Wow, I love this story! Boromir returned, brothers sharing a dream, hounds recoiling (they remind me of the red and white hounds of the Wild Hunt in Welsh legends), elves sensing an otherworldly presence... What isn't to love? I'm just truly surprised at the lack of reviews, but then again, people read but don't review much anymore.
This is my kind of story. Not only the unique idea of Boromir returning, not as a ghost, but truly as a solid person, and the brothers being able to reunite. For a time, probably, but still. Who did not want Boromir to return and give Faramir a huge hug and tell him, "Well done!". I'm just sad Denethor never had that chance, but hopefully he found his peace in Namo's care.
I hope you continute this. I know it's draining when so few readers feed the writer, but the tale is captivating and I can't wait to see what is going on in Minas Tirith where the valiant dead return!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for reviewing!
For the past few months, I've been cleaning up the grammar in some of my older writing (pruning unnecessary adverbs, that sort of thing), but I do mean to return to this tale and finish it.
Sadly, fan culture seems to have moved away from interaction between writers and readers. I do get more reviews here than at Archive of Our Own or FF.net, even though there are more readers on those sites.
Thanks again!
curiouswombat
· 5 May 2019
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
How good to see that this story is continuing - thank you so much!
And how fascinating the update is - I do hope the muse behaves and you can write more of it.
Author's reply
Thanks for the kind review!
Raksha The Demon
· 20 April 2019
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Did my other review not go through? Anyway, wonderful to see that you're alive and (hopefully) well and still writing terrific chapters. Please continue to update this fascinating story!
Author's reply
Hi Raksha!
Still alive and kicking. I'd like to get back into writing. Fingers crossed. Hope all is well with you and the doggos. Thanks for the review!
Florrie
· 23 May 2014
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Incredible story! I wish you'd add more too it. :)
Linda Hoyland
· 12 January 2012
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
I'm enjoying this story very much from it's "Hamlet" like beginnings to poor Faramir's shock and amazement. Trust Boromir to be a far from typical ghost. I had to laugh at fetching a healer for a ghost. You have me worried about the white Tree.
Larner
· 12 January 2012
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
It's time for them to investigate the cistern chamber, I'd deem.
Larner
· 12 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
An all too accurate comment on his cousin is that last thought of Eldahil's! Poor Faramir. And Hirluin WOULD return betimes!
Larner
· 12 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
An awful job for Eldahil. And I agree with Boromir--he's here for a reason, and not likely to be forced to flee by mere sunrise.
Fiondil
· 9 January 2012
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
"Every Elf in my household sensed the presence of one who is not of this world."
And what better proof does Faramir need than this? *grin* I do hope he listens to Arwen. She knows of what she speaks.
Looking forward to reading more, Branwyn, but I hope it's sooner rather than later becsuse the suspense is killing me. *LOL!*
Author's reply
Thanks for the kind review. This story isn't getting much response so I'm not sure how soon I will update it. I'm sort of fed by reviews, lol. (But I appreciate yours, so thanks.)
Agape4Gondor
· 8 January 2012
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
*shivers*
Another haunting (pun intended) chapter. I didn't get a notification. I'm glad another's story brought me here.
Poor Faramie AND poor Boromir. I was cold just watching him. Boromir is showing great restraint. I think if he stood before anyone else, he would be ranring and raving. This shows his great love and respect for his brother. Well written.
I was never so glad to see Arwen. This burden placed upon Faramur was beyond endurance. That he cobtrolled himself so well in the face of horroe and joy,,,
Pray continue, Lady Branwyn. A masteeful tale.
Author's reply
I think Boromir has more self-discipline than people give him credit for. In the book, he often disagrees with the decisions taken by the Fellowship, but he usually makes his rather snarky objection and leaves it at that. And not only does he love and respect Faramir, but he knows that he is already seen as suspect and wouldn't improve his situation by acting like a maniac. *grin*
Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Raksha The Demon
· 23 December 2011
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Boromir is still getting Eldahil into trouble, I see!
But a sad, emotional, and slightly scary reunion between Faramir and Boromir; it will take some getting used for Faramir to have his undead brother around; but, being Faramir, he tries to be compassionate even to someone who might be a creature of sorcery.
More soon, I hope.
Author's reply
Faramir doesn't jump to conclusions (remember how he goes out of his way to be fair to the hobbits in Ithilien), and he never causes unnecessary suffering even to a possible enemy (despite what Peter Jackson would have us think).
The next chapter has been delayed by the holidays, but writing is in progress.
Thanks so much for commenting~
Raksha The Demon
· 23 December 2011
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Awwwww, Eldahil has red and white hunting dogs! You know how much I approve of them! And they get to know their "Uncle Boromir", even if he's undead. Loved it that Boromir continued to be bossy after his death...
Author's reply
Unfortunately, I can't call them spaniels since that is loosely translated as "Spanish dogs." But we both know what kind of dogs they are. :)
Well, Tolkien himself referred to Boromir as Faramir's "bossy older brother."
Thanks so much for commenting!
annmarwalk
· 20 December 2011
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
The blade glimmered in the darkness as he raised it overhead then brought it down in a gleaming arc and turned then raised it again. The steel whistled as it cut the cold air. Back and forth he strode, stepping between the frozen rows of cabbage. For the first time since his return, he seemed almost happy.
This is heartrending after Boromir's initial refusal to bear "honorable arms". How sad that he still bears such guilt even after death!
Mettarë was less than a week away, so houses were hung with garlands of pine, and the cold air was sharp with the scent.
What a gorgeous detail! Now I am homesick for the White City at Mettarë. *grin*
Boromir drew back the hood and regarded them with a cool look. One of the guards peered closely at him and scowled. “You had better have the healers clean that cut on your face, sir, before it begins to fester.”
The guard only sees what he expects to see. Good for Boromir; bad for security.
His words trailed off as he stared at the dead Man. Hand falling to sword hilt, he took a step backwards. “What devilry is this that takes the form of the slain?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.
Aiyeee! Poor Hirluin!
“This is no messenger! He is some foul deceit from the Nameless Land!”
“Let him speak, Lieutenant.” Faramir stared down at the dead Man, both horror and longing in his gaze. Though his voice was steady, his breast rose heavily with each breath, and he caught at the wall with one hand.
Wow, wow, wow.
Dead or alive, Boromir does stir things up, he thought. Then, as he watched, they led the ghost away to speak with the Steward.
Poor Eldahil - all these years he's lain low, and now here he's back and Boromir's gotten him into Big Trouble. "Another fine mess you've gotten us into, Ollie."
Author's reply
I am homesick for the White City at Mettare, too. :)
I did consider how likely it would be for most people to recognize Boromir and came up with the same conclusion--to a certain extent, people see what they expect to see, and they certainly wouldn't expect to see Boromir. It helps that Tolkien gave the Gondorians a strong ethnic "type" with most of them having a very similar appearance. Proud and noble but sad face, dark hair, fair skin, grey eyes, very tall--that describes most of the men in the City. Also, there would be no mass media depictions of his face. We have the images of our celebrities constantly before our eyes (whether we want to see some of them or not), but none of these people would have seen Boromir in over a year.
Yes, poor Hirluin is scared out of his wits by dead Boromir (and understandably so!). Not so sure that Eldahil would have managed to stay out of trouble all those years, though. He probably doesn't need Boromir to get into trouble, lol.
Thanks so much for commenting!
Larner
· 19 December 2011
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
So, someone is attempting to do things within the cistern system, eh? And Irmo is trying to let Faramir know, apparently. So, we have both Boromir and the Lord of Dreams seeking to advise Faramir of a threat to the capital.
As for where Eowyn was before they married, we are told that initially she returned to Rohan with her brother until the Rohirrim returned to fetch Theoden's body back to Edoras for burial, and that she and Faramir were properly handfasted during the burial-kingmaking feast. Was the handfasting merely the formal announcement of their engagement or the wedding itself? In my-verse it was the wedding itself, although I've seen others write it other ways.
Author's reply
I can't yes or no to any of that. :D
My understanding is that they were betrothed, not wed, after Theoden's burial. Tolkien says they were "trothplighted" which means to enter into a betrothal. I've seen references to a marriage date of 3020, but I don't know the source.
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Larner
· 18 December 2011
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
So, he is truly a ghost, eh? Makes things somewhat complicated, but I do believe they will manage to make things right and help him speak with his brother.
Author's reply
Yes, he is a ghost, though revenant might be a better term since he has a corporeal form. Like the Army of the Dead, he lingers because he believes he has an obligation to fulfil; unlike the Army of the Dead, he has a corporeal form (in the books, they seemed like shadows).
Thanks for reviewing. :)
Larner
· 18 December 2011
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Put that way, yes, it seems nearly normal! Heh! Why is his hair wet?
Author's reply
Walking dead Boromir would be scary but far less scary than one of the Nazgul. His hair is wet because he has been recalled from a watery grave, either the river Anduin or the sea (Tolkien doesn't say for certain where his body came to rest, though "it was said" that his boat followed the river until it reached the sea).
Thanks for reviewing!
Larner
· 18 December 2011
· Chapter 0: Prologue
An excellent manner of putting it--thirst and pestilence riding with the Enemy's troops. And love the finding of the penny and how Boromir gave it to their father.
Author's reply
In the "old days," armies in the field typically lost more soldiers to disease than to wounds, and of course, disease devastated cities under siege.
Thanks for your kind review!
curiouswombat
· 18 December 2011
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Oh - good stuff - so much more interesting when things don't quite go plan...
Author's reply
Eldahil is thinking, "Well, that could have gone better..." :)
Thanks for commmenting!
Ah, the meeting at last—yet with another cliffhanger! Faramir seemed quite calm, more controlled than I expected him to be. Very interesting!
Author's reply
I did think about whether Faramir would faint or breakdown (either of which would not be unreasonable reactions to seeing Boromir). However, he has been a soldier for a long time and would have learned to react to shocking situations with analysis and action rather than emotion. He would have learned to focus on the demands of the situation and then sort out the emotional reaction later. So I imagined that that part of Faramir's training and experience just kicked in. He still feels like he is about to have a heart attack from the shock, but he tries to take control of the situation and figure out what is going on. The other reason for his reserve is that he isn't assuming that this is actually Boromir. He protects himself from a very cruel disappointment by reserving judgment until he is certain.
Hope that makes sense. :)
Thanks for commenting!
Author Reply: I thought about what you said, reread and did do some rewrites. So thanks for commenting!
Fiondil
· 16 December 2011
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Well, he's managed to reach his brother, though not quite the way he'd planned. Hopefully Faramir will believe him, but then again, maybe not. Looking forward to the next chapter. Branwyn.
Author's reply
No, that didn't go quite the way they had expected. But Boromir hasn't managed to get Eldahil killed yet, so that's a plus. *grin*
Glad to hear that you are enjoying this.
Thanks for commenting!
Agape4Gondor
· 15 December 2011
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
ROTFL - Unless you count several months in the river.
In the midst of everything, your humor is a delight.
Now - will Boromir convince Faramir of his trustworthiness? What will happen to poor Eldahil?
Write on! Write on! *g*
Author's reply
I wasn't too worried about Eldahil until Lord Branwyn said, "I hope that Hirluin doesn't decide he's a traitor and stick a dagger in him!" I honestly hadn't thought of that. Now I am worried, lol!
Thanks so much for reviewing!
I have to do my continuing education credits for the year (nothing like waiting until the last minute!) so there may not be another chapter until around New Years.
Agape4Gondor
· 15 December 2011
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
As I read, I wept with Eldahil. Curse you, Boromir, is right. Difficult reading, but beautifully written.
Before the horror of the arrow-drawing, I was laughing about the dead Boromir.
And somewhere - in the depths of my soul - I am hoping against hope that the fates or the Valar or whatever sent him back to Gondor, would should mercy and have him yet live???
I know - a fool's hope.
Bless you. Great story. Absolutely riveting!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the lovely review!
Tolkien is so focused on the happy ending that no mention is made of the grief people must have felt at the deaths of Denethor and Boromir. That always bothered me.
Perhaps fate will spare Boromir for some other end, but we will have to see...
Phyloxena
· 14 December 2011
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Valar help me, it was funny. In a gruesome and spooky way, but funny nevertheless. Join the dead in the cellar!
Author's reply
I think that Eldahil has to laugh at the situation to keep from freaking out (sort of like the dark "foxhole humor" that soldiers use).
Thanks for commenting!
Fiondil
· 14 December 2011
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Poor Eldahil. That was gruesome work and I don't think Boromir helped. He could have at least pretended removing the arrows hurt a little bit. *grin* Now to see if their plan to getting Boromir to Faramir works.
Author's reply
It certainly would have made it a little less weird if Boromir had complained a little. :)
"Now to see if their plan getting Boromir to Faramir works."
Mwhahahaha!
Fantasia
· 14 December 2011
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
It is so strange to see Boromir as a walking dead.
I always remember your story By the Light of Earendil's Star, I think that was the first fanfic that I read and after that I couldn't stop. In case that I haven't review it before, let me thank you for that.
Eldahil was and is a wonfderful caracter, a very loyal cousin. I'm glad that he survived the war. Looking forward for more chapters. I can't wait for Faramir's reaction.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the lovely review!
Yes, Eldahil survived the War. Though he is a cheerful sort, I think he would have been hit hard by the deaths of Boromir and Denethor.