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Safe In My Arms by Fiondil	7 Review(s)
Eruherdiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/1/2014
I enjoyed watching Faramir actually be acknowledged for who he is. I think that Denethor's reaction to the hobbits would be funny. ~Eruherdiriel Author Reply: Hi Eruhediriel. I'm glad you enjoyed this and I think you are right about Denethor's reactions to the hobbits, although he did meet Pippin , so he should know something of them. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Ces	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/31/2008
Denethor is another character whom I have little liking for, but again you have made him human. I wanted to slap him when he greeted only Boromir and ignored Faramir. Idiot! Faramir playing with toys! And Boromir joining him - the picture that presents is too funny! Nice to see the little brother taking the lead through the circle of fire! Another family reunited and finding peace at last. Thanks for another great read! Ces Author Reply: Sometimes, the characters that are not very likeable are the sort that writers like to write about, because they are interesting in and of themselves. Denethor is one such character. Some writers make him out to be a monster, but he wasn't, just overcome by the poison of Sauron's machinations. In this story I wanted to explore the relationship of the two brothers with Boromir feeling he had to always take the lead (being the oldest) and protect his younger brother, but, of course, Faramir has surpassed him, for he had another 82 or so years before his own death in which to grow as a person. Boromir needed to come to that realization before either brother could meet on an equal basis after Faramir's death. Glad you enjoyed this tale. Thanks for reviewing.

nautika	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/21/2007
I had wondered what happened with Denethor. I thought this was well done. I have to tell you though, that I expected him to want to see Fin so badly that he went on without waiting for Aragorn. Is there a Fin story anywhere? Are she and Eowyn getting acquainted, perhaps? Great to see the brothers re-united. Author Reply: There is no Fin story in the offing. I'm sure she will not mind the wait, though. After all, she is in the Timeless Halls and for her all times are one. It will only be from Denethor's POV that they are still separated.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2007
VERY very difficult piece to read - as a Denethor fanatic... but I loved this ... 'Here was one who had remained faithful where another had given up hope. Here was one who had welcomed the fulfillment of his House’s purpose where another had clung to an imagined authority not his to command.' I really have to read this probably two or three times because there was so much in it... I almost put it down three times... just couldn't (won't really) read anything that is too Denethor-hating... and there are many out there... So - I love it and I hate it - which, IMHO, is very good. Again - I will read it again (I printed it out to spend time with it) - If you don't mind, when I stop shuddering and crying, I'll add another post. PS - I'm recommending it at the Yahoo HA webgroup. Author Reply: I'm sorry this was so difficult for you to read. I don't belong to the Denethor-hating group myself. In fact, I don't belong to any Tolkien character-hating group. Each character, good, bad or indifferent, is fascinating in their own right, and that includes Denethor (of course that is not to say that I don't like some characters more than others and some I can do without; Grima Wormtongue comes to mind immediately). Denethor is a very complex personality, which makes him all the more interesting for me as a writer. Those who see him only as Evil!Denethor do both the character and Tolkien a disservice. He is a man who made a grave error in judgment. That doesn't make him automatically evil, only human, like the rest of us. And the relationship between him and his sons and between Faramir and Boromir as brothers has always been of interest to me. I hope when you've finished having a good cry you will re-read this story and see how ultimately redeeming it is for all three of them. And I will welcome any additional comments you might care to make at a later time. Thanks also for recommending the story to the Yahoo HA webgroup. I'm deeply flattered. Author Reply: I'm sorry this was so difficult for you to read. I don't belong to the Denethor-hating group myself. In fact, I don't belong to any Tolkien character-hating group. Each character, good, bad or indifferent, is fascinating in their own right, and that includes Denethor (of course that is not to say that I don't like some characters more than others and some I can do without; Grima Wormtongue comes to mind immediately). Denethor is a very complex personality, which makes him all the more interesting for me as a writer. Those who see him only as Evil!Denethor do both the character and Tolkien a disservice. He is a man who made a grave error in judgment. That doesn't make him automatically evil, only human, like the rest of us. And the relationship between him and his sons and between Faramir and Boromir as brothers has always been of interest to me. I hope when you've finished having a good cry you will re-read this story and see how ultimately redeeming it is for all three of them. And I will welcome any additional comments you might care to make at a later time. Thanks also for recommending the story to the Yahoo HA webgroup. I'm deeply flattered.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/4/2007
Uncle Namo! Now Faramir is just exactly the person who would call Namo uncle! I love the way that Boromir spends time playing with his brother - and that he finally realises that it is he who needs to feel safe. Although he accepts Faramir's exalted status far more easily than his father can - Boromir has always appreciated Faramir's talents, I think. In a big brother way. It is good to see Denethor freed from his torment - although, I daresay, he still needs a lot of time to come to terms with his past. And are you suggesting that Eomer has found his time with the periannath to be rather wearing? Surely not! Author Reply: I imagine that many readers, listening to Námo describe the first meeting between him and Faramir, thought that he was describing Faramir's brush with death during the War where Aragorn calls him back to life and were surprised (I hope) to learn that their meeting took place much earlier when Faramir was quite young. And Námo would naturally treat any child kindly. 'Uncle' has always been a term used even for unrelated males who prove important in any child's life, and no doubt Námo introduced himself to Little Farry that way. Boromir always saw Faramir's quality, but because of their relationship with their father, felt that he had to always "protect" his little brother and the only way to do that is to take the lead, which is why he insists on going to Imladris rather than Faramir, even against Denethor's wishes. And as for Éomer: I imagine his reaction when Boromir returns was something on the order of "If you ever leave me alone with the children again....!" grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/1/2007
The one pleasure greater than sexuality--the pleasure of fulfilment of the spirit, which all of them needed. I also wrote Denethor as having built his own prison within the Halls, watching his own immolation, although I wrote his freeing a bit differently. Very moving, Fiondil. Thank you for this fresh look at the freeing of Denethor, and the reunion with his beloved sons. Author Reply: I believe I read that story and was much moved by it. No doubt the image of flames would be common with many writers doing a story about Denethor. I actually took the image of the ring of fire which only one person was destined to breach from Wagner's Die Walkurë which I saw when I was in Munich some years ago. That image has always stayed with me.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/1/2007
Oh, a wonderful, wonderful follow-up to your other stories. I certainly have enjoyed them. To first see the healing for the brothers and then the reconciliation between sons and father was very moving. Thanks so much for sharing, you have a true gift for capturing these moments and I look forward to see what you write next! :) Author Reply: Thanks Radbooks. I'm glad you enjoyed this story (and the others as well).

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