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Rising to the Challenge  by annmarwalk 5 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/29/2005
Yes, appreciate the sentiment.

Author Reply: Thank you! Quite different from my usual Denethor, who tends a bit warmer and fuzzier. I was afraid to write him for a long time after this, not knowing which Denethor was trying to get out.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/24/2005
Lovely--a real word-feast. I think I like the last one best. I almost hate him a little less now.:D

cheers
Armariel~~~{~@

Author Reply: This was so different from the way I usually write Denethor (being of the "kinder, gentler Denethor" camp)that I almost pulled it after posting. It has received quite favorable comments, though, like yours - thanks! so I must have touched a resonating chord.

BranwynReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/24/2005
I agree with Raksha--not a candidate for "father of the year"! While it is probably not so unusual for parents to favor one child above another, it does seem unnatural to be willing to trade the life of one for another. I think I will give Denethor the benefit of the doubt, and say that this is his grief speaking. However, very Denethor-ish to say that his sin was not the unfatherly sentiments but being caught!

Author Reply: Yes, anger and grief and shame and self-justification, poor poor sad man. I ran screaming from him after writing this; it was a long time before he would calm down enough to talk to me nicely. "Where A Man's Treasure Is...." got us on speaking terms once again.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/23/2005
I guess this eliminates Denethor's eligibility in the Gondor FATHER OF THE YEAR contest!

No, Denethor, while some parents favor one kid over the other, they don't contemplate sacrificing one kid to save the favorite child, even in the privacy of their own thoughts. What has a certain Eye been telling you during your palantir chats, anyway?

Excellent drabble; giving Denethor's rationale, and his remorse over being 'caught' and the sorrow in the eyes of the less favored son, in only 100 years. You really have to wonder what kind of people his own parents were...

Author Reply: Yep, certainly no "Kiss the Cook" apron for him!

I'd resisted writing this sort of Denethor for so long but I was quite overcome by his insistency in getting this out, and his clever ploy to implicate his listeners in order to assuage his own feelings of guilt.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/23/2005
And how many of us have committed the same sin. So glad you have Denethor admitting the sin and regretting it.

I love your way with words, Ann.

Author Reply: Thank you so much! A great compliment, coming from someone whose stories I enjoy so much, myself.

This story was quite a departure from my usual Kindler, Gentler, Denethor fare: we must have both caught each other in a moment of weakness. A true confession from most all parents, though.

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