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| A Long and Weary Way: Appendices by Canafinwe | 13 Review(s) |
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| Rowanfair | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/23/2016 |
| Beautiful! As if you had read my heart. To me it has never been in question Faramir & his King could have been anything but close friends. Now here comes the tale of reason, experience and emotion behind that fact, wonderful! Many thanks!!! | |
| B. Halcyon | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/9/2015 |
| Correction, I meant my first review in 10 years. | |
| B. Halcyon | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/9/2015 |
| Ah yes, the scene that you had mentioned as the inspiration for this addenda. Prior to your publishing of this I had wondered if your Faramir would see the connection between the star that he recovered and those worn by the Grey Company. Now I know. I do love how Aragorn handled the big reveal. He has that flair for showmanship when it suits him. Here and in instances in ALWW I have found it reminiscent of Doyle's portrayal of Holmes (without the arrogance of course). I also love the little easter eggs you have hiding in your narrative. When you take us into the King's study, you describe the changes made by contrasting it with Faramir's memories of when it had been Denethor's. And then you throw a subtle reference to Elrond, ... "A washstand occupied one corner, and along the wall beside the hearth was a high couch with a plain sheet folded upon its foot." Ever the consummate healer your Aragorn, and seeing that he has adopted his foster father's methods of arranging his study is further proof that he was a student of Elrond. I was struck with how well you presented your insight into the healing approach there in ALWW - Ch.75, so I was happy to see this little nod to our favorite loremaster/healer. Always a pleasure to see your work Canafinwe. You get credit for pulling me out of lurk-mode and posting my first review. Author Reply: I'm so pleased and flattered that you enjoyed this so much! Thank you for taking the time to tell me. I'm still more honoured if you are not a frequent reviewer! I think a King would have to have a spark of showmanship. What a lovely comparison! You have a little Holmes in yourself, picking up on those little touches. Aragorn did indeed arrange his study to reflect that of his foster father. Thank you for your lovely remarks on Ch. 75, as well. I love writing Elrond, and that sequence was especially rewarding to create. | |
| Marianel | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/5/2015 |
| Faramir!❤️ If Aragorn could not have been king all circumstances from Tolkien aside Faramir is the closest to a king in my mind.I have read both books and seen the movies. In the movies I always liked Faramir. I remember when he rode out to Osgiliath to please his father. Faramirs heartache before Denethor became my.A mothers feelings for a son in that scene. Aragorn is gentle and understanding of Denethors ways and it seems Denethor never knew peace.I always pitied him in the books and the movie. It was terrible when he burned himself and Faramir in that scene. As usual you show Aragorns greatness and Faramirs and they truly deserve each other. You make me see them before me when they sit there. Thank you!🌹 | |
| Sneha | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/4/2015 |
| That was beautiful! You got Faramir's nature down to a pat (like your Arwen and Elrond), eager to please and hoping for friendship! I loved the idea of Aragorn of getting whatever he wants to eat, it must have been quite an experience to be waited on hand and foot as opposed to being reviled by everyone! He deserves it! Hopefully there will be an Imrahil chapter next! As always your tale brightens my day and just adds to my love for lord of the rings. I never thought of using the Palantir as an abuse of power | |
| Cimarron's Girl | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/3/2015 |
| Oh, the long-awaited moment of revelation to Faramir! I was so excited when I realized who was the subject of this appendix. And... be still, my heart... you're planning to write a piece where Imrahil recognizes Thorongil in the new king? I really loved the glimpse of Imrahil that you gave us in "The Sell-Sword and the Prince," so I will be thrilled to see such an addition to your writings. Back to the subject of this particular scene, I think it is marvelous! Faramir is such a conflicted character, and you really captured this beautifully in his thoughts and in his uncertainty about dealing with his new liege lord. I was especially struck by the line "Still he longed, for all he knew it was naught but greed on his part, for friendship." It makes me feel so sorry for him... but it is so appropriate a line for his figure, and it makes me glad that Aragorn is his king; I'm sure Aragorn wants to be friends almost as much as Faramir does. Likewise, it was good that Aragorn could assuage Faramir's sense of guilt and clarify the details of Boromir's death; it is the beginning of true healing at long last. As always, thank you for sharing your work with us here... It really brightens my day every time I see an update and get to read another selection of your beautiful language and imagery. :-) Author Reply: Aaah, I'm glad it was good, after such a long wait! I agree: Faramir has so much to cope with, and especially at this point in his life. You are right, too: Faramir is not the only one who sometimes "longs for friendship". :-) I am sure these two are destined to be the closest of confidantes. It's fantastic to know you're eager for the Imrahil story! I love his character, and his instant acceptance and loyalty. It's heartwarming that you liked my take on him in "Sell-Sword"! A grown Imrahil will be wonderful to write. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/2/2015 |
| Better--I apologize for what may have seemed unwarranted criticism, but I fear I did find it confusing. Thank you for your patience! Author Reply: No, never apologise for honest feedback! It really wasn't clear enough, and I never would have noticed without your remark. I think the passage is much improved for it, and I'm so very, very grateful! THANK YOU! It's the best gift a writer can receive: constructive feedback that helps her to improve. | |
| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/2/2015 |
| This is such a lovely scene. Faramir and Aragorn at the beginning of their friendship and working relationship. Yes, they "knew" each other before, but now they know. I like how Aragorn is able to ease Faramir's trouble and grief. Seeing Denethor's use of the Palantir as treason is a new idea for me. I never thought of it that way. Author Reply: Thank you! In retrospect especially, there is an element of treachery to Denethor's choice. It was not intentional, not wilful, but all the same I feel Faramir must have been very conflicted. I'm so glad to know that you liked the scene, and Aragorn's ministrations to his Steward's wounded being. Cheers! | |
| Aromene | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/2/2015 |
| Oh, I'm so very glad we got to see this moment! I'd almost forgotten about it (the beginning of Aragorn's journey was a while ago), but glad to be reminded. So many things resolved in this appendix and I'm thrilled that Faramir's found peace at last about his brother and father. Author Reply: It *was* long ago, wasn't it? I loved to have this opportunity for Faramir to explore and ease his grief. He lost so much in the War, and the healing of those wounds needed to begin. I'm delighted you liked this appendix. Thank you! | |
| someone | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/2/2015 |
| There were some new, interesting views in this. I've never before thought that Denethor's experiments with the palantir might be close to treason. On the other hand, he got some useful information, but on the other, he also let himself be virtually poisoned by the enemy, and it might have destroyed Gondor. It's really hard to say if the information was worth it. Poor Faramir, I had never thought that he might feel as if he had no right to grieve. It's really ironic that, after so many hard years, Aragorn can now get almost anything fresh from the kitchen, at any time. It was funny to "see" him staring at the little pastry, most likely thinking of that tree bark in your other story. I also really liked "Faramir's nose wrinkled reflexively, forgetting the dignity of its rank." and the memory of Gollum's fish! I think this is the start of a very good friendship, and doubtless Faramir will soon find out how Aragorn knows his father (and will hear a lot of interesting stories from those times). Did Imrahil already recognize him? May I ask when this takes place? Clearly Faramir already knows Aragorn and has worked with him, but Elrohir and Elrohir have not gone to Rohan with Eomer. Author Reply: It's always such a compliment to be told I've brought a new line of thought to a reader, especially as everyone on this site has such a deep love of and familiarity with the Professor's wondrous universe. You're right: Denethor's use of the palantir is no simple matter to judge. He had more right to do so than Saruman, which is why he was able to resist so much longer. And yet... clearly the costs were terrible, and would have been so much higher but for Beregond and Pippin! I enjoyed that little irony, and I'm sure Aragorn was as well. Yes, a far cry from pine bark: dainty and decorative sweets handmade for his table. I wondered if anyone would notice Faramir's disobedient nose. ;-) I'm actually intending to write a piece where Imrahil realizes the King's former identity... but yes, by the Coronation I'm quite sure he would have worked it out. As for when this takes place, excellent question! It's May 4, the fourth day of Elessar's reign and still a few days before the departure of the sons of Elrond. They have not been working together long, but Faramir and Aragorn are so well-suited to do so that they've fallen into step very swiftly. Faramir has not yet been made Prince of Ithilien, either: business for tomorrow or the next day. | |