Agape4Gondor
· 24 June 2008
· Chapter 42: Home Are the Hunters
I am sooooo far behind in reviews. Please forgive me!
This was a truly sad chapter. My heart bled when I read of Thengel and Morwen's entrance... for one could feel the aweful truth, even though not yet spoken.
I was a little surprised with the humorous repartee here between Aragorn and Celegryn... Perhaps I'm an old stick-in-the-mud, but when you are telling a tale as horrific as this... I cannot see where humor can come into it. I thought their actions were incredibly boorish... for such a sad time for Thengel and his people....
I was suprised and delighted with the plot twist - of how they died. Ingenious.
Good chapter.... very well thought out!
Author's reply
I think the humor... more lkie whistling in the dark past a graveyard as another review put it... is a typical reaction we have in order to soften the horror of a situation that is beyond comprehension. And, of course, Aragorn is just young enough to be slightly insensitive to the feelings of those around him. The hunters, after all, are not his own people, and so he doesn't have the emotional connection to them nor the level of maturity to emphasize.
As for the plot twist... I'm glad you approve. *grin* I did agonize over it and had to talk it out with others to be sure it would be a realistic conclusion as to what happened to them. Of course, we STILL don't know what caused them to run to the caves the way they did... but then, some mysteries are never meant to be solved.
Beruthiels Cat
· 10 June 2008
· Chapter 43: Council of War
Sad to say, even with the Elves past assistance that there is still such ambivalence toward them. Thandir's humor turned the situation around nicely, however, and the twins' comment about being "born a century after the Last Alliance" had me laughing.
They're outnumbered,and the enemy holds the high ground. They cannot afford to make mistakes now, especially knowing what they will be walking into. Thengel is a good king...he's lost enough already, and is not willing for his people to suffer any more than necessary, given the circumstances. Siege warfare is extremely ugly, and they have to hope to work from the inside. Nice touch having Thengel remind Aragorn and Gilhael of their oaths, and Thandir's change of mind makes one wonder what he suspects to have made him do so. Nice bridge chapter!
Cat
Author's reply
Hi, Cat. Yes, siege warfare is very ugly and best avoided if possible. Thengel knows this and will endeavor to make it as swift a siege as possible for the outcome of a long drawn-out siege would be devasting for all of Rohan.
The elves I suspect have their own agendas (Thandir certainly does) and are being very tight-lipped about it. We'll see (hopefully) what they are up to soon enough. Thanks for reviewing.
Ainu Laire
· 9 June 2008
· Chapter 43: Council of War
Still brilliant. Naturally. Wow, what a tale.
I'm so glad to have inspired this bunny XDD I am forever impressed with your knowledge of language, as well as how, well Tolkienesque this all is. I truly can imagine Tolkien penning something like this when describing Aragorn's time as Thorongil. It's brilliant.
I'm looking forward for more, naturally! I want to see what happens with this siege! I'm hoping for not too many deaths...
Author's reply
Thanks, Ainu Laire. I'm glad you are still impressed with the story, especially since it was your idea to begin with. LOL I'm not sure how Tolkienesque it really is but I do try to stick to canon as much as possible while still interweaving a plausible story based what little information Tolkien gave us about this time in Aragorn's life.
Hopefully the siege will not be too long and bloody. We'll see soon enough. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Linda Hoyland
· 9 June 2008
· Chapter 43: Council of War
I like the way Thengel makes the best use of what contribution everyone can make.It must be hard for Elves seeing mortals age so.
Author's reply
Thengel is a good king, better than his father ever was and the Rohirrim are lucky to have him. It must indeed be a grief and a wonder to the Firtborn to see the Mortals whom they know grow old and die. Thanks for reviewing.
Larner
· 8 June 2008
· Chapter 43: Council of War
Good transition chapter here. They have a possible entry point that is not likely to be heavily guarded on that end; they have a plan building; they have the Elves as advisors; they have three of the greatest healers in Middle Earth on hand for when Morwen delivers. Now, to see what comes next.
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner. I'm afraid everyone is in wait-mode since nothing can be done until winter is over. In the meantime, plans abound knowing that in the end most will be rejected. Morwen doesn't know it but she couldn't be in safer hands when the time comes to give birth, unless it were with Elrond. *grin*
harrowcat
· 8 June 2008
· Chapter 43: Council of War
I had to laugh at the discussion of the ages of the elves. And I am glad that they are not leaving. Aragorn shows some flashes of insight beyond even the elves.
Author's reply
It is rather funny to think that someone who is not yet 3000 years old is still a youngster. LOL
The elves still have a part to play in the upcoming war. Aragorn is beginning to exhibit his Númenórean heritage more and more as he matures.
Linda Hoyland
· 28 May 2008
· Chapter 42: Home Are the Hunters
Great detective work as the mystery is solved.Although a sad ending,at least the men weren't abducted by Orcs or something worst.
Wise advice for Aragorn about admitting to pain.
Author's reply
As you say, at least the mystery is solved and while not all questions have been answered the most important one has been and now people can move on. And Aragorn is just young enough still that admitting to any kind of weakness is anathema, but he'll learn. Thanks for reviewing.
obsidianj
· 21 May 2008
· Chapter 42: Home Are the Hunters
So, the missing men are dead. If they died from i.e. CO poisoning, it wouldn't have killed them instantaneously, they would just die in their sleep.
Thengel is very accommodating to allow Aragorn and Widfara to disturb the report with their banter.
Author's reply
Most likely they did die in their sleep, although if there were methane involved, it would have been a bit faster I believe. I think Thengel permitted it because he knew they needed it. They all did after Underharrow. The news that the missing hunters were indeed dead would be almost anticlimatic for them.
Beruthiels Cat
· 18 May 2008
· Chapter 42: Home Are the Hunters
I like the solution to the mystery of the missing hunters, especially since their fates could have been much worse. After the horrific events of previous chapters, it had to have been a relief to those left behind to know that these at least had a peaceful passing from life. Humor is well-placed here, sort of like whistling past the graveyard. Aragorn's actions provide (to me, at least) a needed alternative focus from the desperate situation they're still facing as well as a reminder to everyone not to take anything at face value...or for granted.
Excellent!
Cat
Author's reply
Hi Cat. I'm glad you liked the solution to the mystery even if not everything about it has been answered and probably never will be. The banter between Aragorn and the elves is indeed a kind of "whistling past a cemetery" reaction to all that has happened to them of late, though, of course, elves do not fear the dead, but these elves at least are willing to 'play' along. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Shoshana_Rose
· 18 May 2008
· Chapter 42: Home Are the Hunters
I had to give it a quick read through now. It's 6:30 AM and I've got a paper due tomorrow that still needs much work. Gotta toddle off to bed so I can catch a few winks before hitting the grind stone again.
But I really liked this chapter, from what I've read. Finally a question answered! Where *is* that darned canary in the coal mine when you need it? I'm a little surprised that Aragorn, the elves, and Thengel, let the story get so side-tracked in the beginning, when everyone already knew that this was the story of how those men died. I kinda wanted to slap Aragorn for focusing on his own ineptitude at such a time. But then, since he's in his mid 20's perhaps it's the perfect time for him to have Dunedain teen-angst. ;)
I'll read it more slowly tomorrow (later today). Great job of keeping the interest up!
--Shoshi
Author's reply
Hi Shoshi. My beta commented on the seeming irrelevant and irreverent banter between Aragorn and the elves and decided that this was a coping mechanism. They already know there is bad news because the missing hunters are not there even though the elves are claiming they were found. And Aragorn is indeed young and thinks that if he had been thinking more clearly things would have turned out differently, but of course, by the time anyone was looking for the missing hunters they were already dead and their cave buried under stone.
Good luck on your paper. Thanks for taking the time to send a review. I really appreciate it.
Larner
· 17 May 2008
· Chapter 42: Home Are the Hunters
So, that's the way of it; and no birds to warn of poisonous gases. At least their deaths were peaceful, as has been noted, and they have been found and the worries for them are at last calmed, if not fully appeased.
Author's reply
Even in real life not all questions are ever answered. Sometimes we only have partial answers, as is the case here. They will probably never know what really happened, but at least they know enough for closure and that's the important thing.
Shoshana_Rose
· 9 May 2008
· Chapter 41: Leithian
Wow! I'm so glad I poked my head up from paper writing and exam prep to look for your update! Paths are beginning to converge; this is very cool. Soon we'll know if Estel's panic-free and what's up with those hunters. Can't wait!
Author's reply
Hi Shoshi. Wondered where you'd wandered off to. LOL Yes, the different threads of the story are beginning to be woven back in and we will learn the answers to both questions in upcoming chapters. Thanks for taking the time to poke your head up and send me a review.
Larner
· 8 May 2008
· Chapter 41: Leithian
Ah--good! (I hope!) The lost are found, and the equivalent of a hypnotic suggestion is dealt with! But are the lost alive, and how did they become lost?
Author's reply
The how will be answered in the next chapter.
Agape4Gondor
· 8 May 2008
· Chapter 41: Leithian
"It will be a sorrowful day when kin look upon kin and realize that the one countenanced the death of the other," Wídfara stated with a heavy sigh.
Oh my! The talk of Thandir's power was quite alarming to me. Good thing he's not on Sauron's side!
WOW - I loved Thandir and Aragorn's time in Imladris though it was so difficult for Aragorn. And the releasing was beautifully said - I loved the words - english and sindarin!
WHAT AN ENDING............ Yikes!
Author's reply
There's more to Thandir than meets the eye and at least he now realizes that he made a mistake and can correct it to some extent. And I'm sure we're all glad he's not on Sauron's side (but then no Elf has ever abjured Eru and joined with Morgoth or Sauron, unlike some Mortals). I'm glad you liked the words of the releasing in both languages. It took me a time to get them right. *grin*
eiluj
· 8 May 2008
· Chapter 41: Leithian
"So in the end he decided we weren’t worth the aggravation of explaining to Adar why his sons were giving Lord Námo Glorfindel’s regards" -- That's such a compelling Mental Picture -- well, *two* Mental pictures: Elrond and Thandir, and Námo and the Twins -- that I'm half resenting the Twins' continued health....
"the Imladrin scout" -- Ooh, a new word! I'll add it to my chart (nouns and adjectives for peoples, nations, and languages: after all, I've got to have some way to keep up my Word Table skills after retirement). So is it JRRT's word or yours?
I notice that Elladan called Aragorn "brother" -- apparently in Westron? I'm wondering if Wídfara will pick up on that.
Sounds like bad news about the missing hunters, all right. The only question is how bad ... and how weird?
Author's reply
Well, 'Imladrin' actually isn't Tolkien's word but it's modeled after similar words of like nature, such as Noldorin and Sindarin.
In the context of this culture 'brother' could also mean 'swordbrother' or 'sworn brother'. Wídfara is aware that Aragorn trained under the elves of Imladris and so would not think it odd that one of them would call Aragorn 'brother'. After all, Wídfara calls him 'brother' too and there is no blood-relationship between them.
We'll find out in the next chapter what happened to the missing hunters.
Idril Celebrindal
· 8 May 2008
· Chapter 41: Leithian
Fiondil,
It has been a while since I left a review but I had to this time.
Great Chapter it really pulled me in and while I am glad for Aragorn I feel bad that I forgot about the missing hunters and now I must wait. LOL
Looking forward to more.
Idril
Author's reply
Hi Idril. I'm glad to see you're still reading this story and that you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sure you're not the only one to have forgotten about the missing hunters, so don't feel too bad. We'll learn what happened to them in the next chapter which will be up next week.
Agape4Gondor
· 21 April 2008
· Chapter 40: Sifting Through the Ruins
I HATE when I miss these! I don't know how it happens... and this is one of my favoritests!
I smiled when Thengel reminded Aragorn that he was still in the king's service.. and Aragorn's little bow.
I was very glad that Ragnawulf told the king about his relative and the traitors. Very important - shows truly humility AND loyalty - both much needed in this hideous time.
Speaking of humility, along with dignity, I love Thengel's!!! In the scene where he finds the child and weeps - broke my heart!
I was truly afraid of the sight at the gate - I knew it would be unimaginable and horrid. And when Thengel says 'would have burst into flames' - oh my! The suffering - too terrible to think or endure. I'm sure there is not a man in his company who would look down upon those who had to go away for a moment and 'let go' of their suppers and their grief.
And don't the traitors know - YOU BURN ORCS NOT HUMANS!
So many dead that they had to make four pyres!
Bless them all!!! That they would be 'fighting over' who has the honor to stand watch.
Thengel - again - shows himself a mighty king. How hard it must have been for his people to see him slowly fail in later years!!!
*goes away to weep quietly*
Author's reply
Well, at least you found it in good time, Agape. *grin*
Thengel truly shines in this little chapter and shows how much the king he truly is, more so than his father ever was. According to Appendix A, Thengel died at the age of 75 and all it says is that he proved to be a good and wise king, nothing about failing in his later years. I suspect he was as vigorous at 75 as he was at 53, which is how old he is in this story.
This was not an easy chapter to write. In fact, for obvious reasons, it was much harder to write than the previous chapter and I kept the details to the absolute minimum. Unfortunately, war is never pretty and the innocents are always the first casualties.
Larner
· 18 April 2008
· Chapter 40: Sifting Through the Ruins
Their ancestors did not follow Elros to Numenor, but did help fight against Morgoth. It was not for nothing the Mearas blessed them with their presence, I suspect.
Author's reply
I suspect you are right about that, Larner. The Rohirrim are indeed worthy and Thengel is the worthiest of them all.
Linda Hoyland
· 18 April 2008
· Chapter 40: Sifting Through the Ruins
Thengel is a truly great king here.Grim but compelling reading.
Author's reply
Thengel shows what a truly great king he is here in spite of the grimness of the situation. He truly shines.
Linda Hoyland
· 18 April 2008
· Chapter 39: Æt þone Grundléaslican Landmearcan Ealdorceare
A chilling chapter. You build up the grim atmosphere brilliantly.
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. I appreciate you letting me know that I can do grim brilliantly. It was not an easy chapter to write, nor the one that follows.
The old queen and her supporters have much to answer for, it seems. Now, is Upbourne also burned? Glad these could make it to succor what survivors as they could find!
Author's reply
They do indeed have much to answer for though there will be much sorrow and heartache before they are brought to justice. As to the fate of Upborn, that will be revealed in the next chapter.
You wrote the horror so well that I found the hairs on my arms standing up in shock... What a horrendous thing to do - but shouldn't they send word to the other stronghold??? Won't those murderers do the same there??? Shouldn't Theoden know about that so that he might send rescuers so others are not murdered?
Oh my - the thought of those people burning to death was hideous. An unconscionable act! (sp?) I hope they are all boiled in oil.... *hangs head in sorrow and horror*
Author's reply
All your questions will be answered in the next chapter. This was not an easy chapter to write and the next chapter was even harder. I've kept the descriptions as vague as possible but sometimes it's just not possible. This is indeed horrific and I'm pleased that I was able to convey it so well. Unfortunately history records similar crimes committed by one group of people against another group of people even down to the present age, so I did not have to 'make this up'.
Oh yuck! Expedient, but oh how sickening! Never ceases to amaze me the brutality of man to man, even in fiction! Not that it hasn't happened in RL! Warning not to read on a full stomach would be good!
Lynda
Author's reply
Humanity's crimes against humanity never ceases to amaze me, as well. And unfortunately, such things as described here have happened throughout history and happen even today. I did not really want to write this chapter (which is why it's late being posted) but I knew it had to be written and the next chapter isn't much better when they have to deal with the aftermath.
Linda Hoyland
· 31 March 2008
· Chapter 38: Scouting the Enemy
A very exciting chapter.Widfara's devotion to Aragorn is very moving.he is a lovely OC.
Author's reply
Hi Linda. I'm glad you found this chapter exciting. Not sure if too many people did because not much really happens. *grin* And I'm glad you like Wídfara. He's one of my favorite OCs, too. His devotion to Aragorn is quite touching and our intrepid Dúnadan is very fortunate to have such a staunch friend.
Sorrel
· 30 March 2008
· Chapter 999999: Character List
Once again, you surpass yourself! I did like the 'story' of Gilhael's adventures, and Theoden's opinion on it was especially intriguing. Your stories always make me smile!
Author's reply
Thanks Sorrel, but don't think this is the end of the story because it isn't. I have the Character List up because many other readers were clamouring for it so they could keep straight who was who among the Rohirrim, since many characters have similar sounding and looking names and it was hard for some readers to keep them straight. So, keep tuned... there's more to come.