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| Bound by Duty; Bound by Joy by Mirkwoodmaiden | 2 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/1/2025 |
| *Me thinking of Frederick of Pirates of Penzance saying he is a slave of duty* *Me imagining how Faramir would be accepted if he were to go about his duties in Minas Tirith wearing his Ranger Mask so his father would not be able to see the resemblance to Finduilas* “Compassion for his father’s pain mixed with the sure knowledge that his own death would not evince these same emotions,” I am not so sure it would. Denethor did love him, and realized it ere the end. In fact, he might have killed himself so Faramir would no longer be limited by him. Now there is a plot bunny, if it is not the real reason. Also, he will have plenty of people to talk to about Finduilas, meaning Éowyn, and possibly Aragorn, and why not Imrahil? And even some servants, if they and Faramir can be so open. And to think he was dealing with all this grief and so on at home, but still managed to withstand the call of the Ring! I guess that is why they did what they did in the movie. “With that he turned on his heel to prepare for almost certain destruction.” Firstly, good line. “That will depend upon the manner of your return.” Faramir paused. Eyes closed briefly against the pain, He placed one foot in front of the other. Duty pulled him forward. There was nothing left behind.” Secondly, ouch. I know you warned us, but that hurt. Not even home is behind, for him. For Ithilien and the Rangers are ahead. Even Imrahil, who he will be leaving behind is not his parents or brother; and Éowyn is still behind him as she rides for Minas Tirith and he rides for Osgiliath; she who will be his home but they don’t know it yet. “He was bound to do this thing; there was no other choice. He was trapped within this life, bound to act as he must.” He really has had experiences like Éowyn has, hasn’t he. “he saw himself barking orders and yet he was also viewing it from afar.” I can’t imagine him ‘barking’ orders. Calling yes, barking no. “but curiously there was no pain, until he saw a sight he never believed possible. His father running, frantic and in tears, for him. Faramir tried to call to him. Tried to show him he was not mortally wounded. He looked again and felt rather than heard his father cry “Faramir! Say not that he has fallen. I sent my son forth, unthanked, unblessed, out into needless peril.” Again Faramir tried to reach out through the mists tried to reach his father, to comfort him and tell him not to despair, but to no avail. Faramir’s heart broke anew and he fell into hopelessness, the grey mists growing thicker with each tear dropping.” awwwww. I mean oh dear…let’s just wait for Hope to come along, shall we? “His father, once so noble and so strong, devolving into a tormented wretch forsaking all he held dear except, at the last, his love for his second son. A love that Faramir had ever yearned to see and but had given up hope had ever really existed. Some evil was at work here, showing him his heart’s desire, to see his father’s love for him but to see that very love tearing his father apart.” Indeed. Wow. Though to be fair, his first son has died less than a month ago, and his second son is mortally wounded, AND he still grieves for his wife who died 30 years ago, AND he probably feels something for all who have died under his command. So falls Denethor. I would say he lasted longer than Isildur, and Boromir, though. Sorry the review is so long. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/26/2025 |
| This sequence in the film was heart-rending, from the obvious despair of the people lining the streets, throwing flowers as if bedecking the warriors' graves as they rode to their doom, to Faramir's return from the battle, dragged by his horse. Faramir's dissociation during the battle feels very real. The first part of the chapter sets the scene for Faramir's hopeless anguish, both here and in the next chapter (which I read before coming back to leave a review here). In some ways, the grey mist is merciful, blocking Faramir from grasping the horror his father intends: to burn them both alive. That fact may prove difficult knowledge later on, when he learns more about his father's death and his own rescue at Mithrandir's hands... and as a result of Pippin's courage and loyalty, and Beregond's sacrifice for the sake of his Captain... I wonder how he will feel, once he starts to recover, when at last Beregond's doom dawns on him. Will he blame himself? Will he seek after mercy from the newly crowned King, even as he understands all too clearly that "of old, death was the penalty"? Author Reply: Lindelea! Thank you so much for the review. Faramir has always fascinated me, pulled at my heart. As evidenced by so many of my stories about he and Eowyn. Shown so little love from his father that he should grow up, see and understand Eowyn's pain and so gently coax her out of her pain and desire to die on the battlefield. The relationship shown/ written about Denethor and Faramir is so painful. That scene in ROTK when they are riding down through the streets of Minas Tirith is heartbreaking. I hope I captured at least some of that. I think with my other stories about Faramir I touch on how he deals the pain of what happened to him and those whom he loves. And yes! Beregond does make the occasional appearance throughout. You might like a Day of Celebration which I will repost as it was one of mine deleted! Thanks again! (((hugs))) MM | |