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Path of the Dead   by M. Sebasky 4 Review(s)
AcaceaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/11/2004
We-ell... I liked it...lots. I rather liked the look we get at Faramir here. He does come out nicely! Liked Aglund too...

But what I really like and look forwrad to is the promise of more to come!


Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/11/2004
Ooh, my favorite chapter yet. Probably because we get a real good look at AU Faramir. Great interaction between Faramir and his son. You write older-Faramir very well. Can't wait to see his meeting with 'Dernhelm'.


LindorienReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/11/2004
Okay, now I really am tearing up. Great minds, M! Faramir echos the sentiments, though they come straight from the author herself:

To his surprise, a rueful smile appeared on his father's face. "In truth, I do not remember much but thought it delirium brought on by the fever. Yet Aglund, the point I am making is that one act was not the sum of the man your grandfather was."

A tired smile graced the Prince's face. "What trials befall us at the end of our lives may not always be indicative of the men we were for the rest of the time," he said, shaking his head. "If you would remember only the faults of your ancestors, I shudder to think how you would label your own father."

Eru! This is wonderful stuff! Lindorien



Author Reply: I am very glad you're liking this. I like it much myself, which as you know, is strange for me as I generally find fault with all I do.

As for timeline, I will address this later, or make it clear in "To the Bridge." There may be a line the Sergeant can have that will allow this to be clear.

Faramir waited quite a while before marrying, probably in his mid-forties, early fifties. Aglund is early thirty something, the other two boys in their mid to late twenties. The Princess died young.

So glad you like it. I mean, really. I think it will all hang together in the end. Which is all that's left to write. Well, that and a prologue which will prove important.

You'll see. ; )


LindorienReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/11/2004
Okay, MSebasky, this is wonderful. Memorable moments:

"More the fool you," Prince Faramir replied. "If I were your age, I would be at the ale house and not sequestered with my books."

so true.

The Prince sighed and put down his quill. "You make it sound very grand."

"History does not lie, Father."

Ah, youth. How long does that illusion last? Although, truthfully, I am confused by how old everybody is. Aglund is under 40 years of age, I understand that. A little bit of a timeline in the author's note would be grand.

This is where you made me cry and stop to write this review. I don't know what passes beyond this line yet, but I can only imagine Faramir's pain at reading this:

"In here you call refer to your uncle as 'the fallible Boromir.' Is this history's perception or was the choice of words your decision?"

Aglund's grin quickly faded. "I know my uncle was a great man," he said, trying to explain. "Yet history bears witness he tried to take Isildur's Bane from the Ring Bearer. He redeemed himself by trying to save the Halflings, but he did fall."

His father's displeasure was clear. "Isildur's bane poisoned him; used his love of Gondor against his better nature. Does that label him forever flawed? Would you condemn him to history's judgment and not remember his deeds of valor and sacrifice?"

"Yet when presented with a chance to take the Ring, you did not," Aglund said gently.

"It was not the same."

"Nay, Father; I believe it was."

His father slammed his flagon back upon the table. "Were you there?"

For youth, although Aglund is no kid in this sequence, it's all so cut and dried. Perhaps likewise for the old. The need to pigeonhole all. That a man should be remembered by the most ignoble of his acts rather than by all those noble acts which preceded it.

History is a hard taskmaster.

Thanks for writing this, M. hugs, Lindorien

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