Larner
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 5: V. Expectations (Faramir)
Ah--how wonderful! Yes, our Faramir has a daughter, and she takes after her father's people rather than her mother's! Perfect! And love how once he slips into formal language and caresses her cheek she calms and allows herself to sleep. The interplay with Eowyn is masterful!
Author's reply
I think this kid (who will be called Miriel) will take some from both parents; I see all of Faramir's children as excellent riders, but this one is physically very like Faramir and Denethor. Yes, as soon as Faramir relaxed and felt that compassion that is such a strong part of him, the baby responded. I'm glad you liked the interplay with Eowyn; no way was she going to allow Faramir, after the long labor, to disrespect their new baby!
Thanx for reviewing, Larner!!!
Larner
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 4: IV. On the Edge (Faramir)
A special vigil held. YES! Love it!
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and commenting, Larner. Someone had to hold vigil, I mean, besides the guards; for all that was passing, for the great new era that was coming, etc. I'm glad you liked the piece!
eiluj
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 4: IV. On the Edge (Faramir)
Yes: I'm sure that's just how it was. (And surely it could be a ten or twenty-chapter story....)
Thanks also for the link to Altariel's fic. I'd read many of her early Faramir stories, but I don't remember that one.
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing, Eiluj. Yes, it could be a ten-chapter story, but others, including Tolkien, have already chronicled that stretch of days and many of Faramir's activities; I wanted to focus on a few moments...
Oh, Altariel's A Kind of Valediction is a glorious piece of fanfiction; I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Linda Hoyland
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 7: VII. Glitter (Elrond, Annatar)
A very creepy and chilling story.You explore the seductive power of evil well.
Author's reply
Oh, Annatar had to be the most seductive fellow in the Second Age, and possibly the First and Third too. If he could con Celebrimbor, he could probably seduce (metaphorically mostly, but who knows) most Elves, and did. But Galadriel and Elrond were in a class by themselves; and I think Gil-galad smart enough to follow their lead.
Thanx for the review, Linda!
Linda Hoyland
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 6: VI. Conquering the Helcaraxë (Faramir, Barahir)
A delightful glimpse of an obviously loving relationship between Faramir and his grandson. I loved the way Faramir explains to the child and calms his fears. I should love to read how Faramir learned to skate!
Author's reply
Every time I try to organize thoughts for a piece on Faramir learning to skate, my muse starts pestering me for a wintry Arathorn story, and then abandoning me when I try to oblige. Fickle muse! Someday I'll get both ideas on paper.
Glad you liked the story; thanx for reviewing!
Linda Hoyland
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 5: V. Expectations (Faramir)
This is quite an unusual glimpse of Faramir as he does rather put his foot in things!Does he not know babies come in two genders? I loved Eowyn here. I'm so pleased the little girl quickly won her daddy's heart.
Author's reply
Well, even my wonderful Faramir, noblest Gondorian of them all, is not 100% perfect, LOL. He just expected another boy and didn't think of a daughter.
This kid is definitely going to be Daddy's little Princess. She's going to grow up to be very striking, and look very like Claudia Black, only a bit taller I think.
Thanx for reviewing, Linda!
Linda Hoyland
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 4: IV. On the Edge (Faramir)
I just loved this.You capture Faramir's feelings perfectly before this very special day and I can imagine him having these very thoughts about Aragorn.
Author's reply
Thanx for the review, Linda. Faramir had to have conflicting feelings, including some powerful emotions on this eve of change. I wondered if he would have wanted to be reveling on the Pelennor, but think he'd almost rather be appreciating the last night of the Stewards' rule, knowing what was and anticipating what was to come and his role in it.
Nesta
· 18 March 2009
· Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
Neat! So Aragorn wasn't the first? I'd never thought of that, but it seems highly likely. I love the bit about the grubby bouquets.
Poor Arwen, she was obviously lulled into a false sense of security where heirs of Elendil were concerned.
Author's reply
It's only natural that these teenaged Heirs of Elendil would fall head-over-heels with the fairest Elf-maid since Luthien, or at least make eyes at her.
Tolkien said that elanor and niphredil bloomed in Lorien; but I'm not sure that he ever said they didn't bloom elsewhere. I could just see that gawky young Heir of Isildur grabbing up a handful of the precious Elf-posies to present to Arwen...
Thanx for reviewing, Nesta!
Nesta
· 18 March 2009
· Chapter 2: II. Libation (Faramir)
Very, very funny. I think I shall have to organise a branch of the League of Temperance to do a bit of canvassing around Gondor.
Author's reply
LOL (envisioning a determined gaggle of long-skirted Temperance ladies chasing after the nimble Rangers)! Thanx for the review!
Nesta
· 18 March 2009
· Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
Raksha, you're wicked -I laughed till I was hoarse!
How can we tremble before the Fearsome Nine if you go about writing that sort of thing?
As for the Positive Motivation course... and Tom's poetry ... oh dear, oh dear...
Author's reply
I'm pleased that you enjoyed the story, Nesta. At least I assume he gave the Mighty Nine a good insurance benefits package - eternal life, so they wouldn't need much medical care; and presumably an endless supply of black cloaks.
Thanx for reading and reviewing!
Antane
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
It is always dreadful when asked to come to the boss's office and it is also most wise to hold one's tongue when one doesn't always wish to. Been there, done that. Now we find out that fire is not the only thing Nazgul fear! Too bad they couldn't broadcast Tom's voice from Weathertop or Minas Tirith.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Hopefully your boss isn't as bad as the Lord of Mordor! Since they couldn't be killed by fire, I would think the Nazgul would fear ol' Red-Eye a bit more. I certainly would!
Broadcasting Tom's voice from Minas Tirith? It might have made a big difference on the Pelennor, LOL.
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Antane.
Soledad
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
Heh! That was a nice twist. You fooled me for a while.
Author's reply
I was trying to fool the reader; I'm glad the piece had the desired effect, to heighten the surprise. Argonui was the son of Arathorn; and I imagine that most of the young Heirs of Isildur were brave, tall, intelligent boys, but still not quite boyfriend-material for the Evenstar. Thanks for the review!
Soledad
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 2: II. Libation (Faramir)
Awww! That was so sweet! I can't even remember having read a story with a grown Elboron in it, ever.
Author's reply
It can't have been always easy for Elboron to have a father who was not only Prince of Ithilien and Steward of Gondor, but also a beloved Captain of the Ithilien Rangers. I'm pleased that you liked the piece, Soledad; thanks for reviewing it.
Soledad
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
You are truly evil! Poor Nazgul, what a cruel punishment!
Although I have to admit that when I read Seventh of Nine I immediately saw Jeri Ryan and her form-fittng catsuit before my inner eye and started howling like a madwoman. The spontaneous association was just too much to bear. *g*
Author's reply
Well, the reference to a certain former Borg might have just been the teensiest bit intentional...Seven was certainly much prettier than Third!
Thanx for reviewing, Soledad.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
I can well imagine that many of the heirs of Isildur fell for Arwen.Little does she know that one will win her heart!Delightful!
Author's reply
Arwen has herself definitely convinced that she's so above all these cute mortal boys. She's in for a surprise when she meets Aragorn son of Arathorn!
Thanks for the reveiw, Linda!
Linda Hoyland
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 2: II. Libation (Faramir)
I'm glad Faramir recalls his own youth!He is a good Prince and a good father.
Author's reply
Aw, you know that Faramir would be a good dad; and an outstanding Prince. Thanx for the review, Linda.
Linda Hoyland
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
This is just hilarious and full of wonderful quips!I loved it.
Author's reply
Thanx, Linda; I'm glad you enjoyed the sad story of the nervous Nazgul.
SurgicalSteel
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
*snorts coffee out through nose*
That was hilarious!
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Steel - I'm pleased you found it funny. Just don't tell poor Third of Nine...
utfrog
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
These are all so good I cannot pick a favorite. I appreciate the holiday treat. Thank you.
Author's reply
Delighted that you liked them all, utfrog - thanx for eommenting!
Grayswandir
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 2: II. Libation (Faramir)
Cute. :) And yes, as someone else said -- it's a bit different for a captain in peace-time, isn't it?
Luckily, though, Faramir seems to be a pretty easygoing sort. And luckily, Elboron's grandfather isn't around to disapprove. ;)
Author's reply
I'm not sure that Ithilien was completely peaceful; but it was definitely less dangerous than in TTT. And the Rangers were on leave when they 'helped out' the villagers with the harvest. But I think Faramir would be fairly easygoing, unless he felt the Rangers were getting sloppy, inefficient or had in any way preyed on the villagers. Even in Denethor's time, before the Ring War, the Rangers would have had to relax occasionally.
Thanx for reviewing!
Grayswandir
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
This is a really wonderful idea. It adds another level of meaning to Arwen's ultimate relationship with Aragorn -- after all these dedications and proposals, all these chances she didn't take, and even after seeing all these men live their mortal lives and pass away... she still couldn't leave Aragorn. There was really something different about him. He wasn't just one more heir in Isildur's line. He was the one.
I also love that Elrond already knows. With great wisdom comes great sorrow, as they say.
Author's reply
Oh yes; I truly believe that Arwen had seen at least a few of her father's Dunedain fosterlings in the throes of serious calf-love with her; but there was probably something quite distinctive about Aragorn son of Arathorn right from that first moment, even if she didn't fall totally in love with him until years later. I could just see her planning her future, determined to stay with her father, being so sure that she would never fall for a mortal boy...
Elrond had foresight, and could have either foreseen that Arwen would love a mortal man, or seen it in his mother-in-law's Mirror.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Grayswandir!
Grayswandir
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
Hah! Nice. I'm not sure which bit made me laugh more -- the ending, or this:
Third would have liked to suggest that his Dread Lord face that particular lone Ranger all by his Dread Self.
I certainly don't envy the Nazgul, either way. ;)
Author's reply
Hiya, Grayswandir! Thanks for reading and reviewing; I did have a good time with this ficlet. And I certainly don't envy the bony boys, i.e. the Nazgul; between one wrathful Heir of Isildur and the even more wrathful Dread Lord, they're in a pickle. (and wait until Angmar meets a certain wrathful shield-maiden!)
whitewave
· 13 December 2008
· Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
What a sweet "first love" scene for Aragorn and Arwen. Elrond has strong perception indeed and maybe he knew even before Arwen. Very nice vignette. My favorite line:
"He was not the first Heir of Isildur to declare his love for her, and Arwen doubted that he would be the last."
Author's reply
It could be that Elrond knew hundreds of years before Aragorn's birth that one of Isildur's heirs and Arwen would fall in love, and had been dreading it, even while devotedly fostering the young Dunedain. If he'd seen it in Galadriel's mirror, he'd not have known when or how, probably; that mirror is rather iffy.
Thanx for reading and reviewing, whitewave!
whitewave
· 12 December 2008
· Chapter 1: I. Employee Review (Nazgûl)
This chapter is extremely enjoyable! I lurved the reactions of the Nine to their Dread Lord but the punishment for Third was the best of all!
Author's reply
Thanx much for reviewing, Whitewave! I had a sinfully good time put the Mighty Nine through Sauron's inquisition and punishments. I almost feel sorry for them - but not really!
Larner
· 12 December 2008
· Chapter 3: III. High Hearts and Folly (Arwen)
And I still love this one! And I also suspect several of Aragorn's ancestors found themselves attracted to Elrond's daughter before there came the one who stirred her heart in return.
Author's reply
Oh yes; it would be old hat for her; she'd find it sweet and cute. But Aragorn, I suspect, stirred her a bit more on that first meeting than she admitted, though I don't think she fell in love with him until their time in Lorien decades later.
Thanx for reviewing, Larner!