meckinock
· 20 January 2007
· Chapter 1: The Calling
Wow, this is really powerful, Bodkin. Everything is so tactile - the smells of sea and stone, the colors, the bleakness Finduilas sees in her future. How horrid that she sees only a dark future for her grandchildren, too. I'm glad that she's wrong about that, at least. I like how Denethor is viewed obliquely here, as if he's already detached from her. I can't believe I missed this before.
Author's reply
Thank you, meckinock! I think poor Finduilas could have been happy - was happy, perhaps, until Denethor began to be overtaken by the weight of his role and the shadow of the Dark Lord. And, perhaps, she was dragged down to attack Denethor where he was vulnerable, in his love of his family. I'm pleased you like the tactile elements - I do enjoy doing that when I can!
This was one of those pieces that arrive out of nowhere. (Like the Eowyn story, too.) It's fun when that happens and sends you off to a whole group of people you never thought about writing before!
Elfique
· 12 September 2004
· Chapter 1: The Calling
wow, really powerful and moving! I love the last line - very good. I saw the word Finduilas in the summary and just clicked thinking it would be Finduilas from the Silmy but I'm very glad, after reading, that it wasn't!
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. I think the first line and the last occurred first and then the rest was shaped to fit them.
You can't help but feel sorry for the family disaster that was Finduilas, Denethor and their sons.
eokat
· 6 September 2004
· Chapter 1: The Calling
This is heartbreaking. I always felt for Faramir loosing his Mother when he was so young. You have written her feelings well. Eokat.
Author's reply
Thank you. Not just losing his mother, but being so clear the less favoured son, too.
I feel that Finduilas and Denethor must have been fond of each other once - so what went wrong? And I'm blaming it on his decision to use the Palantir, which enhanced all the least attractive aspects of his character and through him, affected her.
ellie
· 5 September 2004
· Chapter 1: The Calling
Very Good! Nice imagery. Good job!
Author's reply
Thank you. Families tearing themselves apart are so sad - and I don't think the responsibilities of being Steward in a world becoming increasingly endangered, and exposed to a Palantir helped. I think it might affect Finduilas - I can see Sauron enjoying that.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 5 September 2004
· Chapter 1: The Calling
Poor Finduilas. She must have felt increasingly isolated, being far from her home and with Denethor more and more withdrawn. I like your idea that sea-longing is not just an elvish affliction.
Jay
Author's reply
There's probably Sea-Longing and sea-longing. To Finduilas the sea is her home and where she has happy memories - and there is that touch of elvish in her. I think she would have felt lonely in Minas Tirith, especially after Denethor became Steward and had less time for family. And the Palantir is in there, playing with him and, through him, affecting her. Poor kids.
daw the minstrel
· 5 September 2004
· Chapter 1: The Calling
This is tragic. The whole family seems caught in bonds of some make.
Author's reply
It just echoed my mood today.
I think I'm blaming it on the Palantir. I don't know if there is actually an official moment when he started using it - but I'm putting it about the time he became Steward.
They are a sad family really.