Ooo ... interesting ending. It has a completely different feel than what happened with Boromir in canon -- pulling others into it, being willing to put someone else in danger. The Ring was definitely working on him.
I love the way that innate innocence of the Hobbits affects all around them -- it not only lightens the atmosphere, but it shows the others things about themselves that they might not see otherwise ...
Very nice story, I enjoyed. Thanks for writing! :-)
Author's reply
Bless those hobbits! I love writing about them. Thank you for your very kind reviews.
PSW
· 24 October 2015
· Chapter 6: Son of Gondor
Very interesting story so far, what with the 'storm' and the 'accidents' -- indeed, who knows what might have happened if Saruman had started to harry them with more than just orcs after Gandalf was gone. I've never really thought about it -- but seems like he might have missed a good chance!
I like the idea that Boromir's attempt to take the Ring was born initially in concern not only for his own city and people, but for his companions as well. It seems true to his character -- Boromir was a loyal Man, and I can see him losing himself eventually to that, especially when it comes to those that he sees as needing his protection. Frustration and fear play on him, and the Ring itself jumps in and does the rest ...
Enjoying, thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Thanks so much! I'm so pleased that you feel the character of Boromir rings true here. It was a long journey, and the Ring had time to exploit any weakness... even one born of nobility and concern.
Elizabeth Wherry
· 23 December 2008
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
dear shirebound,
Awesome story! Sam as a hostage! I LOVED that part!
God Bless,
Elizabeth Anne Lucy Wherry
Author's reply
Thank you so much! This is one of my earliest stories (written in 2002), and I'm just thrilled folks are still enjoying it.
Pipkin Sweetgrass
· 22 November 2006
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
I finished reading this morning, and I must say it was splendid all the way through to its tragic end. Bravo!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I think this may be the *only* story I've ever written without a "happy ending"!
Pipkin Sweetgrass
· 22 November 2006
· Chapter 9: Nazgûl
I'm having a wonderful time with this fic. I'm reading it for a MEFA review, and you'll be getting a doozy. And I'm kinda hard to impress!
Thank you for treating Boromir with such understanding. He was truly a noble person, it's just that he had so little experience with such things as magical rings and whatnot, plus, I have this theory that the ring targeted him because it's master knew he was the darling of Gondor, and her people had their hopes pinned on him. To take Boromir would be to rip the very heart out of Middle Earth's last stronghold against Sauron's wickedness. You've done a splendid job with this story, but I'll let you read why I think so in your MEFA review.
I did want to point out, though, that one other was stabbed with a Morgul blade and lived. That was Boromir I, after whom our Boromir was named. He survived, but after 12 years of living in pain from the wound, he became so "shrunken" by the torment that he died far before his alotted years of about 250 years of age, being of Numenorien blood. I thought you might want to know about that and maybe fix it...
It doesn't take away from how great this story is, though. Don't forget to read my MEFA review. I'm sure you'll be pleased.
Author's reply
Wow, thank you, Pipkin! I really appreciate your lovely words here, and also at the MEFA's (which I will rush to read). I like showing Boromir as a "real" person (such as I tried to do in "Avalanche"), and not just a flawed one. I think this was the first long, involved story I tried to write, and it was quite challenging and exciting.
*hugs you*
Aragorn
· 15 April 2006
· Chapter 1: The Dragon
Hey,
I'm leaving another review. I love this story! I will read the rest of the chapters when i get the chance. Awesome job. Im sending in a story soon and if it gets posted look out for me. AWESOME JOB
Author's reply
Thank you! This was one of my very first stories, and it was exciting to plan and write it. I hope you enjoy the rest of it!
aprilkat
· 30 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Beautiful ending! Everyone so in character, and I like that you had Boromir come to himself before harming Sam - and that Frodo saw it happen.
Author's reply
Thank you, aprilkat. Yes, in this version, at least Frodo got to *see* Boromir's regret and change of heart. It's a shame that, in FOTR, he never did.
Ainu Laire
· 28 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Well, my lovely lady authoress! You have killed me! ... oh, Aragorn, stop looking so happy.
Aragorn: I am happy. You are not dead.
... awww! *gives him a crushing hug* You're being nice to me! Why the niceness?
Aragorn: *points to cookies on the counter*
... oh. Of course. Cookies. *lets Aragorn go get some cookies* He loves cookies. It's a good thing Middle-earth does not have a huge abundance, if any chocolate chip cookies, for he would never move forward with his life and eat cookies all the time *shakes head*
Anyways, the lembas riddle was quite clever! I couldn't figure it out, and usually I'm pretty good at riddles... though obviously not as good as hobbits :)
And you gave me a heart attack with Boromir. I am really starting to fall for the sons of Denethor, and whenever I read Boromir being influenced by the Ring, it tears me apart >_< I mean, he is a very honorable man... and honestly, I am like him in a few personality aspects... pride for country, one to act, honorable, a little bit arrogant... I really feel for him. I mean... sometimes I feel that if I were him, I would have been just as weak and would have succumb to the Ring's power too, you know? *sigh* Poor, poor, poor Boromir.
I need to read some humorous angst (which, oddly enough, exists). *waddles off*
Heheh, seriously, I really liked this story! Your gapfillers always turn out to be very enjoyable :)
Cheers,
Suvi
Author's reply
Thanks, Suvi! Interestingly, one of my most pleasurable writing experiences was "The Island", where Boromir got to be the noble and honorable Man many of us feel he always could have been, given another path to take.
You know... I can hear Aragorn munching those cookies all the way down here. Greedy Ranger.
:D
Queen Galadriel
· 27 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Wow! What a wonderful story! It holds its readers fast until the end, and then drops them, and they find themselves in the "real" world, and find it much less interesting than the invented one...just like LOTR. That was certainly an interesting drama at the end, and just like something the Ring would cause. Poor Frodo! I couldn't bear it, to have to choose between my dearest friend and the rest of the world. I love how you portray all of the hobbits here, and the conversations with Gimli and one or more of the hobbits are simply delightful. I agree with you-Gimli's a regular softy. That's something I intend to explore very soon, so I'm glad others feel the same about our dear dwarf! :-) Also the incident with the fire and smoke, and the Nazgul, were very exciting. I love Frodo healing! Excellent work, as always! God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you so much. It's been a challenge for me to learn to write elves and dwarves (and others) in addition to my beloved hobbits. I'm so happy the characters seem "true".
I'm hard at work on a new story, which will definitely focus on FrodoHealing (as well as other-character healing). And I'm looking forward to new tales from you!
Pearl Took
· 27 December 2005
· Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark
What a great way to account for Merry and Pippin having lembas in their pockets! And the great gift the cousins have of cheering up Frodo . . . even though they don't get to share their gift with him in Mordor.
Well Done! Well Done!!
Author's reply
Thank you!
even though they don't get to share their gift with him in Mordor
Even though my next multi-chapter story is post-Quest, they'll (kind of) get their chance!
*cryptic grin*
Andrea
· 27 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
"How could he make such a choice as this? He only knew that if Boromir harmed Sam, his Sam, two good people would be lost. Not Sam, no, please no. If he handed over the One Ring to a Man crazed with greed and desperation, all of Middle-earth could be lost. He couldn't give Boromir the Ring. He couldn't lose Sam. He couldn't choose."
Wow! You created a situation similar to that of Gandalf in front of the Black Gates, to choose between the life of a dear friend and the fate of Middle Earth!
Fortunately (if we can say so) the arrival of the orcs brought Boromir back to his own self.
Frodo knows that all what Boromir said and did, was due to the Ring. And he reacts in the only possible way: he leaves the Fellowship, which is one of the bravest decisions he ever made, I think. And good old Sam goes with him.
Thank you shirebound for this wonderful story!
Author's reply
Such difficult choices! And such courageous characters. LOTR is such a rich and wonderful story. Thank you so much, Andrea.
Linda Hoyland
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
I liked your ending very much and your view of what happened to Boromir.This has been a great read, I shall miss it .
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda!
:D
French Pony
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Loved the ending. Can't say much more, as I'm at my parents' house and I don't have too much alone time with the computer, but I enjoyed reading this story very much. Thanks for writing it.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you loved the ending! Thank you so much.
GamgeeFest
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Wow, that was *really* AU. I know you've had a little bit of AU here and there throughout the story, but that was way out there. :(
I did like Boromir's thought in the last chapter, that he felt his joining the Fellowship was for nothing if the Ring was destroyed. I could see the Ring tempting him in *that* manner. I also liked that he realized those thoughts were not his own.
Author's reply
Poor Boromir, I can definitely imagine him wondering, "What was it all for?" How frustrated he must have been.
Larner
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Now, that was definitely AU, neither movie- nor book-verse, but a very plausible reason why Sam accompanied Frodo and why Boromir broke away from the Ring's influence. The presence of a true enemy broke the Ring's spell, did it?
VERY interesting.
Author's reply
Showing unity against a common enemy is always one way for adversaries to become allies. I thought it would be an interesting way to end the story. Thank you so much for reading.
lovethosehobbits
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Oh I like your ending so much more than the movies!!! I love the sentence about the danger to "his" hobbits and the touching scene of friendship and love between Sam and Frodo at the end. Sorry to see this end, but enjoyed every minute of it. Great job...tree
Author's reply
Wow, thanks. I just couldn't bear to write Boromir's death, so in this AU... who knows what may have happened next? :D
lovethosehobbits
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark
Oh...My...God...(pants)...hurrying...wait....on...to...last (sob) ... chapter.
Sorry it's taken so long...I am so far behind on my reading. But tonight I am reading like a starving woman....so now on to the next chapter. Hugs you!
Garnet Took
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Interesting conclusiion. I was expecting something much closer to the book. Not that this wasn't wonderful. To be honest, I kind of liked leaving out all that part with the hill of sight. And you slipped one in there on us; it was Sam Boromir ended up trying to use as a hostage. Clever.
Sorry to see this one end. Looking forward to whatever you send us next.
Thanks.
GT
Author's reply
I wanted to bring everything at least marginally back to canon, but not be *too* predictable. Thank you for reading! I'm hard at work on several new stories.
Cuthalion
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Boromir stared aghast at Frodo, then at Sam. "What have I done?" he whispered. He felt to be waking from a nightmare. "Sam, I would never... I could never have..." Whirling about and looking back down the hill they had climbed, he could just make out Merry and Pippin barely visible through the trees, still searching for Frodo, unaware of any danger. He turned for one last, desperate look at Frodo and Sam. Sting grew brighter. "Run," he urged hoarsely. With that, he raced down the hill, all thought of the Ring forgotten in his need to warn his little ones.
I know this is AU, but it might have happened this way. As I said before... this is a wonderful tale. Thank you for writing and sharing it!
Author's reply
It might have happened in *so* many different ways! It's a privilege to have such a rich and layered World to play in.
Thank you so much.
Baggins Babe
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
My goodness! I'm in shock after that - holding Sam hostage! Poor Boromir must have really been overtaken by the Ring to take such a drastic step. And poor Frodo to have to make that decision. For once the arrival of the orcs was rather timely.
Dear old Sam - still determined to accompany his Master - couldn't we all do with a Sam?
Seasonal greetings, Shirebound!
Author's reply
Everyone needs a Sam. Most definitely.
Happy Holidays, BB! May you have a happy, healthy, and creative (:D) New Year.
SurgicalSteel
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
*sniffle*
Oh, I'm still feeling sad for Boromir. A bit AU, as you said, but plausible given how the Ring was working on Boromir's mind during this story.
Wonderful story - and I'm looking forward to your next one!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. It's easy to feel sad for Boromir; I doubt he ever fully realized that his actions and thoughts were leading him into darkness... until the very end.
Mysterious Jedi
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
I wonder if Sam and Frodo forgave Boromir...
<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj
Author's reply
I certainly hope so. Boromir did the best he could, and since he told Aragorn that he was sorry he tried to take the Ring from Frodo (from the first chapter of TTT), I'm sure Aragorn relayed that to Frodo and Sam when they met again.
SlightlyTookish
· 26 December 2005
· Chapter 13: Not Alone
Sam noted that Frodo chose the path that climbed up the slope, and saw that Boromir was also following Frodo's departure with his eyes. Everyone else looked down, or away, respectful of Frodo's need to be alone. Even Pippin suddenly found a corner of his cloak fascinating to examine.
Very perceptive of Sam, and so considerate of everyone to give Frodo some time to himself. I like the bit about Pippin and the cloak, it's a nice little detail! This story was an interesting reimaginging of the breaking of the Fellowship. I'm glad that your Boromir realized the error of his ways before the end.
I'm really looking forward to your next story! :D
Author's reply
Ten days on this River was a long time, and I'm sure Pippin, especially, did a lot of thinking and maturing during the journey. It was challenging to "reimagine" this part of the Tale. Thank you so much for reading, and yes! On to the next story!
*feverishly resumes research... type type type...*
Frodo Baggins
· 25 December 2005
· Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark
Ahhh! How sweet of Merry! It's really cool how in this story you show Boromir gradually being corrupted by the Ring. And I like how you show that it wasn't the normal Boromir who was thinking all those things. For all of his corruption and attacking Frodo for the Ring and all that, Boromir was pretty cool. He did redeem his dignity in the end of the FOTR by trying valiantly fighting for Merry and Pip's safety. And Frodo also forgave him and knew that it was the Ring, because in the TT, he was troubled to find that Boromir had died. Sorry for the rambling. Hannon le, mell min! God Bless, Frodo Baggins
Anso the Hobbit
· 22 December 2005
· Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark
It is definitely dawning on all of them how serious this is becoming now. It was wonderful of Merry to distract Frodo like that but Boromir is really starting to feel the Ring talking to him. I can¨t wait to see what you come up with for the continuation of this. :D