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Like a Blade Forged in Fire  by Lialathuveril 4 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/30/2021
I love how she was coaxed to take the more comfortable tent by Eomer. He has his ways, doesn't he? And the manner in which she took care of the young, ardent Rohir was masterful. At least Eomer has recognized his own heart, and is wise enough not to push too hard. He still doesn't appreciate that she had come to love her late husband--an idea it appears that the Free Peoples can appreciate--that one of their own may have found one of their traditional enemies to be admirable and acceptable. But she is wise to wish to steer clear of entanglements with those who will look on her only as a prize rather than as a partner.

And I love Tarcil!

Author Reply: That was clever of Eomer, wasn't it, to get her to take mercy on him. Just think what the orcs would have said about him else ;-)

But though, like you said, he has recognised his own heart, he has no clear understanding of hers yet. That will take a bit longer. Otherwise I'd have no story to tell!

PS: And Tarcil has stolen my heart, too. There will be more of him in the coming chapters.

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/24/2021
Lothiriel taking the Emma Woodhouse view marriage, I like it!


Author Reply: Thank you! I didn't think of that, but I suppose what they both have in common is a certain financial independence. Without that, that kind of choice becomes a lot more difficult.

GoldenRemembranceReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/24/2021
I am delighted by this newest iteration! I’ve loved rereading your lighthearted Lothiriel stories, and in fact the code word for my sisters and I is eels now too! I’ve always been interested in Harad as well and how the corsairs and Umbar interacted with Dol Amroth.

Author Reply: Eels? Really? That made me laugh out loud. It is of course an excellent code word ;-)

And I hope you'll enjoy this story too. Tolkien didn't write much about Harad, so it was great fun to 'colour in' that corner of Middle-Earth.

whitewaveReviewed Chapter: 2 on 1/23/2021
Thanks for another chapter. This chapter made me wonder if the other Rohirrim have noticed that their King is smitten with the Gondorian widow. I also find the lady bodyguard very intriguing -- will we find out more about her background eventually and what she thinks of Eomer.
I appreciate that this story is in Eomer's POV but I also am curious what she actually thinks of Eomer. When she said outrageous things to Eomer (about selling herself just for her son) -- perhaps she was testing Eomer in a way. I think Tarcil will enjoy his sojourn in Rohan and probably pick up many friends and skills along the way. Lothiriel's purpose in going to Rohan is to ensure safety for her son / take a breather? Or is there something else she wants to accomplish?

Author Reply: I think there's a fair chance that Eomer's interest won't go unnoticed. Though whether that's helpful or not remains to be seen. And there will actually be a bit more background information on Khuri in the next chapter.

And I think Lothiriel is not so much testing Eomer, as just not bothering anymore to behave in the way that other people expect her to. She has no marriage prospects to lose after all. As for her reasons for going to Rohan, it's mainly to ensure her son's safety, but perhaps also to get away for a bit from her family's at times suffocating care.

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