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A Long-Expected Wedding  by Fiondil 13 Review(s)
ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/9/2013
Judging from the other reviews, I'm in the minority in that I didn't find the food fight especially funny. Oh, yes, the beginning, and the potato peels, and the skillet, and the battle cries. But I really don't like all that food getting spoiled, and all the hard work of everyone in the kitchen disrupted or even destroyed. And the danger of seriously hurting someone became increasingly more likely - you have blunt and sharp instruments aplenty, open fires, and plenty of possibilities to run into or stumble over.

To a certain degree, I'm on the side of the cook. I think he deserves to have his work seen as a creative endeavour, and should enjoy a certain degree of creative freedom. And his answer that Amarië doesn't have to eat partridge if she doesn't want to seems reasonable to me; I don't doubt there will be enough alternatives for her to choose.

But where he completely loses my sympathy is in his snide and rude tone towards them. They merely requested information, and imparted it to him, and were completely polite towards him. They deserve the same in return, even if he rejects their suggestions.

I'm really curious about what Arafinwë is going to do next! And I wonder if the cook will avenge himself on the ellyn by salting their soup and burning (or not burning, as the case may be) their food for the next several weeks...



Author Reply: Well, not everyone approves of food fights. *grin* The cook, however, was being very disrepectful toward Finrod who, as the crown prince, should have been accorded every courtesy. As for Amarië, since it is her wedding and wedding feast then certain concessions with the menu should be made, IMO. She shouldn't have to be served one thing while others are being served something else.

Anyway, you find out soon enough what Arafinwë intends and how the cook will react. This will comprise a major portion of the plot.

Thanks for your comments. They're much appreciated.

TariReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/29/2011
This just goes to show that having a mock battle is not always a good idea. Poor Vondo; a flash back is not what he needed.

Author Reply: You're right, Tari, and I'm sure they are all regretting it for Vondo's sake. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/12/2011
Really, I just can't believe what an arrogant git Isildil is! To call the Prince "troublemaker and thief" to his face is more than rude. And his insistence on a menu despite some of the most important guests not liking it is unbelievable. When I have guests, I usually inquire beforehand if there's something they don't like or can't eat, that saves both of us a lot of trouble. And this is a *Royal Wedding*! How can Isildil think he can disregard the dislikes of the bride and of the father of the bridegroom?? And he thinks he can get away with it because he's irreplacable, right? Any normal employee with such a behaviour would be sacked. I'm really curious how that's going to turn out ... it would be about time to take him down a peg or two.

And while Finrod and his friends probably shouldn't have started a food fight, I can't even really blame them. To be honest, I'd have loved to stuff the peelings down Isildil's throat, not just throw them into his face.

Ouch. That was a very bad turn. Poor Vondo. Though I can see how the picture he was seeing caused this - someone he loved in red liquid, there blood can probably look very like red wine. Um ... am I a very bad girl when I say that, if it had to happen at all, he couldn't have attacked a more deserving ellon?

The last line left me laughing, even if I'm not sure which battle Vondo was talking about.

I look forward to the fallout of this.

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Well, you know chefs and their art. They think they are Eru's gift to the rest of us. We'll be seeing just how Arafinwë handles him as well as our Dynamic Duo. *grin*

And I meant the last line to be ambiguous, since it's unclear which battle he's talking about, which makes it all the funnier.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/7/2011
About Bookworm's comment - I wonder just who is all screwed? The Fab Four will no doubt get their scoldings (which are merited, after all) but that cook really also ought to find himself in hot water! Planning the wedding dinner with at least two dishes that members of the the wedding party or the immediate family detest - I can hardly believe Eärwen would have accepted that - as the head cook claims she did!

Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Well, as I've told everyone else, we'll see who gets punished and in what manner in the next chapter. Certainly Finrod and Glorfindel will be getting a talking to and Isildil, as well. Just how Arafinwë handles it all remains to be seen.

Erulisse (one L)Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/7/2011
RL has been coming at me with full-speed lately and I haven't had a chance to catch up. But I'm trying to now, between laughing too hard at this lovely chapter. The Sindarin was priceless -

Ai! Arnad nín as sûl: ‘Oh! My kingdom for a goblet!’

Ú-ârig arnad: ‘You don’t have a kingdom’.

I'm totally in love with these two lines. A perfect response to the wine cask spilling out onto the floor. I suspect that two things will happen as a result of this. Dinner will be late - perhaps vastly changed from the original menu and probably not quite made to satisfaction. Additionally, Finrod's insistence at planning the wedding dinner will suddenly have Royal backing and may actually be listened to by the stubborn Head of the kitchen. As with most master chefs, he will have a serious temper, but I think that Finrod and Glorfindel are more than equal to the task.

You've started my day out wonderfully, mellon nin.

- Erulisse (one L)

Author Reply: Hi Erulisse. Well, I'm glad you were able to catch up. That's the nice thing about this story being posted only once a week -- it gives people time to read a chapter when they can. I had fun coming up with the Sindarin phrases, especially the last one, being a nod to Shakespeare's "Richard the III", if I recall correctly.

As to what will happen as a result of this little to-do, that will be seen in the next chapter so I won't comment on your thoughts here. But I'm glad this chapter proved a good start to your day. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/7/2011
On the one hand FOOD FIGHT *glee* So, which are the potatoes orcs and the tarts balrogs? Or is it the other way around? On the other hand...poor Vondo! Nasty memory to relive. Annnnnd Arafinwe is here...they're all screwed. XD

Author Reply: You better believe it bookworm. LOL! And we'll just how screwed they all are in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/6/2011
Definitely a terrible moment to remember just at that juncture. I suspect that the cook will have a terrible complaint to lodge, and justly so; but Arafinwe has reason at the moment to ignore him and to stand by his son and the others. He was not being particularly helful, and the very fact he is choosing to ignore the likes and dislikes of the bride is not a good omen regarding his future, I suspect.

Author Reply: Very terrible, Larner, but luckily Finrod, Glorfindel AND Arafinwë knew what to do. We will see in the next chapter how everyone fares and what Arafinwë decides. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/6/2011
That cook had better shape up, or Finrod is guaranteed to introduce the concept of catering to Tirion, just to ensure that the wedding feast has a menu he considers acceptable. Who was behind that menu anyway? Lady Almáriel?

Such an incredibly funny fight - it reminds me a bit about a fight in the very first chapter of one of my favorite books - that fight is almost as, ahem, interesting as this one (and food is demolished there as well) before the heronine dispatches her opponent - a rather seedy-looking vampire (almost a contradiction in terms) _to whom she has not been properly introduced_ - with her hairstick! :-p

But to get back to this fight - to top it off, Vondo gets into the blood-trance! Not that any of the kitchen workers understand what that means. So they are undoubtedly shocked when the King walks in, and instead of restoring what they would consider to be proper order, actually aids and abets the miscreants who started the fight in the first place!
Hmmm. Perhaps Isildil is going to give notice, and flounce off in a huff! At least one can hope... ;-)

Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Catering in Tirion.... now there's a novel idea. *LOL!* I'm glad you found the fight incredibly funny. I had a lot of fun writing it. And I'm sure the last thing any of them expected was to see Arafinwë kneeling in wine and wrestling with Vondo along with Finrod and Glorfindel. We'll see in the next chapter how it all turns out for everyone. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

MonalexReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/6/2011
Oh my God!!!!! It was great, hahahahaha, though I wonder what will be the consequences for poor Findarato????? Though I really think he deserves to have a say in planning his wedding, after all it's HIS!!!!!! Also I would dismiss the Head Cook, because really, who does he think he is, to be above the Crown Prince of the Realm???? Finally, It's stupid to plan a menu without taking into account the likes and dislikes of the BRIDE and GROOM.

GOOOOO FINDARATO!!!!! DON'T YOU GIVE UP!!!!! EXCERT YOUR RIGHTS!!!!! DON'T LET THEM BULLY YOU INTO AGREEING TO THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO!!!!!

Author Reply: Hi Monalex. We'll find out next chapter what the consequences are for all of them and what fate is in store for the Head Cook. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.

AzureSkyeReviewed Chapter: 5 on 7/6/2011
Well, that was hilarious, but I don't think they're going to get the menu changed. Unless they can recruit Arafinwe...Hmm. Anyway, I'm waiting to see what excuse they provide for the mess. And a thought struck me, its a very good thing neither Finrod nor Glorfindel have experienced the blood trance in Aman. I know Finrod did in Beleriand and nearly killed Celeborn, but in Aman without a group of warriors around...It could be deadly. Anyway, hilarious as always, though I don't think the elves involved will find it quite so funny. :)

Author Reply: Hi AzureSkye. I think you're right that it's a good thing neither of these two ellyn have experienced the blood trance in Aman. We'll see what excuses are offered Arafinwë in the next chapter and how he handles the situation. Glad you found it hilarious. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

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