Larner · 17 June 2005 · Chapter 15: This Land, So Rich, So Fair
Ah, to know he will one day be lord of Ithilien, and bring it back to fulness and beauty and the peace it deserves!
Author's reply
Oh indeed, he will!:) thanks for reviewing:)
Drabbles by Acacea
Reviews (56)
Larner · 17 June 2005 · Chapter 14: Inheritance
I, personally, rejoice at that in Faramir that is most definitely himself, keen, intelligent, insistent, and lordly in every positive aspect of the word.
Author's reply
Ah, but Denethor was intelligent too:) And lordly, and while perhaps not so keen in his later eyars, he was definitely as insightful as Faramir. The way I have always tended to see it is that they had common grounds as parensta nd children always do but it is up to the child to develop those as he desires. And faramri developed his skills to grow into a noble-minded man, whereas Denethor in his later years turned so bitter that all these qualities in him were overwhelmed by that. It's as tolkien says, Denethor was scornful of what he saw as weaknesses in other men, whereas Faramir was more understanding towards them.
Raksha The Demon · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 13: Struck
Ooh; this was good - painfully good! The concept of Denethor's words being more painful than arrows is all too true for Faramir. Nicely and sharply written.
Author's reply
- painfully good! :)) The concept of Denethor's words being more painful than arrows is all too true for Faramir. Oh indeed, and particularly at that time, when they've lost so much! Thanks for the reviews:) I'm really glad to hear you liked it.
Raksha The Demon · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 14: Inheritance
I don't see Faramir ever showing bitterness when speaking with Mithrandir, or even looking coldly at him; but this was a good look at the 27th Steward channeling his inner Denethor, and also showing how he isn't a carbon copy of his father.
Author's reply
Hi:) Glad to hear the implied difference shows up. Re. the bitterness, Faramir's not really bitter towards Mithrandir and the coldness isn't directed at him. He sounds bitter because he's tired of people avoiding the question of his father, and he is after all, only human.I think Faramir would have foudn himself channeling his inner Denethor once in a while most of all when he has to take a hard decision, and in this case he just tries to channel that to pre-empt Mithrandir from evading the real issue. He can't keep it up though when Gandalf decides to respect his desire to know the truth.
daw the minstrel · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 14: Inheritance
I liked this. Despite the fact that I've never written about him, Faramir is my favorite LOTR character (I'll never forgive PJ for what he did to him). And this glimpse of him as Denethor's son is true (since it's what Tolkien says too) but it's something we often forget.
Author's reply
Thank you:) I'm really delighted to hear it works. I've often thought of Faramir in this vein but never really gotten round to riting it, so t hear it works fine now is great!:) I'll never forgive PJ for what he did to him Me neither!
mirthor · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 14: Inheritance
The semantics of this family is the most intriguing aspect of LOTR for me. I've always wished we could have had more info on Finduilas & have always hoped that Tokien's son would run across some 3rd aged Hurin anecdotes scribbled on a napkin somewhere. In the appendices it states that there is much written elsewhere about D, B, & F, but after finding little, I suppose that was just a tired writer's way of transitioning to a new topic.
Author's reply
have always hoped that Tokien's son would run across some 3rd aged Hurin anecdotes scribbled on a napkin somewhere. Oh indeed. I truly feel that family just didn't get enough airtime!
mirthor · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 13: Struck
Ouch. & I'm sure that's exactly how he felt. I liked the description of Harad's dirty tricks.
Author's reply
Thanks:) I'm glad it manages to convey what he might have felt:)
mirthor · 13 June 2005 · Chapter 12: All His
Nice. I assume this was to be anything AU Gimli-related? "...they will rid it of the horses first". Heh, heh. Finally gets his wish, eh? "...for all men are as weak as their lords who lie dead.." chilling - Aragorn, Boromir, Theoden, slain by the dwarves at Gimli's order? Ew, the ax. Think of the satisfaction he must have had at felling Legolas - unless this was later than earlier. "The Shire, for the halflings are apparently not unalike the men." So, Frodo wasn't able to resist the ring here? Or unable to defend himself from Gimli? Or were these Gimli's thoughts at the revealing? Love it.
Author's reply
Thank you for the review:) I'm delighted you liked it! Actually the challenge was to be anything AU:o Heh, heh. Finally gets his wish, eh? On indeed:)) I think by the time everyone was slain, the ring had him well in it's grasp to remove any remorse! The halflings... basically yes, he emans the halflings are as prone to being tempted and at the same time as eays to cow down as the men that the dwarves will rule.
mirthor · 16 May 2005 · Chapter 10: Childhood Dreams
Nice glimpse of an everyday moment while both were in the city & a perfect example of Faramir's idolization of his brother.
Author's reply
Thank you:) I'm glad to hear it works
Branwyn · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 8: The View From the Tower
Showing his vision in fragmentary, quick glimpses works so well. It reflects his overwrought state of mind. Also, if he had looked more carefully or considered the nature of the visions, perhaps he would have seen something to give him hope. Beautiful use of language. :-)
Author's reply
I'm glad to hear the fragmeneted visions work... yes, he would have been quite distraught, and I think he'd only register what he wanted to, and given the despair he already felt he'd wouldn't have looked closer and seen anything that might construe hope. Beautiful use of language. :-) Aww... *blushes* thanks:)
Branwyn · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 10: A Little Thing
The Ring gives power to each according to their stature; the water plant, without mind or will, is given long life but nothing else. I also liked that the fishes instinctively know to stay away; among the many hazards in their short lives, this is the worst! What a great drabble--I liked this a lot.
Author's reply
Oh indeed. I feel quite sorry for the plant. It's stuck there, and influenced by the ring unwillingly because it's unavoidable but there's really nothign else it can do, other than live... hmm... unless it goes swatting fish that near too clsoe with it's leaves:-) I'm very glad to hear you liked this... it wrote itself along the way and the wtare fern was a surprise character that just wrote itself into it.:) Thank you for all these loevly reviews... they were really good to receive!
Branwyn · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 5: The Steward and the Wizard
I am glad I found this; somehow I missed it over on LJ. Wonderful drabble showing the repeated and unintentional rejections that slowly drive them apart. I doubt that poor Denethor, facing the growing threat of Mordor alone (or so it seems to him), would have the patience to deal with a small child very well. :-( Yet, Denethor's ears cannot miss in his voice the smile that he never gets to hear. Nice line with Denethor hearing a visual image, the smile in Faramir's voice.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it... it's a relationship that I guess we all love to take a look at:) I doubt that poor Denethor, facing the growing threat of Mordor alone (or so it seems to him), would have the patience to deal with a small child very well. :-( So true! And yes, he doens't realise it yet perhaps, but it's that lack of patience that could slowly drive a wedge between them:( Nice line with Denethor hearing a visual image, the smile in Faramir's voice. I'm so glad that works...:) I always felt a child Faramir would be really happy to see someone like Gandalf around... he must have learned a bit from him, and I'm sure the surprise element of seeing him would have made Faramir that happy:)
Branwyn · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 4: The View
Very original and fresh--I think this is the first piece I have encountered with these two together. And I love how Gimli is both practical (at once spotting the best place to build a house) yet also a visionary and romantic (seeing the finished house filled with Faramir's future family). And they had better build that house right there or they will never hear the end of it from Gimli!
Author's reply
:) Well, it's the only piece I've written with gimli in it... I'm very happy to hear it works! I quite like Gimli:) He's such a smart, practical chap, and yes, like you said there must be a romantic somewhere inside him... so what if it's stones he's romancing outwardly:) I'm sure they'll build it right there... they have the best advisor in m-e on that I'm sure:) thanks for reviewing!
Branwyn · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 3: Lessons
A drabble related to one of my favorite scenes in the movies! And Faramir immediately recognizes the fighting style of their teacher--a very realistic touch. all he hears is Boromir's voice – quiet and encouraging as always. So sad! Boromir must have been the kindest and most patient teacher to his brother.
Author's reply
:) Glad you liked. And Faramir immediately recognizes the fighting style of their teacher--a very realistic touch. Good to hear that works:) So sad! Boromir must have been the kindest and most patient teacher to his brother. I'm sure he was... :o thanks for the review!
Branwyn · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 2: Waiting For Winter’s End
I liked the image of the terraced gardens of the City. Poor Denethor! Spring is near but he can see nothing but ruin. Too easy for readers to forget how little time had elapsed between the news of Boromir's death and Gandalf's arrival--thanks for showing Denethor's viewpoint.
Author's reply
Yup:( He must have had some hope from Boromir's journey and then to realise that Boromir would not even return must have been a hard blow.
Branwyn · 15 May 2005 · Chapter 1: Return to Rivendell
Well done! In the turn of the seasons, Elrond sees a premonition of Arwen's mortal end and of the eventual decline and decay of all the works of the Elves in MiddleEarth. stray clouds hide the stars in the evenings Nice line with the veiled reference to Arwen, the Evening Star of her people.
Author's reply
Hi! I'm really delighted to hear you liked this. I'm rather fond of the drabble myself, and I don't usually write Elrond so it feels good:) Elrond sees a premonition of Arwen's mortal end and of the eventual decline and decay of all the works of the Elves in MiddleEarth. Indeed. I always felt it must have been strange for him and the other elves to return there while all along knowing that they would not be there for much longer. And I'm sure they'd have had soem sense of loss, not just due to Arwen's staying on in Minas Tirith but also due to the changes that they know are imminent in M-e. Nice line with the veiled reference to Arwen, the Evening Star of her people. Eep! To be very honest, that was purely unintentional, but now that you've pointed it out... ooh... thanks:) Thanks for the review!
mirthor · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 9: The Colour of the Stones
I would have needed sunglasses in that city. I imagine lots of headaches there.
Author's reply
Yeah:) thanks for all these lovely reviews... they were good to receive!
mirthor · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 7: A Familiar Thing
Was Faramir definitely the one who found the horn? Or did Tolkien never say? I can't recall. A haunting moment here regardless.
Author's reply
Hi again... no, it's not clear that Faramir was one of those who definitely foudn the horn... we know one was picked up by someone who had an errand at the river, and the other shard, we don't know who foudn it, but they did find both shards, and Faramir does know of the finding, so even if he didn't come across it, they may very well have spotted it and the informed him:)
mirthor · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 6: Falling
Wonderful imagery.
Author's reply
Thank you:)... glad you liked:)
mirthor · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 5: The Steward and the Wizard
As much as Denethor had only himself to blame for this, it had to be torture for the poor man to witness this each time Mithrandir came to the city.
Author's reply
Indeed. It would have worked both ways the way I see it... poor Denethor. He had a part to play in creating the situation and then he couldn't stop it.
mirthor · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 4: The View
Oh, I love Gimli's stubbornness here & I can hear JRD talking. I always imagined that the dwarves were far more practical in their stonework, leaving much to be desired by way of whimsical beauty. So, of course his opinion on location would be heeded, as that would be his stronger suit.
Author's reply
:) thanks for the feedback again... yes, dwarves would be the more practical sort won't they... Gimli shows that amply in the book when he talks of the stones of Minas Tirith. They definitely ought to heed him!
mirthor · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 3: Lessons
I would hope that bittersweet moments like this would dwindle after the hobbits left, as Faramir was more immersed in his new role. Though, perhaps he takes solace in these moments & wouldn't wish them to end.
Author's reply
I think he does take a little solace in them...:) And at the same time feel a little sad too!
mirthor · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 2: Waiting For Winter’s End
Funny how even though the citizens know war is coming to their door, spring is still able to bring hope, false or not. I liked the imagery of the white tree.
Author's reply
Yes, I figured at that point in time they'd have clung to any sign of hope, however little... Glad the imagery of the white tree worked:) thanks for reviewing:)
Raksha The Demon · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 10: A Little Thing
Very clever and original concept here; carried out perfectly.
Author's reply
Thank you:) I am glad to hear that. I wasn't sure how it would come out when I started writing it :o And thank you for all the feedback... it made my afternoon!:)
Raksha The Demon · 13 May 2005 · Chapter 8: The View From the Tower
Oh, poor Denethor; what a sight to see in his already stressed state. Very sad.
Author's reply
Yes, he was prety much at the end of his tether, especially with Faramir lying wounded.