A wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas day with your family!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Radbooks! I'm glad you enjoyed this and let it be part of your Christmas this year. I did have a wonderful Christmas, thank you, and hope you did as well. Thank you again for reading and for the reviews!
Dear Cairistiona, just wanted you to know I loved this story and I hope there are more with Denlad in it, it was a wonderful Christmas tale with much warmth in it and I am so glad Denlad feels at home now. Please have a Merry Christmas! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Thank you, Imp! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and yes, more Denlad stories to come. He's a part of my version of the Dunedain and will always have some part to play in stories (well, except those that are set before he comes along!). Thanks you so much for the review and I hope your Christmas was a delight!
Thank you for this wonderful story, and merry Christmas to you too!
Author's reply
Thank you, Ellynn, both for the reviews and for the astronomy help. :) And I hope your Christmas was lovely and filled with all kinds of good things!
Ellynn
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 9: The Light of Hope
Awww, wonderful. I am just an observer, and my eyes filled with tears in the end; I can imagine poor Denlad was overwhelmed with emotions. Well done! :)
P.S. I see that astronomy lesson is learned well. :) *proud* :))
Author's reply
Thank you, Ellynn! And yes, LOL, I made sure I had the star right... it wasn't too tricky for this chapter as all I had to do was look out at the sunset that night. *g* But thank you for keeping me straight on all things astronomical! I'm so glad you were moved by this chapter... Denlad really deserved to finally get his pin! Thank you so much for the review!
This has been a most wonderful story from start to finish, beautifully written and thoroughly plausible. In each of your stories, Denlad has grown as a character and I can't imagine the Dunedain without him now! The Chieftain's Call is a great tradition and I can't help wondering if maybe this influenced the hobbit settlers when they first moved to the Shire and that this is where their tradition of giving presents on birthdays really came from!
Thank you for writing such a great read.
Author's reply
Thank you, Inzilbeth! That is such an interesting thought, that the Hobbits may have been influenced by whatever gift-giving the Dunedain may have done. Oh that we could ask the dear Professor his thoughts! But I'm glad you enjoyed this story and enjoyed watching Denlad's early days with the Dunedain--it was my hope to make him fit into canon as seamlessly as I could, so it's always wonderful hearing that readers now can't imagine him not being around. (And Denlad's *very* happy to hear that... he still has that bit of an insecure streak, you know! LOL) Thank you for all your assistance, often right up at the midnight hour. It would have been a far weaker tale without your helping me with canon!
*has a sudden strange vision of Aragorn as Santa Claus* I loved the tradition of Chieftain's Call! I certainly would have bid him come in, too. ;-) As enjoyable as Beorning’s Growl must undoubtedly be, I think I'd still prefer Aragorn to come in my house. *g* LOL, I have to admit that I was wondering if poor Denlad would have to drag a drunken chieftain home, too - I'm glad Aragorn only had to take a sip at each house. This story was a wonderful Christmas gift, Cairistiona, and I had lots of fun unwrapping it. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with us! :)
Author's reply
And thank you, Almut, for all your lovely reviews! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tale, and yes, Aragorn as Santa! LOL I did have that in mind when I wrote that the bag was burgundy velvet (red would have been too obvious LOL). I don't intend for Aragorn to be a precursor to Santa by any means but I thought it was a fun little image to play with, just a wee bit. *g* And I'm with you... much rather have a handsome, young dark-haired Chieftain than a man in a bear suit, much as I love Dirhael!
Again, thank you for all the reviews--I'm so glad you enjoyed this!
Silivren Tinu
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 9: The Light of Hope
That was beautiful! Poor Denlad - it was mean to make him believe he would never have a chance to get such a star. ;-) Well, at least he knows now that Halbarad doesn't always bite. I guess Aragorn must have been very pleased with Denlad's reaction to the gifts he had for him. I loved the oath of the Dunedain, btw. Great chapter! :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Almut! I think Aragorn was very pleased, yes, and grateful he was able to give them to Denlad as he planned and not have to hear that Denlad had found everything while Aragorn was gone. *g* And yeah, it might have been a teeny bit mean to make Denlad think he'd never get his star... but then I'm known to be a wee bit hard on my characters. *evil grin*
Thanks for the review!
Silivren Tinu
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 8: I Would Never Look
I love the bantering between Aragorn and Halbarad. ;-) I always enjoy the way you write the two of them together. They make a nice pair right now, one of them almost limping, the other one unable to lift his arm. I guess Ivorwen and Miriel won't be too happy. I'm already beginning to feel sorry for Denlad - I hope he'll survive Halbarad's first lesson, lol. Somehow I can't imagine him using the same method Aragorn did to make Halbarad back off. *g* Oh, and I completely agree with Aragorn - I have no desire to know where exactly Halbarad plans to put his feet. :D
Author's reply
LOL! No, I can't see Denlad stomping on Halbarad's instep, either! It'll be interesting to see how those first days of training go between the two of them. I have a feeling Halbarad may have to be a bit more gentle... which will likely make him want to tear his hair out. *g*
And yeah, I'm with you and Aragorn... where Halbarad sticks his feet is his and Miriel's business, thank you very much. LOL
Thanks for the review!
george
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 10: Epilogue - Chieftain's Call
Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Author's reply
Thank you, george! I'm glad you enjoyed this and I hope your Christmas was merry and bright!
Silivren Tinu
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 7: How Long Can a Blizzard Last?
It's really much nicer to read about a blizzard than it is to experience one. ;-) Not that I'm likely to experience one anytime soon. Denlad can't be blamed for his fears and his anger, but it really speaks for him that he was able to let go of them so quickly. Poor Aragorn should better beware - between Denlad and Halbarad, he'll probably be over-protected for a while. *g* I like how Dirhael and Ivorwen treat Denlad, I think it will soon be all but impossible for him to *not* feel at home with the Dunedain. :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Almut! I have to agree with you there... experiencing a blizzard would be no fun, to my mind. Far better to read about one in the warmth of a cozy home! And I do think that Aragorn needs a bit of overprotection. *g* Thanks for the review!
"Watching out for me already, are you?"
"Always," Denlad said firmly.
And so he shall. What a wondrous story. Thank you for this gift to us.
*applauds*
Author's reply
*blushes* Thank you, shirebound! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story and made it part of your holidays!
shirebound
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 9: The Light of Hope
Oh, what a glorious tale! You worked so hard to bring us the conclusion for Yule, and I've enjoyed every bit of it. This is truly an inspiring and marvelous story, full of wisdom and hope and belonging.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! It was a joy to be able to write this and present it to everyone for Christmas. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the support throughout! :)
I really liked the idea of the "Beornings Growl" LOL. As for Aragorn being so mature for his years; well he was raised by Elves. When your foster father and foster brothers are thousands of years older, I guess you don't get away with much. I'm sure Elrond had seen it all...:D Thank you for this wonderful story, especially for these Holidays when times are really tough for everybody. That's the essence of the Dunadain for me; when they were faced with oppression and loss and evil that was trying to wipe them out completely they stood firm and stood together. A good lesson for us all. Happy Holidays, and hopefully next year will be better for everyone.
Author's reply
Thank you, BeeGee! That too is something I greatly admire about the Dunedain--life was hard but yet they must have been able to cope and have joy nonetheless. That is definitely a lesson we can all take away from any story about the Dunedain or Aragorn--that joy does not depend on our circumstances. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story and thank you for the review!
BeeGee
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 9: The Light of Hope
On reading this chapter, I think I was nearly as choked up as Denlad when he got the Star! Wonderful chapter, I felt I was there. Wonderful story altogether!
Author's reply
Thank you, BeeGee! I'm always so encouraged when a reader tells me they choked up or got teary-eyed or yes, felt they were there, as you have said. It makes me know I did my job as a writer as well as I could have, and I thank you! So glad you enjoyed the story!
I love the tradition. (It reminds me a bit of Santa and his little helper. ;) And the role fits him.
In your story you showed a very different Aragorn from the one we normally see - it shows his "hope [that] dwelt ever in the depths of his heart, from which mirth would arise at times like a spring from the rock." And I absolutely loved it - very well done.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year, too.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you for using that quote... that is one of my favorite descriptions of Aragorn and what guides me most in how I write him! It's so gratifying to hear a reader say that a story of mine brings that quote to mind. And yes, he was a bit of Santa and his little helper, wasn't he? LOL
So glad you enjoyed the story and thank you again for this and all the reviews you've left. They're all so very encouraging! Have a lovely New Year!
What a wonderful story- I love the development of your OCs as well as canon characters, as well as your own take on the Dunedain. I also don't view the stars as a symbol of rank- I would think every Dunadan Ranger has one. I also see the stars passed on from father to son, extra ones being made when there are too many sons, or old ones given to the chieftain if a widow (and sonless) of a fallen Ranger does not want it anymore.
Your explanation of that old Scottish tradition is really neat- I had never heard of such a thing before. The chieftains are basically Middle-earth's version of a good-looking Santa. I can deal with that XD
What a lovely mettare tale, I loved it.
Author's reply
Thank you, Laire! I'm glad you liked this little tale of mine. :) I had never heard of that tradition, either (and hope I have the details right--I was relying on various online sources and you know how that can be). It just seemed a perfect fit for the Dunedain, with some major tweaks. And yes, I do think the star pins likely had to be made anew at times, but I have to wonder how many extras Aragorn likely had, as a result of the long dwindling of the Dunedain. So many men likely died before they ever had sons, which is a very bitter thing on which to think. It's those kinds of things that leave us little wonder that Aragorn's mirth lay deeply hidden... but thank goodness it did spring up now and then!
Thank you for the review!
Vilwarin
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 9: The Light of Hope
O, I love this. Aragorn's interaction with his people just fits - a mix of much humour and tradition. You can easily see that he loves them and they love him in return. And I agree with Halbarad that he gives a fine speech. ;)
Author's reply
Thank you, Vilwarin! I'm so glad you enjoyed this... I do think Aragorn likely was the most beloved of all the chieftains, and I tried to show some of that with this chapter, even though the focus was more on Denlad's situation than Aragorn's. I'm glad you found I was able to show that mutual love between Aragorn and his people even while writing from Denlad's POV, because that's a vital part of Aragorn's background.
Thank you for the review!
Thank you for a lovely holiday gift. This is a beautiful story that I will likely reread each year.
Blessing to you and yours.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you, utfrog! It's lovely to know that a story will become part of a reader's Christmas traditions in the future! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and yes, blessings to you and yours as well this holiday season!
Canafinwe
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 8: I Would Never Look
Ooh, this was a Halbarad-tastic chapter! Poor man: you had me wincing in sympathy when he was walking his horse on frost-bitten feet! But more delightful still was the banter between the Ranger and his Chieftain. The teasing, the innuendo intended to embarrass the bachelor, the staunch love and loyalty that shine through it all... delicious!
I must say, though, that I found one passage awfully hard to bear. The exchange proceeds as follows:
"I am still not certain my oath extends to drowning in stagnant, muddy waters."
"You dried out."
"I came up with leeches clinging all over me!"
"But you lived."
"I hate leeches."
"But you lived."
Oh, the bitter irony. It hurts so much, especially in this scene where we see these two bantering like the dear friends they are, that Halbarad did not survive to see Aragorn crowned -- and that Aragorn had to come to victory only after losing his beloved kinsman. The hopeful note that comes with the reminder that Halbarad has a son, who doubtless will be raised to serve his Chieftain with love and devotion, does only a little to offset that sobering reminder. Brilliantly done!
You bring us back quickly enough into the good-natured needling. "Evil streak" indeed! Poor Aragorn: Halbarad has a vicious tongue on him!
And they're headed home now. Yay! Belated Mettare celebration imminent!
Author's reply
Thank you, Canafinwe... you know, you've given me a new perspective on that bit about the leeches and surviving, because to my mind I was thinking only of the teasing, since in my own little "universe", neither Halbarad nor Aragorn have had any sort of foresight about Halbarad's death (although I do believe they both knew of it long before the moment Halbarad speaks on the Paths of the Dead, just from the way Aragorn doesn't really address it there. I think had Halbarad laid that on Aragorn at that moment, Aragorn would have surely reacted more). Anyway, I digress a bit, but yes, it does make that passage very bittersweet, doesn't it, that we as readers know what will transpire in the years ahead. But thankfully, for this light moment, the two of them are blissfully unaware.
And yes, Mettare ahead! Tomorrow will come the final chapter, and the epilogue. I'm going to go ahead and post both since it's Christmas day, so that those who find time can enjoy the conclusion of the story as their Christmas gift from me. :)
Thanks again for the thoughtful review!
Canafinwe
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 7: How Long Can a Blizzard Last?
Aww... Denlad is so eager to be helpful! Ivorwen seems to understand his need for occupation all too well: hence the moving of the spinning wheel, I think. (That, of course, and she surely does need it nearer the fire).
Poor boy. He's so sweet to fret over Aragorn's wellbeing, but it's putting him through an agony of worry. I'm glad that Dirhael was able to offer a little perspective, though I'm afraid this will only cause Denlad more distress when Aragorn heads off on his next adventure!
You capture perfectly the stalwart, selfish devotion to duty that is the epitome of Aragorn's character. Thank you for expounding so beautifully upon his motives, and for pointing out the most important truth: that it is this quality of self-sacrifice that will make him a worthy and extraordinary monarch. "He must live today as he hopes someday to rule." Perfect. Simply perfect!
On a meteorological note, that silence after the blizzard died suddenly away was perfect! Been there...
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Canafinwe! I'm glad so much of this hit the mark for you. I do think that it would be very hard to have any respect for a king who did not live his life as such even when "no one was looking", for it is in those unheralded moments that our true quality shows, for good or ill.
And yes, Denlad's definitely going to have to learn to find a way to offset the utter panic that seems his bent when Aragorn puts himself at risk! Denlad's far too young for ulcers, after all. :)
Sooo glad the meteorological details are accurate... while I've not experienced a true blizzard we have had short storms where when the wind finally did stop, the silence filled the ears almost like cotton wool. It's an odd feeling, that, but always a relief!
Thanks so much for the review!
Vilwarin
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 8: I Would Never Look
Thanks a lot for this light-hearted chapter. I had a miserable day and this cheered me up again. Love the banter.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm sorry you're having a miserable day... but I am glad this helped ease things a little. Thanks for the review!
shirebound
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 8: I Would Never Look
What a wonderful conversation, so full of wisdom and love and gentle teasing. My favorite kind!
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! Glad you enjoyed it... I love it when Halbarad and Aragorn get into it with each other. :)
Marethiel
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 7: How Long Can a Blizzard Last?
Oh, I loved this chapter! Denlad's wonderful spirit is being so gently and carefully moulded by Dirhael and Ivorwen; how lovely it would have been for a little Aragorn to have enjoyed his Ada Dirhael and Nana Ivorwen as little Halbaron does! Oh, well, if wishes were horses...
Anyway, it's wonderful to see the wind die at last and hope for seeing their men come home.
I swear, reading this is like reading a history of my OWN country, my OWN people, and I have to sternly remind mysef that Elros isn't my ancestor, too. Your writing makes their past so personal, so intimate, that I feel like a youngling hanging on Ada Dirhael's words myself!
A joyous Yule, Merry Christmas and Happy Whatever to you, dear one. Your talent has brought me much joy this year.
~Marethiel
Author's reply
Thank you, Marethiel! I'm very flattered by your kind words, my goodness! I'm glad this is resonating so well with you. I think in many ways what Denlad is experiencing is a universal experience, at least among those who have had the joy of knowing a grandparent or even a wise uncle or family friend--anyone who has imparted the wisdom of their years to us. And yes, now the men will be coming home, hooray!
For me, it's Merry Christmas... and I hope that you have the most joyous holiday as well. Thank you for all your encouraging words, which are the perfect gift. :)
Larner
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 1: On the Outside Looking In
It's time to belong somewhere, it appears! Nice to learn the backstory for Denlad.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner! I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about him. :)
shirebound
· 23 December 2009
· Chapter 7: How Long Can a Blizzard Last?
Perhaps he need only do the thing that those forces of good required of all men. To be compassionate. Kind. Brave. Loyal. Wisdom seemed beyond his reach, but surely he could do those things.
Surely we all can! There's a lot of wisdom in this story.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! Sometimes I do think we put too much pressure on ourselves to do Great Things, and I think Denlad had it right... compassion, kindness, bravery and loyalty go a long way. :)