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Avoidance  by Stefania 4 Review(s)
ireneReviewed Chapter: 13 on 5/9/2006
Yes, time stands still -- you captured that beautifully. An extraordinary chapter because the atmosphere has effect and not so much what actually happens. And I don't think Faramir is blunt or brusque. Fate dealt him a lot of sorrow, trouble and responsibility - he is the man to cope with all this and not one who would purr poetry into Éowyn's pretty ear.
One correction: Faramir was born 2983, Ecthelion II. died 2984.

Waiting for the next chapter! Thank you!

Author Reply: Hi Irene -

Thanks for keeping up with Avoidance. I hope it continues to hold your interest. And thanks so much for the correction!! I'll make the fix in the text.

- Steff

Chibi-KazReviewed Chapter: 13 on 5/8/2006
WAI! Nice day, only to have Faramir get attacked by Sauron! EEK! Nice of Eowyn, not to notice her own instant concern for Faramir. She needs a best girlfriend to smack her upside the head. Poor Faramir! He's doing all that he can. Thhp to Galadriel for putting him in such danger (lets hope there's a scene in the future, when Galadriel comes to Minas Tirith -yes, that's bookverse, but still -- and apologizes nicely).

Please do not torture us again with a long wait. The action is starting to shape up here - both in the plot of LOTR and in this relationship. Don't make us wait!

Cheers,
Chibi-Kaz

Author Reply: Thanks for your encouragement, Chibi-Kaz. I am going to finish this story, I promise. I've set myself a goal. Hang in with me.

- Steff

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 13 on 5/5/2006
I liked the tour of the White Tower, with all the statues. Interesting that Mithrandir seems to have tutored both brothers in history.

I wouldn't think that there would be 30,000 people in Minas Tirith; since Tolkien implied it was under-populated even before the evacuation.

Lovely scene with Eowyn and Faramir picnicking on the mountain.

Things will break soon. I hope you write a scene with Faramir's investiture as Steward.

In response to earlier reviewers' discussion; on the question of whether Denethor would have approved of Eowyn: Both movie and book-Denethor might have sought Eowyn as a prize, with a dowry of horses, for a son; but I don't think either Denethor would have thought her good enough for Boromir, since she had so little Numenorean blood and was not raised in Gondor. But, on seeing her, book-Denethor would have approved book-Eowyn at least for Faramir; Tolkien specified that Eowyn had the grace and pride of her (Numenorean-blooded) grandmother Morwen Steelsheen as well as the height and slender build; I think Denethor would have appreciated it. I doubt that book-Eowyn would have been terribly fond of Denethor though...

Author Reply: Yo Raksha:

I'm glad you liked the museum tour. I was afraid it bogged down the pace, but I couldn't bring myself to axe it. I'm a fan of realistic sculpture, if you couldn't guess from the "tour."

As far as the population in Minas Tirith at the time of the War of the Ring is concerned, I searched forever for a web site with that information, but couldn't find one. I also consulted my many LOTR film tie-in books, to see if PJ and company had estimated the population of Minas Tirith and Meduseld, but I found nothing. Sigh.

I somehow remember reading a study that said Minas Tirith had about half a million people at its apex, after the fall of Osgiliath. Of course that population sorely dwindled by the time of the War of the Ring. So for the purposes of my story, I finally imagined about 100,00 people living in Minas Tirith during Faramir's day, about half of whom left the city before the battle of the Pelennor Fields, as Tolkien describes. So that leaves about 50,000. In any case, the Minas Tirith depicted in the LOTR films is considerably larger than Meduseld.

Fellow readers, do any of you have some pointers to population information for Gondor and Rohan atthe time of the Ring War? BTW, Kolstad's "Encyclopedia of Arda" is silent on the subject.

I think Denethor would have thought Eowyn a good candidate for his elder son, sadly, for lack of a better prospect. He couldn't marry him to Lothiriel due to their close relationship. You'd have to invent a OC in fanfic as a better marriage candidate for Boromir. I personally see movie Denethor as being too distracted, too nuts, and too fond of his elder son to want to entwine him in a marriage situation before he was no longer useful as a soldier. Book Boromir (and Sean Bean, interestingly enough) was about 40, 41 at the time of the Ring War. Book Denethor didn't marry until he was in his late 40s.

Sorry for such a long reply, but your comment was too good not to respond to. I agree that Eowyn wouldn't think much of Denethor, but I bet she--Movie Eowyn, anyway--could have manipulated him with kindness. :) :)

- Steff

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 13 on 5/5/2006
I truly felt as if I were touring the City with Faramir and Eowyn.I felt Faramir was a little blunt in places, but then both he and Eowyn are equally damaged by their past.I like the way you deal with the cloak and Faramir becoming Steward.

Author Reply: Hi Linda -

Thanks for following along with "Avoidance" and perservering with my slowness. As far as Faramir being blunt, well, ya know, he's movieverse--David Wenham's characterization. Remember how film Faramir behaves to Frodo and Sam when he first meets them, knows immediately that Frodo is lying, and, in my interpretation, suspects they might have some connection to Boromir's death? "Blunt" and "abrupt" are nice terms for film Faz' behavior. I think this is what shocked a lot of book first people when they saw TTT theatrical for the first time. I'm trying my best to portray film Faramir; he's a very complex guy.

I hope you enjoyed F and E's equal opportunity angsty moments!! You're better at angst than I am, but I gave it the good old college try.

- Steff

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