Branwyn's Bric-à-Brac by Branwyn
Raksha The Demon · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 18: An Unexpected Party (Thorin)
Snork! Very, very funny! You managed to get all seven in there, adroitly and naturally. Poor Thorin. Somewhere, Gandalf is probably chuckling.
Author's reply
I had to write this after I told Lord Branwyn the idea and he said he didn't think it was possible to sneak all seven dwarves (dwarfs?) in with only a hundred words. So he is to blame for this one. :-D Thanks for the kind words!
Raksha The Demon · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 17: The Lesson (Faramir)
Succint and evocative; the thought patterns are very much what I would expect of Faramir. And the idea of the gentle lessoning in how to kill is haunting.
Author's reply
It must have been such a relief for him when he could finally lay down arms. To stay sane, some people might rationalize the killing or try not to think about what they were doing, but Faramir would never have been that easy on himself. He would not have doubted that what he did was necessary, but he still would have felt horror at killing. Glad you like this, and thanks for writing.
Raksha The Demon · 27 November 2006 · Chapter 10: Meddlesome (OC)
Hooray - one of Denethor's servants had some gumption and common sense. Sadly, Denethor had no use for common sense at that time. At least Mormegil will be able to sleep well at night after the Pyre and Faramir's rescue and healing. Good work in 100 words, as always.
Raksha The Demon · 27 November 2006 · Chapter 12: The Waves' Song (Arwen)
I always thought Arwen got a raw deal in exchange for her patience - Aragorn got to have a dignified death of his own choosing, Arwen goes off into a fading wood and dies alone...Sheesh. This drabble brings out her sadness and unbearable longing.
Larner · 24 November 2006 · Chapter 1: When the Days are Warm (Boromir, Faramir, Finduilas)
A grief they have so little time left together, Finduilas and her sons. And I am glad she is not unhappy about the flowers being pulled up by their roots.
Author's reply
No, she wouldn't be angry about the flowers. Boromir probably did the same thing when he was that age. Many times. :-) Thanks for writing!
Agape4Gondor · 15 November 2006 · Chapter 11: Under the Linden (Faramir)
I think I would do that myself - dear Faramir.
Author's reply
*huggles Faramir* Thanks so much for reviewing!
Raksha The Demon · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 7: Lord of Gifts (Sauron, future wraith)
Brrrr. You nail Sauron as he closes his fist around the heart and soul of this unknown, luckless ringbearer and future fashion-impaired deathless minion. The last line is chilling.
Author's reply
future fashion-impaired deathless minion Oh, I don't know--black goes with everything and is a classic. Regarding the last line, apparently Sauron and Morgoth were worshipped as gods by Men in the First Age; I am assuming that their worship included human sacrifice as it later did in Numenor.
Raksha The Demon · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 6: Hearts Entwined (Treebeard)
Fascinating glimpse into the rituals of a people we don't see much of in Tolkien fanfic - the Ents. The drabble rings very true.
Author's reply
Thanks for the kind review! I have to admit that I loved the idea of the ents partying and drinking a little too much. In the book, Fangorn does tell the hobbits that he has to lie down after drinking the entdraft or else it will rise to his head. Sounds like a buzz to me! And can you imagine their drinking songs?
Raksha The Demon · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 8: The Guest /The Gift (OC)
Subtle and skillful turnabout of the POVs of a house of poor farmers and their unexpected guest. The eternal life of the Eldar is a mixed blessing; and the gulf between the ethereal Elven lady who is losing the sense of time and change, and the hardscrabble lives of the farmers, could not be greater. Still, the courtesy of the farmers, who willingly share their meager fare with the wandering lady, shows a common bond, in kindness and civility, to the timeless wisdom of the Elves.
Author's reply
Thanks for your kind review (and thanks for your help hammering this into shape).
Raksha The Demon · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 9: Conjuror (Denethor, Gandalf)
Gandalf referred to himself and Denethor as "two such terrible old men" in his conversation with Pippin, post-grilling by Denethor, in the first chapter of ROTK. Here, Branwyn sketches the two powerful figures butting heads in their worldview and being rather annoying - Gandalf being a bit too cryptic to a ruler of a land threatened by disaster, Denethor being weary and annoyed and not willing to be lessoned by anyone, even a wizard who has seen many lifetimes of Men. Gandalf sees, by character and by necessity, the whole picture, Denethor's vision narrows always to the land he is sworn to protect and he really doesn't care to extend it to encompass other priorities even if he could. Excellent, multi-layered and multi-faceted look at two mighty players in LOTR in a cerebral and verbal confrontation.
Author's reply
No, Denethor will not be guided and refuses to consider the larger scheme of things, and in the end, that is his downfall. Yet, I think he is justified in wondering why the other side seems to have more skillful magic-users. As Lord Branwyn is fond of joking, Gandalf would make a fifth-level wizard. :-D Thanks so much for reviewing!
Raksha The Demon · 14 November 2006 · Chapter 11: Under the Linden (Faramir)
A wonderful Faramir moment, doing a little renewing of his own with the transplanting of a young linden tree, for the benefit of future weary soldiers and their carefree children. Very typical of the character, and the spirit of the post-Ring War Gondor.
Author's reply
My Veteran's Day offering, a little early. :-) At first, I thought of Faramir making Parth Galen into a garden, but this gesture, which could be enjoyed by the people of Minas Tirith, seemed better. I am glad that you liked the drabble, and thanks so much for reviewing.
annmarwalk · 19 June 2006 · Chapter 4: The Tide (Imrahil)
Oh, how deftly you tear out our hearts, with a mere hundred words! I’ve never known anyone who could select words as deadly and precise as arrows, to convey your tale with such stark clarity. Prince Imrahil’s controlled grief is perfectly depicted as his words, Tolkien’s words, belie his rage. Yet you have moved us far beyond what we were given, to Imrahil’s frustration with his brother-in-law, his long- simmering fury over the treatment of the less-favored son. Imrahil is clearly near his own breaking point, but you have marvelously conveyed how Denethor’s cold ivory mask reminds him of the utter need, at this moment, for self-control, for Faramir’s sake, and for Gondor’s.
Linda Hoyland · 30 April 2006 · Chapter 4: The Tide (Imrahil)
I loved this,and the last line is very effective indeed.I admit to feeling exactly the same !
Author's reply
That overwhelming urge to smack Denethor upside the head? I feel that way every time I read that chapter. :-D And, of course, Imrahil does not understand how close Denethor is to going mad or his rage might be tempered by fear for his brother-in-law. Thanks so much for commenting!
annmarwalk · 30 April 2006 · Chapter 5: The Beacon of Erelas (OC)
I really love this, and the message that the small, unsung tasks can be just a vital as the more resplendent (and noticeable) deeds.
Author's reply
Thanks so much! Yes, sometimes history turns on whether the small, unsung tasks are done, and even though these two men are no longer fit to be soldiers, they can still help defend their land.
annmarwalk · 30 April 2006 · Chapter 3: Ride Light (OC)
Those poor warriors. It's really difficult, isn't it, move forward without some type of charm, amulet, good-luck piece, whether it be a coin or a medal or a sack of walnuts. Yet how painful to meet that barrier that requires the shedding of all baggage, to move unencumbered into the unknown. The miners at Chilkoot Pass in Alaska did it, abandoning their valuables as the bottom to be scavenged by those remaining in the town; even backpackers on the Appalachian Trail do it, when they realize just how much weight is involved in one more paperback, one deck of cards.
Author's reply
It is wrenching to put aside these things you have carried from your home. But once you drop the unneeded baggage, how much more quickly you travel! With no tents or camp furnishing, you can use the pack horses for remounts, and you no longer have that sack of walnuts bumping against you and reminding you of your farm. Best not to think about what you have left behind and may never see again. Yes, I did think of the American pioneer women who had to pitch the Limoges and furniture out of the waggons to get over the Rockies. (I would have taken my china and gone back to Boston, LOL!) Thanks for commenting!
annmarwalk · 30 April 2006 · Chapter 1: When the Days are Warm (Boromir, Faramir, Finduilas)
Oh, I had forgotten about this one! Poor Boromir: he's charging on ahead to the "Anger" stage, while Finduilas is trying to keep him for a little bit at "Denial". And innocent Faramir, young and oblivious to it all *tear* A sad scene, but very well written.
Author's reply
And even at this young age, Boromir is certain that, if everyone follows his plan, he can fix everything and their lives will return to normal. Glad you liked this, and thanks for writing!
Raksha The Demon · 29 April 2006 · Chapter 3: Ride Light (OC)
A sad reminder of the urgency of war (and the Ride of the Rohirrim); that the Riders had to abandon the meager comforts of home that they had brought with them. I hope the chessboard was eventually reclaimed by its owner...
Author's reply
I am sure they were wondering if they would ever return to that place as they piled the unneeded gear in a heap. "Ride light" is lifted from the scene where Theoden is talking with the ill-fated errand-riders. "For if we must ride now in all haste, then we must ride light, with but meal and water enough to last us into battle." Thanks for the kind comments!
Raksha The Demon · 29 April 2006 · Chapter 1: When the Days are Warm (Boromir, Faramir, Finduilas)
"“They are yellow,” Faramir said, wisely nodding his head. His younger brother often spoke these great truths, and Boromir always struggled not to laugh." - Those are my favorite lines in this story; but the entire scene is lovely and sad, but sweet. Little Faramir is extremely cute, though well-portrayed and not at all insipid. And poor Boromir is old enough to understand that his mother is ill, but not to understand the seriousness of her condition, or how to deal with it.
Author's reply
Thanks so much for your comments! I struggle when writing children since I haven't spent much time around them in years, so I am glad that you liked how I portrayed the little Mirs. But now I need to write something more cheerful about them!
Raksha The Demon · 29 April 2006 · Chapter 4: The Tide (Imrahil)
Oooh; coldly angry Imrahil; and who can blame him?! Good summation of a tragic moment in ROTK. I think Imrahil showed great restraint in not saying "I told you so" to Denethor.
Author's reply
There wasn't any real reason for Imrahil to take Faramir to Denethor instead of directly to the Houses of Healing, so he was in effect saying "I told you so" by showing Denethor the result of his own folly. (From what Imri later said to Aragorn and Gandalf, he didn't think Faramir was seriously wounded. He must have kicked himself for not taking his nephew straight to the healers.) Glad you liked this and thanks for reviewing!