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| In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil | 392 Review(s) |
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| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 44 on 12/6/2013 |
| I was looking forward to another 11 or so chapters with each detailing a year while they waited for the wedding. However, this is an excellent summary. It is so sad that Feanor caused much damage long before the tragic oath. You did a great job with this story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you. The news of EA3 is outstanding! I was already treating myself to rereading Christmas at Edhellond. I am in my favorite chapter where Fionwe, Father Charles, and Finrod talk in the church. That section continues to move me deeply. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas full of faith, love, and family. Author Reply: I'm sure all my readers were expecting something similar, UTfrog, but I'd decided I'd said all that I needed to say about Valandur at this time. I'm glad that you found this chapter to be an excellent summary. And yes, it's a pity Fëanor did so much damage even before the Darkening. And I'm glad you're looking forward to EA3. I'm pretty excited about it and hope my readers enjoy it. And the scene in the church is one of my favorites as well. Thanks for telling me. And thanks for being such a faithful reviewer. It's been very much appreciated. May you have a blessed Christmas as well. | |
| bookworm | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 12/5/2013 |
| DAWWWW. Ahem. I mean. I really like seeing Valandur & Findis at this early stage in their relationship (lol slap slap kiss much?), and YAY they're betrothed! The Valar are being rather high handed here, but I'm too happy that they're betrothed to care =p Also as you say, quite early days yet. Author Reply: Hi bookworm. Yes, the Valar are rather high-handed here but I'm glad you are happy that Val and Findis are finally betrothed. So am I. LOL! Thanks for reviewing. It's very much appreciated. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 12/3/2013 |
| I rejoice that the speech went so well, and appears to have reflected Valandur's innate wisdom. The betrothal sounds most interesting, with the Valar basically forcing Finwe's hand. He ain't gonna like it, I'm afraid! Author Reply: Yes, that's precisely what the Valar are doing, Larner, and we'll see what Finwë's reaction to it is in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 12/2/2013 |
| Well it would appear that Valandur's presentation went over well, it at least woke all the snoozers up! Hm, I wonder which of the Valier persuaded Manwe to act on Valandur and Findis' behalf. I do have some questions about the wisdom of it though, while I am sure that they would have ended up together, I think Manwe's action was a little precipitate and it might have been better if he had allowed Ingwe and Olwe to work on Finwe to persuade him to allow the marriage. It seems to me that Rumil is a lot more open minded than Feanor is with regard to language and it's evolvement, I am sure they had some lively discussions about it! You are right though, both the Valar and the Elves are still feeling their way with each other and even tucked safely away in Mandos, Melkors influence is still felt. Have a good week, Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda, I imagined it was all the Valier. *grin* And you are right to question the wisdom of the actions of the Valar here, hence the author's note explaining motivation. I think in their eagerness to 'help' the Valar ultimately helped to make things worse than they could have been. But that is how it goes. And Rúmil, being a true inventor (Fëanor merely improved on his writing system), is, I think, more naturally open-minded about a lot of things, plus he's of the older generation and has achieved wisdom that Fëanor never achieved. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. Hugs back. | |
| Laer | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 12/2/2013 |
| “Let us toast the happy couple,” I raise my can of diet mt dew to them :) 12 years is a long time for people who are in love, but I am glad that he is standing up to her "spoiled" actions. She needs the time to learn that life isn't always going to go her way, but when you have a bunch of Valar who help it go your way....siiiiggghhhhh. Ah well they know what they are doing ;) and hopefully Valandur and Findis see how blessed their union is for them to help it along. Author Reply: And it's not 12 mortal years but 12 Valian years, so nearly 115 solar years, but what is that to immortals? Findis does have some growing up to do, but it is nice that she and Valandur have the Valar on their side helping, isn't it? Thanks for reviewing, Laer. I really appreciate it. | |
| ellon | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 12/2/2013 |
| Fiondil, you are my favorite writer on here by far. Loving the story. Author Reply: Thank you, ellon, for letting me know. I appreciate it very much. | |
| Tari | Reviewed 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. | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 12/2/2013 |
| Wow! Busy chapter! Bravo to Valandur for his excellent conclusion to his presentation. It reminded me of the French and their Canadian children and their concern to keep their language free of what they consider to be lazy modern borrowings. I am sure that they prefer not to dwell too much on the motley "bouquet" which is Modern British and American "English", which owe much to borrowings from them. I quite often go back and re-read many of your pieces in "Tales from Vaire's Loom". Particularly in December, I like to re-read your "Breath of Arda". This morning I just had to go back to that one after reading your note here about how much the Valar had to LEARN over the ages. The way they all joined to aid the battle for the Pellenor is subtle and graceful. They acted only after careful planning, and the direct approval of The One. Quite a difference. Author Reply: Hi Demeter d. I'm afraid that the French, or perhaps we should say their Language Academy is fighting a losing battle and anyone else who attempt to keep their language "pure". People will speak as they please and Academy's and the like be damned. This is a lesson many of the lambengolmor, especially those among the Noldor who followed Fëanor's lead, refused to learn and which Val obviously celebrates. I am glad you enjoy "Breath of Arda" so much that you like to re-read it, especially this time of year. And you're right, there is quite a difference in the way they react to events from how they acted here in this story three ages earlier. Thank you for pointing this out and thank you for a lovely review of both this chapter and the Vairë's Loom story. I appreciate it very much. | |
| Cairistiona | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/2/2013 |
| Val has such good people skills... he's handling the delicate chore of setting up the spy/informant network with a very deft hand. I like Lirimiriel very much--she seems like someone who has found contentment in life. And Val's father is sharp as a tack, isn't he, sussing out that there were goings-on in the Guild and Val might be in the midst of it. I bet Val wasn't able to get anything past his mother or father when he was little! Finally, thank you for providing information on the inspiration for the willow hall... what magical structures those seem! Author Reply: Hi Cairistiona. When Sunny sent me the link for the willow structures, I just knew I had to incoporate one into the story. They are so elvish, that it just seemed right to have the Elves build similar structures, so I was glad to be able to give the farmers a willow meeting hall. Lirimíriel obviously has come to terms with herself and her dreams and finds contentment where she can, unlike her sister. And Val's father certainly wasn't born yesterday, that's for sure! LOL! Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. | |
| ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 12/2/2013 |
| This is such a fun chapter. There is so much going on and the promise of so much more to come. Their whole romance is very "Vanyarin" even with the little half-Noldo fireball in the midst of things. Most enjoyable! Author Reply: It was certainly a fun chapter to write, that's for sure, Ellie. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much. | |