Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/31/2013
Uh, oh! That reception doesn't bode well. Oh, sure, in the long run "all will be well" as we know from your other stories, but now? I'm not so sure going by Intarion's and Aldarion's non-welcome. What were they told? Or not told as the case may be. They seemed to be surprised by the mentioning of Ulmo. I have the feeling they got very limited information. But we will see. Good for Valandur to stay to help with the clean-up of the storm. If you think about it, he got a real good salary for helping out, new clothes and a priceless ring(Mithril), but maybe Mithril is as common in Aman as iron in ME... so nothing special except the story to go with it ;-). Author Reply: As you say, obsidian. all will be well in the long run but for now it doesn't look to good for Valandur. We'll have to see. And you're right, he got paid handsomely for his troubles, didn't he? LOL! Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
I am so glad that he did his best to help in the cleanup. I'm sorry Intarion and Aldamir are so stiff, but then who knows what they might have been told by good ol' Ingoldo. The news that he had an interview with Ulmo must have been a surprise to them--obviously Ingoldo hadn't shared that bit of news. And the ring sounds lovely. Love the inscription--I even understood most of it! Heh! Author Reply: Hi Larner. We'll find out why Intarion and Aldarion are acting as they are in the next chapter. Glad you liked the ring and congrats on understanding most of the inscription. grin. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
Well for the Valar all times are soon! Been reading the reviews which is where that came from. Uh,oh looks like Valandur is in hot water again, just what has got Intarion in such a disagreeable mood, did they not get the message from Ulmo or has something else come up to blame on poor Valandur, who I get the feeling is going to be every bodies scape goat! Waiting for Friday, Lynda Author Reply: That's right, Lynda, although for us Incarnates trapped in Time, that's not a comforting thought, is it? grin We'll see what has Intarion acting as he is in the next chapter. There are a few surprises in store for everyone. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
Good for Valandur for staying to help! That's the kind of thing that builds bridges. I adored this glimpse of life for the Lindar, I greatly appreciate the side trip even if Valandur is certain he's going to catch flack for it, but now I'm really curious to see what's going on in his absence and what Ulmo has planned. The downside of not dealing with Ingoldo is someone else had to deal with Ingoldo. He is a mystery and such a negative guy I nearly feel badly for him despite all the trouble he causes. Anyway! Love the description of the storm. I've always been fascinated by hurricanes and tornadoes. Growing up in the coastal plain of NC I have been through a lot of them, and then was living in New Orleans when Katrina happened. Adding the smell was a great touch, most people don't think about it, but you step outside and everything stinks of broken pine trees and in some cases floodwaters and mold. It's naaaaaasty. Hopefully Valandur will get to make up with his colleagues soon. Great chapter, thanks for the update! Have a felicitous week! :) -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. I'm glad you liked the description of the storm, especially the smell, and that, having been in the path of hurricanes yourself you found it realistic. And I'm glad you enjoyed this little side trip to Alqualondë. It was fun to imagine what the city might have looked like and what the people were like and the culture which had to be somewhat different from that of the Noldor and Vanyar. We'll see how Valandur fares with his colleagues in the next chapter. Thanks for commenting. It's very much appreciated.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
Poor Valandur it almost is like he can do no right with several of them. I am glad he stayed to help with the flood damage. It really shows what a wonderful elf he really is. Hopefully the rest of the elves will calm their stuff down and see what a great gift he got by being able to go and talk with Olwë and his people. Great description of what it is like to be in a hurricane, and the destruction it can cause. Have you been in one? Author Reply: Hi Laer. Yeah, Valandur just can't seem to do anything right as far as some people are concerned. I've not been in a hurricane, although where I live we do get the tailend of them when they come up the coast, but we get nor'easters and they are miserable enough. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I really appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
Yes, I know that Ulmo has reassured Valandur that "All will be well." But I can't help wondering if that reassurance is in the same class as the Valarin definition of "soon". The way he was received by Intarion and Aldamir does really not bode well - it definitely looks as if Ingoldo has been spending the time while Valandur was away nursing his grudges. I guess Valandur has earned the respect of Olwë and his sons, since he started helping out with the storm's aftermath rather than demanding to be sent back to Tirion immediately. So Olwë is also a jewelsmith, in what time he has to spare from his Kingly duties and family. :D I guess that will make the ring all that much more special for Valandur. Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Yeah, well, you're probably right about that as far as Ulmo's assurances are concerned. grin We'll see how things come out for Valandur soon enough. And even a king needs a hobby. After all, if King Frederick the Great of Prussia can be a respected composer of flute music as well as a player of the instrument, then Olwë can be a master jeweler. grin I'm sure Valandur will prize the ring very highly, not only for Olwë's sake but for the memories of his time in Alqualondë. In spite of the sea storm, I'm sure Valandur will believe that he had a grand time of it. Thanks for leaving a comment. I really appreciate it.

someone	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
You got me thinking with this chapter. Considering how often there seem to be tropical storms in Alqualondë and once in Tirion in your other story, the occupied area of Valinor seems to be quite close to the equator (but not too close). If Alqualondë is north of Tirion and still in an are with a lot of storms, there was a really long journey north during the rebellion if they had to cross the ice/tundra (at least in your version). I couldn't find how far north the storms can come, as 30 latitudes north doesn't seem to match the map of hurrican strikes, but let's say it is 30 degrees. The exilic Noldor would still have to walk well over 3000, perhaps up to or over 4000-5000 kilometres to find enough sea ice to cross. I no longer wonder why it took them so long... Sorry about that rambling. Poor Valandur and poor fish, that was a nasty storm. I'm not sure if Olwë's orders to be nice to Valandur even if he's late made the situation worse. Anyway, no one seems to like that Valandur took that little trip to the shore. Author Reply: Well, hurricanes may develop in the tropics, someone, but they come right up the coast as far as Maine and they can be quite dangerous as the people of New York City and New Jersey have reason to know. And there are spots in the eastern part of the Adirondacks where Irene came in flooding the area and doing considerable damage. But you're right that the trek to Beleriand took years, in fact, decades, according to Tolkien. We'll see how much hot water Valandur is in now that he's back in Tirion. It's obvious from the cold reception he's received so far that he's not going to get out of things too easily. But never fear! The Valar always keep their promises. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate.

Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
Why do I feel as though Valandur's about to endure a storm worse than the sea storm he just encountered! Intarion and Aldamir's chilly reception doesn't bode well. But the sea storm description seemed spot on (though I've never lived through a hurricane or typhoon)and I'm glad Valandur stayed to help where he could--it would be against his character for him to have rushed away in the midst of their need. Now to wait with sweaty palms to see what he'll face when he arrives back with the delegation. Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. Perhaps because he will. grin We'll see how it goes with him and how Ulmo ensures that "all will be well". I've never been in a hurricane either (we just get the tailend of them), but I've been through nor'easters and they're just as dangerous. I'm glad you found the description of the storm and its aftereffectes plausible. Thanks and thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 8/26/2013
Great description of what had to be a frightening storm. Valandur is showing everyone why Ingwe sent him with his correct decision to stay and help clean up. Lord Ulmo is correct, of course, that all will be well,but I suspect his timetable of when will be different from poor Valanndur's given the cold reception from his companions. Loved this chapter. Author Reply: Hi UTfrog. I'm glad you liked the description of the storm and its aftereffects. Valandur is proving himself to be an ellon of character and as much as he wants to return to Tirion, he feels he owes it to his hosts to stay long enough to help with the cleanup. I'm sure he won brownie points with Olwë for that. And you're right about the Vala's timetable not necessarily being the same as Val's. After all, if you ask a Vala what he or she calls 'soon' the answer is invaribly 'I call all times soon'. grin Thanks for reviewing and letting me know how much you enjoyed the chapter. I really appreciate it.

Return to Chapter List