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Like a Blade Forged in Fire  by Lialathuveril 9 Review(s)
MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/9/2021
Lialathuveril

Stray thought...Denethor is a really bastard. Sold off Lothiriel when he suspected a lasting peace would not be the result. Bastard.
Six years,” he ground out. “Six years she bought us. Three more than Denethor had reckoned on.”

MM

Author Reply: Yes, I suppose so. He certainly took advantage of her idealism. I've always seen Denethor as the kind of person who sacrifices everything for the 'higher good', even the people he loves, like his sons. But he's just as hard on himself - a bit of a tragic figure too.

MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/9/2021
Lialathuveril!

Just when I was all set on the first relationship, then the abrupt change. This is a fascinating story! I'm hooked. I have also written a story about how Eomer and Lothiriel met and while they are very different one thing they have in common Eomer acts like a lovesick fool whenever he is around Lothiriel and wonders what the heck has gotten into him. :-)

I like some of your AU elements! I shall continue with the story!

MM

Author Reply: LOL, sounds like my idea of Eomer! I've written several scenarios about them and in one of them Eomer tells Lothiriel that all his foolish actions have involved her somehow ;-D It's just nice to see him a bit unbalanced, isn't it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/28/2021
A widow now, eh? And her own family cannot believe that she had come to love her late husband? It's hard to feel comfortable with such prejudice at home.

Author Reply: Yes, her family is well-meaning and loves her, but they find it difficult to understand her. Hopefully Eomer will do better.

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/24/2021
How nice to see another of your stories! Looking forward to seeing how this will play out.


Author Reply: Hi Virtuella, nice hearing from you again! I hope you'll enjoy the ride :-)

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/21/2021
"perhaps the widow of a brave Swan Knight"...Not quite! Now perhaps in time, Eomer can charm the full story out of her. If her husband's next younger brother had him killed, then threatened the life of her son, she might be gratified to hear of said violent, jealous brother's death at Theoden's hands on the Pellenor. As to Tarcil's future, I can see him with as much future as Gondor's chief Ambassador to Harad. Or as his future little brother, Elfwine's right hand man, like Eomer and Theodred. Besides, he is also born a Prince of Dol Amroth, and he and Alphros are already best friends. He could become Alphros's right hand, as well. All kinds of possible stories.! I will be watching.

Author Reply: Yes, she'll actually mention Theoden killing the Harad king in a later chapter (I've got the story largely written, but I still need to revise it) and that it was her husband's younger brother.

As for Tarcil, the story won't cover his adulthood, but I can see Gondor slowly taking back its southern lands and one day even conquer Harad. Perhaps Eomer, Aragorn, Faramir and their sons will help Tarcil regain his throne? As you said, lots of possibilities.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/20/2021
Very interesting premise. I think that Lothiriel and her late husband had a good relationship. It could be politically advantageous to eventually have peaceful ties between Rohan and the Haradrim, through Lothiriel's sons.

Author Reply: Hi Raksha, nice hearing from you again! And I agree, Denethor's reasoning was sound, even if unfortunately it didn't quite work out. I was partly inspired by the Chinese 'heqin' custom of regularly sending minor princesses as brides to the steppe people beyond the Great Wall.

sueReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/18/2021
Getting more exciting! I foresee kidnap attempts,
lovesick Eomer, anti-Harad prejudice against Tarcil and
much angst.
I hope there will be many detailed flashbacks about life
in the Haradrim harem. I am looking forward to decadent
details. OK I like smut. 8>D
There's a book written about a Byzantine woman
in the 1500's who ended up in the Topkapi
Harem. Good for ideas. She became the empress.

Author Reply: Well, you're right that there will be some angst, but not really many details of life in the Haradrim harem, I'm afraid. I'm just not so much into it ;-D

And I've read about the slave girl turned empress that you mention. I think she was quite influential in the end.

whitewaveReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/17/2021
I feel a bit sorry for Eomer since he is obviously already smitten. It would be fun to watch the uphill battle for him to win her over though. Love the unique position of Lothiriel in this scenario—Mother of the Kings of Harad and the Rohirrim! And her son already has very strong allies indeed in case he will push to claim the throne of Harad.

Author Reply: You will probably feel even more sorry for Eomer as the story progresses, I'm afraid ;-)

And yes, I can absolutely see him and Elfwine (plus of course Eomer, Aragorn, Faramir and the Dol Amroth lot) taking part in a campaign to regain Harad. Though that's outside the scope of this story.

Thanks for reviewing!

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/16/2021
Oh, an intriguing chapter! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next chapters. Thank you!

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm planning to put up a new chapter once a week, if I can, so the wait shouldn't be too long.

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