Raksha The Demon
· 16 December 2008
· Chapter 16: Elf-Friend
A fascinating chapter; one doesn't see Aragorn/Cirdan interaction very often (I can't remember it at all in fanfic); and you describe it quite well. Good palantir action; it makes sense that Aragorn would feel some remorse at some point for his love denying Arwen the ease and comfort of a near-immortal life in paradise.
Author's reply
No I've never seen this interaction either. Poor Aragorn, there was so much for him to feel guilty over where Arwen was concerned.
Than you so much for your review.
RS
· 16 December 2008
· Chapter 16: Elf-Friend
You've managed to bring Cirdan to life and made him a very likable person (I never pictured an elf with a long white beard, though). Aragorn's experience with the Palantir is so vivid that the reader is actually experiencing it.
As usual you always manage to make my heart go pitter patter when it comes to Aragorn's thoughts/and or concerns on Arwen. Gosh how I love this story!
I love the "whoop" by Cirdan at the end.
Author's reply
Oh I'm so delighted to know how much you're enjoying this story RS. I doubt Arwen was ever far from Aragorn's thoughts so she does tend to pop up quite often! Yes, Cirdan is an oddity with his beard and the fact that he even looked old by the end of the Third Age.
Thank you so much for your kind review.
Estelcontar
· 16 December 2008
· Chapter 16: Elf-Friend
I had never thought of Aragorn using the Elostirion Palantír, but I liked what you did with the idea. It is a good foreshadowing of his confrontation with Sauron in TTT, and very plausible. Aragorn's foreboding about his future need to use the palantír is such a nice touch too.
Aragorn must have felt some guilt about severing Arwen from Elrond, maybe forever. After all, if in Tolkien's legendarium Men were assured of participating of the Second Music of The Ainur, the ultimate faith of the Elves was left doubtful, though I, like Tolkien Elves did, firmly believe that at the breaking of Arda Eru would not keep the two branches of his children asunder.
Your Cirdan is a very sympathetic and wise character as proved by his “Then perhaps you might consider the possibility that she believes you are worth the sacrifices she has to make. Life in Tol Eressëa may not be so tranquil if one’s heart remains in Middle-earth. Perhaps you should have as much faith in yourself as she obviously does, Dúnadan. I very much doubt your lady has made her choice lightly.” That puts it in a nutshell, doesn’t it?
Furthermore, the part in which he tells Aragorn he'll not turn Arwen away if she wishes to sail feels just right. It reassures Aragorn, lightens the mood, and makes for a lovely ending, as does Aragorn's final thoughts.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. I too hope that Iluvatar's children don't remain sundered beyond the end of Arda. That would be too tragic, but that still makes for a very long separation. I'm sure guilt and doubt must have touched Aragorn in those years of waiting and hopefully there were those around that could bring him some comfort.
I'm so pleased you enjoyed this chapter.
shirebound
· 16 December 2008
· Chapter 16: Elf-Friend
On and on he went until, to his horror, if was as if the sea fell away below him and all he could see about him was endless sky.
Oh, how wonderful! What an incredible experience, one we would all love to have. Cirdan's words to Aragorn were just perfect.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, shirebound; I'm so glad you enjoyed the ride! Yes, wouldn't it be great to be able to look into one of these stones and see Tol Eressea?
daw the minstrel
· 16 December 2008
· Chapter 16: Elf-Friend
Oh fascinating topics here. The palantiri are one of those things that Tolkien creates and then tells us so little about, though they're full of potential. I like the idea that Aragorn came and looked in this one, worrying about what Arwen was sacrificing, but also preparing himself for his future.
And you do such a nice job with Cirdan. You have a knack for really looking at the bits and pieces Tolkien gives us and asking good questions about them and reasoning out the answers.
I also like the image of the long shadows in the grass.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Daw, for your kind words. I figured that if Aragorn had indeed come to Elostirion, he would have done so for a better reason than idle curiosity. This was actually a fascinating story to piece together, especially the workings of the Palantir.
And yes, searching out the answers is definitely what I enjoy most about writing these stories!
I'm so glad you liked this chapter, thanks for your review.
Celeritas
· 16 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
I loved the last section to this, especially the last two sentences and "He knew where his real enemy lay. It was not Elrond."
So nice to see Aragorn turning what had previously been despair into grounds for action.
Author's reply
That's so him though, don't you think? I couldn't see him sitting around moping for very long.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, thanks for your review.
meckinock
· 14 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
What an emotional roller coaster. Even though Aragorn knew Elrond was bound to react to the news with less than unrestrained elation, his pronouncement still had to have been crushing. The condition he set on the marriage had to have seemed impossible to Aragorn at that moment, and the letdown unbearable given the joy he had just been feeling. The moment when Aragorn broke down and wept was heartwrenching. Interesting how unrelenting hopelessness is easier to bear than the quenching of a hope indulged in, but it's true. And it must have killed Elrond to do it.
Author's reply
'It must have killed Elrond to do it.'
Oh you've so hit the nail there! For all his own sense of loss, Elrond would have hated to do this to Aragorn, I'm sure. And to Aragorn it must have felt like the end of the world at first, and yes, almost better not to have had the hope at all. But he obviously did get over it and carry on, that strength of character being one of the things I so admire about him.
Many thanks for your thoughtful review.
meckinock
· 14 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
This was a lovely insight into Arwen's thoughts, and I especially enjoyed her conversation with her grandmother. You draw these two characters very naturally. They're both textured and likeable.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked this chapter. It was interesting to shift to Arwen's POV for a change. She's not an easy character to get a grip on but I felt she ought to get a look in as this is Aragorn's tale!
meckinock
· 14 December 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
This chapter really dug down into one of the most interesting questions for me in all of Tolkien - why did Galadriel decide to play matchmaker as she did, even at such great cost to herself, Elrond, Celebrian, and ultimately Arwen? You set it up in the early part of the chapter, showing Aragorn's deep mental weariness, his fear that despite his homesickness for Rivendell he had changed so much that he would no longer feel at home there, and the crushing loneliness at the life he was destined to lead. This is what Galadriel sees, this is what convinces her that he cannot endure the hard years ahead alone. Beautifully done. Their interation was very believable - he is understandably in awe of her and yet she's so very compassionate and approachable to him that it's possible for them to relate to each other in a warm and personal way.
Author's reply
Oh I'm so glad you see this situation the same way. I think this was a real crisis point for Aragorn and Galadriel saw exactly what he needed to carry on in his difficult life. Galadriel's selflessness is one of those many easily overlooked asides in the book that is nonetheless fascinating to delve into. I loved writing the two of them together. How does anyone converse naturally with someone like Galadriel?
Thank you so much for all your kind words, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.
meckinock
· 14 December 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
As king, Elessar extended compassion and mercy to all peoples, even vanquished enemies. One can only suspect that is was on of these early contacts with them, along with his innate character and the teachings of his mentors, that gave him that quality. I liked that seeing the people content with their daily routines made him miss his family and helped him decide it was time to go home.
Author's reply
I'm sure it was those many journeys to such varied lands, as well as his own character, that went a long way towards making Aragorn the kind of man he was. He must have been desperately lonely for so much of the time, so I think it quite possible that seeing others enjoying what he could not would have been very hard.
Thank you so much for reviewing.
utfrog
· 10 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
Beautiful! Best telling I have read. Thank you.
RS
· 10 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
If I were to compose music to a story it would be this. I just went to my daughter's winter concert in which the conductor explained that each piece of music and melody explains a story just by the sound of each note and the emotions it gives you. This, my dear, is a symphony of emotions. BEAuTIFUL.
From a picturesque description of Aragorn's happy and dreamlike day to his fear (and torture) of getting in trouble with his father (kind of like the equivalence of being sent to the principal's office for me), and finally, to realization sinking in and crashing down around him like a led zeppelin! (violins humming wildly, horns blowing loudly, drums thrashing down!) The scene with Aragorn under the birch trees was heartbreaking...so well you conveyed this scene (violin solo). And at the end, hope prevails where the melody starts out softly and ends with a crescendo! (maybe with cymbals at the end?)
And throughout all this, the love of father and son did not falter.
A memorable piece.
Author's reply
Oh, RS, that's a pretty memorable review, if you don't mind my saying!
I'm not at all musical so I would probably never have thought of this chapter in those terms so thank you for summing it up like this. Yes, the day was a real rollercoaster for Aragorn but thankfully he came out of it more or less intact.
I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this sufficiently to write such a lovely review. Thank you so much.
Linda Hoyland
· 9 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
Poor Aragorn.You bring alive so vividly two or three sentences in the book.I love the way you show the extremes of despair and hope.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Linda. Two or three sentences is not nearly enough is it!
Larner
· 9 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
There remains hope, and his adar named him well as a child. Now, to live up to it that it come to him!
Author's reply
Yes, it must have been a bitter blow at first but he obviously rose to the challenge.
Thank you for your review.
shirebound
· 9 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
He might have asked him to remove a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown, such was the enormity of the task he demanded of him.
for all his high lineage, he had nothing but a broken sword to his name.
How could he ever hope to bridge the gulf between these two worlds?
Yes, it truly must have seemed that daunting and impossible! How skillfully you open to us Aragorn's inner journey from joy to despair to grief to hope to resolve. Wonderful.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Shirebound. They were so many emotions to work into this tale, I'm so glad you felt it came together OK.
Estelcontar
· 9 December 2008
· Chapter 15: Elrond's Decision
This is a beautifully poignant story, in which you give us a detailed and perceptive account of how Aragorn must have felt when he returned to Rivendell after his betrothal to Arwen. The expectation, the happiness, the wistfulness of returning to the place in which he had been happy and loved is all there, as also is the anxiety he must have felt about Elrond's reaction.
I couldn't agree with you more about how great was Elrond's love and affection for Aragorn, and on how he reacted to Aragorn's betrothal to Arwen. You can feel their love and affection for each other, and also feel how sad both are of having unwillingly hurt each other. You wrote a very moving scene indeed, I loved the part in which Elrond looks at Aragorn, sees Aragorn's heart to be as "open and trusting as when he was a child" and finds "the remnants of his anger dissolve to nothing".
You've made Aragorn's journey from despair to determination and hope look very convincing too. And the ending is just about perfect.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your lovely review. The relationship between Aragorn and Elrond is, I'm sure, a very complex one, but the bottom line, I don't doubt, was that they never stopped loving each other.
I'm so glad all this came through and that this chapter was convincing.
grumpy
· 7 December 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
Hi there, it has taken me awhile but I have finally caught up on your story, Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed it. I always thought it was neat that Galadriel played matchmaker, or just gave a helping hand to the two of them.
Author's reply
Hi grumpy, I'm delighted to know you're enjoying this story and thank you so much for your review. Yes, Galadriel knew what she was doing, didn't she?
jgmsccc
· 6 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
Yes. I can imagine a conversation just like this between Galadriel and Arwen.
I continue to love the way you combine your concepts with facts we know.
Thanks
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your review, I'm really pleased to know you're still enjoying this story.
Celeritas
· 5 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
Ah--Arwen's starting to feel the pain of mortality, I think! I loved the two seemingly contradictory (but both true!) visions in the mirror.
Good for Galadriel to be a support for her in these times.
Author's reply
Yes, life will never be the same for Arwen now and I'm sure she needed Galadriel's support in the years ahead.
Many thanks for your review.
Larner
· 4 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
Oh, but this is so beautiful! Considering my recent look at Galadriel and Celeborn's watching of Aragorn and Arwen together on Cerin Amroth, this is so in line with what I believe was Galadriel's rationale for dressing Aragorn as she did.
Beautiful and poignant!
Author's reply
I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this chapter, Larner. It must have been very difficult for Arwen to be left behind after Aragorn had gone. I imagine Galadriel played a further role in supporting her through all those long years she had to wait. I'm so glad we see this the same way.
RS
· 3 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
Oh Wow! I don't know what to say that hasn't been said already with all the lovely reviews I've read thus far! And I agree with them all!
Arwen's and Aragorn's love has always moved me and and I could not wait to see your take on it. Well you did not disappoint. But what I really love about this is that you wrote it in Arwen's perspective. And I agree with one reader... you've managed to capture Arwen's passion.
Her yearning for Aragorn just made this reader into a lovestruck fool! --"He turned to smile at me before he disappeared from my view."
Not only did you do their story justice, you also enhanced it!
This was BEAUTIFUL! And as always I cannot wait for your next update.
Author's reply
Oh you have so made my day with your kind comments. I did feel I rather chickened out of writing this head on from Aragorn's POV but it was fun to experiment and look at Arwen for a change.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter, thank you very much for reviewing.
Linda Hoyland
· 3 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
What a lovely scene for Arwen and Galadriel!I loved your vision of the banner for it explains why Arwen makes it while my favourite part was the vision of the child.
Author's reply
I'm glad you thought that about the banner too, and yes, Aragorn must have been overjoyed when he finally became a father.
Thank you so much for reviewing.
Fadesintothewest
· 3 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
Oh silly me!! Since this is written in first person, and because I saw the movies this holiday break with my family, when I first started reading this chapter the voice in my head was Arwen's (more like Liv Tyler's) throaty speech like qualities from the movie, LOL!
Thankfully that went away. I like how you construct Arwen's passion in such an elven manner. It is not too human, or consuming, as can be the case with new love in the Edain. New love takes us by storm. Arwen though is caught up in a different kind of tempest. I would never want to know what my future might hold. Even with those things that are a headache for me, *thinks about work politics*, I wouldn't want to see what may be. It's a heavy burden Arwen carries.
I was happy to read such a fine and respectful piece from Arwen's point of view!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your review. I find Arwen very difficult to write, I suppose because of her age and because she's halfelven, so I'm very pleased to know you enjoyed this chapter. Foresight, even without the influence of the Mirror, must have been a mixed blessing.
Liv Tyler has rather hi-jacked her now, hasn't she? LOL
utfrog
· 2 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
This story simply gets better and better. I am really enjoying it and thanks yoyou so much.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you're enjoying this story. Thanks for lets me know.
Tracy
· 2 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your story. I look forward everytime I see you've posted a new chapter. Thanks for not stopping.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Tracy, for your review. I'm so glad you're enjoying this story and I can assure you there's plenty more to come!