Aspects of Aragorn by Inzilbeth
Virtuella · 2 November 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
Aya, Denethor hasn't got it easy! I can see how Aragorn would have unconsciously been a constant pain in Denethor's backside. I really liked the atmosphere of the banquet and how carefully Denethor prepared for it.
Author's reply
Yes, you have to feel a bit sorry for Denethor, having your father's favourite time up in time to spoil your big day, especially when he had gone to so much trouble. Many thanks for your review.
Virtuella · 2 November 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
Argh, I always get behind with these. You're posting too quickly for me. ;-) I found this first encounter of Aragorn with Denethor very cleverly done. Aragorn's ambivalent feeling between assertiveness and self-doubt are very well portrayed.
Author's reply
I post too quickly for myself as well! Thank you so much. Aragorn must have found it very hard just being the servant of the steward but all credit to the man for doing the good job that he did. I'm glad you liked this.
RS · 29 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
I really feel sorry for Aragorn in this chapter. I feel his pain and longing. Denethor is really a complex character.. his gloating with Aragorn's apparent discomfiture and awkwardness made me dislike him more, and yet his love for his wife and baby makes him a likeable character. And yet being second best to Minas Tirith's eyes and his father's...who can blame him for enjoying this moment! Etchelion's speech sure gave some comic relief to this chapter! Not his speech but the reaction to all who were listening...or should I say..NOT LISTENING! "At last Ecthelion finished his long monologue and, as he took his seat again, there was an almost audible sigh of relief from his guests before they broke into the customary round of applause. " --- HILARIOUS! And Denethor's "one-sided parlor game"... nice (must have been a real exciting speech!) I really enjoyed this chapter. Good Job! PS - I also read Raksha's "The Eagle's Gift" and like you, I couldn't stop thinking about it! It was a wonderful read!
Author's reply
Complex is a very good way to describe Denethor. I feel he has been rather tarnished by PJ's portrayal of him as a completely unlikeable, even evil, character. He did have many good points after all. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for your review. Yes, Raksha's tale was unforgetable!
Larner · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
And we see the rivalry deepen, relieved only because at last Thorongil has revealed he loves a maid, and things are apparently difficult there. At least Denethor has a valid reason to feel smug--for the moment, at least.
Author's reply
Yes, at the moment the score is about one all for Denethor and Aragorn out of my four Thorongil chapters! Many thanks for your review.
Larner · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
Ah--MARVELOUS! I love the thought of him sparring with Denethor and managing to best him like that. But, alas, he has bought himself a rival I doubt he wished.
Author's reply
Yes, a bit far fetched maybe, but fun to play with. Of course I had to let Aragorn win. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Raksha The Demon · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
I'm flattered that you took some inspiration from The Eagle's Gift. The rivalry between Thorongil and Denethor is fascinating, isn't it? The two of them doing the immovable object/irresistible force relationship back and forth...Here, Denethor approaches the apex of his personal happiness, and Thorongil appears to have very little; and Denethor is still unsettled, and makes some very good guesses as to Thorongil's relationship with the mysterious Lady in the North. A fine exercise in irony and intrigue.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Raksha, I'm so glad you were flattered and didn't mind. I wrote this chapter not long after you posted your story and as your tale was such a wonderfully entertaining one, I couldn't get it out of my head. In the end I stopped trying! And yes, they are fascinating; I so wish we had more to go on, but Denethor is definitely the one with the upper hand at this time which must have been hard for Aragorn. As Thorongil, he certainly showed his humility and his willingness to serve.
Estelcontar · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
As I've already mentioned a couple of times, what I liked best about The Rival is that you've succeeded in making us feel that Denethor started disliking Thorongil exactly because everyone else, including his father, gave Thorongil the respect, love and friendship that Denethor in his pride felt were his due. I've always thought Aragorn must have felt very lonely loving Arwen without being loved in return during those 20 some years before they met again in Lórien. The respect and friendship of his men, might have assuaged his pain a bit but completely. You can feel his loneliness, and intense longing in your story, and I like that very much.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar. Yes those years in Gondor must have been very strange for Aragorn. For all the success he made of his time there, he must still have felt set apart because of the secret he was guarding and longing for Arwen could not have helped either. And I'm sure you're right; Denethor's resentment increased only as Thorongil's popularity grew. Not for nothing is pride such a sin LOL!
Elflingimp · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
Just wanted you to know that I enjoyed your chapter greatly, I have never liked the way Denethor felt about Aragorn, in fact it made me dislike Denethor but I don't think he was a very popular character. I also felt Denethor's mind was messed up and with his wife dying I felt sorry for him, it was sad. Hugs Deb the Imp
Author's reply
Hi Deb, I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter. Poor Denethor had so many good qualities but unfortunately his pride, which is such a crime in Tolkien's world, over-shadowed them all in the end and does make him a more difficult character to like. Yes, his wife dying so young must have been very hard.
Celeritas · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
Poor Aragorn, being put under that kind of pressure! The last line was a real clincher--he almost pities the man, but not quite. Which is what sets Denethor apart from Thorongil and all of the characters in Tolkien's universe who are considered better than him. Another good short!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it. They were never going to be friends were they! It must have really irked Denethor that this 'nobody' was so admired and respected. In the next chapter though he figures out just who this nobody is.
shirebound · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
You really convey Denethor's intelligence, perception, and dedication to Gondor, and it's nice to see him in a rare happy moment. How shocking it must have been for Thorongil's men to eventually lose him, after bonding with him so strongly... and how amazing it must have been for those who were still in Minas Tirith after the War to see him crowned as King.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, and yes, one of all too few happy occasions for him. Denethor was really rather a tragic figure. Being an intelligent man, he must have known he was being unreasonable about Thorongil and yet just couldn't help himself. I think it must have been as difficult for Aragorn to leave as it was for his men to see him go and wouldn't it have been wonderful to have met some old campaigner in RotK who actually remembered Thorongil!
daw the minstrel · 28 October 2008 · Chapter 9: The Rival
You have to feel for Denethor. He was so gifted and so devoted to Gondor, and yet he feels as if he comes second to this stranger. I hope he had joy in his family in the days before his world darkened.
Author's reply
I so agree with you, daw, that I hope he doesn't come across as just plain malicious. If only he could have curbed that pride, he and Thorongil would have made a great team. I'm sure the death of his wife was a big factor in his decline. Many thanks for your review.
Tracy · 27 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
I think this story is really good. Thanks for writing it. I'm eagerly looking forward to your next chapter.
Author's reply
Hi Tracy, thank you so much for reading and for reviewing. I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
meckinock · 25 October 2008 · Chapter 3: Son of Arathorn
This was a heartwarming and yet fresh depiction of Elrond's revelation. Elrond's love pride, hope are obvious and yet because of his love, it's clear he regrets in some way having to place such a heavy burden on Aragorn's shoulders. The moment Aragorn holds the Ring of Barahir in his hands for the first time was such a powerful one. My favorite scene was at the end, though, when he goes to see Gilraen. Her happiness at finally being able to talk to her son about Arathorn made me smile.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed this. So many emotions must have been passing through Elrond's mind; yes, love, pride, hope as well as regret, fear for the future and possibly sadness that he was losing his son to his true father. And I'm sure the day Aragorn finally learnt who he was must have one of great joy for Gilraen. Thanks again for your review.
meckinock · 25 October 2008 · Chapter 2: Great Deeds
Estel grows up so much in this chapter. He's so adorably earnest and eager in the beginning! I can just imagine how long he's been pestering Elladan and Elrohir; it's a wonder they held out as long as they did. The unexpected meeting with the Dunedain had me feeling sorry for Estel that his brothers were not free to tell him his true relationship with Dirhael; but I felt even worse for Dirhael, not being able to embrace his grandson and talk about his daughter. Estel's reaction to seeing an aged Man was so believable - I loved the comparison between Dirhael's face and the rugged hills. And Estel and Halbarad's meeting made me smile even as I again felt sympathy for Estel realizing this was the first time he'd been able to make friends with someone his own age. And then we got to see Estel's first real battle. He behaved altogether believably, I think. His training prepared him for what he had to do, but his brain wasn't quite ready to absorb it all. Another scene that stayed with me was Galdor's death. It always strikes me how different Estel's upbringing would have been from most ordinary Men during that time. Nearly everyone saw death frequently and in many variations, and yet this would have been his first experience with it. I felt for him when he broke down and Elrohir embraced him. A lovely chapter. I'm doing my best to get caught up on my reading!
Author's reply
There was so much I felt needed to be in this chapter and I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. It was fun to imagine Estel as a wide-eyed, eager youth getting his first glimpse of Middle-earth and of Men, as well, of course of battle and of death. Yes, poor Dirhael. With the inevitable focus on Aragorn and his problems of adapting to life outside Rivendell, it is easy to forget those who were left behind and who no doubt missed him terribly in his absence. You're doing great at catching up! I only hope this means RL is giving you a break.
meckinock · 25 October 2008 · Chapter 1: Hope
A glimpse of a life about to change forever - gone so fast. I really like your interpretation of Gilraen - even though she's devasted and shaken, she still maintains control of herself and her role as Aragorn's mother - she accepts counsel but she's making her own decisions about her life.
Author's reply
Gilraen is one of those characters who is crucial to the story and yet frustratingly we know far too little about. I feel sure she must have had many of the attributes of her son and was a strong, determined woman who nonetheless made many sacrifices for the sake of her child. Thank you so much for reviewing.
RS · 23 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
Your description of Aragorn's first sight of Minas Tirith is breathtaking! Beautiful! I had to laugh at his introduction to Etchelion and Denethor--a bedraggled, hungry, shivering stranger (or should I say a wet puppy!) Can't he get a break? Poor Aragorn! And so the rivalry begins...on Denethor's part, anyway.
Author's reply
A wet puppy LOL! Yes, he has a long way to go before he becomes top dog! I'm so glad you liked that first sight of Minas Tirith; I felt it should be a special moment for Aragorn. Many thanks for your review.
Linda Hoyland · 23 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
This is an outstanding chapter. I love the way you set up the rivalry between Aragorn and Denethor.A nail biting dual indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Linda, I'm glad you liked the dual. I just loved the idea of those two getting off on the wrong foot from day one!
demeter d · 22 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
The sword sparring with a young Denethor seems symbolic of the mental sparring which will come later, as Denethor tries to puzzle out who this stranger might really be. Nicely done.
Author's reply
Thank you, that's an interesting way to look at it. The next two chapters will actually be told from Denethor's POV as he tries to do just that!
shirebound · 21 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
As usual, your details are marvelous, and truly make each moment of this story shine. Those of worth (such as Ecthelion) see beneath Aragorn's humble exterior and speech to a gem within.
Author's reply
You really know how to make my day, shirebound! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Ecthelion was a man of wisdom and I'm sure he would indeed have recognised that 'gem' as you so beautifully put it!
Estelcontar · 21 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
Every time I read this chapter I enjoy more the moment when Aragorn first glimpses Minas Tirith. It is such a vivid description that it makes made me feel as if I were there with him. And I think your portrait of Aragorn's uncertainty, expectancy and excitement is spot on. The duel is a most exciting scene, and had me on tenterhooks because I was afraid Aragorn would follow his head and let Denethor win. And yes, I loved seeing him for once forgetting what his head told him, and doing what his heart commanded.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar. I'm sure that first glimpse of the city must have been a magical and moving moment for him and, yes, I really couldn't let him lose to Denethor! I'm glad you thought this felt right.
Ainu Laire · 21 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
Oh, there went Aragorn, totally kicking arse! ^^ Pity Denethor did not like him from the beginning... if Denethor wasn't so arrogant, they could have been good friends, I think. It will be interesting to see where Ecthelion puts him at the start, and, of course, how quickly he climbs up in his ranks. Wonderful chapter, as usual. I enjoy reading these quite a bit.
Author's reply
Yes, it was a great shame that Denethor's pride prevented him from appreciating Aragorn's qualities. As you say, they should have been friends. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Laire. It's always fun to see Aragorn doing a bit of arse kicking!
Celeritas · 21 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
I've been following these for some time now and I thought I should let you know how much I've been enjoying them! I like how you just dwell on certain key events that we know happened, but we don't know much about, and once you've made one point you move ahead and make another and let the reader do all of the filling in. For this chapter in particular--I like that the tension between Denethor and Thorongil starts nice and early, even before the duel. It works particularly well for the style of this series. Looking forward to more! ~Celeritas
Author's reply
I'm thrilled you've been enjoying this story and thank you so much for letting me know. Many of these chapters were written as isolated stories years ago and before I had any idea of cobbling them together as a series, so yes, they do tend to be self- contained and designed to raise specific points. You are quite right, a long drawn out descent into rivalry between these two wouldn't work here.
daw the minstrel · 21 October 2008 · Chapter 8: The Servant of the Steward
I loved the first glimpse of Minas Tirith. From the angle you show, it's odd to think of Aragorn sitting on the throne there one day. And the guy is treading a really tricky line, as you show. Also, this is trivial but in this line the north wind rolling off the river suggesting snow I love the use of the verb "rolling."
Author's reply
Thanks so much daw, I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, and the 'rolling'! I'm sure Aragorn hated the deception that surrounded his many disguises but this must have been particularly difficult to maintain in Gondor. Seeing the throne must have been a very odd experience for him too!
Ainu Laire · 16 October 2008 · Chapter 7: The Horseman
Heheh! Aragorn needs to learn humility- a wise lesson from Gandalf. I have seen various interpretations of Thorongil's first days in Rohan, but I do believe that this is the first I've seen where he was mucking the stables on day one! To care for one of the mearas is indeed a promotion. It would have been rather, eh, unfortunate if the herbs didn't work. I hope that Thengel will soon see his skill not only with herbs, but with the sword as well. He may also be delighted in the fact that he speaks Sindarin... Morwen likely would. I do hope we will see one or two more chapters of his days in Rohan before we move to Gondor. Quite enjoyable- thank you for this.
Author's reply
Yes, nothing like working your way up from the bottom, and I'm sure Thengel will soon catch on that Aragorn has other, more useful skills to offer. I'm afraid that's it for Rohan though. Next up is Aragorn's arrival in Minas Tirith where there are will be several chapters. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Virtuella · 15 October 2008 · Chapter 7: The Horseman
I was a bit disappointed that this chapter was not about Aragorn visiting the Shire, but the exiting story made up for it!
Author's reply
Yes, sorry for that perhaps misleading end to the previous chapter. The basis for this story is that all the chapters have to relate to at least one quotable line from canon and so, as we don't know when Aragorn first met hobbits, I didn't attempt to write that story. I might start adding a note at the end of each chapter about where the story goes next to save disappointments in future. I'm glad you enjoyed the alternative though!