A Long and Weary Way by Canafinwe
UTfrog · 20 November 2013 · Chapter 10: Down the Long Stairway
Too stubborn for sure, but that has to be what saved him many times. Your writing is very powerful. Thank you.
Author's reply
I think it was: in the battle of the Palantir, for instance. Thank you as always: you're very kind!
UTfrog · 20 November 2013 · Chapter 9: Spider-Shadows
If I had read this chapter last night, I would have had nightmares for sure. This is even more frightening than Frodo and Sam's encounter. Great writing. Thank you.
Author's reply
Hee. I seem to recall having nightmares writing it... Aragorn has the size advantage, but at least Frodo and Sam had each other -- and the Vial!
Elentarri · 20 November 2013 · Chapter 9: Spider-Shadows
Brilliant! I love this story and the daily updates. I don't think I could survive the suspense if you didn't update so frequently! :)
Author's reply
Thank you so very much! I'm thrilled to know you're enjoying it, and I'll do my best to keep the updates coming. I hope you enjoy the new chapter!
Marianel · 20 November 2013 · Chapter 9: Spider-Shadows
Poor Estel, luckily he got away whole, well almost ! A wellwritten and very very exitiing chapter .tThumbs up!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I'm delighted it came across well, though I fear that 'Poor Estel' is the theme of the story...
shirebound · 19 November 2013 · Chapter 8: A Web of Darkness
What a truly horrid experience for Aragorn. I doubt any, even Black Riders or the Dead, truly frightened him much after surviving this.
Author's reply
Horrid is the very word! Certainly I think he was not as afraid as he ought to heve been at Dunharrow. Thanks for another lovely review!
UTfrog · 19 November 2013 · Chapter 8: A Web of Darkness
I was afraid that you had sent him to Shelob's lair. It makes sense because we know Gollum was aware of her location. I have no idea how you plan to get him out of there but I hope it will be fast. Great job!
Author's reply
Yes, between Gollum's friendship with her and "Aragorn could perhaps have told them that name and its significance" (from 'The Black Gate is Closed') it really is only logical. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter even with its unpleasantness.
Noruinivel · 18 November 2013 · Chapter 1: Wasted Years
Ooooh I am so excited to see this story here! Thank you Canafinwe--you do a fantastic job portraying one of the most compelling gaps in Tolkein's series. Poor Aragorn might not agree with me, but this is a truly marvelous tale!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I'm delighted to know you're enjoying it... though as you say I'm sure that Aragorn is not.
UTfrog · 18 November 2013 · Chapter 7: Beneath the Ephel Dûath
I hope you have a quick update ready. This was a horrible place to stop. Poor Aragorn. Whether Orc den, prison, or Orc locker room, that has to be a smelly, evil place. Wonderful to have a clue, but what a place to be in. shudders.
Author's reply
The update is imminent, I promise. I laughed aloud at 'orc locker room': great image! But yes, what a place to be in indeed!
Aiwendiel · 18 November 2013 · Chapter 7: Beneath the Ephel Dûath
My goodness, this is a really engaging tale. I love gapfillers, especially ones based on brief snippets like this, with hints of dark and dangerous adventures. You've done a wonderful job here, your characterization of Aragorn and in the first 2 chapters of a despairingly cross Gandalf. Lots of wonderful details and your language is awesome! This long increasingly narrow cave ending in what surely seems like a dungeon cell is totally creepy and now a horrible stench... oh my. Not sure if I really want to know what the stench is all about but I can't wait for an update. And if I recall correctly from the original, our poor hero has yet to "tread on the foul blossoms" of Imlad Morgul or something like that .... shivering in anticipation! One question -- do you plan to veer west to illustrate the verbal jousting match between Denethor and Gandalf? Not nearly so scary, dangerous or thrilling, but I for one would be interested in that side story too. Great work! Aiwendiel
Author's reply
Thank you so very much for the wonderful feedback! It's especially lovely to know that the characterizations come off well. Poor old Gandalf: he really was at the end of his rope. Yes, Aragorn has yet to 'tread the deadly flowers of Morgul Vale', and 'walk in sight of the Black Gate', and reach the point where he too 'despaired at last'. And then there's the journey related in 'The Unfinished Tales' to accomplish... I love the idea of the verbal sparring between Denethor and Gandalf! It would make a lovely companion piece, though this story follows Aragorn alone. Gandalf's own adventure, while crucial and difficult, doesn't provide enough narrative balance to be included in the longer work. Thanks again for the beautiful review! I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
shirebound · 18 November 2013 · Chapter 6: A Spot of Luck
thinking of Bilbo Baggins and his innocence and his goodness, thinking of a whole land filled with simple, happy hobbits living simple, happy lives unaware of the potential threat to their merry little homes, he knew he could not forsake the hunt. I love that. It would be nice to think that Aragorn someday let Bilbo know that thoughts of his small friend on this arduous journey were an inspiration to him.
Author's reply
As a matter of fact, he and Bilbo are going to have quite a few things to discuss when this particular unpleasant adventure is over! I'm so pleased you like that passage.
UTfrog · 18 November 2013 · Chapter 6: A Spot of Luck
I like caves, but the idea of crawling into that one is frightening. So glad Aragorm has had plenty of water. The way the Valar answered the plea was clever. Thanks again for the story and the quick updates.
Author's reply
Yeah, in my book there's "caves", and then there's "caves in Mordor". Two different things entirely. I'm glad you liked the Valar's riddle. They will have their little jokes. You're most welcome for both the story and the updates! I'll be sure to keep them coming.
shirebound · 17 November 2013 · Chapter 5: The Empty Pass
What an agonizing, tormented (physically and otherwise) journey this is. One would even feel sorry for Gollum, trying to survive in these lands.
Author's reply
Tormented is the very word! Frankly I've always been amazed that Gollum could survive in these lands at all.
UTfrog · 17 November 2013 · Chapter 5: The Empty Pass
So Ulmo did hear the plea! Poor Aragorn. I doubt he ever told anyone how hellish this portion of his hunt turned out to be. Great writing.
Author's reply
Thank you! I agree; at least he certainly never told Gandalf the whole story...
shirebound · 16 November 2013 · Chapter 4: Mercy in Mordor
To slay the helpless wretch would have cost him his decency What a truly great, noble man. No wonder Eomer and Faramir so instantly sensed greatness in him, and pledged their hearts.
Author's reply
I love your feedback; you have such a global sense of Tolkien's works. On this point, too, I could not agree more!
UTfrog · 16 November 2013 · Chapter 4: Mercy in Mordor
Poor Aragorn! Alone, hurt, needing food, water, and rest. Still decent enough not to kill the Orc even though he knows it was unwise. I hope his mercy has benefits as did Frodo's. This is a very powerful look at events just before the quest. Thank you.
Author's reply
I'm delighted to know that it is coming across so well; thank you! As for the benefits of mercy... well, that's in the nature of Arda Marred, isn't it?
UTfrog · 15 November 2013 · Chapter 3: Into the Shadows
Scary, I appreciate the quick updates, especially given the cliffhanger. No pun intended.
Author's reply
Hee. Cliffhanger. Good one! I'm glad it was scary. *wicked grin*
shirebound · 15 November 2013 · Chapter 3: Into the Shadows
So suspenseful! Even to catch a few hours' sleep is a dangerous business in the wild. Aragorn certainly had a unique perspective on what Frodo and Sam went through in the Black Lands, and what it took to endure the experience.
Author's reply
Particularly in this corner of the wild! I agree completely that Aragorn understood, better than anyone else, what Frodo and Sam faced in Mordor and the strength and tenacity they showed in surviving. And, fortunately, what they were likely to be suffering from when they came out again.
Kevana · 15 November 2013 · Chapter 2: Separate Roads
This story's absolutely amazing. The premise of it is wonderful – you've really taken a tiny mention in the canon and expanded it to something full of tension. You can practically feel how exhausted and worried they both are, and the way you write about the landscape is so well-described it's like you drop your readers smack-dab into the middle of a very lonely and perilous wilderness. You capture that so perfectly. And your characterization is fantastic! Gandalf was always my favorite, and I regretted we never got to see more of him interacting with Aragorn. I love what you're doing here, and eagerly await the next chapter! Thanks for such an intriguing story! Have a lovely day! -Kevana
Author's reply
What lovely feedback! Thank you so much. I can't imagine how I would cope with the kind of frustration our heroes must have felt at this point, so I'm glad that it's coming across well. I too regret that we got to see so little of the Gandalf-Aragorn friendship in the books; they really are fantastic together. You've certainly brightened my day. Thanks again!
UTfrog · 14 November 2013 · Chapter 2: Separate Roads
Great second chapter. You can feel their exhaustion. Your final sentence was chilling. Thank you for the quick update.
Author's reply
You're most welcome! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I'm glad that the last sentence struck you; that's always wonderful to hear.
shirebound · 14 November 2013 · Chapter 2: Separate Roads
Poor Aragorn. He certainly deserved his happily-ever-after as King, especially to never experience hunger or loneliness or be unappreciated ever again. I love all the details, such as what he would carry in his pack.
Author's reply
I couldn't agree more! He definitely earned his years of peace and prosperity. I'm delighted to know you like the details; details are what this story is built on! Thank you for another lovely review.
Anonymous · 14 November 2013 · Chapter 1: Wasted Years
It's the anon from earlier--I actually did just check out the story at the other location, and I'm flailing gleefully! That shows me for not checking before my earlier comment. I LOVE your writing, and I'm so excited to read more of this story; it's been one of my favorites for ages. :D
Author's reply
Oh, I'm glad! I hope you enjoy the new chapters. Do be sure to let me know!
shirebound · 14 November 2013 · Chapter 1: Wasted Years
The weariness and near-futility of this quest is beautifully described here. What these two (and others) sacrificed in the hope that something good might come of their efforts!
Author's reply
I'm very glad to know it all came across. I can only imagine how discouraged they must have been at this point.
UTfrog · 14 November 2013 · Chapter 1: Wasted Years
Beginnings of a great story here. I love your realistic description of the muck, tiredness, depression and courage of these two. Thanks for a fantastic morning read.
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm delighted that you enjoyed it.
Anonymous · 14 November 2013 · Chapter 1: Wasted Years
PLEASE let this post mean we might get to read more of this story soon! I still check back every so often over at fanfiction.net... I'm dancing with excitement, I'll have you know. :D
Author's reply
You're very sweet! I'm glad to be back!