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Fragments of a love story  by Nesta 3 Review(s)
RugiReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/24/2009
I thought it was so fascinating to see Aragorn being forced to adapt to the future that he helped create. Aragorn brought into the present some of the best of what was in the past (the nobler qualities of the kings, his elven wife, the flowering of the tree) and those things certainly had value. But it never occurred to me, until now, that this love of the past might result in a sort of narrowness of mind or character. I thought it was interesting to consider that Faramir embraced, almost instinctively and unconsciously, the future - his marriage, his decision to give up the ruling Stewardship - while still loving the past. And I loved the moment between Turin and his father - Turin sounded so young and frustrated - a part of a new world which wants to make its own way without having to mourn or venerate what's happened before.

Eldarion will be the first of the "new kings" who never knew the world as it was. It seems proper, to me, that he would be one to abandon a tradition that no longer suited him (and wouldn't even make sense to him as he never lived during a time when his "line" was in danger of going extinct). But I think you also show well the pain and horror of actually being a "revolutionary." Being the wife of the prince that breaks with tradition isn't going to be easy or fun. The people who change the world often don't get to really enjoy the changes fully.

Author Reply: That's a very thoughtful review, Rugi - thank you! I do think Aragorn (or is it JRRT?) is a bit too taken up with his lineage and with looking back at past splendours. JRRT does say somewhere that that was what did for the elves - they couldn't or wouldn't change and were left behind by Time. This comes out strongly when the Company leave Lorien. On the other hand, rushing unthinkingly into change and jettisoning the past is a very bad idea; I think we do far too much of that nowadays. Turin might be like that. A wise man will try to strike a balance, like Faramir and Aragorn, and ultimately, one hopes, Eldarion too.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/24/2009
Ah--I love this sea-change in Aragorn. Now there is but the Lady to convince, and I suspect that the convincing will be VERY difficult.

Author Reply: Yes, it certainly will! Of course, the real love story here isn't between Eldarion and Fíriel, it's between Fíriel and Faramir. In the end they have to renounce one another, renunciation being a central LoTR theme.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/23/2009
Good characterisation of Aragorn here; King of Men, but wise enough to change a decision. And he still has his wry sense of humor in his thoughts about Master Turin.

But why do neither Faramir nor Aragorn even speak about Miriel's not being in love with Eldarion?

Author Reply: As I see it (perhaps it doesn't come over) the kind of love that Eldarion feels simply can't take account of the beloved's feelings in the matter: when you feel that kind of love you will take the person on any terms, even by force (mental or physical). It sounds selfish, and indeed it is, but it's also very painful for the lover, and the beloved may end up accepting him/her out of sheer pity or exhaustion.

Fíriel's trouble is that she loves Faramir so much that no other person is ever going to come between them. She marries out of a sense of duty, knowing that Eldarion means what he says when he declares he will never marry anybody else, and that gives meaning to her decision. Otherwise she'd stay in Ithilien forever, and be barren, which would be worse for her in the end.

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