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| The Burning of the Year by Raksha The Demon | 16 Review(s) |
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| Estel Dúnadan | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/13/2008 |
| I found them here: I'm a student of Sindarin, and that's from my teacher's website. (Yes, I learn from secondary sources like websites as well as from the books themselves.) The names are simple translations of the Quenya ones. In another part of Appendix D, where the month-names are listed, it states that the Sindarin names were used only by the Dúnedain. The Quenya names were used everywhere else where Westron was spoken (with the exception of places with their own calendars), and Tolkien used these more common names in the appendix. Author Reply: I commend your industry in addressing this issue; and appreciate your efforts to enlighten me. I am always envious of various Tolkien aficionados' skill with the languages he created. But I don't see the issue the same way, or even think it's an issue - Tolkien's words in the Appendix seem to me to justify my using the Sindarin terms I've employed in the story, especially since Faramir is Dunedain. Perhaps I'm just missing something. Anyway, your teacher's website link didn't come through. I'd be happy to continue this conversation via email if you like. I really don't think an extended debate on the calendar belongs in the review fields. | |
| Estel Dúnadan | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/5/2008 |
| Just one comment: didn't the Gondorians use Sindarin month-names, and therefore also the names of the five additional days? Mettarë is Penninor, and Yestarë is Minien. Author Reply: I'm not very good at the technicalities of calendars in any culture/period, but I'm pretty sure that the Gondorians would have called those particular days Mettare and Yestare: The Revised Calendar introduced by Mardil was called Stewards' Reckoning and was adopted eventually by most of the users of the Westron language. except the Hobbits. The months were all of 30 days, and 2 days outside the months were introduced: 1 between the third and fourth months (March. April), and 1 between the ninth and tenth (September. October). These 5 days outside the months, yestarë, tuilérë, loëndë, yáviérë, and mettarë, were holidays. The above is quoted from Appendix D of LOTR. I haven't heard of Penninor or Minien; I'd be interested in where you found them. Thank you for your comment. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 6/3/2007 |
| I just had to say one more thing - this story burns in me as much as the title does. From what I am gathering - the last line means that the Steward is now contemplating Faramir's death??? I'm sorry - I just don't buy that! I think this tale should have an AU in its summary. Nowhere does Tolkien even begin to 'hint' that Denethor contemplated such an action before his final moments! The madness that precluded this act came in the Tower - with Denethor's last encounter with Sauron in the Palantir. Author Reply: There will be no 'AU' in the summary, Agape. This story is not AU. Denethor never said that he was thinking of immolating any particular person; he hasn't made any such decisions. What I was trying to convey was that Denethor is envisioning the doom of Minas Tirith (and possibly all of Gondor as well), and perhaps this rite has kindled the idea that it would be better for the city, and possibly some of the people, to burn cleanly in fire than be defiled by the forces of the Shadow. I doubt that Denethor is thinking in specifics yet, as in burning anyone alive, he might be envisioning himself and Faramir slain in the City's defense, their bodies and the City itself purified in fire rather than given over to orcs and other foes. By final sacrifice, Denethor meant the lives that would be spent to save the City, and Minas Tirith itself; which could include his own life and Faramir's. Tolkien never said that Denethor didn't draw a connection between fire and purification before the events of the Siege, either. From Denethor's mention of "the heathen kings of old", I think the concept of fire, possibly sacrifical, and purification had crossed his mind before the Siege. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 5/5/2007 |
| I really love and really hate this tale, Raksha. It is truly exquisite in the telling of the feast and the held-off despair of Faramir, the references to those who dwelt first in the land of Gondor, the ritual itself and the people's love. My own thoughts of Faramir and his love/respect/devotion/purity towards his brother, not tempered by his relationship with Denethor, are not the same as yours. I have a difficult time reading 'poor' Faramir stories, especially when Denethor and Boromir take the brunt for the reasons. When I can put aside our differences, I enjoy the tale. Author Reply: Sigh. I really had no desire to respond to a review that included the word hate in connection with my story. My own thoughts of Faramir and his relationship with his brother are definitely not the same as yours - I never said he didn't love Boromir; but Faramir is neither a saint nor an idiot; he knows his father favors Boromir, and sometimes he might resent it. Since Faramir is both perceptive enough to realize that such resentment is unworthy of him, and has a tremendous capacity for self-control, so he would probably never voice that occasional resentment of Denethor's favoritism. And I did show that Faramir loves Boromir; he wondered where his brother was and hoped that Boromir was spending this special night with good people. I didn't think that this was a 'poor' Faramir story. Faramir is clinging stubbornly to hope, and enjoying the love of his people. He's certainly not being abused by his father, or anyone. | |
| Celebne | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/25/2006 |
| I like this story very much. The bonfire remembers to Denethor's future pyre. It's great, that Faramir notices the love of Gondor's people, because his father considers him again and again as the second best, allthough Boromir isn't in Gondor. Great written! Celebne Author Reply: Whoops, I'm late responding to your review, Celebne, forgive me. I'm glad you liked the story, the inspiration came on me suddenly. I think that for Denethor, Faramir would always be second best, even after Boromir's death; which doesn't make Denethor evil, just a human parent. Faramir wouldn't have really minded being second to Boromir in the minds of almost everyone. Denethor's flaw, from what I can tell, is that he allowed Faramir to know, and often deliberately, that he considered Faramir a very poor second to Boromir. I do think Faramir knew he was loved by Gondor's people; he's too observant to miss it; and I think that knowledge would spur him harder to do as much as he could, and more, for his land. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/24/2006 |
| Nice ritual! And poor Faramir only ever gets to be second-best. I wonder if he ever, after it was all over, felt forced to subdue occasional satisfaction at being at the centre of things and the one everyone listened to. Author Reply: I've always thought that one reason why Faramir and Gandalf had such a strong bond was perhaps because to the wizard, Faramir was never second-best. Tolkien said that Faramir was accustomed to giving way; probably the inevitable result of being the second son of a powerful ruler who didn't take advice from others too often. I would think that it would be a strange transition for him, going from Boromir's replacement (and in Denethor's eyes a poor one, at least in ROTK) to the Steward of a King who would replace him as Gondor's lord, and then to become Aragorn's Steward (and thus second most powerful lord in Gondor) and Prince of his own domain. And at times, Faramir would have suppressed satisfaction at being finally heard in his own right; until he became accustomed to the change in his life. Thanx for your thoughtful review, Bodkin! | |
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/23/2006 |
| Thank you for such a hauntingly beautiful Solstice present. The old custom provides a gorgeous backdrop for the strained interaction between Faramir and his father. Neither of them has much hope for the new year, but for the sake of their people, they observe the ritual of renewal. I liked the details of the "sacrifice" of the harvest wreath and how distances himself both emotionally and physically from his younger son. As always, Raksha's writing is elegant and restrained yet full of feeling. A very lovely piece. Author Reply: And thanx for such a lovely review, Branwyn. Yes, distance is a good word for one of Denethor's problems with Faramir. Boromir is far away, yet Denethor's thoughts are with him; and when he finally tries to bridge the gap with Faramir, it's (in ROTK) via destruction. It would have been the duty of the Steward and his son to bear themselves well and try to keep up their people's morale no matter how low their own spirits sank. And I think at this point, Denethor would have been feeling more 'low' than Faramir. | |
| nrink | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/23/2006 |
| Great story Raksha - language is lovely and I like the king-sacrifice motif! F&D never fail to pull on my heartstrings. Thanks for the wonderful solstice gift. Have a great Christmas! Author Reply: I couldn't resist the sacrificial king aspect, especially with the time of year and Denethor's remark about the heathen kings of old. Yes, I have trouble getting away from the many fascinating aspects of the Denethor/Faramir relationship. Thanx for the review, nrink; and MERRY XMAS to you too. | |
| Isabeau | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/22/2006 |
| I enjoyed this very much, Raksha. I thought you got the whole dynamic down between Faramir and his father very well, and as always your Faramir inner voice is spot on. Also, I really liked the foreshadowing of Faramir's fate in the description of the ancient custom of sacrifice. He and his father seem marked out by the ritual, and the story feels like the first step on the road to the pyre. Author Reply: Thanx, Isabeau - I've never written adult Faramir and his father together, and I've always been a bit nervous of writing Denethor, so I'm pleased you think I got them right. Yes, father and son are headed for the pyre alright; I did intend some major foreshadowing; poor guys. (I'm so mean, but I can always blame Tolkien for setting it up that way in the first place) | |
| Stefania | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/22/2006 |
| What a wonderful story, Raksha. You are at the top of your form in this tale, which works on a number of levels in capturing New Years and Solstice celebrations, not only for the Gondorians, but for us in anticipation of 2007. As always, I enjoy your use of language, true to Tolkien's style but always with that special "Raksha" twist. I also enjoyed your blending of various traditions within the Gondorian New Year celebration. You've presented the Northern European pagan traditions of the Green Man and the "proxy" sacrifice of the prince. Maybe it's just me, but I also saw a trace of the Chanukah tradition of lighting the candles at the darkest time of the year. The exploration of the Faramir/Denethor relationship is one I particularly enjoy in reading in good fanfic.Though you foreshadow the "Pyre of Denethor" in this story, I detected a slight thaw in the father-son relationship. Your Denethor seems to appreciate his younger son, if only for successfully carrying out his part in the New Years celebration. Thanks for this wonderful holiday tale. I suspect I'll think about it as I celebrate this evening in a blaze of eight candles on as many menorahs as my friend can get in his house. Happy holidays to Raksha and everyone else who reads this tale, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, not religious--or pagan who celebrated Solstice last night. - Steff Author Reply: Thanx much for the review, Steff! The story was partially inspired by Denethor's line about burning like the heathen kings before the first ships sailed from the West - which was fascinating, since Denethor was definitely a Numenorean in almost every sense of the word. And, given Faramir's mention in TTT of other cultures whose strength enriched Gondor under the Stewards, it's very possible that older rituals and customs would echo down to the end of the Third Age, changed by the Numenorean influence, but not totally gone. And I couldn't help but come up with the image of Faramir in the starring role of Year-king; especially since Boromir was hanging out in Imladris at the time. I had a lot of fun synthesizing various solstice rites in a way that made sense for Minas Tirith. (Faramir as Green Man...very apt!) And there had to be candles! I meant to foreshadow the Pyre in the story, but I wanted there to be some sort of emotional interaction between Denethor and Faramir too; Boromir's absence could unite as well as divide them. Happy Holidays! | |