I haven't been leaving reviews after each chapter because I've been busy devouring this at every opportunity!I really enjoy the originality of the plot; the skillful introduction and development of the blue wizards, and the everyday life and details of Fourth Age Minas Tirith and Ithilien. The touches of humor and bawdiness (for lack of a better word)are handled deftly, as are the slight bits of angst (poor Faramir! still longing for his Dad's love) and the contrast of Faramir's own parenting skills.
Thanks for quite an enjoyable read! I don't know when you last updated; when will you update next?
Ann
Branwyn
· 24 January 2005
· Chapter 18: Clashes
I think Faramir is feeling like an old man with all these young pups trying to protect him, LOL! I was a little shocked by how many people, including some women and boys, the Easterners killed in the raid in Ithilien. Not dealing with nice people, are we?
Cirion is, as always, adorable and funny. Liked how Faramir kills two birds with one stone by asking Cirion, who is feeling rather downcast and discouraged, to help Eldarion with his swordwork and other physical training. Hope he doesn't get Eldarion into TOO much trouble.
Not so long between chapters next time, please?
:-D
Julia
· 24 January 2005
· Chapter 18: Clashes
I have read this story and its prequels over the past few days and absolutely loved them. I have read tons of LOTR fics, and this ranks as one the best I have ever read, and is the absolute best "Fourth Age" fic I have ever encountered. You have done extremely well with keeping the characters and settings in keeping with what Tolkien created, while adding in your own ideas. Please keep up the good work, I can't wait for Eomer to show up and to see what kind of trouble Cirion and Eldarion get into!
Mysterious Jedi
· 24 January 2005
· Chapter 18: Clashes
Excellent, as always.
Branwyn
· 13 November 2004
· Chapter 17: Affirmation
Another great chapter! Faramir referring to Aragorn and Imrahil as his "elders" is a hoot (well, Aragorn IS at least 40 years older than Faramir).
Loved Faramir's wide-eyed excitement at being given such a wonderful sword (that made me think of the scene in Rivendell, in the movie, where Boromir just has to pick up Narsil and play with it, LOL). Mean old Denethor giving young Faramir such a commonplace sword--and only because the person it was made for had died! I liked Eowyn showing off her ability to read Sindarin (probably not that common among her people). But keep her away from his sword, already--no wonder Faramir was blushing...
maya
· 7 November 2004
· Chapter 16: Rejoicing
Oh goody- Eldarion's awake, Faramir's leg is OK, and Minas Tirith is celebrating. But wait- of course you had to add that last bit just to remind us that the baddie is still at large, huh?
Hurry up with that next chapter, will you please?
cheers,
Maya
Branwyn
· 22 October 2004
· Chapter 16: Rejoicing
Ooo, it sounds like Faramir was walking around on a badly maimed leg, doesn’t it? Pallando seems like a bottomless pit; hey, leave some grapes for Faramir! I liked that Arwen was giving her son elven physical therapy—massaging his legs, when he was in the coma, so they would not wither. Amusing that young Eldarion doesn’t want to exhibit any sign of weakness whatsoever in front of Faramir, LOL. Finally, a happy evening at home for the steward and his family, but why do I think this quiet, domestic bliss will not last? A surprising twist that it is Cirion who has the ominous dream, not Faramir (though not at all implausible since that sort of “gift” is said to run in families). I am guessing that the stranger in blue is Pallando’s friend and fellow wizard Alatar. Sounds like he has gone over to the dark side…
Branwyn
· 13 October 2004
· Chapter 15: Circles, Part 2
I hate to think of what the cleansing would have done to Faramir if Sauron’s influence had been in the stone…Pallando is annoying in his own special way, though I suppose that just about anyone (except Arwen) would seem young to him. Like how Pallando refers to Faramir’s innate need “to mend what was broken,” which is later echoed when Faramir refers to himself as a mender. Who is the tall, silver-haired elf? If it’s Pallando, then he looks rather better on the other side, LOL. Not surprising that the unassuming Faramir still sees himself as no more than a captain of the rangers. Faramir sees Aragorn as the mortal king infused with the power and wisdom of the elves; wonder how Aragorn sees himself? Yay, Eldarion is back! I predict that he will develop a severe case of hero worship for Faramir (he is about the right age for it). Glad to see that Aragorn has taken Faramir’s advice to heart and will be a little more understanding of his son. Another great chapter!
Branwyn
· 11 October 2004
· Chapter 14: Circles, Part 1
Nooo, the dreaded cliffie! Liked Pallando referring to Saruman as an "old buzzard" and displaying a keen professional interest in the other wizard's handiwork. "In awakening under his touch and hailing him as King, Faramir had given him a singular grace..." Beautiful turn of phrase. In effect, Faramir did annoint Aragorn as the king at that moment. "This may sting a little" made me immediately suspicious; wonder if Pallando ever worked as a physician?
Branwyn
· 10 October 2004
· Chapter 13: Surprise
I read a similar interpretation of the effects of the palantir in another story--the writer had the stone cause classic migraine symptoms (headaches, nausea, and visual disturbances), which I think works well. Wonder whether the assassin deliberatley struck with the flat or whether Faramir was just very, very lucky? Liked the euphemistic use of "dance" (well, it is the first and oldest dance, or so they say...). Faramir must REALLY be tired if that backrub put him to sleep, especially with all that weight sitting on him, LOL.
Branwyn
· 9 October 2004
· Chapter 12: Memories
Why doesn't Aragorn give Faramir a more specific warning about the vision of Denethor that he might see in the palantir? Or is he afraid that knowing the details might cause Faramir to inadvertently summon those images? Poor Faramir tries to make peace with this memory of his father--"the farewell he had been uanble to give his father." Interesting to contemplate what would have happened to Denethor if Gandalf had prevented him from killing himself; it is difficult to imagine him with another as his master. There is a role reversal midway in the chapter--Aragorn comforts Faramir as if he were his father (well, not Denethor--someone nicer), then Faramir turns around and gives Aragorn advice about raising Eldarion.
Branwyn
· 8 October 2004
· Chapter 11: Hope
The scene of Arwen star-gazing was very pretty and beautifully written. Sad that when she feels the need to be with her elven family, the only comfort she has is to look up at Earendil, her forefather. "Reason could not always solve a problem" does sound like Boromir, LOL. I will admit that I was hoping that Faramir and Arwen would rebel and take the two stones and attempt to heal Eldarion on their own; after all, Arwen carried the elfstone for a long while. Not sure why Aragorn want Faramir to look in the palantir, unless the offer is merely a courtesy and a sign of trust. We KNOW what the steward's son will see in it...
Branwyn
· 7 October 2004
· Chapter 10: Discord
Aragorn is afraid that one of his own soldiers will frag Faramir? (If you recognize that term, you are at least as old as this reviewer, LOL.) So Saruman is really dead, not just mostly dead--the blue wizards buried his body. Aragorn is coming across as something of a coward where his son's illness is concerned, letting his wife sit alone with Eldarion. Of course the final straw is when he says, "let Eldarion continue to sleep"--since he hasn't been visiting, he doesn't know how weak the boy has become. Liked Arwen's tirade at him; he deserved it.
Branwyn
· 6 October 2004
· Chapter 9: Accusations
Interesting that Aragorn has heard of this wizard (and been warned about his manner of speaking, LOL!). Ten thousand Easterlings didn't sound like that many to deal with until Elboron tallied up the troops pledged to Gondor, which fell a little short and are at present still scattered around the kingdom. Why were the bodies of the men escorting Eldarion never recovered? (Or is it better not to know?) Good chapter! It may work against Faramir that he is so unassuming that he probably doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about how other people interpret his actions--not because he feels their opinions are of no import, but because he can't imagine others spending that much time thinking about him! I hope Anborn survives the onslaught of Easterners in Mordor; after all, you killed off old Beregond in "Made to Suffer," so no one is safe.
By the way, back in the Chapter 7--yes, I did guess what Eowyn wants to do to Faramir after the baby is born, and I am all for it!
Branwyn
· 5 October 2004
· Chapter 8: History
There really was a quiz at the end of the chapter....I won't believe Saruman is dead until we see the body. The White Council approved of efforts to prevent the Easterlings from becoming more decent and civilized? Over many, many years? Actually, I got the impression that Gandalf and Faramir in the movie do have a talk after Faramir arrives in Minas Tirith. Faramir says he has seen hobbits recently, and Gandalf says, "Tell me everything you know" (or something similar). The assumption is that they go someplace more private than the street to talk.
Branwyn
· 4 October 2004
· Chapter 7: Discovery
Can't imagine what Eowyn plans to do, after the child is born, to cure Faramir's moodiness. Maybe go for a nice long walk, since she will be on her feet again. Liked the librarian bringing Faramir a cuppa--reminded me of the scene in the Fellowship of the Ring movie where Gandalf is in the library and you see a cup of tea on the table. Was the green stone somehow tainted by being in the possession of the Enemy? Difficult to believe that it wouldn't be. I am not sure about this wizard; though, if he were evil and clever, he act less annoying and pretend to be somewhat normal.
Branwyn
· 3 October 2004
· Chapter 6: Lightning
Hmmm, why couldn't Aragorn help Eowyn and the baby? Could he have somehow lost the healing touch of the king? (Which, in the ROTK book, was one of the proofs of his claim to the kingship, so it is very important.) That would explain why he hasn't been able to heal his own son. Sounds like Eowyn is going to be abed for a few months. I am surprised at his indecision about whether to show the stone to Arwen. "A frown creased the perfection of her brow"--have to admit, this makes me really hate Arwen, LOL.
Branwyn
· 2 October 2004
· Chapter 5: Storm Clouds
Minas Tirith is described as the "fair heart of Gondor"--nice! Are all of Faramir's many children sons? Why do I have the overwhelming urge to hit Aragorn? His son is all of 13 years old; how wayward can he get? Aragorn does sound like a reincarnation of Denethor, despising his son because he has the gall to differ from his father's expectations. [Grrrrr] Wonder why he and Arwen can't have more offspring. Denethor's rather biblical admonition to his sons about the sowing of wild oats made me laugh. I can see him saying it with absolute seriousness, and the two boys just turning scarlet. That turbulent storm and then Eowyn screaming--I would guess that Faramir is about to become a father yet again.
Branwyn
· 1 October 2004
· Chapter 4: Apprehension
During a period of some days, Aragorn couldn't find the time to take a look at Faramir's leg wound so his steward has been left maimed? Not good. And, of course, Faramir shows no hint of reproach and thinks only of the many kindnesses which Aragorn has shown him. I liked the flashback where Denethor is unwilling to allow Faramir to outshine Boromir in anything (short-sighted but not surprising on Denethor's part--he seemed blind where Boromir was concerned). Faramir wants to hold onto that green stone, yes, he does, my precioussssssss... Ominous, it is.
Branwyn
· 30 September 2004
· Chapter 3: Underneath
Uh, oh--they didn't find Saruman's body. Of course, finding the white hairs doesn't prove or disprove that he is dead. Did Faramir take them with him or was he startled too soon after he saw them? (Maybe Saruman's hair could be useful in a counterspell.) Wonder if that Easterling was sent by or possessed by Saruman? "Faramir, Steward of Gondor?," followed by wild laughter--it sounds like he was verifying that he lured in the right target. I was right--that boy IS a lot like Boromir (not such a good thing in this case). Faramir, just put that stone away and stop looking at it! Thank you, that's better.
Branwyn
· 29 September 2004
· Chapter 2: Journey
Seven children! That is quite a brood! Though you compare Cirion to Eomer, I think there are also similarities to Boromir--and not just his skill at arms (though Faramir's son is rather more talkative, to say the least). I had to laugh when Faramir delivers the standard parental refrain of "who ever said life would be fair?" Trust an eleven-year-old boy to be delighted to find a pile of bones and rusty armor!
Branwyn
· 28 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Shadows
Actually, the previous two stories did not strike me as very movie-verse (except for the portrayal of the orcs). Poor Faramir, he couldn't imagine Denethor referring to him as "my beloved son." Uh,oh--now I think I know the source of the mysterious green light spell! But which of the palantiri? The Seeing Stone of Orthanc was given by Gandalf to Aragorn, who I presume still posseses it. Please don't make Faramir look in that other palantir and see Denethor's "two aged hands withering in flame."
Lia
· 21 September 2004
· Chapter 15: Circles, Part 2
This was beautiful! I felt so much emotion reading this chapter.
I eagerly await the next installment.
maya_ar
· 11 August 2004
· Chapter 11: Hope
Oh good, the new chapter's up! I enjoyed the interaction between Faramir and Arwen, and later between him and Aragorn. Gutsy decision on his part to take on one of his worst fears. I also liked the flashback to his childhood and Boromir's role in the whole 'face your fears' bit.
cheers,
Maya
FiliKili
· 11 August 2004
· Chapter 11: Hope
I've been waiting for a new chappie! Happy now! Faramir and Arwen make a great couple - too bad they're married to other people!
Faramir's gonna do something with THAT palantir - yikes!
Hope you post the next chappie soon.