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| Shadows Lengthen Ere Close of Day by MP brennan | 6 Review(s) |
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| EverleighBain | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/20/2013 |
| I have read and re-read many of your pieces and every time I find them startlingly poignant. This one is no exception--it left me feeling both emboldened and bittersweet (even though I KNOW how the battle ends!) You craft the buildup to Gadron's encounter with the King so exquisitely, and even though Aragorn is such a familiar character you manage to portray him with such mystery and subtlety that Gadron's point of view becomes achingly relateable. It becomes perfectly possible to imagine the uncertainty (and also slowly-realized allegiance) of the soldiers at that last stand. You are such a clever storyteller and I hope to read many more (and also hope to learn from your craftsmanship!) Thank you so much for sharing! | |
| iboneki | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/17/2013 |
| Wow, that was great! You continue to give such depth to OCs that help illustrate the canon of Aragorn. I'd love to read more of this soldier's thoughts in the aftermath. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/17/2013 |
| One who looks at soldiers and sees them as men, as individuals, each of whom deserves heartening and understanding, makes the kind of leader we will each and all follow! | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/16/2013 |
| Really, really well-done and thought-provoking. Of course many of the men in Aragorn's army would have felt the doubts this man did, and Aragorn's words to him, while they did not allay the doubts, helped to kindle hope that the doubts were only that, and not certainties. I think it was right to end this as you did, with the beginning of this battle, and the doubts as yet unresolved for Gadron (though not for the reader), but I'd dearly love a follow-up one-shot in which we learn his fate and see how he deals with a world at peace (assuming he survived). I also liked the story-external irony of his being saved from fighting on the Pelennor by dysentery as it put me in mind of how JRRT was saved in WWI by the trench fever that sent him home to recuperate. | |
| Canafinwe | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/15/2013 |
| What a wonderful piece! Gadron is so beautifully and completely drawn: you bring him to life. I love his loyalty to Faramir, and the wistful thoughts of how Boromir might have led this last desperate campaign. He is clearly the consummate soldier, and I have no doubt that now Elessar has won his loyalty he will serve his King as he served his Steward. The Shakespeare fanmaiden in me has always believed Aragorn must have walked among his men that night, and it's simply delicious to see someone write a piece depicting just that! The moment where he helped himself to some of their poor camp-fare was beautiful. That poor captain! And the moment when he draws Gadron aside... exquisite. So perfectly in keeping of what we know of this King who has insights into the hearts of men beyond the power of his race. And the dear, driven soldier of Gondor, grappling with terror and despair and finding aid in his struggle where he clearly did not expect that he might. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/15/2013 |
| "A word in your ear, Gadron?" I blink. Not only has he remembered a name, but he has remembered mine. Such a simple, yet astounding thing. This POV rings very true. I hope Gadron survived, and passed along this remembrance to his children, and theirs. | |