Happy birthday!

[altariel]

For Dwimordene, whose birthday was yesterday, and who asked for birthday cards on the subject of 'adoption'. Happy birthday, Dwim, I hope you had a lovely day!


Mother Country

Morwen of Lossarnach was no woman of sentiment. Queen, queen mother, she was the steel at the heart of the Golden Hall.

But Morwen loved – fiercely, sternly – and the sight of her daughter’s orphans pierced her heart. The boy she left to his uncle and cousin. Sun-kissed, elder – there is always an abundance of feeling for such children. The little girl she claimed as hers, took to her – to temper and to fashion, to love and to shield. She forged an enduring bond, and when the girl became a woman, she could not help but love the south. Fiercely, sternly.

***

Altariel, 25th May 2010

Comments

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

You sure gave Dwim a nice birthday present there! :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

:-) Thank you!

[dkpalaska.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's awesome, that is! Your usual tight efficiency with words that manages to contain a lifetime of emotion and storytelling.

Fantastic characterization of Morwen, and I LOVE the additional bond you've placed between her and Eowyn, beyond that of blood. The mirroring of their way of loving - oh, it's marvelous; and that it made Eowyn all that more open to Faramir's love just when she needed it most. Great reasoning and totally in character, why Morwen focused on Eowyn instead of Eomer. How Eowyn must have grieved when Morwen was gone...

Love also the sword/sword-making language woven throughout; excellently thematic and appropriate!

Beyond it being a great drabble, I always rejoice to see Tolkien from you! :)

Erm... More Denethor lives AU? *hopeful look* You don't think we've forgotten about it, do you?

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm delighted you like it! :-) We don't know a date of death for Morwen, and assuming she has Numenorean blood, there's no reason why she would survive Theodwyn and Eomund. I think Eowyn would adore her, and there would be a great deal of Morwen's training in her. (I imagine Theodwyn as a much sunnier type, perhaps taking after Thengel.) It's wonderful to think that Eowyn's mother-line is Gondorian.

Erm... More Denethor lives AU? *hopeful look*

Funny you should ask about that...

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

How perfect an introduction to the Royal House for one who will one day find her fulfullment in Gondor!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like it, thank you!

[wormwood-7.livejournal.com]

I love the cadence of this drabble, the use of weapon making imagery to reflect both the loving relationship between Morwen and Eowyn, to temper and to fashion, to love and to shield and the characters of the two women, who both loved "fiercely, sternly". Just lovely :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! :-)