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Bound by Duty  by Lady Bluejay 6 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 1/25/2007
Wedding jitters indeed! And I see Meduseld is being delightfully modernized by Eomer. Definitely thoughtful and foreward thinking.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/16/2006
Aerin tickles me! I love that she has turned into Lothiriel's staunch and firm defender!

I'm seeing echoes perhaps of the stories of Denethor's wife Finduilas, and maybe some of Morwen of Lossarnach, which might have influenced how the people of Rohan might percieve Lothiriel. She will have to go some, to convince them she is her own person, and not just a reproduction of some stereotype from Gondor.

RugiReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/7/2006
I love how you simultaneously show Lothiriel as a strong, capable person while showing that she is also a little out of her depth and vulnerable. I thought you did a great job when she goes down her list of reasons for agreeing to marry - you show that she is a methodical and practical person while at the same time making her human.

I also like that not everyone in Rohan is falling over themselves with delight at the thought of the marriage - the tough housekeeper and the more fair hostess provide a realistic look of people facing a foreign queen.

And poor soggy Eomer - standing under a waterfall - hah! I hope he doesn't come down with a cold on his wedding day. It would be rather inauspicious.

Author Reply: I am sure he is much too tough to catch a cold! She normally hides her nerves under the capable front - but it's getting hard.LBJ

InglorReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/7/2006
Ah the anticipation. Not hers, ours. You weave a wonderful web. The details are such that they give a crisp view of the setting yet are not cumberous. One of my favorite things about your writing. Very clever how you have characterized Eomer without him even being in the chapter... and the effect on his soon to be wife.

Your writing is spoiling me.



Author Reply: Thank you - you will make me blush. It's interesting to discover Eomer from only her eyes and his actions. LBJ

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/7/2006
I love the picture of Aerin offering to share what knowledge she possesses of - er - marital matters. And I am glad that Lothiriel's sister-in-law ensured she's not totally ignorant of the ... activities required of her. I'm not sure that annoying the housekeeper is the wisest of moves though.

The more Byrhtwyn says - and the more she shows Lothiriel - the less likely it seems that Eomer is the type of person who would go for a marriage quite this arranged! He seems the sort who might accept its sense, but who would try to meet and court the other party rather before the wedding. And once he and Lothiriel knew each other, it wouldn't be an arranged marriage in the sense of the Gondorian ambassador sharing the King of Rohan's bed. With or without a bolster!

He has done a good job in designing rooms to appeal to her and choosing furniture to suit her. Not to mention providing adequate bathing facilities.

Now they just need to spend some time talking to each other.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the day. (And the post-banquet developments.)

Author Reply: Yes, they will have to talk. He just never had the opportunity to court(lovely old-fasioned word) her. Perhaps he will make up for it!LBJ

Alison HReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/7/2006
It was good to see Lothiriel starting to return blunt speech with like and get some answers from Byrhtwyn about how people perceive her.She will have a lot to learn, but she is a Princess and her upbringing will help her deal with her new household staff, though Aerin is doing a fine job already in changing things a little to suit her mistress.Aerin is breath of fresh air--I like her personality and she is a good friend already to the nervous Queen-to-be.

The little touches Eomer made to ease Lothiriel's comfort upon her arrival were really touching, especially the desk and the bookcase.That was a nice touch, though I had to laugh at the feather bolster remark.As if that would stop a man like Eomer! It was good that Lothiriel felt like giggling!

The beggining of this story got me thinking.Lothiriel is in a very emotional state, with lots of tears.Could her state have anything to do with expectancy? Eomer is using the cot, too, so maybe he doesn't know how to comfort her?

Just guessing--I love this take on Eomer and Lothiriel's marriage.

Update soon!

Ali.

Author Reply: I am not giving anything away - you will have to wait until Ch11 to find out if youare anywhere near. Glad you like Aerin - there has to be some light relief. LBJ

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