OH NO NO NO NO!!! Shame on me! When did I overlook that? How COULD I overlook that? MEA MAXIMA CULPA!!!

MMmmkay (deeep breath)… have to calm down… heheh, no worries…. I can totally manage that..! Now what adequate can I say? Maybe at first: Happy second anniversary! And if I may correct you: It´s an honour to share this beautiful little place with you and a pleasure to read your delicate stories and relish their special atmosphere of care and gentleness, an atmosphere that outlives each blow of fate, and that is what makes it so precious.
Even now, with the characters facing disease and deterioration, their love and regard for each other do not cease. It´s a bit of an utopia (in a good and comforting way): the ideal of humans keeping their humanity, even if “the house of the spirit crumbles” (sorry, couldn´t resist. Waaay too late for proper home-made metaphors).

Indeed, I think it´s a rare topic, be it in fiction or “reality” (whatever that is). No one likes to be reminded of our mortality, and particularly in our culture of capable, flawless bodies, the image of a hero losing his power, not by physical violence or evil spell and only temporary, but by simple, common sickness of the body and probably for good, must be close to sheer horror. From a technical point of view, and notwithstanding its sadness, this totally different constellation is quite refreshing – not to mention the usual delicate style of writing and the wonderful, so much in character dialogues. :)

But, but, but… it IS temporary, isn´t it? I mean… Aragorn will be better, right? Will he? (sob)

Aaah, my love, I had a feeling you might like this one! As always your comments leave me in slight disbelief that something I’ve produced could elicit such an emotional response, especially as I’m still of the opinion that the themes are very crowded, but maybe I’m just too close to the piece, and over-critical. (I just thought the hurt/comfort angle + their clandestine relationship + self-doubt in both men + fluff + angst = too many loose threads that didn’t quite make the most appealing tapestry.)

Anyway, you hit it right on the head when you mention how it comes across that these two men are certainly not dealing with certain aspects of the relationship that, while perhaps not needing urgent attention, still may need some care at some point soon. There are problems there, it’s fine now, but I’m not sure even Faramir’s patience will last forever. However, not to put too much of a dampener on any hopeful angle the story might present, I think that his affection for Aragorn really will keep him from too much frustration, and I think that it’s really Aragorn’s own self-directed frustration that may cause ripples later on. But that’s another story…:P I’ll let them stay happy here (…I’ve just finished writing another story that is decidedly more heartbreaking, so I’ll leave this one as is. Seems my writers’ block has been replaced with, well, whatever the opposite is! I took a break from another almost-done piece and wrote the aforementioned heartbreaker in a few hours yesterday. May have had something in my eye by the last paragraphs…)

Anyway, this story came a bit out of the blue for me; my ‘weakened king’ theme rises again, but this time I chose the physical over emotional ‘weakness.’ I just like exploring that frustration he would have, and then the confusion of feeling intense fondness for someone and having them fall, from his point of view inexplicably, for him in return. In then end, though, you know me, I just like to have them together; I think they are a infinitely interesting pair.

Thank you thank you, again, as always for your wonderful words! I am very well, and I hope you are too! :) (And yes, I’m all grown up now in the world of fanfiction, haha! It still feels like two months!)

Oh. Oh, oh, this is so achingly beautiful.

Honestly, I have no idea what you are talking about when you say that there might be too many themes interwoven in this story. I think everything works together splendidly! There is the main plot about Aragorn’s physical condition and the way that it affects his and Faramir’s growing relationship. Then, on the side, so to speak, we understand that they are keeping their love a secret and we are mostly left to ourselves to figure out how that ties in with the main theme, but just because you don’t over-emphasise this issue the reader can choose to be (or not to be) burdened with it. Just as I get the feeling that the boys themselves are sort of not dealing with it either. I mean, Aragorn is certainly aware of what it might look like to his people if their weakened King were also to proclaim that he had taken his Steward for his lover, but his number one priority does seem to be his – private – relationship with Faramir and the ensuing challenges, everything on an extremely personal level. As for Faramir, he always wants to shout out his love from the rooftops, doesn’t he? Only, there are too many things that stop him, always.

I simply adored this, to tell you the absolute truth. I have a very soft spot for stories that centre around any type of disability and the ways in which people can overcome them. Simply because there are thousands of people out there (in our world) who go through this pain every minute of every day. And no matter their physical condition they deserve love and respect and closeness, just as anybody else – able-bodied, or perfectly healthy person – does. And so my heart breaks a little for Aragorn and yet rejoices because he has found the love that could, if not heal, then at least comfort him and give him hope.

Thank you so, so much for sharing.

And on another note, it’s been two years? Still, it feels longer when I think about it. Ah, but you are growing up so fast! ;) I hope you are tremendously well!

Why thank you! :)

Very well done!