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Truce by meckinock	21 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/12/2007
Thorongil and Denethor are really two of a kind, so similar and still so different. I loved the conversation between Denethor and Thorongil. When they are back in civilization, I figure that Denethor will not be too comfortable with what he said to Thorongil. But he went over the line when he took the ring. I guess he will find a way to give it back to Thorongil without officially owning up to the fact that he took it in the first place. I really like the way you characterize Denethor. I love his way at looking towards Finduilas, trying to protect her from herself (but ultimately failing). Author Reply: Thanks, Obsidianj, I really enjoyed writing that conversation a lot for precisely the reason you stated - they are so different, and yet so alike. Denethor did go over the line, and that was interesting for me, too - trying to imagine how someone as noble and proud as he would reach that point. I decided I would have to tempt him with something powerfully attractive; which for him, of course, is knowledge about Thorongil :-) Thank you for reviewing, I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

fliewatuet	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/12/2007
... ran out of rope before he ran out of rock That's certainly my favourite line :-) But the rest isn't bad either. Interesting scene between Denethor and Thorongil. First, there is probably none other than Thorongil to better understand Denethor's doubts about his marriage to Finduilas and what that might cost her. Most unfortunate that he cannot talk openly about it. Then there is the tone of their conversation. I love Thorongil's silent amusement. The whole scene could almost be one between two good friends. Almost. I wonder what Denethor will make of Thorongil's ring. And, of course, I wonder how they will get back to safety (somehow I doubt that Cirion and the slave were killed; Denethor did wave his arm, after all, if a bit prematurely). Author Reply: That's certainly my favourite line :-) Thanks - it sounded too modern but I liked it anyway. I really enjoyed Thorongil and Denethor's conversation - Denethor so earnestly explaining to Thorongil why it's so hard to be him - and Thorongil of course relating only too well to everything he's saying. You know I couldn't kill Cirion :-)

Grumpy	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/12/2007
Ack!! Denathor has the ring. No, no, no put it back. Denethor should be thinking of the ring he needs to put arround his lady's finger, so he can have little Boramir. Great chapter, I love the dialog between a vexed Denethor and a crumped and broken Thorongil. "What are you doing here." I love that. Author Reply: Denethor should be thinking of the ring he needs to put arround his lady's finger, so he can have little Boramir. LOL. Don't worry; he'll have that thought soon enough! Great chapter, I love the dialog between a vexed Denethor and a crumped and broken Thorongil. "What are you doing here." I love that. LOL again. I think I stole that line from "In the Hands of the Enemy." Aragorn seems to say that a lot! Thank you, Grumpy.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2007
What a devilishly uncomfortable situation for both men to be in. There's just something about being out in the cold with no one else around that makes confessions inevitable, even if one doesn't really like the person to whom one is confessing. Poor Denethor. First the annoyance of going after Thorongil, then having to take care of him, then finding themselves alone and in some danger, and now this mysterious ring. This is not a good day for the Steward's son. Author Reply: There's just something about being out in the cold with no one else around that makes confessions inevitable, even if one doesn't really like the person to whom one is confessing. I'm glad you agree - this is something about isolation and danger that seems to inspire True Confessions.

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2007
Uh-oh; nosy Denethor's found the Ring of Barahir! Why didn't Aragorn leave it in Imladris, I wonder, or with the Northern Dunedain? Wonderful characterisation of both Aragorn and Denethor. Denethor is noble here, perceptive about Finduilas but loving her and respecting her integrity enough to let her love him instead of casting her off. And it's good and right of him to try to save a man he distrusts. But he's gone over the line in prying into Thorongil's property. Can't wait to see the next chapter, and finding out the source of the firelight! Author Reply: Why didn't Aragorn leave it in Imladris, I wonder, or with the Northern Dunedain? LOL. Well, that would have definitely been smarter, but then Arwen might have been slightly disappointed if he showed up in Lorien without his betrothal gift :-) I'm glad you're enjoying Thorongil and Denethor. It was interesting, pushing Denethor to the point where he would violate his principles. He's a noble man, but also one who thinks a little too far outside the box sometimes. Thanks, Raksha.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2007
Your take on Denethor is simply great. He is a someone burdened with a serious nature (and commitment), but unfortunately possessed of a sense of humor. Necessarily turned dry. Someone who is vulnerable to human emotions like everyone else, but out of necessity has armoured himself against human weakness. Hmm, sound like someone else we know? What Denethor needs is a better sense of balance... or perhaps as suggested... hope? Maybe if he* had been raised by elves...* Appears if Denethor had no reason to be jealous, only envious, of Thorongil, then they might find the needed basis for a personal trust between them. As it is, the necessities of war dictates who your friends are, but you still needs to know who your real friends are. And declaring a truce has only confused the situation for the poor Captain-General. ;) Thorongil is too thoughtful, too closed of counsel, too much in control of himself (even in bad straits) for Denethor not to take advantage of any opportunity that comes along to suss out the ahem mere mercenary. Seems falling prey to plain old curiosity has very little part to do with a prince turning a bit of a shady trick. What would he do with a illegitimate half-brother? Would that person fit into his society and view of the world more comfortably? Good on ya, though, for having Denethor care (worry) about Findulas's possibly short-sighted passion. Although, one can certainly tell he is flattered by it enough to elicit another's knowing opinion of his romantic circumstances and noble compassion. However, that move only opened the door to a even more irritating subject - the answer to who this foreigner really is. Will Denethor recognize the ring when he gets a good look at it? How much communication was there between the north and south lands of men at this time? Did any know that the Dunedain of the north even existed as anything but the Rangers? Yeah yeah, so I really like this story. Although, there is not any one scene or quote that I would bother to point out in particular. Because, that would be every single word. So glad you have discovered the good virtues of bad - aristocratic - boys. Author Reply: Thank you so much. I'm honored, and you've made some really interesting points. I do think a lack of hope, or maybe faith, is a key to Denethor's ultimate downfall. He took his responsibilities just as seriously as Aragorn, but he couldn't grasp or embrace the concept of a higher order of responsibility - to to do everything you can, but then to lay down your burden and accept that good is strong enough to overcome evil. Denethor is a bit like Sauron - ever the engineer, ever the strategist. Maybe that's why he didn't get along with Gandalf! All handicapping the odds and dispassionately predicting the outcome. And ooh, now you've made me wonder what Denethor would have been like, raised by Elves...I wonder if it would have made a difference... I think it's beyond Gondor's comprehension that the northern line has survived intact not just genetically but also culturally. It's been a thousand years since Arvedui came calling and they gave him a free bus ticket home. Author Reply: Oops, I mean to say Denethor was like Saruman!

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2007
Denethor's rescue was a brave thing to do, given all the circumstances. He put himself into harm's way, despite his position as future steward, which I think fits in nicely with Tolkien who had leaders lead from the front. I did not envy him the drop down that cliff. Thorongil is in rather bad shape. I love the self-diagnosis and that Denethor just did what he was told to help him. Since I'm cold myself, the cave sounds brutally more cold. I wouldn't want to be them. Denthor's temptation about the ring was something. I the one hand, I can see him thinking if this gave him clues to who Thorongil really was, then it was his duty to look. But I don't think Denethor lies to himself. He just wants to know. That he would let Thorongil think it lost was unkind, to the say the least. And now I'm wondering who is around the riverbend, friend or foe? Author Reply: That is one thing I like very much about Tolkien as well - leaders who lead from the front and put themselves in harm's way. Just as Aragorn doesn't let being heirless stop him from risking his life, "valiant", "kingly" Denethor wouldn't either. I enjoyed letting him show his valiant side. On the other hand, healing is something he's never bothered to learn much about. He has people for that ;-) I think you're right that he's just basically curious and he knows it. Although his whole identity is so obsessively entwined with Gondor and his perceived destiny as its savior that his rationalizations are probably pretty well developed. But yeah, unkind to Thorongil. I think he's torn between feeling guilty about that and feeling perverse enjoyment at the power. Denethor is also quite keen to know who's coming around the bend :-)

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2007
Naughty Denethor! But I can just see him investigating Thorongil's treasure - he is someone who prizes knowledge as power. Just as he is behaving in a really rather nice and heroic way, too, and proving that there is more to him than the later deranged Steward driven beyond his endurance by a Palantir. I do love what he revealed of his fears for Finduilas - seeing him as someone who is able even to think about sacrificing himself for someone else's happiness gives him a whole other dimension! Even if it does chime in with his rather excessive self-assurance. - Finduilas, of course, can't have any say in the matter herself. Not even to the point of having the problem explained to her, so that she can think about it. There is just a suggestion here that they could move beyond their differences to a sort of friendship. Just as long as Thorongil acknowledges his inferiority, that is, as a non-Numenorean without the proper lineage. But I don't think it will take Denethor long to work out that the rivalry between them is based on more than Thorongil's capabilities as a captain. It's great to see Denethor as an all-action hero, though. And fingers crossed for an understanding between the two of them - even if it is to prove short-lived. Author Reply: I'm finding it's incredibly fun to work with a slightly naughty character; even as he is still, yes, heroic and brave and all that. I think he did love Finduilas, but knew that for her to thrive in Minas Tirith she would need an uncommonly attentive husband, which he had the prescience to realize wasn't him. But yeah, would have been nice to at least talk it over with her. Well, that's a guy for you. I think Denethor, being wise and subtle in mind and all that, sensed that there was more to Thorongil than met the eye, but it didn't compute. In Denethor's world, everyone knows his proper place. That Thorongil didn't seem to would have been a constant source of annoyance and puzzlement to Denethor, I think. Who does this guy think he is? But since Thorongil never directly "vied" with Denethor, and had the favor of Ecthelion, he could never confront him directly. And fingers crossed for an understanding between the two of them - even if it is to prove short-lived. Er, em...how short are you willing to settle for?

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2007
Two of a kind indeed. The parallel you draw between the loves of the two men is illuminating for both of them, I think. I had to laugh at Denethor's thought that even Ecthelion couldn't bestow the proper heritage on Thorongil. I held my breath (two breaths, I guess) when Denethor was deciding not to say he had the chain and pouch. But I can't stand the thought of them spending the night outside in just a cloak or two blankets. It's so cold! Author Reply: But I can't stand the thought of them spending the night outside in just a cloak or two blankets. It's so cold! You need a vacation someplace warm :-) It was interesting to tempt Denethor, and it reminded me of the Ring tempting his son years later. Although in Denethor's case it wasn't the power of the Ring overcoming his natural sense of right and wrong, but his own sort of twisted priorities. And it was fun playing with his assumptions about Thorongil.

Gandalfs apprentice	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2007
Great conversation between the two! One question: Don't you think people in Gondor would have recognized Numenorean blood in Captain Thorongil? I don't think he could hide that very successfully. Author Reply: Hi, GA, thanks for reviewing. Don't you think people in Gondor would have recognized Numenorean blood in Captain Thorongil? Oh, sure. But I imagine them sort of like purebred dog fanciers - you can tell it has a lot of Beagle in it, but where are its papers?

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