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Sundry Scrolls  by Raksha The Demon 59 Review(s)
SoledadReviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/13/2008
Too bad he didn't wear the stuff more often. I'm sure all Orcs would have fled in terror. *g*

Author Reply: EEK - Beware the Orange Rangers! No, no, not the dreaded orange leggings! I don't know what the calendar artists, or Faramir's Aunt Ivriniel, were thinking.

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Soledad!

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/29/2008
Couldn't help and just read it again. And, again, it brought tears to my eye. I failed to mention this in my first review, but this paragraph is paragraph is a perfect example of beautiful prose: "The trees rustle in the soft summer wind, and Faramir can hear the voices; glimpse some who passed through these gardens: his own White Lady, standing by the marble statue of Felaróf and eagerly beckoning him; their daughter Cynwen lost in childbirth, now sits against the oak tree with her fair head bent over a book; and is that Imrahil walking there, or just a trick of the sunlight on the fountain?" - the description is so well created that I can almost see them myself... And how evocative to have Eowyn stand by a statue of Fealof!!!

If I'd had an "Add to Favourite Stories" button here, this wonderful piece will go directly to the top of my list!!!


Author Reply: Of course Eowyn would stand by the statue of Felarof; I'm sure it was made for her and she appreciated it.

Thanx for your kind words; Little Dwarf, I wanted to let Faramir see between worlds there - I don't know for sure whether he saw memories or spirits; only he would know that, but he did see the people he loved. And death and life are not so firmly separated in Tolkien's Middle-earth...

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 9 on 6/29/2008
This brought tears to my eyes. Literally. And I don't normally cry when I read fanfiction, mind you!

I've thought of Eowyn's death and how it would affect Faramir, and I've also imagined Faramir as an old man, but I've never read or imagined his own passing. So I think that, from now on, this ficlet of yours is canon for me! It was heartbreakingly expressive, every word in it held so much emotion! I don't have to mention the perfect writing, but the appearance of the deceased ones are so beautifully drawn! Excellent job!!!

And I think it is only fitted, if Aragorn willingly takes out his crown and goes to lie on his funeral bed, that, by contrast, Faramir should pass away almost imperceptibly, in the middle of his garden... *sniff*

Author Reply: This story flowed out of me, unanticipated. I hadn't intended to tackle Faramir's passing for awhile. But there was a "Summer in Ithilien" challenge, and this was my answer.

I think Faramir would have a relatively peaceful old age; and not even feel or show his physical age that much until maybe the last five or ten years. I'm not yet at the point where I want to write about Eowyn's death; I think it would devastate Faramir, but he would carry on, surrounded by friends and family, and continue to be a good Steward and Prince; though perhaps he might delegate one of those chores to Elboron..or not.

It is quite a compliment that you consider this story to be comparable to canon for you - thank you!

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/29/2008
Very dramatic! Loved the "Stars ans Stones and Tree" reference!

Author Reply: It's not easy to come up with Middle-earth equivalencies for swear-words or even strong language. Anyway, this is one of the few times I've been able to keep a piece down to 100 words; a sad moment in the history of the Fellowship and Gondor.

Thanx for reading and commenting!

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/29/2008
I've seen the picture before and thought it ridiculous: not only are the poor Hobbits horribly painted, but Robin-Hood!Faramir is so outlandish as well!

But your story was a very amusing (and surprisingly realistic!) explanation to that... :) I also loved the glimpse in Faramir's life as a Captain of Rangers! :)

Author Reply: I tried to figure out why on even an alternate Middle-earth Faramir would be wearing bright orange as an Ithilien ranger, and came up with his well-meaning aunt sending him and the Rangers lots of gifts, including horrible clothing. And you're right, the hobbits look odd in the picture, particularly poor Sam, who was not supposed to have a fat head or fat body. I figure the Rangers would be starved for goodies and luxuries like special sauces and whatnot...

I'm glad the story pleased you!

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/29/2008
Well, I *do* hope that Legolas excused himself and went back to planting trees or something! *smirk*

I've never liked Legolas - he's not important in the book, and the movies... well, let's just say that they didn't make me like him better. I've nothing against Orlando Bloom - he was quite decent in "Troy" and I've yet to see "Pirates.." It's the hysterical fangirls for whom LotR means nothing more than a hot (???) blond that make me despise the character...

But let's get back to your fic. I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the male anatomy... *giggles* I totally agree with the fact that "long wet black hair, now streaming with water, flows over his shoulders", but I don't like the "beardless" part... :)) I know it's not book-verse canon, but my predilection for real life guys with beards (or... for a certain real life guy who only shaves once a months or so) makes me imagine Faramir with facial hair too... Hey, I'm not asking for a long fluffy beard like Gandalf's, after all! :)

Author Reply: LOTR fans will probably debate the beards/beardlessness of the Dunedain for longer than you and I will live, LOL. I just see Faramir as smooth-chested and not having to shave very often.

I don't dislike Legolas, but I only write him in certain situations where the situation, or the characters, work well with him. I don't really care whether he was blond or not. If he existed now, I think he would be quietly amused about all the fangirly fuss over his movie avatar.

(My favorite scene with Orlando Bloom in Troy was when he was hiding behind Eric Bana-as-Hector. I was so annoyed that Paris survived the sack of Troy while Hector didn't, unlike what was written in The Iliad. Of course, Paris annoys me on general principle. Still, he and Eric Bana-as-Hector looked cute in their matching turquoise outfits on the boat...

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/29/2008
Actually, this is the first fic I read where the twins are not just part of the background or a couple of mindless, imature Elves who do nothing but play pranks on others... Your story was so different from those, that I start to think more about these two...

Again, wonderful writing: "Elladan strikes the wall with his fist and does not cry out at the pain. Elrohir flinches, then throws an arm around his twin and guides him along the marbled path. Their feet, so often elven-light, scuff and stomp as they pass; their limbs seem as heavy as their hearts." - palpably dramatic!

Author Reply: The twins may have had many friends and teachers, but they were short on family, having no cousins and only one set of grandparents; the imminent loss of their mother, conceivably for all eternity if the Shadow conquered all of Middle-earth, would have horrified them, especially after the pain of Celebrian's ordeal. They seem to do everything, or at least many things, together.

Thanx for the review, Little Dwarf.

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/29/2008
Sad and beautiful! You captured Elrond's voice very well, and I loved the water motif. Great writting! :)

Author Reply: Water is important in Tolkien's works; and I think Elrond was reflective enough to note its significance. He is not an easy character to 'get', though he is one of my favorite Elves...

Thanx for reading and reviewing!

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/29/2008
Very beautiful! So beautifully written (and... Tolkienesque, I would say!) pieces about Galadriel and Celeborn are rare to find! :)

Author Reply: I usually don't have much desire to write Galadriel; but I do find her marriage to Celeborn intriguing; and she was more interesting a character in the times before LOTR...

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Little DwarfReviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/29/2008
Excellent. Simply... excellent! And extremely thought-provoking! Your writing is flawless, it's amazing how the ideas flow from the dark Oath tale to Faramir reading bedtime... legends... to his children, and in the end to the parents/children relationship and Denethor... Amazing!

But really, now... isn't Feanor's deed too dark a story to read to so young children?

Author Reply: I'm glad you liked the story. The tale of Feanor and his sons makes for gripping reading, but I thought it would bring up some uncomfortable resonances for Faramir.

The Bible is full of some pretty violent stories; but I would think that many parents read it to their children. And the stories collected in The Silmarillion would have a lot of meaning and significance to the people of Middle-earth, especially the Dunedain of Gondor and Arnor (as well as the Elves, though some of them lived it).

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