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A Long and Weary Way: Appendices by Canafinwe	80 Review(s)
Cimarron's Girl	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
Oh, I was absolutely delighted by this scene! I had wondered if Losfaron would survive the War of the Ring, especially since I knew Gollum's guards were slain or taken prisoner when he escaped. So, I'm really happy to see that he, and of course Moroch, lived and even ventured to Minas Anor with Legolas. It's so pleasing to read that Moroch has her own little filly to mother now, too! You have done such a wonderful job of portraying the horses; I very much appreciate your realism. It drives me crazy when I see how horses are depicted in many films and/or stories, where they just randomly whinny and rear up all the time (my Cimarron Horse is all but mute and never rears), but your depiction of them as attuned to their handlers, occasionally nickering, and enjoying scratches is perfectly true to form. Now, horsey rant over, I wonder if I could guess who the filly's daddy is? Given the her age, I have some suspicions... ;) I enjoyed hearing Losfaron's perspective on the events following Gollum's escape, Legolas's departure, and the subsequent fall of Sauron. I have often wondered about the Wood-Elves' view on these events, particularly their sentiments about losing Gollum; you did an excellent job of capturing Losfaron's sense of guilt about this. I'm glad Aragorn was able to alleviate Losfaron's self-recriminations and compel him to understand that Gollum's escape ultimately served Middle Earth's best interests, though none could have guessed it. Once again, lovely writing... and finally, we have a story where Aragorn is genuinely happy, healthy, and full of good humor! Cheers! Author Reply: It means a lot to know that my portrayal of the horses is fitting! They're a little more vocal than I would write, for example, the horses of Rohan, because Elven horses seem to have a greater capacity to understand speech. Asfaloth's understanding of Glorfindel's instructions is only one example. Even so, I would never have a horse rear without a good cause (Nazgûl spring to mind...)! Even from Gollum Moroch only recoiled. A well-trained horse, especially one groomed to be ridden in battle, would have to be pretty nearly unflappable! As for the filly's sire... Moroch's not telling. ;-) I'm glad my take on the emotions surrounding Gollum's escape rang true! And it was lovely to write a story with no peril or agonies (physical or emotional) for Aragorn to endure. A rarity for me, as I'm sure you've seen.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
So, Roheryn is jealous, is he? Heh! A lovely epilogue, and one worthy of the story itself. Losfaron realizes that Providence is mighty, and will use even such an evil as the freeing of Gollum proved as the goodness of his guards was so evilly rewarded to yet bring good out of said evil. Thank you so for this "appendix"! Moroch knows her daughter goes to a worthy master, and Losfaron has found his own peace and self-forgiveness. (And I'm so glad I'm not the only victim of such homonyms as TAIL and TALE. Although PEEK and PEAK still plague me most!) Author Reply: Yes, a little jealous! Though I'm sure it won't last: after all, Moroch will have her own master to fuss over her now. How wonderful to know you liked this first appendix! Thanks for the homonym watch, too! headdesk

Aromene	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
I laughed and cried a lot in joy at this story. So happy to see these two friends and fellow warriors reunited, and have everything settled. And what a beautiful gift! Author Reply: It's nice to be able to inspire laughter, after bringing so many more painful feelings to life. Thank you as always for your lovely feedback!

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
He would never have come to Moria, never have picked up the trail of the Ring, never fallen in with Frodo and Sam. He would not have been present when at last he was needed to fulfill his final part in the great deeds of his age. Had you not shown him pity beyond his deserving and beyond my bidding, Losfaron, all would have been lost. Oh wow, what healing, compassionate (and true) words to tell him. this is a wonderful gap filler for a character I never even thought to imagine. Author Reply: Thank you so much, as always! It fit so well as a coda to the larger tale. I'm glad you liked it.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
I just love this! I have thought about the feelings of Thranduil's guards when Gollum escaped, but never for long. You did a fantastic job bringing their sadness and fear to life. This is a great start to the appendices. Thank you. Author Reply: Thank you so much! As Losfaron's character developed, it became simply too tempting to address this aspect of Gollum's tale. It's absolutely lovely to know that the feelings surrounding his escape came out so well. Cheers!

Robnrun	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
Using the horses is such an effective mechanism here. I've lost count of the number of times in my own life that a serious/emotional conversation has been made possible by a shared task that allows the intensity to be made bearable by the slight distraction of the physical task. Sometimes, a horse has been involved too! Once again, I am impressed by your grasp of the underpinning philosophy that Tolkien aimed for in the relationships of redemption, grace, honour, and duty Author Reply: I've found just the same thing: an ordinary daily activity does take the edge off of a hard conversation. How lovely to know you've had the experience with horses! I confess I haven't had the pleasure myself. Thank you for your gracious words about my handling of Tolkien's philosophy! It's very important to me both to understand and to capture it as best I can. Thank you.

someone	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
I'm so glad to see that both Losfaron and Moroch live, and Moroch has a far better one to mother than before! Losfaron's fears and regret sound real, he really must have wondered what happened to Gollum. It is true that without the woodelves' kindness Gollum would have never escaped and at the very least either Frodo or Sam would have died. They also wouldn't have found the way to Mordor on their own and so would not have been at the mountain at the right time... Gollum was crucial for the success of the quest, and that was very clear in this story. Thank you for making clear that Thranduil's people don't deserve any blame in that escape, at least in hindsight. Aragorn must have shocked some people by caring for a guest's horse himself, but I'm sure Moroch appreciated it. Although Roheryn has now his rival (and her sweet foal) in the same stable, again. Author Reply: It's very good to know that Losfaron's feelings in the matter come across as real: thank you! Really, without Gollum the Quest would have ended in disaster. It's just a matter of deciding how quickly it would have happened. I'm sure Aragorn did shock some people! At least the grooms in that particular stable have probably seen him tending his own warhorse, though, so that might have taken the edge off. ;-)

Celeth	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
That is so beautiful. I loved the way Losfaron and Moroch took care of Aragorn in A Long and Weary Way, and I'm delighted that they are able to meet again. Your/Aragorn's summary of LOTR as seen from Gollum's role in it is enlightening. I had never thought of it that way before. Then again, you have a way of writing about familiar LOTR stories from a different and refreshing point of view. I enjoyed this story very much. Thank you so much for sharing it. Author Reply: I'm so glad to know you like having these character's back! I grew very fond of Moroch as I wrote her. As for Losfaron, he must have been positively wracked with guilt, knowing as he did (and as I ensured Legolas could not) just how much the hunt had cost Aragorn. It was only fair to offer healing, and I'm flattered that I could offer some fresh perspective as well. Thank you!

NotACat	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
Awesome: I look forward to more. If you're following JRRT's pattern, maybe the next one ought to include that timeline you gave me, hey? ;-) Author Reply: Thank you! It probably should be the timeline next, but alas! I don't have the Professor's gift for tidy divisions. More vignettes before anything else. ;-)

DoggieGirl	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2015
I loved it. It tied up many loose ends concerning Losfaron and his unforgettable horse. Aragorn did appear to be elven-wise and a true king in glory, but at the same time remain his humble self. I loved the picture of him in his royal garments grooming a horse while having a deep and meaningful conversation with a friend. Lovely bow of lose ends. Author Reply: I'm so glad that you liked it, and that Aragorn's many good qualities come across so well! He is indeed a worthy king, most of all because he understands that he is meant to serve his people and his world.

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