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Light Lingering by Nol	7 Review(s)
Fimbrethil	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/29/2025
He was a mighty mariner now, in the league of the seafaring rulers of old. More, he had grown to love the sea with a consuming passion that, like most things about him, threatened to overwhelm him at times. “I am,” he said, and even as he spoke, he turned his face south-west unconsciously, a familiar desire on his face. “The sea was kind last year, and the crew feels adventuresome.” “As do you.” “As do I.” He was smiling now, his face untanned and unlined by the relentless expeditions of past years. “We chalked out a new route last season, and the rumours between the Haradrim jewel-divers seem more and more hopeful about a couple of new pockets along it. I don’t want to miss the good winds. Besides,” he flung an amused eyebrow up, “how can Gondor resist the revenues from my little forays?” ”The Eastern campaign is barely over, Eldarion,” Faramir said. “You will be missed.” “Well, they can sing the victory songs without me,” the younger man shrugged. “I, for one, will be most pleased to get away from it while I can. I doubt this truce among the Khand tribes will last long, Faramir. You know that. We will be forced to go and keep the peace with swords and spears once again. This is the second time I have had to cut short a trip to come back to Father’s banner.” Faramir looked on him with sympathy. The impatience barely concealed the deeper, thornier feeling of disgust at bloodshed that he had never been wholly able to shake off. “But would you have left him alone, Eldarion?” “Never,” he sighed wearily. “And I will not think of what might have happened on this battlefield, had I not been by his side. My father, cut off, surrounded by murderers – " he shuddered involuntarily. “Thank the Valar you were at his back.” “How do you know?” “It is being sung of all over the kingdom, my boy. ‘One hundred/single-handed’, if the minstrels are to be believed.” [Oh. My. Eldarion is a mighty mariner now, is he? I bet he had wonderful expeditions with Alphros. (Unless they didn’t because they are both heirs or not friendly enough, or something.)

phyloxena	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 5/23/2007
Just discovered this story, raking in SoA archive. I never yet read anything remotely as interesting about Eldarion. Too often he is just a heir, second, a sign of future decline. And mentor Faramir was great.

Acacea	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/7/2004
I had to tell you again how much I love this:) It's perfect and it's beautiful and one of the best gifts I could ask for. Thank you! Author Reply: You're more than welcome, darling. You guys bring out the best, I guess. I think. :) Nothing but a pleasure, really.

Shireling	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2004
What a wonderful glimpse at a special relationship. Faramir would have made an amazing mentor for someone who shared his temperament and his interests. Author Reply: Thank you! Yes, he does seem like a wonderful father figure. So glad you liked that. :)

Sphinx	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2004
Good to see this here. :) One of the ending paragraphs really hit me this time round - where Faramir says Eldarion brings hope out of the sea. Brought this whole thing into context, somehow. My own Eldarion isnt like yours, and will never be, yet I cannot help but admire yours for this air he has about him. I echo what is said by daw. He's a great character. Author Reply: And I will echo what I said to daw and say - thank you. That means a whole lot to me. :)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2004
This was a very nice story. You captured the alien-ness of Eldarion very well -- his half-Elf physicality, and his definitely foreign upbringing. He made for an interesting character as he found his own place in the world. It is not surprising that it would be at sea; that has been a favorite calling of many a prince, both of Númenor and of our modern Earth. You also worked well with Faramir and his visionary, prophetic nature. There were some little things about the story that stood out as being odd. The first is the idea that there would be a section in the library for "the great dramatists." That struck me as just a little strange, because it seems that the one artistic tradition that Tolkien's world does not possess is one of performing drama. They're big on epic poetry, and there seems to be much dancing, but you never hear of anyone acting a play. On the other hand, there is so much of the history of Men that is Not Filled In, and it is conceivable that Gondorian playwrights might have arisen during the years of the Stewards. It's a fun thing to think about, certainly. The other somewhat odd thing is the sword dance. I know of a few different kinds of traditional sword dances, and this one is unlike any of them (and therefore fascinating). The English have a group sword dance where the dancers are linked by swords and perform complicated figures. The Scots cross two swords on the ground and dance over them. Arab women occasionally use swords as props while belly dancing. All of those dances are clearly separated from actual military use of the sword, though. There is no question that one is performance and the other is warfare. The dance you describe appears to have most in common with the Arabic tradition. I'd love to know what elements went into the creation of your Elvish dance, because it sounds quite elegant, if completely impractical. Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and happier for the detailed review. The oddnesses: first, I do believe that Men could have developed a dramatic tradition, particularly in the later years of Numenor, continuing through in Gondor. It is rather a good thing to mull over - I'm still waiting for soemone to tell that classic tale of star-crossed lovers in Armenelos - she Faithful, he a King's Man: "Angor, Angor, wherefore art thou, Angor?" The sword dance, as I said, is borrowed from Celebdil, the Keeper of All Sword Stories (read: Spirit of a Sword). In her story, the dance was actually a duel that involved highly stylised movements and required the contestants to have perfect timing and sense of proportion to be successful, not only as a contest, but also as an aesthetic exhibition of skills. I find it fairly plausible that the elves would aestheticize even the most mundane, or necessarily ugly activities, given their passion for beauty. As to how it can be used to kill - I'll ask Celeb for details and get back to you - but I can see how their practice and training in these moves would stand them in good stead in a tight spot, couldn't you? I hope that answers your questions to some extent - do let me know. Thank you, again!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/6/2004
I read this wonderful story on ff.net and am happy to see it here. Your characterizations are so vivid, and your Eldarion is a lovely, awkward, complex character who grows up into someone his father would be justly proud of. Author Reply: Thanks again, daw. So glad you liked it. Particularly Eldarion. That means a lot. :) Cheerio!

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