Virtuella · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 17: Chapter 17
Oh, this was hard to read for somebody given to claustrophobia. And very, very scary indeed.
On the Wings of the Storm by Lialathuveril
Reviews (272)
Virtuella · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 16: Chapter 16
"Gathering my dignity around me like a tattered cloak" Yet another great simile. Nasty Herewald! I suppose with Grima gone we need another villain! I would venture a guess that this Wulf is a dog. Well, there's only one way to find out...
Virtuella · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 15: Chapter 15
Yes, the romance is really thoroughly stuck now. It's just as well we know that there'll be a happy end! Very good portrayal of the situation inside the Hornburg and the caves. I also liked it that twins have turned out to be much nicer than it first seemed.
Author's reply
It's what I really like about this story - being able to fill in the bits that Tolkien ignored. And seeing the twins through eyes not tinged with green gives a better picture of them! Lia
Virtuella · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 14: Chapter 14
You create an excellent sense of tension and dispair in this chapter. I particularly liked this paragraph: "Thoroughly disheartened, I traced a crack on one of the flagstones. I knew of course that Théodred could have been twenty years younger and handsome as an Elf lord, yet I would still have found fault with him. He was the wrong man! Why couldn’t his and Éomer’s role be exchanged. Éomer be the Crown Prince and Théodred the Third Marshal. I realized that all this time in a corner of my heart I had still hoped that fate might take a hand and solve my problems for me. But fate had shown not the least interest in my affairs."
Author's reply
In a way this is the lowest point, because she has no more options to pursue. There is only hoping in fate left. Lia
Virtuella · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Poor Ceolwen, she does have a lot on her plate. Good to see friendship developing between her and Lothiriel. Theodred proves insightful, and yet he is driven by necessity. The noose tightens...
Author's reply
Yes, I feel sorry for Théodred. But he's so not the right husband for her.
Virtuella · 18 November 2008 · Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Goodness, you really know how to wrench our hearts! There were a few expressions in this passage, which I felt were a bit cheesy: “impulse to fling myself into his arms nearly” “as if my heart was slowly being torn to shreds” “his eyes burning with fury” They don't seem to come up to the aesthetic standard that you've set with the rest of the story.
Author's reply
Clichés - the bane of a writer's life. I have to constantly remind myself to come up with something original, because my mind is lazy and goes for the easy option. Hmm, although since I'm in Lothiriel's mind, maybe I can claim that it's her fault. ;-) Lia
Linda Hoyland · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 22: Chapter 22
How apt that the baby is born on such a special day.I'm sure when Lothiriel has babies they will all look beautiful to her. I sympathise with Lothiriel feeling like a piece of luggage.It is like that without your own transport! A great chapter and cliffhanger!
Author's reply
Hello Linda, yes, I'm sure her babies will be absolutely beautiful to her. I know mine were! And luckily she's resourceful and managed to arrange for her own transport. Although I'm not sure if Eomer will appreciate her efforts. And another cliffhanger coming up soon. Lia
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 11: Chapter 11
I don't think I've ever read a fanfic with such baited breath. And now I really, really, really must go to bed!
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Oh, you cruel woman! Why did you not make them kiss? And has Grima poisoned her now. I need my bed! Arrrrrgh!
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 9: Chapter 9
Wonderful description of the Yule customs. Well, the twins must be gutted! Good grief, it's one o'clock in the morning and still I feel I want to read just one more chapter. Just one.
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 8: Chapter 8
Argh! That was so beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, but you had to waken me up again with a slap! Now I must read on...
Author's reply
This is one of my favourite scenes as well. And funny enough, as I write this, we have snow outside my window. Lia
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Yeah, right, lady, just tell yourself it's nothing but common courtesy - who do you think you're fooling? ;-) The mentioning of firefoot again reminded me of what I meant to write earlier but forgot: I like the way you have mirrored the relationship between the humans in the relationship between the horses. Okay, just one more chapter, and then I'll definitely go to bed.
Author's reply
The relationship between the horses will actually continue throughout the story. Not exactly mirroring the relationship between the humans (they have more sense than to quarrel), but close. Just a bit of fun! Lia
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6
"That Denethor would let me settle for a mere Third Marshal of the Mark, when I could be used to bind a much more powerful man closer to his interests, was about as likely as the King returning." Ah, very clever! I just wanted to read a couple of chapters of this before going to bed, but I think I just have to read another one... ;-)
Author's reply
Yes, just another one... ;-)
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5
So Lothiriel brings, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. That was deftly done. I also like how every so often her thoughts return to Eomer.
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Lovely to see the budding friendship between the two women.
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Yes, I can imagine that Eowyn would be rather reserved.I was surprised that she wasn't introduced initially? I'm a bit in two minds about the way the relationship with Eomer is developing. In real life I have always fallen in love rather rapidly, but for the purpose of a story I tend to prefer a slower build-up of romance. Still, the image you draw of Eomer is very compelling. "Amrothos would flirt with all the lovely ladies while in his wake Elphir would smooth their fathers’ ruffled feathers." That brought a very lively image to my mind. "if I wasn’t careful, he would pull me in like a riptide pulls in an unwary swimmer" - Great simile!
Author's reply
I usually prefer a slower build-up of their relationship, too, although there is always an initial attraction present between them. However, I think that in such uncertain times their relationship would develop faster, exactly because of the uncertainty and threat of war on the horizon. As she says later, you have to grab whatever happiness you can manage. Lia
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Lovely chapter. I particularly liked the scene with the village children and the description of the interior of the Golden Hall. That was masterfully done.
Virtuella · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Oh, this story certainly starts off with a bang! I like the first person narratative, which can sometimes be a bit awkward, but you handle it really well. "And they were not even my own people. Dirhael looked at me, a question in his eyes. I shook myself. They were people." Excellent!
Author's reply
Hello Virtuella, I'm finally getting round to replying to your reviews, sorry about the delay! You commented about the first person narrative. This is actually the first time I'm trying it out in a longer story. Although I didn't consciously choose to do so, instead Lothiriel insisted on telling her story herself. As I mentioned before, my characters have a mind of their own! But I've found it's worthwhile to give in to them. Lia
Cuthalion · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 22: Chapter 22
Ah - finally I'm able to write my review (new laptop does strange things with popup's). Thank God the child is healthy and whole... and what a remarkable date to be born! And I don't dare to imagine what Éomer will say and think when he meets her on the road. It might well be that he sees things more than slightly different than she does... *grins* Mona
Author's reply
Hello Mona, I thought that Ceolwen's baby deserved a special birthday and that it should be born into a world that is less dark. A turning points in many ways. So you think that Eomer might not agree with Lothiriel's rational and dignified explanation of her reasons? Mind you, they seem to completely have slipped her mind anyway! And as an added complication they are not alone this time as well... Lia
Larner · 17 November 2008 · Chapter 22: Chapter 22
Ah, perfect! Now here she is meeting Eomer on the road, looking disreputable once more--and disobedient as well! But will he kiss her again? That's what I want to know! Heh!
Author's reply
Hello Larner, I don't know how she manages to always get herself into a mess when he's around! It is most definitely not how she had planned their meeting. As for your question, that will be answered within a chapter or two. Lia
galimeril · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 22: Chapter 22
"Leofe looked at me with big eyes. “But Lord Éomer told you to wait here. He is the king now!” “Not mine,” I pointed out with perfect logic." That just about put me flat on my butt laughing, Very clever. The last line also brought a smile to mine lips... I really cannot wait to see how this argument turns out! Have a great weekend! Galiemril ;D
Author's reply
Hello galimeril, yes, Eomer is not her king, although he's her king ;-) And of course she's thinking completely straight and logical here... Have a great weekend, too! Lia
daw the minstrel · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 22: Chapter 22
I love Lothiriel's taking her fate into her own hands here. No, she's not a parcel someone stored somewhere and now has to pick up again. Good for her.
Author's reply
Hello Daw, I think Lothiriel has been getting more and more independent since being sent to Rohan, for she has learnt that she can make friends and take care of herself even when completely on her own. We'll see what will come of it! Lia
whitewave · 13 November 2008 · Chapter 22: Chapter 22
Oh my what another wonderful installment! I liked Lothy's rebellion here a lot! You go girl! That should make her and Eomer's reunion all the more spicy. I'm glad you included Amrothos--he's always been one of my favorite Dol Amroth princes. Can't wait to see what will happen, what they will say, if Lothy can finally explain herself to Eomer, if Eomer even thought about her during the war (or will he even admit it?)... Looking forward to the update.
Author's reply
Hello Whitewave, I somehow have the picture that Lothiriel can be quite formidable when she has made up her mind to do something, so maybe it's not surprising that she has stopped Eomer and his army in their tracks ;-) And Amrothos will appear in the next chapter, only he'll suffer from a distinct lack of information! Did Eomer think of her during the war? Hmm, like you said, the question might be more if he'll admit it. Men and their pride ;-) Lia
Linda Hoyland · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 21: Chapter 21
You show clearly what must have driven Eowyn to ride to battle,the horror of waiting helpless. I loved the poetic way of telling of victory.I can imagine it would have been just like that. Another wonderful chapter.
Author's reply
Hello Linda, I imagine that it must have been really horrible for those left behind, waiting for news. No doubt Lothiriel would have liked to imitate Eowyn and ride for Gondor, too. And I'm pleased to hear you liked Redwald's delivery of the news! Lia
Linda Hoyland · 12 November 2008 · Chapter 20: Chapter 20
I loved Aragorn as a vet here and this look at a famous scene from a new angle. I'm glad Lothiriel told Eomer how she feels,but will he understand?A great chapter. Congratulations on your MC Awards win!
Author's reply
Hello Linda, all the things Tolkien did not tell us about Aragorn's time in Helm's Deep ;-) And she didn't really get the chance to say much to Eomer, but then perhaps a kiss is more meaningful anyway... Lia P.S. thanks for the congratulations!