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Sundry Scrolls II  by Raksha The Demon 6 Review(s)
SoledadReviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/13/2008
That was frightening. Downright frightening. I think if Boromir could have seen his little brother at the end of this tale, he would have understood why no Man could really bear the Ring - because they would have stopped to be Men and became monsters.

Author Reply:
Faramir might have stopped himself, or Gandalf might have been able to take the Ring from him - maybe - but Faramir could have done some damage before then. In any case, bringing the Ring to Minas Tirith was not the best choice, be it Boromir, Faramir or Denethor who made it.

It's odd that as far as we know, Isildur did not turn monstrous in the few years he bore the Ring. Perhaps the slower pace of peace, and Sauron's temporary absence, slowed down the Ring's seduction. There was so much desperation in the time period of LOTR, Men were definitely more vulnerable to the Ring's allure. I'm so glad that this was only an AU!

Thanx for the review!

phyloxenaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/21/2008
You did it! Chilling. You conveyed the sense of great rush: once he didn't stop to ponder all consequences, it all rolls down.

Author Reply: I'm pleased that you found the piece chilling, that's what I was aiming for. Darned good thing that it didn't happen in Tolkien's true timeline, right?!

Thanx for the review, phyloxena!

KhorazīrReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/19/2008
I'm sure there are many AU stories out there of what might have happened had Faramir taken the Ring. I haven't read them, and I don't think I will now, because this one has been so good -- and scary. Especially the bit about him losing his compassion -- it's like him losing an integral part of himself. Very well written!

Author Reply: We know that Gondor, and possibly other places could be in for dangerous times if Faramir loses his compassion; Faramir would be quite a nasty customer without it.

I think my alltime favorite X-Takes-The-Ring AU tale was one where Shelob took the bauble; I can't remember where I saw it, but it was good and scary.

Thanx much for reading and reviewing, Khorazir!

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/18/2008
I'm very, very glad this is just an AU! And I don't want to think about how the story might have been twisted, had Faramir taken the ring... This *is* the darkest of possibilities, and personally I'd rather have Faramir die painfully at the hands of orcs... :(

But what a marvellous display of writing skill! "At once, he knew a heady joy, as if he drank deep from a wine long stored in dark cellars." - excellent simile!

I like the piece for the writting and the style, but I loathe the very idea that Faramir might have fallen in this way...

Author Reply: Believe me, Small-Dwarf, I loathe the idea that Faramir could fall to the Ring too. Cool, compassionless Faramir is not someone I'd like to meet. That's why this is AU; and not an AU that I plan to take any further, brrrr.

Thanx for reading and reviewing this sinister AU, L.D.!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/17/2008
This is a very chilling and scary tale,which I'm delighted came about as result of my impromtu challenge,as I never thought you would write Faramir as unable to resist the Ring!Just brilliant,as Faramir with the Ring would be a force to be reckoned with who might end up making the Witch King look quite harmless!I am reminded of what Legolas said about Aragorn,as the two are of similiar quality.

Author Reply: If Faramir had let himself, he could have succumbed to the Ring's lure as did Boromir, to save Gondor. And imagining Faramir as Ring-bearer, losing his compassion and becoming very dangerous, was interesting.

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Linda!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/17/2008
Ah, yes, another of the more awful might-have-beens. And to lose compassion for his father was perhaps the worst thing of all.

Author Reply: Thanx for reviewing the tale, Larner. Writing the insidious corruption of Faramir was rather ghastly - he could be a horror if turned to the dark side.

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