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In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/18/2013
I fell behind, drat real life anyway. But an interesting chapter to pick up the story again. I find it very interesting that Findis is "sequestered" and in such a way that her uncle the High King can't even get it to see her. That certainly explained the rage in his eyes when he returned. And now Valandur has another decision to make... I like the idea of him becoming the sort of spymaster, although that sounds a little more shadowy and nefarious than the job probably will be. Still, to have his finger on the pulse of the fiefdoms is bound to be an temptation, especially if he can keep doing the research he loves. Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. I'm glad you found this chapter interesting. Yes, INgwë is totally pissed off. Valandur will find his place in Ingwë's household as we will see. Catch up as you can. Thanks for reviewing.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/10/2013
Valandur is finally back in Valmar, but it seems he can't get rid of the royals. Ingwe knows how to lure Valandur into his services, a piece at a time. Since the elves have all the time in the world, he can go slowly. No need to hand out an ultimatum. Author Reply: Ingwë is no fool and knows how to get people to do what he wants without, as you say, issuing an ultimatum. And of course we know that Valandur does indeed enter Ingwë's service full time eventually. This is the beginning. Thanks for reviewing, obsidianj. I appreciate it very much.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/9/2013
sounds like the three kings had a very "nice" conversation...and that Finwë is in a heap a trouble with the other two kings. not to mention his wife and daughter. Something tells me they are not someone to mess with. So Val has made it home again, and sounds like his adventures are not done yet. Good! well for us, we will see if they are for him or not. Author Reply: Hi Laer. Yean, real nice. LOL! Finwë is going to be spending a long time mending fences with everyone, especially his wife and daughter. And Val is finally back home where he belongs, and no, we still have a goodly number of chapters to cover before the story ends. We're not done with him yet. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/8/2013
It sounds to be a perfect gift, the mobile-music box. And it is a relief to know that Ingwe is not angry as him so much as for him as well as for the King's own dignity. The proposal for employment certainly sounds intriguing! Author Reply: It's just the kind of gift he needs too, Larner, to help him realize how much he is loved by his otornor and other friends. And Ingwë is indeed angry for him as well as for himself. We know that the relationship between them blossoms into true friendship, but here we see the beginnings of it. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/8/2013
It is quite clear, given the three kings' behavior at the farewell, that things really aren't well between them. Finwë has lost a lot of face with his colleagues, and undoubtedly with his court a well, which can't sit well with him. And it's obvious that he is in the doghouse with Indis as well, and I suspect it is going to take a lot of reparation from his side before she lets him move off the couch again. ;-) That thing with Findis not being permitted a visit from her uncle was interesting. I wonder if Indis would also be considered not sufficiently close kin? Anyway, I suspect this is another thing that will have the potential to blow up in Finwë's face, in any number of interesting ways. I don't think his request to Aulë was along the lines of "lock her in a room and don't let anybody visit without being cleared by me." Aulë wouldn't have accepted such a request I think. (And what is his opinion of being voluntold by Finwë to be Findis' jailer? He's certainly not fooled by whatever diplomatic nonsense Finwë has spouted about this affair!) More likely she has been sent to Aulë "for tutoring". But in what? It wouldn't surprise me if Indis is going to use whatever she is learning in ways Finwë has not planned, or will like. grins evilly I'm sure she won't need the classical cake containing a file smuggled in to her once Aulë is finished with her, she'll probably be _making_ files and incorporating them in her jewelry and other personal items! It is clear that Ingwë, at least, values Val's work, and sees the practical value of it. And given that he is the High King, he obviously feels that he needs someone with an understanding of the way all the different groups of Elves in Valinor function. And it was nicely sneaky the way Ingwë asked Val to come work for him, by NOT directly offering him a position. He is basically offering to fund his research (and it's research that I see Val wants to do anyway) and letting him still teach at the Academy. I don't think Laurelassë will go against Ingwë's wishes here, especially as this is a clear stamp of approval from the High King, as well as funding for research, and what academician will say no to that? Author Reply: Hi Sunny. No, things are not well between the three kings or at least between Finwë and the other two kings, since Ingwë and Olwë seem to be of like mind about a number of things. As for Findis, we'll see just how successful Finwë is in keeping her sequesterd and how the Valar, particularly Aulë, feel about it all. I love your image of Findis making files and such and incorporating them in her jewelry and other personal items. She would too. LOL! And Ingwë is nobody's fool. He's been around long enough to use subtly to get what he wants and he's being very subtle with Valandur here, luring him in with the promise of funded research. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I very much appreciate it.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/8/2013
And finally we come full circle. Aw, bless, his students missed him. That says a lot about his abilities as a teacher. It seems like Finwë put Aulë in an awkward position here, telling him to keep Findis locked up when that's probably the last thing she wants. Is she technically still considered a child, or young enough to still have her decisions overruled like that, or is it just because Finwë's her king as well as her dad? In any case, Finwë, that's just not very nice to your daughter or Aulë IMHO. :/ (Though I love what @UTFrog said, that in the long run it may have helped! LOL!) That mobile was so beautiful! The bit about it being powered with crystals was wild. Thanks for the update, Fiondil! You have a gorgeous weekend. -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Yes, we've come full circle. About 8/10 of this story is told in flashback and now we are back to the "present time" and we will see how things progress from here. At less than 2 yéni, Findis would be considered still very young. Laurendil, in my story "The Last Messenger" mentions that his youngest son is only about 400 years old and still lives at home as he's considered too young yet to be on his own. I guess it's just a matter of perspective. grin Glad you liked the mobile and the description, especially about it being powered by crystals, which given the technology the Elves have, makes sense, right? Have a gorgeous weekend yourself and thanks for taking the time to comment. It's very much appreciated.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/8/2013
So, besides being a blind idiot where Feanor is concerned, Finwe was just as blind toward Findis. You never try to lock up "young lovers" unless you are trying to guarantee rebellion. Stupid move on his part. I even think the Valar are helping the lovers since Aule followed Finwe's instructions. Somehow, I do not see that happening too often. So Valandur's role as spymaster began very soon after their return. Good idea since Ingwe had a firsthand look at how splintered the Eldar had become. Great chapter. The mobile sounds beautiful. I hope Valandur still has it. Author Reply: Hi UTfrog. You got that right about Finwë and we'll be seeing how futile his machinations prove in the end. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, and as far as I know, Valandur does indeed still have the mobile. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

someone	Reviewed Chapter: 36 on 11/8/2013
Finally, Valandur is back in his comfort zone! At least, until everyone hears what happened in Tirion (and Alqualondë)... It is interesting that Ingwë tried to speak to Findis. Why is he so much on Valandur's side, when it would be politically better if Findis married someone else? Author Reply: Hi someone. Yes, he's back where he belongs. And we'll see how people react when he gets around to telling them about all his adventures in a later chapter. As for Ingwë, I think he is remembering his sister, Indis, and her unrequited love for Finwë when he was married to Míriel and he doesn't want the same thing to be his niece's fate. Or maybe he's just a die-hard romantic. grin Thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.

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