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| Till Death Reunites Us by Ecthelion of the fountain | 22 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 5/19/2025 |
| So I'm wondering if Aragorn could see them? He's part Elf, even if only a tiny bit. The idea that the spirits of Men can go to Valinor raises all kinds of interesting issues for you to explore in future stories. (hint, hint) Author Reply: Actually, I imagine this ability goes by "fate": Aragorn, though he had his Elvish lineage, was still mortal—and so he could not see them. The sons of Elrond, on the other hand, could, as they had not yet made their choice and still lived with the grace of the Eldar. The fëar of Men would pass to the Halls of Mandos regardless—which, technically, are part of Valinor anyway 😂 But noted! I rather doubt Gandalf would be pleased to see unquiet ghosts roaming about the Lonely Isle 😂 | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 5/7/2025 |
| "Use well the days": the chapter title is a lesson in wisdom unto itself. (I think I said that right. My brain is fuzzy and I must go and seek protein, but I have been wanting to type out this review for a while now and just now decided to knock it out sooner rather than even later. The first sentence tells me that the two ghosts have hung around for a long time! ...all the way to the Scouring of the Shire, it seems. I do love Boromir's protectiveness of his brother, "not [quite] well enough to be haunted". And for some reason, I had a vision of a childish trick just now, where young Boromir scared the daylights out of his younger brother and repented of it. I can clearly hear Théodred's "Fine." He sounds just like one of my offspring. Gandalf's mutter made me chuckle, but I loved the description of the dreams that brought smiles and peace to the dreamers. And the vision of Théoden King riding off into eternity on Snowmane was well done. As the chapter continued, my suspicion of the ghosts' final disposition grew. Although I thought they'd see the Ring-bearers off at the Grey Havens, taking ship was not out of the question as I saw the possibilities. Although I must admit to being clueless as to the meaning of Gandalf's "In time, you will know" to Frodo. (Was he talking about when they docked at their destination, or Frodo dying and becoming a ghost himself, or...?) The ghosts themselves seem to know, along with the Elves, but they don't seem too upset about it, so I'll take some comfort there. LOL about "the new sheriff in town"! So glad to have been of service. (grin) I must admit, I have not read further in the other story since you mentioned in your review reply that I'd encounter Gríma in future chapters. That character is nightmare material for me. I don't know why he scares me more than the Balrog, but he does. Maybe because he's so "up close and real" in Éowyn's experience – too close to someone I knew in real life long ago, such that even now I can barely tolerate the mention of the character's name. Author Reply: Thanks, as always! Yeah, I’d envisioned the story ending at the Grey Havens quite early on—long before I fully mapped out the storyline. 😄 the meaning of Gandalf’s “In time, you will know” —To me, if there is a place where the Seen and the Unseen come together, it would be Aman, across the Sea. I imagine that as Frodo sailed West, he might come to perceive the fëar of Men—and in doing so, he would see Boromir again. I’ve always felt that Boromir’s fall left a mark on Frodo, even though it was not explicitly stated, and meeting him once more would be a part of his healing. Or rather, it would be mutual healing—Boromir would find his final peace too. And Théodred, as Boromir’s close friend, would find peace as well in seeing Boromir finally at rest. As for Gríma—yeah, I completely understand why he unsettles people. To be honest, writing about him was painful for me too. But I couldn’t leave him out, since the story is about Éowyn before the war, and I wanted to portray more clearly what she went through. In my view, the book’s treatment of her experience is too simplified. I do understand that this was a narrative necessity, and I’m not suggesting it should have been handled otherwise—but I do think it missed the opportunity to let readers fully grasp her suffering and what truly drove her. The many debates over why she rode to war, and why she changed her mind afterward, are proof of that. | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 5/6/2025 |
| Loved this story and the beautiful ending. Thank you Author Reply: Thank you! Really glad that you enjoyed it! :) | |
| Leithian | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/4/2025 |
| 𝘠𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘩é𝘰𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘙𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘸—𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘥, 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘈 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮—𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩—𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳—𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺: 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘶𝘯𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮. This paragraph is so evocative and chiling. You described the terror of the Ringwraiths in a manner that I could almost feel what Theodred was going through... As always your depiction of the Unseen world is plausible and interesting. I've always wished that Tolkien had developed the Unseen world more fully judging that the Calaquendi elves and the Ainur live in both worlds. Luckily we have you to extrapolate and interpret the source material, it is an impressive job. “𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘰,” 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘛𝘩é𝘰𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯. “𝘕𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵.” Ok, I never noticed that the areas they were passing through on the march to the Black Gate were for a long time under the dominion of the Shadow, so even passing through them would have a negative effect and even break the will of men. I merely interpreted Aragorn's proclamation as an acknowledgement of the fear that the soldiers must have felt at the prospect of marching on the Black Gate itself.... That's why I like your first so much; they always provide new interpretations and food for thought. Author Reply: Thanks! Honestly, this chapter and the next are much closer to what I used to write—I'm kind of good at imagining myself in others’ shoes and thinking the way they might. I've always wondered what kind of terror the Nazgûl actually stirred in people, and I took the liberty of touching on that here. It did make the story a bit darker—but, oh well, a ghost story’s got to have some scary moments, right? | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/3/2025 |
| Oh my. This was, as you warned, heavy and difficult to read. But I loved the glimpse of Denethor near the end, and how his response to the threatening darkness and encroaching despair served dual purposes: it strengthened his son's ability to resist, and it proved that he was not lost despite having given in to madness and despair at the end of his bodily existence. I love how Théodred laughs and Boromir roars at the same time. It seems that their role in the battle is to bring new hope to other lingering spirits across Middle-earth? As I read about the spirits, I had a sudden memory of Merry in the Barrow: ‘What in the name of wonder?’ began Merry, feeling the golden circlet that had slipped over one eye. Then he stopped, and a shadow came over his face, and he closed his eyes. ‘Of course, I remember!’ he said. ‘The men of Carn Dûm came on us at night, and we were worsted. Ah! the spear in my heart!’ He clutched at his breast. ...and I wondered if one such lingering spirit had infiltrated Merry's dream, and now it rose with all the others summoned by Théodred's and Boromir's sending, to stand against the darkness that had cut short their lives? I love the reference to the coming of the Eagles, in part because it pinpoints the moment: the onslaught of Mordor has broken like a wave over the two hills where the Men of the West are making their stand; Pippin has just saved Beregond's life and is buried under the fallen troll, and the hosts of Mordor are looking up and wondering what this sign might mean. So the next chapter is the epilogue? What a wonder-filled journey you've taken us on! Author Reply: Thanks! Yes, the next chapter is the epilogue—and it’s done! The Merry scene definitely helped shape the storyline! It all started off quite lighthearted—just a random discussion between me and a friend: why did the Rohirrim bury Théodred on the eyot? A flood was bound to come! And if his body were washed into the Sea, might he meet Boromir, who drifted down the Anduin on the Elven boat? But as I began writing, the story really grew in the telling. I realized there was actually space to write something canon-compliant here, from a very different perspective—and I already knew where I wanted it to end. :) Since I meant this to be a healing story (though not a Fix-It in the usual sense that rewrites canon), I did want to give Denethor a chance as well. I’ve always believed he would never willingly bow to the Shadow, even though despair claimed him in the end. And I feel that this realization—this understanding of his father’s strength, even in failure—would give his son the courage to resist what had once tempted him. | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/2/2025 |
| Each new chapter draws me deeper. This is powerful. Author Reply: Thank you! Hopefully the end will be satisfying too! :) | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 5/2/2025 |
| Gandalf's observance is interesting – while totally believable: The evil that dwells here is perilous beyond death—more perilous to the dead than to the living. This was a particularly striking description: the shadow clung to his hooves like iron chains Boromir had never been more grateful for a wizard’s company. Ah, yes, Faramir was "the wizard's pupil", wasn't he? I imagine that Boromir found Gandalf rather dry and boring. Suddenly, I had a mental flash from the 2005 production of Pride and Prejudice, where (an admittedly silly) Kitty is ducking behind bushes to avoid interacting with Mr Collins. Even though Boromir is no Kitty (what an astonishing thought!), I can see him trying to avoid Gandalf in the same way, although (unlike clueless Mr Collins) the wizard would more than probably be completely aware of young Boromir... But I'm rambling, a sure sign I need to seek out some protein before my brain implodes. "How did he do it?" indeed! Oh my. Théodred's dream makes it sound as if he's suffering from the Black Breath. Which is quite plausible, considering the lingering hold of the call of Morgul's ruin. Similarly, the "dark voices" in Éowyn's dream told her that Éomer was dead. In a later (not yet published) chapter of my Farmer's Son story, the hobbits afflicted by the Black Breath describe seeing the Shire as a lifeless desert, littered with the corpses of friends and loved ones. Also, the mental image of Saruman wearing Gríma like a mask is quite effective. Hurrah for Boromir and "in the nick of time" rescues! But Théodred flickered? As if his essence might be snuffed out by the cold psychic wind pouring from the Morgul Vale? What a chilling thought! (Pun not at all intended.) (But had he drawn his blade and yielded to the nightmare urge, who would have been affected by his striking sword? I'm not completely clear on the implications.) It also makes perfect sense to me that the Rohirrim would not have had as clear a picture of the evil Gondor faced and the burden the Men of Gondor bore. The comfort of the campfire as a light to hold against the dark hits home. Faramir woke Boromir from his dark dream, where he was tempted like Eärnur? (I find this particularly fascinating since Eärnur just happens to be playing a large role in the current chapters I am revising prior to posting.) A little bit of humor to leaven this heavy dough: I doubt I could be haunted more than that. The whispers are reminiscent of Sauron speaking through his servants: the Ring, the Nazgûl, even Denethor's palantír. I do hope that Gandalf is aware and that part of his mind is keeping watch over these two intrepid warrior-ghosts. In the description of those who faltered, I was reminded that Aragorn sent some warriors to Cair Andros... and there it is, a few paragraphs further along: Aragorn's wisdom and mercy, preserving these warriors' honor and bringing hope. I was already thinking of hope when I read And for a moment, even amidst the lifeless waste, they felt a faint stirring within them: the memory of the world as it had been, and a longing to guard what yet endured. And, of course, hope itself sprung forth in the very next paragraph, ending the chapter quite fittingly. Well done! I'm looking forward to more. And the story is nearly done! Galloping to the finish, it feels like, despite the slow – and rather agonizing! – march, as to doom. (But luckily, we already know how the main story turns out, or this gapfiller would be much more difficult to endure.) Author Reply: "I had a mental flash from the 2005 production of Pride and Prejudice, where (an admittedly silly) Kitty is ducking behind bushes to avoid interacting with Mr Collins." -- LOL! I do think Boromir would brace himself and face the wizard, but the image of him ducking behind bushes to avoid Gandalf is hilarious 😂 It actually feels quite natural for someone like Boromir, who delighted in arms and had little interest in lore, to find a wizard frustrating—never speaking plainly, never pledging loyalty to any one realm, always hovering above it all. And of course, his father’s dislike for Gandalf would have left its mark on him too. I’ve always felt there’s a strong parallel between Boromir and Eärnur—Appendix A even says such (on their shared traits). Looking forward to your take on that! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 5/1/2025 |
| So glad to see this newest chapter! But sobered at the losses. So many dead, and now preparing to march into yet another battle. Prince Imrahil stood with them, his expression unreadable—though his eyes, now and then, turned to Éomer with a trace of quiet approval. Sounds like a future father-in-law to me... ah, yes, and the matchmaking talk that follows this mention confirms the thought. LOL! I'm glad Snowmane has found his peace. I also found the description of the interaction (or not, as it were) between the two horses amusing. But When shall we find our own? was sobering, especially after the light talk that came before it. As always, the mention of hobbits is fascinating and cheering. I love how Boromir sticks up for hobbits, too. And here is the Beregond scene! (Imagine a line of exclamation points there; I didn't actually put them in for the sake of readability, but I certainly thought them!) Actually, the first of two Beregond scenes! In this one, we see the Man through Boromir's eyes, as well as Théodred's perplexity. In a couple of my stories (one being just a snippet of a scene), I have Beregond asking to march with the Host with the intention of seeking death in battle, a more honorable death than execution, for the sake of his family. Thus, Pippin saving his life might have been considered a stroke of bad luck – at least up until the moment Elessar applied mercy and justice in judging his case. The watchfulness is interesting. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. And in the second Beregond-related scene, I love Pippin (third helpings, and acting as if the food is a feast, and, of course, asking questions) and enjoyed catching a glimpse of Faramir's character through Beregond's anecdote. (He will mend what is breaking in a man—without ever letting him feel broken.) Boromir's question (And if he is the one breaking—who will mend him?) and Théodred's answer at the end are interesting. To dear Lindelea—here's the Beregond scene! :D ((((hugs)))) You've made my day! Author Reply: I have Beregond asking to march with the Host, intending to seek death in battle – ah, that’s actually a very plausible and powerful scene—well done. A man like Beregond would choose that, and the Captain of the Guard would grant him such a request. In this story, Boromir sees things from a Captain-General’s perspective—he wasn’t aware of the details and only told the outcome. Hobbits are always a joy to return to, even though this story doesn’t center on them! I do want to give more backstory on why Beregond loved Faramir so deeply—or really, why the people of the White City loved him so much. And somehow, I feel like a tale of valour or wisdom alone doesn’t quite explain it. | |
| Leithian | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/30/2025 |
| While I understand that this is supposed to be a humorous story, I can't help but feel a tinge of disquiet at the prospect of Theodred and Boromir (in their ghostly form) approaching Mordor, the realm of Sauron, once known as the Necromancer. Does sauron have power over the shades of men? And if Gandalf can sense them, then surely, the Nazgul can too... Perhaps I'm taking it way too seriously than intended, but I do hope that nothing untoward happens. Author Reply: I’ve completed the story—and all I can say is: yes, there are darker chapters, where humor is present but not the dominating tone; but the epilogue returns to the tone of the first chapter :D | |
| Leithian | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/30/2025 |
| “𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯,” 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘳. “𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮: 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳—𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘳.” [2] LOL! It was a good thing I had set my coffee aside! Theodred and Boromir are enjoying themselves way too much. And it is well enough that there is no Denethor around. That would've been awkward. Author Reply: I've always found myself unable to write about Denethor - so I came up with a reason (canon compliant, thankfully) to leave him out (most of the time) 🤦♀️ | |