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Destiny's Child by Mirkwoodmaiden	4 Review(s)
Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 10/20/2025
Are you well, my friend? I am well enough. Thank you for your concern! It is a stressful time for many. I badly wanted to join one of the nearby NoKings2 gatherings, but later, after listening to someone who participated, I know there's no way I could have managed to walk so far or stand so long despite the incredible camaraderie (whew! Thank goodness for spell-check!) and lifting of their spirits that the participants experienced, and no matter how inspiring the speakers might have been. For the organizers have kept stressing a purpose that is very close to my heart, having to do with how society treats "the least of these". I'm elderly (how odd it feels to say that!), and I have disabled family members; chillingly, I suppose today's movers-and-shakers would be all to likely to label us "nonproductive" and "useless" and "a drag on society", even though I worked hard all my life and paid taxes and raised our children to become fine, upstanding adults. I suppose we'd count amongst "the least of these", but my worry is more for those who have no roof over their heads or money for needed medical treatment or who may be going to bed hungry tonight. There's so much I want to do, but there's so little energy to do things that it must be budgeted and stretched to cover what must be done (and not reaching far enough to cover what I want to do!). And so I am finding many opportunities to practice contentment lately where I might be tempted to feel discontented or frustrated. It reminds me of the lesson I learned as a young mom: never pray for patience! For instead of receiving a miraculous dose of patience, the answer to that prayer instead seems to be receiving many opportunities to practice patience and exercise one's "patience muscle" to strengthen that capacity. Author Reply: 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

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 10/19/2025
MM! At last! I'm so glad to see you reach this part of the story... He noted how young the rider was to have such a war-weary stricken look on his face. One of Éowyn's boys? My heart is breaking for him. I have tears in my eyes, making it hard to read on. humanity in the midst of destruction... So much said in so few words! Such a lovely gapfiller! (How Imrahil discovers that Éowyn is not dead, I mean.) 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. ...and upon his brow was the Star of Elendil. I could have quoted the entire paragraph. Marvelous imagery! 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.) Imrahil is so wise... You've expanded on the "dark voices" in Éowyn's dream quite skillfully. They're chilling indeed. 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?) The chapter ends in joy, which is just what I needed tonight. Thank you for this wonderful gift. (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: 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?

Fimbrethel	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 10/18/2025
Wow, those are very strong nightmares. (all three sets). oh! I had almost forgotten about Haláf! Imrahil does realize she lives. Somehow I had forgotten that Aragorn would come as well, but I remembered before reading it! This is nearly my favorite scene, because "Éomer was young, he was unscathed, and he was king," and also because when he realizes Aragorn is in the ships he tosses his sword and catches it. Oh, another of Éowyn's boys is bearing the standard. "He was still King of the Mark, king to a fell and fine people; the battle lust filled his heart." Close enough to my above quote. "He saw Legolas and Gimli fight as those possessed and they kept shouting out numbers in the air." Heehee. "He saw two elves with stars bound upon their brows battling with such precision and grace. Their deadly strokes fell upon Orcs, Haradrim and all the enemies of the West with such a poetic beauty. Éomer was almost mesmerized by it until an Orc tried to separate his head from his shoulders and he returned to dealing death to all who had the misfortune to cross his path." Wow. 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. "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, “much is forgiven in time of war. Do not think upon it. Go and seek your sister.” He motioned one of the healers to come near, “Can you take this man,” Imrahil did not risk the honorific the second time when Éomer’s emotions were still so raw, “to his sister, the Lady Éowyn?” “At once, My Lord!” Looking at Éomer with wonder, “The lady is your sister?” Éomer nodded mutely. “Come this way!” awwww...I am trying not to laugh. Of course Éomer would think that. Oh, isn't Gandalf (and Aragorn) supposed to be here by now? Ohhhh, right. He isn't there when Faramir is called back. Awwww...that last line! And Éomer remembered his youth with his family! Author 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

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 10/18/2025
Éomer sat by his sister’s side and was oblivious to all else until he heard the voice of hope. What a perfectly worded experience for Éomer, and many others. When you've lost hope you've lost everything, and Aragorn brought it to every eye and heart that perceived him truly. This is a wonderful chapter... Éowyn's dark dreams lightening, Éomer's despair turned to joy, Aragorn's weariness not dimming his long-hoarded power and innate ability to heal and be of service to the people... every bit of this rings true. Well done. Author Reply: Shirebound! Sorry for the late reply, sometimes Life intervenes! Thank you I worked really hard on this chapter. It was one of the chapters I envisioned writing when I started writing Eowyn's story five years ago. Years??? Good Lord I really hadn't realized how long I have been writing this story. Eowyn and Faramir both fell upon the effects of the Black Breath and it probably had a very strong effect because both were not in the best of conditions at the time. sigh "Aragorn's weariness not dimming his long-hoarded power and innate ability to heal and be of service to the people" Yes, it is Aragorn's time to come into his own. So happy that it rings true! Yay!!! Thanks so much! (((hugs))) MM

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