News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Circumstantial Heroes by Gwynnyd | 18 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| ninqwestilmen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/11/2007 |
| I have only just discovered your little treasure of tales and so far I've liked what I read. Your knack at turning small, untold stories into poignant moments is indeed commendable. This new tale is too a wonderful story, well etched out, well portrayed, and fits very well into canon. Now to finish reading the rest of your tales... Oh, and the cheeky ranger was a wonderful touch! Author Reply: Even if their public face is grim and severe, Aragorn certainly had a sense of humor and a lot of wonderful human moments, so I can believe his Rangers were real men underneath and not above ribbing their Captain sometimes. I can see him saying it very seriously to Hithdol and later cracking up in the barracks when he repeats it, and also hoping it never gets back to Aragorn. Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the comments. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| A wonderful, well told tale, Gwynnyd. I had never considered what might have happened to the servants that had survived that night. I suppose I just assumed they fled and were never seen again, but that doesn't make sense and this is a very plausible scenario. You've always written Aragorn very, very well and I really like Pippin here as well. He's not a child as he's sometimes portrayed, but an adult who sees things very clearly here. Nicely done and a very enjoyable read - I was almost late to a doctor appointment because of this! :) Author Reply: Thank you. I'm sure high level, trained servants were in short supply when they had to staff not one, but two major households. Assuming that Denethor's servants didn't follow his example, they must have still been around and used in some capacity. I'm sorry I almost made you late! | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| I love the words you use at the beginning to set a nice picture, i.e., yielding mattress, pillowed on ironed linen, and looped back drapes. I love when I find a ‘joining’ corridor – you hit it perfectly – they always are filled with fun stuff… “amused, as always, by the stocks of spare goblets, plates, candelabras and other accoutrements that might be called for…” I loved the capitalized You and Your – just the right inflection for someone who thinks he is above the one he is talking to! Majordomo – just have a little problem with this word/title/thing – took me out of the story a couple times *giggles* “so that when I am Thain, I will have all my dependents bowing and scraping the same way…” This is so sad – as if Pip could do much of anything against a concerted attack against his friend. ‘If I am known to be on guard, nothing will happen.’ This was truly horrifying – ‘He did not do it alone…’ 'Perfect servants' should have had more sense than to follow those orders." I like this line… though I love Denethor, it is very true. ‘He did not regret that he had Faramir and not Denethor as his Steward and wondered if that made him craven.’ Pippin shows great wisdom here - "Of course you do! Why are they still serving together? If they were scattered, someone would be with them who could curb them." I found Pip’s ‘recall’ of that night to be beautiful written and horribly lived. ‘Swords dripped blood in the torchlight. Denethor raved of death and slavery, and wept.’ Brave little ‘fool of a Took!’ – “There's nothing for it. You will have to execute me as well." Oh my! "Were you this theatrically deferential to Denethor…” Excellent rapier thrust, Aragorn! “When it is my sons who roam this citadel, I must know that those who serve here will protect my House." I think this is my favorite line! One small qualm - ‘From all I have heard, Denethor slipped slowly into madness.’ From ROTK – ‘No hours so dark had Pippin known, not even in the clutches of the Uruk-hai. It was his duty to wait upon the Lord, and wait he did, forgotten it seemed, standing by the door of the unlit chamber, mastering his own fears as best he could. And as he watched, it seemed to him that Denethor grew old before his eyes, as if something had snapped in his proud will, and his stern mind was overthrown. Grief maybe had wrought it, and remorse. He saw tears on that once tearless face, more unbearable than wrath.’ I know some people think Denethor ‘slipped slowly into madness’ – I do not. I believe these words meant the madness came that night…’And as he watched, it seemed to him that Denethor grew old before his eyes…’ But that is only one qualm in a remarkable tale. Thanks for sharing it. Author Reply: My goodness! Blushes furiously. I am so pleased that so much of the story resonated with you. I rewrote the bit where Pippin described Denethor's last moments several times. It's always hard to know how much to repeat of what of your readers already know when a character has to describe something he's seen to a different character. I wanted to put in enough to show not only how horrific it really had been, but also to slip in the 'ragged upstart' bits, to remind the reader that if Denethor's servants were devoted to his cause, they would think of Aragorn as not quite legitimate as well. I know some people think Denethor ‘slipped slowly into madness’ – I do not. I believe these words meant the madness came that night…’And as he watched, it seemed to him that Denethor grew old before his eyes…’ But who would have told Aragorn that? After the fact, wouldn't it have been far more likely anyone who had gone with the army to the Black Gate, who were the only ones available to ask, would have said something like, "oh, yes, Denethor hadn't been himself lately." or "He hid it well, but I thought he started acting a bit odd after Boromir left." Aragorn's trying to give Brithnir the benefit of the doubt here. I'm glad you enjoyed it, in spite of the differing interpretations. And thank you for the very detailed comments! | |
| Garnet Took | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| Oh, Poor Pippin. He's going to feel just awful when he finally wakes up. This was a very good story. Ver detaled and full of well-drawn characters. I have wondered at times whether Denethor's former servants would have issues with serving the new king, and whether they had any regrets over their actiions on that fateful night. Author Reply: I think they only way someone could live with themselves after abetting Denethor would be to take no personal responsibility for what happened and be proud of their ability to follow orders. I didn't want to write Denethor's servants as tortured by their acts, because I wanted the contrast to Hithdol. Thank you very much for your kind comments. | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| I drop a very deep and respectful curtsey in your direction m'dear. This was a masterfully written tale on a portion of the story I often wonder about. I loved how Aragorn was able to bring Brithnír down to size and also got him thinking about blind obdedience. Pippin was correct as well. At the moment, the group of the retainers together could do nothing but preen and brag, but as time went on, they would be a powerful group to foster...*something* in the Citadel. Aragorn needed to know about that and who else would tell him in these early days? Poor Pippin though to have all of that guilt lying on his heart. I'm glad he was finally able to talk to Aragorn about it and through that, was able to let Aragorn know what *really* happened that night. The truth will set you free and in this case, it also set free Beregond. It also let a horrible weight come off of our little Knight's shoulders as well. Although what a price Pippin will have to pay for it. When I read that little note at the end of the story, I let out a groan. While I am no drinker, I do have family members that are and I've seen the aftereffects of drinking too much too fast. Poor Pip. This was a fantastic take on a portion of the story I don't see tackled too often. Thanks for sharing it w/us!! :o) Author Reply: well, blush, and thank you. It was a very difficult story to write and I'm pleased that I seem to have made these men believable. I, too, sympathize with Pippin. There was a - well, I'd say memorable but I wish I could remember more of it - party where I drank a few glasses of a spicy honey flavored drink I thought was wine but it turned out to be liqueur. I'd been quite normal then it hit really hard all of a sudden. Don't they say to 'write what you know'? LOL Thanks for your comments! | |
| Amy | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| I adore Jeeves, and Bunter even more, so I love Hithdol the perfect servant. I love stories about Aragorn getting settled in the city right after his coronation. Pippin's lovely in this, so loyal and true to Aragorn and Beregond and Faramir. I like it when Aragorn loses his patience with Brithnir and cuts to the chase. And just a great scene when Aragorn suggests taking Pippin to his bed. The rumor mill seems to surprise him, silly man! Author Reply: Thank you. I could not resist putting in the joke at the end once the incongruity of it all hit me. I think he assumed the rumor mill would have been focusing on who he was going to pick as Queen. Oh, yes, Bunter. I'm with Harriet, I do love him! Glad you enjoyed the story and thank you for the comments. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| I absolutely love this! Pippin, loyal, valiant and determined--and astute and intelligent; something often neglected in fic. Aragorn, wise and compassionate, and slightly confused as he makes his way through his first few days as King. And the two servants: what a contrast in attitude and personality. It was clear that Brithnir had not thought through all the implications of his "obedience" that night, though he might well have grieved Lord Denethor's death. Perhaps if *Hithdol* had been the servant in charge that night Denethor *would* have lived, as well as Faramir... An excellent and thought-provoking story! Author Reply: I don't think Brithnir had the habit of thinking much at all. He just did what he was told, what he had always done, and probably very well or Denethor would not have kept him around. Trying to figure out what kind of person- without making him too stupid, crazy, drugged or under other nefarious influences - could have done what he did was very difficult. I don't think of Aragorn as much confused as overwhelmed. He had six weeks or so to get a grip on the military aspects of post-War Gondor, but all the internal and many of the diplomatic issues must have been dumped on him all at once once he was crowned. Pippin had done a lot of growing up lately. I don't think it precludes him still being a happy, fun loving sort of person, but he certainly was no longer a child in any sense. I think JRRT drew him as impulsive, but neither stupid nor clumsy nor careless of honor. Thank you for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/10/2007 |
| My take on this was a bit different, but this is marvelous, Gwynnyd. Very well done, and the characterizations and contrasts between the two servants are superb. Very nice. Author Reply: Thank you so much. I'd made up Hithdol for an earlier story, and he seemed such a contrast to what we saw of Denethor's servants. I couldn't see Aragorn wanting someone who would hand a torch to a suicidal madman around him,but you can't actually punish a servant for following orders,so they must have still been around. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. | |