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The Slave of the Ring  by Linda Hoyland 11 Review(s)
PeriantariReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/21/2015
It's always fascinating to read Boromir's point of view and see how the Ring was already tormenting and tempting him.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you enjoyed Boromir's point of view..

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/2/2007
Poor Boromir. Such a specific weight of responsibility on his shoulders. 'Save Gondor' - what a lot to ask of any one person. And, with that as his priority, it's no surprise that the Ring had plenty to work on. And yet his behaviour towards the hobbits - and his love for his brother - shows there was a lot of nobility in his character - and he had plenty of courage.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm not a Boromir fan but I do feel very sorry for him.

JuliaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/25/2007
Wow! I don't know much about Wagner, but that quote was completely apropos. I like this story because I think the way Boromir is portrayed is much in keeping with Tolkien's Boromir. So many Boromir fangirls (and not a few Sean Bean fangirls) have tried to "save" the character, often turning Boromir from a complex character into some sort of action hero, or worse, romance-novel hero. Your story hearkens back to the real Boromir, and how the Ring slowly twisted him until he met his tragic end. Good work.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you enjoyed the story.I was trying to get back to Tolkien's Boromir as I get weary of reading stories about perfect,wonderful Boromir who puts all the other characters in the shade !

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/25/2007
solang er lebt, sterb' er lechzend dahin,
des Ringes Herr als des Ringes Knecht


Wow! I've seen lots of adaptions of "Der Ring der Nibelungen" on German TV, but these two lines are awesome!

And to connect them to Boromir is brilliant! I can imagine his feelings when being confronted with The Ring again.
But in the end he recognised what he had nearly done and died protecting Merry and Pippin!

He was a valliant man and I'm always sad that he had to die so soon!

Thank you very much for this story! Dankeschön!

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you enjoyed the story.
I was a fan of the Ring Cycle long before I Heard of LOTR and it was the fact they were inspired by the same sources that drew me to Tolkien.
We had a lack lustre version of "Die Walkuere" on TV last night here in the Uk. The Chereau Ring remains my favourite.

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/25/2007
This was fantastic, Linda. I loved Boromir's prickly resentment of Aragorn taking command of the Fellowship, and his pragmatic decision to forego challenge while Aragorn still hold the advantage in knowing the territory. LOL. A strategist worthy of his father! Analytical and observant - a general indeed. I liked his observation that Aragorn must truly be distressed at Gandalf's death ("the old meddler" LOL) to overlook the hobbits' hurts until reminded by Legolas. And his rant about the "wayworn vagabond" was truly splendid.

This was a great line: The Steward feared that the Elves' enchantments might sway Faramir's fanciful heart

LOL I'll just bet he did! No doubt his elder son's judgment was indeed more trustworthy, in Denethor's eyes. I also loved Boromir's observation that Aragorn is like his father in his ability to see into men's hearts.

You have to pity Boromir here; the instant he sees the ring it owns him to the point where he even scorns Aragorn for not taking it. You've portrayed the tension between these two powerful men, at least as perceived by Boromir, really powerfully here. But my favorite image of all comes near the end, when the would-be king kneels before the hobbits to care for them. Nice foreshadowing.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm honoured that a writer of your calibre whom I admire,should enjoy it.
I tried to get inside Boromir's head.It always puzzled me,why Aragorn was so slow to notice the Hobbits were hurt,so I tried to come up with a plausible explanation.I always feel there is an underlying tension between boromir and Aragorn and wanted to explore it.
I love the way Aragorn cares for the Hobbits too.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/25/2007
Ooh poor Boromir. Caught in spite of himself . And at this point still able to see the benefit of someone other than himself wielding the ring. Love the transition of his view of Aragorn and the fact that you portray his relationship with Denethor as being difficult too.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm so pleased that you liked the story.
I doubt anyone found Denethor the easiest of men to get along with,not even Boromir.
I wanted to try to portray how the Ring twists perceptions without the victim realising.

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/24/2007
This is chillingly good, Linda.

I think Boromir would had to have had this other glimpse of the One Ring in order for his thoughts to be so focused upon it to the point of trying to take it from Frodo after they leave Lothlorien.

If Aragorn were to come to Minas Tirith, with such a weapon to use against the Enemy, even my father would welcome him gladly. A sword reforged was not token enough to grant Isildur’s heir the winged crown. However, the Ring was a different matter entirely! All of Gondor would welcome him.

You wrote Boromir well throughout the entire piece--a very nice progression of his thought process regarding Aragorn as King, along with furthering his motivation to take the Ring away from Frodo. I especially liked how you referred to Frodo's own words spoken at the Council of Elrond, ... the prize belonged to Aragorn before the whole council It shows just the severity of Boromir's trying to justify his thoughts and later his actions.

Very well done!

~Elemmírë~

p.s. That quote from Wagner's opera took me by surprise. Wow! How perfect a quote can you get? And Wagner's opera would have been written before The Lord of the Rings. I have to go read the rest of the myth that inspired both author and composer on your LJ.
p.s.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm so pleased tha you liked the story.

I've enjoyed Wagner's operas since I was 14 and it was the fact that both used the same mythology which first drew me to Tolkien.I think 'Das Rheingold' had its premiere in 1856.

Here is a direct link to the post about the mythology on my lj.
http://lindahoyland.livejournal.com/#asset-lindahoyland-6575

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/24/2007
Nice glimpse of Boromir, who's a bold man and one who loves his country. And the Ring knows exactly how to use that to corrupt him.

It's really interesting to think of the basis for Aragorn's claim of kingship. It's always seemed to me that he was the king who was to return not just because of his lineage, but because he was the chosen one. He was touched by grace. He was the king because he was the king.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
I could not agree with you more, I always see Aragorn as 'the chosen one' too.he seemed to lead a charmed life as if he were meant to succeed where his ancestors hadn't.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/24/2007
Nicely done! The progression of Boromir's thoughts is very clear and logical.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.Ever since I first read that passage,I wondered what exactly made Frodo so wary about removing his shirt.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/24/2007
Ah, yes--the first true look at the Ring, without a great crowd of Elves and others and without the steadying presence of Gandalf. One can see indeed how it is that Boromir was caught by the Ring.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review,that must be a record as I'd only just pressed 'publish '.I hope you have enjoyed this improved version which benefits from Raksha's expertise.

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