daw the minstrel
· 7 April 2008
· Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Grima is really creepy. Ick. I'm wiping the slime off my own hand just from reading this.
On the other hand, this line
Only Cousin Faramir understood, saying the world was too simple when viewed down the shaft of an arrow.
is deeply thought provoking. I love Faramir.
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
Yes, my keyboard was dripping with slime while I was writing the end of the chapter ;-) And Faramir's always been one of my favourites as well. I thought it was poignant because Eowyn would not agree at all with this sentiment at this point of time.
Lia
Linda Hoyland
· 5 April 2008
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
A gripping chapter. You brilliantly convey what Grima is doing and growing attraction Lothiriel feels for Eomer.This story is a gem.
Author's reply
Hello Linda,
I am enjoying covering this time in Rohan's history, for I think it's quite an interesting one. In the coming chapters Lothiriel will see more of Grima's insidious influence at work and how different people cope.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia
obsidianj
· 4 April 2008
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
The tension is rising. Wormtongue gives me the creeps and he actually didn't really do anything. But you manage to rack up the tension with the mentioning of guest rights and Eomer's emphasis on them. Part of the tension is also that Lothiriel doesn't really understand what is going on and where the danger lies. Although she has a pretty good guess in blaming Grima for all the troubles.
Author's reply
Hello Obsidianj,
you're right, nothing's quite as unsettling as not knowing exactly what you're facing. So Eomer is not really doing her a favour by dropping all those hints about guest rights ;-) But at least Lothiriel will soon be given more opportunity to form an opinion on Wormtongue...
Lia
Bodkin
· 30 March 2008
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Lothiriel's already shown a talent for turning up unexpectedly. And a love of horses. And has been exposed to the general unpleasantness of Wormtongue. So she should be picking up how matters stand. I hope she forms a strong alliance with Eowyn, who could definitely do with someone on her side and present in the Golden Hall.
Author's reply
Hello Bodkin,
There will be more of Eowyn in the next chapter - but of course I do not intend to change the story in the books. And it won't take Lothiriel long to find out how things stand in Meduseld, but there is not a lot she can do.
Thanks for reviewing and I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story!
Lia
Bodkin
· 30 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I doubt Grima will be too pleased to see Lothiriel. Especially if it becomes evident that Denethor thinks she'd make a good Crown Princess.
Author's reply
Hello Bodkin,
Yes, I agree. And whatever else might be said about him, Grima is not slow on the uptake. However, for the moment Théodred is away from Edoras in the West Mark.
Lia
Bodkin
· 30 March 2008
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Eomer seems to have a talent for antagonising potential allies on first meeting. But I think he's seen beneath surface of the Gondorian princess.
Author's reply
Hello Bodkin,
He doesn't exactly welcome strangers with open arms, does he. And as we know from the books he hasn't learnt from this encounter either... ;-)
Lia
Nilmandra
· 29 March 2008
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
What really struck me about this chapter is how much you have caught the feel of the environment that we know existed in the Mark at this time. Grima being a worm, Eomer's frustration and anger, the King bewitched, Eowyn distant and aloof. The tension between Eomer and Lothiriel is rising nicely too.
Author's reply
Hello Nilmandra,
you've just about summed up the situation as I see it myself - not an easy place to be when you're a young woman far from home and family. And now that Eomer is gone she will have to stand her ground on her own...
Lia
Klose
· 29 March 2008
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
This is great - Lothiriel in Rohan in the times just preceding the Ring War is a twist on the old Eomer/Lothiriel meeting stories as well as politics-in-Rohan stories. And the first person narrative works very well, in my opinion, to make the story (and Rohan) more accessible. I'm also very much enjoying how the UST between Lothiriel and Eomer is playing out.
Looking forward to descending further into the political intrigues of court at Edoras with Lothiriel - this third chapter was certainly most foreboding!
Author's reply
Hello Klose,
what a nice surprise, I didn't know you read Eomer/Lothiriel romance! Being able to cover the time before and after the Ring War is exactly what drew me to this scenario. And yes, there will be more intrigues coming up, very soon in fact.
As for the first person narrative, for some reason this particular Lothiriel insisted on telling her story this way, it was not a conscious choice by me.
Lia
P.S. I had to google UST to find out it has nothing to do with standard time ;-)
daw the minstrel
· 28 March 2008
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
She really is in an uncertain situation, not even knowing the language and political quicksand all around her. I liked the physical details of wind and puddles giving solidity to the setting, but then, you're always good with those.
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
yes, she's a young woman far away from friends and family - as some will be quick to point out to her. We'll see what she'll make of the situation. And I've got plans for the wind!
Lia
Larner
· 28 March 2008
· Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Aha--that is the reason for it, then? Poor lady! A pawn in a game of thrones, is she? And she's drawn to the louring sister's son to the King when she was sent to entice the King's son?
And she's already taking the measure of Grima. That's to the good, at least.
Author's reply
Hello Larner,
yes, I'm afraid that's the reason behind it. So in her mind at least it's clear to her where her duty lies - although her heart might have different ideas. And Grima will of course also come into it. You know me, I love a good villain!
Lia
P.S: pawns that reach the other end of the board are made into queens ;-)
obsidianj
· 27 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
That's a new scenario I hadn't thought off before. Lothiriel in Rohan before the open war breaks out. I wonder how she will deal with Wormtongue. She obviously can't help the King, but hopefully she can support Eowyn. Although, she has to be gone before Aragorn and friends show up. I can't wait to see where you are going with this.
Author's reply
Hello Obsidianj,
I wanted to write a story about the time before and during the war and was thinking what a shame it was not to be able to include Lothiriel. Then suddenly I got the idea that she could be in Rohan, she would just have to stay outside the story told in the books (like the scene with Aragorn and friends arriving). But there are many events that Tolkien did not cover directly, which still make for an interesting story (I hope!).
Lia
Nilmandra
· 23 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Lovely use of word imagery to put us with Lothiriel in the Mark. The horror of the orcs, Eomer (hmm.. he is rather commanding) - I do like the movie image of him, which was pretty close to how I imagined him from the books and that is what I see here. An undaunted princess, and her first glimpe of Grima now. I am glad she sees the irony of being sent from Corsairs danger to possibly worse danger. It will be interesting to see how her presence there at the same time as Eowyn will play out.
Author's reply
Hello Nilmandra,
for myself I liked Karl Urban as Éomer in the movies too, but I thought PJ did a very sad job of his role. Théoden got all his best lines! So this is based more on the books and I actually intend to keep the story true to canon.
And I find it really intersting covering the time before and during the war for once and getting to play with 'new' characters like Grima and Théoden. I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story as well!
Lia
Larner
· 20 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
And so she sees first Grima Wormtonge, and realizes Eomer distrusts him, readying himself for verbal sparring.
Quite a different meeting for these two than your last version, I must say.
Author's reply
Hello Larner,
What I like about these two is that we're free to imagine how they've met as Tolkien tells us nothing about it. I know some authors have a very definite idea of their whole life history, but for myself I really enjoy coming up with all these different scenarios. I suppose their characters are all similar in some ways (especially Eomer's, as we know a lot more about him), but I like changing them very slightly every time.
And now I get to play with Tolkien's other characters as well!
Lia
Alatriel
· 20 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
This is going to be very interesting. I love the fact that this is taking place whilst Grima is still in Edoras. I wonder how he will treat the Princess???
Author's reply
Hello Alatriel,
I've never had Grima in one of my stories before and am rather enjoying myself. But then you know me, I like to torture my characters!
Lia
Linda Hoyland
· 19 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
A very enjoyable chapter,a nice mixture of humour and tension.I'm loving this story so far!
Author's reply
Hello Linda,
Somehow a little humour creeps into all my stories, even when they're set in such difficult times as these. But more tension ahead of course...
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 19 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I'm ordinarily indifferent to descriptions. Sometimes I even skip them. But this one of a glorious autumn day made me feel it!
Unlike the previous days no mist wreathed the road. Instead the sun shone from a sky the deep blue of autumn, casting our shadows before us as we rode along under the eaves of the White Mountains. Beech trees covered their slopes and a slight breeze blew down their leaves like a rain of gold coins
That's just lovely and yet it doesn't strain for effect.
Lothiriel's acquaintance with Eomer advances, though we're given a nice hint of complication. And that entrance to the hall sets her on edge, and us too.
Great story.
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
We have a park 5 minutes up the road from where I live with some huge old beech trees and every autumn they're absolutely stunning. The sun shines through the leaves and makes them glow - I tried to catch a little of that with words, though it's difficult.
And yes, complications ahead - life would be boring else!
Lia
Pryderi
· 19 March 2008
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Well I thought I had better let you know that I have signed up for this trip. It looks as though it will be just as enjoyable as the previous ones. If the tale turns out to describe the events in Rohan, leading up to the Ring War and beyond, seen through the eyes of an observer who does not directly participate then I am sure, given your writing skill, that I will enjoy it immensely. The premise reminds me a bit of Lady Bluejay's story where she describes the Battle of the Pelennor Fields as witnessed by one of her Lothiriels.
Is this the first story you have posted on this site written in the first person? I think it is but may be wrong. Anyway it seems to me to be working well so far giving a different view of events, that we are so familiar with, as described by an omniscient narrator.
I really look forward to Lothiriel's take on, well everyone, but of course Eowyn and Grima and Theoden. One of my favourite characters is Hama. I do hope Lothiriel gets to appraise him.
Pryderi.
Author's reply
Hello Pryderi,
Welcome on board! The story will cover the next 6-8 months and I want to weave Lothiriel's story into what Tolkien tells us about the war without violating anything in the books.
You mentioned Lady Bluejay. As you might know, she betas my stories and I do hers and funny enough we often have similar ideas - I started this last November the same time that she wrote Waterloo. Both stories covers darker times than usual, so there will probably be more similarities.
And I don't know why this Lothiriel insisted on telling her story in the first person! It is indeed my first attempt at that (except for a short oneshot), but I find it interesting to explore the possibilities and limitations inherent in this point-of-view.
As for Hama, he will make a few short appearances, but not play a major role. However, Lothiriel will of course meet all the rest of the 'cast'. I hope you'll enjoy the ride!
Lia
Alatriel
· 16 March 2008
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Oh Lia it is so good to see you back. Once again you're taking us there and that's what I truly love about your writing. Can't wait to see where you take us on this journey.
Author's reply
Hello Alatriel,
Thank you for your kind words! For some reason this story gave me a lot of trouble, so it took me a while to get to the point where I was confident enough to start publishing. But I think I know where the journey is going now, to borrow your words.
Lia
Linda Hoyland
· 13 March 2008
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
A Gripping start to what promises to be an enjoyable and unique story.
Author's reply
Hello Linda,
Thanks! It opens up new possibilities to have Éomer just Third Marshal and the two not quite as well matched as they are after the war. I hope you'll enjoy it.
Lia
Alquawende
· 11 March 2008
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I'm so glad that you can write again, after that hiatus of yours! Your Lothiriel is a darling. I like this plot idea and can't wait to find out where you're taking this story. Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Hello Alquawende,
yes, I was stuck on this story for a while - I actually started writing it in November - but now I think I can see my way to the end (touch wood!). And I will stay strictly within canon.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia
Larner
· 11 March 2008
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
An excellent introduction between the two of them. Good details.
Author's reply
Hello Larner,
I thought to go for a slightly different scenario than usual and it was fun to borrow from the meeting with the 3 hunters.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia
daw the minstrel
· 11 March 2008
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Lovely chapter, full of rich detail that makes me feel like I'm there.
Author's reply
Hello Daw,
I find that thinking of details and researching them is fun and like you wrote, they add reality to the story.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lia