Fragments of a love story by Nesta
Blueberry · 11 September 2010 · Chapter 12: The rainbow
Amazing story! Though in the following sentence you have a little mistake: even all the ladies who think Elboron should have married one of their daughters... I think that should be 'Eldarion' :) But otherwise your story is truly beautiful, even if it's a bit sad. Will you write anything with Firiel yet? Would love to see a sequel, perhaps how she helds her firstborn child in her arms...
Rian Steelsheen · 31 May 2010 · Chapter 12: The rainbow
A sad story, but I'm sure she will move on, won't she? I think I rather like Eldarion's character, he certainly seem to be a resolute guy. But I prefer Elboron, he is a lot warmer and fun. What will happen to her when Faramir dies? How old he was when she was born? I loved reading this, of course!
Author's reply
I'm sure Firiel did move on, particularly once she had children. I imagined Firiel being born when F. and E. had been married for ten years ago, so F. would still have been young by Numenorean standards. Firiel would of course be utterly devastated when he died - a bit like Arwen after losing Aragorn - but she'd live on for her children's sake. I think she'd end up being a loving friend to her husband, but no more; actually that's not a bad basis for a long marriage.
Caraid · 17 November 2009 · Chapter 12: The rainbow
This is... this is so beautiful. Achingly, bittersweet and melancholy, but above all, so beautiful. I could cry. I'll write a proper review later, or I'll try my best to, but I just had to say that before leaving. Thank you so much for this story. It made my day, truly it did. Thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I'm, glad you enjoyed reading the story. I so love this family!
Silmarien · 25 March 2009 · Chapter 3: The flowering
"Fíriel was most often to be found sitting in the deep embrasure of one of our south-facing windows, gazing wistfully into the distance, with Father’s house dogs at her feet radiating sympathetic gloom as only dogs can." LOL. Only too true of dogs.
Author's reply
Yes, my dog's like that. When I'm ill, which mercifully happens seldom, he lies on the bed and looks patient and melancholy. It's very consoling!
phyloxena · 25 March 2009 · Chapter 11: The wedding gift
Turin is great. Not too happy, but master of his own life. I liked him before, and still like him very much.
Rugi · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 8: The changing of the world
I thought it was so fascinating to see Aragorn being forced to adapt to the future that he helped create. Aragorn brought into the present some of the best of what was in the past (the nobler qualities of the kings, his elven wife, the flowering of the tree) and those things certainly had value. But it never occurred to me, until now, that this love of the past might result in a sort of narrowness of mind or character. I thought it was interesting to consider that Faramir embraced, almost instinctively and unconsciously, the future - his marriage, his decision to give up the ruling Stewardship - while still loving the past. And I loved the moment between Turin and his father - Turin sounded so young and frustrated - a part of a new world which wants to make its own way without having to mourn or venerate what's happened before. Eldarion will be the first of the "new kings" who never knew the world as it was. It seems proper, to me, that he would be one to abandon a tradition that no longer suited him (and wouldn't even make sense to him as he never lived during a time when his "line" was in danger of going extinct). But I think you also show well the pain and horror of actually being a "revolutionary." Being the wife of the prince that breaks with tradition isn't going to be easy or fun. The people who change the world often don't get to really enjoy the changes fully.
Author's reply
That's a very thoughtful review, Rugi - thank you! I do think Aragorn (or is it JRRT?) is a bit too taken up with his lineage and with looking back at past splendours. JRRT does say somewhere that that was what did for the elves - they couldn't or wouldn't change and were left behind by Time. This comes out strongly when the Company leave Lorien. On the other hand, rushing unthinkingly into change and jettisoning the past is a very bad idea; I think we do far too much of that nowadays. Turin might be like that. A wise man will try to strike a balance, like Faramir and Aragorn, and ultimately, one hopes, Eldarion too.
Rugi · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 3: The flowering
I really love this story. It has the aura of melancholy and sacrifice that was all over the original books. This chapter really made me consider issues of marriage for individuals, particularly women, of status. Their position in life demands sacrifices of self which are quite unique. I thought it was interesting that you mentioned Lothiriel. I always wondered what life might have been like for her, whether she would be happy, married into Rohan and taken away from the ocean and everyone she knew - that's the unfortunate destiny of most princesses - some find happiness and some don't. It reminded me of Medea's speech in the Euripides play about the fate of women to go alone to foreign lands (not that I think either Lothiriel or Firiel would end up like her). I enjoyed the interaction between the children - Turin's uncomfortable truths made me think that Faramir might have been a difficult child, in some ways, as well. Turin speaks in part because he lacks sufficient compassion, which Faramir certainly has in abundance, but I think they both would have slipped up with unfortunate truths that others did not wish to hear or face. I thought in some ways that Firiel also was rightly forced to confront the unsustainable, if beautiful, relationship she had with her father. She would eventually have to grow up and leave - change comes inevitably (even through the death of one of the parties). Part of me thinks that if Eldarion hadn't made an appearance, something else would have forced the issue. Better to create the future than stay permanently in the past.
Author's reply
Even nowadays members of royal families can't always marry where they wish - wasn't it in Norway they had quite a big scandal when the heir to the throne recently married a woman with a Past, not to mention a toddler? And when they do marry 'suitably', like Charles and Diana, it doesn't necessarily work out. There are lots of 'happy Lothiriel' stories aruond, but yes, I do wonder. Luckily, unhappy princesses don't always chop up their fathers-in-law and boil them, as Medea did if I remember rightly. I'm sure Faramir was a difficult child in some ways, particularly for his father. This certainly seems to come out in their relationship in RoTK, when Denethor virtually says that Faramir has made a habit of defying him. That's what happens when two very strong personalities clash in the same family; in RoTK Denethor holds all the cards and uses them ruthlessly. I've got a story on ff.net in which I try to show Faramir taking a wiser approach to his own difficult son. Fíriel would certainly have had to leave Ithilien in the end, and Faramir must have known that from the beginning, though that doesn't make the final parting any easier - as Elrond found. If Elrond didn't exactly hang on to Arwen, he didn't make it easy for her to leave him, either; but the cirumstances were different, of course.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 12: The rainbow
It is possible to learn to love another, and hopefully she is learning to do so. I loved the inclusion of the Hobbits (but then that's my nature!) in this story. And I am glad her decision was her own in the end, as it is more likely the gift of love for her husband will be accepted by her when it comes indeed. A wonderful story. Thank you!
Author's reply
I'm sure the hobbits were frequent visitors to Fornost once the North Kingdom had been put to rights. It would be an easier trip than to Gondor, so long as you dodged the barrow-wights! Yes, Fíriel will learn to love Eldarion in the end. Personally I think there's a lot to be said for the get-married-first, fall-in-love afterwards approach; it's better than falling in love, getting married and then falling out of love, which happens quite often, alas.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 11: The wedding gift
The gift was indeed the perfect one, one truly worthy of its recipient and her future status. But it was born of an imperfect love. I am glad Haur accepted the payment given him and made all things right in redoing it. I only wish that Turin and Firiel had been able to know full appreciation of one another through its bestowal.
Author's reply
Túrin isn't very lovable, I'm afraid. He'll certainly never marry, but he has a heart nonetheless. Actually I think it's better if people who are supremely talented in one direction don't marry: they tend to be ruthless in their dedication and that is very hard on the other people.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 10: Moon-magic
It is tearing her apart, isn't it? Now, to set things right!
Author's reply
Love and being loved does tear people apart. People whose love isn't requited come in for a lot of sympathy, but I think people who are loved by someone they can't love in return deserve some sympathy as well. It can be a painful and embarrassing situation and it gives one an enormous power to hurt, which is an awful feeling unless you actually like hurting people.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 9: The choice
Ah--too often duty compels one where the heart does not lead.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 8: The changing of the world
Ah--I love this sea-change in Aragorn. Now there is but the Lady to convince, and I suspect that the convincing will be VERY difficult.
Author's reply
Yes, it certainly will! Of course, the real love story here isn't between Eldarion and Fíriel, it's between Fíriel and Faramir. In the end they have to renounce one another, renunciation being a central LoTR theme.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 7: Waiting
He IS having a time of it, isn't he? Personally, I don't see Aragorn as adamant as this, but then that is just me. I can see him conspiring with his son, in fact; and the very fact he, too, loved one thought unequal to him, if above rather than below, would grant him more empathy. But I can understand this Aragorn's appreciation of the blood lineage he seeks to protect, as misguided as I might perceive it to be.
Author's reply
Maybe I am a bit rough on Aragorn. I must admit that Aragorn the Parago(r)n gets on my nerves occasionally in the book, the way he keeps on reciting his pedigree and assuming that he's entitled to everything because of it. The fact that he apparently IS entitled to everything rather irritates me too, although it's an impeccable bit of Romance plot (predestined hero and all that). I've always been a Stewardist myself. The way I put it to myself was that Aragorn had staked so much on his ancestry that he was bound to keep it up if he could - but he truly is facing a different world, and has to realise it in the end. As for Aragorn's own marriage, he was marrying someone of much higher lineage than himself, so that only ennobles his famous 'lineage'. Eldarion might be seen as wanting to do the opposite.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 6: The return
I caught the "The Last Ship" reference at once, of course, although my favorite in that collection is "The Cat." And I love that it inspired this story and your Firiel. Am currently writing about the original of that name, myself! Ardor on the part of those of Telcontar's line has been rather singleminded, hasn't it? And now to see how it all plays out! I'd wondered if Legolas was involved in one way or another with her disappearances, and am pleased to know I was right.
Author's reply
At long last, another TB fan! I like 'The Cat' as well - it seems so simple, and yet it plays so cleverly with words and rhymes. Very true about what cats are like, too, although a friend of mine has a cat who's so fat she's spherical, and who plainly never dreams of anything but cream. Legolas didn't engineer Fíriel's disappearances, but he did welcome her. I think that quite soon in the Fourth Age, Elves would start to retreat from Men until they became a bit of a legend. As for going over Sea, I don't think this really happened - it was just the dream-form taken by Fíriel's desire to escape. I don't think the Fíriel poem is meant to be 'real' either, because Elves didn't pick up people and take them to Valinor just like that. As I wanted to work it, the poem is a Gondorian folktale remotely based on Fíriel's adventure.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 5: The flight
Running away is never the best strategy, but it does offer respite and distance, so I understand the allure of it. And Faramir is right. Poor Eldarion--not master of his own fate--or perhaps moreso than Faramir currently foresees. I suppose we must learn the answer to that eventually.
Author's reply
Yes, you can be the heir to the greatest kingdom on earth - which Eldarion is - and still be quite powerless to command people's feelings. As for Fíriel, she'll come back when she's got over the shock, but she needs a respite - good word. Elves are good at providing that, as when the Company sojourns in Lórien.
Fantasia · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 12: The rainbow
This is a beautiful story. I remember that I read before one of your stories about Faramir and his family, from Elboron POV when he relates his family, Firiel and Turin, must of his childhood and I recall the bond of Faramir and his daughter and Turin strange behavior and how he ends in the House of Healing and how good he was despite his strange personality; but I didn't remember an unhappy Firiel after being married. I suppose that we can hope for better times after the rainbow sign...BTW, what a beautiful story the one of the ice maiden and the sun. Another detail that liked, is when you tlak about the blood purity, the North can keep all the purity but that didn’t help to save their Kingdom, the south mixed and prevail, you are right, dynamic is what keep Human beings adapting and surviving for ages. Good for Aragorn to see it. Thank you and keep writing, you see that I've read your stories and keep looking for more.
Author's reply
That's a very generous tribute, Fantasia - thank you! I'm glad you remembered the family from my earlier stories. I've got awfully fond of them, even Túrin. I think Fíriel will be happy in the end when she has children - it will reflect back on their father. You're so right about this purity of blood business. The Steward seem to have a lot of commmon sense and I think they served Gondor exceedingly well. And so would Faramir, if Aragorn hadn't happened along.
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 4: The wooing
Ah--Eldarion! What a shock to the young man! Alas he must know such rejection. Alas she should be blind to his love.
Author's reply
Inescapable fact: being a great man or woman doesn't enable you to compel people to love you. It's really hard to believe that just by loving someone you can force them to love you hack, but it's true. I know! Author Reply: Inescapable fact: being a great man or woman doesn't enable you to compel people to love you. It's really hard to believe that just by loving someone you can't force them to love you back, but it's true. I know!
Larner · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 3: The flowering
And so love is kindled in the heart of the King's son, is it? Interesting!
Author's reply
Ah yes, he's not immune!
Larner · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 2: The moon-child
A wonderful communion between father and daughter in this case. I am glad the new child helped to heal the loss of the other. Nothing takes the place of the lost child, but it is indeed possible and desirable to know joy in spite of the loss, as you noted earlier.
Author's reply
I don't think someone who has ever known unhappiness can know the deepest happiness. I always wondered about the Eldar in this connection - the ones that went to Aman and just stayed there, not joining the great revolt and never experiencing the sorrows of Middle Earth. Seems a bit dull to me - but then, I'm human.
Larner · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 1: Flesh of my flesh
Sometimes the greatest joys are rooted in the deepest sadness.
Author's reply
Life seems to be like that, alas. And in the fact that happiness never lasts; that's what makes it so intense. I think that is woven very deeply into all Tolkien's Middle Earth writings.
Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 12: The rainbow
What a heartbreak. Eowyn's daughter condemned to the cage that Eowyn escaped; bound to a place, a life and a man she cannot love. I don't understand why Firiel couldn't just turn down Eldarion; or why Aragorn let his son so fiercely pursue and then marry a woman who didn't love him. Firiel is in a living hell here; and Eldarion is sharing it, or at least much of it, because he knows she's just going through the motions. I can only hope that Firiel will have a child or two that she can love. If she doesn't, I could see her dwindling into a cold, sad shadow of herself, losing her real self forever.
Author's reply
Very forcible objections; I wrestled with them for a long time! However, I think if Eldarion had been finally sent packing, he'd have been the one to become a shadow of himself, even if he'd married many years later purely to carry on the dynasty. I think Fíriel will eventually come round, indeed through having children. She'd love her children very fiercely and that will eventually work back to their father. She's too passionate by nature to remain cold for ever.
Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 10: Moon-magic
I loved Firiel's telling Elboron how proud their father is of him; poor fellow doesn't seem to realize. Nice bits of moon-magic in Firiel's supposed bringing of prosperity to the harvests.
Author's reply
Elboron is an unduly humble sort of chap, I think - he has to grow up in Faramir's shadow, and that's bound to be hard to live up to! Superstitions grow very rapidly sometimes - look at all those 'urban folktales' that have developed recently. And fertility dances seem to be pretty common in various societies.
Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 9: The choice
This is sorrowful - Firiel is accepting a prison that others have made for her. I assume that she's accepting Eldarion's suit because he's still saying he will wed no one but her, and she knows that he and Gondor need heirs? But can't Faramir or Aragorn see that Eldarion is doing a terrible thing here and convince him to stop pursuing a woman who does not want him? It's also a bit unclear whether Firiel could be incapable of loving a man because she is so bound emotionally to her father, or is capable of finding love but not with Eldarion. In my Fourth Age universe, I also imagine that Eldarion weds someone of Faramir's blood, but there is love on both sides.
Author's reply
I'm not sure it is a terrible thing that Eldarion is doing, nor that the others are wrong to let it happen. In most of Tolkien's marriages, either the feelings of the couple are not examined (e.g. Elrond and Celebrian) or it's assumed that they love once and for all (e.g. Beren and Lúthien). In the real world, though, it's very often the case that people marry because they're 'in love' and then rapidly fall out of love, and either separate or fight it out until they've found a way to jog along. Arguably it's better to marry without 'being in love' and go into the relationship knowing you're going to have to work very hard at it. That must be the case with most 'dynastic' marriages, in Middle Earth and outside it.
Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 8: The changing of the world
Good characterisation of Aragorn here; King of Men, but wise enough to change a decision. And he still has his wry sense of humor in his thoughts about Master Turin. But why do neither Faramir nor Aragorn even speak about Miriel's not being in love with Eldarion?
Author's reply
As I see it (perhaps it doesn't come over) the kind of love that Eldarion feels simply can't take account of the beloved's feelings in the matter: when you feel that kind of love you will take the person on any terms, even by force (mental or physical). It sounds selfish, and indeed it is, but it's also very painful for the lover, and the beloved may end up accepting him/her out of sheer pity or exhaustion. Fíriel's trouble is that she loves Faramir so much that no other person is ever going to come between them. She marries out of a sense of duty, knowing that Eldarion means what he says when he declares he will never marry anybody else, and that gives meaning to her decision. Otherwise she'd stay in Ithilien forever, and be barren, which would be worse for her in the end.
Raksha The Demon · 23 March 2009 · Chapter 6: The return
Oh, she's that Firiel - what a stroke of fanfictional genius! I don't think Aragorn would have wed Arwen if Arwen had not loved him, though.
Author's reply
I always loved that particular poem in 'Tom Bombadil'. I'm one of the comparatively few admirers of Tolkien's verse overall! Arwen was different anyway, I think. She was 'too far above' Aragorn for him to dream of influencing her in any way that didn't come from deep inside her. And who knows what inner struggles she went through before and after being betrothed to him?