Reviews (137)

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Galathil! Thank you for writing to telling me. It is truly appreciated. I put a lot of effort into my stories and this one is special to me. It has been a labor of love. And it is wonderful to hear that my efforts are appreciated! Thanks! ((hugs)) MM

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Fimbrethil! Thanks for joining me on this journey!!! I wrote "Leaving Home; Coming Home" before "Destiny's Child" so no she isn't but she will be. I am going to add to and revised portions of "Leaving" to add in "Destiny" characters would have been there!! But I have been waylaid by a cold!! Booo!! Thanks! (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! Hope you are feeling better!! Whew! I have finished. I was driven to finish this because I wanted Eowyn to be HAPPY! She had gone so much SH!t She and Faramir deserved happy endings. "Alyrin is so perceptive! And yes, this is a plausible explanation of how Éowyn transitioned from Shield Maiden to healer. It took her completely out of herself.... It is what she needs.... Nobody taught her that." I felt it was needed to explain why Eowyn suddenly wants to become a healer! Alyrin is intelligent and perceptive! She and Eowyn will continue to be fast Friends! "Oooo. I love the undercurrents running through the Master Warder's answer to Alyrin's question. As well as the confirmation here that Faramir would have made a fine healer in other circumstances." It made sense that Master Warden is looking at the whole person in terms of healing. And I do think that Faramir would have made a fine healer. He excelled at arms but he saw it as protection of that he loved. "I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Númenor; and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and her present wisdom." I feel that Faramir looked upon his career in arms as only protection. To save. Maybe to lead to healing. It is a stretch but not a long stretch. "This observation was shattering in its simplicity and truth: At this point even one heart saved counted as a victory when so much had been lost already in this tragedy writ across countries." Applies to war but mainly I am thinking natural disasters. In California, mostly earthquakes and how the rescue efforts of getting injured people out of the rubble of a building and then tragically rescue turns to "Recovery" and when someone is found still alive, it is a blissful event. Too many earthquakes in California. "a less guarded welcome with each smile... An interesting measure of progress!" I had to think of gradual ways that Eowyn's heart could be warming to Faramir but not too quickly. It had to fit the story. "(Sudden vision of a gathering of guardian angels in the break room, swapping horror stories while their young charges are sleeping...)" I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this image. ANGEL: Yup! Young Billy went riding at breakneck speed down the road near his house again. You know the one with the turn *Other guardian angel looking aghast* (shakes head, rubs face!) Re-routing traffic that quickly is a real bugger!" "...a thunderbolt to his senses. Alas, poor Faramir. Also, ...he told himself to live in the moment, to take what little that joy was offering him. (tempted to sob aloud)" I think I did when re-reading it. Denethor had so convinced Faramir as a child, through his treatment of him, that he somehow so fault-ridden that how could anyone love him that wasn't family. It may have been that Denethor did not mean to convey that message but kids will draw their own ideas from our treatment. "“A boy needs his mother at times of great joy.” How well Faramir would understand this need." Faramir is a man of great empathy. That he was shown so little growing up I fine amazing that he is a man of great empathy. "...the cup of spiced wine that always aided in his comprehension of new reading, or so he told himself. Delightful!" :-) I thought it was a lovely bit of character depiction! :-) "I'm glad Faramir knows now how his father loved him." Even through the Black Breath he still knows. Very important. It will help him heal...eventually. "And "a brother's last gift" in his friendship with Merry and Pippin – what a lovely perspective to hold!" Again this will help him heal and deal with his brother's death. "What a terrible thing to be consigned to the office of the steward, where bad memories echo in his thoughts! I'm doubly glad that he will be residing in Ithilien most of the time and building good memories there." Yeah. Life deals us cards that not always easy but we are forced to deal with. "I especially love this detail: Close enough to smell her fragrance of flowers and spring but yet, he did not touch her." Thanks! Again trying to keep to the slow pace of Eowyn's acceptance of Faramir's love. It was not easy. "Faramir's plea almost breaks my heart..." those are some of the lines that have lived in my heart since high school and were the driving force to write this story and see it through to the end, though I had to take Eowyn through some very rough patches to get here! "but then Éowyn's eyes are opened and she sees the truth in herself as well as in him. And Holdlith's foretelling fits perfectly into the scene." FINALLY I could write Eowyn happy and accepting of Faramir's love. And I wrote that Holdlith's passage back in Chapter 8 thinking of this point when Eowyn can understand and accept Faramir's love. "(And hearing of the Warden's healing into the bargain. The cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the sundae.)" The Warden deserved a little healing as well! He's been through a lot and has known Faramir since he was a boy. "The last two sentences are exactly right. I already said "Perfect" about that earlier paragraph, but I could say the same about the final paragraph of this story." Sounds strange but I heard singing in my head when I get a passage just right and I definitely heard when I wrote the last lines! Thanks so much for being on this journey with me! I am going to do some revisions to "Leaving Home; Coming Home." to fit in characters I created here that would definitely at Faramir and Eowyn's wedding! But first I'm going to write my Birthday Mathom on December 8th and my Winter Solstice story! Thanks! <3 (((hugs))) MM MM

Author's reply

Shirebound! Thank you so much. And thank you for faithfully being on this journey with me! I am going to be revising "Leaving Home; Coming home" which I wrote before this and I want include some of the characters that I create for "Destiny's Child." Gamhelm, Gamwyn, Holdlith etc. I really feel like Eowyn would have had them present for her wedding to Faramir! It will be different sort of journey but I hope you will join on that journey as well. Thanks! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: I felt it was complete after I had written "She was at peace" because at no time during the 41 chapters was she ever at peace! (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! Not to worry. I like SPAM. well spam from you, the other kind is meat for the truly desperate! LOL! This is a lengthy response and written after a fashion like the Literature essays that I wrote way too many of at University, which strangely I enjoyed writing??? I like the idea of Faramir’s acceptance of assaulting Osgiliath likened to Frodo’s acceptance of the Ring journey. I think that "resigned” is a good description of Faramir. But that is the emotion that I think Faramir in the film is displaying when he and his riders are leaving Minas Tirith. Also that is what I hear when this exchange happens: “So be it,’ said Faramir. ‘So be it!’ cried Denethor. ‘But not with your death only, Lord Faramir: with the death also of your father, and of all your people, whom it is your part to protect now that Boromir is gone.’ ‘Do you wish then,’ said Faramir, ‘that our places had been exchanged?’ ‘Yes, I wish that indeed,’ said Denethor. ‘For Boromir was loyal to me and no wizard’s pupil. He would have remembered his father’s need, and would not have squandered what fortune gave. He would have brought me a mighty gift.’ For a moment Faramir’s restraint gave way. ‘I would ask you, my father, to remember why it was that I, not he, was in Ithilien.” His father has admitted that he wished that Faramir had died and not Boromir.” In the film you see the impact that has had on Faramir. The relationship between Denethor and Faramir is not good and the film shows that, but in shorthand. During that meeting of the captains Denethor keeps mentioning the loss of Boromir, “It is at Osgiliath that he will put his weight, as before when Boromir denied him the passage.” and after the continual mentioning of Boromir in the meeting the day before quoted above and in this meeting the exchange happens: “But I will not yield the River and the Pelennor unfought - not if there is a captain here who has still the courage to do his lord’s will.’ Then all were silent, but at length Faramir said: ‘I do not oppose your will, sire. Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will go and do what I can in his stead [italics mine]- if you command it.’ ‘I do so,’ said Denethor. ‘Then farewell!’ said Faramir. ‘But if I should return, think better of me!’ ‘That depends on the manner of your return,’ said Denethor. This happens in a roomful of people, granted and all were silent. But through Denethor’s repeated mentioning of Boromir, knowing the close relationship between the two brothers, seems to me he is goading Faramir to act. Faramir takes the statement personally “‘I do not oppose your will, sire. Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will go and do what I can in his stead.” So much is at work here. Faramir is grieving, his restraint tested to its boundaries. His loyalty and his duty are once again are called into question by his father and this time in public before other men of honor. Even if Denethor wasn’t necessarily goading him specifically, he takes it as such. Then Faramir make response that to me as an avowal of himself yearning for some acknowledgement from his father of what he is about to undertake: “Then farewell!’ said Faramir. ‘But if I should return, think better of me!’ And he receives a complete rebuff. ‘That depends on the manner of your return,’ said Denethor.” Even though he knows this mission is doomed to failure, he undertakes it. Why. As you say Faramir too well grounded to be a “People-pleaser.” And under normal standards I would agree but his life has been torn to shreds. His brother has died. How and why he has received conflicting reports. His father who is also grieving Boromir’s death is roundly once again questioning his second son’s decisions and loyalty and his very survival at this point. Is Faramir resigned yes, to what though. That is the question. I think the film shows this well. Faramir is riding to his death. Does he want to die? I don’t think so but his life and his choices are leading to this unenviable position. Is it a rational decision? No. But it is one that he may see as inevitable. Does the film make more of it than the book, possibly but the drama of it in cinematic terms for me is devastating and very memorable. I think PJ and crew do more of a disservice to Denethor than Faramir. I completely regret that they did not give John Noble the line “I sent my son forth, unthanked, unblessed, out into needless peril, and here he lies with poison in his veins.” It shows a realization of what he has done and also later on his love shown through a broken mind but he will allow no one else nearly hoping he will speak in the end. He sent his son and now grief and guilt (and the Palantirr) have broken his mind. He knew Osigilath was a lost cause and yet he sent Faramir anyway. By his own admission, he sent Faramir. Denethor’s mind aided by the Palantirr drove him to this. It is tragic. And Denethor in the film is given none of this. He is angry, raving. Except at the last when Faramir is coming to while on the fire and Denethor sobs, "My son!" But enough of my ramblings! Onto Ch. 41! (((hugs))) MM

Author's reply

Lin! Sorry to hear about your cold. Hope you are feeling better soon! But yes to be snuggled down with tea and good fanfiction. To paraphrase the Bard, It is a condition devoutly to be wished. As opposed to what Hamlet was thinking as he was "throwing a Moody!" as the English would say! LOL! "Poor Éowyn; the past months have hollowed her out, and recent events have scoured away what little was left of her innermost being." She has been through it and thinks she has nothing left but then she will allow nobody to tend to one of her boys. "But she is surrounded by healers now, including a certain Man of Gondor who would probably have excelled at the healing arts had he not been compelled by family and fate to learn and practise the arts of war." Exactly! I think I mention this in one of my stories. The Warden I think muses upon that very idea. "The healer will replace the warrior – or maybe I mean to say that she will turn her warrior skill to battling injury and illness, warding off Death and darkness, disease and despair with a sword made of determination (and balms and draughts?) and a shield made up of healers' arts while beckoning those under her responsibility to follow her to victory and peace and abundant life beyond mere physical healing." That idea I will be addressing my next chapter...we are coming to an end soon... (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! Hope you enjoy!! We are sitting in Costco eating a hot dog in the middle of our turkey day shopping!! (((Hugs))) MM

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Fimbrethil! Hello! I think that is why the slight change was made by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh and Pippa Boyens. They needed an end for Two Tower and Helm's Deep and Shelob in the same film was just too much and we get that wonderful speech by Sam at the end of Two Towers. "what is the chance there is unreleased footage of more Faramir/Éowyn?" They did actually shoot their wedding scene. Costumes were designed for it. Miranda Otto posted a pic of her and David Wenham in their wedding finery. https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/comments/bf4bf1/miranda_ottos_ig_post_of_eowyn_faramirs_wedding/#lightbox I have scoured every posting showing deleted scenes from ROTK and nothing!!! *very large sigh* Probably the prettiest dress that Ngila Dickson who did the costumes for LOTR designed and it ended up on the cutting room floor! *grrrr* (((hugs))) MM

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Fimbrethil!! Hello! Thank you so much. I have tried to paint Eowyn and Faramir slowly. Éowyn needs time to accept that Faramir does love her. The breakfast scene was fun to write. Actually I love David Wenham's Faramir. I have love Faramir since high school and truly don't understand all the film Faramir dislike. Thanks for writing!! (((Hugs))) MM

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Shirebound!! Hello! Thanks! I am having so much fun painting their relationship growing. I just want to rush them together, but that is not the story. Eowyn needs time to accept Faramir's love. She has been through the ringer the last couple of years. I couldn't resist the banter at breakfast! :-)) And of course Merry couldn't resist the chance to be cheeky!! LOL! His is an irrepressible spirit. I could just heard Dom Monaghan voicing those words! thanks again writing! It is so very much appreciated! (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! Hello! Sorry this replies is late but the Chapter 40 plot bunnies were very insistent that I write. They were nipping at me! And as you well know plot bunny bites can be pretty nasty! :-) but upshot of that "ordeal" is that Chapter 40 is now in the editing stage and will soon be headed to my beta/hubby!! Thank you so much for the review! My favorite portion of the story and what drove me to write Eowyn through some pretty rough times, but she did not suspect anything no matter how many times Holdlith told her!! She would not hear tale of it! LOL! But I digress! "I should imagine she's never met anyone quite like Faramir before. Not even Aragorn, really, who has his own unique qualities." I think you are right. Being niece to the king would not leave a lot of trust in a man's sincerity. Also her opinion and examples of love have not been overly positive. Her mother died of a broken heart. Her aunt died in childbirth and her friends turned from vibrant young women into matrons who seemed to subsume themselves into their husbands' lives. Faramir unlike anyone she has known is breaking through all of that gently but inexorably. *sigh* "Bless Alyrin and her gossip, filling in some valuable background information for Éowyn." Exactly! She is becoming a favourite character! Eowyn now knows some of Faramir's life. "blue eyes that had no reason to dissemble" and "true to his word": Apt descriptions of Faramir, for sure!" True! True! "I beamed with delight when Merry appeared! But oooh, how interesting that she can perceive when someone has been touched with the Breath! (And that Merry sees it as well in her.) And I like Alyrin's practical attitude, "...where better to remember so that they can be eased." I think that those touched will bare the mark on their spirit. Each will deal with it differently but a trace will always appear in their eyes. It taught Merry wisdom, eventually. :-) Because of what they endured they can see it in others and maybe know to extend empathy and compassion to the other survivors. My own theory. Of course Alyrin interjected common sense into the situation! "(Did Faramir pick up pipe-smoking from Gandalf a while ago or perhaps more recently?)" Within the Legendarium it is possible that Gandalf introduced Faramir to pipe smoke but within my stories it is Merry in "Bound by Duty; Bound by Joy" Admission time: I have taken portions of that story when both Faramir and Eowyn are in the Houses of Healing and used them here. They said exactly how I wanted it said and couldn't seem to rewrite it better. So there is that. but I have used that as seed for these last few chapters! "During Merry's conversation with Faramir, I was struck with the thought: How different things might have been if Merry had not reached the Pelennor! For it was his blade of Westernesse that "dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will". As he said, he and Éowyn together killed the Witch-king." So true. More of the Professor's idea of disobeying authority to good end. It is a theme that runs throughout the books. "Watching the connection grow between Faramir and Éowyn is eminently satisfying. The two of them deserve each other." Exactly! I am having a wonderful time writing about their relationship in bloom! *happy sigh* Thanks again for writing! Chapter 40 in the next couple days I'm thinking!! (((hugs))) MM

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Shirebound! Exactly! This is a time to start the healing process and it may be slow going at first. But everyone will get there! Yay! Thanks for writing! (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! Hello! More Alyrin! I agree. She started as a bit player guiding Eomer to where Eowyn lay and she just took the reins of her character and started running with it! :-)) Spirited girl! I think she will one of the reasons Eowyn proclaims she will become a healer! Also the treatment she received at the Houses and her own burgeoning interest in herbs that she absorbed from being around Leoulf and Holdlith! It had to come from somewhere. "How difficult it must have been to have been left behind." For both her and Merry. Another bond that is formed. "She said a quick word to Béma asking his protection remain over Waerith, took a deep breath and tried to look forward and not back. ...a picture of courage, especially considering the times." Eowyn knows no other way. She is trying really hard to look forward, even though she isn't seeing any future worth living for (... at this point) :-)) "(Kindred spirits! I like fuss-free clothes, too.)" So do I. I am irked if it takes me more than 5 minutes in the morning to figure out what I am wearing and then just throw it on! "(You make the Warden sound so real.)" Thanks. He just seemed to be one of those sympathetic characters. I think in the chapter "The Steward and the King!" he mentions that he was glad to see the lonely hearts of Faramir and Eowyn find each other in time of war. *sigh* "he seemed to see straight into her heart, past her defenses This fits well with Gandalf's description of Faramir." Exactly. And that is what Eowyn needs right now. Someone who Sees her, not just what they expect to see. Ah! Faramir. Finally I get to write him in this story. It has been a long time in coming! "I do love how Éowyn and Faramir take the measure of each other, along with the common ground you reveal here." I am glad that came through. I was trying to write a meeting between the two that seemed real. This relationship has lived in my heart since high school. Who says Tolkien couldn't write romance when he put his mind to it! *sigh* "Despite the hurt and loss and desperate situation, this chapter left me smiling." Yay!!!!! The chapters before the House of Healing have been so hard to write because Eowyn was at the lowest points in her life. I kept driving towards these chapters! :-)) Chapter 39 is almost ready! Thanks for writing. Hope you are well! (((hugs))) MM

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Yay!! Thank you!! 😊 (((MM)))

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Fimbrethil! Thank you so much! So glad you liked it! Those chapters where Eowyn and Faramir meet and fall in love have been with me since I read them in high school! Always been in the Faramir fan club and though it was a little different I loved David Wenham as Faramir in the films! Eirik is very devoted to Faramir. He idolizes him! Funny that you should ask about Faramir's POV. I actually have a story about Faramir's POV at this point in the Ring War. It is on here and it is called "Bound by duty; Bound by joy." I hope you like it, if you choose to read it! (((hugs))) MM

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Shirebound! Thank you! And might I say what a beautifully written review! If you don't mind, should it come up, could I possibly use that sentence in my next chapter? These are the chapters that I have been waiting to write. They are the chapters that have kept me going through some of Eowyn's darkest times. So glad you liked it! (((hugs))) MM

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It really put my mind at ease!! Thank you! (((hugs))) (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! "I'm so glad to see this new chapter as healing progresses." Yes definitely! There will still be a few bumps in the road but at least Eowyn is finally on the road to healing and happiness. " How fitting, somehow, that Éowyn's words are instrumental in beginning the healing process for her brother's heart." They have shared so much on this journey it only seemed right. "Typical sister. "When did you last eat something?" LOL! If she had had any sort of energy she probably would have slapped him upside the head. But the pinned look had roughly the same effect. :-)) "But how sad, that she's convinced Aragorn despises her because she deserted her people. I hope he will soon set her mind at rest." Right now Eowyn feels shame, embarrassment when Aragorn is mentioned. She knows that he didn't really say those things about her deserting her people that was the Black Breath, but it was so real and she was in such a vulnerable state that it will take some time and their first meeting is probably going to be pretty awkward. And she really did fall on her knees, that will take time to recover from. But they will work it out. "I like that Alyrin, with all that must be on her mind, is mindful to set the writing materials ready nearby." She will make a fine healer. So it is nice that Master Healer and Healer Woodruff would concur! :-) She just started as a healer to guide Eomer to Eowyn and she just ran with whatever I gave her! :-)) I think she will be part of the reason Eowyn declares she will be a healer. Small characters can have a big impact. :-) "I do like the hobbit-like emphasis on food and well-being." Exactly! It just makes hobbity good sense! "How interesting that the sword transformed into a red ribbon..." Yeah...When I thought about it just before I started typing I thought pink ribbon or green but my fingers typed red and it just seemed right. "Éowyn realized then that her boys were not boys anymore. Such a difficult truth, a matter that mingles both sorrow and pride." Yeah. I always say that I write to find out what happens. So much does in this scene. Eowyn realises they are boys anymore and I think they end the scene with a relationship that is close to them being equals. "All have survived, My Lady. At last! The news we all have been waiting to hear while fearing we would hear something else entirely." Realistically speaking at least one of them should have died, but I couldn't do that to Eowyn. I mean she is dealing with so much as it is. One of the boys' deaths I think would have been too much for Eowyn. It was hard enough seeing Halaf injured. "I remember the family stories about my uncle, a medic in the Battle of the Bulge, who did not speak at all for six months after returning from WWII." Yep! As cliched as the phrase may be War is truly hell. What it does to people... My friend Val's dad was in bomb disposal in WW2. Surely he would talk about funny stories, but he never talked about what he actually did in the war. Aethelred will retain scars from this day for the rest of his life. They all will. "Éowyn's honest confession in answer to Háláf's question brought tears to my eyes." Mine, too. But the discussion had to real and honest or the boys would have felt cheated and Eowyn couldn't do that to them. Exactly. Under Halaf's bandage were some pretty major stitches but he was not about to tell Eowyn that. Healing of (physical, spiritual etc.) all kinds will be needed. Thanks for writing and the advice! (((hugs))) MM

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Fimbrethil! Hello! Yes brother and sister are reunited! But neither are quite the same nobody coming out of that battle could be. In the long run Eowyn will be happy but in the interim, things are a little rough! Realistically one of the boys would have died but I just couldn't do that to Eowyn! She already has so much to cope with. And yes Éomer has finally gotten something to eat! :-)) thanks for writing! (((hugs))) MM

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Shirebound! "I really like Alyrin." So do I. At first she was just guided Éomer to his sister but then she just grew on me. I'm thinking that, after writing her, she is one of the inspirations that lead to Eowyn to declaring she will become a healer. Poor Éowyn, she has been through so much, but she will be happy, because she will accept that Faramir loves her. I'm thinking of adding beginning chapters to the story that follows this which I wrote during the pandemic called "Leaving Home; Coming Home" which I am sure that you have read because you read everything I write! Thank you for that BTW! I wrote that before this and I have created some characters that I have really grown to love who would be in that story! Thanks for writing! (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! I know what you mean. Where we are thankfully we have standing protests and not marches because I couldn't have joined if they were marches. And my mom in her walker has been able to join more than a few because we gather as opposed to march! Marshaling energy is becoming an issue for me as well. Soon I will retire and hope to marshall energy in that way. "what so ever you do to the least of my brothers you do unto me." is a hymn we just to sing at mass. based on Matthew 25-40 And though I don't attend anymore it is probably one of the only bits of scripture that I know to quote somewhat. But I also think it is one of the most important to be remembered. It was that idea that guided Ted Kennedy's life (Whatever mistakes that he made in life this precept guided his life.) Shame others don't feel the same. Sorry to somewhat political. Hope you didn't mind. Tolkien gives me hope and the more I read and write that message is coming through stronger. It is not allegory which he so disliked but applicability. You see something of your experiences reflected in his writings and it Shapes the way you might see or understand things. (((hugs))) MM

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Lin! "MM! At last! I'm so glad to see you reach this part of the story..." You and me both...and it has only taken me 36 chapters to get here! (She says, laughing at her own wordiness!!) Truly though when I started writing Eowyn's story this was one of the chapters that drove me to write it! As I was writing Imrahil discovering that Eowyn still lived in the book it said that he was talking to some riders and it struck me as a perfect time to have Halaf be the one talking. In battle things get confused and Grimbold the captain of the Eored that the boys were assigned to died and it is so easy to imagine that Halaf would have been there to carry off Eowyn from the battlefield. Poor Halaf but at least he was the first to know that Eowyn was not dead. SIDE NOTE: I know that it would be realistic to say at least one Eowyn's boys died in battle, by rights in their first real battle as inexperienced as they were...but I just couldn't do it. But they crop up in the most unexpected places. Haling is the standard bearer that Eomer takes the flag from he is planning his stand before the Corsairs! Eowyn's boys! They do get around! "Éomer's resolve as he makes his last stand is inspiring. He is indeed worthy to be King after Théoden. And the transformation from certain defeat and disaster to renewed hope is very well done." It is as Tolkien says in the book and in his writings. Hope against all hope and even after do the right thing and "Eucatastrophe" might happen. Éomer is torn seven days to Sunday in this day of battle. After seeing the Corsair ships he is like F**k it! We will die fighting, but fight we will. Of course Tolkien puts it more eloquently. :-))) "...and upon his brow was the Star of Elendil. I could have quoted the entire paragraph. Marvelous imagery!" That image and the image of Elladan and Elrohir fighting with stars upon their brows are two images that remained with me since I read LOTR in high school. It is a true shame they didn't appear in PJ's films. That and Denethor's line "I sent my son unthanked, unblessed and into needless danger." I would have dearly loved to have seen. I understand the reasons but it was a true shame that they weren't in ROTK. "He was not sure how he could continue, but continue he must. As did Éowyn, though her battle was longer and, for the most part, took place in the shadows within the Golden Hall. (And of course he would show the same consideration and kindness and self-reflection that we've seen from Théoden and Éowyn.)" Yup! They are of the same family it is no surprise Eomer should have the same resolve! And I think that when people are in distress or tragedy you see their true selves. Éomer, at heart is a compassionate and gentle man who happens to be a great warrior as well. He responds to Alyrin in this way. My vision of Eomer is heavily influenced by Karl Urban's so wonderful portrayal of him in the films. I can hear him saying the lines I have given Eomer so well. Must dash to work! Second part of my response to follow at my break! Hee-hee! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Part two! "Imrahil is so wise..." I felt that being that he was Findulas' brother and could see Faramir's qualities as a boy and thinking that Denethor was often a bit over the top lead me to believe in his overall wisdom. "You've expanded on the "dark voices" in Éowyn's dream quite skillfully. They're chilling indeed." Yes. The Black Breath is really disturbing. I aimed for those things that would be most harrowing to her soul. The death of her brother and Grima sprung to mind. I don't know if you noticed but when Eowyn in her nightmare hears Eomer says "How" and "why" about his death is in reality Eomer asking about her death as he is cradling her on the battlefield (Thank you Karl Urban for that heart-rending image!) and when she hears him sobbing in torment is when Eomer is sobbing by her bed in the Houses of Healing. "I love the way you've included Éomer's innermost thoughts and feelings in his conversation with Aragorn, giving the scene greater depth and immediacy. (Isn't it interesting how everyone smells/remembers something different when the scent of athelas is in the air?)" When writing I was struck by how much Eomer has lost or thinks he has lost during the battle. He is really put through the ringer. He has lost his uncle (whom he loved as a second father) though he was somewhat prepared for this kind of loss in war but he REALLY was not prepared for finding Eowyn on the battlefield and that destroyed all his defenses for battlefield trauma. Added to that his entire life has been guided by his father's deathbed request for Eomer to always protect Eowyn as his only sister. And evidence of her death and then even further evidence that he failed to fully realise the desperation of her life sends Eomer reeling. His world is decimated and I thought that needed to be shown along with Aragorn restoring his hope. "The chapter ends in joy, The chapter needed to with Eowyn waking to be hugged by Eomer. A healing balm for them both! Soon next chapter FARAMIR!! Thanks! (((hugs))) MM "which is just what I needed tonight. Thank you for this wonderful gift." Are you well, my friend?

Author's reply

Fimbrethil! Yep! The Black Breath is nothing to mess around with. It is brutal. "Right, they don't know Denethor has died. Once they find out, Éomer is immediately going to realize the parallels of the deaths of Denethor and Théoden and Boromir and Théodred, isn't he." He probably is! ""He saw Legolas and Gimli fight as those possessed and they kept shouting out numbers in the air." Heehee." When writing I couldn't resist referring to that :-), but Eomer wouldn't necessarily know why they were shouting them. ""Imrahil looked with compassion at this young man upon whom so much had been foisted. “Éomer King,” He saw Éomer wince at the honorific given," Yeah, the day has been really hard on Eomer. His emotions are just so raw. "Awwww...that last line!" yeah...I wanted to end the chapter with Eowyn waking up and the line just flowed from there! Thanks again for writing! All reviews are very much appreciated. (((hugs))) MM