Raksha The Demon
· 25 September 2005
· Chapter 18: The Road Not Taken (Boromir)
Lovely, elegant vignette of Boromir's taking the road less traveled. Great concept of the "illfete" swan answering his call; since poor Boromir is ultimately ill-fated. The descriptive details are marvelous; and you have captured Boromir the Tall very well - powerful, graceful, as much a princely warrior in Rohan as he is in the home he will never see again, as he leaves the known for the unknown.
Nicely done!
Author's reply
As I wrote the ficlet, I left myself a note, "look up the Anglo-Saxon word for swan" (which I was assuming would be something not unlike "swan;" it is a native animal to northern Europe so the Anglo-Saxons would have had their own term for it, and the words for many common, basic objects haven't changed much over time.) So I was surprised to discover that the word was actually something that I could work into the ficlet as the ill-fated swan. :-D
In my stories, Boromir puts a lot of wear on the furniture and saddlery--things are always creaking and sagging under his weight, LOL!
As I mentioned to annmarwalk, a companion ficlet would have Faramir looking down that same road many years later, considering the differing choices that he and Boromir made.
Thanks for writing!
Raksha The Demon
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 16: No Man's Land (JRRT)
Yikes! You killed off the Prof! How could you?!
Seriously, a grim reminder how close the world came to never knowing THE HOBBIT and LOTR; as well as the horrifying number of talented young scholars who never came home from the War to End All Wars.
Raksha The Demon
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 15: Terra Incognita (JRRT)
A boldly original drabble about Tolkien in the Great War....Well done, your description is, as usual, outstanding.
Raksha The Demon
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 17: Last Defence of the City (Denethor, Peregrin)
Excellent AU Denethor drabble! What a wonderful legacy this would have been for Faramir, whether Denethor lived or fell, rather than the tragic and shameful immolation. And I love the idea of a sane and strong Denethor battling side by side with Imrahil on the Pelennor. Branwyn, please DO write "kickass Denethor" - it would be something to see him meet up with Aragorn on the field and ask "Well, Captain Thorongil, what kept you?"....
mirthor
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 17: Last Defence of the City (Denethor, Peregrin)
Love, love, love this possibility & I believe it's highly possible to have happened if Denethor hadn't been swayed by the stone. I think him handing the White Rod to Pippin is far less likely though - Mithrandir perhaps - but the thought of Denethor dashing off to defend his city & reliving his days of battle is most satisfying.
Author's reply
Thanks so much for writing! Ever since I wrote this, I have been plagued by the idea of writing an alternate universe story where kick-ass Denethor takes up arms and fights beside Imrahil at the City gates. :-D
mirthor
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 14: Early Snowfall (Boromir, hobbits)
A rare moment of carefree exertion for one so enslaved by duty. Though it's unlikely either B or L would partake in such a venture during the Quest, it's still fun to imagine them having a bit of play. Thanks!
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing! Actually, the drabble is set in Rivendell before they depart on the Quest. They leave Rivendell in late December, so the fact that this is an "early snowfall" is a hint that they are still in Rivendell; also,the presence of younger elves indicates that they have yet to set out on the journey.
That said, it is merely wishful thinking on my part that Boromir, "proud and stern of glance," would lower his guard enough to play in the snow. :-)
annmarwalk
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 17: Last Defence of the City (Denethor, Peregrin)
What a powerful vision of Denethor-who-might-have been, firm in his commitment to his duties as Steward, and resolute in his defense of the City. An encouraging vision of what might have been.
annmarwalk
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 16: No Man's Land (JRRT)
A marvelous AU vision- so much could have been lost to us! I'm happy to see you've posted this here, a very nice strectching of the AU theme.
annmarwalk
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 15: Terra Incognita (JRRT)
A very unusual, and thought-provoking drabble - I'm glad to see it posted here as well as the other venues.
annmarwalk
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 14: Early Snowfall (Boromir, hobbits)
What a joyful vision of Boromir finally unbending enough to have some fun! Of course it was irrepressible hobbits that made it happen.
"Eyes grey and overcast...", oh I missed that before!
"Aieeeee!" Boromir, or hobbits? In my mind's eye I easily imagine him flushed, lauging, brushing off the snow and ruffling Pippin's curls. Lighthearted and wonderful!
annmarwalk
· 22 May 2005
· Chapter 6: Alchemy (Feanor)
A simple, 100 word poem, hypnotic as waves on the shore or swaying fronds of seaweed. The simple, repeated words - “before there was glass…” conveys the mysteries of natural science as interpreted by a imaginative, curious craftsman.
I was not familiar with the Silmarillion when I first came across this poem, but the exquisite use of language – deceptively simple – fascinated me. It’s very easy now to envision the craftsman at work, melding science and magic to create those fateful orbs.
Raksha The Demon
· 2 April 2005
· Chapter 12: Envy (Grima)
Excellent view of the young Grima, cursed with poor marksmanship in a warrior-culture. We feel the immense frustration he had on trying so hard, to no avail, as others improved but he did not, despite practice. I like the repetition of "close, but not in the center".
Raksha The Demon
· 31 March 2005
· Chapter 8: Old Farmhouse (Faramir)
Flowery beauty in elegant words. And a lovely insight into Faramir in a contemplative mood, capturing his hope and imagination. Well done!
Raksha The Demon
· 31 March 2005
· Chapter 9: Diagnosis (Denethor)
Chilling. Woe betide whoever threatens Finduilas! Great sense of Denethor's silent menace, as well as his love for his wife...
Author's reply
Denethor is a very menacing character. Anyone on a first-name (if not friendly) basis with Sauron is scary! I think his people would regard him with love, respect, and some very real fear.
Raksha The Demon
· 31 March 2005
· Chapter 13: Herbs of Healing (Faramir)
This is outstanding - the imagery is haunting, Faramir's dark hair bent among the blood-red poppies, seeking distraction from his sorrow. And it makes sense that he wouldn't have found it easy to sleep...
Raksha The Demon
· 31 March 2005
· Chapter 7: Gifts of the Forest (Elured, Elurin)
Oh, this is so poignant; the poor little kids lost and hungry in the forest, with only a chestnut from a squirrel to give them sustenance. I like to think that they found a way to survive, or some kind soul took them in, and they spent long, quiet lives somewhere, away from further violence.
Author's reply
Tolkien gives us only dark hints about what became of them; but since it is unknown, I too like to imagine that their story had a safe and peaceful ending. Perhaps a charcoalmaker or woodcutter found them in the forest? :-)
Raksha The Demon
· 31 March 2005
· Chapter 11: Betrayed (Eowyn)
"Stabled like a broodmare, she watched her cousin leave, cursing her own body's betrayal." - Poor young Eowyn, growing up meant less, not more freedom. At that point, she probably wished she'd been born male.
mirthor
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 13: Herbs of Healing (Faramir)
A purpose seems the best medicine for sorrow. The garden at the HOH had to have been a truly marvelous place, a place Faramir would seem at home in.
mirthor
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 12: Envy (Grima)
Nice characterization, & this seems spot on. No wonder he turned to the path he lead.
mirthor
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 11: Betrayed (Eowyn)
Ah, the blessed curse of becoming a woman. I didn't take it well, myself - I can only imagine how one such as Eowyn would feel.
mirthor
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 10: Awakening (barrow-wight)
Almost a blast from the past, it's so rare we get drabbles about the wights. Whatever happened to them after the hobbits ran into them? I'm guessing they didn't disappear after the war, but didn't they serve the witch-king?
Author's reply
I believe that the dead warriors in the barrows were killed by the men of Angmar, but I am not sure if the witch-king ensorcelled the wights or not. Tolkien says that, after the mounds were raised, men still lived nearby for a time and grazed their sheep on the grassy slopes. Later, the lands became desolate, and something caused evil to stir within the barrows but Tolkien doesn't give the exact cause.
Thanks for your kind review!
mirthor
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 9: Diagnosis (Denethor)
Intriguing theory & one to be explored through a fic, don't you think? I never bought that whole pining for the sea bit.
Author's reply
There may be a full-length story hiding in there! I always thought that the explanation of Finduilas' death was vague and unconvincing, especially since Denethor was supposed to have loved her very dearly and she had two young sons at her side. So I went with chronic arsenic poisoning. It seems likely that Sauron and Saruman would send agents and spies to infiltrate the Citadel, using any means available to strike at the Steward.
I am glad that you liked this, and thanks for writing!
mirthor
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 8: Old Farmhouse (Faramir)
And he probably dreamed a prophecy of what he'd do when he became Prince there, no? I can see this as a lazy day when he was a teen, or a stopover on the way to MT with his men. I'll bet relaxation wasn't a luxury he got very often.
annmarwalk
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 9: Diagnosis (Denethor)
A whole frightening tale in 100 words. I love the images of the (blue?) iris waving in the garden, and the Fin's bluish fingernails, and the starry mantle. And her brittle hair - what an amazing detail!
Author's reply
Yes, I was thinking of blue irises of the tall, "bearded" German type. And the brittle hair is a common symptom of slow poisoning with arsenic. The Enemy thought to strike directly at Denethor's heart... Thanks for writing!
annmarwalk
· 30 March 2005
· Chapter 11: Betrayed (Eowyn)
Oh, yes. I remember being told what was or wasn't appropriate behavior for "those days". Girls nowadays don't know how lucky they have it, if only because the perceptions of weakness and illness are gone. (Don't I sound like a cackling old biddie?)