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Ashes, East Winds, Hope That Rises  by ErinRua 3 Review(s)
ChiggerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/8/2004
Again, here I sit, my mind a total and complete blank, as your story has left it four times now. You cannot imagine how I have enjoyed this story. The relationship between Eomer and Eowyn is better felt here than anywhere else that I have found. I enjoyed most heartily Eomer's "back-and-forthing", if you will, with Gimli. Coriel and I giggled for some time after I read this line aloud to her:

"He will bear you as gently as if you were my own grandmother, friend Gimli!"

Again you have painted a very vivid picture. :) And Legolas, for all his ethereality and untouchability was captured extremely well in my eyes. He is a character that I have struggled with in vain, and yet you have here protrayed him as wonderfully as anyone I know. He is, perhaps, not as tangible as Coriel and authors like her have been able to make him, but he IS presented in the same light as Tolkien himself used: in the background for the most part, and yet his place has great importance.

Also, Eowyn's conversation with Eomer was wonderful. Coriel and I have considered the "Eowyn- heroin or deserter?" question and to our minds she was a deserter. It was her task to remain and care for those who remain with her, and yet she ran off to seek death in all its "glory" despite her King's orders. In their conversation, her willfullness, despair, love, strength and weakness were all brought forth in wonderful rhythm and with a very noticable power. But you showed also the fact that to her mind it was the only choice left to her. She, as a Shieldmaiden of Rohan, could not abide the thought of remaining in uncertainty while her life, as it were, rode away to war, perhaps never to return. The force behind your writing continues to amaze me, and I can only thank God that He has given such a wonderful gift to another Eomer fan. :)

My friendly jealousy of you remains in tact after the reading of this chapter, and I can only regret having reached the end. As an avid Eomer follower (NOT a fangirl in the strictest sense of the word; there's no drooling, except over his horse :) ) I enjoy reading such wonderful pieces about him, telling his thoughts and feelings in such a wonderfully beautiful manner. But I think I've harped on this all long enough. Don't be surprised if you hear from me again. :)
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Author Reply: Oh, Chigger, you are SUCH a dear! I hardly know where to begin, after such wonderful and thoughtful reviews - for each chapter, no less! I am ever so humbled. :-) Thank you, kind reader, for taking the time to share your thoughts and reactions with me. It is helpful and encouraging to me, as a writer, to know when I do something *right*, as much as when I'm shown a mistake, so thank you so much for all your observations. Truly, your reviews are an encouragement and a kindness. Thank you!!!!

eokatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/28/2004
I have read this before on another archive site but have not reviewed. This is one of the first stories I read when I first started to get involved in reading Fan-fic and it has stayed in my mind and heart for ever. I love it as much now as I did when I first read it.You have written Eomer so well and with so much passion for Rohan.

Author Reply: Thank you, Eokat! :-) Passion is indeed the word that recurred in my mind when writing this, for I think passion is Eomer's defining trait, whether in war, in friendship or probably even love. He does nothing in small measures or half-steps. :-) It was both a joy and a terror to write this, playing so close to Tolkien's original works, but Eomer captivated me entirely. I'm so glad you have enjoyed the results so well. Thank you!!

Unheard ChimeReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/24/2004
Wow, I love this. It has a very human depth to it, and I admire that. Eomer is often overlooked, but this really brings his struggles to light. Good work!

Author Reply: Thank you, Unheard Chime! Yes, when I began writing this it also seemed to me that Eomer had been oft overlooked, and there seemed so much more to his tale than we hear. I am very pleased that his humanity came through in this, for it was that very thing I wanted to touch upon, when writing: to explore what happened and what he felt/saw/did behind the scenes Tolkien showed us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me! :-)

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