Silivren Tinu
· 16 March 2011
· Chapter 8: Rest, My Friend
Nope, he's definitely not tired at all! *shakes head and pokes snoring ranger* I really wonder how he ever managed to survive once Halbarad wasn't there any longer to take care of him! ;-) Loved it! :)
Author's reply
Thank you! Hee hee... I bet Aragorn didn't even budge at your finger poke. *g* And yeah, I imagine Halbarad, after his death, pacing endlessly along the shoreline, fretting that Aragorn would arrive too soon because he wasn't there to keep him safe and order him to bed when he wouldn't go voluntarily.
Glad you liked this. :)
Darkover
· 15 March 2011
· Chapter 8: Rest, My Friend
Dear Cairistiona: Well done! Even "the hardiest of living men" gets tired sometimes, and as usual, he got that way fighting battles and caring for other people. In this nicely-written drabble, you have summed up Aragorn's dedication, his vulnerability, and Halbarad's devoted friendship, all in just one hundred words! It is also a pleasure to read. That is not at all easy to do. Thank you for writing and posting this. Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
Thank you, Darkover! One of the things I like about Tolkien's handling of the Aragorn character is that he didn't make him invincible... there are several passages that tell of Aragorn casting himself flat on his back on the ground and falling asleep. Tolkien wrote him as a true warrior, catching sleep when he can. But I also think it's highly likely that Aragorn, like most people who live for others (for that's how I see Aragorn) at times pushed himself too far, relying on that "hardiest of living men" strength of his and forgetting that even he needs rest. He needs a Halbarad around to remind him he's still merely human!
Thanks for the review!
Fantasia
· 15 March 2011
· Chapter 8: Rest, My Friend
Halbarad, such a good kinsman, friend and soldier.
Author's reply
I just love Halbarad... he takes good care of his Chieftain! Thanks for reading. :)
Mirach
· 15 March 2011
· Chapter 8: Rest, My Friend
This is amazing! I love the story you told in a few setences, and all those thoughts between lines. In the few first words the entire image of the situation came to me, and it was a powerful image. Great job!
Author's reply
Thank you, Mirach! I'm so glad I captured the scene so well for you... drabbles can be so tricky in that you have so very few words to tell an entire story, so it's always encouraging to hear that I've managed it.
LisaG
· 5 March 2011
· Chapter 7: Forty-Eleven
Awwwwwwwwww! This was so very adorable! I love little Estel stories, but even more little Estel and "Gwofindo" stories! ;)
Author's reply
Thank you, Lisa! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. :)
Silivren Tinu
· 2 March 2011
· Chapter 7: Forty-Eleven
Aww, that was so sweet! LOL, if Glorfindel had to eat one honeycake for each year of his life on his last birthday (or rather, begetting day) that poor elf must have had the tummy ache of all tummy aches! :D
Author's reply
Thanks, Almut! Yes, let's hope Glorfindel didn't *really* have to eat 4,011 honey cakes. Or even 4,012. *g*
Darkover
· 1 March 2011
· Chapter 7: Forty-Eleven
Dear Cairistiona: I very much liked the ending of this. I like the idea that Aragorn/Estel was well-loved by the Elves who brought him up, that he was not just an obligation. Thank you for writing and posting this drabble, and a happy Aragorn's Birthday to you! Sincerely, Darkover
Author's reply
Thank you, Darkover! I think little Estel likely charmed everyone at Rivendell, Glorfindel included. He probably drove them all a bit nuts, as any little boy will do, but on the whole, I think he quickly made himself a home in all their hearts. I like thinking about how hospitable Elrond was, and how he assisted the Dunedain all those years... I'm sure his generous spirit and warm heart would have set the tone for all the Rivendell Elves in their attitudes toward the good folk of Middle-earth, little Estel not least of any of them. :)
And yes, happy Aragorn's Birthday!
Mirach
· 1 March 2011
· Chapter 7: Forty-Eleven
Lovely short story! Was it before or after the "peppermint sticks ransom incident"? If before, then we know who taught the number to Estel ;)
Author's reply
Thank you! And hee hee... yep, this predates the peppermint stick ransom. So now we know why Glorfindel insisted it was 4,011 and not 51 peppermint sticks. *g*
Fantasia
· 1 March 2011
· Chapter 7: Forty-Eleven
Beautiful, yes, I remember your forty-eleven number.
Author's reply
Yes, forty-eleven was a very important number to Estel when he was four. *g* So glad you liked this, and recognized the little tie-in. :)
Linda Hoyland
· 19 February 2011
· Chapter 6: Trust
What a sweet drabble!
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Ellie
· 18 February 2011
· Chapter 3: Quietsong
LOL! What a horrible comparison for Halbarad's voice. well done! All oof these drabbles are cute and nicely done.
Author's reply
Thanks, Ellie... Halbard's not got a very high opinion of his own singing skills, which does make me wonder what he must really sound like. *g* I'm glad you're enjoying this collection of drabbles and stories.
Larner
· 14 February 2011
· Chapter 6: Trust
Indeed, the proper name for him. As young as he is, he already has that appreciation in the depths of his heart.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! Exactly what I was trying to show with this... how even at such a young age, he had an almost instinctive understanding of things of hope and faith. Thanks for the review!
bookworm
· 10 February 2011
· Chapter 6: Trust
"And a child shall lead them" Loved all of these, but the last one especially. Young!Aragorn is so adorably serious!
Author's reply
Thank you, bookworm! I'm glad you liked these. With that last one I was trying to convey how innate Aragorn's faith really was, showing itself even at a very young age. The quote you give suits it well!
shirebound
· 10 February 2011
· Chapter 6: Trust
You put a big grin on my face with this adorable scene.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound... I just love picturing Glorfindel with little Estel. :)
Larner
· 1 May 2009
· Chapter 5: Rumors and Dreams
A fascinating conversation! Yes--one does begin to think...
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner... glad this gave you food for thought. :)
Silivren Tinu
· 30 April 2009
· Chapter 5: Rumors and Dreams
A good dream, indeed. ;-) It's a nice thought that at least some people are beginning to think more highly of rangers at that point. I wonder what they will say when Aragorn finally comes back as a king. :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Almut! I too wonder what these two might have said after Aragorn came back all Kingly. *grin* Might have to do a follow-up. And yes, however grudgingly, at this point some men are at least admitting the Rangers might not be ALL bad. Thanks for the review!
inzilbeth
· 30 April 2009
· Chapter 5: Rumors and Dreams
I love the idea that not all the men of Bree were blind to the qualities of the Rangers. Very nicely done.
Author's reply
Thank you! And thanks for the beta. :) I liked the idea that one or two of the men of Bree might have encountered a Ranger or two and thought them "not too bad". But still, that underlying bit of prejudice is always there... "for a ranger", as if "not too bad" is about all one could ever expect from a rascally looking Ranger. They did learn, though, in the end, of the Rangers' true quality! Thanks for the review!
Estelcontar
· 29 April 2009
· Chapter 4: A Hunt Stymied
“Ebery tibe I bove, I zdeeze." This had me chuckling out loud. I loved your alergic Aragorn. The poor ranger! I'm sure the deer are very thankful, though. *grin*
Author's reply
Thank you, Estelcontar! I'm glad you enjoyed this and got a chuckle out of it. And yes, I do think the deer were relieved! LOL I've had moments where if I even turned my head the slightest, it would set off sneezing. Miserable things, allergies. Thanks for the review!
Estelcontar
· 29 April 2009
· Chapter 5: Rumors and Dreams
A very touching drabble indeed. You made great use of my Bombadil's favourite quote. I believe this is a very faithful portrayal how the Bree people must have felt when they finally found out how much they owed to the Rangers.
Author's reply
Thank you, Estelcontar! That's also my favorite Bombadil quote (obviously, since I not only use it here but as the title for all my little drabbles and ficlets). It's such an evocative phrase, really a brilliant, concise description of the Rangers. And I'm with you--I do think that the Bree folk no doubt realized, however belatedly, the debt they owed to the Rangers. Thanks for the review!
Raksha The Demon
· 29 April 2009
· Chapter 4: A Hunt Stymied
Oh, poor Heir of Isildur, brought low by pollen! What kind of flowers/tree did the deed - I'm pretty hopeless at horticulture.
Funny vignette. Now we know the real reason why the Fellowship didn't set out from Rivendell until winter!
Author's reply
Thank you, Raksha! I think it may have been maple, if they had maple trees in Eriador. *grin* Or it could just be some sort of miscellaneous Middle-earth tree. Glad you liked this--and yes, we now know the real reason for winter travel. They couldn't have Aragorn alerting all the orcs with his sneezes. :)
shirebound
· 29 April 2009
· Chapter 5: Rumors and Dreams
Oooh, that's a poignant and very realistic snippet of conversation. I hope the Dunedain "Knights of the King" finally rode proud and respected after the War, and forever more.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound! I'm glad you liked this. I do think the Dunedain finally did earn their respect, even in Bree, after the events of the War. And I think, like my unnamed man in this conversation, a lot of people wished they had looked a bit more kindly toward those tall strangers lurking in the shadows. Thanks for the review!
Jancy
· 16 April 2009
· Chapter 4: A Hunt Stymied
Yuck. I hate allergies. I have them every year and medicine is always annoying to take. it's funny how I feel better when I read about other people having allergies, lol.
It would be even funnier if Aragorn was at the gates of Mordor and was sneezing while calling for Sauron to come out. But its a good thing it didn't happene because then it would be embarassing.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, Jancy, and yes, that would have been terrible to have had a sneezing fit in the middle of talking with the Mouth of Sauron! Just as well no trees bloom in Mordor. ;)
Larner
· 16 April 2009
· Chapter 4: A Hunt Stymied
As an allergy sufferer myself, I so appreciate what Aragorn's going through! Poor man--brought low by flowers! But then I have Halbarad's younger brother turning out to be allergic to a wasp sting!
Author's reply
Hee hee! Isn't it fun to inflict these minor miseries on the characters? Gives us something to relate to--I definitely have my own sneezing fits in spring and summer. Thanks for the review!
Silivren Tinu
· 14 April 2009
· Chapter 4: A Hunt Stymied
LOL! That story is so very fitting right now! All the heat and sunshine around here has not only caused all flowers, bushes, and trees to bloom, but also all kinds of allergies. *g* There's lots of sneezing coming from everywhere - poor Aragorn would fit right in. ;-)
Author's reply
We're bracing for oak pollen... it coats everything with a fine green powder. Nasty! I suppose it's the price we pay for spring, eh? Glad you liked this and thanks for the review, Almut!
Calenlass
· 13 April 2009
· Chapter 4: A Hunt Stymied
Ack, yes. Allergies. They're the death of me. Thankfully, they haven't gotten to bad yet at the moment, but I dread May...
Poor Aragorn. Feel better, soon, ranger? ;)
~Cal
Author's reply
I kind of figured everyone could relate to poor Aragorn in this. *grin* My sneezy months come in June and July... I can tell to the day when the alfalfa needs to be cut for hay. LOL
Thanks for the review!