::long speechless minutes::

Wow. I just read all three of your epics in one very long sitting, unable to tear myself away. This was absolutely amazing, one of the best lotr fics I've ever read, and I salute your mastery of plot and characterisation. So deeply moving and so funny - one minute I'd be giggling at the Eomer - Faramir banter, the next biting my nails waiting to find out if Faramir will live, whether Cirion is alright - you are so spot on with every character, you weave the Silmarillion and Appendixes in so well ... thank you for writing this!

I'm glad you decided to finish this as I always enjoyed your Aragorn and Faramir stories.
I enjoyed the latter chapters best,especially this one.
I don't really think Faramir would go home before his men and against Aragorn's advice.
All in all and enjoyable story.

I can't tell if you simply forgot to finish this chapter or decided not to do it, but it really jars to have such a well-written chapter interupted by what is basically a summary. You might want to consider fixing that, if only for the sake of us readers. Really good story otherwise though!

So good. Must put on favorites.

Oh wait, I think I did 3 months ago...

Anyway, I'm so glad you decided to post the rest! I was hoping you would because those chapters were just too good not to be shared with the world! I think it turned out wonderfully, and I always like how you write and... and did I mention how much I love you?

~ithilien~

Wow - massive update. I only just got the story alerts today and my, my head is hurting... but this was so worth it. You and Raksha are amazing writers; thanks for sharing this!

~Christie

This is a wonderful story - from the highs and lows of Faramir's life to those around him. I like your portrayal of Faramir as a man of quality, worth - taking numerous roles: father, husband, brother, a friend, a steward, a leader ... I see his humour, his valour, rising and falling through triumphs and despair. Needless to say, it has been a pleasurable read.

Stories should be finished, and your creation of this trilogy is quite an extraordinary effort. This chapter is enthusiastically written, and sets the scene for what is to come.

Please update soon. I love your story and would be greatly saddened if you never finished it.

It was Albus! *snark* sorry, made myself choke on my drink...I believe it was Olórin that was Gandalf's original name. By the way, your stories are far too absorbing because I really must get SOME work done at...work...I'm not looking forward to this ending at all! Major Kudos!

This is a brilliant story! I am happy to have found such a great little series. Continue soon!

I really liked the scene between Cirion and Faramir... nice to know he's managing to break the cycle in the father-son relationships that seemed to plague his family.

And thanks for clearing up the bit about Eowyn and the Dol Amroth bloodline... I was getting rather confused for a minute, since I knew Morwen was from Lossarnach.

It's sad to see Faramir's age catching up with him so quickly... especially knowing that, from the books, he has a lot of years left still.

Hey, Raksha... don't suppose you could work that race between Eomer and Faramir in here somewhere, do you? ;)

Ye!! Update, this was a realy wounderfull surprise as I love this tale. Serious and touching as well as funny.

I loved it when Faramir faced the axe man and hoped he was not sugesting he wore womens clothing. That kind of humor in a battle scene is amazing.

It is hard to wait between updates on a tale such as this, but it is well worth the wait when the new chapter is finally posted.

I am eagerly waiting for the next chapter.

Kindest Regards, Elenhin/Mat the Starchild

Oh yeah, finally an update! Woohoo!
Lovely scene with Faramir visiting Beregond's gravesite.
And then the attack of the Easterling axeman was good, especially with Faramir trying to communicate with the man in his own language. Of course Pallando would fill Faramir's head with insults along with the important phrases. You handled the fight scene very well. (I too am reading Lady Branwyn's story and love the way her battle action comes across as realistically chaotic and hard fought. Kudos go to her husband for his advice in writing those scenes). Loved seeing the sons of the men that Fara once commanded being Fara's new guards and "nursemaids".

And there goes the King acting like his old Ranger self and finally escaping the walls of MT to go galloping across the Pelennor to greet his friend Faramir.

I love the visuals you use to describe the 2 eldest sons of Faramir and Eowyn. There is such a difference between the boys. One can feel the exuberance of the whirlwind Cirion who goes at things with breakneck speed. And the calmly collected Elboron has the maturity to speak in a council meeting even in his youth. What a grand idea that Faramir came up with in putting some of Cirion's energy to good use in having him help Eldarion in gaining his strength back. And Fara finally gets to have his heart to heart talk with Ciri. How like a young boy to not want to be seen being hugged by his father. :)

That last part with Faramir feeling that Boromir was with him was beautifully written. It's nice to see that he does have such wonderful memories of his brother. They are not just memories of bloodshed and war.

Well, a nice long review for a nice long chapter! Most excellent!
Must RL hog your time? Okay! As long as we continue to get chapters every now and then, I guess we all will survive. What would we readers/reviewers do without the 2 of you writing your excellent stories? Update ASAP, please!

I loved the scene between Faramir and Cirion. He reminds me of my own father. It was very touching.

I think Faramir is feeling like an old man with all these young pups trying to protect him, LOL! Cirion is, as always, adorable and funny. Liked how Faramir kills two birds with one stone by asking Cirion, who is feeling rather downcast and discouraged, to help Eldarion with his swordwork and other physical training. Hope he doesn't get Eldarion into TOO much trouble.

In response to a comment from an earlier reviewer, "ensorcelled" is a legitimate word of old and respectable lineage, derived from a Middle French root.

Not so long between chapters next time, please?
:-D