Larner · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 9: Duty
Hooray! And bless Aragorn for following it all as he could!
Duty by Lindelea
Reviews (25)
Larner · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 8: Choices
A terrible way to learn the possible truth, but he had to know before the trial!
Larner · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 7: Coronation
He has yet the truth of his father's position to learn. But they do have these days together!
Larner · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 6: Waiting
It must seem almost too good to believe! Now, to see the army clad--and a couple of Hobbits as well!
Larner · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 5: Healing
Bless Ioreth for her thought on where to find extra Kingsfoil! And bless the boy for his swiftness!
Larner · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 4: Battle
It is a horrible promise he has made her, but one that is certainly understandable. And, for the moment they are safe.
Larner · 15 August 2010 · Chapter 3: Siege
A wonderful glimpse of the life remaining within the city during the siege.
Larner · 14 August 2010 · Chapter 2: Perian
So, they stay with Bergil's aunt, and not in the house in the Street of Lampwrights, then? Interesting. And they sound like very normal small boys!
Larner · 14 August 2010 · Chapter 1: Wains
And somehow I never saw this one? Ah, to rectify the oversight!
Nienor Niniel · 25 August 2006 · Chapter 9: Duty
*sniffle* I've read your corresponding stories already, but this one is especially great, because the events are told from the perspective of minor characters. Very good. You managed to convey the dreadful situation that waiting for the fall of the City must have been. The notion that Bergil would have had to save his cousin from the orcs like this... chilling. But as we know, things end well! All the best, Nienor
Author's reply
Yes, happily, things end well. I don't think I could write a story where a terrible outcome was inevitable. There has to be a satisfying ending or the Muse won't bite.
Hai Took · 11 August 2004 · Chapter 9: Duty
Poor Bergil! To hear such news from strangers! To "know" that you will soon loose your father! You wrote him trying to take over being the man of the house very well. Doing his duty to his fahter by going with Gilwyn to fetch the body, poor lad! Bergil telling Beregond that "all is well, sir" wanting his father to take back his place at the head of their family, brilliant! These were wonderful chapters! Thank you!
Author's reply
It was painful to imagine Bergil taking over as man of the family at the age of ten, though I have read of such things. I enjoyed writing the part where he was able to "pass the torch" back to his father. Thanks for commenting!
Bodkin · 11 August 2004 · Chapter 9: Duty
I'm hosting my own celebration. Go, Beregond. What an atrocious day - even the good afternoon can barely compensate for the hideous morning. And yet their hearts will make them feel light and joyous. I wonder how long it will take them to become resentful of the pressure of the last months and wonder why they were left in this dreadful limbo for so long. Can we expect happy news from Gilwyn and Beregond?
Author's reply
You know, I don't think people were as likely to become resentful and wonder why in past centuries. They didn't have a mindset of "rights" and "entitlements" until after the nobles forced King John, was it, to sign the Magna Carta, and even after that the commoners still didn't have many rights. I'm fairly sure they would be of the mindset that things were that way because that was the way they were. Does that make sense? To answer your question, yes, the draft of the very next (and last) chapter contains happy news. Thanks for reviewing! Sorry about all the typos and missing words... I put this up, published it, and then got called away until just now, and my editor wasn't able to look at it yet either or she'd have corrected a whole mess of stuff. Anyhow, a lot of those mistakes are now corrected.
Bodkin · 10 August 2004 · Chapter 8: Choices
Oh my. 'I had to choose between my own life and that of my Captain. If I could go back and change what I did... well, I would not. How could I choose to let Faramir die if it was in my power to save him? How would I live with that choice? There are times when we must choose to do the right thing, no matter the consequences.' Beregond is more noble than 99% of the nobility of Gondor. Poor Bergil. Good thing I know the outcome or I would be hyperventilating.
Hai Took · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Coronation
I'm glad that they are all home for the time being! Bergil sure has been busy sending messages and such! I'm glad that Bergil gets along so well with the hobbits and was able to help Merry find his strength once again! I'm looking forward to seeing Beregond sentaced (again ;) Thank you!
Author's reply
I'm sure everyone in the city has been (happily) busy getting ready for the army's return. Just a couple of chapters left! Thanks for commenting.
Bodkin · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 7: Coronation
Interesting to look at the army's return from the walls of Minas Tirith rather than from behind Aragorn's shoulder. The length of time it took from saving Faramir to the point where the king heard the case must have seemed an eternity to Beregond and his family. All of them trying to go on as normal, with the sentence of death hanging over him. They've passed the Deceased Wife's Sister Act in Gondor, have they? So it is considered legal and morally acceptable for Beregond and Gilwyn to get together? I'm enjoying the less rarefied atmosphere of life as seen from the point of view of an ordinary family.
Author's reply
The length of time it took from saving Faramir to the point where the king heard the case must have seemed an eternity to Beregond and his family. All of them trying to go on as normal, with the sentence of death hanging over him. That stuck with me from the first time I read the book. Aragorn said, "from old the penalty was death". They *must* have known, and yet Beregond marched off to war at the head of a Company, and kept doing his duty as assigned (though he was not serving as a guardsman in the Citadel while awaiting trial), and walked to his hearing without JRRT mentioning chains or anything. It was a curious thought, this Man going like a lamb to slaughter, knowing his likely fate, and yet too honourable to try to run away from it, or whatever. Actually, when a loved one of mine had terminal cancer, he faced his death with much the same dignity. He couldn't escape it, so he conducted his life with as much dignity as he could before sentence was carried out. My first story about Beregond (Choices) is dedicated to his memory. Thanks!
Bodkin · 9 August 2004 · Chapter 6: Waiting
What a strain on poor Fargil. And then to have word come of others, but hear nothing of Beregond. To lose Gilwyn must have seemed the last straw. Yet still they cope! (These days those boys would be swarmed over by counsellors and about to sue because of their post-traumatic shock.)
Author's reply
Amazing how much more resilient children were before the advent of psychology, isn't it?
Bodkin · 7 August 2004 · Chapter 5: Healing
Well the worst is over for Minas Tirith - but how long, I wonder, before Bergil becomes aware of the danger his father is in? Not long, I suspect.
Author's reply
Probably from the moment he hears that Beregond left his post. The penalty for such an act would have been common knowledge amongst guardsmen and their families. Of course, adults probably wouldn't discuss such a thing in front of Beregond's son. But things are still so busy that nothing seems to happen. Bergil keeps watching for the repercussions, but maybe they forgot, or something. Have been trying to get inside a 10yo's head, to imagine how he'd be thinking.
Hai Took · 6 August 2004 · Chapter 4: Battle
I can not even imagine what mother's worry would be like! Thinking that orcs may getyour son and then knowing that some things would be kinder then being captured! It gave me shivers just to think about it! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Gives me shivers, too. One thing the films did well was to show the mothers and children, especially in Helm's Deep. Thanks.
Bodkin · 6 August 2004 · Chapter 4: Battle
Iraq, yes - with all the television coverage of small children with big eyes, but it makes me think more of Sarajevo.
Author's reply
Ah. Haven't seen the television in quite awhile, so I will take your word for it. I remember hearing some of the stories about the people living in Sarajevo, that place that was such a beautiful city not so very long ago, during the last Winter Olympics.
Bodkin · 6 August 2004 · Chapter 4: Battle
How old is Bergil? Ten, isn't he? There's nothing like being in the middle of a war to rob a child of childhood. (Although in many ways, childhood is the invention of the the Victorian middle class.) The nice sharp knife to protect Fargil from the orcs; Faramir in the Houses of the Dead; no knowledge of what has happened to his father. Poor Gilwyn.
Author's reply
Even if that protection means slaying his cousin before the orcs can reach him... truly, Bergil is having to grow up much more quickly than he ought. Ah, was it the Victorian middle class? I was trying to remember just where the idea of carefree childhood had come from. I knew I'd read it in a literature history class, or just plain history, but couldn't remember where... Thanks!
Hai Took · 5 August 2004 · Chapter 3: Siege
How frightening to be in a City under attack or at least soon to be and to not know what is going on. Althoug I don't know if I would rather have all the details or be in ignorant bliss! In looking through your other stoies I realized that you have used Gilwyn before! It is nice to see things that tie into your other stories and I am glad, now that I remember who she is, to see what she went through during the seige!
Author's reply
Boy, there's a conundrum for you. Is ignorance bliss, in this case? OTOH, maybe it is less horrific than knowing just what was happening outside the walls. I'm glad you recognised and welcome Gilwyn. She seems to pop up in my thoughts whenever Minas Tirith comes up. Thanks!
Bodkin · 5 August 2004 · Chapter 3: Siege
Living through siege with two little boys, who think of themselves as warriors. Poor Gilwyn. The glamour of battle and victory takes over the story of those who live in the lower circles of Minas Tirith - as it always does. War's heroes are never women and children - and tragedy is better if epic.
Author's reply
So true. Whenever I read reports about what's happening in Iraq, I cannot help thinking about the mothers and children there. We don't hear much, if anything, about them. Even little girls think of themselves as warriors... at least the ones around here do. You ought to hear them talk about what they'd do if a stranger stopped and tried to snatch one of the little ones playing on the sidewalk. (Yes, we talk about such things, and what they ought to do... sad world, ain't it?)
Hai Took · 4 August 2004 · Chapter 2: Perian
I like the idea of seeing into Bergil and Beregond's lives at this time! Anytime is probably a wonderful time to take a look at their lives. I like the way Bergil and Fargil stood at attention for Gilwyn! Looking forward to more!
Bodkin · 3 August 2004 · Chapter 1: Wains
I like this. It's lovely to see Beregond and his family expanded upon - and I like Gilwyn. (I'm sure I've read this before?) But there's something very strange about this tale - now what is it? Oh yes, I see - no hobbits!
Blue Iris · 2 August 2004 · Chapter 1: Wains
Excellent! A good Minas Tirith story to sink my teeth into. The good ones are coming few and far between. You are off to a great start and I am anticipating further chapters. A. Tweed aka B. Iris