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Till Death Reunites Us  by Ecthelion of the fountain 1 Review(s)
LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/3/2025
Oh my. This was, as you warned, heavy and difficult to read. But I loved the glimpse of Denethor near the end, and how his response to the threatening darkness and encroaching despair served dual purposes: it strengthened his son's ability to resist, and it proved that he was not lost despite having given in to madness and despair at the end of his bodily existence.

I love how Théodred laughs and Boromir roars at the same time. It seems that their role in the battle is to bring new hope to other lingering spirits across Middle-earth? As I read about the spirits, I had a sudden memory of Merry in the Barrow:
‘What in the name of wonder?’ began Merry, feeling the golden circlet that had slipped over one eye. Then he stopped, and a shadow came over his face, and he closed his eyes. ‘Of course, I remember!’ he said. ‘The men of Carn Dûm came on us at night, and we were worsted. Ah! the spear in my heart!’ He clutched at his breast.
...and I wondered if one such lingering spirit had infiltrated Merry's dream, and now it rose with all the others summoned by Théodred's and Boromir's sending, to stand against the darkness that had cut short their lives?

I love the reference to the coming of the Eagles, in part because it pinpoints the moment: the onslaught of Mordor has broken like a wave over the two hills where the Men of the West are making their stand; Pippin has just saved Beregond's life and is buried under the fallen troll, and the hosts of Mordor are looking up and wondering what this sign might mean.

So the next chapter is the epilogue? What a wonder-filled journey you've taken us on!

Author Reply: Thanks! Yes, the next chapter is the epilogue—and it’s done!

The Merry scene definitely helped shape the storyline! It all started off quite lighthearted—just a random discussion between me and a friend: why did the Rohirrim bury Théodred on the eyot? A flood was bound to come! And if his body were washed into the Sea, might he meet Boromir, who drifted down the Anduin on the Elven boat? But as I began writing, the story really grew in the telling. I realized there was actually space to write something canon-compliant here, from a very different perspective—and I already knew where I wanted it to end. :)

Since I meant this to be a healing story (though not a Fix-It in the usual sense that rewrites canon), I did want to give Denethor a chance as well. I’ve always believed he would never willingly bow to the Shadow, even though despair claimed him in the end. And I feel that this realization—this understanding of his father’s strength, even in failure—would give his son the courage to resist what had once tempted him.

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