Lindelea
· 25 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
I see her favourite horse as being a rather bad-tempered war horse. Only she loves him dearly - and knows his worth. And if many of the White Company were former Rangers, they could probably do with a bit of intensive training on horseback.
Y'know, there's probably a lot to that, whether they were Rangers or Guardsmen of Gondor. Doesn't Beregond say something about there being very few horses in Minas Tirith, when he's talking with Pippin?
Author's reply
That's very true. There will have been some cavalry, I expect, and I think Dol Amroth's knights were mounted, but most of the Guard will have been infantry.
I don't know how useful Rohirric battle techniques would be in Ithilien - different terrain - but I suspect Eowyn will turn at least some of the White Company into excellent horsemen, if only to accompany her as she rides. Because I can't see Faramir agreeing to her riding unescorted for some years - not as long as there might be odd pockets of the enemy still lingering.
elliska
· 20 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Wow! I love this pov of the guard! I love his reflections on Denethor's rule and how he (and others) came to not just follow but love Aragorn.
But peace spawns fools and lets them have their say. Too true, and so are his thoughts that peace can be destroyed easily.
I am always amazed at how much you convey and so well in such short pieces. This was great!
Author's reply
This just leapt in my head when Meckinock commented! And it was fun to write.
I can't help but feel sorry for Denethor in a way. He was holding on during a period of increasing pressure - raising taxes, taking all the young men to join the army, negotiating with resentful lords and constantly struggling to keep his head above water, until eventually he broke under it all. And Aragorn came along at the last minute and pulled all the chestnuts out of the fire and became a shining hero.
Those who fought know how easily peace can be destroyed - and how it needs to be nurtured - and are prepared to work at developing a better world.
Thank you, Elliska! I'm glad you liked it.
Kitty
· 17 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Wonderful sequel to the other fic.
If that is how most of the soldiers think, I am not too worried about the outcome of any conspiracy the Lords might have going on. It is logical that the ones who risked their lives so many times in facing the hosts of Mordor would appreciate the peace Aragorn and the Fellowship brought to them much more than these who shut their eyes to the approaching danger and went to hide their precious hides, never truly knowing how bad it was or could have been, if not for Aragorn and his companions.
The more I think about it, the more I understand why certain lords are not so happy with the new rule. I doubt Aragorn was one to favour bootlickers only intent on currying favour, and even less would he think them better than the soldiers who fought to save said lords, and he would treat the soldiers courteously (and much better than Denethor, I suppose). But there have to be some who think the fact they have money or rank is enough to expect a lot of advantages from the new King, even at the expense of others.
Was amused about what the guard thought about Arwen and Éowyn. Would be entertaining to see what happens if someone thinks he is dealing with helpless ladies of the Court and tries something stupid *evil grin*
And I loved the bit about Éowyn and her horse. Seems to be quite a fiery beast, but that is only to be expected, I suppose. The Gondorians could learn one thing or two from her about horses, no doubt.
I still hope your muses decide to tell you more about what is going on in Minas Tirith!
Author's reply
I think most of the soldiers who fought on the Pelennor and followed Aragorn to the Black Gate would have no qualms at all about supporting Elessar and Faramir ... but there are always some who see more advantage to them in following other paths.
There would - undoubtedly - be lords who would resent the change of ruler and do their best to undermine Elessar ... once, that is, they realised that he was more than figurehead and that they couldn't manipulate him. And the period a year or two after conflict tends to be a bit unstable. However - the potential rebels don't know what they've taken on!
When it comes to looking on Arwen and Eowyn as helpless - well, everyone knows Eowyn killed the Witchking ... but I'm sure people have no idea just how strong and skilled the Elven Queen is. And it would be fun to see them beat the pants off a bunch of snotty lordlings.
Eowyn's horse ... matches its rider. And she will improve the horsemanship of the White Company, if only so that they can keep up with her as she rides! Because Faramir won't agree to her riding without guards - not for few years, until Ithilien is safer.
Fingers crossed that more develops! Thank you, Kitty.
Sarah
· 17 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Wonderful! Beautifully poetic and extremely well-written. Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you, Sarah. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was great fun to write - the guard's point of view was interesting - it's fascinating to look through different people's eyes and get a whole different viewpoint.
Armariel
· 16 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
I can just see Sauron growing grapes! lol And Eowyn would like to give the others a lesson or two in horsemanship? Of course.....
A nice piece...but I'd still like to see Arwen and Eowyn taking on some of the snoots and the men giving the milksops who look down their noses at them what for.....heheh.......
~~~{~@
Author's reply
Sauron growing grapes ... well, he's got all that good volcanic soil ... But I don't think he had the character to become a vintner. But I suspect any guards who spend much time near Eowyn will find their riding skills improving rapidly! (I think she might be bringing a Rohirric horsemaster to join her household before too long.)
It would be rather fun to see Arwen and Eowyn crushing the Gondorian traditionalists into the mud. But I think they are biding their time and being tactful. I suspect Eowyn's temper will snap before Arwen's, too.
Beruthiels Cat
· 16 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Love the alternate perspective! I do hope this eveolves into another multi-chapter work, as they are always anticipated and very much enjoyed. How's that for a cannonball-sized hint? Can't add anything to what these other folks have already said so well, other than I agree absolutely!
BC
Author's reply
There are, I admit, aspects of this that would bear expansion, but I don't know if I will. However, I am delighted to hear that you would like to know more! It was great fun to write - thank you, BC.
Linda Hoyland
· 16 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Another truly delightful treat. I loved seeing events from Beregond's view and felt you were spot on.Thosew grumpy lordsare everywhere still .
I do hope you'll write more about these times and the stories are a true pleasure to read.
Author's reply
There so would have been lords who saved their hides and grouched about any diminution in their privileges! But wars tend to stir up social change - however traditionalist the societies, war veterans demand something better as part of their victory.
Thank you, Linda. I'm glad you liked this. I haven't written much about Gondor and Rohan - but, every now and then, something just jumps up and bites!
meckinock
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Wow, Bodkin! I'm going to have to drop plot bunnies in your lap more often. This was amazing. I loved how the MC grounded the reader in time and place, and then took us back through the earlier years of Denethor's reign. The description of Denethor as cut from the same black rock as the city itself was wonderful. In fact, all the descriptions were wonderful. What an interesting take on the war from an unusual perspective - he's enough a part of the establishment to have been a player, yet removed enough from the heirarchy to remark drily about the nobles (those not dead on Pelennor) hiding in their boltholes. The segue from his stark recollection of facing certain death to his bemused observation of his triumphant hero (another glorious description) scratching and lazing in the grass was beautifully done. His loyalty to his King, his Steward, and their wives is heartwarming. Without even knowing his name, I'm smitten. And I loved the respect and affection he obviously holds for Arwen and Eowyn as well - particularly Eowyn, threatening to give the Gondorian troops lessons in horsemanship! Wonderful.
Author's reply
This just presented itself almost fully formed as soon as those bunnies started to burrow. And looking through the eyes of someone who is not the subject of prophecy is fascinating. Plus, those who have fought in a war have a vested interest in building a better world - and a rather jaded view of those who called on privilege and wealth to evade their responsibilities.
The guard would, I think, admire those who led the army to a quite unexpected and glorious victory - and Eowyn would most definitely be part of that! And he's close enough to them to see their humanity and their honour and their determination and feel that he can trust them to build a new, better world. And I don't think it will take Eowyn long to have the White Company showing much better horsemanship.
Thank you, Meckinock, for the inspiration!
Larner
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Oh, indeed--the world of Men has changed, been turned upside down, as all seek to find their place in it. And this guard understands quality and the need for his service if this brave new world is to continue in its promise.
Wonderful, Bodkin.
Author's reply
I think it can be a fascinating experience to turn the spyglass and look at what was going on through other eyes - the viewpoint of the ruled is definitely not the same as that of the rulers. Post-war - well, experience shows that the expectations of those who have endured the hardships is often different from their traditional role. I think people like this guard are prepared to shoulder some of the responsibility for building this brave new world.
ellie
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Excellent! Beautifully spoken and described by this guard who has learned many hard lessons from experience. As always, well done!
Author's reply
Thank you, ellie. I'm glad you liked seeing the world from the guard's point of view. It's been a hard few years in Gondor - a time of drama, but not one to develop people who trust mindlessly in happy endings.
RS
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
This is beautiful. Just Breathtaking!
The ending was perfect. The oblivious Eowyn urging her horse to the stall while her husband watches Aragorn and Arwen contemplate on "the Star of Hope".
Author's reply
Thank you! Aragorn and Arwen - well, she's the Evenstar and their shared history would make them look heavenwards, while Faramir is ... a wizard's pupil and a descendant of Mithrellas. All black and silver. While Eowyn - she's earthy - all the green of Rohan and golden sunlight.
French Pony
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
The noble lords and ladies are lucky to be looked after by such devoted soldiers. This one is brave and thoughtful, too, which is always a good combination. And observant. He's a good, standup guy, yes he is.
Author's reply
I can imagine that Faramir would have devoted soldiers who would be only too happy to serve him, while Aragorn has many of the same qualities, plus being a long-lost king and the saviour of Gondor. I suspect that any opposition is likely to come from somewhere other than the army. This was fun to write - and flowed, which is always a plus.
Maid of Ithilien
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Other reviewers have mentioned most of the lines I thought were so wonderful. This is so well-written with such evocative language. I will just mention I loved the respectful distance the guards keep from Eowyn's horse :) And her reaction to it. Such a good story -- and the other one was too!
Author's reply
Thank you! I can just see Eowyn's horse - I suspect he's none too happy to have retired from battle and would be only too happy to display his displeasure to the occasional unwary guard. And I see the Rangers spending a lot of time on foot - the White Lady of Rohan will definitely insist on improved horsemanship!!
I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
Redheredh
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
"... no wonder that we welcomed the days of the King."
"... this breath of wind from the north."
"But peace spawns fools and lets them have their say."
"Peace is a fragile flower that can be blackened by a single frost."
"I would not willingly cross either of them..." :D
"What kind of guard would we be if those in our care were not safe?" :)
"... the Star of Hope Brightens in the sky."
"... not what it once was. But that is as it should be."
A wonderfully expressed almost everyman's pov and a welcome augmentation to the previous tale. I liked Eowyn's exuberance to go forward into her future and Arwen's appreciating gaining hers.
Author's reply
I enjoyed writing this - one of those pieces that just flows! And it was interesting to see his view on the past - and his response to these four. I like Eowyn's earthiness - it makes a good contrast to the star-spelled nature of the other three!
And I think this would have been a time of change. Like the end of 1WW - too many things had been shaken up for the old regime to continue unaltered.
Jay of Lasgalen
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
This is lovely, Bodkin. I love the musings of this unnamed guard, and his reflections of the differences between his service to the two rulers. I can quite see why Denethor was respected, but not loved.
After some of the horrors this warrior has seen, I think a stint guarding the King in the woodlands of Ithilien must be a rather pleasant change!
Author's reply
To a degree ... King John was left to raise taxes to pay the ransom of a selfish and rather unpleasant Richard Coeur de Lion who was captured on his way back from the Holy Land. Who ended up hated? The brother stuck with extorting cash from barons and running the country - while RCdL became the glorious hero. (As shown in many a Robin Hood movie ever since.) Denethor had years of trying to bolster up a failing nation and holding back the hordes, whilst constantly being pushed back and losing a little more each day. Not surprising he was worn down. Not surprising that the taxed, those bound to offer military levies, the widowed, the orphaned would find themselves increasing resenting the hard man who drove them. Not surprising that he resorted to whatever means he could. And Aragorn? Came out of nowhere at the last minute in a blaze of glory to bring rescue. Yes, he would be the one who was loved. But in twenty - thirty years? When he is the taxman and the war leader? Maybe. But maybe he would also be seen to have feet of clay.
Sitting in the woods in Ithilien ... a very pleasant way to do your duty.
shirebound
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
A hero, surrounded by creatures out of legend, crushing the forces of darkness – and then turning from death to preserve life. A judge, to whom justice was more important than the letter of the law. A grave man, wise, one who listened and did what he thought best without fear or favour. It is no wonder that those who were there would follow wherever he led … no wonder that we cheered him when Lord Faramir offered him the crown … no wonder that we welcomed the days of the King.
We, who lived through the end of one world, should build a new one, a better one. And a brave new world, it will be, that has such people in it.
This is absolutely beautiful.
Author's reply
Thank you, Shirebound. It must have been a blazing time of wonder - until reality set in and they had to get the fields ploughed and wondered how they would manage until the harvests were in.
But if ever a world's end should leave a desire to build better, this must have been it!
Lady Bluejay
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Beautiful, evocative writing. The thoughts of many so expertly summed up.LBJ
Author's reply
Thank you, LBJ. It's interesting thinking about the viewpoint of ordinary people. Those whose-is-but-to-do-or-die - on the say so of a deranged Steward or a foreign Ranger. There must have been a time of bemusement after it all ended - before the whirlwind began to spin again.
daw the minstrel
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Here I am, in Ithilien, wearing the Prince’s livery and watching over … Heroes are men, like any other
When I got to that, I laughed because I suddenly saw the connection to your last story and Meckinock's review. I love the way changing POVs give us new insights.
You probably know I'm not usually big on stories that consist of someone's musings, but I like this one. It's embodied in a particular place and gives nice insight into the way the common people's lives and views have changed with the coming of the king.
Author's reply
This just jumped into my head on reading Meckinock's review - I just love it when that happens.
And looking through the eyes of an ordinary person - well, I'd love to do more of it. They have such different insights from those who surf along the top of society.
Musings can be a bit ... prince-of-denmarkish. Best kept short, really!
Dreamflower
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
This is a beautiful companion to "Getting Away"! I don't know who this unknown guard is, but surely his feelings are equally echoed by his fellows, and he reflects the opinions of those who fought alongside the King and Steward against the Shadow. Something those pampered fools may fail to take into consideration.
But of course, now I'm more curious than ever about those *plots*! I'd love to see them trying to put one over on the wily foster son of Elrond and Galadriel's granddaughter, with Faramir and Eowyn at their side.
Whoever it is, I almost feel sorry for them.
Author's reply
There just would have been plots - it's human nature to dislike change and attempt to profit from confusion. Probably 2-3 years without trouble - then a decade or two with several plots before everyone accepts the new regime as the norm. Then probably about 50 years into Aragorn's reign there could have been a final big plot before it all settle down to occasional grouching and flare ups of ill-feeling.
And some of Gondor's Lords would have done their best to find somewhere safe - just as some would have tried to come to terms with Sauron if he had won. People come in all sorts - currently most would be sucking up to the new regime, but some would see greater profit elsewhere.
H'mm - I don't know if the plots will ever get written. But you never know!
But you're right - they wouldn't know what they had taken on. They look on Faramir as the Steward's weaker son and the others as hicks from Planet Nowhere. They have no idea!
utfrog98
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Beautiful follow-up to an equally wonderful story. Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you, utfrog98! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to write - and interesting to look through the eyes of someone who had little influence on events.
Klose
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
Very nice! I've been curious about Faramir and Eowyn's time in post-war Ithilien, so I was particularly intrigued to read this: and it's really a very tight monologue about what the end of an era of war would mean to a city that has only known darkness and conflict for a good part of recent times... the bit about those in denial of everything was particularly poignant. "If Sauron had packed up his armies and turned his attention to growing grapes." *snerk* Excellent touch.
Also, I can never read enough stories that explore, even if only brielfy, the friendships and relationships between Aragorn, Faramir (and their wives), and it's refreshing to see them in this particular point of view. Good stuff, as always, Bodkin, you're a very prolific writer, but the quality of your writing is always superb. Thanks for sharing!
Author's reply
Thank you, Klose. I'm glad you liked it. This was one of those pieces that jumps out almost fully formed with very little work. (Great when that happens!) As soon as Meckinock commented on the guard's point of view, he just started spouting!
Every now and then, I get a yearning to look at matters from the point of view of the ruled rather than the rulers - it's fascinating how it changes your perspective. Fascinating, too, how much guards and servants see and understand, whilst seeming to be invisible to their masters. It's not surprising they're not always as impressed by them as they're supposed to be!
There aren't enough stories about the rebuilding of Gondor and Ithilien - and what comes after the happy ever after.
Laura
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
*happy sigh* That was beautifully written and moving. What a wonderful way to start a day. Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you, Laura. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to be so long in getting round to replying.
Fiondil
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
And not a word about the ineptitude of said Prince and King at fishing! Very circumspect. A nice little add-on to the original story.
"Peace is a fragile flower that can be blackened by a single frost. And, if we want to nurture it, then we cannot leave it entirely in the hands of our rulers – we saw where that left us: in a half-abandoned city, facing the end of the world."
A dictum that people in our own world would do well to remember. Well done.
Author's reply
I don't think they were really too bothered ... they can fish ... if they want to. But the day is more about getting away from the city and pretending to be free. They don't need the fish - there'll be a substantial supper waiting for them back at Emyn Arnen.
One of the things that I really love about playing in Tolkien's world is its depth - and the parallels that you can see. Not surprising, really, in a man who survived the trenches and lived through the Second World War and the knowledge of what it brought.
Thank you, Fiondil.
harrowcat
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
This is so full of great and meaningful lines I would have to quote all of it if I told you my favourite parts. A fine treatise on the fragility of peace.
And a clever thought - Well – Lord Boromir’s place was with the army, was it not, not somewhere off north, safe from the fighting? - I hadn't thought of Boromir going to find Rivendell could be thought of like this Well done.
Author's reply
It's the sort of thing that occurs to you when you look at things in a different way. I mean - the Captain-General? He's there, leading the army, encouraging and rousing his men to maintain their efforts against the enemy ... and then he's gone - not with a troop of men, but sneakily snipped out and sent off and not seen again? I'll bet rumour had a field day. And much of it would have been very, very negative.
Lindelea
· 15 May 2007
· Chapter 1: A Brave New World
p.s. forgot to say I love the bit about Eowyn's horse, and her ambition to improve the White Company's equestrian skill.
Author's reply
Well, she would, wouldn't she!! I see her favourite horse as being a rather bad-tempered war horse. Only she loves him dearly - and knows his worth. And if many of the White Company were former Rangers, they could probably do with a bit of intensive training on horseback.