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Keepers of the Hearth by Alawa	10 Review(s)
galathil	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/17/2011
I have come accross this story and I love it.I hope you write some more stories soon. Love Galathil

Marta (aure_enteluva)	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/24/2004
Hi Alawa, Thanks for this story. It was lovely. I loved the amount of details you packed in, and Winfrith felt very much like an OFC should be. A woman's woman, who is not afraid of fulfilling the traditional female's role, and she does it very well. One quibble - I think a hand-fasting is more like a betrothal/trothplighting than a marriage, so I was a little confused by what ceremony was going on here. By the end it was clear that this was actually a wedding and you referred to Lothiriel as a bride throughout, but at first I thought a trothplighting, similar to Faramir's and Eowyn's at Theoden's funeral feast. Marta Author Reply: Hi Marta, I’m so glad you enjoyed the story :-) I can see how the term handfasting could be a little woolly and confusing. As I understand it can mean a betrothal – a period of waiting for a year and a day – but I’m also familiar with it as a term for a wedding, and most specifically a pre- or non- Christian one. Here in the U.K. the old "handfasting" ceremony remained legal in Scotland until 1939, I believe. Many English couples eloped across the border to Gretna Green to take advantage of not having to marry in Church.:-) Thanks much for letting me know about the confusion. It’s easy to have something so clear in your head that you fail to make it clear to the readers. Thanks again for reviewing, Alawa

eokat	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/17/2004
Have just read all this story and found it to be assolutely enchanting, having someone watching and waiting in the Golden Hall is very moving. It is a shame it is finished as it would have been nice to see the wedding ceremony of Eomer and Lothiriel. Author Reply: Thank you eokat :-) It’s wonderful to hear that you were moved by my story. Eomer and Lothiriel did do the deed at the end of “Midday”. Winfrith is fairly sparing in her description of the actual ceremony because that’s not really what interests her, she’s seen lots of them before. She’s more interested in what’s special to this particular occasion – especially as it concerns her. Thanks again for reviewing.

Chigger	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/15/2004
Lover of peace she may be, but you have made her such a real character and with such a strong personality, that I can imagine she would be willing to give her life for her King and country were she born a man. This was a most enjoyable story, and one that I can, in all honesty, praise highly. You have an amazing gift for descriptions, capturing thoughts and emotions and putting them all together in a story which delights the mind. I do hope you write more in the future. Perhaps with Winfrith taking care of Theodred, Eowyn and Eomer as kids . . .? Author Reply: Wow, thank you Chigger for your very kind words:-) I agree, I think Winfrith's service is just as brave and honourable as any man's. She has got into my head so I can't rule out future fics. Thanks again for reviewing.

purrlin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/15/2004
I love her! You have created a wonderful character. I would have loved to know where Legolas and Gimli were on such a night and the Hobbits too. I would have loved to see her reaction to them. I liked how you looked at the Southrons through her eyes. Very Interesting. I wonder that she had never met "Ellesar King" when he hied there as Thorongil. But then maybe he wasn't at Edoras. (Thats my theory anyway!) Her relationship to the young of Edoras was beautifully portrayed. I loved the part about the toys. Thank you. I could almost see my Dutch Grandmother who lived through the occupation of her homeland and years later came to a new land and taught her granddaughters the old customs. Now I teach my daughters too. I hope to see more of your work. purrlin :) Author Reply: Hello purrlin, I'm glad Winfrith worked for you - I think I love her too :-) I'd like to know what she thinks about the hobbits - she definitely has great respect for Merry - I'm sure they would have appreciated her hospitality. I think that if she met Thorongil it would have been when she was very young. She didn't come to live at Edoras until Theodred was born and I think Aragorn probably moved on to Gondor about ten years before then. I love what you say about your Dutch Grandmother and the way you are passing on the customs to your own daughters. That's absolutely lovely - and right to the heart of what I was thinking about in the story. Thanks for reviewing :-)

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/14/2004
What an absolutely delightful story! Winfrith is such an interesting character -- so crusty and tender-hearted. I really like how you wove Rohirric history into the entire story, like Folcred and Fastred in Ithilien, and especially how much Winfrith reveres Hild. Thank you for a very enjoyable read! - Barbara Author Reply: Thanks Barbara - I really glad you enjoyed it :-)

Chigger	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/14/2004
Ah, to see Eomer at last happily married off. :) I've always been rather attached to the people of Rohan, Eomer especially, and this story has portrayed him wonderfully. My problem is that I read other peoples fics and think, "Oh, wow! That was great! I wish I could do that!" Then when I go read my own work, I always wish I was able to capture so well what the other authors were able to say so perfectly. Maybe it's just because I write it and it's old by the time I finish and I'm sick of it, but I don't think so. Thank you for this wonderful work of art. I'm almost finished, and yet it is now time for me to go to bed. yawn Good night. I'll see you tomorrow. Author Reply: Hello Chigger, I'm glad that Eomer came over well. He's not a character that I ever expected to be writing about, but I have really enjoyed writing about Rohan. I know what you mean about stories feeling old by the time you finish them. I think this one has been on the go for getting on for a year. In the end I find I just had to keep away from other Rohirric stories for a bit because it lead to a loss of confidence :-) So keep at it!

Chigger	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/14/2004
Well, she would seem a tough ol' lady if she can still manage a break-neck ride early in the morning after a restless night and not break her neck. :) I can picture little Eowyn, sitting on Theoden's knee, informing him that he had better give Winfrith something better than that "snail of the nag" that she already has. Very, very cute. :D Author Reply: Hello Chigger, Thank you for all your reviews! I'm so glad your enjoying my story. I think these things are relative :-) Ordinary Rider's wife though she is, I don't think Winfrith would really have ever ridden 'a snail of a nag' just one not fast enough for Eowyn. And yes she is tough - I suspect that - she'd say that the day she couldn't ride a horse would be the day they carried her to her grave :-) Author Reply: Hello Chigger, Thank you for all your reviews! I'm so glad your enjoying my story. I think these things are relative :-) Ordinary Rider's wife though she is, I don't think Winfrith would really have ever ridden 'a snail of a nag' just one not fast enough for Eowyn. And yes she is tough - I suspect that she'd say that the day she couldn't ride a horse would be the day they carried her to her grave :-)

Chigger	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/14/2004
Very touching and sweet. One woman alone against the world, it would seem. She cannot even remain in her own bed, being forced to twist herself into a child's bed. And yet her spirit remains unsquelched, still glimmering as bright as the night-light she lit. Again, I really want to finish the whole story, but I must go now. I shall return!

Chigger	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/14/2004
Amazing! You have written this first chapter very well, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Her saddness at the loss of her child, and her anger mingled with her sorrow at the loss of her husband were very vivid and almost tangible. Her fear for Eomer was very touching, for it was obvious she loved him almost as a mother, something I feel he would have needed during the dark days of Theoden's poisening. I hope to return and finish this story as soon as I can. Right now, however, I must go to dinner.

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