Reviewer:Rebecca Date:03/19/06
This is an excellent story focusing on a "minor" character whose courage and decency touched -- and hugely helped! -- more than one major character. I like the relationship you depict between father and son, and the way you have Beregond reflect on his family's history with Ithilien. You could easily expand and continue this story, and I rather hope you will!
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[2] The Heart of a Knight by:Imhiriel
Reviewer:Denise Date:03/21/06
This is a really nice expansion on the few lines Tolkien gave Beregond, Imhiriel! You described very well what Beregond must have been feeling, from the guilt of leaving his post and killing the guards to the uncertainty of starting a whole new position. It was certainly more complicated than just rejoicing at the pardon and the honor accorded to him. His interaction with his son and brother-in-law was very good, especially when trying to explain some difficult concepts to Bergil (defying orders, etc.). And I thought you had a nice exposition into the ambiguity that many people undoubtedly felt about some of the new King's decisions (the pardons and the granting of lands around Lake Núrnen). Thanks for sharing! I too hope you continue exploring this family's future.
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[3] The Heart of a Knight by:Imhiriel
Reviewer:Radbooks Date:07/04/06
I really am enjoying this look at Beregond and the things he is going through after being pardoned by the king. It had never occured to me that he might not have been trained to be a Captain and so I'm sure that would be stressful for him. Nor had I thought about whether or not Faramir would really want him in that position instead of, say, someone like Mablung whom he had known for years.
I had also assumed that Beregond had been banished from the city immediately, but the wording of the sentence and the way you showed it there made me see it in a different light. Maybe it was not a banishment at all, but I'm sure I'll see your take on it in the next chapter or two! :)
I loved the visit Beregond and Bergil had with Pippin and it was very understandable why he had not visited them before. It was good for Bergil to come to an understanding of what the king was dealing with as well.
Very nicely done and I'm certainly looking forward to more of this story.
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[4] The Heart of a Knight by:Imhiriel
Reviewer:obsidianj Date:01/22/08
Great start to this story. Beregond was not nice to leave his brother-in-law and his son in the dark for so long. Although I wonder that nobody ran out to tell them as soon as the judgment was rendered. I love it that this seems to be a longer tale and will settle in for the rest.
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[5] The Heart of a Knight by:Imhiriel
Reviewer:obsidianj Date:01/22/08
That Pippin is the first visitor is fitting. He was intimately involved in the whole affair, and basically the cause for Beregond's disobedience. If Pippin hadn't alerted him, Beregond would never had to make the difficult decision.
I loved how Pippin in typical hobbit fashion helped getting food/snacks on the table. I think Beregonds observations about the number and length of hobbit meals and the time left for other things is spot on.
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[6] The Heart of a Knight by:Imhiriel
Reviewer:obsidianj Date:01/23/08
I loved the discussion with Faramir. I never really thought about what it would mean for Beregond to suddenly be promoted to Captain. Yes, he loves Faramir, but after reading this I think it is more a love from afar, without really knowing the object of adoration.
No wonder Beregond is so nervous about meeting Faramir. On top of that his own doubts and the reaction of some people to seeing him must weigh heavily on his mind. After this discussion with Faramir real healing can commence, and it seems Faramir needs to do some healing on his own.
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[7] The Heart of a Knight by:Imhiriel
Reviewer:Elena Tiriel Date:01/26/08
Hi Imhiriel,
I really like this story! Beregond is such an honorable character, and he so deserved to be rewarded for his valor. But I really like how you explore his uncertainties, like about whether he was to be exiled or not -- if readers who can re-read the passage keep misinterpreting it, how can a man who has been expecting for several weeks to be sentenced to death get it right? LOL!
And the exploration of how some people would be friendly, and others would be extremely hostile... that seems very true-to-life to me, but I never even thought that the families of the men he slew might receive the same hostile treatment. And Beregond's concern for those families is touching.
All in all, you make Beregond (and Faramir and the others, too, but I especially like your Beregond) into a living, breathing, three-dimensional character.
Well done!
- Barbara
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