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The Last Word  by jenolas 7 Review(s)
Daffy MaidenReviewed Chapter: 5 on 5/29/2005
Thank you for your kind reviews of my reviews! :) Unfortunately I have to stop here for today but I will return at earliest opportunity for more of our beloved.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/27/2005
Love the inclusion of Gandalf here, and the assurance no one can wield the Ring without danger of corruption save Sauron's self, who is already corrupted, of course. Hint the Ring is at work.

Author Reply: Thank you. I certainly felt that Mithrandir's role needed to be a little more openly recognised in places.

jenolas

DotReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/18/2005
Ah, Imrahil! My heart went out to Farmair when he thought for that split second that it was Boromir. It was lovely, though, to see Imrahil react on pure instinct and simply draw him into an embrace. Just what Faramir needed, I think.

I thought the little moment where Faramir takes the journal back so possessively really rang true. He’s clearly not ready to share the only real tie that he has to his brother just yet. I was glad to see Imrahil’s empathy and that he was able to share a similar tale of his own with his nephew. It’s a reminder too that Faramir does have some family left and, in fact, family who love him and want to support him. I loved the stories of the gifts too. It certainly shows Boromir’s pride and streak of stubbornness but it also shows the love he had for his younger brother and Faramir’s loyalty to Boromir.

What a wonderful idea of the clasp as a betrothal gift!

The fact that Boromir went to see off Aragorn and the others who were riding out was a great way of showing how much he has accepted not only Aragorn but his own role in all this. These moments make it all the more tragic that the ring was able to wield some power over him. And, it seems that the ring is already starting to do its work. I thought you showed this in such a clever manner by having him so convinced that the ring should go to Gondor and be able to reason it so logically, and then later wonder how he thought his arguments made sense. Mithrandir seems to be taking the road of trying to knock some sense into him. It’s actually great to see those two together. We don’t see that too often in fanfic.

Boromir’s eagerness to get home and constant wondering what is happening there is rather sad to see. He really did love his brother and his home.



Author Reply: I am trying to show the less common relationships that nonetheless exist in the books, and of course one of Imrahil's roles was was Uncle to Boromir and Faramir and at this point, acting Steward of Gondor as well.

He has children of his own and understands grief and so offering comforting hugs came naturally to him, and indeed was exactly what Faramir needed... the closeness of his remaining family.

Boromir was not a recluse and was eager to meet and hopefully befriend th eothers of the Fellowship, and you are right.. he probably saw it as his duty to see his soon to be king off on his journey, even if he did not knowingly think of it in those terms as yet.

And yes, the insidious nature of the ring is beginning to make itself known to others but not its unfortunate victim, as it no doubt intended. Mithrandir was the only one in Rivendell who actually knew Boromir and so he noticed the change immediately and as you say, he tried to be supportive after his own fashion.

jenolas

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/18/2005
I love Imrahil. Without his Dol Amroth family, I think Faramir - and possibly Boromir, actually, would have been even more lonely. Once Denethor got absorbed in the possibilities of the Palantir, his parenting skills definitely deteriorated.

And he's wise to tell Faramir to look at life and spend time with Eowyn, even as he reads Boromir's words.

It's fascinating to read Boromir's reflections on life, the universe and everything, as well. As well as seeing the insidious effect of the ring starting its campaign.

Author Reply: Yes, I think Imrahil played a large part in Faramir's recovery from his grief and he certainly offers sage advice.

I hope you continue to enjoy the story

jenolas

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/17/2005
Ah, Jenolas, Boromir's journal is just heartbreaking. Some of his observations are amusing and his insight is good about the people he's meeting, but just knowing how he dies and how it's affected his brother, Boromir's writings are a bittersweet journey. Sweet chapter. Uncle Imrahil was nicely done.

Karen

Author Reply: I think Imrahil would have made every effort to comfort his nephew, after all he was acting Steward in Faramir's place until he recovered from his injuries etc and so was close at hand after the final battle.

I am pleased you like my portrayal of Boromir, who is nowhere near as evil as he is sometimes made out to be, in my opinion anyway.

jenolas

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/17/2005
This story is becoming quite absorbing. I like the idea that Boromir might have kept a journal, and that his words could someday reach his grieving brother. I am eager to see what he has to say about the hobbits.

But I imagine that as the journey goes forward and the Ring intensifies its efforts to seduce him, Boromir's words will become much more painful for Faramir to read.

Author Reply: This is not an easy jornal for Faramir to read,as he certainly suspects and even though he knows the outcome, that does not prevent him from wishing he could change it.

Boromir begins to meet the hobbits in the next chapter.


mirthorReviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/17/2005
Ouch - those last paragraphs had to be hard for Faramir to read. Nice representation of the ring's power over Boromir. I have imagined it's influence on him culminating in many different ways & this was one of them - completely sneaking up on him, giving him no notion that they were not his own thoughts - this has always been the manner that has made the most sense, for he was an intelligent man & if he knew an outside force was controlling him, I believe he would have removed himself from the situation at the earliest moment possible.

I enjoyed the fact that you gave Boromir time to chat with Mithrandir. Will you give him more time with Aragorn? Alone time with each of the Fellowship? Any others?

Thanks for sharing.

Author Reply: Well, Aragorn is away at the moment, but I am sure the and Boromir will have a few more moments, as will the others in the Fellowship.

Yes, I agree that Boromir, was both strong willed and intelligent enough to avoid an outright assualt by the ring, but not a sneak attack.

Sharing is fun!

jenolas

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