The Eve of May by Itarille
Reviews (14)
Write a review
Lindelea
· 31 January 2025
· Chapter 999: Now We Begin
I had to look up Aranya to understand the significance of the exchange. (I don't know if you defined it in an earlier chapter. If so, I forgot.)
I noticed that Aragorn's acceptance of Faramir's oath reversed the order of the "rewards" compared to Denethor's response to Pippin, putting love last rather than vengeance and, thus, somehow emphasising the positive over the negative. Nicely done!
I enjoyed this story very much!
Author's reply
Thank you so much!
I'm sorry for the delayed reply--I must have overlooked this review.
I remember the word Aranya with fondness, as I learned that word while enjoying Fiondil's amazing stories about Finarfin and Finrod.
Ah, the reverse order! Actually I have no strong preference on this--I thought Denethor's wording worked fine. But I had read several fanfic where Aragorn reversed the order, and I thought, well, there was no point going against the flow with this one.
Lindelea
· 31 January 2025
· Chapter 4: Layered Defence
Was there ever a family nobler and sadder than Denethor and his sons? That about sums things up, doesn't it?
I love the understanding between the two cousins.
...and military strategy as leisure reading! Strangely appropriate. It reminds me of Scotty's chosen form of relaxation – reading technical manuals! – in the original Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles".
I almost feel as if Denethor is not deserving of his younger son's compassion and understanding... And yet Gandalf's description comes to mind: ‘He is not as other men of this time, Pippin, and whatever be his descent from father to son, by some chance the blood of Westernesse runs nearly true in him; as it does in his other son, Faramir, and yet did not in Boromir whom he loved best. He has long sight. He can perceive, if he bends his will thither, much of what is passing in the minds of men, even of those that dwell far off. It is difficult to deceive him, and dangerous to try. So perhaps Faramir's understanding is only natural since he is so obviously Denethor's son. And perhaps he is Denethor, in some sense, as Denethor might have been without the influence of the palantír, or if his wife had not died, or if he had lived during a different Age.
Author's reply
Another review! You are generous!
I imagine Boromir and Faramir shared a warm relationship with their cousins--they were motherless, sisterless, with a stern father, and limited friends, I imagine (as a consequence of being the sons of the Lord of Gondor).
Yes, Faramir extended such compassion and understanding more than Denethor "deserved". And I imagined Denethor was aware of this, and it would have unsettled him. He would have preferred Faramir to yell at him instead.
I shared your observation that "Faramir is Denethor, in some sense". Yes, he was what Denethor might have been without the palantir, or if his wife had not died. Similarly, in my interpretation, Denethor is what Faramir might eventually have become, if he were pushed beyond his limit over many decades. If he hadn't met the hope that was Aragorn (Estel); if Sauron had prevailed and the remnant of Gondor were reduced to an exiled people hiding in wilderness; if he hadn't encountered love (Eowyn)...
Lindelea
· 17 December 2024
· Chapter 3: Treasure
You said, I have challenged myself to write a story where Faramir made a mistake or showed his weakness. I have yet to come up with any idea :)
Hmmm. Perhaps he makes a mistake or shows weakness in Ithilien. Just brainstorming... Éowyn asks him to show her the hidden cave behind the waterfall. He has some sort of accident. She has to figure out how to summon help but cannot leave his side. Perhaps the Captain of Ithilien (my beloved Beregond) can have some role? Perhaps Éomer and his bride come to visit on a set date, but Faramir and Éowyn haven't returned?
Faramir's mistake might even be not telling anyone where they were going because it was just a quick "there and back"?
Sorry, I'm not telling you what story to write, just imagining one scenario that might fit the characters you've crafted so well.
Author's reply
Thank you for the suggestion! I will think along that line.
Being together, just the two of them, in Henneth Annun, and nobody else know their whereabouts?
Oh, that is worth one mistake or more :)
Lindelea
· 16 December 2024
· Chapter 3: Treasure
Reading this chapter brought happy tears. I love how you picture their relationship! They are both noble and loving and wise.
“You could tell me again, I am a mere mortal who enjoys praise every now and then.”
This little speech brought a chuckle. How human and down-to-earth he sounds! Sometimes it can be hard to remember his personhood because he's such a hero in JRRT's account, sounding almost too good to be true at times. You do a good job of bringing him to life and making him sound real (and Éowyn too, for that matter).
Author's reply
Thank you!
Yes, he is such a hero. I'm afraid I have made him too good to be true in my stories.
I have challenged myself to write a story where Faramir made a mistake or showed his weakness. I have yet to come up with any idea :)
Author Reply: I'm glad you found the Faramir and Eowyn in my writing sound real. Thank you again!
PSW
· 15 December 2024
· Chapter 999: Now We Begin
I loved this story! Your writing is beautiful, and I love these types of details that you included in each chapter. I so enjoyed - thx for writing!
Author's reply
PSW,
Thank you for your kind words!
I'm glad that you like my writing.
When you have time, please let me know which "types of details" work for you :)
Lindelea
· 15 December 2024
· Chapter 2: A Merry Feast
Lovely character sketches! Sam's modest welcome, Pippin's outspokenness (no filters, or maybe I mean no guardrails?), Aragorn's silent reassurance as to the kind of man he is not, Merry's gentle teasing, Faramir's perceptiveness.
I love your description of hobbit cookery from Faramir's viewpoint. I agree with him completely!
I suddenly realised that at this point in time, Faramir is still "Captain of Gondor" and not yet "Prince of Ithilien".
More glorious hobbitry! Water hot and dancing on tables!
Aha. At the end, it appears that the two men are at last on a first-name basis. Or something of the sort.
Delightful chapter. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Author's reply
Lindelea,
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Yes, in this story, Faramir was not yet the Prince of Ithilien, and he did not even know that he would remain the Steward after the King returns.
Hobbitry is glorious indeed. I hope to write more on that, though my default styke is rather sombre and hobbitry does not come naturally to me.
The two men are at last on a first-name basis. Aragorn had been waiting for this, but he let Faramir to be the one initiating it. Faramir, well, to him Aragorn will forever be, first and foremost, his lord and king.
shirebound
· 30 November 2024
· Chapter 999: Now We Begin
the King placed his hands on the Steward’s shoulder and kissed his forehead, as a father would his son, or an elder brother his younger.
*happy sigh* Thank you for this wonderful tale.
Author's reply
Thank you!
I added the epilogue after I sent the draft to you. I'm glad you like it.
UTfrog
· 29 November 2024
· Chapter 999: Now We Begin
Absolutely wonderful. Excellent characterization and story of a day rarely mentioned. Thank you so much.
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
If I may ask, which part resonated with you? The epilogue, or any other parts in the story?
Lindelea
· 23 November 2024
· Chapter 1: The Lady and the King
What fun! I kept chuckling as I read. For example...
Sam is cooking, this alone is reason enough to come. Is the King perhaps implying that the way to a Lord Steward's and Shield Maiden's hearts is through their stomachs?
I believe in an early start, my lord. Faramir makes an excellent Steward and will do quite well as a Prince, I think.
Lovely timing in their mutual apologies. And the conversation is thoughtful and thought-provoking. Nicely done.
Eowyn's description of Faramir has me beaming. Yes! This is the Faramir I remember loving and admiring from the accounts of him in the original written work. (Movie-Faramir taking the hobbits to Osgiliath was... was... words fail me. Dismaying? Disappointing, certainly.)
It is good to see Aragorn somehow lighter, more relaxed, after he has passed through the fire and trial to the reward he labored so long and diligently to receive.
Author's reply
You made my day! I'm so glad you had fun reading this chapter.
I love and admire Faramir.
The character in the movie that bore his name, let us not speak of that.
Now that you mention it, Aragorn was rather grim in the book. Perhaps I have written him too relaxed. But that is how I picture him, at least after he fulfilled his quest.
Leithian
· 23 November 2024
· Chapter 1: The Lady and the King
This chapter is awesome. I love the interactions between the characters and it all feels so natural. Eowyn's commentary on Faramir's character is interesting and it was good to know that Aragorn cares for Eowyn's well being and looks out for her. So glad that they have dispensed with the awkwardness and will now be better friends.
Author's reply
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you found the interactions between the characters natural. Of course Aragorn cares for Éowyn's well being--he was that kind of good man, and a good king. And I believe he found her special.
Periantari
· 22 November 2024
· Chapter 2: A Merry Feast
“Lord Faramir!” he cried, rushing forward to give him a fierce embrace. “Finally I get to see you again! And on your feet and with a lady! When Merry told me you were wooing, I told him it could not be, you almost died and in mourning and must be busy preparing the City for another siege. But it seems you are even more capable than I thought!”
Pippin always makes me smile. What a lovely reunion of the hobbits and Faramir. =)
Author's reply
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed this chapter.
Periantari
· 22 November 2024
· Chapter 1: The Lady and the King
I love this conversation because it sounds like a very realistic conversation gap-filler that they may have had. I love how you write our character voices and glad that Eowyn and Aragorn had some resolution . It was interesting how you wrote about them apologizing to each other.
GLad that Eowyn acknowledged and thanked Aragorn for healing and saving her. Glad to see Eowyn with closure and to believe that she could feel joy and be happy again.
It was also interesting to hear about her praising Faramir for not feeling bitter about having the King replace him in leadership rather feel joyful in the matter. It was quite a transition for Gondor and for the Steward to give up in peaceful way is important.
Author's reply
I'm glad you found it realistic. I believe one thing (among many) which attracted Éowyn to Faramir was his indifference to glory, which must have been quite different from what she was used to.
shirebound
· 21 November 2024
· Chapter 2: A Merry Feast
Merry sat next to Éowyn. He grinned widely at Faramir. “You two surpassed my expectation! I did not think you two would have managed without me prodding you along.
How I love the embraces, exuberance, and straightforward comments of hobbits! :)
Author's reply
Thank you! It means a lot to me that you, who has written so many delightful stories about hobbits, enjoyed this one.
shirebound
· 21 November 2024
· Chapter 1: The Lady and the King
It's lovely to read this story again. What a marvelous conversation between Éowyn and Aragorn. They are certain to be lifelong friends.
Author's reply
Thank you for reading it again! I like to imagine that Eowyn and Aragorn share a special relationship, though not an amorous one.