I enjoyed this chapter because Nienelen and Aragorn seemed a little more at ease with each other. Him making her breakfast and her teasing him a bit about the cakes. I liked her thoughts in the fields as she wondered what the other people thought about the two of them and then here he was bringing her water and taking care of her hand, etc. And then she learned that she had Aragorn's regard and she was thrilled with that knowledge. It's sort of sad that knowing that would bring her such excitment, but I suppose that if she cannot have his love, having his regard would be something she would cherish highly.
Author's reply
I suppose that if she cannot have his love, having his regard would be something she would cherish highly.
Yep, I think she might be getting rather starved for affection, too.
Lots of ups and downs in that stage of infatuation... glee.. to woe... to glee. :o)
Thanks Radbooks!
Radbooks
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 9999: Excerpt from Chapter 12 - Rated R
I'm reviewing this one before the other two because it surprised me. Not that it was there, but the way it affected me. I was sad for both of them in a way. Not that I hadn't been before, I guess. But to see her eagerness and love for Aragorn so exposed like that was, in some way, heartbreaking I think. I knew how she felt towards him of course, but it's different to see it so openly as it is in the act of love. And, also her knowing that Aragorn was disappointed was sad and had to be very hurtful to her although she hides it from him well.
And, then of course there is Aragorn who is making love to a woman he does not love in hopes of begetting an heir. His disappointment is just as high as hers although in a different way. I sometimes wonder if he ever feels any sense of guilt over the whole situation. I don't think of him as the kind of man to wallow in guilt, but there must be a certain amount of that he feels towards her. Especially as he has to know how she feels about him, especially after they made love. He is not blind or unfeeling or uncaring. Perhaps regret is the better word as he knows he'll never be able to return her love the way she wants him to.
I am really enjoying this story, it moves me in different ways and makes me think about things. I do know it probably won't be a happily ever after ending... I don't see how it can... but life isn't always like that. In fact, it most often isn't that way at all. But, a good story is a good story no matter what the ending is! Thanks for writing and sharing it. :)
Author's reply
I don't think of him as the kind of man to wallow in guilt, but there must be a certain amount of that he feels towards her. Especially as he has to know how she feels about him, especially after they made love. He is not blind or unfeeling or uncaring. Perhaps regret is the better word as he knows he'll never be able to return her love the way she wants him to.
Yes, and I think that might have been another source of his reluctance. Going down that path was going to be painful for both of them, in different ways.
I am really enjoying this story, it moves me in different ways and makes me think about things.
I think that's probably the best compliment I could ever get. :o) Thanks, Radbooks!
And thank you, too, for your generosity in sharing your reactions.
~ Silli
Amy
· 27 August 2006
· Chapter 9999: Excerpt from Chapter 12 - Rated R
Oh, dear, I'm not sure if I should put this in writing or not, but I hate that no one else has posted a review on these chapters yet, and you might be worrying what people thought, so here goes.
This is so heartbreaking. I could imagine Aragorn acting just like you wrote him.
It's beautifully written, but it is so emotionally wrenching for each of the characters and for me that I'm not sure how much longer I can keep reading. That's a commentary on me and the state of the world, not your story. Maybe I'll wait until you've finished, read the end, and then go back to read the intervening chapters if I can stand it.
*spooked by vibes of a Sad Ending, I shy away like a nervous horse, the whites of my eyes showing*
In an amusing tangent, I felt sympathy for Prince Charles for one of the few times in my life.
Author's reply
Oh, dear, I'm not sure if I should put this in writing or not, but I hate that no one else has posted a review on these chapters yet, and you might be worrying what people thought
Yes, I have to admit I was beginning to wonder if I should start gnawing on my fingernails. I know people are reading [I can hear you breathing out there ;o)], but was unsure of the reactions to what was read. I rarely write smut and it's rather an experience in vulnerability to put that kind of stuff out there assigned to your name. I appreciate your sensitivity to that and, even more so, your honesty.
spooked by vibes of a Sad Ending
I think posting this story is another exercise in vulnerability. You are exactly right. I can't claim this is an easy story. There are times when writing it, I well up and have to stop for a bit. It was inspired by some rather hard life lessons. It was also inspired by the work I do with people who are facing very difficult times in their lives. I have been privileged to see things that are so excruciatingly painful and heart-wrenchingly beautiful that I can't believe it took me so long to learn the simple lessons life wanted to teach me.
I love fairytales, I always have. Tolkien's The Hobbit hit me like a ton of bricks when I was 11 years old and I've never looked back. But for as much as I love them, I find them wanting. I think the experience of, at some point, longing to be loved by someone who cannot love you the way you need or want them to is fairly universal. The stories I adore for their honor, courage, magic and wonder don't give me what I need to understand this. Instead, they idealize romantic love. They promise me the wish-fulfillment of the Happily Ever After and that I could be loved if I merited it, if I tried hard enough, if I persevered and overcame those trials-by-fire. But they don't provide that function that myth can, that I believe Tolkien was so inspired by, that these stories can shape and lead us in coping with this very real world that we are given, that I was given.
So, I wanted to write an Un-fairy Tale, if you will. If I'm not Rose-Red, Cinderella, Snow White, Arwen or Eowyn, if Beauty slowly over time comes to realize that there is a reason why the Beast is feared and all the love from her in world won't change him, are my only alternatives to become bitter and withdrawn like Erendis of Numenor? Self-centered like many and various step-sisters? Grasping and cruel like Beruthiel? If I seek a wholesome and nutritionally balanced diet must it necessarily include small children? Is it only by receiving romantic love that you can be sustained in a world that can be profoundly cruel? Must I despair?
No.
I'm not sure how you will experience the ending to this story. It is my answer to the question, and while it would sadden me to lose you as a reader, I completely understand and respect that it may not be yours. Everyone has to complete this journey that life hands them in their own way.
I will say this: I am not into cruelty for its own sake. Will Nienelen and Aragorn be tested? Oh, yes. But a cruel ending for them would not be true to the journey I've been on. Further, it would be disrespectful to the people who made themselves vulnerable to me at a time when they were being sorely tried by things I hope and pray I never have to face. They have been incredibly generous to me, and I don't think I can take that lightly.
So, again, I appreciate your honesty and the courage it took to express what you did. And I'll leave it up to you to decide what to do.
In an amusing tangent, I felt sympathy for Prince Charles for one of the few times in my life.
*sudden overwhelming image of Camilla as Arwen*
*SNORK*
Fondly,
~ Silli
Radbooks
· 26 August 2006
· Chapter 23
Well, this is an amusing chapter all the way around! The image of Aragorn trying his hand at weaving makes me laugh. And, that he makes such mistakes after being almost cocky in his assurance that he could do it without any problem. When he learns that she had mastered the pattern at the age of 10 made me laugh again. He needs to have some idea of what life is like for his wife. Very fun chapter and I'm looking forward to the next chapters!
Author's reply
Hee! Yes, it made me smile, too. Though, after so many decades, I'm sure it piqued his interest to attempt something new.
I went back later, too, and added a few more references to how weaving as a craft fits into Middle Ages culture. It used to be a craft almost exclusively practiced by men, at least commercially. Women were pretty much limited to the spinning portion of cloth production. (Hence the term "spinster." Funny the things you learn doing research.)
I was just running your comment around in my head and it occurred to me that I wanted to make sure it was clear that I'm not trying to feminize Aragorn. Not that I thought you were assuming that that's what I was doing, but you set me off on a path of thinking about how the reader is perceiving events without the background knowledge that's peculiar to my own head.
Thanks again, Radbooks, for reading, commenting, and jogging a few ill-used brain cells! btw: Next chapters are up. :oD
Radbooks
· 26 August 2006
· Chapter 22
I really enjoyed this chapter. I liked seeing a glimpse of Nienelen and Aragorn around the village and seeing them interact with the other people as a couple. Well, as much as they do. :) It's amazing how much a gift of needles can bless someone! Yet, I know it must have been.
The scene in the sick house (don't know what else to call it!) was both tender and funny. The one time where Aragorn turned to Nienelen and was gentle with her and told her not to worry was touching. But, it was funny how the healer treated him and then the whole conversation that Aragorn had with the old man was wonderful! I liked being able to see that glimpse from Aragorn's P.O.V.
Author's reply
Thanks, Radbooks!
The scene in the sick house (don't know what else to call it!) was both tender and funny.
Yeah, I tend to have a bit of a cock-eyed view of the world. I find most things absurd, joyous, and sad all at the same time. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Lyrelle
· 13 August 2006
· Chapter 21
I just wanted to drop a quick note to say how much I am enjoying this story and the very realistically captured emotions contained within. Perhaps later I will have the time to gush like I would like about this story, but I was afraid that if I put off reviewing again, I'd never get around to it!
Author's reply
Thanks Lyrelle! I'm glad you're enjoying reading it. Thanks, too, for putting aside the time for commenting. I understand how demanding Real Life(tm) can be.
Raksha The Demon
· 13 August 2006
· Chapter 21
I feel rather sorry for Nienelen. While it's true she's made, in terms of rank and status, a good marriage (and how did an orphan manage to snag an offer from the Prize Catch of the Dunedain Social Scene, such as it is? I suspect Halbarad's goodwill and Aragorn's probable lack of interest in making the choice himself), the poor woman has been leading an emotionally parched life. She's been Aragorn's housekeeper, seneschal, wardrobe-mistress, farmhand, gardener, and nurse. He treats her with a rather distant kindness and courtesy, but doesn't seem to act much like a husband. So I'm very glad to see her actually open her mouth and remind him that it takes two to make the next Heir of Isildur. Maybe she'll even enjoy herself a bit.
The story is very good, btw, though I'm wondering where you're going to take it, not to mention what happened to Arwen. (did she and Glorfindel elope to Valinor?)
Author's reply
Hey there, Raksha,
and how did an orphan manage to snag an offer from the Prize Catch of the Dunedain Social Scene, such as it is?
*snork* Very good question, and I especially like how you phrase it. :oD
I suspect Halbarad's goodwill and Aragorn's probable lack of interest in making the choice himself
Yeah, and the fact he was rather occupied with other matters at the time, like, well, breathing, for one, the poor guy.
what happened to Arwen. (did she and Glorfindel elope to Valinor?)
LOL! Now that would make an interesting plot twist. :oD
Thanks for reading and the compliments, too! I'm glad you're enjoying.
Radbooks
· 13 August 2006
· Chapter 21
This was a wonderful chapter! And it so quickly followed the other two that I didn't get a chance to review those - they were also wonderful... well, maybe I need to go and review them separately. Anyway, I loved the sparks between them. Her rising anger at his displeasure and the way she stood up to him... for a moment anyway. Aragorn begging for her help on the fortress and Nienelen seeing what the men see in him... his power and air of authority I think he must possess that drew people to him.
Then, of course, her having the courage to speak up about the need for Aragorn to lay with her... that took a lot of guts. Especially considering what had just happened while she was bathing him. But, I loved his eventual laughter over it and then finally acknowledging that Nienelen had kept her end of the pledge and he NEEDS to do the same. Fondness is, perhaps, a start to love... I hope. Nicely done!
Author's reply
Thanks Radbooks!
I loved the sparks between them
'Bout time there were some. ;o)
his power and air of authority I think he must possess that drew people to him.
Yes, and I think when someone with that kind of personality makes themselves vulnerable to you, "I need you," it can be an incredibly powerful thing.
jwdisney
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 20
Thanks _so_ much for the time and effort going into this! I love the story. I've always liked Aragorn, but found Arwen (ducking to avoid any Arwen-fan grenades) a little too perfect, compared to the more fully-fleshed out characters Tolkien created. Even the Silmarillion elves got a bit more depth, or at least flaws. Poor Arwen was mostly relegated to looking pretty and sewing in the background. :)
Giving Aragorn such a warm, not-quite-perfect-but-working-on-it spouse is really interesting... I'd love to see him fall in love with her precisely for her humanity in the end... but either way, it's definitely got me hooked!
Author's reply
Hi there, JW. Thanks so much for your kind words! It's very rewarding to see that other people are enjoying what I'm putting out there.
And, yes, about Arwen. That's been my experience of her, too. I wonder a lot about her. If you've ever read HoME, it seems that Tolkien really didn't consider their relationship until well into the development ROTK. At one point he even had Aragorn and Eowyn becoming betrothed. So, I wonder how much of Arwen being a later development in the writing process influenced how little we get to see of her character.
I wonder, too, about Tolkien's tendency to put women on pedestals. Lots of reverence for them, but awfully hard to see them as human beings in full-detail from that kind of distance. I don't know, really, how much day to day, intimate contact he had with women other than Edith.
And then, I also wonder about the influence of time on the depiction of Arwen's character. By the time LOTR comes about, she's pretty much fully formed, I would think. (So is Aragorn, it seems, with not much of his arc of development left to go before he is king material). So, I wonder just what kind of long timeline one would have to build in order to actually see Arwen grow and change at this point.
In my mind, I really hope she was not just a pretty face and noble decoration, but had depth and complexity of personality and was equal to Aragorn in all ways. I just wish we could have seen more of it.
And... LOL! Off at the mouth I go again. Thanks again!
Elflingimp
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 75: Character list and Reference Material
I am so impressed with your story and all the research you have done on its backround ,I wonder where this is leading in the scheme of things ,I mean with Arwen and Aragorn with him having a wife already so I will be waiting for more.
Author's reply
Thanks ElflingImp!
I'm happy it's captured your interest. And LOL! I got a kick out of your screenname. Very cute.
~Silli
Amy
· 9 August 2006
· Chapter 20
Halbarad as Huan was brilliant, but oh, the Beren mention in all innocence!
I wonder at Aragorn calling her lady, because every time he does so he would be saying "Arwen" in Sindarin, would he not?
Author's reply
Thanks Amy!
he would be saying "Arwen" in Sindarin
Ooooooh. uh-oh. Definitely don't want that. Let me crack open the David Salo and see what kind of options I've got.
Author Reply:
LOL! Amy, you got me started! It can be a very dangerous thing to pique my curiosity. *is a geek* ;o)
Okay, well, I found a translation of Arwen and several versions of Sindarin words for "lady" in A Gateway to Sindarin:
Arwen: noble woman
bassoneth, bessain: "bas – oneth" "bread – giver" n.f. Lady
brennilor heryn: n.f. lady
dî: n.f. bride, lady
híril: n. lady
I don't know the connotations of each, but at least it seems the Elves made a distinction between "Lady" and "lady." I'm figuring, at least in Aragorn's mind, "Lady" would be Arwen and "lady" Nienelen.
That's some reflections on the technical issues, but, then, there's also just what a reader experiences, and I need to respect that over and above any technicalities involved. Otherwise, I'm not going to be getting the point across that I want.
Hmmmm.... I think what I'm going to do is go through and make sure there's no point at which Aragorn is calling Nienelen "lady" when I'm having him speak Sindarin. Whiiiiiiiiich, actually, could be a nicely subtle way of highlighting the impact of his torn feelings on their relationship.
Thanks Amy!
Radbooks
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 18
What a wonderful and yet bitterswet scene between Aragorn and Nienelen. I can't imagine what she must be going through. To be so hesitant to even make a shirt for her husband! To want to caress him and to have to hold back... it must be so difficult for her. I know Aragorn cares for her and yet it seems like he doesn't want to take advantage of her or something. Or, he is just not totally sure what to say to her. I keep wondering if they are ever going to call each other by name. :)
Author's reply
I know Aragorn cares for her and yet it seems like he doesn't want to take advantage of her or something.
Oh, good! That's coming across, then. Yay! He was so careful with Eowyn, I can only imagine he'd know right away what was happening with Nienelen. He seems to have a strong protective streak, whether it's protecting others from orcs and their own foolishness, or from himself.
Or, he is just not totally sure what to say to her.
That too. :o)
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you're enjoy it.
Radbooks
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 17
I enjoyed this chapter. I liked the image of them taking the walk together and talking and I liked how Aragorn got her to speak her mind when she wasn't sure that she should. Putting her on the council was a very gutsy move for him because I doubt that women very seldom, if ever, did anything like that. But she has the wisdom needed if the Men will listen to her and I think they will if they know she has Aragorn's full support. I kind of thought that this might be Aragorn taking Gandalf's advice to heart... that she was like her garden that needs tending to be brought to full flower. Well, it was words to that effect. :) She has hidden talents and Aragorn was trying to bring that out... that was my thought anyway.
Author's reply
Hi there, Radbooks. My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I enjoyed getting your comments last week.
She has hidden talents and Aragorn was trying to bring that out... that was my thought anyway.
Yep yep. Her talents are rather latent and in need of development.
Nothing like a wizard to come by and give you a friendly boot in the behind. ;o)
Amy
· 29 July 2006
· Chapter 18
So sad that she knows so little of her lord, but she does know where she stands. It must have been a pretty common situation for arranged marriages, but how painful, despite the best intentions, for both. To know that she would never be what he wanted and to still be without children, despite this practical arrangement, would have been bleak.
Even Aragorn's respect and attempts to teach her to see the big picture are rather heartbreaking when you compare her to Elrond's daughter, who would have been adept at the household management as well as the politics.
Oh, dear, none of this bodes well for the future. Not at all.
Author's reply
Hey there, Amy.
Yeah, that gulf between them is pretty wide, isn't it. Shall they bridge it? Shall they not? Do we want them to? :oD
Thanks for reading and commenting!
~Silli
Radbooks
· 23 July 2006
· Chapter 16
I really enjoyed this chapter. I liked how Nienelen was able to be a little more open with the Rangers and even tease them a bit and you know that Aragorn saw that and is seeing a different side of her. Then his unease with her would totally confuse and, I think, hurt her on some level. I loved their talk, though. It is still somewhat awkward between them and yet maybe there is getting to be a little more openness there... and then her baring her heart like that! Oh, wow... what a risk for her and it will be interesting to see what Aragorn will do with that knowledge - if anything. I would think that knowing someone loves you would touch you in some way. I've told a friend of mine about this story and she loves it too and so we discuss it detail either via email or on the phone! :) Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
we discuss it detail either via email or on the phone!
Ahhhhhhhhhh... so that's why my ears were burning, and here I thought it was the pollen. ;o)
it will be interesting to see what Aragorn will do with that knowledge - if anything. I would think that knowing someone loves you would touch you in some way.
I would think so, too. I keep remembering how Tolkien portrayed Aragorn's reaction to Eowyn's heartfelt imploring at Dunharrow. He was both compassionate and firm with her, and deeply affected, himself.
‘Nay, lady,’ he said, and taking her by the hand he raised her. Then he kissed her hand, and sprang into the saddle, and rode away, and did not look back; and only those who knew him well and were near to him saw the pain that he bore.
*siiiigh* /end Aragorn-fangirling moment ;o)
Glad you're continuing to enjoy the tale, Radbooks. Your comments made my day. Thanks!
Amy
· 23 July 2006
· Chapter 16
Quietly heartbreaking.
She "finishes" the work of the day, yet is still weaving and mending.
Has she made him some more shirts? His poor rags that he's planning to mend!
Author's reply
She "finishes" the work of the day, yet is still weaving and mending.
Yes, that's rather how I imagine their lives went. Though I did run into a fair number of references to games and other leisure activities during my research. *Is a geek.* :oD I'm sure Nienelen finds her fiber work comforting, though. It doesn't present her with thorny ethical and political questions or the lack of control that caring for the Angle does.
And LOL, Aragorn's shirts. Being 70 some years old, I wonder how many he went through and how tiresome replacing them got for him.
Thanks Amy!
Radbooks
· 18 July 2006
· Chapter 15
Okay, I went back and re-read this chapter and I can see Aragorn in a more sympathetic light here. You are, of course, right that we are only seeing it from Nienelen's POV, but Aragorn does regret his words and actions towards her and he just does not know what to make of her. She only knows how to be a Dunedain wife and I'm guess that Arwen would be nothing like that! :)
Author's reply
She only knows how to be a Dunedain wife and I'm guess that Arwen would be nothing like that! :)
Yes, my thoughts exactly. In fact I'd expect the situation between Aragorn and Arwen would rather be the reverse of that with Nienelen.
Thanks for re-checking the chapter. I'm hoping to avoid "villainizing" any particular character.
~Silli
Radbooks
· 16 July 2006
· Chapter 15
Oh, I was so excited to get three new chapters - all of which were wonderful. But it would have been nice to have them spread out over the week, too. Either way, though is fine... as long as I get them. :) I'm so caught up in the 'world' you have created there. I felt so bad when Nienelen was at the gathering of women and could not share anything with the bride... though she came up with something there at the end. I would love to know what it was. *grin* It would be hard to be married to the lord and have everyone looking at you in a situation like that!
I was so glad that she was able to give her old home to one of the families of wanderers. They desperately needed something like that... someone to help them at a time like that. I'm glad that she and Pelara have become good friends. Nienelen needs someone like that in her life with Aragorn gone so much.
Speaking of him, I want to shoot him! (And, that's saying a lot since he is my very favorite LOTR character) I feel so bad for Nienelen as she obviously has given her heart to him now and he is full of regret or whatever it is he is feeling... disappointment, perhaps. I understand it, of course, but it's so not fair to her. Ah, such a good story. Thanks for sharing it.
Author's reply
Speaking of him, I want to shoot him!
LOL! Oh my. Well, hopefully I'm not portraying him too unsympathetically. Though it's a bit difficult, as the reader's view of him is restricted to what Nienelen understands and there is a lot she doesn't know. My intent was to portray two honorable people who have completely divergent views of what a marriage is all about. They have *no* history together and so would necessarily have to struggle before coming to an understanding of some sort.
Thanks for the kind words, Radbooks. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
~Silli
Author Reply:
...though she came up with something there at the end. I would love to know what it was. *grin*
OH! Forgot to respond to this. Uhm. Well. I *do* have a very clear idea about what she whispered. But me telling what *I* was thinking would be, I'm sure, not nearly so fun as you as a reader speculating. ;oD
Amy
· 15 July 2006
· Chapter 15
I thought of Breughel's paintings when I read these chapters about the harvest and Aragorn crossing the field in the snow.
I am v. curious as to what secret Nienelen whispered to the bride-to-be!
Interesting to see Aragorn developing affection for his wife, maybe against his intentions. It's not what he wants or dreamed of, but it's what he's got, and he seems to have trouble accepting the reality, while his wife is all about being practical. She's a strong and brave soul, carrying on and doing her duty despite lack of attention from her lord.
This story continues to intrigue.
Author's reply
Hey there, Amy. :o)
I had to look up Breughel, not being familiar with his work. Thanks for pointing me his way. Very interesting to find an artist of that period who focused on the peasantry.
It's not what he wants or dreamed of, but it's what he's got, and he seems to have trouble accepting the reality
I'd imagine it would be quite a leap for him. Here he had fallen head over heels with Arwen who had had thousands of years to develop into who she is. Nienelen is, as yet, not fully formed. She is in no way equal to Aragorn and I wonder how much this would throw him.
Thanks for reading!
Radbooks
· 8 July 2006
· Chapter 12
This is a very interesting story that I could not stop reading! I saw it and thought, well I'll just take a look at it and I sat here for a couple of hours and read the whole thing. I usually don't enjoy stories that don't have Aragorn and Arwen together and yet I could see how something like this could have happened and you've made a plausible story. It's also very well written. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
and yet I could see how something like this could have happened
Oh, good! Cuz that was one of my biggest concerns. When people ask me what I'm writing, and I reply: "An AU where my OFC marries Aragorn," I just can't say it without blushing and hanging my head. I'm sure the Aragorn-wildly-out-of-character and Mary Sue alarms go off in people's heads.
Thanks for reading and the compliments! ... and *mwwaahahahah* about you getting sucked in. hee!
Amy
· 8 July 2006
· Chapter 12
I can really sympathize with Nienelen trying to get her head around the household accounting, and I'm sure the books would have been a mess with the early deaths of Aragorn's father and grandfather and the principals moving to Rivendell.
O_o. Securing heirs for the line of Isildur seems like a worthy goal, but determining the line of succession for Aragorn's children if there is more than one wife could get a little sticky. And issues of faithfulness, divorce, would cut to the heart of the kingship. What a can of worms you've opened here!
Author's reply
And issues of faithfulness, divorce, would cut to the heart of the kingship. What a can of worms you've opened here!
LOL. Yes! Very perceptive! And they're wriggling all about over here.
The exciting (and intimidating) thing about writing in Tolkien's universe is that the story you are creating will be placed within an already developed context. So, you, the reader, know what Nienelen does not, that Aragorn is deeply in love with and has been committed to the same person for the past, oh, 50 years at this point. I get to take advantage of that and, hopefully, create a sense of mystery that pulls the reader in. Will she find out? How will she find out? What in the *heck* was Aragorn thinking? How's he going to get himself through this mess?
But, on the other hand, the intimidating part of writing an AU is the issues of how much to focus on creating a story that is coherent in itself versus how well to make it fit within Middle-earth as Tolkien envisioned it. I actually enjoy those kinds of limits because it fires up my creativity to find a way to make it work within them. But I don't assume that the balance that satisfies me will necessarily strike other people as sufficient. Who knows? Will I get all those wriggling worms back in their can? *snork* Or, maybe, open up another whole can of them?
Thanks for your comments! If you're up for it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how the worm-wrangling goes. ;oD
Vilwarin
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 10
Ah, the story has me captured, I have never read something like this before.
It is very intresting to see Aragorn in such a light, I see the lord who is just beyond her reach. In all other stories, we see the human side of this man portrayed, but you have captured the lord in him perfectly. A lord who does not seem to know how to handle the new situation he finds himself thrust in.
Aragorn seems to be a victim in this as well as Nienelen.
Is Gandalf's visit a turning point in this? He seems to be one of the few persons that have some bit of authority over the man in Aragorn.
Will they sort it out before he must leave, or will the time on the road trigger something in Aragorn's mind? Or will something completely different happen? Oh, I can hardly wait!
When will you continue posting, I hope it is soon!
~Vil
Author's reply
All good questions. mwwwwwahahahahaaha. *evil grin*
LOL! I'm tickled that the story has captured your interest and enthusiasm.
Yes, the *lord* in Aragorn, I'm glad you're enjoying him as he exists in my head, both his humanity and his nobility. Though, I confess I wonder if he doesn't like to have a fair amount of control. He certain would have to be pretty driven to achieve what he does.
As far as posting goes: Hmmm.. my muse has been a tad reticent of late. Shy and demure, she is (NOT). Beulah is her name (after a maternal great-aunt of mine who was a colorful character). If I can drag her from off the couch and convince her to set down her cheetos and Marlboro Lights long enough, I may be able to post a few more chapters next week. In the interest of full disclosure, I have 3/4 of the story written and I'm working on fleshing out the bare bones of about a dozen chapters. Unfortunately, they're scattered here and there throughout the story and so limit how much I can post at once.
Kimbo
· 3 July 2006
· Chapter 2
I shouldn't start reading this at work It sucks you right in and you want nothing but the best for the poor little character can I do something to help out
Author's reply
*snork*
Kimbo, you nut. :oD
You could help keep my muse happpy. Beulah tends to be partial to long walks and sunsets, and vacuuming.
~Silli
Envinyatar
· 3 July 2006
· Chapter 10
Very intriguing story. I have to agree with Amy, there's definitely a touch of Jane Eyre in Nienelen. Can't wait to see where you're going with this.
I think the first person POV works very well and it's fascinating to see Aragorn through her eyes. Loved the scenes with Gandalf and it looks like things are about to start happening. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Thanks! I'm tickled to hear you're enjoying it and looking forward to seeing how the story develops.
Gandalf was a joy to write. There's just such a wonderful combination of playfulness, joy, sharpness of wit, depth of heart and sternness of purpose to play with in his character.
Amy
· 2 July 2006
· Chapter 10
I got into the 1st person pov after a few chapters.
Poor messed up Aragorn, being reasonable, but his heart doesn't seem to be cooperating at all. Poor woman, used as a broodmare, or not, as it happens!
The plot is that of a Gothic novel, but quite intriguing nevertheless with the familiar LotR characters.
Author's reply
I got into the 1st person pov after a few chapters.
Hmmmm... yes. It took me a few months to wrap my head around it when writing, given it's such a departure from my usual 3rd person POV. I tried to give the narrative an archaic feel, too, so it would fit with the POV, and I'd imagine that's a little hard to get used to, as well.
The plot is that of a Gothic novel
*blink*
*face-palm*
I never thought of it that way, but you are so right. LOL I've got all the elements barring a wind-swept moor. Well, at least in this first portion. If you're up for sticking it through to the end of the story, you'll have to let me know if that impression still remains true for you.
Thanks for reading and I'm glad you're enjoying it.