Sundry Scrolls II by Raksha The Demon
Larner · 11 May 2008 · Chapter 7: VII. Reflections in the Smoke (Gandalf)
The one sent to cajole and raise ardor and purpose, now his own purpose fulfilled at last, and able to know peace for the first time in two thousand years! Yes--time to rest!
Author's reply
It must have been a tremendous relief to Gandalf, and yet rather strange and sad at the same time. Thanx for reviewing, Larner!
Larner · 11 May 2008 · Chapter 6: VI. The Prisoner of Time (AU, Denethor)
A too-likely expression of Denethor's pride--he hears that Gondor needs him and fights, but then continues to see the King Returned as his rival and so dooms his son, robs Eomer of his sister, and then sits in bitterness in the dark. He forgets the victories to clutch at glories that died long ago, and so fails to see the glory of now!
Author's reply
To be fair to poor Denethor, I don't think he robbed Eomer of his sister, he merely, and sadly, failed to save her. At the time, Denethor was probably preoccupied with the only duty he had left, and though I'm sure he treated Eowyn courteously, would not have deliberately hurt her, but would not have taken the time to figure out what she needed or how to give it to her. I got the inspiration for Denethor's sitting in bitterness in a darkened chamber from a line of Faramir's about Numenoreans, in The Two Towers: Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry; in secret chambers withered men compounded strong elixirs, or in high cold towers asked questions of the stars.. Of course, at the time my story begins and ends, Denethor does not want to open the window and check out the great outdoors, not with Thorongil stomping through the streets towards the Throne of the Kings... It's just as well that Denethor does not realize that his own stubbornness doomed Faramir; if he did realize it, I think his heart would totally shatter. Thanx for reviewing, Larner!
phyloxena · 11 May 2008 · Chapter 6: VI. The Prisoner of Time (AU, Denethor)
Horrors. I marvel at your choice of words and precision of pace, but even more so at your courage at logically developing this AU through all immediate consequences. I think I saw happier "Denethor Lives" stories, but they took more tweaks to the original plot to work, and yours is singularly intense and effective.
Author's reply
I do actually have a happier Denethor Lives AU tale in my head, but it is much longer and more complex, and it takes Denethor a long and lonely time to reach for what happiness he can still have. But I think that the odds are against that; and here, Denethor's suspicion of Aragorn, and the desire, flowing from that suspicion, to protect Faramir from him, backfired in the worst possible way. Other AU writers, I think, have assumed that with the separation of Denethor from the palantir, followed by the loss of Sauron's fell influence, Denethor would become the great man he had once had the potential to be. I supposed it is not impossible. But I personally believe that much of Denethor's paranoia and anger and self-involvement came from his own mind, though exacerbated by palantir usage; and that he would not have suddenly deviated from years of habit and a resentment lasting half his life. Thanx much for reading and reviewing, Phyloxena!
Linda Hoyland · 10 May 2008 · Chapter 8: VIII. Seeds Under Stone (Faramir)
A lovely glimpse of rebirth in the shape of a single flower.
Author's reply
Now you've got me thinking of Legolas and Faramir dancing for joy around the flower. And if Sam had been there! Anyway, I had fun writing it Thanx for commenting, Linda!
Linda Hoyland · 10 May 2008 · Chapter 7: VII. Reflections in the Smoke (Gandalf)
I can just imagine Gandalf having thoughts like these.It is good to be reminded of his kinship with Sauron and how different they were.
Author's reply
I'm glad you thought I portrayed Gandalf's thoughts with some accuracy; I'm always nervous when writing him, since he's a favorite of mine, and such an ancient, wise and long-living individual. Thanx for the review!
Linda Hoyland · 10 May 2008 · Chapter 6: VI. The Prisoner of Time (AU, Denethor)
A brilliant look at "what if?". I fear it would have turned out just like this, hand Denethor lived. A chilling,haunting tale that makes me very glad the book turns out as it does.
Author's reply
This is one possible scenario - I can actually envision another one in which Denethor does not end up so isolated (but that would take much longer to write and I'm not sure I could do it justice), but Faramir would have to live in that version. I don't really see Denethor serving Aragorn as his Steward in any AU scenario. This was rather grueling to write; I felt quite sorry for Denethor in this tale, but it is how I felt things might well procede, especially given his jealousy of Aragorn and conviction that Aragorn was not a valid claimant of the throne. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Linda!
meckinock · 28 April 2008 · Chapter 4: IV. The Fire of Hope (Aragorn)
Big dreams. I'm happy for the young lad that he doesn't yet know how long it will be or how many trials he'll endure before he realizes them. This is a sweet moment.
Author's reply
ah, the serene confidence of youth - for young Aragorn, the future is far away; and he is not thinking of how wearying it will be to survive on dreams, hope and faith for seventy more years. It's a good thing he's such a strong man in all ways... Thanx for reading and reviewing, Meckinock!
Branwyn · 27 April 2008 · Chapter 4: IV. The Fire of Hope (Aragorn)
A well-written look into Aragorn's motivations during his long watch over Eriador, when his deeds were unknown and unthanked. He dreams of the simple, domestic joys that his solitary watch is allowing others to enjoy. She had looked upon him as if he were a clever child Well, in fairness to Arwen, she must have seen many generations of chieftains come and go. By the way, it had never occured to me that Aragorn had to deal with more than one generation of Butterbur! As if one were not enough! Once again, well done!
Author's reply
In The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen, Elrond says: But as for Arwen the Fair, Lady of Imladris and of Lórien, Evenstar of her people, she is of lineage greater than yours, and she has lived in the world already so long that to her you are but as a yearling shoot beside a young birch of many summers. She is too far above you. And so, I think, it may well seem to her. I would think that Aragorn probably was far from the first of Elrond's Dunedain fosterlings to become enamored of Arwen. She probably thought of such things as sweet and boyish fancies. And Aragorn was acting like a very young man, wandering through the birch trees, singing for joy, (having just found out that he was the Heir of Isildur) when he comes upon his very own Luthien. There's a lightness to his speech at the time that shows him to be still somewhat callow. However, Aragorn has tremendous confidence, and no intention of letting go of his love for Arwen, however sudden it is. I think the Butterburs were an old family in Bree, and had had the Prancing Pony for awhile; hence I came up with a B-named father or grandfather for Barliman. Thanx for the review, Branwyn!
Branwyn · 27 April 2008 · Chapter 5: V. Moonset over Gondor (Faramir)
I very much liked the pensive quality of this piece, the sense of turmoil recalled from a great distance. The night is so still and calm as Faramir reflects on the uncertainty that they lived with during War and also on the price that was paid for the peace. But (as Eowyn wisely reminds him in this piece) his consolation for the loss has to be the knowledge that he did what was right--he helped Frodo and Samwise, knowing (I think) that this would be against the wishes of his father the Steward. Very well done! (And Happy Birthday to H-A!)
Author's reply
Were I as hasty as you, I might have slain you long ago. For I am commanded to slay all whom I find in this land without the leave of the Lord of Gondor. But I do not slay man or beast needlessly, and not gladly even when it is needed. - Faramir, WINDOW ON THE WEST, The Two Towers I definitely think Faramir knew that sparing, much less helping, the halflings, would be against the Steward's orders, at the very least. Faramir gives the impression here that he has, or has taken, a certain autonomy in Ithilien. But he did take a risk, and the consequences were painful for him... I believe that Faramir was destined to be in Ithilien, and have that choice before him, so that the weary Sam and Frodo could take refuge, however fleeting, in Henneth Annun and in Faramir's friendship. Faramir's farewell to Frodo in TTT, is heart-breaking; the salutation from one soldier who expects to die to a comrade who is also doomed. That was in my mind when I wrote this; and also that Faramir would think of the irony, later, that Frodo was unable to take joy in the fruits of the victory he brought the Men of the West... Thanx for the thoughtful review, Branwyn!
Larner · 25 April 2008 · Chapter 5: V. Moonset over Gondor (Faramir)
Aye, our Frodo must also rejoice at the sight of the Moon, and remember that moment of friendship unlooked for he knew in the sight of it six years previously. He gave up much to accomplish more, but in the end he found his peace and perhaps a different happiness than what he'd originally wished for, but a great happiness anyway.
Larner · 25 April 2008 · Chapter 4: IV. The Fire of Hope (Aragorn)
Yes, the ancestor of Hope shines his own Hope down on the recently made Man, and there IS Hope for Middle Earth as Hope daydreams in the early evening. Heh! Lovely, Raksha--lovely!
Author's reply
Yes, it's a circle of hope indeed - Bless JRRT for giving him that nickname! Thanx for the review, Larner - I'm glad you liked the tale.
Estelcontar · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 4: IV. The Fire of Hope (Aragorn)
That is a lovely and poignant vignette. I think you captured very well, the loneliness, the selflessness, the wistfulness and the hopefulness of Aragorn, the Chieftain of The Dúnedain Of Arnor.
Author's reply
Thanx much for the review! I was aiming for a combination of wistfulness, loneliness and physical discomfort, as a backdrop for Aragorn's personal self-confidence and hope. (and there is a poignancy about any young man in his twenties dreaming of a love that is, on the surface, impossible) I think all the Dunedain of Arnor must rely a great deal on hope, faith and duty; and pride - they don't seem to have much in the way of material goods or a large population, or even a certain future. I think Aragorn would exemplify those virtues.
Cairistiona · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 4: IV. The Fire of Hope (Aragorn)
Ah, what a lovely vignette! Aragorn, sitting out in the dark and cold and damp, watching over the town as the sentinel he is but still dreaming of a home of his own and the elf maiden he loves--you've painted that picture vividly and poignantly. I love the present tense--it seems to somehow drive home the fear he must at times have that he will never achieve his dreams, and yet he is not dismayed but smiles as his vivid imagination takes him far from the loneliness of the night. You've captured Estel--"Hope"--perfectly. And I love that you have him wanting seven kids!
Author's reply
The present tense can be fun to use for the sense of immediacy it can give. Aragorn strikes me as brimming with self-confidence and strength, neither of which have been fully tested at this point in his life - of course he'd want to have seven kids with Arwen, just like Feanor, only without Morgoth and Silmarils and terrible oaths, etc. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Cairistiona (that's a pretty name!).
Linda Hoyland · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 5: V. Moonset over Gondor (Faramir)
What lovely images of faramir and Eowyn in the moonlight. I lke the way both these ficlets link past and future.
Author's reply
Gondor, and Faramir, have been living partly in the past for a long time - because they didn't have much of a future ahead; it's only after the Battle of the Pelennor and the Passing of Sauron that both could really bloom and grow and relish life again. But Faramir, with his compassion and historian's temperament, would not only cherish the valuable aspects of the past; he would never forget Frodo and the sacrifices the Ring-bearer made. Glad you liked it - I too enjoy the images of Faramir in the moonlight. Too bad the missus was there to spoil the view; but she insisted on coming along!
Linda Hoyland · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 4: IV. The Fire of Hope (Aragorn)
This was lovely, I could just imagine Aragorn sitting dreaming by the fire. You share my view that Aragorn remained true to Arwen and kept on hoping.
Author's reply
Aragorn is young here, I think in his 20's, before the great journeys to Rohan and Gondor and East; so he's full of fire and his dreams are fresh. It was fun to write him at this age, in a moment where he could spare the time, while remaining vigilant, to think of the future he intended to make a reality. Thanx for reviewing, Linda!
Antane · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 5: V. Moonset over Gondor (Faramir)
One would hope that the sundered Fellowship and those friends met on the way would realize that they were only separated physically from their beloved friend and not in heart and soul where they are still united. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thanx so much, Antane - what a lovely thought!
Khorazîr · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 5: V. Moonset over Gondor (Faramir)
This is a beautiful ficlet, Raksha. I like the idea of Faramir bringing Éowyn to Henneth Annûn, and consider taking their children, too. Also, I like his reminiscences of the Hobbits, and the reminder that even though the War was won, this happened at great cost for most involved, and in particular for some.
Author's reply
I'm not the first to have Faramir bring Eowyn to Henneth Annun (Game of Chess, by Altariel, at Fanfiction.net, has a chapter where Faramir brings Eowyn to the refuge after the couple has endured some trying times), though this story focussed on different things. Faramir knows a great deal about hard-won victories and personal sacrifices; and he seemed to like Frodo very much and regret the necessity that he believed would kill him and Sam, back in . Thanx for reading and reviewing, Khorazir!
Dreamflower · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 5: V. Moonset over Gondor (Faramir)
This was an absolutely perfect conversation, one that sounded like it could have been found somewhere among JRRT's own unpublished notes... Beautiful!
Author's reply
Ooh, what a great review - I was worried about the dialogue; fearing that Faramir was coming off as too angsty, so I'm thrilled that you found the conversation notable. Thanx for the comparison to JRRT's own notes - that's put a huge grin on my face.
Dreamflower · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 4: IV. The Fire of Hope (Aragorn)
This is just beautiful. I love the hints of how long it is until that goal will ultimately be achieved: *Bartho* Butterbur (old Barliman's father, or even grandfather?)yet he still keeps his vigil. And I love the way we see that *his* hope is his beloved, even while *he himself* is the hope of the rest of the world...
Author's reply
I think Barliman is about the same age as Frodo, so he would not yet be born in the 2950's, when I envision this vignette taking place. I invented a father with a similar name, the Butterburs being an old Bree family. I'm so glad you enjoyed the piece - the play on words with 'hope' was intentional; what fires Hope when things are drear and uncomfortable; and what fires/inspires Aragorn...all tying in, buoyed by Aragorn's considerable and not unjustified self-confidence and youthful fervor. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Dreamflower!
Dreamflower · 24 April 2008 · Chapter 3: III. Before the Black Gate (Pippin)
Oh, I do love this moment of comradeship between Pippin and Beregond. It seems entirely natural that at a time like this, a hobbit's thoughts would turn to food--and how wonderful that his new friend appears with it. I also like the idea that Aragorn thought to send him some of the heartening cordial--it's very much what he'd have done, if he'd had any to hand. (And he might have, if Elrohir and Elladan had brought any with them.) Pippin's resignation to the idea of death here is both so sad and yet still so hobbity--he's giving it up for friends, after all. But it would be unbearable if we all didn't know the outcome will be better than he anticipates.
Author's reply
Aragorn knows that hobbits, above all the soldiers in the armies of the West, march on their stomachs; and he would know that the provisions are wearing thin, and think of the cordial for the far-from-home hobbit. I think Pippin would have welcomed the combination of food and friendship; hopefully both made the prospect of imminent Doom easier to face. Thankfully we do know that Pippin and dear Beregond will both survive and prosper - it would be horrible if the plot had turned out otherwise... Thanx for the review, Dreamflower!
Linda Hoyland · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 3: III. Before the Black Gate (Pippin)
I just loved this.You capture Pippin perfectly.I especially liked their meal which had a very symbolic feel about it.A lovely piece.
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing, Linda! I'm so glad you liked it (particularly since Faramir and Aragorn don't appear); I'm always more nervous writing hobbits, and Pippin is my very favorite halfling, I wanted to do him justice. As for the meal, well, trust a hobbit to awaken to that ghastly landscape, imminent death, and start thinking about food.
Branwyn · 27 March 2008 · Chapter 2: II. Wind of Change
That is a wonderful quote for either Eowyn or Galadriel. It is a nice touch that she is named based on the King's reaction to her (that is an old tradition and sometimes still followed--I knew someone whose father named her "Delight," lol!). I loved the image of Glorfindel shaking out his mane after the rainstorm and that he realizes that the prophecy will be fulfilled. The child quiets, then fearlessly gazes up at him and shakes a fist. Her perfect little fingers uncurl, as if reaching to grip the hilt of a sword. Very nice!
Author's reply
I have always thought that the quote applies best to Galadriel, but it did work quite well for this ficlet too, concerning Eowyn's entrance. As for Glorfindel's hair, well, it seemed very natural that he'd shake it out; I bet he's just a teensy bit vain of that shiny golden mane; LOL. Glad you liked how it turned out; and thanx for reviewing.
Branwyn · 27 March 2008 · Chapter 3: III. Before the Black Gate (Pippin)
Poor Pippin is truly a stranger in a strange land, very far from the woods and fields of the Tooklands. I like the hobbit's eye viewpoint of this fic--Beregond towers over him. Yet despite their differences, it is clear that they are friends. Beregond is looking out for him, considerate of a hobbit's need for a good breakfast. He hopped up briskly, ready as he would ever be for what was to come. I especially liked this line; it seemed very hobbit-like and reminded me of Samwise's commonsense heroism. A fitting fic to honor the battle before the Black Gate.
Author's reply
Beregond knows about hobbit appetites from his time with Pippin in Minas Tirith; and I think he would be considerate enough to try to see to his small friend's comfort as much as he could - it's really the only thing Beregond could do at that time. I'm so glad you liked the last line; I wasn't sure if it was right as an end to the story; and I don't have much experience writing hobbits. Thanx for the thoughtful review, Branwyn!
harrowcat · 27 March 2008 · Chapter 2: II. Wind of Change
I love how Glorfindel feels prophecy turn to certainty.
harrowcat · 27 March 2008 · Chapter 3: III. Before the Black Gate (Pippin)
Food shared is always so much better than that eaten solitary. I am glad that Pipin has Beregond. *wanders off to get her lone breakfast and bring it back to share with her virtual friends.*
Author's reply
Hope you had a good breakfast; harrowcat; and thanx for reviewing. Yes, I thought that Pippin would appreciate a breakfast, even a meager one, and even one he thought would be his last.