Reviews (506)

Michelle · 22 July 2004 · Chapter 55: Thrashing it Out I

Oooh, I can't wait to see what Eomer makes of all this. Undoubtedly you're going to update tomorrow, since this chapter was unforgivably short, yes? If I bug you enough, will it make you update?? The suspense is horrid, you know, especially when you've given us hardly any F/E to speak of in this chapter! But I'm thrilled to see that beautiful Faramir is starting to look like a man. Here's to hoping the trend continues. ;-)

Crimson · 10 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

First let me start off by apologizing for being AWOL for so long. Terribly sorry, but I had a project that I had to finish on a very tight schedule (with sweaty overwrought people hovering over my shoulder making sure I got done on time). I finally put it to rest late last week and spent my 6-hour flight home catching up on your story (started at chapter 46 and worked my way down). So there I was last weekend stuck in a plane on the runway at LAX for 40 minutes waiting for a terminal to open because all the flights were behind schedule and coming in at the same time. While everyone around me was getting as antsy as a kid at 3:00 AM on Christmas morning, I was reading your story and having a great time and didn't want to get to the terminal because then I would have to stop reading, wait for the shuttle, go home, yadda-yadda and it would be hours before I could continue reading your story. Your story actually made me want to be stuck on an airplane. And that, my friend, is the greatest compliment I could ever possibly give you! Now that I am caught up, please allow me to write this very, very long review. It might be the longest in the history of this website. (Hey, what do you expect? I have nine chapters to cover!). I might have to divide it up over a couple of sections. I hope I don't crash this site. First, I should explain to you my philosophy about reviewing another writer's work. I have what I refer to as my Three Commandments of Writing: I. Thou shalt write -- even when thou thinketh everything thou writeth is utter crapeth. II. Thou shalt not listen to all criticism and story suggestions lest thou try to please all people all the time and end up with a story-by-committee that bears no resemblance to thine original conception and is generally disliked by all. III. Thou shalt not tempt a fellow writer to break commandment I or II. With the commandments in mind, let me next explain the difference between "unhelpful" and "helpful" criticisms and/or suggestions. First, unhelpful suggestions...I don't think the other reviewers have given you any, so you're very lucky. Unhelpful suggestions usually involve changing your story on a fundamental level (setting, time period, plot, etc.) Fellow writers tend to do this to each other unwittingly. It's the "here's how I would have done it better" syndrome. It even happened to Tolkien. His friends in the Inklings would give him tons of advice, which he mostly ignored. In fact, one of the characters C.S. Lewis took aim at was Faramir. He warned Tolkien against introducing another main character so late into his seemingly never-ending epic. "If you keep adding characters, you'll never get the bloody thing finished!" he said. One night when Tolkien was reading his rough draft of LOTR out loud to the Inklings, Hugo Dyson actually say, "Oh f**k, not another elf!" Tolkien, thank God, ignored them all. I get the impression that you're strong willed enough as a writer to ignore such advice as well. Helpful suggestions tend to sound like this, "Is such-and-such the reason why your main character feels this way? If not, have you considered trying such-and-so?" Or "Here's my theory on the motivations of your character, was this your intention?" Or "Back in scene three you mentioned your character doing such-and-such, but you didn't seem to pursue it any further. Are you planning on doing something with it or will you cut this from your next draft?" So, now that you know where I'm coming from, let me assure you that I will obey the third commandment and avoid giving you unhelpful suggestions that might steer you off course and deter you from finishing your story. I'll save those safely for the end. And if I think I might be breaking the third commandment, I'll warn you. First I'll give you a list of compliments about everything I loved in the last nine chapters. Then I'll give you my thoughts/questions/helpful suggestions. Things I loved (in no particular order): *Eowyn telling Faramir in re: the bearskin: "It's dead, it's called a rug now." That made me laughed so loud I woke up the poor guy sleeping in the seat next to me on the plane! *This sentence: With a sigh, she raised her arms and spun in a slow circle, her voice droll, "I'm in one piece...it's a marvel, brother, a true wonder of our age." Great description of her movements. And very funny too. *Your quasi stream-of-consciousness style of writing Faramir and Eowyn's thoughts. You do it well. I'm very impressed with how you pulled off this whole Faramir as Miss Cleo the mind-reader thing. It works. It's not silly. I couldn't resist the Miss Cleo joke, but seriously you've portrayed his gift without making it seem cliché or ludicrous. However, if he starts screaming, "The Corps is Mother! The Corps is Father!" you've gone too far. (Forgive me. That was a geek homage to Babylon 5's Psi-Corps. Couldn't resist.) *Your use of Rohirric. You've really made it a part of your story. Initially, I thought it would turn out to be an annoyance to the reader and totally unnecessary to the plot. Boy was I wrong. You make excellent use of it -- especially in the scene where Faramir puts Eowyn's hand in his lap. They converse with each other exclusively in Rohirric, which underscores the fact that he's trying to be gentle with her and communicate in the way in which she is most comfortable. It also works well in your dream sequence when Eowyn asks Faramir rather cryptically, "Do you know why the Horseman stands alone in the sky?" When he admits doesn't, she speaks to him in Rohirric, which he can't understand. The language becomes the first means by which he seeks to understand her. Very nice. *That dream sequence I mentioned above where Eowyn asks Faramir about the Horseman in the sky. I loved that. You had better have a pay off for it! I hope it means something very significant. It's wonderfully cryptic. *The chapter where Faramir learns that Aragorn saw Eowyn naked. I loved it when Faramir demanded, "Take that off right now." That was hilarious. So was the whole sequence of Eowyn trying to shoo Aragorn out of her room before Faramir wakes up. Aragorn saying, "Do you know how long I waited to bed--" and Eowyn interrupting him with, "Oh be quiet! I don't care!" was classic. You have a wonderful sense of comedic timing. *Eomer at breakfast the morning they leave Minas Tirith when he thinks, "I win Faramir. She still loves me best." It was so ridiculously childish it was funny. You portray the whole dynamic between Eomer and Faramir with a great blend of humor and genuine regret and sadness. I love the fact that you've avoided wrapping up their dislike of each other neatly by making them fast friends. I've noticed that you consistently resist the urge to resolve plot conflicts too easily. You force situations to play themselves out. That takes real discipline as a writer. I'm impressed. And by their comments, I can tell your other readers are as well. It makes your story compelling and suspenseful because we're all dying to see the resolution. It's like listening to Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde" -- we're just hanging there waiting for that damn musical motif to resolve itself in the Third Act (not for nothing has this opera been called "an orgasm set to music"). *Eowyn's traditional Rohirric farewell to Faramir in Minas Tirith. Charming. *Your use of your equestrian knowledge. It's very clear that you know what you're talking about when it comes to horses. It adds so much to the story. *Faramir shopping for Eowyn -- especially when Merry suggests the dagger and Faramir says, "Yes, I think we are fairly safe in getting that." Too funny. And what you did later with Eowyn's reaction to the dagger was brilliant. The reader (or at least this reader), like Faramir, thought she would love it. I was just as surprised as Faramir that she didn't like it and felt just as foolish for not realizing that, of course, she wouldn't like it! And I was also pleasantly surprised that she liked the jewelry. Again, I thought to myself, of course she likes it. We gals are suckers for nice shiny expensive stuff. I don't care how much of a cow-girl tough-chick you are, you see a diamond or an emerald or a sapphire and you say, "Niiiice." And we all know what's going through Faramir's mind, "Hmmm...the bigger the jewel, the more she lets me touch her..." At this rate he's going to present her with the Hope Diamond on their wedding night. *Your whole progressive seduction between Faramir and Eowyn. Without being x-rated, you've wound up both your male and female readers to the point where we all need to take a dip in the Snowbourn. To do this tastefully (no pun intended -- hey, get your mind out of the gutter!) is quite a feat. Bravo! And for the love of peace, bring on the wedding night. I'm also glad you didn't go overboard by having Eowyn turn into some kind of Dominatrix ordering Faramir to keep his eyes closed or else. I didn't want to read about how she discovered new uses for her riding crop and harness. Let's not go there. She's the White Lady of Rohan, not Amsterdam. However, I think I speak for all of your female readers when I say that I'm extremely disappointed that we didn't get a more detailed description of Eowyn's first glimpse of Faramir naked. We got paragraphs on his observations of her naked form, but next to nothing on her observation of his. What's the matter, didn't she get a good enough look?! *Eowyn's reaction to sleeping in the same bed as Faramir for the first time. I was happy to see that by Chapter 54 she had somehow learned how to sleep with a "great, cumbersome man" in her bed. It's just like having a life-sized teddy bear (who also snores, scratches himself, and occasionally cops a feel). *The scene with Eowyn and Glorfindel and his reference to the Witch-king prophecy. What a great idea to show the prophet meeting his prophecy. The good Professor would have approved. I can see him Upstairs now saying, "Why didn't I think of that?" *Your portrayal of Faramir's nightmare and Eowyn's discovery of his "inner child." It was poignant without being schmaltzy. Now let me move on to my--hopefully helpful--thoughts, suggestions and comments: *I really love the fact that you portray Faramir as messy and Eowyn as neat. It's my belief that for some reason the Almighty has predestined that the Messy of the earth shall meet and marry the Neat. At least that's how it's worked for me, my friends, my family, my colleagues, my acquaintances, my distant cousins, and people I've met in line at the grocery store. If you are neat, you are destined to marry someone who defines closet as "wherever my clothes land." If you are messy, you are destined to marry someone who turns red at the sight of your harmless (though admittedly growing) pile of clutter. It's written in the stars. But perhaps I overstate… There are wonderful possibilities here for Eowyn and Faramir's character development. Eowyn, as you've portrayed her, is afraid of the drudgery of domesticity. But I've noticed that neat people are inevitably and unwittingly compelled to do domestic chores because they like living in a clean and organized environment, which means they have to pick up after their partners, cajole them to clean up after themselves, and show them how it's done. Messy people tend to be a little "scattered" shall we say. They need neat people to help them organize. Eowyn will find herself being domestic without even knowing it. Besides all that, I think strong-willed women like her make great mothers. They're naturals at organizing people and running a big group. Look at Eowyn with the hobbits. She's the only one who can get them to behave. Look at Eowyn running Edoras in her brother's absence. She's better at it than he is. What she's really afraid of is the unknown because if she knew what she was in for, I think she would welcome the challenge. She and Faramir are going to build a whole province from the ground up. She's basically going to be doing in Ithilien the job she would have done in Rohan if she had never married Faramir. She won't be bored. She's extremely concerned, as she should be, about what Faramir will expect of her as his wife. She even asks him this, and he responds simply, "Whatever you are willing to give." What a beautiful and honest answer -- honest because he probably has no expectations of what domestic life should be. His mother died when he was a little boy. His father didn't really raise him. He had no domestic family life really. He and his brother were for all intents and purposes orphaned. (Very much life Tolkien and his brother who were truly orphaned. Have you noticed that almost all of Tolkien's characters are orphans of some kind? Aragorn, Eowyn, Eomer, Frodo, Faramir, and I'm sure the list goes on.) The point is Faramir has no preconceived notions of how his wife should act or what kind of mother she should be or how they should run their household. How would he know? And in truth, how would she know. She's never really lived in the company of an adult couple. Her parents died when she was very young and her uncle was a widower. In fact, Faramir has about as much knowledge of woman as Eowyn has of men. I'm speaking of emotional knowledge, not physical. Eowyn is frightened and sickened by the court ladies of Minas Tirith. She doesn't seem to realize that she and Faramir will have the privilege of setting their own standards in Ithilien. As Shakespeare's Henry V tells his betrothed, "We are the makers of manners, Kate; and the liberty that follows our places stops the mouth of all find-faults." So, if she misses the horse races in Rohan (as she fears she will in one of your earlier chapters), then she can launch the first Ithilien Derby! And if the women of Ithilien prefer to work in trousers, so be it. *I'm very impressed with your depiction of Faramir and Eowyn's emotional needs and the emotional baggage they're carrying around from their past. Many chapters back, one reviewer commented that Faramir didn't seem mad enough at Eowyn when she tried to deny her love for him. I think you portrayed it just right. I think the idea of losing her -- of being abandoned by her -- was terrifying to him. But I think his anger was deflated when he found out the reason why she wanted him to believe that she didn't love him. We know from the chapter before that one that Faramir's inner demon is his fear that he is a worthless failure and is unlovable and not good enough for her. This was what his father taught him. Eowyn lied to him essentially because she loved him so much that she didn't want him to be saddled with someone who wasn't good ENOUGH for him. That kind of takes the sting out of his anger. But I think there would still be some anger at the fact that she didn't tell him her worries earlier. She was uncommunicative. And now in Chapter 54, you have Eowyn realize that it's her uncommunicativeness that hurts him. I don't know if you were conscious of all this when you were writing it, but I was, and I think it's wonderful stuff. Bravo! *On another note, I think Faramir needs to read "Co-dependant No More." Just kidding. I think he needs Gandalf or Elrond or Aragorn or Glorfindel or somebody to explain to him how to control his gift better. I'm assuming that the reason why he's suddenly so overwhelmed by everyone's emotions is that his gift has only recently been "returned" to him by Eowyn. It's as if he has been given a third leg and must now learn how to walk all over again. But he needs some training otherwise he's going to drive poor Eowyn batty. I half expected her to slap him a la Brando in The Godfather, "You could act like a man! What's the matter with you?" (Alas, poor Brando! RIP.) In Chapter 46 or 47, Eowyn reminds Faramir of a childhood memory that he has apparently forgotten. She describes him hiding in a library away from everyone because he was overwhelmed by all the thoughts and emotions he could feel. She says that Denethor made Faramir "forget." It sounds as if Denethor somehow amputated Faramir's gift, which again explains why Faramir is suddenly so overwhelmed by it when it's unleashed again. I liked how Eowyn described Denethor's actions as "a kindness." She obviously doesn't think it was. But was it? Did Denethor have the ability to teach Faramir how to control his gift? Did he choose not to in order to control Faramir because Faramir's abilities were potentially greater than Denethor's own? Or maybe the strength of Faramir's gift meant that Denethor really didn't know how to teach him to control it, in which case perhaps he really did think he was doing his son "a kindness." Don't you just love the complexities of dysfunctional family dynamics?! There's never an easy answer. I think fanfiction writers are often guilty of settling for a two-dimensional Denethor. Who do you think Tolkien used as an inspiration for the character Denethor? I have a theory. I'll give you a few clues. Denethor bears a striking resemblance to a famous king who also killed himself when he was surrounded by an invading army. That same king became obsessed with "divinations" (like Denethor with his palantir). When the king suffered from fits of melancholia, he ordered a young boy to sing for him (just as Denethor orders Pippin). The king was paranoid about being usurped by a younger and more valiant warrior (just as Denethor is paranoid about Aragorn). The king's son becomes friends with the young warrior upstart (just as Boromir befriends Aragorn). The young warrior even sings a famous lament when his friend, the king's son, dies in battle (just as Aragorn sings for Boromir). Eventually the old king is usurped by the young warrior (just as Denethor is by Aragorn). So, can you guess who the king is? Drum roll, please... It's King Saul. From the bible. You know, David and Goliath -- that King Saul. David was the young upstart. Saul ordered David to sing for him (and then proceeded to chuck a spear at him, but not because of his singing). Saul also got hooked on consulting mediums. Saul's son Jonathan was David's friend, and David sings a famous lament when Jonathan dies: "O how the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!" Now, the interesting thing about Saul, at least as far as our discussion is concerned, is that he wasn't always a jerk (actually I never thought he was to begin with, but that's another discussion). Denethor wasn't always a jerk either. He's just as three dimensional as everyone else. It's a shame that in the film they bowdlerized him into a parody of Richard Nixon. I kept waiting for him to stretch out his arms, wave the peace sign and mutter, "People of Gondor have got to know whether or not their Steward is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook!" Okay, sorry for that diversion. Those were just my thoughts on Denethor. Please ignore them if you think they'll steer you off course. *As to whether Faramir is obsessed with Eowyn, I think the whole thing depends on how the reader defines obsession. I thought he was just being overly dramatic because obviously he doesn't think about her ALL the time. That would be absurd. How many times have you said, "I think about X all the time." X might be a person or a thing or a situation. But do you really think about it ALL time? I think it's just a figure of speech. So sure he thinks about her all the time. His whole future involves her. When he's shopping for her, he thinks about her. When he's making plans for his future, he thinks about her. When he sees anything remotely erotic, he thinks about her. He's not necessarily being obsessive; he's just being generous, practical, and horny. But that's just my take on it. I think there's a moment in every relationship when a couple challenges each other to decide if they are both committed. Faramir was challenging Eowyn, and she eventually gave him the answer he wanted. At any rate, I don't think he looks like a creepy stalker type. If she were to tell him to go away (and really mean it), he'd go away and never bother her again even if it kill him. A stalker, on the other hand, never stops stalking. *Whatever happened to Faramir's work at the Council of Gondor and Eowyn's work at the Houses of Healing? I thought you were setting us up for some character development there. Both of them discovered a profession at which they excel. Don't mess with it if it takes you too off course, but I was just wondering if you intended to do more with this aspect of their characters. *Whatever happened to Lothiriel? I knew that she was the girl Eowyn met at the Houses of Healing. I actually thought you would have her treat Eomer when he went to the Houses after his fight with Faramir and Aragorn. Eomer really needs a distraction. Get her to him before he drives his poor sister and brother-in-law nuts. *What happened to the rest of the gang from Dol Amroth? The OOC Elphir and Imrahil? I think they were your weakest part, so I wouldn't be sorry to see them fall by the wayside. But I hope that in your second draft, you cut or revise this part. Use it or lose it, as they say. *Aragorn. Ah, Aragorn. Your Aragorn is rather unique. I like him. He bears almost no resemblance to Tolkien's Aragorn, but I don't mind. This is a compliment because I should mind. I don't because your Aragorn is charming. I was wondering if I might make a suggestion that might link your Aragorn with Tolkien's in a small way. What do you think about having Aragorn come to Faramir's defense by telling Eomer that Faramir is an honorable man who is worthy of Eowyn? Who better than Aragorn would know how agonizing it is to love a woman whose family does not approve of you? I don't think you've made mention of how Arwen's family feels about Aragorn making her a mortal, but you have already developed Aragorn's friendship with Eomer. So what do you say to Aragorn coming to the defense of his Steward? Just a thought. Ignore it if it takes you too off track. *Be very careful how you reveal Faramir's past peccadilloes with other woman (that is, if you find it necessary for him to reveal his past or even have past at all). Let me tell you why this gives me pause. Some years ago, I saw Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods" Off Broadway. I will never forget the scene where Cinderella's Prince Charming seduces the Baker's Wife and then dumps her rather callously. The women in the audience started hissing. Clearly no one liked seeing Prince Charming cheating on his Princess. No one wanted to even think of Prince Charming as having a past because no one wanted to imagine Prince Charming using and abusing his power and then casting aside the woman he used. Even if that woman initially enjoyed it, you still feel like she was used and cast aside, which in fact she was. This leads me to ask, do we really want to know that Faramir shagged some girl and then took her to the curb? Ah, you say, but what if she dumped him? Not likely. Not in that day and age (or perceived day and age by JRRT). It would be absurd and solipsistic to assume that it was possible to have casual relationships back then. In the past there were consequences to such behavior that we simply don't have today. I don't just mean moral considerations that modernity has deemed antiquated. I mean considerations like birth control. I'll spare you my dissertation on the Roman concept of "second class" marriages, or concubinage, in late antiquity; but trust me when I say that even those relationships involved a commitment which made them virtually indistinguishable from legal marriages. Ah, but you say, maybe he just used courtesans. But does that make it any nicer? Faramir, noble Faramir, the high-minded man of the West who tells the hobbits about Numenor and laments that the men of Gondor are no longer as virtuous as the men of Westernesse who came from the sea and built the great cities of Middle-earth, Faramir the wizard's pupil, Faramir who faces west for a moment of silence before each meal in honor of "Numenor that was, and beyond to Elvenhome that is, and to that which is beyond Elvenhome and will ever be" (an act which JRRT purposely gave Faramir to distinguished him as the only character in LOTR who does something that is conceivably religious) -- you want us to believe that this Faramir...went to a brothel? He had his way with some poor down-on-her-luck streetwalker and then zipped up and left some change on the mantel? Really, this is not what JRRT had in mind. I find it more than a little disturbing how casual some people are about incorporating practitioners of the oldest profession into Tolkien's story. In any country and in any age, prostitution is a sad thing. A stroll down Hollywood Boulevard at night will show you that. Or a visit to a runaway shelter. Or a careful reading of a Thomas Hardy novel. Trust me, these girls don't look like Julia Roberts. If you're going to give him a past, and going to mention it, keep all this mind. And also keep in mind that promiscuous Prince Charmings tend to be obsessed with unattainable women. They enjoy the challenge of the conquest, but once the conquest is complete, they grow bored and look for their next unsuspecting maiden. How is Eowyn to know that Faramir's obsession will not burn itself out after the conquest and then he'll grow tired of her and leave her like he did the others? Just some thoughts. Hope I didn't break my third commandment here. Please ignore this if you disagree. My very last comment: You are a gifted writer. I know from your replies to reviewers that you're a college student. I have no idea what your concentration or major is, but -- and forgive me for being so presumptuous -- you should be studying literature and creative writing. You are a writer. You could do this professionally. You're that good. I know of what I speak. I hope this doesn't sound pretentious, but I write for a living, and in the past I've worked as an editor for a big publishing house. And so I say again with a few credentials to back me up, you're a gifted writer. Use it. A writing sample of this quality -- an original work that is, not fanfiction -- could get you into a good creative writing program. Think about it. I felt compelled to write this long review partly because I enjoyed your story so much, but mostly because I think you're talented and someone once took the time to read my work and encouraged me, and it made all the difference. You do have talent. I hope you nurture it. And so finally I'm finished with my lengthy review. Please don't make me wait too long for your next installment. Now that I'm caught up, I can't wait to read the rest! I would be especially delighted if you posted another chapter tomorrow night because I have another 6-hour flight on Monday morning. PS: You've never seen "The Quiet Man"?! What's the world coming to? Go rent it. It's one of John Ford's best!

Lady of the Wood · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

Wow the reviews are almost as interesting as the story! I find the comments about Faramir and "obsession" quite fascinating. I confess that when I read that Faramir was surprised that Eowyn didn't think about him all the time, I thought "neither would I honey! I don't care how gorgeous you are." I also have to say that this reaction from Faramir came as a surprise. He's appears to be far and away the more adult and rational of the two. I've always felt that Eowyn's love for Faramir was the adult love where as her feelings for Aragorn were of the immature girlish crush variety. As Aragorn says to her "it is but a shadow that you love". Faramir is, after all, the guy who became caught up in work after he was released from the HOH and didn't see Eowyn for a few weeks until the HOH warden told him that Eowyn was ailing. That didn't sound like an obsessed man to me. He's a man in love yes, and a man who IMHO needs love and re-assurance of love after what he's been through, but I also believe that he knows that life goes on inspite of everything else. Speaking of which, I think I'm obsessed with your story! :) I was surprised by Eowyn not liking the dagger. Infact I expected the reason to be that she wanted to become a healer and give up the ways of the sheild maiden. That she had enough of death. However, the story about Grima also worked very well and made a lot of sense. As for her liking the jewelry. I think she's discovering how nice it is to be spoiled once in awhile and perhaps indulge the feminine side of herself. I was thinking 'good for you girlie!'. In regards to your comments about what Eowyn says to Aragorn after the engagement was announced, I didn't find the comment bitter although I know it's been a point of contention between those who like F/E and those who don't think she really loved Faramir. Personally I always saw the scene as a happy one, that she was letting Aragorn know that she was happy and over him and that he had nothing to feel guilty about where she was concerned. I'll be interested to see what you do with it in the next chapter. As always I'm looking forward to more.~Lady of the Wood

Raksha The Demon · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

On the issue of Faramir's "obsession" with Eowyn. I really don't like the idea of his obsessing over her because it's a family trait, i.e. Denethor and the palantir, Boromir and the Ring. The Ring was a magical artifact that in itself provoked obsession and protection and possession; and was a malignant force that served a Dark Lord. Eowyn is a young woman, quite a different sort of situation. If Faramir is in fact obsessed with her in the same way that his father obsessed over the palantir; then I would say that the relationship will not be good for either of our youngish lovers, and should be broken off now before someone gets seriously hurt; and that Faramir is far more messed up than he appeared to be in the books. But, if you look at it as an obsession on the order of first love, it is very believable and will be a healthy relationship if Faramir and Eowyn can move beyond the first stage and get to care about each other as people, not just bodies exerting a powerful physical attraction. It seems to me that Faramir is acting the way a teenager or a young man acts the first time he is experiencing the beginning of what we call "love". While it's a bit hard to believe that a 35-year-old prince never had a first love in his youth, it can be surmised in the post-ROTK world; since Faramir just might not have had the time when younger to fall for a young woman - there were those pesky Haradrim nipping at Ithilien's borders, and oh yes, a certain Dark Lord chomping at Minas Tirith from across the Anduin... It's obvious that Faramir has had sexual experience; and from the way you've written him, the experience was good; he must have had a partner or partners that he liked, but that isn't the same as romantic love. The single-minded way that Faramir has focussed on Eowyn, with her becoming the most important thing in the world to him, thinking about her morning noon and night, having a nightmare because he fears she doesn't love him, it's very much a first-love kind of thing, not what one might expect of the new Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien. So, 'se lytle bregu' means 'the little prince' - I'd like to see the guys who gave Faramir that nickname try to heft and draw Faramir's lytle longbow (and actually shoot down a running target with it)... RAKSHA, hoping you'll update soon...

EomerofEastfold · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

That was an excellent chapter, melencholy and bittersweet. I'm sorry I can't say more than that, but there's nothing specific I wish to elaborate on. It was all good. :)

Fionnabhair Nic Aillil · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

Well, thinking about Faramir being obsessive about Éowyn (which he is, I don't deny) I think the reason it hasn't really struck me as odd or disturbing is because in my experience that's how men tend to be. I recently had to watch two of my close male friends suffer through infatuation, love and rejection (well actually I think my suffering was greater than theirs' but anyway) and especially in the early stages of their infatuations, they were both just like Faramir. Almost the only thing they could think or talk about (God help us) was their beloveds. Not only did this make them very boring conversationalists (I won't punish you with the details) it actually seemed to leave them incapable of doing anything else. Now perhaps my friends are deeply unstable men (not on the face of it an unlikely premise) but it's just that in my experience men do tend to be very, very intense about that kind of thing. Women in fact tend to be more practical (up to a point of course.) While it can't be very disconcerting to be the focus of that kind of intense, possessive love (especially if like Éowyn you're not used to men) it doesn't strike me as unusual. If Faramir was still acting like that a year from now - then I would be very, very worried indeed. Right now, it just seems like a typical (if slightly intense) reaction to a young love.

Fionnabhair Nic Aillil · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

Wow. I had to read that twice before I felt ready to make a review. Éomer and Faramir are not getting any closer to building a friendship are they? Poor things. You captured Éowyn's anguish beautifully at the end - torn between the two she loves most. And that was a lovely Aragorn-Éowyn moment (though the question is - is it enough for me to forgive him for the naked references?) I can actually see him becoming rather a large support to her now - she cares about him and he cares about her, but he isn't going to tear her heart in two like Éomer and Faramir (Well - not now he isn't). Anyway, you're managing the various textures of the story very well (though I am becoming very curious as to why Aragorn and Arwen are fighting - I mean I have my suspicions, but I want to know!) The only thing is that - while I understand that Éowyn broke down the barriers in Faramir's mind, and he is more open than usual as a result; he has had that power all his life, and rightly or wrongly, I would expect him to have developed a little more insight into the people around him (even those he can't read.) I've only noticed this in the Éomer-Faramir interactions to me, it's starting to feel like Faramir should understand him a little better. (I'm sorry I'm not phrasing this very well - it's complicated.) Anyway - great chapter!

Jen · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

What a lovely long chapter! Was so stressed out when I checked Monday and there was no update. Ended up checking every hour of every day since then. I really enjoyed the description of how the Rohirrim differed in their training of horses. [By the way thank you so much for answering my question in the last chapter.] You also portrayed really well how difficult it is for Eowyn to completely let go of her doubts and fears despite the fact that she loves Faramir. After all, one cannot immediately let go of defenses developed over time. Eomer is really growing on me. It was very noble of him to look after the guy his sister appears to be on the road of marrying. He could have easily thrown him into the wolves and tried to convince his sister that way that the relationship was not such a very good idea. The final part to the chapter shows how very difficult it is to respond to someone's grief. One never knows if you should listen to what the grieving person says or stand your ground since you know they need you.

Lady of the Wood · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

Oooh my that was lovey! Worth the wait. I also liked the scene with Faramir's dream/memory of what happened with his father. Perhaps Faramir knowing what it's like to lose family will help him bond with Eomer? I also liked the talk Faramir and Eowyn had the next morning. It's nice to see her looking him. I confess that when Eowyn starts to wake up I thought that she was having one of those prophetic dreams that Faramir has and that it was a dream of their married life and then of course I realised that she had some how gotten to his room. I thought you did Eowyn's mode swings after the funeral service well. Grief is a really tricky beast and it can make people behave just the way she did. The scene by the river...lets just say I wish I had a river to jump in too!

Raksha The Demon · 9 July 2004 · Chapter 54: Sorrow

Faramir's nightmare was very well written. Obviously his subconscious mind remembers the horror of the pyre. What happens when/if the memory comes to his waking mind - let's hope it never does. Denethor has a lot to answer for... Faramir and Eowyn have been very lucky - if Eomer happened to see them when they were exploring each other, he'd probably have taken his sword and done something very unpleasant to Faramir. What does 'se lytle bregu' mean?

BKB · 3 July 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

I present four points for your consideration: 1) If the marks on E's neck have been noted by others, especially household staff who would surely be on speaking terms with the riders in Eomer's eored, I can see a point to the practical joke in the barn. I'm sure that they think that F needs to be "cooled off". 2) If practical jokes are an acceptable part of Rohirric culture, but not of Gondorian culture, F could easily be taking these incidents more seriously than they are meant by their perpetrators. 3) Speaking of cultural differences (and going back to chapter 52), I'm sure that Eomer is misreading F in thinking of him as a "tame pony". Eomer seems to express most of what he thinks and feels whenever he thinks and feels it, thus he would not understand F who constantly regulates his language, both verbal and non-verbal. 4) Even though E doesn't really understand how thoroughly she is teasing and exciting F as they sit in the corral, I'm still glad to see her do it. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Santoori · 29 June 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

Further comments: Yep! I saw 'Evolution' - Orlando Jones said it right? Loved the saying ever since but only use it on special occasions. hehe Something else I thought about: Without the Gift, Faramir would have a difficult time courting Eowyn. With his ability he is able to quickly discern whether he is moving too fast or making her feel uncomfortable. The 'usual' approach would have taken years since Eowyn had put up so many barriers to protect herself. Their mental communication gives their relationship a rather Elvish feel, but also accelerates their courting. Love is such an overwhelming feeling when you're just experiencing your own feelings- Imagine being able to really feel and know how your partner feels about you. That would like be an emotion overload! I think that the physical aspect of the relationship would also proceed quicker because of their emotional and mental intimacy. It's bound to speed things up in other areas as well! Sorry if I am repeating opinions already aired! Just wanted to say that your depiction of their relationship felt real.

Lady of the Wood · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

Yeaow! That was a steamy chapter...I liked it! More! More! I too was wondering about why Faramir was having trouble with the horses. It's not like he hasn't been on one before. I liked the short confrontation between Faramir and Eomer and how Faramir let Eomer know that he knows what's going on. Faramir maybe a man of peace but he's not a door mat and I hope that Eowyn finds this out too. I found her comment to Aragorn about Faramir being a bit more "manageable" a wee bit disturbing considering that Eomer thinks that his sister has her fiance wrapped around her little finger. Is Faramir's time with the Rohirrim going to happen before the engagement gets anounced or after. I know in the book it's announce at the burial feast for Theoden. I can't wait for the next chapter. I check daily. :)

Jen · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

Wow! Eowyn is really allowing her guard down around Faramir [among other things]:) They are going to get in so much trouble if Eomer finds out. Speaking of Eomer, I'm starting to feel sorry for him being left behind by Eowyn. Will Lothiriel be showing up later in the story for him? Really enjoyed the chapter but was just a little puzzled at the end about Faramir appearing so clueless with the horses. He was described by Tolkien as someone who can master both beasts and men and at one point was the only one to control his horse when being chased by the Black Riders across the Pelennor. I would imagine that he would be able to control a skittish horse. I'm sure though that this will be explained in the next chapters. Looking forward for the next installment.

Elendiari22 · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

First off, great chapter! I understand why Faramir thinks that all of the Rohirrim hate him; I would, too, if I were in his shoes. Aragorn and Arwen crack me up, as did the image of Eomer looking highly entertained by their fight. Eating an apple and watching! That was too funny. :) I'm dying to find out why Arwen wants to stay at Edoras, and I can't wait to see more interaction between her and Eowyn. All in all, keep up the great work! Thanks!

Santoori · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

Great Googly Moogly! That chapter made my hair stand on end! Wow! *fans face* I don't think anyone but the ShieldMaiden herself could survive Faramir's courtship. I would pass out! Another lovely chapter! Always looking forward to your updates!

EomerofEastfold · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

Ok, I know Faramir was trying to convince her that it wasn't just empty flattery when he said she was beautiful. Yet, he was also trying to keep himself restrained. So why then would he place her hand in his lap? If I was a Faramir, well, um, let's just say that would be one of the LAST things I'd do if I was trying to calm myself down.... *Takes deep breath* Now for the other things. Eomer biting into an apple while watching Aragorn and Arwen fighting was priceless! As was the fact that the two were arguing so intensly right in front of him. That's an interesting viewpoint of what Eowyn would have done if Gandalf and company had not come to Edoras. It not only shows the sacrifice she would have made for her people, but how much she really loves her brother, which is important for this tale. Namely, for those readers that think Eomer's an ass. I think if I was Faramir, I'd think the Rohirrim hated me as well. Now don't go yelling at me; *I* know they're only teasing, but Faramir doesn't, obviously. I feel sorry for him, in truth. He must feel really torn up inside, wanting to be with Eowyn and yet having to bear what he believes to be her people's disapproval. And Eowyn. I should hope what she told Merry does come true. And, until then, I hope she can begin to trust more that she can be happy with Faramir in Ithilien. Of course, one thing begs me to ask, why would she think herself to be her husband's "property?" Faramir is a sensible man, and no sensible man would ever wish to make his wife feel as such. Even if it were the case, Faramir would be as much her property as she was his. Surely she realizes this by now.

Raksha The Demon · 28 June 2004 · Chapter 53: Faramir meets both Water and Earth

I can't decide whether Faramir's persistant seduction of Eowyn is a very sensitive and clever way to accustom a traumatized virgin to sexual intimacy, or just a ploy by a frustrated lover to get as much as he can from the woman he loves before they marry. Faramir keeps saying he won't do anything to her, then pushing her, albeit gently, to reveal more of herself and touch more of him and let him touch more of her, and I don't think Eowyn realizes the fire she's igniting. It might make more sense for Faramir to hold back a bit,and not keep pushing on to the next step. Also, it would be nice if some sexual mystery was retained for the wedding night. It seems to me that the seduction Faramir began as a way of gently introducing Eowyn to sensual/sexual pleasure has taken hold of him; he can't stop. I do get tired of Faramir being the butt of Rohirrim jokes. I can't wait to find out why Arwen is so set on not going to Isengard. Funny moment between Eowyn and Aragorn when she was going on about how handsome Faramir is and Aragorn joked about taking him to his bed... Your knowledge of horses is equalled only by your command of the Rohirric language and now Sindarin (and was Arwen speaking in Quenya or Sindarin?); all of which are quite impressive.

BKB · 27 June 2004 · Chapter 52: Beginnings in Rohan

Another good chapter! I especially like the parallel development between E & F; he encourges her to express vunerable emotions, which Rohirric culture probably does not, and she encourages him to be more forthright in expressing his opinions, which his father definitely did not.

Jen · 21 June 2004 · Chapter 52: Beginnings in Rohan

This was a wonderful chapter! Well worth the wait from the last one -- though I must admit, it was difficult to wait a whole week. The story just keeps getting better and better. I am slightly nervous though regarding what Eomer and the Rohirrim have in store for Faramir. I guess he should enjoy his time with Eowyn now. I get the feeling, it would be quite a while before he gets near her again. Can't wait for the next chapter [but does it have to be another week? Not a complaint, just too eager to read more]. Also curious what you have in mind for Aragorn and Arwen.

Santoori · 21 June 2004 · Chapter 52: Beginnings in Rohan

Another amazing chapter! I don't know how you do it. As the page gets lower and lower and I know I am coming to the end of your latest post, I feel like my ice cream cone is ending. {Not to say that your stories are like ice cream but that it is a treat to read.} I run the risk of turning into a huge Faramir fangirl. {its probably already happened =)} Your characterisation of him is wonderful. Perfect! I love the way that Eowyn and Faramir communicate. I had read of the Gift in the book but did not pay much attention to it. You have realised its potential in your story and we all get to enjoy it. I don't want your story to end! Selfish am I not? Looking forward to many more adventures!

Michelle · 21 June 2004 · Chapter 52: Beginnings in Rohan

Ah, what a lovely chapter! I am checking your story for updates at a rate that cannot possibly be healthy. I very much liked your descriptions of Meduseld, and it's nice to see that Éowyn's finally warming up to Faramir for real. He deserves it; he's such a sweetheart, I can hardly bear it! *sigh* Éomer is being an ass, as usual, but I can understand that he's broken-hearted at the thought of "losing" his sister, even if he'd never admit it in so many words...

EomerofEastfold · 21 June 2004 · Chapter 52: Beginnings in Rohan

Another *long* chapter. :) I'm wondering now how things will work out at Theoden's funeral feast, when Eomer openly declares Faramir and Eowyn's betrothal. He seems somewhat comfortable with Faramir at the moment, but it doesn't seem like he's quite ready to give Eowyn up just yet either. It's great how you are showing us Eowyn and Eomer's thoughts regarding their family; few people seem to realize just how much both of them lost. Their mother, father, cousin, uncle; the only family they have left is each other. Though, when I think about it, I wonder where Theoden's other sisters are? And also if Eomund's parents where still alive, and if he had any siblings? They could have cousins, aunts, uncles, and possibly grandparents that no one has ever thought about because they're not mentioned in LotR.

Elendiari22 · 20 June 2004 · Chapter 52: Beginnings in Rohan

Ah, lovely chapter! I like the descriptions of Eowyn's rooms, and how she preferred Faramir telling her what was wrong rather than letting her win. Eowyn's conversation with Merry was perfect, too. And do I sense that Arwen is going to be up to some mischief while Aragorn is away? I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Lady of the Wood · 20 June 2004 · Chapter 52: Beginnings in Rohan

I really enjoyed reading that and I can't wait until Faramir goes out with the boys. Faramir and Eomer's relationship reminds me a bit of John Wayne's character in "The Quiet Man" (an oldie but a goodie if you've never seen it) and his wife to be's brother does everything in his power to make the days leading to Sean (Wayne) and Mary Kate's (the sister) marriage, and a bit after, as difficult as possible. Of course, lets just say, that Sean wins his brother in law's respect and they become fast friends. I won't say how it happens because I'm hoping for a similar victory for Faramir, who Eowyn does believe to be a match for any man of the Mark! Great descriptions in this chapter. I could really see what Eowyn's room looked like; right down to the carvings. And the bedroom scene with Faramir was really sexy. I'm glad she's melting a little. Can't wait for more. :)