Fimbrethil · 30 December 2025 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Ah. Cool. Eldarion is good at telling the truth without saying his role.
Enter the Ranger by Larner
Reviews (207)
Fimbrethil · 30 December 2025 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
Is it a known fact that The Shire had been part of Cardolan? Well, Halbarad certainly helps him. He doesn't see either, though.
Erulissé · 20 January 2024 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
Wow. I love this story so much. I’ve come back to re-read it now, because I enjoyed it so much the first time. Such a phenomenal portrayal of beloved characters, and fantastic new OCs that I feel like I know now. It was so cool to have a closer look at Halbarad and some of the other lords of the Dúnedain who don’t get as much attention. And I also thought it was very clever not to have written this story from Aragorn’s perspective, but from that of other people, since this story was about Aragorn being introduced to his people and the formation of their opinion of him. I love reading on SoA, and I was wondering what your favorite story/stories were on this site that you would recommend to someone else? I’ve read quite a bit on here, but I know there are many stories I have yet to discover. Thank you so much!
Mirkwoodmaiden · 12 April 2020 · Chapter 1: Building on the Ruins
Larner! It will be very interesting to read the changes and similarities of storyline and ideas. I like it. MM
Ellynn · 15 January 2020 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Awww, wonderful ending to the wonderful story. Thank you so much for this journey.
Author's reply
I am so sorry I didn't respond in a more timely manner. Am so glad you enjoyed this story. I liked exploring a different manner for Aragorn to reenter the life of his own people. Now--to get back into Khazad-dum once more!
Ellynn · 14 January 2020 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
Aragorn has shown a great wisdom here! And I have to say that I'm very very very angry at all fathers who set "prices", as if other human beings (that is, their daughters) are things to be sold...
Ellynn · 29 November 2019 · Chapter 14: Revelations of Family
Awww, such a touching and beautiful end...
Ellynn · 30 October 2019 · Chapter 9: An Unexpected Detour
Great chapter - great crime story!
Ellynn · 25 October 2019 · Chapter 7: Three Days' Work
The paragraph beginning "While Peredhrion worked, ..." - shouldn't it be Halbarad instead of Halbaleg? Anyway - another great chapter! :)
Author's reply
Oh, dear--even with Fiondil betaing this chapter I still managed to make such an error! How such things slip by two of us plus more rereadings by me as I prepare to post I don't know, but it happens! Thanks!
Ellynn · 22 October 2019 · Chapter 2: The Elven Princeling
Aragorn made a very vise choice. So well done. ;)
Author's reply
Oh, heavens--I see I missed all your comments. I see they were made after the Win10 computer died, so I had email backing up like crazy, and appear to have not noted these comments coming in. We have to assume that Elrond saw to it that young Estel learned to think things through as best he could, and I would think that the question as to how he should return to the Dunedain would be one he would ponder deeply, probably asking his mother how it was that the young people of the Dunedain were recognized as being of adult status. Am so glad you find it both reasonable and wise!
Freyalyn · 22 September 2019 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
Just discovered your comments here. Thank you for sharing this story with us, and also your thoughts as to how you came to your own vision of Tolkien's sub-creation. I've enjoyed every word you've written, and will be keenly awaiting more.
Author's reply
It's satisfying to explain how the stories came to be, Freyalyn, and it was fun to bring this story full-circle with Eldarion coming north to himself ride with the Rangers of Arnor, as well as to refer once again to the people of Camaloa and to see them coming at last to recognition and prominence in the world. Thanks so!
Matt · 15 September 2019 · Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
As you know I'm not visiting SoA as much as I used to. I stopped by today and was both glad and sad to see this story completed. An excellent job. Out of curiosity, as I too like "returned Aragorn" stories a great deal, what stories other than Radbooks' excellent piece and Aspects of Aragorn (which I know isn't truly a return of Aragorn tale by itself) can you recommend? I know I've read others but can't find them in my ffn favorites right now. I would be very interested in that elopement fic you mention in the notes as I think it would give us a tremendous view of the differences (in your universe at least) between what are in some ways the most and least sophisticated (or at least economically complex) parts of Middle Earth. Thanks again for your hard work on this, looking forward to future tales in this direction...and any recommendations you can offer.
Author's reply
Nor am I visiting as often as I did, Matt. I'm a half year from turning seventy, and it's making itself known to me. The Shire and the rest of Middle-earth still enchant me, but it's taking so much longer to get things written and posted! I'm still working, and it's once more not being as much fun as it once was. As for the governments of the U.S. and Britain--it appears that Lotho has put himself in charge of both lands! I didn't read as many Aragorn stories on FF.n as I did on HASA, and as I said, that has closed down. I've not sought for them on AnArchiveOfOurOwn, so what I remember from HASA I haven't learned whether or not they were transferred as my stories were. One was called something to the order of "In the Bloody Cottage," and in it was told the birth of Aragorn. It was a rather dark tale in which the Northern Dunedain were depicted as dwindling, with the women devoted to producing sons to protect their land with few seeking to produce daughters to continue their people. Rather nihilistic, I thought. Halbeleg was the name given Gilraen's brother in an Aragorn Returned story I read there, and it was from that I took the name, although my brain insisted on spelling it with an /a/ rather than the initial /e/. I fear that I remember little of the details of that story, other than the spelling of the name, of course. But in it Aragorn came back to the Angle to learn the rule of their people from this uncle. I hope to eventually write the story of Gilthor and Arien--but first I have so many tales to finish! Thanks so much for following this tale, and perhaps I'll add more of young Aragorn as time goes on. Have you read Fiondil's story of Aragorn among the Rohirrim? It's here on SoA. And Virtuella, I think, did one of that time as well, in which Aragorn was not introduced as quite as accomplished as he was in Fiondil's tale. Take care and God bless.
Matt · 27 July 2019 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
When SoA was more active than it is now I was a close follower of this story. I was pleased to see you'd finished it recently and like what you did with it. As I have noted in earlier reviews I think the treatment of prisoners etc too gentle but can see your reasoning for this. Your characters are generally very strong and well developed. I wish others would follow your efforts in this area. Thanks so much for your hard work on this, As I stop by, I'll be watching for other long works from you to either complete or begin.
Author's reply
I am reworking "Or Perchance, When the Last Little Star..." now, and hope to get it started reposting soon. And--who knows? Perhaps I might one day get Eorl to the Battle of the Celebrant, a chapter I'm stuck on in "Stirring Rings." I'm glad that you find yourself understanding why Aragorn seemed too gentle with the Angmarians. I do try to do decent characterizations, and find I've been inspired by writers such as Charles Dickens and, more importantly, Rosemary Sutcliff, who doesn't repeatedly bonk the reader over the head with it as Dickens did. Thank you for continuing to check up on this tale, and am glad you enjoyed it in the end. Thanks so, Matt!
Bookworm · 13 July 2019 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Ah, I loved this! And the epilogue is just perfect, tying everything neatly together
Author's reply
Am so glad you have liked it so, Bookworm. And it was fun to see Eldarion establishing what may well become a family tradition for the descendants of Elessar Telcontar, entering the Rangers incognito so as to get the idea as to what it truly means to serve in both realms. Thanks so much for the comments!
iboneki · 8 July 2019 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Larner, I cannot say enough about this absolute gift of a story. You've been such a prolific writer for this fandom, your works always equally as technically well-written as they are perfectly characterized. But this one is probably my all-time favorite. Aragorn is an endlessly fascinating character but I find that the most interesting parts of his life are not from LOTR itself, but the small tidbits mentioned in the appendices. That you took the mention of Aragorn returning to his people and imagined it in this fashion, weaving such a complex story that explores all of the skills and characteristics we know he must have both trained for and embodied. And not just this, but also exploring Aragorn's real fears and anxieties as he copes with the expectations and pressure of being such a young chieftain. I especially loved along the way how his companions grew to either realize who he was, or had their deserved embarrassment when finding out at the end, hah! The epilogue, coming full circle with Eldarion and two of Aragorn's original companions was perfection. I appreciate your effort in writing and finishing this, and it made my day every time a new chapter appeared in my inbox. I'll miss this story but will certainly read it again and again. Hope you find room in your writing for more exploration of Aragorn in the future.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Iboneki. I'm not as prolific as I once was, but between my work, my beasts, and admittedly my age, I find too many distractions from writing. I am so glad that this tale has caught so positively at your imagination. Thanks so very much for your comments and letting me know how much the tale has pleased you!
shirebound · 8 July 2019 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
What an absolutely marvelous epilogue. As his father served in humility, skill, and secret in the South, 'Elda' now serves in humility, skill, and secret in the North. This entire conclusion beautifully shows us the future of the Dunedain, and the tapestry of citizens woven from all parts of Middle-earth. Well done, my friend.
Author's reply
I hope that it is many, many generations before the Dunedain begin to deteriorate, Shirebound. I've loved writing this story, and felt that Eldarion ought to follow his father's example at least a bit. Thanks so for your continued appreciation for my writing.
mystarlight · 8 July 2019 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Breathtaking story. Love the plot and characters. Thank you for sharing.
Author's reply
Thank you so, MyStarlight. I've loved Aragorn since I was thirteen, and find that now that I'm approaching seventy I still love him!
KathyG · 8 July 2019 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
So, this is the final chapter! You did a great job with this story! Is it also posted on Fanfiction.net? BTW, it's still listed as "in progress." If it really is finished, you might want to change its status to "complete."
Author's reply
Yes, this was the final chapter, and I hope that you realize that I like to "complete" my longer works with my author's notes. Am so glad you liked it. Yes, it's complete on Fanfiction.Net as well, but think I have to add the author's notes to it on A2O3. Hope to get back to your and Dreamflower's story within the next week. Life had become so distracting in the last few years!
UTfrog · 7 July 2019 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Love this ending! Thank you so much.
Author's reply
Well, what better ending than that the son should follow the father to prove he is worthy to serve both North and South Kingdoms? Thank you so much for following this story, UTfrog!
Lindelea · 5 July 2019 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
Oh, hurrah! I just dropped by the SoA website to check something while writing the next "Bill" chapter, and saw this update! Will leave an actual review later...
Author's reply
Am so glad you did. Hope your trip east went well. And am so looking forward to the next Bill chapter!
Robnrun · 14 June 2019 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
Oh! Now I want to read the side story of the missing Dol Amroth princesses, and (even more) the telling of her eventual fate to Imrahil!
Author's reply
The glimpse at the tale of this romance is given in "The King's Commission" in the chapter "Gilfilion Son of Gilthor," and how it was related to Imrahil appears in "The Acceptable Sacrifice." I fear little detail is given in either at this time. And I have again shelved "Stirring Rings" and plan to finish "Or Perchance, when the Last Little Star..." next. Wish me luck. Author Reply: I mean, "Gilfileg" rather than Gilfilion. Aargh!
Medilia · 12 June 2019 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
That was an amazing story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I like that Aragorn returned to his people in disguise (although barely) and learned their ways, gaining their respect on his own merits rather than his name. It was very much an Aragorn move.
Author's reply
So many of the Aragorn Returns stories focus on him learning from whoever took over the rule of the northern Dunedain on Arathorn's death, usually Halbarad's father or in one case Arathorn's mother. So, I decided to go at it from a different perspective. Glad you enjoy it!
Aranadhel · 12 June 2019 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
Suilaid, Larner I have read your reply and Meliangiloreth is known to me as you've written about her before in your other stories. By the way, what is the name of the Noldo smith of Imladris that you wrote beautifully so many years ago? I am intrigued by him and would love it if you could indulge me on his name and his background. Hannon le.
Author's reply
In "The Time of Probing" I provide the smith's name--Boraënur. As I explained in "Forging for Protection and Defense," he was of the people of Finderato, known in Middle Earth as Finrod Felagund, and had learned his craft at the forge of Mahtan, father to Feanor's wife. Within Middle Earth he went after Finrod's death to serve Celebrimbor, leaving to take service under Elrond some time after Annatar came to Eregion, finding himself not trusting this "Lord of Gifts" and his motives. It was his intent to return to Aman once Elrond should choose to leave Middle Earth at the last. I am glad that you've enjoyed my stories of him. I love writing gapfillers for the Master's timeline. I have left only the Author's Notes to write, and this story will be done.
UTfrog · 10 June 2019 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
Thank you. This is an excellent chapter beyond even your high standards. I loved seeing Gilthor and Arien. Yes, Aragorn did learn diplomacy, mercy, and how to make allies.
Author's reply
I suspect Aragorn had as strong an affinity for justice and mercy as he did for swordsmanship. Nor can I envision Elrond not teaching him diplomacy before he returned to his own people. And I loved finding a way to bring in Gilthor and Arien and hint at the birth of Gilfileg. Thanks so!
shirebound · 8 June 2019 · Chapter 18: Enemies and Allies
these were not particularly successful as enemies to our people. I suggest that we instead help them to become wholly successful friends and contributors. Aragorn's wisdom -- aided by your own -- is admirable and very inspiring. And your Halbarad is marvelously insightful. Your vision of the Dúnedain is wonderful.
Author's reply
Thanks so very much, Shirebound. Why not take those who are mistreated by their own and make them allies? It only makes sense, after all. I suspect that the Dunedain of the North, being a much smaller people at this time than those in Gondor, would be able to be more informal than their distant kindred in the south, and arguments would be better tolerated and dealt with. I grieve that Aragorn lost this fellow whom he obviously loved and cared about.