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In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/22/2013
Oh, no. The fire is nearly upon them and now they have a missing child. I just hope they find her and that the time spent is not against them in fighting the fire. These Southern fiefdoms seem to be very rural and conservative. I can imagine how much they appreciate a daughter of a king they have never seen in a situation like this. If they are used to always have men in authority it will take some doing to teach them otherwise. Author Reply: Hi obsidian. We'll see how well they succeed in finding the missing elfling and what happens afterwards. And the Fiefdoms are indeed very rural and very conservative, but they're not stupid people and they will get a clue as to what's what and all before long. Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it very much.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/22/2013
"They know nothing of kings and care even less for their daughters." Wow, that had to sting her. Going from respect and admiration to "yeah, yeah we see you. Show us the real person who is charge. Is that him?" But surely Findis knows that Valandur would never treat her in such a manner? Or maybe it is to show her that he would never. They say God works in mysterious ways, perhaps he isn't the only one who does. :) Author Reply: You may be right about that Laer. grin I suspect that Valandur is merely pointing out the fact that this far from the seat of power, people just don't tend to pay much mind to rulers or anyone else. They're only concerned about what's in front of them and how it affects them. And so it goes. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/20/2013
Whether or not we like the idea, people tend to defer more to men than to women. I'm glad Valandur spoke up. And I see that he is letting his attraction be seen. Author Reply: It is a sad fact of life, Larner, and in a conservative society, even more so. At least Findis is smart enough not to take offense and is willing to work within the bounds of what is considered acceptable. And Valandur is finally getting his nerve up, as we will see. Thanks for reviewing. I very much appreciate it.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/16/2013
That is always what they teach the firefighter trainees, that children will not understand what's happening and might try to hide from fire instead of running from it. A frightfully illustrated lesson here. I hope they can find the little one before any damage is done. Aw, bless. People and their social mores. It is what it is, I suppose, and you find solutions where you can find them and let experience speak for itself. Today is one of those days I am particularly grateful to escape to your wonderful characters. Fiction makes more sense than real life. Sigh. Take care, Fiondil. -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Lots of people have days like that, including me, so I'm glad to be of service. And you're right that sometimes fiction (especially fantasy fiction) makes more sense than real life. And that just shows how pathetic we all are. LOL! People are people, and you do just have to find solutions where you can find them and hope for the best. At least Valandur is savvy enough to recognize this and warn Findis about it. We'll see how successful they are in finding the little tot and what happens afterwards in the next chapter. Thanks for leaving a comment. It's very much appreciated.

Twoflower2	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/16/2013
I've been faithfully following the new exploits of Valandur. I haven't read other stories about him yet, so I don't exactly know just who he ended with. Hope it's Findis, they seem to have a good rapport :) I was intrigued by the appearance of backward elf peasants in the last few chapters. Usually it's superior elf nobles, both in canon and fanfic. Thank you for brightening up my sad bureaucratic Mondays and Fridays! Author Reply: Hi Twoflower. Anyone who's read my "Elf, Interrupted" series will know whom Valandur married, but as you have not done so, then I won't spoil the surprise. And, not all Elves can be nobly born or warriors. There would have been cooks and cleaners and farmers and merchants and smiths and what all for a society to function. I enjoyed showing a slice of life from the lower classes since most stories, as you say, deal mostly with the Elf nobles. I'm glad I am able to brighten your sad bureaucratic week. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/16/2013
Oh dear. Why do I think this search for the child won't end well, or at least only after much peril for all concerned?! I liked the detail about several of the houses having blue shutters... that's just the sort of confusing directions people give first responders when they're rattled and so worried they're not thinking straight. Hopefully Findis and Valandur won't have to do multiple blue-shuttered house-to-house searches, but I can well imagine how difficult it might be to find this small, frightened child. Author Reply: We'll see just how much trouble they get in looking for the child, Cairistiona. The fire isn't done with them yet, but it will bring about new developments in their relationship. And yes, people who are rattled don't think straight. I bet the elleth said to herself after Valandur and Findis were already gone and she was a bit calmer, "I wonder if I told them the THIRD house with blue shutters?" grin Anyway, whether the child is frightened or not remains to be seen. Thanks for leaving a review. It's very much appreciated.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/16/2013
So, extreme conservatives everywhere won't listen to females. This is so sad. I do like the way Findis will listen and the way Valandur is assuming authority. Thanks Author Reply: Well, that's the way it is, UTfrog, but at least Findis is willing to accept the situation and work with it through Valandur instead of against it. That's a plus in her favor. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 9/16/2013
Interesting. I get the impression that the Southern Fiefdoms have their own, distinct (and VERY conservative) society instead of reflecting the society to which they nominally belongs. I guess Valandur is going to report on this as well, so that Ingwë will have an idea of the way each of the FOUR Elven societies in Valinor work. And interact. And Ingwë clearly will need to exert his authority here as well. Findis is a smart cookie - I guess that now that Valandur has pointed out to her just how much information that is available through body language, she will make a point of learning about it very quickly. And make use of it - she is a princess, after all, and it would give her an edge in the inevitable political intrigues in har father's court. ;) Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Yes, the Southern Fiefdoms is more conservative as most communities in the country are compared to cities. Findis is no one's fool and she'll take what Valandur tells her an use it to her advantage and she's smart enough to know that she doesn't know everything and is willing to learn as we see here. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.

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