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A Long-Expected Wedding  by Fiondil 14 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/26/2011
Not a wise idea, behaving as he did and assuming childish behavior from Finrod while responding like a spoiled brat himself. I almost hope he gets sacked for good! And it won't hurt any of them to serve on the bottom of the ladder for a while, which Finrod and Glorfindel know from the beginning.

Author Reply: Very true, Larner. Finrod and Glorfindel, at least, have the benefit of experiencing serving at the bottom of the ladder and do not find anything menial or shameful about it, but Isildil, now that he's a master of his guild, probably feels that such things are now beneath him. Unfortunately, there are lots of people in positions of power who think the same way, so he is not unique. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Erulisse (one L)Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/18/2011
I finally returned home from my latest conference and am busy catching up with your chapters. Oh dear, they really managed to cause quite the fuss, didn't they? I suspect that the punishment will teach all concerned about the points of view of the opposite sides, and I hope that Finrod's desire to actually be an active participant in his wedding planning will be understood, and celebrated. It is important for him and Amarie both. I look forward to this coming Wednesday. Now to catch up with many chapters of In Darkness...

- Erulisse (one L)

Author Reply: Hi Erulisse. Glad to have you back and I hope your conference went well. We will see just what is learned by everyone eventually as well as whether Finrod's attempts to have a say in his own wedding are taken seriously. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/14/2011
You and your Muse should come with a warning label, Caution, reading this story could be hazardus to your sanity and your computer!

Since every body seems to be intent on apologising to their Better Halfs for not letting them assist in the wedding plans, I had a good excuse, he was out of the country until the week before the wedding and even then he was most helpfull in gathering libations for it!

I am enjoying this so much, since I did not get to help plan my daughters wedding, she eloped! (Little Stinker!)

Now I have to wait another whole week for the next chapter, even though I.D.B. is coming faster, you and your Muse can be very cruel sometimes, making us wait like this, but, I love you any way!

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: Hi again, Lynda. I'm glad to know you are enjoying this story so much and it's nice to know one is loved. LOL! I appreciate your loyalty as a reader and reviewer. I always look forward to your comments.

SerindëReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/14/2011
Oh dear, oh dear. I had the feeling that the figure lurking in the shadows had to be the King. It was the royal garden after all, the gardeners were probably enjoying evening with their families and the Queen was to busy with all the wedding preparation.

And a pale rose satin with yellow-green brocade? It is a nice combination, but for the groom? And moreover for the groom with Finrod's colouring? Whose bright idea was that? The balrog's?

And the Queen has not still be informed to expect 14 additional guests at the wedding.

And aran Finrod started a battle in the kitchen? It is something I would expect more from Glorfi. On the other hand, I suppose, it was better idea than the obvious solution - to mop the floor with the Cook.

And where is the Cook coming from? He does not know Amarië's food preferences (she has been living in Tirion for long years) and he does not know the food preferences of the King? I originally thought that he was in the league with Arafinwë and he was winding up Finrod purposely. How can anybody be so stupid?

I had the feeling that Finrod and co. would probably end in the kitchen for some time. They should not mind very much. Glorfi must be used from Turgon's times and I suppose Finrod did not have very much choice in the middle of grinding ice than to do everything which was needed.

But embroidery? It could be classified as a cruel and unusual punishment.

I can reasonably well do cross stitching, needle point and some pulled or counted embroidery (assisi, bargello, blackwork). I would like to start, thanks Glorfindel, some ribbon embroidery. It looks like a fun. So I have bought few books from Britain and my first kit combining cross stitch and ribbons from Russia (I had never heard about it previously and I have never met anybody doing it. I suppose because it was very difficult to buy even needles and some simple cotton yarns under the communist. To buy metallic yarns? Wishful thinking). But crewel, richelieu or needle painting are completely in different league. I have never learned it properly. Knowledge of basic sewing or even simple embroidery is no help here. So I think Glorfi underestimate the task.

OK, Finrod could had been also more clever and instead saying that the Queen has sent him, he could had say something along the line that he would like to inform his wife-to-be ... so he would like to have the needed information.

Or he could had simply informed his parents that
a) they start to include him and his bride into planning of their own wedding
or
b) they can celebrate his wedding without him and his bride, because they two are going to have wedding according Sindars custom.
The choice is theirs.

I think Earwen will feel slightly guilty that she has not been listening to her son more attentively.



Author Reply: Hi Serindë. Though I'm a guy, I can do cross-stitch as well as other kinds of embroidery (blackwork, hardanger, assisi, bargello, pulled and drawn thread), and have even done some ribbon embroidery as well. *grin*

As for the Cook... well, some people (even Elves) can be pretty stupid and arrogant about some things and we all know how tempermental chefs can be *grin*. We'll be seeing how Isildil and the Boys fare in the kitchen over the next couple of chapters.

I'm glad you are enjoying this story and I appreciate you taking the time to leave comments. Thanks!

tkidReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/14/2011
Love this! If the Queen doesn't begin to include the happy couple in planning the wedding, I can see them eloping!

Author Reply: Hi tkid. You never know. *grin* Thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoying the story. I really appreciate it.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/14/2011
And behold I was right, they're all doomed~ XD Arafinwe is markedly fair, even to the Cook, who really should just be fired on the spot (lying to your employer? REALLY?)

Author Reply: You're right, bookworm. And maybe Arafinwë wants to give Isildil a chance to redeem himself before giving him the boot -- he's all for second chances. And Isildil is probably very good at what he does otherwise I'm sure Arafinwë and Eärwen would've given him the sack long before this. We'll have to see. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

TiggerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/13/2011
When I saw the title, all I could think of was "Well...This can't be good." And it wasn't. For the Head Cook that is, as both Glorfindel and Finrod knew, expected and had accepted they'd be recieving some sort of punishment for the Food Fight.

"It was a ploy to steal sweets," the Head Cook said, giving them all a sniff of disdain. "Those other two, that Reborn and his nephew, they came by earlier, pretending they were on a mission from him," he nodded at Finrod, who raised an eyebrow at the ellon’s rudeness at not giving him a proper title.

Which I'm betting did not go unoticed by Arafinwe...

Isildil waved a negligent hand in dismissal. "Whatever else he may be, he’s still a thief and I told him if I ever caught him inside my kitchen again, I would thrash him."

"Your kitchen?" Arafinwë said in feigned surprise. "That’s odd. And all this time I thought it was my kitchen and I was merely lending it to you." His tone was laced with sarcasm and his expression turned sly, a sure sign for those who knew him well that they were treading on dangerous ground with him. Finrod understood this even if Glorfindel or Isildil did not.


Right there, Isildil *should* have realized that he was in as much trouble as "The Boys". ;oD I guess the arrogance has killed the brain cells responisble for being given big hints? The King is right too. It *is* his Kitchen after all and in truth, the only reason Isildil and the rest of the Kitchen Staff have jobs is due to Arafinwe and Earwen's positions and the amount of people that's required to keep a Royal Court running smoothly. If it wasn't for that, I'm sure they'd only need the barest of Staff and would be looking after their own cooking.

Arafinwë sighed and leaned slightly forward, his arms on the desk, his hands clasped before him. "I know for a fact that her Majesty has not approved anything at this time," he said softly, looking pointedly at the cook. "Certainly not about the menu. I believe she merely wished to set up a time for you to meet with her and my son to discuss it, did she not?"

And *that* should really given Isildil a head's up, but...

Arafinwë turned to Isildil still standing there, his expression almost gleeful and he imagined the Head Cook was already plotting how he would make Finrod’s and Glorfindel’s lives miserable during the next two weeks. Well, he was in for a rude awaking....

"As for you, Master Isildil," Arafinwë said, his tone still cold. "I find your actions equally deplorable in one who is in a position of responsibility. I’ve already spoken to the head of your guild and he has accepted my decision." Isildil’s smug expression melted into one of worry. "You will conduct the feast tonight as planned, but as of tomorrow, you will no longer be Head Cook of the royal kitchens."


Pity it took that to finally open up the twit's eyes, but that's the only pity I feel for him. And they opened really wide at that too. :oD

After the two weeks, I and your guild masters will re-examine your case and perhaps, and I stress that, perhaps you will be reinstated as the Royal Head Cook. We’ll just have to see."

Before Isildil could respond, Finrod turned to him, his expression remorseful. "I’m sorry, Master Isildil. I never thought Atar would punish you for something I started."

Isildil merely growled, refusing to acknowledge the prince’s apology. "I have a feast to put on," he said to Arafinwë. "With your Majesty’s permission?"

Arafinwë merely nodded and with a stiff bow, the demoted ellon turned and flung open the door, stalking out of the room and almost, though not quite, slamming the door behind him.


Finrod coming to Isildil's defence should have told that idiot something, but nope!! All he sees is that he's getting punished for something he clearly believes was not his fault. Which it was, as Arafinwe pointed out to everyone. If he'd told Finrod the truth, that food fight would have never happened, but ohhhhh nooo...

Can you tell I *hate* people who, when given even just a very wee bit of power, allow it to go their heads and then in turn, allow arrogance to take over? I also have this funny feeling when those two weeks are up, Isildil won't be getting his title of Head Cook back. Put aside all that happened during that meeting, I'm sure Arafiwne's figuring out that Mr. Inflated Ego Head Cook has also more than likely kept those directly under him from doing anything more in the Royal Kitchen than what that twit "deems" is w/in their skill level. Which when compared to his...

No one learns anything in that kind of an envivornment. Except to be terrified of the "Boss".

I'm thinking the only one who will find their Kitchen Duties truly beneath them out of the group will be Isildil and only Isildil. I hope he's watched awfully closely during these two weeks, because I wouldn't put it past him to try something to get revenge on Finrod and Glorfindel during these next two weeks.

At lesst, I hope so, because I know that Glorfindel and Finrod will be watching their backs and, in turn, Isildil will end up having whatever he comes up w/, blowing up in his face instead.

Can't *wait* for next Wednesday!!!





Author Reply: Hi Tigger. Wow! What a great review. Thanks! And, of course, you're right on the money with regards to Isildil, especially his arrogance and self-importance. We'll be seeing how Isildil fares along with the Boys during the next two weeks of their punishment. The next couple of chapters should prove very interesting. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review. I really appreciate it.

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/13/2011
Great story! As one of your reviewers said, I should go and apologize to my husband for not taking him in consideration when planning our wedding, he was only required to show up in time and wait for me (and like a good bride, I didn't showed up in time!!) I did fight my mom for taking over, but forgot to include my soon- to- be- husband in the planning, now, in my defense, he was not too interested in that, not a Finrod for sure.

Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. Glad you are enjoying this. Thanks for letting me know. And by all means go apologize to your hubby even if he has no clue why you're doing so. LOL!

6336Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/13/2011
I thought it might have been like that, the Head Cook insisting that the menu for the wedding was finalised when in fact he had not even consulted with the Queen. Maybe a few weeks of bashing pots and scrubbing floors will teach him some humility. I wonder how the other kitchen staff will treat him.

I am a little surprised that Finderato was not consulted on the music or his choice of clothing, as he keeps on saying, it is his and Amarie's wedding after all. Now he has to deal with his fathers dismay at his behavior.

I still think he and Amarie should head for the hills and formalize the marriage Sindar style! A lot less fuss and bother! With all the obsticals being thrown in his way, he just might do it!

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Well, you guessed correctly. We'll see how all three fare working in the kitchen.

I think Finrod hasn't been consulted simply because it is just assumed he doesn't want to know the details, that it's the elliths job to prepare the wedding to suit themselves (and I think that is true even today, or it used to be).

And as tempting as it may seem for Finrod to elope with Amarie, he knows that's not going to happen. Too many people have waited too long for this wedding to come about.

Anyway, we'll see how things progress from here. It's not going to be smooth sailing, that's for sure (and if I and my Muse have anything to say about it). *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/13/2011
I forgot to add - Master Isildil has two weeks to think about how he screwed up with Finrod and his friends. I hope - for his sake - that he is able to learn better.
Or else...

Author Reply: We will, of course, see how Master Isidil fares and what, if anything, he learns from all this.

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