Branwyn's Bric-à-Brac by Branwyn
Linda Hoyland · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 17: The Lesson (Faramir)
You capture Faramir's personality beautifully here.I believe he retained his inner core of gentleness despite having to kill.
Author's reply
Yes, it is amazing that he was never brutalized by what he had to do (unlike the many people who become desensitized to violence). I am glad you liked this, and thanks so much for commenting.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 11: Under the Linden (Faramir)
A wonderful memorial to Boromir, the linden tree planted before the city's gates. Faramir gives good thought to finding the place where his brother died and bringing back the tree from it.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 8: The Guest /The Gift (OC)
Each envies the other as not expected by those who are the target of the envy. Fascinating.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 7: Lord of Gifts (Sauron, future wraith)
Ooh--so this is how one who was a lord in the Dark Years was caught into Sauron's webs, eh? Wonderfully dark and dreary.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 6: Hearts Entwined (Treebeard)
What a beautifully simple and yet profound a wedding rite.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 5: The Beacon of Erelas (OC)
When a task is necessary, it is necessary. And even the infirm can serve honorably here as anyone.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 4: The Tide (Imrahil)
I can certainly emphasize with Imrahil here.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 3: Ride Light (OC)
They must ride without the signs of hope if they are to arrive with any hope at all.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 2: Current (Aragorn)
A striking image, the willow branch against the haze of the falls.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Stopping by Woods (Faramir, OC)
Am not certain precisely whose POV this is told from. It's interesting. Is Faramir now an old man, wanting to recreate his brother's journey so long ago? But it's a good one for the Yule season.
Author's reply
The traveller is Faramir, and he is an old man. He wants to recreate his brother's journey only in a metaphorical sense--Boromir has gone on ahead to the undiscovered country (to thoroughly mix literary allusions, lol), and now as Faramir draws nearer to his own death, he begins to long to follow him. The poem I took as my inspiration--"Stopping by Woods"--is often interpreted as a man's reflection on his own longing for death. I am glad you thought the piece was good if a bit vague (even for me *grins*). Thanks so much for reviewing!
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 18: An Unexpected Party (Thorin)
Disney meets Tolkien! Hilarious!
Author's reply
Hee! Glad you liked this and thanks for reviewing.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 17: The Lesson (Faramir)
Our favorite Steward-to-be realizes all to well how he has been led into the skills of warfare, he who loves not the sword for the brightness of its blade, but for what it can be used to protect.
Author's reply
It seemed like such an insidious process, starting as game with a toy bow and ending with manslaughter. Though Faramir would see what had been done to him and the other soldiers, he would also consider it necessary in the circumstances. Thanks for your kind words. :-)
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 16: Hook, Line, and Sinker (Deagol)
A wonderful vignet setting up the finding of the Ring by Deagol.
Author's reply
Thanks so much! Poor Deagol, though he was the luckier of the two of them.
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Reading the Signs (Faramir)
I suspect Faramir is reading his father all too aright. His Ranger's instincts are all too keen.
Author's reply
Tolkien says that Faramir could read the hearts of others, but I wondered if, after so many years spent so close to Mordor, he also would have developed a sense for the presence of the Enemy (who, through the palantir, is present in Denethor's mind). Certainly if anyone would have noticed that something was amiss, it would have been Faramir. Thanks so much for commenting. :-)
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 14: Too Many Adverbs (Boromir, OC)
Armed with adverbs? Sounds as if the tutor has managed to identify the boy's most hated adversaries. I think the child has far more appreciation for orcs and their weapons than grammar. Heh!
Author's reply
Definitely more interest in orcs than in adverbs; Tolkien said Boromir was a man "fearless and strong, caring little for lore, save the tales of old battles." He must have posed quite a challenge for his tutors! Glad you liked this, and thanks for commenting!
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 13: Geometry (Faramir, Denethor)
A stark description of the two of them, if all too apt. Boromir as the longest side is definitely true.
Author's reply
And it seems like he would have been the one who connected the rest of the family. If nothing else, Denethor and Faramir shared their love and admiration for Boromir. Thanks so much for the kind review!
Larner · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 12: The Waves' Song (Arwen)
Oh, I can imagine this wish very well.
Agape4Gondor · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Stopping by Woods (Faramir, OC)
Beautiful - brought tears to my eyes.... Have you ever seen the artwork of Kasiopea and Anke - of the brothers 'Mir - I just love her work... http://anke.edoras-art.de/cgi-bin/drawings.pl?file=collaboration.jpg
Author's reply
Thanks so much for the kind review! I am a faithful reader of the "Adventures of Boromir II" by Kasiopea. In her artwork depicting the adult Boromir, she gives him a rather lean and wolfish look (meaning that in a good way so please don't hurt me) which I love.
Agape4Gondor · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 18: An Unexpected Party (Thorin)
Your sense of humour is great! Delightful thought - hmmmm two fan kingdoms here!
Author's reply
This time I made both Tolkien and Walt Disney spin in their graves! Someone suggested a full-length crossover story, but even I am not quite that evil. :-D Thanks for commenting!
Agape4Gondor · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 16: Hook, Line, and Sinker (Deagol)
THIS was NEAT - incredible - gave me shivers!!!! May I share it on another board? I'd give you full credit? http://lotrfanmb.com/msgbd/index.php
Author's reply
Certainly, I am happy that you think it is good enough to share. Deagol and Smeagol are so pathetic, just a pair of innocents who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thanks for your kind comments!
Agape4Gondor · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 14: Too Many Adverbs (Boromir, OC)
OH MY GOSH - I was ROTFL - very good portrayal of our dear Boromir - I wonder if he was the death of the loremaster!
Author's reply
I was thinking of Tolkien's remark that Boromir was uninterested in matters of lore--except for tales of battles. Headstrong, intelligent, and energetic, he must have been a challenge to teach! Thanks for reviewing. :-)
Larner · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 10: Meddlesome (OC)
And so faithful service is ignored as despair at last brings about the destruction of Denethor's integrity. A grief indeed.
Larner · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 9: Conjuror (Denethor, Gandalf)
Alas, Denethor fails to appreciate the distinction. He doesn't recognize that Gandalf offers ever choice, while Sauron would snatch away all choices if so allowed.
Raksha The Demon · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Stopping by Woods (Faramir, OC)
A beautiful tribute to Robert Frost as well as Faramir's affection, undimmed after decades, for his lost brother. The language is understated, lovely and unforced, the narrative just flows out to create a perfect snapshot of a winter's day in Rohan, and a strong but old man looking wistfully towards the road taken by a brother he will see again at a later time. Loved it that Faramir can still sing, and a Rohirric yule song at that - very appropriate for Eowyn's husband.
Author's reply
I imagine that Eowyn would teach her children some of the traditions of her people, and there might have been holiday visits to Edoras. So it didn't seem too unlikely that Faramir would have learned a few Rohirric songs. Thanks so much for your kind review!
daw the minstrel · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 13: Geometry (Faramir, Denethor)
This drabble uses a striking image and reads emotionally true. I like it a lot.
Author's reply
I am glad that you liked it, and thanks for commenting! Though I have to admit that, back in the day, I was a poor hand at geometry. :-)