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| Ten Thousand Years Will Not Suffice by Agape4Gondor | 186 Review(s) |
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| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 3/30/2006 |
I found it a bit hard to believe that Ecthelion would not allow anyone lacking Numenorean blood to be made Captain, to follow a tradition, except for Thorongil (who Ecthelion might have guessed could out-Numenor everyone in Gondor!). I don't think that Tolkien ever mentioned such a tradition; and it goes against the grain at least of Faramir's belief that Gondor's strength came in part from the wise assimilation of non-Numenorean people such as hill-dwellers and fisher-folk. Appendix A in ROTK makes it clear that Ecthelion not only encouraged "all men of worth from near or far" to take service in Gondor, but he gave "rank and reward" to those who were "trustworthy". I loved your use of songs here; also the meeting of Denethor with Eowyn. And now we see the seed of discord planted unwittingly by Ecthelion between Denethor and Thorongil in the form of a family heirloom that Denethor had intended to give to Finduilas. I would suspect that the rift will grow steadily between the two 'Thor's now. Author Reply: Hi, Raksha, I had a hard time with this bringing in non-Westernesse folk. I agree that Faramir seems to accept them, but I really like the fact that Denethor is nervous about such people cluttering up the ranks! As for rank and reward - I thought it would be plausible if a non-Numenor could only reach a certain rank. I have nothing to base it on, but it works for the 'tension' between Denethor and Thorongil. As for the songs - thank you for the kind note. I am not used to writing poetry (a form of song) and therefore was quite nervous about doing it. I'm glad it worked for you! Agape | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 3/30/2006 |
| There's a nice sense of transition in this chapter. You can really see how things are changing for Denethor. Windows open even as doors close. Thorongil is perhaps ingratiating himself a little too much -- one can see why he'll up and vanish in a few more years. Meanwhile, Denethor's friendship with the Rohirrim is growing stronger, as does the alliance with Rohan. He really does seem to have the art of diplomacy under control. Ecthelion is as batshit as ever. He's starting to get a little monotonous, though. Perhaps it's the old age speaking. Author Reply: I'm sorry abut Ecthelion - but the seeds of Denethor's treatment of Faramir must have been sown somewhere! I truly like Thorongil and wish things had been different. Drat. Thanks for the response! Agape | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 3/17/2006 |
| And that was the expected fallout from the little incident with the Easterlings. And Denethor gets demoted yet again. One begins to wonder if the rest of the lords of Gondor just don't care that Ecthelion is completely and utterly bats, or if they actually like it that way. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 3/17/2006 |
| Ooh, lots of things going on here! Denethor has been bit by the love bug in pretty much the same way that anything else happens to him. He seems to be a very ardent, intense, and reserved lover. And he's also so besotted that he starts metting mixaphors. The idea of eyes being as gray as star sapphires could only have been thought of by one thoroughly in love. I have to say, Ecthelion's reaction to all of this seems a little weird. It's almost as if he's more interested in spiting Denethor than in who Denethor actually marries. His first choice of whatsherface, the one Denethor doesn't like, seems to be something he pulled out of thin air, just the first noble lady who crossed his mind. Hild, his second choice, is even more bizarre. Gondor and Rohan don't actually need to strengthen their alliance if Thengel is still married to Morwen. There's no real reason for Denethor not to marry Finduilas -- indeed, he's old enough by now that Ecthelion should probably be getting down on his knees and giving thanks that Denethor is getting married at all -- except for Ecthelion's increasingly strange habit of opposing anything Denethor wants to do, simply because the idea comes from Denethor. You can see that this is the sort of person that Denethor will eventually grow into, but it'll be interesting to see how it actually happens, how he comes to be so much like the father he despises. And of course, Ecthelion will listen to Thorongil saying the exact things that Denethor says, when he won't listen to them coming from Denethor. Way to improve morale among the soldiers of Gondor there. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 3/16/2006 |
| Thorongil certainly has a dramatic introduction to the service of Gondor! Good work on his and Denethor's budding relationship; they're each trying to be fair and friendly to each other, but there's trouble even now - Denethor is too pushy and suspicious, Thorongil is too withdrawn and controlled; and they're both alpha males, and now they're both serving Gondor under Ecthelion. Nice touch that Denethor is possessive of Gondor. Author Reply: Thanks, Raksha, I was not going to post today as I am supposed to be packing, but those men of Gondor are pushy! LOL I do so love the relationship that might have been! Agape | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 3/16/2006 |
| And so this is how Thorongil got to Gondor! Denethor is going to kick himself every day for this, I'm sure. It's good to see that Ecthelion may finally be beginning to realize what a jerk he's been to Denethor all these years. Author Reply: I love it, FP, you are sooo right! *kick, kick kick* Though it will probably take him awhile to realize what has happened! Agape | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/16/2006 |
| Well, that was quite an adventure. The Wild Men are one of those interesting little odds and ends of Middle-earth that Tolkien never really explored, and I like what you do with them here. They have a very believable motivation for their actions, and yet you retain the non-PC, 1940s oinga-boinga-ness that Tolkien gave them. And then for Denethor to be rescued by Thorongil, of all people! How he must be burning with shame. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/15/2006 |
| A little reconciliation is better than none. But Ecthelion has been so distant for so long, that he and Denethor will probably never have a really close relationship. There's a distance between them, that's just right for Thorongil to step into. . . And speak of the devil. Here he comes, to the court of Rohan. A subtle introduction -- he just suddenly pops up, butting in and making his presence known. I think I like that. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/15/2006 |
| Oh my. That should solve the problem of telling the two Morwens apart. . . Ecthelion really seems to have gone off the deep end. Not calling Denethor home for five years? Oh, well, I suppose this is nothing. After all, he was prepared to leave the old guys out at Henneth Annun after thirty-five years. Sadly, it looks as though madness runs in the family. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 3/14/2006 |
| Significant developments! Ecthelion reveals the Tradition of Isildur and wants to prepare for the return of the Great King. And in the same chapter, Denethor is jealous of Thorongil. Poor Denny just can't get a break. Oh, it's "Mardil", not "Madril". More, please. | |