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The Eagle on the Ramparts  by Canafinwe 12 Review(s)
Cimarron's Girl Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015
Another fantastic chapter! Loved the duel in the last one too, of course.

I'm glad Thorongil finally got a better-fitting uniform! No more chapped wrists for him, I hope.

This is such an excellent conversation between Ecthelion and Thorongil. As always, I really appreciate your attention to detail - for example, Ecthelion's thoughts about tapping his fingers in impatience really add realism to his character; I do the same thing. The action itself is perhaps insignificant to the plot of the story, but it is a detail that helps to define his character and make it ever-more believable. I just about choked, though, at the line "plainly Thorongil was not a man of means." *snerk* Ecthelion has no idea... He is such a gentle, kindly soul, though, with such pity for poor, fatherless Thorongil. Heh heh.

Just curious, 'cause I'm not sure if I understand correctly... Is a Captain of the Mark lower in rank than an Undermarshal? I would think that an Undermarshal is still kind of a Captain of the Mark... Silly question, I suppose.

My, I quite enjoy Denethor's sisters. Telpiriel, at least, has his measure! Very amusing how she called him out on the matter of the letter. Again, lovely characterizations for all of these characters. Denethor is spot-on; it's going to be a rough time for him from now on, with Thorongil around! Thorongil deals with him masterfully, nonetheless.

Last of all, I couldn't help but smile at the line "And remember: it is better to sway a little than to freeze." I imagine Denethor might be willing to argue that point! However, this really drives home Ecthelion's good-natured soul. All in all, this is marvelous!

Cheers!

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the duel, and especially the conversation in this chapter. It's great to know the finger-tapping added some realism, and that Thorongil's not-quite-answers were a source of amusement. That is, of course, one of their aims (not the first aim, but definitely on the list!).

We do not really know the precise command structure of Rohan, but we know that a Marshal lead s about one-third of a full Muster of the mark, and that a Captain leads one éored (about 120 men, if Éomer's is representative). There is a very big leap in numbers there, from 120 men to about 4000, so I devised the position of Undermarshal to bridge the gap. In this system, there are three Undermarshals under each Marshal, each in command of eight to ten Captains (and éoreds) as well as their own éored. So Thorongil was first a lowly Rider, then a sergeant, then a lieutenant, then a Captain, and finally an Undermarshal (but *at the same time* also still the Captain of the Eagle's Éored) before leaving Rohan. Not a silly question at all!

So pleased you like the girls! They're lovely to write.



someoneReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015
Finally, there is someone who can challenge Denethor! Telpiriel knows her little brother well and brings some much needed balance in that family. Ecthelion is not only impatient, but also slightly blind, at least when it comes to Denethor.

The part where Ecthelion thinks about Thorongil's lands is so very ironic. His idea of a tiny piece of land seems to fit with everything Thorongil has told him, but I don't think Arnor is that small! It is easy to pity both Ecthelion and Denethor; Denethor, as he has met someone even more extraordinary than himself and now has to doubt his own worth, and Ecthelion, as his good heart has made him feel too sorry for his new soldier.

Author Reply: Unfortunately, yes. Ecthelion does not quite understand his intelligent, stubborn, fiercely driven son. I'm glad you enjoyed the irony in the Steward's assumptions, and indeed that you can see how each man needs a little sympathy in this situation.

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