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| Destiny's Child by Mirkwoodmaiden | 4 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 9/1/2025 |
| MM! At last, I am starting on my reading list... This story is at the top of it, as I mentioned earlier. The point about Merry not having donned his armor made me wonder; how would the Rohirrim look at armor? Is it like an overcoat that one puts on when leaving the house on a rainy day, or would it be more like a second skin, such that they feel half-dressed without it? By the way, I love this glimpse of Merry going about his duties to his King. However, it seemed odd to me that the Gondorian didn't react to his presence. (Maybe the Man was too distracted by the distressing news he bore. It sounds like a description of "The Day without Dawn", but I'm not sure, and I don't want to stop reading to look it up.) Théoden took a sip of the mulled wine. It tasted sweet. He savoured it as the last lingering taste of the world as he knew it slipped away. This is a wonderful word picture or illustration (or maybe the word I want is metaphor?) of Théoden's inner perspective. It reminds me of Treebeard's words to Celeborn and Galadriel (in the book; Galadriel speaks them in one of the films) when saying farewell, "For the world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air. I do not think we shall meet again." Though the passing of the world as he knew it is sad, there is relief in taking arms and riding forth to his destiny. Joy mixed with sadness ... the refrain of her life. And yet, she will find this to be true even after the War is done and she's married to Faramir and living in Ithilien. We can hope that joy will predominate, and that sadness will provide seasoning... or leavening... or something like that. You know, one of those ingredients in cooking or baking that's essential but bitter all by itself and thus used in very small quantities, such as salt or baking soda. How difficult it must have been for Gamhelm, her protector, to send her into danger. (Is she tall, like her brother, so that she'd look like a seasoned Rider, or would she more closely resemble one of her boys in terms of stature and muscular bulk?) “I will find you, Merry!” She whispered under her breath, “I will!!” Something tells me she's the kind of person who keeps her promises. At least she doesn't have to worry about finding Merry now, when she's just getting used to her disguise and the role she's playing. She has until Edoras to settle in. Éowyn was struck by the realization of how quickly a moving army can travel as opposed to a train of people, horses and wagons. Wonderful detail! ...riding to a battle feeling "hollowed out inside" does not sound like a helpful mindset. I wonder if it contributed to the impact of Shadow on her spirit later? And I would not have it said of me in song only that I was always left behind! Oh Merry. This sounds almost like a joke, but we know he's using light words and saying less than he means in the way of hobbits. You've chosen a plausible moment for Éowyn to reveal herself to Merry. I can still remember, from the film, Merry's amazed and joyful, "My Lady!" as they were galloping along. In the book, of course, Merry doesn't find out until she is standing defiantly between the Witch-king and his prey. The dynamics of the three different approaches are interesting to contemplate. While refreshing myself on Dernhelm and Merry's ride, I ran across this description: There seemed to be some understanding between Dernhelm and Elfhelm, the Marshal who commanded the éored in which they were riding. He and all his men ignored Merry and pretended not to hear if he spoke. He might have been just another bag that Dernhelm was carrying. Somehow this delights me, "some understanding" between Dernhelm and Elfhelm so that all his men ignore the Author Reply: Lin! Hello! The Rohirrim in armor is an interesting question. I think they wear it well like a second skin and with honor. They are always in service to the Mark. I liked depicting Merry performing his duties. I rather think that the second rider is too wrapped in the news he is bringing to notice Merry. Granted technically you would think he would notice and I usually might write that but I think it interrupts the flow of the scene so I wrote the scene as I did. Yes this is the Dawnless Day that is taking place. "Théoden took a sip of the mulled wine. It tasted sweet. He savoured it as the last lingering taste of the world as he knew it slipped away." This line just flowed onto my keyboard really fitting the moment. "Though the passing of the world as he knew it is sad, there is relief in taking arms and riding forth to his destiny." EXACTLY!! "And yet, she will find this to be true even after the War is done and she's married to Faramir and living in Ithilien. We can hope that joy will predominate, and that sadness will provide seasoning." I tend to think that Eowyn is happy in her life with Faramir. She has learn to leave all the regrets and doubts that have plagued her life behind. I write about this in the first chapter of "Leaving Home; Coming Home." After the Ring War, her memories of her life in Edoras might be bittersweet but they are not filled with regret. "How difficult it must have been for Gamhelm, her protector, to send her into danger. (Is she tall, like her brother, so that she'd look like a seasoned Rider, or would she more closely resemble one of her boys in terms of stature and muscular bulk?) Yes. It is very hard for Gamhelm, who has known Eowyn since she was 8 years old and been her protector at his king's request and his own affection for that long. But he has always only wanted Eowyn's happiness and he knows that this fulfills it even though it is against the King's word. But as Holdlith says the King is a good king but not always right. He goes with what is in his heart though it is hard to send his child into harm's way. I think it is written in the book somewhere that Eowyn and Eomer are taller than most Rohirrim because their grandfather Thengel married Morwen Steelsheen who is kin to Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth and his line has both Numenorean and Elvish blood in him. So there is trace amounts of Numenorean and Elvish blood in Eomer, Eowyn and also Lothiriel, who later marries Eomer. (which is probably more than you wanted to know about the descent of the Royal family of Rohan!" LOL!! "“I will find you, Merry!” She whispered under her breath, “I will!!” Something tells me she's the kind of person who keeps her promises." Yes. Yes she is. "Éowyn was struck by the realization of how quickly a moving army can travel as opposed to a train of people, horses and wagons." Thanks. I do try to put in these sorts of detail. It makes the world more full, I think. "...riding to a battle feeling "hollowed out inside" does not sound like a helpful mindset. I wonder if it contributed to the impact of Shadow on her spirit later?" I think it did. Both she and Faramir were very susceptible to the Black Breath's vile influence because they were both emotionally fragile for want of a better way to describe it. Eowyn entered the Battle of the Pelennor Fields wanting fight then die on the battlefield and Faramir had just been told by his father that he wished Faramir died and not Boromir. "‘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 , "‘I do not oppose your will, sire. Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will go and do what I can in his stead - 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." Neither were in the best frame of mind. Kindred spirits in so many ways. "You've chosen a plausible moment for Éowyn to reveal herself to Merry." I thought about it and it was in the departing from Edoras that Eowyn and Merry join up and Eowyn knew all the places she used to hide to avoid needlework lessons with Guthhild. It seemed the best section for the reveal. "I ran across this description: There seemed to be some understanding between Dernhelm and Elfhelm, the Marshal who commanded the éored in which they were riding. He and all his men ignored Merry and pretended not to hear if he spoke. He might have been just another bag that Dernhelm was carrying." I haven't re-read that section yet but that is definitely food for thought. Elfhelm might have known... Thanks again! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 8/29/2025 |
| MM! Oh boy! (Rubbing my hands together.) I am really looking forward to reading this chapter and leaving you a proper review! (I'm dedicating much of the weekend to reading fanfic, leaving reviews, and replying to reviews. It is a holiday weekend, after all! Though I might sneak in a little laundry here and there.) I have to go to the store to pick up my grocery order (before they give it away to someone else! I'm late!), and I have just enough energy to do that and finish editing the latest chapter of another story I wanted to update today. So I'm just leaving you this note to thank you for your email and wave hello. This chapter is at the top of my list for tomorrow! Woohoo! Two of my favorite characters to look forward to, or so I can hope? Merry, and Éowyn as you've introduced me to her. (((hugs))) Lin | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 8/28/2025 |
| Théoden took a sip of the mulled wine. It tasted sweet. He savoured it as the last lingering taste of the world as he knew it slipped away. He spoke, “So we come to it in the end. The great battle of our time, in which many things shall pass away. But, at least there is no longer need for hiding. We will ride the straight way and the open road and with all our speed.” his voice growing stronger with each word. He looked at Éomer, proud and strong, and was so glad that he was once again at his right hand. He proclaimed, “Then call the heralds, Éomer! Let the Riders be marshalled!” The Éomer sentences. He is once again at his right hand. Though Théodred was once, even if he had been much in the Hurnburg or somewhere else. Oh Gamhelm,” Éowyn exclaimed, “Your horse!” For a man of the Mark to give his horse to another was the height of sacrifice and love. “Now I won’t be needing him now, will I?” Gamhelm averred, “He’s fast and he already loves you! No more to be said.” Oh! That explains some things! Poor Windfola, he doesn’t survive, does he? Or last we heard of him he ran away? A voice interrupted her thoughts, “You there! I see by your badge you are of Elfhelm’s Eored.” Éowyn looked up to the captain who spoke to her. She spoke low, “Aye!” “They are massing on the valley floor. You had best get on!” Éowyn nodded and with fist on heart. She made for the entrance, only to look back and see Merry watching her leave. “I will find you, Merry!” She whispered under her breath, “I will!!” And that explains part of the reason she ended up with Elfhelm. But does he find out? Éowyn had been tasked with helping to raid the stores. She spared a thought for Thilda, who for all her faults kept an immaculate kitchen. She would be horrified at the wanton mess the Riders were leaving. [LOL]. Eowyn would have chosen to not enter Meduseld and interact with the other riders but she could not disobey a direct order. Well this time! she amended in her head. She inwardly sighed. Subterfuge did not come naturally to her. It went against every bone in her body. She so wanted to unveil herself and fight with her boys. She ached to do it, but she could not and it left her feeling hollowed out inside. She was stuck with this lie and she had to find a way to live with it. It was so very disorienting to walk the empty halls of Meduseld not as herself. Happy or sad she had called this hall her home since she was eight years and now she was meant to be a stranger. It was unsettling. Keeping herself within this subterfuge she was coming to realize would be a difficulty.” “Some gave him sympathetic looks Notably Elfhelm and Éomer, who placed a gloved hand on his shoulder and gave the hobbit a commiserating smile.” [Well that s good of them. Did Éomer do the last? …Now onwards, if you please! Author Reply: Fimbrethil! Thanks all the reviews and reactions! It really does mean a lot that you took the time to write! Next chapter soon! (((hugs))) MM | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 8/28/2025 |
| Théoden took a sip of the mulled wine. It tasted sweet. He savoured it as the last lingering taste of the world as he knew it slipped away. What a moving and marvelous line that I'll remember for a long time. I greatly enjoyed reading your envisioning of how Éowyn received Windfola to ride, and her conspiracy with Merry. :) Author Reply: Shirebound!! Hello! Thanks! Théoden line just came to me as I writing. Merry handed him the cup and it just flowed from there! I pondered long throughout the story about how Eowyn would take her leave. Read articles on whether she was right or wrong to leave. Then I read an article on disobedience as a right decision in LOTR. With the characters I created around Eowyn it just started to happened that of course they help her. And what a coincidence 🤔 that Windfola was Gamhelm’s horse all along!😁 Apologies to the Professor but Merry really does need to know it was Eowyn who he rides with. Thanks for writing!! (((Hugs))) MM | |