Reviews (16)

Author's reply

I commend your industry in addressing this issue; and appreciate your efforts to enlighten me. I am always envious of various Tolkien aficionados' skill with the languages he created. But I don't see the issue the same way, or even think it's an issue - Tolkien's words in the Appendix seem to me to justify my using the Sindarin terms I've employed in the story, especially since Faramir is Dunedain. Perhaps I'm just missing something. Anyway, your teacher's website link didn't come through. I'd be happy to continue this conversation via email if you like. I really don't think an extended debate on the calendar belongs in the review fields.

Author's reply

I'm not very good at the technicalities of calendars in any culture/period, but I'm pretty sure that the Gondorians would have called those particular days Mettare and Yestare: The Revised Calendar introduced by Mardil was called Stewards' Reckoning and was adopted eventually by most of the users of the Westron language. except the Hobbits. The months were all of 30 days, and 2 days outside the months were introduced: 1 between the third and fourth months (March. April), and 1 between the ninth and tenth (September. October). These 5 days outside the months, yestarë, tuilérë, loëndë, yáviérë, and mettarë, were holidays. The above is quoted from Appendix D of LOTR. I haven't heard of Penninor or Minien; I'd be interested in where you found them. Thank you for your comment.

Author's reply

There will be no 'AU' in the summary, Agape. This story is not AU. Denethor never said that he was thinking of immolating any particular person; he hasn't made any such decisions. What I was trying to convey was that Denethor is envisioning the doom of Minas Tirith (and possibly all of Gondor as well), and perhaps this rite has kindled the idea that it would be better for the city, and possibly some of the people, to burn cleanly in fire than be defiled by the forces of the Shadow. I doubt that Denethor is thinking in specifics yet, as in burning anyone alive, he might be envisioning himself and Faramir slain in the City's defense, their bodies and the City itself purified in fire rather than given over to orcs and other foes. By final sacrifice, Denethor meant the lives that would be spent to save the City, and Minas Tirith itself; which could include his own life and Faramir's. Tolkien never said that Denethor didn't draw a connection between fire and purification before the events of the Siege, either. From Denethor's mention of "the heathen kings of old", I think the concept of fire, possibly sacrifical, and purification had crossed his mind before the Siege.

Author's reply

Sigh. I really had no desire to respond to a review that included the word hate in connection with my story. My own thoughts of Faramir and his relationship with his brother are definitely not the same as yours - I never said he didn't love Boromir; but Faramir is neither a saint nor an idiot; he knows his father favors Boromir, and sometimes he might resent it. Since Faramir is both perceptive enough to realize that such resentment is unworthy of him, and has a tremendous capacity for self-control, so he would probably never voice that occasional resentment of Denethor's favoritism. And I did show that Faramir loves Boromir; he wondered where his brother was and hoped that Boromir was spending this special night with good people. I didn't think that this was a 'poor' Faramir story. Faramir is clinging stubbornly to hope, and enjoying the love of his people. He's certainly not being abused by his father, or anyone.

Author's reply

Whoops, I'm late responding to your review, Celebne, forgive me. I'm glad you liked the story, the inspiration came on me suddenly. I think that for Denethor, Faramir would always be second best, even after Boromir's death; which doesn't make Denethor evil, just a human parent. Faramir wouldn't have really minded being second to Boromir in the minds of almost everyone. Denethor's flaw, from what I can tell, is that he allowed Faramir to know, and often deliberately, that he considered Faramir a very poor second to Boromir. I do think Faramir knew he was loved by Gondor's people; he's too observant to miss it; and I think that knowledge would spur him harder to do as much as he could, and more, for his land.

Author's reply

I've always thought that one reason why Faramir and Gandalf had such a strong bond was perhaps because to the wizard, Faramir was never second-best. Tolkien said that Faramir was accustomed to giving way; probably the inevitable result of being the second son of a powerful ruler who didn't take advice from others too often. I would think that it would be a strange transition for him, going from Boromir's replacement (and in Denethor's eyes a poor one, at least in ROTK) to the Steward of a King who would replace him as Gondor's lord, and then to become Aragorn's Steward (and thus second most powerful lord in Gondor) and Prince of his own domain. And at times, Faramir would have suppressed satisfaction at being finally heard in his own right; until he became accustomed to the change in his life. Thanx for your thoughtful review, Bodkin!

Author's reply

And thanx for such a lovely review, Branwyn. Yes, distance is a good word for one of Denethor's problems with Faramir. Boromir is far away, yet Denethor's thoughts are with him; and when he finally tries to bridge the gap with Faramir, it's (in ROTK) via destruction. It would have been the duty of the Steward and his son to bear themselves well and try to keep up their people's morale no matter how low their own spirits sank. And I think at this point, Denethor would have been feeling more 'low' than Faramir.

Author's reply

I couldn't resist the sacrificial king aspect, especially with the time of year and Denethor's remark about the heathen kings of old. Yes, I have trouble getting away from the many fascinating aspects of the Denethor/Faramir relationship. Thanx for the review, nrink; and MERRY XMAS to you too.

Author's reply

Thanx, Isabeau - I've never written adult Faramir and his father together, and I've always been a bit nervous of writing Denethor, so I'm pleased you think I got them right. Yes, father and son are headed for the pyre alright; I did intend some major foreshadowing; poor guys. (I'm so mean, but I can always blame Tolkien for setting it up that way in the first place)

Author's reply

Thanx much for the review, Steff! The story was partially inspired by Denethor's line about burning like the heathen kings before the first ships sailed from the West - which was fascinating, since Denethor was definitely a Numenorean in almost every sense of the word. And, given Faramir's mention in TTT of other cultures whose strength enriched Gondor under the Stewards, it's very possible that older rituals and customs would echo down to the end of the Third Age, changed by the Numenorean influence, but not totally gone. And I couldn't help but come up with the image of Faramir in the starring role of Year-king; especially since Boromir was hanging out in Imladris at the time. I had a lot of fun synthesizing various solstice rites in a way that made sense for Minas Tirith. (Faramir as Green Man...very apt!) And there had to be candles! I meant to foreshadow the Pyre in the story, but I wanted there to be some sort of emotional interaction between Denethor and Faramir too; Boromir's absence could unite as well as divide them. Happy Holidays!

Author's reply

I thought of happy solstice bonfires, and then Faramir, and Denethor, both of whom would probably be expected at the ceremony, and the rest of it just flowed out of the circumstance and characters. Thanx much for reading and reviewing, Julia.

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Nesta! I'm pleased that the emotions running between Faramir and Denethor came out as guarded and understated, since although I could talk forever about their relationship, those two characters keep their feelings, and words, tightly wrapped most of the time. And I'm so glad you liked the last line; since that was the hardest thing to write - I had four different possibilities before I settled on the final choice.

Author's reply

I'm glad you enjoyed the story, harrowcat; and thanx for reviewing. I had a certain amount of evil fun with the foreshadowing, though I felt bad for both Faramir and Denethor.

Author's reply

Thanx much for reading and reviewing; Altariel, especially since your story of solstice in Gondor 3018, A Pale Light Lingering, with Faramir, Denethor and the Ithilien Rangers, is an exemplar of quality Faramir fanfiction: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1098780/1/

Author's reply

I figured that the barriers probably would come down a bit on this occasion, when both Denethor and Faramir would be especially reminded of Boromir. I'd forgotten about the bull's role in some solstice rituals - good call. Thanx for reading and reviewing!

Author's reply

Faramir is in the odd position of clinging to hope while not really believing that there is much left; which, in my opinion, makes him all the more courageous. And if Denethor sees him as being of less worth than Boromir, it's probably a situation Faramir's been living with for most of his life; but on the turning of the year, it strikes Faramir harder than usual. Thanx much for reading and reviewing, Linda!