irene
· 20 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
Ah,you write so well I felt the strong desire to kick this Muzgash's balls - and hard.
Tja, wie sich's so trifft, bin ich aus Österreich. Daher müssen Deine Grüße nach Norden zum Osten umgeleitet werden. Egal,in welche Richtung, danke Dir vielmals!
And continue! Continue! But not too fast. I'd like to suffer Muzgash a little bit...
Your back is better, then?
Thank you,
Irene
P.S. Would you care to tell me where exactly you live? I've visited Switzerland a few times and would like to know.
Author's reply
Thanks, my back is a lot better, although at the moment I'm exhausted from all the packing I had to do. Hopefully I'll get some time while on holiday to do some more writing, so I'll have more for you when I get back.
Viele Grüsse nach Osten!
Lia
Larner
· 20 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
Fascinating chapter. A horrid bringing up for one intended to be ruthless, and unfortunately he fell to his father's expectations.
I love Lothiriel's estimation as to how they will react when she threatens them with the chamber pot. Hope she finds a means to get the best of SOMEONE; and glad they hadn't yet hurt the maid.
Now--how will Eomer react to that message? We wonders, doesn't we?
Author's reply
You are right Muzgash didn't have a very nice upbringing and unfortunately that kind of thing perpetuates itself. He would probably do the same to any children of his.
I like my heroines to be plucky, so Lothiriel will eventually get the chance to show her mettle. She might even get to use the chamber pot yet!
Lia
Alison H
· 20 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
Well, Lothiriel is in dire straits but her hidden message to Eomer should start the wheels in motion for her rescue.Eomer's anger at Muzgash will be spectacular and he may want to rush heedless to Lothiriel's rescue but I think he'll soon smell a rat and proceed with caution....though his heart may want to do otherwise.
Lothiriel is obviously terrified but she has the presence of mind to write the hidden message to Eomer and also save her maid from harm.Muzgash has designs on her himself(shudder!)but she'll do what needs to be done to keep Eomer safe.I really admire her!
Have a great vacation, Lia.I look forward to the next update.
Ali.
Author's reply
Yes, Lothiriel is an opponent to be reckoned with when those she loves are in danger. And because of her handicap everybody underestimates her anyway.
Eomer - well, you'll see in the next chapter what happens. I don't want to give the story away after all!
And now I've got to be off to bed - I really need that holiday now!
Have a good time, too!
Lia
Unheard Chime
· 19 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
Ooooh how I hate waiting to see what is going to happen!!
Clever Lothiriel, though. I am glad that she kept her wits about her! The Haradrim will learn better than to threaten Lothiriel and Eomer.
Have a good vacation!
Author's reply
I'm afraid nearly every single scene ends in a cliffhanger at the moment, no matter where I finish the chapter! But you are right, the Haradrim will learn eventually that they've made a very grave mistake.
Have a good time, too!
Lia
Calenlass
· 19 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
I have an extreme for your villain (I can't remember his name). I do hope Eomer will find out what happened to Lothiriel...
~Calenlass
Author's reply
Well, he'll find out something is wrong quite soon, but that's only the beginning, I'm afraid.
Lia
SurgicalSteel
· 19 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
Gracious, how things do twist and turn! I, like Lothiriel, am hoping that Eomer is wise enough to not simply walk into the trap.
Author's reply
Well, things will twist and turn some more before the happy end, but you'll see Eomer's reaction in the next chapter.
Lia
Cuthalion
· 19 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
And now - what??? You can't be serious and end the chapter right here! Of course Lothiriel used a tiny trick by ending the letter with the word Lothig (whatever it means, my anglo saxon is rather rusty...*grins*), and I can only hope that Éomer will catch the hint in time.
Can't wait to see the next chapter... and by the way, the moment you have to reassure your nervous readers thirsting for MORE that your beta will post the next chapter because you are unable, you've made it to the top. *applause* I'm rather proud of you. Just saying.
Cúthalion
And of course your back was damaged, not your arm. I'm such an idiot sometimes. Must've been some freudian slip or something. *grins shamefully, blushing*
Author's reply
Actually Lothig means Little Flower in Sindarin - I didn't mean to be obscure (sorry!) so I've added an author's note to make that clearer. I don't think she would have picked up enough Rohirric yet to send a coded message.
And you might not thank me in a week's time when you get the next chapter, because that ends in an even worse cliffhanger than this one ;-) But I thought I can't very well let you hang in there for 2 weeks!
Have a nice time!
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 19 April 2007
· Chapter 25: The Black Serpent
I admire Lothiriel's courage and her cleverness too, in thinking of a more or less coded message for Eomer while in that awful situation. Muzgash is scary. Now Eomer just has to be clever as well.
Author's reply
Yes, Muzgash might yet find out that he's underestimated Lothiriel. Unfortunately that probably won't please him very much...
Lia
Cuthalion
· 16 April 2007
· Chapter 24: Opening Moves
Oh dear. This must have been traumatic for a blind woman (and poor Imrahil! Delivering his daughter into the hands of her abductors himself!)... and after having read the other reviews, I fear you'll let the carrot of happy solutions dangle in front of our hungry noses for quite a while longer. *sighs dramatically* I can't wait to see who just opens the door. And I hope your arm is better.
Cúthalion
Author's reply
Thanks, my back is fine again and I got a lot of writing done over Easter. But I'm afraid you're right when you write that the happy end won't be reached for a while yet. And things will only get more traumatic for poor Lothiriel in the next few chapters - for some reason a lot of angst has crept into this story.
More on Thursday or Friday!
Lia
Bodkin
· 15 April 2007
· Chapter 24: Opening Moves
Oh my! Imrahil will be kicking himself that he actually consented - his very-own-self - to Lothiriel going off in the company of that highly suspicious 'healer'. Without guards.
And I hope Hareth was considered sufficiently unimportant that knocking her out was enough to get her out of the way - because these people might well feel that a surer message would be delivered by way of a knife between her ribs.
But Lothiriel's campaign of attrition was most entertaining! (Might have taken a long time to wear down a resolute Prince Imrahil - but even he would have grown tired of it in the end!)
(I wonder how Annamira is dealing with her sister's disgrace ... and whether Mama was dismissed from court along with her daughter - or whether she has clung on, bewailing Wilwarin's fate, to her remaining and satisfactorily-married Princess of a daughter ...)
Eomer isn't going to be happy. There will be explosions. Very loud ones to be heard in Far Harad. I hope they get over the wrath quickly - and on to the major problem of where-is-Lothiriel! Before she gets carried off by ... is Muzgash the Haradri Prince who wanted to marry her?
I don't think Lothiriel is going to be very pleased with him. Especially given the headache. I suggest she vomits on him. That always tends to deter smug slimeballs like Cupid. Temporarily, anyway.
Very exciting.
Author's reply
Yes, I think Imrahil will feel pretty guilty when he finds out what happened to Lothiriel! And Eomer won't be best pleased about it either, although perhaps too diplomatic to say so openly.
And yes, Muzgash is the Haradrim Prince she was promised to, so he is doubly pleased to have got hold of her. The vomiting sounds like a good idea - again I'm tempted - but actually I've got different plans for their confrontation.
The next chapter should show what Muzgash has in mind for Eomer and Lothiriel, also what happened to Hareth (but don't worry).
Lothiriel's campaign of attrition - that's the kind of thing my own kids do to me (my eldest wants to keep a horse in our town flat...), so I thought I could at least use it for literary inspiration ;-)
More next week!
Lia
Larner
· 13 April 2007
· Chapter 24: Opening Moves
So--the move has finally been made, eh? Interesting--most interesting.
Author's reply
Well, these are the opening moves. We'll see what the endgame will bring...
Lia
AAAAAHHHHHHH! MUZGASH GOT HER!
Oh, poor Lothiriel. Always the victim, though I have to say she rises most admirably to the challenge. I'm sure being a hostage is doubly hard when you're blind. She was very brave. And I'm sure her trust in Eomer will not prove unfounded.
Eomer, hurry! Hurry up and find her already!
Muzgash makes me shudder. So it was his FATHER that Theoden killed? Now I see. I wonder what his plan is, exactly.
What a cliffhanger! I await the next chapter most impatiently.
(Oh, and there's something wrong with FanFiction right now, right? I decided to review here but I'll review there too, when the chapter's up. :D)
Author's reply
I didn't know you were on this site as well - thanks for your reviews!
Yes, Muzgash's father was the Haradrim king that Theoden killed, which is why he wants to take his revenge on Eomer. And Lothiriel makes a convenient means to trap him (he thinks). Still, he might yet find out that he's bitten off more than he can chew...
As for Lothiriel, she's probably frightened inside, but then she's also very brave when she has to be. And she has a hope to hold on to.
More next week, I promise!
Lia
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooh that was an evil evil chapter!!
So, our bad guy wants Lothiriel because he thinks she ought to have been his, and it'll help him kill off Eomer too? Clever.
On the plus side, when Eomer rescues her, it'll be the perfect way to show Imrahil that Eomer is capable of taking care of Lothiriel!
Eagerly awaiting the next update!
Author's reply
Yes, Muzgash is probably congratulating himself that he can take his revenge on Gondor and Rohan at the same time. The next chapter will show how Muzgash intends to make use of Lothiriel - she might surprise him yet, though.
And poor Imrahil will soon find out that he did a poor job of looking after his daughter. Let's hope Eomer is better at it.
Lia
SurgicalSteel
· 12 April 2007
· Chapter 24: Opening Moves
That was a truly evil cliffhanger. Eager to see more!
Author's reply
Okay, I have to admit I like to torture my readers! And this is of course only the beginning of it...
Lia
vampfan30
· 12 April 2007
· Chapter 24: Opening Moves
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! evil cliffie !
can't wait for the next chapter - Eomer to the rescue!
Author's reply
Patience! I'm afraid the next chapter won't bring any rescue yet, on the contrary. And it won't be the last cliffhanger in this story.
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 12 April 2007
· Chapter 24: Opening Moves
I particularly liked Elfhelm's tactful concern and Eomer's dogged defense of his choice. The lovers certainly seem to have few people supporting them.
Poor Lothiriel. But also brave, resourceful Lothiriel. I like her. Elfhelm should get over it!
Author's reply
Yes, it's true Eomer and Lothiriel have few people on their side - but at least a few heavyweights like Eowyn and Aragorn!
And you are of course right when you say that Lothiriel is quite resourceful. I think she's not the woman to just accept her situation and wait to be rescued.
Lia
Calenlass
· 12 April 2007
· Chapter 24: Opening Moves
It seems as if today everyone is fond of cliffhangers. Nearly every new chapter I read has one...
:-)
Eomer had better hurry and find her.
~Calenlass
Author's reply
Sorry about that! Maybe it's contagious - spring cliffhanger madness? And before Eomer can find her he has to first find out she's missing!
Lia
SpoonMaidenOfTheShire
· 6 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
This is excellent! I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter, and I hope your back feels better soon...
~SpoonMaid
Author's reply
Thanks, my back is slowly getting better. I've started writing again, but I have to be careful that I don't overdo it. Pleased to hear you like the story!
Lia
obsidianj
· 5 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
Ha! Wilwarin got her comeuppance. That scene made me smile. "But I'm not dressed for riding". Well, she better get dressed soon! Or, maybe not. I would like to see her in the midden. I love that Arwen supports Eowyn in this.
So, Lothiriel only gets whisked away to Minas Tirith, then there is hope that she can convince her father that this marriage is the right thing to do. And Eomer is not too far behind. I think Lothiriel has to convince her father. I don't think he believes Eomer is not worthy of her, I think his worry is, is she capable of being a queen with her disability? I'm curious how she will show to her father that she is up to the job.
Author's reply
No, I don't think that Wilwarin will change into a riding dress before heading out. She's got a powerful motivator after her!
And I agree about Imrahil's motives and worries. In a way both men are quite alike with their strong urge to protect Lothiriel. Hopefully by the end of the story they can resolve their differences. But that's a while yet...
Lia
irene
· 5 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
I finally decided to emerge from my lurking state and tell you how much I love your story. As stated before, I too am no Éomer/Lothiriel/romance interessent but I cannot resist a well written story. A real pleasure!
Nebenbei bemerkt denke ich, daß Deine Muttersprache Deutsch ist(so wie die meine) und das ist das Bemerkenswerteste. Dein Englisch ist makellos, soweit ich es beurteilen kann.
Alles Gute für Deinen Rücken!
Many thanks,
Irene
Author's reply
Welcome! It's always nice to entice another lurker into the open ;-) I'm pleased to hear you like my story and thanks for what you said about my English. I'm Swiss in fact and yes, my native tongue is German.
Danke für die guten Wünsche und liebe Grüsse nach Norden!
Lia
galimeril
· 4 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
Excellent! A most wonderous addition to your illustrious story! I'm so sorry about your back! I hope it feels better soon, I'll say a prayer for you! Good Night!
Author's reply
Wow, 'illustrious story' - that sounds very grand ;-) I'm recovering slowly, thank you!
Lia
keindra
· 4 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
Hello,
I am reading stories on this website for a few months now, but yours is absolutely the best I have read so far. It's really well written and you just can feel the love in the air. I hope you recover soon and write another great chapter to this amazing story.
greetz kiendra
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm having quite a lot of fun with these two, so that probably shows. I still have to take it easy, so I'm afraid it might be a while until the next chapter. Thanks for your review!
Lia
Larner
· 3 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
Not often one meets a dung beetle who masquerades as a butterfly; but I believe Eowyn had the right idea--see the woman back to the midden where she belongs. And to have Arwen's quiet disregard turned toward her--that would be almost insufferable.
But I don't feel particularly sorry for the creature.
At least Imrahil has agreed to a cooling off period, and may be listening to his daughter by the time it's up. Still waiting for the Haradri to act, of course. Be interesting to see how Eomer reacts to that.
Author's reply
So now she's a dung beetle - how true! At least we've seen the last of her and Eowyn has shown nice, ladylike restraint by not carrying through her threat.
Poor Imrahil will need some time to get used to the idea of his little girl growing up so rapidly. But like you said, the Haradrim are still out there, waiting.
Lia
Carol
· 3 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
I love the way you handled Wilwarin's fall from grace. I never imaged Éowyn and Arwen delivering the final blows. Though I can see Éowyn defending her brother by throwing Wilwarin in the midden and I can understand Arwen feeling that what Wilwarin did would be an outrage and she wouldn't want her around to spread any more poison in her court. I am glad that Éomer confronted her publicly so that she couldn't wiggle out of it or lie about what had happened, too many witnesses watched and listened to the whole thing. Too often people of Wilwarin's ilk don't weigh the consequences of their behavior if things go wrong.
Poor Imrahil he doesn't want to lose his precious baby girl. They think they are above the rules. I know he feels responsible for her blindness and just wants to protect her. I feel fate is going to show he can't protect completely no matter how hard he tries.
Author's reply
Wilwarin probably just thought she would be able to lie her way out of any situation, especially as there were no witnesses to her conversation with Lothiriel. Well, that's not so easy to do with Eomer cornering you! And I can see Eowyn taking a very dim view of somebody like that trying to trap her brother. Still, Wilwarin might mend her ways one day.
And you're spot on with Imrahil of course.
Lia
Calenlass
· 3 April 2007
· Chapter 23: Fogbound
I usually don't read romances, nor Eomer stories, but this--this is certainly an excellent story.
Wilwarin certainly got what she deserved--I could barely stand her after she lied. If I were Eowyn, she probably would already be in the midden.
I look forward to more.
~Calenlass
Author's reply
Yes, I'm sure Eowyn was tempted! But maybe marriage has mellowed her already ;-) I'm pleased to hear you like the story, thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Lia