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| In the Court of the High King by Dreamflower | 204 Review(s) |
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| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/1/2010 |
| Freddy is right to have confidence in the King - he remembers all the mealtimes! But seriously, the frank discussion has to be a relief. The traitors are guilty of greed, fraud, cruelty and general orneriness, but they were outmatched by Saruman from the start. It is very interesting to hear how far back the dealings go. I'm pleased to have new chapters of this story to read. I've been going back and re-reading A New Reckoning and The Road to Edoras, and re-discovering how much I really enjoyed them. Thanks for your faithfulness to this fandom! Author Reply: Oh, there's no doubt whatsoever that Lotho and his cronies were used and manipulated by Saruman from the start-- but without their greed, they would not have fallen for his temptation. Yes, I've long been fascinatted by that! In both UT and the ToY, it's clear he'd been trying to undermine the Shire for a long time! In fact, the year I mention in the story is the year we are given in the ToY! I'm so glad you still enjoy the first two stories! ANR was a fairly early story for me, and I am surprised at how well it has held up. As for my faithfulness to the fandom, well, I seem to be a fandom monogamist-- LotR has always been my fandom and always will be; I just can't imagine feeling the same way about any other. | |
| Virtuella | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/1/2010 |
| Oh, I like the special hobbit chairs! Very interestign to see some back story to the pipe weed affair. I didn't quite understand what the connection was supposed to be between Lotho's letter and the Black Riders, other than the date, would you mind explaining that? Author Reply: It was the date, of course. It had to strike Freddy as he realized that even as he was fleeing for his life from Black Riders, Lotho was in the process of opening the back door of the Shire to even more danger! I was sure that would upset him! The only time I have mentioned the hobbit chairs in another story, I only mentioned one of them, but I knew all along there were four of them, built to the King's specifications for his hobbit friends. | |
| Theresa Greenfalcon | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/30/2010 |
| It's good to know the actual culpability of Clodio and Dago with Lotho over his and Saruman's actions during the war within the Shire. I like that you don't just gloss over what happened and that you make the crimes and characters more three-dimensional than most do. Author Reply: I decided that Clodio and Dago were mainly guilty of helping to finance Lotho's ambitions, and that they told themselves that it was all simply good business-- even though both of them were aware that Lotho was capable of doing some really spiteful things. Clodio's own motives were more from spite than greed-- he had long been jealous of his sister's marriage to the Thain, which gave her more status than him-- the Head of the Banks family. Dago, on the other hand was motivated sheerly by greed; he was not especially ambitious, but he thought he was much cleverer than he actually was. What was worse, of course, was their failure to say or do anything during the Troubles of the Occupaton. Neither of them approved of the violence the Ruffians brought in, but they did not want anyone to realize they had anything to do with it. | |
| Aeärwen | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/30/2010 |
| I do enjoy the backstory that you're developing for this, dealing with the goings-on between Isengard and the Shire in the days before the Quest. You're painting a very interesting picture of Saruman and Lotho, and making Saruman's interest in destroying the Shire have a lot more reason behind it. I also like the more informal office you've given Elessar; it's much more in keeping with his character as a former ranger and Dúnadan. I'd think that Aragorn would have some difficulties with the expected airs of the Gondorian court - not that he wasn't familiar, but that they just didn't *fit* him. Looking forward to your next installments of both this and the other. This is a treat! Author Reply: We know from Unfinished Tales and also from the Tale of Years that Saruman took an interest in hobbits and the Shire as early as TA 2953, when he began to keep agents in Bree and the Southfarthing. We don't have much in the way of details though, so I am trying to figure those out logically. I think Saruman's interest in corrupting the Shire, to begin with, was nothing more than a petty wish to discomfit Gandalf. I'd think that Aragorn would have some difficulties with the expected airs of the Gondorian court - not that he wasn't familiar, but that they just didn't *fit* him. Exactly. I first came up with Aragorn's informal office in my story "Chance Encounter". I decided that he chose a small room not too far from the throne room, where he could relax and work without all the pomp. I even have a backstory for that battered table, though I haven't told it yet. It may find its way into this tale somewhere along the line. | |
| Theresa Greenfalcon | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/29/2010 |
| I like this story set, and confess to wondering just how Cado and [maybe] Clovis will find mates when the time comes. I believe Cado [at least] is reformable,and the person I think he'll be will be worthy of fathering a new generation... By the way, happy upcoming birthday! Theresa [Tracey Claybon from LJ] Author Reply: I think we shall see how Cado and his brother turn out-- in fact, I *know* we will! *grin* I have had Cado's future planned since 2007. (And thanks for the birthday wishes!) | |
| Virtuella | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/24/2010 |
| That is a very interesting point about some people trying to turn back time, rather than moving forward. Is this going to be a recurring theme in this story? Author Reply: I do think it may be. The Gondorians have spent generations trying to keep everything just as it was in the days of the earlier Kings-- the Stewards, I think, especially took pride in keeping the idea of the Kingship alive (even while, quite likely, some Stewards might have been secretly hoping against it). It follows then, that when that so unlikely event actually took place, that there would be many who would do their best to reinstate traditions that none have seen before. It's an intriguing thought, and one I may return to in the course of the story. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/24/2010 |
| For these two, the arrival in the capital of Gondor is not as pleasant an event. And having the window of the cell built into the wall is certainly a deterrent to escape! And I'm coming to appreciate Mr. Banks, actually--he, like his younger son, appears capable of learning. Author Reply: Absolutely. I am sure Dago was pleased at first by that window-- until he brought himself to look out of it. I'm only just beginning to think about some of the things that motivated Clodio to become such a, well, let's face it, jerk to his sister and her family. But he's not a complete lost cause. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/23/2010 |
| Nice to see the arrival in Minas Tirith through the eyes of the prisoners, too. Oh, I can imagine how bad they must feel; now their doom is nearly upon them. Though they deserve it, I still feel sorry for Clodio. He at least regrets his actions, he's been separated from his sons, and is ill. Dago, however, I don't feel any pity for; he's not repentant and has tried to flee. But as they are going to ask Freddy for his opinion, I guess Clodio will come out better than Dago, as it should be. Liked the bit about changing the stiffling protocol. Oh yes, I *so* can see Aragorn, Arwen and Faramir try to get rid of some of that silly stuff. And what better chance to start it than with a bunch of Hobbits around who have no sense for such traditions? :D I'm so happy that you are continuing this :) Author Reply: Clodio is beginning to come out of the haze of self-important jealousy that clouded most of his adult life. Resentment of his sister's higher status in life was allowed to overcome his own good hobbit sense and stifle his conscience. Dago was merely greedy, and he is quite self-centered. He never had a wife and children to soften his edges, and he seems to think himself far more clever than he is. And what better chance to start it than with a bunch of Hobbits around who have no sense for such traditions? Absolutely. The hobbits provide a much-needed excuse to do aways with a lot of formality. Of course, there must always be some sort of pomp and circumstance to a monarchy-- the people enjoy the spectacle, for one thing. But it's good to leaven the traditions with things more manageably human. I'm glad I am too, finally! | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/23/2010 |
| Glad that the prisoners are being treated well and kindly, and the conversation about the window was full of irony. No escape for these two, no matter. I think Aragorn was wise to accept the restrictions and customs of court at first - too much change at once would be unsettling even in stable times. Author Reply: too much change at once would be unsettling even in stable times. Exactly! The Gondorians were used to the austerity and formality of the Stewards, and that they would expect the same of a King, and perhaps even moreso is not to be wndeed at! Yes, I did intend irony with the window. Not only may they not escape out of it, but the view of a sheer drop down the side of the uppermost level of the City would be anything but pleasant to a hobbit. | |
| Raksha The Demon | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/23/2010 |
| Wonderful to see Faramir in this story; I always enjoy glimpses of him in his role as the King's Steward. Now I wonder what's going to become of the exiled Hobbits. Good chapter! Author Reply: In my own mind, Faramir plays a major role in Elessar's administration of the Kingdom-- I think of him as the King's right hand man, not only available to fill in for the King in his absence, but also taking an active part in the day to day running of Minas Tirith and Gnndor. I think this would have been especially important in the early years of Elessar's rule, for Farami would have knowledge of the populace that the new king surely would not. The exiles are wondering that themselves. | |