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| Like a Blade Forged in Fire by Lialathuveril | 91 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/22/2021 |
| A most interesting beginning, seeing Lothiriel becoming a bride after no true wooing--simply being gifted to this man who thinks of her as a possession as yet. Need to check if you have any more original fiction on offer. I've loved the three books I've read. Author Reply: Hello Larner, nice hearing from you again! And I hope you'll enjoy the continuation of the story too. Lothiriel's second wooing will be very different. As for my original stories, thank you so much for your kind words! I'm working on a new one, but unfortunately it's slow going with all my other commitments. Lia | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/21/2021 |
| "perhaps the widow of a brave Swan Knight"...Not quite! Now perhaps in time, Eomer can charm the full story out of her. If her husband's next younger brother had him killed, then threatened the life of her son, she might be gratified to hear of said violent, jealous brother's death at Theoden's hands on the Pellenor. As to Tarcil's future, I can see him with as much future as Gondor's chief Ambassador to Harad. Or as his future little brother, Elfwine's right hand man, like Eomer and Theodred. Besides, he is also born a Prince of Dol Amroth, and he and Alphros are already best friends. He could become Alphros's right hand, as well. All kinds of possible stories.! I will be watching. Author Reply: Yes, she'll actually mention Theoden killing the Harad king in a later chapter (I've got the story largely written, but I still need to revise it) and that it was her husband's younger brother. As for Tarcil, the story won't cover his adulthood, but I can see Gondor slowly taking back its southern lands and one day even conquer Harad. Perhaps Eomer, Aragorn, Faramir and their sons will help Tarcil regain his throne? As you said, lots of possibilities. | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/21/2021 |
| How lovely to see a new offering from you! You do know, my addiction to Eomer-Lothiriel stories started with your "Not the Usual Stakes"! That was the first E-L story I discovered when I first came to SOA. Then my sister e-mailed a link from Hennuth Annun, then here and at Fanfiction.Net I found Maddy and Lady BlueJay, and have never looked back! I think that Lothy's father and brothers are beating themselves up for not what they think. The scene in the Crown Princess's private garden brought to my mind a song from the Broadway musical "Kismet". The words included "come where the dearly beloved is waiting, where the rose and the jasmine mingle, While I tell her the moon is for mating, and tis sin to be single..." I think that she will not say anything bad about her late husband because he was always good to her and their son. I think she fell in love with him! I think that she still wears the queen's torc because it was given to her at her marriage by her husband, like a wedding ring! I like the lady captain of her personal guard's promise that she would defend her new mistress with her life. She has, indeed, given up her old life, for a new one in Gondor and Rohan. Now, What next? Author Reply: Not the usual stakes was your introduction to Eomer/Lothiriel romance? It's a miracle that didn't put you off altogether ;-D As for Lothiriel's thoughts on her marriage, that will emerge slowly, but I'm not giving any secrets away when I agree that her family don't understand her properly. And there will also be a bit more about Khuri's background. I hope you'll enjoy the ride! | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/20/2021 |
| Very interesting premise. I think that Lothiriel and her late husband had a good relationship. It could be politically advantageous to eventually have peaceful ties between Rohan and the Haradrim, through Lothiriel's sons. Author Reply: Hi Raksha, nice hearing from you again! And I agree, Denethor's reasoning was sound, even if unfortunately it didn't quite work out. I was partly inspired by the Chinese 'heqin' custom of regularly sending minor princesses as brides to the steppe people beyond the Great Wall. | |
| sue | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/18/2021 |
| Getting more exciting! I foresee kidnap attempts, lovesick Eomer, anti-Harad prejudice against Tarcil and much angst. I hope there will be many detailed flashbacks about life in the Haradrim harem. I am looking forward to decadent details. OK I like smut. 8>D There's a book written about a Byzantine woman in the 1500's who ended up in the Topkapi Harem. Good for ideas. She became the empress. Author Reply: Well, you're right that there will be some angst, but not really many details of life in the Haradrim harem, I'm afraid. I'm just not so much into it ;-D And I've read about the slave girl turned empress that you mention. I think she was quite influential in the end. | |
| whitewave | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/17/2021 |
| I feel a bit sorry for Eomer since he is obviously already smitten. It would be fun to watch the uphill battle for him to win her over though. Love the unique position of Lothiriel in this scenario—Mother of the Kings of Harad and the Rohirrim! And her son already has very strong allies indeed in case he will push to claim the throne of Harad. Author Reply: You will probably feel even more sorry for Eomer as the story progresses, I'm afraid ;-) And yes, I can absolutely see him and Elfwine (plus of course Eomer, Aragorn, Faramir and the Dol Amroth lot) taking part in a campaign to regain Harad. Though that's outside the scope of this story. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/16/2021 |
| Oh, an intriguing chapter! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next chapters. Thank you! Author Reply: Thank you! I'm planning to put up a new chapter once a week, if I can, so the wait shouldn't be too long. | |
| sue | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/13/2021 |
| Oooo -lovely set up. I am anxious for more chapters. I like seeing Lotherial's trepidation coupled with her considerable diplomatic skill. A great beginning and a wholly unusual story line. Author Reply: Thank you! I've long wanted to write a story involving the Haradrim and this scenario insisted on being written. I hope you'll enjoy it! | |
| whitewave | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/10/2021 |
| Great to see a new post from you! I like this version of the Eomer-Lothiriel love story--it reminiscent of Eleanor of Aquitaine. The Harad culture you are portraying is also interesting and looking forward to see how you will have Eomer and Lothiriel meet and fall in love. Author Reply: Hello whitewave, great to hear from you again! It's true, Eleanor of Aquitaine married the French king first, IIRC, didn't she? Though I hope that Lothiriel and Eomer will have a less conflict prone marriage than Eleanor and Henry. But now I have this vision of 'Elfwine the Lionheart' ;-D Lia | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/9/2021 |
| Well, this was a wonderful treat! It's very different being in Harad, but I love it so far. Thanks so much! Author Reply: The rest of the story will be set in Gondor and Rohan, but I wanted to give an idea of Lothiriel's experience there. I hope you'll enjoy the ride! | |