A great chapter introducing Aragorn to these two strongly influential lords. I liked how you conveyed Ecthelion's character, I could feel his shrewdness and his compassion (in insisting that the stranger change into some dry clothes). And, fatefully, Ecthelion sets the stage for the Denethor/Thorongil rivalry by pitting them against each other, and does not realize perhaps that not only will Thorongil win, but Denethor will resent the victory.
Excellent description of the sparring match. I recall that Tolkien implied Denethor to be a great warrior-captain, and it shows here.
I especially liked the bit with Thorongil feeling insecure when fighting Denethor - I certainly would! But I think Denethor and Ecthelion would have been able to tell if Thorongil had let Denethor win; and would have thought less of him.
I wish, though, that you had a different title for the story - Aspects of Aragorn doesn't work for me, it seems a bit too much of a wordplay; the story is so broad in scope that it deserves something more powerful, more expressive, as a title.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-08-23 06:03 am (UTC)Excellent description of the sparring match. I recall that Tolkien implied Denethor to be a great warrior-captain, and it shows here.
I especially liked the bit with Thorongil feeling insecure when fighting Denethor - I certainly would! But I think Denethor and Ecthelion would have been able to tell if Thorongil had let Denethor win; and would have thought less of him.
I wish, though, that you had a different title for the story - Aspects of Aragorn doesn't work for me, it seems a bit too much of a wordplay; the story is so broad in scope that it deserves something more powerful, more expressive, as a title.