Very well written!

I admire your skill, friend. It is rare in this place. I like the touches you added to Denethor and his sons. Very realistic.

Good work. Keep it up!

Lovely, gentle piece.

love this. i love how u portray Denethor, as loving, which is a word almost NEVER used on him. and i love Faramir's delight 2 the book and u make Denethor seem so human, like a real father, 2 both of his sons, the way he cares, and worries 4 both of his sons, especially Faramir.

Koretta: *criez* Again with the emotional weight. I should probably stop reading these fics before I have a breakdown. I'm too caught up by the bitter-sweet flavours to taste the honey when it's offered.
Flopsy/Bif: Mew? *pounces on Retta's head*
Koretta: I've also managed to scare my cat away with overly vigorous patting and am now forced to rely on a stuffed kitten with multiple personality disorder for much needed creature comfort. *sighz*

I enjoyed this story. The relationship between Denethor and Faramir is a fascinating one, and the more positive side is treated too rarely. I also really liked the idea that Denethor might have thought only of Faramir's similarities to Finduilas, and been suprised to realize that he was also like Denethor himself. I hope you'll write more about this family! (I read your other story too--interesting that you chose movie canon for that one and book for this one.)
--Rose

A wonderful story. The contrast of Faramir and Denethor as two people who are different, and yet, in some ways, very alike - perhaps even too alike - is an interesting insight into how that part of their relationship might have later brought about such a deep division. As a fan of Faramir it is always nice to imagine that he had at least a few good times with his father. Excellent way to also foreshadow Denethor's eventual use of the palantir. Well done. I hope you will write more.

Lovely! You've set out the family dynamics of 'Middle Earth's most dysfunctional family' so very well, and portrayed them so perfectly. I love how it is Boromir who can see that Faramir and Denethor are so alike, when neither of them can see, and how much Denethor cares for and worries over Faramir, realising that the younger boy is not a creature who enjoys fighting and warfare.

awesome story. one of the best interpretations of the relationship between Faramir and Denethor. keep up the good work.

I enjoyed this quite a bit. You really got the feel of the two boys down well -- Faramir is just twelve, too big to be a kid and too small to be an adult, and it'll get worse before it gets better. And Boromir, though he is only in the story at second hand, is nicely drawn as well. The beginning of his habit of always blowing the horn when he leaves is a nice touch, as is Faramir's somewhat peevish question "what do I get?"
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Denethor comes off as rather laid-back, which works well to bring out the insightfulness that Tolkien ascribes to him It is very clear that he understands that his two children are different personalities and that he must relate to them differently, even as they relate to each other.

I can't believe no one's reviewed this yet. It's really good! So there's only going to be this chapter? Cause I'd like to know what happened later ... how Faramir fell out of favor with his father, and things like that (wow, that's a lot of alliteration)
So good-bye, and please write more!

How lovely! I love it...Please write more.

Excellent vignette of a type not often seen - Denethor bonding with his younger son and NOT scorning or abusing him. Here, in the quiet evening shared by Denethor and young Faramir; we can see the seeds of future tragedy, in the growing shadow of Mordor, Denethor's puzzled recognition that Faramir is less "biddable" than Boromir and has a predilection for peaceful pursuits as well as a keen and subtle mind. It's sad, because you show here that at this point, Denethor truly loved the younger son he will one day hurt and try to kill.