Mirkwoodmaiden · 15 September 2003 · Chapter 25: Mourning Chapter Three
Lindorian!
I just finished your story and I really loved it. It is written with such depth and love of the characters involved.I loved your characterisation of Faramir. He seemed to me troubled and constantly devaluing himself, accepting
for the sake of convenience the fact that others seemed to see worth in him, but from his own comments you could tell that he really didn't believe what they said about him. It was simply easier to outwardly agree with them.
I really liked the hints that Faramir loved a drink or two and "visited" the local pubs from time to time. I loved the fact that he was a bit of a lad with the ladies and the arguments made to Eowyn trying to get in a little
"pre-nuptialising" were a hoot! It's not how Faramir is usually portrayed, but I liked it and thought "Well. at least he finds some enjoyment in life!"
Your choice to portray Findulas' death as a suicide was very effective and the fact that 6-year old Faramir blamed himself for it was so heartbreaking! Using it as a basis for the father/ son estrangement was an effective intrepretive choice! It is also brilliant how you uesd that one incident as shaping Faramir for the rest of his life. Experiences like that can easily traumatise a child. Especially if it is never spoken of again, a child that young could very easily begin to think it was dream of sorts. Brilliantly conceived and carried out. His depression was understated, but you could sense that it ran to the very core of his being. Especially as he kept dreaming his beloved brother's death! Ouch!
Concerning Boromir, the depth of love for his little brother was so touching! Portraying the huge reservoir of love he had for his brother made the big brotherly relationship with Merry and Pippin that much more plausible. In the
absence of his own little brother, whom he had ever taken care, he simply adopted two other little ones! It was lovely. How he took care of Faramir when he was ill and how he stood up to his father about healing the breech
between Father and second son, worked so well and began to show the depth of feeling he had for Faramir. I loved the fact that he wanted to go on the Quest mostly because he wanted to spare Faramir, again protecting him.
The poetry and the letter bought a lump to my throat. Boromir's love for his younger brother reminded me for those stories of two orphan children growing up with only each other to cling to for survival. Beautiful depiction of their relationship. Boromir looked after and wanted to protect his younger brother as he would his own son. It was very moving, indeed.
The waiting place sequence again showed Faramir's wounded soul wonderfully well. You could understand why he wanted to stay. The end bit about Faramir and the Fellowship had me in tears!
I'll stop rambling now! Suffice to say, I truly enjoyed the story! Thanks for sharing it! I can see myself reading it over and over.