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| The Shadow in the Past by Itarille | 18 Review(s) |
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| PSW | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 1/19/2025 |
| This was a lovely, insightful story. The relationship between Denathor and Faramir reads absolutely true to me - a real exploration into both minds, being fair to each and offering each his rightful place. I don’t often read stories about the relationship between these two, but I’m so glad I read this one. Thx so much for sharing. (Also, what a fun link for Elizabeth I’s letters! I have a friend who will absolutely love it…) Author Reply: Thank you! Denethor and Faramir fascinated me, but I know my take on their relationship is not the popular /conventional one. I'm glad the story resonates with you. Yes, the Queen's letters are precious gems. I'm quite impressed by her writing-- quite elegant and erudite. I've never come across any private letters written that way. | |
| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 11/22/2024 |
| The letter is written with so much love and is so touching. Lovely end to a very thought-provoking, well described and wonderful story! It is a rare look into Finduilas and her family and i believe you capture each character's voices very well. Author Reply: Thank you so much for leaving a review! | |
| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/22/2024 |
| Lovely description of how Faramir might've found Denethor's ashes. It is written with care and wit and i really enjoy your attention to details. Standing alone in the quiet place, Faramir could well imagine his father’s last moments. The thought that nothing else mattered, the conviction that darkness had won and day would not come again, the crackling of firewood, the smell of burning flesh, the unbearable heat—but how could he say unbearable? Someone had borne it. It is painful to imagine but I think you wrote this very well. The last part of Faramir having discovered Denethor leaving him heirlooms is a good ending and i especially liked the part that Denethor thinks Faramir will eventually wed. Author Reply: Thank you! Since there was rain, which would have entered the building and eventually quenched the fire (the dome / roof was damaged), it is possible that the body was not fully cremated. The remains could be even more disturbing than what I've described, but I intentionally avoided making it too gory. I would assume Hurin took care of any particularly gruesome details. | |
| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/22/2024 |
| What a heartbreaking chapter. Really good insight into Denethor's thoughts. I have a question that occurred just reading this. Would it be possible that the Palantir had influenced Denenthor's last military decisions? Since Sauron had grasped into Denethor's mind, was it in Denethor's right mind to make his last decisions? This son, too, had loved him greatly, Denethor thought, and he felt the invisible knife that had stabbed his heart at Finduilas’ death plunge deeper into his being. wow how powerfully heart-breaking. :( Lovely writing. Author Reply: By "last military decisions", do you mean Denethor's decision to defend the border (Osgiliath)? If yes, I would say he was in his right mind when he made that decision. Bitter, anxious about the impending attack, grieving, yes. But in his right mind. I wrote something about this, which will be Chapter 4 of the story "The Eve of May". I will post it next week. If you have time, read it and let me know what you think :) I think Denethor only "lost his wisdom" after he saw Faramir near death. He then used the Palantir again, and it was only then that Sauron "tricked" him into thinking that the black ships are the enemy's fleet. Thank you for leaving a review and a question! | |
| Periantari | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/22/2024 |
| It's nice to see moments where Faramir and Denethor showed care for each other. I know some authors paint the picture that Denethor did not care for his second son but i think it is more fanon than actual canon . Denethor may have preferred Boromir (though i'm not sure if this is explicitly mentioned, maybe in his Tolkien's Letters?) but didn't mean he didn't care for Faramir. I really liked these conversations in this chapter. Author Reply: If I remember correctly, in the book, when Gandalf told Pippin about Denethor, he mentioned "Boromir, whom he loved best". And in the Appendix (about the Stewards), it iwas mentioned that Denethor loved Finduilas above any other, save his eldest son. My understanding is Denethor loved both his sons, but he did favour Boromir above Faramir. Thank you for reading and leaving a review! It made me happy to have chance to talk about them. | |
| Aldwen | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 11/15/2024 |
| Thank you for this wonderful story - it is very moving! I love your Denethor - stern and proud, but not deliberately cold and cruel, like so many other fan works portray him. I find your characterization of him much more believable - a father who raised two brave and noble sons surely had good qualities. Author Reply: Thank you for reading and reviewing! I am glad you found it moving. (Book) Denethor is quite a character. | |
| Leithian | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/11/2024 |
| This chapter is interesting since it provides another view of Faramir and Denethor's parting. Of course the popular view is that they did not have a healthy relationship as is evident from the final hurtful words of Denethor to Faramir. I also wonder what on Arda possessed him to say so. I wonder what the relationship between Denethor and Prince Imrahil had been like. In the book we do not see interaction between them, and Imrahil is mentioned merely as a kinsman of Faramir. But Faramir was his sister-son, a relationship that is important in Tolkien's works. Perhaps Imrahil was close to Faramir and I imagine that Imrahil might have blamed Denethor for Faramir's injury in battle. Will you share your views on this matter? Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us. Take care Leithian Author Reply: Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree that the popular view is plausible: Denethor and Faramir did not have a good relationship, and Denethor was largely to blame. However, Tolkien does describe Denethor as a noble man who possessed nearly the full grace of Númenor. To me, Faramir (in the book) does not appear cowered or damaged by his father. If anything, I think he gave as good as he got (albeit in a gentle manner) in his conversations with Denethor. I think Imrahil had a close relationship with Faramir. The way he shouted "Amroth to Faramir!" as he rode onto the Pelennor, the way he bore the wounded Faramir in his arms, and his words to Denethor ("Your son has returned, after great deeds") all reflect this closeness. | |
| Leithian | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 11/11/2024 |
| Oh dear, this chapter is beautiful, almost painfully so. I never thought of Finduilais and Denethor in this manner and now I think I understand them better, and I thank you for that. And I do hope that they would find peace and togetherness in death for that is, perhaps, the gift of Men. Author Reply: Thank you for your encouraging words. I believe each of them would find peace and joy at the Hall of Mandos and beyond Arda, even without being together. Meeting each other again would be an added blessing. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 11/9/2024 |
| I am sure they are together again, and their joy must shine as brightly as the Sun. Author Reply: Thank you! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 11/9/2024 |
| His father had loved him; he would leave it at that. His father, mother and brother were gone; but they had loved him, and he would cherish the memory of their life together. Faramir has been well and truly healed, and the slow-growing despair that consumed his father will never happen to him. Now come the days of the King, and his wise Steward. Thank you for such a wonderful story. Author Reply: Thank you for reading and leaving a review! He is healed, though I think he will carry within him the sadness he felt for his father all his life. | |