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| In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil | 12 Review(s) |
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| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 11/2/2013 |
| Wow! That was an intense chapter. I think Valandur made even more enemies in this one. If Feanaro saw him as a nuisance and disliked him before now I think he really hates him. Poor Valandur. Having his love for Findis announced to all and sundry, I think, was even worse than the trial per se. And this soul-searching thing was scary even if done for the best. Author Reply: A very intense chapter, indeed, obsidianj, and, yes, I think Val's made an enemy or three. The soul-searching has to be pretty scary for the recipient. We see something of the reactions of the Fellowship when Galadriel pulls it on them. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| So, it was merely an attempt by Feanaro to sabotage the trade negotiations with the added benefit of making Valandur unpalatable as Findis's suitor? Petty, petty, petty! Is Finwe so under his son's thumb, though? At least the paperwork was in good hands. Feanaro has even more to answer for, however. Grr! Author Reply: Hi Larner. I doubt it was an attempt to sabotage the trade negotiations as it was to get at Val. Fëanáro may not like Findis, but he recognizes that she's a political tool and he is very good at seeing others as tools. For a lowly (in his eyes) loremaster to want to marry his sister when she could be the wife of a prince is ludicrous as far as he's concerned. As for Finwë, we know he was never objective where Fëanáro was concerned, but I suspect that in this case he was in agreement with his son about Val and his suitability as a husband to Findis. Well, we know it works out, but how it does still remains to be seen. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I very much appreciate it. | |
| Laer | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| Val needs to remember it is not Intarion fault, well kind of any way. I mean he didn't mean to cause him issues he was more into self preservations. Poor Val going to each one of the villages to rebuild. Pretty much a slave for a couple of Yen? Oh my.....not good :( Glad they got to the truth, but it isn't all of the truth yet is it. :/ Author Reply: Hi Laer. I'm sure he will realize it eventually. He probably does realize it, he just doesn't care. All he wants is to get away from them all. And while we have the truth, as you say, we don't have all of it, and perhaps never will. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it. | |
| Sunny | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| Small addition to the review I left - I meant to write that Herencáno had earned Fëanáro's _hatred_, but clearly something happened to that essential little word. An additional thought - I wonder what had happened to the evidence that Herencáno came forward with - would it have been disregarded if Ingwë and Olwë had not been there? Just a little thought... Author Reply: Okay, I sort of figured that's what you meant. I think the evidence Herencáno produced might have been dismissed, at least as far as Val was concerned, if not Intarion, but we'll never know since Ingwë put paid to any plans Finwë and Fëanáro had for our hero. Thanks for clearing what you meant to say about Herencáno, Sunny. | |
| Sunny | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| Finwë doesn't exactly shine here, but Fëanor is shown to be so, so much worse - Finwë seems to have gone along with the plans for the trial partly because he believed in his son, and partly because he did not approve of Val as a potential suitor for his daughter. With Fëanáro it is a case of blatant racism - he wants to punish Val and Intarion as representatives of the Vanyar (and Ingwë), and if the trade talks founder, and the Vanyar are worse off for it, that is probably just a bonus in his eyes. Herencáno has probably earned Fëanáro now, since he accepted Findis' commission to be the custodian of Val's documents, that proved his innocence, and the daring to present said papers at the trial. And I don't think Ingwë missed Finwë's reluctance to have the proofs found. I suppose Herencáno might be in a bit of disgrace with Finwë over this matter, but not too much - Herencáno has after all been instrumental in saving him even greater embarrassment, and when Finwë cools down enough to think rationally again, I think he will realize this. A really great chapter, Fiondil! Author Reply: Hi Sunny. No, Finwë doesn't shine at all, though the other two kings certainly do. I'm sure Herencáno can take care of himself. Finwë may not be happy with him but he knows better than to alienate the other nobles by punishing Herencáno. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter so much. Thanks for leaving a comment to let me know. I appreciate it. | |
| Cairistiona | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| When I saw the chapter title, I started rubbing my hands together with glee. But what a harrowing experience for our Val. That bit where he didn't want Finwe judging his fea was wrenching. And of course, all these little clues about Feanor are so telling, even if a reader doesn't know how heinous a crime he'll eventually commit with the Kinslaying. Stuff to make one shudder with dread. Really good, tense, revealing chapter... lived up every bit to the gleeful hand rubbing! :) Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. I'm sure you're not the ony one to be rubbing your hands with glee. I'm glad the chapter lived up to your expectations. It is wrenching for Valandur and I'm glad you noticed the little clues that explain why Fëanor acted towards Ingwë the way he did in my story "In Darkness Bound". That level of animosity had to start somewhere. Thanks for reading and commenting. I very much appreciate it. | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| This is still one my all time favorite chapters you have ever written. So much happens here and so much groundwork is laid here unwittingly for the horrors that are to come with the Noldor. Even if Ingwe had handled Feanaro differently here, Ingwe, and Olwe, too, earned Feanaro's hatred in what had to be done in order to bring justice to this situation. I think that Val figuring out the real crime committed here against the Vanyar and the clear evidence of the real criminal has solidified his position with Ingwe and perhaps in a way made himself a further enemy of Feanaro. Before Val was just an annoyance who was inferior in all ways to Feanaro, but in calling out Feanaro for the crime against the Vanyar when even the kings missed the clues in the wording...that is something more. Val is lucky that Feanaro has never come against him personally. Hmmm...plot bunny if you get bored one day (yeah, right) and feel like writing about Feanaro plotting revenge. awesome chapter... Author Reply: Hi Ellie. I suspect you're right about Val solidifying his position with Ingwë by the way he ferreted out the real crime that had been committed instead of the trumped-up charges. And please, like I need another plot bunny. LOL! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I very much appreciate it. | |
| Siiw | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| I guess the charge against Valandur was very convenient for Finwë at this moment. It would solve his worries about Findis. I guess he really wanted to believe they were guilty, because of that. No, Valandur, don't just run out of a trial! That isn't wise! It was going so well up to that! Finwë's line about Findis before the "mindreading" surprised me. I wonder how much he means it. Author Reply: Hi Siiw. Finwë was willing to overlook some of the legalities for expediency. Luckily, Olwë and Ingwë were there to save the day. And poor Val just wants to be done with it all. And who knows how much Finwë means his mention of Findis. I suspect he said it knowing that would surprise Val into opening his eyes, or maybe not. Anyway, thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. | |
| Twoflower2 | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| I held my breath reading all these last chapters. And even now somehow can't let out a sigh of relief. Have a suspicion that more is in store for Valandur. And your Feanor is a pure nightmare. It's very much believable that in a few hundred years (millennia?) he will be a kinslayer and will bring the disaster upon the Noldor. It's all there in a nutshell. Perhaps, it's after this case with Valandur and the fiefdoms that the Valar give him an opportunity to meet Nerdanel, who will be able to take him in hand for a while :) Thank you again for the story, I am enjoying it immensely Author Reply: Hi Twoflower. Your suspicions are correct. We'll see what else happens to Valandur while he's in Tirion. And he's not my Fëanor. *grin* You'll have to blame the Professor for him. He's still rather young, only about 200 years old and I have no idea when he met and married Nerdanel, but perhaps you're right about the Valar arranging for them to meet. I'm glad you are enjoying this story. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it. | |
| Kevana | Reviewed Chapter: 31 on 10/21/2013 |
| This chapter makes me want to kick somebody. Hard. Right in that really painful spot on the shin. And I have my choice of several likely recipients for said kicking. Hmph. You know you've done a good job, Fiondil, when you incite your readers to desire violence against fictional characters! Well, I will just have to leave Ingwë and Olwë and Indis to administer any necessary (though in their case probably metaphorical) shin-kicking. Still. *hmphs loudly in certain directions* Have a spectacular week! Thanks for the update! -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Thanks, I think. *grin* It is gratifying to know that I am able to paint my characters in such a way that they seem very real to my readers and they react accordingly. We'll see how Ingwë in particular deals with Finwë later. Thanks for commenting. It's appreciated. | |