Aspects of Aragorn by Inzilbeth
Jancy · 4 February 2009 · Chapter 21: Roheryn
What a lovely present. I'm sure Aragorn is more than grateful. I like how these stories blends into the actual Lord of hte Rings story.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Jancy, for your review. Yes, what better gift could Arwen give? I do try to be very faithful to canon so I'm very glad to know it's appreciated.
Elflingimp · 3 February 2009 · Chapter 21: Roheryn
Well this chapter takes the cake for me! It was so beautiful, I wonder thou what dear old Elrond would do if he caught his daughter alone with Aragorn naked in the tub and all, but maybe elves are different? Hugs The Imp P.S. I meant Aragorn was naked! LOL!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoy this chapter, Debs, and thank you so much for the review. As to naked Aragorn, see my reply below! He would of course behave properly at all times; he wouldn't be the same suffing Ranger if he didn't!
RS · 3 February 2009 · Chapter 21: Roheryn
I feel as giddy as these two lovebirds. This has got to be my favorite chapter thus far. Just to see Aragorn and Arwen so happy. Their love is contagious. After reading and feeling this blissful moment for Aragorn (though short as it is)I probably wouldn't mind if you took a vacation from writing (probably is the word...maybe I'll give you a week's vacation!) This chapter was exhilerating. Boy did Aragorn need this! Don't know what else to tell... the previous reviewers said it for me already! PS - I sure hope Aragorn had bubbles in his bath...or I guess there's no such thing as modesty or self-conscious in Imladris! I love the "matted hair" and Arwen's question "do you never use a comb when out in the wilds?” I can tell you had fun writing this chapter! And I had fun reading it!
Author's reply
Oh RS, I'm thrilled that this is your favourite chapter and you are absolutely right, I had a great time writing it. In fact I wrote it twice as I had just finished it and hit 'save' only for my computer to devour it completely so I turned round and wrote it again! LOL! Bubbles! I guess Arwen was being very good and averting her eyes! I imagine that as these two were such moral characters, there was no thought of some sort of Victorian chaperone. I couldn't possibly write them with one of those in tow! Thank you so much for your review.
Estelcontar · 3 February 2009 · Chapter 21: Roheryn
For me, Roheryn is the most delightful, and up to now the most joyful of your chapters.You have no idea how happy it made me to read such a perceptive portrayal of Aragorn and Arwen's love. To my mind, you captured to perfection the joy and contentment they felt in each other's company. Your scenes were so glowing and vivid that they felt completey authentic and real. It was great seeing Aragorn's weariness and sorrowfulness turn into gladness at the sight of Arwen, and it made me even happier to see Elrond rejoice in their happiness because I'm sure that's how he felt. Roheryn of course was a total delight. I didn't expect anything else from someone who knows horses and loves them as you do.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your wonderful review. I'm thrilled you enjoyed this little holiday of Aragorn's as I thoroughly enjoyed giving him the much needed break! And yes, there's a lot of my fire breathing fellow in Roheryn!
shirebound · 3 February 2009 · Chapter 21: Roheryn
What a beautiful chapter. It galloped away with me until I was practically in Rivendell myself, flying away on a magnificent horse and reveling in the valiant love of those who share him.
Author's reply
LOL! Thank you so much, Shirebound, for your lovely review. I'm glad you enjoyed the ride!
Linda Hoyland · 3 February 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
Poor Gilraen.It is heartrending she does not live to see her son crowned king. I think they loved one another very much.A moving chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Linda. Yes, it's a real tragedy that Gilraen lost all hope.
Celeritas · 28 January 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
Poor Gilraen! This was a touching reminder of all of the women who have quietly stood behind men and supported them with love.
Author's reply
Thank you, Celeritas. You almost have to wonder who has the worst of it, don't you?
RS · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
Oh Inzilbeth, this just about made me cry. From the beginning to the end all I thought about was the color grey. The opening of this chapter set the grey mood for me....dog barking in early morning to the powerful phrase "she had grown up living with their unrelenting stranglehold on her happiness". You've just described so well how grey, bleak, lonely, and fearful her life must have been...A woman who has lost all hope. Your opening paragraph touched on all senses; your beautiful description of the morning, the barking dog and sounds of horses, the cold drought and chilly air, but most of all the fear and anxiety. My favorite part was Aragorn's entrance and Gilraen's short-lived joy of seeing her son. How I wish Gilraen's story was different. This is beautiful.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, RS, I'm thrilled the setting of the mood worked for you. Yes grey, definitely grey, and every day no different for poor Gilraen. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
6336 · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
Oh if only one had that ability, to give up the Gift of Life before it gives up on you! To have to live, just waiting on bad news is no life at all! Lynda
Author's reply
It would be strange to be able to do this wouldn't it? And Gilraen decision to give up the Gift was so different from Aragorn's. Thank you for your review.
Larner · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
It was indeed a moment of grief for her, to think on those who had died and would likely die. It is too bad her own hope had been given. It would take so long for him to return it....
Author's reply
I find it one of the saddest things, out of so many sad moments, in the entire book that Gilraen didn't live to see her son crowned king. Thank you, Larner, for your review.
Estelcontar · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
What a very wistful chapter. You’ve hit the nail on the head about how Gilraen must have felt about Aragorn. She knew how important he was to the future of Middle-earth, and she willingly surrendered him to his fate, and probably during his childhood years helped to school him to be the great and wonderful king he was. But I'm sure she must have lived in constant dread of him dying like Arathorn did. I think she was a most brave woman, and you did a great job of showing us that. I loved such details as Gilraen straining her ears, dreading the news, and the image of Aragorn emerging from the grey light of dawn, walking whole and hale is a very lovely and touching one. Aragorn's mention that what cheers him most are the every day tidings of his people is also very moving, and very true to life. I'm sure that someone leading the kind of life he led would most certainly often crave for the normalcy of an uneventful life. A very thoughtful and poignant chapter indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your lovely review. Losing Arathorn when she was so young must have affected Gilraen greatly and its hard to even imagine how difficuly it must have been to see her son tread the same path. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter.
daw the minstrel · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
Poor Gilraen. She saved the hope of her people but died too soon to see it. Parenthood is so odd. Before I had a child, I thought of myself as living inside my body. Then my son was born, and I realized he was his body as well as everything else. I would have died to protect it. And here's Gilraen letting her son go into such danger.
Author's reply
I find Gilraen's story so tragic. I'm sure no one is ever completely free of worry once they have children but how much worse to have a son living the life Aragorn did. Thank you so much, Daw, for your review.
shirebound · 27 January 2009 · Chapter 20: Gilraen
Then, round the bend in the lane, would come the sons of Elrond, bringing with them the dread tidings that would shatter forever what little hope remained in her life. Ohhh, this is so heartbreaking. What a long, lonely life, full of fear and worry and loss of hope. She deserved so much better.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. It's very hard to imagine quite how much Gilraen must have despaired to lose all hope the way she did. She certainly did deserve much better.
Celeritas · 21 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
That reason for his evasiveness is fully justifiable!!! I love how you gauged Butterbur's interest in the tale by his state of concern for the roast. The Dwarves themselves immediately reminded me of The Hobbit, as Dwarves should. And as for the tale itself--I had never taken thought that when Aragorn entered the Mines he may have done so with Balin & company present! I hope you get the WIP done and post it here (Balin has always been my favorite of the old Dwarves).
Author's reply
Oh Celeritas, I'm so glad you liked this. Yes these were definitely 'Hobbity' Dwarves! I love Butterbur; he's such a character and I'm sure getting the supper cooked on time is the most important thing in his life. I will do my best to try and do justice to Balin then! Thank you so much for your review.
Larner · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
An interesting if abbreviated tale of how Aragorn came to be in Moria. Poor Butterbur didn't get to hear all he wanted, of course.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner, for your review. Yes Aragorn was being very economical with his tale!
Linda Hoyland · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
Aragorn is a wonderful storyteller!I'm delighted you are going to write about his adventures in Moria in more detail.
Author's reply
Thank you very much, Linda. I'm afraid is really is a question of finding the time to finish it.
Raksha The Demon · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
Excellent characterisation of Butterbur and Aragorn - I liked Aragorn's admission that he wasn't as comfortable in the deep places as dwarves are.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Raksha, Aragorn was so reluctant to go back to Moria he must have had good reason.
george · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
Wah! I can't wait to read your WIP--I've always been so intrigued by the stories Strider just hints at in the books (two esp.: Moria, and his encounter with the Nazgul) so I love to read people's different versions of them. It's a special treat when the stories are coming from talented writers like yourself. :D
Author's reply
Oh thank you, George, you've made my day! The Nazgul story will be here in about three weeks time but I'm afraid I won't get back to the Moria one until 'Aspects of Aragorn' is completely posted as, although it's finished, I keep adding to it the whole time. But I'm so glad to know you're enjoying the stories.
Estelcontar · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
I was really surprised how you managed to give us a vignette of Aragorn relaxing at The Prancing Pony, and at the same time introduce the explanation of why he was so reluctant to return to Moria, while just hinting at why his memory of the place was 'very evil'. I liked your Barliman, he sounded very much like the kind of English innkeeper Tolkien portrayed in LOTR, and I loved that scene in which he tells Strider where to put his chair, and Aragorn complies. I found it very, very delightful. I loved reading this chapter because, in it, you get a glimpse of a relaxed Aragorn enjoying a rare moment of leisure. And that makes me happy for him. LOL I would love to read that ongoing long WIP of yours.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked this, Estelcontar. I very much enjoyed giving the poor man a night off and an evening by the fire. I'm sure he deserved it! And I can certainly think of a few RL characters to base Barliman upon! Thank you very much for your review and I hope the long story won't be too long in coming!
daw the minstrel · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
I really liked the interaction of the various characters here. Barliman, Dori and his nephew, and Strider make an unusual assortment who all act consistently with what know of them. I liked the tale within the tale too.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Daw, it was very intersting not writing from Aragorn's POV for a change. I'm really pleased you felt it all worked
Cairistiona · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
As someone who was urging you to let Aragorn tell the entire tale, I have to say that I can't wait for you to finish In the Dark Places! But even with Strider's confounded evasiveness, he still told a rare tale. Or I should say, you told a rare tale of him telling a rare tale. I liked this chapter very much.
Author's reply
LOL! Well I couldn't let him give the whole tale away before it's even written, could I? Glad you liked it and thank you so always for the beta.
shirebound · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 19: The Storyteller
I really like seeing and hearing these things through Barliman's eyes and ears. He listens and thinks, and even has something of an imagination, but the Prancing Pony is his whole world. That's a wonderful glimpse of Aragorn's dark adventure in Moria.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound, Barliman is such a fun character I couldn't resist having a go at writing him and it did rather kill two birds with one stone to cover the Moria tale!
Cairistiona · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 16: Elf-Friend
This is a fascinating chapter ... Cirdan is another of those sketched-only characters and I like what you've done with him. His compassionate wisdom is exactly what Aragorn needed at this time in his life, especially as he's horrified by the full extent of what Arwen is giving up for him. How could Aragorn *not* be upset by seeing that? I'm very glad Cirdan was there to help him sort through it all and put things in perspective.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your review. Cirdan is such a huge and important figure in the whole history of Middle-earth, it's crazy really that we know so little about him. I very muched liked the idea of Aragorn recieving help from unexpected quarters now and then. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Celeritas · 14 January 2009 · Chapter 0: Kingly Valour
This works really well as a prologue since it's entwined with visions of what will happen throughout the rest of his life. That Ivorwen would think because of the Elessar vision that even Aragorn (whom we fans normally know him by) was the wrong name for him made me smile. A truly nice piece and one that made me remember how even the Great must start out as small and vulnerable babes.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked this prologue. I wish I had thought of it BEFORE I started posting the rest of the story! I wonder what Ivorwen would have said if she knew just how many names Aragorn actually ended up with! Yes it is hard to think of Aragorn as a small baby.
Celeritas · 14 January 2009 · Chapter 18: All that is Gold
Wow, you got Bilbo down very well! (And it's been a while since I've read those parts of The Hobbit, but am I right in thinking he gave Aragorn the 1st edition version of the riddle contest? I wonder if that will hinder in the future?) I loved the initial mutual astonishment that both of them knew some sort of form of Elvish, and the cooperation in translating instantly reminded me of Bilbo's poem about Earendil in the Hall of Fire. These two had a lot in common in Rivendell and I was glad to read of them getting on so well--and of Bilbo's slowly learning who exactly this Man is.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Celeritas, I'm so glad you liked my take on Bilbo, and yes, you are quite right about that being the 1st edition version. Given Bilbo's reluctance to speak about what actually happened, I didn't think he would come out with the true version just like that. And Bilbo helping Aragorn with that poem was exactly the reason I thought he might have helped out with translations now and then. Well spotted!