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On the Wings of the Storm  by Lialathuveril 8 Review(s)
VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 14 on 11/18/2008
You create an excellent sense of tension and dispair in this chapter. I particularly liked this paragraph:


"Thoroughly disheartened, I traced a crack on one of the flagstones. I knew of course that Théodred could have been twenty years younger and handsome as an Elf lord, yet I would still have found fault with him. He was the wrong man! Why couldn’t his and Éomer’s role be exchanged. Éomer be the Crown Prince and Théodred the Third Marshal. I realized that all this time in a corner of my heart I had still hoped that fate might take a hand and solve my problems for me. But fate had shown not the least interest in my affairs."



Author Reply: In a way this is the lowest point, because she has no more options to pursue. There is only hoping in fate left.

Lia

CuthalionReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/22/2008
God, that was grim. Poor Lothiriel, hearing about that happened to Éomer, and unable to flee to his side. But there's one streak of light - three wanderers in the Mark. They are coming - finally. Thank you for this marvelous tale!

Cúthalion

Author Reply: This is perhaps the lowest points for her, because it looks like Grima has achieved his goals and all her sacrifices have been in vain. And like you said, she can't even ride to Edoras, for the orcs are on their way. Poor her.

Lia

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/21/2008
A great chapter.At least Lothiriel had not refused Theodred before he went to his death.At least we know the darkest hour is before the dawn which Lothiriel does not.I enjoyed the garbed description of the 3 travellers.It was fun to see them from another viewpoint.I just love this story.

Author Reply: Hello Linda,
yes, Lothiriel must be feeling pretty low at the moment. And of course they do not know that Gandalf healed the king and help is on the way. And Lothiriel might yet find out that there are more beings in Middle Earth than what Gondor's scholars believe!

Thanks for reviewing.
Lia

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/19/2008
I love this look behind the scenes of the Hornburg through the eyes of Lothiriel in these most dangerous times. The constant waiting for news must grate on the nerves of everyone. You show the effect of then having news to the people beautifully. Lothiriel is really in a most precarious situation. Luckily some people could talk sense to her to stay where she is. She should have gone with her escort. Now she can only wait out the storm.

Author Reply: Hello Obsidianj,
I agree the waiting must have been horrible. And of course once King Théoden leaves for Gondor it will only get worse, because then they would probably have to wait for at least a week for a courier to get back to them. At times I'm not sure what is worse, the men having to fight or the women having to wait.

And like you say the sensible thing for Lothiriel would of course have been to go with her escort, but then that would have deprived me of all the fun of having her at Helm's Deep! Fortunately she's not all that sensible at times ...

Lia

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/17/2008
So, she becomes part of the siege of Helm's Deep, does she? And she did her best to try to protect him, only for him to finally fall afoul of Wormtongue's machinations anyway. No wonder she's feeling distressed. Now, to see her reaction to Elf, Dwarf, and Aragorn! Heh!

Author Reply: Hello again,
yes, she'll get to experience one of the great battles at first hand. And while she'll get to meet the Three Hunters, she is a bit distracted at the time!

As for Eomer, what she cannot know is how vital those few weeks she's bought him turn out to be in the end. But at the moment it looks bleak indeed.

Lia

PryderiReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/17/2008
I must let you know that I am still following this story zealously and I am really looking forward to your description of the climactic battle. I do like this Lothiriel when she is fending for herself. I admire her fortitude.
I do wonder why I enjoy a story where I know the outcome. I think I may have mentioned this in another review. I am drawn to the conclusion that I do not look forward to your posts to find out what happens next but to read your words describing what happens next. Well your minor OCs are fleshed out as well so it is not just the words. And your landscapes!!! I refer now to other stories as well but your descriptions of "Scrambles in the Alps" betray an intimate understanding.
My hopes for the future: Gimli emerges from the caves with Eomer after the battle with no helmet but his head dressed with a "bloodstained linen band". Please let Lothiriel apply this dressing. I can imagine all sorts of ways in which that interaction might advance relationships all round.
Pryderi.

Author Reply: Hello Pryderi,
it's good to hear you're still following the story! This Lothiriel does try her best to fend for herself, but her plans have a tendency to go awry ;-)

I think knowing the outcome of the story has advantages and disadvantages, at least I've found it so while writing. On one hand it's difficult for me to work up a sense of suspense - although I do try my best - on the other hand it's fun to play around with the reader's different level of knowledge. But I'm pleased to hear you like my characters and descriptions.

As for Gimli, I had long planned it for Lothiriel to be the one to apply the bandage, but the story has taken an unexpected turn and now I'm not sure if I can fit it in. I would like to, but I will have to see.

Lia

P.S. What 'Scrambles in the Alps' do you mean?

whitewaveReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/17/2008
Hi Lia,
I was on the edge of my seat while reading Lothy deliberating on whether she should marry Theodred or not and was glad (and sighed in relief) when I got to the last part although I knew what was going to happen anyway. A lot of things contributed to Eomer losing his temper with Grim, but being the fangirl that I am, my favorite "reason" of course is because of Theodred's possible marriage to Lothy and Eomer's uncertainty/disappointment/sorrow since he thinks she doesn't love him.
The last part, where she wanted to go to Edoras was so romantic. I'm very curious on what will happen, how they will react when they see each other again.

Author Reply: Hello Whitewave,
yes, I like to think as well that the whole situation with Lothiriel aggravated Eomer to the point where he lost his temper with Grima. Maybe it even added to the recklessness that made him go after those orcs against the king's orders. It must have been therapeutic to slaughter a few Uruks ;-)

And Eomer will arrive at the Hornburg in the next chapter, but Théodred's death has not made matters between them any easier.

Lia

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/17/2008
What a great chapter. You move us forward into the crucial events of Tolkien's story and tell it from a different POV than I've seen before.

I particularly liked two things. One is that moment when Theodred sees her without recognition in the courtyard, thus confirming her fears that he's a warrior first and last. The second is that realistic relief that she won't have to marry him and her subsequent guilt. That's exactly right and it's wonderful that you don't expurgate it.

Author Reply: Hello Daw,
because Lothiriel is not mentioned in the books (obviously!) I have had to fit her into the time and space that is not covered by Tolkien. At first I thought that would make the story more difficult to write, but actually it's been very rewarding and I find it more interesting than covering the events that the books show so well already.

And I think that if it had been Eomer riding out of that courtyard he would have recognized her, no matter how dark it was. So yes, Théodred is a warrior first and last. As for her guilt, that won't make matters between her and Eomer any easier!

Lia

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