Reviews (17)

Fimbrethil · 2 November 2025 · Chapter 6: Bound by Joy

Never mind, I found it. It is “Lords of Gondor” by Linaewen. Yes, this is advertising for someone I don’t know.

Fimbrethil · 2 November 2025 · Chapter 6: Bound by Joy

P.S. Is Lindelea the author of “Sons of Gondor”? Because this reminded of that, too.

Fimbrethil · 2 November 2025 · Chapter 6: Bound by Joy

“He then swooped Eirik up and swung him around in joy, “Oh my lad, it is finished!” Eirik, after his feet gained ground again, had an ear-splitting grin, “If Mum could only be seeing this!” Faramir declared, “Go to your mother, my boy. Go to her!” “Oh my lord, Do you mean it, my lord?” “Yes, most definitely, a boy should be with his mum at this joyous time!” Eirik, overcome with happiness, kissed his lord’s hand and was off running like the wind along the winding ways down the tiers to his mother. Éowyn, eyes full of laughter, immediate joy having chased sadness briefly to the shadows, “That was very kind of you.” Faramir coloured slightly, “A boy needs his mother at times of great joy.” Heehee. awww. And I suppose there were such times when Faramir needed his mother but didn’t have her. Éomer also probably had some too, even if he wouldn’t admit it, being older when it happened. “Mithrandir was right. His father did love him and he did remember in the end.” awwwww “He made for the door eyes ablaze with intense longing. He left without giving thought to anything else, leaving the Warden and Eirik looking at each other in tenuous amazement. The Warden nodded to Eirik and retraced his own path back to the Houses of Healing.” That first sentence is wonderful. And now they are together! You could have quoted “Were you the blissful Queen of Gondor, still I would love you!” and “Would you have them say of you, there goes our lord who has tamed a Wild Maiden of the North” that was not exactly right, but you should know what I mean. It is in that conversation. “I no longer desire to be a queen, I will be a healer and in my garden all things will grow.” again, paraphrased. “That is good, for I am not a king.” possibly not exactly quoted? Finally, of course, the hair streaming raven and golden..though it just occurred to me you have made his hair more red, so that is why you didn’t write that. Turns out home was behind, as I commented, Lol.

Fimbrethil · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 5: Symbol of Love

“He was to look for a large black velvet bag. Spying it in a corner Eirik grabbed it and yanked, causing an old pair of boots to go flying and a few belts to swing perilously on their pegs. Eirik stilled the belts and replaced the boots carefully and tried to make it look like nothing else had been disturbed. He picked up the velvet bag. It was heavy and through a hole in the top flap he could see deep blue velvet and a hint of stars. He felt the exposed patch and it felt very soft and Eirik wondered what it was that his lord asked him to retrieve. But that was not his duty; his duty was to get this soft but heavy thing back to his lord.” Lol. This boy is very exuberant. Possibly like Éomer before his parents died, do you think? With the boots and the belts, I mean. Did Denethor know it was here? Finduilas! Now I am trying not to imagine Denethor and Fin as Mr. and Mrs. Craven from Secret Garden. Or even Capt. Von Trapp and his first wife from the Sound of Music. “It was his prize possession. It had been given to him when he was eight by his father, a rare moment of compassion and understanding. It had not lasted but he had the mantle of a reminder of that moment as well.” Oh right, I think I saw you did write something about that. That explains how Denethor knew about it. *seeing your note: as I thought.*’ Your Faramir and Bonds. I sense a theme.

Fimbrethil · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 4: A Heart in Shadow

LoL how old do you think Eirik is? And Telion, too, for that matter? I am not sure if I like Eirik or Bergil more. “Faramir chuckled quietly, but only after Eirik was out of earshot for he minded to spare the young boy’s dignity.” Of course. Faramir, who after slightly arching an eyebrow, accepted and Merry said, “Good Man! Pippin said you were a good man. And if he says so it must be true. I can see that myself. Always trust a man who is willing to sit and smoke with you!” Merry said as he lit Faramir’s pipe. “Pippin said that?” Faramir asked, after puffing a few brief, beginning puffs, coughing a bit as this was a new experience for him. He unexpectantly felt a rush of good feeling that Pippin, who had found a soft spot in Faramir’s heart with his stout ways, had spoken so. “Yes, he did.” Faramir had been told of what Pippin had done to save him. He would never be able to repay the debt of honour to the hobbit. That Pippin had spoken so well of Faramir made him very glad indeed. “He is a good man himself,” Faramir avowed and as they both looked east, each offering an unspoken but no less heartfelt prayer to keep one Peregrin Took safe and out of harm’s way.” Hoho Faramir smokes now does he? And dear Pippin.

Fimbrethil · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 3: Eowyn's ask

heehee the paragraph of Eirick and Éowyn. Did you mean to write m’lady? This fills my desire for the Faramir side of that conversation, thank you.

Fimbrethil · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 2: Hands of the King

For some reason I am relieved you have trimmed the athelas conversation. I think Faramir would really not wish for his king to have seen what he has seen, but maybe he will understand. The trumpets reminded me of when Boromir said he and Aragorn could arrive in the City “the lords of Gondor have returned”.

Fimbrethil · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 1: Bound by Duty

*Me thinking of Frederick of Pirates of Penzance saying he is a slave of duty* *Me imagining how Faramir would be accepted if he were to go about his duties in Minas Tirith wearing his Ranger Mask so his father would not be able to see the resemblance to Finduilas* “Compassion for his father’s pain mixed with the sure knowledge that his own death would not evince these same emotions,” I am not so sure it would. Denethor did love him, and realized it ere the end. In fact, he might have killed himself so Faramir would no longer be limited by him. Now there is a plot bunny, if it is not the real reason. Also, he will have plenty of people to talk to about Finduilas, meaning Éowyn, and possibly Aragorn, and why not Imrahil? And even some servants, if they and Faramir can be so open. And to think he was dealing with all this grief and so on at home, but still managed to withstand the call of the Ring! I guess that is why they did what they did in the movie. “With that he turned on his heel to prepare for almost certain destruction.” Firstly, good line. “That will depend upon the manner of your return.” Faramir paused. Eyes closed briefly against the pain, He placed one foot in front of the other. Duty pulled him forward. There was nothing left behind.” Secondly, ouch. I know you warned us, but that hurt. Not even home is behind, for him. For Ithilien and the Rangers are ahead. Even Imrahil, who he will be leaving behind is not his parents or brother; and Éowyn is still behind him as she rides for Minas Tirith and he rides for Osgiliath; she who will be his home but they don’t know it yet. “He was bound to do this thing; there was no other choice. He was trapped within this life, bound to act as he must.” He really has had experiences like Éowyn has, hasn’t he. “he saw himself barking orders and yet he was also viewing it from afar.” I can’t imagine him ‘barking’ orders. Calling yes, barking no. “but curiously there was no pain, until he saw a sight he never believed possible. His father running, frantic and in tears, for him. Faramir tried to call to him. Tried to show him he was not mortally wounded. He looked again and felt rather than heard his father cry “Faramir! Say not that he has fallen. I sent my son forth, unthanked, unblessed, out into needless peril.” Again Faramir tried to reach out through the mists tried to reach his father, to comfort him and tell him not to despair, but to no avail. Faramir’s heart broke anew and he fell into hopelessness, the grey mists growing thicker with each tear dropping.” awwwww. I mean oh dear…let’s just wait for Hope to come along, shall we? “His father, once so noble and so strong, devolving into a tormented wretch forsaking all he held dear except, at the last, his love for his second son. A love that Faramir had ever yearned to see and but had given up hope had ever really existed. Some evil was at work here, showing him his heart’s desire, to see his father’s love for him but to see that very love tearing his father apart.” Indeed. Wow. Though to be fair, his first son has died less than a month ago, and his second son is mortally wounded, AND he still grieves for his wife who died 30 years ago, AND he probably feels something for all who have died under his command. So falls Denethor. I would say he lasted longer than Isildur, and Boromir, though. Sorry the review is so long.

periantari · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 5: Symbol of Love

Their romance is so sweet- it is born of needing to heal each other and they had suffered the same hurts with losing their mothers young and also suffering from the Black Breath.

periantari · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 4: A Heart in Shadow

Loved the Merry dialogue! I think i wrote something similar to your story but i really enjoyed your version more. I like the details of how Faramir and Merry are talking with each other and how Merry also wants Eowyn healed is a great detail. Her valor, her sadness, they spoke to him. He had known pain, grief, misunderstanding, doubt within his own life. He could well see it hers. NO wonder they bonded so quickly. I had to do some rereads before I really appreciated Faramir/Eowyn and i find myself more and more fascinated by them being together, making one of my fave couples in fandom.

periantari · 1 November 2025 · Chapter 3: Eowyn's ask

Grief, sorrow, the relationships that would now never be, comingled with the emotions that he had a harder time accepting and acknowledging; those of relief, freedom, a lightening of burden. He balked at admitting to such emotions. What kind of son can be glad that his father has died? This question sat heavy on his heart. It was really such a hard time at the Houses of Healing for Faramir and you write this so well. I am glad to see him conversing with Eowyn and you writing the scene in your own words. This is a great fic! Loved the first two chapters as well.

Lindelea · 6 February 2025 · Chapter 6: Bound by Joy

Congratulations on finishing! I loved this moment in the book and in the dramatizations we've listened to (especially the BBC radio series). In fact, I loved it so much, I imagined that people all over Middle-earth felt the same sensation, as if the world was holding its breath, and the tremor running through the earth, and the sudden lightness of spirit and brightness of the Sun. “A boy needs his mother at times of great joy.” That sounds like the voice of experience. Poor Faramir. Eirik is precious, and Harthedir receives his own healing. Lovely. *gasp* A brother's last gift. I never saw that before! But it rings true. I'm so glad the veil was lifted away and Éowyn saw clearly both Faramir's heart and her own. And the sight of them together is also helping the Warden heal. How much grief and sorrow the healers must have gone through, especially watching those afflicted by the Black Breath slip away despite all their efforts to save them. Thank you for your condolences. Yesterday was an awful day. Today was a little better, even though I miss Ollie fiercely. At least because he died at home and the other cats witnessed his passing, they are not searching for him and calling for him as has happened with other pets who went to the vet and didn't come home. That always deepened the grief and was heartbreaking to see and hear. They couldn't understand our explanations. The Elder Cat searched for his soulmate for six months, calling and looking all over the house every day, and after that, he would call for the other cat every time it stormed, as if he were afraid his beloved had gotten outside somehow and was in danger. The Empress kept rolling on the dog's leash (lying on a bench) for weeks after Panda died, rubbing her scent glands into the leather as if she was renewing her claim. She had always rolled on the leash before and after Panda went for a walk. But none of them is searching for Ollie; they're simply being extra cuddly and loving for their sad humans.

Lindelea · 4 February 2025 · Chapter 5: Symbol of Love

This chapter was lovely, filled with love and hope. I’m glad I saved it to read “later” when I saw it yesterday. I needed to read something that would bring comfort. Sweet Ollie, our youngest cat, left us early this morning. We’d known since October that he had a heart murmur. He’s healed now.

Lindelea · 3 February 2025 · Chapter 4: A Heart in Shadow

This wonderful chapter left me smiling. The perfect bedtime snack! This character study of Faramir rings true. Quite insightful. The Warden looked at his Steward curious at the stumbling of his words. He had known Faramir for most of the younger man’s life. Faramir frequented the Houses of Healing as a young boy and later as a young man seeking refuge from his father’s sharp tongue when his older brother was away. He had a thirst for knowledge and an intuitive heart. He was drawn to the healing arts. He was an intelligent and kind-hearted man and would have made a good healer had he been born to another man and not the Ruling Steward. He had often mused that Faramir was indeed drawn to the healing arts to bring healing to others because he could not heal or salve his own father’s hidden pain. An intuitive child wishing to help in any way he could. The Warden sighed, Denethor never understood his second son, always doubted his motives; always questioned his actions. He never understood that Faramir, in his heart, only wanted to heal and protect. He could not protect his father from himself so he would try to protect all of Gondor in his stead. The Warden is an observant Man, I think. And Merry! I'm always happy when a hobbit comes on the scene. The two of them smoking together makes the scene work, and Merry's remembrance of Théoden is poignant. And, of course, the ending is so hopeful-sounding, even though the future is still uncertain.

Lindelea · 30 January 2025 · Chapter 3: Eowyn's ask

Yes, he has lost so much... his entire family. (I'm glad he has his uncle and cousins, and the love and respect of his Men, but still. He has walked lonely for a few days after his awakening from the Black Shadow before meeting – and becoming intrigued by – Éowyn.) And here is where their eyes first meet! (I remember talking about this moment in a previous review, maybe in a different story.) "looking into his own soul" – and is it the same with her? ..."gentle" is her first thought of him, echoing a childish wish expressed so long ago, when the world was still a bright and promising place in her eyes. I love the image of the fluttering bird at the end of the chapter, knowing that "if only for a moment or two" is her reality in this moment, yet the future is not yet written.

Lindelea · 26 January 2025 · Chapter 2: Hands of the King

I love how you start the chapter with Aragorn's entrance into the city, an anonymous captain among many combatants. And then Pippin's joyous greeting, and the Man's answering joy to see the youngest hobbit safe after that horrendous battle, and his acknowledgement of Pippin's status as a Guard of the Citadel. (I wonder, was he startled at seeing that uniform on the youngest member of the Fellowship?) I've always wondered what Aragorn was seeing and hearing and feeling as he laid his hand on Faramir's brow and concentrated, repeatedly calling the wounded Man's name but ever more faintly while his face grew grey with weariness and those watching perceived that some great struggle was happening. You've done a good job at filling that gap. Of course, I love that Bergil appears here (as he did in the book)! Any mention of Bergil or Beregond is most welcome (at least in my eyes). Six leaves: how handy! I never noticed in past readings of the book that Bergil brought exactly the right number of leaves to address the ills of Faramir, Éowyn and Merry. (In the book, Bergil's bursting into tears and Aragorn's comforting him melted my heart and rather took my attention away from other details, I suspect.) I love how you describe the grey mist dissipating, as if the Sun has come out and is burning the mist away, bringing clarity and joy and relief. The ring of Barahir is a nice detail, too.

Lindelea · 26 January 2025 · Chapter 1: Bound by Duty

This sequence in the film was heart-rending, from the obvious despair of the people lining the streets, throwing flowers as if bedecking the warriors' graves as they rode to their doom, to Faramir's return from the battle, dragged by his horse. Faramir's dissociation during the battle feels very real. The first part of the chapter sets the scene for Faramir's hopeless anguish, both here and in the next chapter (which I read before coming back to leave a review here). In some ways, the grey mist is merciful, blocking Faramir from grasping the horror his father intends: to burn them both alive. That fact may prove difficult knowledge later on, when he learns more about his father's death and his own rescue at Mithrandir's hands... and as a result of Pippin's courage and loyalty, and Beregond's sacrifice for the sake of his Captain... I wonder how he will feel, once he starts to recover, when at last Beregond's doom dawns on him. Will he blame himself? Will he seek after mercy from the newly crowned King, even as he understands all too clearly that "of old, death was the penalty"?