Number Two Son by French Pony
SimplegirlfromLP · 13 June 2019 · Chapter 10: Child Of Grace
This brought tears to my eyes, the part with the shells and honoring Boromir , it was lovely. I throughly enjoyed this story about the love of two brothers. How close they were despite it all. So beautiful. Thank you for this story. I like that you write a set up before your stories and an acknowledgment or full-in at the end. Nice touch. I like it.
SimplegirlfromLP · 12 June 2019 · Chapter 5: My Thing Is My Own
What a great chapter, how I enjoy the love, closeness and friendship of these brothers. You wrote this so well, I felt like a fly on the wall, watching Boromir be so mischievous. Loved it. Thank you .
SimplegirlfromLP · 12 June 2019 · Chapter 9: With Unbeclouded Eyes
Another great chapter, I appreciate the love and care the people have for their Lord Faramir. I really didn’t much care for the blue pillow situation. It made him appear too weak for my taste, but other than that I enjoyed the chapter.
SimplegirlfromLP · 12 June 2019 · Chapter 4: A Ladder So High
I loved that Mithrandir was the support and love for Faramir and that he shared a little about Denethor and how he had failed to make it to the top. Also, it was great that the other teachers saw Faramir’s exceptionalism by pointing out the things he did correctly. Great chapter, I was riveted.
FaramirofGondor · 11 July 2007 · Chapter 1: Second Son
could you please write more stories about Faramir I like this story a lot
Episcopal Witch · 9 November 2006 · Chapter 1: Second Son
What a sweet chapter. It made me smile all the way through. A glimpse of the Hurin family in happy times. I especially like the byplay between Finduilas and Denethor, as she teases him about his political plans for a baby yet unborn--"It is good to see that no bogey monster has carried you off and sent a changeling in your stead." This is clearly a happy marriage. Having two sons four years apart, the older of whom greeted the birth of his little brother with a happy cry of "Just what I ordered!" I can testify that 5-year-old Boromir's actions both before and after Faramir's birth ring 100 percent true. I agree with the concept of Denethor's character you state in your foreword. If only this family's lives had turned out differently....
phyloxena · 5 November 2006 · Chapter 4: A Ladder So High
I just discovered this story, and this chapter is very interesting. If you don't mind the comparison, Faramir is very Harry Potter-like here: thinking, trying, almost crying, gaping and swallowing unfit secrets. A wizard's pupil, indeed! And the way they train young squires you discribe -- I can just see smallest, youngest boy quetly building teems, accepting help so everybody starts helping each other, leading sideways. But, it seems that letting Faramit know that Denethor didn't pass the ladder himself is little bit cheap on wizard's account. And Faramir should have noticed discrepancy between the greaing and later words that Mithradir watched him personaly. And, to blurt out that Denethor didn't speak nicely of Mithrandir is not a likely bihavior for a bright eleven-year old. Unless he has Asperger-like condition, wich doesn't seem compatible with warm compassion Faramir shows later in life. Sorry for English! I'm back to reading.
Nienna · 5 July 2004 · Chapter 9: With Unbeclouded Eyes
Bergil being shocked at the adults' behavior is a funny, and honest, touch! :) The blue pillow / security blanket is a good detail. I won't recount all the examples I've known "grown men" to possess. The list would fill a chapter. ;) The best part is: Faramir never gives in to the despair (and angst) with which certain fic writers have saddled him. Thank you for the story. I read the last chapter. Let's hope the old mindset is broken forever. That would be a fitting, lasting contribution to the world of men. And it takes the cooperation of a strong partner. :)
Jen · 30 June 2004 · Chapter 10: Child Of Grace
Thank you for the lovely story. Enjoyed reading each chapter and the ending was especially sweet.
daw the minstrel · 29 June 2004 · Chapter 10: Child Of Grace
This happy scene moved me to tears, French Pony. There was something about the innocent giving of gifts to Boromir, who is gone, that was just so touching. The love the Faramir still feels is real. And I sympathized with his worries about loving one child more. I'll tell you a story though. I have an only child so I don't have any experience with this, but a friend of mine has four. She says that at one time or another, each of them has come to her and asked her who her favorite is, and she always says "You! But don't tell the others."
daw the minstrel · 22 June 2004 · Chapter 9: With Unbeclouded Eyes
For some reason, it touched me that Faramir quieted when Ioreth stroked his hair. It suggested how much everyone, even grown male soldiers, need to be caressed and comforted. It echoes with your later paragraph about him being physically affectionate and thus really needing his family. I liked the fact that, in his dream, Faramir sees himself in a boat like Boromir. And I know what he means about not having the energy to care about the burning city. That's how I know I'm truly sick. I can just lie there and not care about all the stuff I'm supposed to be doing. You can really see how he and Eowyn saved one another and thus saved themselves.
daw the minstrel · 16 June 2004 · Chapter 8: Parting Hand
You made very clever use of Denethor at the Palantir in this chapter. What he sees gives us a panoramic view of the battle that then gets balanced off by the close in view of Faramir. I also liked the way that Faramir and Boromir worked together to reconstruct the rhyme. They are less at odds over who will go seek for Imladris than they are in many stories, and I liked that too. It made me look at them a little differently.
Bodkin · 9 June 2004 · Chapter 7: Darkness Comes Down Now
Strange, but true - I can like almost every character in LOTR, even Gollum, but Denethor is just TOO HORRIBLE FOR WORDS. Not because of the Palantir, not because he fell into despair, but because he was so nasty to his poor son. I think I would dislike him less if he had been unpleasant to both of them - but to adore Boromir and be so mean to Faramir makes him contemptible. Just a little rant!
daw the minstrel · 9 June 2004 · Chapter 7: Darkness Comes Down Now
How tragic. Denethor has slid further into the grip of the evil emanating from the palantir, even as he tries to use it for good. It's actually fortunate that Faramir is an adult and away from home by now, or things would have been worse. I liked seeing all of Faramir's friends, up to and including Mithradir. It comforted me if not him to know he was not alone.
Raksha The Demon · 8 June 2004 · Chapter 7: Darkness Comes Down Now
A wonderful chapter! You've brought the father and his sons almost to the point where they are in LOTR - all shouldering terrible burdens. Denethor is burdened by the knowledge of Gondor's great danger, as well as the palantir's visions, and foolishly determined, in the terrible pride that will kill him, to go it alone, with no help from allies. Faramir is burdened by his father's callous rejection, by the knowledge that he has no place in the City he called home. And Boromir is burdened by the weight of trying to be brother AND father to Faramir, and captain-general, as well as the heavy weight of all Denethor's hopes and the certainty that his father is slipping farther and farther away. It looks like Boromir might have deliberately picked the Rangers as an ideal unit for Faramir in part to distance him from their father's scorn, knowing how it would hurt Faramir to be made aware of Denethor's rejection every day in Minas Tirith. And a lovely moment of Gandalf acting as Faramir's surrogate father, just when Faramir needed his comfort the most. I don't want this story to end. Will you take it to the Pyre, or do a separate story? (can't remember)
steachica · 7 June 2004 · Chapter 6: Today I Am A Man
you know, i dont dislike your Denethor. He acknowledges that Faramir is more of a thinker, and has educated him fittingly. I think it's wonderful he would make him attend the councils, and that he envisioned Faramir as Boromir's counsellor. Aside from that, i dont like him very much :) this is an awsome story! update soon, i love reading about these two brothers!! any ladies appearing soon?
daw the minstrel · 1 June 2004 · Chapter 6: Today I Am A Man
Well, Boromir feels the evil that is corrupting his father, and it's really sad that Denethor thought he was doing what was best for Gondor at whatever cost to himself. And the cost to Faramir is what really hurts in this story. What a pity.
Jules · 28 May 2004 · Chapter 5: My Thing Is My Own
Wonderful chapter. Ilove your Boromir, Faramir and even Denethor. This was cute Boromir wanted to show off his youngest brother to his friends and vice versa. He should have known to warn Faramir not to sing any of those songs. Denethor's punishment was both creative and amusing. I can't wait to see what happens next. Thanks for writing Jule
daw the minstrel · 25 May 2004 · Chapter 5: My Thing Is My Own
Oh this was very funny, and I have to say that Denethor came across as a reasonably undertanding father. Boromir really should have known better. Kids can't keep secrets, and as Denethor says, Faramir is bright and imitative.
eokat · 22 May 2004 · Chapter 4: A Ladder So High
Another super chapter. Denethor has noticed the budding friendship between Faramir and Gandalf, which will only serve to widen the gulf between father and son. Looking forward to the next, Eokat.
Annis · 18 May 2004 · Chapter 4: A Ladder So High
Great! I love this chapter! I love the way you portray Faramir and Denethor...excellent!
daw the minstrel · 18 May 2004 · Chapter 4: A Ladder So High
This was interesting. I liked the way the boys were training. It seemed like fun as well as a challenge, and they supported one another, which I also like. The masters must have done well to encourage that. And Faramir showed his strength, that smart mind that will make him a formidable ranger captain someday. In truth, I felt sorry for Denethor too if his father didn't speak to him.
Valto · 13 May 2004 · Chapter 3: Sickness
:( This is sad! I loved young Faramir; he's so cute! You did stray from canon a bit with Findulas' death, but otherwise, it's a great fic! I am looking forward to reading more!!
eokat · 13 May 2004 · Chapter 3: Sickness
What an incredibly emotional chapter. And so easy to see how Denethor comes to dislike Faramir more and more, poor lamb. Eokat.
Raksha The Demon · 11 May 2004 · Chapter 3: Sickness
A heart-wrenching chapter; with the boys' reactions to their mother's sickness and death ringing very true. Faramir is too young to understand, and of course just cries that he wants her; and it is poor Boromir who is left with the burden of comforting Faramir while he wrestles with his own grief, since Denethor cannot comfort either of his sons.