It is still over sixty years until the current situation changes markedly. But Aragorn is the Hope of not only his people but of others as well; and he's been well prepared for what is to come.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing!! Yes, he has been very well prepared and is now getting the practical knowledge he needs to put it all together. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to keep going for that many years, hoping that things would change and that somehow it would work out for you to marry the woman you loved. I guess he had true faith and hope!
harrowcat
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 23: Twenty-three
Yes - often offense is better than waiting and being on the defensive. It really does sound like Aragorn is beginning it get the hang of being a good leader. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the latest chapter! Yes, they really need to go and get rid of these orcs who have been hanging around in the general area... it's not something they can just ignore and hope they'll go away. :)
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 21: Twenty-one
Yes, just be casual. "Here's the Steward's son, and I'm nobody in especial--just your hereditary chieftain. Come get warm." He's getting a real kick out of this, I think. Yes, I think years from now he'll enjoy watching folk in Gondor recognizing Thorongil in the King, too! Heh!
Author's reply
Thanks for your review! Yes, I think Aragorn did really enjoy doing that... he does have a sense of humor, although it's mostly tucked away right now because he's still trying to find his place a little bit. His humor comes out when he's with the younger men and it will come out more often with the older men as time goes on.
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
I grieve a Hobbit had to vote for death, although I understand why. And I am proud none of the other Hobbits of the Breelands came or allowed their children to come.
We Men are too bloodthirsty a lot.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the chapter. I did not want to put the hobbit in that position either, but I knew there had to be one on the council since one of the little villages was mostly hobbits (Staddle, I think). I cannot see any hobbits ever going to see a public execution. But, yes, we Men are bloodthirsty. I've just read too many accounts of times past where people would go to public executions and bring their children and I find it appalling, but it fit the situation here, unfortunately.
Larner
· 24 August 2006
· Chapter 19: Nineteen
I would like to see Will and Kenrick both receive some level of mercy. Their stories are pretty sad.
But love the realism of it.
Dale and Galt deserve whatever they get, I fear.
Author's reply
Thanks again for reviewing this chapter. Yes, Will and Kenrick's stories are both very sad. In fact, although no one ever mentioned it, I think that Kenrick's story was sadder than Will's in many ways. He was born into that situation and really had no choice - though, of course, he could have left them. Whereas Will chose to join them. The other men do deserve what they get... they've gone to far. Glad you think it's realistic. :)
Larner
· 23 August 2006
· Chapter 18: Eighteen
Catching up now.
Very good leader Estel is proving to be, and a wonderful sense of fairness.
Glad to see some of the ruffians have at least a bit of honor and humanity to them, and find myself wondering what will become of Will. He might do with hard labor instead of a death sentence. As for Galt--pah!
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, it was good to hear from you again, I hope that at least some of your recent troubles have eased a bit.
Yes, Aragorn does have a very well developed sense of justice. I think being raised among elves would have seen to that. The younger bandits had not yet totally lost their honor, it usually takes a little while for that to happen.
Linda Hoyland
· 10 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
An excellent chapter underlying the different facets of Aragorn's character and all the skills he is needing as well as his care for his people.
I loved the ending,as we know Aragorn will be king !
Author's reply
Thanks so much for your review and your very kind words. This chapter turned out much different than it started. I had written more than five pages and I just did not like certain things I was doing with a particular character and tossed it all to try and get back more to Aragorn and Halbarad which I was able to do even in the midst of the wolves. It turned out much better this way. :)
Halbarad never does forget who Aragorn is; he talked about that back at the beginning of the story. Since you've read my 'Safekeeping' story you also know that over time he does start calling Aragorn 'lord' and they have words over the issue at one point... which ends in a draw. :)
grumpy
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
So Aragorn has had his first battle with wolves, and lived through it. Skninny wolves and skinny rangers. I wonder if Aragorn can come up with a way for the rangers to be at home more. Fatten them up a bit.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing! I doubt that Aragorn will ever be able to come up with a way for the Rangers to be at home more... things are only going to get more dangerous over the next seventy years. After he becomes king he might be able to do that. :)
fantasia
· 8 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
Hi
Glad to see another chapter. I really enjoy your stories. Well, we have now Aragorn, no more Estel in this chapter. It will be interesting to see how his elf-family will treat him when they see each other again. He will be Aragorn, but for his family, he still will be the youngest son and little brother. I look forward for Halbarad & Aragorn visiting Rivendell together. It may be not in this story, but I’m sure that you can have it in another one, please. By the way. I saw that you have a sequel for Aragorn’s safekeeping, good; I really enjoyed the previous story and now the new one. Keep writing and thanks again for your wonderful job.
Fantasia
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the latest chapter, I'm glad that you are enjoying this and my other stories. I don't have any plans to have Aragorn returning to Rivendell, certainly not in this story which only has three or four chapters left. I know that my next story - besides the 'Safekeeping' epilogue - is going to be the Eomer and Aragorn story, but I have no idea what I might write after that point. I've thought about Aragorn's time as Thorongil, but I'm not sure... I'm sure there will be something. :)
insignia
· 8 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
Thank you for yet another gripping instalment! Well written and with lots of character thought. The standoff (of sorts) between Aragorn and Tathor is most convincing, and I can see such an occurence in real life. Also, the way you describe Aragorn's reflections on the hard way of life of his people is quietly moving. Particularly when you think that in about 6/7 years he will be leaving them to it for a years and years! That must then have been a very hard decision for him and I look forward to hearing how you deal with that (if your story is going to go that far?)
One thing - I was a bit confused in the fight with the wolves. I was thinking that there were only two, and that Aragorn and his companion fought them, so was quite surprised when one of the other men turned out to have been bitten and it became evident that there had been more than two. But maybe that is just me being dense!
I have not reviewed for some time so I apologise for that. However, I have been enjoying this story and seeing connections between it and your last epic. I look forward as ever, to your next chapter.
Author's reply
Thanks so much for your review, I do appreciate it. There definitely are connections to my last epic story, a lot of the young Rangers in this story appear in that one... not that they have more than very minor roles. In fact, this whole story started because of an incident that was mentioned in that story... Aragorn was relaying something that had happened to him and Halbarad and I decided to tell about the incident. I thought it would be a short little story, but it grew. :) By the way, that incident hasn't happened yet, but it will soon as the story only has about four more chapters... I think.
As I mentioned the story won't be too much longer and so won't cover that time when Aragorn leaves his people. I've never understood how he was able to do that... after he'd been gone for eighteen years to just leave his people again. I'm guessing - and this is how'd I'd write it - that he had encouragement from Gandalf to do that. At some future point I may come back and write that period of time, but I'm anxious to write an Eomer - Aragorn story and to finish up the 'Safekeeping' epilogue.
About the wolves... the wolf howls came from several sides of the camp and so I was trying to show that they were surrounding them. Then Faelon and Tathor checked and found out that there were eight wolves that had attacked them... though I only showed Aragorn and Gilost fighting them. I hope that makes sense.
Oh, I'm glad you thought the Aragorn - Tathor 'discussion' was realistic... it took me awhile to get it.
Thanks again!
harrowcat
· 8 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
A wonderfully detailed and descriptive couple of chapters Radbooks (I have been out of internet range. ) The final couple of lines made it for me!
Author's reply
Thanks so much for reviewing, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. It would be so hard to be out of internet range for any length of time!
jack bauer
· 8 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
Good stuff as always. Keep it up :)
Author's reply
Thanks so much... I'll try!
Raksha The Demon
· 8 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
That's quite a burden Halbarad is placing on Aragorn's shoulders; but Aragorn is ready for it. I just feel a bit sorry for him, knowing that your people are slogging through the monotony of constant patrolling for the glory of the line of Isildur is a bit scary.
Aragorn is learning more and more about his very special, and not entirely enviable, destiny. At least he won't be always alone on the rocky road he'll tread to accomplish it - he'll have Halbarad, and other companions well worth the knowing. And one day he'll have Arwen's love.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the latest chapter, I appreciate it. It is a burden that Halbarad placed on Aragorn's shoulders and I don't think that any of the older men would have said that to him, but Aragorn did need to hear it.
People only do things like that - the patrolling, the way they live, etc., - because they strongly believe in something or someone and because they have hope it might be different someday. Children grow up hearing about that hope and they all put their trust in someone, in this case, the heirs of Isildur.
But Aragorn was thrown into this without that background. I don't care how much book knowledge he has or how much Elrond and the other elves tried to prepare him for this after they told him who he was - it's not the same as experiencing it and seeing it played out day to day in front of you. He is ready for it, but he has to accept that burden as well... you can understand something without truly taking it to heart, which is what he needs to do.
Thanks again and I'm sorry for such a lengthy response... I was sort of writing my thoughts aloud here and got carried away and so hopefully they are some what coherent. :)
Fiondil
· 7 August 2006
· Chapter 22: Twenty-two
I've been enjoying this story very much. Didn't get an chance to review it earlier as I was trying to pack to come to China and it took me 3 weeks to get internet connection once I got here so I could continue reading this story (and others) as well as post my own. I like the growing friendship between Halbarad and Aragorn and the fact that Aragorn, elf-educated though he may be, doesn't know everything (yet). Looking forward to seeing how this ends.
Author's reply
Thanks so much for reviewing, I appreciate you taking the time with all you have going on right now! I'm glad that you are enjoying the story and Aragorn and Halbarad's friendship. No, Aragorn doesn't know everything... no one does and I think Tolkien said that over the years Aragorn grew to be elven-wise and so he didn't learn everything from the elves as he was out amongst Men at that point! :)
grumpy
· 28 July 2006
· Chapter 21: Twenty-one
I think Aragorn has the right idea. Now that he has thought and talked things over, to put it behind him, and learn from what happened. His mood was affecting the other rangers,
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the chapter. Aragorn did learn a lot from everything that happened with the bandits and while he'll never forget it, he does have to move on from it. He is learning that a leader has a lot more influence over his followers than he realized.
Linda Hoyland
· 22 July 2006
· Chapter 21: Twenty-one
I'm so glad Aragorn has discussed his feelings with Halbarad and Nestad.This should all prepare him for the great King he will become.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the chapter. Yes, I felt that Aragorn and Halbarad needed to have some sort of closure over the events with the bandits and who better to speak with than Nestad? :) As hard as it was, it was something that Aragorn learned a lot from and will, as you said, help prepare him for the day when he will become a wise, wonderful, and merciful king.
Byrd
· 17 July 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
I just want to say that I really like your story. I just discovered it yesterday, and already am hooked! This last chapter was especially well done – I really liked the effect of the last sentence. Such a simple sentence, and yet it conveys so much. You did a wonderful job of showing the semi-sheltered Estel, and how he had to learn the truths of the world around him to become Aragorn. Great job, and I look forward to reading future chapters.
Author's reply
Thanks so much for reviewing my story, I'm glad that you are enjoying it. You are the first one to note the last sentence in the chapter... the change from Estel to Aragorn. I'm sure others may have, but no one else mentioned it in their reviews. I wanted to show that the events in Bree had marked him in some way - though he had been changing for months. Thanks again!
Raksha The Demon
· 11 July 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
A powerful chapter. Aragorn and Halbarad have learned valuable lessons here, about the force of the law, and the need for mercy balanced against the rights of the community. I liked their disgust with the people of Bree's treating the executions as entertainment.
Still, Will's fate was sad; imprisonment for a number of years would have been better, or perhaps labor to make restitution. But Aragorn will be a king of men, and it is important for him to know the ways of men other than the Dunedain.
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing this chapter. It was difficult for me to write even though it was planned out long ago and it was, as you mentioned, it is important for Aragorn and Halbarad to learn something of the ways of Men. I had to add that about the people watching the hangings and cheering. I know that over the centuries people have often gone to public executions and done that and it appalls me and so I knew it would affect them as well. I agree with you that labor or imprisonment would have been more just, but I don't think that in those times those were even options. They really need a king to come and give them some lessons on true justice and mercy. :) Thanks again.
Linda Hoyland
· 10 July 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
You are right this is a very difficult chapter.I found it hard to read, but mean that as a compliment and I applaud your courage for not taking an easy way out but staying true to the time and place.This will be a valuable lesson for Aragorn,which he will put to good use in the years ahead.I'll be interested to see what you think about how I treat one of my characters in "Web of Treason",who is slightly similiar to Will, young,foolish and led astray easily.
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing the chapter. I do appreciate the fact that you realize it was not an easy decision for me to stick to what I had planned and not to take an easier way here. I did want to try and 'save' Will in some way, but I knew I could not do that, both because it did not fit the time and because it wouldn't fit the story and what Aragorn will learn from it. Oh, now I will be anxious to see about this character in your story!
grumpy
· 9 July 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
Well Aragorn will always remember his first trip to Bree. He meets Hobbits, and Bill Ferny, and learns something about Bree justice. Poor Will and Kendrick. Let us hope that the King's justice later on will be better then Bree's.
Author's reply
Thanks for your review. I am sure that Aragorn will remember this trip to Bree quite well and he will learn a lot from his time there, though perhaps not in ways you might expect. Oh, that was not Bill Ferny, though perhaps it could have been a grandfather. But the incident with Bill Ferny and the hobbits won't happen for almost 70 years and 'regular' men don't live that long. I just needed a name there and picked Bill and I did think of Bill Ferny at the time and thought maybe any of the men in Bree that were sort of nasty had that name! :)
Fire
· 9 July 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
Wow, this was a powerful chapter. And your absolutely right about Will, if he had not partaken in the robbery than perhaps he would have gotten of easier. But hard times often call for hard measures, even if not everyone agrees with them.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the chapter. During those times punishments were quite severe for robbery and the fact that Will did that as well as did nothing to try and stop the others from murdering the people was just too much for the men of Bree to just overlook.
SurgicalSteel
· 8 July 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
I figured that was the end that was coming to all of the raiders - but you did a nice job with this.
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing. As I said, it was a difficult thing to do as Will really grew on me, but it could not have ended any other way. I'm glad that it came off as well as I had hoped.
StarSplash
· 7 July 2006
· Chapter 20: Twenty
Hey! I guess I can leave reviews here hehe well I enjoyed these last few chapters I was sad that Will had to die but can understand why he would have. I can't wait for the next chapter! This is one of my favorite fanfics so far!! :)
Author's reply
Nice to hear from you over here, I've missed your reviews. :) Glad that you are still following along and enjoying the story.
grumpy
· 24 June 2006
· Chapter 19: Nineteen
I am glad that Aragorn shared his story of his first wound with Halbarad. It is a good idea for Halbarad to go to Bree, and see towns are like, and it's people.
What to do about Will, I myself think they whould turn him into a ranger, and Kenrick to.
Fire
· 22 June 2006
· Chapter 19: Nineteen
I loved the scene at Amon Sûl. It is indeed time someone did something about The Dark Lord, and we all now who will do it don't we? ;)
I'm glad that Will now has a small chance, perhaps he will not be concemned to dead just to prison or something like that.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing the chapter. Glad you enjoyed the scene at Amon Sul, it was fun to have the men there thinking about the future and what the possibilities were. I like to show him (them) as normal men with thoughts of what could be or 'if only this would happen', etc. Most people do things like that, I think, so I imagine that they would, too.