Larner · 14 July 2019 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
I love the wisdom of Aragorn! Well written!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! It was a fun story to write (though not so much fun for poor Brandir).
Guarding the Heedless Folk by Branwyn
Reviews (18)
Larner · 14 July 2019 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Now, that was quite the battle! I rejoice he took no more hurt.
Author's reply
Thanks! At least he has a great healer like Aragorn to take care of his injuries (though the Breefolk would have done their best).
Larner · 14 July 2019 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2
He at least appreciates the need to flee!
Larner · 14 July 2019 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Aargh, that apparently a northern wight has taken him!
Author's reply
As Tom Bombadil said, don't go meddling with cold stone or old wights!
Cairistiona · 31 December 2011 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Good grief, how on earth did I miss reading this wonderful tale before now?? Thank goodness for MEFA, that's all I can say about that, and thank goodness for me trying to squeeze in a few last minute reviews over there, or might never have found this. What a chilling, nailbiting affair this was! I love Brandir... what a brave, earnest young man, so hard on himself for his seeming failure to protect the Breelanders. And Aragorn! What a hero he is in this, arriving at the nick of time and then at the end dispensing some much-needed words of wisdom. You really did create a chilling and eerie story. Definitely one I will re-read each Halloween.
Larner · 19 September 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Wise advice from the greatest of the Rangers. And a perfect ending to the tale. Thank you for this!
Author's reply
I am glad that you enjoyed it, and thanks for commenting. :)
Larner · 19 September 2010 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3
How I love this fight! Excellent! Brandir did well for someone who had to make it up as he went!
Author's reply
Thanks so much! It was fun to write (though not much fun for the poor ranger).
Larner · 19 September 2010 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Wonderfully eerie! At least he's managed to get away from those who fail to realize the danger they're in!
Author's reply
Thanks so much! Yes, the Breefolk are in way over their heads. Author Reply: Thanks so much! Yes, the Breefolk are in way over their heads.
Larner · 19 September 2010 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Ooh--possession by one of the wraiths or wights of the place is NOT good! Now, to see the wight evicted from the poor Breelander's body! Glad they found him!
Author's reply
Remember how Tom Bombadil gave the hobbits such explicit instructions for avoiding the barrow-wights? It makes you wonder how many people had wandered in there and never returned. Brrr. Thanks for reviewing! (Strangely, your reviews only just showed up in my mailbox.)
Estelcontar · 9 September 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Wonderful story. I really enjoyed it. I usually don't like spooky stories, but that was most definitely an exception. I liked your Brandir he sounded so real. And I liked your Aragorn very much indeed. And the concluding paragraph was just perfect for me. Short, sweet and showing why Aragorn was such great chieftain, and his people loved him.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the kind review!
annmarwalk · 8 September 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
*Happy sigh* I feel for Brandir's frustration, his feeling that he didn't do anything right, and actually made things much worse. We all have days like that, don't we? Very insightful of Aragorn to give him space to recover, to stop and think, and make his decision to stay or go based on reason, not emotion. A very satisfying story!
Author's reply
He actually did quite well, but it wouldn't have seemed that way at the time. Glad you liked this!
annmarwalk · 8 September 2010 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3
OMG YAY! Here's Aragorn! What a great chapter - your trademark attention to combat detail, sight and sound, spooky moodiness, and the utter perfection of Brandir's POV.
Author's reply
Hee! And not a moment too soon. Thanks for the kind review. I love writing ghost stories (and the barrow-wights are the closest thing you'll find in the LOTR).
annmarwalk · 8 September 2010 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2
The sky was deep blue and soon would fade to black; faint stars had begun to gleam above the barrows. The torches sputtered in the gusty wind, while from the surrounding darkness came the scratch of dry leaves driven against stone. *stops biting nails long enough to gape at utterly beautiful writing* “One by one,” Tom whispered in Sindarin. That taunting voice is one of the creepiest things I've ever read. *resumes nail biting*
Author's reply
One of my favorite parts of the trilogy is the chapter "Fog on the Barrowdowns." The fandom definitely needs more ghost stories. :D Thanks for your kind review! Author Reply: One of my favorite parts of the trilogy is the chapter "Fog on the Barrowdowns." The fandom definitely needs more ghost stories. :D Thanks for your kind review!
annmarwalk · 8 September 2010 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
He began to feel the high keenness of the hunt That's a GREAT line, and something I don't know that I've seen in much Ranger!fic - that besides the altruism, and ancestral duties carried on through the generations, they love what they do - the challenge of the hunt is both their burden and their joy. I really like the way Brandir's confidence and leadership skills develop from his first evening of walking his rounds to actually performing the task he's been training for. That cliffhanger - Aaargh! *bites nails down to nubs*
Author's reply
Thanks for commenting. Don't laugh too hard, but I was thinking that Brandir and the other rangers are like sheep dog puppies who instinctively know that sheep are for herding. *grin* And there is also the joy of the hunt (or perhaps more accurately the joy of the adrenaline rush). Evil cliffie! Hee!
curiouswombat · 8 September 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
A spooky story indeed - well done.
Author's reply
Thanks! It seemed the right time of year to post it. :)
jgmsccc · 7 September 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
I really enjoyed this, thanks. I like to read about Aragorn and the Rangers
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for commenting. :)
Soledad · 6 September 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Oh, this is a truly lovely story... in a right spooky way! There are not nearly enough stories about either the Barrow-wights or the Rangers of the North; it's interesting to see them interact with the suspicious Breelanders. And I like your take on Aragorn.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I agree that we need more stories about the inhabitants (dead and alive) of Eriador. For some reason, I am fondest of Aragorn while he is still incognito. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I agree that we need more stories about the inhabitants (dead and alive) of Eriador. For some reason, I am fondest of Aragorn while he is still incognito.
Elena Tiriel · 6 September 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Well, that just left me shivering! And I'm pretty sure it's not entirely because I just spilled iced tea all over me.... LOL! I could so relate to the young Ranger and his attempts to honor all the advice his elder had given before he left, and his feelings of not being quite up to the challenges facing him... not least the treachery, based on distrust, of the Bree-folk, whom he feels he should be protecting from their ignorance. And the feeling that everything is just wheeling out of control.... Yep, that's pretty familiar. I'm glad Aragorn was there to assure him that he really isn't cut out for hoeing turnips, as much as he might believe it after such a thoroughly rotten day.... Nicely done, Branwyn! It's not Halloween yet, yet this is definitely appropriate for the spooky season. ;-) - Barbara
Author's reply
Thank you, and I'm glad that you enjoyed this fic! It was a great deal of fun to write, and yes, I am only too familiar with that feeling that everything is just wheeling out control!