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In the High King's Secret Service  by Fiondil 11 Review(s)
obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/3/2013
Uh, oh, Valandur is in hot water now. His observations were true, but not very diplomatically voiced. He is in diplomatic negotiations, not in a debating club at university. At least Findis has the sense of seeing the worth in his observations. I just hope, Valandur hasn't antagonized his friends by being so late.

Author Reply: Definitely in hot water, obsidian, and what he doesn't know is that he's going to get into even deeper hot water soon, as we will see in a few chapters down the road. And oddly enough, it won't have anything to do with Findis (that comes much later *grin*). Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/2/2013
Ah, no wisdom from unapproved quarters goes unpunished, does it. Poor Valandur--but at least he had a moment alone with Findis!

Author Reply: Very true, Cairistiona. But, as you say, at least he was rewarded with a moment alone with Findis, so not all is lost. *grin* Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

KevanaReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/31/2013
I get the impression Valandur is that kid attending the royal parade and yelling "Look, the Emperor is not wearing any clothes!"


Weirdness abounds and the one guy innocent enough to point it out is shunned for it. At least he got to meet Findis, who is turning out to be quite fascinating in her own right.


Thank you for the update! :)


-Kevana

Author Reply: Well, that's often the way it is, isn't it, Kevana? The single voice of reason is ignored, the prophet scorned, and all that. We'll be seeing how the relationship between Findis and Valandur develops and I'm glad you find her as fascinating as Valandur does. I think you can see she's a perfect match for him. *grin*

Oh, and anytime you wish to share your thoughts on Val's personality type as you read this story, feel free to PM me and we'll talk about it. I have my own ideas based on this story.

Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

FadesintothewestReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/29/2013
Finally Valandur! The voice of reason. I like how you revealing a bit of Valandur's character in every chapter. There certainly probably is a lot of intrigue in the background, and I do love the growing attraction between Findis and Valandur. I enjoy reading interesting and complicated takes on elven society in Aman, so teasing out the class distinctions is right up my alley. As always great read.

Author Reply: Hi Fades. Yes, the voice of reason, and not welcomed in some quarters. I'm glad you are enjoying how I reveal Calandur's character a little bit at a time and the complicated take on Amanian society. I find it interesting, as well, exploring how they might have done things as they worked out their civilization, which, to some extent, has been taught to them by the Valar rather than being construted our od their own efforts.

Thanks for taking the time to read and review. It's much appreciated.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/29/2013
Poor Valandur, torqued off his friends and his group. Maybe Findis will help him smooth over the hurt and anger of the ones who count. The others..well the others will be a much harder group to appease; maybe with a direct order from some one a little higher up on the food chain. ;)

Author Reply: Hi Laer. Well, it was bound to happen. We'll see how Findis helps out, if at all. I don't think Valandur is going to get off too easily with some people, as we will eventually see. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/29/2013
He is totally right, of course, as Findis recognizes. Love the interaction between the two of them and the obvious growing attraction. And she is a most politic soul, at least, as well as an honest one. A worthy granddaughter to the Ingaran!

Author Reply: Yes, he is, Larner, and at least Findis shows her worth in recognizing that Valandur is correct in what he has said. We'll see how the attraction between them develops. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/29/2013
You really have me wondering what the REAL intent of these negotiations are, Fiondil! Nary a merchant to see in the discussion, ant Valandur getting Taniquetil dropped onto his head for pointing it out!
And I see Ingoldo has absented himself from the negotiations along with his wife to go hunting with Fëanáro. I wonder what they will be doing - coming up with strategies to screw up the negotiations, perhaps? (If I'm being a bit paranoid, I only remember what short of shenanigans they were up to in some other fics on this site!)
On the other hand, I see that Findis, at least, is well supplied with both intelligence and common sense!

Author Reply: One has to wonder, Sunny, and we see a hint of the relationship between Ingoldo and Fësanáro that is only hinted at and never totally proved in those other fics. *grin* And Findis is indeed supplied with much intelligence and common sense, for which we (and Valandur) can be grateful. Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it very much.

SiiwReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/29/2013
I keep thinking: "Is this where he will make the big mistake?" He is already doing more than his job. I don't want to spoil the other stories in reviews, for people who haven't read them, but with them in mind, this chapter was very interesting to read.

The Vanyar reacted more strongly than the Noldor to Valandur's comments. It could be that their society is more formal, at least among the "upper classes"? I liked the comment in the earlier chapter about how dividing people into "classes" makes less sense for the older Elves. Valandur has experience with both "layers" of society, and the snobs like Aldamir probably don't realise what a resource that experience is for the discussion. Valandur just needs to learn to think before he speaks. :p

Author Reply: Hi Siiw. Well, now you don't have to wonder, because he has here. *grin* Or so he thinks. As for the social stratification, that was inevitable given their history, but I suspect the Vanyar have a more formal structure than the Noldor or the Teleri. Valandur has experienced both aspects of society and realizes certain truths that others who have only known life in Aman have not learned. And yes, he does need to learn to think before speaking, and more importantly, learn when not to speak.

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's very much appreciated.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/29/2013
*giggle* someone is star-struck~ Ah, politicians *makes a face* The same the wide world (and beyond it seems) over. I like Valandur! He sees clearly and I can see why Ingwe wanted him there!

Author Reply: Hi bookworm. I suppose he is. *grin* And yea, polictiians are politicians wherever they are. I'm glad you like Valandur. After all, what's not to like? LOL! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it very much.

Twoflower2Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/29/2013
Thank you for the story; it's a fun look into the early Amanian Realpolitik. I am looking forward to more grey-eminence activities fom Valandur. Enjoyable (for a reader, that is) appearances of Feanaro; I am wondering why he takes pains to pick on a mere loremaster such as Valandur? Feeling a hidden threat, perhaps? Also wondering if Findis' baby-sharing lines were partly meant as a subtle dig at Feanaro.

Author Reply: Hi Twoflower2. I'm glad you are enjoying the story and like this look into early Amanian Realpolitik. And believe me we'll see more grey-eminence activities from Valandur amongst other things. Who knows about Fëanáro and his motives? I wouldn't be surprised if Findis' words were meant as a subtle dig at her older half-brother. I doubt he found it as amusing as everyone else. *grin* Thanks for leaving a review. It's much appreciated.

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