HU: Thank you! I’m very glad all those aspects came through and that it works.

Thank you for reading and for the feedback.

What a terrible cautionary tale… very well done.

And I was disgusted by Denethor too: more interested in the political advantage he was able to gain than in protecting Faramir.

It’s even worse than just not protecting him: he deliberately put his son in this compromising position, knowing that Faramir was too young to understand the dangers of these much older acquaintances…

Even showing up at the eleventh hour is timed for maximum blackmail potential, not to rescue his son. Really horrible.

Powerful story!

Ingrid: Thank you for such lovely words! I’m really glad you liekd reading this.

I can only agree with Chantal, my mind is totaly blank, how do you come up with such stories, so wellwritten and so… alive

Thank you Chantal, for such a lovely and thoughtful review! I’m very glad all the layers came out as well as the greys in the characterisation. I really, really appreciate that you took the time to read this and to detail out your thoughts so well. thank you again!

What I loved most about this story was all the different layers it had. It wasn’t merely a tale about some random, wicked person taking advantage of Faramir, but of Faramir being betrayed by someone he looked up to like a father. He found someone that praised him, showed genuine concern, and took an interest in what he was doing; rather than Denethor’s usual style of being strict and distant. In this story, Denethor is the one to be blamed for Faramir’s naivete, for if he had acted like a loving father should, Faramir would have seen Turondil’s actions for what they were.

Turondil himself isn’t a completely evil antagonist. He was only interested in Faramir when he learned that Faramir prefered scholarly pursuits instead war. He genuinely appreciated those that cared for the written and spoken word. Haldor, as well, saw that there was another way to live life than constant fighting.

Denethor was perfectly in character. He’s cold, indifferent, but ultimately cares much for Faramir. The last passage when Denethor explains why he decided to look for Faramir sums this idea up perfectly. He’s not a heartless father, but he has trouble showing it.

Thank you Bell Witch! I’m very glad you like it. I did hope it would be in line with what you wanted to see. Faramir is supposed to be in his late teens – around seventeen or eighteen or so, almost ready to leave for Ithilien, and just about old enough to start helping Denethor.

Severely creepy, wonderful story. I’m sure Faramir is older than I think he is in this. Realistic enough to be nearly squicky but emotionally true. And your Denethor is rock solid.

Damn good story.