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Truce  by meckinock 24 Review(s)
LisaGReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/2/2017
Such a interesting and intriguing story! I wish you had finished it. :(

daniReviewed Chapter: 4 on 10/13/2016
Dear Meckinock,
I was feeling quite LOTR-ish tonight and thus had to go back and read all of my old favorites, and naturally that lead me straight to your page. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your stories. You write with such skill and manage to make your prose extremely approachable yet still remain true to the original text. And being that Aragorn and the Dunedain in general are my favorites, I can't get enough of your universe within the universe. Your Halbarad, especially, is exactly how I imagine him. I'm not sure if I had a fully-formed idea or not, and you just fleshed out the details, or if great minds think alike. Either way that's definitely the Halbarad and Aragorn kinship of record in my book! I'll stop rambling now to say thank you again, and yes I know I'm leaving this review about your entire body of work on a chapter of your only unfinished story. Maybe with the hope that you'll come back and write again someday, whether it's picking this back up again or something new. Regardless, please know that you and your writing are both appreciated, and hope you are doing well.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/12/2015
Hello, and I hope you get this! I didn't know how else to contact you. I appreciate very much your message about Nilmandra. I treasure her greatly, and will also try to post a wee something at SOA for her birthday. I'll also post a notice on my Livejournal to let folks know about this very special day.

LisaGReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/16/2010
This is a fascinating story! I was almost liking Denathor when he was helping Thorongil (Aragorn), but now I see the machinations of a fearful mind.

Is this the end of the story? I would dearly love to see a scene where Denathor gives the ring back to Thorongil. And how is out future king fairing, with all his boo-boos?

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing, and sorry for the late reply. There is supposed to be one more chapter but it has been difficult for me to get back to it to finish it. Thanks for the encouragement.

phyloxenaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/6/2010
I reread this story, hoping I missed the update alert, and discovered, sadly, that it could be finished at this point. The truce is over, the story reached its logical conclusion - but I sure hope there is more to it. An epilogue? A cast of characters with characterizations? Something? A little bit? Of course ten more chapters, with Denethor's wedding, Umbar raid, and slightly less anachronistic than that of the Ray's Dog meeting with Halbarad would be much much better.

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing and sorry for the very late reply. I'm also sorry the story remains unfinished.

RSReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/25/2009
Hi Meckinock

I wanted to leave a little note to ask you when you where going to continue this wonderful story. Then I read the review before this and read about your dad. I'm sorry. I hope everything is well with you.

Rachel

Author Reply: Hi, Rachel,

I'm sorry it's been so long between updates. RL has been taking up all my time lately, but I hope to get back to finish up the story soon. My dad was my best buddy since my mother died four years ago, so his death was a big blow - thank you.

meckinock

ElentarriReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/30/2009
Hi

I've re-read this story after finding it again :-) Please update another chapter. The story idea is too good just to leave hanging like that.

Cheerio

Elentarri

Author Reply: Thanks for the review, Elentarri. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the story so far. I apologize for the delay in updating. In addition to working full time, I've been looking after my elderly father since my mother's death three years ago. As he passed away on January 5, I expect I will find more time for writing. Thank you for your encouragement.

Ainu LaireReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/11/2008
*brings out a processions of flowers and chocolate and other nice things*

*idly wonders where Meckinock's muses have gone*

*shoves muses back into Meckinock's life and gladly destroys icky things like RL and writer's block*

I suppose this is a way of saying that I would love to see this updated, when you can. *shoves Denethor and Thorongil into the room* There! Let's see how long it takes until Denethor cracks.

Cheers!

Author Reply: * gratefully accepts all nice things, especially unexpected drop-ins by dear friends. And chocolates.

*glances sympathetically at muses who are chained to their desks, occupied with much, much darker work at the moment

*thanks you wholeheartedly and wishes RL would stay dead

Thank you so much for the well wishes, Suvi. I'm astonished anyone still remembers this story, it's been sitting for so long. I keep praying for a letup with the RL stuff but evidently this is to be my 40 years in the desert.

*shoves Denethor and Thorongil into the room* There! Let's see how long it takes until Denethor cracks.

Hehe. You could write that one, you know :-)


Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/1/2008
I loved Denethor's standing up for Thorongil against that stupid captain! And loved the captain's reaction!

I loved the towel and Denethor's proclamation about the Standard of the Steward. Bless his heart!

His bellowing out who he was and getting the boats to move was quite a neat sight too. Would have loved to have been there for that moment!

I was ROTFL when I read about the slightly gravy-stained banner - delightful picture.... shees! Poor Denethor - talk about humility.....

The battle of the horses was hysterical - the poor healer deserved every moment of discomfiture. I'm glad Thorongil was well enough to carry the joke!

And, of course, I was again ROTFL at the sorriest beast Denethor had ever seen!

I loved his victory to - 'the cart' - *giggles hysterically*

It is so very difficult to read of Ecthelion's treatment of Thorongil over Denethor - I think you hit is spot on - especially 'his father's vacant office' - oh my!!! And the pharse 'a lost fact on everyone but Denethor.' Well-written descriptions of what life must have been for him!

If I'd been there, I think I'd have lobbed off the head of the Pelargarian healer! Yes - definitely!

And then I swore at Ecthelion's statement - 'if you were my own son' - go ahead, Ecthelion, take a dagger to your son's heart!

OH - the phrase 'barbarian at the gate' broke my heart for the man! and the 'easy smile that ached down to his gut.' These phrases just tore me apart. Excellent paragraph! Beautiful in it's horror.

Psst - I was ready to throw up when Thorongil said 'if not for him, I would be dead.' And Denethor's response - reminded me of a scene where two strong men are shaking hands and smiling - all the while trying to hurt the other...

Oh my gosh - and when Ecthelion claimed it was jealousy on Denethor's part - how blind could the stupid Steward be!!!! Sorry - getting emotionally involved in this! The conversation between the two was very well-written. The duty part and the wife and such. Though I give Ecthelion credit when he says Denethor would be miserable to see Finduilas in another's arms...

GREAT tension in the archives! And Denethor's reaction down by the river. Hideous... besides the horror of his awakened aweness of who Thorongil was - to know that he'd been a fool himself in not seeing it right away...

I was very surprised that he shared the 'news' with Turgon but it was needed... he needed an ally to put that ring back! Though I'm not so sure I'd have trusted the man!

I loved Denethor's statement to Turgon from '"It was secreted into Gondor years ago...' really great job in writing this... good assessment on Denethor's part! And the line - 'he is no simple fraud' was great.

And Denethor's reasoning that his father might condemn him and embrace Thorongil - too true - too possible - made me shiver!!!

I loved the line 'I am no thief' - absolutely loved it! And saying he would 'not buy victory... with his own honor' - great again!

Turgon's advice was surprising, coming as it was from him, but it makes perfect sense and isn't that what Turgon himself had done???

A grandchild - splendid idea! And dear Finduilas. Well, at least Denethor does love her... but he loves Gondor more... or is it the position? *shudders and runs away to sob*

Did you happen to notice that I really loved this chapter??? Thanks for sharing it!



Author Reply: Did you happen to notice that I really loved this chapter??? Thanks for sharing it!

Oh, gosh, I'm the one who needs to thank you. It's so great of you to let me share your enjoyment of the chapter. I had a feeling you might like Denethor bellowing at the prow of the boat, and defending Thorongil to the boat captain. I don't think Denethor is ordinarily the bellowing sort, but I felt he could rise to the occasion at need - and defend a captain of Gondor, even if it's one he personally can't stand.

I'm glad Thorongil was well enough to carry the joke!

I'm not sure Thorongil was joking, LOL. I feel for the healer, though. He's very earnest and diligent, although I suspect there's a reason he got picked for the boat trip to Minas Tirith.

Ecthelion doesn't realize how he sounds sometimes. He probably wouldn't have made the comment about Thorongil being like a son to him if he'd known his real son was listening. I'm happy you enjoyed the discovery in the archives and Denethor's reaction to it. Strange that he can trust Turgon but Turgon's that kind of guy, I think. He's picked his horse and placed his bet, and he'll go all the way to the finish line. And Denethor knows that. And anyhow, Turgon is kind of a sorry sidekick but he's the best one he's got :-)

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing again, Agape.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/18/2008
What a great chapter. The plot twists and turns. The chapter starts out with some great descriptions like the "flat brown water" and the "A cold mist coated the fine hairs on the hand he extended out the tiny porthole of their cabin." That sets the tone for the uncomfortable trip on the boat. The towel as the banner of the Steward made me laugh. Now I know why the Stewards would use such a banner. It is easy to secure one if you ever need one in a pinch ;-).

I love your characterization of all the main characters, especially Denethor. His trying to avoid marrying Finduilas, although he loves her for all the right reasons, only to sacrifice these in the end to outmaneuver Thorongil. The foundation of an unhappy marriage is laid right there. It is tragic that he already foresaw Finduilas unhappiness only to subject her later to it.

The moment Denethor and Thorongil were ganging up on Saddlebags(I love that name) was an indication of how good of friends they could have been. Glimpses of that were seen in earlier chapters also. If only Denethor could see Thorongil with an open heart. But Denethor judges Thorongil after himself, and he is partly right, but then Thorongil is not Denethor, and here Denethor's judgment fells too short. The horse from the Second age was a hoot!

Finduilas is the tragic character in this piece. In the end she will get what she wants, but the price will be too high.

obsidianj



Author Reply: Wow, thanks, Obsidianj. It's always great to hear your take on a chapter, thanks so much for reviewing.

Now I know why the Stewards would use such a banner. It is easy to secure one if you ever need one in a pinch ;-).

LOL. I suppose that's kinder than assuming they were just totally lacking in imagination. I'm glad you enjoyed my little attempts at humor. I think the more twisty and angsty the chapter, the more I feel desperate to lighten it up at least in a small way. I loved your comment about how the moment with Saddlebags was an indication of how Thorongil and Denethor's relationship might have been. I felt the same way writing it. It's sad. And I agree, Finduilas is the most tragic figure. There are echoes of Gilraen there somewhere, I think.


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