Smoke & Mirrors by Lialathuveril
Linda Hoyland · 8 May 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
It is great to have a new story from you and I hope to buy your next novel too. A great start to this story. I hope these two can fall in love.
Author's reply
Hi Linda, thank you! It's so nice to be back writing fanfiction and to hear from all my friends again. As for the next novel, I have to finish it first ;-D Thanks so much for your support, I really appreciate it! Lia
obsidianj · 7 May 2016 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I loved the recitation of firefoot's bloodline. So fitting for Eomer. These two will have a lot to learn about each other. Was Lothiriel trying to picture Eomer as her lost love? In the darkness it is easier to impose the picture of another.
Author's reply
Thanks! He's a true horselord ;-) As for what Lothiriel thinks, it will be a while until Eomer can win her trust.
curiouswombat · 3 May 2016 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I do wonder if she did actually see the man she loved killed by orcs... it sounds rather like Boromir's death as described by the Fellowship members who were there. Perhaps she had a major crush on her older cousin, perhaps she is using the description for someone else, or perhaps she needs a convenient dead other man. Although I'm not sure why off the top of my head. At least they have actually held a proper conversation - amongst other things :)
Author's reply
Yes, she actually saw it. However, it will be a while until Eomer learns all the details. Still, as you say at least they've had a talk (and other things). And after all that's all Eomer wants from his marriage, so he should now be perfectly happy...
Larner · 3 May 2016 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Apparently she was enamored of her cousin Boromir, and had heard the details of how he died. Poor lady. Now she is perhaps surprised to realize another can waken her passions, and perhaps they both can learn to open fully to one another as they both deserve.
Author's reply
I'm not commenting on your speculations ;-) However, the truth will eventually come out, though not for a long while yet. Thanks for reviewing! Lia
Larner · 3 May 2016 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
So, she has become defensive. I wonder what about? Poor lady has been threatened by someone or something, or so it would appear. I hope eventually it will come out. But Eomer, too, has begun armoring himself about, and his defenses also will need to come down eventually.
Author's reply
Yes, they are both heavily armoured and for similar reasons. Perhaps they can help each other, but of course it won't be an easy journey and take a while. Lia
obsidianj · 30 April 2016 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Oh, Eomer. Leave it to Lothiriel to intrigue him. Although Eowyn has a good part in it. Her comment made him look, really look for the first time. So, marriage bed is like having a tooth drawn. Not a very flattering comparison.
Author's reply
Yes, it's finally starting to dawn on him that the woman he married is an actual person ;-) He's got a long way to go still - they both have - but I hope you'll enjoy the trip.
curiouswombat · 29 April 2016 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Slightly off-topic - but I have just reviewed Bride to the Sun at both Good Reads and Amazon - I'm so glad you posted the info. here.
Author's reply
Thanks so much! I'm ever so pleased you enjoyed my novel. It's been a long time in the making and sometimes I feel like an anxious mother watching her precious baby's first steps!
MlleGigi · 29 April 2016 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Hm...I'm beginning to think my original guess (that Lothiriel lost someone she loved during the Battle of Pelennor Fields) might not be accurate. Eowyn's comment to the effect that Lothiriel is doing what she herself did -- using self-control in an attempt to keep herself safe, either because she feels the need to keep something hidden or wants to keep someone at a distance -- makes me wonder if there might not have been someone like Wormtongue in Lothiriel's own life. It would explain a few things...such as the fact that she appears to regard her wedding night in the same way that most people regard a trip to the dentist, even though she (as the daughter of a prince) must have been aware from a very young age that she might be asked to marry for reasons of state rather than for love. If there had been someone like Wormtongue in her life, it would conveniently provide a point on which Eomer would be able to sympathize with her.
Author's reply
Well, I'm still not giving anything away - though I'm enjoying your speculation very much - but I promise the next chapter will shed some light onto Lothiriel's motivation. As regards the wedding night though, I have to say that just because you know you will probably end up marrying for reasons of state does not mean you will be looking forward to it any more than to a trip to the dentist ;-D More next week, I promise!
curiouswombat · 26 April 2016 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
**She managed to make getting married to him sound remarkably like having a tooth drawn! ** Oh dear Éomer - can you blame the poor lass under the circumstances!
Author's reply
Well, you have to admit that at least he is a handsome looking dentist ;-D
Lady of Gondolin · 25 April 2016 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Well written! I like the plot line too! Please update soon!
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm pleased to hear you like this setup! And I usually update once a week, if real life lets me.
Robnrun · 25 April 2016 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I am happily looking forward to this story. Not only is extremely well written, but I have passing familiarity with limpets, very realistic. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you! The limpets will make another appearance towards the end of the story ;-D
obsidianj · 23 April 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
I love to hear from you again. A great start and a perfect setup for all kinds of entanglement. She accepts as long as love is not involved... famous last words :-).
Author's reply
Hello Obsidianj, and I'm pleased to hear from you again! I hope you're keeping well? As for Eomer and Lothiriel, isn't this the perfect setup for a quiet, rational, well managed marriage of convenience ;-D Lia
MlleGigi · 21 April 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
From the sound of things, I suspect that Lothiriel suffered a loss of her own as a result of the War Of The Ring. Eomer would surely have been told if Imrahil had lost one of his sons...so the most likely answer seems to be that she was in love with one of her father's knights and hoped to/planned to marry him before he was killed on the Field of Pelennor.
Author's reply
Hello MlleGigi, I'm not giving anything away ;-D But Lothiriel's motives will become clearer in another couple of chapters or so, I promise! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you'll enjoy the story! Lia
quodamat · 20 April 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
Very interesting! It seems like there's a lot of pain on both sides of this conversation. I like how you've shown Eomer to be haunted by his wartime experiences. I think he's often portrayed as less sensitive or more gung-ho for violence than the other leaders, but I don't think anyone could be unaffected by their experiences of battle, especially someone who lost so much personally in such a short time. Thanks for this!
Author's reply
Hello quodamat, yes, there is a lot of pain. And if you think, Eomer not only lost his cousin and uncle in the war, but also was orphaned when he was only eleven. The only family he has left now is Eowyn, and of course she's moving away to Ithilien. So I agree, he would not be unaffected by all his losses. Thanks for reviewing! Lia
curiouswombat · 19 April 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
How good to see you here again, although I do hope all is going well with your other writing as well.
Author's reply
Hello Wombat, I hope you're keeping well? And thanks, the original writing is going quite well (if rather slowly). But I see you've already discovered 'Bride to the Sun' on Amazon - I hope you'll enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing Lia
UTfrog · 19 April 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
Great beginning. I can tell this will be fun. Thank you.
Author's reply
Hello UTfrog, glad to hear you like the beginning and thanks for reviewing! Lia
Lyana · 18 April 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
Oooo - most intriguing! I'm hooked, and very much looking forward to more. :-)
Author's reply
Hi Lyana, this is rather a short chapter, but I promise to have more for you soon. I hope you'll enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing Lia
Larner · 18 April 2016 · Chapter 0: Prologue
I find myself confused--she will accept as long as they do not have feelings for one another? Most unusual!
Author's reply
Hello Larner, and nice hearing from you again! Lothiriel's motives will become clearer in the next couple of chapters, I hope. Thanks for reviewing! Lia