haha! Excelent! I very much appreciate Gandalf's sense of humor in teaching this young ranger a lesson. I have many times wanted to do something like that when people perservere in missundersdanding a truth. I enjoyed it very much!
There does seem to be a slight contraditction though, in Strider's savyness in regards the the atmosphere at the Prancing Pony and his emotional reaction. It seems that such understanding would come with the patient observence found in a calmer and wiser man that the one who got upset about a family heirloom. That is just a quibble though, and is easily argued against.
Again, I enjoyed it very much; good job!
Ana o Eru!
Author's Response: Thanks for the thoughtful review! I'm glad you enjoyed Gandalf in this; I was trying hard to convey the kind of quirky wisdom that he shows.
You're right that Strider is kind of all over the place in this. That was (partly) intentional, though I should have expanded on it better. I see this as taking place not long after he returns from his travels as Thorongil. So, he's seasoned and experienced, but he kind of misses the respect and legitimacy he commanded as a Captain of Gondor. At the same time, he's starting to grasp how difficult it might be to retake the throne and how much stock people place in the "trappings of power," so to speak. So, he has a lot on his mind and is very defensive about the few royal symbols he does have.
But, while that all makes sense in my mind, I shouldn't expect readers to just puzzle it out. *blushes*
Thanks again for reviewing! | 