Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Theme and Variations by Gandalfs apprentice	13 Review(s)
Szepilona10	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/12/2008
Aww! What a great story! God bless! ~Szpilona10~ Author Reply: Thanks, Szpilona10. It was a joy to write this one. G.A.

Cait	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/20/2006
I really enjoyed reading this story: you have painted the characters so vividly, and managed to show them both relaxed and in character extremely well. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Aragorn and the twins, and how carefully Aragorn prepared for Arwen. Thank you very much for a wonderful read! Author Reply: Thank you, Cait! I hope you read more of my stories. Not all of them are posted at Stories of Arda. You can find the others at www.tolkienfanfiction.com and other sites. "Theme and Variations" was one of the most enjoyable to write. I had a lot of fun thinking up all the jokes in the "roasting"!

SimplegirlfromLP	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/25/2006
This is the first "Fan Fiction" I have read and it was FANTASTIC. I loved reading your stories. I felt as if I had stepped right into Middle Earth. GIVE ME MORE!!. I stayed home to care for sick children today and I was supposed to work at home, but fell upon your story and it consumed me. Thank you I loved it. Author Reply: Hi, Simplegirl Congratulations on discovering the world of Fanfiction! It's a lot of fun, and you will find many surprises and delights along the way. I will probably expand this story at some point, but not just now. You can put me on your author alert list as an easy way to keep track. Meanwhile, many of my drabbles and short pieces are written much in the same tone. G.A.

RS	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/7/2005
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I am so pleased to have found it. It is so refreshing to finally see these characters relaxing and enjoying themselves. I love the roast for Aragorn. Just a bunch of guys drinking beer and having a good time. They deserve it!! I do like the fact that Aragorn had Arwen on his mind when it came to choosing of the rooms and the decorations. I find that very ..(what's the word??)..I guess..sexy (that's the only word that came to mind right now..forgive me) in a man. It shows that he truly loves Arwen. Poor Faramir. There's always one in the family..an aunt that you just want to hide in the closet!! I do like Faramir's first impressions of Arwen "this marriage would not always be a peaceful one". Brought a smile to my face. The mood in this fic was so relaxed..I LOVE IT!!! I enjoyed it so much!!. I liked it so much that I am going to ask if you have time, can you expand it?? Pretty please?? Author Reply: Hi, RS Thanks for your nice review. I wanted to communicate a lot about the characters by showing small things about them, rather than the great and heroic. If you want to read more of the same, you might try some of my drabbles and short pieces (at Stories of Arda under Gandalfs apprentice). I also have a couple of "adult theme" fics that are in that same tone, but they are not at SoA. You can find them at www.fanfiction.net/u/836674/. They are not graphic, but express a very non-Tolkien attitude toward sex. I may well add to "Theme and Variations," but not immediately. Right now I am engrossed in a major project, "The Sword of Elendil." In part "Theme" was a break from this dark action story. It is about Aragorn's life from the time he leaves Rivendell to the time he goes south on his "great errantries and journeys," as Tolkien puts it. It is sort of a "Coming of age" story in which Aragorn deals with many painful issues. I won't give too much away, but you can expect at least one threat to his life. Obviously this is not a light-toned fic but if you like adventure and drama, too, you might enjoy it. It does have its humorous moments. G.A.

Grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/4/2005
What a great story. I loved Faramir's point of view on Eowyn, his aunts and the king. Poor Master Talbert, he has a king who can dress himself and will light his own fire. He should be happy that he did not find Aragorn sleeping on the floor or out in the garden. I imagine now that Arwin is there, Aragorn will want the bed. Author Reply: Yes, he will want the bed!! That's the meaning of the "At least for now" comment. Thanks for reading. I really appreciate your consistent reviewing and feedback! G.A.

Amy	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/4/2005
I've read this fic twice already and really love it, esp. your characterization of Arwen, which makes it clear that Aragorn had to love her. I so appreciate happy!Faramir, and his relationship with his aunts. Brilliant characterization of Imrahil: I can't imagine him not recognizing Aragorn right away, but his realization of who Thorongil was is also quite plausible, although I think you're right that he wouldn't have realized it for a few years since he was no more than 14 (? has been a while since I checked the dates) at the time. I really loved the part about recognizing Aragorn by the way he handles his sword; that must have been unforgettable to a soldier. I love the details of the apartments in the Citadel. I think that Aragorn would savor having a home at last, and I love his attention to detail about what would make Arwen happy. My favorite part of all is Thorongil, that mysterious, dashing stranger! I can't quite understand why there aren't more Thorongil fics, what with the inherent tension with the House of Hurin and the secrecy and the revelations after the king has returned. happy sigh Author Reply: Thanks for your review! I borrowed (with permission) the idea of Imrahil having "seen" who Thorongil was from Isabeau of Greenlea, who has it in her story "Kinstrife." I don't follow all the plot of "Kinstrife," however, just that particular point. Someday I will write my own version of Imrahil figuring out the identity of Thorongil. Have you read my story "Contrapunto"? That is a Thorongil fic. "Theme and Variations" is a sort of sequel. This fic was supposed to be focusing on the more personal aspects of post-War Minas Tirith, thus the attention to where people are living, talk of marriage, gossip, chatting over beers, etc. It's a nice break from dark angst and sword-fighting! G.A.

meckinock	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/3/2005
Morwen absolutely cracked me up. I have to say that after all her convoluted machinations over Aragorn's marital status and eligibility, and all her excited speculation about his relationship to the famous and gorgeous Captain Thorongil, the line that I found absolutely hysterical was Imrahil's blunt, "Don't be a fool, Morwen. Captain Thorongil was Aragorn himself." Faramir was very nicely portrayed. I really enjoyed seeing him begin to realize how bright the future could be for him. Author Reply: Hi, meckinock! Nice to hear from you. Morwen was a lot of fun to write. I particularly liked the idea of having a comic character in the Steward's family--they're usually all so earnest!! Did you read the new "Sword of Elendil"? I'm really eager to hear your opinion, even if it's negative. G.A.

BM	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/2/2005
I loved this story! The language and style reminded me so much of Tolkien, and yet your descriptions and insights into the characters made them so rich and vivid and real! I especially loved the scene in the guard room with the rangers, the hobbits, Estel and his brothers, and your view of Aragorn and Faramir and even Imrahil were so well done and endearing! You just made me love those three characters all the more, and Aragorn and Faramir were already my favorites! And I loved your own characters of Haleth and Iorlas and Thorbarad, and even though they weren't meant to be liked, you did an excellent job in creating Morwen and the chamberlain. Did I mention how much I loved the ending scenes? That is exactly how I picture Aragorn being--a man who loved simple things and a bit rough around the edges. He spent 60 years first as a soldier and then as a ranger, after all, and I never saw him as ever giving in to protocol and finery. I can just imagine how he, Arwen, and Eowyn managed to turn Minis Tirith and Gondor upside down with there views on life and conduct! It is a good thing that Faramir is a man of patience and understanding, and has a great sense of humor. Great job with this story, you are an excellent writer and I greatly look forward to more! Author Reply: Hello, BM Thanks for your review. Writing character is my favorite part of fanfic. FYI, Thorbarad is Halbarad's son (named in part for Thorongil). It isn't important in this story, but he will pop up in a future tale. I think Aragorn is as you describe, but also quite capable of being majestic and lofty as it is warranted. He is a man who is comfortable in many different situations. G.A.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/2/2005
"“...But there is one thing that I have wanted to say to you especially: I loved and honored Ecthelion, and now at last I can begin to repay the debt I owe him—which is more than you can imagine—by renewing that love and honor for his grandson.” He looked into Faramir’s eyes. “I had no home worthy of Arwen until now,” he said. “The only life I had to offer her was wandering in the Wild. And if it had not been for Ecthelion’s trust of an unknown man who came to fight in Gondor, I would never have gained the knowledge that I needed to earn this crown. So you see, the debt is very great indeed.” " Big Awwww here, for Aragorn putting himself out to befriend Faramir, and acknowledging the good relationship he had with Ecthelion. Loved the rumor-mill about the mysterious Returned King! And the speculation about Thorongil is amusing, but very credible. Auntie Morwen sounds like a pain-in-the-posterior - even Denethor couldn't stand her, LOL. I imagine that Arwen will have Morwen eating out of her hand, figuratively speaking, in no time. The only thing I didn't like in this well-told short story, and it's a minor thing, was Faramir's leaving the Citadel to take up residence elsewhere in the City. Surely there is room enough for King and Steward to live in the Citadel. Faramir should have apartments close to the King and Council-meeting when he comes to the City. I hope you'll write other stories with Faramir and Aragorn... Author Reply: Hi, Raksha Thanks again for your review! The Ecthelion-Thorongil relationship is one I'd like to explore further in another story. It seems that most fanfic writers, when they address the E-T-D (Denethor) years, make one of the three a sort of villain. Why not have all three look good, in their own way? That's one of the things I tried to do here. After all, it would be very important to Faramir to see it that way. Aunt Morwen is one of those people no one likes. We all know someone like that. It's fun to imagine scenes with her and almost anyone else in the books. Gandalf, for example. ROTFLOL Regarding Faramir moving into another house: It seems to me that was the kind of thing a thoughtful man like Faramir would do. And Aragorn was not there at the time for him to consult--he was with the army. I imagine that yes, in the future, Faramir would have his own apartments in the Citadel, for the reasons you give. But he would also keep the house--it's valuable family property as well as an indication of status as a lord in his own right. I also wanted the "home" scene to set up the conversations with Morwen. I was imagining a sitting room out of Jane Austen.... G.A.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 12/2/2005
This is totally delightful! I enjoy seeing everything (Arwen, "Strider", the hobbits... through Faramir's eyes and thoughts. He is quite a remarkable young man, and a worthy Steward and friend. Author Reply: The challenge in this story was to show Faramir dealing with all these big issues and all the baggage he had, through no fault of his own, in working with Aragorn and becoming friends with him. I wanted to describe this process without writing a sad, angst-y sort of story. I've always seen Faramir as a thoughtful and very grown-up young man, and it's a pleasure to write him looking forward to some real happiness.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List