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| Destiny's Child by Mirkwoodmaiden | 120 Review(s) |
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| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/29/2025 |
| They both recognize the Light in each other, although Eowyn's shell of frustration and anger holding her bitter heart in chains will take longer to crumble. What a beautifully-written chapter. | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 10/25/2025 |
| p.s. I'm so glad that my suggestions proved helpful. Author Reply: It really put my mind at ease!! Thank you! (((hugs))) (((hugs))) MM | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 10/25/2025 |
| MM! I'm so glad to see this new chapter as healing progresses. Éomer’s heart felt a touch at her words and wounded though it was from this day’s pain he felt it begin the long process of healing. How fitting, somehow, that Éowyn's words are instrumental in beginning the healing process for her brother's heart. Typical sister. "When did you last eat something?" But how sad, that she's convinced Aragorn despises her because she deserted her people. I hope he will soon set her mind at rest. I like that Alyrin, with all that must be on her mind, is mindful to set the writing materials ready nearby. I do like the hobbit-like emphasis on food and well-being. who was a quick study and would make a very good healer for her village – I think the Tookish healer Woodruff would agree! How interesting that the sword transformed into a red ribbon... Éowyn realized then that her boys were not boys anymore. Such a difficult truth, a matter that mingles both sorrow and pride. All have survived, My Lady. At last! The news we all have been waiting to hear while fearing we would hear something else entirely. She mused about how no one would escape this battle without having been changed even if they had not sustained physical damage. I remember the family stories about my uncle, a medic in the Battle of the Bulge, who did not speak at all for six months after returning from WWII. Éowyn's honest confession in answer to Háláf's question brought tears to my eyes. They nodded with the lie unchallenged. It would have to be enough for now. ...not only for the sake of their love and respect for their Lady, but that they also have lies of their own to contend with, I suspect... Much healing is needed all around. (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! "I'm so glad to see this new chapter as healing progresses." Yes definitely! There will still be a few bumps in the road but at least Eowyn is finally on the road to healing and happiness. " How fitting, somehow, that Éowyn's words are instrumental in beginning the healing process for her brother's heart." They have shared so much on this journey it only seemed right. "Typical sister. "When did you last eat something?" LOL! If she had had any sort of energy she probably would have slapped him upside the head. But the pinned look had roughly the same effect. :-)) "But how sad, that she's convinced Aragorn despises her because she deserted her people. I hope he will soon set her mind at rest." Right now Eowyn feels shame, embarrassment when Aragorn is mentioned. She knows that he didn't really say those things about her deserting her people that was the Black Breath, but it was so real and she was in such a vulnerable state that it will take some time and their first meeting is probably going to be pretty awkward. And she really did fall on her knees, that will take time to recover from. But they will work it out. "I like that Alyrin, with all that must be on her mind, is mindful to set the writing materials ready nearby." She will make a fine healer. So it is nice that Master Healer and Healer Woodruff would concur! :-) She just started as a healer to guide Eomer to Eowyn and she just ran with whatever I gave her! :-)) I think she will be part of the reason Eowyn declares she will be a healer. Small characters can have a big impact. :-) "I do like the hobbit-like emphasis on food and well-being." Exactly! It just makes hobbity good sense! "How interesting that the sword transformed into a red ribbon..." Yeah...When I thought about it just before I started typing I thought pink ribbon or green but my fingers typed red and it just seemed right. "Éowyn realized then that her boys were not boys anymore. Such a difficult truth, a matter that mingles both sorrow and pride." Yeah. I always say that I write to find out what happens. So much does in this scene. Eowyn realises they are boys anymore and I think they end the scene with a relationship that is close to them being equals. "All have survived, My Lady. At last! The news we all have been waiting to hear while fearing we would hear something else entirely." Realistically speaking at least one of them should have died, but I couldn't do that to Eowyn. I mean she is dealing with so much as it is. One of the boys' deaths I think would have been too much for Eowyn. It was hard enough seeing Halaf injured. "I remember the family stories about my uncle, a medic in the Battle of the Bulge, who did not speak at all for six months after returning from WWII." Yep! As cliched as the phrase may be War is truly hell. What it does to people... My friend Val's dad was in bomb disposal in WW2. Surely he would talk about funny stories, but he never talked about what he actually did in the war. Aethelred will retain scars from this day for the rest of his life. They all will. "Éowyn's honest confession in answer to Háláf's question brought tears to my eyes." Mine, too. But the discussion had to real and honest or the boys would have felt cheated and Eowyn couldn't do that to them. Exactly. Under Halaf's bandage were some pretty major stitches but he was not about to tell Eowyn that. Healing of (physical, spiritual etc.) all kinds will be needed. Thanks for writing and the advice! (((hugs))) MM | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 10/25/2025 |
| Éomer has not been taken from his sister! Well, possibly the Éomer she knew. Regardless, she instigates the taking herself as she moves to Gondor. :) So in the long run, she will be fine. I am glad her boys have survived…and that Éomer has eaten something. Author Reply: Fimbrethil! Hello! Yes brother and sister are reunited! But neither are quite the same nobody coming out of that battle could be. In the long run Eowyn will be happy but in the interim, things are a little rough! Realistically one of the boys would have died but I just couldn't do that to Eowyn! She already has so much to cope with. And yes Éomer has finally gotten something to eat! :-)) thanks for writing! (((hugs))) MM | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 37 on 10/25/2025 |
| I really like Alyrin. Poor Éowyn, in need of so much more than physical healing. Author Reply: Shirebound! "I really like Alyrin." So do I. At first she was just guided Éomer to his sister but then she just grew on me. I'm thinking that, after writing her, she is one of the inspirations that lead to Eowyn to declaring she will become a healer. Poor Éowyn, she has been through so much, but she will be happy, because she will accept that Faramir loves her. I'm thinking of adding beginning chapters to the story that follows this which I wrote during the pandemic called "Leaving Home; Coming Home" which I am sure that you have read because you read everything I write! Thank you for that BTW! I wrote that before this and I have created some characters that I have really grown to love who would be in that story! Thanks for writing! (((hugs))) MM | |
| 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 | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 10/14/2025 |
| MM! I don't know if I've mentioned how much I enjoy reading your review replies! They offer additional insight into your characters and their experiences. Ch.36 coming up but I have to re-read the chapters "House of Healing" and "The Steward and the King" before I can move forward! Hurrah! (throws confetti) As I used to be fond of saying, "Write on!" (Sadly, I think that many people nowadays wouldn't get the pun... But part of me remains entrenched in the 70s slang of my youth. In a conversation just yesterday, I exclaimed, "Cool!" And probably will do the same tomorrow.) (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! I love reading your replies as well! Yay! I am now feverishly working on Ch. 36 at work while on Lunch! This is how I grab time to write. I find myself slipping the occasional "Cool!" as well. My spoken language has never been terribly malleable. So the latest cool thing to say usually doesn't find its way into my vocabulary!! Alas! Lovely to see a line from you!! (((hugs))) MM | |