Queens Reader
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: While Looking Elsewhere
So pleased to find another wonderful chapeter in this well written story.
After a year of lurking, I've registered in order to add another voice to the chorus of "Well Done Stefania!"
Thank you and if you hear an odd creaking in the floorboards, it's just me pacing in anticipation of the next chapter.
; )
Author's reply
Glad to meet you, Queens Reader. I'm flattered (Steff says humbly) that you have joined SoA so that you could review "Avoidance." There are some great stories on this board.
- Steff
Linda Hoyland
· 27 February 2006
· Chapter 12: While Looking Elsewhere
I love the way you describe Eowyn's confused feelings.It is good too to see Faramir speaking so openly and you had some lovely touchs of humour.
I think you mean Adrahil is Faramir's grandfather rather than his great uncle.
Author's reply
FIXED !! Adrahil is, once again, Faramir's grandfather. Thanks for finding this, Linda. That goof slipped past three noses. And thanks, as ever, for your support.
- Steff
Chibi-kaz
· 22 February 2006
· Chapter 11: In the Shadow of the King
OK, reaching my waiting-tolerance. :-) Kidding - -you take your time, it's obviously worth the wait. LOVED the "shwing!" reaction of Faramir to Eowyn's arrival in Council. Rethe is great, I hope she sticks around. You've had Eowyn acknowledge she finds Faramir attractive (who doesn't?!?), but is she starting to feel more regard for him, or is she clinging to her Aragorn-obsession thoughtlessly?
Cheers, can't wait for more!
Chibi-Kaz
Author's reply
Hee hee hee, for your reaction to Faramir's reaction. My Faramir, in some ways, is just an ordinary guy--the lonely ranger.
You ask:
"Is she starting to feel more regard for him, or is she clinging to her Aragorn-obsession thoughtlessly?"
You'll find out and very soon. The next chapter is out for its Beta reviews, so hopefully I'll have it ready next week. F and E's relationship is really evolving, but then so are a lot of things in the greater world.
- Steff
irene
· 10 February 2006
· Chapter 11: In the Shadow of the King
Since my first read of LOTR -- many years ago -- I never gave the F/E-relationship a chance. He: "Do you not love me?" She: babbles something about not wanting to be a shieldmaiden anymore but instead wants to heal or something such. Clearly, she grabbed the first man of high lineage she met only to show Aragorn "look! There are others than you I can get!" This union surely will be a disaster, in my opinion. Poor Faramir.
I know hardly one of the fans share my opinion. Why actually? There is no hint either in the book or the appendices they lived happily ever after. The havea grandson, that's all we know. A convenient marriage, nothing more.
Therefore, I'm really interested in your work. Something like "it could have been this way, and all were happy", and so on. Only, life is much more complicated.
Thank you one more for a very good read!
Irene
Author's reply
Hi Irene -
I've always loved the F/E romance, for all that it didn't seem realistic, even when I first read it in 1968. And Tolkien left lots of gaps in the romance. The little attention paid to F/E in the films also leaves gaps huge gaps for the imagination of speculating viewers. What a great opportunity for authors to write F/E gap fillers!
I don't agree that Eowyn, book or film, grabbed the first man she could get of high lineage just to get back atcha at Aragorn. I'm one of those who thought Eowyn's love for Aragorn was tantamount to a teenage crush. And Faramir has many merits (including being of appropriate lineage) that would make him an excellent match. I thought a great deal more about F/E, which I have elaborated on, in great length on LOTR movie boards. But if I wrote them here, I would spoil it for anyone who reads the "Avoidance" reviews. My task is to write a story that illustrates my thoughts. I hope I can do this to everyone's satisfaction.
Thanks for reading and your great reviews. As a preview, the next chapter (about 50 percent done) gives a glimmer of Eowyn's evolving thoughts on Faramir.
- Steff
Raksha The Demon
· 9 February 2006
· Chapter 11: In the Shadow of the King
You didn't need much assistance; this chapter was well-constructed before I made those few suggestions and tweaks.
I've always assumed that Eowyn and Faramir sorted out her Aragorn issues during the engagement, which lasted several months (I don't count the betrothal in Edoras as a marriage, though it has been interpreted as such in some fanfics). But I could see it still troubling Faramir if they didn't deal with it then, and if he still had doubts that he was first in her heart as well as first in her bed - which isn't hard to understand; Faramir has come in second for most of his life, being 'first' would still be a comparatively new experience for him.
More soon, I hope.
Author's reply
Hi Raksha -
Your tweaks really helped, especially your comments on the "robe of office" plot device :) . I bet you didn't know that Denethor had more than one robe of office, and different ones for the various seasons. They didn't have dry cleaners or laundries yet. Imagine what the ambassador from the Northmen would say it they visited Minas Tirith and the Steward's robe stunk. (Did I just invent a fanon?)
As far as Faramir having unresolved issues regarding jealousy toward Aragorn, hey...I'm not into torturing Faramir. I don't ever, ever plan to make him a wimp. My Faramir is most especially NOT a virgin when he meets Eowyn. Moreover, Denethor never beat Faramir within an inch of his life, in the Steffverse. So there you be. "Avoidance" violates those 4 common elements of Faramir fanon. So can't I retain one element of Faramir fanon in my story--that of angst? A jealous Faramir results in an angsty Faramir. ;) .
lucidity
· 8 February 2006
· Chapter 11: In the Shadow of the King
Faramir must be having a terrible time of it. I often wondered at the relationship between these two. It seems she jumped into the relationship with Faramir on the rebound and that rarely works out.
I'm not a huge romance reader, but I have enjoyed your story thus far. Your characterizations are very good.
Author's reply
Thanks, Lucidity.
I've taken it as my personal cause to give an explanation as to why Eowyn jumped at Faramir's proposal so quickly. I think everyone who tries to write an F & E romance has to tackle this thorny issue, thanks to Tolkien. Much as I loved the little of their romance that Jackson showed us in the ROTK EE, the film writers dropped the ball on explaining Tolkien's F/E hasty love affair. Not only would showing F & E's quicky romance wreck the pacing of ROTK but it could be confusing to movies only people. So all Faramir gets from Eowyn in the theatrical ROTK is a satisfied smile. And in the EE, poor Eowyn might be construed as a fickle, jilted gal falling for the handsome guy she spies on a patio.
What caused me and the many Faramir/Eowyn shippers such anguish with the ROTK film two years ago has become a gold mine for fanfic writers eager to fill in gaps. I know what my explanation for Eowyn's change of heart is going to be. I hope I can write this in a way that is satisfactory for those who are reading "Avoidance."
- Steff
Bodkin
· 8 February 2006
· Chapter 11: In the Shadow of the King
Lusting after Eowyn while knowing that she was eager for Aragorn. Well, I'm not surprised he has lingering feelings of jealousy.
I do hope they manage to straighten it all out! They suit each other to well to live in doubt of their relationship.
Faramir had so much on his back over these days - even though he was still recovering from his wounds. I love the return of some of his men - and the description of how they were driven away from their Captain.
To my surprise, the opposition we faced seemed disinterested. Most fought us as if we were just obstacles in their path to somewhere else.”
“They were on their way to try and trap me,” Faramir said laconically.
Very logical!
Author's reply
Thanks, Bodkin. Expect more lust to happen from F and E before circumstances that we all know about draw them apart.
And as far as Faramir's men are concerned, it took me so long to write this chapter because that Anborn had the chutzpah to became a plot bunny of major proportions. I started writing his adventures and not paying enough attention to Faramir and Eowyn's incipient love affair. But I've regained my focus. Maybe someday--probably April or so--I'll try to do something about Anborn.
- Steff
elanor_dh
· 7 February 2006
· Chapter 11: In the Shadow of the King
I loved Faramir-Galadriel scene and the whole idea connected with it. Great chapter. :)
Linda Hoyland
· 7 February 2006
· Chapter 11: In the Shadow of the King
I liked the idea of Galadriel communicating with Faramir and enjoyed Anborn's meeting with Aragorn.
I loved the little girl at the end !
Author's reply
Thanks for your encouragement and suppot, Linda and Elanor.
Did you know that the MEFI Awards have an award for AU stories called the "Faramir Goes to Lothlorien" prize. I got the idea of having Galadriel invade Faramir's dreams before I heard about the award. But once I heard of the award, I couldn't resist going AU and having fun with the Faz/Gladys connection.
- Steff
Chibi-Kaz
· 3 January 2006
· Chapter 10: A Similar Fate
AUGH!!
I love this fic. You don't update nearly enough. I demand more! :D
Cheers,
Chibi-Kaz
Author's reply
Thanks, Chibi-Kaz. I'll try to speed up. I do know how the story will end and about how many chapters I need to write before the resolution. But I'm not going to tell you folks :) .
- L.Steff
Linda Hoyland
· 3 January 2006
· Chapter 10: A Similar Fate
This is a very touching account of poor Faramir's battle at Osgiliath and the effect it had upon him.I can well imagine he must wonder at times if Eowyn still thinks of Aragorn,who has such amazing powers.Very well written.
Author's reply
Hi Linda. And thanks for your review. You say:
"I can well imagine he must wonder at times if Eowyn still thinks of Aragorn,who has such amazing powers."
Ahem, preview time ...he was wondering then, and continues to wonder in the flash forward in the Prologue. And as far as Eowyn thinking of Aragorn is concerned, well, uh, that topic is going to come up shortly. I just hope I can get the thing written before January 31 rules around.
- Stefania the Ever Slow
Oooo, p.s., I am following Burden of Guilt and hanging on to my chair. It's quite the roller coaster ride.
Raksha The Demon
· 2 January 2006
· Chapter 10: A Similar Fate
I like your careful description of Faramir's strategy; that he didn't go off to Osgiliath in a clueless funk determined to kill himself and 200 men to get Daddy's approval; he had a strategy that had at least a fighting chance of success.
Nice ending too! Our lovebirds are starting to get very comfy with each other.
Author's reply
Thanks, Raksha.
I just couldn't believe that film Faramir went off in a clueless funk to kill himself and his men. That was a big gap in film verse that I had a big urge to fill. And I couldn't have done it without your help.
- Steff
irene
· 31 December 2005
· Chapter 10: A Similar Fate
Another fine chapter, worth waiting for! It easily could have been this way. -- Of course, you couldn't desist to make Faramir stink once more. First time he says it himself, though.Éowyn doesn't seem to mind. This will change instantly when they are married...
Thanks!
Author's reply
Thanks, Irene.
And I'm chuckling a bit. Yeah, I guess I like to grime poor Faramir up.
All I can say is, some fanfic writers like to torture Faramir. Some fanfic writers like to make him wimpy. I don't do the above, so my "thing" is to make him grimy. Good thing I haven't tried writing Aragorn until after his Strider days.
I promise to try and make Faz spanking clean and sparkly by the time this story ends.
- Steff
elanor_dh
· 31 December 2005
· Chapter 10: A Similar Fate
Supporting such a wonderful story, is a real pleasure to me. Only a few of the authors I know, have such an amazing ability of portraying emotions and great writing skills.
Your characters are so distinct, so real. And that's why I love them so much.
It's great to hear, that you already have the beginning of the next chapter. :)I keep my fingers crossed for you and your Muse :)
elanor_dh
· 30 December 2005
· Chapter 10: A Similar Fate
Excellent chapter! It was worth the waiting for! I can't pick out my favourite moments, because I like the whole chapter :) Please continue :)
Author's reply
Thanks, Elanor. And thanks for supporting me. I should have the next chapter up much sooner. Per my Beta reviewers, I removed three pages from "His Fateful Charge" that have migrated into the next chapter. So I already have a start on the next one.
- Steff
elanor_dh
· 14 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Her Fateful Charge
Gooosh, you are sooo cruel! ;) But of course I wish you good luck! :) :D
Author's reply
Ahem. What, me cruel? Not.
Me just verrrry sloooowwwwwww. I wrote two pages last night and thought I was gonna collapse with the effort. I write technical manuals for a living. Writing fun stuff is more fun, but I've already expend a lot of writing energy just coming up with the stuff to put the food on the table, me in my dance classes, and the cat in kitty litter.
Thanks for putting up with my general pokiness. I promise to try and be faster.
- Steff
elanor_dh
· 13 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Her Fateful Charge
This is simply most excellent! I love everything about it :) You know how I've been waiting for this chapter and my waiting has been rewarded. And now I'm waiting for another with the last remnants of my patience! *patience, gosh, who am I going to cheat* ;) I adore this story sooo much!
Author's reply
Wow! Thanks for your encouragement, Elanor. I actually have the next chapter about 2/3 done. Problem is, it has to deal with the most difficult subject I've yet had to face as a writer. It is bound to be controversial in some quarters, so I might try it out on a small writers' alias first.
Now that I've whetted your appetite, wish me luck :) :)
- Steff
Linda Hoyland
· 12 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Her Fateful Charge
I loved this conversation as I don't think anyone else's Faramir I've read has asked Eowyn to tell of the battle or discussed the witch king like this !
Author's reply
Poor Eowyn. Letting that story out is part of her healing process.
Raksha The Demon
· 11 November 2005
· Chapter 9: Her Fateful Charge
Excellent chapter! I loved it when Faramir mentally speculates on whether Eowyn has 'decent breasts' and round hips suitable for child-bearing, and then berates himself - somehow it works, establishing this Faramir as a good, intelligent and noble man with a streak of earthy practicality.
I had problems with these lines: "She felt a little foolish, like an uncouth young girl from the countryside, being escorted by the greatest man in Gondor. Oh rubbish, he's the same age as I am more or less, and I'm the one here who is of royal blood. He's merely the Steward of Gondor. Aragorn is their rightful King."
Wouldn't Eowyn have a little more respect for the Stewardship - Faramir's ancestor made the famous alliance with Eorl and so gave the Eotheod a kingdom; I would think this would have occurred in the Movieverse as well. Also, Gandalf is the only person in the Movieverse who disrespects the Stewardship; I think Eowyn would have a higher opinion of the office and the men who fill it, even while acknowledging Aragorn's Kingship. Still, a minor quibble in a very entertaining chapter.
Loved Eowyn's reminiscence about her battle with the WiKi.
Author's reply
Hi Raksha -
Thanks a bunch for your review. As always, you always keep me honest :) :)
Re: your comments on Eowyn feeling foolish and then thinking: "I'm the one here who is of royal blood. He's merely the Steward of Gondor. Aragorn is their rightful King."
Of course Eowyn respects the Stewards. But consider her situation when she says this. She is rather overwhelmed with the unfamiliarity, formality, and just plain hugeness of Minas Tirith. My Eowyn has a lot of pride and a certain amount of haughtiness. Telling herself that she's royalty and Faramir is merely a Steward is her defense mechanism for protecting herself when she feels very vulnerable.
In my movieverse-based story, Cirion and Eorl did in fact make their famous pact. In fact, their alliance figures in several sequences I have planned for later chapters.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 8: First Sight and Farsight
A nice change from the usual Faramir and Eowyn romance,very well written.
Author's reply
Thanks for your reviews, Linda. I'm glad that you are checking in on "Avoidance." As you can see, we have something in common as writers--we can't resist to put the characters in, shall we say, amusing situations!!Or gruesome situations, as "Burden of Guilt" is unfolding to me as a reader.
I think my take on the F/E romance is a little different because a) It's Movieverse and most people do Bookverse. I suppose I am different because I just loved David Wenham's Faramir and think he (AND Bookamir, for that matter) are "menschs", not wimps and winers. b) the comedic aspects, which keep rising up to the top thought I try to keep them down. c) I hadn't read much fanfic before I started writing "Avoidance," other than SMOR's "Act of Desperation." So I wasn't influenced by what other people had written when I started out. All that is changing, of course, but I still am careful not to seek out F/E romances unless they cover time slots that I've already written and published. So I tend to write F/E but currently want to read A/A and Eomer fics. I like my humans.
Sorry that this is so long.
- Steff
Linda Hoyland
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 6: The Stranger on the Patio
This is just hilarious !Your story is quite unique.
Linda Hoyland
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 3: The Power of Dreams in Darkness
A very moving chapter
Linda Hoyland
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 2: Eowyn's Dreams of Glory
I love Iorerth here!Poor Eowyn
Linda Hoyland
· 24 October 2005
· Chapter 5: Black Breath
Poor Faramir,he has an awful lot of woounds.I smiled in places here too.
elanor_dh
· 23 October 2005
· Chapter 8: First Sight and Farsight
Oh, yesss, you already know it, but I will reapeat it here. I LOVE this chapter and I can't wait for the next one. You have an amazing style of writing, that captures me completely. Wonderful story.
Author's reply
Thanks, Elanor. I really appreciate the encouragement that you've given me. The good news is the next chapter is currently being Beta reviewed, so I should probably have it up in a few weeks. It's more serious than this particular chapter, but I hope that there are still some parts to make people smile. I can't help but write smile inducing parts. It's part of my nature, I guess.
- Steff