The punishment would indeed have been swift and final if Denethor had lived and been in charge. The people of Gondor have forgotten what a compassionate leader is like, but they will soon enough remember.
Author's reply
Oh, I am certain you are most likely correct as to what would have happened under Denethor. But the King Elessar is quite a different person, thank heavens! And, yes, they now will see judgment tempered with mercy as a common commodity, I suspect.
GamgeeFest
· 15 March 2010
· Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
LOL! It must have taken the Gaffer a time to wrap his head around that - his Sam, Master of Bag End! Oh, the gossip down at the pub!
Author's reply
Oh, indeed! Things have changed completely, and the familiar order overturned as a second Prince of the West takes over the duties as Master of the Hill! The Gaffer's going to be popular down at the Green Dragon--no mistake there!
GamgeeFest
· 15 March 2010
· Chapter 18: 18 - The Devil
Gollum must have baffled Sauron! To still be corporeal after all these years - what nerve! But he knows an opportunity when he sees one, and doesn’t waste it.
Author's reply
Sauron knows his own business, as long as he's been at it. But Smeagol still has strengths Sauron cannot appreciate, for all he's become a ruined creature!
Frodo will find not joy, but yet more to fear on his path ahead. Sadly, he will not know joy again in Middle Earth. It would be interesting to see a meeting between these two after the Quest, and again in the West. I think Glorfindel will find he has underestimated Frodo greatly in his gratitude.
Author's reply
I so suspect you are right, GamgeeFest. Only in the West will Frodo find the peace of soul needed to rejoice in what the quest had gifted him with, rather than focusing on what it had scoured away.
And I thank you for these last comments on this series! It has been fascinating even for me to visit them again! Thank you so!
GamgeeFest
· 15 March 2010
· Chapter 16: 16 - Death
If it were possible for the Ringwraiths to exert their own will, I wonder if the Witch King might have hoped for defeat.
Author's reply
That is quite the thought, GamgeeFest. I remember one story I read at TolkienFanFiction in which an orc that had truly begun life as an Elf and barely remembered that fact refused to fight, daring Eru to prove His love. I wonder if such a thing could be remotely possible in one of the Nazgul?
GamgeeFest
· 28 December 2009
· Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
This is heartbreaking and yet so full of hope.
Author's reply
I agree, GamgeeFest. How Gandalf must have sought to see Frodo granted the peace he so needed!
What an amazing moment that must have been for them all! I'm sure Esme and Sara didn't rest well again until Merry was back home and in their arms.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--the realization their sons were safe and back in the Shire must have been such a relief. That they went first to Hobbiton must have been very difficult!
Interesting! I had never thought of it this way before, but Faramir is right. He did pronounce upon Frodo the same judgment as his father would, though he tells his father this not in assurance but defiance. He may not be Boromir, but he is still a faithful son, whether Denethor sees it or not.
Author's reply
You are so right, GamgeeFest. And I suspect the realization of the Hobbits' eventual fate must have hurt him deeply.
GamgeeFest
· 28 December 2009
· Chapter 9: 9 - The Chariot
Sam spotting the star or Earendil is perhaps one of my favorite passage in the books, and it's heartening that Earendil was able to hear not only Sam's thoughts but those of his friends as well, and to bring hope when all other light has failed.
Author's reply
I think we all love that scene, GamgeeFest. I was so glad they included it in the extended version!
And Earendil had to have grown into his role as the Star of Hope over the milennia!
GamgeeFest
· 28 December 2009
· Chapter 5: 5 - The Emperor
Our beloved Frodo--he chose his successor well.
Indeed he did! Brought up from humble beginnings, Sam proved himself to be anything but a halfwit. I love that Aragorn reflects on him in admiration, and compares the vast differences in their upbringings.
Author's reply
Oh, he did indeed, GF. Who better to serve as the Emperor. And I think Aragorn tended ever to see the strengths of those he came to love, and that he brought out the best in them!
GamgeeFest
· 28 December 2009
· Chapter 4: 4 - The Empress
Interesting that Arwen should doubt herself, when she always had full confidence in Aragorn. But I can very much see these as thoughts she might have at the beginning.
Author's reply
She was thrust immediately from fairly private daughter of Elrond to very public Queen of Gondor. The change must have appeared daunting at first, or so I'd find it! Thanks so, GamgeeFest!
GamgeeFest
· 28 December 2009
· Chapter 2: 2 - The Magician
Intriguing! And chilling! Something so innocent to be turned into something so destructive, for we see at Helm's Deep exactly to what ends Saruman puts this magic.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree, GamgeeFest. Saruman must have always looked for a "practical" application for whatever "magics" Gandalf found to merely express beauty! And some of those "practical" applications we know were very destructive when used for purposes of his own.
Linda Hoyland
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 22: 22 - The Moon
This was just lovely! I wish I could have seen Faramir as in his mother's dream! Reust Denethor always to first think of Boromir!
Author's reply
I was so hoping you and Raksha particularly would like this one, Linda. I like to think Finduilas had some inkling of the great honor given both her sons, and had to think that Aragorn might have seen Faramir so during their long friendship! And I fear you are right about Denethor--always he would think first of his firstborn!
Linda Hoyland
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 24: 24 - Judgment
I enjoyed this very much. Aragorn is a wise judge indeed!
Author's reply
I like to think that, taught as he'd been by Elrond and other great lords among both Elves and Men, Aragorn had learned that sometimes to be truly just the law needs to be punched at least a slight bit.
Linda Hoyland
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
This was very moving.I loved it
Author's reply
I am so very glad you think so, Linda. Thank you so much!
Linda Hoyland
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
A very fitting choice as Boromir is Denethor's sun and son!
Author's reply
Am so glad you feel this way, too, Linda. Again, thank you so!
wonderful comparison between aragorn and denethor and how they both would have judged. I always liked Beregond...
Author's reply
Ah, good--you've found your way here. How wonderful! I can respond to you here, you see.
Yes, I do believe Denethor would have given the death penalty without much thought, perhaps merely with a mild regret, but then put it from his mind. I rather like Beregond, too.
Thanks so!
Just those with the higher vantage point of the gallery. Heh! I do have the household staff who have access to that area spotting a cloak of honor coming forward in "A Maid Waiting" and realizing Aragorn's decision before the more august audience below appreciate just what he intends.
Virtuella
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
I can't quite put my finger on just *why* this is a suitable depiction of "The World." I think it may be because it combines past and present, travel and homecoming, youth and age, sorrow and joy. Beautifully done.
Author's reply
You have caught it right there, Virtuella! And I am so honored you find it so. And I hope it's a fittong ending for your birthday tribute and thanks for your friendship.
Virtuella
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
It's a good comparison of teh brothers - Faramir, calm, soothing; and Boromir hot and passionate. Yes, it fits very well.
Author's reply
Indeed, Virtuella. Each of the brothers had his own strengths. I only rejoice that each saw the strengths of the other. Thanks so!
Virtuella
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 22: 22 - The Moon
It's lovely how you evoke the atmosphere of moonlight in this piece.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you appreciated that, Virtuella! Thanks!
Soledad
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
Oh, a young Boromir in his prime! Is it a wonder that the sight mellowed even Denethor's heart?
I often wonder what might have happened had Boromir not died. Aragorn would have had a tough time to be accepted, I guess. Which might be the reason why poor Boromir had to die in the first place. It's really unfair.
What, me, biased? How has *that* thought occurred to you? ;)
Author's reply
Heh! Certainly YOU wouldn't be biased, Soledad! Heh! And I so suspect you are right regarding the obstructions Aragorn would have faced.
Thanks so much!
Andrea
· 26 December 2009
· Chapter 24: 24 - Judgment
Just like King Solomon!
A new age has begun. Gondor has a King again, a true King whose judgement is of a different kind (or measure) than that of the stewards.
I'm always glad for Beregond that Aragorn was his judge!
Author's reply
Oh, yes--very much like King Solomon! Indeed a far different King at the beginning of the Fourth Age of the Sun, and one whose reign will undoubtedly be referred to as Gondor's Golden Age. Beregond was very lucky indeed.
Indeed! Aragorn's wisdom as Elessar would have come as quite a shock to these people-- this particular judgement may have become as legendary as the judgment Solomon made in a similarly sticky situation.
I've always felt he showed a particular genius here.
Author's reply
I do believe you are exactly right, Dreamflower. This judgment must have served as quite the wake-up call, indicating that indeed this was his own Man, and would temper justice with discernment and true mercy.
Thank you so!