Masquerade by Elendiari22
Aewyn · 15 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
Ah! The story of Bluebeard, isn't it? I'm so happy to see that you've turned that one chapter you had in the beginning into something so complex and enjoyable as this! Wonderful!
Author's reply
Yes! You're the first one to get it. I'm glad you like this. I'm having lots of fun with it. ^_^
Hai Took · 14 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
Yikes! You've gone and done it again and I even heeded your warning and waited for day time to read this chapter! You have me all a-quiver and jumpy! Lothiriel's story was very intriguing and now has be wondering more about Belecthor and how he may have really felt/thought about his daughter. I'm guessing both stories are mixed somehow. I look forward to finding out how and hope it's soon! Poor Bergil, I'm sure he has gotten into more than he meant to by associating with the hobbits and Eowyn! I hope he doesn't have nightmares, although I'm sure I would! Looking forward to more and please, please, please let it be soon!
Author's reply
This story has officially run away with me! I had never meant it to be so scary, lol. Yes, both stories are woven together. Belecthor is interesting, as I had never really planned for him to be anything but evil. I'm working out the intracacies of all this, so it may take time to explain. Bergil probably will have some bad dreams, but he was an errand boy during the seige of Minas Tirith, so I think he's used to horrors. He'll be sticking around, playing page to Eowyn. He probably thinks he must take care of her. :) I'm currently planning the next chapter, so look for it in about two weeks (I hope!). School and life are keeping me busy right now, but I'm constantly thinking about this fic!
Bodkin · 13 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
I've been wanting to misquote Oscar Wilde on this: 'To lose one wife, my lord Seregon, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose five looks like foul play.' But perhaps Belecthor had never seen The Importance of Being Earnest! (And did none of the five have loving families to chase up exactly what had happened to their daughters / sisters?
Author's reply
Yay for Oscar Wilde! I love the paraphrase; it really works for the scenario, doesn't it. ^_^ I haven't actually thought of the families. Maybe they took Seregon's tales for the truth, or perhaps they were too frightened of him to act on their suspicions. He was pretty horrible.
Mysterious Jedi · 12 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
Wow, this just keeps getting darker :)
Author's reply
It does, so much so that even I am surprised by it!
Shieldmaiden of Rohan · 12 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
What a tragic story! It sounds so familiar, though I can't place it... but I do know that the title was from the last line of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Actually, her story reminds me of this English assignment I had a long time ago to write a Gothic story. So if that's what you were going for, it definitely worked. I love the idea of Lothiriel having wanted to be a wandering bard! And it's really cute how Merry and Pippin look after Bergil. I think I'm going to have to reread the beginning now though- I thought I remembered that Belecthor was the one who locked Alatariel in the tower, but after what happened to Amroth and Illyria, I'm beginning to wonder.
Author's reply
The story of Seregon murdering his wives was a variation of the Bluebeard story, which can be found in any search engine. I really must blame my elder brother for the Gothic trend; he's a professor of that genre, and he periodically sends me scary books. :) Belecthor's role is changing, but both Alatarial's note and Lothiriel's story have a lot of truth to them. Not all of the truth, but a lot. Bergil will continue to pop up, as he's rather firmly entrenched in the whole affair by now.
Dreamflower · 12 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
I can definitely see how a tale like that would horrify the listeners, and especially the hobbits, who come from a land, where we are told "one hobbit has never deliberately killed another". And Arwen, who must vividly recall the horrible consequences attendant on kin-slaying. *shudder* I find this very interesting. Belecthor is not coming out as quite the horrible father we thought him, but I am wondering more than ever at Alatariel's fate. Something's very fishy...
Author's reply
The hobbits, Arwen, and Bergil were probably the ones most affected by Lothiriel's story. I'm assuming that Rohirric lore was just as bloody as the Anglo-Saxon stuff Tolkien based them on, so Eowyn would be a little more desensitized. Belecthor is weird. He was bad until this chapter, and now I'm beginning to wonder at this, too. Fishy, indeed.
Bodkin · 12 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
Interesting variation on the theme - and it doesn't match with Alatariel's version. I'm longing to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I think death would be preferable to marrying the creepy Seregon. In fact, death and marrying Seregon are actually synonyms. (This 'I promised my cousin one of my children would marry one of his' business - yes, arranged marriages would have been common, but no caring father would consent to a marriage with a suspicious scumbag like Seregon. So, either Belecthor was not a caring parent - fits with some of the other evidence, or this Dol Amroth perspective is not the whole tale. And where does the ghost in the courtyard fit in? That's neither Alatariel nor Illyria. I WANT TO KNOW MORE!!! SOON!!!!! BERGIL AND I WILL NEVER LAST UNLESS YOU HURRY WITH THE NEXT INSTALMENT!!!!!!!!
Author's reply
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth will come out slowly but surely. I'm assuming that whatever oath Belecthor took was pretty powerful, as he doesn't appear to have wanted Alatarial to marry Seregon, either. We'll find out later, methinks. The ghost in the courtyard will tie in eventually. Remember, there are three generations of women who were affected by this, and the one has yet to be fully revealed. :) I think you need hobbits to give you warm milk to calm you down. That's what Merry and Pippin plan to do for poor dear Bergil. I'm writing the next chapter as fast as I can, but it's gone a little hazy on me right now. Hopefully, it'll sort itself out soon.
Hriviel · 12 April 2005 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: For Never Was a Story of More Woe
Hmm...I can't think of where the story comes from, but the title is Romeo & Juliet. "For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo." Anyway, still a great read; as I love dark, gothic stories. Bravi bravi bravassimi!
Author's reply
Yep, you got the quote right. :) The tale of Seregon's murdering his wives is anadaptation of Bluebeard. I'm glad you like it! Thanks!
Bodkin · 2 April 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: A Story
Oh, I do like Bergil. What a star - real 'my kingdom for a horse' stuff. (I wonder what would have happened at that moment if the future Henry VII had turned up and handed over a horse? Would Richard III have said, 'All right, then, here are the keys to the kingdom. I'm off, now,' thus obviating the need for the Battle of Bosworth Field?) I'm longing to know all the ins-and-outs of this. What happened to Finduilas to make her miscarry? Why did it lead to depression? Does Thorongil know the answers? Faramir is clever - I want him in on this. Except he would probably side with with Aragorn that it is all too dangerous. Although he is a son of both the houses of the Steward and Dol Amroth - so maybe he could bring about some kind of rapprochement. And then there's Eomer and Lothiriel. I hope their budding romance doesn't get caught up in this ghostly mayhem. Oh! Don't keep us waiting too long - I'm too anxious to know where this is going!
Author's reply
You had me laughing so hard with your kings analogy. I hadn't even thought of that when writing the argument. :) This story has officially taken the bit in its teeth and run away with me. The Finduilas and Alatarial backstories will be competing for space with the main story for some time, and it's all gone very dark and gothic on me. Faramir will end up in on this, methinks. His mother is half of the story, after all. As for Eomer and Lothiriel, they will be getting along quite well. Lothiriel is insisting that I include her, so that will be there. The next chapter is almost done, but I warn you, it goes off the deep end with a very scary story from Our Lady of Dol Amroth. Be forewarned. :)
Shieldmaiden of Rohan · 31 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: A Story
Another cliffhanger!! I should come to expect it though, by this point. Aragorn's explanation for what happened to Finduilas works very well, I think--it does a good job of explaining, perhaps, why she "pined away" and died later. And it's sad to think that Boromir and Faramir might have had another brother or sister that was lost in such a way. I loved the scene where Bergil was outwitting Eowyn. And Faramir is quite cute when he's clueless! Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Cliffhangers abound in this story, although I don't normally intend to put them in. :) Funnily enough, Aragorn's story appeared out of nowhere. It makes sense, and it is quite tragic, so I let it stay as it was. I'm glad you liked it! Bergil is becoming a more mainstream character: his father is Faramir's captain, after all, so it stands to reason that he would look after Eowyn. He's also a good friend of Pippin, so it all works out. Faramir, too, will become more of a main character as time goes on. Thanks for reading! I hope to update soon, but school tends to take up a lot of time.
Hai Took · 31 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: A Story
Woman?! Who? Do we know her? Yikes! For a moment I feared you weren't going to let us know what was in the courtyard and then you did and I think it is worse then not knowing at all! Aragorn did give them a little bit of information but not a whole lot and probably just enough to peek more curiousity! *deep breath* Now that I have that out of the way I must comment on your Bergil. He is splendid! I like the way he was keeping Eowyn from drinking herself into oblivion. Pippin fetching Merry because he didn't want the responsibility of a drunken Big Person on his hands. Bergil was very smart in bargaining with Eowyn for a wine bottle and I liked this line "Bergil stayed out of her reach, giving her his most polite glower." I do hope they let Faramir know what is going on. I think he deserves to know. Looking forward to more and desprately hoping it isn't far off! ;)
Author's reply
Woman indeed. That was pretty much my reaction, too; this story has run off into the blue with me. Aragorn's story was just breaking the surface of things to be discovered; the appendices say that he left Gondor soon after Boromir was born, so he may not know as much as others (say, that gaurd back in chapter four;). Beregond is Faramir's gaurd, so I thought it would be fun to have Bergil "looking after" Eowyn. He's got a healthy respect for her, but he knows when enouh is enough, hence the polite glower. He'll end up owning the Westfold if Eowyn's not careful. :) Faramir knows that something is up, and he'll find out soon. After all, they can only go so far behind the steward's back. I've got the next chapter plotted, and just need to write it up. Thanks for reading!
Mysterious Jedi · 29 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: A Story
A real woman, or a ghost?
Author's reply
Good question! I'm still uncertain, but I'm leaning towards the latter.
Dreamflower · 29 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: A Story
Oh! My! Gosh! That was the *last* thing I expected!!
Author's reply
Me, too, actually! It was definitely out of left field.
shirebound · 29 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: A Story
Goodness, is there no end to the mysteries in this story? And omigosh, that clever Bergil! He'll end up *owning* the Westfold, at this rate.
Author's reply
Bergil will likely end up with more titles and land than he can bargain for. He's a fun lad to write. :) The mysteries defintely get thicker the further into this story I get. Sometimes I feel like I'm not even writing this, lol. :)
Bodkin · 18 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Ballroom
It's always rather strange to hear your brother referred to as 'unbelievably handsome'. Well, except when he's saying it about himself. I'm glad to see Lothiriel developing an interest in him! And that he has Frodo handy to ensure the courtship gets off to a good start. Ghosts! That only Pippin and Eowyn can see. Sounds a bit worrying. And Aragorn turning up in the old ballroom made ME jump and I'm not even there! Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Yes, exactly! People have told me that my brother is handsome, and I can only look at them in frank amazement as I wonder what they could possibly see in him. I can see where they're coming from, but it's still weird. :) Well, I didn't say that Pippin and Eowyn were the *only* ones to see the ghosts, did I? ;) And you have to wonder from which direction Aragorn came from, if he came down the stairs *opposite* the servants' passage. That scene even weirded me out, and it really didn't help that I was writing it at night! More is coming soon. My muses are being smoked out of their closet as we speak. :)
Mysterious Jedi · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Ballroom
It looks like Aragorn will find out, too. Poor guy, he only wanted to protect them! I still find this fascinating (and do not object to ghosts within the context of Middle Earth, lol. Things happen there that don't here, of course.)
Author's reply
Aragorn is an interesting case. There's not much that gets past that man. :)
Grey Wonderer · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three: The Portrait Gallery
Locked doors and mysterious portraits. Very mysterious! I wonder what will happen next?
Grey Wonderer · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Unlit Windows
I'm completely with Merry on this. I think we should investigate this mystery as soon as possible. This is getting better all the time.
Grey Wonderer · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 1: Chapter One:The Concept of a Masquerade
Just found this one and was very glad that I did. This seems as if it is going to be fun. I loved Pippin asking if everyone was dressing up as Frodo!
Dreamflower · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Ballroom
Oh my! This is so intriguing! I love the way only Pippin and Eowyn could see the ghosts, and the way everyone gathered round. Arwen, of course, was upholding her part, shooing everyone away. But she didn't keep careful enough track of her husband. I love the way both Pippin and Eowyn took Aragorn to task, rather than apologize for what they were doing--so like them both! I'm going to hazard a little guess here, that what happened in the ballroom post-dates Alatariel, and is somehow tied to Finduilas, during Aragorn's time as Thorongil. Watch me be wrong, of course, LOL!
Author's reply
I can imagine Aragorn being kind of hard to keep track of, so we can't really blame Arwen for losing track of him. I also can't really see Eowyn or Pippin being penetant after such a scare. I'd have been screaming at Aragorn. :) Yes, actually, the ballroom has more to do with Finduilas. That will be gone into later. Thanks for reading!
Hai Took · 13 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Ballroom
It's probably too much to hope for that Aragorn will give them any asweres isn't it? Oh well, I think he scared me as much as he did the others, appearing in the dark like that! I did like to see, even if it was only in passing, that Bergil and Pippin ran toward Eowyn when they thought something frightening was about to happen! Eowyn clobbering the High King would have been something interesting to report! Ugh! You gave me shivers when they saw the two ghosts! I really don't know why I read this story as I hate scary, much less I have read the last couple of chapters at night at that always freaks me out! No, I do know why I read this, it is far to intriguing to leave alone! Looking forward to more and hoping it is soon!
Author's reply
Bergil and Pippin are such sweethearts. Can you just imagine Eowyn admitting to beating the King up wiht a candelstick. Oh, the shame! Lol. I hope this fic keeps intriguing you, and I don't mean to scare you too badly! :)
Hriviel · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Ballroom
Wow - the suspense is wonderful! And the ghosts make their appearance, too. Please continue, I hope to hear the backstory soon. =) Loved the Phantom of the Opera reference.... " - Masquerade ...hide your face so the world will never find you..."
Author's reply
The backstory will be coming soon enough! And I tried to put that line you quoted in, but it interrupted the flow, so I went with "paper faces on parade" instead. You're hte first reviewer to catch it, lol!
shirebound · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Ballroom
Creeeepy! And it's time Aragorn (or someone) explained everything! *looks around to make sure there aren't any ghosties in here*
Author's reply
Someone is going to have to explain something soon, or I can see Pippin, at least, wreaking havoc. :)
Shieldmaiden of Rohan · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: The Ballroom
Hurrah, another chapter! And I understand completely about needing a break because of school... I'm currently on a writing hiatus for the same reason. So don't worry about it. :) It was really cute and funny that Eomer was afraid to talk to Lothiriel. And the part about the ghosts dancing in the masquerade was rather creepy. It also seems strange that Aragorn seems to know so much about what happened there!
Author's reply
Eomer is a sweetie, isn't he? He and Lothiriel will get along fine. :) As for the ghosts, they just decided to show up. Maybe they'll do it again. Aragorn knows things from his Thorongil days, and he'll end up explaining sooner or later. The hobbits would wreak havoc if he didn't! Thank you for reading!
Farawyn · 10 March 2005 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: In the Mask Maker's Shop
Hey! We're dyin' here! Update soon!
Author's reply
I will! The chapter is with my beta now, so it should be ready by Sunday. Sorry it's taken so long, but we've both had a rushed few weeks. :)