Ellynn · 3 January 2013 · Chapter 99999: Note
If you have more bunnies - go for it! :)
Author's reply
I will but probably not for a while now. Thanks for the encouragement! :) *hugs* Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Till We Have Faces by Antane
Reviews (148)
Fiondil · 30 December 2012 · Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen
I have been reading this all along and have enjoyed it very much. This is a perfect way to end the story, if that is what you wish to do, but if you ever decide to continue it, I will gladly read it. Thank you for a lovely story. May you lived blessed.
Author's reply
Le hannon, Fiondil! You honor me with your praise. So glad you have enjoyed! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 29 December 2012 · Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen
Oh, yes--each sings to brothers left behind and gone forward, to family lost and family found and family to come. And the healing comes as it will! Lovely!
Author's reply
Le hannon, my dear Larner! Happy New Year! *hugs* Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
shirebound · 29 December 2012 · Chapter 99999: Note
Happy Yule, Antane. I would love to read more, but only if you're inspired to write more. If not, this is a wonderful and peaceful place to end.
shirebound · 29 December 2012 · Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen
A lovely way to celebrate Yule, and the ending of the year (and beginning of another). Thank you for this sweet and love-filled chapter.
Author's reply
So happy you enjoyed it, my dear! As far as continuing, I don't think it would be a problem to find inspiration but finding time! We shall see. Happy New Year! *hugs* Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 24 December 2012 · Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen
They cannot fully know the horror and pain he knew bearing the Ring, but I understand and empathise with both points of view--that he showed the greatest courage even with his lack of knowledge of what specifically he would face, and that in many ways it was probably best that he didn't know what was coming.
Author's reply
Yes, only he knew, but they had some small idea and they recognize his worth even if he doesn't. Merry (and Frodo and Sam and Pippin and Bilbo) Christmas! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) *hugs*
Agape4Gondor · 23 December 2012 · Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen
As I read this, I thought - you are a fool, Agape, for reading this the day before Christmas Eve when the children are coming over for joy and peace. My heart just burst - and it was not of joy - as I read the first part. Tears welled and I was not happy. Yet - you ended it so beautifully that I can go forward today. Little courage is needed for making this evening's feast. Bless you for continuing on. I know it must be difficult at times to right of such sorrow. Merry Christmas!
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed despite the pain it caused! Merry (and Frodo and Sam and Pippin and Bilbo) Christmas right back! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) *hugs*
shirebound · 22 December 2012 · Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen
You had the freedom to say no but you choose to use the same freedom to say yes. There's such powerful, gentle wisdom in this tale.
Author's reply
Thanks, my dear! Merry (and Frodo and Sam and Pippin and Bilbo) Christmas! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) *hugs*
Linda Hoyland · 20 December 2012 · Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen
I truly feel for poor Boromir here. I could think of nothing worse than knowing I could never go home.
Author's reply
It is the worst of shocks and has had a bunch to deal with. But I suspect he is going to find a new home here and a new family. Merry Christmas and Happy Yule! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 17 December 2012 · Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen
And now they will learn to live again together. Alas that they have lost so much, but at least they have not lost all.
Author's reply
That is definitely something they will do - each to claim their own rose amidst the thorns and in part, especially for Boromir, because of each other. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
shirebound · 15 December 2012 · Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen
there must be some great purpose for the Powers to give you the same gift they gave us. It was not lightly given. What a moving and thoughtful thing to say.
Author's reply
Le hannon, my dear! I thought it was a nice thing to say too. :) And also his words, the same he used with Sam, to say now to Boromir. They both have a lot of adjusting to do and Boromir more than Frodo. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 11 December 2012 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Definitely a shock to anyone hearing such news. I don't blame Boromir for breaking down as he did.
Author's reply
Me either. How else could he react to such, poor man. But as I told shirebound, at least the worst has been revealed and he will have to work through as he can. There was a purpose that Ulmo brought him here. Hopefully he will have peace in discovering what that is. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
shirebound · 8 December 2012 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Oh, how heartbreaking! How will this warrior live in peace without a king to serve?
Author's reply
Well, that remains to be seen, doesn't it? But at least the greatest and worst shock is known now and he's going to have to work through it just as much as Frodo does. Ulmo had a purpose in bringing him here. Being with Frodo is definitely going to help. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Agape4Gondor · 8 December 2012 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Oh my! These last chapters have been very hard to read.... beautifully written so that my heart squeezes in pain.
Author's reply
I'm glad you are enjoying if that's the right word. I am honored. :) This is not easy for either of them but they have each other and that's going to make a difference in Boromir's life. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Agape4Gondor · 8 December 2012 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Oh my! Scream Frodo if you wish..... And Gondorian soldiers only screamed in nightmares or when taken by unspeakable evil.... Excellent, though chilling chapter.
Author's reply
I first used 'scream therapy' in my huge epic from years ago now when there was a space-time rip and the Ring had to be destroyed all over again and the Quest taken up once more. Not an easy thing for Frodo to do as he was already suffering from PTSD from the first time. After it was over the second time, Aragorn took him away and counseled him to do that if he wanted to. After he got home, he tried to keep it from Sam that he still did it away from Bag End, but Sam only needed to take one look at him and know he had a sore throat and wordlessly hand him some raspberry leaf tea for it and Frodo knew he was found out! I think some Gondorian soldiers would certainly be affected by PTSD themselves but try to hide it and leave when they could no longer endure the torment and so the screams. Terrible indeed are the wounds to the hearts and souls of those who have fought evil even to this day. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Agape4Gondor · 8 December 2012 · Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve
Oh my goodness. Someone wanted it more than you..... *shudders*
Author's reply
I loved that part myself. :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 3 December 2012 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
He is wise, although he cannot know that Frodo has already received as much healing as Faramir and Aragorn were able to dispense, and that this is why he is where he is.
Author's reply
He will learn about this and also that he can do much to help that healing to continue. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
curiouswombat · 1 December 2012 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
What an emotion-filled chapter, for both of them - and how good that Boromir could help Frodo find some release. I feel so sorry for Boromir when he finally finds out that he cannot bring Frodo to Aragorn, to Faramir...
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed! Yes, the worst shocks are to come but they will have each other and find that important and healing in its own way. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
shirebound · 1 December 2012 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Boromir had no answer. He merely did what he had wanted to do for some time, what he knew his brother would do, what he had done himself when he and Faramir were lads. He held out his arms. Such pain, and such compassion. This is a wonderful story.
Author's reply
Thank you, my dear! I am glad you are enjoying - and enduring all the overflowing angst so well. :) Up to this point Boromir has basically been operating on WWFD - what would Faramir do? - but he's going to learn more and more to do this on his own, from his own heart as he is already starting to. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Linda Hoyland · 26 November 2012 · Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve
You make me wish it had happened like this in the book! It will be hard for Boromir when he learns he cannot go home.
Author's reply
It's fun to write this. Yes, if Boromir has had shocks before, he ain't felt anything yet, poor man. Glad you are enjoying! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 24 November 2012 · Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve
Yes, time for full disclosure to begin. And he believes he's in Rivendell? Interesting, but a logical enough assumption.
Author's reply
Rivendell was the last place he saw Bilbo and Elrond so he has no other reference, and the worst of disclosures is yet to come. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Agape4Gondor · 22 November 2012 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven
Whoa! Harsh. War is horrid. I very much like how you put Boromir's feelings into this chapter. Of course, I'm dying for Frodo... but as Boromir noted, some do recover. Of course, I expect Boromir to do his mightiest to 'save' Frodo from such a fate.
Author's reply
I think, despite what Boromir feels about being unfit to help, he is uniquely suited in some ways to do so. He has felt the same Ring-lust Frodo has and in a stronger degree than any except Bilbo (and Gollum of course but I'm not counting him) and having fought the forces of the Enemy, he would be well acquainted with PTSD as seen in others he fought beside. We shall see how everything unfolds but they are going to be good for each other for sure. Thanks for the review! (And Happy Thanksgiving if that applies! I am grateful myself that you asked this story to continue and are enjoying it so much, if that is the right word.) :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Larner · 19 November 2012 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven
I rejoice that he is finding healing in helping care for Boromir, and that the description of how the ring-lust faded once Aragorn forgave Boromir helps restore Frodo's own hope.
Author's reply
And I am pleased that you are rejoicing and reviewing, my dear Larner! I was thinking that it would make sense that once Boromir had confessed and been absolved of his sins as it were that the Ring would have no more power over him. And I'm certainly in favor of anything that will give Frodo hope! He does indeed have a long and hard road to travel. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
shirebound · 17 November 2012 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven
You write so beautifully. I love phrases like 'unmapped darkness'. And this is wonderful... the terrible power that had torn them apart and now united them
Author's reply
Thank you, my dear! I actually stole the unmapped darkness from a book called that that I am almost done reading. Research purposes, you know. :) I like the terrible power quote too. Great minds think alike! :) :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Agape4Gondor · 13 November 2012 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
First, I love poor Boromir's reaction to the fact that Arwen was queen. That was priceless. And his near aching for Faramir. *sighs* And Boromir indeed had heard the foul lies of the Ring, lived and died with them in his ears. Who better to understand Frodo's grief at its loss and yet not truly understand. My heart breaks for Frodo. I think forgiving oneself is the most difficult task ever given someone. I am so glad Boromir is with him. Perhaps the Valar saved the man to save Frodo. *crosses fingers in hope* I have always imagined that Frodo's torment did not leave him when he passed through the vale.........
Author's reply
Thank you! I was looking forward to your thoughts. :) I think their joint Ring-lust is the reason Frodo talked about it because Boromir was afflicted also. I don't think he would have revealed it otherwise. I agree that his pain would have continued for some time in the West until he was able to work it all through and finally understand and believe that he was not to blame. He was essentially brutally raped and he's got to get over that however he can before he can heal. Boromir's got a huge task in front of him, but he won't be alone. I also think the Valar allowed him to come for his own sake but it could very well be for Frodo too. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)