News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Steward and Thain by Agape4Gondor | 47 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Fiondil | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/31/2007 |
| I've been enjoying this story from the beginning. Pippin and Boromir are obviously becoming good friends, supporting one another and encouraging one another, something they both need and cannot get from other members of the Fellowship. I enjoyed the revelations of their childhood escapades and I liked that Aragorn's voice sounded like Gandalf's to Boromir when Aragorn joined the converation. Of course, I was hoping to hear him tell them about one of *his* escapades as a child and how he was punished for it. *grin* I look forward to reading more. Author Reply: Thanks so much, Fiondil. I truly enjoy your Elf Interrupted along with your other writings. I don't usually read Elves, but Finrod and Glorfindel are favorites. As for this story, most stories I've read have Merry and Pippin kind of 'stuck' to each other with nary a moment to learn anything about the rest of the members of the Fellowship. But when I thought of the similarities of these two 'dissimilar' people, I wanted to explore it further. Pippin's love is child-like, the best kind ever. And Boromir's love is 'mature' which is what Pip needed. Someone to accept her as what he was to become. For some reason, I felt that most folks of the Shire, because of Pip's proclivity for foolish actions and foot-in-the-mouth discourse, would wonder whether he would ever be 'fit' material for Thain of the Shire, Master of the Shire-moot, Captain of the Shire-muster and the Hobbitry-in-arms. Good grief - I missed a chapter - should have written about the copious titles these two shared! LOL Again - many thanks! Author Reply: Hmmm - mistake up there - Pippin needed someone to accept HIM - what were my fingers thinking as they typed this! Freudian slip? | |
| Garnet Took | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/30/2007 |
| What wonderfully high praise Boromir give the hobbits. Pippin really is good for Boromir. He gives the man a whole new perspective on life and the world. They are both learning so much about the wider world, each other and themselves. I hae a feeling that when this story ends, I'm going to be as broken up about Boromir's fate as Pippin is. Keep up the good work. Author Reply: I truly think that Boromir respected the Hobbits - the 'little one' that PJ has him use in the movies was not in the book, though it was endearing. I think Boromir quickly assessed the Halflings and decided they were worthy of the Quest. And yes, they are both good for each other. The similarities help! Let's not discuss the ending quite yet - I do NOT want to write that chapter! Thank you for reviewing! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/30/2007 |
| . And now I see that others have fought the evil; others besides Gondor. It is a strange lesson to learn. What an amazing thing for Boromir to realize. He is so very "human" in your story, exactly as I like to imagine him. Author Reply: Thank you, shirebound. I think that Denethor probably 'drilled' the responsibility that weighed upon the Lords of Gondor. Boromir was not dense; he would have noted at the Council and while they were in Lorien, that others fought and died for the cause. I'm most grateful you think I'm doing well with Boromir - I do happen to love the man dearly! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2007 |
| Fascinating look at Boromir's own recollection of his usurpation of Faramir's dream-summoned errand, for various reason. I really liked Boromir's insistence on not discussing his opinion of his father, and his nutshell summation of the Steward as a father; which was as far as he would, or could, go with even a valued comrade. Author Reply: Thanks, Raksha. I wonder if it was usurption. Faramir had the dream many times before it was given to Boromir. Was it given to Boromir because Faramir did nothing? I know that sounds harsh, but why would Boromir receive the dream after so many times for Faramir? Faramir, bless his heart, would have waited, studied, researched, and done a million things before he would go to Denethor with it. As soon as Boromir had it, he took Faramir and went to Denethor. He acted on it. I know some people think that Boromir even lied about having the dream at all, but that is not how I read the passage nor have I seen a hint that he would have lied. 'For on the eve of the sudden assault a dream came to my brother in a troubled sleep; and afterwards a like dream came oft to him again, and once to me.' FOTR, Chapter 2, Council of Elrond. Again - many thanks for the review! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/30/2007 |
| Interesting chapter. I loved the account of tweenaged Pippin's engineering effort with the dam, and the chaos that followed. But this once, in the account of Boromir's 'adventure', my sympathy rests with Denethor. At thirteen, given the responsibility that his high rank entailed, Boromir should have known better than to run off, telling no one, and take his little brother with him. Of course, considering that much of Aragorn's life was taken up with journeys far from his own responsibilities, his viewpoint doesn't surprise me. (I've always liked Aragorn, but I do feel sorry for his people, who might have preferred their Chieftain home rather than spending decades in Rohan and Gondor) Author Reply: Boromir (and Pippin) both realized they had done wrong. Boromir, however, had been beating himself up about it for the rest of his life. As I think he did with any apparent failing of his. The only thing Tolkien said he had in common with Denethor was his pride. So he woulc chastice himself and not forgive himself, I think, for what he had done. Though I truly believe he was quick to forgive others! Perhaps Aragorn saw that need and decided it was time for Boromir to forgive himself. Also - Aragorn has never had children, he lives in the wild and adventure (if one would call it that) is his middle name. I think he could relate with a child going off - AND you are right about his relationship to his people. Must have been odd - to say the least. In my mind's eye - the main failing of both these adventures - another commonality - was the fact that they drew others into danger with them! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/30/2007 |
| I do like the bond between Boromir and Pippin - they each offer the other something he needs a lot, and it's good to see Boromir's loneliness reduced by caring for a younger companion as he would his brother. While Pippin needs to feel himself big enough and worthy enough of his place among these warriors - which can't be easy just after the pebble incident. And it's good to have Boromir open up a bit - not to mention showing just why he was prepared to stand between the hobbits and an orc army. Author Reply: Thank you, Bodkin. I desperately wanted to show that these two will grow themselves, besides growing the friendship. I like the fact that Boromir, while still respecting Pippin, has someone like his brother to watch over. I think he needs that sense of purpose. He seems to have lost his sense of purpose with the Quest, sad to say! As for Pip - he really needs some respect. I don't think he's ever truly had it - and now, as he is getting closer to being of age, it is most important that he find himself. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Garnet Took | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/26/2007 |
| I am really enjoying this story. You are doing a very nice job showing a friendship not often deeply explred. Author Reply: Thank you, Garnet. As I said in my little summary, this time with Pippin and Boromir is helping me too! I'm very glad you like it! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/25/2007 |
| Boromir is so very conflicted about his father and so devoted to his younger brother. It shows in the way he speaks of them to Pippin. This helps to explain why Pippin wanted to serve Denethor when he reached Minas Tirith. He wanted to do so because of his relationship with Boromir. Author Reply: Oh! Grey Wonderer - I have always thought that Pip's incredible act of loyalty stemmed from more than what Tolkien showed us in his tale! Both Merry and Pippin grew up so quickly and learned the importance of fidelity to those they felt worthy of it. I think Pip did think Boromir worthy of his fidelity, as Merry did of King Theoden. *heavy sigh* Wish Pip could have given his oath to Boromir in Minas Tirith, but Denethor received him well. There is still a soft spot in the old gentleman's heart! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 3/25/2007 |
| I think Boromir was right. The hobbits deserve to know what dangers they face. It will be easier if they are not surprised by it all. I am still enjoying this very much. Author Reply: Thank you, Grey Wonderer - it seems only logical to know what you are facing and just because the Hobbits are 'smaller' in stature than the rest of the company, does not mean that they will not have to take part in their own defense and the defense of the Fellowship. Very glad you are enjoying this! | |
| Grey Wonderer | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 3/25/2007 |
| Oh, I am enjoying this very much! I just came across it and I must say, I love your Pippin. I also enjoy stories that have Boromir and Pippin or Merry developing a friendship during the Quest. I also find the idea of Ted and Pippin as friends very interesting. It would have made things so much more difficult for Pippin later when he found out about Ted's part in the troubles back in the Shire. Also Pippin would have been the sort to trust Ted even if others weren't very fond of him. Off to read more. Author Reply: The sight of the mill, I think, would be just too intriguing to Pippin - so there begins the friendship... Oh - I like that thought - about Pip & Ted at the end - what a mess! | |