Umm, you do realize you perfectly set the stage for a sequel here, in which Aragorn and Gandalf go Gollum hunting? Because, personally I'd love to see that! I've read one fanfic about that time and it had just a tiny bit too much geography for my taste (mostly because I'm geography-illiterate, if such a thing is possible). In any case: I'd love to see more of your characters - and I guess the plea for "more" is always the best compliment around. You've made me curious about all of them. Halbarad mostly, of course. But the same is true for Elrond, Glorfindel (which surprised me, to tell you the truth), Erestor and of course Gandalf. He's such a hard character to pin down, because it's so easy to deconstruct his character. So it was interesting to see that you had Aragorn comment on that: that there are moments when he's actually afraid of him. Then again, especially in the chapter where they have that long talk, he's supportive, fatherly almost. All in all, a character with many layers. But the most important of all is Aragorn, naturally. Sticking to his POV provided a fascinating character study, because he's by no means perfect. Rather, you managed to put all his faults under a magnifying glass and still have him come out as a hero. I've no idea how you did it, but it worked! (Maybe it's the fact that his "faults" include things like "puts others first", "doubts himself too much" and "doesn't take care of himself".) Towards the end I did wonder though, whether what the Nazgûl's touch actually did was give Aragorn a clinical depression. It certainly sounds that way. If so, then I really like that analogy! Lastly, thank you for that wonderful tale! I think the quote you chose in the beginning is one of those that just make you stumble while reading, thinking: Come on, tell me more! I want to know what he's alluding to! So thank you for providing a possible explanation. While it wasn't such a fun ride for Aragorn, I certainly enjoyed reading it!
Author's Response: I definitely will be exploring his hunt for Gollum, yes. Probably not in one story, since it is, after all, a sixteen year hunt! Or seventeen or however long it was. Too long for one story to cover, at any rate. But I figure he was back and forth to the east hunting and then home to guard the Shire and several other things along. That part of the canon is relatively blank so a lot could be stuck in there, I think. I just have to sort out what, exactly. :) I'm glad I left you wanting to see more of the characters--that's always a reassuring thing to hear. I absolutely loved writing Gandalf and Glorfindel--in fact, I want to write at least one story of them together, because I don't think it's been done that I know of (not that I know every story out there). I figure since both of them slayed a balrog, they might at least have an interesting conversation in Minas Tirith! I also plan more stories with my original characters involved, as well. It was a bit tricky, doing this tale, to keep Aragorn the strong man he is and yet push him to what I felt was the very edge of what even the "hardiest of living men" could withstand. I'm glad that it all worked well for you in the end. I do think, if they had such terms, "clinical depression" did describe part of Aragorn's troubles, even before the Black Breath hit. Burnout, battle fatigue, depression... whatever you want to call it, I think even a man with great hope could falter in such dark times. But in the end, with the help of his father and his friends, he came out of it stronger than he was before. Interestingly, in talking with a counsellor friend of mine, he said studies are now showing that many people have what they're calling "PTGS"... post-traumatic GROWTH syndrome, where trauma actually ends up strengthening the person. That was exactly what I was going for with Aragorn in this story... he suffered, and will always have that visceral reaction that we see in FOTR at Bree, but in the end, he's stronger for it. Thanks for reading all the way through and leaving all your lovely comments. It was great fun to see your reactions as you went through it! I do have some "extra scene" type tales to post eventually, things I wrote as exercises in character and scene building that *mostly* match what happened in the final version, but like the deleted scenes in movies, have a few things that didn't pan out. Anyway, they'll go in an "Appendice" (yes, borrowing from Tolkien!) First one up will be Elrond's POV during the scenes where he delivers Aragorn from the Black Breath. I'll have that up in a week or so, perhaps sooner if I get it cleaned up. Thanks again for all the reviews! |
