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In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/15/2013
The issue of Elven wardrobes never occurred to me before, but when you suddenly are moving in royal circles, it becomes a bit of a problem adjusting from a professor's garb! The city description is wonderful, if a bit haunting and (for the reader) foreboding, considering what happens down the line. It must have felt somewhat strange to see it so empty, and stranger still to live in a place like that. I can imagine the Noldor being upset when their fellows all decided to up and move. Like, what, are we not good enough for you anymore? Hm, why is Intarion bitter about that...interesting. Valandur seems to have a natural talent for studying people. Re: hiraeth, you know, I had the same thought about it perhaps being part of what Tolkien had in mind. I honestly haven't done any research into it, but I wonder if he had a particular place that inspired that for himself, and put part of that into the Elves. Or perhaps it's just the more obvious longing for the divine. Either way, that's in my favorite words mental file cabinet now. Oh, don't try and throw me off, we all know you really do have a degree in Elven sociolinguistics. grin (Belated review time!) -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. What I like about Valandur is that he comes from common stock; he's not considered to be an artistocrat, so naturally he's not going to have the right clothes or say and do the right things at the right time, etc. Circumstances force him to play a role for which he is unprepared. At the same time, he's in his elemnent observing people and how they interact lingusitcally and socially. As for Intarion, I suspect he's bitter because he's not been allowed to travel before this and probably there was argument about him coming this time, though we don't see it and don't hear of it. Just as in real life, we are not always privy to every detail of a person's life and that goes for characters as well. Thanks for reviewing and the only late review is the one that's never written. grin

bookworm	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/14/2013
Ah politics - as enduring as death and taxes =p Nice to see all these names & work out how they become the characters we know in your other stories! Author Reply: Yeah, and just a messy. grin Glad you liked meeting old (and presumably new) characters here, obisidianj. You can sort of subtitle this story "before they were famous" as we meet a number of people before they became better known, either through the Silmarillion or through my earlier stories. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/13/2013
I have to wrap my head around the fact that this is way before your other stories. I was thrown for a moment as I realized that Arafinwe is not the Noldoran. My knowledge of the Sil is woefully inadequate. Seems like there were rifts and tensions between the clans for a long time. Ingoldo is already doing everything he can to dismiss Valandur, probably because he doesn't come from a family that can further his standing. He will regret it, imo. At least the rest of the delegation seems to be more open. Author Reply: Hi obsidian. It will probably take time to remember that this is way early in Elven history. The Elves have been in Aman for less than 300 years, and that's not a long time for them. And while the Silmarillion doesn't specifically state it, I have to imagine that when the Vanyar left Tirion there had to be some hard feelings all around and that resentment still lingers. We'll see how things go with everyone as the story progresses, especially Valandur. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/12/2013
The company sounds mostly pleasant, although I note that Ingoldo and Tintawerial already have that unpleasant manner that cost him the rule of the Vanyar and that foretell the problems they will one day cause. Sorry that the Noldor are less than warm, but I can appreciate how he would find the common wariness more honest that flowing speeches that are nonetheless rather empty. Author Reply: I imagine that for the Noldor, the "desertion" of the Vanyar is still a sore point for many, since it's only been a couple hundred years and what's that to these beings? And honest wariness is more preferable to empty gestures of goodwill and friendship, because at least with the former you know where you stand. Thanks for taking the time to review, Larner. I appreciate it very much.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/12/2013
Ingoldo and his wife are about as friendly as a mongoose to a cobra. Jeesh! But their son has a personality. They can't be too rotten with a son like that. Not to fun of a welcome. Hope that it doesn't become nastier... Author Reply: You got that right, Laer. LOL! Still, Intarion makes up for it, though he's not perfect, as we will see later on. As for the rest, it remains to be seen. Thanks for reviewing. I greatly appreciate you doing so.

Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/12/2013
Nice build-up, introducing the Elves going along on the trip. I like Intarion already, and, erm, Ingoldo and his wife aren't exactly cuddly sorts, are they? Aldamir is intriguing--it should be interesting, seeing if Valandur can truly make a friend of him. (If he already has in another of your stories, don't tell me! g) I like that Valandur's more than able to make his own decisions about people based on his own observations, and not letting others' opinions unduly influence him. Little wonder he was chosen for such a mission! Oh, and I love Valandur's reaction when ManwÃ« read his thoughts. Poor Valandur. I would have been reaching for the wine, too. Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. Intarion is a nice ellon. And this is the first time we meet Aldamir and the other junior members of the trade negotiation. Valandur, of course, has live long enough to not be impressed with other people's opinions about things, preferring to make up his own mind. And having any of the Valar "read" you like a book even if they don't actually read your mind is rather disconcerting. grin Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I quite appreciate it.

Lady Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/12/2013
I liked Valandur when I met him in Elf interrupted, but I like him even more now that you're showing what kind of ellon he is in his (relative) youth. As a "non-traditional" college student finishing her degree in her 50's, I also appreciate the fact that Valandur got to where he is after yeni of working different jobs before "going to university". I also agree with his preferring the honest dislike of the common people of Tirion to the pomp and circumstance of the diplomatic greeting at he palace. Well written and very enjoyable, meldonya! Edlyn Author Reply: Thanks, Edlyn. As Valandur's early education was surviving the trek across Middle-earth, he has seen the rise of elven civilizatin and has had to adapt to his new environment, learning new ways of doing things once the Elves "settled down". We will see through him how the Elves worked to create their present civilization and we will see that they are still trying to figure out certain aspects of it. Thanks for commenting. I much appreciate it and I hope your studies are going well.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/12/2013
Hm, not a very auspicious welcome, let's hope things improve, otherwise it is going to be a very long visit. I can see why Ingwe wanted to send Valandur! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: No, not very auspicious at all, Lynda. We'll see how things progress from here and I'm glad you see why Ingwë sent Valandur with the delgation. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated very much. Hugs.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/12/2013
You have such a gift for characterization. Lovely story. Thank you. Author Reply: Thank you, UTfrog. I appreciate you telling me.

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