Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Too Long a Sacrifice  by Linda Hoyland 29 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/12/2013
Alas that he has been drawn from his birthright by those given to Sauron's worship. I hope that Tahir can help him turn his life around!

Author Reply: Yes, this poor boy has been living so far as a sacrifice to a false and evil god.Tahir will certainly try his best.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/12/2013
Oh, how suspenseful! Your chapters always leave me anxious for more.

He placed his arm around Faramir's shoulders and held him as he so often held Eldarion after some nocturnal terror had disturbed his slumbers.

Awwwww. I love little details like that.

Author Reply: Thank you. I'm pleased I leave you anxious for more!
I added the Aragorn and Faramir scene especially for you as a thank you for reading one of my darker stories.I found too that the story needed a bit more h/c for our heroes. I'm pleased you liked the scene.

Lady BluejayReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/11/2013
Very much enjoying this. I like the rational that Denethor thought to sacrifice Faramir.LBJ

Author Reply: THank you so much. I've just posted another chapter.

RobbieReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/2/2013
Poor Faramir. I fear he won't get off without nightmares.
I love this story! A very good plot, involving followers of the "Lord of gifts" without it being that far-fetched. And I love the way your characters seem to be really alife, interacting realistically. You also mix dialogue with descriptions so well I feel like I am seeing the things for myself.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review and kind words.I'm delighted that you are enjoying this story. I fear you are right about Faramir.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/2/2013
I rejoice that he is safe and receiving proper treatment. Alas that Fikri was shot, but hopefully he lives and will continue to do so to the greater honor of Harad.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.More about Fikri's fate will be revealed soon.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/1/2013
"What greater honour could there be than to return the White Rod to the King returned?" Faramir exclaimed.

Faramir loves his King so much.

Thank you for bringing the rescue so soon, I could hardly bear the thought of more anguish for either of them. But poor Fikri! I hope we hear more about him.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review.Yes, Faramir does indeed love his King.I promise you will hear more of Fikri.

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/27/2013
My previous review had been intended to be for chapter 2. Now I will continue the thoughts I had from both chapters. Your young Fikri reminds me especially of two young men from classic Real Life fiction. As well read as I know you are, I am sure you are familiar with the American novel,"Huckleberry Finn". For any readers who may not be, Huck was created by author Mark Twain. The character lived in the southern, slave-owning state of Missouri, I believe in the 1830s. (Been too long since I read it.) He was a poor white boy, who has befriended a black slave named Jim. In order to escape from slavery, and Huck's alcoholic father, they sail down the Mississippi river on a log raft. At one point in their adventure, Huck is really feeling the pressure of the society through which they travel, to turn Jim in. According to the beliefs of that white society, in helping him to run away, Huck is stealing property from the Widow Douglas who owned Jim. Huck believes that his "conscience" tells him to turn Jim in, and that he would rather "go to hell" than betray his friend. Some of my Christian acquaintances have been scandalized by that declaration. But I had an intelligent, loving, Sunday School teacher during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960's who believed that loving, innocent hearted Huck was really listening to the Holy Spirit, instead of the voice of the society in which he lived. I sense that potential in your Fikri.

Author Reply: Many thanks for your much appreciated review. Yes, I have read Huckleberry Finn long ago. Fikri does indeed have potential if he gets the chance to realise it.

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/27/2013
(oh, dear. I posted a very long review in chapter 3, dated 8/26th. it was meant to be here. oops!)

Author Reply: Don't worry, reviews are appreciated in any place!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/27/2013
Hopefully Damrod's bow and Aragorn's sword are not far behind. I can appreciate his terror!

Author Reply: Let us hope they are in time. I can scarce imagine how poor Faramir must feel!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/26/2013
The cart is full of logs. Hmm. I really did let that sail right past me the first time around! I had to read chapter three to have that sink in. No Mountain of Fire, then. One thing I always enjoy about your stories is the quotes from classic literature which introduce your chapters. They are always beautiful and thought provoking. You are conversant with many of the best things ever written. As always I admire how you, Raksha, and many other good Fan-fic writers draw threads from old stories and re-weave them into your own new tapestries. This young man reminds me of many others in fiction; Right now M.P. Brennan has a series of stories going on this site about a young man from Harad whose family rescued Aragorn from the desert during his wanderings. He managed to escape Sauron's army, but his son and a nephew fought on the Pellenor. His family secretly still worshipped their old Gods. But one wonders how easily it might have been for Sauron's followers to try to convert his younger kin. And, there is the scene where Sam and Frodo see the young Harad sodier who has been shot by Faramir's men. The speech Faramir gives is beautiful in the book, and beautifully performed by David Wenham in the movie. Indeed, your young Haradrim seems not to be really evil at heart. He has a strong religious belief in Sauron's power, but perhaps with gentle encouragement he can begin to see differently. And, there is another thread from the world of canon, not fanon, but I will save that one for chapter three.

Author Reply: Thank you for your lovely review. I'm pleased that you like the quotes. MP Brennan and I ended up (without each other knowing) with similiar themes for the contest this was written for and I think we influence each other as I greatly admire her stories.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List