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| For Love of a City by meckinock | 26 Review(s) |
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| Itarille | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 8/23/2024 |
| I am glad I found this story! I have been a silent reader in Stories of Arda since 2012, but somehow I missed your wonderful stories. I like how you wrote Faramir as never expected joy, but managed to find pleasures in small things. | |
| Darkover | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/15/2011 |
| Dear meckinock: This was a well-written and moving story. You have done a fine job of portraying Faramir's range of emotion and his POV, and the character (OC?) of Hurin son of Halbarad is also well-written. I was also glad you put Eowyn, and Faramir's joy with her, in the story at the beginning. Thank you for writing and posting this. Sincerely, Darkover Author Reply: Thanks for the kind review and sorry for the very late reply. I'm glad you enjoyed the story - meckinock | |
| nautika | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/11/2007 |
| I saw your new story recommended on the AragornAngst group and decided to start with your one-shots. This story brought out several excellent points: Faramir not having a mother to comfort him or to share the loss with; the wonderful memory he caught just a glimpse of; Eowyn not needing to chatter; that Faramir never expected joy (how sad!). It was wonderfully done! It took me a long time to appreciate Halbarad stories, too bad I didnt discover you sooner! Author Reply: Hi, Nautika, Wow, would you please pass on my thanks to whoever recommended the new story over at AragornAngst. That was really a nice thing to do, especially since you decided to give my earlier stories a try as well. I really surprised myself by taking on Faramir here; I felt drawn to write something set at Halbarad's gravesite and he sort of just turned up there. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. As you've obviously gathered, Halbarad is more my specialty :0) so I'm actually quite glad you happened on my stories after you had come to appreciate him, or you might have been quite disappointed! | |
| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 10/4/2006 |
| This is a very moving story. Faramir's thoughts and memories, while grieving him deeply, or even making him briefly envious of others, never overshadow the compassion he has for those others, or his thankfulness of all the good that has been achieved since Sauron has been vanquished. I liked the descriptions very much, I could clearly see the scene before me - the fields, the mounds in the sun, the city with the Tower of Ecthelion glimmering in the distance... The conversation with the young Ranger was wonderful (as is the thought that Halbarad had a family), and I thought that having Éowyn as some sort of bookend was a very hopeful and positive balance to the more melancholy tone of much of the narrative. Author Reply: It makes me glad to hear you found the story moving. I had never really tried to get inside Faramir's head before, though I have to admit I found it a very interesting place. He is certainly deserving of the happpiness he finally realizes in his life, but such a compassionate and giving person that he wouldn't let it blind him to others' pain. Thank you for sharing your impressions of the story, Imhiriel. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 7/19/2006 |
| Wonderful story! I absolutely adore the first paragraph. The way you describe Faramir's realization of his own unfettered happiness is brilliant. He definitely did have a yoke of duty placed on him in childhood, and probably only occasional moments of joy, like rare jewels to be hoarded, as the 'spare' to the heir and Steward of a fading, imperilled civilisation. For a moment I envy this man whose father died a beloved hero instead of a madman. This is a great line, too. Not enough writers recognize that Faramir, who had been justly proud of the heritage of the Stewards in TTT, might feel shamed by Denethor's desertion of his duty in the moments of Minas Tirith's greatest peril, not to mention Denethor's madness. It makes sense that Faramir would envy the sons of men who died nobly in battle against the Enemy. And of course, Hurin is well-drawn, and the parallels between himself and Faramir quite interesting. There aren't many fanfiction stories that tell of relationships (friendships, tensions, romances) between Southern and Northern Dunedain after the Ring War, so I'd like to see Hurin and Faramir meet again as friends. Author Reply: Thanks, Raksha. I feel sorry for Faramir that his father, such a proud and noble man, came to such a tragic end, and so publicly a tragic end. His son would have wanted him to be remembered with honor and respect. And maybe he was. I never realized Hurin was so similar to Faramir until I had him kneeling at his father's grave and Faramir rode up. I think they'd make good friends, too. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 6/26/2006 |
| Ray's Dog would have left you a review, but he's too emotional at the moment. He has a fondness for Hurin, and he just pledged his loyalty to Faramir. You'll have to do with me instead. Unfortunately, words fail me. I'll just muddle along in attempt to tell you how beautiful this is. Incredibly beautiful. The words flow like a clear stream in snow melt. Old memories and fresh ones come together to blend into the future of two men, both having suffered loss and wounds, to stand before the city of the king, the white towers of a dream realized. Despite their pain, there is hope and a sigh of relief. Faramir and Hurin share a bond, the brotherhood of warriors who have fought and watched loved ones fall to the enemy. They seem to share an even deeper bond, two dreamers, two men of words and art, who found themselves clad in armor and wielding swords in protection of what they love. The story of their meeting is incredibly powerful. I love how you drew parallels between them and subtly revealed their differences to show their individuality. You also contrasted their states of mind at that moment: Faramir high and flying with new love and the return to peace, and Hurin, trying to forever capture his father's last moments to keep for his mother and for himself. Gosh this was just gorgeous. I've always heard you should surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. This is just one example of why you're my beta! Like I said, one example. There are far more reasons I hang around, but I thought I'd point this one out since we're talking about writing. :>) I'm always impressed with your writing, but this just blew me away. Another wonderful gift for our favorite Imladris elf. Gee whiz, I just loved it! Author Reply: Oh, man, it took two and a half years but I finally did it. I finally wrote something too serious for Ray's Dog to spork it. Well, dang. I feel sorry for the old hound now. Give him a pat on the head and point him at Chapter 11. There's plenty to spork over there! I know you don't hang around me because I'm smart. You hang around me because I make you look so urbane and sophisticated! Thanks, Karen. | |
| Laerien | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 6/25/2006 |
| Oh, my, I almost missed this! You know, I was a bit surprised after reading the summary, but then I found out that you cannot deny who your favourite characters are! It was so strange to read this from you while I've been waiting for ages for the next chapter of 'Matter of Honor'. BUT! It was wonderful. A gem. I really had to blink back tears. And what is quite amazing, you managed to make me feel truly sorry for Denethor. I somehow never loved him. I would gladly point out parts I loved the most, but it was the style, the athmosphere, the situation itself that were wonderful. And how real the characters were. So, congratulations for this piece! (And I can't wait to see Halbarad alive again in Honor! :o) ) P.S:Do you not plan to post this on ff.net? Author Reply: Hi, Laerien, LOL I guess there's no denying where my heart is. I'm really sorry about the delay in updating A Matter of Honor; I'll just throw myself on the mercy of the court except to say the last three months have been brutal at my job. I felt bad knowing when I hit the publish button for this story, people would get the chapter alert and assume it was the next chapter of Honor. So I'm relieved that at least you enjoyed this little vignette. I'm trying very hard to get the other story updated, which is mainly why I haven't gotten around to putting this one up on ff.net yet (besides, I've heard people have been having problems with it again.) Thanks, great to hear from you. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 6/25/2006 |
| A way with words.... He was just a second son of a difficult father, non-heir to a non-throne in a fading kingdom.... Proved. Author Reply: LOL. OK, maybe I do occasionally have my moments. I just wish I could occasionally have one when I'm supposed to be speaking at someone's retirement party. | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 6/24/2006 |
| Well you have gone and made me cry. I have to keep telling myself, that Halbarad is only a fictional character. But you have brought them all to life. (well in a manner of speaking, no actually rising from the dead here, more is the pity, I would like to see Halbarad alive again.) Wonderfully done, from Faramir's joyfully ride, to Hurin's weeping at the grave. I am glad that Faramir remembered a good memory of his father, and hope that Hurin returns to the city, one day. Now where did I put that box of kleenex's, sniff! Author Reply: Hey, Grumpy, The nice thing about fan fiction is you CAN see Halbarad alive again. It was strange to write a scene showing his son at his grave, when I'm simultaneously writing a scene with him and his son together for the next chapter of Honor (which I am so sorry has been delayed so long.) I guess that's maybe what fueled some of the emotion. Anyway, glad you enjoyed. You could ask Halbarad for a hankie but of course he doesn't have one :-) | |
| Gwynhyffar | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 6/24/2006 |
| I don't know how I managed to miss this when it was posted, but in retrospect it might be a good thing. I wouldn't have been able to read it and then go out and do anything since you have me bawling! It was a beautifully told story, Meckinock, and I thought you did first person really well. I don't even know where to begin to tell you the best parts for me - it was all so well done. “My father waited his whole life to see this city. When I was small, he told me stories about how beautiful it would be. But instead he died watching it burn.” Those few lines say so much about dying for what you believe in when you are in the thick of the fight - never enjoying the fruits of your labour. Though I suppose the point is to secure those fruits for others not yourself. Of course, his son would wish for the opposite. Very well done - I'm a big bawlbaby now. Author Reply: Hi, Gwyn It figures. All my life I've been trying to find something I'm good at, and it turns out to be making people bawl like babies. I don't suppose that will solve my problem of never getting a second date, huh? I really enjoyed writing in first person. It's also much faster for me than third which is good when you're writing for a deadline :-) Glad you er...enjoyed it. I think Grumpy has the Kleenex box. | |