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| Black Eyes by Lialathuveril | 42 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 5/15/2007 |
| I very much enjoyed this story, especially that you chose to cast it in terms of battle. Lothíriel's characterisation was very good and complex; she was both intelligent and naive, accomplished and innocent. I liked her sparring matches with Éomer. The plan to provide Rohan with stores was very well-thought out, and it showed very clearly just how resourceful and intelligent Lothíriel is. I liked that she said that this was the woman's job anyway in Gondor - it provided a good and poignant reminder just how important this task was, and that women had to be more than ornaments to be helpmeet to their families and husbands. I couldn't believe the outrageousness and rudeness of Ivriniel. Actually, the Lady-in-waiting was pretty rude, as well ("the so called King of Rohan", good gracious!). I do have a question about a passage in ch. 9: Lothíriel says, "I’m sure we’ve had salt from Rohan in the past..." Why would Dol Amroth need salt from Rohan, and where does Rohan get its salt in its turn? It seems to me that vice versa would be rather more usual. In the epilogue, when they kiss and Éomer says, "You have not learnt this from your books...", I have to confess I half-expected her to say, "Actually, I did." *eg* Author Reply: I have to admit I had great fun with all these martial quotes and turning the encounter between them into a major battle. And I agree that women would have had more than just an ornamental role in this kind of society, so it seemed logical that they would take care of the daily logistics of running a castle or any home indeed. The salt - it's true that Dol Amroth would have had salt from the sea, but this kind of salt is of the lowest quality. I happen to know because I'm from Switzerland and salt from salt mines in the mountains is actually the only natural resource we have (apart from banks). It used to be traded far and wide in the Middle Ages, and people then needed lots of salt, because it was the main way of preserving food. Anyway, that's why I thought that Rohan could have traded in salt with Gondor, but of course you cannot include all that detail in a short story. And the come-back at the end, that you suggested for Lothiriel would have been a good line. Maybe she's read not only the 'Art of War', but also 'Ars Amatoria' ;-) So thanks for reviewing and I'm pleased you enjoyed the story! Lia | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 8/2/2006 |
| Very wise not to wear green. Stand out against the meadow of maidens, that's the best way. Love Eomer on tenterhooks, waiting to pounce on Imrahil's daughter. Not that she was at all unwilling to be pounced on. I think he's won her over. Hardly surprising, really! A delightful ending to a most enjoyable tale. I look forward to discovering what you will put them through next! Author Reply: Hello Bodkin, sorry for the late reply, but I've been offline as I was away on holiday the last three weeks. On the plus side, this means I've had lots of time to think about the plot of my next scenario and should start writing soon. Glad to hear you enjoyed the ending to this story. I thought it would be nice to get one chapter from Eomer's point-of-view. And I agree he's won her over, even though he did not stick to his initial plan to take it slowly! Lia | |
| vampfan30 | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 7/21/2006 |
| * CLAP, CLAP, CLAP * lovely ending........ Author Reply: Thank you very much! *bows* Lia | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/15/2006 |
| Oh, Eomer needs Lothiriel so badly! She is clearly highly skilled in all the elements of managing a fief that he isn't. He can focus on the day to day management and leave the logistics to her!! (I just hope Elphir's wife is half as talented - or Dol Amroth will fall apart in her absence.) And so good for Eomer to learn before their next meeting just how good at this she is! He will have time to adjust to - and welcome - not only well-read, beautiful, desirable, well-dowered but competent. I'm glad to see that he hasn't lost the audacity that makes him such a successful warrior - we wouldn't want to let Lothiriel have it all her own way! I think Eomer's tactics have ensured that Lothiriel will be awaiting the spring visit to Minas Tirith with considerable eagerness. Lovely chapter. Delightful Eomer / Lothiriel interaction. And just an Epilogue? That's just unfair ... Unless it means you are already well under way with your next story. That I might accept as an excuse! Author Reply: Hello Bodkin, Yes, I'm sure she'll have Rohan and the Rohirrim organised in no time. They probably won't know what's hit them! She might not be all that well-dowered anymore, though, not if she spends all her father's monies on credit for Eomer. On the other hand Imrahil might not notice until she's gone ;-) Lothiriel might know all the theory of warfare, but you can see that Eomer has considerably more practice. Now she just has to sort out that dress for the celebrations in Minas Tirith. Let's hope she doesn't delegate that part to Auntie Ivriniel... Yes, there's only one more chapter to go. However, you did guess right that I'm already into the next story - it's scenario number three, but I haven't started writing yet, I'm still thinking about the plot. But first I'm off on holiday so you'll have to wait until aproximately September. So am I excused? Lia | |
| vampfan30 | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/14/2006 |
| finally!!!! sorry, had to get that off of my chest - not a big fan of romance, but, this is a good one! I knew that she had a few plans to help the people of Rohan, the girl is just brilliant. I love this story.... Author Reply: Hello Vampfan, I know I took my time getting there, but then I believe a bit of suspense is good for my readers. You've been very patient with me and after all in Eomer's world only 24 hours have passed. Well, it's nearly over now, just an epilogue to follow next week. Lia | |
| vampfan30 | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/9/2006 |
| I dare say that she feels a little bit better about the situation now that she has confided in her brother, though his reaction was a little different than what she had expected. It was good, though; he should want to protect her & her honor.I have the distinct feeling that, regardless of what happens, the people of Rohan will be taken care of & no one will go without. I can see that she has something going on in that sharp mind of hers........ Author Reply: Hello Vampfan, I think Amrothos has actually given her some good advice, although she might not realize that (yet). And no, she hasn't forgotten about the people of Rohan - more of that in the next chapter. Lia | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/9/2006 |
| The amount of thought Lothiriel is putting into dressing, one might almost think that she wants to impress the King of Rohan. (And, from his reaction, that she did a pretty good job of it!) Amrothos, at least, has cottoned on to a distinct change in his sister's attitude - even if he doesn't much like the thought of her as a dowry with a strings. And a meeting in the spring - after a winter of writing to each other - might be just the way to deepen their relationship. Provided Eomer's unchaperoned presence in her chambers once Lady Idril has been sent on her way is not so shocking that Lothiriel finds herself shotgun-weddinged off to the Riddermark, of course! I look forward to the coming conversation. Author Reply: Hello Bodkin, oh, she does want to impress Eomer, but it's all in the interests of civility and to improve relations between Rohan and Gondor. Nothing more... Amrothos has actually given some good advice, as she might find out in the next chapter - more of that next week. As for Eomer's presence in her chambers, after all he's just come to collect his cloak, that won't take a minute. Or will it? Cheers! Lia | |
| Alison H | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/8/2006 |
| Well, well, well! It looks as though Lothiriel is warming up to Eomer, albeit unconsciously.What with defending him to Amorothos and her lady-in-waiting--and she then twirls around in her favourite dress! I'd say Eomer's charm has struck again.I'm dying to know what they will speak of next and what Lothiriel has planned. A very enjoyable chapter.Update soon. Ali. Author Reply: Hello Alison, No, no, she's just being polite to a good friend of her father's, isn't she... You'll find out in the next chapter what she has in mind and then I'm afraid we're nearly at the end of this story. Thanks for your review. Lia | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/4/2006 |
| I did get worried every time Lothiriel popped a hand out from that cloak. She was very close to exposing more than she wanted to! And routing Aunt Ivriniel probably advanced Eomer's suit more than anything else he could have done. That, and defending him from Imrahil's suspicion. It's almost as if L&E are now fighting on the same side! (Fingers crossed she decides she quite likes battling at his side instead of treating him as the enemy.) She'll feel a lot better after a bath and a set of clean clothes, too. Well. Any clothes, really. Author Reply: Hello Bodkin, Lothiriel really has to watch that cloak, doesn't she! And bravery on that scale should really impress her...what more could you possibly want in a man? Yes, the battlefronts are definitely shifting. Lia | |
| Alison H | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/2/2006 |
| That was a lively, entertaining chapter! I was a little wary of Eomer's intentions at first but his charm could sway the devil himself ;D By the way, Lothiriel's aunt reminds me slightly of Cruella DeVille! I could just imagine the two-tone hair! Great chapter and I look forward to more. Ali. Author Reply: Hello Ali, you are probably right about the Cruella DeVille comparison. Ivriniel is rather overdrawn of course, but then the whole story is not terribly serious, is it. And Eomer does seem to be very much aware of his effect on the ladies... Lia | |