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In the High King's Secret Service  by Fiondil 9 Review(s)
obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 42 on 12/11/2013
I love Val's opening in his speech. That would wake up anyone who felt drowsy after listening to speeches where obviously a lot of people were bored ;-). Val obviously always had the support of his family, which I think was very important to get him where he is. Otherwise he might have given up.
That fight between the sisters was something that had to happen. I think they were lucky that it was in Val's presence as a calming influence or it might have gotten out of hand.

Author Reply: Hi obsidian. Yes, Val knows how to grab an audience's attention. And he is a calming force, so it was a good thing the confrontation between the sister took place in his presence or who knows what might have happened. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 42 on 12/6/2013
Hee hee... this entire chapter left me smiling. I love Val's opening line of his lecture, and his wistful longing that the two twins' inevitable explosion wasn't happening in his office. But this line gave me the biggest chuckle: "...what she referred to as ‘mess’ and he preferred to think of as ‘resources immediately at hand’." I intend to shamelessly steal that line any time anyone questions the less-than-tidy state of my house!

But aside from the smiles, I liked the deeper message woven throughout this chapter and really the entire story: that, given a chance, everyone can rise to the occasion and even surpass expectations. For whatever reason, that hit me harder in this chapter than any of the preceding ones, though it's been a theme throughout.

Very good chapter!

Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. While I never intended a particular theme for this story, it seems that the theme of rising to the occasion and surpassing expectations if given a chance found it's way into the story anyway and that's fine. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter at any rate. Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.

TariReviewed Chapter: 42 on 12/2/2013
What a brilliant start. He really got their attention. Good for Valadur. I'm sure he's much more intelligent than some thought.

Author Reply: Certainly Ingwë thinks so, Tari, or he wouldn't have made Valandur his spymaster. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 42 on 12/2/2013
Hahaha, oh Valandur, I'd have loved him as a lecturer, he knows exactly how to grab your attention. Also ouch,that confrontation between sisters...still, it had to happen...

Author Reply: I would love to have had him as a lecturer as well, bookworm. He obviously knows how to keep your interest in the subject at hand. And yes, the confrontation between the sisters was painful but necessary. Perhaps now they might have a chance. Who can say? Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

KevanaReviewed Chapter: 42 on 11/30/2013
That will certainly wake up the snoozers! I know his family's so proud of him in this scene. I think this shows how not all people in positions of power among the guilds and educational institutions are closed-minded to change, which makes Lirilissë look all the more unreasonable. I hope Val turns out to be the first of many more junior presenters.

Ha, caught in the middle of a family catfight...well I suppose it's good Lirilissë happened to be visiting anyway, as it seemed to convince her sister to join in with the little minstrel endeavor.

I think all scholars could do with a bit of blue tourmaline!

Finally caught up, whoo! Today I have first one and then another of my favorite fan-drawn Hobbit comics. I particularly like the dwarf intervention.

Thank you as always for the wonderful updates!

-Kevana

Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Yes, his family is very proud of him.

As for the sisters, well, we can see that Miri isn't above doing something she knows will annoy her sister even more, joining in on Val's little minstrel intelligence-gathering endeavor.

Love the Hobbit comics. Gandalf does seem to have a Dwarf problem, doesn't he? Must be because there's 13, always an unlucky number. LOL!

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them very much.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 42 on 11/29/2013
Well that got their attention, hope the rest of the speech goes as well.

Hope you had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: Oh we'll see what everyone's reaction to his speech is in the next chapter. My Thanksgiving was quite nice, thank you. Hope yours was as well. Thanks for reviewing. Hugs back.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 42 on 11/29/2013
Valandur's speech started strong,and I am sure he had a wild finish ;) I also think that is was about time the two sisters faced each other and learned to love again. Well, ok I know I am jumping to a conclusion, but well I hope it's there. Great job and hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Author Reply: Hi Laer. We'll see the end of the Valandur's speech and the reaction to it in the next chapter. As for the sisters, hopefully they'll come some kind of reconciliaiton. I think they still love each other but the one needs to accept the life choices of the other and not punish others for it. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and I did indeed have a very pleasant and relaxing Thanksgiving, just the way I like it. *grin* Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 42 on 11/29/2013
I suspect that the confrontation between the sisters is long overdue, and am glad that it happened in a place where the guild master sister could not abuse the teacher.

And I am certain that Valandur's speech went brilliantly!

Author Reply: Very long overdue, Larner, and Valandur's study was the best place for the meeting, since he was there to supervise it. At any rate, his speech couldn't have been anything but brilliant! LOL! Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 42 on 11/29/2013
And "I be thanking Master Fiondil . . ." Wonderful beginning to a speech I would say everyone in the room sat up and listened. Glad the sisters finally met, but I suspect more clashes will occur before they reconcile in any fashion. I also liked that Val is still thinking about Findis. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Author Reply: Glad you liked this, UTfrog. I'm sure you're right that it will take a while for the sisters to reconcile, if they ever do. And Val is ALWAYS thinking of Findis even when he doesn't seem to be doing so. I had a great Thanksgiving. Thank you and thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

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