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The Last Word by jenolas	4 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/27/2005
Lovely images, lovely look at both Boromir and Aragorn as they become acquainted, lovely look at several sides of Aragorn's nature. Two corrections: It was Earnur of Gondor who died before Minas Morgul, while Arvedui, last king of Arnor, died facing the Witch King of Angmar just before aid from Gondor hastened Angmar's fall. It was Arvedui's heir who took the title of Chieftain rather than King, as there weren't enough people left of the Northern Dunedain and their subjects to consider a kingdom any more, although their continued care for those who ought to have been their subjects is clear in their patrolling of the borders of the settled lands such as the Breelands and the Shire. The native language of the Dundedain of Gondor was Sindarin--Pippin recognized it in the speech of the guards around him in ROTK, except pronunciation had drifted somewhat. Boromir ought to have at least picked up a few words here and there in the reports given to Aragorn, for as the Steward's heir he ought to have been as fluent in Gondorian Sindarin as in Westron. Author Reply: Thank you for taking the time to comment. Also thank you for pointing out that I have incorrectly named the place of death of the last King, for it was indeed Arvedui to whom I was referring in the little snippet of background history. As to the languages Boromir might have spoken, I see that more as speculation. Even had he been fluent in Gondorian Sindarin, I am not so certain that when he hears an Elf of Rivendell speak Sindarin that he would have recognised either the pronunciation or the meaning of the words. jenolas

DAYNA	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/18/2005
::GASP!:: ::Cries:: Poor Faramir!!! You are nasssssty, Jenolasssss.... nassssty nasssssty elves'es! ::giggle:: What a heartbreaking revelation for poor Faramir. Boromir put a nail in his heart from the grave and didn't even mean to do it. :( ::mutters:: nasssssssty elves'es. :D Of course, it's only taken me 3 DAYS to get thru this one chapter, (reading at work in a hotel call center during spring brake... not the brightest of ideas) but I love it. Although I do have a question. Where were they going and why? What meeting place and ... and... orcs? And Boromir "likes" Aragorn BEFORE the council? I'm confused. Help please? Author Reply: I am following the book version of LOTR in this story and so the council of Elrond took place the same day Boromir arrived in Rivendell and he speaks of this in his first entry in Chaptter 1. This is also where he meets Aragorn for the first time and they are now taking the time to become better acquainted as they travel together. After the meeting, Aragorn, who is the Dunedain Chieftan and leader of the rangers of the north, sends for his captains to meet him in their usual meeting place (my idea, not canon)and this is where he and Boromir are going. Elrond sent out scouting parties to search for the Nazgul and to make sure it was safe for the Fellowship to leave Rivendell and Aragorn was going to tell his men where he wanted them to search. I made the orcs appear on the borders of Rivendell, as I think they may have done, and Aragorn and his men were called upon for assistance by one of Glorfindel's patrolleaders who wanted to deal with the orcs but was wise enough to realise he needed more warriors to help them because they were gratly outnunbered. I hope this helps, jenolas

halewyn aredhel	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/15/2005
This is a terrific story. I love your insights into Boromir. I've always thought that he had greater depth and "character" than other writers have suggested and I'm glad to see a story that explores that. Oh, and it doesn't hurt one bit that Faramir's in the story too! I loved the little swimming hole incident in the last chapter. Naughty Faramir. Heh. Author Reply: Thanks. I imagine the brothers must have had some fun times in their youth, and no doubt that included a little naughtiness on ocasion!

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/15/2005
I’m with Faramir on not being able to resist reading more ;-) I love the way you make us aware that Boromir’s trust and respect must be earned so that when he speaks of believing in Aragorn and recognising him as the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, we know that it’s not something he has decided easily. He’s coming across as a very honourable person, which I think is a very important part of his character. There’s something very amusing about the thought of Aragorn and Boromir making small-talk, each of them very aware that they’re sussing each other out. It was good to see them discover that they had some things in common – even though most people find that they share the same hobbies, while these two are united in their hatred of the forces of evil and desire to save all those who need it!! I like the moments of teasing, though. It’s great to see, but at the same time it’s quite sad because it’s like a glimpse of what could have been in better times. We are getting some insight into Aragorn’s character too. I just loved that moment when Aragorn studies Boromir with those “strangely ageless grey eyes.” It’s such a wonderful reminder of Aragorn’s difference, his connection to the elves, his insight. It sounds too as though he not only knows the history of his people in great depth but speaks about it with passion. And it must be almost unbelievable for men to discover the connection between Elrond and the first king of Númenor! The elves seem to have made an impression on Boromir with their skills in battle! I’m still cringing at the image of Boromir falling over the orc, though! Still, it says a lot about him that he continued fighting and did so well. I’m glad too to see that Boromir has such respect for the gentler side of Aragorn. Plus, he seems to understand the reluctance to accept that to which he was born more than I would have thought – maybe because that was something he could see too in his younger brother? And the last lines… how sad. “I can not imagine how hard it would be to live with the knowledge that I was the last of my House. Can you, Faramir?” Of course, Faramir can. Boromir could never have dreamt that but it still has to hurt Faramir to read it. Boromir had so much pride in his House. In some ways he’s better off not having seen what became of it, but it’s still a tragedy that he couldn’t see their strength restored and take up his proper role as Steward to the King. I imagine it must add to Faramir’s grief to know that not only is he the last but at this time he doesn’t what the future of the Stewards will be. I’m just glad he has Eowyn. Maybe when he has had a little more time to find some healing he can share this with her. Great job as always, jenolas. :-) Author Reply: Yes, I think Boromir would have been inmpressed with the Elve's skill i a fight and I imagine he wished for a whole army of them to help protect Minas Tirith.

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