SimplegirlfromLP
· 25 May 2019
· Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
Please do finish this story, I have never read a better take of Faramir and Eowyn’s love story. It is so good and couldn’t put it down and want to read what you do with Eomer and Lothiriel. I like this mischievous Lotheriel,
SimplegirlfromLP
· 25 May 2019
· Chapter 26: Words Unspoken
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
SimplegirlfromLP
· 24 May 2019
· Chapter 23: Winter Passing
Oh the sweetness of this final acceptance and revelation of the love between them. The writing was perfect. Done so tenderly. I was on my edge. Thank you
SimplegirlfromLP
· 22 May 2019
· Chapter 15: Second Chances
Am enjoying reading the tenderness and delicate friendship that is budding between Faramir and Eowyn. I can’t put this down.
I like your version of Faramir, he’s sensitive, obviously a warrior, an intellectual, caring, understanding, a softer version of Boromir.
SimplegirlfromLP
· 22 May 2019
· Chapter 14: The Steward and the Shieldmaiden
The dream sequence was Riveting, it had me on the edge. Thank you
SimplegirlfromLP
· 19 May 2019
· Chapter 9: Desperation
Have been enjoying your story so much this far, but this chapter was a little painful to read. I found it difficult how everyone harped on Aragon’s departure. And I didn’t care for Eomer being so clingy towards Aragon. I understand that after having fought alongside each other at Helmd Deep, they would have solidified their friendship but these are warriors and I can’t imagine them lingering on the “why”, “what if” scenarios for too long. They would embrace the suck of the situation and get on. And aren’t the twins their to enlighten the group?
The moment between Eomer and Eowyn was nice. She’s his tender spot and that’s sweet.
Hanasian
· 2 October 2017
· Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
Instead of reviewing every chapter, I thought I'd leave the main one here.
You have really filled in the tale well! I mentioned it before but will say again that Eowyn's 1st person narrative is wonderful! The chapter where the Grey Company go to the Paths of the Dead is well done! Again, thanks for sharing this tale with us!
Hanasian
· 2 October 2017
· Chapter 12: Twilight and Shadow
I love this first person narration style as the battle progresses!
This whole tale is a worthy read!
phyloxena
· 30 November 2006
· Chapter 29: Revelations
And again, you make it so credible! It never occured to me that Eomer thought his sister "bewitched". Indeed, guy looks almost like Aragorn, speeks quetely and wisely, almost like Grima (and an advisor, too) -- something is wrong!!!
Author's reply
You can hardly blame the guy for being suspicious, can you? Honestly, the whole reason for his reaction was to tie it into another story I wrote (The Best-Laid Plans) because I like being consistent. But the similarities between Faramir and both Aragorn and Wormtongue in that way were too good to pass up on!
Dreamflower
· 27 November 2006
· Chapter 29: Revelations
I've had my eye on this story for a while, wondering whether there would be enough Merry in it to hold my interest (it's hard to attract my notice at all without hobbits, LOL!)--yesterday, with rather a dearth of hobbit stories, I decided to give it a shot.
This is excellent! Usually, I don't care much for lengthy first-person stories, as they tend to be too "modern" in tone, but you have captured the feel of Eowyn's speech in her thoughts very well, so that she *does* sound like a princess of Rohan and not a modern girl masquerading as one (as so often that turns out).
I like the way you have managed to blend some of the more arresting images of the movies into what is basically a book-canon story. It's very appropriate to the earlier parts of the story especially, as JRRT doesn't really show us what's going on in Meduseld before Gandalf and the the three hunters arrive--so there's not a lot of conflict with the book, except in having Theodred buried at Edoras rather than at the Fords of Isen. And I do love some of the movie images you evoke--that scene of Eowyn, standing in the wind as the flag blows away is one of the finest visual moments in TTT.
I also love the deep friendship you have shown between Eowyn and Merry--I, too, believe that after their shared experience of killing the W-k, they would have a special bond, almost like brother and sister, in spite of their difference in race.
Your Faramir is also brilliant. Again, you use the better images from the movies, yet you keep his personality and behavior strictly grounded in the book. This is not the wimpy and flawed Faramir of the films, who dragged Frodo and Sam off to Osgiliath because he was afraid of his father and tempted by the Ring, but the noble Faramir of the book, who would not have taken the Ring if it lay by the side of the road. He is strong, courtly, gallant and courteous. The skillful way you interweave the canon dialogue into his exchanges and conversation with Eowyn is marvelous.
I will very much look forward to more of this tale! But I am glad I had waited till you had lots of chapters posted--it was a nice long and delightful read! And I am very impressed to discover that it was your first fic!
Author's reply
First of all, thank you for the thoughtful review! And I apologize that it's taken me this long to reply.
Honestly, if I were to start this story again, I don't think I would do it in first person. But that was how it first started coming out, so it stuck. And it's nice to be able to do side stories from other perspectives because of it, but I also find it difficult to avoid the modernness in her thought. So it's good to know it's coming off.
Since you liked the blending of the book and movie, you may be disappointed to know that I'm actually in the process of rewriting the first few chapters to bring it closer to the book canon (mainly meaning Theodred is now going to be buried at the Fords.) I'm still undecided as to what to do about whether Eowyn shows up in court before or after Aragorn when Gandalf heals Theoden, but it's under consideration. But I am hoping it works out to keep some of the better movie images-- I would definitely agree that the scene with Eowyn and the flag was very visually powerful!
I'm also quite relieved to hear that Faramir's turning out all right. He's a bit intimidating for me to write, since I love him so much in the books, but his extreme nobility makes him very hard to write convincingly because it's a challenge to humanize him without losing the essence of what makes him so great (as anyone who was annoyed at the changes in him for the movies probably knows.)
I haven't forgotten this story-- part of the reason for the rewrite is to get my brain geared up to finish it by reviewing the old stuff! So now that I'm nearly done with the major rewriting in the first two chapters, I'm hoping to be able to review the other 27 fairly quickly (with perhaps a few minor edits here and there to clean up the writing, since, after all, it WAS the first fic! ;) and then get this one ready to finish. I hope that the wait will be worth it!
Raksha The Demon
· 27 November 2006
· Chapter 28: The King Returns
Faramir faced him steadily, born of slightly lesser blood but no less noble, with a strength in his gaze that showed he could match the Northern Dúnedain.
Aragorn who? Faramir is well-written here, strong and noble and high-born, but not as remote as Aragorn, and more suitable for Eowyn.
Good chapter; the only flaw being that neither you nor Tolkien described what Faramir wore to the coronation...
Would it be possible to take this story to Faramir and Eowyn's wedding, with some of the passage of time noted by letters or just skipped? Or have the wedding as an epilogue?
Keep writing!
Raksha The Demon
· 26 November 2006
· Chapter 29: Revelations
Poor Eomer; things are moving a bit too fast for him. His uncle who was also his king and liege-lord is dead, he's going to be king, Rohan and the rest of Middle-Earth is saved, and Eowyn's being seduced by the Steward of Gondor when just a few weeks ago she was moaning about Aragorn.
I would think that Aragorn has guessed, or been told by hobbits, about at least the possibility of attraction between Faramir and Eowyn. He's probably delighted not to have to feel guilty about Eowyn anymore, particularly now, when he can actually think about marrying Arwen.
Good chapter!
Author's reply
I do feel a bit bad for Eomer-- it's a lot to take in all at once. It'll probably be rough on him for a bit longer too-- I decided to at least make it consistent with "The Best-Laid Plans", if not a more blatant tie-in at some point, so he's not going to be happy with this for awhile yet. ;)
Still trying to work out the Aragorn thing in my head-- I know that he and Eowyn probably need to have a little chat, and most likely in the next chapter. So we'll see how that goes. :P
And thank you. It's nice to finally have another one done. (I'm feeling rather silly- the previous chapter has been done and up for about two months, but I forgot to take it off of "hidden". Oops.)
demeter d
· 27 September 2006
· Chapter 14: The Steward and the Shieldmaiden
As your new pieces arrived, I determined to go back and read and review some of your older works. This one is so good I am sorry I did not find it before now. Your Eowyn and Faramir feel as if they stepped right out of the books. In this chapter she finally meets the man in her shadowy dream after the battle. I look forward in the rest of this story to seeing how they help each other back to the light.
I hope that your return to fiction after almost a year's absence means that your real life is treating you well. Best Wishes!
Author's reply
That's actually one of the highest complements I've gotten, that they're so close to the books. Since that was my intent, it's very good to know. Thank you!
Truth be told, several of these "new" pieces are actually older ones-- when I went to put up the most recent chapter of this and its spin-off one shot last night, I'd realized that I had several old stories on my hard drive that I'd never gotten around to posting here. So the only truly new one besides the addition to this is The Steward and the King. But yes, real life is going well. My career's finally starting to really pick up, which leaves me with less time for writing, but I think my muse has finally decided to stick around for awhile, so hopefully I'll be showing up here on a more regular basis now.
Raksha The Demon
· 27 September 2006
· Chapter 26: Words Unspoken
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. And Squeeeeeeeeee!
Finally. She's in love, he's in love, they can start to be happy.
But what will Eomer say?
Good chapter.
Author's reply
But what will Eomer say?
Good question...
Raksha The Demon
· 27 September 2006
· Chapter 27: Reunions
Eowyn's not the only one wondering how Eomer will react to her and Faramir's new relationship - hurry up and write it, please!
Good to see more of this story.
Author's reply
I'm trying to get to it! I was hoping it would happen in the chapter I'm currently working on... but since I'm going back to stricter book canon with Aragorn's coronation, I think it's going to be too long if I get into that so I might need to delay it another chapter. Just as well... I'm still trying to sort out exactly how to approach it (especially if I do tie it in with The Best Laid Plans, like I'm leaning towards.)
phyloxena
· 23 September 2006
· Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
I'm surprized there are so few reviewes for your story. It's so nice. I like the way you stayed with canon (alas for the movie-verse grabbing by Aragorn :)), and the way your Eowyn is so much in character, clever, almost rational and able to think for herself. "The Steward and the King" chapter from TRoK -- of course< one of the favorite, etc. -- always seemed to me uncomfortably straitforward, it's hard to believe that gentle Faramir could be so rush in his courting. You gap-fillers made it so much likelier.
Author's reply
Well... when I first started this story, it was partially born out of annoyance at the portrayal of Eowyn's reason for going to the Pelennor in the movie version, so earlier chapters did end up more movie-influenced than I would write now. I do have to admit that this particular scene between Aragorn and Eowyn was one that I was pretty ok with, since with the way my portrayal of Eowyn had been shaping up thus far, it was hard to envision her standing by coolly while all of this was going on with Theoden like she does in the book. I will say, however, that once I finish up the last few chapters, I am planning on going back to the beginning and cleaning up some things, and that section is one of the ones I'm strongly considering reworking. (I'm also considering changing up some of the Theodred stuff, since at the time I started I don't think I had Unfinished Tales and so I'm not entirely certain that his funeral and all is strictly canon. But changing that might take too much from the beginning. I'm not sure yet.)
While I love the "Steward and the King" chapter (obviously), I do have to agree that it seemed like a shockingly fast change of heart on her part, as well as what you mentioned about Faramir. So I'm glad to hear you say that the filler helps with that. :)
Raksha The Demon
· 26 August 2005
· Chapter 25: A Helping Hand
Faramir, dear, I have a great idea on how you might renew the old friendship between Gondor and Rohan - Gondor's Steward should marry the King of Rohan's sister, and then live happily ever after with her.
I thought you might like that.
Seriously, good chapter. I liked Eowyn's sudden relief that the young lady talking to Faramir was his cousin.
Author's reply
...unless the King of Rohan takes a disliking to Gondor's Steward, and causes all sorts of complications... oh, wait, I already wrote that one. (But yes, I did enjoy your idea.)
And I couldn't resist the opportunity to make Eowyn jealous. ;)
Raksha The Demon
· 26 August 2005
· Chapter 24: A Battle Lost
You're obviously getting over your writer's block in fine style - great to see the updates!
"Faramir was never one to openly oppose Lord Denethor, but neither would he blindly follow his will, particularly when it came to giving orders in battle. I remember one time after we had lost a battle in Ithilien, and Lord Denethor rebuked him harshly for giving up that land to the enemy. We had been sorely outnumbered, and so the Captain responded by saying that had we not retreated, we would have been slain to the last man, and given the choice, he would rather give up a plot of land that could be recaptured later than to sacrifice the lives of so many of his people in order to defend it."
Hmm. Interesting. I didn't have the impression, when reading the Faramir chapters of TTT, that Faramir and his Rangers had given up too many plots of land to the enemy. I'd have thought that if he retreated a hopeless battle to save lives, he would have come back later to retake the land, or that it was not an area of great strategic value.
The incident with the dying soldier was touching; Eowyn is learning the down side of healing. And sleepy, overworked Faramir - big "Aw" - someone needs to tuck him into bed. I'll happily volunteer!
Author's reply
I also don't think he would have given up much land to the enemy, though I seriously doubt even he would have won every battle there. My intent was more to make that an isolated incident (with leaving it open for later recapturing).
BKB
· 24 July 2005
· Chapter 23: Winter Passing
Welcome back! I hope that your recital and everything else went well.
I've followed your story from it's being and it has become one of my favorites. Naturally, I'm anxious for another installment.
Thanks again for all your efforts. BKB
insignia
· 22 July 2005
· Chapter 99999: Author's Notes
Hi
Just to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading this fic. I had forgotten how good it was and am really grateful to you for updating.
I liked that you made Eowyn out to be more than just the usual tomboy: you gave more background about shield maidens than most fic authors (e.g. Theodwyn's knowledge of swordplay and active role in defence). I think that many fic authors can be quite irritating when they try to make you believe that it was natural in JRRT's ME for women/girls to take on the same roles as men vis-a-vis combat. But that does not mean that I think that ME women should only focus on their embroidery and what to make the menfolk for supper!
Faramir too was well drawn, more than just the reluctant soldier who would rather be with his books. How he found out about his father's death and his conversation with Eowyn afterwards was very moving.
Your Eomer was good too, but I thought maybe a little bit "card board". But I really enjoyed the "discussions" between brother and sister, especially when he told her about going to Mordor and she couldn't come, e.g. the bit about why he went to fight the orcs ("for the good of their people") while she could not say the same about why she had gone to the Pelennor. I am curious about how her actions were/are going to be justified to the people of Rohan, given that she disobeyed a direct order.
I liked the scenes that you seemed to insert in passing, such as the one about the horses becoming intoxicated after the children got hold of the cask of ale! These little snippets add fluency to your story line and help to flesh out the sorts of relationships between your major characters. The colour and shading provide a strong background for your actors to perform against.
I thought that your dialogue was excellent, especially Eowyn's thoughts and thought processes.
So thank you!
Incidentally, is this finished now? It could stand alone, as we all know what happens. But I would like to see how all the reunions work out in your version.
regards
insignia
Author's reply
First of all, I apologize for taking so long to reply to this review! I'm not exactly sure what happened there-- it's been awhile since I'd been on this site but I still feel terrible about it.
Secondly, it's not done. I actually do have another finished chapter that I can go ahead and post (I really should do that soon), and am getting close to finishing another. My estimate based on the current outline is five or six more chapters till the end.
As for Eomer, he might end up getting altered a bit in earlier chapters, so hopefully I can inject a little more life into him. (Since this fic was really my first writing effort, I'm sure there's several things in the first couple of chapters, at least, that need polishing.)
And thakn you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review.
Raksha The Demon
· 21 July 2005
· Chapter 23: Winter Passing
Ah. Finally! Lovebirds cuddling and kissing on the walls. Of course there were cheers! The whole city will probably know by the next day. Hee!
It seems like Eowyn is still holding back, emotionally and physically. The whole business has probably been something of a shock to the poor girl. I wonder what Eomer's first reaction will be...
Raksha The Demon
· 21 July 2005
· Chapter 22: Torn in Two
Wake up and smell the tea, Eowyn! You're in love, Faramir's in love; and you need to talk to each other rather than moping in your respective chambers.
Silly woman. Silly guy. At least I know it will all work out!
Radbooks
· 7 April 2005
· Chapter 8: Hope Fails
I am loving this, you are doing a wonderful job! I cannot believe how fast you are updating it though. I can't keep up! :) I had to sit down and give you a quick review to encourage you on what a wonderful job you are doing. Now I see you have another story out as well. Fun for me. Oh in this chapter speficially my heart just broke for Eowyn (like it always does) when she says that to Aragorn about how she feels for him. But then to have Elladan overhear and to talk to him about it! Yikes!!! But at least then she knew the truth about the situation - I always felt like that would have been easier to accept. Anyway, wonderful story.
Author's reply
Well, the truth about the quick updating is that I've been posting this story on another fanfic site for over a year now, so there's 23 chapters completed so far. So I've been able to get several chapters up at a shot--I definitely couldn't get it up this quickly if I was writing it now!!
My thought on the Elladan thing was that I wanted her to know the truth about it before Aragorn left--since Tolkien never said that he told her, I needed a third party to intervene. I'm evil like that, I guess. :D
Raksha The Demon
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 14: The Steward and the Shieldmaiden
The famous first meeting of Faramir and Eowyn - be still, my beating heart! You write it well. She's still scarred and gunshy, but there are indications that she's very impressed by him.
Author's reply
Oh, good. It's definitely one of those things in the book that makes me swoony, so I didn't want to lose that. :) And it always seemed to me that, even though his immediately waxing poetic threw her for a loop, she was intrigued by him in spite of herself.
Raksha The Demon
· 6 April 2005
· Chapter 18: Darkness Inescapable
Aw, Faramir and Eowyn make such a sweet couple, even though the silly woman doesn't yet realize it...Nice chapter; gave me a chilly-then-warm 'n'' fuzzy vibe.
Author's reply
Ok, I'm assuming the "chilly" isn't a totally bad thing, since it ended up warm & fuzzy. ;) And I still maintain that she's nuts. Oh well... makes it better when she finally does get together with him, I suppose.
And I appreciate you being willing to review this again, even though you've already read it all. I'm gradually working on getting the entire thing to date on this site (and also hoping that reading over it again in the process will get my brain ready for writing the next chapter...)