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A Cat in King Elessar's Court by Agape4Gondor	10 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/23/2008
The thought that the Dark Lord would have Denethor and Faramir's bodies torn a part after death is beyond horrible and would prove nothing. Dear, brave Alqualonde tried to save them. What a cat. Tari Author Reply: What Morgoth did to the Elves (if one accepts that story of how Orcs were made from Elves)... what else could one expect? Tea and cookies? No, dear Tari.... I think the tortures would have been profound. And if Faramir was still alive but in the throes of the Black Breath - what horros he would endure... too much for his father to think on... Thanks for the review!

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/22/2008
I'm sorry I didn't review the last few chapters (I'm busy with classes, preparing for midterms and moving to a new residence) but I managed to scrape a few minutes to get caught up on the story and see how Alqualonde is doing. I just want to scoop him up in my arms and cuddle him after these chapters. I always felt that Denethor's collapse was one of hte greatest tragedies of the trilogy. It still hurts to see his descent into despair when I re-read ROTK and reading about it from Alqualonde's POV was heart wrenching. You know, it tells you what kind of a man Denethor was when a cat calls him "Master." An excellent job, meldenya! Edlyn Author Reply: Bless you and thank you for squeezing us in!!! The Cat, however, wishes you to know that he is not just a cat... else you wouldn't be reading this tale - too dull. Oh my goodness - writing a response to you, dear Edlyn, in the midst of your RW concerns, has woken the Muse who had been asleep this last week. I will try to tell you which chapter you impacted, for I've cut what I wrote here and have pasted it into the tale! THANK YOU for responding - for taking the time - for you have inspired the Cat and he is MOST grateful... (so is his scribe)

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/21/2008
Poor cat to have to witness all this! Very chilling. Author Reply: Though there is worse to come, the Cat cannot see, at this moment, beyond what is happening. Pity him indeed!

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/21/2008
Poor Alqualondë, thinking that even Pippin has abandoned him. I wonder how the cat will take what Pippin does? Author Reply: Alqualonde asks you to remember that he is very fond of Pippin. Though the Hobbit has obviously abandoned him, he fully understands the weakness of two-legged creatures. However, there is another, more treacherous, that will feel the full fury of this feline!

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/20/2008
I agree that Denethor did indeed have the right to the "gift of Numenor". And that his main sin was in trying to take Faramir with him. But I do question greatly whether he had the right to exercise that right at that particular time or in that particular way. Gandalf says "Authority is not given to you, Steward of Gondor, to order the hour of your death". I don't believe this was negating his right to choose the gift, but to actually slay himself. To my understanding, in "choosing the gift", one simply should lie down and offer up one's own spirit--and it would be accepted. And of course, there was the "pride and despair" of trying kill Faramir as well--one could choose only for oneself, and not for another. Also, he was failing in his responsibility to lead the people of Minas Tirith by abandoning them. He refused to believe that all hope was not gone, and though he might have thought that for good reason, it still was despair. Yet I also think you have a valid interpretation here as well, and you conveyed the horror of poor Alqualonde so well! Poor cat--he doesn't realize that Pippin's not abandoned him, but has gone for help! I also like the way you emphasize his physical weakness here; I myself had never particularly noticed the part about the servants placing him on the bier that way--it really adds to the pathos and horror of the whole scene! And it had not occurred to me to wonder what the Enemy might do to his body--though I do not doubt that you're quite right in that supposition! Poor Denethor! Author Reply: Hello, Dreamflower, I do not believe there was sin in Middle-earth. However, it could be argued that it was wrong for Denethor to take Faramir’s choice from him. Three things to consider: the suffering that Denethor has seen over the years, the mutilation by Orcs and such of any who were ‘detained;’ and the Black Breath assailing his people and the tales of the gradual demise of those so afflicted… Even if Denethor had never seen any die of the Black Breath – it is recorded. Well, it seems to me that he would be correct in assuming Faramir was going to die very soon. Also, once dead, Faramir would be subject to heinous desecration of his body. IF, on the other hand, Faramir still ‘happened’ to be alive – just think of the pain and suffering that he would endure before his life ended at the hands of the Dark Lord. No excuse – of course…. But I can see how he would decide what to do, how to ‘save’ his son. The odd thing about the bier – and Denethor having to be lain upon it – Gandalf JUMPS upon it to save Faramir… VERY interesting, IMHO. Thanks for your comments – always appreciated.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/20/2008
we listened as the sad dripping of the Fountain on the Withered Tree overshadowed the sounds of battle; incredibly soft it was, as if the Tree and the Fountain cried for the fair City of Minas Tirith. What a poignant and beautifully written image! Author Reply: Thank you - I just paraphrased Tolkien to a degree... All was silent, save for the rumour of war in the City down below, and they heard the water dripping sadly from the dead branches into the dark pool. ROTK: The Siege of Gondor. The part about the Tree and Fountain crying was mine... bless you! I was astounded to read that, even though there was a HUGE battle going on right outside the walls of Minas Tirith - the sounds were soft... soft enough to hear a fountain drip off a tree... shivers

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/20/2008
My heart goes out to the cat. What an awful drama to have to witness and to be helpless to stop it. Author Reply: I don't think many are put in such a position. Even though Pippin loved the Steward in his own way, he did not 'love' the Steward as the Cat did. Helpless indeed... He tried, in his own way, to stop it... but to no avail as we know... how horrific to sit on the chest of the one you love and paw at him and try to communicate and be ignored.... and know that he is going to his death....

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/20/2008
Oh, the cat must now think that Pippin has abandoned them too. It must all be so hopeless in his mind. I find myself wondering if Alqualondë will try to stop Denethor or join him out of loyality. I know Alqualondë loved the Steward but I don't know how far that will extend. More soon I hope. Author Reply: One does wonder what such a loyal Cat would do.... And one who deeply loves the Steward....

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/20/2008
One does wonder if Denethor had received this grace, also; or if he was taking it to himself in his pride and despair. Unfortunately, we will not know ourselves until and unless we find ourselves able to ask him. Interesting speculations. At least Aragorn retained his wisdom to the end of this life. Author Reply: It could have been one way or the other, Larner. In our society, it would have been deemed suicide... however, gifts from Eru, IMHO, are not taken back. We can misuse them... and I believe that is what Denethor did with the fire - I deeply believe he had every right to lay down and sleep. From Unfinished Tales: 'When the days of the Kings came to an end and Gondor was ruled by the Stewards descended from Hurin, the steward of King Minardil, it was held that all the rights and duties of the Kings were theirs "until the Great King returns." But in the matter of the "Tradition of Isildur" they alone were the judges, since it was known only to them. They judged that by the words "an heir of Elendil" Isildur had meant one of the royal line descended from Elendil who had inherited the throne: but that he did not foresee the rule of the Stewards. If then Mardil had exercised the authority of the King in his absence, 54 the heirs of Mardil who had inherited the Stewardship had the same right and duty until a King returned; each Steward therefore had the right to visit the hallow when he would and to admit to it those who came with him, as he thought fit. As for the words "while the Kingdom endures," they said that Gondor remained a "kingdom," ruled by a vice-regent, and that the words must therefore be held to mean "as long as the state of Gondor endures."'

Fiondil	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/20/2008
And you accuse me of being an evil cliffhanging author! grin Well, you and I have had this discussion before. I still contend that perhaps even the Elendili (the Faithful) lost the ability to voluntarily return the Gift of Life back to Eru and that Aragorn was granted a special grace to do so as a reward for his faithulness in refusing the Ring and remaining true to his oaths, at least that is how I read his words in Appendix A. At the same time, there really is nothing there that contradicts your own interpretation. I do think that had Denethor merely lain down and died, that would have been his right, but obviously to take Faramir's life as well was wrong and therein lies his sin and the ultimate tragedy of his life. I sincerely hope Alqualonde survives. Aragorn could certainly use such a faithful servant and Faramir would appreciate being able to talk to someone who knew Denethor as he really was. Author Reply: Definitely different interpretations - but since the Cat agrees with Denethor - I think I'll abide by his decision :-) I'd love to talk with you about sin and Middle-earth. I personally don't think there was such a thing... However - Denethor did usurp Faramir's own ability to chose for himself. YET - what parent, seeing his child dying, would want to leave his body for the horrors of Orcish/Nazgul retribution. I shudder to think (and I will not write what my mind can imagine) of what abominations would be performed on their bodies - as much as they embodied The Dark Lord's hatred of Men and Valar alike. I do not say it was the right decision, in regards to Faramir, but I can see his 'unstable' minds thoughts on this. And let's certainly hope the Cat does not take loyalty to the nth degree!

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