ooohhhh, you are mean.
I will definitely join in the strangling of the captain. It may well be that Hesgar is better suited for her, but love goes its own ways.
I am a bit afraid now, for everyone, because is the captain is in a bad mood, I wouldn't want to cross him (or even his way). But unfotunately that is mostly impossible for everyone he works with. I can see trouble a mile away

Author's Response: I am happy that my writing is evoking such emotion! Even if it is the desire to strangle a main character. Hesgar is a wonderful young man and yes, he is a great catch and a good match. You are also correct that Erkenbrand in a foul mood could be dangerous. You will have to see how things play out in the long run! ~G

I like the flow of the story now, the gentleness of their relationship's progress. It really fits nicer to the story line than the fiery yet remarkably unoriginal development that most stories display.

And yesss, I still like Frearid best. Now I can add 'refreshing honesty' to his character traits ;-)

And there is something else I noticed: you always seem to try and give even the minor characters fitting (or befitting ;-) ) names instead of calling them 'soldier' or 'a lady'. I like that. Just where do you get those names from?

Author's Response: Thank you! I am a romantic and I like the building of the relationship--the foreplay more than the "they are together now jump into bed". Even the scene in Dúnadan’s Daughter was about more than just sex. Since these two are young, I think they would need the get to know each other time...especially given her recent past. I am glad you like Fréarid! He is a fine young man and someday will make a great captain, I am sure. I am hoping that you might also come to like Hesgar (even if he is competition). he also has honest feeling towards Éalwyn. I like to name characters unless they show up only once or they are...hmmm...to be shown in a specific light. For example in a fic a I wrote called Sight Unseen, I left a she-elf nameless as she was not "important" though she tried to be. It also helps give them dimension and actually make it clearer in writing. Lots of he's and she's and the woman or the rider start to make the text muddled--not sure who's who. I spend a lot of time looking through books and websites and picking friends brains. For the Rohirrim, i used an online gaming site and my old English text books since Tolkien kinda fashioned them from old Anglo-Saxon cultures (that is where Colmáse came from--old English) The Council of Elrond and my Sindarin Language book is where I go for elf names. Tolkien gave us wonderful, beautiful characters and if I am going to even hope to write something worthy of the master, in his world, I believe I need to put forth the effort. I am glad that it works! And yes, most names have a meaning and it usually fits their persona (heck, even my pen name has a meaning and it fits me ;) Hope you continue to like where this goes and how the characters grow! ~G

aaawwwww, so sweet. him, her alone in a glade on a blanket.
I especially liked the rivalry between Erkenbrand and the other men, even if it is only for fun, but it will remind him not to take her for granted, that he isn't the only one who is interested in her.
I'd like to see how they will continue from here on, so don't you dare stop writing =P

Author's Response: won't stop...promise! (baring of course an act of god) A little competition and some choices are healthy! ;-)

Yay, they have a date (or at least plan to have one). Quiet evening, date ... all the same to me.
I like the part in the stables. I always say animals are more intelligent and knowing about our emotions than we give them credit for but nobody listens to me. At least I know you understand me in that way.
As you said, I am waiting for the twists and turns

Author's Response: Well, Erkenbrand hinted at liking quiet evenings...but he still wants to give her the chance to expore her new found freedom so...well, you'll see. More soon :) ~G

Maybe I should just stay silent on that point, not raising a debate on principles and such ... but most often I find it really hard to keep my mouth shut - or my fingers still, for that matter ;-)

So: personally I think that abuse is not so hard to recognize, if one is curagous enough to adress it. It is a very curious behaviour that abused persons exhibit, that always reminds me of a beaten dog - not that this metaphor would be far from the thruth, really. I have never seen that kind of behaviour in someone who was not at least verbally abused.
And especially when the abuse is of a physical nature and the culprit is so careless as to let the signs show on the face ... I mean if the person does not suffer certain illnesses and has healthy reflexes than the probability of, let's say a black eye, is really ... low. Or at least it should not happen often.

But I am in no way complaining about the story line! It is the realism of it that probably has me upset ... or drawn in, if you want ;-)
Even nowadays it happens so often and nobody steps in, even when someone is abused in the middle of a marketplace! But at least there are adresses for women's refuges in every public toilet and other measures are taken.
And there practically in something akin to the Middle Age in a smaller village Ealwyn had not even the chance to flee the situation for the knowledge that she would be found in every single town in Rohan. And. No. One. Saw.

That lady Cynwen has an explanation for everything so soon must mean that she all but knew what was happening.

God, now I'm depressed ... must have been my longest comment though, so far ;-)
And I liked the chapter, the story is realistic and the characters in it, too.
You are a really good author and I greatly enjoy your stories.

~ Massanie ~

Author's Response: It is not as easy as one might think as most abusers are very smart. As a former teacher, I was required by law to report suspected abuse--it was a scary thought. My husband worked for more than a decade in Children Services and saw many forms of abuse and it is actually disturbing how easy it is to not see it (whether because someone does not want to or because a victim will often protect the abuser--had a Teacher like that) Now about the advisor...he was a very intelligent man and he did not let marks show clearly. When Grimbold saw the bruise, I intentionally did not say where it was other than to imply it was on the head/face. A slap or shove into a wall will look much different than a fist to the eye---he was never that obvious. In the end he just lost all control, feeling angry and betrayed and played. Lady Cynwen felt he was a lecherous old man but could not prove anything inappropriate because he was just that damn careful. Plus there was the whole War of the Ring--the destruction of Helms Deep and all; no one really had time to place close attention. They were at war and there were far bigger issues. the Lady is not a young woman and has seen much in her life. Think of the power Gríma had...Théodred was young and more concerned with defending his people; Grimbold was only a captain, also buried under the strains of battle. Éalwyn unfortunately just got a little lost in the shuffle. So sorry to have depressed you! But the worst is over...now come healing and dancing around each other....

Yes, she's back. I can imagine what the office must have looked like with all those papers and 2 men not knowing what to do. I know how that looks because I kind of have the same job. Anyway, she is back, both are happy about it and there are no ill feelings towards each other. Life could be good =)

Author's Response: *Snigger* Yes, it could...but it is never quite that easy ;} I think you will enjoy the twist and turn still to come! ~G

Hello there!
You might be surprised to hear that this chapter didn't shock me, I kind of saw it coming.
I knew I didn't like the advisor, and now I have a reason not to.
As for Erkenbrand, I know it is normal to feel guilty in such a situation, but I hope it doesn't stop him from spending some time with her, now that Ordwulf is in prison. He is gone and they are free to build something, if only a proper friendship.
I guess I'll have to wait for the next chapter...

Author's Response: Sorry I am behind on replying! I hoped most people would have caught on by now. An abusive situation is very difficult to understand for most of us--just leave, get out, we all think; but everyone wants to be loved and many victims think they will be alone if tey walk away. They are convinced that it is their fault and they are no loveable. It truely is a person's power over another and the younger the victime the easier it is to bully them. Fortunately, Ealwyn was only in this situation for almost 7 years (thought it began when her father died and she was alone). It will be a new beginning for her... ~G

So she IS clumsy... ;-)

And, yeah, again you're right: I tend to forget that the self-confidence and independence of women nowadays is rather ... new and should not be taken for granted.
I just have a problem with poeple who tend to accept their fate all too easily. Makes me want to grab them and shake them until they learn to tackle their problems ;-) ...
But don't worry, I like those characters, too (and include them in my stories), and I like Mouse and Erkenbrand and I can sympathize with them. But from time to time I feel the need to shake them a little bit nonetheless (or give them Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" to read).

The godfather-thing only came to my mind as here in Germany it is still customary to appoint a godfather and a godmother (normally friends or aunts/uncles of different families) directly when the child is christened. I don't know how that is in America (or anywhere else for that matter) but this has a long tradition here and maybe I kind of expected the Rohirrim to have something similar as it is the logical thing to do with a mortality rate that is high enough so that the probability of losing both parents during childhood is significant.

And: I in return appreciate the time and effort you put into answering my rambling, babbling and nagging ;-)

PS: very good chapter. I'd say: that advisor has a screw loose somewhere.

Author's Response: She was just 16 when she lost her Da and wound up in the advisor's care. Most abusers are very good at what they do and reel in their victim so to speak slowly. No one really noticed because she did not show up beaten to a pulp; no, I had a teacher once in college who was a victim of child abuse. she was not able to break free until adulthood and even then---years later; she still desperately needed to gain her father's approval. it is truly terrible what a person can make a child believe! (you'll see in later chapters) The Godparent idea is still around here at Baptism (although it is more to see to the Catholic upbringing if the parent pass--none of my kids' Godparents are in a position to raise my 3 kids now so we have other emergency arrangements) The Advisor has more than 1 screw loose, I assure you. now I am off you give you another update (just got chapters back from my Beta!) ~G

Why is it that other people always see first when someone is in love? That is so cliché.
I liked this chapter because, even though he himself did not make an appearance, yet, I decided I do not like the advisor Ordwulf, though I guess in the end I am all wrong again (happens all the time).
Well, I will have to be patient to find out.

Author's Response: Well, I think it is cause women are more in-tune with such things (and like to meddle)...and it is not that they are in love...Fréarid's wife just thinks Erkenbrand is interested and both she and Fréarid think it would be a good match. At this point, there is not real attraction between Erken and Ealwyn except mutual respect and a growing friendship. As for the dear advisor...well, you will get to meet him in the next chapter. More very soon I promise~ G

Hello, here I am. Found my way into your new story.
Well, yes, I like mouse. She is sweet but at the same time knows so much about all this mens' stuff.
But this injuring thingy, they say she is clumsy but I believe there may be more to it. Hopefully I find out soon AND I am wrong.

Author's Response: I envisioned a sort of Radar O'Rally (from M.A.S.H) character. Knows her stuff but is content to remain in the back drop. More soon! Promise! ~G