Dawning Hope: A Day Out by Radbooks
lmw · 21 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
I haven't been here in quite a while. I really enjoted this story. I like the ones about the Quest members - Eomer especially, and the 'young' versions. When the author is talented - and you are - it comes through in their stories. Insightful. Characters are developed and grow in ways that correspond to their known adult traits. Thanks for a great story.
harrowcat · 19 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
Theodred may be a warrior but dealing with injured and frightened children is something totally out of his experience. He is doing very well.
mistry89 · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
I have come late (not just to the DH series, but also to Eomer-centric stories), and am delighted to see him as a child. Thank you - looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, mistry89! I'm glad you enjoyed this and I do hope to come back to Edoras at some point, though Aragorn is calling to me right now! :)
Linda Hoyland · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
A lovely ending to an enjoyable and angsty story. I eagerly await your next stories with Aragorn in them now !
Author's reply
Thanks, Linda for reviewing! I'm glad that you enjoyed it even though it didn't have Aragorn anywhere near it. *grin* I am working on my Rebecca and Thomas story now, but I don't know how long it will take to finish the chapter.
daw the minstrel · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
Great finish to the story, Radbooks. This will indeed liven things up for Theoden, probably more than he realizes since he had an only child. How good for all of them.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, daw, and for your kind words.
Misty · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
I'm really glad that the patrol happened by when they did. I was getting worried about Eomer and what Theodred would be able to do to help him. It was a relief to see him arrive safely home. I think Theoden is correct, the next few years could be quite interesting.
Author's reply
Hi, Misty, thanks for reviewing! It was very fortunate that the patrol came by and that they had a good healer with them. :) Yes, the next ten years will be interesting, but fun in a family sort of way and then things will get bad... Grima shows up. :(
Lady Bluejay · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
I am sure that there will be more trouble ahead with two kids running about Meduseld. Theoden - look out. LBJ
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Lady Bluejay!
Larner · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
Yes, this bond has already been tempered and can only grow stronger. I look forward to seeing more of this story written, although you know already how I look forward to seeing how Rebecca and Thomas move forward. Very well done with excellent descriptions to set the scene and give us a good sense of place as well as personality.
Author's reply
Thanks so much for reviewing, Larner! Yes, the stage has been set between the three of them and it will grow from there. I do hope to come back to Edoras at some point, especially because poor Eomer didn't really have any time in the last two chapters. I'd sort of like to see his friends again and I'm guessing he isn't a great patient. :) But, I don't have anything planned for now, my focus IS on Rebecca and Thomas. I've been working on it and it's going well... I think it will be a long chapter, so that's good news for you - maybe!
Agape4Gondor · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
Bravo! Excellent tale. Beyond any expectation I had for a 'quick' E&E story! Loved every moment of it. And yes, Edoras will be changed and for the better! Thank you for taking the time to share this with us!
Author's reply
Thanks so much for reviewing... you're making me blush! *grin* It truly was a fun story for me to write - except when Theodred decided he didn't want to talk. I need to go and write some Aragorn - my favorite character - for a bit, but I think I'll be back in Edoras at some point. Thanks again!
Agape4Gondor · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
I don't know how I missed this chapter, but I'm glad I did for I don't think I could have endured waiting to see what happened next. Tense, taut work here - very well written. I am clutching my hands together in fear and hope! Great job - and isn't SS the bestest author - to help so many people!!!
Author's reply
Thanks for your review, Agape4Gondor, and for your kind words. I think this chapter came out during the week of the 4th and several people missed it, but it was nice for you regarding the cliffie! :) Yes, SS is very kind and helpful... it's nice to have someone to go to for things like this.
harrowcat · 17 July 2007 · Chapter 5: Rescue
A great tale Radbooks. I missed the last chapter somehow but at least that meant that I also missed that nasty cliffie! *g*
Author's reply
Thank you, harrowcat! It was a pretty bad cliffhanger and then I was late with the next chapter so you really were fortunate! :)
Elemmírë · 6 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
Hi Radbooks! I normally stick to reading about my favorite hobbits, but something about a young orphaned Eomer and Eowyn intrigued me and so I started reading this tale. I enjoyed the first chapter so much, that I looked up your prequel to this story and read all of that one before continuing on with this one. You write all of the characters so very well, but I especially enjoy reading Eowyn as a little girl, who shows the beginnings of her strength despite her vulnerability. I'm looking forward to more of this tale! ~Elemmírë~
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Elemmire! I'm glad that you tried my story and enjoyed it enough to read this one and the first one as well. I've discovered recently that I really enjoy writing children and it's been fun trying to figure out how to portray both Eowyn and Eomer as children when we know what they're like as adults.
Linda Hoyland · 4 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
What an unexpected twist in this exciting and gruellling chapter!I guessed something would go wrong but thought it would involve the river.I feel very sorry for the children and for Theodred.I eagerly await more.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing! It was a twist, wasn't it? :) I had thought about the river, but figured everyone would expect that and it made more sense to me to have something to do with the horses since they are Eorlingas! The next chapter will be delayed just a bit because my beta had to go out of town unexpectedly, but hopefully it will be out by mid-week.
Linda Hoyland · 4 July 2007 · Chapter 3: Riverside
Theodred is smarter with children than I thought !
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Linda! He's not so far removed from his own childhood that he doesn't remember what it was like. :)
Larner · 4 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
Yes, Morwen Steelsheen's grandchildren indeed. And poor Theodred's getting his emergency first aid experience baptism in fire, isn't he? He's doing very well indeed, the King's son is.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Larner! I recently read somewhere - maybe in Unfinished Tales - that Eomer was as tall as Aragorn which really surprised me. That had to come from his own Dunedain ancestors I would think. Theodred is doing well, when there is no one else around it's amazing what you're capable of doing. :) I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your internet connection! That's such a pain for you. :( It just never seems to get any better over there. I use the cable company and except for one bad time last summer, it's been very good - knock on wood! There's just one chapter left on this story and then I'll be writing 'Life in the King's House' again. I just re-read the chapters again to get my mind back into it and I'm excited about writing it again. :)
Calenlass Greenleaf · 2 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
Cliffie...I beginning to dislike them. But you-re right--the chapter seemed to end well with the cliffie. :) I enjoyed the chapter. It was good. ~Cal
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Cal! I honestly don't have cliffhangers too often in my writing, but sometimes I just have to! *grin* I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Freja · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
Hi Radbooks What an interesting tale you are telling! I like this story which explore a sorely over-looked character and his (I'm gathering :)) significant role in the shaping of two rather more well-known Eorlingas! You make clear Theodred's confusion and worry in this situation, where he is in over his head. If Eomer wasn't so injured, I suspect Theoden would have a good laugh at his son's expense. ("I told you so") And now I can hardly wait to see what happens to the three poor travellers, all in different degrees of misery until next week...
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Freja! I'm glad that you're enjoying my story, I certainly have enjoyed writing these stories featuring Theodred and the children. It says in Unfinished Tales (I think it's that one!) that Theodred became as a brother to Eomer and Eowyn and so that's the part these first two stories have explored - the beginnings of that relationship.
Misty · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
Ack! That was quite the cliffhanger. Poor Eomer! What is Theodred going to do now? He won't want to stop again, but can he stop the bleeding from the back of the horse? Oh, I do hope the next chapter is posted soon. Their day out definitely took an unexpected turn, didn't it?
Author's reply
Hi, Misty! Yes, it is sort of a nasty cliffhanger and while I don't like coming across one when I'm reading, I do occasionally have them in my stories. :) I hope to have a new chapter out next Monday or Tuesday...
daw the minstrel · 1 July 2007 · Chapter 4: Mishap
Gripping chapter, Radbooks. You show all the difficulties Theodred faces with two kids on his hands, one of them injured.
Author's reply
Thanks, Daw! I appreciate you taking the time to review!
Larner · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 3: Riverside
Ah, yes, testing boundaries. It is just too bad that Theodred never had the chnance to marry and father children of his own. He's learned his own lessons well and passes them on appropriately.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Larner! Yes, I think he would have been a good father and out of this incident - well, this trip which is far from over - will come the seeds of a lasting friendship between the three of them.
Larner · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 2: The Stables
I can certainly see Eowyn with just this attitude as a child. And love the names and their meanings. Exactly right!
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Larner! It's strange working backward on Eowyn - knowing what she was like as an adult and trying to figure out how that would play out as a child. It's fun, though! Glad you like the names...
Agape4Gondor · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 3: Riverside
I loved the compromise that Theodred came up with - and was stunned (which I shouldn't have been) when the children disobeyed. Theodred handled himself well, as did the children with his reprimand. Somehow, reading this chapter, I thought what a great king Theodred would have made and it made me very sad to think of such a wondrous life ended so tragically, so abruptly. We never do hear how Eomer and Eowyn reacted to his death.... hmmm... perhaps a sequel if you could bear such a sad tale??? Thanks again, delightful tale.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing! Children have to test their boundaries and Theodred is basically an unknown person to them, so it was inevitable that they'd disobey at some point. At least no one got hurt! :) I don't know if I could write a sad tale about Theodred's death! How about an AU where he lives? *grin* Then he could be the great king, though I don't know what Eomer would do...
daw the minstrel · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 3: Riverside
An interesting chapter, Radbooks. Everyone seems to be learning something. I was touched by Eomer's pain at the idea of orcs eating the horses left behind. It's also informative to watch Theodred weigh Eomer's current actions against the future Theodred knows he'll have. Poor Eowyn doesn't understand why she can't have any fun.
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Daw! Yes, they are all learning, mostly about each other, I think. Children have such vivid imaginations that I could just see Eomer running the image of orcs eating the horses through his mind over and over, probably so he didn't have to think about his father dying at the hands of those same orcs.
Lady Bluejay · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 3: Riverside
That's the trouble with kids - you have to be one step ahead all the time.LBJ
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing LBJ! Oh, yes, you really do need to be on your toes around them, and often they think they are getting away with something when they really aren't. :)
harrowcat · 25 June 2007 · Chapter 3: Riverside
I think that theodred is turning out to be a very clever older cousin. Is he going to explain why he wanted to wait to go to the tree?
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, harrowcat! Yes, Theodred is pretty smart and he does remember his own childhood pretty well and that helps him too. I'm not sure I understand your question. If you mean at the end of the chapter why they didn't get to go to the tree, that was because they had messed up and Theodred wasn't going to let her and Eomer go back and play at the tree now. So they were just going to go home after eating. If you mean earlier in the chapter, Theodred told Eowyn that she couldn't go because he wouldn't be able to see her (to watch over her) from where he was sitting and he wouldn't leave Eomer alone in the water. But he told her that after lunch he was willing to take her for a time. So he did explain it to her at the time. Does that answer your question?