A wonderful sweet holiday story.

Dear Isabeau,

what a beautiful Paen about the Rangers at yuletide. An amazing beautiful story. I was crying tears of sweet joy for being so deeply moved.

I only need to hear you tell it in the the hall of fire with a glass of Munivor and yule sweets and all would be perfect!

happy thanksgiving, and happy yule (Merry Christmas)

Agena

What a lovely story! I was spellbound from first to last, buried deep within Idren's world. Beautifully written, with spirit, heart, and humor.

Wonderful tale! I do enjoy Ranger of Ithilien tales, well told. I know I should have reviewed each chapter, but I was too eager to continue the story, LOL! It's why I never start reading a good book when I know I have to go to bed soon - I won't want to put it down and will be up all night.

Excellent, strong original characters and you've given a face to Lossarnach that I've not seen anyone write before. (I just recently included the place in a story I did, but with nothing like the detail you have here. I only touched on it lightly in passing.)

I hope you've got other Ranger stories in the wings. This was very enjoyable. Oh, and I don't see very many instances of what I described in my last review, so clearly in the intervening years you worked on that.

Just one thing I wasn't fully certain of - did Silivren marry Mablung? I kind of get that impression but I wasn't totally sure.

- Deandra

What a lovely Christmas story. really enjoyed meeting your characters. Many Thanks

I've read this story a few time before, but this is the first time that I picked up on the three rangers each being a representation of one of the aspects of the god. Truly a gem of story and one I'll certainly come back to yet again!

I have reread this story about three times by now. And I must say, I am shocked that there are so few reviews. This is one of those stories that is rare and ultimately warms your heart. It tells the story I think Tolkien wanted so much to convey, that men are good at heart and in the end most only want to do what is right. A good christmas story, or a good anytime story. I am glad to have read it and I can honestly say I will return to it as I have CMC many times. Thank you for sharing it.

I've just stumbled on this gem, and thought I should tell you how much I have enjoyed it. It was a fantastic story; very heartwarming and well written. Thank you.

I just wanted to say that this is beautifully written. I've been reading your writing for some time and have always admired it (and eagerly await updates!), but somehow had not come across this story before. I'm glad I did; it's wonderful how your characters take on a life of their own, apart from and beyond what they are in Tolkien, and the same can be said of your original characters as well. This story is particular impressive because its events aren't inherently exciting - no wars, no mad falling in love, etc - and its characters don't really appear in Tolkien (and if they do, don't appear as particularly 'romantic' characters) - and there's something about it really spoke to me when I read it (enough to make me emerge from hiding and review it, at any rate) :) Thank you!

I have to say, with every story of yours I read, my world turns a little warmer and brighter. I hope you never tire of writing! This is quality storytelling as one rarely finds, online or on a bookshelf. I hope and expect you will let us know if you ever decide to publish material featuring your own original universe, although I do fully understand the attractions of Tolkien's world... Thank you for dressing the spirit of the seasons in words so eloquent and heartwarming!

Forlong certainly knows how to make a great entrance!

I always liked 'Good old Forlong'!

And the original characters are very well written here, too. A very good story.

My dear Isabeau ...

I missed this gem when you first posted it, but I'm so glad I found it now. I love all your writing, but this ... this is something special. You do know, don't you, that this is only one degree, two at most, from being a completely original and wholly publishable Fantasy-genre story. I hope you will forgive me for saying that I think your writing itself continues to mature into even greater grace.

I found so many things to love about this story, the "voice" of the narrator, the many obstacles and difficulties Idren and his family faced, and the wonderful means by which they were overcome. This is a clever tale! A wonderfully witty, clever tale and I adored it all. The fact you slyly introduced Heth and Lorend from an outsider's POV was simply icing on the cake. BTW, it was great to see Lorend shine so - I always thought there had to be a good man beneath the mischief. ;-)

And finally - "I HATE COWS!" I laughed until I had tears when I read that, for my husband I have had only too many encounters with the beasts, and could empathise entirely. What a splendid, engaging, marvelously plotted and thoroughly heartwarming tale. I loved every word. Thank you.

Cheers

Erin

Happy ending for all... :) It is slightly sad, though, to see the progression of time and changes and such... that sentence didn't make any sense, but oh well. I'm still waiting for more delicious Imri or Faramir stories, to tell the truth. It is your fault for making them so interesting and fun! :P I love all of your stories, though, and am glad to read anything. Thanks for two stories in one month! What a treat! Keep writing; I always love your stories. :)

I enjoyed Hethlin's success in hunting, as well as bitter Lorend sarcastically asking if she could fill in for him. Very Lorend like to yell, "I HATE COWS!" Its nice that his parents got to join in the celebration and the rituals were interesting. Its also interesting to see how the poorer people in Gondor live and regard life, etc.

I liked the Lorend action! :) I also liked the description earlier of him as having "fox-like features", because I know what you mean by that, but had never thought of it in that way before. I like all of the characters; they are 3D and unique in their own ways, all of them, which isn't easy, because you have so many at this point! Particularly, Lorend's parents, Forlong, and the rotten Lathron. I also like the coup they stage on the latter fellow!