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| Duty Bound by Bodkin | 78 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/10/2006 |
| How very typical of Denethor to marry his son off, practically with the order to produce a heir as soon as possible. I wonder if he thinks the more heirs he and his sons produce the less he has to fear a certain Thorongil ... though that probably doesn't make much sense. Poor Boromir and Emeldís - they are in an awkward situation. And for Emeldís it is probably even more difficult, as she is the one who has to conceive and who has to stay back in Minas Tirith while Boromir is away with his warriors. How helpful of Faramir to think of this holiday in Dol Amroth to give his brother and his wife some time for themselves, to relax and simply talk. Even if it seems the heir is already on his way ... Emeldís is a nice girl, and now I am a bit worried what will happen to her. I truly hope you don't plan to kill her off in childbed or the like. Author Reply: I don't like heartless Denethor - but I do think he wasn't the same after Finduilas died, and he was getting more and more immersed in trying to keep Gondor safe. And one of the things that would do that would be to have heirs of the Stewards' line ready to serve the country. And it seems odd that he wouldn't have done something about that. He wouldn't, I think, have remarried - but he had two adult sons to do the job. Thorongil would have had a harder task - to come up against three or four entrenched generations of Denethor's line, all of them resistant to his arrival. Lots of potential for civil war. A good part of his easy accession was Faramir's gracious and instant acceptance of him. Arranged marriages are all very well when both sides accept them fully - and are mature enough to learn to live with each other. Emeldis, stuck in Minas Tirith, probably would have the harder job - especially as custom is fairly understanding of men who stray! Faramir is intelligent - I'm sure that's part of the reason Denethor found him difficult. And I do love Imrahil's family. As for Emeldis ... Well - the outcome is unlikely to be happy. Boromir didn't, after all, leave heirs of his body. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/9/2006 |
| This is very unexpected, I can hardly wait to see what happens next ! Author Reply: It surprised me, too! One of those stories that comes fully formed and demands attention! | |
| SlightlyTookish | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/9/2006 |
| What an interesting concept. I'm looking forward to hearing more :) Author Reply: Thank you! It's all written - so the next part will come as soon as I've had a chance to check it over. No more hobbits until the Epilogue, I'm afraid! | |
| mirthor | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/9/2006 |
| Excellent so far. More please :) Author Reply: Thank you. It's done - so soon. Tonight, probably. Author Reply: Bearing in mind that it's morning here. | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/9/2006 |
| Yes, the hobbits did live a secluded, privileged life indeed. I am curious, although fervently hoping that you have not abandoned Finrod.. ;-) Author Reply: Finrod says, 'What is time to an elf?' ... He is currently on a hill at the edge of a pine forest with Amarie - and he isn't bothered about moving at the moment! This just jumped at me and wanted to be written. It's all finished though and my mind is returning to Finrod. Hobbits seem to have been granted a very nearly perfect place in a dangerous world. (I think they represent wish fulfilment - the kind of place we would want for our children.) | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/9/2006 |
| Unusual to have you write not about our favourite elves, but an interesting plot bunny nonetheless. Oh yes, from Pippin's POV it is pretty obvious that Boromir *can't* be married, as he can't imagine Boromir could have left his wife behind, coming from the peaceful Shire as Pippin himself is. And Tolkien neglected to tell us Boromir was once married? About time someone tells us the story ;) - I look forward to more. Author Reply: This story just appeared one day and said, 'Write me!' The Shire is such a peaceful and perfect place. Anywhere that gets over-excited about the idea of adventure isn't going to understand that there were probably generations of Gondorian women who brought up children on their own after their soldier husbands had been killed. Aragorn would, though. I don't recall (looking over my shoulder uneasily) that Tolkien ever mentioned the topic. Judging from the number of people who didn't, apparently, have mothers, he probably didn't consider such matters important - except in a very small number of cases. (And then Aragorn had to wait for the Appendix to have his romance revealed.) | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/9/2006 |
| So Bodkin, with what did you bribe Boromir to get him to confide his story to you? *g* I'm with all your other reviewers - now you have dangled the tempting bait - do tell - and sooooon! Author Reply: It's not me! It's that Pippin Took - he has a silver tongue. The whole story emerged complete - so it's written. The next chapter just needs a good read through - it'll probably arrive on Friday. | |
| mearasrider | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/8/2006 |
| awesome job!!;) Author Reply: Thank you! More soon. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/8/2006 |
| Now there's an intriguing answer, especially given the strong Roman Catholic underpinnings of this world. The marriage doesn't seem to have lasted long at all, given Boromir's age and the age of the memories, but it does seem to have left an indelible impression on him. One does get the feeling that the end of his marriage, however it happened, was his idea. Author Reply: I've been counting on my fingers - and maybe Boromir was exaggerating a bit. I wrote some more then - and then decided that it was probably better not to outline the whole story at this point! Perhaps I'll just pronounce a mysterious, 'H'mm!' and add - more soon. | |
| Dot | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/8/2006 |
| Ooh, interesting! I look forward to seeing where you take this. And I must say, I love Pippin's logic - you can tell he comes from a very secure place where it's easy to take into consideration the needs of individuals. Memories two decades old stirred up and choked the man of Gondor, like the dust in a long-abandoned room. What a wonderful, evocative description. Ok, Boromir, keep talking. Author Reply: The Shire almost seems completely out of place in Middle-earth - it is so peaceful in such a dangerous world. But family is really important there - and there don't seem to be many political considerations while there are no military considerations ... the outside world must have come as a huge shock to hobbits. I've been counting and I think Boromir might have been exaggerating with the two decades. Unless he just meant more than 10 and less than 20. I'm glad you like that line! Boromir's talked out. Part two will probably come tonight. | |