This chapter was very fun to read. It had a perfect mixture of action and conversation between characters. I wonder who is going to be the Hunt Queen. I have a suspicion, but am not yet positive about it. I do hope that there isn't a bad effect because Ceolwen fainted... Thanks for writing and please update as soon as possible!
Author's reply
Hello Alquawende,
you'll find out in the next chapter who will be proclaimed Hunt Queen, but Ceolwen will be fine after a night's rest. I'm pleased to hear you liked the chapter, for I thought they deserved a day of fun and forgetting about the storm looming on the horizon.
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 27 May 2008
· Chapter 8: Chapter 8
I'm glad to see Lothiriel gaining a new friend in Ceolwen. At least, I assume she's going to continue to be a friend after that heart stopping little adventure with the rabid fox!
And isn't Eomer clever to coax Lothiriel out on the ice where she'll fall right into his arms? They need this holiday.
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
yes, Ceolwen will become a friend and will actually play a further role later on in the story. And I'm sure Eomer knew exactly what he was doing when he talked Lothiriel into daring the ice with him ;-)
Lia
obsidianj
· 20 May 2008
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
What should Lothiriel do? That is the question. I think Eomer knows about Gondorian customs concerning gifts and is hoping that Lothiriel thinks he doesn't now, sly fox. But what will Grima do? I think by now he knows her wardrobe to the last piece and a new cloak has to be suspicious.
I love the idea with the kites. And Lothiriel is very brave to stay in Rohan with her escort gone. Who can she turn to to get protection from Grima? It is a dangerous game she is playing, but I love it.
Author's reply
Hello Obsidianj,
I agree Eomer might well know more about Gondorian customs than he lets on and might even mistake what is - of course - nothing but politeness on her side for something more encouraging.
And Lothiriel is indeed playing a dangerous game, for Grima has had plenty of opportunity to observe her...
Lia
Linda Hoyland
· 17 May 2008
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
A delightful chapter.I enjoyed reading about the kites and the scene with Eomer was delicious.
Author's reply
Hello Linda,
I used to make and fly kites myself, so it was fun to bring that particular hobby into a story of mine. And Eomer's always delicious ;-)
Lia
Alatriel
· 17 May 2008
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Hi Lia!
This is flowing along so smoothly, it's a treat to read.
Well, what mischief is Grima up to sending the Dol Amroth guard away?? Hmmmmmm! I wonder if it was payback for Lotheriel stepping in to save Eomer's butt in the hall? I can't wait to see what you've got him doing next. I'm ecstatic that you have Lotheriel staring right back at him in the dining hall. Chuckles!!!
As for Lotheriel, I'm thinking that Rohans customs are very alike to Dol Amroth and she has just received a proposal - do I hear bells?????
Eagerly awaiting your next chapter.
Author's reply
Hello Alatriel,
I think I'm giving no secrets away when I say that Grima is of course up to no good. Lets just say that he does not like people interfering with his plans...
As for a proposal - not quite, but an encouraging sign for Eomer, I think. But the bells...don't hold your breath! You've read my other stories, you know that my happy ends have to be earned. The hard way ;-)
Lia
Alquawende
· 16 May 2008
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
I enjoyed this a lot!
I suspect that the cloak isn't merely a "gift." I'm curious to find out how the kites work in action when Eomer uses them.
Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Hello Alquawende,
well, Lothiriel won't get to see the kites in action herself, but they will work. And you never know what what an early warning might mean one day - say if an orc horde bearing prisoners wants to cross Rohan.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia
Nilmandra
· 16 May 2008
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
What a fabulous gift Eomer gave her! Clearly it required much thought and planning. LOL, if she wears it and finds out in doing so she has accepted a proposal, will she be disappointed?
Author's reply
Hello Nilmandra,
well, if she wears it she won't actually accept a proposal, but of course you can't go and accept expensive presents from men without encouraging them (even if you're only doing it because your father told you to be diplomatic...).
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 16 May 2008
· Chapter 7: Chapter 7
This chapter seemed very tactile, with silk and fur and cold and warmth. Lothiriel did a brave thing by staying behind, and the kites demonstrate her cleverness and hard work.
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
you're more perceptive than me. I didn't notice how much fabric there is in this chapter! And I'm sure Eomer appreciates her dedication...
Lia
Nilmandra
· 7 May 2008
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Lovely how much detail about Eomer and Lothiriel you manage to convey in the course of a moment, the surroundings of the room, a childhood toy. And of course, the magnetim is there between them - you can feel the chemistry between them.
Author's reply
Hello Nilmandra,
I'm pleased to hear that you can feel the attraction between them. But of course it won't be a smooth path for them - it's part of the fun for me ;-)
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia
Anonymous
· 7 May 2008
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
I like this story- please keep writing, I need to know how it will pan out!
Author's reply
Thank you! I am busy writing, but I'm afraid it just takes time.
Lia
Linda Hoyland
· 6 May 2008
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
I enjoyed this chapter very much and loved the scene of Lothiriel tending Eomer's wound and the obvious attraction she feels for him. Thank you for a most enjoyable read.
Author's reply
Hello Linda,
Eomer probably thought getting that arrow wound was almost worth it ;-) As for Lothiriel, it will take her a little while longer to realize, just how much she's attracted to him.
Lia
Alquawende
· 6 May 2008
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
I really enjoyed this chapter and can't wait for the next update!
I feel so sorry for Lothiriel. It must be so difficult for her to not show Eomer that she cares about him, unlike Eowyn, his sister. Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Hello Alquawende,
yes, poor Lothiriel is in a difficult situation. And you know me, things will of course get worse before they get better!
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 6 May 2008
· Chapter 6: Chapter 6
You do such a nice job of showing us the kind of man Eomer is as well as the boy he once was, and you do it through Lothiriel's eyes with no "telling" at all. I'm so impressed.
You also do a nice job of showing how both Lothiriel and Eomer hold a place in society by virtue of their birth, places that constrict their choices and lay duties on them. I think contemporary readers sometimes fail to understand that.
Nice last line!
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
I'm flattered! I do try to avoid telling, even though showing takes longer. Also doing it through dialogue, like here, is real fun for me.
As for the importance of social class and the duties coming with it, I suppose that's difficult for modern people to understand. I think that Imrahil would take Lothiriel's wishes into consideration to some extent and not marry her to somebody she dislikes completely. At the same time she's very much aware of the duty she owes her country, especially in such troubled times, when Gondor needs her allies desperately.
And I had to chuckle at the last line myself!
Lia
mistry89
· 25 April 2008
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Clever Lothiriel! He has been given the pause he needed to get his temper under control.
Thank you!
Oh - and have a lovely holiday :)
Author's reply
Hello Mistry,
yes, Lothiriel saved him - this time... Now she's probably worried that he'll think she's really as silly as she sounded ;-)
Lia
Nilmandra
· 24 April 2008
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
I like how you're working in Grima's 'leechcraft' into this, and expanding upon the control that he exerted over the king's life. I have been listening to the TTT recorded book and am fascinated by the relationship between Eomer and his uncle, as well as those close to them. I'm looking forward to where you go with this.
Author's reply
Hello Nilmandra,
there will be more in later chapters on how Grima controls the king. My premise for this story is that he used a combination of drugs and other methods and also that Théoden would have had more lucid periods in between being pretty heavily drugged.
Though as is shown in the books, he kept his people's loyalty and they followed his orders even when conveyed by Wormtongue.
More coming up soon!
Lia
Nilmandra
· 24 April 2008
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
I like this view of Eowyn, keeping her sanity by beating the stuffing out of people on the field. Grima is suiably disgusting, too.
Author's reply
Hello Nilmandra,
I always thought that Eowyn had to practise quite a lot to be good enough to face the Witch King. And like you said, it would have been one way to keep herself sane.
Lia
galimeril
· 24 April 2008
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
What a great chappie! You really do have a way with the words. It's a shame this site is only LOTR centric. I'm telling you, the quality of the authors here would lend itself well to other fandoms. I am enjoying you story immensely, Lotheriel has so many possibilities to explore and you do her great justice.
Hope you have a great vacation!
Galimeril ;D
Author's reply
Hello Galimeril,
for some reason other fandoms do not hold the same fascination to me as does LotR - somehow other worlds lack the 'depth' of Middle Earth. And there are still a few more Eomer/Lothiriel scenarios wanting to get out! And an original story or two...
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia
Sorrel
· 21 April 2008
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Ooh good! Another story! Yet another brilliant start to a story from you, Lialathuveril. I do hope that you update soon, I'm always glad to see a story from an author I love!
Sorrel xx
Author's reply
Hello Sorrel,
well, I'm back from my holiday, so hope to update again next week, once my flat looks less like a war zone. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the tale. It's getting longer all the time!
Lia
Linda Hoyland
· 18 April 2008
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Theoden's chamber reminds me of visiting an elderly neighbour when I was a little girl. Another very enjoyable and gripping chapter.
Author's reply
Hello Linda,
thanks! We had a neighbour like that too. Only she was a woman and all the children in the village were secretly convinced she was a witch. Her house had that 'old' smell.
Lia
Alquawende
· 17 April 2008
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
This was a very nice chapter. I enjoyed it a lot and can't wait for the next one.
Author's reply
Hello Alquawende,
thank you! I hope to get some writing time while I'm away, but my kids might have other ideas...
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 17 April 2008
· Chapter 5: Chapter 5
What a tense scene in the Hall! How maddening for all of them to see Theoden so helpless and Grima more or less in control. If I were Eomer, my temper would be up.
Have a good time, yourself! Enjoy your holiday.
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
yes, it must be horrible for them - also because they love and remember Théoden from better times. And Grima knows this only too well of course and makes use of it.
Have a good time, too!
Lia
Larner
· 11 April 2008
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Love to see the practice go so well. And Grima is purely, nasty Wormtongue! Yecch!
Author's reply
Hello Larner,
Yes, I think Lothiriel rather surprised the Rohirrim with her archery skills. And more Wormtongue coming up later!
Lia
Klose
· 10 April 2008
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Fantastic chapter, Lia, especially Grima's little cameo - I must commend you on your portrayal of him. I think it might be easy to 'tell' more than 'show' his smarminess, or even under/overdo it, but I was shuddering with Lothiriel by the end of it.
I rather liked seeing Lothiriel mix with the Rohirrim, and also her wry description of 'the princess life' - at. He insisted a Gondorian princess should be able to go hunting in the morning, make witty conversation with foreign ambassadors in the afternoon, preside over a state dinner in the evening and dance away the rest of the night. All this while being charming and beautiful of course. - no kidding, this is completely believable and certainly made me stop to think a little.
Good to see that Eowyn and Lothiriel are slowly beginning to develop a friendship, of sorts. I look forward to reading the next chapter and seeing what happens next!
Author's reply
Hello Klose,
I have to admit I have a very vivid picture of Grima in my mind, not quite like the movie-Grima, but similar. He will get more opportunity later to show his full 'smarminess' ;-)
And the princess life is probably not as much fun as it's made out to be, is it! I can see Imrahil having quite high expectations regarding his children, especially their social skills. Not ideal for a princess who prefers the library to the ballroom.
But at least she's formed a tentative friendship with Eowyn. The next chapter will show how she settles in at Edoras.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia
Linda Hoyland
· 8 April 2008
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
An excellent chapter.You capture the characters brilliantly. Your Wormtongue makes me feel quite queasy which is excellent writing.
Author's reply
Hello Linda,
Actually as an author I really like a good villain, so Wormtongue is perfect - but if I met him I'd feel queasy, too! And I'd lock my door...
Lia
Alquawende
· 8 April 2008
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Excellent chapter!
>>I had actually looked forward to spending the rest of the morning curled up in the window seat, reading one of books I had brought with me, but I couldn’t very well decline the invitation.
Should it be "...reading one of my books..." or "...reading one of the books..."?
>>Their touch was moist and flabby, making me shiver with revulsion.
How about, "The touch..."?
Sorry, about being so picky.
I'm quite curious as to what Grima knows, but I don't have a good feeling about it. I really enjoyed the descriptions in here.
Author's reply
Hello Alquawende,
Thanks for the pickies. Somehow a few always managed to slip through! As for what Grima knows, what I meant was that he's in on Saruman's plans, so Lothiriel's bad feelings unfortunately are quite justified.
Lia