Wow. Erm. Actually, I think I'm at a loss for words. I can't even properly express how much this story touched me. But I can tell you that it was probably premature of me to tackle this story despite the character death. It seems you managed to depress me for weeks to come *sniff*.

I've always wondered about Gilraen and marveled at her obvious strength of character. It takes a lot of guts (and desperation) to take the path she has chosen and be practically be cut off from her family and people. And then to imagine that she looks at Aragorn and sees his father - without being able to address this in any way or even mention Arathorn's name. That must be hell. 

Thank you so much for this journey, I definitely enjoyed taking it with you. And yes, I noticed there were a few loose ends and I especially hope that we've not seen the last of that Black Numenorean who manages to slip out of the story!

Showing *love* for this fic by leaving a review and showing *loathing* for the evil cliffhanger - because I have to call it a night and can only come back to this story tomorrow.

This is amazing so far. Best scene in this chapter: Gilraen's breakdown. It was very realistic, dramatic and utterly horrific. She's terrified of how her life has changed so drastically and unexpectedly and you portrayed that very vividly.

Of course there's also the subtle issue of children being used for war/battle you keep addressing. I keep getting the impression that this is actually the heart of the story (after all, that was the argument Arathorn was having with his kinsman only moments before he was killed) and I quite like the honest and brutal way you decided to bring that into play.

O wow, that's so action- and drama-packed that I don't even know where to look first. I still love Ivorwen taking matters into hand without much fuss. And I don't envy Gilraen her position (if only for the fact that she doesn't seem to get any sleep). Let's hope she's going to meet up with the twins when she reaches that patrol. Maybe together they can brainstorm something (and take Aragorn to safety).

Also, loved the dialogue between Elladan and Elrohir. It reminded me so much of "Highlander", where there's a similar exchange of "I've been thinking" followed by a disbelieving "uh oh".

Okay, several things I want to comment on (and I hope I don't forget anything).

I actually hate character death, but of course you can't really get around it when you want to read a story set in this timeline. What a dilemma for me! Your start was already amazing - you never really introduce us to Arathorn, you don't give us his POV. You only let us see him through the villain's eyes and catch that tiny bit of conversation. I think that opening was true genius, very original and very convincing!

So was the cut to housewively Gilraen who is suddenly confronted with her husband's untimely death. What I found frighteningly believable was Aragorn's POV, who tears up all the time because he senses that something's wrong despite not really understanding the magnitude of it. I loved that! And by the way, Ivorwen is great. I already admire her and I think you couldn't write a Mary Sue even if you tried. Ivorwen hasn't been doing much in this chapter, but in this short sketch you draw of her she comes across as strong and determined.