I just sprinted through both of the stories in this series in the last 48 hours. Tremendous job. I really like how you've developed D'eoric's character and as someone with a disability i think you've handled the process of figuring out how to manage it and ultimately minimize its effects (they are never fully overcome) very well. A thoughtful job on this for sure. My sincerest thanks for your hard work on this, I hope in time you'll be able to tell the story of the latecomers and how things progress for them and for Rohan. Thanks loads for your hard work on these tremendous stories.
Author's reply
Sorry, I only just saw this. Thanks so much for your review. I am particulalry glad that you say as a person with a disability it rings true to you.
I have no plans for writing anything more in this series - I was quite Deoricked out when I finsihed this. ;-)
Aki
· 28 February 2022
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
Thank you
Aki
· 28 February 2022
· Chapter 21: Surprises
And there he stood, Éomer son of Éomund, thirty years old, taller than most, wiser than many, well and truly a king.
I am not ashamed to admit that this line brought tears to my eyes. It takes a truly great man to know that he's wrong, admit he's wrong and take steps to correct himself.
Author's reply
Thank you! I like to see some personal growth in the characters, and changing your mind based on good reasons is a sure sign of it.
Freyalyn
· 4 April 2012
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
What an excellent, thoughtful, and beautifully-written story. I have read it all this morning and really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing it. (And I hope the young wolf prospered with his little pack and was never caught for stealing the (very occasional) sheep!)
Author's reply
Thank you, I am so glad you liked it. You might also enjoy "Passing Grace" which features minor OCs from the Deoric-verse.
Raksha The Demon
· 26 May 2010
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
A great epilogue to a fascinating story! I love Deoric's pride as he paints his self-portrait (nice touch in patterning it after Durer's self-portrait); and the message from his Dunlending friend. Peace can yield friendship between former enemies; and prosperity of course benefits everyone. And Deoric's little girls acquiring a new grandfather who is not quite actual but definitely beloved seems very appropriate...
Author's reply
Thanks, Raksha, I'm always glad when you approve. :D
I'm a bit of a Dürer fangirl, so I couldn't resist...
Larner
· 12 May 2010
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
Worthy, worthy, worthy! How wonderful a man he has grown to be, now that he has given over regret to appreciate what he and others can do! And I love that the chrysalis was sent to him. Bless Lunet!
A most worthy tale indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm so glad you approve of the story.
Mysterious Jedi
· 12 May 2010
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
I have really enjoyed this story, and I'm glad the painting got done eventually.
Author's reply
So am I! Thank you for the review. ;-)
Dreamflower
· 11 May 2010
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
Aww... it's over! *sigh*
I have really enjoyed this tale! I do hope that it won't be the end of Deoric-- that we will, perhaps see him again once in a while!
I'd love to see the tale of his visit to the sea! Did Fana go with him? The children?
You have really brought him to life for me, and I have to say, he's one of my favorite non-hobbit OCs, joining SurgicalSteel's Serinde and Larner's Ruvemir as Original Characters who seem to me to be very nearly canonical.
Author's reply
Thanks! I confess I feel I am done with Deoric, though the scenario you suggest is one that has also appealed to me. Perhaps at some point in the future, it will tempt me.
Fantasia
· 11 May 2010
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
What a great story! I really enjoyed each chapter.
The final words are incredible. Congratulations for this wonderful inspirational tale.
Author's reply
Thanks! I wasn't too sure about the last paragraph and thought it was maybe to preachy, but I wanted to link back to the beginning.
curiouswombat
· 11 May 2010
· Chapter 26: Epilogue
What a lovely, and fitting, last chapter to a wonderful story of the Mark. It has given me so much pleasure to read, thank you.
Author's reply
Thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed this story. :)
Larner
· 5 May 2010
· Chapter 25: Getting together
Ah, yes, joy! Such a perfect answer to the question! And I'm glad they had the company they did at table.
A lovely wedding indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you! Who'd not enjoy a wedding!
curiouswombat
· 4 May 2010
· Chapter 25: Getting together
What a lovely wedding - and what a perfect last line.
Of course, as something of an elf fan I am now wondering about Legolas...
Author's reply
Oh, it's just a spot of sea-longing, but Deoric doesn't know that. Thanks for reviewing!
Mysterious Jedi
· 3 May 2010
· Chapter 24: Rewriting history
Peace with the Dunlendings and an answer to the mystery of those hobbits. Will wonders never cease? Keep up the good work.
Author's reply
Thank you, I'll do my best. ;-) Two more chapters to go!
Larner
· 1 May 2010
· Chapter 24: Rewriting history
Oh, I'm so pleased! Excellent end to the story a story now properly and fairly told! Excellent!
Author's reply
Thanks, glad you liked it.
Dreamflower
· 1 May 2010
· Chapter 24: Rewriting history
Oh this is such a joyful and brilliant chapter!
I love Deoric's active role as a peacemaker. In a way, he is an early predecessor to today's modern "press liaisons" to presidents and other world leaders. It is his "spin" on the story of Helm and Wulf, blending the two versions into one more neutral, that will allow them to be able to come to peace. Eomer was wise to use him in this way!
And Merry and Pippin! YAAAAY!!!!! *flails about in squeefulness*
I love that they came and found Fana on her own first. And not saying no to food. And their hobbity banter. And their observations of the baby. And they are very much themselves, and you have most especially captured Merry!
The "Latecomers" to Bree! What a marvelous solution! And it would make sense, because Bree's where the hobbits of the Shire started out!
Love it, love it, love it!
Author's reply
Thanks. I thought this would be to your taste, in fact, I had you in mind when I wrote it. ;-)
Interesting what you say about Deoric being a kind of press liasons officer. I do think of him as a kind of cultural pioneer, something we already saw in "Measure" when he shunned the traditional way of drawing in favour of a more realistic style.
curiouswombat
· 1 May 2010
· Chapter 24: Rewriting history
I think the delegation may have made more of an impression of how little the Dunlendings had left, on both Éomer and those around him, than any words, even Déoric's, could have.
And how beautifully you have the hobbit voices and an answer to two mysteries come together.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you think I've got the hobbits right.
Larner
· 28 April 2010
· Chapter 23: Enter the ladies
Ah! A day of auspicious introductions! Heh! And I love the story he invented on the spot, and her evaluation of the sources of evil. Now to see what these make of this day and those to come.
Author's reply
Thank you. Had to get Eowyn in here somehow! :D
Dreamflower
· 27 April 2010
· Chapter 23: Enter the ladies
Well, it looks like he's ready to tackle that challenge!
I loved his talk with Eowyn. Parenthood suits both of them-- and as for the little tale he "made up", well, it *could* have been true!
And poor Lothiriel! Having to travel at a snail's pace must be frustrating her immensely! But I have a feeling that Deoric will soon have some new paints-- though I wonder how she intends to make sure he doesn't lose the new ones! LOL! She seems a rather determined sort-- which is just as well if she intends to be Eomer's Queen!
Author's reply
Yes, I think Deoric is discovering the role of stories as didactive devices. ;-)
Lothiriel can make sure he'll never be without paints, though she'll have to trust Deoric not to be such an idiot again!
Thanks for reviewing.
Dreamflower
· 27 April 2010
· Chapter 22: Old friends, new ideas
Oh wow! *Two* chapters! How did I miss one?
I loved this one-- Fana is so good for him; I love that she really *listens* to him, and that she was able to say "poor thing" about the story of the orc, rather than turning away in fear or disgust.
And of course, Gleowine continues to be a very clever mentor. His challenge to Deoric to write a new version of the tale, more conducive to the new realities of post-War life is a good one. I find myself curious about how Deoric will respond!
On to the next chapter now...
Author's reply
Thank you. I hope Fana's personality is coming out a bit clearer in this story than in "Measure," where she was very much "generic love interest." It was one of my projects for this fic to give her more space.
Fantasia
· 27 April 2010
· Chapter 23: Enter the ladies
"Have you ever noticed, Déoric, that happiness makes people generous? I have wondered at times whether the cause of evil isn’t often misery"
This is so true, what a great thought. Love your story.
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm glad you continue to enjoy it.
Larner
· 20 April 2010
· Chapter 22: Old friends, new ideas
Yes, it's time to recast the stories so they no longer form propaganda, but betin to approach the truth of them--that both sides had reason to want the land and feel it theirs, and both were equally wrong in the end--as much wront as right.
And she has realized that there is a humanity of sorts even in the orcs. Good for them all!
Author's reply
Thank you! Nothing like a bit of revisionism... ;-)
Dreamflower
· 19 April 2010
· Chapter 21: Surprises
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's 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
· 15 April 2010
· Chapter 21: Surprises
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's reply
Yes, I think Merry will be interested. Thanks for reviewing!
Larner
· 14 April 2010
· Chapter 21: Surprises
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's reply
Thank you! It's always good for a king to have sensible advisors - and listen to them, of course.
Raksha The Demon
· 14 April 2010
· Chapter 21: Surprises
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's 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!