Emissary of the Mark by Soledad
Shield Maiden of Rohan · 20 June 2025 · Chapter 1: The High Symbel
So that is one reckoning of how and why Éowyn said what she did on the Pelennor. And how and why Elfhelm will help her. Thirdly, I am sure if Elfhelm noticed Wormtongue’s advances on the young lady, her brother and cousin also most likely did. Especially Théodred, because he is old enough and experienced enough to do something about it.
Telemmaitë Ingolmo · 17 September 2022 · Chapter 17: The Wedding Feast
This has been an absolute pleasure to read. Stylistically beautiful prose, yet not overly 'purple' to the point of distraction. You capture the tone and feel of Tolkien's Middle-earth better than almost any of the works I have read. You have clearly done extensive research into the Saxon traditions and incorporated them wonderfully. Each character depiction remains a clear image imprinted on my brain, and I feel this is going to be a story that I never forget. Congratulations on a superb tale. I wish you success in your future endeavours.
Matt · 24 December 2013 · Chapter 17: The Wedding Feast
Thankns for an awesome wrap to this excellent story. I will definitely be looking forward to "Frozen Flower" whenever it begins to post. A very happy holiday season to you.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed the story. :) "Frozen Flower" will have to wait until I've pushed forward some of my other never-ending WIPs, but it will come eventually, I promise.
curiouswombat · 22 December 2013 · Chapter 17: The Wedding Feast
What an excellent Christmas gift - thank you. I have really enjoyed this tale, and look forward to reading more of Imogen's story when it is ready.
Author's reply
Thank you. :) This was one of my pet projects, which took me at least five times longer than originally planned, so I'm really, really happy that it's reached its final goal.
Linda Hoyland · 12 November 2013 · Chapter 15: Stowburg
I'm so glad that Imogen is fitting in well and that her health is improving. A most enjoyable chapter.
curiouswombat · 10 November 2013 · Chapter 15: Stowburg
Well that went pretty well... thank goodness. And good news about her health, too.
Author's reply
Thank you. Now on to the big, fat wedding!
Matt · 10 November 2013 · Chapter 15: Stowburg
Ah, a far simpler solution to the sickness than I'd thought you'd take and all the more fair because it is probably as legitimate as anything I would have thought about. Definitely looking forward to further chapters as always and thankful for your hard work on this one.
Author's reply
Thank you. It's my hope that I might finish this tale with the next chapter - after all these years, it's more than overdue. :)
Matt · 26 October 2013 · Chapter 14: Return to Rohan
Yes! Great chapter even though it necessarily moved slowly--since the traveling party was doing so too. You still get some good information in there and leave a nice little bump (not really a cliffy) at the end. Definitely looking forawrd to the next chapter and thankful for your hard work on this one.
Author's reply
Oh, sorry, I forgot to reply to your kind review. I'm glad you liked the chapter, despite the slowness. *g*
Linda Hoyland · 25 October 2013 · Chapter 14: Return to Rohan
How clever the women were to escape! I was sorry to see Strider leave. i think Imogen should have warned Elfhelm sooner that she may not be able to have children. A most interesting and vivid chapter.
Author's reply
Yeah, it's a shame that Strider left, but he had to get Gollum, so he couldn't dawdle any longer. As for Imogen, the fact that the shieldmaidens use contraceptives is a known one in Rhún. She simply didn't think that Elfhelm might not know.
curiouswombat · 25 October 2013 · Chapter 14: Return to Rohan
Good for Hemma and Birgid - although I do hope their decision doesn't create problems in the future. I was quietly confident that Aragorn would be able to heal Imogen - seems I had guessed wrong! Which is always good for the reader when the writer has twists and turns that throw us off the scent. And this is so not a good place for them to be that I can't see them getting to the moment of truth with Elfhelm's father without further adventure.
Author's reply
Actually, they will, which is a good thing. Elfhelm will need all his wits about him when facing his father. *g* Thank you for reading and reviewing, it's much appreciated.
Phyloxena · 11 October 2013 · Chapter 13: The Hallowing of the Bride
What a great story. So, Beorning ancestress! This was amusing. As a cautious Aragorn fan I appreciate how rude he appears in the scene with norna. It is credible, somehow, that a chameleon ranger snaps once in a while, especially knowing that he can't really deceive the wisard(ess?).
Linda Hoyland · 6 October 2013 · Chapter 13: The Hallowing of the Bride
Thank you. I loved the scene between Aragorn and the norna. What a great idea that she is one of the mysterious Blue Wizards and how fitting she should provide the sword.I also enjoy your vivid description of the feast.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked it. The Blue Wizard had to wait almost a decade to finally make an appearance, poor thing. I know, of course, that Tolkien intended all of them being males, but the names Alatar and Alatariel sounded too similar not to give in to temptation. *g*
Matt · 6 October 2013 · Chapter 13: The Hallowing of the Bride
Really interesting twist with the lady being one of the blue "wizards". I've never perceived Aragorn to be as prejudiced as you have him in this chapter and up to this chapter it seems you didn't either or am I missing something? Thanks so much for continuing your work on this story. Looking forward to future installments as always.
Author's reply
I honestly don't know why Aragorn turned out like this in this chapter. It wasn't intended. The dialogue just kept turning that way, no matter how much I tried to lead him down another path. I guess he must have made some really off-putting experiences while living at the Khimmer court. Now, the norna, on the other hand, he was always going to be a Blue Wizard. For me, it made sense that some of the Istari would try to civilize the peoples of the East, too.
Linda Hoyland · 2 October 2013 · Chapter 12: Heloic
I loved the ritual you created it felt so very real. Loved the old priestess. I wonder if the sword will one day slay the Witch King? I love creating my own rituals for the moon worshippers in Harad.
Linda Hoyland · 1 October 2013 · Chapter 12: Heloic
I loved the ritual you created it felt so very real. Loved the old priestess. I wonder if the sword will one day slay the Witch King? I love creating my own rituals for the moon worshippers in Harad.
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda. :) You are the first one to guess the purpose of the sword - my compliments! And the old priestess is more than what she looks... a lot more. *mysterious smile* Rituals are a fun challenge, especially in fanfic when they have to match an already established universe.
Matt · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 12: Heloic
Excellent chapter. Full of mysticism from your original universe but it adds depth to the story which is great. I wonder if the powers of the sowrd may be part of Imogen's cure? Thanks as always for your hard work on this. Definitely looking forward to future chapters.
Author's reply
Thank you. Saving the mysticism from my own universe and twisting it so that it wouldn't contradict Tolkien's was a hard piece of work, which is why the story was on hiatus for so long. Next chapter will be up soon, though, as it's already partly written. I hope to post it next week, at the latest. *crosses fingers*
Catriona · 27 September 2013 · Chapter 11: The Purchase of the Bride
Yay, an update! I don't think I've left a review on this story earlier on, and it's high time I did that now. I've enjoyed this story a great deal right from the beginning. I appreciate how you've brought a minor LOTR character into the limelight, created a culture to Rhûn where Tolkien himself left everything to the reader's imagination, and included Aragorn, a central character, in an interesting way. I look forward to the rest of the story.
Author's reply
Thank you. :) I had a sudden burst of inspiration today, so I sincerely hope that the next update won't be so far. And then perhaps two more chapters and the story will be finished. *crosses fingers*
Larner · 24 September 2013 · Chapter 11: The Purchase of the Bride
The cleverness and resourcefulness of Elfhelm must be admired, I find. I so hope that this will lessen the threat that Ragnar's clan offers others.
Author's reply
That is Elfhelm's hope, too. ;) Thanks for the beta work.
Matt · 19 September 2013 · Chapter 11: The Purchase of the Bride
Yes! Great to see you working on this. You were right, the detail on customs was a little over the top but not so much as to disturb the flow of the story. the politics were well handled and, as always, I'm looking forward to future installments. Thanks for your hard work on this one.
Author's reply
Yeah, I'm happy that I could move the dratted story away from its dead spot. I hope the last 3 chapters won't take a year each. The whole thing has gone on far too long as it is. I'm glad you still find your enjoyment, despite my tendency to go overboard with the trivia. Thanks for your continued interest and your kind commnets.
Linda Hoyland · 18 September 2013 · Chapter 11: The Purchase of the Bride
I loved Aragorn as negotitiator here looking so kingly!
Author's reply
Well, he deserved to shine, this time. :)
Linda Hoyland · 26 July 2012 · Chapter 2: The Quest
Poor Elfhelm, this is a perilous quest indeed, but it looks as if it might be a fascinating one.
Matt · 30 June 2012 · Chapter 10: A Secret Revealed a Wergild Paid
Ah, yet another great chapter....and I suspect I see your path toward Imogen's long-term health. What strides one can make given the right opportunities and characters. Thanks as always for your efforts on this story--I hope that your vacation is great and look forward to further chapters on your return.
Author's reply
Thanks, Matt! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Yes, the hands of the king are the hands of healing - even if said king is still in incognito. I hoped to finish the next chapter before going off to my vacation, but researching pagan Anglo-Saxon customs is time-consuming, and adapting them to a fantasy universe is very hard, so... it may take a couple of weeks. Thanks for reading and reviewing, I appreciate the support very much.
Jenn Calaelen · 28 June 2012 · Chapter 10: A Secret Revealed a Wergild Paid
Great chapter! Seeing Imogen's perspective on all of this is fascinating - so much detail about the culture and the possibilities! I'm glad that she will have some of her own people to go with her - I imagine it will be different enough for her without having to be alone among strangers! I look forward to reading more! :)
Author's reply
The good thing with the Easterlings is that I can really go wild with the worldbuilding part without getting AU. We simply don't know a thing about them. Imogen and Ragnar are some of my most favoured OCs, they are great fun to write. Thanks for taking the time to read and review, you know how much your support means to me. *hugs*
Matt · 21 June 2012 · Chapter 9: A Merry Night Under Stone Hills
Two really great chapters. I'm so glad that you are, indeed, updating this story at a high rate now. I did read the longer piece on ffn that you suggested I have a look at and it was great. Having liked all of your ST works as well, I wasn't surprised. I'd have reviewed there but I'm having some kind of issue with the adaptive software that I use (I'm blind) on that site where reviewing is concerned. With respect to this story, I really like how you've done Imogen and think I see a possible path forward for how you'll handle the building of a connection with Elfhelm. I'll be interested to see if you take the direction I anticipate. Thanks as always for your most obvious efforts on all of the stories that you write (even though most of the universes don't do much for me so I don't read most of your writing) and I look forward to future chapters of this tale soon.
Author's reply
Thank you. :) I'm glad you enjoy my writing, and I'm particularly glad that you liked "Web of Darkness" - it's one of my personal favourites. I hope what I'm planning for Imogen will meet your expectations. Thanks for reading and reviewing - support is rare and much appreciated in these days. :)
Jenn Calaelen · 20 June 2012 · Chapter 9: A Merry Night Under Stone Hills
Good chapter - it is very interesting to see how all the snippets joined together into this chapter. Seeing the culture through Elfhelm's eyes is great - it shows so much about the Rohirrim as well as the people there. I look forward to reading more :)
Author's reply
Thank you! :) I'm glad the culture backgrounds make sense for you - coming from a dedicated world-builder like you, it's a compliment. *hugs*