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In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/25/2013
So, Ulmo thought Valandur needs some more education and him just visiting the Noldor is not enough to give Ingwe a full report. Great idea, I just think Ingoldo will not be impressed. I wouldn't put it past him to dismiss Ulmo's explanation. Valandur will be in trouble, summons by the Valar or no summons. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Yes, I'm sure Valandur will be in trouble with Ingoldo regardless. We'll see just how much trouble soon enough. Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/24/2013
So Ulmo has promised that Valandur's little side trip to Alqualondë won't have a negative result him, guess we will see what we will see. I can't help but think they will be some jealous elves out of this. Hope I am wrong. ;) Ulmo is right--Ingwe needs to appreciate all three of the clans (? would that be the right word?) at least know who they are and what makes them tick. Author Reply: Hi Laer. We will indeed see what impact Valandur's side trip has on the other Vanyar. And yes, 'clan' is the correct word. Of course, we know from other sources that Ingwë apparently did not follow through on Ulmo's advice, or perhaps he did but it still did little to help the situation, a situation not even the Valar had foreseen, so he can't be entirely blamed for any failure on his part. Anyway, thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated as always.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/22/2013
Well, now I am resolved to never call them Teleri again! Lindar it is. I think this is my favorite place you've written about yet, it's fantastic. I love how you've written it with the canals, like a shout-out to Venice. The couple in the boat was such a cute touch. Oh how terrible that Valandur will have to hang about for awhile. How absolutely terrible. I'm sure he would much rather be back dealing with cranky bureaucrats than learning about this lovely city. grin Even if some people are going to assume he's a hillbilly hick (oh, can you imagine the look on the Ingaran's face when he hears about that!) I laughed out loud at Val's realization about the way the Valar felt regarding the invocations. Oops, awkward. Then again I sympathize, I recall a few rather desperate prayers for divine assistance when I was a student. Academia will do that to you. Wonderful chapter, so much to enjoy here! Thank you Fiondil! :) Author Reply: Hi Kevana. I have never been to Venice and the one time I had the opportunity to do so, the Italian railroad was on strike and I was stuck in Florence for an extra day. That was so frustrating as once the trains started running again, I had to continue on to Hungary. Anyway, while Tolkien only gives us a description of the haven as one enters it from the sea, I always imagined that, like Venice, or even St. Petersburg, the city would be crisscrossed with canals. When I was living in China, I visited a village that, until recently, could only be reached by boat as it was surrounded by water and the 'streets' were canals. I sort of modeled Alqualondë on that. And Val's reaction to Ulmo's revelation about prayers and how the Valar view them is funny. I'm sure many readers can sympathize with him on that one. grin Thanks for reviewing, Kevana. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/19/2013
Heh. I guess that the rumors about the Minyai lifestyle on the slopes of Taniquetil to which Lindarion is referring are the results of snippy Noldor who wanted the First Kindred to stay put in Tirion, and getting insulted or something when they left. So Ulmo wanted to point out to Valandur that his treatise on the relationship between the clans isn't really complete, as he hasn't included the Lindar. So Ulmo has promised that Valandur's little side trip to Alqualondë won't have a negative result on his work on the trade delegation. And I suppose the Vala is _technically_ going to be right - but I'm also quite sure that Ingoldo is going to be on the lookout for some good pretexts to boot Valandur off the delegation and send him home in disgrace. I've not been reviewing for a couple of weeks, but I've had a ... situation ... in real life. But things seem to be looking up, now that I have gotten out of my life (hopefully permanently) some very bad, nasty, no good and generally creeptastic (and more words to that effect) people. Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Glad you've been able to order your life to your liking. It's always good to get rid of creeptastic people. They are very bad news. Anyway, the rumors about the Minyai lifestyle may well be a result of snarky Noldor. We'll see how Ingoldo treats Valandur once Valandur returns to Tirion. You may be correct that Ingoldo will just come up with any excuse to punish Valandur regardless of what the Valar say. Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a review. I appreciate you doing so very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/19/2013
A fascinating visit between Valandur and the Vala of the Sea. It will be interesting to see just how Ulmo deals with Ingoldo, and I suspect that no matter how forceful the Vala that the brother of the Ingaran will resent it. But Ulmo is right--Ingwe needs to appreciate all three clans, not just his own and the Noldor. I find myself imagining Legolas coming into Aman and trying to figure out to which extant clan there he might feel most allied, for I see him drawn to both the Vanyar and the Lindar, although I cannot see him too particularly close with the Noldor. Author Reply: Hi Larner. How Ulmo deals with Ingoldo will be revealed once Valandur returns to Tirion. I agree that Legolas would probably be more drawn to either the Vanyar or the Lindar rather than the Noldor. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it very much.

Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/19/2013
Very interesting chapter. It seems to take such minor differences to start driving wedges between people (or peoples), so very wise of Ulmo to set Valandur on a course to study the Lindar. I got tickled at them thinking the Vanyar lived in the forest eating berries and sleeping in the trees. As for whatever consequences this disruption in Valandur's schedule might bring with Ingoldo, despite Ulmo's assertions that he'll, er, smooth the waters with him, he is at least getting out of his secretary-to-the-secretary drudgery. That can't be all bad. :) Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. It's usually the minor differences that are the most telling, I think, simply because they are minor and people react to such minor differences on a subconscious level, unaware (usually) that they are reacting negatively. And while Valandur may enjoy his little 'holiday' away from Ingoldo, it won't last and the consequences will be... well, we'll just have to see, won't we? grin Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/19/2013
I wonder if the so many of the Noldor would have packed up and left if there had been more interaction between the clans. I can see where Ulmo is going with this, even if it is many Yeni into the future, after the Darkening. What an ideal situation for Melkor even if he isn't in the picture yet! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: That's a good question, Lynda. I would like to think so but I guess we'll never know, will we? And Ulmo and the other Valar are taking the long view, but even they will not foresee the Darkening or the role that Melkor will play in that. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. Hugs back.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/19/2013
Very interesting chapter. I loved the part about not having had time to change clothes. So the Valar are not insulted by a lack of constant prayer. Interesting theological point of view worth thinking about. Looking forward to Friday. Thank you for this chapter. Author Reply: Hi UTfrog. I wanted to stress what could plausibly be cultural differences between the clans, especially the Noldor and Vanyar and their relationship with the Valar. I imagined that's perhaps one reason the Noldor were so willing to leave Aman when they did, beyond any rhetoric Fëanäro might have put forth. There had to be some underlying reason for their behavior and I figured part of it would be theological in nature. Hence the discussion here and the Valar's reaction to it. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Valandur will be stuck in Alqualondë a little longer than planned as we will see, so that gives us more time to 'see' the city along with him. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

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