Reviews (182)

Bodkin · 3 January 2006 · Chapter 48: Fathers and Mothers

That should help Eowyn. And, as soon as she begins to ease up on herself, she will find that she can do the mother stuff! That first baby tends to leave most new mothers feeling helpless and incompetent - especially when they are surrounded by those who are coping perfectly well. And Faramir is seeming much better, which can only be a good thing. I just hope it lasts!

Bodkin · 31 December 2005 · Chapter 47: Soul of Adoration

There must be moments when Aragorn must sigh inside and long to be able to talk to Faramir without having to be so very careful not to upset his Denethor-damaged sensibilities. The boy has been trained to be a bit too humble and respectful. Still - experiencing the full force of the regal snore should help convince him of Aragorn's basic humanity! I am glad to see things are easing off a bit - except for Eomer, who still needs a bit of therapeutic kicking. I hope the lull continues!

Bodkin · 28 December 2005 · Chapter 46: What's in a Name ?

Now we are left with Eomer. A delicately placed punch to the nose, perhaps? Eowyn might be the best person to inflict it - and it will help her recover from her brush with post-natal depression. Her milk should come in shortly - that will help her feel better! As will the massage. Ioreth seems none too gentle as a midwife: Arwen is taking much better care of Eowyn. And now she needs to tuck Aragorn up for a good night's sleep!

Raksha The Demon · 27 December 2005 · Chapter 46: What's in a Name ?

"Elestelle" is a fitting name. I bet that Aragorn will be very pleased with himself for several weeks, that is, if he's not too busy nurturing Faramir and being a husband to Arwen, father to Eldarion, and oh yes, King of Gondor & Arnor! Much of Eowyn's uncertainty and nervousness about her new role as a mother comes from the loss of her own mother at a young age. Theodwyn could have eased Eowyn's passage through puberty and given her some needed self-confidence as well as knowledge about the personal stresses of birthin' babies.

French Pony · 25 December 2005 · Chapter 46: What's in a Name ?

Looks like everyone but Eomer is beginning to calm down and see the light. And what a lovely name.

Bodkin · 23 December 2005 · Chapter 45: A Friend in Need

Good for Arwen. (And Aragorn, the Elfstone, the Renewer, blah-di-blah as sweet and shy. Only an elven wife......) It seems as if they're in for a bit of post-natal wailing and gnashing of teeth from Eowyn - but at least Arwen can manage her. And the baby. It'll probably do Faramir good to have to spend some time dealing with Eowyn's traumas. He is one who likes to look after people and be needed. And, with luck, things should be on the mend.

French Pony · 22 December 2005 · Chapter 45: A Friend in Need

Scandalized midwives aside, it seems that everyone is going to be basically okay. Whew! Such a relief. And how nice of Arwen to offer to wet-nurse the new baby. Éowyn's milk should come in fairly soon, given how hormonal she seems to be right now. I guess she's not usually this hysterical, but riding out in a panic and having such drama surrounding the birth of one's first child would unsettle even the staunchest shieldmaiden.

Raksha The Demon · 22 December 2005 · Chapter 44: Love is Come Again

Praise the Valar, the baby's alive! It helps to have a friend who's a healer as well as a King, well, both actually. Now I wonder if the baby would have been born not breathing if Eowyn had stayed home - whether Aragorn's semi-divine intercession was needed to save her. Though personally, I would think that Eowyn's physical and emotional stress before and during her ride to find Faramir probably induced the labor. I came two weeks early because my parents' young dog decided to challenge some larger and more aggressive dogs, while his leash connected him to my mother, necessitating her pulling hard on 55 lbs. of agitated Irish Setter (and his trying to pull her). Several hours later the contractions began, and didn't stop. I came out healthy, though quite small, not quite incubator-weight but close. (the dog, always my parents' 'firstborn', lived another 15 years) Lovely chapter!

Bodkin · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 44: Love is Come Again

Well done, Aragorn! Good bit of baby-whispering. Dame Enye isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer though - unless Aragorn has totally reverted to his pre-kingly appearance. Even dirty he must be wearing expensive fabrics and carrying expensive weaponry. And ditto Faramir - I can sort of see her not recognising him because he had been so ill that he didn't look exactly point de vice, but still... Mind you, she needed to be kidnapped by Damrod. Funny that it is Damrod's word that identifies the noble but dotty people whose baby she has just delivered. The infant's arrival should help stabilise Faramir's emotions, too. He'll go into protective mode and that'll be a Good Thing.

French Pony · 18 December 2005 · Chapter 44: Love is Come Again

Ah. I see the problem. The midwife is not quite all there. This explains the fly-catching and the refusal to admit that Aragorn might in fact be the king even after she saw him magically zap the baby back to life. Éowyn and Faramir are still blaming themselves for everything, which is part of what got them into this mess to begin with. Some people never learn.

Bodkin · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 43: As Flies to Wanton Boys

Perhaps fate caused Eowyn to behave so precipitately. Perhaps some deep inner instinct told her she would need Aragorn's skills to bring her pregnancy to a good ending. Perhaps early contractions drew her to pursue his healing hands. Or perhaps she's as dippy as her brother! Really, Eowyn! Dashing off on horseback when eight months pregnant - not going to win you any prizes for intelligence! I loved seeing the boys all squeamish and wriggly over the idea of being near childbirth. And Damrod kidnapping the local midwife. And her eye-rolling impatience with the delicate stomachs of imminent fathers.

French Pony · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 43: As Flies to Wanton Boys

Considering the ineptitude of this midwife, it's astonishing that Gondor has any population at all outside of Minas Tirith. Any midwife worth her salt ought to be able to jump-start a baby's breathing as a matter of routine. Just their luck, I suppose, to get the one "wise woman" in all Gondor who has delivered dozens of babies and still has no clue what she's doing. It is extremely Éowyn to hop right on a horse and ride out once she heard what had become of Faramir. Yes, that's her all right, know her anywhere. But at eight months, I can't quite see how that would have posed such a risk to the pregnancy. If she were at nine months, maybe, but at eight months, I don't think it's the riding that's causing the premature birth. More likely that Éowyn and Faramir have miscounted their months. Whatever, it seemed like a very quick birth, which again seems like something that a half-Rohirric child might do. Screw mom's birth canal, I want out!

Bodkin · 12 December 2005 · Chapter 42: Time to Stand and Stare

Phew. In the immortal words of the children's story - Five Minutes Peace. Not more, of course. They wouldn't know what to do with it anyway. I'm glad Faramir is recovering. Aragorn will be able to take his eye off the Steward for a few minutes while he deals with the next crisis.

Raksha The Demon · 11 December 2005 · Chapter 42: Time to Stand and Stare

You know that Faramir is recovering when he actually complains about Aragorn's snoring! Nice chapter. But is there trouble ahead? Do hobbits like mushrooms?

French Pony · 11 December 2005 · Chapter 42: Time to Stand and Stare

Yes, they need a little breather there. Sounds like they don't actually do much vacating when they want to take an official vacation, so they've both got to get their rest when and where they can. And it looks as if the rest and healing came none too soon. Faramir and his prophetic dreams about babies . . .

Bodkin · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 41: A Time to Heal

relaxed now as a contented cat Good. Very good. Faramir is starting to recover. He knows he is loved, too, which is a huge step forward.

French Pony · 7 December 2005 · Chapter 41: A Time to Heal

Oh, good. Faramir deserved that.

Bodkin · 1 December 2005 · Chapter 40: Truth is the Beginning

Thank goodness. I'm glad Faramir is able to admit that Aragorn would be he ideal father. Although I'm not sure Aragorn will be thrilled! I think he want Faramir as a sworn brother rather than a son - and since his other sworn brothers are several thousand years older than him, he probably doesn't see a mere half-century as a parent/child kind of age gap! Once opened this kind of bond must be virtually impossible to break - even holding back from it wouldn't change the fact that it was there. It'll be good for Faramir - he needs security desperately, and this will give him certainty. And now he wants to live, which is a huge leap forward.

Raksha The Demon · 30 November 2005 · Chapter 40: Truth is the Beginning

“I love you too!” Faramir whispered, “You are the father I wanted and never had !” Awwwww. Well, at least Aragorn will get some practice for when Eldarion grows up... I was hoping that Aragorn would say "my mind to your mind" before beginning the Mind Meld-er-Thought Bond. But no luck there... Seriously, nice chapter. I'd have thought though, that Aragorn would have thought-bonded with Elrond too, but I don't think you mentioned that among Aragorn's flashbacks.

French Pony · 29 November 2005 · Chapter 40: Truth is the Beginning

Ah, finally Faramir sees the light! And Aragorn does, too. I think his glimpses of Faramir's childhood will help a great deal in teaching him how to deal with his Steward. There is so much that Faramir needs but cannot ask for. Now that Aragorn has a clue about this, he'll probably have an easier time figuring out what Faramir means even when he doesn't say it.

Bodkin · 29 November 2005 · Chapter 39: A Time to Speak

I think Aragorn is right - if he hadn't been able to get Faramir to reveal his fears here, he never would have been and they would have simply eaten him away. And he is so right to tell Faramir that what didn't happen was no more than another form of abuse and cruelty - and to look on Mahrod's touch as no more than his use of whip and boot. Don't know that he would have been able to convince him, though, if he hadn't been able to assure Faramir that nothing further happened. And Arwen, bless her, is right. (Make a note, Elessar.) Revealing his own weakness / distress / need enabled Faramir to take a step away from his own. He is one who will always give of himself - and if Aragorn needs his help, then he'll give it. (Remember that for the future, Elessar. Burn it into your brain.) Now Faramir can begin to heal. Thank goodness.

Raksha The Demon · 27 November 2005 · Chapter 39: A Time to Speak

A heart-rending chapter! But Faramir is finally revealing what's been eating away at him since his ordeal began; so perhaps this is the turning of the tide that he desperately needs. If it isn't too late!

French Pony · 26 November 2005 · Chapter 39: A Time to Speak

First, one small yet significant typo that can be fixed in seconds: “We would have shunned you, whatever we had found. I love you for yourself, as Eowyn does too and nothing that could happen to you could ever change that.” Aragorn told him firmly. I think you might want to add the word "not" into the first sentence. Faramir was very brave in admitting his fears, and Aragorn was very kind to him about it. Finally, they're showing a little of the wisdom and sense that will eventually make them the greatest leaders of the post-War world. It'll be interesting to see what the Vulcan Mind Me -- excuse me, Thought Bonding will tell them. It'll probably reveal something of Aragorn's past to Faramir. That would probably help humanize the King in the Steward's eyes, which can only help their relationship.

Bodkin · 24 November 2005 · Chapter 38: What Damrod Knew

Thank goodness. Faramir has let down his barriers enough to speak of his worst fears. And Aragorn can put his mind at rest on that score and least - and perhaps then Faramir will find it easier to listen to the other things he has to say. Damrod's tale is very illuminating - and gives a good reason for Faramir's anxiety. Although quite why he feels that touching the victim of abuse will pollute the other person, I don't know. (If such attitudes are common in Gondor, I expect the original victim was glad to die in battle.) But I'm glad to see Faramir beginning to come out of his shell.

French Pony · 23 November 2005 · Chapter 38: What Damrod Knew

Oh, good, they're talking. They've needed this little chat badly for at least twenty chapters so far. I'll bet Faramir will feel at least a little better after having had a chance to share his worries. That'll surprise him. Mahrod sounds like quite a piece of work. He's lucky that a flogging was all he got. We might have to perform a little. . . surgery on his nether regions. With a spoon. Rusty. Yeah, that'd be good. Has Faramir always had this obsession with modesty? It seems a little out of place in a soldier, but maybe he's just developed it since The Prison Incident.