Reviews (181)

Raksha The Demon · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 51: Loved I not honour more

As Gandalf might say, 'the pieces are moving'; as another wise man said 'the game is afoot' - and the game can be changed. It's no coincidence that Spring is at hand. Time for a King to return and honor to be regained. Good chapter, with angst and an undercurrent of change.

Bodkin · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 51: Loved I not honour more

Well - the time has come for the next move, but Aragorn is still in pieces, really. The ceremonies are probably a good idea, but what he really needs is rather more time. And Faramir's state of mind is making him far too much of a doormat - maybe some home truths would help. He slumps around feeling guilty instead of informing Aragorn of what he actually underwent to save him. He behaves as if he is guilty of appalling treachery - so, guess what! - that's exactly what Aragorn sees.

Bodkin · 30 March 2007 · Chapter 50: The die is cast

Well - decision time has come. But Aragorn is still deep in depression - and unable to see straight. Faramir has sacrificed himself for you, you dumb king!! That he should even contemplate killing Elbeth indicates the depth of his devotion - but Aragorn would rather accept the devotion of those who weren't there at the critical moment and just hoped that the king would manage to wangle his way out of whatever happened.

Raksha The Demon · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 50: The die is cast

Aragorn is weaving himself a new prison-wall out of unwarranted guilt and understandable suspicion, poor fellow. Sad to see that his love of his own wife and son, and fondness for Elestelle, have become tainted. At least he's finally able to take some action at the end of the chapter.

Bodkin · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 49: Come weep with me, past hope, past cure, past help!

Aragorn can hardly blame himself for lashing out in the middle of a nightmare when he thinks he's about to be attacked. But, of course, this is Aragorn - and I think he'll manage! A good thing Faramir was there to act as a bridge. And that Arwen can see the resemblance between her haunted husband and her infant son - neither of them able to help their reactions.

Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2007 · Chapter 49: Come weep with me, past hope, past cure, past help!

Very sad chapter for all concerned; one doesn't get over weeks of slow and painful torture and threat of death in a few days. Still, when Aragorn craved comfort, Faramir offered it and Aragorn accepted it. Their essential connection remains, despite pain and mistrust.

Bodkin · 15 March 2007 · Chapter 48: A little child shall lead them

“Do not act like one, then!” I'm afraid Eowyn is my kind of carer! She's coping with all the pressures remarkably well, but she's having a hard time. Good thing she's taken on Elbeth as junior carer - even if she does have perfectly justifiable doubts about the kid's background. And anything that saves Eowyn having to force sustenance down the royal throat is definitely to the good!

Raksha The Demon · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 48: A little child shall lead them

Poor Eowyn is obviously almost as exhausted as the men; between the responsibility, for a relatively inexperienced healer, for the King of the West, and the demands of a nursing baby and a pushy child, not to mention the household chores, she's very much over-extended. Thankfully, she discovers that Elbeth can also be helpful. It would have been too easy to have Eowyn instantly bond with Elbeth, the friction between them was believable; and Eowyn is generous enough to be able to get past it. Elbeth, who has been abused, might take longer to trust her new Aunt, but they'll probably bond over all the critters. Eowyn should just treat her like a skittish foal with a human brain...

trishette · 6 March 2007 · Chapter 0: Growing Dissent

Well, this story seems to have potential to be very interesting. I've no more time to peruse now, but I'm making a mental note to return to this at a later time!

Bodkin · 6 March 2007 · Chapter 47: The love that reassembles

“I don’t like being a Lady of Gondor" I do like Elbeth! Feet firmly on the ground. (Must take after her father. Her mother had no contact with the ground whatsoever!) Poor Eowyn - that was tough on her. And I suspect Arwen is a good deal stronger than Aragorn wants to believe. Fingers crossed Aragorn can start to get better now.

Raksha The Demon · 6 March 2007 · Chapter 47: The love that reassembles

Poor Elbeth, no more hanging out in drafty caves with endangered men; what a downer; she's now got to do chores and learn some manners. And poor Aragorn, having to endure such horrible pain in order to heal. And poor Eowyn, having to be the instrument of the pain. Say, how 'bout the two couples having a party, with the guys getting drunk and playing Strip Poker with the ladies. Loser has to explain the facts of life to Elbeth in a few years. Failing that, perhaps a game of M-e Monopoly; these folks are having too bad a time.

Calenlass Greenleaf · 5 March 2007 · Chapter 47: The love that reassembles

Poor Aragorn and Faramir. Especially the latter. I already know the ending of this story, but, still, it's so sad.

Bodkin · 3 March 2007 · Chapter 46: By no means a privilege

Arrgghh! Bad as the injuries are, at least treating them is clearly helpful. Being forced to rebreak his bones in order to reset them - I'm not surprised Eowyn paled.

Raksha The Demon · 28 February 2007 · Chapter 46: By no means a privilege

A painful but credible chapter. Will Eowyn be able to do what she must? I'd hate to be responsible for healing the King's healing hands...

Julia · 28 February 2007 · Chapter 46: By no means a privilege

Good chapter. You know I love Healer Arwen!

Bodkin · 24 February 2007 · Chapter 45: Nothing is covered up

I keep telling myself that Aragorn is not himself. It's the only excuse for his total dimness! Pretending to be the enemy in order to be in the right place to rescue someone is only going to get you tortured if you're caught. And the torture Faramir was put under to get him there in the first place was love of Aragorn and compliance with his queen's demands. Is that so hard to accept? (Clearly it is.)

Raksha The Demon · 21 February 2007 · Chapter 45: Nothing is covered up

A sad chapter. Aragorn and Faramir are misunderstanding each other; and Aragorn is a damaged shadow of the man he once was. But at least he's on the road to physical healing. I'm glad that Arwen didn't let him chase her away from him by treating her as if she were made of glass; it's time that Aragorn learned he married a flesh and blood woman who is the daughter of the greatest healer of the 3rd Age...

Julia · 21 February 2007 · Chapter 45: Nothing is covered up

Oh my gosh, what an ending! Poor Arwen and poor Aragorn both. I feel sure she will rise to the challenge and help Eowyn deal with her husband's wounds. Not to mention she will probably be fighting mad at the traitors who did this to her beloved. And I don't envy Eowyn having to set those broken fingers. But at least Aragorn is clean and is now about to have some trained help, thought Fara and Elbeth did a good job of caring for the King in the cave.

Julia · 12 February 2007 · Chapter 44: A broken spirit—who can bear?

Thanks very much for the dedication. Lots of sweet A/A moments in this, good for Arwen to reassure her husband that Fara is no traitor, and got caught up in the web of treason at her bequest. Funny at the end how both men are seriously embarrassed at the thought of Eowyn helping them to bathe. And Elbeth finally gets to play with the kittens as she wanted to, with Bereth keeping a watchful eye on her. I'm sure Damrod and his sister are due for some well-deserved rewards after all this is over. PS--I sure wish I had someone here who could give me an Elven massage for my back!

Bodkin · 12 February 2007 · Chapter 44: A broken spirit—who can bear?

Well - at least Aragorn and Faramir are in tune about one thing! Perhaps Eowyn should make more effort to push them into alliance against the horrors of exhibiting themselves before women. It might help!

Bodkin · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 43: The Good Man's Sin

Listen to Arwen, Faramir! You had to do it to stand any chance of saving Aragorn - and that, in the end, is more important. (Not that he will listen! Guilt is far too deeply ingrained in him. And I suspect his attitude is part of what makes Aragorn unable to understand. Difference between guilt and culpability. Everything has to be Faramir's fault. Good thing Eowyn is determinedly practical. Someone has to be.)

Julia · 3 February 2007 · Chapter 43: The Good Man's Sin

Thanks for dedicating the chapter to me, it's very flattering! Poor Fara finally gets some mental relief by confessing to Arwen and then some physical relief by letting her use the elven massage on his injured back. Gondorian etiquette is way too rigid--I hope Aragorn makes changes in it to loosen it up when he regains his throne. Embarrassed shirtless blushing Fara is kind of cute though. Glad to read also that he and Eowyn plan to take Elbeth in to live with them. She's going to love living in Ithilien, where there is plenty of room for kittens.

Bodkin · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 42: Cleanliness is next to godliness

Elbeth gets better and better. I reckon she's the glue of normalcy holding the rest of them together now! And her reaction to Eldarion was priceless. The adults, on the other hand, know they are far from safe - and are brooding on a number of things best forgotten. At least until they have managed to sort out their problems. (Poor Faramir. He does need to stop feeling guilty for everything - he did his best and managed to pull off an amazing rescue!)

Julia · 27 January 2007 · Chapter 42: Cleanliness is next to godliness

Nice job with the F/E reunion scene, especially as I know that, like me, you are not really into writing them. And Elbeth was so cute, devouring bread and jam, cuddling the kitten, and doing her utmost to dodge a bath. I expect the next chapter will be much harder, as it looks like Fara will have to help Aragorn bathe, and Aragorn is just going to hate it and be embarrassed, and Fara will be hating himself, as well as feeling embarrassed too. So it's not good on either side. Then there is the moment upcoming when Arwen sees the full extent of her husband's injuries. I think it will make her blood absolutely boil.

Raksha The Demon · 27 January 2007 · Chapter 42: Cleanliness is next to godliness

Elbeth's antics provide a good counterpoint to the heavy emotion of the reunion between Eowyn and Faramir, as well as Aragorn's condition. The kid is going to have to learn to respect the mother cat, though. Not to mention Eowyn!