Reviews (17)

Larner · 12 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Doom is near at Hand

Alas for the self-centeredness of Denethor. He lost so much in his rivalry with Thorongil, which was so one-sided to begin with. And I love the thought he might have been looking into the Anor stone when Aragorn was revealing himself to Sauron. Take that, old One-Eye--here's a poke in it! Well done indeed!

Ellynn · 10 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Doom is near at Hand

I really like the dark atmosphere in the chapter, that matches so well with darkening of Denethor's mind and soul. The last line is so perfect! Thanks for a wonderful story, Linda.

Laikwalâssê · 10 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Doom is near at Hand

Dear Linda, until now I had troubles to understand the motives of Denethor but your wonderful description of his character made me look at him with different eyes and sometimes I pity him. This is really a great written story. Thank you. Lai

Darkover · 9 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Doom is near at Hand

Dear Linda: Wow! This final chapter was intense, and very absorbing to read. Denethor was comparing his sons--to Faramir's detriment--as soon as the latter was born. The loss of Ecthelion, followed all too soon by the loss of Finduilas, not only grieved Denethor, it deprived him of two people who might have provided some emotional and psychological stability to his life. As time passed, Denethor became even more power-absorbed than ever--and he still continued to be obsessed with Thorongil! You did an excellent job of showing how, even with the Captain gone, Denethor's anger and resentment of Thorongil continued unabated, and it added to his growing pride and anger. He even resented Faramir because the characteristics of his younger son reminded him of his hated rival! Denethor took up the use of the palantir as much because he wanted to know where Thorongil was and what the latter was doing, as because he wanted to know and thwart the plans of Sauron. As you portrayed the growing pride and madness of the Steward, you also did an excellent job of using threads from Tolkien to weave consistency into this final chapter. This was skillfully done, and I admire your deft use of canon. I agree with your final implication that Denethor tried to kill Faramir and then himself as much because he did not want either of them to serve "Thorongil," as because he did not want them to become prisoners or slaves of Sauron. Denethor still blames Thorongil for allegedly depriving him of his father's love, and assumes the former Captain will be able to command Faramir's love, as well. Of course, the King will be able to; but once again, Denethor can see things only from his own bitter perspective. He cannot comprehend how Faramir might love the King because the King is the kinder father-figure Faramir has always wanted and needed, or how Faramir's surrender of the white rod to this man would be an act of duty, not betrayal. Denethor still sees everything as being about him! The Steward is so full of hate and rage against the man whom he has always regarded as his rival, that he will take his own life and that of his son's as one final, dramatic act of spite. Your last line: "Come, Thorongil, and inherit your kingdom of ashes!" is particularly well written! Each chapter of this story has packed an emotional wallop. Thank you very much for writing and posting such an interesting and dramatic tale. Sincerely, Darkover

Raksha The Demon · 9 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Doom is near at Hand

Poor Denethor; in the end, his pride is all he has left; and it didn't have to be that way. A good interpretation of the last third of Denethor's life...

shirebound · 9 February 2011 · Chapter 3: Doom is near at Hand

If Imladris did indeed still exist, it might well be where Thorongil was hiding, and most likely Mithrandir with him. They would easily beguile Faramir and bend him to their will, setting him up as an agent against his lord and father. That's a fascinating reason why Denethor might have sent Boromir and not Faramir. This is a very well written story.

Darkover · 4 February 2011 · Chapter 2: The Hands of a Healer

Dear Linda: Chapter Two is just as well-written and insightful as the first chapter! Once Denethor has made up his mind about someone, he doesn't give an inch! In portraying him that way, I believe you are perfectly in-canon, as IMHO that was how Tolkien meant readers to perceive Denethor. Denethor was a strong, stern, and proud man, but pride is not a virtue. A more humble man might have been at least a bit grateful to Thorongil for saving his life, but of course, a man like Denethor would only resent the Captain all the more. When someone feels such hate and anger against another person, they often cease to be very rational about it, as you have demonstrated here. Denethor deeply resented Thorongil's very presence, "rejoic[ed] that the scoundrel had left," and blamed Thorongil for overreaching himself. But then the Steward's Heir went on to blame Thorongil for leaving, making the old Steward unhappy and allegedly causing Ecthelion's decline. Thorongil's departure undoubtedly did contribute to Ecthelion's decline, but it seems more than a bit unfair that Denethor, who resented Thorongil's place in the affections of the Steward, the men, and the people of Gondor; who always believed that Thorongil was overreaching himself, should simultaneously delight in Thorongil's departure and also blame him for it! All these points in your story are prime examples of how very, *very* well you write and develop characters. You have a real gift for characterization, and your style of writing is quite majestic--very similar to Tolkien's. BTW, even though he is almost childish about it, I do pity Denethor and, to a certain extent, understand his anger at feeling displaced in his father's affections. At the same time, Denethor--at least as you have portrayed him here--must accept a certain degree of responsibility, or blame, for that. He simultaneously resents and feels contemptuous of his father's open affection for Thorongil, but also rejects almost every sign of affection his father shows him. When Ecthelion shows him affection, Denethor, subtly or overtly, rejects it. I have noticed that whenever you write of Ecthelion showing, or trying to show, his only son some sign of affection or even consideration--as when Ecthelion did not call Denethor to the council meeting right away--Denethor interprets his father's action as being patronizing. Again, Denethor seems to be acting out of pride, assuming that everything revolves around him. Pride has blinded the man, otherwise he just *might* consider the possibility that Ecthelion is so affectionate to Thorongil because Thorongil, unlike the Steward's own son, does not reject his affection! And even though Thorongil has demonstrated his worth and loyalty to Gondor time and again, even though he is clearly a man of courage and skill, Denethor still privately sneers at him and considers him a "nobody." Sorry to have kept droning on--I seem incapable of writing brief reviews--but in this chapter alone you have packed an astonishing amount of character development, and you have done it in a way that was most interesting and entertaining for the reader. I eagerly await the next chapter! Sincerely, Darkover

Estelcontar · 4 February 2011 · Chapter 2: The Hands of a Healer

The day Ecthelion received that message from Thorongil must indeed have been a very happy day for Denethor.

shirebound · 3 February 2011 · Chapter 2: The Hands of a Healer

I like the pacing of this story, and the way you bring us into Denethor's thoughts and heart. How odd it must have been for Aragorn to meet Boromir again, so many years later, in Rivendell.

Larner · 3 February 2011 · Chapter 2: The Hands of a Healer

Such envy does not become Denethor, of course. And instead of rejoicing to have such a one in service to his land, he bridles at the man's approach. To know that he has possibly the King Returned at hand and to resent it is such a waste of negative emotion!

Estelcontar · 2 February 2011 · Chapter 1: The Stranger

Having Thorongil always close, and having to withstand being compared to him must not have been very easy for Denethor. You gave us a glimpse of how difficult it must have been.

Raksha The Demon · 2 February 2011 · Chapter 1: The Stranger

Poor Denethor; he is something of a stick-in-the-mud; and Thorongil is more down-to-earth (as well as mysterious and lordly and all that) and more approachable. Couldn't help but feel for Denethor here though, realizing that his father favors a stranger seemingly above him. Denethor is not one to stop and smell the roses, at least not enough; and takes his position very seriously, doesn't he....

Ellynn · 2 February 2011 · Chapter 1: The Stranger

Oh yes, I remember this from Teitho very well. :) Excellent story. I think that your characterization is perfect. I enjoy reading this again.

ainisarie · 1 February 2011 · Chapter 1: The Stranger

Wonderful beginning! Can't wait to read more...soon please. Denethor is such a complex character.

Darkover · 1 February 2011 · Chapter 1: The Stranger

Dear Linda: You have written another great story! Even the title, "Kingdom of Ashes," is inspired; Denethor would not only be the last Ruling Steward, but he reduced himself--and tried to reduce his remaining son--to ashes. The story itself is very well written, as always. You have done an excellent job of portraying Denethor's prideful character and his POV. He was ready to look down on "Thorongil" and disdain him as an "ambitious upstart" from the moment they met. Another man who believed, as Denethor did at first, that the new captain had no father, that he was one of a nomadic people, with no home to call his own, and the only way of making his way in the world was apparently by being a mercenary soldier--another man might have felt compassion for Thorongil's hardships. Another man might even have admired Thorongil for raising himself up, for succeeding against such odds. But not Denethor: indeed, once he stopped being so dismissive of Thorongil, and realized the new Captain was more than capable, he perceived Thorongil as a threat, and treated him accordingly. You portrayed this with your usual insight, and your usual fine command of both dialogue and style of writing. You also did a very good job of adhering to canon, as Tolkien made it clear that Denethor and Thorongil were rivals almost from the beginning, although he also stated that was not by Thorongil's intent. I did feel a bit sorry that Denethor felt supplanted in his father's affections by the new Captain. I get the impression that he did not feel secure in his father's love, and wanted to be closer to Ecthelion, but did not know how to go about it. Being Denethor, he "took [his] father to task" about it, which of course would not bring them any closer. When he said; "You have me, my father," I did feel sorry for Denethor. But I also felt sorry for Ecthelion, who just sighed and changed the subject. Apparently father and son were not close, and perhaps never had been. That may have been Denethor's fault, or his father's, or both; it may have been the result of circumstances. But it was not Thorongil's fault, and yet it was just easier for Denethor to assume that it was. Being Denethor, he is disgusted and disdainful of Thorongil's patience with human weakness, and feels threatened by the devotion the men have for the new Captain. In portraying that, you were again faithful to canon, for as I recall, Tolkien wrote something about how that was one of the biggest differences between the Steward and his younger son; both could read men's hearts, but Faramir was more inspired to pity, whereas his father was inspired to scorn. Denethor was a hard man, who only became harder following the death of his wife. I'm sure he would have been resentful of a man like Thorongil, who was just as resilient and dedicated, but who could be kind and compassionate when necessary. BTW, those passages about how Finduilas was initially attracted to Thorongil were also very good. It gave Denethor yet another reason for jealousy and resentment. I suppose it must have seemed to Denethor that Thorongil was already supplanting him in every way--with his father, with the men, even with the maid Denethor loved. As Denethor is not a man much given to introspection, I don't suppose it ever occurred to him to consider the possibility that others loved Thorongil more than him, not because Thorongil was some kind of emotional weasel who insinuated himself into their affections, but because Thorongil was just a more lovable person. You have done your usual great job of characterization in this story, portraying Denethor as a hard, dedicated, but prideful and stubborn man, who will not unbend at all, even for the people he supposedly loves. He regards his father as an old fool for treating Thorongil with affection and respect. He regards his young wife as weak for needing to visit her home and family, and guilty of unseemly behavior because she wanted to frolic a bit on the beach. Again, I admire your writing and thoroughly enjoyed this story. You could let it end here as a one-shot, or you could continue it with more chapters. I hope you will choose to continue it! Sorry this has been such a long, droning review. Thanks again for writing and posting this story. Sincerely, Darkover

shirebound · 1 February 2011 · Chapter 1: The Stranger

This is a beautifully written story. Poor Denethor, his times of true joy are so temporary. I love the way you write these characters.

Larner · 1 February 2011 · Chapter 1: The Stranger

So, so early on Denethor already was far too rigid? Alas that this should be so! A fascinating contrast between Denethor and Thorongil!