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| Destiny's Child by Mirkwoodmaiden | 50 Review(s) |
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| SimplegirlfromLP | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 4/1/2021 |
| So enjoying this story especially about a young Eowyn. We know how it all ends, but I so love reading all the filler and details in between. Thank you for sharing your story. Looking forward to the next chapter. Author Reply: SimplegirlfromLP! So happy to hear from you and so happy you are enjoying the story! I do like to write gap filler stories and I really love Eowyn! ((hugs)) MM | |
| Nurayy | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/29/2021 |
It is so difficult to see how Théoden is getting worse and worse. You show so well the helplessness Théodred and Éowyn feel. So hard for them to have to witness this. Take care my friend! Author Reply: Nurayy! Hello! Yes, these are not easy times for the royal family of Rohan. Does Théoden's decline seem too slow or too fast. I am trying to pitch it right with the timeline in the book. And yes it is so hard to see one you love decline. Even harder when they are under the influence of someone you don't trust. Not an easy time at all. Be well and stay safe Mellon nin! MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/28/2021 |
| As the chapter began, I had to go back and look at the date at the top, for it almost sounded like the arrival of Gandalf the Grey (escaping Saruman and taking Rohan's finest horse) or Gandalf the White and the Three Hunters. How sad that Théoden was emotionally and intellectually separated from his son in his son's last months of life. And poor Éowyn, to have borne the burden, seeing the reality that her cousin was too preoccupied to notice (or perhaps he was afflicted by that peculiar but common malady where we refuse to recognize a loved one's decline). This part of the timeline is very sad reading. (And yes! I have begun reading again in two of your other stories: Elanor's birthday and Éowyn and Faramir's wedding!) I hope this finds you and yours well. ((hugs)) Author Reply: Lindelea! The beggar being dismissed at the gate in the beginning of the chapter IS Gandalf. I meant to reveal that the end of this chapter but it was getting too long and I broke it where I did thinking that made a decent enough stopping point so in effect I have a good portion of Chapter 13 already written!! Yeah this part of the timeline has some heavy going. Théoden slipping farther away, Eowyn watching it all happen. Grima's effect on both of them but in different ways. Théodred dying. And it is sad that Théoden is losing touch with his son and his son dies before Théoden comes back to himself. We don't what the future will bring. Théodred, like Éomer has his duties to keep him occupied and yes often we don't want to admit to a loved one decline. He can keep busy but Éowyn's dreams have been taken away from her and she, as a woman's part often was historically, has a front row seat with no distraction to see her beloved Uncle's decline. Gandalf mentions something of this to Éomer (I think)in ROTK. But she was loved by the people of Edoras and they give her strength and joy and the ability to keep going in these sad times. I keep on reminding myself "Éowyn does end the story happily!" Because this story will more or less end with her realizing her love for Faramir in the Houses of Healing. And it will flow into "Bound by Duty; Bound by Joy" and flow into the other stories I have already written about them! I am so happy that you are ready those other two stories. Looking forward to what you think! Hope you are well! ((hugs)) MM | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 3/28/2021 |
| Théoden was aging before his eyes. The plan was unfolding quite well. How helpless those who truly love Rohan, and their king, must feel, watching this unfold. You describe everything so well. Author Reply: Shirebound! Thanks! These haven't been easy chapters to write. I've been trying to show Théoden's decline slowly and show Éowyn growing despair in stages. Both she and Théodred are can't help Théoden and each is grappling with it differently. It is a somber and very uneasy time. Hope you are well! ((hugs)) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 3/26/2021 |
| Somehow I knew even before you said it why she would stay. She was nothing here, except her beloved uncle’s only smile. I'm glad Théodred was still alive at the time of this ceremony. So much lovely detail! It reminds me of seeing The Two Towers and the amazing detail that had gone into the set and costume construction for the Golden Hall and the village in Rohan and the people of the land. royal masks slipped back into place ... very evocative phrasing. A whole lifetime expressed in only a few words. I hope this finds you and yours well, my friend. Thanks for a lovely treat after finishing my work for the day. Author Reply: Lindelea! Exactly! She won't leave him. And yet Grima ever there disturbing her peace. I think Two Tower may actually be my favourite of the three film because of the Rohirrim and Rohan. And the music that Howard Shore created for them. The man is a bloody genius! I admit I have watch parts of Two Towers when I have been writing this story, so chock full of detail those scenes are. "royal masks slipped back into place" yep they are to play the roles they were given. Theodred doesn't die until February 25 3019. The timeline in the Appendices in the back of ROTK specifically lists this. It will be very hard of Eowyn. But I haven't written that chapter yet, but it is coming. Thank you so much reading and writing to say what you think! Stay Safe! Mellon Nin! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/24/2021 |
| In the middle of a sad and stressful chapter, a bit of lightness that made me smile: Heruling knew he was being dismissed; he had three sisters and could recognize when women needed to be alone to discuss whatever it was they discussed. (and his "never ask what they're talking about"! Snork) The subtle changes in Theoden make me think of slow poison. Could be physical or spiritual (magical) in nature. I have almost reached the last available chapter in this story, and then will go and seek out another. I remember starting to read about a visit to the Shire, for example... Stay well, Mellon nin. Author Reply: Lindelea! In these chapters where dark and somber things have to happen I have tried to leaven it a little with a little humour or joy because even sadder times there are still some moments of joy. And I also like to add a little bit of character to even bit players. A young, intelligent Rider with lots of sisters would definitely learn when "Girl Talk" about to happen and to ask no questions! LOL!! I have definitely been trying to show the slow change in Theoden over 5 years. I thinking more of a spiritual poisoning of his soul. It is never made clear how Grima and by extension Saruman works their influence over Theoden. In the films it is far more Saruman's possession of Theoden because it was more cinematic but it is far less evident whose influence held sway. I would be interested what you think I am trying to portray with Theoden's decline. I have Chapter 12 almost ready and part of Chapter 13 written. If you are referring my story about a visit to the Shire that's "Changes and Acceptances" and would love to hear your thoughts! Stay Safe, Mellon nin!! ((hugs)) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/22/2021 |
| Alas, poor Éowyn! So dutiful and loving, but trapped by her birth and station. This bit made me laugh: “All right. Are we all assembled now?” She said looking at Héohelm. “It appears, my lady!” Such joy in seeing her brother elevated. How grieved she will be upon his exile, leaving her even more isolated. (Please don't let anything awful happen to the puppy, I'm not sure I could bear it.) And even though canon dictates Grima's increasing hold over Theoden, it's still sad to see it playing out. I'm glad Gandalf eventually drove out Grima and brought the King's healing. ((hugs)) ...and that's the end of my lunch break. Lookin forward to reading more. Stay safe, Mellon nin. Author Reply: Lindelea! I am definitely trying to paint the picture of life that lead to Eowyn feeling as she did by the time TTT is happening. The trips to lower Edoras has given me the opportunity to show some joy in her life even as she feels trapped in the Golden Hall and her life. And no I would not taken away her little dog. I wouldn't do that to either Eowyn OR the dog. With everything going on in her life losing her dog might just be the last straw! Writing about Theoden's slow descent has certainly been a challenge I am trying to show Grima's influence by degrees. Can you tell me how you think it is going over the next few chapters? The real challenge lay in meshing together the differing strands from the Book and the film. Thanks for reading! I really having been wanting to hear what you think of this story! Stay Safe! Mellon Nin ((hugs)) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/21/2021 |
| In haste tonight, so quick impressions. I love the reconciliation between the King and his niece. That he keeps looking up at every sound, hoping it's Éowyn... his thanks and pledge at the end of the scene... The next scene: Éowyn the generous, the kind (the foretelling! yay!), the problem-solver, the one who fights for her people, even if it's just getting them the care they need. (And her working that the boy should have the chance to pursue his heart's desire, something that has been forbidden her. Poignant.) The old councilor. So that's how Grima's opportunity arose. I'm glad it wasn't through accident or poison, but still... ((hugs)) Hope you're staying safe and well! Author Reply: Lindelea! I'm really glad you liked the reconciliation. I thought hard about how I wanted it to come about and I really wanted to emphasize the love between the two. It was a very heartfelt scene to write. The next scene was to help develop the love and comradeship felt between Éowyn and the people of Edoras. Hama says in TTT that the people of Edoras love her I wanted to show why. You'll notice that she knows the name of all the people she calls on for help with Háláf. And to show her "high-hearted" spirit even though she will never realise her dreams she cannot stand to see a child lose his. Though she carried a secret pain in her heart she gave to others and never let them see her pain. I thought about how to introduce Grima. His was an recent influence he comes on the scene around 3014. He was not a long time councilor. There is no written reason in the Legendarium that I could find so I invented a reason. Thanks for taking the time to write even though you were in a rush! Stay Safe, Mellon nin! ((hugs)) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/18/2021 |
| Impressions as I read... My heart is breaking for her. Oh! A loving conspiracy. And yes, those childless couples with endless room in their hearts to take in strays. I grew up with such an elderly couple next door. Wonderful refuge from the storms of life. little red-haired slip of a girl with a spirit as large as Helm Hammerhand. Perfect description. Gamhelm is so wise... what a good counselor and friend he is. Oh, yes. Bareback and with only a halter and rope, heading out to find some solace and solitude. Been there. If your horse has been trained to neck-rein and/or respond to the rider shifting his or her weight, it's doable (though probably not advisable). And Théodred... "Neither wanting to hurt the other, but in your raw emotional states one is bound to say something that will just make the other angrier, or worse, more hurt.” what he's describing, I've heard called "lizard brain" - and he's right, of course. And the horse analogies! Again, perfect! You have a sure sense of relationships in your writing. Your people are so real and relatable. Lovely. *** We got our first Pfizer shot on the same day! Little by little. Now if people would just practice some restraint... there's light at the end of the tunnel, perhaps, but we need to get out of the tunnel before we start acting like the emergency is over. Sorry, I let my frustration with the news videos of spring-breakers boil over a bit there. Author Reply: Lindelea! Exactly! My heart hurts for Eowyn. Those we love are not perfect in their reckoning. They try to make the best decisions with the options they have. That is why I write of a conspiracy of love. And following that when she finds out the three she loves the most can't be the ones she turns to. She needed to run to find shelter from the maelstrom of emotions within her. She would go to her comfort zone which for any child of the House of Eorl would be the stables and her horse. And of course the comforting and solid presence of Gamhelm. I was really quite glad I had already created this relationship earlier in the story he was the perfect one for Eowyn to talk to. I figure if anyone could ride bareback it would be the Rohirrim and as Eowyn is the daughter of Kings she has riding in her blood. Thanks for the compliment about the relationship I create. I really work at trying to make each relationship real. We love and are not rational in our loving. I try to reflect that. The chapters you are coming up to haven't been easy because I must take Eowyn through her unhappiness. An despair so deep that she wanted to die on the Battle field of the Pelannor. But I remind myself that I have already written of her happiness but she must travel this difficult road to get there. **dose of reality** Yeah!! that we got our first shots on the same day! And no need to apologize. I feel your pain. Those people on the beach Grrrr!! They don't care who they might infect...as long as they get their sun! Grrrr! Thanks so much for writing! Mellon nin! Stay safe (((Hugs)) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/17/2021 |
| I haven’t seen that version of Emma! At least, I don’t think I have. I saw a BBC version of Emma a couple decades ago, I think. I confess, her cluelessness made me wince, making it one of my least-favorite Austen stories. But now I may have to seek out the Paltrow version. Author Reply: True! Emma is a bit clueless and how she treated her friend, Miss Bates is terrible, but this version is pretty good and that scene is definitely fitting for my chapter! LOL! MM Small diversion into reality...I got my first shot of the Pfizer Vacc today! Yeah!! | |