Bodkin
· 23 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
I'm glad Lothiriel has joined in the party, but I have my worries about her participation. Still, if Eowyn gets to know her, she will be able to put her in Eomer's way - which can only be a good thing. Like the sound of her mask.
On the other hand, if Gandalf is warning Eowyn against poking her nose into Alatariel's end, it suggests that story could turn pretty Steven King. Can't wait to find out.
Author's reply
Believe me, I had no idea Lothiriel was going to turn up until she walked into the city at the end of the last chapter. I don't know how big a part she'll play, but she's definitely going to be meeting Eomer. :)
Gandalf is going to be keeping a pretty sharp eye on Eowyn, so hopefully this won't turn into a Steven King-esque story. I'm working on the next chapter now! :)
Hai Took
· 23 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
Faramir's cousin! Soemone who may know another side to their story! I'm wondering how many people will end up knowing about this! Then the mask maker mentioning her, this must be really good business for him if the last masquerade was over 200 years ago!
Ah, so Gandalf has warned Eowyn I wonder if she will take it seriously? Most likely not, although I do hope they will tell Gandalf anything strange that might happen! Looking forward to more, hope it's soon!
Author's reply
I figured Lothiriel was a good character to add because she's from Dol Amroth. I don't know yet how big her role will be, but she'll definitely be around.
You know, I just went back and read that bit with the mask maker, and I'll admit to puzzling over why he'd still even be in business. Maybe there were festivals for him to sell masks at, like our Renaissance Faires. Who knows?
If Gandalf were warning me, I'd take him seriously. Eowyn will most likely go straight to him if anything really bad happens, so I think they're safe. I'm working on the next chapter, so hopefully it'll be up in a week or two. :)
Mysterious Jedi
· 21 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
So the mystery continues. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Author's reply
I'm working on the next chapter right now. I'm glad you like this fic!
Shieldmaiden of Rohan
· 21 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
Aaaaaaaaugh! What a cliffie!! I knew there had to be a connection between Finduilas and Alatariel... I suspected it was a similar case. But now I really want to know what she did!
Nice to see that I was right about it being Lothiriel. And I like how you've characterized her so far, since I have a tendency to see her as the not-quite-so-meek princess myself. And I loved the descriptions of the masks... brings back memories of trying on similar ones at the Renaissance Faire. Good times. :)
Please don't take long with the next chapter...
Author's reply
There is a connection between Finduilas and Alatarial, but it may not be as dire as it seems.
Lothiriel is fun to write; she's almost like an OC because so little is known about her in the books. The masks were easy to write, too, because I worked at a mask booth at our local Ren Faire last year. Good times indeed.
I'm working on the next chapter now, so hopefully it'll be up soon! :)
Farawyn
· 21 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
All I can say is YOU'D BETTER GET MORE UP SOON!!!!!!!!!!
Author's reply
Lol, I will! I've been mentally working on the next chapter since yesterday, so hopefully I'll get it written up and posted soon. :)
shirebound
· 21 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
Goodness, this is getting quite intricate! It's a treat to get a description of Lothiriel, and I do love this: "Eowyn felt the tiny flutter of mischief lurking, waiting for the right opportunity to manifest itself."
Author's reply
Lothiriel is fun because we know so little about her that she's almost an OC. I'm glad you like it!
Dreamflower
· 21 February 2005
· Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
OOOOooooohhhh...cryptic. Just like Gandalf, too.
I am so glad you had Pippin sing! You should have given us the rest of the song! But you know me; I love a musical Took!
Author's reply
I can post all of the lyrics to Pippin's song on my LJ, if you like. I was just worried about cluttering the chapter or having someone scream, "There as no Mozart in Middle Earth!" at me. :)
Shieldmaiden of Rohan
· 10 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
Just found this story this morning--it's a great mystery, and it doesn't surprise me at all that Eowyn, Merry and Pippin are the ones trying to solve it. I'm very intrigued by the apparent parallels between Alatarial and Finduilas's story. And after looking at the reviews, I think I know who the travellers are. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this next. :)
Author's reply
I'm glad you like this story! There aren't enough fanfic mysteries, and so I thought I'd try my own. I'll hopefully be updating sometime next week, so you'll get to see if you're right about the visitors. :)
Farawyn
· 5 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
Sorry for that last one, I hit post before I typed anything!!
What I wanted to say before was that I think that your story is coming along great. I love when Frodo and Arwen find Éowyn and Merry and Pippin in their bed together! That was so cute. And also, in chapter 5, I loved the ending sentence! That was so great! Does Gandalf know about them finding Alatarial's room? Don't torture me for too long, put another chapter up SUPER soon!
I think Belecthor was, to sum it up in a word, a creep. An absolute creep. Who would want to force their daughter to... oh, don't get me started.
Keep going! I love this!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like this fic! Gandalf knows that they're up to something, and he may know exactly what. We'll see, because I don't even really know yet. :)
Belecthor is a creep, and we'll be finding out more about him later. I'm working on the next chapter right now, so hopefully I'll be able to update soon!
Farawyn
· 5 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
Farawyn
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
Well, you know what I'm goind to say. I want more! This was great, and the last chapter, too.
Author's reply
Thanks! The next chapter will be coming soon, I hope. :)
Bodkin
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
The title is great - poppet is such a sweet word. It should come back into fashion. Before long, there's going to be no-one left who is not in on this. I wonder why Arwen has paled: the story or the ghost? The whole forced marriage thing seems very un-Elven. I hope they don't get Bergil in trouble - he's not exactly in a position to refuse to carry out their commands.
Small group of well-dressed travellers. I wonder who they are?
Author's reply
Arwen paled just because this is so very un-elven. It's something she cannot comprehend as an elf, killing your child because they spite you. It's a very frightening mortal thing, and it frightened her a bit.
The travellers are actually very obvious, especially the woman. Think on it a bit and I'm sure you'll guess who they are. :P
Dreamflower
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
Oh my! The intrigue is really building. I was surprised at Arwen's strong reaction. Does she know something?
And I loved the image of her flirting with Pippin until he told her everything. Somehow, I don't think it would have taken much.
Poor Bergil--it's not bad not to be good at sneaking, LOL!
And *who* are the mysterious travelers?
Wow, the mystery thickens...
Author's reply
I think it would have taken Arwen about two minutes to get what she wanted out of Pippin. As for the story, it's the fact that a mortal would kill his child for such a trivial thing that frightens her: children are very special to the Elves, and this just horrifies her.
The mysterious travellers are fairly easy to guess at, actually. I'll give you a hint: one of them is related to Faramir.
Raksha The Demon
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Great Library
Interesting ghost story! And you've set up a fascinating dark secret entwining the houses of Hurin and Dol Amroth.
I checked in HoME (THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH)v. 10. Tolkien had made some notes on the Princes of Dol Amroth; notes that didn't make it into ROTK: There is no name recorded for the Prince who would have ruled in 2835. The next Prince, Aglahad, would have been a child in 2835; he was born in 2827. JRRT says the line of Princes was "unbroken" in descent, so it could be that Aglahad was the grandson of the old Prince who Belecthor wanted his daughter to marry. The Prince who preceded Aglahad lived 2785-2899. Aglahad was the father of Prince Angelimir (2866-2977). Imrahil and Finduilas' father, Adrahil, was born in 2917, when Angelimir was 51, so either Angelimir was an old father or a young grandpa.
Finduilas married at the age of 25. There's no tradition of young women of the Dunedain of either Arnor or Gondor marrying before the age of 20; and the Dol Amroth is Dunedain in appearance and longevity, as is that of the Stewards. Belecthor must have been a real nasty customer to want his daughter wed at so young an age.
Both Faramir and Eowyn have the blood of Dol Amroth in their veins, btw - I hope poor little Alatariel's ghost isn't looking for vengeance on the heirs of her father or the descendants of the old Prince of Dol Amroth.
Or you can chuck everything from HoME - it's not strictly canon anyway, since it didn't appear in LOTR, though it does reflect the Prof's thoughts and vision.
Looking forward to future chapters!
Hai Took
· 4 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
What? Who are these people just now entering the City? Ooh, I hate when things leave off with cliffhangers or teasers! I hope there is more soon!
Poor Bergil! I hope he doesn't get caught up in too much mischief. Certainly he doesn't need to be haunted by any of these going ons. I hope Arwen is able to shake some of the gloom, what a sad story to hear, everyone is always wanting to see this doll whenever the story is told! Do they not think it true? Looking forward to more! Hope it is soon!
Author's reply
More will be coming soon; this is such a fun story to write that I can't really pause for very long.
Bergil can claim a sort of clemency as the errand boy, and I'm pretty certain that they won't get him into too much trouble.
As for Arwen, she'll get over the gloom and into the mystery and all fairly quickly. She just wanted to see the doll because it sounded interesting. Besides, if someone told you a completely bizarre tale, you'd want to see some proof, eh? :)
Mysterious Jedi
· 3 February 2005
· Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: A Poppet for Queen Arwen
If you're going to leave us hanging like that, you had better update soon :)
That's all right, though, I've seen cliffhangers much worse.
Author's reply
I'll update soon, I promise! And I'll try not to end with a cliffhanger next time. :P
Hriviel
· 28 January 2005
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six: A Midnight Excursion
Wow, this is an intriguing story! I love the idea of combining LOTR with ghost stories, and this is by far the most interesting one I've read yet. But in my humble opinion, I think Faramir should get involved somewhere. I kept thinking he would be concerned for his betrothed disappearing off into the adventure. But maybe he has a part to play later on? After all, it involves his mother and his lineage.
Anyway, keep up the fantastic work!
Author's reply
Thank you! LOTR is perfect fodder for ghost stories: it says in the book even that many houses in Gondor were deserted. This is a fun story to write.
Faramir is going to keep involved sooner or later. Eowyn is too close to him for him not to get involved somehow. I don't know how yet, but he'll get in there somewhere. :)
Bodkin
· 28 January 2005
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six: A Midnight Excursion
Ghosts!
If I were Frodo and I'd just discovered a heap of hobbits and shield maidens, I would be very very suspicious. And actually, same if I were Arwen. My 'they're up to something' alert would have sounded loud and clear.
I'm glad Merry is in on the game now - but I can't imagine what might come next, so please don't keep me in torment for too long.
Author's reply
Frodo is probably biding his time until he finds out what they're up to. Arwen is a different story, though; she wants in on the game.
I'm working on the next chapter right now, so it should be up soon. I don't want to keep you in torment!
Dreamflower
· 27 January 2005
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six: A Midnight Excursion
Oh my goodness! I'm so glad that Merry is now in on the fun. And the gallery is haunted? Hmmm....
And this I absolutely loved: "Frodo didn’t look convinced, but he let it go. Pippin breathed a silent sigh of relief from under the blanket; he was utterly thankful that Frodo’s stern face had not worked on Eowyn. He knew that if it had been him, he would have told his cousin and the queen everything, and that would not have been the best thing that would have happened. He could tell that Merry felt the exact same way." Oh, the power of being the senior cousin! So very hobbity and true to the cousins' relationships.
Unfortunately, Frodo *should* have known better. But the circumstances led him to be suspicious of only Eowyn--if he'd thought on it a few minutes more, he *would* have turned that look on them, I'm sure.
Author's reply
Frodo is going to get in on the secret sooner or later, like some of the other characters. He's biding his time. :P
Hai Took
· 27 January 2005
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six: A Midnight Excursion
Yikes! I got all shivery when I read that bit! Hearing her running from someone! How terrible! to be afraid or at least so wary of her father! Was Finduilas forced into marriage? Dear, or dear, you have my poor mind all worked up!
I did have to smile though that they all ended up in the same bed! Frodo had a point about Eowyn slaying the Witch-King! It made me smile to think that she wasn't over come by Frodo's stare, and Pippin's relief and not meeting Frodo's eye right then!
I hope there is more soon! Such suspense I hope I can handle it until the next chapter!
Author's reply
I'll ease your mind somewhat: Finduilas was not forced into marriage. That's all I'm going to tell you, though.
There's safety in numbers, and it's always nice to have someone to curl up with when you're afraid. Eowyn and the lads found that out alright. Frodo is aware that something is up, and he is going to fnd out sooner or later.
I'm working on the next chapter, and it will be up soon!
shirebound
· 27 January 2005
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six: A Midnight Excursion
That Eowyn! She's so eager for middle-of-the-night adventures, yet can be as frightened as a little girl. A lovely blend of shieldmaiden and protected princess of Rohan.
"he was utterly thankful that Frodo’s stern face had not worked on Eowyn. He knew that if it had been him, he would have told his cousin and the queen everything"
*grins*
Author's reply
Eowyn's like the little girl who likes to pretend she's a great detective, but is scared of the dark. :)
Frodo would be a good interrogator. He'd just have to turn his eyes on someone, and that person would melt like a snowman in summer.
Hai Took
· 22 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Great Library
Well I'm glad that I finally was able to read some more of this! I saw taht it was updated quite a while ago but haven't had much time! I was a little confused when you spoke of Eowyn falling through the ceiling, I was sure I read it somewhere but couldn't remember where, finally went back and read the notes at the top, of course it sounded familiar it was yours!
What a tragic story! Is this going to have something to do with more current events? Possibly Boromir and Faramir's mother? I'm so curious it is hard to contain myself ;)
Hm, is Gandalf onto them? I'm sure he would have some answers if he would ever let them askt he questions! Looking forward to more!
Author's reply
I'm glad you got the time to read it! I thought that I'd incorporate the other story for a bit of fun; it is definitely going to be tying in to other events. Finduilas may be a part of them. ;)
Gandalf is definitely onto them. I don't know what he's going to do about it just yet, as the characters tend to take on a life of their own whenever I settle down to write. The next chapter is with my beta, so I should be updating soon!
Farawyn
· 13 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Great Library
I want more! Lots and lots and lots more! Great job.
Farawyn
Author's reply
Thank you! There will be more soon, I promise!
Bodkin
· 13 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Great Library
It's probably a good thing that Gandalf has caught them out. Probably. He will surely not allow anything too 'The Exorcist' to happen.
(Anything that makes Eowyn and Pippin ensconce themselves in a library has its good points too.)
Author's reply
You know, I've never seen "The Exorcist". I doubt that things will get too bad, though. They are, after all, living in the same place as most of the heros of the West.
Pippin and Eowyn may actually be seeing a lot more of that library. I agree, it is a good thing.
shirebound
· 12 January 2005
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Great Library