Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

The Last Word by jenolas	6 Review(s)
Katieelessar	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 3/23/2006
That was incredible. I...am speechless. Literally, speechless. I wish I could say more but I am just at a loss. Incredible! Regards, K.Elessar

Daffy Maiden	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 6/10/2005
sigh So soon! But you have such a gift for understanding Boromir, and didn't you tell one reviewer how you'd like to spend more time with him? Do you ever think about the succession of ladies who passed through his life and chamber? Imagine having the undivided attention of one who is at once so strong and so tender, so witty and so deep! I don't think he was cavalier about them, at least not in the latter half of his life. Unbelievable as this may sound, I think he was just as often the one left! Boromir is the type of man everyone wants but once they get him they find just how emotionally exhausting life with him can be. I would think he'd be worth any amount of trouble, but it's not hard to imagine a lady at her wit's end reaching a different conclusion... I'll shut up now. :) Author Reply: I agree that Boromir was most likely not cavalier in his attitude to the ladies of Gondor, he would not wish to hurt anyone's heart. I doubt that of the many who fancied him, or even the ones he was interested in, few were ever actually invited to his chambers. His first love was always Minas Tirth, and that would have remained unchanged, his duty to such a difficult mistress for any but the 'right' woman would have been impossible to ignore. Perhaps there is a story there, but at present I am not inclined to writing romance as such. I am pleased you enjoyed this tale, and thank you for taking the time to post reviews. jenolas

Hai Took	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/15/2005
Oh dear, it was difficult to see through the journal Boromir's fall to the Ring's voice. How hard for Faramir to see it. But I did like how you wrote the last bit with Faramir excepting and understanding that Boromir did wrong but ultimately redeemed himself. Even though the Ring was working so hard to take Boromir I liked how you did let his sanity and even humor once in a while shine through. Well done and thank you for such a look at Boromir! Author Reply: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I am glad you enjoyed my look at Boromir.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/10/2005
I grieve with Faramir, rejoice that in the end Boromir finally won through, and am glad that Faramir has this knowledge to assist him in dealing with the journal's ending. Alas for Boromir.... Author Reply: Not a happy ending, but nor was it meant to be, but hopefully my story gives Faramir some peace.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/10/2005
Oh how painful these last few chapters were, for both Faramir and for the reader, knowing how soon poor Boromir's downfall would come, knowing how he was being tormented by the Ring. You have captured Boromir's underlying nobility so well; as with Gandalf and Galadriel, the Ring knew that the way to tempt him was by the desire to do good. Sadly, Boromir overestimated his strength to let it "stop there". Yet he managed in the end to throw off the Ring's influence, which must have galled It no end. Very well done! Author Reply: Thank you, it was a very difficult few chapters to write, but also very rewarding. Yes, I imagine the ring was none too impressed with Boromir's final act of rebellion. An honourable and courageous man was the son of the Steward.

Dot	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/10/2005
I’m sorry to see this one come to an end, but the ending you’ve given it is just perfect. And I guess we’d be into AU territory if you didn’t stop it here!! The opening was very atmospheric. I like the way the darkness, the threat of a storm and the feeling that something is about to happen, all reflect Faramir’s mood as he comes to the end of his brother’s journal. I actually loved the next entry in Boromir’s journal, about the trip down the Anduin. It sounds like he’s having a bit more fun than he should be in those boats… And the idea that he’s slow to believe Legolas’ assertion that they’re unsinkable is very amusing. I get the impression that if the waters were rather less frigid he’d have a go at disproving the elf’s claim ;-) At the same time, though, there’s still a sense of the tension and apprehension that comes with travelling out in the open, and of the increasing suspicions within the Fellowship. Boromir seems to realise that the mistrust is directed at him but there’s a very poignant sense of genuine bewilderment as to why that’s the case. It’s actually very touching that he tries to understand Frodo and is willing to forgive his behaviour because of the great burden of the ring. There’s little doubt that Boromir was almost totally under the spell of the ring by now. How clever of it to show Faramir receiving the love and praise from Denethor that he so often deserved. That must be a very tempting image to Boromir and now that he seems to have trouble separating it from reality, it’s easy to see why his belief that the ring should go to Gondor becomes ever stronger. The last part of the journal must have been so painful for Faramir to read. I thought the piece about Aragorn was a great way of showing just how twisted Boromir’s thoughts have become: “He does not crave power, or the throne, and he will not take the ring, even to use it to save our people and our city.” He’s basically saying that Aragorn is an honourable person and has enough strength not to take the ring, yet somehow in Boromir’s mind that becomes a sign of weakness and an example of how little love Aragorn has for the people of Gondor. He really has lost his grip on reality, yet to the end he wanted what his troubled mind really thought was the best for his family, his people and his home. How frightening, though, to see him decide that the only way was to use force to take the ring from Frodo. My heart went out to Faramir as he screamed and sobbed after reading this. He probably needed to release the last of his grief and despair. But I was so glad the remembered that Boromir had regained his true self and died in such an honourable and selfless way. How lucky for Faramir that he has Merry and Pippin around him to tell him of the Boromir who tried to protect and save them to the end. He’s also had the chance now to be with his brother in some way through the difficult and confusing times he experienced. And such a lovely ending! For the first time in so long there’s sunlight over Mordor. The whole world will pick itself up and start anew, and so can Faramir. This was such a great story, jenolas. It was intriguing, amusing, heart-breaking, and a fascinating look at a complex and often misunderstood character. Bravo! :-) Author Reply: Ai, thank you Dot. I see you understood the imagery as I intended. I thought it may be a little obscure, but with the destruction of the ring comes the chance for Faramir ( and the others) to rebuild their lives. For this in part, they can thank Boromir's final resistance to the ring. Frodo needed to keep it, as we all know. Your very complimentary words are much appreciated.

Return to Chapter List