The White Tree by Linda Hoyland
Reviews (15)
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periantari
· 17 April 2023
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
wow this story is one of my favorites as many are but i loved the hobbit dialogue in the beginning (Pippin and Merry saying "we are not King" cracked me up) :), the Faramir scene at the end when he was grieved that the ones he lost did not manage to see this great event of the White Tree being alive again. ANd the end scene of Arwen coming to Aragorn was such a great ending because you started with Aragorn wondering when Arwen will arrive so it's a great conclusion and you round out every conflict really well.
Virtuella
· 13 November 2008
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
I completely empathize with Aragorn, sleeping alone in a room is dreadful!
And the uncomfortable chair makes its first appearance, how delightful. And, oh, how I wish my husband would give up smoking for my sake!
“You will be a henpecked husband, King or no!” *snort*
“So outraged was Faramir, that he had neither bowed nor called him by his many titles, which secretly Aragorn found rather a refreshing change.” *giggle* Oh, this is great.
Yay! Punish the man to eat cake with him” Let them eat cake! Mwahahaha!
Sorry for the disjointed review, I was just typing up comments as I went along and now I have to go, for it is parents' night.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I admit I feel strange without my cats!
As a fervent anti smoker as smoke makes me ill,I just could not have my dear Aragorn continue puffing at that horrid pipe!I hope one day your husband will be like my Aragorn!
I think I have shown Aragorn quite often as a henpecked husband as that Muse took over!
Tari
· 10 April 2007
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
All I can say is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I love the idea of Aragorn and Faramir being kindred spirits and rebuilding Gondor together.
Tari
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.Your kind words made my day!Welcome to my stories, I love the idea of Aragorn and Faramir as kindred spirits too and have written a lot about them.
Nesta
· 13 June 2006
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
This is very touching in parts, but I find your Faramir here a bit of a softie - more like the movie version! I'm glad to see Aragorn so happy at the end, though.
Author's reply
Many thganks for your much appreciated review.
I'm pleased a writer of your calibre should find my story touching. I know all too well, I should have reread the book before starting to write fanfiction.
In my current story, I have made Faramir much tougher. I Do like book Faramir much better than the film version.
Nesta
· 13 June 2006
· Chapter 2: A Sign of Hope
The idea that Faramir would be outraged at the old Tree being dug up had never occurred to me, but when you think about it, it's quite likely. Why should this newcomer dig up such a revered symbol?
You have Gandalf very well here. It makes me a bit uneasy ITB when he speaks so reverentially to Kig Elessar. The old, gruff Gandalf is much more to my taste!
Author's reply
Many thganks for your much appreciated review.
I Just had a sudden image of Faramir's reaction if he were not informed what the new King King planned to do.
It is indeed strange that Gandalf addresses Aragorn as "King Elessar" in private.I can only think, it is meant to prove he does not intend to be the real power in Gondor.
Nesta
· 13 June 2006
· Chapter 1: A Man Apart
There are some lovely touches here, like the huge bed (which presumably never did accommodate six people, at least I hope not), and Aragorn finding Framir an enigma. I'm also intrigued by the thought of Aragorn having doubts about Arwen turning up. Aragorn sometimes irritates me ITB by being so cocksure about everything; I like the idea he might be uncertain of himself under the skin.
I'm not sure that Faramir would be shy with him, though. Faramir seems to me to be a very self-assured person. The idea that he'd be miserable about Boromir rings very true, though; he'd probaby feel this more acutely after the war, when there weren't so many other things to occupy his mind.
Author's reply
Many thganks for your much appreciated review. No, I never put six in the bed in any of my stories!I was inspired by reading about "the great bed of Ware".
I was inspired to write this story by the passage "And who then shall govern Gondor and those who look to this City as to their queen, if my desire be not granted? The Tree in the Court of the Fountain is still withered and barren. When shall I see a sign that it will ever be otherwise?’" which suggests Aragorn is uncertain about his dream coming true and also the chapter on Aragorn in "Master of Middle Earth".
I felt Faramir might be wary of authority figures after what his father tried to do to him> I think he would feel Boromir's loss more now that the War was over and many were reunited with their loved ones.
Daynawayna
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
Linda! Wow, I loved it! That was wonderful! I love how well you wrote Aragorn and Faramir; both desiring each others friendship, but customs and fears holding both back. What an awesome story! I'm just sorry Eowyn didn't get to see Faramir 'stand up' to the King! LOL THAT would have set her heart a-flutter for sure! :D
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review,your kind comments made my day !A pity,indeed that Eowyn did not witness her fiance standing up to the King as she wuld never then have called him his lap dog as she does in my next story !This little story is one of my personal favourites,which made me wish to polish it further.
Bodkin
· 26 February 2006
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
Poor old Faramir. He has been conditioned to expect every bit of self-assertion to come with punishment. And, come to that, every bit of self-effacement to come with punishment. I hope Aragorn doesn't get fed up with trying to coax him into behaving as if they are friends. And that, one day, they will both trust each other enough not to worry about appearances.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.Aragorn will have to work hard befriending Faramir but he is very patient and as my later stories show,he eventually succeeds.
Raksha The Demon
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
"Aragorn rose to his feet and stared at his furious Steward in amazement. So outraged was Faramir that he had neither bowed nor called him by his many titles, which secretly Aragorn found rather a refreshing change. "
Hee!
I knew he'd be impressed. And Faramir burning with righteous wrath is a big improvement over cowed, nervous Faramir.
I loved it when Aragorn 'punished' Faramir by dragging him off not to the dungeon but to enjoy tea and cakes with him.
Very good story.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
I might usually depict Faramir as somewhat nervous around Aragorn but if anything outrages him and offends his stict sense of what is right, he will face up to the King.
I had great fun devising the "punishment".
Raksha The Demon
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 2: A Sign of Hope
Wow - Faramir is practically breathing smoke and fire! Don't mess with the White Tree on the Steward's watch! I bet Aragorn will be seriously impressed.
Good chapter.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.
I thought it would be interesting for Aragorn to see that Faramir is not quite as easy going as he thought.As Tolkien tells us so little about the planting of the sapling,such as who was there,it is fun to imagine what might have happened!
harrowcat
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
Oh yes!!! I am so glad to see this here Linda. It saves me nipping over to the other site to re-read it! *g*
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.You are getting a more polished version too than on the other site as I have had chance to double check for typos ect as I have no beta due to my liking for adding things at the last moment.
shirebound
· 24 February 2006
· Chapter 3: A Vision of the Future
“My Lord King, a living tree!” he gasped in astonishment, ”It is a miracle!”
He gazed in wonder on the healthy sapling. The sunlight caught the cascading water from the Fountain making it appear that the tree was covered in priceless jewels.
Aragorn turned and smiled at him, noting his eyes were moist and not from the spray.
What a beautiful scene. You really have a way with images and emotions. And I just love how Aragorn helped Faramir to see that 'the far sight' was a gift and not a curse. And this...
And then by some miracle their minds touched and he saw it too, the tree in blossom with its petals gently falling on Arwen, himself and their children and children’s children. No longer was he the last of his line, but the first of a new house of Kings. That night for the first time in weeks, Aragorn slept peacefully as he dreamed of his beloved.
*sigh* So lovely.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review and kind words.
I admit to having a soft spot for this story, so decided to try to polish it a bit.I love the idea of "The White Tree" in the book.
shirebound
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 1: A Man Apart
What a beautiful story! Aragorn brings Faramir from awe to friendship, and also helps him to realize that he has a 'gift' and not a 'curse' of foresight. And now Aragorn has a friend indeed, and a wise counsellor to take Gandalf's place. Lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your kind and much appreciated review.It is a thrill to have written something an author of your calibre enjoyed! This story is a personal favourite of mine which jumped into my head one day.I would have loved to see the finding of the tree in the film.
Tigger
· 12 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Man Apart
What a lovely story. I know all too well the scars Faramir has due to his abuse at Denethor's hands. I had a Mordor-ish experience through my school years and they've left their mark on me. I too tense up when touched, even by those I *know* won't hurt me. To be treated in such a manner by someone he so admires, but at the same time the memory of Denethor's treatment of him so close...I can more than understand Faramir's confusion at how Aragorn treated him. Compassion instead of scorn, friendship instead of aloofness...It would be very confusing indeed.
I did love his fury at Aragorn after seeing the Guards w/the dead tree. Aragorn did kind of deserve the tongue lashing, but he also admitted it to Faramir. Sigh...If only all "punishments" were tea, honey cakes and conversation. :o)
This was a very well written story and I enjoyed every minute of it!! :o)
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your kind review.I'm so pleased you enjoyed my story.
French Pony
· 11 July 2005
· Chapter 1: A Man Apart
I really enjoyed this. I particularly liked the parts where Faramir sorts through and deals with all the aftereffects of the war on his psyche. I like the idea that he's vaguely afraid of The King and disturbed by all the abrupt changes in what was his old life and his home. It seems very realistic that he'd go through a period of radical psychological adjustment and that it would be very difficult for him. And Aragorn, for all that he's better at being by himself, really knows how to handle him with kindness and tact. Would that all leaders could be like that.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your kind review.You truly understand what this story is about.I feel that they both have to cope with a lot of changes which cannot be easy for either of them,especially Faramir.If only we had leaders like aragorn in the real world !