Nesta
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 4: Legacy (Elboron)
This feels just right. Boromir deserved to be a legend in the family, and he obviously is.
I've always assumed that Barahir was more like his grandfather than his grand-uncle. I can't imagine a Boromir type writing romantic stories!
I'd also always assumed that Barahir couldn't have been the heir to the Stewardship, or surely he'd have been referred to as the Steward or Prince in his own right, rather than just Faramir's grandson. However, that's a matter of opinion. Personally, if I could call myself Farair's grandchild I wouldn't care a rap whatever other title I had, or didn't have.
Radbooks
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 4: Legacy (Elboron)
I enjoyed this glimpse into a young man's thoughts of an uncle he never met and with a burden that he must, at least at times, feel. It's hard to be named for a famous ancestor... it can be a lot to live up to. But Elboron does not seem overly burdened, mostly accepting of who he is even though he will not burden his own son with such a name. It is very nicely done!
Author's reply
It couldn't have always easy for Elboron to be named, at least in part, for his famous uncle, who probably became larger-than-life after his death. But I think Elboron would be a strong enough person in his own right to handle the connection; and have enough of a will of his own not to feel overwhelmed by Boromir's legacy. I also see Elboron as being rather practical, and a positive thinker, wanting to preserve the traditions and memories of the past without becoming lost in them.
Thanx for reading and commenting, Radbooks!
Agape4Gondor
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 2: The Exile (Beregond)
It was a bitter pill to see Beregond being punished for saving Faramir - yet justice needed to be served. You write his sorrow well.
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and commenting, Agape.
I think there had to be some consequence for deserting one's post while the City was under siege, not to mention shedding blood in the Hallows, some of that blood being innocent. Aragorn would have been within his rights to kill Beregond; but of course was more merciful, and could reward Beregond with life and promotion, but I don't think he could release him scott-free. And I think Beregond was a strong and good enough man to understand.
Agape4Gondor
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 1: Some Dark Place (Aragorn)
Ooooh - this was good and breathtaking and frightening... somewhere in the midst of reading it - I was transported to Sleepy Hallow - one of the most frightening books I've ever read....
I love the reality of his reaction - sometimes people write Aragorn as if he had not a fear in the world - that he soiled himself is so telling... Wow! Glad you had the courage to write that!
Author's reply
Sorry I missed replying to this review, Agape!
I see Aragorn as a very brave man, most things don't scare him the way they'd scare you or me. He has probably been more afraid of losing Arwen, or never gaining her, than he is of Orcs. But Aragorn is not made of stone, he does feel fear and grief at different times in LOTR, and he reveals that remembered horror in his speech to the Hobbits, so I thought it must have been one terrifying encounter.
Somehow, even if Halbarad was able to tell that Aragorn soiled himself, I doubt that he'd think less of his kinsman/Chieftain, or ever tell anyone. Halbarad would have agreed with me that Aragorn showed tremendous pluck in being able to act at all in his own defense, most men, even Dunedain, freeze in terror under Nazgul attack...
daw the minstrel
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 4: Legacy (Elboron)
A fitting remembrance of Boromir, Raksha. When Elboron tries to imagine himself into Boromir's skin, he takes us with him. This is a real example of how a man continues to live in those who loved him.
Author's reply
Thanx much for the review!
My Boromir-muse is intermittent, so when an idea concerning him comes into my head, I try to pay attention to it. And Elboron, who is connected by blood and name to Boromir, is a natural to give some new perspective on one of Gondor's lost heroes.
SurgicalSteel
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 4: Legacy (Elboron)
This was just lovely, and quite fitting for the day.
Author's reply
This is the first time I posted anything on a public fanfic site that was not beta-d, so I'm glad you found it "fitting". (I got the idea in my head at about 10:00 pm my time ll/11, and frantically put it on paper, by the time I reached the end, it was 11:35 or therabouts, I only had time to do a bit of polish if I wanted to post while it was still Veterans Day)
It would be both thrilling and daunting for Elboron to have a legendary uncle, especially if one could never know him as a flesh and blood man. And though Aragorn probably couldn't condole with Faramir every year on the anniversary of Boromir's death, he would try to do so frequently, remembering the brave son of Gondor that he had been unable to save.
And then of course, there are all the legendary warriors, fictional and even more important in RL, who never got to come home to their families and reap the rewards of peace...
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Steel.
Celebne
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 4: Legacy (Elboron)
Wonderful story about Boromir. I am moved to tears.
Author's reply
Boromir the Bold left some big boots to fill, didn't he! I would think that Elboron would find that legacy a bit daunting some times, though I also think he would have been strong enough to live up to it. But I wanted Boromir to stand for all the brave souls who died fighting against evil, even if his last battle was lost.
Thanx for commenting, Celebne; I'm pleased that you found the ficlet moving.
Laerien
· 12 November 2006
· Chapter 1: Some Dark Place (Aragorn)
Oh, my!
You wrote this so well that I could feel the darkness and the fear here in my sun-lit room. You know, I am glad I didn't find this at night! ;o)
And I am even more glad that I have seen Aragorn from a different POV.
Thank you!
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and commenting, Laerien.
To bring darkness and fear a bit closer to one's sunlit room was exactly my aim in writing the piece; and, I suspect, Aragorn's aim in mentioning that dread encounter to the complacent hobbits in Bree, if only for their own good. So I'm glad that it rattled you a bit. I'd rather write Aragorn having a picnic with Faramir and Arwen and Eowyn and the kiddies, but this was a mental challenge that wouldn't be denied.
Branwyn
· 7 November 2006
· Chapter 3: A Pirate's Life For Me!
These fics are great fun! I loved the Gilbert and Sullivan quote at the beginning. The characterization of the children is believable and cute without being cloying, and I love the gentle interaction with the adults, first Imrahil and then Faramir. But Faramir and Eowyn are going to have their hands full with little Miriel, lol! A shield-maiden in training, I think. My favorite line was
"Even the vile corsair Sangahyando had a mother," Faramir, once a Captain of Gondor himself, said. "But I am certain that she would forbid her children to stay out in the rain. We must hasten, to avoid your mother’s wrath."
Even vile pirates respect their mothers!
Thanks for the generous beta-reading credit, but I am a beta-reader with a very easy job and these were a joy to read. :-)
Branwyn
· 7 November 2006
· Chapter 2: The Exile (Beregond)
Not for a minute would Beregond ever regret his choice to save Faramir, yet still it must have grieved him to be exiled from the City of his birth. (Though Aragorn must have chosen this particular punishment partly to ensure Beregond's safety, fearing retribution from friends and family of the men he had killed.) In this fic, Beregond speaks of his love for the White City and his sorrow that he will never see it again. His voice is perfect--he does not indulge in self-pity, yet neither does he discount his losses. Not only has he lost his family home, but he will never see his City and people made whole by the miracle of the new White Tree.
They say the new White Tree is in flower, in the Citadel that I once guarded.
He can rejoice in the restoration but only as a distant onlooker. A well-written and very thoughtful fic!
Author's reply
I'm not sure that Aragorn chose that punishment to spare Beregond from revenge; but it is a viable thought. Since Aragorn didn't see fit to discuss his reasons with us, we won't know; but the glory of Beregond's valor being recognized, his life being spared, and his being given a fantastic promotion did have its bittersweet side.
I think that Beregond can live with the choice he made, and the consequences, but there is still the occasional pang, the thirst for home that he can never slake. Minas Tirith was saved, but not for him. He wouldn't be human if that didn't occasionally hurt.
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanx again for the beta-help.
phyloxena
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 1: Some Dark Place (Aragorn)
Very scary and realistic, and again I'm fascinated with your tone and language. I could just see that broad sturdy back, the uneven motion of the horse, the unbelievable daylight. Thank you!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the ficlet, and thanx for reviewing! I was trying for scary and realistic in 500 words, so I'm pleased the tone, the feelings, came across to you.
That was one tough mare of Halbarad's - I'm sure they gave her some extra apples at Rivendell.
Linda Hoyland
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 3: A Pirate's Life For Me!
THese were just delightful, I loved the G& S reference and the idea that Faramir grew up interested in the exploits of Thorongil.
The last line of the second one is deeply moving. I always imagine Faramir as a loving father who would play with his children.
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Linda. I couldn't leave out the Pirates of Penzance reference. I'm sure many Gondorian youngsters, from Dol Amroth to Minas Tirith, played pirates and loved to be the legendary Captain Thorongil. A pity that Tolkien never wrote out the famous duel between Thorongil and the corsair captain in more detail, but at least he sketched it for the avid readers.
Linda Hoyland
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 2: The Exile (Beregond)
This was very moving as you vividly show the price Bergond had to pay to save Faramir.As someone who loves my own home town,exile is very painful to contemplate and i truly feel for Beregond here.
Author's reply
Beregond's a soldier as well as a very strong man; he can handle the pain of exile. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't feel it, especially when he saw his home town so frequently but couldn't go through its gates.
Thanx for the review, Linda!
Larner
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 3: A Pirate's Life For Me!
And so the game goes from generation to generation, and adults with imagination and true love of the children involved share the games with pleasure.
Author's reply
I imagine that pirate games have always been a staple of Gondorian children's playtime; and Thorongil's victory would have been re-enacted for at least one generation by the kiddies (must have irked Denethor no end). I think Faramir would have, like his uncle, loved to play with the children when he had the time.
Thanx for the review!
Larner
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 2: The Exile (Beregond)
No matter what the honor, still the banishment must ache in his heart.
A wonderful moment indeed, and I can certainly see this moment happening often.
Author's reply
A man of Beregond's courage would not be too damaged by the exile from the home of his youth, but it still had to hurt now and then, especially since others of the White Company, as well as his own son, and his Prince, could and no doubt did, ride on into the City he could not enter.
Thanx for the review, Larner.
Larner
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 1: Some Dark Place (Aragorn)
Yes, one encounter that would definitely engrave itself firmly in his memory.
Author's reply
Thanx for commenting, Larner. Oh, without doubt a run-in with the Wraiths would stand out among Aragorn's memories. Brrrr. But at least he would be more prepared, emotionally, for the next time.
Nesta
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 3: A Pirate's Life For Me!
That's really cute! I always suspected there was a bit of Boromir in Elboron.
So Imrahil was with Thorongil, was he? I might have known it. There's just no getting away from either of them.
Faramir is impeccable as always, at any age.
Author's reply
It seems to be fanon that Elboron resembles his late uncle physically and otherwise; though I've also seen a few stories where he's charmless and cold-hearted. In my Tolkien Fourth Age fanfic sub-universe, Elboron does resemble Boromir, at least as a child, though I haven't figured out how much.
It's various fanfic authors, rather than Tolkien, who have assigned Imrahil to Thorongil's mission to Umbar, but it makes a lot of sense, since Dol Amroth's cooperation would probably have been necessary, or at least helpful.
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Nesta!
Nesta
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 2: The Exile (Beregond)
Weep weep! Was poor Beregond really exiled from the City forever? I thought Aragorn was just joking when he said he had to go forth, i.e. he had to go forth because he was taking up a job in Ithilien. Couldn't they grant him a special remission or something, poor chap?
Author's reply
I always took Aragorn's words to mean that Beregond couldn't return to Minas Tirith; which made his heroism, and sacrifice, all the greater.
I'm glad it affected you; that's what I was trying to do (cackles evilly).
Celebne
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 3: A Pirate's Life For Me!
Two nice stories about very known children, who play pirates. I am amused about Faramir's daughter who will be the pirate queen. She has inherited a lot of Éowyn's temperament.
Author's reply
Oh, little Miriel's a pistol alright. And she's just as much Boromir's niece and the grandchild of Eomund and Denethor as she is Eowyn's child. There are a lot of powerful genes in that family.
Thanx for the review, Celebne!
Celebne
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 2: The Exile (Beregond)
Great story about Beregond. I can imagine, that he was sad to leave the White City forever.
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Celebne, I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Tolkien and Aragorn gave Beregond a just fate, and a nice promotion, but there's something very sad about never being able to go home again, see the place where you grew up, especially when it's right there in front of you...
Nimloth
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 3: A Pirate's Life For Me!
Hi Raksha!
These were great. To be perfectly honest, I'd imagined something even nastier and more terrifying with Aragorn being caught alone in the wild by the Nazgul, but your idea is much more likely. I love number two--especially the last sentence, "Forever is a long time." I don't know why, but it makes me feel as though sometime in the far distant eternity, Beregond will come back...
As for the third one--pirates! hee!
Cheers! Will we be having a few more?
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Nimloth.
Well, I didn't think Aragorn had been captured by the Nazgul, but I could see him attacked and only escaping by the seat of his pants, and being scared out of his very strong mind.
I do think Beregond might return to the White City. Not sure if I'll write it up though.
Yes, there will be a few more. It's an open-ended compilation. Might take awhile, though. I have to wait on a darned finicky muse. I'm pleased that you're interested in more ficlets; and will certainly try to oblige, if you don't mind waiting.
Khorazîr
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 3: A Pirate's Life For Me!
These are so funny. I can so see Faramir and his brother and Faramir's own kids play pirates. Actually, I had read the second of these drabbles somewhere else, and I didn't realise it was written by you. I escpecially like the idea of Faramir's children taking their father "prisoner" -- it's great to see him play with his little ones.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed these linked ficlets. Hmm, the only place I'd posted Pirate Jewel prior to posting it here was at my livejournal.
I had a lot of fun writing the pieces. Little Miriel turned out to be quite a character!
Thanx for the review!
Khorazîr
· 6 November 2006
· Chapter 2: The Exile (Beregond)
I like this a lot -- I have always wondered how Beregond would take being banished from MT. After all, the City was his home. Leaving it must have been difficult for him (despite his new office), and for his family as well. I think you described his troubled feelings excellently.
Author's reply
We don't know that much about Beregond's antecedants; it's implied that they came from the mountains; but I assumed that he was born and raised in Minas Tirith, he has great pride in the White City and its lords.
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Khorazir!
SurgicalSteel
· 30 October 2006
· Chapter 1: Some Dark Place (Aragorn)
Very nicely done - You capture quite well why Aragorn would still be in horror of the Ringwraiths even several decades later. He must have been absolutely petrified - and his reaction, while understandable, is one that a warrior would naturally be ashamed of.
Author's reply
But still, even petrified, Aragorn was able to think (if somewhat less coherently than usual) and pursue a defensive course. His instincts and training saved him, and those instincts were testament to his essential toughness. Most men might have just collapsed in terror.
Author Reply: Whoops, forgot to thank you for reading and reviewing, which, as always, I appreciate.
Branwyn
· 29 October 2006
· Chapter 1: Some Dark Place (Aragorn)
In FOTR, Aragorn speaks with dread of the Nazgul, as if he has faced them before, and this gapfiller draws the details of his harrowing first encounter with them.
There is a scene in FOTR where Strider tells the hobbits, "It would take more than a few weeks, or months, or years of wandering in the wild to make you look like Strider..And you would die first, unless you are made of sterner stuff than you look to be." Raksha gives us a glimpse of young Aragorn when he is first being tempered by the dangers and hardships of life in the wild. His shame at his loss of control is understandable, though what happened was a perfectly normal reaction to a life-threatening situation (ask anyone who has ever worked in an ER...). It is reassuring to know that he has a loyal and understanding friend in Halbarad, someone to watch his back.
An intriguing gapfiller!
Author's reply
I'm sure that young Aragorn kept control of all aspects of his responses in most tense and dangerous situations, but a surprise assault by three Nazgul is way out of the realm of usual perils, even for Middle-earth. I wanted to explore how Aragorn felt when under attack by beings able to freeze brave men with their ghastly cries alone. I think he did pretty well. Strangely, I think it was easier, despite the higher stakes and greater odds, for Aragorn to face the five who charged at Weathertop - he would have felt fiercer fighting to defend the helpless hobbits, and at least he had warning, and earlier experience, to fortify him.
Thanx much for the review!