The Eagle on the Ramparts by Canafinwe
Larner · 28 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
Not the most comfortable of nights, but not the worst he might expect, either. As for Denethor, seeking to subvert his father's good will is beneath him, I believe, but within his capabilities.
Author's reply
That about sums it up, actually. A man who is convinced he is in the right can stoop to a lot...
Celeth · 27 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
Wow, its here at last! Another Aragorn tale. And I hope its going to be as long as possible =) Tsk tsk, the tale is just starting and already he is imprisoned...oh well detained if you want to put it nicely. And those Denethor-shaped stormclouds gathering in the horizon don't really bode well for him, either. Makes me want to take up my favorite pillows and settle in a favorite hiding place so I can lose myself in the tale. Thank you so much for another tale! Looking forward to its unfolding...
Author's reply
At last? ;-) Fear not: it's gonna be a long one! I can't help it: 'Denethor-shaped stormclouds' is just too priceless an image!!! You're very welcome, and thank YOU for the feedback.
Kate · 27 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
Thank you for posting a new story so soon! Aragorn as always is so patient, so careful to do exactly the right thing. I love thinking about how it must have been for him to behold Minas Tirith for the first time, and I think you explored that well in the last chapter. Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us! Kate
Author's reply
You're very welcome! I'm glad you liked my thoughts on the matter. We get a glimpse of his feelings at the Argonath; this must have been still more awestriking.
UTfrog · 27 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
Aragorn had quite a chill welcome to his city. I am sure as he rose in power he made all the changes he could in guard protocol and procedures. As King, he likely made many more. I am throughly enjoying this. Thank you.
Author's reply
I'm quite sure he will do both! ;-)
Larner · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
Oh, but I love this coming to the land where he must first be accepted as King if he would raise his own homeland back to the status of a Kingdom in it's own right. Denethor is perhaps harder than I've imagined him, both worthy of his own honor but too dismissive of the outsiders. I can easily foresee the conflicts he will have with this newcomer, who will appreciate Ecthelion's wisdom regarding the former Easterling.
Eirinn Leigh · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
‘I’ve never met a sell-sword without a sword to sell" - ha! But this is no ordinary sell-sword, man of Gondor! Can't wait for the next chapter - even with hardly any action the writing drew me on till the end; clicking vainly for the the 'next' button.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you! That's high praise. Because it's as much a tale of court intrigue and daily life as of war and glory, there will be a few times where the action is light like this. I'm glad it's still interesting.
Sneha · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
Yay another update! The interrogator trying Sindarin on Aragorn was ironic. I am looking forward to reading about his rise to being the infamous captain (I hope the tale will extend that far and beyond) and understanding the politics of Gondor. I feel the people of Rohan would have been more free and open! Out of curiosity do you think the people of Gondor knew about the elven realm in the north? For Boromir to seek the council of Elrond they must have know something but perhaps not the common people. An elven queen must have been quite the experience for Gondor and Arwen herself!
Author's reply
Oh, yes! The plan is to take this story right to that dreaded morning on the East bank of Anduin. The political intrigue is going to be *fun*! We know that there are stories about Lothlórien in Gondor, mostly of the 'perilous faerieland' sort. Imladris is much less well known: neither Faramir nor Boromir know of it until Denethor (whose knowledge of lore is extensive) tells them of it. I do not doubt that their Elven Queen proved a source of great interest and knew knowledge!
Aromene · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
Well, it wasn't going to be easy, was it? I like how this is unfolding already, and the parallel stories of Aragorn and Denethor. We already get the inkling of what will happen between the two of them in the future. I think you have Denethor's character down very well!
Author's reply
It's great to know you like my approach to Denethor, and that the mode of storytelling is working. It's an interesting change from the last one, to be able to switch points of view as the need arises!
shirebound · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
This is so realistic, and well written. Another interesting tale!
Author's reply
Thank you! I am trying for realism, all right. ;-)
someone · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
It is both strange and almost hilarious to see Thorongil locked up and forgotten in a guard room. Had the lieutenant's captain already gone home and they had to wait until morning? Not exactly the welcome he would have gotten if he had taken Thengel's gifts! And it must be frustating to have people looking down at him for the lack of his father's name. The ring of Barahir would have raised a lot of questions, and it definitely would not have been mistaken for a Rohirric souvenir. Hopefully the liutenant was not observant enough to notice that Thorongil didn't wear it earlier in the evening. How did Thorongil come to learn Sindarin near the Misty Mountains, indeed! The ordinary people of Gondor seem to be a little ignorant, as there are several Elven realms and the ruins of Arnor there. Bregol's attempts at showing off with his Sindarin and writing skills were funny, he had no way of knowing where Thorongil had learnt both!
Author's reply
I won't deny there's an element of humour there. Given the culture of Gondor, contempt for the fatherless is all too understandable, but no less pleasant to endure. I grinned at the idea of the Ring of Barahir as a souvenir of Rohan! Yes, the ordinary folk of Gondor know little of the Elven realms. There are legends about Lóthlorien and its perils, but the existence of Imladris is not generally known: Boromir knew of the first, but had to be told of the second by Denethor. More significantly (since Boromir is not exactly an armchair lore master), Faramir did not recognise the name from the vision. I'm glad Bregold's attempts to show off were funny!
Anne · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
I wonderful start. I am already on the edge of my seat waiting to see how he will be received and what his experiences will be as he becomes one of Gondor's finest. His interrogation answers were so informative! He has being vague down to an art. Although I was very surprised that he let the guard assume he was a bastard. He could have defended his mother's honor without giving away his father's name. It might not have been believed but still. I am not sure I can picture Aragorn willing to take his dissembling as far as to insinuate dishonor to his mother in this way. But I am still eagerly waiting to read your next chapter. It is a great story.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the feedback! I love constructive comments, as I'm sure I"ve said before. In this case, my reasoning is as follows: far from disregarding his mother's honour, Thorongil is treating the remark as beneath contempt. There is nothing to be gained in arguing with an ignorant man, and the fact that Bregold leaps immediately to this conclusion shows just how small-minded he is. Furthermore, Aragorn is confident enough in his worth and Gilraen's that he does not need to leap to her defence as one less secure in himself might do. He will try to dispel the notion that he was born out of wedlock later, but only to those whose esteem he values. As you'll see when we get there, denial of the charge of illegitimacy raises *much* more difficult questions. Thanks again! I'm thrilled you're enjoying the story.
Lori · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
One day when Thorongil had become the loved and famous Captain, these lowly soldiers and lieutenant are going to look back on this day with chagrin and perhaps wish they had made a better impression on Thorongil when they had their chance. I can't wait to read more.
Author's reply
Yup! So it begins... ;-)
DoggieGirl · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 2: Detained
Such detail. That lieutenant doesn't have a clue at the depth of mysteries that Thronogil holds does he. I love how you continue to show Aragorn understanding the suspiciousness, the locked door, and the lack of concern about leaving him there until morning, but still be bothered by it. He is a commander but it still is frustrating. I liked his plan to secret his ring away. It will probably work for now. But better find a hiding place for it before others more knowledgeable and observant might take notice.
Author's reply
No, he certainly doesn't know how deep the mysteries run! I'm glad you like that balance between understanding and frustration. Thank you as always!
Aromene · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
New story! How exciting. And one of my favourite 'missing from the book' tales. I always found this period of Aragorn's history, in his wanderings in the south, so very fascinating, by how he managed it, and also how others saw him.
Author's reply
Oh, it's fascinating, all right! Irresistible, in fact. Tolkien knew what he was doing. I'm so glad you're excited! I hope it meets expectations.
someone · 26 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
Seeing this story begun and the other one updated yesterday made me happy, and I'm looking forward to this story! Interesting idea that Thorongil would not come to Gondor as a lord only to prevent benefiting from the Rohirrim, but to test his steward. And the idea that Thorongil knew about the shipbuilding of Umbar from seeing it at Amon Hen is clever, too. It seems that Denethor's ideas about keeping the Numenoreans "pure" are rather extreme. He could make the life of that poor Easterling soldier difficult, just because of his own prejudices. He is going to meet his match soon; I wonder if Denethor's status as one of the few nearly true Numenoreans will make it difficult for him to accept a nameless wanderer, who is even more like the kings of old... Perhaps it is not only Ecthelion's favor that is the reason for the dislike between Denethor and Thorongil, but that Thorongil shook the foundations of Denethor's opinions by being a man of Westernesse outside of Gondor.
Author's reply
Yay! Glad to know it's so eagerly met. I'm glad you like that idea regarding Thorongil's motives. As for Umbar... yup. Something had to spark his interest in watching it. Lovely to read your speculations about Denethor! I can't say much, but it was great to read. Thank you!
UTfrog · 25 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
Excellent beginning. I am looking forward to this story. Thank you.
Author's reply
Yay! So glad! And you're very welcome. ;-)
Eirinn Leigh · 25 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
Great start! I've been wanting to hear more from you about this part of his travels. Will we get to hear more about the Easterling and his new bride?
Author's reply
Oh, thank you! And yes, there'll be more about that couple. Not lightly do I name characters. ;-)
quodamat · 25 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
Hi, Canafinwe. I was so excited to see the start of this new story! "A Long and Weary Way" has done much to entertain and, in a way, comfort me during a difficult season. This story looks to be off to a great start! As usual, your writing is rich and expressive without becoming too flowery, and you show great psychological insight. I especially appreciated the way you portrayed the tension involved in knowingly giving up or concealing one's status, but still struggling with the inevitable consequences of being a 'nobody.' I also thought your introduction of Ecthelion and Denethor was brilliantly done. The disagreement over Jamon's marriage was, I thought, very telling - not only with regard to the two characters, but also as a sort of parable about two different approaches to ruling a nation. Knowing that Aragorn is more a man after Ecthelion's own heart gives me a great sense of optimism about how he'll eventually rule: as a king who sees the healing virtue in generosity, and the value of unity in diversity. Thanks so much for sharing your writing! It is much appreciated.
Author's reply
That's wonderful to hear: that my story was helpful in a hard time. Sometimes a little escapism is a wondrous thing! I know Tolkien thought so. It's great to know my language isn't too flowery! I came across some *extremely* purple prose in a commercial novel last week, and it left me cringing. I'd love to avoid that without losing the evocation of this wondrous world. Thank you for your insights into the conversation about Jamon! It's very true: Aragorn is going to be a very open-minded ruler. We see it in his very first week as King. Lovely feedback: you spoil me!
Sneha · 25 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
What a wonderful beginning! I am so excited for this story. Aragorn feels young, less weary as he should be. Your writing is wonderful!
Author's reply
That was definitely the goal! I hope he'd be less weary at 34 than at 86. ;-) It's just wonderful to know you're eager for this story! I hope it never disappoints.
DoggieGirl · 25 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
Awesome beginning! Aragorn does love to come in humble appearance with nothing but his character and skills to offer. But it doesn't make it easy to lose the respect so hardly earned even if it is by your own choice. You have painted an inviting and intriguing beginning. I cannot wait for more
Author's reply
Why yes, he does love that, doesn't he? It's such a sure way to see into the hearts of men. As you say, though, that doesn't make it easy to start all over again. Thanks as always for the wonderful feedback!
ellon · 25 October 2015 · Chapter 1: The Wanderer
I am SOOOO excited for this story! Your last piece was one of the best I've read. You're a talented writer and everyone on here benefits from your continued work. Interested to see where you will take this.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! That's very high praise. I can't help but write, and connecting with such lovely people makes posting the results a joy. Cheers!