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| Free Fall by Lindorien | 52 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 1/1/2004 |
| "Was the man there, also, Boromir? he asked his dead brother. Did he whisper to you? Did he ease your passing?" Yes, the "man" was there. I hope he eased the passing of the mortal friend that could have been his. Poor, poor Boromir. And, his brother. To lose someone loved is not easy. I cried again on this one. For many reasons. Dottir Author Reply: It was a hard chapter to write. The whole Parth Galen thing was so unnecessary. Its like everybody was walking around with their hands over their ears or something. Aragorn says something about all his decisions going wrong that day. I can't remember the exact quote. Sometimes I read that last chapter of FOTR and I think "WHAT was everybody thinking, wandering off like that?" And Aragorn sooo should have known better. Bummer. | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/31/2003 |
| "Faramir bit his lip, but could not hold back the words. In a voice low and heated by emotion he hissed, 'when I have a son, I will not treat him as a possession, but will love him as he deserves.' Denethor leaned forward and held his son's gaze. "You understand nothing," he said coldly, "You are dismissed." Toleration of Denethor is slipping. Spawn of a crocodile and an orc! "The man of Gondor caught the look which passed between the Ranger of the North and the Wizard. Gondor is bleeding and these two keep secrets, he thought. For how long, and at what price to my people?" I really liked the impassioned "dressing down" Boromir gives to Aragorn and Gandalf. His love for his country and people is palpable and most powerful. Interaction with young hobbits is sweet. I could understand this. They must seem an uncomplicated refuge compared to a wizard, the future king of Gondor, a dwarf and that elf. *skitters over to discuss snow with Legolas* RL is intruding. The troops calleth for New Year's Eve snacks. I shall return! Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil Author Reply: It is probably safe to say that whatever relationship Faramir and Denethor had is slipping quickly into the mire. Boromir was likely the touchstone for the two of them - take that out of the equation and I suppose things can go to hell in a handbasket pretty quickly. Add the constant stress of the devolving military situation and Boromir's long absence with no word received, I would think it would come as no surprise that these two would are both stressed to the max. To Denethor's credit, he does try to talk to his son. Faramir does not want to speak with him. Perhaps had Denethor taken a different tone? Who knows? These two are doomed and no doubt the news of Boromir's death was likewise the final nail in the coffin for their relationship. I always find that last conversation between Faramir and Denethor interesting, because Faramir cuts his father to the quick also. Both used their words as blades. Boromir did not go to Imladris on a whim -- at least, not in my estimation. He went for help. Yet, to read LOTR it seems that there was so little faith in Gondor and by extension the Steward and his sons. it always hit me as rather sad. I'm just trying to give a bit of balance to the view. Lindorien | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 12/31/2003 |
| Such a rich and convoluted chapter! Where should I begin? OK, get this over with. You are making me tolerate Denethor. Seeing him having care for his people and sending cargo over land instead of by the river, urging them to move their families back. Denethor tolerance. This is annoying to me. Annoyed elves are dangerous. "In the winter, the Rangers adopted different methods of tracking, often climbing into the canopies and moving from tree to tree to escape detection." They have read Beleg Cuthalion's "Art of War"? (He told me he wrote this. The great Beleg would not lie.) I am impressed. "I asked the Prince, with too much bluntness, I fear, why he himself was not his father's advisor and the entire room became quiet. For a few moments, Brother, I honestly thought that I would be tossed out without ceremony." Why is it that I can envision you doing such a thing, Fair One? Boromir is a blunt and honest human warrior. They are difficult in social situations. "Were I not a guest in their home, I would run the weasel through myself, and put an end to the dilemma, but I have been working on my diplomatic skills of late, and so, let it lie." GREAT! Boromir is finally going to let something lie by the side of the road and it has to be GRIMA! *Pulls tunic straight and takes deep breath to restore elven calm.* You are going to hurt Theodred? I am going for my handkerchief to be prepared. Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil Author Reply: Of course they have read 'The Art of War'! Despite PJ's depiction, these guys KNEW what they were doing. Gracious! If we believed everything we see on film, we would wonder why these guys hadn't fallen to the Dark Lord decades ago! My apologies for making you reconsider Denethor. This fic has had that unfortunate effect on a number of people. Please do not think any less of me. I have been told that this fic has made people reconsider Boromir also. oh well. I can't do anything about Theodred. I did not hurt him, the Professor did. The PROFESSOR did! | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/31/2003 |
| Perhaps thy words are true. He seems respectful. "I feel like a great stomping beast among these graceful people. When I speak, I feel that my words fall as lumps of rock amid their pretty speech." "Stomping" is such a harsh word. We deemed him more "stealth-impaired". He did give Master Elrond a headache with his speech, if truth be told. Still, a good man. We are fond of Boromir. Loved Mithrandir the Parchment Thief: "I did not say anything when the Wizard did this, but I was torn between being indignant for the pilfering and laughing at his hubris." The portrayal of Mablung was what I liked best here. I really did like it and his interactions with Faramir. Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil Author Reply: This humble author is greatly relieved that King Thranduil's scribe finds Boromir acceptable. Stealth-impaired is a gracious way of putting it and Boromir thanks you. I fear there shall be a little elf-hell to pay when Galadriel and he get mind-melding. Poor doomed Boromir. I sometimes think that, like Frodo, he had a big red target painted on his forehead. Glad you liked Mablung. So many places to go with a guy like him...little more than a mere mention in the books. | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/31/2003 |
| “Little else, I am afraid. The book of my life would be a cure for insomnia!” Loved that line. So Boromir. Ah, yes, it's my old favorite again: "Theoden King"! His mind is already toast I presume as our lad sets forth? Theodred. Foreshadowing! Thou knowest that I do not handle the death of Theodred well. I fear I may be confronted with it yet again. I tiptoe with trepidation towards Chapter 5. This is where I see that Boromir doth hold us in AWE. You are sure that it is not that he doth not LIKE us? Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil (and proud elf of Taur-E-Ndaedelos) Author Reply: There is nothing I can do about Theodred -- blame the Professor. It is likewise the same for Boromir. He could have winged him, but noooooooo. I will tell you that I tend to NOT rewrite what is already in the books. They are the Professor's lines and descriptions and I appreciate that. I write around the corners and in between the Professor's prose. So, whilst Theodred's death is as unavoidable as Boromir's, I shall not make you relive it. | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/31/2003 |
| OK, Fair One, thou hast well and truly crushed my heart here. I cried. No lie. I am a little (elven understatement) weak on my knowledge of Finduilas, but I remember it as sort of unclear why things happened. This is one powerful explanation! Liked the line: "Were it I lying in that bed heaving my guts into a basin would you not visit me?" Good old Boromir! He really did make a valiant effort here. "You must hold Cair Andros, Faramir. If you cannot hold the forest, you must hold Cair Andros." Stupid elven question: Why is Cair Andros so important? This place is unfamiliar to me. We are calling up the Mirkwood AAA for a map. You may email me on this point if you would? Humble Scribe, etc. Author Reply: There are copious author's notes at the end of this fic explaining my departures from canon and the ways that I tried to weave my 'made up' stuff in with the canon.It is very unclear what happened to Finduilas. She 'pined away', because she was homesick. To me, I read that as a delicate way of saying she suicided. explanations regarding Cair Andros are forthcoming in email. I am glad you liked this chapter. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever used Suicide as a reason for Finduilas' death. Personally, it seems the most likely explanation given the way the Professor explains it. For me, if that were true, it does explain a lot about the family dynamics for this grouping. BTW, making Faramir look like his mom is pure poetic license. Tolkien says he looked like his dad, but I got the impression not so much as Boromir did, so I took the liberty of making him look more like his mother, and letting that be an additional point against the fellow. | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/30/2003 |
| Boromir doth not LIKE us? I am not sure I can process this. Give me a thousand years please to contemplate such a thing! The whole dirty ears thing was vastly amusing. Have I mentioned rivers? They can be useful. I think your biggest strength so far in this story is the warm interaction between the brothers. Humble Scribe, etc. Author Reply: " I felt as a worm before the gods.” is what Boromir says, Humble Scribe. It is not that Boromir doth not LIKE you. It is that Boromir is in AWE of you, much like his Humble Author. "You are the diplomat, not I. When I attempt such things I ever spend my time dragging my foot out of my mouth." The Truth is out -- Boromir is my alter-ego! For ever I find myself doing with my own foot! It is kinda sad really, for Boromir was ill-prepared for his meeting with Galadriel. | |
| Orophins Dottir | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/30/2003 |
| Well, here I am, Fair One, in the Land of the Mortals. Eru preserve me! I like very much the interaction of the brothers. Boromir is just the right amount of over protective to his little brother. You are making me regret the rift between Denethor and Faramir without completely wanting to use the big D's guts for garters. No mean achievement this. Your know how I just do verily love Denethor! Humble Scribe to his Majesty Thranduil (Please, could you tell your mortals to bathe more frequently? It is a tad ripe in here. My elven sense of smell doth almost cause me to swoon. Hath this fair land no rivers?) Author Reply: I've been told by more than a few Denethor haters that I sort of make them not hate the guy so much. I do take a softer view on him than most. The parent/child relationship can be infinitely complex and we really have very little to go on regarding the true nature of the relationship between this Father and Son. I do not think that anyone shall ever hand Denethor a Father of the Year award, but I do not see him as 'Evil Dad Incarnate' either. I chose to take the attitude that 'It takes two to tango' regarding Faramir and Denethor. Certainly for all the venom spewed during the Infamous Discussion between the two in ROTK, Faramir takes the opportunity to sling a little mud himself. Granted, Denethor would set the tone, but I don't see Faramir as any sort of shrinking violet, nor do I see him as a doormat. I see him as a smart and crafty man and I think he hewed his own pathway with his father, for good or for ill. I'll be interested in your further comments regarding my depiction of Denethor as well as the Brothers as your reading continues, for verily thou hast made clear to me the Very High Regard with which thou holds Denethor. Lindorien | |
| Hiro-tyre | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/10/2003 |
| There are FAR too few tales about the Brothers Gondorian. This is very nice. Author Reply: Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it. I've a few others floating around here. Some serious, some not so serious. I hope you enjoy them also. Lindorien | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/21/2003 |
| Lindorien, I took your advice and read this wonderful story. You have obviously put much thought and prepartion into its making. The flow was smooth and the words beautiful. You were able to carry this throughout even though it covered many events and a long period of time. Your characterizations of the brothers were rich and alive. The end when all the fellowship requested Faramir tell them of his brother was such a stroke of genius and so heartfelt. Not sappy, but strong with the heart of genuine concern and offering support to a grieving brother. Faramir has found good friends and a good king. Now me personally; I grieve for Damrod. War is such an ugly spot on mankind. Its destruction is felt for ages. Damrod, the kind and gentle soul, never got to reclaim his love. I'm so sorry, but it's the truth of such horrors. This was such a well written piece and I'm so glad I read it. Since I'm slightly depressed now, I think I'll go to bed and dream of broken swords, shattered horns and lost lives and loves. I hope before I wake up, I'll see the new green fields and children playing amongst the flowers and get a glimpse of Faramir giving Eowyn a tender kiss. Hope is all that is left when war seeks out the valiant and you left the reader with that vision. Thanks again for sharing this. Karen Author Reply: Karenator! I am so glad that you read this. I grieved for Damrod also. That's why I gave him his own fic, although the stories don't track exactly -- 'tis close enough. As I am sure you know, in LOTR there is no record of what happened to Damrod -- there is simply no more mention of him after Frodo and Sam encounter Faramir in Ithilien. So, if it will make you feel better you could decide to go with the version in which he does go home and marry his lass and raise bushels of children. At the risk of sounding like a shameless self-promoter, there is a sequel to this fic entitled A PLACE TO COME TO -- also archived here. I do not want to give away the plot, but I think it might make you feel a little less depressed and perhaps let you see those green fields. My very best to you and most heartfelt thanks for your heartfelt comments. Lindorien | |