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| Brethren by Ecthelion of the fountain | 1 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 5/18/2025 |
| It may not be the best time to be reading and reviewing... I just read far simpler than that of the Númenórean realms to the north and south as far simpler than that of the Númenórean relics to the north and south. But then, those proud Gondorian lords and nobles might well be thought of as relics by younger civilisations not so wound about and constrained by custom and tradition and all that. Just as the text goes on to say, right after the bit I (mis)quoted. It sounds as if Éomer is learning invaluable lessons that will help prepare him to be King someday (even though I wouldn't think anybody would be considering that possibility at this moment?). but whenever the Prince’s name arose, the look that crossed the old man’s face suggested anything but fond remembrance of a former star pupil. Hmmm. Sounds like there's a story there. Thereafter, Mordor turned to plunder. Ah, yes. They especially seemed to favour the black horses, as I seem to recall. I got a little confused. Is hair unbraided for Council and braided at other (specific?) times, like when riding or fighting? I suppose that might make sense. And now I'm imagining his golden hair all thick and wavy... Nice. (When I was a young teen, we braided the long hair and beard, wet from swimming, of one of our counselors while he was evidently asleep. He might really have been asleep – he was pretty exhausted from the efforts of the day, hiking and carrying heavy loads. When he woke up and took the braids out, he looked as if he'd stuck a finger in an electrical outlet. Very thick and wavy locks!) I was wondering earlier today if the Mearas are larger (in stature) than typical horses or only grander somehow? I know their speed and stamina is superior because of how fast and far Gandalf travelled on Shadowfax. Lovely chapter. I'm looking forward to reading more when my eyes/brain aren't playing so many tricks on me. Reading is difficult when I have to wrestle rearranged letters back into their proper places. Author Reply: Thanks! :D “Éomer is learning invaluable lessons that will help prepare him to be King someday” —indeed! The point is that both Théodred and Théoden taught him everything they could, holding nothing back. There was never any mistrust or exclusion; even though no one truly expected him to become King at the time, they never shut him out of matters of rule or responsibility. As for hair braiding—yes, it’s braided for both riding and battle. Tolkien specifically noted that when the three hunters encountered Éomer’s éored, their hair was braided, and the King’s guards wore theirs the same way. It’s practical, too—loose hair would only hinder movement in the saddle or in combat. I’d imagine it’s braided for ceremonial or formal occasions as well (Théoden himself had his white hair braided when he sat in court), though Tolkien didn’t say so outright. :D Regarding the Mearas, their greatest distinction is their longevity (comparable to a human lifespan) and their ability to understand the speech of Men, as noted in Appendix A. They are certainly stronger and nobler than ordinary horses, but I don’t recall any explicit mention of them being significantly larger in size. | |