Under My Wing by Edoraslass
harrowcat · 11 December 2006 · Chapter 9: First Impressions
Oh what a wonder first...and second...meeting with the Captain. I am glad that she had a chance to revise that first impression. And very observant to spot that he was a ranger by his stance and walk.
Author's reply
I am glad that she had a chance to revise that first impression. Heee. She just thinks everyone in the world ought to pay very close attention to her little duckling. :) Thank you!
harrowcat · 11 December 2006 · Chapter 8: A Healthy Appetite
Sound to me that she needs to change the order of getting ready in the morning. Breakfast first, bath second!
Author's reply
Definitely - no-one can make a mess like a little kid. Thank you!
harrowcat · 11 December 2006 · Chapter 38: A Woman's Perogative
*g* Typical mother reaction heh? Worry and Comfort first, exasperation second!
Author's reply
Oh yes - wait til you're sure they're safe before you try to throttle them for doing dumb things. :) Thanks!
Tigger · 11 December 2006 · Chapter 9: First Impressions
I was wondering just the other day when we'd get more stories of Boromir, Faramir and their Nanny. So happy to see the alerts in my box earlier this evening. :o) This one though I think is my favourite of the new ones. Boromir's first meeting w/Captain Thorongil. I loved Boromir asking for his Star of the Dunadain and Aragorn remarking how Boromir was just like his father, he knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to ask for it. Also how Aragorn kneeled down to Boromir's level. Nanny is very correct in that even in this day and age, not many people realize how intimidating we adults can be to a little one when they're meeting us for the first time. I hope this isn't the first time we see Thorongil meet Boromir and Nanny. Now there's a not so subtle hint, huh? LOL!!! I do so love these little vignettes. Thanks for a lovely hour of catching up w/Nanny and the boys. :o)
Author's reply
I was wondering just the other day when we'd get more stories of Boromir, Faramir and their Nanny I just kept forgetting to post stuff as I wrote it! I hope this isn't the first time we see Thorongil meet Boromir and Nanny. I just can't decide - if Boromir's a year and a half here, Thorongil won't be around much longer. But who knows what I'll decide to do? :0 Thank you!
Raksha The Demon · 10 December 2006 · Chapter 27: Unexplained
Oops, I forgot that I'd already reviewed this chapter. But that's okay, it deserved an extra one from me!
Raksha The Demon · 10 December 2006 · Chapter 27: Unexplained
I could see Denethor, under other circumstances, writing a very strict book about the care and feeding of young lordlings, with much emphasis on discipline. Nanny knows how important discipline is, but also that Faramir is much too young for severe discipline and would not really understand it anyway. And her way of blending light punishment with common sense does the trick. I like the way you've written little Faramir as a strong-willed child who is intelligent and usually good-natured, but not a saint.
Author's reply
Holy crap, I sure missed this comment! Yes, I think getting Denethor to understand that little kids canNOT be treated like new recruits could be very challenging - I have this picture of Denethor with a whistle, like Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, only not so understanding. :) There is no thing as a child who is a saint. And how boring would that be, anyway?
Raksha The Demon · 10 December 2006 · Chapter 9: First Impressions
One of my favorites in this excellent series! Perfect characterization of Aragorn/Thorongil, intense, driven, but also able to show kindness and understanding. And I love bitty!Boromir wanting the Ranger's star.
Author's reply
I really do better writing Thorongil or Strider than Aragorn, which I realize makes very little sense. I love bitty!Boromir wanting the Ranger's star Well, it's shiny and pretty. :) Thanks!
Raksha The Demon · 10 December 2006 · Chapter 8: A Healthy Appetite
Heee! Toddler Boromir can sure make a mess with the eating! Very cute and also true to form, since even as a bitty, Boromir would have liked to have his own way.
Author's reply
Yes, he's very certain that the world is there to do his bidding. :) Thanks!
phyloxena · 28 September 2006 · Chapter 19: Quality Time
It seems very convincing that Denethor will experiment with the baby. Over-controlling, busy and tired father finds himself a way to be interested in a small child. "Early development", indeed. And it worked :)
Author's reply
I keep finding comments I've forgotten to reply to! And yep, I can definitely see Denethor wanting to test out his theories on child-raising on his kids. Imagine how controlling he could have been if he hadn't been Steward. Thanks!
grumpy · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 27: Unexplained
Great chapter, who would have thought that Faramir could bite so hard. I love how the nanny solved the problem. It would be hard for them to see each other but not be able to play with each other.
Author's reply
Those little ones can really sink their teeth in! And baby teeth are surprisingly sharp. In my experience. :) It's amazing how effective just keeping kids apart can be, especially kids who do really like each other, and are just having a bad time of it. Thanks, grumpy!
Bodkin · 1 August 2006 · Chapter 27: Unexplained
I love loving Boromir. Who will even tolerate biting Faramir - because he's Faramir. And Denethor would never understand. He's got no grasp of the infant psyche. At least Finduilas knows enough to shrug off infant insanity and know it's no reflection on Nanny.
Author's reply
Yes, Boromir's come a long way in tolerating his little brother, hasn't he? :) Ha, Denethor's probably trying to think of ways to carry out trade boycotts or something on Faramir. :) But you'd be surprised how many people I've met who don't actually get that two year olds are not creatures of logic. Thank you, Bodkin! EL
RAKSHA · 31 July 2006 · Chapter 27: Unexplained
I have the feeling that Faramir is going to hear about this incident in later years - I can just see 35-year-old Boromir showing the scar to his soldiers some night in a tavern and explaining that he was bitten by the Captain of the Ithilien Rangers. Loved the way the brothers made up, also Finduilas' handling of Denethor.
Author's reply
"Faramir's your Captain? You'd better watch yourself -- look what he did to ME!" Thank you, Raksha! EL
harrowcat · 30 July 2006 · Chapter 27: Unexplained
I have never been at the mercy of a biting toddler thank goodness but I can just picture this happening. I think that the only person who could really get the point across to Faramir is his brother, with a little help.
Author's reply
Thank you! Poor Boromir - he never expected that! And I'm sure there are many times when Faramir's the only one who can talk sense into Boromir, as well. EL
Bodkin · 14 July 2006 · Chapter 24: Promises
I don't want a new mean nanny' I suppose that's one way of putting it. A little less personal than 'I want you', but I'm sure Nanny knows what he means. I suspect she had enough difficulty wrenching herself away from B&F when they were officially too old to need her care. I hope Durvain is patient! And realises that she already has two children, whom she will always love as hers.
Author's reply
Heee. Yep, six year olds may not be the best at articulating what they want, but if you know them well enough, you can always figure it out. :) Durvain is indeed patient! He's got a nice career started, and wants to get a little more advanced before he settles down, anyhow. Thanks, Bodkin!
harrowcat · 12 July 2006 · Chapter 24: Promises
Oh this gave me a lovely chuckle at the end. Very self-centred of Boromir but what can you expect? Not too many certainties in his life! Thanks for dating this or I wouldn't have known which was the newest one.
Author's reply
Yep - plus he's still of the opinion that the world revolves around him, Faramir or no Faramir. :) No problem - since I can't seem to write these in chronological order, dating them seems the best way to handle it. Thanks so much!
Raksha The Demon · 11 July 2006 · Chapter 24: Promises
Oh, too funny. Boromir is stricken with jealousy; Nanny is "his" and he resents her going out with a grown-up man. And the poor kid also doesn't want to lose her and end up with a mean nanny. I wonder how old Boromir is at this point, eight or nine, perhaps 10? I loved his telling her not to wear too pretty a dress.
Author's reply
Hee heee..poor Boromir. "Wait, she has a life outside of ME? How is that possible? No, we can't have that!" Actually, he's about six - Faramir's still tiny here, though of course I gave you no way to know that. Thanks, Raksha!
daw the minstrel · 11 July 2006 · Chapter 24: Promises
Clever Boromir! And possessive Boromir too. I don't blame him. She must be very important to him, one of the people he loves best in the world. No wonder he wants her to stay.
Author's reply
Poor thing - he's afraid that grown-up man is going to steal her away from him!:) Thanks, daw!
Grumpy · 3 June 2006 · Chapter 50: News
This is so sad, her being told of the death of Boramir,(her little duckling), Boramir was as good as a child of her own.
Author's reply
Thank you! Yes, and since she was so young when she started caring for him, that makes it all the harder.
harrowcat · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 50: News
Is it only me Edoraslass or has this been posted without the new chapter? I got all excited and then....
Author's reply
OH! Since I write these waaaaay out of chronological order, I have to go back and adjust all the chapter numbers each time *groan*. SO I write "NEW" and the date next to the title of the latest chapter. This time four is the new one. Sorry! I didn't have any place to let you know how I work that!
Raksha The Demon · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 15: Consequences
Go, Nanny! No one lays rude hands on her charge when she's on the job! I feel rather sorry for idiot Turos - he's done it this time and will doubtless find himself standing guard on the walls of Osgiliath, or sent to the marshes of Pinnath Gelin as a supply clerk. Couldn't happen to a more deseving little nasty-boy, though.
Author's reply
Heeee -- lucky for her she managed to pick someone to slap who wasn't terribly important or influential! And you're right - he deserves most anything that happens to him. He's a total jerk.
Raksha The Demon · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 23: Help
Squeeeee! It's so sweet that Faramir trusts his brother to that extent, before he can even figure out why. And Boromir is becoming a good big brother.
Author's reply
Faramir adores the attention, and Boromir's figured out that maybe this little brother business isn't as horrible as he'd thought. Thanks!
Bodkin · 1 June 2006 · Chapter 4: Ceremony
Another gem. Poor Finduilas - I think she would have liked to spend a lot more time with her son, but the calls of duty got in the way. Denethor, too, perhaps - although I like the suggestion that he was admiring his wife more than his son. Imrahil is gorgeous! He would attract all eyes - I'm not surprised he's Nanny's pin-up. But he combines it with being kind and considerate and able to fix things in a crisis - which make him practically perfect! It's probably just as well that Nanny's mother dragged her to the opening of a paper bag - she is decidedly unimpressed by enduring the proximity of the great and glorious, not to mention refreshingly clear-sighted about their motives. (Must have been very useful in Boromir's growing years - she won't have let him wallow in flattery.) Mind you, I think she rather enjoyed a touch of pampering - and the wearing of a fine gown. But she's practical enough to enjoy it as a sometimes thing. I don't think she'd want to swap places with Finduilas. She knows what's important - and that's her little duckling.
Author's reply
Thank you! It would be very odd to have children, and then give the raising of them to someone else. I never quite understand how anyone did that. Heee....yes, Imrahil's very easy to fangirl. Nanny's definitely not the only one at the banquet watching him dreamily. :) Oh yes, she did enjoy the pampering a bit - but you're right. She's very aware that most banquets are largely excuses for networking, and she's not interested in that kind of thing at all. Kids are far more interesting.
Linda Hoyland · 31 May 2006 · Chapter 4: Ceremony
What a lovely chapter !Poor baby Boromir having to be presented at Court at such an early age. I would imagine young Imrahil was quite dashing, though it is hard to imagine by the timewe meet him in LOTR.This was so vivid,I felt that i was there.
Author's reply
Heee, yes, I've constantly imagined Imrahil as dashing, with a bit of swashbuckling to go along with it. :) Thank you!
Tigger · 31 May 2006 · Chapter 4: Ceremony
What a lovely family scene to end this w/. I would think the Lord and Lady had little time w/their little one and Nanny would be there if needed. Somehow, I doubt that happened that night. The formal presentation/christening of a baby born of the Royal/Noble/Ruling House, especially a male baby, would be a very important event. As annoying as the presence of so many gaping Nobles would be, they would need to actually *see* the baby w/their own eyes and do some not so obvious checking of looks between the baby and the parents. I have an interest in British Royalty and well remember the tale of one of the Charles' Queen's being accused of smuggling in a baby boy in an attempt to secure the succession. This event taking place would not only take care of the need to show off the baby, but also that he was a son of Denethor and Finduilas, therefore the succession to the Stewardship was indeed secured. I do love Nanny's reaction to the dress she was lended and then for the maids to take the unfinished dress to the Seamstresses. I'm sure this was the first and last time she was left unawares her presence at a Formal Banquet along w/Boromir, and in time Faramir, was required. Have I mentioned how much I'm enjoying this series? :oD
Author's reply
That visit's very very late indeed, after the party's over and everyone's gone home, and they're just about to sleep. And at a month old, Boromir's not sleeping through the night yet, so they didn't have to wake him up or anything. :) And Nanny just doesn't like strangers (no matter who they are) messing with the baby. Heh, yes, the poor girl was probably alerted in by every person in the seventh circle the next time she was expected to be at a banquet! Thanks so much! Author Reply: Dang, I just realized I read part of your comment wrong - you meant they didn't need Nanny that night,didn't you? I thought you were worried about them disturbing Nanny & the baby that late! D'oh! Apparently it's too late for me, too! Thanks again! :)
Raksha The Demon · 31 May 2006 · Chapter 4: Ceremony
A fascinating look at Boromir's first official function. What struck me is the contrast between Finduilas and Nanny. Both are at ease in their appointed roles, but both are somewhat wistful and envious of each other's roles. Finduilas gets to wear beautiful clothes that are custom-made by experts, and preside over elegant banquets, entertaining the great lords of Gondor. But she misses her baby, and she only gets to see him and hold him for brief moments here and there. Nanny envies the beautiful clothes and handsome men of Finduilas' world, but has charge of Finduilas' son most of the time, gets to hold him, bathe him, love him, and spend time with him, time that Finduilas has to steal. Lovely bit with baby Boromir enjoying his name and making duck-like sounds; hence Nanny's future nickname of "Duckling". And that ending, with Boromir's true parents squeezing some time in with the baby after the presentation at court, while Nanny has his full-time care, is a bit sad, but very honest. Denethor and Finduilas are not private people, they are the lord and lady of Gondor, and their lives are not their own; they would not have the time to be full-time parents, or in any way care for Boromir themselves. The best they can do is find the right people to care for him and teach him, which they have in Nanny's case, and sometimes steal a few hours of time with their child.
Author's reply
Dang, Raksha, that was quick! :) You're absolutely right, in that those are the things that Finduilas and Nanny envy in each other. The main difference, I think, is that Nanny would never really want to be high-born, where Finduilas would gladly forgo all the formalities to take care of her own children. [ and everyone envies after Imrahil. At least everyone in my house. :) ] Yay! You're the first person to comment on the quacking! I was afraid it got lost. I do try to keep a sense of realism about the parent-children interaction. It's unlikely that Finduilas or Denethor would be able to spend much time with their kids on a daily basis. I agree, it is sad, and not what I would want. Thank you so much! :)