Reviews (92)

Author's reply

Hi Linda - Thanks for all the support that you've given "Avoidance." I am really fond of Imrahil as a fan fic character. He's just sketchy enough in canon that he leaves room for those of us who want to play with him. In regard to Eomer receiving lots of offers for Eowyn, I envision Eowyn as the most eligible human female in all of Middle Earth. So if you are a single noble human male and looking to make a political match, wouldn't you want a gorgeous gal who just happens to be second in line to the throne of Rohan? This chapter and the next planned chapter also tie in to the story "Family Matters" that I wrote last year for SoA. So I had to be careful that what I wrote in "Putting Two Together" jibed with "Family Matters." Thanks again !! - Steff

Author's reply

Howdy, Raksha - I'm glad you liked this. Faramir had as much trouble popping the question to Eowyn as i have trying to write his story. Sometimes you just can't find the words. BTW, Pippin and Imrahil are in the story for its remaining duration. Folks like them and I have more than passing fondness for the two. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Irene - Thanks so for following along. This was my "character" chapter for Faramir, to show what it was that he was avoiding telling Eowyn about two years into their marriage. It and the previous chapter were the setup for the big stuff, which I hope will be a lot easier to write. Hang in there. - Steff Author Reply: And one more thing, I inadvertently deleted your review of the chapter "Putting Two Together." I'm soooo sorry. I just wanted to edit my reply, which had a typo, and wound up deleting the whole thing. My sincere apologies. - Steff

Author's reply

Thanks, Linda. This chapter was so hard to write--one last chance for Faramir angst before his life is about to change big time. I wanted so badly to give him a little black cat to help in his loneliness, grief, and uncertainty about his future. Animals are so good at doing that. Cirion's been on my mind for at least two years. He finally found his way onto the pages of my story. And yes, those of us who love cats should put them in our fan fiction, especially since Tolkien just didn't understand felines. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Raksha - I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter of "blood, sweat, and tears." I liked your story "Luck from the Ashes" but was disappointed that you gave Faramir a white cat. Geez. So I had to give him a black cat, which would tell you something about what type of cat I have. I absolutely agree about Faramir and Eowyn having lots of animals in Ithilien. Medieval people lived tooth and jowl with all sorts of animals, not just those that we keep today as pets. I imagine them having herding dogs and hunting dogs, cats to keep down the rodent population, falcons, and maybe even the exotic parrot or two. Not to mention the horses and the other critters in the barn! Thanks for helping me out with "Avoidance." - Steff

Author's reply

Hi SMOR - Sorry for being so late to reply. I've discovered from two years now of reading fan fics is that I love stories that have a slightly different interpretation of book and/or movie canon characters than I do. I'm glad you've enjoyed "Avoidance" so far. Now, if I could only finish it off. I'm really curious about what you might do to have A and E meet pre-coronation. Thanks for your support. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi SMOR - I'm glad you got a chance to read this chapter. In regard to wardrobes and coincidences--Interestingly enough, I read your story, "The Steward and the King" a couple of weeks after I mulled some ideas for a sidebar short story to "Avoidance" on the same subject. And I was going to have A and E meet under very similar circumstances, a "council" type of situation, that you have. What this proves is, of course, "great minds think alike!" In regard to the eagle, Raksha in a review said she was curious to see what I would do with the Tolkien's Old Testament style eagle. So at her suggestion, Gwaihir got a little cameo in "Avoidance." But no, since "Avoidance" is movieverse sort of, Gwaihir lets Gandalf have the aria. As far as inebriated Eowyn is concerned, I think its absolutely my favorite of anything I've written for her so far. Eowyn is still very much the White Lady of Rohan even when literally falling down drunk.

Author's reply

Greetings, Celebne. I hope you enjoy Avoidance and hope that it holds your interest enough so that you stick with it. The fact that Eowyn is 33 really becomes important in the later chapters, starting with "An Uncertain Future" and "Torn," which I just put up on SOA. For Celebne and anyone else new to this tale, I wrote the Prologue over two years ago (January 2004) for a challenge. IMHO, the writing and story telling improved as I got more experience and read more of others' fan fiction, especially SMOR and Raksha, my esteemed Beta reviewers, and Linda Hoyland, the queen of "edge-of-your-seat" fan fiction. If you just want to read a few characteristic chapters of "Avoidance," my favorite chapters have been "Black Breath" (which is humorous), its companion "The Stranger on the Patio," and "The Day Our Lives Changed." The latter is my take on the day the Ring is destroyed, from the POV of Faramir, Eowyn, and the people of Gondor. I've gotten good responses on the party sequence in "An Uncertain Future," too. Anyway, enjoy the story. Celebne, I'll see you elsewhere on ADW. - Steff

Author's reply

I'm glad you're enjoying all the angst and frustration of these characters, Chibi. :) :) You have to sympathize with both F & E. The Ring War gave everyone in Middle Earth a future that could be cut short by the arrows of an enemy. But now that the war is over, people's lives have a clean slate. Both Eowyn and Faramir have the opportunity to make over their lives in ways that they couldn't have imagined but a month ago. In the Steff verse, Eowyn is actually learning a profession. Kind of modern, right, but Tolkien wrote Eowyn as a modern woman. Faramir, on the other hand, has been thrust into a leadership position he never expected to have, only to know that his job is about to be terminated. And that doesn't even touch the matter of a budding relationship currently on the rocks. You say: "don't make use wait months for another chapter" Alas, I'm also taking months to do the chapters in my computer books for work. My poor muse needs to spend most of her time writing TCP/IP network administration. But I do delegate time for "Avoidance," rest assured. Got the chapters mapped out. I just have to write them. Thanks for your support, everyone! - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Irene - As ever, your reviews are always wonderful and make me smile. You'll be interested in knowing that one of my Beta reviewers, a big Eowyn fan, complains that Avoidance has too much Faramir. Geez. Ya can't make everyone happy. I've tried to give equal opportunity to the pair, but Eowyn admittedly has had the bulk of my attention. Rest assured that the next chapter will be Faramir, Faramir, Faramir. And he has his own set of issues. Aside from Eowyn, the poor guy has a lot to do before he gets laid off. But seriously though, in "The Steward and the King," Tolkien mostly wrote Faramir's POV. So he left a big hole for people to write the story from Eowyn's POV. Tolkien has the Warden tell Faramir that everyone in the Houses of Healing is healing tremendously except Eowyn. Why the heck Eowyn is so miserable? I always wanted to know. This passage from Tolkien was the inspiration for "Torn."

Author's reply

Hi Linda - You've hit the nut on its head. Poor 'Wyn. She really did not behave like a paragon of royalty. But those Rohirrim are a lot looser in their behavior and scruples than the reticcent Gondorians, at least as I've been writing 'em. The main theme of Eowyn's side of "Avoidance" is that she's scruptulously avoided admitting to herself that she fell in love with Faramir within a few days after meeting him. By the time the chapter "Torn" comes along, at least she accepts that she lusts for the old boy, but doesn't really equate lust with love...Yet. But have patience. As I assured Raksha, don't worry. F & E will get back together and very soon. I may envision David Wenham and Miranda Otto playing the lovers but my story ultimately behaves like canon. And we all know the ending Tolkien gave to Faramir and Eowyn. Thanks so much for your support - Steff

Author's reply

Yo, Raksha!! Not to worry, F & E will work matters out in roughly the same time period that Tolkien gave them. Though "Avoidance" is avowedly Movieverse, I try the best that I can to follow the canon timeframe. This story wouldn't be what it's become without your help. Thanks. - Steff

Author's reply

Yep. 'Wyn was so abrupt in regard to Aragorn that she shocked the pants off of old Gandalf as well as breaking poor Faramir's heart. (Too bad I'm not writing Gandalf's point of view.) All love stories have to have a reversal of fortune in order to have the happy resolution that we already know is in store for F & E. Eowyn's got a lot of things on her mind, as I'll try to explain in the next chapter. And especially for you, Irene, I hope you like how Faramir has cleaned up so nicely :) He's almost as luminous as an Elf at the party. - Steff

Author's reply

Re: the eagle. He was just spoiling to have a cameo, How else would the Gondorians get confirmation that Sauron had met his well deserved end? I think many of us have been in Eowyn's shoes a time or two. I had the most fun writing that party scene in all the 1.5 years that "Avoidance" has been unveiling. Thanks for your support,Linda. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Chibi!! Wow, I never even thought that this chapter was angsty, until the end, of course (wink, wink). On the other hand, it's hard to write F/E without being tempted to put in a bit of angst. But let's face it, when you dance to the music, you sometimes have to pay to the piper. Faz and 'Wyn partied hearty but now they have to deal not only with each other but what they need to do with the rest of their lives. Next chapter will involve how Eowyn faces up to this. Right now she has a terrible hangover and a pain in the arm. And thanks for your support, Chibi, and everyone. - Steff

Author's reply

Oh, thank you, thank you, Linda. I feel especially complimented because your tales are perfect examples of how to keep a story moving and how to keep readers engaged. I'm glad Faz' visions worked for you. That's my Steff-only contribution, as I do my diligence in filling the holes of both book and movie canon. Here is something to share with all who look at reviews: This chapter was probably the easiest for me to write in all of my pokey "Avoidance." I was bit by a huge plot bunny right after seeing film ROTK for the first time in the theater. I really, really wanted to see Faramir and Eowyn in Minas Tirith cut into the action, along with Frodo, Sam, Aragorn and the rest, as the Ring is destroyed and Sauron overthrown. Of course, that was not to be. That night I couldn't sleep. My head spun with wild visions of F & E in the Fountain Court of Minas Tirith, as shown in the film, while all sorts of cloud and flame came hurling at them from Mordor. Finally, 2.5 years later, I got it down in words.

Author's reply

Hi Chibi-kaz - Your aunt was a reporter on Mt. Saint Helens when it burst. Holy mackarel. She's a brave one. Regarding the seismic stuff in this story, I've always been fascinated by volcanoes. I'm way less of a fan of earthquakes, though I'm less afraid of them, having lived through the Loma Prieta quake in 1989. The Ring's dissolving into the lava of Mt. Doom would not only bring down Sauron but also trigger a massive eruption. I really liked how this was done in the ROTK film. But how could people at a distance from the eruption know that it has happened--and thus know that Sauron's been overthrown. I took as my cue "The Steward and the King." Here Tolkien describes the great cloud that rises out of Mordor and threatens the West, only to be blown away by the west wind. So I had Mt. Doom launch a pyroclastic cloud, ala St. Helens or Penatubo. That way the folks in Minas Tirith would be sure to see, and be threatened by, the results. Sorry that the Ring's last words didn't make it for you. I did want to play up not only Faz' temptation but the temptation everyone heard from that very chatty Ring. If only I had a soundtrack to go along with the story. Anyway, feel free to raz. And thanks for your support. I'm following along with your stories on ffnet, too. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Irene - Thanks for keeping up with Avoidance. I hope it continues to hold your interest. And thanks so much for the correction!! I'll make the fix in the text. - Steff

Author's reply

Thanks for your encouragement, Chibi-Kaz. I am going to finish this story, I promise. I've set myself a goal. Hang in with me. - Steff

Author's reply

Yo Raksha: I'm glad you liked the museum tour. I was afraid it bogged down the pace, but I couldn't bring myself to axe it. I'm a fan of realistic sculpture, if you couldn't guess from the "tour." As far as the population in Minas Tirith at the time of the War of the Ring is concerned, I searched forever for a web site with that information, but couldn't find one. I also consulted my many LOTR film tie-in books, to see if PJ and company had estimated the population of Minas Tirith and Meduseld, but I found nothing. Sigh. I somehow remember reading a study that said Minas Tirith had about half a million people at its apex, after the fall of Osgiliath. Of course that population sorely dwindled by the time of the War of the Ring. So for the purposes of my story, I finally imagined about 100,00 people living in Minas Tirith during Faramir's day, about half of whom left the city before the battle of the Pelennor Fields, as Tolkien describes. So that leaves about 50,000. In any case, the Minas Tirith depicted in the LOTR films is considerably larger than Meduseld. Fellow readers, do any of you have some pointers to population information for Gondor and Rohan atthe time of the Ring War? BTW, Kolstad's "Encyclopedia of Arda" is silent on the subject. I think Denethor would have thought Eowyn a good candidate for his elder son, sadly, for lack of a better prospect. He couldn't marry him to Lothiriel due to their close relationship. You'd have to invent a OC in fanfic as a better marriage candidate for Boromir. I personally see movie Denethor as being too distracted, too nuts, and too fond of his elder son to want to entwine him in a marriage situation before he was no longer useful as a soldier. Book Boromir (and Sean Bean, interestingly enough) was about 40, 41 at the time of the Ring War. Book Denethor didn't marry until he was in his late 40s. Sorry for such a long reply, but your comment was too good not to respond to. I agree that Eowyn wouldn't think much of Denethor, but I bet she--Movie Eowyn, anyway--could have manipulated him with kindness. :) :) - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Linda - Thanks for following along with "Avoidance" and perservering with my slowness. As far as Faramir being blunt, well, ya know, he's movieverse--David Wenham's characterization. Remember how film Faramir behaves to Frodo and Sam when he first meets them, knows immediately that Frodo is lying, and, in my interpretation, suspects they might have some connection to Boromir's death? "Blunt" and "abrupt" are nice terms for film Faz' behavior. I think this is what shocked a lot of book first people when they saw TTT theatrical for the first time. I'm trying my best to portray film Faramir; he's a very complex guy. I hope you enjoyed F and E's equal opportunity angsty moments!! You're better at angst than I am, but I gave it the good old college try. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Chibi-Kaz - Regarding "Dad," all I can say is oops, I thought I changed that. I'll fix the chapter. As far as where the heck is the next chapter, it's in the hands of my Beta reviewers. I'm sorry that I am so slow (she says, sheepishly). It might be a couple of weeks before the next chapter gets posted because I'm going on vacation. But rest assured that the next chapter is complete and will be posted within the next week or two. Just to give you a hint, in this one I subject my characters to the type of emotions I usually don't write for them, but are very popular with fans of Faramir fics. And both Faz and 'Wyn experience these emotions. Thanks for your support and the fix. - Steff

Author's reply

Hi Irene - You say: "lust isn't love. Love is what she had for Aragorn; you will not persuade me! :) :) :) Looks like I have my work cut out for me then. Thanks for reading. - Steff

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Hi Lucidity - I've done several tableaux of "Faramir introduces Eowyn to Denethor" with my LOTR action figures and still aren't sure whether Tolkien's and Jackson's Denethor would have liked Eowyn. I'm sure he would have approved of the match from a political perspective, but I suspect Jackson's Denethor would have rather had Boromir wed Eowyn. However, in "Avoidance" and the Steffverse, Den would rather have unmarried Boromir lead the troups and Faramir make the political marriage. That way he could manipulate both his sons. And yeah, poor Eowyn is really wondering what is happening to herself in regard to her lusty feelings for Faramir. The rating is PG-13 and most likely will stay that way. I certainly plan to put in some clinches, but as far as explicit sexuality is concerned, hmmm, most likely not gonna happen. Thanks for your heads up about CJ, by the way. I'll up and fix the link. - Steff

Author's reply

You got it, Raksha. I'm glad that the message that you note is getting through. Poor 'Wyn hasn't got a clue that lust and love can run hand in hand, though. But if I say more, I'll give away what happens in the next few chapters. Which I've only started to write :( . Thanks so much for your help with this one. - Steff