The Temptation of Hope by Raksha The Demon

Reviews (14)

Lady_Roisin · 2 March 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

Raksha, I have to say, this was a really genious idea, and not to mention well written. I like how you portrayed Aragorn (or Thorongil) in this story. I like how you portrayed his thoughts, his emotions. I like how you explored him considering another, and for the reasons he did. You showed him as a man, plain and simple. I'm sure for as strong as his love was for Arwen, there wer times he might have had doubts. I think that would have been a normal, and understandable, reaction for Aragorn, especially considering he had to wait so long for Arwen. I like how you also wrote Finduilas' father. I found the characterization very interesting. I like the idea that he would almost beg Aragorn to marry his daughter instead of Denethor. The dialogue is sublime. It's natural and believable. I love it when authors write dialogue the way people would actually talk to one another. I like the emotional shifts Aragorn takes between refusing, almost accepting, and refusing again because he sees Finduilas' happiness with Denethor. I absolutely love how Aragorn refused, even though it would have made his situation a bit easier. I like how he held Finduilas' happiness in esteem, and even Denethor's despite the fact neither liked eachother much. It shows what an honorable man Aragorn was, and it's realistic to believe he would come to the conclusion you wrote if he ever faced this situation. I have to say, this is probably one of my favorite stories of yours thus far. It speaks to me on a deeper level, and I really enjoyed reading it. I was almost sad when it was over because I enjoyed it so much! Keep writing! I enjoy reading your stories very much.

Author's reply

Thanks for this very thorough review, Lady R! To give Aragorn his due, I think that if he had plighted his troth to Arwen before coming to Rohan and Gondor, no power on Middle-earth would have tempted him to wed another. But it's been over 20 years since he saw Arwen; and she hadn't yet returned his love, her image in his mind would sometimes, by this time, seem an impossible dream. And I think Aragorn would be wearied of having to wait for even the basic human experience of marriage and fatherhood. I tried to write Finduilas' father Adrahil as a tough old salt in contrast to ROTK-era Imrahil, whose speech is far more mannered. I figure that Imrahil might have taken on a more elegant and etiquette-minded turn of phrase in contrast to his father, as children sometimes end up deliberately going in a different direction from their parents; and Imrahil seems to have followed tradition, i.e. becoming a worthy Prince and warrior, in other matters. I think Aragorn was very tempted here; especially because he had been so lonely for so long. But Aragorn is, was, and always would be, too honorable to steal, and he recognized that if he married Finduilas, however much he respected her and even if he made her Queen of Gondor, it would still be a theft. Also, Aragorn never took the easy way!

Celeritas · 22 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

Only now getting around to reviewing this. I love a lot of things in this: the rational temptation Aragorn has, the fact that Adrahil is trying to get his daughter to escape the doom he feels creeping in on her, and most of all that she is willingly accepting that doom all the same because she loves Denethor. She has already bestowed her heart elsewhere; and you are too good a father to break it. Beautiful way of turning down his proposal! Thanks for writing this. Oh, and bonus points for the cloak!

Author's reply

Thanx much for reading and reviewing, Celeritas. I figured that Finduilas must have been quite a woman, since Denethor would have been a most discerning man, and that Finduilas was one of the few women who could have tempted Aragorn from the path his younger heart had laid out for him. I'm not sure that Finduilas comprehended that she would die in 13 years if she married Denethor (and the marriage to Denethor was not the sole cause in my opinion), but I think she knew that she would face the horror of relative proximity to Barad-dur and the pressures of being the Steward's Lady; and that she was prepared to endure the bitter along with the sweet. I think she chose a life that would be difficult, challenging and potentially sorrowful; over an easier life such as staying her father's beloved little girl in the castle by the sea, or marrying another. In other words; Finduilas loved Denethor, and though her eyes might not have seen all ends, she would have made the decision to marry him with her eyes open. Glad you noticed the cloak!

Cairistiona · 19 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

Very compelling story. The temptations Aragorn had to deal with in his years in Gondor must have been numerous, and to have Imrahil all but hand him Gondor on a platter, in the form of marriage to Finduilas, would have probably been the hardest one of all to resist. You show his wisdom and moral character well here with the thought process he works through before finally declining her hand. I like how you have Imrahil sum up Denethor as one with a heart as a closed fist to trap and to hold. For all his brilliance, Denethor seems unable to love without grasping and controlling... whether it be a woman or a nation. A troubled and troubling person, indeed, Denethor. I do wonder if, envisioning a future with Denethor as Steward, and perhaps having a strong inkling of who Aragorn truly was, if Imrahil wasn't attempting in his own way to nudge fate along in a direction he would have much preferred. A very thought-provoking tale. Thank you for writing it.

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing, Cairistiona! Actually, it's Adrahil, Finduilas' father, who is offering Thorongil his daughter rather than Imrahil (Finduilas' brother), but it's easy to confuse the names. Yes, Denethor did tend to hold tightly to that which he loved most; something that many people did, but it did him and his sons no good, poor guy. I think that Finduilas knew at least to some extent what she was getting into and could probably handle Denethor better than most; and that she did love him.

daw the minstrel · 17 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

Lovely details and a realistic portrayal of temptation that a fine man resists. You made both the temptation and the resistance real.

Author's reply

I'm glad the story worked for you, Daw. I thought that Thorongil would have been seriously tempted; but that he also had the perception and morality to hold out for what could still be his without interfering in the love of others. Thanx for reviewing!

Linda Hoyland · 17 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

A very moving and thought provoking story full of what ifs? Maybe Finduilas would have been happier with Aragorn but would they both have always hankered after their true loves? A nice explanation for the origins of the cloak.I liked this story very much.

Author's reply

Thanks much for the review, Linda. Aragorn would have probably been easier to live with than Denethor, but Finduilas would not have forgotten the man she truly loved; and Aragorn would have always wondered what might have been if he had gone back and wooed Arwen as a mature man.

Lady Bluejay · 17 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

Love it. Such a believable rendering, and so nice to see Dol Amroth in a different Time. LBJ

Author's reply

Thanks, L.B.; I'm delighted that you find it believable. I had to stint on descriptions of the keep of Dol Amroth, but I imagine it to be a place both powerful and beautiful, and that the Princes of Dol Amroth throw great parties.

inzilbeth · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

Ah, wonderful, Raksha, oh what might have been. You've certainly given us plenty to think about here. As such a celebrated captain, beloved by the Steward, I'm sure he had no shortage of offers of this kind. How strong then his love for Arwen, even without any promise, that that he never accepted any of them. Interesting discussion of what might have been if Aragorn hadn't been on the Quest. I would go so far as to say it would have ended in Bree without him! Thank you for another delightful and entertaining piece.

Author's reply

I imagine that there were plenty of lords and captains, and their wives, who dangled their marriageable daughters before Ecthelion's favorite Captain; but when the Prince of Dol Amroth offers you the hand of his fairest daughter, you have to know that you've Arrived in Gondorian society. I think Adrahil knew that Thorongil was at least connected to the remnants of Isildur's line, he certainly knew that Thorongil had some kind of lordship or estate in the North, and he thought Finduilas would have a better life with him than with Denethor. I think that other Rangers might have been able to get the Hobbits out of Bree. But in my unwritten AU future that stems from Aragorn accepting Adrahil's offer, Aragorn would still meet the hobbits in Bree, having left Denethor to rule Gondor as Steward in his absence (and Boromir and Faramir would be Aragorn's sons, Boromir would probably have a different name; and they'd be doing pretty much the same thing at least through 3018). So Aragorn would have still been Rangering through the wilderlands to find and capture Gollum and bring him, and his fateful knowledge, to Gandalf's attention. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Inzilbeth!

Larner · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

Ah! Perfect, Raksha! I thought I might have read a bit of Anglachel's influence here. And I can understand Adrahil wishing Finduilas a marriage with perhaps more chance of hope of peace than the one she accepted. But I do believe that Denethor would have truly loved her before asking for her hand. And The Hands of the King is one of the best written fanfics I've ever read, I think. Certainly one of the most compelling.

Author's reply

I think Denethor fell hard for Finduilas and set his sights on her months before this story occured; and I think Finduilas loved him well. Hands of the King is certainly compelling. Anglachel is a good writer who in my opinion should be writing modern thrillers or historical novels set in Byzantium.

MP brennan · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

This is a very beautiful and well thought out story. The portrayal of Denethor and Finduilas is very sweet and more touching because you space it out in glimpses. Aragorn's perspective is excellent. And I'm a sucker for Thorongil stories;-)

Author's reply

Thanx for reading and reviewing, MPB. I don't think I've ever written Finduilas before. I'm glad you think I got Aragorn's perspective right. I've only written Denethor and Thorongil once before; and in that story (The Eagle's Gift), Denethor was the narrator; so it was interesting to write the kingly Captain.

Dreamflower · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

I really liked this. It was a realistic and all too believable temptation. The saddest part of all is that *both* Thorongil and Adrahil were right: Yes, Finduilas' heart was already given elsewhere (and Thorongil's as well, even if he believes it will be unrequited at this point). Yes, Denethor could not give her the time and attention she would need when she moved to that cold stone City. In some ways, it was a no-win situation for Adrahil. Perhaps his daughter would have lived longer, if he had refused her hand to Denethor, but she would have been no happier.

Author's reply

Thanks for a very well-written review, Dreamflower. Loving Denethor was not an easy or even the best possible choice. But Finduilas did love him, and I think she made that decision with her eyes open. I think they loved each other very much, despite Denethor probably not being easy to live with; but if Finduilas had married Hirluin the Fair, she might have lived longer, being farther away from Sauron's influence - which I think was a cause of her early demise, though perhaps not the only one. Definitely a no-win situation for Adrahil.

Annawen Ereiniel · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

A fascinating look at how single choices may totally change the course of history--how close Aragorn came in this chapter to altering the story as we know it! Your Aragorn is believable and utterly human, and I like the little touch of agency you've brought to Finduilas. You've done it again, Raksha; you've produced an intriguing short piece that I'll surely return to again and again. Thank you!

Author's reply

While I think Aragorn was a superb example of Numenorean fortitude, I think he might have been tempted to betray his love for Arwen, especially since at that time the love was pretty much unrequited. Refusing Adrahil would have been easier if Finduilas were homely, or a pretty airhead. Thanx much for a lovely review! I'm so glad you thought my version of Aragorn was believable; he's not an easy character to write.

shirebound · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

who could resist my claim to the throne if I became the son-by-marriage of the greatest lord in Gondor saving only the Steward, and then presented myself as I truly was, the heir of Isildur and Elendil, rightful King of this realm? Ohh, a temptation indeed. This is beautifully written, and I love the title.

Author's reply

Thanx, Shirebound - I did have fun with that title. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Yes, Thorongil was plenty tempted; I figure that he longed to settle down and have what other men had, wives and families, not to mention helping the Northern Dunedain; and it had been over two decades since he had laid eyes on Arwen.

phyloxena · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

"His heart is like a fist, to trap and hold." This is wonderful. Good thing Thorongil always knows the right thing to do. It would be interesting to imagine how the Ring War would go (not too well, most likely) if Aragorn married Finduilas and claimed kingship. On the one hand, Frodo still can go, Aragorn isn't instrumental for his progress, and he might divert Sauron's and nazguls' attention even better already sticking out on top of the tower. On the other... Who would help Frodo in Ithilien?

Author's reply

Aragorn isn't crucial to Frodo's progress, at least not after Amon Hen; but I think an Heir of Isildur was needed to save Frodo from worse injury or seizure by the Nazgul at Amon Sul; though perhaps a Nazgul-prepared Ranger could have done it. But an Heir of Isildur was needed to save Minas Tirith from the Corsairs by enlisting the Dead. Aragorn, being the best huntsman and tracker since Beren or whatever, was also needed to find Gollum. In fact, I can see one path where Aragorn does find Gollum and goes on the Quest of Mount Doom; and Frodo would still encounter Faramir in Ithilien. I'm glad you liked the story, phyloxena. Thanks for reviewing.

nancylea57 · 16 February 2009 · Chapter 0: The Temptation of Hope

have not read in its less polished version so don't know how much elbow grease you used but this sparkled and shined so pretty i hope you might have more somewhere. i adored the way you gave aragorn such poise and honor on the high ground of his refusal. yes findulas and he might have made a decent pair, but i think she was pretty close to all denethor ever had. and they had a good life by most of the reading i have seen lately.just very short. anyway this was a great valentine two days late.

Author's reply

Thanx for the review, Nancy. Yes, I do believe that Finduilas and Denethor loved each other deeply; and he did deserve something that was his entirely. I doubt that marriage to Denethor was a total walk in the park, but Finduilas probably knew something of his faults before she agreed to wed him; and I think she knew great happiness with him. I do think she had some problems due to living in Minas Tirith, perhaps a heightened sensitivity to the bad vibrations from Barad-dur, that and medical problems (perhaps from childbirth) might have united to weaken her and cause her death. I also have an idea for an AU stemming from Aragorn's making a different choice here, and opting for Finduilas' hand and the keys to the South-Kingdom. I doubt I'll ever get around to writing it, though; but I think Finduilas would have been very unhappy.