Yours to command by Lialathuveril
SimplegirlfromLP · 26 May 2020 · Chapter 24: Opening Moves
What a great cliffhanger. I am enjoying how you end each chapter with a bit of a cliffhanger. :)
Author's reply
I do like cliffhangers myself (except at the end of a book), so I do indulge in them quite often. Have fun!
SimplegirlfromLP · 26 May 2020 · Chapter 21: The Prince and Princess of Ithilien
I have been unable to put this story down. Oh the anguish, I can’t wait to read every chapter. How will it end? What will happen next? Thank you for writing such a wonderful story.
Author's reply
Thank you - I'm so pleased to hear you're enjoying this story!
Tari · 29 September 2010 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
This story was so addictive that when I got to the last six chapters I couldn't stop reading. Deep inside, I had hoped the blow to the side of her head would restore her sight. That didn't happened, but she never minded being blind. We must be on the same page. Right after Wilwarin was banished from Gondor, I found myself wishing she would be married off to Girion The Fat. When I read that is what happended, I thought to myself that it couldn't have happened to a nicer person (not that she's nice). My hat is off to you for an excellent job. I know I will have to read more of your stories. Is the Garden Of Ithilien another site for reading stories (not that I need another one)?
Author's reply
Hello Tari, addictive is what I'm aiming for, so that's good to hear! ;-) And while writing the story, I did consider whether she would regain her sight, but it seemed to much like a fairy tale to me - too pat. Plus the point is really that in the end her blindness doesn't matter to them. As for Wilwarin, I didn't want to give it away earlier on, but I think it's a fitting fate! And all my stories are on this site; the Garden of Ithilien is a writing forum I belong to, but it doesn't have an archive of stories with it. So I hope you'll enjoy the other scenarios as well and again thanks for taking the time to review! Lia
Tari · 27 September 2010 · Chapter 23: Fogbound
Awesome. Arwen did exactly what I would have done; sent the witch back to her home until further notice. She should be left there forever.
Author's reply
And hello again! I was tempted to let Eowyn have her way, but then decided to send her home instead ;-) And the last chapter will come back to Wilwarin briefly to tie up that loose thread. Lia
Tari · 17 September 2010 · Chapter 12: Rescue
Lotheriel said it all; "What fun". And what fun it was to read. This is was an excellent way for Eomer to get to know her a little bit better.
Author's reply
Hello Tari, yes, I agree. And as he gets to know her better, he might realize she's not quite as helpless as her family thinks. Thanks for taking the time to review Lia
whitewave · 26 June 2008 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
I enjoyed this story as well and look forward to all the possible scenarios that you and Lady Bluejay can think of.
Author's reply
Thanks! As you know we're both in the middle of the next one, but I'm sure there are a few more to come. Lia
whitewave · 26 June 2008 · Chapter 22: Fireflies
Enjoyed the reconciliation scene here! Lothy deserved that very thorough kiss!
Author's reply
I almost feel bad for what I put them through. And what's even worse, I enjoyed doing it ;-) Lia
whitewave · 26 June 2008 · Chapter 17: Of Butterflies
I went back and re-read all the neat stuff you placed at the beginning of every chapter and found them so very nice. Thanks for replying to all my reviews.
Author's reply
I really enjoyed making up the quotations, even though some of them took considerable time and research (e.g. the poem). And thanks to you for reviewing! Lia
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 16: Fire
Very nice romantic tension going on. Loved it, the custom about the ribbons was very sweet. Hope Eomer gets to claim his reward soon.
Author's reply
Well, as you've probably found out by now Eomer did manage to claim his ribbon in the end! Even if it was a bit of a rough road there. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed the rest of the story! Lia
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 14: Strangers and Spices
Loved the fireboat custom for this story and laughed out loud about the childhoood pranks of Faramir. Too bad we didn't get to hear Eomer's.
Author's reply
Maybe I'll have to include some of Eomer's pranks in another story. It's a tempting idea!
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 12: Rescue
Loved how she came to his rescue this time!
Author's reply
Bet he didn't expect that!
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 9: Blood in the Water
This is one of your most exciting chapters yet. Was on the edge of my seat (almost literally). The images were so vivid in my mind that I felt like I was watching a movie.
Author's reply
Like I said before, it is a kind of movie in my mind. Shame it's so much work to get it on paper though! But it's good to hear I managed to get the images across for you. Lia
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 7: Winterbreath
had to smile at the "double meaning" words they exchanged here. the romantic tension is starting to build up.
Author's reply
And I think Eomer is starting to notice, even if Lothiriel is completely oblivious.
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 4: Imrahil's Table
Appreciate how he comes to her rescue even in the most mundane things.
Author's reply
Yes, she's already gained a champion in him here, yet somebody who will not overprotect her either.
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 3: Nightfall
One of the nice things about reading about the same couple in different stories is that you're treated to very entertaining "first meeting" scenes with every different story. I enjoyed that scene here, especially her initial reply to him and his reaction.
Author's reply
This is also what I like about thinking up different scenarios of how they could have met. So many possibilities! It was fun to include a bit of foreshadowing here as of course everybody knows she will eventually be Queen of Rohan. Lia
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 2: The White City
Relished every word of this chapter like I do every Lothy and Eomer introduction chapters. It was not obvious at first how different Lothy is in this story.
Author's reply
That was admittedly a deliberate bit of misinformation to keep the reader guessing what is 'wrong' with Lothiriel ;-) Lia
whitewave · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 1: Prologue: Of Kings and Queens
As I have expressed in my previous reviews, I really, really, love all of your Eomer and Lothiriel stories. I like the slightly "brooding" image of Eomer at the beginning of this story and honestly I couldn't even pause to review until I finished all the chapters and I intend to reread all of them after I review, they're that addicting. I felt sorry for him in that he is so lonely and obviously needs a little happiness in his life.
Author's reply
It's true this is a more sombre Eomer than usual, at least for the time being. Of course he inherited a difficult situation from his uncle with Rohan ravaged by war like it is. Fortunately his plans for a 'suitable' queen were scotched by a certain princess! Lia
Rhyselle · 10 December 2007 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
I just found this story and stayed up way too late to read the first half of it. Only the fact that I absolutely had to get some sleep before going to work made me close down the computer instead of reading through until daylight! Your Lothiriel is a wonderful interpretation and I really appreciated that she has flaws and isn't the perfect long-suffering heroine overcoming her handicap bravely... She's got a temper, she's got issues with impulse control, and she most definitely doesn't always think before she speaks! But she is also smart, loving, and honest... and I can totally see why Eomer fell for her so quickly. :) The suspense of the abduction, the duel to the death, and then Eomer's poisoning were great pieces of drama, but as much as I enjoyed those, it was the personal interaction between Lothiriel and Eomer that I liked best. And I have to say that the romance level of the Epilogue certainly hit high marks! Wonderful, evocative imagery and such a good display of Eomer's thoughts and fears... and then you let us into Lothiriel's head one last time. I particularly loved how she told him that she could see the Mark through his eyes. *sigh* I wish I'd had the time to read this when you first posted it. But I'm very glad that I found it now! Well done!
Author's reply
Hello Rhyselle, You pretty much summed up Lothiriel there, she really has to work on her impulse control! I get the feeling she will probably tread on some toes as Queen of the Mark, but also gain lots of champions. Funny enough I was just having a discussion about characterization with some other authors I know and was saying how I like characters with faults. Not earth shaking ones, but small ones like we all have them (I have a bit of a temper myself and somehow all my Lothiriels end up with one too!). And at the moment I'm working on a oneshot set a few months after the wedding. Nothing very long, just a bit of fluff for Christmas that got sparked off by a Christmas card I got sent by a friend. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it in time. So a little more romance coming up! Thanks very much for reviewing and I'm pleased that I kept you up late ;-) Lia
Pryderi · 19 July 2007 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
Well I have finally got round (plucked up the courage?) to review your stories. I have enjoyed all the ones you have posted on this site and this is strange. I am not supposed to like romantic fiction. Well, actually, I don't like romantic fiction! But I do enjoy your Eomer/Lothiriel stories (This applies equally to Lady BlueJay and Madeleine whose stories are also extremely enjoyable to me). I have been wondering why and have come to two conclusions both of which involve constraints that romantic fiction writers do not normally accept. Firstly the constraint of canon I find delightful. You, and your readers, would not be satisfied if canon characters where presented "out of character". That Eomer must be Eomer is obvious and you all do him well but the father of the female protagonist? It would add an extra dimension of possibility to create a "nasty" Imrahil. But I don't think you would do it and I wouldn't read it if you did and neither would many others. Of course you exploit his sons, grandson and Aunt Ivriniel for all you are worth, because they are just names like Lothiriel, but you do not change the personalities of those we love. Secondly and for me more importantly (although I confess to being strange in this) I like knowing the outcome! If I like a book that I start to read I go straight to the end to find out the denouement so that I can enjoy the writing before we get there. Then within the book I look ahead to find out what happens so that I can enjoy the journey. My view is that if any book is worth reading it's worth reading twice......Well in these Eomer/Lothiriel stories I do not have to worry. I know the ending and it is (as it happens) happy. In all that context I have really enjoyed your writing. In particular I like your initial intros to each chapter. Belecthor has a marvellous grasp of modern manners and should be more widely appreciated. I am pleased to see that Lady BlueJay is beginning to advertise his merits to a wider audience. Mardil Voronwe I find more difficult. I judge him a philosoper of some stature (unlike Belecthor unfortunately). Perhaps I have read him in a different translation from yours (into a different language indeed!). Seriously, at last, my copy of The Prince, in English, is not in question and answer form but reading your quotes I wish it was! Well thanks for all the pleasure that,not only this, but all your previous stories have given me. Pryderi.
Author's reply
Hello Pryderi, first of all sorry for my late reply, but I've been away on holiday the last 3 weeks. In fact I met up with LadyBluejay and she mentioned your review to me. You've made some very interesting points! As regards sticking to canon I always think that if you play in Tolkien's world it is only common courtesy to leave his characters as they are (I have to admit I'm not a great fan of AU, I think it's extremely difficult to do well). And like you wrote he has given us so many other characters to play with which are only names mentioned in the appendix. I had to laugh when I read that you like to jump ahead and read the ending of a book - that's one thing I never do! But I agree with you that it's nice to know the outcome in advance. Of course in most romance writing you know from the beginning that the protagonists will eventually find each other, so that's really the same thing. As for Belecthor, unfortunately he is woefully underappreciated by modern readers. In fact I might well have the only surviving copy of his writings in my possession. And I have heard that some of Mardil Voronwe's work has been translated into Italian, but I get the feeling that a lot has been lost or not properly understood in the process... But seriously, it's good to hear you enjoyed the story and thanks for plucking up the courage and leaving a review - it's much appreciated! Lia
Iteralday Earrinde · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 3: Nightfall
ahhh, I understand now:) Very interesting twist. Will she ever get better? *wishful thinking*
Author's reply
Well, the story is finished now, so I'm not giving any secrets away by saying that no, she won't recover her eyesight. But I hope that by the end of the story her blindness has ceased to matter to the reader - as it has to her. Lia
Iteralday Earrinde · 13 July 2007 · Chapter 2: The White City
I am slightly confused as to what Lothiriel's plight is... what is it that sets her apart so? I am really enjoying the story so far =]
Author's reply
Pleased to hear you enjoy the story and the confusion is deliberate I'm afraid ;-) Lia
SpoonMaidenOfTheShire · 10 July 2007 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
Wow, all I can say in congratulations on a job well done. It was beautifully written, the entire story, and I am very impressed. Congratulations. ~SpoonMaid
Author's reply
Thank you! It's been a lot of work, but also a lot fun to write. And I hope to take what I've learned forward into the next project - the plot bunnies are busy again... Lia
SurgicalSteel · 5 July 2007 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
*applauds* A lovely end to a lovely tale!
Author's reply
*bows* Thank you! Glad to hear that you enjoyed it and until another time, I hope. Lia
galiimeril · 4 July 2007 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
A beautiful Conclusion to a delightful story. You really ought to consider writing someting to be published, you certainly have a unique flare that attracts the imagination and sets any lingering fancies free. I enjoyed your style and insights and I hope you write again soon! Until Next Time!
Author's reply
Thank you! Although I think I'm better off sticking to writing computer programs to earn my living - even though they're less entertaining ;-) But I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed the ride. There are already more stories brewing in my mind (short ones please!), but first I'm off on holiday. Until we meet again! Lia
Tira · 3 July 2007 · Chapter 34: Epilogue: Queen of the Golden Hall
Oh, wonderful end!! I am kinda sad to see it finished, but I loved it all the same!!
Author's reply
These two have been living in my mind for over a year now, so I feel a bit sad, too. But I hope I've given them a fitting ending and I'm sure they can manage on their own now. Thanks for reviewing! Lia