Sundry Scrolls III by Raksha The Demon
Aiwen · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
I always like seeing things set in Ost-in-Edhil. A fascinating place, and too seldom written about. Thank you for writing.
Author's reply
Thank you, Aiwen. You're a member of the Silmarillion Writers Guild; so I assume you've seen Pandemonium213's outstanding Second Age stories, including those set there...I enjoy writing about Elrond when the Muse moves me; and snagging an aspect of Sauron was a plus, if a bit scary to write.
Agape4Gondor · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
I was concerned - no, I was afraid for Elrond. I thought he might be 'captured' and somehow tainted... *breathes a sigh of relief*
Author's reply
I'm glad you were afraid for Elrond; since I wanted the reader to see that Elrond was tempted, drawn by Sauron's considerable charisma. But don't worry, I don't see Elrond as someone who is tainted; he's too smart, his instincts are too good; and he does have foresight/genes of Luthien, etc. Thanx for reviewing, Agape.
Agape4Gondor · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 6: VI. Conquering the Helcaraxë (Faramir, Barahir)
I absolutely loved the fact that the boy was going to ask the elves if they used skates at the Helcaraxe..... Very nicely written... and well researched : )
Author's reply
It just seemed to me to be the type of question that a bright kid who's read the Silm would ask, now that he's seen lots of people, including Elves, skate on something less dangerous than the Helcaraxe. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Agape.
Agape4Gondor · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 5: V. Expectations (Faramir)
It's a good thing I live alone. My shout of 'appreciation' at this line would have woken the entire house! 'Oh, this was not going well.' Oh! This was hard... 'Its stormy dark eyes and the wrathful twist of its sharp little features reminded Faramir uncomfortably of his last conversation with his father.' But to use 'it' instead of 'her' made me shiver. THIS broke my heart - “No Shadow shall ever dim thy light, iell-nin, no fire shall touch thee.” I was supposed to be a boy - in my mother's hopes - I think I turned out ok. I do wonder though, if Faramir's love of his father would be able to ovrshadow all the pain, every time he looked at this precious bundle. Beatifully written.... Now I think I'll go off and weep a bit.
Author's reply
Faramir has learned to read his wife's voice and expressions by now, I expect. And it wouldn't take a genius to figure out that Eowyn was Not Amused with her husband at this point. At the time when Faramir is referring to his secondborn as an 'it', he is still not quite recognizing her as not only a baby needing protection and love, but his baby; he's still struggling how to mentally categorize this funny-looking thing that has defied all his expectations. Luckily, compassion is second-nature to him; as soon as she looks up at him, her cries slowing, he starts to see her; and it's all uphill from there. I think there will be times when the baby reminds Faramir of his father. But as she grows older, and becomes more her own person, Faramir will be able to see his daughter as well as an echo of Denethor. Her likeness, I think, could be therapeutic for Faramir; because Miriel is, to some extent, a female version of Denethor as he should have and could have been, growing up in peacetime, not burdened with terrible fears and life-and-death decisions and a diminishing future. In fact, Faramir will have to subdue his impulses to spoil the kid. The fact that she's female will help separate Miriel from Denethor in Faramir's eyes. Thanks for the review!
Agape4Gondor · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 4: IV. On the Edge (Faramir)
When I read this line, I kind of felt like Sam in the movie - when he and Frodo are watching the Elves depart - incredibly sad. 'He had held his last Council as Ruling Steward...' I wonder what you base this sentence on? Faramir only met Aragorn once before this - and that near death in the Houses. Faramir was still in the Houses when Aragorn left for the Black Gate. Do you think he had the same foresight as his father? 'Aragorn son of Arathorn would be, Faramir believed with all his heart, not just any King, but one of the greatest to ever wear Gondor’s Silver Crown.' Needless to say - this line tore at my heart. 'Faramir’s right hand tightened on the remade white rod as he willed his thoughts away from the brother who should now have borne it.' Last lines were beautiful. Very nicely done, all the way around!
Author's reply
Faramir was near death when he first met Aragorn in the Houses, but he saw, intuited, mind-melded, whatever, enough to recognize him as King and proclaim him as such. Also, Tolkien never said that Aragorn didn't see Faramir at all before he left for the Black Gate - maybe he did, maybe he didn't. Faramir could have also formed that opinion just on hearing the story of Aragorn's life, which he probably had by then; and it's a pretty impressive c.v.; especially if Faramir also knows that Aragorn was Thorongil (which he might well have learned). Aragorn saved Minas Tirith (if he hadn't stopped the Corsairs, the Rohirrim's arrival would probably just have put off the taking of the White City), he's the rightful heir of Elendil, as Thorongil he probably saved parts of Gondor from destruction for years by destroying the Corsair fleet, and he's a mighty warrior with healing hands, etc. And I do think that Faramir has a certain degree of foresight - the dream did come first and most often to him, which indicates that his mind is open to such 'extra' things. Tolkien did say that the true blood of Numenor ran more definitely in Faramir than in Boromir, or something to that effect (too lazy to go look it up right now). A thought-provoking review; Agape; thanx much.
Agape4Gondor · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
Lovely! I think Arwen, a little less haughty, would have seen her future before her if she had but looked.
Author's reply
Well, Arwen loved her father very much, and she was used to these cute but very young mortal boys becoming infatuated with her; but she had no interest in actually reciprocating. I think Aragorn was quite special...Thanx for the review, Agape.
Agape4Gondor · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 2: II. Libation (Faramir)
I thought I recognized this - but it was just as good the second time around!
Author's reply
I wrote this originally for a Christmas challenge a few years back, and finally dusted it off and polished it. Glad you liked it.
Agape4Gondor · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
Oh good grief! I am rolling on the floor laughing! I can well imagine how hideous must that have sounded to a poor nazgul's ear! You are wickedly nasty, Raksha!
Author's reply
Yes, this entire story was about wicked nastiness; and no one does it better than Sauron, at least after the First Age. I was never wild about Tom Bombadil's songs either... Thanx for reviewing, Agape.
Celeritas · 22 March 2009 · Chapter 6: VI. Conquering the Helcaraxë (Faramir, Barahir)
Tee hee! Barahir is already quite the little scholar, and I loved how he applied his lessons to the situation at hand, even if he had nothing to worry about. This was lovely, and definitely gave the title's subject matter a different meaning.
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing, Celeritas! I think his parents (Elboron and wife) would have read to him from The Silmarillion; the old tales would not have been ignored in the House of Faramir; also, they had real Elves living not so far away in Ithilien, not to mention a Queen whose great-grandmother (and great-great-grandparents) crossed the original Helcaraxe. And don't we all, at some point or another, have a metaphorical Helcaraxe to cross?
inzilbeth · 22 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
This is such a fascinating period in M-e history yet we have so little actual drama to enjoy. This very nicely filled a gap.
Author's reply
Thanx for the review, Inzilbeth. The Second Age is sort of the neglected middle child of Tolkien fanfic, I fear; and yet is very rich in drama. This was an interesting piece to write.
Nesta · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
Brilliant! This shows vividly how Sauron, with a 'form that seemed fair', could ensnare even Elves. Not the truly wise, though. When reading about tyrants it's striking how often people who meet them comment on their personal charm. Hitler had it apparently; so did Stalin - to some; so did Napoleon. But 'andsome is as 'andsome does.
Author's reply
There's wise and then there's wise, even among Elves. The Jewel-smiths were eager for the gifts that Sauron-as-Annatar offered; and that probably compromised their better judgment. And I think Elrond has always been both intelligent and very discerning - and he doesn't take the easy way. My father once heard Hitler speak, in Cologne in the 1930's, and mentioned how he started out praising the flowers and gardens, and ended with whipping the crowd into a frenzy against the Jews. Hitler did possess a genius for sensing what people felt and wanted, and getting them to believe in him. I know less about Stalin (who slaughtered more people than Hitler); and Napoleon did, if I remember right, have charm and charisma...I wonder if Genghis Khan did - maybe he didn't need charm! Charm and charisma are a necessity in high-level American politics nowadays, thanks to the usage of television; which is rather a shame. I wonder how Abraham Lincoln, who was supposedly not handsome (though I think he had a very interesting face), would have fared in a presidential election today... Thanx for the review, Nesta.
Nesta · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 6: VI. Conquering the Helcaraxë (Faramir, Barahir)
How sweet! And how Barahir's imagination must have feasted on those old tales. I think the crossing of the Helcaraxe is one of the most striking episodes in the Silmarillion - this is a delightful 'reduced version'.
Author's reply
I wish that Tolkien had elaborated on the crossing; it's definitely dramatic. I think Barahir was a very imaginative kid; too. Glad you enjoyed the piece!
Nesta · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 5: V. Expectations (Faramir)
I'm sure she would be absolutely gorgeous to look on, but with a brain too. Suitors will have to keep their wits about them!
Author's reply
Oh, for sure. Frankly, Miriel (that's what she'll be called) will probably be a bit too intimidating for all but the most confident of men; very smart, rather imperious, but fair-minded, and able to out-ride most warriors...Miriel appears as a youngster in A Pirate's Life For Me, in my "Divers Drabbles II" compilation, elsewhere on this site. Thanx for the review, Nesta!
Nesta · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 4: IV. On the Edge (Faramir)
That's a moment I'm always turning back to - it had to have sadness in it. And I don't like to think of the Steward's banner being raised for the last time. Surely it must have flown over Minas Tirith when the King was away and Faramir was deputising for him. I was wondering what banner the Prince of Ithilien would have - a green one with a wreath of bay leaves, perhaps?
Author's reply
Tolkien said: and upon the White Tower of the citadel the standard of the Stewards, bright argent like snow in the sun, bearing no charge nor device, was raised over Gondor for the last time. It's one of the few canon bits that I am tempted to deny. However, at this time, Faramir probably believed that the Steward's banner would not fly again on the White Tower. I've read more than one story that had Aragorn make some accomodation for the banner... I've often thought about what kind of banner/insignia the Prince of Ithilien would have; I keep seeing green and silver, or green and silver and black, as the colors, and perhaps a crescent moon over a tree, since Ithilien is the Moon-land? Thanx for reviewing, Nesta!
Calenlass · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
This is probably why I dislike Sauron more than Morgoth. Not only can he be cruel, he can also play at being...seductive (In more ways than one). A nicely-done fic. ~Cal
Author's reply
Look what Sauron did to Numenor in a few decades. And then to destroy the city where he had been welcomed and worked for two hundred years, Ost-en-Edhil, not to mention what he did to poor Celebrimbor...I'm not sure who was worse, Morgoth's vengeance on Hurin and his children is particularly ghastly...But Sauron definitely seemed to have a fondness for a nice-looking body and an affinity for corruption.
shirebound · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
He was not the first Heir of Isildur to declare his love for her, and Arwen doubted that he would be the last. I never thought about that before. :)
Author's reply
Oh, it just had to have happened before! Arwen's first reaction to young Estel-Aragorn is gentle amusement; and all those boys growing from perhaps aged eight to fourteen or fifteen in Imladris, some of them would have had to have flipped for the Evenstar as their teenaged hormones started to kick in, poor kids. Thanx for reviewing, Shirebound.
shirebound · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 4: IV. On the Edge (Faramir)
Faramir raised the white rod in salute to the banner of his sires. Change was coming. Destiny had seemingly appointed him to return the rule of this city and land to the realm’s true lord. Oh, what a proud and poignant moment. The Stewards indeed held the city for a thousand years, in war and peace, for this very moment.
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing, Shirebound - that's what I was aiming for, the pride and poignancy of this unique moment, a moment that was all Faramir's, and that he could best appreciate.
shirebound · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
I detect a spirit within him that does not match the beauty of his form. How perceptive. He looks fair and feels foul, eh? If only more Elves and Men had realized it sooner.
Author's reply
I see Elrond as one of the most perceptive of a very perceptive race. Also, not only does he have keen intelligence, and a lack of greed (or hunger for lore, at least not to the same degree that the poor doomed Jewel-Smiths had), but he's also a descendant of Luthien, which has to count for a lot as far as 'spidey-sense' goes...
shirebound · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 6: VI. Conquering the Helcaraxë (Faramir, Barahir)
What a marvelous scene! And (being me) I wonder if Shire folk ever visited the new northern city and enjoyed their own skating parties. :)
Author's reply
I planted Pippin and his son Faramir in the scene; and I'm sure that Merry and his family came up sometimes; and we know that Sam and his family visited Annuminas at least once. I would think that the more adventurous Shire-folk would have loved to come to the King's new/old city. Thanx for the review, Shirebound!
shirebound · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 5: V. Expectations (Faramir)
He tightened his hold. Yes, one day men would seek her out, a Prince’s fair daughter. And they will reckon with me, and it shall be few indeed that I will find worthy of her! How quickly hesitation turned to love! It's sweet to watch his thoughts and heart change to accept his new daughter.
Author's reply
Well, Faramir's never had a daughter, someone he could visualize in gowns and jewelry. Compassion is one of Faramir's strongest instincts, and once that started flowing, he stopped thinking of the child as an it and started accepting her as not only a baby, but his baby, his daughter. Thanx for the review, Shirebound!
Rugi · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 4: IV. On the Edge (Faramir)
I like seeing Faramir on the cusp of the real Return of the King. It was interesting to think about him fulfilling all of his duties so perfectly in order to make everything perfect for his replacement. And I love that he was satisfied to do so. In some ways, I think that a lot of the true greatness of Faramir lies in his capacity to labor for someonelse's happiness, fame, and greatness. Graciously standing aside is hard, and he does it well.
Author's reply
I think Faramir must have had a few moments of regret, perhaps, knowing that the change was lowering his status. But Faramir had a historian's perspective too, and would look on the change as the natural culmination of the Ruling Stewards' duty, to hand the rule of Gondor back to the king after holding it safe for the kings for so long. Faramir does have that capacity to labor for others - so did Aragorn, who for years served under other lords and putting their will above his own. But I look on this time as one where Faramir starts to truly come into his own, out of the shadow of his father and brother, ascending not just to one high office (the Stewardship, even non-Ruling, is a pretty big deal) but a high rank, and preparing for marriage too... Thanx for the review, Rugi!
Rugi · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 5: V. Expectations (Faramir)
I loved this! The idea of a tiny squalling Denethor just made me laugh. I felt for Faramir, new born babies are rarely all that attractive - we're lucky our parents love us so much. I was also amused by his assumption that it would be a boy because it happened to my parents (my father's family only ever had boys - lots and LOTS of boys - for like three generations so they didn't even have girl-names selected for me!) - for all we think we know that babies come as either boys or girls, parents still get their share of shocks. I love the moment between Faramir and the baby, when they "connect" - it was sweet and touching (it also lines up well with your other ficlet where Denethor thinks about baby-Faramir). Great stuff!
Author's reply
I see Elboron, Faramir and Eowyn's firstborn as having been handsome even as a newborn, so the appearance of this kid was a double-shock, first it's a girl, second, it's not just a female version of Elboron. I'm sure Faramir, and all fathers, are in for some surprises when their second child doesn't do the same things as the first, LOL. (anyone in the house who knew Faramir as an infant is probably laughing quite a bit at the moment, since the baby looks a lot like him and he hasn't yet realized it) According to my mother, I was supposed to be a boy (well, in her mind anyway), but they had two names picked out, boy and girl, and my father was thrilled (he had always wanted a daughter). Yes, I've written a few birth-ficlets; they're fun to write, mainly for the different ways parents react. I don't see Denethor as a touchy-feely father to either of his sons, but he would have felt some kind of love and paternal protection instinct for baby Faramir. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Rugi!
Larner · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
As he was in the days when he could still fashion a fair seeming fir himself! And even then the Halfelven could sense the falseness there! Excellent! Marvelous!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm sure that Sauron's seeming was very fair. Too bad Celebrimbor and other Jewel-smiths couldn't sense the falseness there; but perhaps Elrond had a genetic advantage in his descent from Luthien. Also, he wasn't as hungry for the Gift-giver's prezzies... Thanx for reviewing, Larner!
Larner · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 6: VI. Conquering the Helcaraxë (Faramir, Barahir)
Aha! The child is a conqueror in his own right, then, even if the Helcaraxe is merely in his imagination! Ah, I miss teaching right now!
Author's reply
We all have had something like the Helcaraxe to conquer as kids; something that looms big and scary or reminds us of something truly frightening. But Barahir is a strong-minded kid, and Faramir a good teacher and loving grandfather...Thanx for reading and reviewing!
eiluj · 21 March 2009 · Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
Chilling! It's easy for us to blame Celebrimbor for inadequate wisdom where Annatar was concerned....
Author's reply
Annatar was probably very convincing; also, Celebrimbor and the Jewel-smiths might not have been suspicious; I mean, the guy looked and smelled and seemed like an Elf; and there was great and good (as far as the Jewel-smiths knew) knowledge to be had, poor Elves.