I love how she was coaxed to take the more comfortable tent by Eomer. He has his ways, doesn't he? And the manner in which she took care of the young, ardent Rohir was masterful. At least Eomer has recognized his own heart, and is wise enough not to push too hard. He still doesn't appreciate that she had come to love her late husband--an idea it appears that the Free Peoples can appreciate--that one of their own may have found one of their traditional enemies to be admirable and acceptable. But she is wise to wish to steer clear of entanglements with those who will look on her only as a prize rather than as a partner.
And I love Tarcil!
Author's reply
That was clever of Eomer, wasn't it, to get her to take mercy on him. Just think what the orcs would have said about him else ;-)
But though, like you said, he has recognised his own heart, he has no clear understanding of hers yet. That will take a bit longer. Otherwise I'd have no story to tell!
PS: And Tarcil has stolen my heart, too. There will be more of him in the coming chapters.
Larner
· 28 January 2021
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
A widow now, eh? And her own family cannot believe that she had come to love her late husband? It's hard to feel comfortable with such prejudice at home.
Author's reply
Yes, her family is well-meaning and loves her, but they find it difficult to understand her. Hopefully Eomer will do better.
Virtuella
· 24 January 2021
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Lothiriel taking the Emma Woodhouse view marriage, I like it!
Author's reply
Thank you! I didn't think of that, but I suppose what they both have in common is a certain financial independence. Without that, that kind of choice becomes a lot more difficult.
Virtuella
· 24 January 2021
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
How nice to see another of your stories! Looking forward to seeing how this will play out.
Author's reply
Hi Virtuella, nice hearing from you again! I hope you'll enjoy the ride :-)
GoldenRemembrance
· 24 January 2021
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I am delighted by this newest iteration! I’ve loved rereading your lighthearted Lothiriel stories, and in fact the code word for my sisters and I is eels now too! I’ve always been interested in Harad as well and how the corsairs and Umbar interacted with Dol Amroth.
Author's reply
Eels? Really? That made me laugh out loud. It is of course an excellent code word ;-)
And I hope you'll enjoy this story too. Tolkien didn't write much about Harad, so it was great fun to 'colour in' that corner of Middle-Earth.
whitewave
· 23 January 2021
· Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Thanks for another chapter. This chapter made me wonder if the other Rohirrim have noticed that their King is smitten with the Gondorian widow. I also find the lady bodyguard very intriguing -- will we find out more about her background eventually and what she thinks of Eomer.
I appreciate that this story is in Eomer's POV but I also am curious what she actually thinks of Eomer. When she said outrageous things to Eomer (about selling herself just for her son) -- perhaps she was testing Eomer in a way. I think Tarcil will enjoy his sojourn in Rohan and probably pick up many friends and skills along the way. Lothiriel's purpose in going to Rohan is to ensure safety for her son / take a breather? Or is there something else she wants to accomplish?
Author's reply
I think there's a fair chance that Eomer's interest won't go unnoticed. Though whether that's helpful or not remains to be seen. And there will actually be a bit more background information on Khuri in the next chapter.
And I think Lothiriel is not so much testing Eomer, as just not bothering anymore to behave in the way that other people expect her to. She has no marriage prospects to lose after all. As for her reasons for going to Rohan, it's mainly to ensure her son's safety, but perhaps also to get away for a bit from her family's at times suffocating care.
Larner
· 22 January 2021
· Chapter 0: Prologue
A most interesting beginning, seeing Lothiriel becoming a bride after no true wooing--simply being gifted to this man who thinks of her as a possession as yet.
Need to check if you have any more original fiction on offer. I've loved the three books I've read.
Author's reply
Hello Larner, nice hearing from you again! And I hope you'll enjoy the continuation of the story too. Lothiriel's second wooing will be very different.
As for my original stories, thank you so much for your kind words! I'm working on a new one, but unfortunately it's slow going with all my other commitments.
Lia
demeter d
· 21 January 2021
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
"perhaps the widow of a brave Swan Knight"...Not quite! Now perhaps in time, Eomer can charm the full story out of her. If her husband's next younger brother had him killed, then threatened the life of her son, she might be gratified to hear of said violent, jealous brother's death at Theoden's hands on the Pellenor. As to Tarcil's future, I can see him with as much future as Gondor's chief Ambassador to Harad. Or as his future little brother, Elfwine's right hand man, like Eomer and Theodred. Besides, he is also born a Prince of Dol Amroth, and he and Alphros are already best friends. He could become Alphros's right hand, as well. All kinds of possible stories.! I will be watching.
Author's reply
Yes, she'll actually mention Theoden killing the Harad king in a later chapter (I've got the story largely written, but I still need to revise it) and that it was her husband's younger brother.
As for Tarcil, the story won't cover his adulthood, but I can see Gondor slowly taking back its southern lands and one day even conquer Harad. Perhaps Eomer, Aragorn, Faramir and their sons will help Tarcil regain his throne? As you said, lots of possibilities.
demeter d
· 21 January 2021
· Chapter 0: Prologue
How lovely to see a new offering from you! You do know, my addiction to Eomer-Lothiriel stories started with your "Not the Usual Stakes"! That was the first E-L story I discovered when I first came to SOA. Then my sister e-mailed a link from Hennuth Annun, then here and at Fanfiction.Net I found Maddy and Lady BlueJay, and have never looked back! I think that Lothy's father and brothers are beating themselves up for not what they think. The scene in the Crown Princess's private garden brought to my mind a song from the Broadway musical "Kismet". The words included "come where the dearly beloved is waiting, where the rose and the jasmine mingle, While I tell her the moon is for mating, and tis sin to be single..." I think that she will not say anything bad about her late husband because he was always good to her and their son. I think she fell in love with him! I think that she still wears the queen's torc because it was given to her at her marriage by her husband, like a wedding ring! I like the lady captain of her personal guard's promise that she would defend her new mistress with her life. She has, indeed, given up her old life, for a new one in Gondor and Rohan. Now, What next?
Author's reply
Not the usual stakes was your introduction to Eomer/Lothiriel romance? It's a miracle that didn't put you off altogether ;-D
As for Lothiriel's thoughts on her marriage, that will emerge slowly, but I'm not giving any secrets away when I agree that her family don't understand her properly. And there will also be a bit more about Khuri's background.
I hope you'll enjoy the ride!
Raksha The Demon
· 20 January 2021
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Very interesting premise. I think that Lothiriel and her late husband had a good relationship. It could be politically advantageous to eventually have peaceful ties between Rohan and the Haradrim, through Lothiriel's sons.
Author's reply
Hi Raksha, nice hearing from you again! And I agree, Denethor's reasoning was sound, even if unfortunately it didn't quite work out. I was partly inspired by the Chinese 'heqin' custom of regularly sending minor princesses as brides to the steppe people beyond the Great Wall.
sue
· 18 January 2021
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Getting more exciting! I foresee kidnap attempts,
lovesick Eomer, anti-Harad prejudice against Tarcil and
much angst.
I hope there will be many detailed flashbacks about life
in the Haradrim harem. I am looking forward to decadent
details. OK I like smut. 8>D
There's a book written about a Byzantine woman
in the 1500's who ended up in the Topkapi
Harem. Good for ideas. She became the empress.
Author's reply
Well, you're right that there will be some angst, but not really many details of life in the Haradrim harem, I'm afraid. I'm just not so much into it ;-D
And I've read about the slave girl turned empress that you mention. I think she was quite influential in the end.
whitewave
· 17 January 2021
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I feel a bit sorry for Eomer since he is obviously already smitten. It would be fun to watch the uphill battle for him to win her over though. Love the unique position of Lothiriel in this scenario—Mother of the Kings of Harad and the Rohirrim! And her son already has very strong allies indeed in case he will push to claim the throne of Harad.
Author's reply
You will probably feel even more sorry for Eomer as the story progresses, I'm afraid ;-)
And yes, I can absolutely see him and Elfwine (plus of course Eomer, Aragorn, Faramir and the Dol Amroth lot) taking part in a campaign to regain Harad. Though that's outside the scope of this story.
Thanks for reviewing!
Radbooks
· 16 January 2021
· Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Oh, an intriguing chapter! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next chapters. Thank you!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm planning to put up a new chapter once a week, if I can, so the wait shouldn't be too long.
sue
· 13 January 2021
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Oooo -lovely set up. I am anxious for more chapters.
I like seeing Lotherial's trepidation coupled with
her considerable diplomatic skill. A great beginning
and a wholly unusual story line.
Author's reply
Thank you! I've long wanted to write a story involving the Haradrim and this scenario insisted on being written. I hope you'll enjoy it!
whitewave
· 10 January 2021
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Great to see a new post from you! I like this version of the Eomer-Lothiriel love story--it reminiscent of Eleanor of Aquitaine. The Harad culture you are portraying is also interesting and looking forward to see how you will have Eomer and Lothiriel meet and fall in love.
Author's reply
Hello whitewave,
great to hear from you again! It's true, Eleanor of Aquitaine married the French king first, IIRC, didn't she? Though I hope that Lothiriel and Eomer will have a less conflict prone marriage than Eleanor and Henry. But now I have this vision of 'Elfwine the Lionheart' ;-D
Lia
Radbooks
· 9 January 2021
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Well, this was a wonderful treat! It's very different being in Harad, but I love it so far. Thanks so much!
Author's reply
The rest of the story will be set in Gondor and Rohan, but I wanted to give an idea of Lothiriel's experience there. I hope you'll enjoy the ride!
Anonymous
· 9 January 2021
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Sooooo excited to see another story!!!
I've always had a fascination with the Haradrim and this one looks tantalizing!
Can't wait to see the next chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you! Only the prologue is set in Harad, but of course Lothiriel's experiences with the Haradrim will shape her.