Reviews of North and South - Stories of Arda

Rian Steelsheen · 15 February 2011 · Chapter 1: North and South

Oups! Sorry, my computer bugged for a moment and then the review was sent without being finished! Well, it was all only me about organization on the Reunited Kingdom anyway, nothing important and too lazy to rewrite it. Just wanted to add that I like the idea of the story very much, since it deals with such an interesting question. The two Kingdoms seems to have been rather estranged before even the Fall of Arnor, and that was some time ago. By the time of the war Boromir's trip up north was a journey in the total unknown. So one would indeed wonder about how they managed to reconcile themselves ! Pippin and his son were also a nice touch. Of course we already know about the interview of the Faramirs! :) Poor Hobbit! Rian, disappointed because Faramir hasn't sent her flowers this year either. It's very good to be loyal to your wife, but with all my devotion, I think I deserve an effort! PS: You know you owe me a story? About Turin and war. You said you had half written it in your response to my review of one of your drabbles. When you make a trailer to fans you have to give it to them you know. Or you're being cruel. Not nice. ^^ (just kidding)

Author's reply

Ah well! There are quite a lot of Bree stories, but I thought I could slip another one in somewhere. I can't see the two halves of the kingdom settling down in immediate bliss udner Aragorn, though one hopes it never got beyond grumbling. New story does exist in fragments, honest! Will pull it together soon.

Rian Steelsheen · 15 February 2011 · Chapter 1: North and South

A delightful little story! :) It's nice to see Barliman again, particularly with Faramir. You don't see many fanfics with both of them (in fact I think your's is the first story I've read about Faramir in Bree). It's also nice to see Faramir being cautious with the him, and perhaps trying to be a little less of a Gondorim for once and making an effort to take in the northerners' ways. Faramir of course is always the good and loyal steward and he defends his King before B

Author's reply

PS. Faramir didn't send me flowers either. I'm sure he meant to, but perhaps Eowyn intercepted the messenger. Better luck next year!

Agape4Gondor · 8 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

That was delightful. It would behoove Aragorn to have his Steward visit the North, as it would behoove the Steward. Great idea, again, delightful story. I do so much like the 'unease' of each of the lands towards each other. To be expected, really. I live in a city that has a river that cuts right through the middle. Those on the East Side think they are the best, while those on the West Side think they are the best. It's an odd experience.

Author's reply

Gondor and Arnor seem to have more or less ignored each other since Arvedui's time, and they didn't see eye to eye then, so I think there's a lot of catching up to do. Funny how human beings always react like that. In Wales, where I come from, the northerners think that the southerners are a funny lot and the southerners wouldn't trust the northerners faster than they could throw them. Then in my particular bit of Wales, the south Pembrokeshire people think that the north Pembrokeshire people have tails and two heads, and the northerners think the southerners are traitors who sold out to the English (about 700 years ago). Then when you get to my native town...

Linda Hoyland · 8 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

This was just delightful and very true to life !

Author's reply

Thanks, Linda! I rather like the idea of Faramir being incog. He's not talking in anything like his usual style, of course, but I think that with a little practice, like Frodo and Aragorn he'd learn to adopt the style of people around him. He never had any chance to travel far before the War, after all.

phyloxena · 7 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

‘There’s folk in the South who would have said the same sort of thing, only the other way round, if you follow me.’ Sounds like Faramir tries to imitate Sam's manner. Which makes sense. I guess we already know what happened next day. Poor little Took.

Author's reply

I don't think there's any need to worry about Master Took. I've a strong feeling that he's just as unquenchable as his dad!

Raksha The Demon · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

The Northern Rangers still get no respect from Butterbur, now that they can finally settle down and live in settled abodes and cities after guarding Bree and other places from the Shadow. I like the image of Faramir cautiously and quietly getting the lay of the land during his northern journey - a barkeep or innkeep is an excellent source of information. I hope there will be more chapters!

Author's reply

I always wonder how the Rangers lived before the end of the Third Age. I mean, did they have any sort of settled abode or did they just camp in the wild all the time? And what did their womenfolk and children do while they were Ranging? Anyway, it must have been very nice to settle down once the King had sorted things out.

Larner · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

Aha! That's what I was hoping for, and am so glad we got it! North and South are only beginning to realize they CAN and need to get along. And poor Pippin, recognizing Faramir but distracted by his own! A bit more anticipation and reasons to snicker for Faramir then. Love it!

Author's reply

There's always a good reason to cheer for Faramir! Not that Faramir would ever laugh AT anything to do with Pippin, who saved his life.

Amy · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

Yes, I admit it, I'm a complete sucker for tales of Rangers in The Prancing Pony. Especially Rangers incognito. Although after all this experience, you'd think that Butterbur and the staff would give a right close look to any tall stranger with a tendency to lurk. You touch on some very interesting topics related to the reunited Gondor ("uniting the kingdom, one drink at a time").

Author's reply

I don't think Faramir, however incog., was actually lurking. I was careful not to give him the hood-and-gleaming-eyes treatment! However, I'm sure it was Aragorn who briefed him and told him where to go if he wanted to get a feel for Northern ways, in both sense of the word.

Lady Bluejay · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

Nice little twist. LBJ

Author's reply

Thanks, LBJ!

galimeril · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

This is wonderful! I was a little dubious at first, but curiosity got the better of me, and I'm glad it did! I can't wait to hear more! Update soon!

Author's reply

Glad you stuck it out to the end! As a matter of fact there is already a 'sequel', written some time ago, on http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2976459/4/ which you might enjoy.

Dreamflower · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 1: North and South

This is just adorable! I love old Barliman's thoughts on the matter, and that Faramir is visiting the North--and I'd love to see his visit with Pippin and his namesake!

Author's reply

Glad you like it! As a matter of fact, I'd already done the interview. You'll find it on http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2976459/4/

Reviews (11)