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

Divers Drabbles II  by Raksha The Demon 10 Review(s)
Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/26/2008
Beautiful. I loved it, especially the way you wrote from Elboron's perspective - we can feel that he has something of Faramir in him, and a resemblance to Boromir as well. And your dedication is simply heartbreaking, both for the fandom and for real life! *sigh*

But who is Elboron's lady? :)

Author Reply: I didn't have time to figure out who Elboron married; sorry; I'm sure he was a very desirable figure on the marriage-market, and I hope he wed for love, as did his parents. I'm glad that the resemblance to both his father and uncle came through; since Elboron's character is less clear in my mind than is his physical appearance; or at least less clear than that of the sisters I gave him.
And yes, the sacrifices that soldiers make for their countries are heart-breaking and awesome; I wanted to mention that...

I'm glad you liked the piece.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/14/2006
Again, a most appropriate Veterans Day memorial, for those who died to protect others against numbers beyond belief.

Author Reply: We owe so much to the Veterans, much of which cannot be repaid. I think Elboron would have felt the same way.

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Larner.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
Very nice. I'm glad Elboron does not appear to know the darker side of his uncle's last days, and that Boromir remains an untarnished hero in his eyes.

Author Reply: Elboron actually might know that Boromir was tempted, and briefly corrupted, by the Ring - I just can't see Faramir keeping that from his son, though he probably waited until Elboron was at least a teenager to tell him. I doubt that Elboron knows all the details of how Boromir attacked and frightened Frodo, but even if he does, I see Elboron as pragmatic enough to forgive Boromir and see him as a warrior who regained his honor through the courage with which he died.

Glad you liked the piece, meckinock, and thanx for the review!

BranwynReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
Boromir would be pleased to know that he is remembered with love and honor throughout MiddleEarth. It is easy to imagine Faramir and Aragorn holding this vigil each year on the anniverssary of his death (and Aragorn carrying on alone after Faramir's death). Elboron shows his father's compassion and insight when, instead of judging Boromir, he tries to imagine Boromir's feelings during the desperate fight at Osgiliath and later on the Quest. He wisely decides that he can never understand what it was like to fight against such odds. I like how he seems so much like his father.
Skillfully-written and an apt meditation for Veterans' Day.

Author Reply: Not sure that Aragorn could hold this vigil with Faramir every year; since doubtless he spent time away from Gondor, possibly several years in the North occasionally, not to mention military campaigns. But I do think that Aragorn tried to hold that vigil as often as he could.

I would think that both Aragorn and Faramir forgave Boromir long ago, and Elboron would probably take his cue from them. I think Elboron has more of a warrior-streak in him than Faramir, and would think both with a soldier's pragmatism and of a warrior's honor, and sympathize with Boromir's last stand. But he would also, as you pointed out, be reflective enough to know that he can never quite understand what the desperate days of 3018-3019 were like for the warriors, of the Fellowship and Gondor, who fought in them. Elboron is like his father, too, but I'm not sure if his imagination is as wide as Faramir's. Still, he'll make a formidable Steward and Prince when the time comes.

Thanx much for reading and reviewing, Branwyn!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
This is very moving,there must have been so many others as well as Boromir who never lived to see peace. I hope Elboron realises that is father was also a war hero, who was lucky to survive.

Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the piece. Yes, Gondor must have lost hundreds, if not thousands, of fine men, husbands and brothers and sons, in the Ring War and its prelude (the battle for Osgiliath). I'm sure Elboron knows that Faramir was a hero as well; in fact, Faramir is probably still Elboron's hero to a certain extent.

Thanx for the review, Linda!

NestaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
This feels just right. Boromir deserved to be a legend in the family, and he obviously is.

I've always assumed that Barahir was more like his grandfather than his grand-uncle. I can't imagine a Boromir type writing romantic stories!

I'd also always assumed that Barahir couldn't have been the heir to the Stewardship, or surely he'd have been referred to as the Steward or Prince in his own right, rather than just Faramir's grandson. However, that's a matter of opinion. Personally, if I could call myself Farair's grandchild I wouldn't care a rap whatever other title I had, or didn't have.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
I enjoyed this glimpse into a young man's thoughts of an uncle he never met and with a burden that he must, at least at times, feel. It's hard to be named for a famous ancestor... it can be a lot to live up to. But Elboron does not seem overly burdened, mostly accepting of who he is even though he will not burden his own son with such a name. It is very nicely done!

Author Reply: It couldn't have always easy for Elboron to be named, at least in part, for his famous uncle, who probably became larger-than-life after his death. But I think Elboron would be a strong enough person in his own right to handle the connection; and have enough of a will of his own not to feel overwhelmed by Boromir's legacy. I also see Elboron as being rather practical, and a positive thinker, wanting to preserve the traditions and memories of the past without becoming lost in them.

Thanx for reading and commenting, Radbooks!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
A fitting remembrance of Boromir, Raksha. When Elboron tries to imagine himself into Boromir's skin, he takes us with him. This is a real example of how a man continues to live in those who loved him.

Author Reply: Thanx much for the review!

My Boromir-muse is intermittent, so when an idea concerning him comes into my head, I try to pay attention to it. And Elboron, who is connected by blood and name to Boromir, is a natural to give some new perspective on one of Gondor's lost heroes.

SurgicalSteelReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
This was just lovely, and quite fitting for the day.

Author Reply: This is the first time I posted anything on a public fanfic site that was not beta-d, so I'm glad you found it "fitting". (I got the idea in my head at about 10:00 pm my time ll/11, and frantically put it on paper, by the time I reached the end, it was 11:35 or therabouts, I only had time to do a bit of polish if I wanted to post while it was still Veterans Day)

It would be both thrilling and daunting for Elboron to have a legendary uncle, especially if one could never know him as a flesh and blood man. And though Aragorn probably couldn't condole with Faramir every year on the anniversary of Boromir's death, he would try to do so frequently, remembering the brave son of Gondor that he had been unable to save.

And then of course, there are all the legendary warriors, fictional and even more important in RL, who never got to come home to their families and reap the rewards of peace...

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Steel.

Celebne Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/12/2006
Wonderful story about Boromir. I am moved to tears.

Author Reply: Boromir the Bold left some big boots to fill, didn't he! I would think that Elboron would find that legacy a bit daunting some times, though I also think he would have been strong enough to live up to it. But I wanted Boromir to stand for all the brave souls who died fighting against evil, even if his last battle was lost.

Thanx for commenting, Celebne; I'm pleased that you found the ficlet moving.

Return to Chapter List