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A New Beginning  by Linda Hoyland 14 Review(s)
VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/15/2008
"I did have an Aunt and Uncle(born about 1900) who were proud of the fact they had never seen each other unclothed in over 50 years of marriage."

That makes me quite sad in a way. I've always thought that this was our temporary return to the Garden of Eden: to be naked and not be ashamed...

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/13/2008
“Aragorn looked both pleased and somewhat bewildered as he pondered on Lady Eowyn’s welcome but alarmingly rapid switch of affections from himself to his Steward.” Lovely and so amusing!

I’m not sure I buy the notion that Denethor used to flog Faramir. He was unjust to him and unduly cold, but I don’t see any indication in the books that he was abusive. well, I suppose it’s open to interpretation. However, on thing is for sure: Faramir will eventually have to permit someone to see him naked, and that someone will be Eowyn – how will she react, I wonder?

It’s nice how you sneak in the expression “his Faramir” in the last chapter.
“He bent to kiss Aragorn’s ring before leaving, in the gesture of respect, that he was accustomed to his father demanding ,and promptly banged his nose against the King’s who had bent towards him at the same instant. “
“We both have the hazard of Numenorean noses!”
Yay! This is your wonderful sense of humour, I love it!


Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review of this early story of mine.In my later stories I decided that Denethor only snapped once to beat Faranir for letting Frodo go.

I'm pleased you enjoyed the part about the noses bumping as that was my personal favourite!

Author Reply: I did have an Aunt and Uncle(born about 1900) who were proud of the fact they had never seen each other unclothed in over 50 years of marriage.They had a son and were very happy together. Faramir has to start facing his fears in "Shadow and Thought".

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/29/2005
Poor Faramir. He's not good with authority figures. Unsurprisingly. I'm glad to know that he does develop an affectionate and trusting relationship with Aragorn in time - although I think that, deep down, he's never entirely certain that it will last. He's scarred in worse ways than physically. But he will be happy in the end.


Author Reply: You are so right about Faramir, he is always afraid that somehow he will lose Aragorn's friendship and trust as I explore in my ubsequent stories.Many thanks for your much appreciated review.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/27/2005
"Aragorn was starting to get quite light headed from watching all this bobbing around."

That's my favorite line in the story. It shows Aragorn's essential honesty and desire for a certain simplicity in his relations with others rather than fripperies and ritual and obeisance. Unfortunately, as King, he's going to have to learn how to handle all of that, but he doesn't need or want it all the time, particularly from his friends.



Author Reply: I'm pleased that you thought I captured an essential facet of Aragorn's character in this line.The poor man will get enough bowing and scraping in public ,so he hardly needs it in private too.
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/26/2005
Nice description of the beginning of the reign of the Lord King Aragorn Elessar.

Author Reply: I'm pleased you enjoyed it.Thank you.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/26/2005
I think I remember reading this on FFN, but it's wonderful to read it now. Poor Faramir, looking at the bad memories and associations he has with these quarters, and now must give over. At least he has one well worthy to follow to assist him in washing those memories away! But to have the final panic hit him--poor lad!

Author Reply: I posted this at ff.net last May but decided to try to improve it for this site as i felt I could do better.I'm pleased you are enjoying it here.Many thanks for your much appreciated review.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/26/2005
A lovely retelling from Faramir's point of view.

Author Reply: Thank you.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 2 on 12/26/2005
the long sensitive fingers, suggested a man who might be happier in more peaceful pursuits.

That's a wonderfully perceptive thought.

He could sense the air of Numenor around Faramir,almost as pure, as it was around himself.

You really breathe life into these two Men... so alike in so many ways. A lovely story.

Author Reply: Thank you so much for your kind comments,which are especially appreciated from a writer of your calibre.I felt this story was worth returning to and polishing a little as I wasn't very happy with my original version,so I thought I'd repost it at the same time as my Christmas special.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/26/2005
It was very hard to imagine himself being crowned as King ,had Denethor lived. It was unlikely he would have handed over the rod so easily. He had Faramir to thank for his smooth accession to the throne.

Now that's a fascinating thought! And oh, how I wish the movie had included the scene of Faramir "surrendering his office" to the new king.

Author Reply: I very much missed that scene too.Thank you for your much appreciated review.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 7/8/2005
This is a wonderful, completely canon book-verse gap-filler!

I really *like* your interpretation of Faramir, as being competent and confident in his tasks, but shy and lacking in self-esteem personally. It would make a good deal of sense, considering how his father treated him, that he would continue for a good long while to see himself mostly through Denethor's eyes. I also like the way he expects formality, and is surprised at the intimacy and friendship Aragorn shows him. Gondor, I think, was a far more formal place than the remnants of the Northern kingdoms.

And I also like the way Aragorn reacts to him. Realizing that for some reason, Faramir did not expect to continue as Steward, he finds himself having to coax this person out of himself. It all bodes well for the future of their friendship.

Very insightful character study!

Author Reply: Thank you so much for your kind review.I am pleased someone likes my characterisation of Faramir as many do not !I feel that his relationship with his father would make him slow to feel at ease with Aragorn and that aragorn would be kind to him.I am glad you liked the story.

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