Fimbrethil · 20 June 2025 · Chapter 11: Mending and binding
So he was writing letters to Lothíriel. And they seem to like each other. YAY! Her brothers didn’t come?
The Measure Of A Man by Virtuella
Reviews (112)
Fimbrethil · 19 June 2025 · Chapter 6: Inky visions
hoho, who exactly has Éomer been writing a lot of letters t? Simply Aragorn and other kingly business? Or Éowyn? …or a certain Princess of Dol Amroth?
PSW · 23 January 2025 · Chapter 0: Prologue
Oh yay! I read this story years ago (on AO3?) and didn’t know it was here too. I loved it then, and will have to give it another read! :-)
Author's reply
Thanks, hope you'll like it again second time round. ;-)
Aki · 27 February 2022 · Chapter 14: Author notes
I do not know if you still keep track of the reviews you receive here. But I have found your fic and just finished binging, I couldn't put it down! I felt so dearly for Deoric and your descriptions of his struggles and his victories were so touching I couldn't help but laugh and cry with him. Truly this is an amazing story, showing the slow healing of a young man after the war, paralel with the healing of the land that had such suffered as well. Thank you for writing this, it was a pleasure and an honor to read it.
Author's reply
Apologies, I no longer recevie review alerts for this website and can't see how to sign up for them again. I'm glad you enjoyed the story!
OptimusCloudman · 30 March 2021 · Chapter 14: Author notes
I honestly think this might be one of the best fics I’ve ever read in the 5 years or so since I first started. Every word on the page evokes a new emotions, and the images seem to jump out of the page. Bravo indeed.
Author's reply
Thanks so much; it's lovely to get a review for a story that was posted so long ago. If you're interested, there is a sequel, Truth Be Told, in which Deoric travels around Rohan collecting stories. Have a great day!
Freyalyn · 3 April 2012 · Chapter 14: Author notes
Well, I read Olive and loved it, and then wandered around your stories and found this one. Lovely, sweet and uplifting - thank you so much for sharing it. Your dialogue was convincing, and the Rohirric society you described made sense.
Author's reply
Thank you, this is one of my favourites among my LOTR stories, so I'm glad you liked it.
WendWriter · 4 December 2009 · Chapter 0: Prologue
Deoric's self-pity and slow-dawning realisation of his worth as a man and as a writer and artist makes for a riveting tale. The way this unfolds, revealing layer after layer of complex social and psychological insights, is grist for my fanfic mill. This is the kind of thing I'd walk barefoot over broken glass to get - if it was a book in a shop, I would certainly buy it. I tell you, if you rewrote this as an original story, you could certainly get it published. Great stuff!
Author's reply
Thanks, Wendy! There's no way this could ever be an original story, it's too woven into the Tolkien setting. Which is not to say that I'll never try my hand at original fiction. I'll keep you posted.
Earosse · 24 March 2009 · Chapter 14: Author notes
This is an incredible story. Please write a sequel sometime soon.
Author's reply
Thank you! I have plans for a sequel and a few thousand words written, but I won't be able to tackle it in earnest for a wee while yet, since I have some other commitments.
Celeritas · 19 January 2009 · Chapter 13: A summer's day in Ithilien
Deoric's letter was so sweet, especially the little postscript (I managed to get her smile just right!). And now that you mention it, it rather makes sense that the scribe's job would have been Eowyn's idea all along... Best of all, you ended the tale with the renewal of life! Thanks so much; this was all a delight to read!
Author's reply
Thank you, and thanks for your continued support of this story. I'm glad you enjoyed it till the end!
Celeritas · 19 January 2009 · Chapter 12: The betrothal
There is nothing wrong with "not doing" kisses--the reunion (well, reconciliation, really) was touching and I loved Deoric's dancing at the end! This is a lovely almost-conclusion!
Linda Hoyland · 13 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Author notes
I'd love to read your essay.It is great to find a fellow writer who uses themes and plot arcs in their stories. I Would much enjoy a sequel when time permits. Maybe Eowyn could be taking her baby to show off to her brother.Perhaps the child could have some minor imperfection like an extra toe which could tie in with your previous themes/
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your continued support of this story!
Linda Hoyland · 13 January 2009 · Chapter 13: A summer's day in Ithilien
A lovely ending to a beautiful story. I'm happy for Eowyn,happy tat Deoric will learn to ride again and loved the lizard at the end.Thank you for a great read!
nancylea57 · 10 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Author notes
annette, i thank you for emailing me that you had completed this. i found it last night and needed to get you a review wrote. i am looking forward to more about the chronicler of rohan, he has grown and matured well. it might still be said about him in the future that he wasn't behaving like a man but i think it would be a compliment the next time, he seems to have refound that joy in life and i hope to see him playing a few jokes and pranks in the sequels that would help to show that he is truly recovering. i think his mother has much yet to give us in her story and i hope your next months settle down and let you return soon. wonderful work. n.
Author's reply
Thanks a lot. Plans for a sequel are taking shape in my mind, and I do have something good in store for Dirlayn. As for a humourous Deoric - well, that has possibilities!
Larner · 9 January 2009 · Chapter 13: A summer's day in Ithilien
It may have lost and regrown its tail, but it is able to enjoy the sunlight anyway, and to delight in what it has, as is true of others. I am not ignoring your last letter, but thinking on it. Give me a day or two longer. I so love seeing the tale of Deoric for now ending in hope.
Author's reply
Thank you, and thanks for your continued support of this story. Don't worry about my other question, it's not urgent.
Ainariel · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Author notes
Enjoyed the tale right to the finish! I did read the comments you had posted (but later removed) - and I enjoyed them. It was a interesting bit to see if I picked up on all the symbolism in the story - and to see if I understood it as the author intended. Great story about hope and determination. We usually don't get everything we want, but usually get what we need - IF we can learn to see the world beyond our own expectations! Kudos!
Author's reply
Thanks a lot! I removed the comments, because a few people had said they took away from the story in their opinion, so I thought it would be better just to mention that they are available for those who want them.
Soledad · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 13: A summer's day in Ithilien
Yay! You've finished it! A very nice ending.
Author's reply
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Dreamflower · 8 January 2009 · Chapter 13: A summer's day in Ithilien
What a wonderful epilogue! I love the use of a letter to let us know how things turned out for Deoric, and to bring it full circle to Eowyn and Merilwen. A very fitting ending for a very well-told tale! Gleowine, I am sure, would approve.
Author's reply
I hope he would! :D Thank you for your continued support of this story and for all your advice.
Linda Hoyland · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 12: The betrothal
I loved this chapter and seeing Deoric come to terms with his new life and he honoured by his king and soon to be queen. I'm so glad Fana has finally spoken.
Author's reply
Yeah, I always like a happy ending. ;-) Thanks for all your support of this story.
Agape4Gondor · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Author notes
I really have to quibble a little about your 'understanding' of your tale : ) 'the important realization that others have suffered losses equal to his own or worse' I think the above statement is used too often to try to make people accept their limitations and not grow - totally false premise IMHO. What kept me reading this tale about an 'ordinary' wounded Rohiric soldier was Déoric's continuing to struggle and NOT give up; that's what made this story so important - not the fact that others have suffered too. We all know others suffer, we all know others have horrible burdens, we all know grief... But it is in the way we deal with these hurdles forced on us by life that we become heroes. The boy's final triumph tells us all that we too, in the midst of unspeakable grief or horror or injury, might still live a full and productive life - and a happy one too. We might too be heroes. As I've said before, I consider Déoric one of the best OC's out here!
Author's reply
Good point! I didn't express that very well and have made changes accordingly. I didn't mean it in the sense that "Oh, look, others have problems, too, so you should be jolly grateful." What I meant was that seeing these other people with their own limitations and the way they are dealing with them help him to correct his perception. At the start he has this naive idea of what makes a desirable member of Rohirric society, expressed in the dream where he comes home with the spoils of war. He sees himself as not fitting into that pattern and hence as useless. Seeing these other people helps him to realize that in reality many people don't fit that mould and can still be valuable members of society. This in turn allows him eventually to reach out to others and to see what he has to give. The turning point here is his encounter with the child Fryn when he sees that he can cheer her up with the gift of his picture. Does that make more sense? Thank you so much for your continued support of this story.
Szepilona10 · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 13: A summer's day in Ithilien
Beautiful story, with a beautiful ending! I don't normaly read Rohiric stories, but I am very glad that I read this one! Thank you for writing it! I want more! God Bless! ~Szepilona10~
Author's reply
Thank you very much! There may be more some time, but not for a few months to come, since I'll be busy with other things.
Mysterious Jedi · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 13: A summer's day in Ithilien
Excellent story. I'm glad Deoric and Fana got together in the end.
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the story!
curiouswombat · 7 January 2009 · Chapter 14: Author notes
What a good ending. I have really enjoyed following this story of the Riddermark, its people, and, above all, of hope. Or possibly of how stubborn headed young men can sometimes be... :~)
Author's reply
Thank you so much for all your comments!
Larner · 5 January 2009 · Chapter 12: The betrothal
Recognition beyond his imagining; his book for a betrothal gift to the new Queen-to-be, and his love recaptured! Hooray! I am so very glad! Excellent! I am looking forward to the final chapter! Excellent!
Elflingimp · 1 January 2009 · Chapter 12: The betrothal
Virtuella, don't be worried about anything in your story,it was the most wonderful one I have read in a long while! Hugs The Imp P.S. Happy New Years to you!!!
Author's reply
I /always/ worry about my writing, but thanks for your kind words! Last chapter will be posted next week.
Agape4Gondor · 1 January 2009 · Chapter 12: The betrothal
Chronicler of the Mark - well done! Great chapter - I did almost go to the status to see if it was complete. Will wait patiently for the last one.
Author's reply
Thanks, I won't keep you waiting very long!