Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Boromir in Rivendell  by esamen 5 Review(s)
PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/24/2004
Oooh! Evil is creeping into his thoughts--unbidden, of course, but this is good. I like how you're exploring this side of Boromir. Real-life evil does pretty much the same thing; it slips in unwatched for and sits in the dark corners of one's heart until circumstance calls for it. Pearl Took has a story called Mind Games--an excellent story just like this one that deals with creeping evil. Take care.

Pippinfan

Author Reply: Boromir is in quite the fight of his life, isn't he? Although he probably doesn't realize it. Glad you liked the chapter . . . I was a little worried that readers wouldn't connect with it or feel a sense of drama. Thanks for encouraging me. We still have a few more to go before the end.

ChiggerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/24/2004
Sorry I wasn't here sooner, but yesterday was the most hectic day I've had in a long time. I'm here now. :)

I like to see Boromir's humanliness, if you will. Crying may not be considered a sign of manliness, but I think everyone needs to break down at least once in their life.

But . . . I don't know what else to say. I feel myself inadequate to even try to say how much I liked this and how drawn into it I felt. Boromir's feelings were tangible, almost, and his thoughts seemed real. It shows in a perfect way the fact that, even though Boromir has decided only to aid in the quest and hope for some other help to come to his City, the Ring still has the power to destroy him. He sees this power and it frightens him, and though he tries his hardest to ignore it, we know that, in the end, it will overpower him and lead to his death.

Oh, and we aren't exactly in Yankee-land yet, but we're pretty close. :) After all, Richmond was the capitol of the Confederacy; but the people around here don't have the nice, down-home, Texas accent. :)
And I loved the Dallasite's reaction to Boromir. :D

Author Reply: Oh, my goodness . . . thanks so much for letting me know your reaction. Actually, I was a little concerned about how readers would like this particular chapter. I was nervous that people wouldn't connect with it. It's all so interior, no big action or fun dialogue to make it lively. But, I felt that we needed to spend time with Boromir, to know how hard he was trying, to understand what an exceptional person he really was, and appreciate his great heart. He was indeed a man of strength and integrity. He just wasn't stronger than the power of the Ring. Makes me have a little sad moment for him.

After getting some positive reviews now, I think that a lot of readers connect with this chapter because we all feel that we also are good people, trying hard, getting beat up in the process, and sometimes we just take a big fall. For those of us who have faith, it is comforting to know that the Lord is always there to protect us and pick us up again, and that He always understands how hard we try.

I forgot that Richmond is technically considered Southern, not Yankee, territory . . . I was born in Iowa, myself, so I am not really one of those manic native Texans. I just enjoy living here, and poking a little fun at all the outlandish people who share the state with (sometimes equally outlandish) me. Good thing the nation of Texas is big enough for all of us.

Hey, before I even met you, I read your story about Frodo taking care of Elanor for an afternoon, and I just loved it. Great job! I'm putting you on my favorite authors list. Good luck in your writing! Thanks again for your very thought-provoking review!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/23/2004
I stayed there for a long time, gazing at my shield and horn, which I had placed in the corner of my room.

One of the best parts of the chapter for me as it says so much about how very hardBoromir is trying to do what is best for his people and do no harm to his new friends.

Still love this story!

Author Reply: Thanks again for the review . . . yes, Boromir is a tremendous character. The man truly shows the great strength and integrity of his heritage. If the Ring had not overpowered him, I think that he would have gone on to be an exceptional Steward and a true hero of the quest. It's a real tragedy that he fell . . . but so it had to be . . . so that Frodo would go to Mordor . . . (brush a tear away). We all seem very kindly towards Boromir, probably because we all feel that we are good people who take a fall ourselves once in a while.

Thanks so much for letting me know that you love the story. I wanted to make it fun to read, and powerful too. More chapters are coming as soon as I get them all polished up.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/23/2004
This is a very powerful chapter. Boromir was not an evil being, just one with a blind spot where Gondor was concerned. You have written his anguish over his father's treatment of him and Faramir, his longing to be accepted as valiant and loyal, and his desire to stay true to his heritage of honor in a very emotional and stirring way. This is a Boromir that I can admire, and mourn for when the inevitable happens. How fsr are you going to take this story?

Author Reply: I am so honored by your review. I was a little worried that there was not enough action to hold the reader's attention . . . but all these conflicts are exactly what makes Boromir's story so compelling. And these are thoughts he would never share, so I had to write tmem as thoughts, not action or dialogue. It is emotional and stirring to me too. He fights a brave fight and deserves some honor for it.

The story will end when the Company sets out . . . several more chapters are on their way first, though.

Again, thanks for letting me know that the message came through. That is very precious to me. In a good way!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 6 on 2/23/2004
"It was a very good thing that I would be included with the Company and able to help him bear the burden of it."

That's exactly how I imagine Boromir thinking all the way to Amon Hen. I suspect that Frodo's resilience truly shocked him, but that he never stopped believing that he should have been the bearer of the Ring.

Author Reply: Yes, considering the dream and all, I think it is very logical for Boromir to believe that he will ultimately end up with the ring. I have to give him credit for his battle to keep his head, and help the Company while hoping to help his country also.

Yes, the incredible, unseen inner strength of the little folk . . . that's the thing that makes the LOTR story so gripping to me. I love the way that Tolkien writes the story of the unassuming, self-deprecating little hobbits rising up, being underestimated by everyone they meet (except maybe Gandalf) and surprising us all. And they do it with such grace and charm and loveableness! (Is "loveableness" a word? I guess it is now . . . )

No wonder we love them so much! Misty-eyed hugs across the miles! Thanks for your review!

Return to Chapter List