There is so much irony in the last few paragraphs. Each man trying to kill the other and then himself. How did they ever reach this point? I don't remember what happens next, but you have written this story very well.

I love Elbeth's role over the past chapters. I don't want to think what would have happened had she not been there. I think she has done well in keeping the peace between Aragorn and Faramir. I appreciate the realism with which you approach the slow mending of the two men's relationship.

Oh my. I think the quote for this chapter fits the story. I believe the Lord of Ringló Vale's name is Dervorin, not Devorin, if I recall correctly. I love sweet Elbeth, though. The line "It was like being given a nice present only far better" was perfect for Elbeth's character.

Oh dear...the setting of this almost reminds me eerily of Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". Very creepy. (I have read this story before, about 3 1/2 years ago, but I have forgotten some of the details and am reading it again. It is like a rediscovery.)

You are very good at the slow burn. This story built up nicely to the last chapter, covering a lot of details without being overwhelming. The hurt and vacillating thoughts seem realistically depicted and cause me to sympathize with both Faramir and Aragorn.
I rather spoiled myself by reading "A Time to Reap" before this, but it was good to find the details that drive the plot of that story.

I don't think that either Faramir or Aragorn would have a beard, since both of them are of Numenorean descent. At least, Aragorn would certainly not have one, because in the Appendices, when he is in Lothlorien when he and Arwen plight their troth, the text states that because of the garments Galadriel had clad Aragorn in, he could have been mistaken for an Elf lord.

I remember a footnote that you had in a previous chapter remarking on the fact that you gave your characters old-fashioned attitudes about things, since the setting of this story is "a very different time and place to our own". However, I do not see that displayed in this chapter, when Aragorn states that he intends to remodel the Council by including women and people of lower birth. I do not wish to start a flame war about feminism, but did you not say in your profile that you always try to be true to the spirit of Tolkien? Therefore, the question I ask you is, is this what Tolkien would want? Is there a precedent for female leadership of the race of Men to this scale? The only example in Tolkien's works I can think of is the fact that in Numenor, the oldest child of the King, whether male or female, was the next ruling monarch. However, being a monarch in one's own right is not the same as being appointed to a Council. I am aware that Galadriel was a member of the White Council, but she is an Elf and an exception, as Elves tend to be more egalitarian than Men.

People of lower birth being appointed to the Council may or may not be a good idea, depending on the education they have received. Poorer people might be so busy with their everyday work that they simply do not have time or the means to get an education necessary to be in the Council. At any rate, please consider making changes to this chapter and any other chapters in any stories that Aragorn's statement may have affected.

If you are aware of anything in Tolkien's writings that support what you did in this chapter, please notify me.

Were it not for the treachery of Faramir, Aragorn would now be dead.

Couldn't Eowyn at least have stayed in the room to help make Faramir feel more comfortable?

yes, you have two new but faithful readers from greece

Henneth Annun, not Hennun Anneth. lol

You. Have. GOT. to be kidding me...

Nai! It ends like this?! At such straits?!

Well, I did hazard that I would wish to shoot someone by the end of the story...

My absolute FAVORITE part about these stories are the quotes and passages you place at the chapter's beginnings.

Better had it pierced my heart -
Better had I died.
Justice calls for retribution,
I will not from it hide.

Oh...For crying out loud!

Actually, I odn't blame him that much. It's just...

This does not bode well...