Thank you for setting out how the story was to go and thank you for all you have written. Passages has been one of my favourite stories and one I often reread as an example of how to write really excellent fanfiction. Try as I might I fear I shall never come close to your high standard. Good luck with your writing in the future.

I love this story. I logged in the other day after being here only once in the last three years. I believe you have real talent as a story teller.
I saw in a movie once that a seasoned publisher recommended to a person who wanted to be a writer "write about what you know or have knowledge of and that would make you a successful author". You have this talent and I think you should write about something you have knowledge of or experienced throughout your life. Unless you have published a book or have a career your more passionate about. Good luck!

I have very much had every intention of reviewing this much sooner than now—my apologies. Well, I can’t say I’m happy that this has come to an ‘end’ but I understand. I like what plans you had for the rest of the fic. Thanks for sharing those because I agree with you about the never updated WIPs. Of course, I think that you should come back to this one day. ^_^ I wish you the best with your novel and other fic.

Hi, it is such a pity that you will discontinue this fanfic; though I did not much like the direction it was going in the last chapters, your dialogues and the interaction between your characters is masterful (I can read the Loyalties chapter again and again, you know how to bring these characters to life). I will certainly continue to check your profile to see if you come up with new fanfics featuring Denethor and Boromir... Thanks!

I have been reading 11 chapters so far, and have barely been able to trouble myself with pushing the "next chapter" button out of excitement.

If you aren't a professional writer already, it's time to become one. Not only is this generally well written, but your attention to detail is stunning. The original characters are multi-dimensional and as alive and breathing as the ones (or only one so far) that the reader is familiar with from Tolkien's work. Speaking of which, you have truly succeeded in making Boromir believable and in-character.

The slow pace at which the story is going is a rarity in fanfiction, and one I welcome! Your writing comes off as both inspired and inspiring... etc. If I don't put a stop to my rambling, I'll go on praising you all day :)

Your story, Passage, is not only a rare jewel in the Lord of the Rings archive, but also in general.

I don't believe I've ever read such a detailed and well-written piece of fanfiction ever. I am hard to please, even though I don't sound like it from this comment :) I have on hundreds of occasions given up on stories half-way trough due to poor writing, dodgy character creation or unrealistic plot and/or relationship development. For the first time ever I can't spot the tiniest bit of any, and for that I cheer you on...

Now... on to reading the next chapter ;)

-KallistoG

The first two sentences of the chapter are very catching and made me grin, they sound so ”Gríma”. ^^

I like it a lot how close Myrhil and Gríma have grown during these past chapters. Now they are able to discuss about things like Myrhil and Boromir’s relationship and other deeper subjects between them (and what made me also smile was that to Myrhil talking about Boromir was a “lesser evil” than talking about Falvöd’s death, I think that to many people talking about an ex-relationship would had been a subject that they would happily avoid.

I'm so glad to see that you updated this story! Even though it's been awhile this chapter flowed smoothly into the rest of the story. I really liked the "softening" of Grima towards Myrhil. I often wondered if he was always the snake in the grass that was portrayed in the books and movies. I think this story is giving us some plausible background for him. I chuckled when Myrhil explained why they were having to take such a circuitous route to Rohan. I don't think she really wanted to let anyone know that Denethor laid down the law to her. And the ending was a bit of lift with the comment about the rain. Good job! I'm looking forward to reading the next installment and I hope you don't have any more sick bunnies to care for. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the old guy you're taking care of now makes a full recovery.

Yay, you updated. It was well worth the wait. I hope your rabbit will be okay, poor thing.

YAY~!
You updated.
Though I still wish Boromir could make it back into the picture.

I am so sorry for Strider.\Could you please update please!

Sorry it’s taken me so long to review—end of the semester and Christmas shopping has been crazy. My sincerest apologies. This chapter reminds me so much of why I like Myrhil. She’s a tomboy’s girl—caring less about what her clothes look like, hammering away in the blacksmith shop. Yet, she doesn’t feel like an anomaly to me. This is what she had to do as she was growing up and it seems so fitting on a girl like her. I guess what I’m mostly trying to say is that she’s a strong woman character who isn’t out of place for her actions and personality like many who try to put “tomboys” into ME and it just doesn’t fit their station or character. I assume you’ve had some experience with shodding a horse or researched it because you really seem to know what you’re talking about. Thanks for taking that time, unless you’re BSing me and then Bravo! “She could think of no better way to end a hot day than sitting on the porch and letting the wind and rain of a summer storm unfold its powerful wonders.”—yes, very much so. This is beautiful writing: “But Gríma was one of the most solitary creatures she had ever met, outranking even the lone predators that roamed the plains. He was more prey than predator, but still he seemed to prefer his own wits and powers for preservation, rather than attach himself to a group. As he lived and breathed alone, he appeared content to die alone – whenever that day came.” This was absolutely wonderful writing (I am so jealous): “This was what his brother had enjoyed while he toiled a scholar’s toil in Minas Tirith and served out a scrivener’s drudgery in the rustic opulence of Edoras.” After what Grima “said” to Belarod, I don’t blame him for wanting to do it alone. Imagine trying to explain all that to Myrhil. To your author’s notes: First, I’m glad that we’ve gotten around to your intentions since the first page. However, how sad for you about Strider. You apparently were trying to do your best for him and he passed on anyhow. Bless his poor bunny heart. My sympathies.

Great chapter. The Myrhil/Grima pairing was artfully done. And RIP Strider!

So glad to see an update and know that you’re doing okay. I know how terrible it feels to lose a critter and to take on more. I have three birds and they’re emotionally and financially draining as it is. But there’s nothing like loving an animal and receiving their love in return. Now, on to your chapter. It was good to see Cirien accept Grima despite his dislike of Belarod, at least for Myhril’s sake. I was glad he was there to greet Myhril, esp. since she’s so worried about how he feels about her. It’ll help her deal with the grief and guilt bubbling up by being home again. “No doubt Myrhil had come here to grieve his passing, to lament the robbery she and her family had suffered. Had she screamed her grief, or silently wept?”—very interesting. I continually like how you characterize Grima. This says much about his thought process and how he’s come to think about Myhril even if the thoughts led him to his own grief. I’m sure I’ve commented on this over and over but I have to again—you have such a wonderful attention to detail. Detail can become overwhelming and overshadow the plot but you balance it out so well. I may be reading too much into this but I think that Grima’s forgetting to unsaddle his horse sets him apart even further from the Rohirrim as one of them would never forget to do that. It’s another testament to who he is and why in a roundabout way. “Mother told me the house wouldn’t be without a master and mistress for long,”—that’s so great for Cirien and Cardhel. I wish them the best. This was great and succinctly summarized (yes, I chose that word intentionally) how she’s feeling: “She had known joy, sorrow, fear, and love from its heights to its depths in the span of a few months. How could that be summarized in a few neat, tidy words?” Cirien’s last words are very interesting. It makes me wonder how much of it’s true and how we’ll see that played out in the upcoming chapters. I hope to see more soon but I do understand.

Congratulations for getting this chapter written! ^^ It was a great read, I was especially happy to see Cirien again, I like that man. (I liked his suspiciousness towards Gríma - I think that a man like he would be suspicious of strangers coming to his land, even without them being Belaród's brothers. And I loved it how Myrhil defended him and mentioned that Gríma has saved her life - Gríma most certainly did. ^^ I wonder what Cirien will think of Gríma when he and Myrhil will leave, he certainly wasn't thinking too optimistically about him in the end of chapter.. but I do think that Cirien has a point, sort of; Gríma doesn't turn his back to self-interest. Although he does feel like much better person than what Belaród was. ^^)

It was so interesting to be back in the farm again and see what has happened there. There was something strangely "comforting" about the fact that not much anything had changed there, but that everything was the same how Myrhil remembered it. (But, why change something that works well. ^^) Oh and it is so sweet that Cirien and Cardhel have found each others - I did suspect that, but it's just great that you are telling it to us now and let us see what their life really is like. (I hope we get to see Cardhel too. ;))

You know, I smiled a bit sadly when Myrhil put Gríma to her brother's old room. For no reason really, but it just made me feel sad, don't ask me why because I don't know. ^^ There was something "spooky" in the moment which Gríma spent in Larhend's room before Myrhil's return - his own thoughts of his own grief were terribly touching, and the way how you described Larhend's untouched room and then Gríma just thought that maybe his spirit still called it home - it had a spooky feeling, and when he heard Myrhil's footsteps, I jumped. :D

I am very much looking forward to seeing Gríma by his brother's grave.

Poor Myrhil, her having to wonder what Boromir is doing right now and how long does it take before her place gets filled.. I feel sorry for her. Those are not pleasant thoughts on your first night in your old home, on a bad mattress which is nothing compared to the one in Boromir's bed.. no wonder everything looked really dark right then.

I'm now really looking forward to reading about Myrhil and Gríma's journey to Rohan, because it sounds like whatever way they choose, it'll be dangerous in one way or another. Cool. ^^
Good luck with getting the next chapter written, I love this fic (I just said to a mate of mine this week that you are my favorite LOTR fic writer ^^) and am curious to see what happens next. ^^

Another excellent chapter. I enjoyed the description of Myrhils home; so realistic. Such detail really gives depth to a story and you write so well. The developing relationship between Grima and Myrhil is well drawn; both very believable.
Nice to hear from Cirien again.
Please keep going with it.

(Is there a "meanwhile, back in Minas Tirith" chapter? I'd love to listen in to a brotherly Boromir/Faramir talk of the Myrhil effect and know what happened after she left.)