Reviews of Rest and Recreation

Levade · 18 May 2014 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

I know, this is quite old, but I wanted to go back and see what I've missed all this time! And this, this is a fun little jewel. The first Tolkien book character I ever loved was Glorfindel (and such a small role), not because he was so mighty but because he was strong enough to face the Nine, but gentle enough to give his horse to Frodo, who surely needed Asfaloth! To see him here with Boromir, in a fair match and a great one, is wonderful! So often stories lean too far towards Men or Elves, and Boromir deserves a bit more than just to be brushed off! Poor thing, he would be bored to death in Imladris, but I'm betting more than one of those ancient elves would be as well. ;) Not all of them were ready to settle down to harps and quills. My only regret in this story is not seeing Glorfindel's reaction to Boromir's death. I think it would sadden him greatly. He knows what it is to sacrifice, and I can't imagine him not seeing that in Boromir's death. On to more! I hope you don't mind me rummaging about in the archives. :)

Soledad · 13 December 2008 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Oh, but this was hilarious! Who better than Glorfindel to spend time with for poor, bored Boromir?

Author's reply

Oops, I missed this review (emailbox got full again!) - I'm so pleased, since you're a Boromir aficionado, that you enjoyed the story. I had a great time writing it, and the thought of Boromir mixing it up with Glorfindel and the Balrog-Slayer befriending him was just too good to pass up writing about. Thanx for reading and commenting, Soledad!

Istarnië · 22 September 2008 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

I am so glad I read this story, it has brought a real smile to my face. I love reading tales about Boromir and Faramir anyway, but you portray Boromir's restlessness with such depth of understanding. I suspected the pretty Elf was none other than the great Glorfindel, it was too good an irony to miss, but I enjoyed the way you have Boromir grow to respect and understand him before he knows who it is he is fighting. I came away from reading with a sense of satisfaction that both Man and Elf had learnt something good from their encounter.

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing the story, Istarnie. I had a lot of fun writing the piece. I just had to pit Boromir against Glorfindel, for so many reasons; and I do think Man and Elf had a great time sparring and earned each other's respect. Boromir is above all a soldier, and would have to respect an ally who exhibits such outstanding ability and skill in a fair fight.

Tari · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Never, Never mess with an Elf! I really enjoyed this, although I must confess my first thought was that you were writing about Legolas and Boromir. Glorfindel is another of my favorites. Tari P.S. I'm having dinner with Branwyn tonight. We live about 20 minutes apart.

Author's reply

No, the sparring was never going to be between Legolas and Boromir. Glorfindel was a part of Gondorian history, however minor a part, and Boromir, who surely would have studied the battles of Gondor's kings, would have known about him. That resonance wouldn't have occurred on Boromir's meeting with Legolas, though I'm sure Boromir came to respect Legolas as a warrior. Say hi to Branwyn for me! Author Reply: Oops, forgot to say Thanx for the review, Tari!

MithLuin · 21 January 2007 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Oh, this was great fun! I almost laughed out loud when I heard Boromir evaluate the blond elf as looking like a sheltered young thing, or even a girl (I thought it was Glorfindel). Glorfindel was the *perfect* choice of course, because we get to hear Boromir all excited to learn that his sparring companion was part of Gondor's military history - that was just so...Boromir. Boromir did strike me as the stranger-with-no-friends at the Council, so I am sure his first few days in Rivendell were awkward. I'm glad you've given us a picture of how they could have gotten much better in his long sojourn there. And I'm sure Glorfindel kept on his toes - it's a pretty dangerous world outside of that protected valley!

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Mithluin. Poor Boromir wasn't used to Elves, and I think some of them might seem feminine if he didn't look too closely, what with their beautiful faces and whatnot, and of course, he'd be too courteous to stare at a 'lady'. I think he'd have been thrilled to not only meet Glorfindel, but to actually spar with him, and both their spirits were obviously lifted. I have the feeling that Glorfindel was the greatest warrior in Rivendell, and probably meant to be its last defense if necessary.

nrink · 30 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Hi Raksha, An excellent little story which I really enjoyed! I especially liked the little plot twist at the end when you reveal that Boromir was fighting none other than the mighty Glorfindel! Also, you captured Boromir wonderfully - his unshakable faith in himself (even in strange surroundings)is so true to the book. This is a little gem of a story! nrink

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing, nrink. I originally conceived the story as having Boromir celebrating his birthday in Imladris with the hobbits, but as I was writing it, I ran out of patience with sad/mopey Boromir and decided he needed to spar with a very battle-seasoned Elf who nonetheless looked like a pretty young Elf-boy to Boromir, and have both of them gain some respect for each other. Yes, Boromir always had a lot of confidence in his own abilities and purpose. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it can be a hindrance. Poor Boromir, stuck in Imladris with a bunch of hobbits and Elves who were into poetry and singing, he needed to have some fun.

Agape4Gondor · 29 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Excellent!

Author's reply

Thanx much for reading and commenting, Agape - glad you liked the story.

Inkling · 28 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Hey, Raksha! Glad you're posting here again. I enjoyed this as much now as when I first read it during MEFA nominations...such a fun look at inter-species male bonding! I like the idea of Glorfindel standing around unchallenged, because those who know him are intimidated. Boromir's ignorance proves a blessing for both of them!

Author's reply

Even if I was an Elf, I'd find the millenia-old returned-from-the-dead Balrog Slayer intimidating! And yes, I'm sure that Glorfindel and Boromir enjoyed themselves hugely. If Boromir had known Glorfindel's identity, he would have been twice as eager to try a bout with the legendary Elven warrior - I don't think Boromir knew the meaning of intimidation. Thanx for reviewing, Inkling!!!

Bodkin · 28 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Poor lonely Boromir! I'm glad he challenged Glorfindel before he knew who he was. The pair of them seem to have had a lot of fun! And he proved his determination and his ability to learn even when confronted by a legend. His remaining time at Rivendell will probably not seem quite so dreary.

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Bodkin! Oh, yes, I'm sure that Glorfindel and Boromir had fun. Boys will be boys, showing off with weapons and strategy, even a millenia-old Elf and the proud Captain-General. I would imagine that Boromir had a few more practice bouts, with Glorfindel and perhaps others, to enliven the rest of his time at Rivendell.

Linda Hoyland · 28 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

It is great to see your work here again .I love the idea of Boromir meeting his match with Glorfindel and am pleased you chose someone other than Legolas. Poor Boromir must have been a fish out of water.Faramir would have fitted in far better at Rivendell.

Author's reply

Thanx for the comments, Linda! Yes, Boromir would have been something of a fish out of water in Imladris, but I think he would have also impressed a few Elves and others. Boromir did have dignity, strength and courage....Sniff for poor dear Boromir; and how happy Faramir would have been to see him again, and hear tales of his stay in Rivendell...

phyloxena · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Are you back? Horray! Are you going to repost here your other stories? I like this one. Do you think Boromir (or that Estel fellow, for that matter) could be anythere close to match Glorfindel?

Author's reply

I hope to repost some, if not all, of my other stories here, and also add some new ones. We know that Glorfindel was a mighty, more or less superhuman warrior. We don't know how often he practiced, or fought for real, at the time of the Council of Elrond. I would think that he might have had other experiences defending the Valley and those under its protection; and I'm willing to bet he kept his sword-arm in good shape with frequent sparring bouts. That Estel fellow, by 3019, might have been able to match and even defeat Glorfindel on a day when the Elf was bruised or hung over - Aragorn was a man of outstanding natural talent for battle, and he was trained by the Elves, possibly by Glorfindel himself. But on a regular basis, Glorfindel would have defeated Aragorn; the Elf just had the edge in superhuman speed, stamina, strength and millenia of practice... Thanx for the review!

meckinock · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

I can well imagine Boromir having his nose a bit out of joint at being coddled and dismissed. I laughed at learning who it was he decided to ask to spar with him. He did well to last that long with Glorfindel!

Author's reply

I think that Boromir would have definitely had his cute nose pushed slightly out of joint in Rivendell, it would have been a frustrating and sobering experience for him. I wanted him to have some fun, and I think sparring with Glorfindel would definitely come under the heading of funfor Boromir. Thanx for reading and reviewing, meckinock.

Armariel · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

A delight to read. Heheh, wouldn't mind tangling with Boromir myself...but not with swords;);)

Author's reply

Who wouldn't mind tangling with Boromir in such a way? (unless he'd brought his brother along, and then, in my hypothetical case, it would have been, 'nice meeting you, Cap'n-General', and 'Hello, Ranger; come over here and look at my book of Elvish poetry' or something like that) Glad you liked the piece, Armariel!

harrowcat · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

I enjoyed this Raksha although I thought that he was duelling Legolas at first. I obviously didn't pay proper attention at the beginning!

Author's reply

Thanx for the review, harrowcat! I really didn't want to have Boromir and Leggy spar, I wanted someone whose history, at least part of it, was known to Men. And Glorfindel's role in the history of Gondor made him the perfect choice to be Boromir's foil here.

vampfan30 · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

this is the first thing I have read by you & I loved it. The idea of Boromir, a great soldier among his people duking it out with Glorfindel was interesting to say the least....

Author's reply

I was really lucky here, my Boromir-muse, who is usually silent while I write angsty tales about Boromir's brother, opened up and talked to me. I think Boromir and Glorfindel learned well from each other. I doubt very much that any soldier of Gondor could have defeated Glorfindel in a bout of swordsmanship, but Boromir could, and did, hold up the honor of Men by his courage and determination in just sticking it out for so long... Thanx for reading and reviewing! I will eventually post more here.

Calenlass Greenleaf · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Very well done. At first, I thought the elf was Legolas. LOL. apparently, I was wrong.

Author's reply

Well, let's just say that the lack of identification on the pretty blond elf until after the bout was not a coincidence. Glad you liked the tale; and thanx for the comments.

SurgicalSteel · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

Oh, I liked this very much. I can just see Boromir's reactions to having sparred with Glorfindel.

Author's reply

Thanx for reviewing, Steel! Glorfindel is probably one of the few Elves who Boromir would have not only heard of, but who he would have genuinely admired. And to spar with him; Boromir is enough of a soldier to be genuinely pleased by having gone several rounds with the legendary warrior-elf (and that's without having known about Glorfie having slain a Balrog).

Larner · 27 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Rest and Recreation

"Untried," did he think? It's unlikely Boromir could have stood up to Legolas even with just his white knife to use. Ah, Boromir, Boromir, how much you have to learn, and to learn about this Estel as well! Beautifully described, Raksha!

Author's reply

Boromir definitely was a bit full of himself, wasn't he? And in Rivendell, for the first time, he would have been surrounded by people who were mostly older and wiser than he was, and to whom his high rank and station was relatively unimpressive. (I mean, sheesh, Elrond stood with the last High King of the Elves and Elendil, for crying out loud, Legolas is a king's son, and the Elves of Rivendell have made a hobby and occupation out of fostering the true Kings of Gondor for centuries, the appearance of the heir to the Stewardship of Gondor would only be an interesting historical/political footnote to them) I also don't see Boromir as being as eager as Frodo, Bilbo, or even Faramir if he'd come instead, to learn more about Elf history and the identities of all the folk in Imladris...

Reviews (18)