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| Relapse by Periantari | 3 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/12/2025 |
| Many, many thanks for including these scenes with Beregond! He has been my favorite Mannish character since my first reading of Tolkien's marvelous story as a young teen. It makes a lot of sense that he would have been sent ahead to prepare for Faramir's coming to Ithilien. In addition to finding a dwelling place at this point in time (and not just for Faramir but I imagine for a garrison – the White Company – as well as the people who will be living there), are they still scouring out enemies that might be lingering in the land? Besides the Easterlings mentioned, might any Orcs be hiding? You show Beregond's devotion to his Captain very clearly! Seeing Faramir through Beregond's eyes also underscores the general concern about Faramir's condition and recovery. I also love getting a glimpse of Imrahil (I've come to like him very much in your chapters) and the hobbits (I am always happy when the hobbits appear!). And the mention of Borlas, his younger son, also makes me happy for some reason. (I am quite fond of Bergil, but I haven't thought a lot about Borlas except to explain his absence from some of the stories I've written about Beregond and Bergil.) I didn't know Faramir preferred the forest! What an intriguing detail! "You are not there yet" – spoken like a loving, caring uncle. The private conversation between Beregond and Pippin is quite believable. And probably necessary! Especially if Faramir is downplaying his illness. ("overworked – no need to worry" Hah!) I wonder if it would be healing or distressing for Faramir to hear more about how Beregond fought to save him? Even though Faramir knows the bare facts of the matter, I'm thinking it might be healing (for both Beregond and Faramir, actually) for Beregond to tell more of his story to Faramir: how Pippin came to find him and beg his help, how he made the impossible choice between death for Faramir or his own death (and maybe if Beregond talks about the reason why he chose to fight for Faramir, he might give Beregond's Captain some food for thought). He might confess to Faramir about being haunted at striking down the porter at the gate and the two servants in the hallows, and maybe Faramir might have some words of wisdom or comfort to offer Beregond? (And maybe Faramir would realise later that the words apply to himself as well?) Don't mind me... I'm just rambling – maybe the word is "spitballing"? – because I love these characters so. I do appreciate how Beregond reminds Faramir of the effect of the palantír – Denethor was not in his right mind but under Sauron's influence. And even though Denethor's actions reflected the darkness that had overshadowed his mind, his love for Faramir shone through the darkness. (And now I wonder if Denethor might have been trying to resist the impulse to destroy his son. As soon as Gandalf entered, he might have snatched a torch. Or when he stood by the bier, he might have stabbed Faramir without warning, but he turned away and picked up the palantír instead. Touching the palantír would have sealed his fate, overcoming any internal resistance he might have been exerting. ...and here I go again, rambling. I think I need to go in search of some protein or a cup of tea or something.) I appreciate Beregond's diligence and obvious concern for his Captain that shines throughout the newly added part. I think I already reviewed the part about Belegion, and my eyes are getting tired, and this review is threatening to grow as long as the chapter, so I will wish you well and stop typing now. Author Reply: Thanks so much for a long and detailed review! WRiting Beregond is actually out of my comfort zone so i am glad that my take on him worked for you. I do really enjoy his chapters in Minas Tirith, Pyre of Denethor that showed his dedication to his Captain. Other fanfic can only explore how he became so dedicated to his Captain. You show Beregond's devotion to his Captain very clearly! Thank you! i am glad you think so- before having Beregond in the story (since we are 13 chapters in) i was wondering where he was and it would only make sense that he was not allowed in Minas Tirith because of what he did at the Pyre of Denethor by slaying the porter and such and by being busy seeing where the future Prince of Ithilien be would make sense so having a conversation to update Faramir would be of utmost importance. I wonder if it would be healing or distressing for Faramir to hear more about how Beregond fought to save him? Even though Faramir knows the bare facts of the matter, I'm thinking it might be healing (for both Beregond and Faramir, actually) for Beregond to tell more of his story to Faramir: how Pippin came to find him and beg his help, how he made the impossible choice between death for Faramir or his own death (and maybe if Beregond talks about the reason why he chose to fight for Faramir, he might give Beregond's Captain some food for thought). you have good points about hearing how Beregond fought to save him -- woudl that make Faramir feel more indebted to Beregond? Maybe upon rewrite, i would add that in because that is a good detail. it woudl be both healing and distressing, healing because he knows more detail surrounding Denethor's demise and maybe that can help with closure, however distressing because Denethor's madness caused unneeded death within Gondorians and maybe without reason, Faramir would feel somewhat responsible or just feel guilty of how evil had spread so far in. i do love that Faramir may give some words of comfort to Beregond about how he came to save him. Thanks for that- i did not think of that. And even though Denethor's actions reflected the darkness that had overshadowed his mind, his love for Faramir shone through the darkness. That point is important to underscore and probably in a future chapter, we need to address that. Who else than Beregond and maybe Gandalf and Pippin to talk about this more so? Thank you for your thoughts! They feed more threads of conversation that are needed before the close. :) | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/4/2025 |
| Oh my! I missed your earlier updates. The good thing about that is I can look forward to reading a couple more already-posted chapters this week. Faramir looked tired most of the time when he saw him. This rings true. Not only is Faramir probably still recovering from his wounds and the Black Breath, as well as his father's and brother's deaths, but he is heavily weighed down with responsibility, both self-imposed and that required by his office. He just kept pushing forward. Isn't that the way people often deal with impossible circumstances? Like Pippin told Merry, "Foot by foot." But eventually, something's gotta give, as they say. Young Belegion shows a lot of wisdom in his letter. A meeting unrelated to state affairs? (Beregond?) (I certainly hope Faramir will be safe returning home!) Author Reply: Thanks so much! take your time reading and reviewing. Yes, i think Faramir would tire himself out with rebuilding Gondor and not care about how he really feels for a while, therefore the muse wanted to look into this time. A lot of us push forward and not think about the circumstances relating to self-care. Especially if one wants to forget the past faster. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 9/30/2024 |
| You are never alone, dear Lord and we do only have one world to appreciate. Also there are those that still care for you How lovely. It's wonderful for us to meet Faramir's friends -- and for him to know he has many of them. Author Reply: Yes, i am glad for the Fellowship and esp the hobbits to give him some hope and comfort. :) | |