their relationship’ brought a tear to my eyes. Just imagining the planning and preparations begun early in the life of Gilraen, makes me long for the same intensely personal and loving heirloom from my own mother. Sadly the time is long past. We have lost so much in our hasty living. Thank you for another lovely chapter. Author Reply: It is so true what you say about the fast pace of life in our times. In this chapter I wanted to write about the relationship that the women of the Dunedain might have. Women are often overlooked when thinking about the construction of history because they generally donn't fight in battles, but they are often what the men are fighting to defend, hearth and home. What relationships were built by those hearthfires. I wanted to create such a moment, also I think that it reflects my relationship with my mom, who has taught me many things in a similar fashion over crafts that we shared. I also wanted to thank you for the all the reviews posted on my separate chapters! I don't have a lot of time presently but want to answer them MM | |
| Eruanneth_Luin | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/29/2005 |
| It is good to see that developing friendship between Erithain and Arathorn which bodes well for eventual kinsmen-by-marriage, and I highly agree with the realistic moral tone set by Gilraen as to her thoughts of marriage. It is refreshing to read of attraction, respect, and even duty on both parts rather than mere physical desires. Her willingness to obey her father’s will and eventual answer ‘Yes, I think I do’, says it all. Arathorn seeking the hand of Gilraen brought into focus the intense feelings and uncertainty associated with the joining of two houses as well as two peoples, though blood-allied, yet independent. The visions of Ivorwen were of particular moving and well done, showing the absolute courage it took to allow her precious daughter to move forward as she must despite knowledge of the brevity of her happiness. Author Reply: I really loved writing this chapter because it gave me a chance to deepen the relationships all around. Also I was able to speak a little more about the strength of the Dunedain culture among both men and women. Their faith in their destiny is the only thing that Iorwen and Dirhael would allow to stand in front of their daughers' happiness. Iorwen is either blessed or cursed with the sight. I think she have had to have a great deal of strength to go forward with her vision. Thanks for reading! | |
| Eruanneth_Luin | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/29/2005 |
| First I must admit that had the name of Elrond not appeared in your update I would likely not have read this tale as I prefer elf-centered stories. But to my delight I found myself reading a thoughtfully written and intriguing tale. Obviously you are well-versed in the canon elements that you have woven into a believable story. As to the particular events, those of note to me are the understandable resentment of the Thane toward his Chieftain, even though unfounded in truth; his son a perfect example of not being able to refrain from speaking that which he had heard and seen for so long. The meeting of Arathorn and Gilraen was particularly enjoyable, mutual attraction, but tempered with good sense and respect. Overall the chapter has strong a feeling of honor and courage, realistically set in the waning years of the Dúnadain. Thank you. Author Reply: Eruanneth_Luin! Hello! I'm really gald that you found my story enjoyable and an interesting read. I usually favour Elf-centric stories, but I've also always been fascinated by Aragorn's childhood and his parents and the Northern Rangers. How they stayed a more or less cohesive people for so long I found really thought-provoking. And also so little is written about Gilraen and yet I think that she was important in Aragorn's life. So with Estel's childhood and writing about the Dunedain I could encapsulate both passions. When I decided to write about Aragorn's childhood I found that I had to go further back to his parents meeting. I needed to think of how the Dunedain would have survive. As singular Rangers they would never have survived as a people. Then had to be more. I'm glad you picked up on the feelings of honour and courage. Very important aspects of Dunedain culture! I'm really glad you have found the story and have liked it a lot. Thanks, MM Author Reply: That's "glad you found my story" I can't type tonight. :-) | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/27/2005 |
| I really, really like how canonical you are here! You take the material in the appendix and make it come alive, so that Gilraen, Aragorn, Arwen, and Elrond (plus all the minor characters) act out their doom before us. Lovely. Author Reply: Daw! That wasn't easy, and it made the writing of the chapter rather difficult. I read the part of the "tale of Aragorn and Arwen" then had to put aside the writing until I could remember only the flow of the story and not the exact words. I'm sorry glad you liked it! Author Reply: Daw! I think I meant to write "I'm so glad you like it!" What can I say I was home after a long day of work and rehearsal!! | |
| Faith | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/27/2005 |
| awwwwwwwwwwwww *sniff...poor estel...*sob...poor rod:( *sniff..soo sad..*sniff...*sob...runs off to get more tissues.. Faith,the Sue Slayer Proud member of IMSGSET and the Sue Squad Author Reply: faith! *she blushes* Thanks Faith! I'm really happy that you liked the story. MM | |
| Amy Earls | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 6/27/2005 |
| Lovely chapter. I appreciated the insight into Gilraen's sacrifice. I especially liked the repetition of "the one," at first bringing to mind the ring, and echoed by Estel after being said by the twins. Thank you so much! Amy Author Reply: Hello Amy! I have always been fascinated by Gilraen! She gives so muach! I thought her side needed to be told and explored some. Here she has a voice, in many fics she is cut out of the picture entirely. But she was very important to Aragorn! I enjoy writing her. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the story. MM | |
| Faith | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 3/28/2005 |
| OMG! i love it! soo beautifully written...i love it..more please...:D Faith, the slightly obssessed fangirl Author Reply: Really glad you like it! :-))) | |
| Faith | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 3/28/2005 |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 3/28/2005 |
| Yay! We see Erithain again. How patient he must have been. And it's wonderful to see this time period from Aragorn's POV. I was also happy for the glimpse of Gilraen. She really did sacrifice herself for her son. She gave up what should have been her normal life. Her joy at Aragorn's reclaiming of his own identity was fully understandable. Wow, the ring of Barahir. How odd to think that it's actually older than Elrond. You know, I've always thought that PJ gave Isildur a bum rap. Isildur was very brave in Numenor. He was responsible for salvaging the White Tree, for instance. Now I grant you, he made a little mistake with the One Ring! But as you point out, the ring was immensely powerful. Author Reply: Daw! Hello! I do so love Erithain, he has had so many things happen to him since we first saw him when he was an angry and hurt teenager. Many things and many of them painful and hard to accept. But Erithain soldiers on, ever earnest and loyal. Some people are just like that. I have developed a real affection for him. Soon he will be able to reveal just what relation he is to Aragorn. Which will make both he and me happy! :-)) Glad you enjoyed the glimpse of Gilraen. At first the section was written without her but I always knew she belonged in the scene where Aragorn finds out the truth. She is such an important part of Aragorn's life. She sacrifices her entire life to Aragorn. Unfortunately she does not have the happiest of lives. Anybody who says "I gave hope to the world, I kept no hope for myself." testifies to her sacrifice. I have enjoyed giving her more of a character in this story. For a while she was quite happy, when Arathorn was alive. When I was studying up on the Ring of Barahir, I too, was surprised to find out that it was indeed older than Elrond! That's old! PJ does give Isildur short shrift. He was a noble man until the One Ring corrupts him. As it doesn with just about every one it comes in contact with. It tempts Boromir and Aragorn. A craven person does not attempt to take Sauron on by himself. Glad you liked the chapter! MM | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 3/28/2005 |
| Oh yes, I’ve been dying for this moment!! Estel really seems to have grown and has become very aware of the evil times and what the future might hold. I still really feel for Erithain. He’s clearly come to know Estel and that seems to have deepened his love for him and longing for a time when they could all be a family again. As always, I really enjoyed the teasing between them all. Poor Elladan is never going to lose his reputation for being such a terrible cook!! Gilraen and Elrond were both superb in this. I thought it was very realistic the way Gilraen seems to have resigned herself to this life and mostly appreciates what is done for them but still has moments of melancholy and regret. She’s always struggled too with the pain of having to hide Aragorn’s heritage from him and not being able to share her memories of his father with him and I thought it was very believable and so touching that it would be a relief and even in some ways a joy to her that he will finally be told. And Elrond! My heart went out to him in this chapter. His anguish and emotional turmoil was so clear. How hard it must be for him to have to do his duty and lay such heavy responsibility on his beloved Estel, knowing that it would cause him pain, confusion and could even create distance between them. I don’t blame Estel for starting to panic when he saw the grave Lord of Imladris so flustered! I thought you wrote the scene very well. I like the way Elrond gives him the most important information and then lets him have time to process it and reconcile it with what he already knows, but still Elrond knows what he’s thinking and helps him out when he can. I thought it was good too that Elrond just gives him the information with very little bias. He even reassures Estel that it was the ring more than Isildur himself that caused the seeming end of the line of kings. It was a lovely moment when Gilraen stresses to her son how much Elrond loves him. And I had tears in my eyes when Elrond explains to him how much he’s meant to him since he first came to live with them. Is he going to find out who Erithain is? The moment with the Ring of Barahir was very powerful. I could almost see responsibility and fate descend upon Aragorn. I absolutely love the fact that Aragorn went straight to Elladan and Elrohir, seeking their comfort almost without thinking. It must be so difficult for them to relive Arathorn’s last moments but I thought they were wonderful in their effort to reassure Aragorn of his father’s love for him. This was a lovely chapter. So, we have Narsil and Arwen coming up?? I can’t wait! :-) Author Reply: Dot! I knew Elrond and Gilraen would behave differently to the telling of the secret. One is gaining; one is losing. Still Gilraen can understand Elrond's pain and seeks to give him some solace. I thought that Aragorn would be more indignant when he found out, but while I was writing that didn't seem to happen. He was more shocked than anything! While I writing I just thought while Gilraen was with him while he was being told who are the people he would go to first. The answer was clearly Elladan and Elohir! They have developed such a bond over the story that it was only natural! Yes! Aragorn will indeed find out who Erithain is. I like Erithain too much to deprive him of his beloved nephew! Thanks again, MM | |