Reviews (322)

Deblers · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I'm another de-lurking to tell you how much I enjoyed your previous story and am looking forward to this one. I just came upon your first story the other day and am now hooked. I seem to have a new fascination for Halbarad. Your writing style and descriptions are fantastic and a pleasure to read. Cant' wait for more!

washow · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I'm so glad you finally finished this. When I didn't see it at the end of Feb like you promised I often thought of sending you an email but real life got in the way. I'm glad to see you're posting even though I didn't keep poking you. I really enjoyed this chapter, I love the interaction between the characters. I can't wait until they get to Imlandris because I have high hopes for the reunion between father and son. I check soa everyday hoping for an update so please don't keep me waiting too long.

Bodkin · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Oh my goodness! This is great. The weather, the horses, the smells, the flies - the bad food! It's as if I'm there! And Halbarad! What a well-developed, multi-layered interesting character he is. With a fantastic choice of language - the northern Eriador plains feel like the bowels of Harad - and a well-developed philosophy, boiled down into few words! - “Know your place.” - combined with an understanding of what and where he feels that to be - planting his gaze squarely in the middle of Aragorn’s back. And Aragorn recognises his determination, as well. The whole Bree name thing is hilarious - I rather hope Dudo does reward E2 with Bree names - and I look forward to seeing their reaction. (I think Fred would suit one of them. And maybe George.) Lovely - and succinct - description of Rivendell. Concentrating on the aspects most likely to appeal to a hobbit. And I like Dudo's rather doubtful vision of elves. Especially the wings and flying horses. Reality might be disappointing. The farmer, his wife and the goat - great story, and enabling Aragorn to show himself as charming and entertaining, despite his ill-health. And I like the reflections on age. The suggestions on flooding are worrying, though. That Ranger needs to get to Elrond's house soonish if he is to survive to provoke his foster father further - and retain the use of the hand for future fighting. 'In truth, it was not the presence of something admirable that he valued about this barren place, but the very absence of things that demanded admiration. The unexpectant plainness of the land seemed to still all voices except land, sky, and stars. “Listen,” he said.' It takes a special eye to see this. And a special eye to know that it is there to be seen. Great group of characters - excellent start - terrific relationships - scenery - heat - well, all of it. I'm really looking forward to more!

The Karenator · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I was so excited to see this posted when I finally wandered over to SoA this morning. It's like a dream come true! I've been waiting and waiting.... But boy, it was worth the wait! Cracks knuckles. Okay, Johnny Halbarad, PI, is back! And he brought Raymond Chandler's dog.... Halbarad felt like he had been on the road longer than Gandalf had been looking for the Clairol counter at the Triangle Quick Stop. As if there wasn't enough to worry about in having to get a stubborn third cousin, once removed on his mother's side and vaguely related on his father's mother's father's father's side, to the All-Night Emergency Ward in Elf City--a place with no known address--he was saddled with the whining little chicken gutter he'd picked up by accident in a seedy little town with bad roofs and unpainted doors. No bad trip, Halbarad thought with disgust, would be complete without Olorin Gandalf, the forensic expert and suspected wizard, tagging along to send uncooperative travelers off to see the Sand Man. The PI knew that he couldn't turn his back on the dirt-encrusted, white-bunned old hippie, or he'd find himself cutting z's like a drunk barfly with free peanut skins stuck in his front teeth. Halbarad pulled back on the reins of his horse as he eyed the ride that Aragorn, AKA Sugar Dumpling to some chick who had been sending Aragorn love notes by carrier eagles--birds, he mused, that were the size of a Ford Thunderbird with flared fenders and chrome shiny enough to use to signal another country, or alert a suspicious looking tower that had a Visine-deprived red eye stuck on its roof--and wondered if his first mistake had been loaning the ride to the troll magnet to start with. In an uncharacteristic moment of pity, Halbarad had caved and sent his friend off to get into more trouble than his own mother could muster when she was losing at craps. Now said troll trollop was oozing green stuff that looked like smashed peas from his kneecap and sporting a fever that rivaled the temper of an insulted Elf. And the ER was still further away than Halbarad's retirement. Somewhere around a highway mile marker so faded it was nothing more than a wilted daisy, the infirmed cousin reared his head, spewing insults and slanderous accusations at him. Halbarad considered using the blunt end of his sword to put the gangrenous, gregarious, goatnapper back into blissful silence, but decided that he didn't want to have to carry the ailing ranger through heat that would curl Demi Moore's hair and let the guy go on with a tale about as accurate as Aragorn's ability to hit a troll at ten paces with an arrow equipped with a troll-seeking tip and exploding package. The PI figured the heat was finally getting to him when he admitted to the little kitchen wipe that there were real Elves in Elf City. The grumpy kid lit up like an aluminum Christmas on sale, babbling on about Spilly Milly, the skinny egg scrambler back at the joint where the kid had earned his keep by swabbing floors by day and snitching by night. Halbarad had seen this skinny stew stirrer before, slinking around in the shadows like a whiff of bad breath. There was no telling what kind of muck she had filled the diminutive crumb catcher's head with. With the kid yakking nonstop, the future of the remaining emergency run yawned in front of the gumshoe like an endless stretch of being stuck on a stalled elevator with nothing to keep him company but bad Muszak tunes courtesy of Barry Manilow. It was his own fault, he knew. But at least it kept the kid from fixating on the trichinosis treats they'd been dining on for the last four days. There was no going back now. The PI was stuck in the middle of the dusty highway to Hades with a sickly sword swisher, a whiskered wiseguy, and a dingy dishwasher that turned out to be more dainty than dangerous. All Johnny Halbarad, PI, needed was for Gandalf to get all starry eyed and start citing the hope mantra, or for the wizard to predict one more time that the hot sticky weather was hot and sticky, and Halbarad would leave so little of the guy that archeologist wouldn't be able to identify him with a driver's license pinned to his thigh bone and a departure ticket for Mandos tucked between his ribs. Still, the PI knew when he was licked. He knew his place and on this night when they stopped off at the Triple A Campsite for Flagrant Fools, it was only as close to a wizard with the knack for knockouts as he could stay and still get a mumak gagging on a warg between them. Somebody had to worry, and it might as well be him. Seriously, this was a wonderful introduction to your new story. I loved every word. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. Things aren't looking too good for the poor injured ranger. Ah, the trouble that awaits them. I'm sure there will be more adventures in store of the future king of Gondor and his cousin once removed on his mother's side and vaguely related.... This chapter was such a treat! I'm unabashedly excited! Ray's dog

grumpy · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Yeah, I am another one that did a happy dance when I saw this story up, I so enjoyed your last story, one of the best I have every read. Loved the first chapter, the heat of the land, is very much like it has been here where I live. Love the story, of the naked ranger, the farmer's wife and the goat. Halbarad and Aragorn must have made quite a pair. looking forward to more.

Ainu Laire · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

*cheers* Yes! I am sosososo happy to see a sequel. I absolutely loved the first one... and I am so happy to see a sequel :D If you could email me whenever you continue, that would be fabulous. How often do you update?

Nilmandra · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

This was well worth waiting for. I just fell right back on to the trail with these characters as if we had never been apart. Two things overall struck me: one is the dialogue - it flows very smoothly and is very witty and yet believable. The other is the use of description - not overdone, but I feel like I am right there with them. Gandalf is as gruff and yet wise as we know him to be, but your Halbarad is the real show stealer here. What a great character. I also love the way they have wound Dudo up about going to Rivendell.

jules · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

You're back!!! I was so surprised and happy to see your story that it has jolted me out of lurker-dom - I am ashamed to confess I read and savoured every word of 'in the hands of the enemy' but never left a single review... It remains one of the best fanfictions I've read and I was so disappointed to eventually conclude that you'd given up on the promised sequel. But here you are and still on form by the look of it. Absolutely wonderful. (but please let Aragorn have just a little TLC before you go sending him off on quests, we know how *quests* always turn out - not exactly restful you know...) I may not get time to review regularly but rest assured that I (and no doubt many, many others) will be hanging on your every word.

Dot · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I’m just loving this so far! I had a silly grin on my face from start to finish. You descriptions are wonderful. I think I was sweating just reading about the heat. I would not want to be around when Halbarad eventually does take off those boots. “Bob?” *splutter* I’d forgotten about that!! LOL. I had to laugh at Dudo’s scepticism when Halbarad describes the beauty of Rivendell, the Ranger village. “Beautiful people singing lovely songs”? I wouldn’t have believed it either! One of the best lines of the chapter has to be what Halbarad learnt from Númenor: “Know your place.” Brilliant!! Actually, what I also really liked was the suggestion, as Halbarad looks at Aragorn, of where he thinks his place is. That was so well done. Speaking of Aragorn, I felt really bad for him. That is not a well man. But he’s still good for a laugh anyway. I just love how he and Halbarad play off each other, and the hints of the long history they’ve shared give more meaning to their friendship, as well as rousing my curiosity ;-) The story of the naked Rangers, a farmer’s wife and a goat had me howling with laughter. Those two certainly tell a good yarn. I love the little moments too of Halbarad thinking wistfully of the woman and of how short the lives of the people of Bree are. One of my favourite parts of this chapter is Halbarad trying to explain the beauty of this barren place in the back-end-of-nowhere. I love the line “In truth, it was not the presence of something admirable that he valued about this barren place, but the very absence of things that demanded admiration.” His love of simplicity and ability to appreciate and see beauty in the plainest of things is really touching and actually rather humbling too. I forgot to say how much I like Dudo. He’s so bright and funny, even when he’s complaining. In fairness, I’d be doing a heck of a lot more complaining if I were in his position. My backside is very fond of soft mattresses. My heart went out to him when he finally gave into his frustration and tiredness. I thought it was very moving that Halbarad knows and understands that he’s haunted by the boy’s death. “Do they have wings? Do they have silver hair? Do they ride flying horses?” LOL. If that’s what he thinks elves are like, then thin Milly was right. I love magic!Gandalf and his ability to put people to sleep. I do feel sorry for him and Halbarad, though, having to watch Aragorn suffer and being able to do very little about it. I hope they make it to Rivendell soon! The summary for this sounds so intriguing. And I’m completely hooked already. Thank you for giving me a good laugh :-)

fliewatuet · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Aah! The long awaited sequel. A very promising first chapter. I loved the light-hearted banter and storytelling between Aragorn and Halbarad. But I do wonder how soon you will throw trouble into their way. Eagerly awaiting more, fliewatuet

Anonymous · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

YAY!!! A sequel!!! Whoohoo! Sorry, I'm far too gleeful to leave a useful review, but..just...yay! (I'm sure you would find my happydance extremely amusing if you could see me right now) Hehe. And now I have a new threat: "be good or you'll be pitch forked to death!" Bwahaha.

AM · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

When I saw that this was here (finally) I let out a whoop of joy. Getting ready to sit back and enjoy.

Enigma · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

HI! :) Can you believe I just registered just to be able to leave a review for your story? *g* Well, it is TRUE. I did just that. I remember reading your earlier story some time ago and I was ready to pull my hear out at the end of it because I was desperate to know how things continued and if Aragorn would indeed go to Rivendell. Imagine my joy when I found out today you were indeed writing a sequel! You are a wonderful and gifted writer and I find it an interesting twist to your stories that for once they don't play along the Aragorn/Legolas-friendship-line, but feature Halbarad and Gandalf alongside Aragorn. Please keep you wonderful work. You are SO SO bookmarked. *g* I will be looking forward to the next chapter with anticipation! :) Enigma

keela · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

*DIES* Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU.

Thorongirl · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I wonder if you really good authors realize how much we look forward to your stories and updates and all that. When I saw the chapter alert Sunday night and nothing was actually posted, I was a *little* disappointed. Never mind that I am in the process of reading at least forty other different stories right now. Yours is one of the ones I wanted to read immediately. Or at least I wanted to download it, print it off, and save it for *later*. (Translation: when my family is out of the house). Couldn't have done it anyway, though. It has been so humid where I live the past few weeks, that until last night, whenever I used my laser printer, the moisture in the air actually caused the printer to steam! How strange is that? My son said not to use it because the condensation could do something to it. Fry it, I assume. Oh well, on to the review. Marvelous chapter. Your depiction of Halbarad and Gandalf is absolutely terrific. And the story about the farmer's wife was too funny. "She also warned us that she was quite capable of cutting off our ---" "Noses," Halbarad interjected. Oh, that was priceless. And yet in the background we have everyone more than a little concerned about Aragorn, the boredom/strain that is getting to Tillfield, and the old wizard whom Halbarad sometimes forgets is not just any old man. I did spy a few spelling errors which I will dutifully point out if you want me to, but they're not terribly noticeable (hmm, did I spell *that* right)? Overall quality is excellent, though, and I love the way you pace your story. Nothing is rushed, everyone seems totally in character. I especially liked Tillfield's observations that being a Ranger didn't seem quite so exciting in real life. Oh, and Halbarad's thoughts about strangling Aragorn over the bestowal of his Bree name. I'm anxious to read the Aragorn/Elrond reunion. I'm assuming it might be a little strained (if Aragorn is actually still conscious by then, that is). Wonderful first chapter. I eagerly look forward to the next. I'm sure I'll be adding this one to my "Desert Island" selections, too.

daw the minstrel · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Yes!!! I was so happy to find this this morning. All right, my memory of the last story is that when it opened, my hands started feeling chapped with cold. Now I feel like I can't breathe for the heat and humidity. And Bob lied to Tillfield about what Rivendell was? LOL. He deserves to have Elrond learn his Bree name. Halbarad grunted. “Know your place.” Gandalf released a cloud of pipe-weed smoke that drifted aimlessly in the still air as he considered Halbarad’s answer. “Fair enough. Think you know it then, do you?” “I always have,” Halbarad replied, deliberately planting his gaze squarely in the middle of Aragorn’s back. Now that's lovely for several reasons: Halbarad's blunt simplicity (and accuracy), Gandalf's hint that Halbarad is worth more than he thinks he is, and Halbarad's sense that where he belongs is serving Aragorn. And it's all suggested, not told. That's what I've been missing when you weren't posting, Meckinock. I like the way you tell us the tale of Bree farmer's wife. I'm taking notes about how it's okay to take one's time. Your characters have to relieve themselves? Wow. So few characters do. I wonder if years from now people will look at novel from our time and laugh about that. Loved Tillfield's observation that rather than being exciting, being a ranger is "smelly and wet...with bad food." Now there's the truth. Halbarad flinched with gleeful horror at the prospect of Tillfield doling out Bree names to the sons of Elrond. Me too! What an excellent beginning. I'm swept up in it already. You've made my day and I don't even mind that now I have to go to the gym and take the old lady aerobics class.

utfrog98 · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I am SO glad you are writing a sequel. I am very anxious to hear the conversations between Elrond and Aragorn. Thank you

Elentariel · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

This is an interesting story - with great promise. i hope you update soon as i want to know what happens next!

Jay of Lasgalen · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I so nearly didn't read this - I don't usually like ranger or hobbit stories - but I'm so glad I did! Your characterisations of Gandalf, Aragorn and Halbarad are spot on, I think, and Tillfield is full of hobbit curiousity - even if he is regretting his decision now. The tale of the farmer's wife and the goat was hilarious, and I look forward to their arrival in Rivendell! Jay

Imrahoil · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

AH, there it is and on Tuesday. Ranger, I forgive you (cough, cough). It looks even very, very promising - my kind of humour and Halbarad naked, kind of, two times, bliss -. I have found that it is a dangerous thing to clamour as loud as possible for a sequel, only to find it's not up to expectation AND one is honour bound to say something about it. Next chapter?! By the way, you lost me in the first sentence. IS the second half really a sentence ("and ran mopped his forehead with a grimy sleeve")? By the way the second, isn't mumakil a plural?

Lily Baggins · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Oh my, this is such a wonderful story. I've just finished reading the prequel in one fell swoop and was completely drawn in---especially by your characterization and the mingling of the deadly serious with humor. It was utterly chilling and charming at the same time, and now THIS story makes me long for more. I'm a huge, huge fan of Aragorn angst, and this story is just delicious with it . . . the fever, the infection, Aragorn's reluctance to go to Rivendell. And such fine writing---I am very eagerly looking forward to an update!

Anonymous · 15 June 2005 · Chapter 1: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Hey meckinock more More MORE!!!! I love it! especially the Bree farm wife and the goat.... How soon do we get more? Gandalfs apprentice