Reviews (60)

Author's reply

Shirebound!! So happy you could come!!! :-)) I really just love to make up the ceremonies for things and write them! This took a while because I wanted to get it right! Eowyn and Faramir deserve that much! :-)) Stay safe Mellon nin! ((hugs)) MM

Author's reply

Shirebound! "This chapter fills me with peace." Thank you for saying that. I am so glad. I find with my writing that is all I seem to be aiming for trying to make people happy these days. Both my characters and the readers! :-) It is a morning for reflection and now all can move forward with a sense of happiness. Hope you are well. Stay safe! Mellon nin. ((hugs)) MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! Yeah!! So glad you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to write! Weddings are a time (at least to me) are a time to reflect and be thankful to those we love. Both had lost almost all family members (save Eomer and Imrahil and fam.) that would have been there at the wedding to love them and reflect with them so I brought them back if only in Eowyn's thoughts and Faramir's dream. They can feel as if they go forth with blessings! Side note: I really wanted to stick in a little thing that confirms it was actually Finduilas' spirit speaking to Faramir. Something like her thanking Eru Illuvatur for allowing her to speak in Faramir's dream but I couldn't work it into the flow of the story. When I was writing the idea struck me about Devrion being one of Faramir's company. As you say it just seemed right. And quite the contrast to Denethor and Faramir. And as they say that all writing is somewhat auto-biographical Devrion shares these qualities with my dad. He always said that he would not make the same mistakes that his mom made with him and he didn't. With these reactions done it truly is on to the wedding! P.S. I have been reading "the Tenth Walker but haven't been reviewing each chapter because I wanted just continue the story! But suffice to say I am loving it! Stay safe, Mellon nin! ((hugs)) MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! Hello! Yeah! Poor Master Taethion, he is rather sleep-deprived and not thinking straight. Telion, having worked him and knows him well sees that logic will not prevail at this time and chooses Falstaff's line of thinking, that discretion is the better part of valour. Taethion is a good master though, he let Telion have a say in the design because clearly Eowyn favoured him. I love to create jewelry and explain its significance! I actually do make jewelry. I just thought having unique rings would be a nice touch and it was fun to think about! wee-hee! "And the transformed bracelet, not plundered for its stones but somehow enhanced in its testimony of love." What can I say, Master Taethion is Arwen's favourite jeweler for a reason. He is damn good! :-)) But also a tad sleep-deprived at present! Next: Faramir and Eowyn's wedding!! Hope this review finds you and yours safe and well!! ((hugs)) Mellon nin! MM

Author's reply

Simplegirl! Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to write. It really means a lot! Thank you for the kind words. I have really had a wonderful time writing this! Showing Faramir and Eowyn happy! Bringing Eomer and Lothiriel falling in love! I imagine Telion to be sixteen kinda an earnest and gawky teenager with a good heart. I think the maid possibly can see that as well. :-)) I love describing jewelry and its significance, I don't know why! Next: Faramir and Eowyn's wedding! Thanks again! Stay safe. MM

Author's reply

Shirebound! Hello! Thanks so much for writing back and so glad you liked it! I was looking forward to writing this chapter, but Eomer and Lothiriel had to fall in love first! LOL! I wanted to bring back Taethion and Telion, common people living in Minas Tirith. And then get to do one of the two things I love describing jewelry and its significance (bizarrely I love do this) And doing it in Telion's excited voice was quite fun! You always manage to highlight a passage that rings true for me as well, as a central core of what I am writing! *smile* Next: The Wedding (another thing I love to do create ceremonies and write about them! Stay Safe Mellon nin! MM

Author's reply

Simplegirl! So glad to hear you say that. It is the love story that I have created for my fan fiction and I am so happy that they work together as characters! Yeah! Thank you for taking the time to write! Stay safe MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! Yeah I know. The nerve of work interrupting our reading and review schedule! Those "work people" They have no consideration! :-) I thought why would Imrahil just be standing waiting and then I remember reading that Aragorn made many the peace treaty with many former enemy after Sauron had been defeated and Imrahil would especially be interested and involved in an treaty with Umbar! So he is standing watching Eomer kissed his beloved daughter. I love the idea of an older Imrahil and middle aged Eomer discussing. EOMER: Can you believe it. He wants to marry Thiry! And they've known each other, what two weeks." IMRAHIL: (side glances EOMER) Yeah. Two weeks. You bald-faced told me you loved my daughter after one DAY!" EOMER: Errr. That was different. IMRAHIL: Um-Hmm, Sure. I wanted to throttle you where you stood, only thing that stop me was I saw in your eyes that you did love her. But that doesn't mean my fingers didn't itch. EOMER: Point taken. A longer version of this may happen in my 20 th anniversary story....the possibilities! I see your evil plot bunnies invading my head! LOL The Denethor dimension is an interesting one. but if he had lived would he have ceded control of Gondor to Aragorn....? And Eowyn tearing a strip off him for his treatment of Faramir would have most definitely happened. Not sure how much of Denethor would have been left! LOL stay safe Mellon nin! ((virtual hugs)) MM

Author's reply

Shirebound! So happy that you are enjoying the story and the courtship between Eomer and Lothiriel. I've tried hard to have them speak in their own unique voices. Hopefully that comes across. Imrahil from the books though not much is written, I sense is an honorable man and having three sons and the youngest a daughter I surmise he would be protective of her, but also realise that there was no stemming this tide! Thanks again for writing. Stay safe! ((virtual hugs)) MM.

Author's reply

Lindelea! Oh Good!! :-)) Yeah! Stay safe! ((hugs))

Author's reply

Lindelea! Hello!! I'm really glad you liked it. I am so happy you like Beregond in my stories. He does add fun! and was lucky to not be slapped "upside the head" by Lothiriel! LOL! This story takes place before many of the other stories I've already written. Specifically the others that I am referring to are "Changes and Acceptances" and "A Light in Midwinter". I had to hint at the troubles that Arwen was facing in "Changes" in this story as it happens before it. In "Changes" is where Arwen does indeed work through the shadow that crosses over her face briefly in this story. And yes in this story is where the bond of friendship between the three women actually begins. "When shall we three meet again..." LOL :-)) It has indeed been fun. Did the romance bit between Lothiriel and Eomer work well? As I said to Shirebound, it is the first time that I have created a romance for one of my stories. Hope you and yours are well. Stay safe. ((virtual hugs)) MM

Author's reply

Shirebound! Yeah! I'm so happy you liked it. It is my first attempt at creating a romance. And I tried very hard to make it a romance that only these two could have. Thanks again for writing! It really does mean a lot to me! Stay safe! ((virtual hugs)) MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! I shall look forward to your thoughts on the matter! :-) MM

Author's reply

Sue! The first chapter was written for the Teitho challenge but it was always meant to be a longer story. Glad you found it again! Yeah!! MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! So happy to hear from you! So happy that you liked the chapter! You suggested a conversation between these two in a review earlier in the story and this is the result. Two honorable men bound by family becoming brothers of the heart. I always envision Eomer as a manly man but with deep emotions that he isn't always great at expressing, but he really wanted to thank Faramir for giving Eowyn her smile back. And poor Faramir, until he grows more in confidence, Which he does in my later stories, will be affected by his upbringing which as we all know, wasn't the best **understatement alert**. It is good that they are developing this relationship! And men of my knowing tend to deflect emotion with humour or distraction hence Eomer's line, "before one of us break down into tears, songs or love poetry, I suggest we go and inspect the outer east battlements!” distraction AND humour!! I am fascinated with Faramir (as you can see from my writings!) He is given so little love (save for Boromir and Imrahil, on the probable rare occasions he was able to escape to Dol Amroth) and yet he reaches out to Eowyn in the Houses of Healing with such gentleness, tenderness and patience. Those chapters have always just touched my heart so much. So it easy to imagine that he would be very kind and understanding to his little cousin and her doll. I was also a bit of a tomboy, but still had a very close relationship with either my doll or teddy bear when I was eight. Little sisters of the world Unite!! LOL! Really happy to hear from you! We are well here! (touch wood) Hope you are the same! Stay safe! (((virtual hugs))) MM Author Reply: Lindelea! If I make any mistakes about the care of horses in my story please tell me so I can correct it. Most of my horse knowledge comes second hand from books. MM :-)

Author's reply

Shirebound! Agreed. In writing my more recent stories I have felt this relationship needed more attention. Two honorable men bound together by family. And it has developed nicely. You are right. At this point, only 6 months removed from the war's end and his father's death and his relationship with Eowyn only just starting Faramir still very much is influenced by his past, the dysfunctional relationship with his father. (only the term is modern, the relationship dynamic is very much timeless) He will grow in confidence (as he does in my later stories) realising Eowyn's love for him. Ah! *warm fuzzy feelings* They will make each other very happy. :-)) Side note: God Bless Professor Tolkien for giving us this wonderful world to lose ourselves in during this very stressful time in the world outside Middle Earth!! Stay Safe and well! ((virtual hugs)) MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! Yeah! Windermere is a very English name. Isn't Lake Windermere in the Lake District? I thought it a very good name for a fleet of foot horse. In thinking about Lothiriel, having grown up with three older brothers and living by the sea as opposed to within Minas Tirith gives scope to the Tomboy idea. And a despairing mother....:-) Thank you for the link to the poem. I have heard snippets of it before but I never knew where it came from! Thank you! Haven't seen "While you were Sleeping" in a while but now that you mention it! LOL Yes! Faramir, generally bright and perceptive, but not in the ways of relationships, BUt then again he is a man, so not change there then!! :-)) Stay Safe...and no butter eating! :-)) MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! You are right! Clueless Faramir IS so cute! And Yes I think we can say that about a serious and blooded warrior. Especially Faramir. He is very dedicated to his duty and not very confidence in areas of life. I think he has not had a great deal of experience with women in his life or being in his life. No mother and living a male world of soldiering. Bless him. :-) I do love toast!! And yes butter is not necessary especially if you have top quality marmalade!! Yumm! "This chord chimes loudly when I think of my own reasons for writing fanfic right now." Yup. It does ring true for me, you and Telion! We create beauty to combat the ugliness. And As I said to Shirebound in her review it had only been six months since the end of the war and I wanted to show how some of the regular people of Minas Tirith were affected by the war and as I was writing this opportunity presented it. Eowyn killed the Witch King. Yes, Aragorn helped pull her from the Black Shadow but war still leaves marks. She could understand Telion and Telion could understand her. It was a build between people where social sphere has no meaning. I think of Arwen and I just think goodness just radiates from her and that is what Taethion reacts to and the actions of Eowyn as well. "O aye!" Stay well MM

Author's reply

Shirebound! Thanks! As it was only six months since the ending of the war I wanted to find a way to talk a little about the effect on the people of Minas Tirith and in the writing of this chapter I found this opportunity. Thank you for taking the time to write! I hope this note finds you and yours well and healthy. Stay Safe! MM

Author's reply

Shirebound! Hello! It has been a fun story to write. I had been wanting to write about Faramir and Eowyn's wedding for a while and I think read somewhere that Eomer and Lothiriel met at their wedding and I thought wee-hee! Double fun! MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! I thought with three brothers she probably was a little more of a tomboy. Eomer is most definitely going to think she is a keeper! ADMISSION TIME: The dinner etiquette I am borrowing is straight out of "Downton Abbey". I guess I think (through nothing but my own fevered imagination) that Minas Tirith society is an amalgamation of Medieval settings and Edwardian social structure. Faramir at this point in his life really does not handle praise well. He is still too influenced by his upbringing, still too busy thinking that he really isn't worthy. That changes in my stories later in the timeline. He is never completely comfortable but has a lot more confidence in later stories. This is only six months after the war was over and his father passing. Stay safe!! ((Virtual hugs) MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! I think she will! She, Arwen and Eowyn are often quite the trio in later stories in this timeline! MM Author Reply: And thanks for taking the time to write! MM

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Lindelea! I suspect that Faramir will understand what river stones mean to Eowyn. In a couple stories I do try to show why Denethor could not treat Faramir better, though Eowyn does not share my opinion! I obviously agree about Faramir most of my recent stories have been bent on showing he and Eowyn being happy! We are well. My husband has gotten permission to work from home! Yeay! Stay safe! MM

Author's reply

Lindelea! I read I think in ROTK something about the King's House and thought to work that into the story. It only made sense that this would devolve into just a ritual than any real hope! Also thinking the architecture of Minas Tirith in the ROTK film I tried to match what I thought Arwen's solar would look like. Arwen is clearly pained over her break with her father but that is not something Eowyn can help her with at this point so they talk about what they do have in common. I was laughing when typing the "something kingly" line! LOL But yes Aragorn does trust Arwen to continue with what she is planning!! Thanks so much for all the encouragement! ((virtual hugs))