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| Till Death Reunites Us by Ecthelion of the fountain | 12 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/29/2025 |
| Alas, poor Snowmane. I'm glad his King was able to reassure him. The weapons-summoning scene felt very true to the original work, somehow. I wonder what effect the weapons have? Will they affect living combatants, or only dead ones? And will ghosts be fighting on Sauron's side before the Black Gate? | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/26/2025 |
| Oh! I almost missed this chapter! The frustration he had harboured—born of grief for Éowyn, dear to him as a sister; of Éomer’s seeming blindness to her pain; and of the helplessness that death had laid upon him—ebbed away in that moment. I am so glad! And the paragraph after this one is a beautifully drawn character sketch of several characters. This is a marvellous way to illustrate the difference between Gondor and Rohan: It was too high, too confined, too narrow. Even the wind was tamed and bound within these walls. Théoden's brief explanation at the end of the chapter made me draw a deep breath in amazement and reaction. Beautifully stated! And the whole time I was reading that paragraph, I kept thinking how "Estel" means hope. Author Reply: Thank you! I'm so glad that you picked up the "Estel" reference - "Haunting Hope" was meant to be a pun! :D The character sketch drew lightly from my other Rohirrim-centered fanfics, but I hope the story still reads as a stand-alone :) Perhaps it would create that feeling of "untold backstory", like Tolkien's own writing :P | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/26/2025 |
| Is Théodred's meeting with Thorongil in the Entwood from one of JRRT's accounts, or from fanfic, or a new idea presented in this story? Just curious. Bringing hobbits into the chapter has me grinning! And kudos to Boromir for not telling anything about hobbits... for the time is not yet right. "Naturally" the ghosts followed. Éomer's chill and Gandalf's reaction is funny. OMG! The sons of Elrond can see them! (Can they talk to them, too?) And yet, Théodred thought, I would see more. I would see how he bears command not only in victory, but in doubt—how he meets counsel that does not flatter him, or fails to move those who do not bend easily. I would see how he holds his ground when all hope falters, when no road lies open but ruin. Let him stand against the full weight of shadow, and not merely outrun it. Oh man. It seems he'll get a lot of what he's wishing for before the Black Gate. This bit of foreshadowing gave me a shiver. And so the two ghosts will go to the Black Gate with the Host. I wonder what part they may play there, and if they might somehow help tip the scales? (Yes, I know the Army of the West cannot win the conflict but are only providing a diversion. But I'm wondering if they play a role in Aragorn's surviving the battle, maybe... Just wondering.) Another grin at the famous quote. Sean Bean is amazing, no matter what role I've seen him in. The stallion is as mischievous as Éomer's cousin, it seems. Poor Éomer! Author Reply: Is Théodred's meeting with Thorongil in the Entwood from one of JRRT's accounts - oh I should have added a note: although this particular detail is canon-compliant, it is NOT canon, i.e., it is NOT from any of JRRT's own accounts. It was drawn from my other Rohirrim-centered fanfics: in one of them, Théodred and Boromir first met when they were both eighteen, and they set out together into the Wold for an investigation. I'll add a clarification! I'm fairly sure the sons of Elrond could see ghosts - I suspect they had encountered more ghosts than living men in Arnor over all these years 😂 And the famous quote is simply too good to pass up! | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 4/24/2025 |
| Wow! Powerful writing Author Reply: Thanks! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/22/2025 |
| You've woven thoughts from the original text into this unusual perspective so perfectly! And all the while, I'm more and more tempted to giggle at Théodred's big-brotherly reactions. “By wind and mane, I shall haunt him to the world’s end if this is not resolved properly,” Théodred swore. It doesn't sound as if this ghost will be so easily dismissed as the Army of the Dead. Aragon had better tread carefully! (Or might Théodred forget his grievance on realising – eventually – that Éowyn's true-love is actually Boromir's brother? If he hasn't faded by then, that is. Of course, he's just threatened to haunt Aragorn forever, so maybe he's not planning on fading anytime soon.) Author Reply: Thank you! Writing this chapter was great fun—especially since I have a few complaints about the conversations in the Houses of Healing at this point, and this was the perfect chance to air them! As for Théodred fulfilling his promises, I wouldn’t worry— 😂 He’s quite capable of finding ways to make peace with things—at least, as he lives in my imagination 😄 | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/22/2025 |
| Still thoroughly enjoying this unusual look “behind the scenes.” Author Reply: Thanks! I have a clear sense of the storyline now—it will unfold and come to its end, and hopefully it is a satisfying end :D | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/21/2025 |
| And Beregond—yes! No spoilers from me, but I can safely say this: he’ll be appearing more. :D Woohoo! :throws confetti: I am so very glad to hear that! And since you observe canon circumstances in your stories, I have no fear of Beregond becoming a ghost alongside the main characters, even though at the moment he might be considered a walking dead man according to Minas Tirith's laws and traditions. (I love how Elessar was able to find a loophole (?) or, at the least, apply common sense and mercy in administering justice to this loyal, courageous, faithful Man.) | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/20/2025 |
| What a time for Boromir to come to Minas Tirith! And yet, I find myself relieved he was spared seeing Denethor's final hours. (And probably helpless to do anything.) Interesting but not surprising that Gandalf could see him. And now I'm wondering if Aragorn might be able to see these ghosts? Beregond!!! I have to tell you, this glimpse of the Man made my day and seemed very "canon". His story fascinated me from the first time I read about him, and my admiration of the Man continues unabated. It's interesting to see this slice of time (Faramir in the Houses of Healing, Merry borne there) through Boromir's ghostly perspective. Will he and Éowyn's cousin also witness Aragorn's application of athelas, I wonder? Author Reply: The timing follows the book-canon: since Boromir and Théodred arrived by ship alongside Aragorn, they reached Minas Tirith after Denethor had already perished and Théoden had fallen. In other words, their manner of return determined the moments they could witness, and shaped what they were able to take part in. I imagine Gandalf, being a wizard, perceives more than Aragorn does; same for Legolas (and Elves). Mortals, on the other hand, do not truly see ghosts—but they can sometimes sense them. In fact, in the first chapter, it’s Elfhelm who proves more sensitive to the haunting than Grimbold, which felt both fitting and a little fun to write. 😄 Author Reply: And Beregond—yes! No spoilers from me, but I can safely say this: he’ll be appearing more. :D | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/18/2025 |
| A seasick ghost! There's an intriguing thought, along with the confirmation that most of the dead don't stay to wander the earth as shades. Perhaps Snowmane can be of service to them, and perhaps they can help the poor horse find his own rest. It will be interesting to see how far this goes. All the way to the Black Gate, I wonder? Author Reply: Come to think of it, Théodred and Boromir had only been dead for some twenty days! I imagine there’s a great deal to learn in death—and it’s already a small miracle that they’ve adapted this much. :P I do have an idea of where this should end, but I’ll keep that to myself for now. :D No spoilers from me! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/18/2025 |
| A serious topic written with a light touch! Well done. I like the little bits of humour that pop out here and there. How intriguing, that these two ghosts should witness the Shadow Host fulfilling their oath and being released at last. The inclusion of Thorongil here makes sense. Author Reply: Thank you! This truly feels like a reconciliation between my long-standing habit of writing strictly within book canon, and the enduring urge to give so many characters I love a second chance. :) What I’ve discovered is that a healing story can be told without breaking canon—and that realization has been a joy in itself. :D | |