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| Destiny's Child by Mirkwoodmaiden | 3 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 10/4/2025 |
| MM! It's so nice to find a new chapter just when I have some time to read. Though I have a stack of library books (ebooks and audiobooks, so no overdue fines to worry about), I would much rather read fanfic. LOL! Ah, modest Merry! I'd imagine he feels a similar sense of wonder at counting Éowyn among his friends. He did not add Elfhelm’s admonishment about protecting Éowyn. Yet another conspiracy. Merry must be getting quite practiced in the art. Éowyn stated with a finality in her voice that broke Merry’s heart. Y'know, one of the advantages of the approach you've taken (having Merry know Éowyn's identity at this point) is that you get to explore Merry's relationship with and admiration of Éowyn in more depth than if he merely thought he was traveling with Dernhelm. Merry's admission here is heartbreaking. ...she trusted her uncle implicitly I love these little glimpses of Éowyn's relationship with Théoden. And the detail of the overgrown road is well done. Oh dear! The realization that Minas Tirith is burning! And Éowyn moving forward to be close to the King makes complete sense. “Whatever happens, Stay close to me!" I would bet good money that wild horses couldn't drag Merry away. (Oh but poor Merry, seeing the burning City and knowing Pippin is there...) "by feel" Of course! Merry would likely remember the encounter with the Witch King in the dell at Weathertop! (And I wonder if it was the Witch King he encountered in Bree at the start of their journey with Strider?) "But no living man am I!" I wonder... did Glorfindel look into the future and foresee Éowyn (and Merry) at this moment? (If so, I wonder if he recognized Merry when he met Strider and the hobbits on their way to Rivendell? Of course he wouldn't say anything about it to the hobbits, but I wonder... If he found out that Elrond wanted to send Pippin and Merry back to the Shire, would he advise Elrond to let them march with the Fellowship instead? Ah, the bunnies are bouncing today.) (p.s. I've always wondered exactly what JRRT meant when he wrote, "cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will." And now I'm thinking that maybe Merry's blow, by breaking the protection of the Witch King's will over his invisible body, opened the possibility of Éowyn's blade being able to survive long enough to penetrate the Witch King's unseen flesh and bone?) The farewell between Éowyn and Théoden is heart-rending. (I'm a little sorry not to see the King tell Merry in farewell to think of him when the hobbit sits and smokes – or did you include that thought in an earlier chapter instead?) I wonder if Éomer's rage and grief turned out to be a factor in turning the tide of battle? Thanks for the explanatory note at the end; I wondered if that was the case. Whew! I have the feeling I held my breath through the whole last part of the chapter! (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! Sorry for the late response, I was at Hanford Renaissance Faire where I made $400 more at this faire that any other! I am tired but also $1600 woo-hoo! ~now back to our regularly scheduled response! :-)))~ Yes! by this time Merry is most definitely a little in love with Eowyn. She has shown him so much consideration, kindness and belief in him. It is what she does and doesn't even realise that she is doing it. "At this Éowyn turned to him and saw earnest love in the young Hobbit’s eyes. She was mute before such undeserved devotion." In preparing for this chapter I have run across many Internet articles talking about how Eowyn effectively displays women as equals (she is strong, can take care of herself but can also nurture and encourage others to be their best) and that is not often present in many other strong women of science fiction/ Fantasy. While I don't agree with some of the points made about the other women, the video articles were fantastic in terms of Eowyn. "Yet another conspiracy. Merry must be getting quite practiced in the art." Yup! That Merry. "Y'know, one of the advantages of the approach you've taken (having Merry know Éowyn's identity at this point) is that you get to explore Merry's relationship with and admiration of Éowyn" Yes. It just seemed like the perfect opportunity to show how their relationship grew. And to show how and why Merry would overcome his fear induced by the Witch King to crawl to help Eowyn when she was battling the WK. And when he is talking to Faramir in the Houses of Healing. "Merry's admission here is heartbreaking." Yup. he has definitely matured and grown throughout the quest. "...she trusted her uncle implicitly I love these little glimpses of Éowyn's relationship with Théoden. And the detail of the overgrown road is well done." Theirs is a strong bond. Which is why his death affects her so deeply. ""by feel" Of course! Merry would likely remember the encounter with the Witch King in the dell at Weathertop! (And I wonder if it was the Witch King he encountered in Bree at the start of their journey with Strider?) It probably was, which makes Merry's intervention for Eowyn all the more impressive. A stout faithful little hobbit! I think that Merry did break the veil of enchantment which allowed to Eowyn to drive her blade into the WK. I regretted not have Merry's last words with Theoden but I really wanted Eowyn to be able to say goodbye. I thought about about how I could do it but I didn't want Theoden to have a Shakespearean death (In the fact that the dead in Shakespeare NEVER shut up!) But it was a loss to not have Merry say goodbye. :-( I think I read that Eomer's rage hindered rather than helped. But hey people are ruled by their emotions and Eomer had just lost his uncle and sister (so he thought at the time!) I think it makes him human. Tolkien writes human characters! Thanks so much again for writing. Ch.36 coming up but I have to re-read the chapters "House of Healing" and "The Steward and the King" before I can move forward! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 10/3/2025 |
| An epic combination! (I meant book/film, but Éowyn/Merry too). Reminded of Beowulf and Macbeth as I should be. Now for Éomer and/or Imrahil to recognize that Éowyn lives… Author Reply: Fimbrethil! Sorry for the late response. Thanks again for taking the time to respond! Yay!! I'm glad that the blending worked. I have primarily taken the book route but there are some points from the films that I just had to work in. Glad, too, that the Beowulf and Macbeth reflected in the story! Yay, again! It will most likely be Eomer who realises that Eowyn still lives, but I have to re-read the chapters "Houses of Healing" and "The Steward and the King" before I write and we will see what happens. Thanks again! (((hugs))) MM | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 10/2/2025 |
| “I just want to help my friends…Frodo…Sam…Pippin” a small grin lit by lantern light flit across his dirt stained face, “More than anything I just wish I could see them again…” Éowyn had no words. There was nothing she could say. She could only put her arm around the young hobbit and place her head upon his, rocking him gently. That's such a lovely scene to imagine. And here we are at last, at one of the pivotal events in the story. Beautifully written, my friend! Author Reply: Shirebound! Thanks so much! You have always been such a faithful reviewer. It has always been much appreciated! :-) (((hugs)))! We are at the Pelennor Fields and it has only taken 35 chapters! :-))) I supposed you could say I never met a word I didn't like it! I think I should be able to finish this story in a couple of chapters! :-) *gasp* Finish?!? After five years?? :-) Thanks! (((hugs))) MM | |