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In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/2/2013
So, that was Manwe's garden. Strange garden... Loved Namo and Vaire as newlyweds. Poor Val. It is a bit much in the last days. I hope he will have some time to calm down and think things through. Finwe and friends are really something. The seeds for the darkness to come are already sprouting. Author Reply: A very strange garden and no one realizes just how strange because Manwë won't really explain its purpose, at least, not to the Elves. I'm glad you loved the "newlyweds". They are amusing here, aren't they? And yes, the seeds of future darkness are being sown and are beginning to sprout, though no one, least of all the Valar, are aware of it. Thanks for reading and reviewing, obsidianj. I very much appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/2/2013
Poor Val (I seem to say that a lot don't I?) Busted going potty on the rose bush in the Garden of the Lost. I am guessing that is why it is over grown. They are afraid to go in cause they aren't sure when they can come back. This city seems to have a few village fools in it. Being a bit of a fool myself, I would have walked around weeding the place until someone finds me. Or fallen into the rose bushes to kill myself quickly. Maybe both? On a whole 'nother note. Glad that the Elder Kings have a bit more patience than the High Kings seem to. Let alone a certain Noldor prince. Author Reply: Hi Laer. A lot of people have been saying "Poor Val" recently and with good cause. I suppose if you knew what would happen if you entered the garden you wouldn't necessarily freak out as Val did, but still it has to be rather unsettling to know that the entrance is there but you can't find it and you have to wait for someone (meaning a Vala or a Maia) to come rescue you. And Manwë's had more practice at patience than the Elven kings. Thanks for reviewing. I quite appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/1/2013
So Manwë came and fetched Val out of that garden, more or less as I had expected. And I suppose I can guess just what lullaby he sang. ;-) I guess that the lesson he had to impart to Val - that his Loremaster's robe doesn't really have anything with who he is - it is only some cloth, after all. But it is still an important symbol to Val, as to him it represents vindication and success. Finwë's reaction to Manwë's declaration that he was planning to make Val a Manwendur once Val had done a bit more growing up really was beyond the pale. Who gets to be a Manwendur is Manwë's business, and nobody else! And the comment about Val being baseborn - it seems as if Finwë - and Fëanáro and undoubtedly like minded people like Ingoldo - seem to consider any honor of that sort should be reserved for the nobility only. And wouldn't the title of loremaster be as empty of substance as a bit of fog if the only qualification for it were if one were a noble? And as for being baseborn - Val is of one of the first crop of children born at Cuivienen! looks around for a big club with which to crack certain noble skulls open in the hope that it might let some wits in And at Cuivienen I strongly doubt the Elves had invented the concept of "noble" yet - I'd guess that would have been a product of the Great Journey - the ones who proved their leadership abilities were probably the ones who ended up with titles when they reached Aman. At least Olwë and Ingwë remember their origins, and the time when they were all just Elves. Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Symbols are important, but as Manwë points out, if no symbols had ever been devised, would that invalid someone's worth within society? I agree with you, that at Cuiviénen, I doubt there was any stratification of society. Everyone was just Elves. I suspect that stratification happened gradually as they journeyed to Aman and there was a need for people to take leadership roles, help protect the women and children, etc. so by the time they reached the Blessed Realm they had distinct classes. Such is the way of things, I suppose. At least, as you say, Ingwë and Olwë remember their origins and that's a good thing. Anyway, thanks for commenting. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/1/2013
I know darned well I just left a review, but it didn't take! Aargh! Love the relationship between Namo and Vaire from Manwe's point of view! Heh! Young love has a far different definition as far as the true immortals go. And Valandur is still trying his best to wash his hands of his relationship with Ingwe, is he? He WILL learn, I suppose. Now, for all of them to come together to cooperate for once so that all this silliness comes to an end as should be. And the Valar have their own gardens in which to allow people to calm down without being able to easily flee, eh? Why am I not surprised? I don't blame Ingwe for not liking it. Now, to see Finwe realize that true nobility is in the fea, not in the circumstances of birth. Author Reply: It's all relative, isn't it, Larner? And we know that Valandur doesn't succeed in washing his hands of Ingwë, but we'll see how Ingwë convinces him to give their relationship a chance. And the garden serves more than one purpose, and calming people down is just one of them. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/1/2013
First of all - @Elentarri, I almost inhaled a cough drop while laughing at your comment. Bwahahahaha! I can't even. XD The chapter - well, that cleared up a few things and raised an equal or greater number of questions. I take it that Ingwë and Finwë have had their own adventures in that garden. Ingwë on a rampage must be a sight to behold! Quite an interesting few days it's been for the people in the palace in Tirion. Oh yay for Val, getting to be a Manwendur someday! Now that almost had me cheering! After all he's been through he finally gets a little ray of light that things can get better. It's really sad to see, though, that some of the Elves would consider anybody "baseborn" when they're so few generations from not having technically been "born" at all but created by Eru entirely at the shore. Society is weird and sad sometimes. Ha, look at Valandur dropping some truth bombs left and right there at the end. Preach it, dude. I think I just got diabetes from how sweet Námo and Vaire are together in this chapter... Newlyweds! Awwwwww. Hey Val, don't give up, you and Findis deserve your own time, uh, climbing mountains. Hehe. I'm stuck at home getting over the flu, but a good story makes the time go faster. Thanks for the great chapter and have a virus-free day! -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Flue, huh? You have my sympathy. I hope you're well on the road to recovery and I'm glad this chapter helped a little to pass the time for you. I had fun writing this chapter, as I think you can tell, especially with Námo and Vairë. They're a fun pair to write about, and newlyweds... well, what can one say? LOL! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Get better soon.

Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/1/2013
My heart hurts for poor Val. He really is in the crucible, isn't he, and that's never a fun process. Thank goodness for Manwe! And I love the idea of the Valar sort of experimenting with the osanwe with the Elves. I'd always sort of assumed they were simply born with it fully-fledged but it makes sense for them to have to develop it fully themselves. And Namo... good golly, he gave me the shivers in this chapter, but what a treat to think that he and Vaire as still acting like newlyweds. I loved that little detail, just as I loved the way Namo basically shoved goblets in everyone's hands. I giggled out loud at that. Finally, this idea of a Lost Garden--you'll have to excuse my ignorance, but is that your own idea or is that in canon somewhere? It's a terrific concept... well, so long as you're not the one lost in it! Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. Well, as has been pointed out, the Elves are a recent addition to Aman and the Valar are still trying to figure them out and even the Elves might not know what all their gifts are yet. Námo and Vairë are too cute. I'm sure all the Elves in that room were goggling at the sight of them together acting like newlyweds. The Garden of the Lost is my own idea. There are hints in some of my other stories that the Valar have located certain things like mazes in strategic places where they are more easily able to shift incarnates from one space to another and this is one such place. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I really appreciate it.

Elentarri	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/1/2013
You had Valandur pee on Manwe's rose bushes?! While Manwe was watching!! Hilarious. Just to let you know I love this story and your writing, but don't have anything else to say. :) Author Reply: Hey! When you gotta go, you gotta go but I don't think Manwë would be so crass as to watch, Elentarri. He probably waited to show up until after Val was done. Anyway, I'm glad you are enjoying this story and I appreciate you letting me know. Thanks.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 11/1/2013
Poor Valandur. He really has been put through an emotional wringer. Glad he has the Valar and 2 kings on his side. Being in the middle of petty, squabbling, childish beings who think they are better than everyone else has been tough. On the other hand, he now knows he has considerable support and respect from old friends and the most powerful beings of all. Interesting trade off. Thanks again. Author Reply: Hi UTfrog. Yes, Val does seem to have been put through an emotional wringer laterly. At least the Valar, Ingwë and Olwë are behind him, and his Noldorin friends and that will prove important in the long run. Thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it very much.

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