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| Ten Thousand Years Will Not Suffice by Agape4Gondor | 6 Review(s) |
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| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 56 on 7/19/2010 |
| So it is that the heirs of the two lands of the South were lost, and the younger, less direct heirs must take their places. And Boromir's death has come on the borders of Gondor, on the banks of Anduin. | |
| njomo | Reviewed Chapter: 56 on 6/1/2009 |
| Hi Agape. I don't know how I missed finding this wonderful story until now-my fault I'm sure as I'm usually looking for tales involving Elves. Anyway, I find myself captivated by your rendering of the life of Denethor and his sons. I first read the LOTR when I was 10 or 11 and I remember thinking even at that tender age (a few years have gone by since then, but who's counting!) that the Palantir must have a huge effect on Denethor-on his actions and on his relationship with his sons. In fact, the way that Tolkien tells the tale, we see a Palantir and what Pippin saw in it and we know who Aragorn struggled with when he looked in it before we are introduced to Denethor and Minas Tirith. In light of that, we know what (or should I say who) is influencing Denethor and this makes his actions right before the end of his life even more tragic. And while PJ's movie makes good dramatic effect, I am much happier reading a story such as yours that tries to stick to canon while at the same time exploring in depth the lives of these three men. Thank you for it. I'll keep an eye open for the remainder of the tale. Joanne Author Reply: Thank you very much for your kind words. I have never understood some people's deep hatred for this tragic hero... I'm very glad my 'exposition' of his life before PJ meets your approval. *g* As for the Palantir, I don't think we can quite blame all of Denethor's problems at the end of his life on the Palantir - but it definitely was a deciding factor in causing his madness.... Blessings, Agape Author Reply: Just a quick FYI - there was a difficult time in the writing of these last days of Denethor.... BUT - it is now finished. A short epilogue will be posted in a day or two. Just an FYI - in case you might like to pick up where you left off. Bless you! | |
| Aiwen | Reviewed Chapter: 56 on 5/15/2009 |
| It's getting very close to the end now. I really like the story; I think you capture the dynamics within the house of Hurin well, and it is very nice to see Denethor portrayed as you do. Author Reply: Bless you, Aiwen... I believe fandom has been 'tricked' by evil into believing that Denethor was bad.... but I won't go into that here. | |
| Linaewen | Reviewed Chapter: 56 on 5/14/2009 |
| While this one was very hard to read, knowing what we know about Boromir, it was also amazing for all the details and background you have added to Denethor's preparations for the coming battle. Even as he is on the verge of desperate despair, he is still thinking clearly about what to do to keep his people safe, and he is thinking quickly when presented with each new hitch or problem. He can make decisions without wavering, and somehow, he is able to command people to do what needs doing based on his visions in the palantir, without having to deal with too much explanation. I can truly see he is the kind of man that his people follow without doubt or without questioning, and that's important at this time. Even so, a bit of questioning might have been good for the man, he holds too much in his heart and doesn't share it, and that's what leads to despair that can't be contained! I'll be watching for more with an eager yet heavy heart. Author Reply: You are so right about a bit of questioning - might have saved his life. The obedience that he received from his men/servants told of his command of them, but command bought at a price that proved tragic, in the end. Bless you for the support. Most appreciated! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 56 on 5/14/2009 |
| “Valar!” he wailed aloud. “Let him live. Please let him live. He is my all. All I have left. Please. Oh please, let him live.” Heart-rending, and very Denethor. It doesn't seem to enter his mind that Boromir isn't all he has left; that he has another son; Denethor can only think of Boromir. Faramir is very much the after-thought here, so when Denethor realizes Boromir is truly dead, he will be inconsolable. I don't know whether the Fords of Isen were closer to Minas Tirith, in terms of mileage, than Parth Galen, but the Anor-stone does have a limited range; I think it's 600 miles. Or maybe, because Denethor is so heart-stricken, his emotions are interfering with his ability to work the stone to find Boromir. Just as well, really. Watching Boromir get perforated and die would probably give Denethor a stroke; not to mention seeing Thorongil turn up as Boromir's dying but not before. Author Reply: Oh, Raksha, I don't think Denethor could have survived watching Boromir die. As for Faramir, Denethor just does not 'see' that Faramir might be an able Captain-General. BECAUSE all his hopes have been on Boromir. Denethor, in my mind's eye, sees his own failings and sees them mirrored in Faramir - whereas, Boromir is like the last king of Gondor or, as Eomer says, like a Rohirric warrior. Besides Faramir thinks for himself - that's something that really pushes Denethor's buttons for he feels that, by doing that, Faramir is being disloyal... and disobedient - (which he definitely was in Ithilien when he let Frodo go) - that is a very difficult thing for a father, never mind a ruler! As for the Palantir - even with all the research, there is no one answer as to what one can and cannot do with it. One has to scratch around, like a hen after seed. In my own thoughts, mostly based upon the fact that nowhere does Tolkien state that Denethor 'sees' Boromir at all on the quest - I find that incredibly strange. This son who is loved beyond reason is not 'watched' as he progressed on the road to Imladris and on the way back to Gondor. It makes no sense to me - so I've accepted the fact (smiles) that Denethor cannot (whether it is the stone or his own mental state) Denethor cannot 'see' his sons in the globe. Just MHO. | |
| Sarasrati | Reviewed Chapter: 56 on 5/13/2009 |
| I almost didn't want to keep reading this to the end. I knew where you were going to end it when the chapter started--such a picture of despair and sadness and a smidgen of hope, but maybe not enough. It seems wrong to say it is well-written because of all the grief. Not even said outright, this despair, just felt. But I imagine that is what it might have felt like to be there in those months, and that came across masterfully. Author Reply: Thank you very much, faithful friend.... I almost didn't want to write this ... If you've noticed, it's been awhile. I've been writing other stuff - just so I had an excuse not to write this. There are only about twenty days left in Denethor's life. Thankfully, I have a lot of 'that' day written - and also the epilogue is safe in my mind.... Again, my deepest thanks for your kind words - but more importantly - for your continued support. This has been a long road.... | |