It’s such a wonderful story! A story I could read over and over again.
I was so sad when Edainion died, but now, after reading the end, I see why you did it. Otherwise it would have been quite a different story, wouldn’t it?
And the end is just perfect! She really deserves to be stewardess of the North.
(Although I think I would have also liked it, if Nienelen became queen of Gondor, but then, of course, it also would have been a different story.)
By the way, I’m so glad that Nienelen and Arwen became friends. And Elenir is just cute.
Thank you, thank you for finishing your story. Now I finally know how your story ends :)
Is there perhaps any chance that you’ll write a sequel? I’d love to read about a visit of Aragorn and Arwen to the North or Nienelen and Elenir to the South…
Author's reply
Yay!
I'm glad you made it all the way through Blueberry! And that it feels fitting to you.
(And also that I was able to take you to the end of the tale. )
There were lots of things I wanted to explore in this fic, but some of the main ones were what it really means when Tolkien says that the Dúnedain of the North faded away and nobody remembered them after Elrond passed West. That's just a passing reference, but, for me, it leaves this huge plot hole of how in the world Aragorn could justify what he must have asked of them in order to protect the Shire.... and then he survives and goes off to live this wonderful life in Gondor. (what????) Made no sense to me. So, I fixed it. :)
And if that was what I was going to do, then, well, the loss and fear had to be real and affect the main protagonists.
By the way, I’m so glad that Nienelen and Arwen became friends.
Thanks! One of the themes I was going with was that the way you survive suffering is by reaching out to others and that we are here to pick each other up when we fall down. So, it seemed a nice opportunity to reinforce that theme. Plus, they had so much in common and I gotta think that Aragorn has a type - which means that have even more in common. So, there was no way they weren't going to get over themselves and start helping each other out.
And Elenir is just cute.
:D I'm glad you like her. I had all kinds of fun writing her. She's got a fun, take no prisoners little personality.
Is there perhaps any chance that you’ll write a sequel? I’d love to read about a visit of Aragorn and Arwen to the North or Nienelen and Elenir to the South…
I can't promise anything. I'm kinda in that state where I'm in mourning. It's really hard to say goodbye to "people" who have been in your head for so long. My muse packed up and went on vacation to the Canary Islands. She sends postcards occasionally, but without a whole lot written on them. :) So, we shall see.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Blueberry. I'm really glad you stuck around and were here to read it after all this time.
Lindelea
· 7 March 2020
· Chapter 2
Such a wealth of rich detail! I love the way that reading this engages all the senses.
Hmmm. Methinks the Elder has told Halbarad to choose a wife and get busy on the business of begetting.
I also really enjoy the Elder’s daughter and the way you sketch her interactions with her father.
Beautifully done.
Author's reply
Thanks Lindelea!
I'm glad the writing is pulling you in.
I truly enjoyed writing Elder Maurus and his daughter Pelara. I based both of them off coworkers. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see them together very often as they worked at two different sites, but they did have a lot of affection and respect for each other.
Methinks the Elder has told Halbarad to choose a wife and get busy on the business of begetting.
Maaaaaybe. :)
Larner
· 4 March 2020
· Chapter 72
A proper ending, and the one I foresaw! They don't wish to part, but both now recognize the necessity. At least they accept they still love one another, and he appreciates she knows the needs of their people.
A wonderful story. Thank you for it!
Author's reply
A proper ending, and the one I foresaw!
Yes, indeed you did! :) I enjoyed watching you picking up the hints I was laying down.
I'm glad you feel like it's a fitting ending. It's definitely not of the fairytale variety, though, in truth, we started this story with the "happily ever after" and, I hope, took it to its logical end.
Thank you so much for reading, Larner! I've really enjoyed getting your comments every once in a while and wondering what you would make of the next set of arcs in the story.
Larner
· 4 March 2020
· Chapter 71
Time seems suspended as the two go forth to confront the man both love.
Author's reply
Yep, the calm before the storm. :)
Larner
· 4 March 2020
· Chapter 70
I rejoice that these two complement one another so. A hard time for each to know they now share him in such a manner. Will he leave her his Steward in the north? Certainly the lost palantir of the north would give Elenir a means of ongolng communication with her geographically distant father.
Pain and reassurance both is the burden these rwo women share.
Author's reply
Thanks Larner! Right? The more I thought about it the more parallels I could find between Arwen and Nienelen.
And yeah, there's no way I was going to make them rivals, not in a story all about how people bear each other up.
Lindelea
· 4 March 2020
· Chapter 1
Ah, it seems as if very hopelessness haunts her thoughts as Estel lies near death. They have fought long and hard against the darkness, and now it looks as if the line of Elendil will fail at last and the darkness will claim them.
(And in the middle of these grim thoughts, a part of me jumps in delight at this glimpse of Halbarad.)
Powerfully written. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
a part of me jumps in delight at this glimpse of Halbarad
Halbarad deserves ALL the love. :) (And a MUCH better end than he got in ROTK imho :P )
now it looks as if the line of Elendil will fail at last and the darkness will claim them.
I can't imagine what the Dúnedain of the North made of Aragorn's reluctance to provide an heir and what that meant when he would disappear for years on end to other lands or, Valar forfend, get injured.
Thanks Lindelea!
Larner
· 4 March 2020
· Chapter 69
A difficult situation for each and all, with pain and to spare for all. Alas that her fears for her daughter's safety are too well founded!
Author's reply
Yeah, I can't imagine what Elrond's reunion with his wife was like. I suppose that must be what makes him such a great healer.
Lindelea
· 3 March 2020
· Chapter 0
Vivid descriptions. I look forward to reading more.
Author's reply
Thanks Lindelea! I hope you enjoy. :)
sue
· 1 March 2020
· Chapter 72
You are a master story teller. What a journey this has been. Although I knew that 'journeys end with lovers meeting' it is the parting that weighs my heart. My dear husband died a year ago (and yesterday). I'm sure my tears are twined as much in his loss as in Nielein's story. I have so enjoyed this, and looked forward each Friday for a new chapter. Truth be told, I often started checking on Wednesdays. 8>D
Can I hope for a new epic to begin soon?
Best Wishes and Thank you for many hours of enjoyment.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm very sorry to hear about your husband, Sue. All the little reminders that come with anniversaries are hard.
I'm really glad that you found this story absorbing. Thanks for reading and commenting along the way. It's been a journey for me, too. :)
Larner
· 23 February 2020
· Chapter 74: Time Stamp - Twice Blessed
It is these moments of cooperation that make her position livable, I think. Nice to see them working together and him finding more reason to have esteem for her good sense.
Author's reply
Thanks Larner! Yep, they say write what you know, and this little quiet moment was a joy to write.
Larner
· 23 February 2020
· Chapter 73: Time Stamp - Fidelity
Too much of policy; too little of emotion. Alas for Aragorn, Elinien, and Arwen all three. And for Halbarad, who sees too much of his kinsman's heart.
Author's reply
Yeah, I can't imagine how the Dúnedain of the North were so patient with Aragorn and his lack of wife and heir.
Larner
· 23 February 2020
· Chapter 75: Character list and Reference Material
Am glad especially to have the link to the lexicon dictionary. I love the etymology of language.
Author's reply
Isn't it fun? It was particularly helpful when I first started writing and needed to get a better sense of what words were generally appropriate to the time period.
Larner
· 23 February 2020
· Chapter 68
I can appreciate how and why he is so angry, and I am glad that Arwen has sent the banner after all. Now he knows grief as he heads to the death he partially foresees. But I certainly understand why she is not willing to see another child die in an internecine war.
Author's reply
Yeah, I had to give Halbarad the send-off he deserved. Loyal Halbarad, until the end.
Larner
· 19 February 2020
· Chapter 67
They are more sisters than either imagined, I see. Good to see them truly meeting one another at last, and finding that kinship.
Author's reply
Yep. No way I was going to make them rivals. :)
Larner
· 18 February 2020
· Chapter 66
At least she has unbent sufficiently to learn she has a friend as well as kinship with the Master of Rivendell, and he understands that she actually loves Aragorn well. And he has had the words of his own prophecy set before him by her, which must have been disconcerting.
And she knows now that she is not as alone as she'd thought.
Author's reply
Thanks Larner!
Yes, I can see all kinds of parallels between them. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, there's a stillness to Elrond that makes him a lovely character.
Raksha The Demon
· 15 February 2020
· Chapter 65
I'm not sure why Nienelen was chosen to be Aragorn's bride in the first place if she is a physical throwback to some distant Umbari ancestors - as blameless and worthy as Nienelen is, would not her dark skin and eyes be seen as potentially problematic if she should pass those traits along, particularly given Aragorn's hope to eventually reclaim the throne of Gondor? Wouldn't it have been better to choose another young woman and never put Nienelen through this ordeal? Prejudice does exist in Middle-earth as in our world.
Now, with Nienelen's vow, there could be some hard times ahead for Gondor and Arnor due to Elenir's existence. I think if Nienelen is being short-sighted. If Aragorn divorces Nienelin, marries someone else and has fair-skinned kids; Elenir will still be a political liability. Either her father's descendants will kill hers; or the Umbari enemies of Gondor will seek out Elenir to capture and use as a royal pawn with which to claim sovereignty of Gondor. It would be best for Aragorn, if he becomes King of Gondor in this AU, to name Elenir his heir and marry her to a man of obvious Numenorean ancestry - a son of Dol Amroth or Ithilien. Or Aragorn could relinquish his claim on Gondor, rule the north as King of Arnor with Nienelen as his queen and Elenir as his successor. Arnor hasn't faced as many Haradrim incursions, its people would probably be more likely to accept Elenir as a future queen than would the people of Gondor.
Is there any chance that Elrond and his sons could heal Nienelen so she could have another child, hopefully a gray-eyed son?
This story looks like it's going to end very sadly.
Author's reply
I think, Raksha, these are all fascinating points.
Uhm, lets see.
I'm not sure why Nienelen was chosen to be Aragorn's bride in the first place if she is a physical throwback to some distant Umbari ancestors
I kinda complicated things in this universe for Aragorn. Arnor's not a given, anymore. He's got to think about how to keep them unified with what he's going to have to do to keep the Shire safe - which is what I implied when he and Nienelen were talking in their aborted sexual encounter before they left the Angle.
would not her dark skin and eyes be seen as potentially problematic if she should pass those traits along, particularly given Aragorn's hope to eventually reclaim the throne of Gondor
Yes, but given his life experience of seeing how it worked in Arnor, he had some hope of getting through that. That's different than her life experience, where she's seen what happens when things are under stress. I'm not sure what Aragorn would think if he had to live through the last year in the Angle - but, by that point, anyway, he had given up on his aspirations for Gondor.
I think if Nienelen is being short-sighted.
Yes, I agree. But, I think they're caught between a rock and a hard place, with no terribly good choices, and I just can't see how Nienelen as a character could put her daughter in jeopardy - not after what happened to her son.
btw: I think the complications of two lines of descent are pretty fascinating and would make for some interesting stories. I just wouldn't want to live them.
Or Aragorn could relinquish his claim on Gondor, rule the north as King of Arnor with Nienelen as his queen and Elenir as his successor.
I wonder, do you think Arnor would have much of a chance if it didn't receive support from a reunited kingdom?
Even if Gondor's finest younger sons and opportunists don't make their way north to increase the population there, the threat of a Gondorian army marching on whoever dared assault his people in the Arnor would be a huge benefit for their security.
Thanks Raksha :)
Robnrun
· 10 February 2020
· Chapter 65
I'd been wondering how you would make this work. I've always been both intrigued and made uneasy by works that take Tolkien's 'high, grand, and remote' mythology and fit it into a more realistic world view. This has been a very interesting read, I'm glad that you have stuck with it!
Author's reply
Thanks Robnrun. I'm glad to hear that you found it interesting. :)
Larner
· 9 February 2020
· Chapter 65
Now, this turn of events I did not imagine. It is a grief for her, but even more so for him, to know she anticipates that their daughter will suffer mightily for it if he does not take a different wife on whom to beget a rightful heir.
Author's reply
Yeah, what can I say.
Given Gondor's history of the Kinstrife as written by Tolkien and the attitudes he has even some of their most self-reflective and wise leaders express, the risk is starkly real. And it's a question of what is okay to ask someone to risk.... how far until we've crossed into the boundary of immorality.
Thanks Larner. I've enjoyed watching you binge-read. :)
Larner
· 9 February 2020
· Chapter 64
Years of wisdom and experience. Time indeed to learn from her rival, I think.
Author's reply
Yep, there he goes again, being all wise and giving people a kick in the pants when they need it.
Time indeed to learn from her rival, I think.
Juuuuusssttt miiiight beeee... prettttttty soooooon. XD
Larner
· 9 February 2020
· Chapter 63
It is two peoples he must unite now.
Love the dancing of the child as she resumes her place as Aragorn's daughter, and as she sees him crowned, and as he in turn crowns her mother. Elenien will have her place in the new order, once it comes.
Author's reply
Love the dancing of the child as she resumes her place as Aragorn's daughter
Thanks Larner. :)
She really is all kinds of fun to write, particularly now that she is feeling more secure and can go out there and feel safe to explore all kinds of things.
Larner
· 8 February 2020
· Chapter 62
I hope that this has reassured her that his choice to marry her holds him to her. They have a lovely daughter, who one day will be a shining queen to her father's new people.
Author's reply
They have a lovely daughter,
Can I just say that she has been all kinds of fun to write? Edainion was a bit of an introvert, but Elenir is "full out, you're here to pay attention to me, cuz I am all kinds of awesome" little personality that's been a joy to write.
And I think, too, that Aragorn hopes he has reassured Nienelen. He can see just how lost she is and he's very familiar with trauma. He knows she is going to have to make a conscious decision and work hard to find her way back to a meaningful and rewarding life. I don't doubt he's seen it before and he knows she's the one who has to do that work, but I have a feeling he'd do all he could to help ease the way.
Larner
· 8 February 2020
· Chapter 61
I like this glimpse of Arwen, one who recognizes Elenien's feelings of being alien to the valley and needing so much she dares not ask for, and seeks to give her what she needs despite the feelings of loss the woman must arouse in her heart. A giver of gifts indeed!
Author's reply
A giver of gifts indeed!
We see so little of Arwen, herself. Indeed I think the only two times she actually speaks are when she gives Frodo the clear white gem on a necklace that he wears to comfort him, and then at Aragorn's death.
So, extrapolating from that, it seems she, herself, had some of the healing skills of her father.
Larner
· 8 February 2020
· Chapter 60
Not an easy parting as she learns more closely the costs he has known for what his people demanded of him. But he has learned to love her in spite of what he desired first.
Author's reply
It was pretty inevitable, wasn't it - her learning more once they've arrived in Rivendell.
But he has learned to love her in spite of what he desired first.
Yes, I would hope that Aragorn is the kind of person who wouldn't want the person he is married to suffer, and so would do everything he can to commit to the relationship.
Larner
· 8 February 2020
· Chapter 59
Ah, but this is one thing that Aragorn and his Elven father do indeed share, the griefs and joys of being fathers to daughters. I grieve that Elrond had no chance to know Edainion. Now, to learn why she is given a bed wide enough for but one.
Author's reply
Ah, but this is one thing that Aragorn and his Elven father do indeed share, the griefs and joys of being fathers to daughters.
Yes, I have to wonder what insights it give Aragorn into Elrond's choices. :)
Now, to learn why she is given a bed wide enough for but one.
Oh, I figured they'd not had more than just one adult and the heir of Isildur - not his whole family there, when they came for his fostering. And, it's not like they're expecting Aragorn to stay.... So, practicality more than anything.
Larner
· 8 February 2020
· Chapter 58
Bachor has revealed himself in spite of his attempts to hide his ambitions. And Nielen has learned a bit of her mother.
Bless Pelara and Nesta, and may it now be easier for Nielen to take her own journey.
And it was weres rather than wargs? Sorry about that.
Author's reply
Oh, it was, wasn't it. I'm surprised I forgot, myself.
lol Uh, yeah, Bachor. He may not talk about it, but, yeah, it's a surprise to absolutely nobody that he has aspirations to head the Angle's Council.
Poor Pelara and Nesta, they've been struggling for a while. Relationships are just hard under that kind of stress.