Clear Conscience (The Clear Shot Remix) by Dreamflower
Larner · 5 August 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue: Minas Tirith
Just rereading this for the MEFAs, and I so wish it HAD gone this way, with both the brothers able to sit by Frodo on the wall in the sunlight, rejoicing that the war was over. Too bad that Denethor still fell to madness, though!
Queen Galadriel · 24 August 2007 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue: Minas Tirith
Ah, an intriguing AU! And what a fun idea to do “remixes” of other stories! *sighs, missing “the old days” when I didn’t feel quite so crowded with original work to do much fic* I love the way everything turned out! Boromir’s remark about Faramir finding more peril than in battle made me laugh, and his conversation with Pippin was very moving. Poor Denethor; I guess it was inevitable if he lived. I hate I couldn’t follow this while it was in progress; during the time you were posting it, I was frantically trying to figure out what to do about having access to a computer because my poor old thing is dead, never to revive again. Now, to catch up on everything else! God bless, Galadriel
Larner · 21 August 2007 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue: Minas Tirith
It would have done so well to have come to this.
Author's reply
It would have; and it would have taken so *very* little to change the shape of the story this way. I am quite sure that if Frodo had overheard Boromir agonizing over his temptation rather than actually confronting him, it would have come out much the same. And then, if somehow the orc archers could have been taken out of the equation...at any rate, that was my thought process.
Antane · 19 August 2007 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue: Minas Tirith
Oh, good, a moment's relief for him before the guilt and shame close in again to suffocate him. I hope eventually he will hear those words he addressed to Boromir and realize they also could apply to him. His will was not free at the Fire as he supposes it was and he had to endure that torment of the Ring's temptations much longer. That he caved in under intolerable pressure is something he needs to forgive himself for - perhaps you can do another chapter on that as he and Boromir help each other through their guilt? I think he could talk to Boromir about the Ring in ways he couldn't with anyone else, not even Sam. *tosses carrot to plot bunny* Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I think *in his head* he does know that those words could apply to him; but his heart was so shattered that I think he cannot quite seem to believe it in his heart--his feelings are scraped raw, and not about to yield to logic. It's possible Boromir could talk to him about it--I don't know, though, if I will be returning to this AU. We shall see what we shall see.
Andrea · 19 August 2007 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue: Minas Tirith
“No, Boromir, you could not have stopped your ears, nor your mind. But you were able to keep your heart true--and for that you have a clear conscience.” How wonderful! I loved it to see the three of them together after the quest was fulfilled. If only Frodo would accept that *he* should have a clear conscience as well! I enjoyed this story a great deal! Thank you very much, Dreamflower!
Author's reply
It was kind of wonderful to me as well. I'd been wanting for a while to try my hand at a "Boromir-lives" AU, and this re-mix gave me the perfect opportunity. Frodo is very good at giving of his wisdom to others, but he finds it hard to accept it for himself. I think, in his head, he knows he's not to blame, but he finds it far harder to convince his heart.
SurgicalSteel · 19 August 2007 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue: Minas Tirith
Nicely, nicely done!
Author's reply
Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Antane · 18 August 2007 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Cormallen
Yea, Boromir survived and even Denethor, though the latter doesn't sound in good shape, does he? Don't you just love AU's? :) Namarie, God bless, Antane
Author's reply
AU's are quite wonderful sometimes! I'm glad you are enjoying this one!
Andrea · 16 August 2007 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Cormallen
And then, looking over Aragorn’s shoulder, he met Boromir’s shining eyes! And the world felt too full of joy for his heart to contain it. Oh, how wonderful! I know that blow would not kill him! And the changes in the story were all for the better. Boromir accompanied Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli on their search and he arrived just in time to save his father from the flames. But Denethor turned mad and refused to recognise his son. That's hard. But it saved Pippin from seeing Denethor die in the fire! And that is an improvement! At first I was a little worried for Faramir, because Boromir was the new steward. But then I read about Eowyn ;-) I think I don't have to worry at all! Just one last question. With all the changes that took place in this story I wonder who the actual King of Rohan is. You don't give a name. It would be great if Theoden survived but then you would have mentioned it, wouldn't you?
Author's reply
No, with the chance to keep Boromir alive, I was most certainly going to take it! LOL! But I had to leave just a *little* doubt! Turning it over in my mind, I could not come up with any other way than Denethor dying that would have allowed the City to accept Aragorn as King. But, yes, I could envision that his madness would incapacitate him once it was revealed. And Boromir's arrival at Aragorn's side would overcome any doubts that might have remained. But I could not see Denethor accepting healing from the "ragged upstart", unfortunately. Boromir was the eldest, and the natural one to follow as Steward. But I think that Faramir still became the Prince of Ithilien and married Eowyn. I'm afraid that Theoden still died. I was trying to make as few changes as possible to canon, and still have the story turn out the way it did.
Larner · 14 August 2007 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Cormallen
What a joyous use of that information from UT, Dreamflower! Boromir alive and his mind whole, Denethor alive but lost in madness, unwilling to accept what is offered to him freely. And Faramir watching all within the city, waiting for the reunion with his beloved brother. As for Frodo--seeing the light in all four Princes--his own must have shown the brighter for it!
Author's reply
Yes, all of the Fellowship, alive and glad to be together! And yes, Faramir awaits his brother's return! I love that bit--(well, I love that whole chapter, actually) when they see Aragorn awaiting them all noble and kingly! It only took me an instant to decide that he would place his new steward close at hand, and that Boromir too, would be enthroned there. I think Frodo and Sam both were shining brightly, for those with eyes to see.
Larner · 13 August 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Ithilien
Such a meeting between old friends! And I'm proud of both Boromir and Faramir!
Author's reply
Yes, both of them get a chance to show their quality now, and it just shines!
Andrea · 13 August 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Ithilien
What a friendly meeting, much more unformal than in the original story. And no need for Frodo to be wary, because like his brother, Faramir is his friend. It seems that at the end of this chapter AU and original story have joined again. But for how long? What about Boromir? Was that knock on the head deadly after all? On the other hand, Faramir did not speak of finding the Elven boat. So, there's still hope :)
Author's reply
Yes, indeed, less formal. Both Faramir and Frodo are far less wary! You will find out about Boromir in the very next chapter...
Agape4Gondor · 13 August 2007 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Rivendell
Hmmmm. Very interesting concept. I shall read further - but first I want to go and read the 'beginning' - Clear Shot.
Author's reply
I think you'll find Claudia's idea a very fascinating idea for an AU!
SurgicalSteel · 13 August 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Ithilien
I'm not certain why I was initially hesitant to read this - but so far I'm enjoying it very much!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you are enjoying it! I do understand--I often hesitate to read AUs, for fear they will be too "far-out". But there are some really nice ones.
PIppinfan1988 · 11 August 2007 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Rivendell
I love your portrayal of their reunion! How could all of them allow Frodo, so innocent of the world, so small and helpless, to undertake a task of such peril--especially since Boromir was still not convinced that it was the only solution? I think the previous meeting lends credence to Boromir's thought-process in another solution. I also like how you always portray Merry as Frodo's protector. This is off to a great start!
Author's reply
Thanks! I figured it would be just a bit of a shock to see one another there! Merry--and Sam--always see themselves as Frodo's protectors. So does Pippin, for that matter. Merry is the most open about it; Sam is a bit more diffident in expressing it, because of social status. Pippin is young, and tends not to say a lot about protecting his older cousins; he simply acts when the need is there. I do hope you enjoy it!
Antane · 11 August 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three: At Parth Galen
I'm glad Boromir was able to fight off the Ring's influence this time. I had been dreading that all would proceed as it had before. Nice cliffhanger too. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Some things won't change. *Some* things, however, will be profoundly different...
Andrea · 10 August 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three: At Parth Galen
Wow! It's growing more and more interesting! Boromir refuses to force Frodo to give him the Ring, because Frodo is his friend. He respects him and he fears for him. And Frodo witnesses Boromir's fight against the Ring. His only resolve can be to leave the Fellowship immediately! If he really leaves *immediately*, it will be very hard for Sam to reach him in time... That leads to more speculations! Boromir is still alive! And his friends are right beside him. Wow! I like that change of events. I'm really curious to see what happens next :)
Author's reply
Yes, Boromir is resisting the Ring much harder in this AU--though if he and Frodo had actually *encountered* one another at that point, it might have been too much for him. But Frodo was wise enough to keep out of his sight, and stubborn enough to make the Ring pull back, at least temporarily. This encounter is taking just about the same amount of time as the original, as you will see very soon!
Hai Took · 10 August 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three: At Parth Galen
Don't let him die! Really if we have AU the best parts are that things don't have to go the way the did, right?! :) I of course had to go and read Claudia's and both your idea and hers are blending perfectly. I have enjoyed this Boromir, to have a deeper friendship with Frodo may have indeed helped him to fight the Rings pull. Anyway, looking forward to more and finding out how things might happen. Thank you for the story! :)
Author's reply
Well, you will see what happens very soon! I did try very hard to blend my story with her universe--she seemed pleased, at any rate, so I suppose I succeeded. It seemed to me that the Ring would have to work a lot harder if Boromir was already Frodo's friend.
Larner · 10 August 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three: At Parth Galen
Interesting mix of book, movie, and individual universes here. So, Boromir here doesn't threaten Frodo, is saved from skewering by arrows by Hobbit-flung stones, and is brought down by a blow from the flat of a sword. I'm going to have to look up the original now! I'm so proud of Frodo here!
Author's reply
Well, it's a given that there will be book-canon, and from there, of course I had to work Claudia's background in. I tend to be sparing with movie-verse elements, but I don't rule them out altogether. Yes, I had to think--how could Boromir be saved from the archers? And I thought that might be one way! Author Reply: I got interrupted before I could finish my reply to you. I had to deal with the fact that Frodo still needed a catalyst to break from the rest of the Fellowship; it seemed to me that even just *knowing* how Boromir was struggling with the Ring's temptations would serve quite as well as Boromir actually succumbing to it--hence his overhearing Boromir's agonized argument with himself. And Frodo would want to spare the others from Its constant blandishments as much as possible.
Linda Hoyland · 7 August 2007 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two: The Journey South
I'm enjoying this very much.It is an interesting premise and i went to read the original first.I eagerly await more.
Author's reply
Yes, the original story had such a fascinating premise! As soon as I read it, I had to wonder just how that encounter affected their future--so I was quite pleased when Claudia was assigned to me for re-mixing!
Larner · 7 August 2007 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two: The Journey South
Yes, the Ring is already working on Boromir, and Frodo senses it, although he doesn't yet acknowledge it openly. Poor Frodo!
Author's reply
The Ring *is* working on him; and It is having to work much harder than It would have before...
Larner · 7 August 2007 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Rivendell
Interesting to think that perhaps Frodo and Boromir might have had such an introduction between them. Now to see how it works out.
Author's reply
Yes, it would have been quite a shock to see one another across the Council table!
Larner · 7 August 2007 · Chapter 0: Foreword
Okay--now this is an unusual tenet. I fear I never read the original, so this should be interesting.
Author's reply
I found it a very fascinating concept, that Boromir and Faramir should meet Frodo years before. Claudia's story only covered the time at hand. But when I read it, I could not help but wonder how it would affect the future.
Andrea · 7 August 2007 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two: The Journey South
Well, we do not know much about Boromir's feelings on the quest from the book. But what happens to him here, in this story, feels much more intense. He senses very early that there is something strange happening to him, but he has not figured it out yet. On the other hand Frodo is a dear friend to him and so the Ring's strategy to make Frodo look weak and foolish and unqualified to carry the Ring in Boromir's eyes doesn't work at all! So the Ring starts a different approach: protecting Frodo by separating It from him. This might even work! And the outcome could be very dangerous! Again, I can think of lots of possibilities of what might happen next!
Author's reply
I think a pre-existing friendship with Frodo would make all the difference in the world to how he would react to things. He'd have felt guilty over having injured Frodo all those years ago, he'd have already known and respected the fact that hobbits are tougher than they look, and he'd be totally committed to protecting his friend. So, yes, the Ring will have to try a different tack. I think that this whole idea was what attracted me to want to remix that particular story: the whole idea of how a friendship already in place between Frodo and Boromir and Faramir would impact the Quest...
Andrea · 6 August 2007 · Chapter 1: Chapter One: Rivendell
Wow, what a captivating plot, Dreamflower! I don't know Claudia's story - yet, that is ;-) But it seems it ended long before Frodo left the Shire with the Ring. So, there's much space left for speculations! I loved your description of Merry and Sam through Boromir's eyes. Both are protecting Frodo, but in different ways. Merry does it more openly, even challenging (I'd like to see that), whereas Sam operates from the background. I'm looking forward to reading more!
Author's reply
Yes, "Clear Shot" took place when Frodo was in his late tweens, and Bilbo was still in the Shire. Both of them are very protective of Frodo. But Sam has learned to keep a low profile as a working class hobbit, while Merry is a Brandybuck! I should have the next chapter up very soon.