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Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner	11 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/20/2008
Oh, I know how Faramir feels about Mardiol. We have one of these in our department who's driving everyone crazy at meetings - blathering on and on about things often already decided and saying with 100 words what others have already said with 10 rolls eyes Denethor was cruel to his horse? Grrr. He should be glad he didn't survive, otherwise I'd give him a serious talking to. The amount of compassion Faramir shows is really amazing - the more so as his father always favoured his brother, what must have been difficult and often hurtful for him. For the same reason I am glad that Aragorn and Faramir got along so well from the beginning - finally someone who values Faramir's qualities. Interesting question which influence Pippin would have had on Denethor. Though I'm not sure it would have made much difference; Denethor was so suspicious, and I'm not sure he'd have appreciated Pippin's honesty. But Aragorn's assessment of the Hobbits is spot-on. And what better way to relax after a tiring Council meeting than spending the evening with Hobbits? Author Reply: I've dealt with them, too; and when he was a child the Kid was always imagining dread disasters that MIGHT possibly happen--perhaps, most of them, in a month that managed to host three full moons. I doubt Denethor would consider it being cruel to his horse; I suspect that as he became more and more the spider at the center of the web of protection he tried to keep intact about Gondor, he rode less and less, and in time came to forget horses have their own personalities and need to be treated with consideration. And I believe that Denethor did love both his sons, but that he had begun suppressing his ability to express his care as he felt he had to concentrate on the integrity and safety of the realm; and that he'd become so focused on protection being based on strength of arms he lost sight of just how important Faramir's personal gifts and his contributions to the defense of the land were. Boromir was the obvious warrior, the shining one capable of standing before all, whom men would follow blindly. Faramir was the more careful one, the guerrila warrior, the one who analyzed the enemy and who relied not on others following him so much as working with his men to together develop the strategies necessary to win what victory they could. It's difficult for those who are certain strength of arms is important to realize that the type of fighting Faramir was good at was just as effective, and helped to keep down the forces Boromir's soldiers had to face. And you're right--as neither Aragorn nor Faramir is married yet, they could have no better relaxation at the time than to spend an evening with Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
What a wonderful surprise!Thank you so much. I loved this glimpse into the friendship between my two favourite characters and the thought of the meal they will enjoy with old friends(a pleasure I had on my birthday)I agree with Faramir about horses,people are much the same! Author Reply: I am so glad you are pleased! Yes, a good, Hobbit-cooked meal after a trying day at work! What better type of evening can they know at the time, do you think? Hope your birthday was a good one!

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
Leave it to Faramir to have felt compassion even for Denethor in his unkindly moments. I am not sure that hobbits would have benefitted Denethor over a time; he might have been amused by them in the short term, but I don't see Denethor easily tolerating that which he could not control or understand. But it is an interesting idea. Good story; I love the air of comfortable familiarity between King and Steward - hope they have a good meal and relax with their hobbit friends. Author Reply: Indeed--I think Faramir was filled with the compassion Denethor appears to have controlled out of his system. As for your idea as to how comfortable the two of them are together--I doubt it would take very long for Aragorn Arathorn's son to make Faramir feel relaxed in his presence, especially once he was aware of just how intelligent and perceptive--and compassionate--Faramir is. And their evening may end up with the kind of surprises Hobbits are good at, but will undoubtedly be pleasant.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
grin Yes, after a boring and frustrating Council meeting, and evening with hobbits should prove completely delightful! I do wonder how Denethor would have done, had he had the company of hobbits much earlier in his life? Perhaps it would have mellowed him a bit. Author Reply: Ir'a definitely a thing to wonder about--how Denethor might have been had Bilbo gone to Gondor instead of Rivendell on his way back from Erebor. Oh, don't give me another Nuzgul--look how hard it's proving to write the next chapter in Stirring Rings!!!

inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
I'll try and do this again! I particularly enjoyed the easy friendship between king and steward. They already have a great partnership. And I loved Aragorn's succinct, and accurate, summary of all the hobbit talents. Author Reply: I'm so glad you felt the friendship between them had already become easy between them. There must have been a good deal they found in common. As for the Hobbits and their tendencies, well, Aragorn has had a good chance to learn their individual quirks well. Thanks for the feedback.

inzilbeth	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008


harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
After a day like that in Council I am surprised that Aragorn didn't demand that the Hobbits remain in Minas Tirith or at least keep one or two with him at all times! grin Author Reply: Oh, I know just what you mean, Harrowcat. I bet he truly missed them when they returned to the Shire. I think that's one reason why in my version of events he was glad when Hamfast the Younger chose to go to Minas Anor with him.

Soledad	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
I'd so love to read a "Denethor lives" AU in which Pippin gets the chance to make the old Steward unbend a little... I hated the movies the passion of a thousand burning suns (well, save perhaps the parts with Boromir, which were great, I have to admit), and especially what PJ made with Denethor, but the scene Pippin singing for him was very touching. Author Reply: You would curse me with yet another nuzgul, Soledad? I can't finish what I'm working on now! Heh! Sorry the movie version of Denethor drove you crazy. But I loved Pippin singing in it, too, even if it wasn't consistent with the book. Billy Boyd did an excellent job with the role.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
Between Peregrin Took’s mercurial mind and Sam’s common sense and Merry’s ability to think several steps ahead and Frodo’s empathy--not to mention the cooking prowess of them all--the evening should prove entertaining, instructive, comfortable, provocative, and most delightful.” Wow! That was a perfect characterisation of the four hobbits, and with so few words! I'm impressed :) I find the reasoning of Tooks sufficiently confusing at times to be refreshing, and a wonderful exercise to the mind in trying to follow it. I totally agree. It's really a pity that Denethor didn't meet Pippin (or another Took) earlier on. Author Reply: Am glad you appreciated the precis on each of the four Hobbits, and that you agree interaction with Hobbits might have had a positive effect on Denethor had he met them earlier in his life.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/19/2008
“It is too bad, I think, that Pippin didn’t come into his service years ago when his thinking was less rigid. I find the reasoning of Tooks sufficiently confusing at times to be refreshing, and a wonderful exercise to the mind in trying to follow it at times.” Love it! And what an intriguing "what if". Author Reply: Yes, definitely an intriguing idea, although Dreamflower is probably right that longterm Denethor might have not benefitted. Glad you enjoyed the story.

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