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| Truth Be Told by Virtuella | 114 Review(s) |
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| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 4/19/2010 |
| What delightful homecoming surprises for Deoric! The journey was good for him, for it gave him even more insights into his land and into himself, as well as all the new tales he now has collected. And the Deoric's journey was good for Eomer-- even though he had probably regretted his hasty words even before the scribe left, it gave him time to think of true solutions to the problems Deoric had presented him with. The new ploughshares and turning the boggy land into farmland will be of great help to the Dunlendings, and will perhaps help with integrating them more into feeling like part of Rohan, rather than feeling as though they only live on sufferance. And I also like that Eomer has come to the right conclusion about his kingly authority over his people-- not that I'd doubt he would have anyway, for I think he would probably always have been a king who had his subject's best interests at heart. But he's still young and new at it, and perhaps this encounter helped him learn sooner rather than later, that a king's temper has a more perilous reach than the temper of an ordinary man. And BTW, my first thought about Deoric's decision not to mention his pity for the orc: he's right, that's one Eomer probably still would not understand. But Eomer's brother-in-law most certainly would. Author Reply: Thank you! I don't know if anyone noticed it, but I've used the double journey structure of the classic Arthurian novel, where the first journey ends in disaster and the second journey is the one that leads to the desired positive outcomes. Letting Eomer come up with the Categorical Imperative was maybe a bit daring, but I think that Kantian ethics, with their focus on rationality, rules and law, are a suitable moral concept for a king. Should he ever get too inflexible in that respect, he's got Leofred with his Aristotelian approach to balance things out. ;-) And what would Faramir have to say about the orc? That's a really interesting question! | |
| Mysterious Jedi | Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 4/15/2010 |
| I'm glad to see Deoric and Eomer reconciled. I'm sure Eomer will be fascinated by the tales Deoric brought back. Merry will be, too, when he comes for the wedding. Author Reply: Yes, I think Merry will be interested. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 4/14/2010 |
| Ah--he has become increasingly a King worthy of the title, one honorable Men will find it an honor to follow! If Deoric has managed to purge away his sin, then so has Eomer! Perfect! Author Reply: Thank you! It's always good for a king to have sensible advisors - and listen to them, of course. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 4/14/2010 |
| A fine chapter, with several characters showing evidence of the growth, prosperity, and new horizons, brought by peace. But the part I loved best was Deoric's dialogue with his mother. His initial reaction of indignation on hearing that Leodred had asked her to marry him was priceless, and perfectly in character - Deoric is very young still; and it's not easy even for adults to think of their mommies as people who need a certain measure of passion/sex in their liveds. Of course it was very easy for Deoric to think that Dirlayn would be happy to remain a widow for the rest of her life. It's to Deoric's credit that he could listen to his mother's sensible and loving explanation and understand that marrying another man would not sully the memory of his father. And leave it to Faramir to offer some new hi-tech tools; it seems very typical of him; and the good relationship he has with his brother-in-law; that they can discuss ideas and then practicalities that might help people who have been enemies in the past. Author Reply: Thank you, Raksha! The Dirlayn/Leofred subplot is one of my pet aspects in this story and I'm glad you liked the way I brought it out. It was fun to set up Deoric as an unconscious match maker when he asked Leofred to keep an eye on his womenfolk. :) And who better than Faramir to bring about some advances in agriculture! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/8/2010 |
| Ah--oddly satisfying to realize the "rowan" was indeed Quickbeam, as I'd hoped! And visiting a tree nursery, apparently. I'm glad they found his father's grave, but grieve with them about the orc. Not a heroic slaying, this. I don't blame Niarl for not wishing the king to know. Other than the part about Quickbeam feeling a bit--hasty--to my ent-loving heart, an excellent chapter. Author Reply: Thank you! I was more thinking along the lines of Niarl warning Deoric not to enrage Eomer by making a stance for the poor orcs, but you're right, it's not a herois deed for Niarl's CV either... Sorry Quickbeam came off too hasty - I didn't want the scene to drag, either. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/7/2010 |
| Yes! Yes these are wonderful encounters! The encounter with Quickbeam was just wonderful, and I'm so glad that they met him. And that was a gut-wrenching moment when he saw the grave. But you did a masterful job with the encounter with the injured orc! Very powerful, and it made its point-- mercy is worthwhile, even to one who might not show mercy back. I could identify with Deoric's reluctance to make the needed coup de grace, and was grateful that Niarl was able to do so! Author Reply: Thank you! I thought this would be a chapter you'd like. :D I decided against the other orc scenario in the end, because Morthoron said it jarred with the rest of the story, and on closer inspection, I had to agree with him. | |
| curiouswombat | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/7/2010 |
| It is always a pleasure to find a new chapter of your story, and what a chapter of encounters - and all so meaningful to Déoric, too. Author Reply: Thank you, I'm glad you continue to enjoy this story. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 4/6/2010 |
| I love the Faramir/Eowyn interaction, plus the lovely and realistic scene with baby Elboron. What a neat notion, that he's brought back the finger that Frodo lost. And good for Faramir, letting his dogs have the run of the house; even if it does occasionally make for a mess... Author Reply: I thought you might like the dogs... ;-) Linda, when we first talked about ideas for this story, suggested that, since disability is a theme in the first story, Elboron could have "some little imperfection, like an extra finger." And when I thought about it, the connection with Frodo seemed an obvious thing to make. Thanks for reviewing. | |
| Eilenach | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/27/2010 |
| This is a wonderful story! The whole theme of stories and how they are told differently depending upon which side you are on is interesting and applies to us in "real life." I hope that Lothiriel brings more paint! Author Reply: So do I. We can't continue to see the world on black and white... ;-) Glad you enjoy the story, thank for reviewing. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/21/2010 |
| Now, THAT is a thought, that Elboron restores the finger lost by Frodo. I see he has something in common with Anne Boleyn, according to report. As longa s no one then seeks to charge him with witchcraft.... Love the descriptions of the Hobbit holes. I'd always believed the tales of Holbytla came from the proximity of Hobbits in the Anduin valley to the folk of the Eotheod before Eorl rode south to Gondor's aid. But if a few of the Stoors and Fallohides managed to come south just after, coming around through the Gap of Rohan, it could explain these holes here. We know some with Stoor blood went back east again, after all, and their descendants might then have then sought a gentler path back into Eriador once more. And love that now Deoric is thinking in terms of the colors of paints! Now he needs to learn to mix them himself. He won't go on in monochrome indefinitely, of that I'm certain! Author Reply: Thank you. Deoric and Merry will need to get their heads together to work out this puzzle. And yes, monochrome won't be his eternal fate. ;-) | |