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Yours to command  by Lialathuveril 11 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 34 on 9/29/2010
This story was so addictive that when I got to the last six chapters I couldn't stop reading. Deep inside, I had hoped the blow to the side of her head would restore her sight. That didn't happened, but she never minded being blind.

We must be on the same page. Right after Wilwarin was banished from Gondor, I found myself wishing she would be married off to Girion The Fat. When I read that is what happended, I thought to myself that it couldn't have happened to a nicer person (not that she's nice).

My hat is off to you for an excellent job. I know I will have to read more of your stories.

Is the Garden Of Ithilien another site for reading stories (not that I need another one)?

Author Reply: Hello Tari,
addictive is what I'm aiming for, so that's good to hear! ;-) And while writing the story, I did consider whether she would regain her sight, but it seemed to much like a fairy tale to me - too pat. Plus the point is really that in the end her blindness doesn't matter to them.

As for Wilwarin, I didn't want to give it away earlier on, but I think it's a fitting fate!

And all my stories are on this site; the Garden of Ithilien is a writing forum I belong to, but it doesn't have an archive of stories with it. So I hope you'll enjoy the other scenarios as well and again thanks for taking the time to review!

Lia

whitewaveReviewed Chapter: 34 on 6/26/2008
I enjoyed this story as well and look forward to all the possible scenarios that you and Lady Bluejay can think of.

Author Reply: Thanks! As you know we're both in the middle of the next one, but I'm sure there are a few more to come.

Lia

RhyselleReviewed Chapter: 34 on 12/10/2007
I just found this story and stayed up way too late to read the first half of it. Only the fact that I absolutely had to get some sleep before going to work made me close down the computer instead of reading through until daylight!

Your Lothiriel is a wonderful interpretation and I really appreciated that she has flaws and isn't the perfect long-suffering heroine overcoming her handicap bravely... She's got a temper, she's got issues with impulse control, and she most definitely doesn't always think before she speaks! But she is also smart, loving, and honest... and I can totally see why Eomer fell for her so quickly. :)

The suspense of the abduction, the duel to the death, and then Eomer's poisoning were great pieces of drama, but as much as I enjoyed those, it was the personal interaction between Lothiriel and Eomer that I liked best.

And I have to say that the romance level of the Epilogue certainly hit high marks! Wonderful, evocative imagery and such a good display of Eomer's thoughts and fears... and then you let us into Lothiriel's head one last time. I particularly loved how she told him that she could see the Mark through his eyes. *sigh*

I wish I'd had the time to read this when you first posted it. But I'm very glad that I found it now! Well done!

Author Reply: Hello Rhyselle,
You pretty much summed up Lothiriel there, she really has to work on her impulse control! I get the feeling she will probably tread on some toes as Queen of the Mark, but also gain lots of champions.

Funny enough I was just having a discussion about characterization with some other authors I know and was saying how I like characters with faults. Not earth shaking ones, but small ones like we all have them (I have a bit of a temper myself and somehow all my Lothiriels end up with one too!).

And at the moment I'm working on a oneshot set a few months after the wedding. Nothing very long, just a bit of fluff for Christmas that got sparked off by a Christmas card I got sent by a friend. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it in time. So a little more romance coming up!

Thanks very much for reviewing and I'm pleased that I kept you up late ;-)

Lia

PryderiReviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/19/2007
Well I have finally got round (plucked up the courage?) to review your stories. I have enjoyed all the ones you have posted on this site and this is strange. I am not supposed to like romantic fiction. Well, actually, I don't like romantic fiction! But I do enjoy your Eomer/Lothiriel stories (This applies equally to Lady BlueJay and Madeleine whose stories are also extremely enjoyable to me). I have been wondering why and have come to two conclusions both of which involve constraints that romantic fiction writers do not normally accept.
Firstly the constraint of canon I find delightful. You, and your readers, would not be satisfied if canon characters where presented "out of character". That Eomer must be Eomer is obvious and you all do him well but the father of the female protagonist? It would add an extra dimension of possibility to create a "nasty" Imrahil. But I don't think you would do it and I wouldn't read it if you did and neither would many others. Of course you exploit his sons, grandson and Aunt Ivriniel for all you are worth, because they are just names like Lothiriel, but you do not change the personalities of those we love.
Secondly and for me more importantly (although I confess to being strange in this) I like knowing the outcome! If I like a book that I start to read I go straight to the end to find out the denouement so that I can enjoy the writing before we get there. Then within the book I look ahead to find out what happens so that I can enjoy the journey. My view is that if any book is worth reading it's worth reading twice......Well in these Eomer/Lothiriel stories I do not have to worry. I know the ending and it is (as it happens) happy.
In all that context I have really enjoyed your writing. In particular I like your initial intros to each chapter. Belecthor has a marvellous grasp of modern manners and should be more widely appreciated. I am pleased to see that Lady BlueJay is beginning to advertise his merits to a wider audience. Mardil Voronwe I find more difficult. I judge him a philosoper of some stature (unlike Belecthor unfortunately). Perhaps I have read him in a different translation from yours (into a different language indeed!). Seriously, at last, my copy of The Prince, in English, is not in question and answer form but reading your quotes I wish it was!
Well thanks for all the pleasure that,not only this, but all your previous stories have given me. Pryderi.

Author Reply: Hello Pryderi,
first of all sorry for my late reply, but I've been away on holiday the last 3 weeks. In fact I met up with LadyBluejay and she mentioned your review to me.

You've made some very interesting points! As regards sticking to canon I always think that if you play in Tolkien's world it is only common courtesy to leave his characters as they are (I have to admit I'm not a great fan of AU, I think it's extremely difficult to do well). And like you wrote he has given us so many other characters to play with which are only names mentioned in the appendix.

I had to laugh when I read that you like to jump ahead and read the ending of a book - that's one thing I never do! But I agree with you that it's nice to know the outcome in advance. Of course in most romance writing you know from the beginning that the protagonists will eventually find each other, so that's really the same thing.

As for Belecthor, unfortunately he is woefully underappreciated by modern readers. In fact I might well have the only surviving copy of his writings in my possession. And I have heard that some of Mardil Voronwe's work has been translated into Italian, but I get the feeling that a lot has been lost or not properly understood in the process...

But seriously, it's good to hear you enjoyed the story and thanks for plucking up the courage and leaving a review - it's much appreciated!

Lia



SpoonMaidenOfTheShireReviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/10/2007
Wow, all I can say in congratulations on a job well done. It was beautifully written, the entire story, and I am very impressed. Congratulations.

~SpoonMaid

Author Reply: Thank you! It's been a lot of work, but also a lot fun to write. And I hope to take what I've learned forward into the next project - the plot bunnies are busy again...

Lia

SurgicalSteelReviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/5/2007
*applauds* A lovely end to a lovely tale!

Author Reply: *bows* Thank you! Glad to hear that you enjoyed it and until another time, I hope.

Lia

galiimerilReviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/4/2007
A beautiful Conclusion to a delightful story. You really ought to consider writing someting to be published, you certainly have a unique flare that attracts the imagination and sets any lingering fancies free. I enjoyed your style and insights and I hope you write again soon! Until Next Time!

Author Reply: Thank you! Although I think I'm better off sticking to writing computer programs to earn my living - even though they're less entertaining ;-) But I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed the ride. There are already more stories brewing in my mind (short ones please!), but first I'm off on holiday.

Until we meet again!
Lia

TiraReviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/3/2007
Oh, wonderful end!! I am kinda sad to see it finished, but I loved it all the same!!

Author Reply: These two have been living in my mind for over a year now, so I feel a bit sad, too. But I hope I've given them a fitting ending and I'm sure they can manage on their own now.

Thanks for reviewing!

Lia

CuthalionReviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/2/2007
Wonderful and satisfying - and Éomer, trying his best to finally get his brand new wife into the bedchamber!

What a lovely, sensual chapter this has been, and what a wonderful tale. You should know that it has moved on my long translation list (though it will certainly take some months before I'll begin to start with the German version in earnest. Thank you - that was glorious, and I'm almost sad that it's over.

*bows in respect and joy*

Cúthalion

Author Reply: I have to admit I just couldn't resist tormenting him a little bit more in this final chapter, but Eomer did get his wish in the end. And I'm also a bit sad it's over and that I have to say good-bye to these two. I've grown rather fond of them!

But at the same time I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed the ride - good luck with translating the story, I'm intrigued to see what you'll make of it.

Liebe Grüsse und vielen Dank für deine Unterstützung von Anfang an!
Lia

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/2/2007
“Does Aunt Lothíriel have to go to bed already?”

LOLOL. That one made me laugh out loud. You can see how from a kid's POV, Lothiriel is getting cheated out of a party.

But how nice to see them married. They're a blessing to each other.

Author Reply: Yes, that's the kind of thing my own kids would say - fancy going to bed when you're allowed to stay up! And I agree, they've been blessed to find each other.

Thanks for your reviews!
Lia

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