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| Sons of Gondor by Itarille | 16 Review(s) |
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| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 7/5/2025 |
| This is so sweet, but so sad -- and beautifully written. Author Reply: Thank you! I hoped to convey the "sweet but sad" atmosphere which I felt when imagining Denethor. I'm glad you enjoyed it. | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 7/2/2025 |
| Itraille! I thought I would share a happy story about Denethor and Finduilas that I wrote if you would like. It's called "Building Sandcastles." I don't think I sketch the characters as subtly as but I thought you might enjoy it! http://www.storiesofarda.com/texteditor/chapterpreview.asp?sid=7659&CID=42149 | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 7/1/2025 |
| Itraille! I do not believe I can heap enough praise upon to you to express I love this chapter. Such a deft, subtle touch in dealing with very heartfelt emotions. "“I placed a copy of your Downfall of Númenor inside his coffin,” he went on. “Father kept it on his desk till the end.” Adanel made no effort to stem her tears." and "Faramir rested a hand gently on her shoulder. “You brought joy to Father, Lady Adanel. I thank you.” So nicely written. I love it! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Thank you! I had bittersweet feelings when imagining the scene of Faramir and Adanel. I'm so glad thw scene touched someone else :) | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/1/2025 |
| Itraille! "“You are kind and gentle, my lord. Let no one make you believe otherwise.” Denethor let out a low, rueful laugh. Finduilas had said something similar many years ago, shortly before she died. Died, after spending her strength to be with him and share his burden. What sort of man would let another woman follow the same path?" *sob* The deep hurt that I have always existed within Denethor is so wonderfully given voice here. (((hugs))) MM | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/1/2025 |
| Itraille! This was wonderful. I love that both Faramir and Boromir helped provide their father with this moment of happiness. So wonderfully written and crafted. "Faramir perceived what was unfolding, and was sad for Denethor. From where he was, Faramir bowed low. Denethor nodded, acknowledging his son’s bow." Ahhh! A lovely moment between father and son. For Denethor this is a large show of affection. I think you wrote in an answer to a previous review that Faramir sets himself apart by giving everything of himself and accepting only what others can give him. I agree. Your depiction of their relationship is warmer than I have written, I love your take on it. I always think that Faramir has only had a sparring amount of love in his life (Boromir, from his uncle's family who live far away in Dol Amroth and Gandalf) and Denethor couldn't give his love to his second son in the way he may have wanted to, but Faramir gives of himself (empathy, compassion, service) his capacity to give is truly amazing. Thank you for writing this moment of happiness for Denethor and the creation of Adanel, strong, intelligent, compassionate and a realistic depiction of the only kind of woman that Denethor could be attracted to was so well done. (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: MM, Thank you so much for your encouraging review! I'm glad you liked the quiet moment between Denethor and Faramir. I imagine Denethor and Faramir to be prudent, restrained men, but capable of bold display of affection at times, as Faramir's kissing Eowyn by the wall showed us. I also imagined that despite Denethor's grimness, Faramir growing up surrounded by people who loved him, such as Hurin of the keys, the Citadel staff who knew him since his birth. Thank you again! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 6/30/2025 |
| I chose to read this chapter first out of the two new chapters you posted today. I will return to read the other one later (and then I'll re-read this one, for the comfort it brings). Afterwards, I hope to leave another review on this chapter to delight in certain details that jumped out at me. That said, the entire chapter was a joy to read. This is a beautiful ending to a thoughtful tale, providing a glimpse into the bright future that Denethor did not live to see. Though he couldn't allow himself to be distracted in hoping for it to come about, his efforts contributed to making it a reality, along with the blood, sweat and tears of many others who did not live to see the downfall of the Shadow and dawning of a new Age but gave their all in resisting the Darkness nonetheless. Wonderfully rendered. Hats off to you. Author Reply: Lindelea, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! I'm glad you appreciate the transition from the bleak days under the Shadow to the bright Fourth Age. And yes, for all his faults, Denethor contributed to achieving that bright new age. Though he almost ruined it by insisting on keeping the One Ring. How are you? Hope you are doing well! | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/20/2025 |
| Itraille! "“Your mother took longer to recover her strength after your birth,” Denethor said, without preamble. “The healer advised that she should not burden her body with another childbearing.” Faramir placed his goblet quietly on the table, his fingers tightening around the stem. He wondered why his father brought up the subject. But he straightened and met his father’s gaze squarely—as any decent man should when facing a just reproach. “I am sorry, Father,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. " *weep* for Faramir, so used to apologizing for his existence. "For what I have been given is sufficient. The words settled over Faramir like a warm cloak against the chill of night. No sweeter words had he ever heard. Faramir slowly raised his head, fixing his gaze on Denethor, lost for words." From Denethor that is high praise. "I shall indeed be sufficient for you, Father. You have foregone having more sons—you shall not need them. Neither in war, nor in peace. Their eyes met once more, and Denethor slowly nodded, as though acknowledging Faramir’s unspoken pledge. For it was true that Denethor read men’s hearts shrewdly." Father-son relationships are not always easy. Faramir accepts what Denethor can give him. Wonderfully done. I so absolutely love the nuanced family relationship you have drawn here. Absolutely wonderfully and completely in character. I still wish though that Denethor could find some happiness for himself, though....Alas... Thank you for this. It is wonderful. (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Thank you so much! Denethor, Boromir, and Faramir are very fascinating to me. I'm glad someone else enjoyed my musing! Faramir accepts what Denethor can give him --> yes, in my imagination, this is what sets Faramir apart from others: he gives all of himself, yet so readily accepts what others give him. I believe Denethor never blamed Faramir (or Finduilas herself) for Finduilas's illness and death. But Faramir being a precocious and gentle-hearted child, he must have wondered whether giving birth to him had weakened his mother. I imagined Faramir could not sleep after he read about Miriel and Feanor for the first time--wondering whether his mother had also passed all her strength and spirit to him... | |
| Mirkwoodmaiden | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/20/2025 |
| Itraille! Again I love the deft touch in the conversation at dinner and the formal traditions that Denethor imposed upon their lives. Fascinating. "Was that how his sons saw their lives? That they were born and raised so that their father might have stout captains? Had he ever given them reasons to think otherwise?" Wonderful introspection for Denethor. Though he would never say it. "His duty had enabled him to continue serving Gondor, even when placed second to that dubious sellsword in his father’s esteem and in the men’s hearts. His duty had kept him in Minas Tirith during Finduilas’ last years, though his heart yearned to take her hand and start a new life at Dol Amroth, far from the Shadow." Ouch! I have always felt for Denethor. This really hits home. Damn! I had hoped that Denethor might choose something for himself...just this once. Thank you for this! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Mirkwood Maiden! Thank you for reading and leaving a review! I, also, have always felt for Denethor. I wish he had chosen hope. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 6/5/2025 |
| Thank you for the clarifications you provided after my last review. They helped a lot! The dynamics between the three characters are wonderful! I do love that Faramir is reassured of his father's love here, and Boromir's befuddlement and ultimate resolve. (or do I mean resolution?) I'm glad I finally had the chance to read this chapter! Author Reply: Thank you! I love imagining how the three of them interact. I believe they had happier moments, and that makes Denethor-Faramir's last parting even more tragic. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/2/2025 |
| The way you sketch the relationships between the three Men is skillfully done. And this: “Not yet,” Denethor and Faramir said, almost in unison. echoes Gandalf's description (I think it was Gandalf, anyhow) of Faramir and Denethor being more alike than Boromir and Denethor. Hmmm. Faramir is understanding and accepting, but Boromir is surprised and pensive. Boromir would not find it easy to welcome his father’s wife, let alone a half-brother—so accustomed was he to being the one his father loved best. (Whose insight is this? I can't tell who thinks this thought.) What a fine lore master he would have made, Denethor mused, expounding wisdom through speech and written word. This is a little different from how I remember Denethor. This scene must take place before he became so embittered. Or maybe his growing understanding with Adanel kept him better balanced and relatable. I seem to remember that when Pippin met him, he slept in his armour, a detail that seems to highlight his complete focus on ceaseless vigilance and impending attack? Perhaps at this point in his life, he doesn't feel the need to do so. (I am too tired to go back and re-read, though, to look for clues, so I'll just leave the question there.) Anyhow, here he seems to appreciate Faramir's intellect, though "the foolish boy" a few lines down adds a jarring note. I'm not sure yet what I think of his conclusion. I'll have to ponder it a bit, I suppose. Perhaps the next chapter (which I look forward to reading another day) will help. Author Reply: Lindelea, Chapter 4 is from Denethor's pov, so all reflections/ insight are his. Chapter 5 is from Faramir's and Boromir's pov. This story is set when Faramir was 20, about 16 years before the War of the Ring. I imagine Denethor as not-so-bitter at that time. Over the years, Denethor hardened, Faramir matured, and their differences grew. About Faramir's intellect & his love of lore, I don't think Denethor despised it. Denethor himself loved and mastered lore. But as Denethor hardened and grew more embittered, perhaps he saw everything (including lore and 'wisdom') as means/ tools to be utilized for Gondor's survival. Thus he disapproved Faramir's insistence on graciousness and generosity. "Gentleness may be repaid by death,"Denethor chided Faramir in the book. Faramir's stubbornness did not help matter. The remark "the foolish boy" in this chapter does not reflect dislike. Instead, Denethor marveled at Faramir's childlike devotion to him, that Faramir gave his loyalty, demanding nothing in return. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! | |