Reviews (89)

LisaG · 2 December 2017 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Such a interesting and intriguing story! I wish you had finished it. :(

dani · 13 October 2016 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Dear Meckinock, I was feeling quite LOTR-ish tonight and thus had to go back and read all of my old favorites, and naturally that lead me straight to your page. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your stories. You write with such skill and manage to make your prose extremely approachable yet still remain true to the original text. And being that Aragorn and the Dunedain in general are my favorites, I can't get enough of your universe within the universe. Your Halbarad, especially, is exactly how I imagine him. I'm not sure if I had a fully-formed idea or not, and you just fleshed out the details, or if great minds think alike. Either way that's definitely the Halbarad and Aragorn kinship of record in my book! I'll stop rambling now to say thank you again, and yes I know I'm leaving this review about your entire body of work on a chapter of your only unfinished story. Maybe with the hope that you'll come back and write again someday, whether it's picking this back up again or something new. Regardless, please know that you and your writing are both appreciated, and hope you are doing well.

shirebound · 12 June 2015 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Hello, and I hope you get this! I didn't know how else to contact you. I appreciate very much your message about Nilmandra. I treasure her greatly, and will also try to post a wee something at SOA for her birthday. I'll also post a notice on my Livejournal to let folks know about this very special day.

LisaG · 16 June 2010 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

This is a fascinating story! I was almost liking Denathor when he was helping Thorongil (Aragorn), but now I see the machinations of a fearful mind. Is this the end of the story? I would dearly love to see a scene where Denathor gives the ring back to Thorongil. And how is out future king fairing, with all his boo-boos?

phyloxena · 6 April 2010 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

I reread this story, hoping I missed the update alert, and discovered, sadly, that it could be finished at this point. The truce is over, the story reached its logical conclusion - but I sure hope there is more to it. An epilogue? A cast of characters with characterizations? Something? A little bit? Of course ten more chapters, with Denethor's wedding, Umbar raid, and slightly less anachronistic than that of the Ray's Dog meeting with Halbarad would be much much better.

RS · 25 September 2009 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Hi Meckinock I wanted to leave a little note to ask you when you where going to continue this wonderful story. Then I read the review before this and read about your dad. I'm sorry. I hope everything is well with you. Rachel

Elentarri · 30 January 2009 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Hi I've re-read this story after finding it again :-) Please update another chapter. The story idea is too good just to leave hanging like that. Cheerio Elentarri

Ainu Laire · 11 November 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

*brings out a processions of flowers and chocolate and other nice things* *idly wonders where Meckinock's muses have gone* *shoves muses back into Meckinock's life and gladly destroys icky things like RL and writer's block* I suppose this is a way of saying that I would love to see this updated, when you can. *shoves Denethor and Thorongil into the room* There! Let's see how long it takes until Denethor cracks. Cheers!

Agape4Gondor · 1 May 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

I loved Denethor's standing up for Thorongil against that stupid captain! And loved the captain's reaction! I loved the towel and Denethor's proclamation about the Standard of the Steward. Bless his heart! His bellowing out who he was and getting the boats to move was quite a neat sight too. Would have loved to have been there for that moment! I was ROTFL when I read about the slightly gravy-stained banner - delightful picture.... shees! Poor Denethor - talk about humility..... The battle of the horses was hysterical - the poor healer deserved every moment of discomfiture. I'm glad Thorongil was well enough to carry the joke! And, of course, I was again ROTFL at the sorriest beast Denethor had ever seen! I loved his victory to - 'the cart' - *giggles hysterically* It is so very difficult to read of Ecthelion's treatment of Thorongil over Denethor - I think you hit is spot on - especially 'his father's vacant office' - oh my!!! And the pharse 'a lost fact on everyone but Denethor.' Well-written descriptions of what life must have been for him! If I'd been there, I think I'd have lobbed off the head of the Pelargarian healer! Yes - definitely! And then I swore at Ecthelion's statement - 'if you were my own son' - go ahead, Ecthelion, take a dagger to your son's heart! OH - the phrase 'barbarian at the gate' broke my heart for the man! and the 'easy smile that ached down to his gut.' These phrases just tore me apart. Excellent paragraph! Beautiful in it's horror. Psst - I was ready to throw up when Thorongil said 'if not for him, I would be dead.' And Denethor's response - reminded me of a scene where two strong men are shaking hands and smiling - all the while trying to hurt the other... Oh my gosh - and when Ecthelion claimed it was jealousy on Denethor's part - how blind could the stupid Steward be!!!! Sorry - getting emotionally involved in this! The conversation between the two was very well-written. The duty part and the wife and such. Though I give Ecthelion credit when he says Denethor would be miserable to see Finduilas in another's arms... GREAT tension in the archives! And Denethor's reaction down by the river. Hideous... besides the horror of his awakened aweness of who Thorongil was - to know that he'd been a fool himself in not seeing it right away... I was very surprised that he shared the 'news' with Turgon but it was needed... he needed an ally to put that ring back! Though I'm not so sure I'd have trusted the man! I loved Denethor's statement to Turgon from '"It was secreted into Gondor years ago...' really great job in writing this... good assessment on Denethor's part! And the line - 'he is no simple fraud' was great. And Denethor's reasoning that his father might condemn him and embrace Thorongil - too true - too possible - made me shiver!!! I loved the line 'I am no thief' - absolutely loved it! And saying he would 'not buy victory... with his own honor' - great again! Turgon's advice was surprising, coming as it was from him, but it makes perfect sense and isn't that what Turgon himself had done??? A grandchild - splendid idea! And dear Finduilas. Well, at least Denethor does love her... but he loves Gondor more... or is it the position? *shudders and runs away to sob* Did you happen to notice that I really loved this chapter??? Thanks for sharing it!

Agape4Gondor · 23 April 2008 · Chapter 3: Puzzle Box

I've read all the chapters... just haven't had as much time as I'd like for putting up reviews... however, this tale is well worth taking a moment. I can well imagine Denethor's horror when contemplating what the consequences would be if the enemy was close and Thorongil made a noise. Yikes! I love that he praised the boy. Even if it came because of guilt. His pride not too strong to see the error of his 'hostile' attitude with the boy. His droll response to Turgon was hysterical. 'I knew I could count on you.' Turgon's 'leading' Denethor to 'use' the weight of his title to get them to Minas Tirith was much needed, as much as he's quite the dolt! :-) Oops - Turgon - not Denethor! I very much like that Thorongil taught his men the ways of healing, but I'm glad Denethor noted it and put the lesson aside for future perusal. As he listened and watched and wondered, a 'lump of worry' grew in my own heart! And the phrase 'startled pigeons' and that whole paragraph was profoundly upsetting! Great writing there! For him to finally decide he had been a fool was difficult to read. Cut yourself some slack, Denethor... the man fooled your father too! And I love Denethor's assessment of the lords and princes of Gondor! Great chapter - all the way around!!!

Agape4Gondor · 20 April 2008 · Chapter 2: Two of a Kind

One can just see Denethor's mind taking in every little nuance of what is happening... The fact that Thorongil was always 'extraordinarily well-equipped.' I really loved Denethor's 'smarts' here - when he wondered what might have happened to Cirion. I loved the surprising levity between T & D when D reveals why he came after T. The 'much to politic' and the 'you disobeyed a direct order.' I wondered why on earth D was so short with himself. When on earth would he have had the time to find a splint! Give yourself some slack, Denethor! I liked the phrases - last shred of self-righteous indignation and the reluctantly resigned himself to a truce. Would that it had lasted longer! Denethor respected a man you knew his strengths and weaknesses... the price of loving me too high... outrageous rumors of marital indiscretions. I particularly liked D telling T that he is not free... I loved his oath and the night he took it! Loved the whole repartee between the two! REALLY upset that D did not own up to having T's ring. Tolkien specifically states that Gondorians do NOT lie... of course, he never said he took it...... Yikes!!! And poor T's reaction to the loss... Very very sad. I found the little sidebar about the puzzles very interesting... and also a welcome break from the night's horrors... all of them! Another great taut incredible chapter.

Agape4Gondor · 20 April 2008 · Chapter 1: The Missing Man

Well, since I didn't put any notes down when I first read this, I had to re-read it... and marvelled again at the story. It is excellent - all the way around. I've been touched by so many parts that I can't put it all down. First though - is the level of tension - it begins with chapter one and just flows through the rest. Bravo! I loved the opening paragraph - the detail is so vivid. And I like Turgon - a definitely despicable, though lovable character. Here's just some things that took me - Soldiers spreading straw, hiding his amusement, not begrudging the homesickness, welcome... captain's absence, rank has its privileges, begetting brats, manuevering for her attack, not all defeat is bitter, war is much simpler, nearly inconceivable to imagine, threaten his standing with his own father, like mice in a cornfield, steward's favorite captain - all great phrases that tell so much! I loved D's intuitive style of leadership that begins with the paragraph - Denethor sighed and sat back on his heels.... I remember as a child, tucking my hands into my armpits to warm them - in the midst of too much fun to stop and go inside to warm up... shows his determination. Again - incredible good chapter that just nailed me to the wall. I can't stop reading now!!! Congrats!

obsidianj · 18 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

What a great chapter. The plot twists and turns. The chapter starts out with some great descriptions like the "flat brown water" and the "A cold mist coated the fine hairs on the hand he extended out the tiny porthole of their cabin." That sets the tone for the uncomfortable trip on the boat. The towel as the banner of the Steward made me laugh. Now I know why the Stewards would use such a banner. It is easy to secure one if you ever need one in a pinch ;-). I love your characterization of all the main characters, especially Denethor. His trying to avoid marrying Finduilas, although he loves her for all the right reasons, only to sacrifice these in the end to outmaneuver Thorongil. The foundation of an unhappy marriage is laid right there. It is tragic that he already foresaw Finduilas unhappiness only to subject her later to it. The moment Denethor and Thorongil were ganging up on Saddlebags(I love that name) was an indication of how good of friends they could have been. Glimpses of that were seen in earlier chapters also. If only Denethor could see Thorongil with an open heart. But Denethor judges Thorongil after himself, and he is partly right, but then Thorongil is not Denethor, and here Denethor's judgment fells too short. The horse from the Second age was a hoot! Finduilas is the tragic character in this piece. In the end she will get what she wants, but the price will be too high. obsidianj

Larner · 6 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Of all the allies in this possible subterfuge of returning the ring to Thorongil, to involve this Turgon! How I hope it doesn't backfire on him! Although the advice to circumvent the imagined plan to supplant Denethor in his father's favor is excellent, and will give him to worthy sons. Alas that he was right as to the long-term effect of life within the city on his beloved Finduilas.

Larner · 6 April 2008 · Chapter 3: Puzzle Box

He'd BEST return that ring, and he has too good an appreciation, I think, for what it stands for. Well, now he knows! As for Turgon--he's a sly one, isn't he?

Larner · 5 April 2008 · Chapter 2: Two of a Kind

Good thing he looked about, then. Probing that Ring right then might have revealed too much, much too early.

Larner · 5 April 2008 · Chapter 1: The Missing Man

Our captain lies over that drop, does he? Am glad for twenty/twenty hindsight, knowing he DID survive, at least. But where is he at the moment? Injured, perhaps?

phyloxena · 5 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Wow! Just... everything. Love the brown river and the half-hearted down. Love the truce against the healer (and the Second-age horse, too), love tactless but politic Ecthelion, Denethor with his wrong reasons and right decisions. Thorongil makes a looming presence just semi-propped with half a line to him. And fealty-swearing in the mud next to the river. And endearingly absent archivist -- Denethor must have cherished the proof that not every single person is so weighed down by their present plights as he himself. Something to fight for. BTW, don't know how intended it was, but rings are remarkably long-lived in Tolkienverse -- after surviving since before Beren's time this ring had zero chance to get thrown away. Dangerous evidence or not, Denethor cannot destroy an object with tradition this long attached. Just not what this eternity-obsessed Egyptized Numenorians do. Is Saerbellas a traditional healer name, or something? I recall some guy in Elrond's household with sorry bedside manners and same name.

perelleth · 4 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

It is always worth the wait! I really like how you are treating the greyness in Denethor. He is so attached to and respectful of his own honour that he never loses sight of it as a valuable asset, so he will not endanger it, even for the most weighty reasons, such as depriving his foe from its precious tool. ANd then he is capable of depriving himself of the comfort of love for the right reason...until he finds a better reason than Finudilas' happiness, that is, giving Ecthelion a grandchild so he can win him back. I think that all these details clearly allow us to see how once was the bitter man that we get to see later in life. One capable of driving himself so ruthlessly would not expect less from ohters... and worst as the times grew darker... This said, I really enjoyed the joint charge against the healer, while the scene in the river just reminded me of my loocal airport taking off track certain mornings... And Turgon is a very very rounded character, I must say! Very enjoyable all in alll, just waiting for more!

The Karenator · 2 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

“You could just come to Minas Tiercake,” Hanger-guy said. “You don’t have to stay way out here in the woods. With all those layers full of people, your Boss would be able to find Paris Hilton’s talent easier than he could you. Besides,” the kid added, “The Wrong Deal is going to be laid out like a rug on sale for a long time.” “I can’t,” the PI said. “Why not? I’m telling you, nobody will know you’re there.” “Let’s just say I’ve got it in writing,” Halbarad said. “Drop it.” The kid shrugged the bony hangers holding his cloak. “Have it your way. It don’t make no sense to me to sail all this way to Minas Tiercake, then not even go close enough to see the White Cupcakes….” Cold air seeped like Coke on carpet down Halbarad’s neck. “Yeah, it’s my business.” Luck, the PI discovered long ago, was a wacky dame with a sense of humor that rivaled Dr. Jekyll’s idea of a fun night out on the town. For kicks, she stuck him with the kid as his only spy, then got the kid a job on the same boat the Boss was on. It also helped the kid’s job prospects when a deckhand decided to take Halbarad up on his offer to let him keep his teeth. When the kid didn’t go on with his story, Halbarad nudged him. “Tell me what happened after you shoved off from Pelagir.” “The trip was as boring as the last episode of the X-Files,” the kid said. “Except for The Perfect Storm, but you already know about that.” Oh, yeah, Halbarad knew about the big blow. When the kid signed on the Boss’s ship, the PI had hopped a dingy with a load of cadets from the Citadel on their way to the big beer bust. When the weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the Minnow would be lost. The Minnow would be lost. Only the PI’s dinner got permanently tossed. “Get to the part I don’t know about,” Halbarad said. The kid grinned like he’d just won the lightning round on Jeopardy. “I got more scoop than Baskin and Robbins. Jimmy Olsen is going to want my autograph.” “Terrific,” the PI said. “Give me a hint why.” A few snowflakes drifted in a wind colder than Lassie’s nose, but the kid didn’t seem to mind. He wiggled on the log he copped as a seat as if getting ready to deliver the Gettysburg Address. “Okay,” the kid said. “When we got to Harlot, The Thorn and The Family Guy--his name is really Tarragon--needed somebody to help them get The Wrong Deal up to the Sixth Layer, so I jumped on it like Roy Rogers on Trigger. But the leech guy they brought along from Pelagir pitched a fit bigger than when Russell Crowe slugged some yahoo in a bar fight. So Tarragon got a nag older than Joan Rivers for The Wrong Deal to ride, but the leech got more twisted over that than Anakin Skywalker. Ha!” the kid said. “The Thorn and Tarragon tricked that leech out easier than a ’48 Ford. So, The Thorn got a couple of guys in Gondor’s delivery uniforms to push people out of our way when we wheeled your buddy up all six of those layers. Man, the roads were more crowded than a free Kid Rock concert.” “Yeah, okay, what happened after that?” “So,” the kid said, “when we got The Wrong Deal up to the shoe repair place, this guy named Saddlebags….” “Wait!” the PI said. “The shoe repair place?” “Yeah,” the kid said. “Up on the Sixth Layer. That’s where Minas Tiercake keeps its house of heels.” The kid shook his head. “I don’t know why they’d take The Wrong Deal to a shoe shop, but maybe he’s got a tough hide.” Halbarad scrubbed his hands over his face. A flaming idiot, that’s what the kid was, a flaming idiot. The PI figured he was too for even listening, but times hadn’t been this desperate since Battlestar Galactica got canceled. “Go on.” “Like I was saying, this Saddlebags said The Wrong Deal was doing pretty good for a guy as broken up as Susan Lucci at the Daytime Emmys. The leech that came with us was still moaning that the shoe guy in Pelagir could have sewed The Wrong Deal up and fixed his broke leg better, but by then, The Thorn’s old man, the big guy, Etchasketch, had come.” “Who?” “You know,” the kid said, “the kingpin, the steward.” “Ecthelion.” “That’s what I said.” Leaning in closer to the PI, the kid lowered his voice as if there were people to hear out in the middle of a forest as deserted as Mitt Romney’s campaign. “I think Etchasketch is hiding something.” Halbarad’s heart did a double gainer off the high dive. “Like what?” The kid’s eyes shifted from side to side, then back to Halbarad. “He got to talking about what a good job The Wrong Deal did cleaning out the narcs, then let it slip that The Wrong Deal is his very own son.” A sharp pain stabbed the PI between his eyes. The kid brains were more scrambled than a Waffle House omelet. “Thorongil is not Ecthelion’s kid.” The kid leaned back and crossed his arms. “Oh, yeah? How do you know? You don’t know where old Etchasketch went scribbling in his younger days. He might have been out dropping his p’s and q’s all over the place.” The PI’s face burned hotter than SI’s swimsuit edition. “Forget it! This talk is as worthless as discussing where Lost went wrong in its second season.” The kid’s chin lifted. “Okay then. Your loss.” Halbarad grunted. “Get on with it.” The kid put up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. There’s more.” He paused to pick at a ragged nail. “After The Wrong Deal is all settled in, Etchasketch told The Thorn to come on; they need to have a ten.” “A ten?” “Yeah, you know, a ten. Take a ten minute meeting. A talk.” “Oh,” the PI muttered. “So, it’s not like I can just hang around there like Vanna White with no letters to turn, and I sure wasn’t invited to the ten, so I figured I’d just trail The Thorn to see what he was up to.” “They didn’t see you?” “Oh, no,” the kid said with his lips rounded into a trumpet. “Like I said, the place is packed tighter than Dolly Parton’s bra. I followed them all the way to the Big House and they didn’t turn around once. Not even while Etchasketch was greasing palms. You’d think the guy had to get elected or something.” “What’d you do when they went inside?” “Hung out,” the kid said. “And waited. I figured The Thorn would cruise on back out eventually and I was right. Not long after he’d gone in, he came back out and headed off down to this building where they keep, you know, like books and scrolls and stuff.” “A library? An archive?” “Yeah,” the kid said, “that’s it. A library. I been in one before. Back home. It was an accident, but man, it was worth it. There was this cute girl working there.” He swatted his knee as if the memory was more entertaining than a three-ring circus. “I went back every day for a week trying to get her to go to the boat races with me. She said it was a rule that the people working at the library couldn’t go out with their patsies.” Halbarad groaned. “Patrons.” “Them either,” the kid said. “But I could tell she was real sorry, that she liked me too. When I told her that if she ever quit working there to let me know so I could take her out, she said that would be when Mordor froze over. Poor Spot. That was her name. Spot. I reckon her family needed her to keep the job and she didn’t figure she’d ever get to quit.” The PI made a mental note to look up the librarian in Pelagir and tell her that if the idiot ever showed back up, he would personally take the kid out into the wild and leave him where he’d never find his way back. “Yeah,” the PI said. “What was The Thorn doing at the library?” “Well,” the kid said, “I couldn’t follow him in there because it wasn’t exactly like a hopping joint. I just hung around at a hot dog stand until he came out. And man, let me tell you, he charged outta there like a bull running at Papilloma.” “Pamplona.” “That’s what I said.” The kid’s eyes gleamed like the headlights of a brand new subcompact. “The Thorn shot off down the layers…canon-less…and he didn’t care. I had to run like Hillary’s campaign to catch up with him. He went straight down to the river, near where we parked our boat, right next to that big ship flying the flag with the white ducks on it.” “White ducks?” the PI said. “You mean, the white swan?” “That’s what I said. The boat from Dol Amway.” Halbarad rubbed the sting in his eyes. “Sure, go on.” “So anyway, I hid beside some of those little mini-storage houses where people put their stuff until they can cart it into the city. I could see him plain as day and hear too. He stood around a little while looking at that ring of your boss’s. You know, the one with the two green-eyed snakes curled around a corn dog.” Halbarad nodded. “For a minute, I thought he was going to toss it in the drink, but Tarragon showed up.” The kid shook his head. “That was the weirdest thing I ever seen. The Thorn made Tarragon get on his knee and swear to be felt-up by his steward and his lord if he had to come or stay or die or get a piece of war until the end of the world.” Halbarad’s brows crashed over his nose. “He had him swear his fealty?” “That’s what I said. Right there on the side of the river where anybody could have come along and seen them. But,” the kid said with a smile happier than Kathy Lee Gifford getting a job, “when The Thorn showed the ring to Tarragon he told him it meant the return of Don King. He’s pretty sure that The Wrong Deal is a spy or a scout for King. He said Areindeer had sent The Wrong Deal to put syrup on Minas Tiercake, to act all nice so they can claim Gondor for the next big fight. Tarragon asked if he was sure and The Thorn held out the ring and said it was an Avon ring and he was sure because The Wrong Deal looked like somebody from up North, somebody with good hair.” “What’s he going to do?” the PI asked. “About the ring?” “Tarragon wanted to throw it in the river or tell Etchasketch, but The Thorn said that just because The Wrong Deal was a sneaky liar didn’t mean he had to be one too. So he told Tarragon to tell anybody who asked that some of his scouts found it by the side of the road and since they didn’t come by ship, they’d be late getting there, and they could act like they brought the ring.” The kid made a disgusted noise in his throat. “Yeah, like that’s not lying.” “Then he’s going to give the ring back to Thorongil?” “Oh, yeah,” the kid said. “But he’s got another plan to beat The Wrong Deal at this game. He’s going to marry that girl with duel fenders. That must be a nickname. I ain’t never known any girl named Duel Fenders. Maybe she’s a little broad in the beam or something.” The PI scratched the stubble on his chin. “What’s getting married got to do with the ring?” “It ain’t the ring that’s important,” the kid said like the PI wasn’t keeping up. “It’s having a baby to sit on Etchasketch’s knee. That way, The Thorn’s got a lock on Etchasketch. Family’s what matters. The old man won’t let Don King come in and ruin the family business.” Halbarad worked his jaw while thinking through the kid’s story. “So, The Thorn thinks that giving the steward a grandchild will distract him from Thorongil, turn his favor back to The Thorn….” “Well,” the kid said, “that’s if The Wrong Deal doesn’t up and announce he’s Etchasketch’s son too.” “He’s not!” Halbarad yelled. “Don’t ever say that again!” “Okay, but Etchasketch said it, not me.” “Ecthelion!” the PI shouted. “That’s what I said.” Ray’s Dog Human reviewer: Terrific chapter. The Dog reminded me that he loved it and said so. Since I think he used up our word count, I’ll just agree, “That’s what he said.”

Linda Hoyland · 2 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

A wonderful chapter I loved the humour at the beginning then the angst.If only Denethor had not so resented Aragorn.That is one of Tolkien's great tragedies. Brilliantly told.

Redheredh · 1 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Good chapter!! Humour, Romance, Angst, and Skullduggery! Who could ask for more? Sorry, you gonna get more than you expected. The scene at the dock where our principles mess with poor Searbellas was pure, calculated comedy. Hilarious and sublime, done with excellent timing. And yes I do feel for poor Saddlebags! Wouldn’t you want someone as dedicated as he to look after you? *g* The archivist and the scene with him was a hoot, too. And poor Denethor! Argh, Meckinock, you’re breaking my heart here! You have conveyed his true motivation so very well, and some readers still don’t get it. Not patriotism nor even honor rides our anti-hero the hardest, only pure and simple love. He needs his father to love him - for the person his father has made him. Yet he feels robbed of that due. Just what the heck is wrong with Ecthelion anyway?! How could such a sharp man miss such blatant signs? Does he not realize his son’s jealousy is his own darn fault? Does he not realize what kind of example he is making as a father for Denethor to follow with his sons? He is in denial of his responsibility for this rivalry! Why, look what he said to his son! As if Denethor did not possess the same qualities! hmph! Where is Denethor’s resentment of a returning king actually coming from? He might had been able to form a friendship with Thorongil instead of rivalry. But no, that possibility was precluded. Not by his own actions, which have been very honorable...eh, overall...if not exactly affectionate. I blame his father - Bad!Echthelion - the one who is in denial of his own words and deeds. And then there is Findulas. Denethor truly loves and wants her. She wants him too, but is blinded by her feelings for that carefree fellow that courted her by the sea. In kind, he loves that happy maiden he got to know - too well to be the cause of her demise. Why oh why does no one take his foresight seriously?! They would Thorongil’s, no? Ecthelion uses a strong argument when he says that Denethor would be worse off if another man had her as wife. Worse for whom? is Denethor’s caring protest. He is refusing to be responsible for her misery, and rather sacrifice his happiness for hers. As much as he would like to gain his father’s approval, he will not do it! To heck with the political consequences! Which are grave and should persuade him. You have to admire his sentiment. Their tryst was both sweetly romantic and truly saddening. They both behaved foolishly despite, or maybe because of, reasonable decorum. Then, along comes Turgon! That mook was sent ‘talk’ to Denethor, I just know it! He got so smug when he thought he was going to report back that he got the recalcitrant bridegroom to do what the bosses wanted. Denethor knows he can trust his brother-in-law only as far as the guy can be bribed or coerced. It was a clueless Turgon that caught him in the midst of thinking up a strategy to deal with Thorongil and misunderstood the responses he got. Of course, the matter Denethor was contemplating had nothing to do with love! He was mulling over the fact that he had been a fool for underestimating his foe and needed to move against him. Which brings us to those last lines: I have been a fool. I have to marry Finduilas. For a grandchild? Oh no, he doesn’t. He can get a grandchild from any “lady of high breeding and higher ambitions”. To stave off a feud? The argument would not last long in the shadow of a common Enemy. Political reasons my a**. He has to marry the lady who is not like the others, the love he should not wed and bury under his burdens, the one he only wishes to see happy and free by the seaside, because if he doesn’t...his rival will. A king must have a suitable queen, and Finduilas - his beloved - is above all others. Denethor will not be robbed of her love as well. Ah, there is such irony in the story’s title. The truce is over with a vengeance! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy :D

Raksha The Demon · 1 April 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

Ooh, an excellent chapter in a marvelous story. I love the way you write the relationship between Ecthelion, Thorongil and Denethor, it seethes and writhes with tangled love and jealousy. And the bits with Thorongil and Denethor allying against the healer are great. I felt sorry for Finduilas, though. It's rather terrible that Denethor changes his mind and decides to marry her as a ploy to outdo Thorongil. I wonder if she ever finds out, that could have contributed to her decline, she obviously loves Denethor.

grumpy · 31 March 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

No, no, no, Denethor, this is not the reason you should be marrying Finduilas. Really men and their reasoning. I love reading your new chapter, so glad to see it. Poor Saerbellas (aka Saddlebags, a healers life is not a easy one. Patients who want to ride horses, sailing in beer barges, and donkey carts! Thorongil, that ragged upstart from the north, had better be making plans to quit the city, he has been found out, unmasked. How fast can he hobble with his broken leg???

Dot · 31 March 2008 · Chapter 4: Trickery and Deceit

“You asked for a horse.” Denethor stared at the animal. “I meant a live one.” ROTFL!!! Oh God, that's hysterical. Great to see an update. I'll be back with a review tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow anyway. What a fantastic chapter :-)