Reviews (33)

Ana · 12 May 2013 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five

After re-reading her stories I must say I was mistaken. Her characters have depth and are very well thought out. Her original characters are amazing, based on people she knew. Her other characters are unique, she makes them her own. Though her Lothíriel resembles Audrey Hepburn in a way, I love her double blink, her allergy to fish, her single-mindedness, maybe a bit like Madeleine herself. Her Lothíriel was a healer, with a scientific mind, like Maddy. She achieves a perfect atmosphere, never straying from the anglo-saxon world. Her intensive research was really worthwhile, maybe a whole book condensed into a few lines. To be able to understand all the meaning, some reviews from other people and her replies are necessary. What a pity we aren't going to read about dear aunt Ivríniel, about Éofor and Eormenhild ( two versions of the riddle, and the riddle is going to return), about illegitimate offspring (Cerdic. Frea's son. One review in Katzilla's The Banishment of Éomer). Regarding Éothain, nothing within 10 miles a coincidence, so why was he so nervous?. He can't be so stupid. It would be a good "punishment" for what he did to The Three Hunters. Every one of her characters could have His/Her own story. She managed to give us a perfect closed ending. She was a true born writer. Thank you Maddy!

whitewave · 29 June 2008 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Enjoyed the very short sentences that Amrothos was able to conjure from his vast vocabulary, and the whole dungeon thing and how the boys got Firefoot drunk, and Deodwyn's spoon attack (made me wonder how Eomer and Eowyn were as kids) Very very priceless! Loved the still-hot passion that the royal couple still have for each other even after 5 children and 10 years. My they are proficient! Wonder how Eowyn and Faramir's brood are doing though? And Elphir's and Aragorn's? Enjoyed the very domestic scene at Eomer's study, especially how his daughter adores him! I want to know what happens when the brood increases further and what havoc they will wreak on Gondor.

whitewave · 29 June 2008 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Enjoyed the vivid comparison of the children to walking volcanoes. That was so funny! It's very entertaining to read about the exploits of the young Princes of Rohan -- so very astute even at a young age! The "pyromanic" history of the Dol Amroth princes too was very insightful. The interaction between the siblings and their uncle was very very priceless, especially the "watch your manners" conversation and the fate of the Mound of Fengel King.

whitewave · 29 June 2008 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three

Appreciated the presence of the housekeeper here very much, she's the only sane one in all of it. I also enjoyed re-reading the header and footers you provided. The 3 eldest princes of Rohan sound very promising and I hope you will also write something about how they fare in the future when they are older. Loved the "revelation" that Lothy had to sleep elsewhere and the innocuous way her children retold it. The whole waking-up-their-uncle scene was most funny! I adored how the 2-year old boy ended up in the jar and how the eldest did his duty by releasing him. So cute! It's also endearing how they would quote their parents at every opportunity.

whitewave · 29 June 2008 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two

As usual, a most satisfying chapter! Poor Amrothos backed into a corner by 3 small nephews! It's almost like a sequel to the Dol Amroth trio, only this time they're blond instead of dark-haired. Adored the crayfish scene! It's really nice to see that Eomer and Lothy had grown very well suited to their roles after only 10 years of ruling. Adored their reaction to having their uncle replace their tutor! He's definitely reaping punishment for his past sins.

whitewave · 29 June 2008 · Chapter 1: Chapter One

Methinks you have outdone yourself with this story. I could end up quoting all the contents if I were to say what I liked most. I hope you won't get tired of me saying how much I enjoy it when you include or even just mention Amrothos in your stories. I enjoyed this story very much esp. to discover that Eomer and Lothy had been most proficient in providing heirs for Rohan, and what a brood too! They could even stand up to their very loquacious uncle, who seemed to have lost his edge or met his match after all. Hope you'll still be writing what happened to the Riddermark's royal family and the Dol Amroth extension before the population explosion. It's nice to see that Amrothos and Erchirion did settle in Rohan eventually and I'm very curious as to who they ended up with and how. I laughed out loud at the children's the pranks on their mother's family and even on their girl cousin.Draca was most adorable, even if he does have a dubious taste in food. It would be interesting to know

Hildigrim · 14 May 2007 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Each of your Eomer and Lothiriel stories is on my "favorites" list. Once I stumbled upon them, I read the set more or less straight through. I hope you will consider interpolating a few stories within your existing chronology. For example, one can imagine Eomer's anxiety during Lothiriel's delivery of their first child. (I recall my own feelings in the same circumstances, which ended joyously but were nerve-wracking at the time.) As a second example, the humorous, slightly subterrainian by-play involving Eomer and Lothiriel in this chapter -- "...as far as I remember, you (i.e., Amrothos, not "we") have never been exposed to a spanking....", followed by Eomer's "...I do not see any reason why it should be acceptable to spank a child for punishment but not an adult..." and then Lothiriel's outrageous "I would love to watch Éomer tan your backside", culminating in "when she left the room, she made a point of adding an extra sway to her hips" -- suggests some possibly serious and possibly droll past occasions for Lothiriel with Eomer, and vice versa. Am I near the mark? As a third example, I think Lothiriel, as healer, may have both learned and taught a veterinary trick or two to the Rohirric horse lords. In any event, please accept well deserved accolades and excuse a reader's greed for more.

Elendiari22 · 1 March 2007 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Well, this has been a whirlwind of a story! A quite enjoyable one, too. Wow, those boys. I want to be completely horrified by them, but seeing as I have six nieces and nephews around the same age, I'm really not (luckily mine are mostly girls, but it can still be absolutely terrifying). I'm glad that Eomer dressed them down, though; it's a learning experience. And I don't think they need to be put in foster care to learn discipline. Corporal punishment really doesn't work, but maybe the boys need a project they can sink their teeth into without blowing things up? I think Amrothos had the right idea, but a catapult didn't work out so well, did it? Ah well, with age comes reason, and at least their intellect is being encouraged. You know, they kind of remind me of the Von Trapp children from the Sound of Music. Wild, but good at heart. And hopefully they won't go around lighting things on fire any more. Lovely story! ~El

Linda Hoyland · 21 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five

A nice ending,eomer is a great father,firm but fair.he should eventually ame the wild young princes !I eagerly await your next story.

Bodkin · 21 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Ælfwine, Éomund and Hroðgar are very lucky in their parents! First because they have endowed their offspring with curiosity, enterprise and intelligence, and secondly because both Eomer and Lothiriel are prepared to let them grow - and learn from their mistakes without cracking down in an authoritarian reaction. And of course, since the three of them treat their parents with the utmost respect, there is really no reason why said parents shouldn't treat them like (reasonably) rational beings. Of course they are very young still! I felt for Hrodgar - and his mother. I'm not sure that the other inhabitants of Edoras are quite as laid-back about the boys' activities. Probably because they are far bouncier in the presence of others! I can empathise with Amrothos - they are far more amusing when you are not responsible for trying to keep them in line. And Elphir must have chosen Master Caevudor - only he would have sent such an arrant snob to try to educate the fortunately five-eighths Dunedain Princes of Rohan. Ecgbehrt is right - Eomer must have become remarkably serene not to have even suggested removing the idiot's head with a blunt axe. (I wonder if his serenity has increased in direct response to the - interesting nature - of his so-far handful of children?) Perhaps Amrothos should be encouraged to spend more time in close contact with his nephews. He didn't do a bad job of involving them in the joys of education - even it he would have been better guiding them in boat-building skills. And I'm glad that - after a five-day dringing binge - he decided that married life definitely had its joys too. (Although twin sons wouldn't do him any harm...) Lovely story, Maddy. And I am so thrilled to see the prospect of more. I can't wait.

Bodkin · 27 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Eomer and Lothiriel have very interesting children. In many ways their determination and dogged curiosity is a very good thing - but it could be said that they carry it all a teensy bit too far! After all, they have lived all their lives in a city largely built of wood and thatch! Even if Hrodgar is too young to understand, Aelfwine should know that playing with fire is absolutely not to be done! Although the fact that they did is not in the least surprising. Amrothos should, probably, have picked up on the mention of burning missiles - but he had already done his best to forbid the boys from hurling anything he thought to be dangerous - and sometimes you just don't think of the more unusual, because you just assume that the truly stupid is too obviously unacceptable. Not a wise assumption with Rag, Tag and Bobtail. (And the more you forbade, I expect, the further they would go to think of things as yet unmentioned.) There are so many hints in this chapter - that all added to the entertainment! I think I particularly enjoyed the indication that Annereth is not the complete innocent that her father fondly believes. And the suggestion that the wild half-Rohirric descendants of Dol Amroth should gather by the sea for the summer. That would be a delightful story, when you have time to write it. I don't blame Amrothos at all for dramatically sending the little princes off to the dungeon! Although I'm not entirely convinced that that's where they'll end up! And it's all going to turn out to be Amrothos's fault, one way or another. Although it would be rather a relief to the inhabitants of Edoras to have Eomer and Lothiriel decide that learning through experience is rather too distressing for all those round them and that their sons need to accept just a little more direction! Such fun. Unless you're trying to put out the barn fire.

lmw · 26 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four

I have been away from this site for quite some time. Thought I'd take a look at what was new. I started reading this story, and was horrified to find that I'd finished what has been written so far! No 'Next'! I love your descriptions of the princes and how they stick together. I can hear their uncle trying to keep some semblance of order - I have kids of my own, and it isn't easy. Entertaining, realistic, fun. Hope there will be more.

lusha · 24 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Hee Hee!! Oh, this is good. Getting better by the chapter. LOVE Amrothos in a rage - and having young cousins and nephews, I know full well what he's feeling. I've come to the conclusion that, until children hit the age of about fifteen (according to my brother, it's 21), kids operate on pure instinct; without thought for consequences. Then they're surprised when said consequences hit them. Eish!

Julia · 23 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Ugh, those kids! Too bad they don't have Child Protective Services in Rohan, because those kids seriously need to be split up and put into foster care with foster parents who'd teach them how to behave and give them some badly needed discipline, instead of dimissing all their destructiveness with a careless "boys will be boys" attitude. I know you mean this story to be humorous, but it's very hard to see kids that constantly cause the destruction of property and pain to others around them as funny. I can't believe such smart characters as your Eomer and Lothiriel would ever raise brats like these, and I feel sorry for the citizens of Edoras, who have to put up with them on a daily basis, and for the Rohirrim in general, who have Elfwine to look forward to as their King-to-Be. He's certainly not very promising, to say the least.

Alison H · 23 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Wow, what a wirlwind of a chapter! The testing of the catapult was very well done and the excitement felt by the boys was infectious.They are very intelligent despite their destructive tendencies and Amorothos seemed to have everything in hand---but, of course, insanity had to follow what seemed like a productive and enjoyable day. "And did you have to shake any more children out of pottery?" That line was so, so funny and Amorothos' sarcastic wit seems to have influenced the boys! The fire will be the cause of much discussion, I think, and the boys must pray that their parents arrive home soon to save them all from a murderous Uncle ;D Brilliant chapter as usual,Maddy.I can't wait for the next one! Good luck with your vet studies,by the way.I hope you do really well. Take care, Ali.

Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three

I am with Amrothos on this! And if Aelfwine, Eomund and Hrodgar think otherwise, they have clearly misinterpreted their parents' words. Whacking a giant pot with an iron bar in order to release Fordred would not have gone down well with either Eomer or Lothiriel. (And I can only wish on these three children like themselves. Although it could end up in the fall of Rohan.) Aelfgyth is very wise to remain tense around the royal children. And I so recognise the feeling that when they're intending trouble you know where you are - and that they are far more dangerous when they appear to be innocuous. (As Amrothos might well learn. Do his danger.) While rejecting the breakfast provided by his nephews and breathed over by that dog seems as if it is a very wise move. I love the busy princes. The best thing would be if their parents returned just as they finish their catapult but before they start using it to demolish Edoras. But I don't think Amrothos will get that lucky. Excellent story!

ponypetter · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three

I somehow knew the kid was getting out by one of his older brothers breaking the urn. At least he wasn't injured. ;) It's nice to see Amrothos having to deal with such difficult children. I have known children much like them - they are always angels for the parents, who wonder why on earth you think their children are demons!

BM · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three

Great new chapter! You had me nearly rolling in the floor! I love the princes and their pragmatic view on life. I especially love the "father says" arguments. I would love to see how Eomer handles them and what Aragorn does when Eomer brings his brood to Minis Tirith........:D Anyway, great addition that I happily enjoyed and I am waiting most anxiously for the next part--I cant' wait to see what they do with the catapult! I'm guessing that Amrothos is actually the boys' favorite uncle?

Julia · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three

Ok, those three seemed slightly better behaved, or at least taken up so much by the catapult building process that they haven't had as much time to hurt/humiliate other people as they would like. I still don't trust them once it's done though, though I admit it will be interesting to see who or what they destroy first. And it looks like brother #4 is ready to follow in his elder siblings' footsteps. If the sister is also like them, and Eomer and Lothi have more kids, I wonder how much of Rohan will still be standing by time Elfwine comes to the throne.

Dreamflower · 2 January 2007 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three

*ROTFL!*howls*whimpers*snorts*giggles*wipes eyes!* Ohmigosh, this is absolutely hilarious! I'm with AElfgyth--if I were around that bunch, I too, would "feel more comfortable if I were tense"! And I do think that in this particular case Lothiriel--and her husband--would have sided with Amrothos! *shudder* The things kids won't do! Or more to the point, the things they *will*! Somehow, in his blythe disregard for consequences, AElfwine reminds me of a certain "cat in the hat".

Linda Hoyland · 21 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two

I'm sure the boys would love to build a catapult.It seems their uncle is learning to understand them at last.They remind me of William Brown. Surely the dog can't have such a dreadful diet?It quite put me off my supper !

eliza · 12 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two

As a mother of twin boys and a single (boy also). I am getting a lot of pleasure anticipating all the lovely ways Amrothos is going to regret this little venture. Thanks for this story, it is great!

Tigger · 11 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two

Oh NO!! Nonononono!!! This is so not good and on so very many levels at that!! Even a small size catapult in those three's hands.... I can't wait!! :oD This is beyond hilarious and so true too. Looking forward to what fresh hell the three Princes of the Mark will come up w/this!! :oD

Julia · 11 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two

Uncle Amrothos, I don't think letting these three little hellions build a weapon is such a good idea--they might use it on you when they get done! I just hope he can survive the four days left until Lothi and Eomer come home, and he can leave, hopefully with all limbs intact. In response to your last review reply, I have no problem with practical jokes, but the three little monsters take theirs way too far. I worked in child psychology for many years, and I have seen where the children of such permissive parents usually end up, and it's usually juvie then jail after they are 18. This is a story, so you can have them turn out to be heroes, but believe me, if this story was real, they'd be lighting fires and torturing small animals by now (or maybe they've already done both of those and Lothi convinced Eomer they were just being "clever.") As for Huey, Dewey, and Louie, I know all about them. I relegate them to the same category that I do The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy--too stupid for a person with any education to watch. Though I do have a soft spot for Abbott and Costello, I admit.

Bodkin · 11 December 2006 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two

I have a sneaking suspicion that Amrothos and his nephews should get along like a house on fire. Although he would be very wise to continue excessively wary! This is a project that should work. Maybe not quite as well as Master Innon's - but then, Amrothos has less experience in dealing with the recalcitrant young. (I wonder what all Amrothos's ex-tutors are doing now ...) And it sounds as if cleansing the dog-monster should wear the three princes out for now - and I'm with Amrothos. I'd inflict the creature on the other dogs, too! At least until its tastebuds could be retrained to prefer a more delicately scented diet. I'm intrigued by Eomer's fascination with building - and the shipbuilding text. And that he has managed to find a way of dealing with Lothiriel's ... literalness ... without engaging in endless debate! Amrothos's plan = brilliant. The project he has chosen? I sense danger. But fun. For the reader at least. Delightful.