perelleth
· 27 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Of Laurel Wreaths and Poppies
What a nice surpirse to find this story in this site, too! First of all, compliments for the great idea of the plot summaries. Truly useful!
This is a funny chapter, like a commedy of sorts, the funeral turned into ER, the "deceased" high in opium-induced happiness, and the "former corpse" and "willing rescuer" put to irons and treated to the long walk up to Minas Tirith in the company of Boromir's wreathed bodyguard and his own loving commander. Great! I find Eldahil is such fun! I hope Boromir finds time to come to their rescue! although, given his reputation, I'm afraid this will eventually turn into another of Captain Eldahil's misguided adventures as the tale grows in the telling!!
Btw, I like the way you're portraying Denethor!
Author's reply
Thanks so much for the kind review! Since I don't update very often, I figure that the plot summary is the least I can do to make amends. :-)
Acacea
· 26 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Of Laurel Wreaths and Poppies
Hi!
I must first apologise for not reviewing earlier although I have been following your fic for a while now as much as RL would allow me to follow fics. But now I have a long weekend, and you have an update, so I hope to redeem that:)
I’ve really liked the way this story progresses, you’ve got such a lovely mix of drama and angst but never letting either get overdone. And I think the relationships come out just perfect, especially in this chapter. Denethor comes out really well, grieving yet angry yet calm on the outward. And so what if Faramir isn’t graphically nekkid, he’s really quite brilliant under the poppies’ influence.
I loved your descriptions too, of the camp by the river, they were extremely vivid, and bring back nice memories of river camps to me. Thank you for that!:)
I’m looking forward to more and I’m going to try to review more regularly too.
Author's reply
Acacea--
No need to apologize! It is difficult to find time to read, let alone review! And it is even harder if you are trying to work on your own stories at the same time (and I know you write!). :-)
A reader did ask if the people on the pier (about half the City of Minas Tirith) could see poor Faramir's nekkidness. I think the soldiers would have kept everyone back from the edge of the pier so they wouldn't get pushed off if the crowd moved suddenly. Glad you liked Faramir's cheerful, rambling commentary!
Thanks for writing!
Raksha The Demon
· 25 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Of Laurel Wreaths and Poppies
Another great chapter!
Good use of medical realism - a wound like Faramir's can become very dangerous when it goes days untreated (I don't consider what the orcs did for it to fall in the category of "treatment" - they were trying to keep him capable of running, not trying to save him). Faramir's illness and the guilt that is also gnawing at him are very well described. Loopy!Faramir, rendered serenely unguarded by the poppy infusion, is adorable, everyone should have one. And as another reviewer has remarked, his comments are unwittingly funny.
Good pickup on the love that the people of Minas Tirith have for Boromir and Faramir, crying the latter's name at the revelation of his survival, showering them both with flowers and garlands. And Go, Denethor! As an encore to his fireman ladder-descent, I was hoping the Steward would do some one-handed pushups on the pier...Oh, well.
Wonderful summation, from Denethor's POV, about the family dynamics of the Steward's line. Boromir does have mass appeal, and so does Faramir in a less conscious way, but Denethor doesn't think he ever did, and loves Boromir's extroverted nature. Boromir is just adorable here - the danger is past, he's showing off and expressing his emotions in ways that Denethor (and probably Faramir, at least when fully conscious) just can't - lifting up Faramir to the attention of his father and the assembled crowd is a wonderful moment.
Poor Eldahil. No respect! He's like the Rodney Dangerfield of Gondor, but much cuter. Hope he's freed soon!
Nice flower-imagery - violets in Denethor's hair, flowers everywhere! And ribbons in maidens'hair -a happy day for a worried City.
Author's reply
Raksha,
I am glad you liked Loopy!Faramir! The most fun that poor man has had in the entire story. The "tincture of poppies" is laudanum--opium dissolved in an alchohol solution--so he is definitely feeling no pain. (The word "opium" did not sound Tolkienish to me so I just used "poppies" instead, though the dictionary says "opium" is from Middle English, based on a Latin root.)
Denethor shinnying down that ladder is my favorite part of the chapter! If Boromir is like most young men, he thinks his own father is old beyond belief, feeble and decrepit. What a surprise to see the old man chuck off his robes of state and slide down that ladder!
I do think that Thorongil's successes would have undermined Denethor's confidence in his own abilities. Curse you, Thorongil! I like Aragorn, it's Thorongil I can't stand...
Thanks for the kind words!
mirthor
· 25 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Of Laurel Wreaths and Poppies
Thanks for this latest installment - I check here often. I much enjoyed the way you played Denethor here. I could just feel the tension in him as he awaited Boromir's arrival & then the release when he saw Faramir move. And both his sons' personalities seemed spot on for as young as they are in this tale. I like your description of the Harlond.
Author's reply
Hello, Mirthor--
I hope that the quarrel between Denethor and Faramir did not make Denethor seem like a troll. While he is not the most patient man, you can hardly blame him for being annoyed at Faramir. Denethor has been debating the merits of a strategy of offense versus defense since before his sons were born. Not surprising that it would picque him to be taught strategy by a 20-year old!
In Faramir's defense, he is out in Ithilien and sees the current situation; Denethor probably hasn't been to "the front" in years. Also, Faramir is very likely saying exactly what all the commanders in Ithilien are saying; because Denethor is so very autocratic, they may be reluctant to be frank with him. Finally, Faramir may be inexperienced, but he is extremely intelligent--he could have some new insights into the situation. However, I don't think you would get too far trying to tell Denethor what he should do, LOL!
As my military advisor (who doubles as my husband) pointed out, guerilla warfare in Ithilien will cost more lives than holding a defensive position. Tolkien makes it clear that Gondor's population is declining; they can't afford the losses. However, as Faramir says, can they sit by while Sauron gathers in his allies? Two different strategies, each with its weakness.
But now I ramble! Just wanted to point out that Denethor's irritable reaction (telling poor Faramir to go practice his archery) is not entirely unreasonable. Thanks for the kind review!
annmarwalk
· 25 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Of Laurel Wreaths and Poppies
Hooray! and well worth the wait.
I love your descriptions:
"Exhausted by pain, he slid under the black surface of sleep without leaving a ripple."
"...could not see that his hands were clenched until they were bloodless, finger bones outlined under the white skin..."
"When he had been the steward’s heir, he had earned much respect but little love; his eldest son was everything that he had not been." Oh, how marvelously true! but how generous of Denethor, really, to not envy Boromir the affection of his people, the unswerving devotion of his men.
I really love the way you've portrayed Denethor here; torn between joy at Boromir's return and dread, turning to amazement and relief, at Faramir's.
"Faramir stared at the sable horses and the black-draped litter then looked at Boromir. “Who died?” *giggle* I also like the image of Denethor, all in black, bedecked with violets.
Poor Eldahil! I like him so much; I hope Boromir will remember to get him out of this mess!
"I am glad that you are here, Father …all will be well, I do not doubt it…" Ah, poor, dear, Faramir, so generous and loving. I so wish that all could be reconciled between them, but (since I don't think you are completely rewriting Tolkien), I feel this is not to be. Alas!
Author's reply
Ann--
Thanks for the kind words! Since Denethor is no longer a soldier out in the field, he can take pride in Boromir's success as a commander and his skill at arms without feeling threatened or jealous. Faramir has the misfortune of being an intellectual rival to his father. And Denethor is very proud of his own learning and intelligence. I am relieved that you like the portrayal of Denethor; writing him is not easy because he is far more subtle than I am. :-P
I imagined the crowd, especially the young children, just hurling the flowers at Boromir and the rest of them, like the way people throw rice at a wedding. So Boromir has flowers on top of his head, and Denethor is strewn with violets, LOL!
daw the minstrel
· 25 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Of Laurel Wreaths and Poppies
I adore Eldahil! Boromir better come clean for him.
And I'm sorry, but I found much of the scene with Faramir morbidly funny. I was particularly amused when he asked who died. And the image of them all with flowers in their hair seemed so bizarre after the horror they had just suffered through. This was great, Branwyn.
Author's reply
Daw--
Thanks for writing, and I am glad you liked the triumphant arrival at the Harlond. :-) Loopy!Faramir based on personal experience with morphine after surgery; I clearly remember telling the nurses what nice people they were and so very kind to me!
Me? Twisted sense of humor?
fliewatuet
· 28 February 2005
· Chapter 14: Fair Sailing; Far Seeing
Uh, oh, Lord Denethor had better not looked so deeply into his palantír. He's in for quite a surprise.
But I absolutely adore Eldahil. Is there a fanclub where I can sign?
Author's reply
Eldahil of Dol Amroth sends kind greeting to Lady Fliewatuet –
Dear lady,
Thank you for your kind words; I read of your high regard for my person with great joy, even while praying that your lord father does not read this missive. Truly, I hope that he is neither constable nor heavy-handed blacksmith. I will have to ask my noble cousins if they have ever heard of this “fan club.” Mayhap it is a weapon of war?
Your servant
Eldahil
mirthor
· 27 February 2005
· Chapter 14: Fair Sailing; Far Seeing
I was excited to see an update - Thank you! I am guessing this tale is drawing to an end, though I haven't forgotten that orc sergeant. Great characterization of Denethor, I'm anxious to see what happens when he learns Faramir lives.
Author's reply
I am glad that you are still following this leisurely tale of mayhem! Definitely two, probably three, chapters to go. That little bit with the orc sergeant was fondly stolen from a scene at the end of the movie ZULU--when the last of the departing warriors slings his shield over his shoulder, turns his back on the English, and heads home. I so miss writing dialogue for the orcs! Regarding Denethor, I have tried to make him sympathetic while preserving the prickly side of his personality. While by no means the evil!Denethor of the films, he is still a difficult and stubborn person.
Thanks again for writing!
Branwyn
daw the minstrel
· 27 February 2005
· Chapter 14: Fair Sailing; Far Seeing
Oh yay! I was thinking about this story not too long ago and wondering if it was ever going to be updated and here it is! And can say I love Eldahil? I rather like your Denethor. It's hilarious that he blames Eldahil for leading Boromir astray.
Author's reply
Thanks for writing!
Denethor is just one of the many, many parents who have trouble believing their child would ever do anything wrong. Much easier to jump to the conclusion that Eldahil is the instigator, especially since Eldahil has run afoul of the rules and regulations before.
The slow update was due to an acute case of real life which is gradually getting better. This story WILL be finished. I-will-finish-this-story-if-it-is-the-last-thing-I-do...Rattle, rattle, choke, gurgle, gasp, long dying sigh. :-D
annmarwalk
· 27 February 2005
· Chapter 14: Fair Sailing; Far Seeing
Hooray!
There was so, so much I liked about this chapter:
* Boromir being showered by white flower petals - a lovely image.
* Faramir longingly remembering water.
* The long-awaited fishing scene, and smarty-Faramir's advice to his big brother!
* Heartbroken but still unbowed, Denethor remembers his younger son, and prepared for life without him.
* The devotion of the guardsman, determined to seek out the Steward.
Great, great stuff! Don't make us wait so long for more!
Author's reply
Thank you for the kind review!
Yes, the fishing scene! Suddenly the television channel is changed and you are watching "Bassmaster, MiddleEarth Edition." :-D Or maybe "Fishin' with Faramir"?
Raksha The Demon
· 27 February 2005
· Chapter 14: Fair Sailing; Far Seeing
Oops; forgot to mention that the actor Joe Flanigan does indeed look like I imagine Eldahil. He's a cutie, but then so is Eldahil!
Raksha The Demon
· 27 February 2005
· Chapter 14: Fair Sailing; Far Seeing
A nifty transitional chapter, spiritually and physically - a journey by water, and Denethor's transition from worried father to grieved and angry father.
Loved the details of the blossoms falling on Boromir's head and shoulders; and Faramir's fever-dreams of water.
Denethor's musings, while palantir-scanning, are heartbreaking. He loves Faramir and has cherished memories of the child his son once was, yet seems to have trouble dealing with him as a young man. He quarrels with Faramir, Faramir seeks his father's blessing before setting out for dangerous duty in Ithilien - this is a pattern that will be sadly repeated - you'd think that Denethor would learn, but some things can't be unlearned.
Poor Eldahil - he likes to be well-dressed. At least he's alive!
Good dialogue with the docile servants and strong-minded Captain of the Tower Guard; one wonders if the latter is related to Beregond.
Looking forward to Denethor's reunion with both his sons.
Author's reply
Raksha--
Thanks for writing!
Regarding Denethor and Faramir getting into angry discussions, my own theory is that this probably happened fairly frequently when Faramir was young; though eventually, Faramir would just give up even trying to argue with his father. The problem is that it would not be possible to have a civilized discussion with Denethor and just agree to disagree. No, with Denethor, it's always going to be "my way or the highway." :-D
Maybe that captain is Beregond's dad or uncle, LOL! Hadn't thought of that...
My favorite versions of Faramir and Boromir are Kasiopea's beautiful illustrations, at
http://tolkien.com.pl/kasiopea/ang/tolkien.htm
brego
· 19 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Waking the Dead; Well Met Indeed
i love this story :)
fliewatuet
· 12 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Waking the Dead; Well Met Indeed
I have no idea how I could pass by this story for so long. Once started, I had to read it in one go. I loved the tension during the siege and the seemingly futile battle. But more than that I love to see Eldahil alive:-) I must admit that I have grown quite fond of him and his slightly bohemian ways.
mirthor
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Waking the Dead; Well Met Indeed
Boromir's brooding over the dead seemed realistic. This mission of dragging many men into almost certain death on the very far-off chance of saving one man, regardless that man's identity, is much different than the inevitable battles for the good of Gondor. Though even at this young age he had to have been a seasoned warrior, I can imagine his feelings of guilt once the initial fear for his brother had worn off. You depicted this well.
I admit I thought it unrealistic for Eldahil to live - it sems likely for at least one 'important' person to die in a skirmish - but I also liked Eldhil, so that's cool.
I enjoyed the Denethor/ Faramir memory & that Denethor didn't treat him like a heathen, as in so many other tales. Thanks!
Author's reply
Mirthor--
Thanks for your kind (and honest) review!
I have been trying to follow reasonable casualty rates for this story, and I came to the conclusion early on that one of the major characters would either be seriously injured or die during that fight at the farmhouse. Running around on the rooftop with no armor, Eldahil was the logical candidate. I went with injured though he could just as easily have been killed. And I have to admit that I REALLY wanted to do that resurrection scene! This has been, at times, a rather grim story to write, so I beg your indulgence in this matter of Captain Eldahil. :-D
Thanks again for writing!
Branwyn
Lackwit
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Waking the Dead; Well Met Indeed
I am so happy that Eldahil is alive- and his comrades made aware so in what seemed to me a very Eldahil-sort of way :)
Just how much trouble is Boromir going to get into back home?
Excellent story and imagery- the fact that I am *still* bothered that the poor chess playing Ranger got eaten shows how strongly it affected me.
Author's reply
Lackwit--
I did not realize how well-liked Eldahil was until after he had apparently died! Happily, reports of his death were greatly exaggerated (though the other characters thought he was dead, if you read very carefully, the author never said so). However, I am afraid that Faramir's friend the chessplayer is truly gone. :-(
Thanks for writing!
Branwyn
daw the minstrel
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Waking the Dead; Well Met Indeed
Omigod. Eldahil is alive!
Had to get that out of my system. I like the juxtaposition of Faramir's encounter with Denethor and his thoughts about the herb that carries such contradictory powers.
"Then this is the afterlife? Eldahil thought in dismay. I am doomed to drink wretched brandy-wine with a troop of horse soldiers from Minas Tirith?" LOLOLOL
Author's reply
Daw--
Thanks for your kind review!
Regarding the exaggerated reports of Eldahil's demise--never did the author say he was dead, though the other characters (men AND orcs) may have said and thought that he was a goner. :-D
Learning, like that plant, will bring him both good and evil. Faramir loves learning for its own sake, and he knows that he will need specialized knowledge to fulfil his future duties in life. However, he is now realizing that, as he pursues more advanced studies, his father may come to see him as an intellectual rival. (Possibly part of the reason for their difficult father/son relationship.)
Thanks again for writing!
Branwyn
annmarwalk
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Waking the Dead; Well Met Indeed
This is marvelous! A very nice change of pace. I loved the details with the healing herbs, especially the scene with Denethor testing Faramir. And your final lines:
As the old captain and the ranger discussed him as if he were a side of beef, Boromir looked at him and smiled, clearly overjoyed and relieved. In spite of himself, Eldahil could not help grinning back at his noble and annoying cousin.
Priceless!
Author's reply
Ann--
Thanks for your kind words! This story was definitely overdue for a happy chapter! But why would Eldahil or anyone else find Boromir annoying?? LOL
Branwyn
Raksha The Demon
· 11 December 2004
· Chapter 13: Waking the Dead; Well Met Indeed
Wonderful chapter - I'm awed at the realism with which you imbue the details of battle, medicine, and herb-lore. I loved Faramir's flashback to his lessons in leechcraft, and his dialogue with Denethor was very true to the characters - brownie points to you on the herb's name in Sindarin and Quenya.
And I laughed out loud at Eldahil's awakening and subsequent musings and dialogue. I can see him trying out a stand-up comedy act in Minas Tirith after the War...
Author's reply
Thanks for the kind review!
Willow bark is an old folk remedy and is the natural source of that old stand-by aspirin. From what I have read, it tasted absolutely horrible and was very hard on the stomach. The active chemicals were synthesized during the 19th century by a chemist named Bayer (as in "Bayer aspirin", LOL!), and luckily, the synthetic version proved to be much more palatable.
The bit where Faramir names and describes the foxglove plant is modeled on the dialogue of that annoying loremaster in the Houses of Healing chapter in ROTK. Actually, I think the herbmaster in my story is probably the same person as in the book. :-)
Glad you liked the scene with Eldahil! It was a lot of fun to write.
Branwyn
Isilme
· 7 December 2004
· Chapter 12: Sticks and Stones; Rescue
Hey, Branwyn
I came over here to check out chapter 12; as they haven't posted it yet on war of the ring - grr! I really love the way you've been keeping this story alive - enough plot twists and yet not too many as to be incoherent or anything - and also great grammar and continuity! kudos! some of the fan-fiction i've glanced over on some sites... well...i dare not speak of it... But anyway, i also love how you've portrayed all your characters...especially the Steward's family. They seem to have so much life! Well, thank you so much for providing all of us with this amazing story! ~Isilme
Author's reply
Isilme--
Thanks for your kind review! [Branwyn does happy dance around her office; the cats watch in amazement.]
You might want to check out some stories by other writers on this site. War of the Ring was the first fanfiction site I discovered so it still feels like "home," but Stories of Arda has a much larger archive of stories.
Chapter 13, in which there is a pleasant surprise, will be posted in a day or two. Thanks again for writing!
Branwyn
daw the minstrel
· 28 November 2004
· Chapter 12: Sticks and Stones; Rescue
I missed this chapter completely yesterday! I'm so glad to see it now.
How absolutely perfect that the orcs fear there are more rangers across the stream and then, just by serendipity, they show up! I also like the fact that you have them able to speak Sindarin, which so far as I can figure out, is right. At least Frodo thinks that they can.
Poor Boromir. All he can do for Faramir now is hope.
Author's reply
Yes, that one orc is thinking, "I told you so!" as he runs as fast he can back toward Mordor, LOL. Those sneaking rangers!
Regarding Sindarin, I recall Frodo recognizing that Faramir and the rangers speak some form of Elvish. In the Appendices (I think), Tolkien says that, although not everyone in Gondor speaks Sindarin, the people in Minas Tirith and its environs and in Dol Amroth still do.
Thank you for writing!
Branwyn
Author Reply: Hullo, Daw-
Someon over at ff.net had the exact same question about the human characters speaking Sindarin, so I am posting this as a public service announcement. :-D
Here is what Tolkien says in Appendix F of ROTK--
"...at the time of the War of the Ring, the Elven-tongue was known to only a small part of the peoples of Gondor, and spoken daily by fewer. These dwelt mostly in Minas Tirith and the townloands adjacent [Ed.--out in the 'burbs, LOL], and in the land of the tributary princes of Dol Amroth."
Also, in "The Two Towers," when Frodo and Sam stumble into Faramir and his rangers, the hobbits recognize that the rangers are speaking some form of elvish among themselves.
So, that is why I have the men speaking Sindarin to each other. However, if anyone can cite something contradicting this, please let me know. Wouldn't be the first time I have been wrong (or the last).
Thanks again for writing!
Branwyn
Larner
· 28 November 2004
· Chapter 12: Sticks and Stones; Rescue
Very well written indeed, and am looking forward to more updates.
Author's reply
Thanks for your kind reviews!
Feeling much happier now. :-D
Branwyn
Larner
· 28 November 2004
· Chapter 8: Of Milestones and Journeys
Excedingly well written. Am enjoying it immensely.
Larner
· 28 November 2004
· Chapter 5: Draw the Bow; Let Loose the Arrow
I'd lost this story somehow along the way, and am glad you updated it. Excellently written, consistent characterizations. Am enjoying it.
Author's reply
Larner,
Thanks for the review! I really needed it--I was feeling despondent because I have gotten very few for the latest chapter. So, I am glad you are enjoying my little tale of mayhem. Sorry about the slow updates--unfortunately, I have a limited amount of time to write.
Regards
Branwyn
mirthor
· 27 November 2004
· Chapter 12: Sticks and Stones; Rescue
Wonderful chapter. I especially liked Boromir's retreat into the woods, his vigil on the bank, and his rescue by the rangers. Very sorry to see Eldahil didn't make it, but it'd be unrealistic if all the main characters lived.
Looking forward to the next chapter.