harrowcat
· 9 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Pain and Confusion
And even after reading this before I find myself holding my breath and hoping and waiting. With a Mum in hospital because of a pressure sore I appreciate the goose greese detail by the way!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your kind review.THe chapter seems to have had the effect I intended !
I do hope your Mum is recovering now, I know of the dangers of pressure sores due to my Mum being bedridden in her final illness,and I have a bedridden friend,so I felt the goose grease was important to include.
French Pony
· 8 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Pain and Confusion
You'd think that with all the explaining Aragorn is doing, he might take two seconds to reassure Faramir that he's safe, Eomer still lives, and that the legal situation will be sorted out. But no. It looks like Aragorn had quite a job there, stitching, bandaging, poulticing, and otherwise treating all those injuries. You've really done your homework on the herbal medicine, and it shows.
Author's reply
I think Aragorn is so distracted that it never occurs to him that Faramir is worried about Eomer and his own future. I did spend a lot of time on herbal sites doing research as well as drawing on what knowledge I already had. One of the things that annoys me when reading fanfics,is totally inappropiate remedies being used !
Thank you so much for your kind review.
Bodkin
· 8 October 2005
· Chapter 19: The Valley of the Shadow of Death
Well - he's pretty determined to save him. I'm surprised he didn't resort to athelas earlier, since it seems to be his stock-in-trade, but at least he's using it now.
This is not going to count in memory as one of Aragorn's best days!
Author's reply
I think Aragorn was just so overcome with grief and guilt that he wasn't thinking straight.If his child should arrive safely,he will have very mixed feelings over the day !
Thank you for your much appreciated review.
Raksha The Demon
· 6 October 2005
· Chapter 19: The Valley of the Shadow of Death
A sad, sweet, and increasingly intense chapter.
Author's reply
I am pleased you found this chapter touching as I badly wanted it to be.I am honoured that you are re reading this story,thank you for your much appreciated review.
French Pony
· 6 October 2005
· Chapter 19: The Valley of the Shadow of Death
Aragorn is really starting to lose it here. He's clearly had a tough day, but at last he thinks to try the athelas. It is his special trick, after all, and it worked once before. But distraught as he is, he may have spent too much time mourning before the patient died. Now it'll be that much harder for both Aragorn and Faramir to make it back from the brink. Let's hope Aragorn learns something from this.
On the other hand, Faramir now has the responsibility of having Aragorn come after him. He'll not throw away such a sacrifice from the King he loves.
Author's reply
Again, you have a new and valuable insight into the story !Aragorn should have indeed used the athelas before but was too blinded by grief and guilt.Whether he suceeds or not will be revealed in the next chapter.
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
Stefania
· 6 October 2005
· Chapter 0: The King and the Steward
Hi Linda -
This is just a wave to let you know that I've started Burden of Guilt. I like the tone so far, but am prepared to face what you have in for your readers. I'm sure I'll comment later as i go along.
- Steff
Author's reply
Welcome to my story, I do hope you will enjoy it.It is lovely to welcome a new reader.The early chapters are light hearted but from chapter 10 onwards,events take a very dark turn for the heroes.
Thank you for your kind review.
Bodkin
· 6 October 2005
· Chapter 18: The King's Despair
It would seem that Aragorn was right to doubt the ice treatment - though more because of Faramir's interpretation of it than because it would not do what it was supposed to as far as the internal damage was concerned. And that servant - dropping the information that ice had been sent to the labour-room - not a very sensible move! If it hadn't been for Faramir's condition, I'm sure Aragorn would have been there hammering on the door.
Faramir is in a pretty bad way here - I hope Aragorn manages to get through to him.
Author's reply
My much loved late Mother used to tell me, how she was once fetched by the local midwife,who told her to hold some ice on a woman giving birth who was bleeding badly.It worked and both mother and baby survived, so I had that in mind when writing this story.I think had it not been for Faramir's state of mind,the treatment would have worked,now only Aragorn might save him.
Thank you so much for your kind review.
Raksha The Demon
· 5 October 2005
· Chapter 18: The King's Despair
A riveting chapter - Imrahil's presence underscores the drama, and the degree of Faramir's peril. Our Steward is indeed lucky that his King and friend is also an Elven-trained and specially gifted Healer!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your review,like another of my reviewers you have given me new insights into my own story !Things look very bleak for Faramir, but with one such as Aragorn to aid him, a glimmer of hope must yet remain.I fear without the KIng,Faramir would be dead already.
harrowcat
· 5 October 2005
· Chapter 18: The King's Despair
This is just as riviting a read the second time around Linda.
Author's reply
I feel truly honoured that you should want to read my story a second time.I hope it is slightly more polished here.Thank you for your kind review.
French Pony
· 4 October 2005
· Chapter 18: The King's Despair
I liked the two different ways in which Aragorn and Faramir interpreted the ice -- to Aragorn, it's a method of healing, while Faramir perceives it as an execution in his dream. Interesting answer to the philosophical child's question "if you die in a dream, do you really die?"
All this hullabaloo, and the cook can only think that she needs enough ice for a State Banquet. Somehow, I doubt that there will be a State Banquet tonight. Some things must be rescheduled.
Author's reply
You have a very unique and interesting insight here,which has made me see this part of the story in a new light! I imagine the servants obsessed by mundande details(as perhaps the old regime was),they have much to learn.
Thank you for your kind review, I am enjoying your insights on this story very much and appreciate you taking the time to review.
Bodkin
· 2 October 2005
· Chapter 17: Grim Discoveries
Poor Faramir. He is definitely Not In A Good Way. I don't blame Aragorn for being upset - but he needs to get on with the healing. And a bit of cleansing. I don't like the sound of that prison smell.
And Tarostar is kin to Denethor and Faramir! That's interesting - and gives him a position of rather more power.
Although - if I'm reading this right - 'They were cousins as Denethor's elder sister was his father' - it's a slightly odd relationship.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your kind review and pointing out the error,which I have corrected, I meant his mother !
Aragorn is in a state of shock himself at present and will need to rise to the occasion.
French Pony
· 1 October 2005
· Chapter 17: Grim Discoveries
This chapter proves most definitely that Aragorn, for all of his talents in that area, is ultimately not a healer. He's too squeamish about causing embarrassment. True medical personnel don't care about the patient's modesty, they just do what they need to do. Aragorn, on the other hand, is the kind of guy that mothers have in mind when they say "Always wear clean underwear. You might get in the accident, and what would the doctors think?"
Aragorn is not having a good day today. . .
Author's reply
I think Aragorn proves here that it is not a good idea for a healer to tend friends or family as they are too emotionaly involved, though of course MIddle Earth is not our modern world.He is having a very bad day indeed and it will get worse !
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
Bodkin
· 30 September 2005
· Chapter 16: A Vision beyond all Nightmares.
At least Imrahil knows exactly how angry Aragorn is about what has happened - there is no way that he can decide that the king intended this harm. And he is in a better position than most to hammer some sense into Eomer's head.
Whilst in many ways (and for him) it's a good thing to get Lamrung out of the prison system - in other ways honest, hard-working, caring people are needed to see that the prison system works as it should. And prison reform is imminent, I should say. And the cat-o-nine-tails is probably high on the list of penalties to be banned.
It's a good thing for Faramir that men are kept away from the joys of labour - or Aragorn won't have been available for healing purposes.
Author's reply
I don't think Imrahil would think badly of Aragorn but at least he knows no harm was intended towards Faramir.
Aragorn will indeed reform the prisons,but he wants Lamrung away from his colleagues as he hopes he will learn the truth better that way.
Many thanks for your kind review.
French Pony
· 29 September 2005
· Chapter 16: A Vision beyond all Nightmares.
And Aragorn arrives just after the nick of time. I fear that prison reform in Gondor will be swift and brutal. Faramir is in good hands; let's just hope it's not too late for him. Aragorn's healing skills are being pushed to the limit here. I guess that's one way to keep the husband busy while the wife is giving birth.
Author's reply
Poor Aragorn expected his only worry would be his wife and the baby !He now has to try everything he can to save Faramir but it may already be too late.
Thank you so much for your kind review.
Bodkin
· 27 September 2005
· Chapter 15: The Evil that Men Do
Ten minutes earlier! Just ten minutes! But I suppose Faramir is lucky that Aragorn turns up when he does.
And at least Lamrung has the rules to cling on to. It's actually quite brave for a man in his position to stand up to someone like Mahrod. Who is the kind of scum that so often rises to the top in places like this - where everybody is afraid to some degree - and he gives them plenty to be scared of.
Come on, Lone Ranger. Ride to the rescue.
Author's reply
Yes,if only Aragorn had come before Faramir was harmed though he came as soon as he could.
Lamrung is a good man who tries to obey the law whatever the cost.
Many thanks for your review
harrowcat
· 27 September 2005
· Chapter 15: The Evil that Men Do
I don't think 'enjoy' is the right word for what I experience when reading this Linda but it is good writing nonetheless.
Author's reply
I did not 'enjoy' writing it either !Thank you for your kind review.
French Pony
· 26 September 2005
· Chapter 15: The Evil that Men Do
Ooh, that Mahrod's a nasty one. Who put him in charge of the prison? Looks like Aragorn has neglected lots of petty bureaucracy here, and I suspect that after the shouting is over, lots of people will be losing their jobs. How weird that it should be Mr. Rules-and-regulations who represents Faramir's best hopes here. Not that he does much good, mind you.
Author's reply
The Chief Warder should be in charge of the prison,but alas he is too lazy and drunken to care.I am sure Aragorn will reforn the prisons now.
Many thanks for yoour kind review.
French Pony
· 25 September 2005
· Chapter 14: The Dark Night of the Soul
Well, this is a very interesting story. How quickly events spin out of control from one small misunderstanding! That it was Aragorn himself who saved Eomer will probably go a long way to patching things up between Gondor and Rohan, though it looks like Eowyn's got some 'splaining to do.
But first, Arwen has a baby to push out. At the moment, this is looking like the easiest thing being done today, though I don't believe for a moment that you'll let it go at that.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your review,it is an honour to receive one from a writer whose works I enjoy .
I'm delighted that you are finding the story iteresting.There are plenty of twists to come yet !
Raksha The Demon
· 24 September 2005
· Chapter 14: The Dark Night of the Soul
Poor Faramir's in bad trouble again. This is just not a good day to be Steward of Gondor! At least Eowyn is hors de combat, having no idea of all the trouble her husband and brother have got themselves into...Not a good day to be King, either.
Intense chapter; and probably more coming...
Author's reply
Many thanks for your review.It does not seem to be a good day for anyonein a position of authority !
I promise plenty more intense chapters ahead !
Bodkin
· 24 September 2005
· Chapter 14: The Dark Night of the Soul
I think Aragorn needs to do some hypnotherapy on Faramir when he gets better. He always expects the worst. Of course, he's usually on the receiving end of the worst. But he could do with a few breaks. Other than his ribs, that is.
Get there quickly, King Elessar. Your Steward needs rescuing.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your review.I am sure Aragorn will think of some way to help FAramir,if he survives his time in prison,that is !
Bodkin
· 24 September 2005
· Chapter 13: The Mystery of the Missing Steward.
Poor Aragorn. I can see him tearing his hair out. Or, short of that, tearing something from the dim guards.
I agree with Imrahil - Denethor has a lot to answer for here with poor Faramir. Whose self-confidence is abysmally low.
Author's reply
That is just the image I had of Aragorn too,tearing his hair out with frustration.Poor Faramir can be his own worst enemy at times,I think if had more confidence he would have demanded the Guards take him somewhere other than the common prison !Many thanks for your review.
harrowcat
· 22 September 2005
· Chapter 13: The Mystery of the Missing Steward.
I am enjoying following this on this site Lindahoyland. I am also really gripped by your now story on the other site but I find it very hard to post reviews there so please let this count.
Author's reply
I hope this is a slightly improved version of the story !I'm so pleased you are enjoying my other story too.Thank you so much for reviewing.
Bodkin
· 21 September 2005
· Chapter 11: Grievous Wounds
Poor Aragorn. He must be running round just now in full headless chicken mode. A headless chicken wishing he had at least four sets of arms. Among the chaos of Arwen / Faramir / Eomer / furious Rohirrim - he must long to be back in the wild.
And he probably thinks that Faramir is the least of his problems. If only he knew . . .
Author's reply
Yes, I do imagine Aragorn wishing he were one of those multi armed Hindu gods,I've seen depicted in art !I am sure he finds being King a headache at times.
THank you so much for reviewing,your interest means a lot to me and motivates me to keep posting.
Bodkin
· 18 September 2005
· Chapter 10: Fall from Grace
Confusion upon confusion.
Eomer really ought to practise the art of thinking. But I suppose it would spoil his impetuous character.
And so starts an entanglement of meanings and motives that just spirals out of all control!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your review.I very much appreciate your taking the trouble.You are quite right about what is to come !
Bodkin
· 17 September 2005
· Chapter 9: Cushions and Contractions
Well - I'm glad the baby is on its way. Unfortunately so are a lot of other things!
Author's reply
Yes I fear that is the case !Many thanks for your review.