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| A Long and Weary Way by Canafinwe | 11 Review(s) |
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| DoggieGirl | Reviewed Chapter: 79 on 10/3/2015 |
| Wow! I must say I think I enjoyed this last chapter more than any other of your writing. It would be a hard task to pry the smile off of my face during and after reading it. It was exquisitely crafted in perfection. There is so much to say about it that I scarcely know where to begin. First, I thought that your portrayal of Aragorn and Arwen was so, so very well done. I know that Aragorn likes to keep all his hurts, worries, and self-put-upon shame to himself, but I would not have truly been able to see any true deepness to Aragorn and Arwen’s love if he hadn’t been willing to bear everything to her if she so chose. His words “Yet you have the right to more, if you wish it. I would willingly keep nothing from you, if you ask it” as well as his reassurance to her that he would not be pained by the retelling, thereby enabling her to freely ask anything she truly desired to know, showed in way like nothing could how deeply he trusts and loves her. He made himself vulnerable to her in a way different than to any other, even including Elrond. No question he would have refused her. That is such a testament to his love for her. At the same time, she responded to that open vulnerability equally. She was willing to put aside her own wants, burning curiosity, and longing to know what had befallen her beloved if it would cause Aragorn fruitless and pointless pain. In both of their responses you see the foundation of true love: self-sacrificing love. I also loved the tender hug between the two. I have been waiting and waiting for them to finally hug. Like you said, people sometimes just need to touch and be touched, love and feel loved. Arwen touch and love are different but no less deep than Elrond’s. It was beautiful to see them together like that. It makes me think about how truly awesome their marriage must have been when they were finally able to freely and openly without any inhibitions share their life together in every possible way – body, mind, and soul. Your characterization of them truly help us envision what a truly epic love story looks like. Everything in this chapter was such a joy to read and kept making me smile bigger and bigger. I loved how Aragorn was able to greet his matchingly clad beloved and escort her through the room as the noble son of kings completely besotted by his beloved that he is. I also liked how you said that almost all who saw them together loved both of them too much too cast any ill judgment upon their desired union. In my mind, this is how it would have been. No matter the tragic consequences of their love, how could anyone who knew them well willing wish to deny them the happiness they so obviously deserved and found in each other. I know that this is turning into a rather long review, so sorry about that. But one more thing. I absolutely love the fact that Elrond and Arwen will be surprised by a song about their very own hero. And we know that Arwen at least is planning to spend the night beside Aragorn, so he should have close hand view of her reaction to the surprise. It should be very interesting to see their reactions to that and Aragorn reaction to their reaction. I better stop babbling anymore. Just thanks again for such a delightful chapter. Truly one of the most enjoyed you have ever written. Author Reply: Never apologize for a review of *any* length! This was such a treat to read, and I'm beyond delighted to know how much you thought of this chapter. You took away from it everything I hoped to convey, and it means a lot to know that you like my portrayal of this most central love story.The absolute trust and openness is so important to that. I'm so glad you agree about the way the residents of Imladris would feel about their union, too! Aragorn is not Beren after all: a stranger from abroad who stumbled upon the border one day. He is a beloved child of the house, whom all of them would have known from boyhood. How could they grudge either he or Arwen their bliss? | |