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Encounter in Ithilien  by Dreamflower 6 Review(s)
Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/28/2009
A nifty idea, to have the story of Faramir's fateful meeting with the hobbits be told from the viewpoint of one of his Rangers. Mablung is well-written here, intelligent, brave, curious; I like how observant he and Damrod are about the hobbits, it makes sense that Rangers, who would have to often live by their wits, know how to examine details that others might miss. And how odd the hobbits' delight in the terrible Mumakim must have seemed to them!

Author Reply: Thanks! I've often wondered what Faramir's men made of their strange encounter--they were not privy to much of the information their Captain had, and so they must have really been curious about what it all meant!

Thank you for your kind words about Mablung. I feel that Faramir's men must reflect their Captain: he's noble and honorable and brave and intelligent, and I think that his men would strive to live up to his example!

As I was writing this, and looking at the canon encounter, Sam's reaction seemed so delightful--he might have been meant by his creator to be a "typical" hobbit, and yet he has such a sense of wonder about all the things he encounters outside the Shire! Writing this little gap-filler gave me some new insights into Samwise Gamgee!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/27/2009
I love Sam's reaction to the oliphaunt - excited but then well, back to sleep... :) Love also him putting out an arm so Frodo could lean against him.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: I know! That was just adorable in canon, and I am sure that it amused Mablung and Damrod no end!

And I could see him putting his arm out, an invitation to rest to his Master.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/26/2009
I love this! I find it fascinating to view a scene from different viewpoints, and this certainly rings true to the original, yet gives us fresh eyes for the viewing.

Wonderful use of detail.

Author Reply: I love POV gapfillers for that same reason--it's interesting to explore what was going on in a different head.

Thank you, dear!

ecrmReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/25/2009
I always lap up stories about Gondor and its people, this meeting is among the most pivotal in the books, I like being able to see it from the rangers perspective. I'm a little disappointed that you didn't include the rangers reaction to the mention of a living heir of Elendil. Otherwise looking forward to more, I've always been curious as to what the Rangers were thinking as they saw the darkness and retreated back to Cair Andros.

Author Reply: You are probably right--it might have been good to mention that bit of astonishment from the men. But Faramir downplayed it a little at that point, and I was trying to avoid quoting too many long chunks of dialogue from canon. I am quite sure those words were thought of by the men afterwards.

But also, of course, I was trying to emphasize the reaction to halflings, creatures of myth! And so I tended to concentrate more on that.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/24/2009
A most momentous meeting, as the Rangers of Ithilien first encounter Hobbits of the Shire--and these TWO Hobbits at that!

Author Reply: Indeed. I was glad for a chance to explore how Faramir's men felt about that meeting.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/24/2009
Love Sam's reaction to the Rangers discussing their race *grin*

Interesting to see this meeting in Ithilien from the POV of the Rangers. Oh yes, I can imagine that they couldn't really see these two small people as a threat, and particularly Frodo must have had something that made them seem trustworthy. Mablung and Damrod told them more than was prudent for an enemy, but I'm glad they told Frodo and Sam what was going on.

Oh, dear Sam - the way he talked to these Men was quite amusing, you know :)

Author Reply: That's canon, and I love it, too! Sam's got a lot more confidence now, and it's clear he's not really afraid of anybody!

We learn in detail how Faramir felt. But I really thought it would be fun to see how the men felt.

Sam's a droll fellow, isn't he? *grin*

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