Dreamflower
· 1 November 2005
· Chapter 21: The King Takes a Hand
So Aragorn cannot tell for certain that there are traces of drugs in Will's system? Hmm...
Still, things do seem far more hopeful now. I look forward to Pippin's conversation with "Robin", recollecting that long ago journey to see Bilbo...
Do we get to see the Steward burning that warrant? Or did he do that before he started drinking?
Author's reply
I don't think he's looking for drugs. He hasn't heard the whole story yet, and so he doesn't know a healer was on the spot, and even knowing the healer was on the spot, nobody saw him give a draught to Will...
There will be more (apologetic--that's not the word I'm looking for but I can't think of the right word--hungover? repentant?) Steward coming up.
FantasyFan
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Peace and Safety
I'm glad of the last little bit. The Steward has been portayed as very hard, inflexible, a 'pharasee' character more concerned with rules and order than mercy and justice, and not sympathetic at all. I'd rather have at least a little sympathy for him, knowing that what has happened has brought him up short, that he's incredulous and remorseful for his actions. I'd want Elessar to have put a good man in place in this important position.
The other observation isn't really about your story as much as it is about the times we live in. The good people here are just as afraid of the government as we are today. They hesitate to stand up against injustice, to speak for the accused, because it my have negative consequences that they fear. Everyone is perfectly accepting that innocents have been arrested and taken away. It makes me sad that we don't have a good example of public service any more.
Ah, feeling cynical today. Hope the kiddies are having a happy Halloween.
Author's reply
Sorry to hear you're feeling cynical today. I have those times, all too often. I try to write "realistic" scenarios and yet hold out hope, knowing that there are a few extra-ordinary characters in play: Elessar, Arwen, Pippin, Merry, Sam, Diamond, just to name a few.
Yes, at the time Elessar put him in the position, he was a good man. Things have happened, that will come out in a future chapter if all goes right, and he needs a sabbatical of sorts. Which, knowing Elessar, he'll get, and just the kind he needs.
But you're right. The Steward has been portrayed as very hard, inflexible, and rule-bound because, frankly, that is what he's become over the past few years, since the King last left the Lake. To be sure, Elessar might have seen this coming, but either he didn't, or he was giving his cousin the benefit of the doubt. Just as Pippin might have seen this coming, and told Elessar about Jack and the boys just in case they were found out, instead of keeping silent about them, more or less, thinking he was protecting them.
People are fallible. Some of us are more fallible than others. Guess I can't afford to be too cynical, too often. Whew.
Thanks.
Larner
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Peace and Safety
He'd blamed well BETTER be wondering that, and perhaps a good deal more.
Justice will now be served, but how long the healing might take is, of course, anyone's guess.
Author's reply
Truly. One of the things I'm trying to figure out is just how long the effects of the draught would last. I have an idea of what Will's recovery will be.
I was throttled upon a time, when my scarf got caught in a rope tow at a ski resort, choked nearly to unconsciousness, and know something of how it feels, and what the recovery involves, though I was not drugged at the time, but fully conscious. A terrible feeling.
Bodkin
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Peace and Safety
How rumours spread and grow and change in the telling. Before we know where we are there will be a mob with pitchforks at the palace gate. And yet a gentle bit of protest here is really quite justified. (I say gentle, because anything more tends to lead to repression).
Eliniel is so confused - I'll bet Aragorn would be quite disconcerted to know that she feels that the Houses of Healing are really only available to nobles, bureaucrats and the desperate. Getting to know this family might prove to be very good for him. I like her recognition of the King, not just as King, but as the warrior to whom she took water. Interesting link between them - very symbolic.
Good to hear the words from the horse's - sorry, King's mouth. Now all they have to worry about is whether Will has been so severely injured that he will a) not survive, b) be brain-damaged, c) not recover fully or d) get better.
The Steward has his worries, too, I'm pleased to see. Shame it takes a displeased King to make him look at himself a bit more intently.
Author's reply
My one question, at the moment, for I have written this story on the basis of past research and haven't done a lot of delving in the writing (this sort of got dashed off, whereas many of the stories I write get a lot of groundwork laid before the outline ever becomes a draft)... is... Would the King and other healers be able to discern that Will had been drugged, or would they simply attribute his "coma" or similar state to the effects of being hanged?
Since I'm in a mode where I can actually *write* (I regularly go through stretches of weeks where I can't, and I post previously written material, scribbled during a time when I *can*), I don't want to take time off for research. *g* So what gets written here might not be quite so "accurate" as in other stories where much more time has gone into the background.
Pitchforks! Yikes!
The steward is actually a good man. He's just gone off course, and needs a bit of sensitivity training or something of the sort. Middle-earth version.
It is interesting, reading comments, to see how modern sensibilities would change the course of events, and how jarring "traditional" justice is to our senses. And medicine as well. It would fit with tradition for commoners to see the Houses of Healing in such a light--a place to get help mostly when the local healer can't. In my great-grandmother's time, and perhaps even my grandmother's, a hospital was a place to be avoided at all costs--and had a reputation as a place that you went to die.
As for nobility and bureaucrats and guardsmen, the HoH would be the most convenient place for anyone living or working in the Citadel to find a healer. So it is not so elitist as it sounds on the surface. Note that Turambor tried to get Will and Rob to agree to take Jack there, when he was so badly injured. It was not that the boys feared Jack would be turned away, but that they feared the secret would come out and Will would hang for it. And Jack would be in full agreement--as he was, when he finally "woke up".
Thanks, your comments make me think more deeply about what goes into the story.
Dreamflower
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Peace and Safety
I forgot to say how much I liked Eiliniel's memory of taking Aragorn a cup of water, when he was just one more unknown warrior coming to the City after the battle. Waterbearers are very honored, trust me!
Author's reply
I love the image of bringing water to the thirsty. There is nothing that quenches thirst in quite the same way. I remember one group we support telling how they brought ice and bottled water into the hurricane-blasted region, and I think of how thirsty people must have been, in that humid heat. Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink (misquoted paraphrase, at least I think it's a misquote, just the way my dad used to say it).
No wonder it is one of the word-pictures Jesus used in the Gospels.
Dreamflower
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Peace and Safety
Wonderful! Now the family is beginning to learn that all will soon be well!
And the Steward has taken to drink, and is *finally* beginning to see the light--a bit late in the day. How *could* he have been so "cocksure and careless"? Good question. Let's hope he thinks a long time about the answers.
Author's reply
The Steward has taken to drink... what a way to put it! (Too true)
He's not going to have to think about the answers all by himself, either. But Elessar is wise and just, and knows more about the Steward and his motivations, perhaps, than even the Steward himself.
harrowcat
· 31 October 2005
· Chapter 20: Peace and Safety
I'll just bet he is wondering! The phrase, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions' has just come to mind. I started out really despising the Steward and wondering how the **!* Aragorn had thought to appoint him but now I just feel sorry for him - out of his depth and blinded by assumptions and, probably, too much work. But he had better not get too drunk this night!
Author's reply
Perfect phrase, fits the Steward's situation very well. And he really does have a prejudiced view of ruffians, and an uninformed one of hobbits.
Larner
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: What the Dark Hours Held
At least the next time they see Will they will see him, I pray, hale and hearty and blessed by Aragorn's presence, acceptance, and love.
Beautiful description of the shop and the feelings of both women; and wonderful harking back to the despair of the siege of Minas Tirith.
Thanks for this one.
Author's reply
Well, the next time Will appears in the marketplace... no, that would be a spoiler.
They'll see him recovering in the Houses of Healing. It won't be an instant cure (I am remembering how the Frodo's pain and stiffness after Moria was eased--I will have to go back and look to see how he felt the next day!), but Elessar, at least, will prevent him dying of his injuries.
Thanks. It seems as if, with Elessar as King, there ought to be a whole lot less despair. Wouldn't you think?
Dreamflower
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: What the Dark Hours Held
Reading this I am reminded once more of how different things are now. No, I'm not talking about justice--but about communication. It's so hard for those of us who are used to instantly having news of what is going on in our loved ones' lives--even should they be on the other side of the world, to realize how slow news was to travel, even across town. I was forcefully reminded of that a few weeks ago, and it's not an experience I'd care to repeat.
In a world with no phones, no internet, no TV or radio, scarcely even any postal service further away than a few days travel with few exceptions, even a brief seperation of a few miles could be dangerous, and when something dire was going on, the agony of waiting could not be relieved by the shrill tone of a ringing phone bringing either good news or bad.
So Eliniel will wait through the night thinking the worst...
Author's reply
So true! While the story is about justice, communications do play a big role. Imagine if they'd been able to get Elessar on a cell phone, the heartache that could have been avoided! (He ought to have taken the Palantir with him and checked on his kingdom.)
Happily Turambor will be sending his sons home soon, to their beds, and with them (at least for the immediate family) the news that the King has intervened and that Gwill is not dead! (For of course all they know at this juncture is that Gwillam survived a badly done hanging.)
Hmmm. Perhaps I will look at my pesky telephone with a little more respect.
harrowcat
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: What the Dark Hours Held
Reading this it is just as well that we know the truth is a little better than their imaginings!
Author's reply
Yes, well said.
Bodkin
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 19: What the Dark Hours Held
Ripples in a pond. One slip of the tongue - so many repercussions. Poor Airin and Eliniel - what can they do? Wait, look after those who are left, pick up the pieces. And they are right - the Steward would happily have had Robin hanged the following day. And left Will to swing throughout another day. No imagination, no compassion.
So is it any wonder that the people of Annuminas have little faith in the justice of justice. Justice has always been administered by the haves to the have-nots - and frequently had little to do with right and a lot to do with the control of possessions.
I hope the message gets back to the family soon - no hangings. A difficult healing, perhaps, but no hanging.
I should think that Aragorn - as he sees how little faith his people have in the ability of the justice system to listen to ordinary citizens - or, come to that, hobbits - he is not going to be pleased. Even, maybe, incandescent. If he has the energy after the application of the king's healing hands.
A very moving chapter - focused on the suffering of those who wait and endure.
Author's reply
You can be reassured on your third point; as soon as Turambor's son's return they'll bring the news to the family that no more hangings, though that news won't be disseminated in the marketplace until the following day.
Aragorn has quite a few pieces to pick up, indeed! It only helps a little that he was already working at something, which will be coming out soon.
Thanks.
harrowcat
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 18: In the Shadow of the Scaffold
Aw! *satisfied sigh* for this chapter Lindelea. Now, 'the hands of the King...' and all that!
Bodkin
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 18: In the Shadow of the Scaffold
Poor Hunethron. It's not really his fault - although I can see Baranurthon's point of view. If you are going to be a hangman, you do want to be the best hangman possible. Do you think his heart will be softened when he learns that Will was drugged into insensibility so that Hunethron couldn't work efficiently? Probably not. And as far as we're concerned, it's a jolly good thing that Hunethron messed it up.
I hope someone (Aragorn, please note!) gets round to rescinding those floggings before it's too late. Distraction in the Houses of Healing might be understandable, but kings and hobbits have to multi-task, and there's a squad of guardsman whose compliance with the hobbits' will shouldn't be rewarded with a whip.
Haldoron is dim. I think that's his problem. Runs on rails. Thinks Dunedain are better than anyone else. Hobbits are little = hobbits are children. Just not bright. Needs careful supervision. Not the man for the job. Elessar is going to be too far away from Annuminas most of the time to leave it in the hands of someone so rigid. It even took him several minutes for the significance of Aragorn's arrival to penetrate. Dim.
Poor Robin and Seledrith - I don't think they've really grasped the change in circumstances yet. And who shall blame them. Quick, get that healing in motion - we don't want any last minute tragedies here!
This is so exciting.
Author's reply
I think that Baranurthon is one of those men who, whatever his profession, would make a study of the most efficient and effective way to carry out his duties. (He'd probably make a good Steward, as a matter of fact. I think he'd excel at whatever he turned his hand to, partly because he's intelligent and partly because he's dedicated.) I imagine that, had he had charge of Will's hanging, he would have managed to break Will's neck in the fall somehow. He's something of a perfectionist.
The floggings are an interesting thing to speculate on. The guardsmen, while bewitched by hobbits, were definitely in dereliction of their duty. If you take away the fact that Jack and Will ought not to have been hanged; if it had been some deserving criminal, mass murderer or such, and they allowed themselves to be so distracted, would they deserve the flogging? Elessar is going to have to employ some wisdom here. Let me know if you think he got it wrong.
Haldoron is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, all right. He manages because he's a rule-follower, but original thinking is not his strong point.
Poor Robin, he's in shock. He didn't even notice when the King said that Will and Jack deserved full pardon and honour. And Seledrith... she's lost her husband, and sort of found him again (though the betrayal is still in the back of her mind, when she's not overwhelmed by the moment), and then she was told she'd lose him again, taken to the dungeons and hanged in the dawning, and now she doesn't really know what to think. A husband in the hand is worth two in the Houses of Healing, or something like that...
Sorry, it's late and while I was thinking of writing I'd be better off going to bed. But I wanted to respond to your review, and let you know how I appreciate your taking the time to input thoughtful feedback.
Bodkin
· 30 October 2005
· Chapter 18: In the Shadow of the Scaffold
The guardsmen, while bewitched by hobbits, were definitely in dereliction of their duty. If you take away the fact that Jack and Will ought not to have been hanged; if it had been some deserving criminal, mass murderer or such, and they allowed themselves to be so distracted, would they deserve the flogging?
That brings on lots of other interesting speculations and thoughts about individual responsibility and orders.
There's a play by Max Frisch called Andorra where the soldier excuses having allowed something wrong to happen by saying 'I only did my duty' . . . where does obeying orders end and complicity in evil begin?
And whose orders do you follow when orders contradict? You could argue that Haleth's squad was responding to the King's will - they obeyed Pippin: Thain of the Shire, Knight of Gondor, one of the Nine Walkers. They could have ended up being punished either way - for disobeying the Steward or for disobeying the Knight of Gondor.
But then, taking the decision to stand against orders you think are wrong often brings about consequences - and they have to be endured. I look forward to discovering what conclusion you come to on the matter!
Dreamflower
· 29 October 2005
· Chapter 18: In the Shadow of the Scaffold
*deep sigh of relief* Finally!
And now the Steward is going to find out what it means that he disregarded the information the hobbits gave him. Indeed, they had told him all he needed to know to delay at least until the King could hear the case, and he refused to heed them, because what could tender-hearted little hobbits *possibly* know?
It's very clear that King Elessar is *not* amused.
And he's probably going to have to spend a long night in the Houses of Healing, which will not improve him temper in the morning.
I wouldn't want to be in the Steward's place right now.
Author's reply
What's funny (not in a hilarious way, naturally, but more ironic) is that Baranurthon is *quite* put out with his assistant because of his incompetence and the agonies he imagines Will suffered. Instead of being killed outright, Hunethon's lack of expertise actually saved Will's life--I'm sure Baranurthon might have been able to compensate for the effects of the draught whether or not he realised Will was drugged.
So Baranurthon is furious with Hunethon over his actions, which comprised poor workmanship on his part, and yet ironically contributed to Will's survival.
Whew. Convoluted.
I wouldn't want to be in the Steward's place either. But let me just say that I think the punishment just might fit the crime.
Thanks!
Larner
· 29 October 2005
· Chapter 18: In the Shadow of the Scaffold
Okay, my Lord Elessar, let us see the gift used, the Elessar stone augmenting it properly.
Haldoran is going to earn a great deal of recrimination, and the interfering guard, I HOPE, even more!
Well, well written.
Author's reply
I'm afraid the steward is really in for it... demotion, for starters.
But then, that's already a plot point woven into a future chapter. Evidently Elessar had already been thinking about this, for quite some time.
Author Reply: Am going to include a bit of my email to you, for clarification, for any who happen to read reviews in addition to chapters:
This is likely what the interfering guard overheard, and I hope it is plausible that he reported what he heard to the Steward.
The way I'd envisioned it, the guard heard the boys talking excitedly, but heard only part, probably something like this:
"Jack's here! He's here in the city! My mother saw him yesterday, in the linen shop!"
"Jack?"
(Impatiently) "You remember! He was in the Shire, he's the one who was after my father's gold, and when he found us he took us hostage..."
And that's about all the guard heard, for I'd imagine he hurried to the Steward with the startling news, and didn't hear Farry talk about how Jack and the boys saved Hilly from the bog and them from freezing...
And then the Steward sent for Diamond, and questioned her, and asked leading questions, and the rest...
So most of the blame falls solidly on the Steward's head, I'm afraid, and that will come out soon.
Larner
· 28 October 2005
· Chapter 17: The King Returns
Personally I hope a tale-bearing guard is the one who faces the floggings tomorrow rather than Haleth and his men.
GRRRRRRR! I bet Aragorn is ready to beat men bloody right now!
harrowcat
· 28 October 2005
· Chapter 17: The King Returns
What can we say? At LAST! Go Aragorn, Go!
Author's reply
At last! Whew.
Dreamflower
· 28 October 2005
· Chapter 17: The King Returns
*Hooooly Cow!*
Aragorn's going to be *extremely* ticked at this turn of events. *whoosh*
Hurry up, Strider, they need you and your healing hands!
Author's reply
I would not want to have Aragorn's anger directed at me, would you? Come to think of it, I hadn't thought much of whether he would blow hot or cold. Cold, I'd imagine, considering how old he is, the amount of experience he's been through, and that a hot-tempered man would be unlikely to survive.
I think the King is going to arrive in the nick of time. I'm pulling for him, anyhow.
Bodkin
· 28 October 2005
· Chapter 17: The King Returns
I don't think Aragorn is quite aware just how rigid his cousin's mind-set is. Or, come to that, that he doesn't really see hobbits as being his equals. He's probably always been safe and reliable and consistent and good at the paperwork - but he lacks imagination and he has little empathy. Although he does know he's a man of habit.
And he knows part of the story now. (Not the Lop and little Pippin part!) Shame Pippin didn't use the Will saving Diamond and Farry from freezing to death argument. Not that it would have made any impression on the bone-headed Steward.
Then, just as they were thinking 'we've done it' - it became apparent to them that they hadn't done it at all, and had probably arrived only in time to scrape up the left-overs.
Get that king to the gallows! Will is going to need him if he is to have any chance of surviving this - and so, I would think, is Jack. Oh my. This is some story! (A bit longer than the few hundred words mentioned too - but I'm not complaining!!)
Author's reply
You're probably right. They protected the Shire together, but they hardly ever dealt with any Shire-folk, except perhaps Bilbo? I can see Aragorn's cousin, never having got to know any hobbits, as looking at them as children, to be protected, and never quite understanding how mature and even sophisticated hobbits could be.
Yes, he's alwasy been safe and reliable and consistent, a man you could count on. And there's another reason he's steward, which will come out soon, but might make things a bit more understandable.
I am really looking forward to the Lop-and-Pippin part coming out, when things have cleared up a bit. We've reached the peak, and now it's coasting to the finish, pretty much, and the celebration to come. Whew.
I just hate that feeling, the "we did it!" that changes with a sudden revelation...
Glad you're not complaining!
harrowcat
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 16: Unfinished Business
I guessed that he would get cut down while still gasping but not just because the Sunset bells had rung. Now what a sight for our little party of mourners to face.
Larner
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 16: Unfinished Business
Oh, hurry, our beloved King Elessar. Hurry and heal these two who so need you. And I'm glad that the evening bell has freed both. Certainly Pippin has reason to hope.
Now, to have this Steward face his own comeuppance.
Author's reply
Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "saved by the bell". But yes, they badly need the King's healing as well. Good thing he's on his way.
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 16: Unfinished Business
The Steward is a little rule-bound, isn't he. Five minutes to sunset - hang him. The sunset bell rings - cut him down. No matter that he isn't dead, we can finish him off in the morning. (What's happened to the theory that it wouldn't be just to make him suffer overnight?) I suppose I should be glad, because he would otherwise have encouraged Hunethon to perform the quiet neck-break. He's not really a bad man - he's just unimaginative and inflexible. And patronising.
And I'm not sure this isn't even worse an outcome for Seledrith to face - at least at the moment. Neither Jack not Will is dead - yet both still have their names on a death warrant. I hope at least one of the hobbits take Turambar and Denny - and Seledrith - to one side and explains to them just why they should be proud of both Jack and Will.
And that Aragorn manages to get back before Will's son has grown to manhood. What is keeping the man? Has he been waylaid by bandits? Has his horse been lamed? Has he lost the way? If he doesn't get back soon, I shall be very disappointed in him. And so will all his admirers among the hobbits. Ferdi, on the other hand, might eye him with a touch of cynicism and decide that all men are ruffians after all.
Author's reply
Yes, you've caught the gist of the Steward. Not evil. Just lacking in imagination. He's probably good at day-to-day stuff and where the rules are clear-cut, and he's a man you can count on, through thick and thin, so long as the issues are black and white.
I think Denny knows the story already, after talking to Robin. But definitely, the greengrocer and his daughter ought to hear the whole. The greengrocer is a man of simple love and strong loyalty, but his daughter is a woman betrayed, or at least she thinks that she is.
Keep in mind that Aragorn's kinsman lives at some distance from the city. After all, you probably wouldn't put a hunting lodge within an easy walk from a bustling city, would you? Don't think you'd find a lot of game there. Two hours or maybe a bit more, at a trot, when you know where you're going, and how far/long at a gallop? I'll have to ask Sulriel.
Dreamflower
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 16: Unfinished Business
Now what on *earth* is holding the King up? (aside from a sneaky author)
Well, at least there is a respite till morning. And it should be very interesting indeed to see what happens in the night.
I would imagine that Pippin is just about fit to be tied. This Steward has got to be one of *the* most pig-headed creatures he's had to encounter, with the possible exception of Denethor. But then, Denethor had the excuse of being as crazy as a coot, while this particular "person" just can't seem to admit he's ever wrong.
Poor Seledrith. Poor Will. And poor Jack.
Hurry up, Strider--you're needed!
Author's reply
Dratted sneaky authors.
Your description of Pippin is perfection itself. Yes, he is. He's in the right place, though. Lots of ropes and things lying about.
Pardon the gallows humour. Craving chocolate does that sort of thing to me.
Dreamflower
· 27 October 2005
· Chapter 15: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Oh, you are *evil*! Poor Will! The King needs to arrive pronto. At least with having taken the healer's draught, he hopefully will not be plagued too much with memories of this horrid time.
And dear, oh dear, even if Will is rescued, he's going to have a hard time with Seledrith--she's clearly thinking the worst of him. *sigh* Comes of no time to explain or talk things over. You do weave one of the most tangled webs of any writer I know...*grin*
Author's reply
Yes, for poor Will it is still touch-and-go (I wonder where that expression comes from? Landing planes in the early days, perhaps? Don't know.)
That healer's draught. He meant it for good, and lots of people are seeing the results as doing him ill even though they don't know he's drugged, but really, it is saving his life and not, as it was intended, simply easing his passing. If you can call it "easing". Whew.
Glad you caught that bit about Seledrith. I was wondering if anyone would notice her turn of phrase. But then I didn't know if I was being subtle or if I was trampling around on oliphaunt feet. You know how that goes...