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| A Brave New World by Bodkin | 27 Review(s) |
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| Klose | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/15/2007 |
| Very nice! I've been curious about Faramir and Eowyn's time in post-war Ithilien, so I was particularly intrigued to read this: and it's really a very tight monologue about what the end of an era of war would mean to a city that has only known darkness and conflict for a good part of recent times... the bit about those in denial of everything was particularly poignant. "If Sauron had packed up his armies and turned his attention to growing grapes." *snerk* Excellent touch. Also, I can never read enough stories that explore, even if only brielfy, the friendships and relationships between Aragorn, Faramir (and their wives), and it's refreshing to see them in this particular point of view. Good stuff, as always, Bodkin, you're a very prolific writer, but the quality of your writing is always superb. Thanks for sharing! Author Reply: Thank you, Klose. I'm glad you liked it. This was one of those pieces that jumps out almost fully formed with very little work. (Great when that happens!) As soon as Meckinock commented on the guard's point of view, he just started spouting! Every now and then, I get a yearning to look at matters from the point of view of the ruled rather than the rulers - it's fascinating how it changes your perspective. Fascinating, too, how much guards and servants see and understand, whilst seeming to be invisible to their masters. It's not surprising they're not always as impressed by them as they're supposed to be! There aren't enough stories about the rebuilding of Gondor and Ithilien - and what comes after the happy ever after. | |
| Laura | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/15/2007 |
| *happy sigh* That was beautifully written and moving. What a wonderful way to start a day. Thank you. Author Reply: Thank you, Laura. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to be so long in getting round to replying. | |
| Fiondil | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/15/2007 |
| And not a word about the ineptitude of said Prince and King at fishing! Very circumspect. A nice little add-on to the original story. "Peace is a fragile flower that can be blackened by a single frost. And, if we want to nurture it, then we cannot leave it entirely in the hands of our rulers – we saw where that left us: in a half-abandoned city, facing the end of the world." A dictum that people in our own world would do well to remember. Well done. Author Reply: I don't think they were really too bothered ... they can fish ... if they want to. But the day is more about getting away from the city and pretending to be free. They don't need the fish - there'll be a substantial supper waiting for them back at Emyn Arnen. One of the things that I really love about playing in Tolkien's world is its depth - and the parallels that you can see. Not surprising, really, in a man who survived the trenches and lived through the Second World War and the knowledge of what it brought. Thank you, Fiondil. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/15/2007 |
| This is so full of great and meaningful lines I would have to quote all of it if I told you my favourite parts. A fine treatise on the fragility of peace. And a clever thought - Well – Lord Boromir’s place was with the army, was it not, not somewhere off north, safe from the fighting? - I hadn't thought of Boromir going to find Rivendell could be thought of like this Well done. Author Reply: It's the sort of thing that occurs to you when you look at things in a different way. I mean - the Captain-General? He's there, leading the army, encouraging and rousing his men to maintain their efforts against the enemy ... and then he's gone - not with a troop of men, but sneakily snipped out and sent off and not seen again? I'll bet rumour had a field day. And much of it would have been very, very negative. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/15/2007 |
| p.s. forgot to say I love the bit about Eowyn's horse, and her ambition to improve the White Company's equestrian skill. Author Reply: Well, she would, wouldn't she!! I see her favourite horse as being a rather bad-tempered war horse. Only she loves him dearly - and knows his worth. And if many of the White Company were former Rangers, they could probably do with a bit of intensive training on horseback. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/15/2007 |
| They scratch themselves? Really? Nicely done, even if it is not Beregond. You do it so well, you know, you really ought to tackle Beregond. There just aren't enough quality stories written about the man. (ok, there aren't even many, if any, poorly crafted stories written about the man.) Odd as it may sound, he is my favourite of the race of Men in Middle-earth. Don't know how such a "minor player" could so completely capture my heart, but he certainly did, with his bold, bright, curious spirit; his love for Faramir his Captain; his quick and easy friendship with a stranger in time of war; his sacrifice of self, with eyes open, to prevent murder most foul; and his making his stand in the front rank at the Black Gate. Author Reply: They probably clear their throats, too. And other less appealing physical things. Beregond is an excellent character - and one whose actions were as brave as anybody's ... I still tend to think he got a bit of a raw deal, even though he was sent off in semi-glory. And his role raises all sorts of questions along the 'I was only carrying out orders' line - of when should you stand up and say no. And the consent of the ruled - and whether you can blame everything on those in charge if you allow what is clearly wrong. Max Frisch - Andorra ... Something along the lines of 'Ich war Soldat ... Ich habe nur mein Dienst getan.' (Incorrect German, I know. Never was too good at declensions.) | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/15/2007 |
| Innovative way of telling of the changes in early Fourth Age Gondor. The White Guardsman makes a good, perceptive narrator. I like the bit at the end, with Aragorn and Arwen gazing at Gil-Estel, Faramir noticing, and Eowyn wanting to get her horse home to his stable - very typical. Author Reply: Thank you! I love it when people take a story and turn it to see from another viewpoint. Especially when looking from the perspective of someone who is not a king returned or an immortal - it's good to see someone more ordinary ... and sometimes something unexpected pops out. Three dark-haired elf-linked wizard's pupil romantics - and a practical daughter of the Rohirrim. I'm sure Eowyn will have been very good at bringing the others down to earth at times. | |