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Like a Blade Forged in Fire  by Lialathuveril 7 Review(s)
whitewaveReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/14/2021
Oh dear, Lothiriel is still oblivious (it seems) or maybe she is just choosing to turn a blind eye to the signs. I feel so sorry for Eomer. I think Tarcil will enjoy his sojourn in Edoras -- perhaps it might help him someday if/when he reclaims his kingdom.

Author Reply: Yes, it's still a long road ahead for Eomer! And I won't go as far into the future with this story as to see Tarcil grown-up, but I agree, his time in Rohan and the friendships he makes there would help him.

MirkwoodmaidenReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/9/2021
Lialathuveril!

Hello! I didn't leave a review for the previous chapter because I wanted to press with reading but this line prompted comment: "He very nearly assured her reflexively that she was welcome in his bed any time, but settled for a gurgling sound instead." LOL Poor Eomer...he doesn't know what has hit him! :-)

Enjoying this immensely!

MM

Author Reply: Thank you! I have to admit I'm having fun with the way Lothiriel is completely unaware of the effect she has on him. Poor Eomer ;-)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/4/2021
Oh, yes--the first to know indeed! Heh! She knows how to wind up her brother, doesn't she? And I am so pleased to learn she is an artist. Delightful!

Author Reply: Yes, she likes to draw and paint. It was fun to give her an artistic bent and it also meant some interesting research into paints and dyes for me. Thanks for following the story!

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/31/2021
I am really enjoying this AU look at Eomer and Lothiriel! Forgot to review that last chapter, but it was wonderful too. Thank you for sharing!

Author Reply: Thank you :-) It's a pleasure to be publishing again, it's been a long time!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/31/2021
Well done. You replied to my review of your first chapter with the comment that since I had said my introduction to E/L stories was your "Not the Usual Stakes", you were surprised that it did not put me off the genre entirely! It did not, because it established, for me, the way your writing draws one through a window into that world. In that story I found myself in the room with a brave new father, who was facing a sort of battle he had never been trained for! And you described it with a gentle mix of reality and humor. Now in this one, The Princess of Dol Amroth invites her host to join her on her ledge. Then you describe the valley they are seeing to us, through her eyes. The image of the meadow flowing up the sides of the hills like a wave is lovely! We are getting more development of Tarcil and Khuri, too. I found it interesting that Lotherial had her son start out the Paths of the Dead with Khuri, so that in "protecting" him, she could control her own nerves. I have been re-reading some older stories, lately. There is a story, "Distractions" written about a decade ago by author "GamgeeFest". In it, a delegation of Haradrim from a tribe which did not follow "The Eye" comes to Gondor after the war seeking a peace accord. One of the Haradrian queen's maids fell in love with a Rider, and was left behind in Minas Tirith under Eomer's protection so she could marry her Rider. In gaining her love, tho, she gave up everything she had known. Rather like Arwen of course, and like your Khuri. I like that Khuri seems to consider Tarcil her son, as much as his mother's. And we end with your trademark humor. Protective brother protests at the room arrangements only to have his sister tell him she can take care of herself. And, I like Eomer's thought that the lock is for HIS own protection for what would otherwise be temptation!

Author Reply: Yes, that was indeed an epic battle and one Eomer had not been trained for, but he put up a good fight. The topic was rather omni-present in my life at the time, so I thought why not turn it into literary fuel, so to speak ;-)

And thank you very much for your kind words about my style and the use of humour. This Lothiriel is a bit of an artist, so I thought she'd look at the world differently.

Also the story you mention sounds interesting. Like you said, Khuri has given up everything. Some in Harad would say even her honour - and it's difficult to go against the expectations of your culture. Luckily for Tarcil and Lothiriel though, she did.

Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story too!

KathReviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/31/2021
I am thoroughly enjoying this tale of Eomer and Lothiriel! I love the back story you have given the heroine, which is gradually unfolding. This is a completely new version of the story and really interesting.
Can't wait for the next chapter.
Thank you
Kath

Author Reply: Thank you! It's slightly AU (though Tolkien told us nothing about Lothiriel), but I too thought this new twist would make for an interesting, rather different story. More soon :-)

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/30/2021
Ah, I was hoping we would find out more about Khuri, and you very kindly obliged! :) I hope she has a satisfactory future ahead of her.

Author Reply: I find Khuri an interesting character, too. As for her future, I think as long as Tarcil is happy, she will be too.

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