shirebound
· 5 March 2025
· Chapter 15: Conversations
“And I’m the most positive hobbit you’ll find and I have sworn to Gondor’s service. You have to keep me in the loop and let me know how I can entertain, help with your favorite meals and be of service,” said Pippin with a grin.
*beams* Faramir is surrounded by so much love, wisdom, and unconditional friendship. He WILL heal.
Author's reply
Yes, i liked that chapter too because so many conversations with key characters that can help him along. The hobbit part was my favorite to write. :)
Lindelea
· 4 March 2025
· Chapter 13: Friends in Unexpected Places
Oh my! I missed your earlier updates. The good thing about that is I can look forward to reading a couple more already-posted chapters this week.
Faramir looked tired most of the time when he saw him. This rings true. Not only is Faramir probably still recovering from his wounds and the Black Breath, as well as his father's and brother's deaths, but he is heavily weighed down with responsibility, both self-imposed and that required by his office.
He just kept pushing forward. Isn't that the way people often deal with impossible circumstances? Like Pippin told Merry, "Foot by foot." But eventually, something's gotta give, as they say.
Young Belegion shows a lot of wisdom in his letter.
A meeting unrelated to state affairs? (Beregond?)
(I certainly hope Faramir will be safe returning home!)
Author's reply
Thanks so much! take your time reading and reviewing.
Yes, i think Faramir would tire himself out with rebuilding Gondor and not care about how he really feels for a while, therefore the muse wanted to look into this time.
A lot of us push forward and not think about the circumstances relating to self-care. Especially if one wants to forget the past faster.
PSW
· 19 January 2025
· Chapter 14: Hide and Seek
Poor Faramir - he’s really having a hard time. But I know that with the help of the King, his uncle, and the Hobbits (and Eowen’s letters) he will get stronger and pull through. Thx for sharing!
Author's reply
aww thanks for the review! It'll be a process but i think he'll pull through too. More will be coming soon.
Lindelea
· 25 November 2024
· Chapter 12: Anxious Thoughts
"a hobbit or two or three peeked into the room" <--this turn of phrase made me grin. So hobbity!
Frodo says, "Anxiety is common for Black Breath." I wonder how he knows that. Is he drawing from personal experience after the encounter at Weathertop? Or has he, perhaps, had to help Merry with bouts of anxiety since their reunion at Cormallen? (Inquiring minds want to know, lol.)
Author's reply
Thank you for the review!
I think Frodo knows because he has helped Merry through it in Weathertop- we do not have Tolkien actually describing Merry suffering outwardly at that point but I think Merry has changed post Quest and he did suffer Black Breath after his stab at the Witch-king. Perhaps he knows then. That's a good question.
Lindelea
· 23 November 2024
· Chapter 11: Recovery Takes Time
"Red Arrow speed" reminded me of the onion-skin "Par Avion" letters my mother used when writing someone overseas, where a person wrote on one side of the paper and folded it up to become letter-and-envelope in one. Very light and thin. Nowadays, I can order a book from England through a used-book website and pay the same shipping as if I were ordering it from within the US. I'm not sure how that works, but I'm grateful for it. I'm slowly completing my collection of a series from one of my favourite authors with some books that don't seem to be available in the US.
Fever and chills? Ah, but Aragorn is there in his healer's capacity, so I won't fret.
And then Pippin turns up! Better and better...
"spoke in his sleep..." Well, that's one way of discerning the truth of the matter, I suppose.
Pippin! and Merry! and a letter from Eowyn! Nice to end on a positive note. The respite is welcome, considering the battle that is still to be fought.
Author's reply
Yes, i always believe hobbits make things better and there is always some positives to weight against the negatives, and we need all the encouragement we can get! Thanks for reading (and reviewing)! :)
shirebound
· 30 September 2024
· Chapter 14: Hide and Seek
Such a long and difficult recovery for our Steward, but dear friends will always be there to support him and bring him home.
Author's reply
yes, i think i wanted a fic to have that "c" for our Steward who seemingly lost all loved ones but he did meet new friends in this tough time.
shirebound
· 30 September 2024
· Chapter 13: Friends in Unexpected Places
You are never alone, dear Lord and we do only have one world to appreciate. Also there are those that still care for you
How lovely. It's wonderful for us to meet Faramir's friends -- and for him to know he has many of them.
Author's reply
Yes, i am glad for the Fellowship and esp the hobbits to give him some hope and comfort. :)
shirebound
· 28 August 2024
· Chapter 12: Anxious Thoughts
a hobbit or two or three peeked into the room
You know how much I love that! :)
Author's reply
yes i know! I love Faramir and hobbits interaction and that was my favorite parts of writing this fic. :)
shirebound
· 28 August 2024
· Chapter 11: Recovery Takes Time
Pippin truly is a prince, but a humble one. I love it when our hobbits gently tease their friend Strider.
Author's reply
Those are my favorite parts too-- more scenes coming with these interactions. I feel like Pippin and Merry relationship with Faramir is special and we can safely assume that there would be more letters and visits between them in the 4th Age.
Lindelea
· 27 August 2024
· Chapter 10: Steps of Recovery
In your review reply, you said: there will be more soon. :)
Oh goody! (bouncing in my chair with childlike enthusiasm)
I can hardly wait!
Lindelea
· 17 August 2024
· Chapter 10: Steps of Recovery
My dyslexia kicked in as I was reading "The Black Breath has a strong hold on you and we need to be clear about the dangers," and I read it as "...we need to be clear about the dragons"... making me wonder momentarily how dragons came into the story. I must need another cup of coffee; one cup is not hacking it today.
No-o-o-o-o-o-o! No matter what he tells you, don't leave him alone! Sneak back into the room after he falls asleep if you have to!
I can also see how Faramir might be hesitant to discuss dreams of his mother with Imrahil, for wasn't he her brother? I had to think about their relationship for a moment; my brain is foggy today.
Ah. Frodo is on the scene. And now the quotation at the start of the chapter makes perfect sense. Oh! The parallels between the two "uncles", Bilbo and Imrahil, are something I've never contemplated before. The parallels between Frodo and Faramir are also interesting. I love how they speak words of wisdom and comfort to one another. Even so, I'm glad I've had a glimpse of Frodo in the Undying Lands, fully healed, as it is so sad to see him so firmly convinced of his "failure".
That last line in the chapter sounds ominous, somehow... I hope to read more soon.
Author's reply
Imrahil is Finduilas' brother, yes.
I enjoyed Frodo and Faramir in here as well - there will be another chapter focusing on them. I do wonder how Faramir thought when Frodo had to depart from Middle-earth- must've been though on him too.
Thank you for your kind and detailed reviews- there will be more soon. :)
Lindelea
· 17 August 2024
· Chapter 9: Inner Demons
I love Pippin's hobbity solution to Faramir's ills, along with his high estimation of himself as a Knight of Gondor! (LOL)
(Alas, poor Frodo. Such sad memories, yet they are mingled with remembrance of love and care, as well.)
Hah, Merry's idea of collecting the Steward for a hobbit meal chimes well with Pippin's earlier comments about making sure Faramir ate normally that day. The younger cousins are definitely on the same page, as usual.
Oh no! The Black Breath strikes again! (I seem to remember that not many of those afflicted with the Black Breath survived, but I'm not sure if that's just an impression or if it's stated somewhere in the book.) At least Faramir is answering honestly when asked how he is, rather than trying to hide his ills.
I'm glad he has a wise and loving uncle. And King! But I'm wondering if he should be in the Houses of Healing since his condition is so obviously deteriorating and he appears to need constant monitoring at this point? I also wonder if Gandalf might be able to offer healing and courage, considering the Wizard's gifts (and his ring)?
Author's reply
I always thought that the Black Breath was an interesting illness to talk about. Merry, Frodo and Faramir were all afflicted in some way and i would think that they were not the same after that.
Thank you for liking my Pippin and Merry- there will be more of them. :) Thank you for liking Imrahil too- it is my first attempt at him and i feel like he is important in Faramir's healing since he is the closest living family left.
That is a good idea about more Gandalf- i didn't write him too much in here but it's an idea to include in rewrites.
shirebound
· 18 July 2024
· Chapter 10: Steps of Recovery
I love this conversation between Frodo and Faramir. *beams*
Author's reply
Thank you! me too- i enjoyed writing this dialogue too. There will be another one later in the story. :)
shirebound
· 18 July 2024
· Chapter 9: Inner Demons
“Poor Faramir,” said Merry. “We need him to see there are many who care about him
Yes indeed, Merry! Good thinking.
Author's reply
Merry is a wise hobbit.
Lindelea
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 8: The Meaning of Dreams
Oh dear. From fire to water. But I think people are watching over him now?
Pippin probably feels responsible for Faramir since he was the one who followed Denethor, realised Faramir’s deadly peril, and ran for help.
Frodo and Sam are still recovering… would Pippin still be recovering too, since he got up for the first time only a day before Frodo and Sam?
Author's reply
I do not touch much on hobbit recovering or maybe just mention a more subdued Frodo in a coming chapter.
Pippin does feel responsible and we will have more of him in Merry helping Faramir. :)
Lindelea
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 7: Falling
Oh good. Athelas and a caring uncle. (I like Imrahil here. Very perceptive, empathetic, understanding and encouraging. I can see how he is a leader of Men.)
Author's reply
I was wondering how to write Imrahil since it's my first time. I'm glad my Imrahil works for you!
Larner
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 8: The Meaning of Dreams
Another dream that needs to be changed. May he find succor before he gives himself to the wave.
Author's reply
yes i agree! I hope he finds relief soon too!
Larner
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 7: Falling
I pray he resists the temptation to drink himself into oblivion. At least his uncle's presence should aid him in keeping hold on life.
Author's reply
I was reading another fic that had him even more depressed and it was upsetting indeed but these are rather trying times post War.
Larner
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 6: Conversations and Revelations
So, at last the collapse happened. At least he was not alone, and now he is receiving the aid he deserves. Bless Aragorn for his gifts and skills.
Author's reply
Yes, we are happy to have a healing King who will take a great part in this story.
Larner
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 5: Worries and Concerns
Now the whole of the Fellowship is on the watch for Faramir's welfare. But is it enough?
Author's reply
We will see if it is or is not. :)
Larner
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 4: Ceremony for the Dead
Deciding what should be done with personal items can be a puzzle. But we cannot hold onto everything.
Alcohol cannot be the ultimate answer, as Faramir will learn.
Author's reply
Yes, i think it would have been hard at first and of course when one is depressed or suffering from PTSD, we resort to anything to numb the pain.
Larner
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 3: Unexpected Comfort
Action can help in times of grief, but only in moderation, as I learned after the death of my spouse. So many now care for Faramir's welfare.
Author's reply
It's always tough to lose family and it takes time to grief. Yes, i want everyone to care for Faramir esp. since he lost those closest to him.
shirebound
· 17 April 2024
· Chapter 8: The Meaning of Dreams
What terrible nightmares. I love Pippin's matter-of-fact prescription:
‘In the meantime, you are to relax and relax some more'
Lindelea
· 16 April 2024
· Chapter 6: Conversations and Revelations
I love the picture of Éowyn holding Faramir close and stroking his hair and whispering words of solace.
But now she's gone, on her way to Rohan, and I'm very worried for Faramir. I'm sure she's worrying too!
I agree that hobbits are great companions! The more the better, as Gandalf says.
Faramir's worsening symptoms are definitely worrying. I'm glad Gandalf noticed, and extra glad that Elessar has been called in and is treating the Steward's relapse. Whew.
Author's reply
Yes, i really appreciated more Faramir and Eowyn upon reread last year- i do think more thoughtful fic on how they fell in love is needed (or perhaps i need to find to read ;)
I love my hobbits in here because i think they understand Faramir and value him for his worth.
We have a long story so we will find time to heal Faramir.
demeter d
· 16 April 2024
· Chapter 8: The Meaning of Dreams
Well. Sometimes sleep is the best thing for whatever ails one. Small wonder, though, that he dimly remembers the trauma of the day before. I like how even tho it is early days for them. and they still formally address each other as "steward" and "king", Aragorn is already concerned for Faramir and is firmly in the role of his healer. I wonder, too, if Aragorn already suspects the alcohol abuse...their are teas for that, and "do not use anything else"! And there is "the city will recover in time, but we need you to recover too"! Yes. the dreams have changed. We go from dreams of fire to Numenor's history of destruction by cold sea water. But even in the middle of that, he begins to hear the voice of someone crying for his son. Is he beginning to be willing to forgive his father? We all will be watching!
Author's reply
Thanks for your review and i'm sorry i missed this! I think grief makes us feel and dream odd dreams.
In the beginning, i do believe Faramir was not too comfortable with Aragorn on a friend level but rather as a formal relationship more so. The development of them becoming on a more friendly level does take time.
I believe healing takes time esp with how his father so suddenly died and the tension that was building up to the Siege.