These stories were very good, and beautifully written! You have captured the characters of Denethor and Faramir to perfection. You also showed a time when things were good between them. Well done! Thanks for writing and posting this. Sincerely, Darkover

These are really good!

All of them were very good! Very well written, and original. My favorite, though, was the second one: The Steward's Gambit. It was so sweet!

I am really enjoying it!

Very nice discussion between Denethor and Faramir... as well as a spine-tingling little bit of foreshadowing in the last bit.

Very nicely written. I like how you have portrayed the relationship between Faramir and Denethor. The detail with the bow was also a very nice touch, as was the garden scene.

Great story! You show Denethor's jealousy very well. He fears also, that his young son could become a pupil of Gandalf.

Ack! Poor Denethor, having to entertain an unwelcome guest. I'm not much of a Mithrandir/Gandalf fan either, although I do love Faramir. Why should Denethor openly trust in someone who gives out very little information and keeps his own council? That kind of leaves Gondor in danger and aids Denethor in turning to more Palantir usage.

Mithrandir is a little arrogant! He sure wants things, but gives very little back. tsk!

Loved the conversation between father and son as they ate their dinner. Oops! Denethor trained his son too well! ;)

"Denethor frowned at Faramir, irritated at having his own moral lesson turned back on him."

Most excellent, you haven't fallen into that cliched "Denethor wants the throne for himself" fic. He understands he is still just holding it for the King's return.

Sadly, he has been at that Palantir! If only.. "Sometimes he considered abandoning the palantír altogether, but he knew it was invaluable in the struggle against the Enemy."

Aww! This was great! "That night, Faramir slept fitfully, but mercifully without dreams, with Denethor sitting at his bedside." Denethor sitting with him was nice to see.

Snicker! Thanks for that vision of Denethor and Faramir as a child walking the city. I love Fara's curiousity and so this made me smile. :) "..the boy had found a frog on the street and insisted that Denethor tell him all he knew of the animal. Denethor sighed, certain there would be more frogs, and probably beetles and grasshoppers in his future."

ack! The offending hand! "But that,” Faramir pointed at Denethor’s still outstretched hand, “that is for a child!”" snicker! All children go through that stage of not wanting cuddles or mussed hair any more, thinking it will make them more grown up.

And this last was too funny! "“Even Boromir cannot play chess yet!”" Finally, something that Fara can do before his brother! ;)

Good chapter!

Hmm! Only one thing incorrect here and just fyi, Faramir is not a prince, not yet least ways. He did not become one until King Aragorn or Elessar, proclaimed him one. Then Faramir became Prince of Ithilien.

Faramir is, however, a Lord and I do still love your portrayal of him. Oh, Yay! A nice surprise as Denethor grants Fara some lands of his own to learn to manage.

I love how you had him reading something other than Elven poetry, thats a change from most fics. Curiosity and a love for history would drive him to read other things, even subjects of a martial nature. :)

ack! Loved Denethor's thoughts here; "..he wondered at what had passed between himself and his son. Is this the doom of our house, that fathers and sons must always be at odds? As I was with my father, and as he was with his before him?"

Doom only if one makes it so.

Very well written! I like your portrayal of the relationship between Denethor and Faramir.

Faramir is no wimpy push-over and Denethor is not cruel and heartless to his youngest son, which is the usual writing style for alot of fics out there. They have a more believable father and son relationship here. Denethor would be tough, but fair, he must rule a country. And Faramir loves his country and his family and will do anything for them, being a Ranger is very fitting for him. Love that he asked to join the Rangers in Ithilien.

Even though the chapters are short, you can place your reader in the scene.

Poor Denethor, being kept awake as he wondered about what to do with Faramir! :) Love that he capitulated at the last. And although he did it a bit on a sour note, he did not leave it at that.

This was beautiful and I know that Faramir understood it's meaning. "The water ran into the intricate leaves and flowers carved into the young Ranger's longbow, finally pooling in the patterns etched at the end of the bow; a simple star, the crest of his house, and underneath it, neatly inscribed long ago, the name of the bow's first owner: Denethor, son of Ecthelion."

Now I must read the other chapters!

I loved this chapter. The idea of Denethor pottering around in a garden - it's something I've never seen anyone do with him before and I think it really worked for his character. The moment where he and Faramir just quietly work together - it was so loving without being in the least bit sentimental. I also like that, to a lesser degree than Denethor, Faramir is a partner in the difficulties they have with each other. You portray two people who love each other but nevertheless have fallen into habits in dealing with each other which are hurtful.

Great story! Pacing and format were really good! NExt Chapter please!

I think you write one of my favorite Denethor and Faramir characterizations. I know I said it on the last one, but you show the love and the unhappiness between them so well. I can believe that Denethor would send Faramir off unkindly and regret it later. I love that he sent the bow - it is an act of kindness without any compromise. I can't wait to read more.