Ten Thousand Years Will Not Suffice by Agape4Gondor
Larner · 8 July 2010 · Chapter 15: Ch. 10 - Third Age 2960 - Part Two
At least they have him recovering, and he's coming to appreciate Thorongil's abilities, even if he doesn't trust him fully.
Author's reply
I don't think Deenthor will ever fully trust Thorongil - in fact, it will get worse... blast it all. The one man who could have been a true friend...
Larner · 8 July 2010 · Chapter 14: Ch. 10 - Third Age 2960 - Part One
Being succored by Thorongil must be painful; and we see his own foresight at work! Poor Denethor! Glad all is apparently going well at the moment, and hope those coming from Minas Tirith are able to arrive safely!
Author's reply
Submitting to Thorongil's care only brought shame. For Denethor was a good and decent man and knew the fault in the relationship was of his making... Therefore, the shame was his. And yes... choosing 'enemy' as the word to describe Thorongil was definitely prophetic... Bless you!
Larner · 8 July 2010 · Chapter 13: Ch. 9 - Third Age 2953 - Part Two
How difficult to be already jealous of Thorongil! But at least he is reconciled with Ecthelion, as strangely as the new Steward has behaved.
Author's reply
Yes - he is reconciled, but with the Steward's moods, who can tell for how long. As for Thorongil... How painful to want to visit with an old friend and be constantly rebuffed by the presence of another. Thengel had always been a support to Denethor... now he found his friend too busy to give him time... who would not be jealous of the one who seemed to come between them? *sigh* Thanks! You're comments are great!
Larner · 8 July 2010 · Chapter 12: Ch. 9 - Third Age 2953 - Part One
A terrible situation to find on his return! Poor Denethor! And he believes all was done due to his father's belief that the King would return? No wonder he resented Thorongil!
Author's reply
Ah yes! It seemed to me that Ecthelion was 'fixed' on the notion the King would return in his lifetime. Denethor could only resent Thorongil... there seemed to be no option. And yet, his natural proclivity for reading a person's mind told him Thorongil was not evil. Yet, what was the man to do? Again, deepest thanks for your continued comments!
Larner · 5 July 2010 · Chapter 11: Ch. 8 - Third Age 2948 - Part Three
It seems to me that Ecthelion is far, far too concerned with his own plots and plans and not at all in tune with those who love him. As for what he's done to Denethor--well, one who would do to his nine-year-old son what was done could be expected to do this, too, I suppose. Nice that Theoden was born in the Citadel of Minas Tirith, where years hence he will lie in state, having given his life in the great battle against Sauron's forces.
Author's reply
I love the fact that Theoden was born in Gondor - it really is neat, isn't it? I'd love to do a tale of that man - I have grown to like him very much. Though Denethor really loved his father... I know, if Thengel had still been alive in 3019 - Denethor would have had more hope and might NOT have succumbed... hmm - another nuzgul... GET AWAY FROM ME... I was surprised at this. Ecthelion, I felt, needed Denethor by his side... but his own sense of doom negates everything else. Thanks for commenting!
Larner · 4 July 2010 · Chapter 10: Ch. 8 - Third Age 2948 - Part Two
Ah, Amdir heals, Denethor frets, Indis loves, and Ecthelion holds his own counsels--as Morwen again bears a child for her beloved husband. Now, to see what comes next!
Author's reply
This part of 2948 was fun to write. Well, after our guys were healed and such. I don't often get a chance to write of love and romance and such... I really had to laugh as I researched Morwen - she was ''' prolific! Bless you for your continued support!
Larner · 4 July 2010 · Chapter 9: Ch. 8 - Third Age 2948 - Part One
A terrible slaying this! At least Morwen is forewarned. A horrible way of relieving those serving in Henneth Annun, though.
Author's reply
Poor Morwen - what a thing to happen. But I've heard of 'foresight' or some such with pregnancy. I suppose it was good that she was prepared. And Thengel was quite brave to risk Ecthelion's wrath. But I think it was necessary.
Larner · 3 July 2010 · Chapter 8: Ch. 7 - Third Age 2947 - Part Two
In his way Ecthelion is as frustrating as his father!
Author's reply
Honestly, I wanted to wring the man's neck way too many times! Hope your level of frustration wasn't as bad as mine. *smiles*
Larner · 3 July 2010 · Chapter 7: Ch. 7 - Third Age 2947 - Part One
Reason to be concerned about the makeup of the Council, certainly. And this time Amdir proved homself well!
Author's reply
Trying to find good men to council, men with courage, can be a challenge. I believe Denethor was frustrated his entire life by this problem. And Amdir - bless his heart - did prove himself well. So Thengel's giving him a second chance, along with Denethor's friendship, did the trick. Bless you!
Larner · 3 July 2010 · Chapter 6: Ch. 6 - Third Age 2945
A terrible event after so peaceful and necessary a respite. I grieve for Denethor's loss of innocence, and Amdir's loss of courage as well as the loss of their first child by Thengel and Morwen.
Author's reply
Honestly - I never thought Amdir would be so tested and fail. But Denethor is a good friend... as is their captain. What a way to end a vacation, huh!!! Well, thanks for the prolific reading. Bless you!
Sarasrati · 30 June 2010 · Chapter 64: Epilogue
Thank you, my friend, for a fitting end to a wonderful tale.
Author's reply
*smiles sadly* You are most welcome.................
Fantasia · 30 June 2010 · Chapter 64: Epilogue
Beautiful end, it seems perfect that they will start the new age remembering those one that made the age possible. I'm happy that Denethor was named first.... Thanks Agape4Gondor for this story, and thank you for your kind answer to my review. Hope that you have many stories in mind to write, I will be reading them.
Author's reply
Bless you, Fantasia. I have so many nuzguls that have bitten through the years - I hope to begin work soon on two. I am also in the midst of the final editing of a REAL book... fantasy. I'll let you know when it is published *crosses fingers* I think, in his heart, Aragorn would probably have wished to have Halbarad's name first... but good manners dictated that Denethor's would be first... Of course, the listing of Gondorians would have to be first also... Again, 10,000 thanks for following along with me!
Larner · 29 June 2010 · Chapter 5: Ch. 5 - Third Age 2943
I wonder why the need to bespell that door? Interesting! I did start reading this story when you began posting it, but didn't follow it past the first couple of chapters. But as it is up for a MEFA I thought I owed it to you to read it this time all the way through.
Author's reply
Bless you, Larner. I do so hope you enjoy it. As for the bespelling of the door - whatever that cad, Saruman, was after - he obviously needed privacy. (We first learn of a door spell in the Mines of Moria when Gandalf uses one in the chamber of Mazarbul.) "I do not know," answered Gandalf. "But I found myself suddenly faced by something that I have not met before. I could think of nothing to do but to try and put a shutting-spell on the door. I know many; but to do things of that kind rightly requires time, and even then the door can be broken by strength. FotR; Book II; Ch. 5: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm.
Fantasia · 28 June 2010 · Chapter 63: Ch. 26 - Third Age 3019 - 14th and 15th of March
I really feel Denethoor's despair. He spent all his life in Gondor service, he gave his sons to Gondor and no one seemed to remember at the end. He kept Gondor againts the Enemy without help and all the Glory went to Aragorn...It seems unfair to me. Also, I do like Gandalf and understand that he was looking after Middle Earth as a whole, it is true that he was plotting Denethor "fall", all the time when he was helping Aragorn, I understand it had to be done, but we are all human and I can see Denethor POV, also, it is true that you can see Gandalf as a manipulator too. I'm glad that you show Denethor to us as a great leader that at the end was overcome by the Enemy and the despair. Despair for loosing his life's battle, his honor and his sons. i don't know if I ever reviewed you story before, but I have been reading for a long time, here and in other sites. I liked it very much.
Author's reply
Dear Fantasia - I do believe this is the first review I have seen from you - but it is a great one! Well worth the wait. Ah - I can only say that, after a suicide, people tend to look disparagingly at that person's life. That's why I wrote this. To stand up for Denethor and all those who have been claimed by suicide. As for Gandalf - oh my! I have a real problem with him. Denethor was spot on when he said Gandalf used him as a shield all the while planning to put Aragorn on the throne. Yet - Denethor was only the Steward - I keep thinking (hoping) that if Gandalf and Thorongil had been forthright - it might not have come to this. However, this is a huge leap of faith in the Steward of Gondor that not a few would take umbrage at. In this chilling quote from RotK: The Pyre of Denethor, Book V, Ch. 7 - we see the madness of Denethor, but also the keen mind that saw the Wizard's plan - from Pippin to Thorongil - and that Gandalf let Denethor (just as he had Frodo) bear the brunt of sorrow and lose his sons (in his mind Faramir was already dead) and all that he had ever loved. Incredibly sad. "Do I not know thee, Mithrandir? Thy hope is to rule in my stead, to stand behind every throne, north, south, or west. I have read thy mind and its policies. Do I not know that you commanded this halfling here to keep silence? That you brought him hither to be a spy within my very chamber? And yet in our speech together I have learned the names and purpose of all thy companions. So! With the left hand thou wouldst use me for a little while as a shield against Mordor, and with the right bring up this Ranger of the North to supplant me." Bless you - for your kind words. AND 10,000 thanks for staying the course and reading this to its conclusion! Author Reply: Please forgive the oversight - you did respond before! Bless you!
Larner · 28 June 2010 · Chapter 4: Ch. 4 - Third Age 2942
Too terrible a loss to need to serve to bring father and son back together, but at least it has accomplished that. I grieve for the time lost, however, and honor Indis the more for her courage. And at last she's learned of the gift of irises he'd intended for her!
Author's reply
Those dear irises grew out of an incident with my son. He and a buddy found a patch in a local park and brought a bunch for planting home to me.... thankfully, the park police didn't see them... and it was too late to send them back! BUT - the boy got a serious talking to!!!! We will see the irises a few times - they were important to Denethor.... *sobs* AND I was so proud of Indis! Bless you for your comments!
Larner · 27 June 2010 · Chapter 3: Ch. 3 - Third Age 2939
What a horrible thing to overhear! And was it deliberate?
Author's reply
I think not. I hope not. Ecthelion was a fool - but not that great a fool. But poor Denethor...................
Sarasrati · 27 June 2010 · Chapter 63: Ch. 26 - Third Age 3019 - 14th and 15th of March
I am unfortunately not in possession of a copy of Return of the King at the moment to read the source. One line in particular struck me, though: "He heard the great door close behind the Wizard." Denethor dies alone? There's a kind of quiet horror there that I never pictured before. I also thought the fate you gave to the servants was quite well done. I was not expecting it. But like the rest of this story, the details make the tale. Thanks again for such a wonderful read. I look forward to the epilogue.
Author's reply
Hello faithful reader and commenter! Yes - it seems Denethor died alone. Their are six servants who Tolkien says carried Faramir into the Houses. We don't know what happened to them - except that Gandalf speaks with them afterwards. We know two were killed by Beregond at the door, besides the porter. The account of the whereabouts of the servants is confusing. It seems there might have been two left within the chamber itself - those are the two I have Belegorn kill. While another two seem to still be at the door, they were fighting with Beregond.... As I said, slightly difficult Bless you for all your support over these many years.
Larner · 27 June 2010 · Chapter 2: Ch. 2 - Third Age 2937
What a ceremony for so small a child--and such a responsibility! To be forbidden to seek the comfort of his sisters so as to force him to maturity? At least he's heard of Hobbits and trolls! Poor lad! Love his impression of Fengel. As for Saruman....
Author's reply
Thanks Larner - it was an extreme way to handle the situation, but Ecthelion had no 'gentling' hand to guide him. Indis and Almiel were too young to 'fight' for their brother. As for Saruman.... there is worse in store for young Denethor.
Larner · 27 June 2010 · Chapter 1: Ch. 1 - Third Age 2936
A terrible loss for so small a child; and a worse loss, in many ways, his father foresees and plans. Poor little Denethor!
Author's reply
Yup - poor little Denethor.
Larner · 27 June 2010 · Chapter 0: Third Age - 2930
To lose a wife at the birth of a child was not that unusual a situation, unfortunately. May Denethor find some tenderness as he grows, though.
Author's reply
Ah Larner - welcome to the world of Denethor. As one of my favorite authors, I am so excited that you decided to read this. And comment! I'm really wondering though, if death in childbirth was a common thing in Gondor. Their skills in medicine seem to have still been pretty good, even so long after the fall of Numenor. Just a thought. Thank you. I do so hope you will enjoy it. And then mourn with me the loss of this great man.
Raksha The Demon · 26 June 2010 · Chapter 63: Ch. 26 - Third Age 3019 - 14th and 15th of March
Ave atque vale, Denethor. It's been a long road, both for him and for you, writing this intricate and intimate story of his life and now his horribly tragic death. A vivid and powerful chapter, as it had to be.
Author's reply
Ave to all my readers! Farewell indeed. A bittersweet time for this writer. Bless you and thank you for your continued support. MOST appreciated!
Tari · 25 June 2010 · Chapter 61: Ch. 26 - Third Age 3019 - 11th of March
Too many "if onlys"; too much time spent looking in the palantir. No wonder Denethor despairs. Is there anyone to carry out his orders? Not. They’re too interested in saving their own worthless hides. Only Faramir has the courage to do so.
Author's reply
I imagine that politics in Gondor were about the same as politics today... many good people without courage... many with their own agendas... many in fear... Dear Faramir - he definitely tried his best!
Raksha The Demon · 23 June 2010 · Chapter 62: Ch. 26 - Third Age 3019 - 12th and 13th of March
You write well of Denethor's downward spiral; and, sadly, we know that the worst is yet to come. I always thought it must have been horrible for Denethor to realize, too late, that he should have given Faramir a better parting; and those long hours he spent watching his only remaining child unconscious and sinking closer to death were just a greater opportunity for Denethor's already waning strength to succumb to despair. I don't suppose there will be an epilogue with Faramir alive and well and Minas Tirith and Gondor safe? Just so this doesn't end in total misery?
Author's reply
There is a small epilogue coming. Very small. Faramir, of course, is alive, but has only a cameo appearance... I wasn't even going to write an epilogue because this is, in reality, all about Denethor, but it seemed necessary. Author Reply: Oh - the main thought - shees! Regarding your comment of Denethor's downward spiral - honestly, Raksha, when you read in RotK what poor Pip suffers on that last day, as he stands guard for Denethor... he states it was even worse than when he and Merry were in the clutches of the Uraks.... Now - that must have been a hideous sorrow - to watch Denethor 'die' in spirit... Many thanks for your kind comments and faithful reading! MOST appreciated.
Raksha The Demon · 23 June 2010 · Chapter 61: Ch. 26 - Third Age 3019 - 11th of March
Denethor and Faramir are both under the gun here; and both are already worn out and shadowed; and Denethor's inability to communicate with Faramir, the farewell blessing he didn't give his son, is going to eat him alive. Everyone's suffering! A good job of filling in the blanks of these terrible and last days of Denethor's life.
Author's reply
Yes - everyone's suffering - the readers and the writer too!!!! Thanks for suffering with me! As for the rift - rifts come so easily to humans... and are so incredibly difficult to mend. It is a tragedy that Denethor and Faramir could not mend their rift..... Denethor will not be able to live with what he has done (and not done).
Sarasrati · 23 June 2010 · Chapter 62: Ch. 26 - Third Age 3019 - 12th and 13th of March
I love the switch into Denethor's own words here at the end of all things. Very powerful!
Author's reply
Thank you! I really didn't know what to do - I knew it had to be 'different' - keeping it separate from all previous entries. I'm glad it worked for you.