What a beautifully moving story. I enjoyed the way you managed to make the entire story about Aragorn even if he was not present in it for a single moment. You have a point in there, you know. Most of us have a tendency to forget that the years of betrothal must have been as hard on Arwen, or even harder than they were on Aragorn. After all, he was up and doing, and she had to watch, look after him from afar and wait, and waiting may be very, very difficult.
I loved the paragraph in which Arwen mentions that they can hope to enjoy a life together. I've always imagined her as someone who had never relinquished hope, and that's what you've given us there.
The visions are wonderful. The one at Mount Doom is very dramatic. I could see Aragorn's determination and sadness.
Aragorn and Arwen's meeting and Eldarion's birth are a joy to read. I love the way Arwen senses Aragorn's pain and loneliness, but also the purity of his spirit. And Eldarion's birth is so touching. It must have been a seminal moment in Aragorn's and Arwen's life, and you can feel that in your story..
A very poignant and lovely tale indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. I too sometimes think Arwen had the worst of it.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the visions. This story came about when I was rereading LOTR one time and wondered who else might have looked in Galadriel's mirror. Such a useful device must have been used often by those in need of its powers.A lovelorn Awren was an obvious choice!
shirebound
· 2 December 2008
· Chapter 14: Arwen
What a beautifully-written chapter. This is truly one of the great loves of all time, all the sweeter because of how long they had to wait to be together.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, shirebound. The story of their love, never fails to move me either.
Fadesintothewest
· 2 December 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
I have been waiting for your take on this part. I have always loved the tale of Aragorn and Arwen, but there is also such sadness in it. I imagine that the death of Aragorn will be a difficult chapter to write, that is if you are planning to write it, I hope!
Aragorn is as he should be in your story, just as I imagine him! I love it when authors grasp the essence of a character which you have done! The weaving of your narrative with the glimpses into Aragorn's life provided by Tolkien is wonderful!
Galadriel, just as a grandmother should be, pushing things along, smoothing the road.
Author's reply
I can't tell how much pleasure it gave me to receive your review. I too love The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen. It is my favourite part of the book and still moves me to tears. As a writer, it is hugely important to me to at least attempt to protect, in as far as any fan fic writer can, the integrity of Tolkien's characters, so you can imagine how thrilled I was by your kind words.
Thank you so much for your review and I'm so pleased to know you're enjoying the story. [Yes, Aragorn's death is already written!]
eiluj
· 26 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
Nice way of mentioning Finrod's ring. I wonder how many times in the last seven thousand years Galadriel has seen it?
I like how you've handled the three elf warriors, and the logic they use in deciding what to do with this unexpected and unprecedented visitor.
"The Elves spoke softly among themselves" -- Even if they were speaking Silvan, shouldn't Aragorn understand at least some of it? Perhaps most of it? Yes, Frodo had difficulties with Silvan, but he wasn't raised in Imladris. [And what language had the elves initially used to address Aragorn? How did they react to his fluency in Sindarin, assuming he replied in Sindarin?]
I also like what you've done with Galadriel's reasoning.
"Clad" is the past participle of the verb "to clothe."
Write on!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for reviewing, I'm glad you enjoyed Galadriel's reasoning; there was a lot to sort out there.
Gosh, language details! Well, I don't think Aragorn is actually able to hear what the warriors are saying at that point. Perhaps I should have made that more clear. As I didn't state a language used by either Aragorn or the warriors, I'm going to claim it to be Westron which is always my default option LOL. I'm also assuming that at least one of the warriors can speak it as we know there were a few who could. I'm not entirely convinced though that Aragorn would have known much Silvan at this point in his life. If there were Silvan Elves in Imladris they would most likely have arrived there either after the war with Sauron when Imladris was first built or after the Last Alliance. Their numbers would probably have been few and I imagine that by the end of the Third Age all the Elves in Imladris spoke Sindarin. Neither do I think it likely, as he's been in Rohan and Gondor for so long, that he's spent any significant time in Mirkwood which is the only other place he could have learned to speak Slvan.
I'm glad you liked the bit about the ring. To be honest, I was half expecting to be pulled up on that as it might be thought to be stretching credibility that an Elf who had actually seen it before and knew what it was should be a warden on the border of Lothlorien!
Linda Hoyland
· 26 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
I like it very much that you,like me,believe Arwen was impressed when she first met Aragorn. A lovely chapter.I just wish i could see Galadriel combing Aragorn's hair!
Author's reply
Yes, those hints about her laughter being heard less often I'm sure tell a tale. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter and I quite agree about Aragorn's hair!
Many thanks for your review.
jgmsccc
· 26 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
These are really great expansions, but I enjoyed this last one so much that I had to comment.
I found that I imagined Galadriel doing and thinking the same things as you.
Thanks for putting these on paper.
Author's reply
I'm delighted you enjoyed this chapter and thank you so much for letting me know. It's a relief when others agree with my interpretations of events as I do try to stick with the most likely and plausible scenerios.
Larner
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
Ah, this is so much as I also have seen it, with Galadriel recognizing the need for Aragorn to know hope in his own heart.
I love seeing him for the first time dressed as he was born to be! So mighty a man he was!
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you thought so. When I read your Galdriel and Celeborn story the other week, I hoped you would.
Arwen didn't stand a chance really, did she? LOL
Thank you for your review.
Elflingimp
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
Ahhh! That was beautiful! I am floating on cloud nine after reading this! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Your reviews always make my day! *hugs* back.
Estelcontar
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
Ever since I first read LOTR I've wondered why Galadriel so favoured Aragorn and Arwen's love, and long ago I came to the same conclusion you did in your story. Being such a wise-hearted Lady she must have known how good, just and generous Aragorn was, but she also must have known what kind of lonely life he led, and how utterly essential Arwen's love would be for him if he were to succeed.
So, I can't tell you how glad I am to see this point of view so well portrayed as it is in your very perceptive story.
I loved the ending and Aragorn's surprised "I look like a king!". Trust Galadriel to be the one to show him his potential.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, estelcontar, I'm very glad we see Galadriel's motives the same way. She's such a wise and compassionate lady, and I think it's sometimes forgotten that she also made a huge sacrifice herself by setting up this union.
daw the minstrel
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
I like the way you explain why Aragorn goes to Lothlorien and also why Galadriel chooses to help him with Arwen. You do such a nice job of setting up his need to regain his optimism.
Author's reply
Thank you, daw, I must admit it was quite a job to get all those motives and explanations to come out in a readable order.
shirebound
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
At his core was a loneliness that was slowly crushing his heart and his hope.
How heartbreaking, and it must surely have been this that Galadriel sensed. Your story is so logical and plausible, I'm sure everything happened in exactly this way.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound, and thank you too for highlighting the line that I hope sums up Galadriel's motivation.
Celeritas
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 13: King of Men
Excellent setup; I hope you have the next scene planned as well because I'm an unrepentant shipper and was just a mite disappointed when the tale cut off where it did. ^_^
The moment when Aragorn spoke his true name was a wonderful moment; just that must have helped the years fall from his shoulders. I really got a good feel for how much the past decades had changed him.
For him there was no ring of power to aid him; he was just a man and whatever strength he possessed, he needed to find from within himself.
Yes! A wonderful, true statement without becoming The Attack of the Humanists.
Ah, that conniving Galadriel. I love reading all of the different takes as to how much she saw at this point and how much she actually did to cement the Aragorn and Arwen's devotion and why she did so.
Looking forward to what you've got next week!
Author's reply
Oh gosh, I'm always so worried when anyone says they're looking forward to next week as I'm so afraid I'll disappoint! Yes, it was mean of me to cut at that point but I'm so glad you enjoyed the 'hero' moments. They're always my favourites, though it was an interesting exercise to unravel all Galadriel's motives.
Thank you so much for your review and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Fadesintothewest
· 21 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
I read the entirety of these lovely aspects of Aragorn's life with much pleasure. I try not to get sucked up into great stories as I am swamped by work, but with good stories such as these, it is near impossible.
I felt Aragorn's thirstiness, the hot sun beating down on him. I am from the desert, oh and I love the desert, but I know it can be cruel. I was happy to read this day in the life of the folks seen as enemies.
"The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is... where he came from. And if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there... in peace. War will make corpses of us all."
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your review. I've never been to a desert so I'm especially thrilled to hear from somebody who comes from one. I'm very relieved this was convincing and delighted to know you still read my story inspite of work pressures.
And that's a wonderful quote, and very appropriate for this chapter. Thank you for reminding me of it.
Ainu Laire
· 20 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
I especially enjoyed this chapter. It's a good way to look into the hearts of men, and see that even those who belong to an enemy land may be good people too.
Wonderful work, as usual.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed this glimpse into the hearts of men!
Celeritas
· 19 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
What makes this tale particularly fascinating is that if it weren't for one unknown character and the goodness of his heart, Gondor wouldn't have had its king.
A good showcasing of everyday people--and what impact they can unwittingly make.
And those desert descriptions were brutal!
Author's reply
That's a very good point. When you think of the life Aragorn led, it probably was amazing that he came through all those years of trial unscathed. I wonder how many other unknown characters contributed, unwittingly, to his survival.
Many thanks for your review.
Estelcontar
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
As I told you twice already, I loved The Spy. It's one of my favourite stories of yours. The contrast between the bleakness and desperation of the desert, which in a way must have been a reflection of Aragorn's mood during his travels in Harad and Mordor, and the delightful, homely scene in the Haradrian village, which made him realize it was time to return home was just about perfect.
And in a way it does explain Aragorn's treatment of the prisoners after Sauron's fall. I've found this story very moving.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, I'm glad this is one of your favourites. Aragorn was very wise to travel to all these lands and I'm sure that what he learnt there would have swayed his treatment of the prisoners after the war.
Larner
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
Beautifully vivid, this examination of a land not his own, his succoring by someone unknown.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner.
demeter d
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
Vivid images. This piece reminds me of Moses's flight through the desert in the old Cecil B. DeMille movie. He, too, woke in an oasis surrounded by good people. Your written description here creates every bit as real a picture for me as my memories of the movie. And I agree, the people of that village would be where he would start to make peaceful connections after the war.
Author's reply
I remember that film too! And thank you so much for your kind words about this chapter.
I feel sure Aragorn would have returned to that village after the war. It's the sort of thing he'd do, isn't it?
Cairistiona
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 2: Great Deeds
This is such an emotional chapter, from the highs of Estel's eager enthusiasm to finally go on winter patrol to the lows of his facing the death of Men for the first time. Very wrenching, that scene. I absolutely love Elladan's care of Estel after the troll battle. And what a battle that was! I've read it several times over but each time I find myself holding my breath, hoping Estel and Halbarad survive. To me that's the sign of a well-told battle. :) And I did have to laugh, not because of your story but because of my faulty brain: I was trying to remember which authors write a younger-than-Aragorn (or same age) Halbarad and completely forgot about your version being a year younger. Swiss cheese for brains, but it was lovely to be reminded as I read this chapter again. I also really liked the mirror view of Estel and the Dunedain--Estel watching them and thinking almost idly of their failing hopes for a king, and they consumed with quiet joy that their king may have just stepped among them unbeknownst. I sometimes think that's my favorite paragraph in the entire chapter.
Author's reply
I'm so thrilled you liked that battle. They're not easy are they?
There was so much to fit into this chapter but Estel's first thoughts on the Dunedain and their first thoughts on their chieftain were definitely among the most important, to my mind, so I'm particularly pleased you enjoyed that part.
Many thanks for your review.
Cairistiona
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
Ooh, I so love this chapter! The details you give on the setting make me feel the sun and scorching sands burning against my skin. And poor Aragorn--you really put our Ranger through it in this one. I'm so glad the unknown goat herder found him! Very nice chapter, up there at the top of the list.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like this one and that it all seemed so vivid and, yes, poor Aragorn. He'll be only too pleased to be on his way back home.
Many thanks for your review.
Elflingimp
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
It never ceases to amaze me how people who you think mey be your enemies can also have kindness and be just like us with hearts and lives just like us, this was a wonderful piece and it is so nice to read such a good story. Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Thank you so much, and that was exactly what I hoped to portray. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Hugs back!
daw the minstrel
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
It's very hard to picture this time in Harad and Rhun, and this is a fascinating version. Poor Aragorn! It all sounds so painful. I love the image of the stranger caring for him in this simple village. I guess kindness does exist everywhere.
Author's reply
I had exactly the same problem which is why this chapter is so short LOL!
I like to think he found as least a few friends wherever he went, even in Harad and Rhun.
Thank you for your review.
shirebound
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Spy
This chapter is very moving. How he will appreciate home and family, especially after such an ordeal. And I know the kindness of this settlement will be remembered after he becomes king.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you were moved by this chapter.
Yes, Aragorn was very merciful and I'm sure personal experience played a part in that.
Thank you for your review.
meckinock
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 11: Flight of the Eagle
I risk my neck almost daily to try to keep these lands safe and free from evil. What more would you have me do?”
Oh, a lot more. A lot.
Because we know how the story ends, it's so easy to just take for granted the events of Aragorn's life because we know they had to happen that way. But you've taken us into the moment and shown us how very hard it must have been to live in those moments. This must have been one of the hardest - he had a home he loved, a job he loved, as much security as a man could have in Middle-earth; an entire life and identity he had built there; status and friends and a respected place in society. How hard it must have been to shed it all like a second skin and just walk away. You've done a great job of bringing home what that must have felt like.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree that this must have been one of the hardest things ever asked of him. It would have taken enormous courage to walk away from all that life he had made for himself, especially to head east into Mordor. But that, I guess, is the measure of the man!
I'm so glad you thought that came through in this chapter.
meckinock
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 10: The Ring of Barahir
I think what I like best about this chapter is the quiet confrontation at the end, with all that is left unspoken. Oh, and Thorongil's evasion of not knowing the exact name of the Noldor smith in Valinor LOL. Denethor's frantic mental gyrations as he struggles to solve the puzzle of the mysterious ring are also hugely entertaining. As with the last chapter, you make the chess game between Denethor and Thorongil absolutely tantalizing and I hope you write more about these two characters.
Author's reply
I think a look at what happens next would be great fun to do. When they next meet they'll both know what the other knows and neither will say a word. That should be very interesting to explore. Of course, I'm dying to know how your Denethor gets himself out of his predicament!
Many thanks for your review.