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| Bound by Duty; Bound by Joy by Mirkwoodmaiden | 6 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/6/2025 |
| Congratulations on finishing! I loved this moment in the book and in the dramatizations we've listened to (especially the BBC radio series). In fact, I loved it so much, I imagined that people all over Middle-earth felt the same sensation, as if the world was holding its breath, and the tremor running through the earth, and the sudden lightness of spirit and brightness of the Sun. “A boy needs his mother at times of great joy.” That sounds like the voice of experience. Poor Faramir. Eirik is precious, and Harthedir receives his own healing. Lovely. *gasp* A brother's last gift. I never saw that before! But it rings true. I'm so glad the veil was lifted away and Éowyn saw clearly both Faramir's heart and her own. And the sight of them together is also helping the Warden heal. How much grief and sorrow the healers must have gone through, especially watching those afflicted by the Black Breath slip away despite all their efforts to save them. Thank you for your condolences. Yesterday was an awful day. Today was a little better, even though I miss Ollie fiercely. At least because he died at home and the other cats witnessed his passing, they are not searching for him and calling for him as has happened with other pets who went to the vet and didn't come home. That always deepened the grief and was heartbreaking to see and hear. They couldn't understand our explanations. The Elder Cat searched for his soulmate for six months, calling and looking all over the house every day, and after that, he would call for the other cat every time it stormed, as if he were afraid his beloved had gotten outside somehow and was in danger. The Empress kept rolling on the dog's leash (lying on a bench) for weeks after Panda died, rubbing her scent glands into the leather as if she was renewing her claim. She had always rolled on the leash before and after Panda went for a walk. But none of them is searching for Ollie; they're simply being extra cuddly and loving for their sad humans. Author Reply: Lindelea! THank you!! So glad you liked it. This will the end of "Destiny's Child" as seen through Eowyn's eyes. Now I just have to get her there! :-) Sweet Ollie! So true that our little furry friends find their way into our hearts. Be comforted, Oliie is chasing butterflies over the rainbow bridge waiting to snuggle again and to be petted. Big (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Lindelea! Yes...Faramir is indeed thinking of his mother when he tells Eirik to fly to his mum. *sigh* "A brother's gift" It just flew onto the keyboard as I was writing and it just seemed to fit! Must dash to work! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/4/2025 |
| This chapter was lovely, filled with love and hope. I’m glad I saved it to read “later” when I saw it yesterday. I needed to read something that would bring comfort. Sweet Ollie, our youngest cat, left us early this morning. We’d known since October that he had a heart murmur. He’s healed now. Author Reply: Lindelea! I am glad my story has provided solace! (((hugs))) So sorry to hear about your youngest kitty, Sweet Ollie. He is in a better place leaping around chasing butterflies I am sure! *heart breaks* Very large (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/3/2025 |
| This wonderful chapter left me smiling. The perfect bedtime snack! This character study of Faramir rings true. Quite insightful. The Warden looked at his Steward curious at the stumbling of his words. He had known Faramir for most of the younger man’s life. Faramir frequented the Houses of Healing as a young boy and later as a young man seeking refuge from his father’s sharp tongue when his older brother was away. He had a thirst for knowledge and an intuitive heart. He was drawn to the healing arts. He was an intelligent and kind-hearted man and would have made a good healer had he been born to another man and not the Ruling Steward. He had often mused that Faramir was indeed drawn to the healing arts to bring healing to others because he could not heal or salve his own father’s hidden pain. An intuitive child wishing to help in any way he could. The Warden sighed, Denethor never understood his second son, always doubted his motives; always questioned his actions. He never understood that Faramir, in his heart, only wanted to heal and protect. He could not protect his father from himself so he would try to protect all of Gondor in his stead. The Warden is an observant Man, I think. And Merry! I'm always happy when a hobbit comes on the scene. The two of them smoking together makes the scene work, and Merry's remembrance of Théoden is poignant. And, of course, the ending is so hopeful-sounding, even though the future is still uncertain. Author Reply: Lindelea! In my imagining of Faramir's childhood I think he must have others who showed him love and compassion. He grows into an compassionate man and leader all the while still being traumatized by the largest influence, his father. He had Boromir and in Dol Amroth he had Prince Imrahil and his family. Because of these influences he sees empathy and compassion. And with his own natural inclinations not blunted by ill treatment by all he can see his father's pain but also realises that he can do nothing about it. And it makes sense to me that the Warden of the Houses of Healing would be a person who he would visit and the warden would see his caring and loving qualities. And yes the warden is a wise and observant man! About Merry, I am complimented by what you say because you write the hobbits so well. I'm glad it works. I do really think that Merry would just sit himself down and pulls out his pipe in the "unabashed way of hobbits!" Thanks for writing! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/30/2025 |
| Yes, he has lost so much... his entire family. (I'm glad he has his uncle and cousins, and the love and respect of his Men, but still. He has walked lonely for a few days after his awakening from the Black Shadow before meeting – and becoming intrigued by – Éowyn.) And here is where their eyes first meet! (I remember talking about this moment in a previous review, maybe in a different story.) "looking into his own soul" – and is it the same with her? ..."gentle" is her first thought of him, echoing a childish wish expressed so long ago, when the world was still a bright and promising place in her eyes. I love the image of the fluttering bird at the end of the chapter, knowing that "if only for a moment or two" is her reality in this moment, yet the future is not yet written. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/26/2025 |
| I love how you start the chapter with Aragorn's entrance into the city, an anonymous captain among many combatants. And then Pippin's joyous greeting, and the Man's answering joy to see the youngest hobbit safe after that horrendous battle, and his acknowledgement of Pippin's status as a Guard of the Citadel. (I wonder, was he startled at seeing that uniform on the youngest member of the Fellowship?) I've always wondered what Aragorn was seeing and hearing and feeling as he laid his hand on Faramir's brow and concentrated, repeatedly calling the wounded Man's name but ever more faintly while his face grew grey with weariness and those watching perceived that some great struggle was happening. You've done a good job at filling that gap. Of course, I love that Bergil appears here (as he did in the book)! Any mention of Bergil or Beregond is most welcome (at least in my eyes). Six leaves: how handy! I never noticed in past readings of the book that Bergil brought exactly the right number of leaves to address the ills of Faramir, Éowyn and Merry. (In the book, Bergil's bursting into tears and Aragorn's comforting him melted my heart and rather took my attention away from other details, I suspect.) I love how you describe the grey mist dissipating, as if the Sun has come out and is burning the mist away, bringing clarity and joy and relief. The ring of Barahir is a nice detail, too. Author Reply: Lindelea! Thanks! Also I had fun continuing on with the idea that everyone other than Aragorn keeps referring to Aethelas as a weed! I will also be writing in "Destiny's child" how the black breath affects Eowyn when I finally get to that chapter in the story. Eventually... thanks for writing! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/26/2025 |
| This sequence in the film was heart-rending, from the obvious despair of the people lining the streets, throwing flowers as if bedecking the warriors' graves as they rode to their doom, to Faramir's return from the battle, dragged by his horse. Faramir's dissociation during the battle feels very real. The first part of the chapter sets the scene for Faramir's hopeless anguish, both here and in the next chapter (which I read before coming back to leave a review here). In some ways, the grey mist is merciful, blocking Faramir from grasping the horror his father intends: to burn them both alive. That fact may prove difficult knowledge later on, when he learns more about his father's death and his own rescue at Mithrandir's hands... and as a result of Pippin's courage and loyalty, and Beregond's sacrifice for the sake of his Captain... I wonder how he will feel, once he starts to recover, when at last Beregond's doom dawns on him. Will he blame himself? Will he seek after mercy from the newly crowned King, even as he understands all too clearly that "of old, death was the penalty"? Author Reply: Lindelea! Thank you so much for the review. Faramir has always fascinated me, pulled at my heart. As evidenced by so many of my stories about he and Eowyn. Shown so little love from his father that he should grow up, see and understand Eowyn's pain and so gently coax her out of her pain and desire to die on the battlefield. The relationship shown/ written about Denethor and Faramir is so painful. That scene in ROTK when they are riding down through the streets of Minas Tirith is heartbreaking. I hope I captured at least some of that. I think with my other stories about Faramir I touch on how he deals the pain of what happened to him and those whom he loves. And yes! Beregond does make the occasional appearance throughout. You might like a Day of Celebration which I will repost as it was one of mine deleted! Thanks again! (((hugs))) MM | |