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Relapse by Periantari	61 Review(s)
Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/2/2025
p.s. Dreamflower probably explains the calendar much more clearly than I did in my previous review: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=4201&cid=27457 Author Reply: Thanks so much! I will check it out. :)

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/2/2025
I'd be honored to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me. If I don't answer your email within a few days, please post in a review that you sent an email so I can look for it. (I'm sorry to say that I don't always see emails... they get buried in the avalanche, so to speak.) In the text below this paragraph, I geek out (quite possibly an understatement); but here's the short version: If you set the wedding for June 1 or later, the Travellers will have time to get to Edoras even if they start out a few days after Sam's wedding, which the Tale of Years says happens on May 1. And then, if you're trying to work within Tolkien's timeline, they'll even be able to get back to the Shire before Frodo resigns as Mayor on Mid-year's day if they give themselves enough travelling time. Let's see if I can do this right (putting a link in). In case this helps: One source I consulted estimated that it was 650 miles from Bree to Edoras. I just checked the distance again, and the AI part of the search engine calculated the distance at 425 miles. (However, the calculation doesn't quite make sense, since it only cites the web page that calculates the distance at 650 miles. So I don't know if the AI misunderstood the chart it was drawing from, or what. Frustrating!) A web search on "How far can a pony go in a day" yielded the following: A typical, average pony can cover around 20-30 miles in a day, but this can vary significantly based on fitness, breed, terrain, and weather. Highly conditioned endurance ponies or wild horses might travel 30-40 miles or more, while a poorly conditioned pony may only manage 10-15 miles. Thus, if you divide 650 miles by 30 miles/day, you get about 22 days (with no rest days) travel time. I've used the distances at that web page to calculate travel times in many of my stories. It seems to have been put together with much thought and care. I've also tried to manually estimate distances from various maps and books (for example, The Journeys of Frodo) using a ruler and known distances for comparison. I am endlessly fascinated with the level of detail Tolkien incorporated into his creation. Regarding timing, I think (but I may be wrong) that Mid-summer day would be the same as Mid-year's day – the summer solstice? (I may be wrong because I've read that "equinoxes mark the start of spring and fall, while solstices mark the start of summer and winter". In that case, mid-summer comes after Mid-year's day... and I am in danger of confusing myself, LOL.) Along those lines, in one of the Appendices, Tolkien says, "It appears, however, that Mid-year’s Day was intended to correspond as nearly as possible to the summer solstice." He places Mid-year's day right around the end of the sixth month and the beginning of the seventh month. (The Shire calendar inserts two or three extra days between those months, while the Steward's calendar used in Gondor does not.) But then, maybe my thinking reflects what I've gleaned from Tolkien's writings, for in his Tale of Years he has Aragorn and Arwen marry on "Mid-year's Day", while in the text he says, "And Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undómiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer." He seems to use the Shire calendar in the Tale of Years (the day before the wedding is called "Lithe"), so the royal wedding appears to happen on one of the extra days inserted between the sixth and seventh month on the Shire calendar. In that case, Mid-year's Day = the day of Midsummer = June 21 on our calendar or June 32 (yes, I know June only has 30 days, but I'm approximating) on the Shire calendar (and I'm arbitrarily equating "Forelithe" with "June"). (Sigh. I am such a geek when it comes to this stuff.) As a last note, Tolkien's calendar is a little offset from ours, considering that Mid-year's day (between month 6 and month 7) is the summer solstice (~our June 21), as I just mentioned; Tolkien also notes that our New Year's Day corresponds to January 9 in the Shire. At this point, I sort of give up... it gets too complicated for me to try to be precise in labeling time the way Tolkien did in his calendars, and so I fall back on the easier course of calling the sixth month "June" and the seventh month "July" even though there's not an exact correspondence. At least the calendars in the Shire and Gondor both have 12 months like our calendar, even if they differ a bit in terms of where extra days are stuck in to make the year come out right. Anyhow, the point I'm making (or trying to make) here is that "May" would still be considered "spring", and "mid-summer" appears to fall on the summer solstice according to Tolkien (or technically speaking, maybe mid-July, if you're thinking halfway between the start of summer and the start of autumn). If my reckoning is right. Numbers and I are not on friendly terms, sad to say. I find it's hard work to pin them down. Beg pardon if this is too much information. Author Reply: Thanks for the information! I love being geekly about this Middle-earth knowledge because it's so rich and so fun to make sure that we get the right distances and times. I really appreciate it. I think that if it takes about 22 days on pony, then it'll make sense to calculate about 3 weeks for the hobbits to get from Hobbiton/Crickhollow to Edoras without rest. And delaying Faramir and Eowyn's wedding would make sense if Mid-summer's day is in June. I think for my story, i had Aragorn and Arwen wed in mid June so they can be in June instead of May in order for Sam and Rosie to have their wedding first. My calendar will correspond to what Tolkien has in Appendix B so following Gondorian calculations? I do not have your email so if you can email me so i have it, it'll be great! my next draft should be emailed to you first, if you do not mind. :) periantari@gmail.com Thank you so much!

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/1/2025
Just reading the title brings a smile! The letter from Faramir and Éowyn sounds so cheerful and hopeful! And at least Edoras is not quite so far to travel as Gondor or Ithilien would be. But oh dear! Such a difficult decision! I suppose if Rosie goes with Sam, it could be considered a honeymoon... Reading on to see how they work it all out. (Some of the timing is confusing to me. A week to go from here to there! They will have to ride hard and fast, I think, from studying maps of Middle-earth to try and grasp the concept of distances, which has always been a struggle for me. And mid-May is Mid-summer's day? But then I remind myself that maybe the Gondor/Rohan calendar is different from the Shire calendar.) I love the idea of multi-day wedding celebrations both in the Shire and in Rohan. The wedding preparations sound beautiful and are filled with joy and promise. Faramir's mixed emotions are understandable. I'm so glad Imrahil notices and speaks to him about it. The description of the wedding, especially the vows they speak to each other, is wonderful. It seems very fitting that the ceremony includes honoring the dead. Faramir's dream, followed by his conversation with Frodo, is interesting. Like Faramir, I wonder if anniversaries will be easier to bear with the passage of time, the strengthening of their bonds, and the birth and growth of their children? Is Frodo foreseeing Faramir's future, just as Faramir's dreams have foretold Frodo's choice to sail? They seem very alike in spirit at this moment. This goodbye is so poignant. Sigh. I'm glad to see "TBD" at the end of the chapter. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next! Author Reply: Thanks so much for the interesting thoughts esp. about the time that it takes for the hobbits to travel to Rohan and also the timing. I do agree that it'll take longer so i'll revise this part of the story to make it make sense. It takes a week (if you're traveling fast from GOndor to ROhan so perhaps it'll be double or even triple the time from Hobbiton to Edoras? Thanks for pointing this fact out! Regarding the time of the weddings, would it make sense to space them out even more? Tolkien did not mention exactly when Sam and Rosie wed only in the "spring of 1420" (page 1024). He was even more reticent about Faramir save the note he did in the Peoples of Middle earth when he mentioned it was 3020 in Rohan but did not give any more detail of when. I assume mid year. Faramir's dream, followed by his conversation with Frodo, is interesting. Like Faramir, I wonder if anniversaries will be easier to bear with the passage of time, the strengthening of their bonds, and the birth and growth of their children? I do think it would be easier with the passage of time but these are still tough times and it is interesting to guess on how Faramir and Eowyn handle anniversaries of their loved ones especially when the Black Breath is involved! Thank you for the kind thoughts- makes me want to answer the above questions even more by elongating the whole story. The post-Quest Faramir and how he handles the future does seem important to flesh out. :) Can i email you more thoughts?

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 8/30/2025
What a marvelous event, and a very moving leave-taking between Faramir and Frodo. They had bonded strongly from the very beginning. They know and would be happy for you, believe me. It’s time to make new memories now A perfect thing to say! Author Reply: Thank you so much! I liked writing these scenes so i'm glad that they worked for you. I liked the Faramir and Frodo character arc too and found that so important to talk about post-Quest. Maybe there will be more one offs after this . :)

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/19/2025
The chapter begins with a cheerful reunion which I enjoyed reading, followed by a busy, productive time that promises healing and hope for the future. But then a change in the weather comes and seems to be a factor in bringing Faramir down. His realization that he should not drink alcohol at such times reminds me of when I learned that alcohol can act as a magnifier of your emotions – if you're happy, it intensifies your enjoyment, but if you're depressed, it pulls you further down into the depths. And by November, the hobbits are back in the Shire with troubles of their own (chasing the last of Lotho's ruffians out), so they won't be able to help. I don't know if Faramir perked up at all at the mention of seeing Beregond, but I certainly did! I love Elessar's concern and practical advice and care. Faramir's plans for the new home and gardens sound beautiful and inviting. Legolas will send elves to help with the gardens? What could be better? (Answer: Nothing that I can imagine!) Holidays are so difficult the first few years after losing a loved one. Poor Faramir. Perhaps he ought to spend the winter holidays in Edoras? Going to Dol Amroth also sounds like a good plan, especially considering Imrahil's care and concern and affection for his nephew. I smiled when I read Remember this is your home too. Never be a stranger here. The description of Faramir's time in Dol Amroth sounds pleasant, restful and healing. (I wonder what the travel time between Minas Tirith and Dol Amroth might be?) (I think something might be missing here? Faramir thought it was strange Aragorn would ask- he had been headache and nightmare free for a while thought he still had some dreams that involved his father but they were not too vivid to make it worth mentioning. Aragorn just asked how the house-building was going, and Faramir answered him, but where does his friend and King ask about the headaches and nightmares? I'll admit, my eyes are tired and are giving me some trouble [I've only been reading for a couple hours but I'm going to have to quit soon for the day], and he might have asked at an earlier point in the conversation, in which case I missed it.) I want to scold Faramir! Aragorn warned him about keeping his dreams to himself! At least he's using the teas and avoiding alcohol. Ah, Beregond. How nice to see you and how you exert yourself to take care of Faramir. Keeping his thoughts centered around Éowyn is a wise strategy. I also love the way you tell part of the story through the letters you include here. I am a little worried about the timeline, though. March 15 could be a difficult (and even dangerous) anniversary for both of them! Author Reply: Thank you so much for a thoughtful review! To be honest, i had so many rewrites for the chapter that centered on the timeline because i wasn't sure i can write till Eowyn comes and the wedding (which we will see shortly) so i'm glad for your two cents because i can consider all of these points when i decide to revise. :) I love Elessar's concern and practical advice and care. Faramir's plans for the new home and gardens sound beautiful and inviting. Legolas will send elves to help with the gardens? What could be better? (Answer: Nothing that I can imagine!) I know- i like that too and i feel like before January of 3020 it's still Aragorn and Arwen who are there for him. I think i wrote Arwen only briefly in here but we will see if she will play a role? Holidays are so difficult the first few years after losing a loved one. Poor Faramir. Perhaps he ought to spend the winter holidays in Edoras? Going to Dol Amroth also sounds like a good plan, especially considering Imrahil's care and concern and affection for his nephew. I think so too! any holiday or birthday is tough without your loved one during grief and it is hard especially it'll be first year without father and brother. I think the distance to Dol Amroth is most likely same time frame but i heard from some research that perhaps it's easier to get to Dol Amroth from Minas Tirith because they go the southern route with the river . (same way that Aragorn traveled to get to Minas Tirith in the Paths of the Dead.) I liked writing Beregond in there. First version didn't have him in there but i'm glad he is there for Faramir in Emyn Arnen. I am a little worried about the timeline, though. March 15 could be a difficult (and even dangerous) anniversary for both of them! Glad you mentioned that- i think i may write something about that too, maybe elongate chapter 21 a bit (or put in epilogue) because the next chapter is slotted for the wedding already. :) Thank you for your thoughtful thoughts as always. <3

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 7/13/2025
I love reading letters between our beloved characters. And it's so helpful for Faramir to have delightful future plans to keep his mind and heart occupied. Author Reply: Thank you! Yes, i liked that part of the story too. There is much to look forward to for Faramir, I agree. :)

Fimbrethil	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/13/2025
Awww...usually we see Imrahil the knight, but today we see Imrahil the caring uncle. I suspect he is similar in uncle was attitude to Théoden. But maybe not, because Éomer and Éowyn actually lived with the king, and I suspect that after Théodwyn and Éomund died, and Théodred was 24, that Théoden didn't go to many battles, even before Wormtongue came. Sorry this turned into rambling about Théoden, but I had thoughts. Author Reply: Yes, it is similar with the titles but dissimilar because i do not believe Faramir ever lived with Imrahil unless maybe holiday in Dol Amroth. It is interesting to read fanfic to talk about earlier days with Faramir or Boromir's relationship with Imrahil. In Rohan, Eowyn and Eomer did live with Theoden so they had more ways of communicating and be closer. :)

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/12/2025
Many, many thanks for including these scenes with Beregond! He has been my favorite Mannish character since my first reading of Tolkien's marvelous story as a young teen. It makes a lot of sense that he would have been sent ahead to prepare for Faramir's coming to Ithilien. In addition to finding a dwelling place at this point in time (and not just for Faramir but I imagine for a garrison – the White Company – as well as the people who will be living there), are they still scouring out enemies that might be lingering in the land? Besides the Easterlings mentioned, might any Orcs be hiding? You show Beregond's devotion to his Captain very clearly! Seeing Faramir through Beregond's eyes also underscores the general concern about Faramir's condition and recovery. I also love getting a glimpse of Imrahil (I've come to like him very much in your chapters) and the hobbits (I am always happy when the hobbits appear!). And the mention of Borlas, his younger son, also makes me happy for some reason. (I am quite fond of Bergil, but I haven't thought a lot about Borlas except to explain his absence from some of the stories I've written about Beregond and Bergil.) I didn't know Faramir preferred the forest! What an intriguing detail! "You are not there yet" – spoken like a loving, caring uncle. The private conversation between Beregond and Pippin is quite believable. And probably necessary! Especially if Faramir is downplaying his illness. ("overworked – no need to worry" Hah!) I wonder if it would be healing or distressing for Faramir to hear more about how Beregond fought to save him? Even though Faramir knows the bare facts of the matter, I'm thinking it might be healing (for both Beregond and Faramir, actually) for Beregond to tell more of his story to Faramir: how Pippin came to find him and beg his help, how he made the impossible choice between death for Faramir or his own death (and maybe if Beregond talks about the reason why he chose to fight for Faramir, he might give Beregond's Captain some food for thought). He might confess to Faramir about being haunted at striking down the porter at the gate and the two servants in the hallows, and maybe Faramir might have some words of wisdom or comfort to offer Beregond? (And maybe Faramir would realise later that the words apply to himself as well?) Don't mind me... I'm just rambling – maybe the word is "spitballing"? – because I love these characters so. I do appreciate how Beregond reminds Faramir of the effect of the palantír – Denethor was not in his right mind but under Sauron's influence. And even though Denethor's actions reflected the darkness that had overshadowed his mind, his love for Faramir shone through the darkness. (And now I wonder if Denethor might have been trying to resist the impulse to destroy his son. As soon as Gandalf entered, he might have snatched a torch. Or when he stood by the bier, he might have stabbed Faramir without warning, but he turned away and picked up the palantír instead. Touching the palantír would have sealed his fate, overcoming any internal resistance he might have been exerting. ...and here I go again, rambling. I think I need to go in search of some protein or a cup of tea or something.) I appreciate Beregond's diligence and obvious concern for his Captain that shines throughout the newly added part. I think I already reviewed the part about Belegion, and my eyes are getting tired, and this review is threatening to grow as long as the chapter, so I will wish you well and stop typing now. Author Reply: Thanks so much for a long and detailed review! WRiting Beregond is actually out of my comfort zone so i am glad that my take on him worked for you. I do really enjoy his chapters in Minas Tirith, Pyre of Denethor that showed his dedication to his Captain. Other fanfic can only explore how he became so dedicated to his Captain. You show Beregond's devotion to his Captain very clearly! Thank you! i am glad you think so- before having Beregond in the story (since we are 13 chapters in) i was wondering where he was and it would only make sense that he was not allowed in Minas Tirith because of what he did at the Pyre of Denethor by slaying the porter and such and by being busy seeing where the future Prince of Ithilien be would make sense so having a conversation to update Faramir would be of utmost importance. I wonder if it would be healing or distressing for Faramir to hear more about how Beregond fought to save him? Even though Faramir knows the bare facts of the matter, I'm thinking it might be healing (for both Beregond and Faramir, actually) for Beregond to tell more of his story to Faramir: how Pippin came to find him and beg his help, how he made the impossible choice between death for Faramir or his own death (and maybe if Beregond talks about the reason why he chose to fight for Faramir, he might give Beregond's Captain some food for thought). you have good points about hearing how Beregond fought to save him -- woudl that make Faramir feel more indebted to Beregond? Maybe upon rewrite, i would add that in because that is a good detail. it woudl be both healing and distressing, healing because he knows more detail surrounding Denethor's demise and maybe that can help with closure, however distressing because Denethor's madness caused unneeded death within Gondorians and maybe without reason, Faramir would feel somewhat responsible or just feel guilty of how evil had spread so far in. i do love that Faramir may give some words of comfort to Beregond about how he came to save him. Thanks for that- i did not think of that. And even though Denethor's actions reflected the darkness that had overshadowed his mind, his love for Faramir shone through the darkness. That point is important to underscore and probably in a future chapter, we need to address that. Who else than Beregond and maybe Gandalf and Pippin to talk about this more so? Thank you for your thoughts! They feed more threads of conversation that are needed before the close. :)

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/17/2025
I miss Grey Wonderer's stories so much! Please convey my best regards to your friend. Author Reply: Sure i will do so! Thank you.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/14/2025
Even before beginning to read, I must tell you, I really like the title of this chapter. It sounds poetic and bittersweet. It's interesting how smells can have an effect on the emotions. I can still remember the smell of my grandmother's house, a kind of fairyland of hidden treasures, at least in a small child's eyes. I'm glad to see Faramir's progress in healing. It's also lovely to see him bolstering Éowyn in her own fight against dark memory and the Black Breath. You did an excellent job of describing the effects she felt, including her sword arm going cold and numb. (I'm with Éowyn in that Gríma always makes me shudder. I can't imagine how awful it would be to have real memories of him.) “Let us not linger in the past….” Both of them express the idea of remembering that the shadow was defeated and it is now time to look to the future, which seems wise. It will be lovely to see Belegion again! (Might I put in a small request to see Beregond interact with Faramir and, perhaps, Éowyn? He is, after all, the Captain of the White Company serving Faramir now. Beregond is my favourite Man amongst the Men of Gondor for various reasons, including his fierce loyalty to Faramir, his eager curiosity about other lands, and his fast friendship with Pippin.) Author Reply: Thank you so much! I like the title of the chapter a lot too so glad someone agrees! Thank you for liking the description there- i did enjoy writing that part because we haven't had a lot of Faramir/Eowyn scenes and to have them heal each other and open up in each other's company was great to do. “Let us not linger in the past….” Both of them express the idea of remembering that the shadow was defeated and it is now time to look to the future, which seems wise. I agree- it will take time but acknowledging the steps together is important and until now, there was not enough of that affirmation. It'll be nice to write them healing more together post-Quest. Thank you for mentioning Beregond because yes, i do wonder where he is in this story. I was mentioning several nights ago to Grey_wonderer where he is (you totally read my mind) so maybe a rewrite is needed to insert him in a prior chapter or something and repost. I do like Beregond too- sometimes he talks to me. I have another story having him in it that needs to be posted. THanks for your thoughtful thoughts!

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