Soledad
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
That particular question just breaks my heart every time I read it, because it reminds me every time that Boromir, who'd sacrificed everything for his beloved city, would never see it again. That's one death I will never forgive the Professor for, no matter what the significance was plot-wise.
I really, really didn't like the movies, but Sean Bean added layers to Boromir that weren't in The Books. When he speaks those lines in the Lothlórien scene, it makes me weep every time. Thanks for making Aragorn remember the man who kept his city safe for him.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased to have been able to do so, Soledad. It was wonderful to have found a movie-verse moment that does not conflict with book-verse and so work it into this series. And I also want Boromir to be remembered with the honor he deserved!
Kitty
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
It's good to know that Aragorn hasn't forgotten what Boromir said back then and that he still remembers him in a fond way. And I like the idea that Eldarion and Elboron both have such a horn now; aside of the practical use of them, it's a great way to remember Boromir.
Author's reply
Yes, Boromir needs his own memorials; plus the Horn of the Heir of the Ruler of Gondor is too wonderful an icon to lose forever!
Thanks so, Kitty!
Kitty
· 25 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
Very poetic, coming from Denethor! It is easy to see how much he adores his oldest son and how proud he is of him.
Author's reply
There was probably never a time when Denethor didn't expect miracles from Boromir, I'd think. And we do know that Denethor was intellectually supposed to be the equivalent of Aragorn.
Thanks so, Kitty.
Cairistiona
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
"...he saw Boromir’s wide and reckless smile, and was glad."
Beautiful! I love how you connected the memory of Boromir with Elessar approaching the White City and hearing the silver trumpets. It was a memory that was bound to come to mind so often.
Author's reply
I do love that movie-verse moment, and wanted to capture it for this prompt.
Thanks so, Cairistiona!
Dreamflower
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
What a lovely use of that bit of movie-verse dialogue! That conversation could so easily taken place. I love the fact that Aragorn still remembers after all this time-- he would! I'm sure he would!-- and the delight of the two young princes.
And the way Aragorn sees Boromir in Faramir's smile.
Author's reply
I like to think that Aragorn missed Boromir in his own way as much as did Faramir.
Thank you so!
Raksha The Demon
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
Dry, acerbic Denethor is gushing out the poesy, isn't he?! A true measure of his intense love for his older son; and rather sad, because we know what will happen to that golden boy.
Author's reply
Yes, we have the benefit of twenty/twenty hindsight, so can too easily see to what Boromir's promise came. But for Denethor--his son was such a man of action! How could he not have expected miracles?
Raksha The Demon
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 22: 22 - The Moon
A lovely image of moon-crowned Faramir, how fitting for the future Prince of the Moon-land. And Denethor's asking about Boromir's role in Finduilas' vision is very telling indeed - not that he doesn't love Faramir, but Denethor's overwhelming concern, as a Steward and a father, is Boromir.
And a nice nod to Finduilas' frailty, mixed with her far-sight, and Denethor's abiding love for her.
Author's reply
I am convinced that Denethor did deeply love his wife, and that her early death added a good deal to his reputation as a grim Man. As for Faramir--Am so very glad you find that image lovely and fitting. I was hoping you would! Thanks so!
Raksha The Demon
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
May I just squeeeeeeeeeeeeeee????!!!!!
Love the linkage of Aragorn's memories of Boromir to his friendship with Faramir, and the linking of their sons in the horn-blowing.
I'm a happy Faramirist tonight!
Author's reply
No one should forget Boromir, and particularly these two Men or their sons!
And I am so glad this delighted you!
shirebound
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 25: 25 - The World
Boromir will never be forgotten, by Aragorn or by his city.
“Rejoice, my beloved Lord and friend.”
I just love that.
Author's reply
I so agree, Shirebound. And here all rejoice that the Lords of Gondor indeed return, and I like to think that at that moment Boromir was part of their company.
shirebound
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
I was wondering who you would choose for the Sun! It really crushed Denethor when Boromir died.
Author's reply
Who else, having put Faramir for the Moon. Am so glad you agree with me!
Dreamflower
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
Oh, this is definitely one I can see. Denethor's delight in Boromir and his preference for his older son certainly comes through here!
Author's reply
I'm so glad I was able to communicate that so well, Dreamflower. Thanks so much!
Ellynn
· 24 December 2009
· Chapter 23: 23 - The Sun
Aww, my favourite Gondorian is in this chapter! :)
It is a beautiful description, I can easily imagine Boromir in this wonderful moment. :)
Author's reply
I loved writing a positive story with Boromir in it. Am so glad you approve! Thanks, Ellyn?
Author Reply: I loved writing a positive story with Boromir in it. Am so glad you approve! Thanks, Ellyn?
Dreamflower
· 23 December 2009
· Chapter 22: 22 - The Moon
What a wonderful interpretation! I would never have thought of Faramir! And yet-- it seems so appropriate.
Author's reply
I realized that Faramir was the representative of the Moon as I was writing "Stirring Rings" and creating my own prophecy regarding the reinstatement of the kingship; it only seemed right to have him here in that role. Yes, most appropriate indeed! Thanks so, Dreamflower.
harrowcat
· 23 December 2009
· Chapter 22: 22 - The Moon
I like being 'in the know' about these visions. They remind me of the one in the bible about Mary.
Author's reply
I'd not thought of that one, but it's an apt comparison. And it IS fun to understand what the characters involved don't.
shirebound
· 23 December 2009
· Chapter 22: 22 - The Moon
he watched with full joy
That's a wonderful image.
Author's reply
I suspect Boromir seldom envied any success his beloved younger brother enjoyed.
Thanks so!
Kitty
· 23 December 2009
· Chapter 22: 22 - The Moon
Nice image of little Faramir, and good to know Denethor could appreciate this sight back then. And Finduilas' dream was probably more a vision - very interesting.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree! I like to think that as a toddler Faramir found the moon fascinating.
And it was wonderful to find a place to include Finduilas within the series!
Thanks so, Kitty.
Kitty
· 23 December 2009
· Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
Ah, our always suspicious Denethor! Of course he had to notice that the Northern Rangers look up to 'Thorongil'. But I love the comparison with Gil-Estel, and the idea that he can't track Aragorn in the Palantír.
Author's reply
I suspect that between them Elrond and Arwen, and possibly Galadriel as well, have done their best to give Aragorn whatever protection they can for his privacy against such prying. Thanks so!
Author Reply: I suspect that between them Elrond and Arwen, and possibly Galadriel as well, have done their best to give Aragorn whatever protection they can for his privacy against such prying. Thanks so!
Virtuella
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
"I wonder, do they see you as their Gil-Estel?"
Nice irony! ;-)
Author's reply
I am so glad you appreciate it, Virtuella! Thanks!
Linda Hoyland
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
I just loved this.I can imagine Denethor thinking these thoughts.
Author's reply
I am so glad you can imagine it, Linda. Thank you so for the comments.
Linda Hoyland
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
What a lovely moment for Hamfast and Rosie!
Author's reply
The Gaffer approves of his son's taste in women, I think--certainly I envision a warm relationship between him and Rosie and the children born before the old fellow died. But to learn that Frodo has left Bag End to Sam had to have been quite unexpected!
Linda Hoyland
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 19: 19 - The Tower
I liked the idea of the earth itself released from Sauron.
Author's reply
I'm glad you agree, Linda. It must have been such a relief to be allowed to be as it was intended, or so I'd think! It was fun to try to think as the mountain itself might have thought, had it the capacity!
Andrea
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
This is very interesting, indeed!
I'm quite sure that this is Denethor's POV. And I have been quite sure that "the woman of great beauty" refers to Arwen - until I read Dreamflower's review. A very plausible explanation, too. I think she's right.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, definitely Denethor's POV. I intended the woman to be Arwen, although in many ways Galadriel works as well or even perhaps better. Thanks so!
harrowcat
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
Brilliant Larner. I had much the same reaction as Dreamflower when trying to decide who's POV you were using. And the same about the mysterious woman. You have definitely written yourself further plot-bunnie material here.
Author's reply
Again, thanks for both reviews, Harrowcat! And perhaps one day I'll follow through on this, AFTER I'm finally done with some of my current bunnies and nuzgul!
Dreamflower
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
Ah! A very appropriate use of the prompt! Intriguing as well, with the indication that Denethor is already using the palantir-- even though he is not yet Steward.
And I find this hint *very* interesting:
All I find when I would look upon your doings is a brilliant light and sometimes the disapproving face of a woman of great beauty.
First of all the idea that the palantir would not respond to a desire to spy on Aragorn: is it that he is its lawful master? but then there is the "woman of great beauty". My first thought was Arwen, somehow sensing that someone was trying to spy on her beloved-- but then I wondered, could it have been Galadriel? Somehow blocking the attempt to spy on the heir of Isildur?
Either interpretation is definitely worthy of further exploration.
Author's reply
Sorry to take so long responding, but the days are already harrowing!
I read Anglachel's "The Hands of the King," in which she has Denethor beginning his assays with the Anor stone before his own accession as Ruling Steward, and decided to continue this. I'm not certain whether this is before or after Thorongil left Gondor; if after, it's just after. I know that Aragorn and Arwen were not yet betrothed, but I suspect that as she is described as particularly quiet and pensive during this time she had found her attention caught by this latest fosterling of her father's, and could not quite make up her mind what it was about him that had done so. So she would try to take a "sisterly" interest in him, to the point of beginning to "watch over him in thought" as Tolkien describes.
I also suspect that both she and her father would wish to see to it that as much as possible Aragorn remain "invisible" to any form of magical observation likely to be unfriendly, with possible augmentation by Galadriel as well, although I am not certain that she had met Aragorn as yet--I rather doubt they had, actually, as during the years of his youth Aragorn had remained ignorant of Elrond's daughter, who was in the keeping of Galadriel and Celeborn during the time. It is possible that Galadriel was aware of him, and perhaps had already an inkling of Aragorn and Arwen's possibe fate, but that's a hard one to call. That an Elven watch might at times lead Denethor to become aware of the displeasure of one of those who watched over Aragorn from afar simply pleases my imagination, I find!
I rather like your idea, though, and certainly it's a plausible interpretation.
Thanks so, Dreamflower!
shirebound
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
Thorongil must have brought such mystery with him, and even more mystery when he disappeared. It's interesting to think of how and when the palantir might have been used before Denethor's time.
Author's reply
In Anglachel's "The Hands of the King" Denethor begins using the Palantir during the last year or so of Thorongil's time in Gondor, and I'm undecided as to whether this is shortly before or after the assault on Umbar's fleet. But I do not believe he could have had a great deal if any success at using the stone to keep an eye on Thorongil.