Reviews of A Darkling Plain

Itarille · 23 August 2024 · Chapter 2

I have read this story many times (the first time was back in 2012), and this remains one of my favourite. I like imagining how the Dol Amroth family rallied around Faramir. I love these lines: Until that Arnorian everyone was so pleased about married, she remained the highest lady in Gondor. “Why, the Lord Steward discharged himself this very morning, would not brook any opposition. All I hope is that the authority does not go to his head, poor boy.” She nodded, something like a smile trembling on her lips. ‘He will be properly remembered?’ she asked, her grey eyes anxious. ‘I know that he was not himself at the end, but before that — he gave everything to Gondor, and he deserves . . . honour, for that. And he loved you, he did, he was only trying to spare you something worse.’ ‘I know,’ said Faramir calmly. ‘It will not be forgotten.’

SamanthaPaige · 19 April 2008 · Chapter 4

I'm so glad to see a new chapter for this wonderful story! The interaction between these two cousins is great. You have some beautiful and poignant moments; the part in the prolouge where they realize they will long outlive their spouses, and when Lothiriel realizes what the ash on her hands is, in particular. Hope to see more soon!

Phyloxena · 16 February 2008 · Chapter 4

Melodramatic L. is fine (and postmodern cool doesn't fit Tolkienverse at all); I just thought some of the contrast was lost with this remark. Can I has more?

Author's reply

Ah, thanks; I'm not sure what you mean w/ the 'postmodern cool' though. Oh, and now I see what you mean -- not so much melodramatic in and of itself, but it lessons the contrast between L's hysterics and F's composure? LOL -- I'll try and write something on this at some point. It's been awhile!

phyloxena · 16 February 2008 · Chapter 4

Alas -- when I saw the update in SoA list I thought that was new chapter, not the one I kept returning to on EA. This is incredible. Twenty minutes ago, indeed... Will you write how that conversation with Imrahil went? Maybe "the long, lingering look" in the last period was just a little bit melodramatic for this Faramir.

Author's reply

Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot that there might be some EA readers over here. *grovels* I was just trying to get everything updated. Thank you very much, though; I'm glad you like it, in its depressing way. No, I probably won't write that conversation, at least not here -- I want to stick to L's POV. This whole story is a bit overdramatic, probably, but I think, given the situation, that merely throwing a long glance at his ancestors' wrecked resting place is pretty low on the melodrama scale. L realising that the ash on her hands is Denethor's body is probably up there, though! It still makes me a bit sick.

Linda Hoyland · 16 February 2008 · Chapter 4

This is most enjoyable to see these famous events from a different point of view.

Elena Tiriel · 15 February 2008 · Chapter 4

A very interesting story, Peredhel! I like all the obscure bits of canon that you weave into it. Well done! -Barbara

Author's reply

Thanks. I love obscure bits of canon!

Bodkin · 9 December 2006 · Chapter 3

An interesting meeting - and an interesting conclusion. Maybe Lothiriel isn't quite as wordly-wise as she thinks she is. She might need the comfort that this new acquaintance of hers can offer. (I look forward to her meeting with a tall blond man of Rohan, too...)

phyloxena · 5 December 2006 · Chapter 2

I absolutely love it. Lothiriel doesn't approve of Isildur's hair. She will not be his subject!

Bodkin · 28 August 2006 · Chapter 2

Perhaps Lothiriel needs to meet Eowyn ... She's a strong-minded young lady, that's for sure. (Must take after her Aunt Ivriniel!) I do like her relationship with Faramir - he needs a loyal cousin like Lothiriel.

Author's reply

LOL, she will next chapter. Yes, I think she is, and she has to be. Her aunt Ivriniel! She would be horrified at the thought. I'm glad you like how she relates to Faramir, half awe and half mother-hen-ing.

Rugi · 27 August 2006 · Chapter 2

It's not bad to review in two places is it? At least, that way, I can talk about things I forgot to mention. I love your characterization of Lothiriel and, through her, Faramir. There is something unique in the way you portray them. I think it is because you grasp something of their pride and other-worldliness. It sounds weird, but I think many authors make Faramir (and the other Gondorian nobles) too NORMAL in an effort to make them human. Your characters are special AND human which I think is great. I can't wait for the next chapters.

Author's reply

Review as many places as you like, Rugi! Thank you -- the "otherworldliness" is just the sort of thing I'm trying to capture. I want the difference between the Gondorians and Rohirrim to be more than dark hair and fair. Making them also human is a struggle, of course (except Ivriniel, of course!). I hope you like them!

Rugi · 23 July 2006 · Chapter 1

I just love this story. Seeing the events around Minas Tirith from Lothiriel's POV is interesting because she is partially and outsider and partially not an outsider. I like the idea that she and Faramir share similar dreaming abilities. And it is true, they would probably have the same experiance of watching their spouses age long before them. I can't wait for more.

Author's reply

Thank you! Yes, one of them and also not. Yes, they probably would -- that's what started the whole idea. Even short-lived Dúnedain aged slowly, and Faramir and Lothíriel are going to be quite long-lived. And I imagine her as very much one of the proud, grave Gondorians, so life with Éomer in Rohirrim is rather shocking even without the longevity issue.

Raksha The Demon · 22 July 2006 · Chapter 1

Another lovely chapter! It looks like Lothiriel will be the one to tell Faramir the full details of his father's last hours, or at least be with him when he learns about them. I really hope you write that scene. Interesting idea that Denethor and Lothiriel were fond of each other; but it makes a lot of sense if Lothiriel resembles Finduilas. I'd also like to see a scene with a younger Lothiriel and Denethor.

Author's reply

Thanks, Raksha. Yes, I think she shall. And . . . someday, I will write that scene. I quake a little at it. I do have a sneaking fondness for Denethor, and I can see him very attached to a stubborn, proud, clever girl like Lothíriel -- no threat (per Faramir) but with qualities he admires. And she is in many ways very like Finduilas. Huh, we may get some in retrospect. This very-young Lothíriel is still afraid of him, so it happened after that.

Linda Hoyland · 19 July 2006 · Chapter 0

I loved the way you depict the two young cousins.I like to imagine they would be close and their marriages give them a further bond.

Author's reply

Thank you. Faramir is some sixteen years her senior, but as adults the gap is relatively meaningless. I, too, like to imagine them as quite close.

Raksha The Demon · 17 July 2006 · Chapter 0

A lovely beginning to what I hope will be more tales of Faramir and Lothiriel. That they might have a bond in their ties to the sea (Faramir via his name) and their dreams of Numenor in addition to their marriage to the children of Eomund, is an inspired notion. Excellent use of language. Faramir meaning 'Jewel of the Sea' or 'jewel of the seashore' makes much more sense for a son of Finduilas than does 'Sufficient Jewel'. Lothiriel's memories of Numenor, the prayers and the wave, are well-told, even through the prism of a small child's mind. And she's Elvish enough to hear the Song in the sea, hmmm? I wonder how she will eventually fare with un-Elvish Eomer, so far from the sea.

Author's reply

Thank you! Yes, more tales; I love them. I'm glad you like the mega-connections there. When I happened across "fára," I was of course thrilled, because it makes so much *sense* when we think of Finduilas' story. The "song in the sea" (fragments of the Aindulindalë) has nothing to do with being Elvish, actually; it's scattered throughout both races, according to the Sil. The sea-longing, of course, is a different matter altogether . . . Yes, Rohan raises some complications.

Bodkin · 16 July 2006 · Chapter 0

Lovely. I like seeing Lothiriel and Faramir together - sharing the true dreams of the Numenoreans. Faramir did a pretty good job of explaining to one who was really too young to understand, as well. And that moment when their eyes met and they both knew they would lose the one they loved and endure long widowhoods was sad. They are both young and happy and can push it from the forefront of their minds, but, barring death in childbirth, accidents or war, they have seen into the future.

Author's reply

Thanks! I like the idea of a connection there, since their fates are so similar. I remember being so pleased to find that they were cousins. I imagine Faramir would be very good at that sort of explaining. Yes, they have. The difference between ordinary Númenóreans and Elrosians spins the tragedy of "Aldarion and Erendis"; the gap between nearly pure Númenóreans (with Elvish blood to boot) and Rohirrim must be just as much so. I see Faramir/Éowyn as a joyous spin on the same theme.

Reviews (15)