demeter d
· 27 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
I see a thread, here. Many a fan-fiction author has written of the self-doubt that might have troubled Frodo when he thought about how he claimed the Ring at the last moment, and if Gollum had not been there, Frodo would not have destroyed the Ring. But far from having been a failure, his part seemed to be just to bring the Ring as far as he could. Another Bearer was on hand who was able to complete the Quest. Aragorn may have seen himself as having all of that responsibility on his own shoulders. But as Gandalf had once told Frodo about Bilbo's finding of The Ring, there are other Powers at work in this world besides the powers of darkness. It may be that the Powers who were really in charge of the Quest expected Frodo and Sam to share some of that weight. And in the end, by not being with the rest of the group, Merry and Pippin were able to be where they needed to be for their parts of the adventure. Beyond that, the younger brother who never expected to become a RULING Steward at all was probably in a better position to embrace the new role his office was to take in a new age, than was Boromir who was as tradition conscious as their father. In his calling on Elbereth for guidance, you show Aragorn coming to a willingness to be guided, as well as to lead. And that, I am sure the believers among us would say, is the point where you can most fully serve the cause of Light! A very good look inside that monent of change. And one more note,on names. They were both his "true names". Aragorn was for his role as born in the line of leaders of his people. Ellessar represented one of those leaders who was called for special work at a special time, and for more than just his Northern clan.
Author's reply
Thank you, Demeter, for your very considered review. You bring to mind Gandalf's words in Minas Tirith after the war: 'But that has been averted - because I met Thorin Oakenshield on the edge of spring in Bree. A chance-meeting, as we say in Middle-earth.' The implication, of course, is that it was anything but a chance-meeting! How much the other powers played a part, we can only speculate, but Tolkien was also a great believer in the importance of free will so I suspect there is a balance between the two and we all have to decide for oursleves where that balance lies. You raise some very good examples that are up for debate.
Yes, Aragorn is also very much his true name. Here I was influenced by Ivorwen's words in HoME VII: 'but I see on his breast a green stone, and from that his true name shall come and his true renown...' It is the line that prompted the Prologue to this story!
I'm very glad to know this chapter triggered off all that thought, and thank you again for leaving a review.
thughes45
· 26 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
I really enjoyed this chapter, but I was a bit surprised that you had jumped so far ahead into the story. I was expecting a chapter on Aragorn's thoughts during their trek in the Mines of Moria, and another chapter on their experience in Lothlorien. I was just wondering what made you decide to go right to the part after Boromir dies? Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing, I still think your store is very good. I would have just loved to have seen how you covered those parts from Aragorn's point of view.
Thanks for another chapter!
Author's reply
Hi, thank you so much for leaving a review and I'm so glad to know you're enjoying the story.
Yes, I do jump forward quite a way here. In part, that's because I didn't want to merely rehash the main tale in canon which is, after all, done considerably better by the man himself! Also, this story is very much written from the heart and it's those moments that capture my imagination, and that I'm inspired to write that get included, rather than it being a strict telling of everything that happened [for one thing, I doubt I would ever have finished it!].
As to why this chapter: it was on a re read of LOTR a couple of years ago that I noticed this gap and immediately wondered what was going on in Aragorn's head at that moment.
I would actually have loved to have written a conversation between Galadriel and Aragorn in Lothlorien but it's quite clear from canon that, regrettably, that just couldn't have happened.
Now that you mention it, a chapter following the fall of Gandalf would have been a good idea. Perhaps I'll do a one off on that one day!
Next up is a conversation with Halbarad in the Hornburg.
Celeritas
· 25 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
Given Aragorn's reticence, I thought it was very telling when in the books he expressed his self-doubt at Parth Galen. His thoughts must have been running something like this. Poor guy.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased you find this chapter realistic. I do think the stress was beginning to tell at this point so it was very fortunate that Legolas and Gimli arrived with less bad tidings than Aragorn was expecting.
Many thanks for reviewing.
Raksha The Demon
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
I'm glad for Aragorn's sake that this dark hour was soon mitigated by the realization that Frodo and Sam had struck out on their own. This was truly the nadir for Aragorn. I've always liked Aragorn better for it; his self-doubt, which was not undeserved shows his humanity, he is not just a Numenorean Superman, he can mess up and then has to pick himself up and continue the battle.
Author's reply
I couldn't agree with you more, Rasksha. His doubts and indecision make him very human while his ability to overcome them shows his strength. And once Gandalf has returned, I do think nothing is quite as bad for him again, even the Paths of the Dead.
Thanks for your review.
Estelcontar
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
I've never met anyone like you to get into Aragorn's head and see how he feels; at least, Aragorn as I have always pictured him. I am really impressed by how you can illustrate so well Tolkien's briefer words about our hero. I would call this story short and sweet, though it's not really sweet is it? Maybe bittersweet would describe it better. I think you've hit the right degree of despair and hopeless hope Aragorn must have felt at that moment, which probably was one of the worst, or maybe the worst in his life. I think that was the closest he ever got to despairing completely. And I felt that in your story. You really make us feel how conflicted he was.
I found the Elessar paragraph especially moving, and the tittle most fitting. Well done.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your review, Estelcontar. I'm sure this really was a very low point, if not the low point of the whole quest for Aragorn; his failure made all the worse by the weight of expectation others had placed upon him. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter.
Larner
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
In the end he made the right decision, and his logic proved right. It must have been a great relief to realize Frodo and Sam went east rather than being taken by the orcs. Now, to retrieve Merry and Pippin!
Love the internal debate! So Aragorn!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner. Yes, with the benefit of hindsight, it's easy for us readers to see how obvious was his course but not so for him at the time. And I'm sure you're right; how much worse would things have looked if Frodo and Sam had also been captured.
shirebound
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
Aragorn groaned out loud as he recalled over and over in his mind the list of things he had done wrong that day.
What an agonizing moment; the worst of them all. And yet onwards we must go, with hope or without it.
Author's reply
Absolutely, and how hard that must have been. Thank you so much for your review, Shirebound.
Cairistiona
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 28: The Doubter
Aragorn has had so many low points in his life, but this had to be one of the lowest. The full weight of the disaster lies heavily on his shoulders and you've captured his emotions well... he dances around despair without ever fully giving in, which is his strength, after all. I did have the thought that it's almost humorous, him thinking about Elessar as his true name, when he was also told his true name is Aragorn. I wonder if he ever wondered if someone else might come along and hand him some ancient token and tell him yet another name is his true name!
Well done, as always!
Author's reply
I so agree with you; it can't have got much worse than at this moment when everything had gone wrong, Boromir was dead and the hobbits and the Ring were missing. yet somehow Aragorn found the strength to pull himself together and carry on.
LOL! An interesting point! Thy true name is Trotter!
Thank you so much for your review.
RS
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
I love this! Sorry I haven't been commenting lately (darn computer crashed and the only time I can sneak a peak is at work....while I'm on break of course). But I have been keeping up and loving every update.
Next time I watch TTT I will skip the part where Elrond "bullies" Aragorn and read this instead.
I just love this!!!!
RS
Author's reply
Hi, RS, sorry about your computer but I'm glad you can sneak in a bit of Aragorn at work! And I'm so glad to know you're still reading and enjoying. LOL! I turn the sound down on that bit!
Many thanks for reviewing.
Celeritas
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
A good thing that Aragorn and Elrond have this matter settled before they're parted for what may be forever. Much, much better than movie!verse! :-)
Author's reply
I'm so glad you think so! I just couldn't bear for them to part, maybe forever, with this unresolved.
Celeritas
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 26: The Sons of Elrond
Poor Aragorn never gets a moment of rest! I'd rather wondered what the twins' news would have been, and the idea of some of it at least dealing with the stranger from the Southlands seems likely (I've read the idea elsewhere in fic, but when I just looked to try to find it couldn't). Ah, well--he'll have more than enough five-course meals after he's king!
Author's reply
LOL! I hope he never got to be a podgy king! I had the news down to three possibilities: Boromir, Sarn Ford and the Nazgul. Well, I didn't want to go there with the Nazgul and couldn't decide between the other two, so you got both!
Many thanks for reviewing.
Tracy
· 19 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
Thank you for another great chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Tracy, I'm very pleased to know you're still reading.
shirebound
· 18 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
What a beautifully-written parting. I really love it. And how interesting to realize that Aragorn would have to get used to a new sword, and such an inspiring one at that!
Author's reply
I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this, Shirebound. I guess Anduril was a bit different from any other sword he had used before.
Linda Hoyland
· 17 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
It is nice to see the "real" Elrond rather than the human hating film version. I like to think Aragorn had Elrond's blessing.
Author's reply
Yes, film Elrond's contempt for the other half of his own blood line was quite ridiculous. I'm glad you approve of my alternative version!
Linda Hoyland
· 17 March 2009
· Chapter 26: The Sons of Elrond
I love the way you answer many of the questions we wonder about here or should think more about like the the raid on Sarn Ford
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. I felt the news had to be something fairly drastic to cause Aragorn to miss an entire feast, something which must surely have been quite a treat for him.
Estelcontar
· 17 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
The Foster Son is one of my favourite stories of yours. I just loved the lyrical opening paragraphs in which you managed to use the physical description of Imladris to mirror and illustrate Aragorn's mood at such a crucial moment of his life. Furthermore, you managed to give us a most true to life portrait of how he must have felt at that moment. I do believe that must have been the hardest parting he ever had from Arwen, but at the same time one of the most hopeful ones because they both knew that one way or the other it was a decisive moment in their lives.
And mostly I loved Aragorn and Elrond's most touching and poignant farewell. If felt sooooooooooooo right, I have to thank you for writing it. Well done indeed.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Estelcontar, for your kind words. I find that line about Aragorn sitting with his head bowed so moving, it just cried out to be explored further. I'm so pleased this felt right to you.
Marethiel
· 17 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
It broke his heart that all the chances in the coming war would only bring grief to Elrond and he knew he would never completely be at ease with his own part in this.
Oh, my... This was so well done, Inzilbeth. I abhorred the movie version of their parting, and as I read your opening snippet from Tolkein, and then your backstory explanation, I sat here weeping. This is how Jackson should have filmed it!
Brilliantly done.
~Marethiel
Author's reply
Oh thank you so much, Marethiel! Should we phone him up and tell him? LOL!
Cairistiona
· 17 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
You've capture here so well the extreme sacrifice that Elrond made... it's heartwrenching, the scene where they embrace and Aragorn feels the full weight of the fact that his success will mean Elrond (and the Firstborn, all) will diminish and leave forever. It's little wonder Aragorn was reduced to tears after Elrond left him. What a burden for him to bear, on top of saving all of Middle-earth. Very well done!
Author's reply
Yes, so much rests on Aragorn's shoulders, and not all of it for the good. I'm glad all this came across, and that you so much for reviewing.
Larner
· 17 March 2009
· Chapter 27: The Foster Son
Oh, such a warm parting in spite of the grief that must accompany it. Alas that he knows his part in that grief, but joy that he knows that no blame falls to him in any way.
A warm, poignant chapter in a difficult tale, and one that does indeed mark the final transition from Ranger Captain/Elrond's beloved fosterling/Chieftain of the Dunedain to King of Men.
And love the recognition that Sam is now concerned for his own comfort as he is with Frodo. Ah, our Sam--always choosing the most worthy to love!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner, for your review. This was always a very difficult triangle of love; someone had to be the loser but I'm sure Elrond came to accept his loss in the end.
Larner
· 10 March 2009
· Chapter 26: The Sons of Elrond
Indeed, so it has often been with the sons of Elrond, having to put mirth aside to deal with the reality of a world endangered.
Lovely reason for why Aragorn was so clad that night.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Larner, for your review. I do wonder how often Aragorn dressed for dinner on his visits to Rivendell!
Estelcontar
· 10 March 2009
· Chapter 26: The Sons of Elrond
I really enjoyed your Sons Of Elrond. Aragorn must have been extremely worried about his rangers at Sarn Ford, and the way he reacted to the news in your story sounds very true to life. The loving bond between the foster brothers and their love and concern for Aragorn also came out very well; it was moving without being cloying.
Aragorn had indeed to be strong and know the time when he was allowed to morn, and the time when he was not. That was a very good point to bring out because it highlights really well the strenght of his will and the hardness of his life.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your review, Estelcontar. Aragorn must have had an awful lot on his mind right the way through LOTR which we, the reader never really got to see. he had to be very strong to cope with it all. I'm glad the foster brothers felt right too.
shirebound
· 10 March 2009
· Chapter 26: The Sons of Elrond
What a marvelous gap filler. You tie together so many loose ends in this chapter.
The man may be looking for a broken sword, but Aragorn very much doubted that he knew the sword came with an owner.
Indeed, he probably didn't imagine such a thing. It's interesting to see your take on this night, and imagine Aragorn preparing himself to speak and be seen at the Council.
Author's reply
I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this chapter, Shirebound. I do feel that at the Council, Aragorn brings up rather more than he needed about his ancestry. He does seemed very prepared and presents his case well. I do wonder though whether his absence was really nothing more than a leftover from the original scene which had Trotter doing the washing up!
Thank you for your kind review.
Celeritas
· 6 March 2009
· Chapter 25: Isildur's Bane
He knew he had just defeated the greatest enemy he would ever face in his entire life; himself.
So, now we're firmly entrenched in the "gapfiller" section of the story. Your temptation of Aragorn was highly realistic--I only hope he will continue to have the strength of mind to keep the Ring's voice shut out from him!
Looking forward to seeing where this is going next...
~Celeritas
Author's reply
Yes, how much to include or not; that was a big question! I hope you enjoy how I've handled it! Now I think you've earned yourself a cup of coffee after that marathon read! Thank you so much for all your reviews.
Celeritas
· 6 March 2009
· Chapter 24: Strider
Trotter! (Sorry, I couldn't help but squee at the reference)
A lot of this fic felt like a strategy game: lots of different pieces which we didn't know about in LotR because they weren't needed, set in place, just in case.
And I liked Bombadil's recognition of Aragorn! That was a lovely touch.
Author's reply
LOL! Yes, I couldn't resist the 'Trotter'!
It was very interesting to piece together all the behind the scenes stuff for this, though I wish there had been scope for more Bombadil.
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the review.
Celeritas
· 6 March 2009
· Chapter 23: The Journey to Mirkwood
I'm glad this picked right up from where you left off, continuing right on from Aragorn's injuries. And what a feat this journey was, too! It gives some vague idea of how well-travelled Aragorn actually is, since you actually went along each stage of the trip, reluctant Gollum in tow. I was also interested in seeing that Legolas recognized Aragorn in this story, as that's a fanon that's much up to debate. I think you characterized it just fine, though.
Author's reply
It WAS a heck of a long journey and fascinating to put together.
I'm guessing that Aragorn in his long travels would have been to Mirkwood at some stage. I can't imagine that Gandalf would have arranged for him to drag Gollum all that way unless he was confident he knew where he was going and could handle the route. As to Legolas, well as the Silvan's of Mirkwood have lost contact with their kin in Lothlorien, I very much doubt Legolas has ever crossed the Misty Mountains at this time. I take the view that he and Aragorn only met a couple of times pre Quest at the most.
Thanks for the vote of confidence though!