In the Court of the High King by Dreamflower
Fiondil · 7 November 2013 · Chapter 21
An interesting set of letters, especially in the way he referred to the two prisoners (or didn't) and what details he shared with whom. A nice bridging chapter and am looking forward to seeing what new adventures they have in the city. Thanks for updating.
Author's reply
Yes, the major business they came for has been settled, and now they can concentrate on other things they came for, like trade agreements, and learning the ways of Men...
Larner · 7 November 2013 · Chapter 21
Ah, but bless him! I can appreciate his frustration with the manner in which the prisoners are to be treated within the Shire. And Eglantine must feel relief that her kinsmen are safe and given a fair opportunity to redeem themselves in spite of their foolishness!
Author's reply
Freddy realizes that while it's "convenient" within the Shire to pretend that the criminals don't exist, it's far from practical when they still must be dealt with on a daily basis. And more than most hobbits, he understands the consequences of not remembering the past. I think in spite of her disowning him, Eglantine will be relieved that her brother is safe, and I am sure that she will pass that on to poor Beryl.
shirebound · 7 November 2013 · Chapter 21
King Elessar would very much like to increase the importation of Shire wool and woolen goods, but he is having quite an uphill battle trying to convince the Cloth Merchant's Guild of the benefits of that trade. I think if you could see your way to shipping some samples of our best down here, it might convince them. What a wonderful detail. Freddy and the King both show such 'good hobbit sense' in so many ways. I'm thoroughly enjoying your delightful story.
Author's reply
Bringing prisoners was not the only reason for the journey. Mostly it was for the usual things ambassadors deal with--such as trade agreements and building ties between the two regions. Freddy is quite shrewd, and of course, Aragorn is uncommonly sensible for a Man, plus he already knows much of what hobbits are capable of! (I thought I'd answered this earlier, but my reply wasn't here! How odd!)
UTfrog · 7 November 2013 · Chapter 21
It is always a delight to see an update. This was a good bridging chapter. The Shire does need to be updated on the events in Minas Tirith. Thanks, as always.
Author's reply
Yes they do! And I wanted to show as well that there were other things going on besides simply waiting for the prisoners to be sentenced.
Speedy Hobbit · 25 September 2013 · Chapter 20
This chapter definitely had me laughing! Simple but brilliant! I love seeing the results of humans underestimating hobbits! They may be smaller and not as strong but they are definitely much more dextrous!
Author's reply
I always adore the chance to show off the hobbit skill with "throwing and aiming" things!
Speedy Hobbit · 7 September 2013 · Chapter 1
I've gotta say, you're quite adept with description!
Author's reply
Thank you!
UTfrog · 7 September 2013 · Chapter 20
Great chapter. It was nice to have a break from the seriousness of judgments. Thank you.
Author's reply
Yes, I thought it would be nice to lighten things up for a chapter. And I recalled the brief anecdote that Jolly talked about in "Testaments of the Past" and decided this would be a good place to flesh it out.
Larner · 7 September 2013 · Chapter 20
Aha! The idea that Sam had made such a shot is pleasing, I find! At last the game is won, at least, and some of the Men of Gondor have a better idea of just how well Hobbits can best their own skills! Lovely!
Author's reply
I think three darts in the same band of the same number would be incredibly difficult. Probably not a shot a human could make--but a hobbit could, and probably an Elf as well. I can imagine that those who were there will delight in the future in betting on the hobbits whenever they get the chance!
Linda Hoyland · 6 September 2013 · Chapter 20
I would have loved to watch both the dats matches. Most enjoyable!
Author's reply
I expect it would have been quite a sight! I always love to let hobbits show off their throwing and aiming skills!
shirebound · 6 September 2013 · Chapter 20
"I can imagine the look on Frodo's face," said Berilac. "His jaw all prim and proper and his eyes full of mischief!" I can imagine it, too! What a thoroughly delightful chapter, and such a fun respite from the very serious business that had been taking place.
Author's reply
*grin* Frodo does not approve of betting, but that doesn't mean he can't find some amusement in watching other people get themselves in a pickle. I did think it was time to lighten up a little, after the stress of the sentencing.
Larner · 9 August 2013 · Chapter 19
It does sound as if he has a good situation, as long as he doesn't blow it. So, she reminds him of Eglantine, does she? Hope he keeps that in mind and doesn't seek to betray her or her father.
Author's reply
Huh. I thought I had responded to this review already! She does remind him of his sister a little; I don't think we need worry too much about Clodio--he's begun (too late) to see the error of his ways.
Linda Hoyland · 7 August 2013 · Chapter 19
A most enjoyable chapter, I hope it won't prove a punishment for the archivist!
Author's reply
I hope not, too! Though of course, it will prove an adjustment.
shirebound · 7 August 2013 · Chapter 19
You must have spent so much time imagining what the Citadel looks like, and how the rooms and passageways intersect one another. Your gift of description rivals that of the Professor! I do love your Archivist. :)
Author's reply
Well, I don't know that it rivals his, but I do try to use him as an example and make my descriptions detailed in the way that he did! I'm rather fond of him myself! And to think, when I wrote "The Archives Incident" I did not even know his name!
UTfrog · 7 August 2013 · Chapter 19
Clodio has a great chance if he is smart enough to take it. Great description of the archives. Thank you.
Author's reply
I had a lot of fun trying to imagine how the Archives might look and how they would be set up! I think Clodio has a wonderful chance, and has ended up among people who will make a great difference to him.
Fiondil · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 18
And hopefully he'll settle right in, though I hope he doesn't end up cooking the books when Maevor isn't looking. *grin* And I was lost just reading the directions to the workroom. Hope Dago has better luck finding his way around. Looking forward to more, Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Hopefully he will. And I think you may guess that this sentence is somewhat of a test for the greedy Bracegirdle--will he resist the temptation? I am sure Maevor will be watching out for signs of such. I wanted to make it clear that it's going to be a while before he'll learn how to find his way around even this wing of the Citadel, much less begin to explore other parts.
Larner · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 18
An appropriate placement for one accustomed to keeping track of business, and far preferable to finding himself possibly on a chain gang working on building roads, I must assume. No real means of escape here, but not onerous, either. And no one will mistreat him. He could do a LOT worse, and I think he appreciates that.
Author's reply
Yep. And he does know he could do worse. There's not a real means of escape, no, but his sentence was also by way of a test. He's in a position where he could feasibly abuse it to his own advantage--will he? or won't he? Of course, Aragorn chose Maevor for a good reason; the Man will know what to watch out for. It's now up to Dago to decide if he will learn his lesson or not.
eiluj · 1 August 2013 · Chapter 18
Nothing below the floor but air. Well, you found a way to make us feel sorry for him. Poor hobbit....
Author's reply
Yes, well, we all know how hobbits feel about heights! He'll learn to live with it.
shirebound · 31 July 2013 · Chapter 18
Dago is so fortunate that his situation is this good. I suspect he'll learn quite a bit about Men, Gondor, and maybe even himself.
Author's reply
Both hobbits are extremely fortunate that Elessar was their judge. Imagine how Denethor might have dealt with such a crime. He will be learning a lot about Men and Gondor. I hope he begins to learn some things about himself as well.
UTfrog · 31 July 2013 · Chapter 18
I do not think he has figured out how very lucky he is. How the prisoners come to term with their fates will be interesting indeed. Thank you.
Author's reply
Yes, it will be interesting to see when and if they come to terms.
Imhiriel · 22 July 2013 · Chapter 8
The details of Aragorn's plans and discussions about the rebuilding of Annúminas are totally fascinating, and I have grabbed them unabashedly for my personal headcanon *g*. The scene was also particularly carefully written, I thought, very subtly showing just how Aragorn makes the Hobbits instantly comfortable by his demeanour, his way of speaking - and of course by providing food *g*. There were allusions in "Road to Edoras" about Mosco wondering why he was on the embassy, and his feelings about feeling a little useless. When you had him watching the buildings in Minas Tirith so intently in a previous chapter, I was wondering if that would be the kernel to the solution, and I'm happy I got it right. And how neat that it is a "Burrows" who will help in the rebuilding. Is that coincidence or did you do this deliberately? Either way: I like it!
Author's reply
Why thank you! That's a high compliment! I love it when people tell me that! He's spent enough time with hobbits now to understand what makes them comfortable: just enough formality to satisfy good manners, but not enough to be embarrassing, a setting that is physically comfortable, and, of course--food. *grins back* You are quite right. I wanted Mosco to begin to come into his own when he got to Minas Tirith, and I was hoping some readers would catch on to his keen interest in architecture and the details of building. And you are also quite right about the Burrows part. It was deliberate; the name gave me the idea, since I thought perhaps it indicated that the building of "burrows" might run in the family. I'd begun to have these ideas about Mosco back when he first volunteered to go. (And I have another something in mind for him as well!)
Imhiriel · 21 July 2013 · Chapter 1
I can totally see just how battered the Hobbits must have felt as the went from their first sight of Minas Tirith, to the Rammas Echor to the Gates, up the seven levels, to the Citadel, to the throneroom with its (really!) preposterous opulence into the presence of the High King and High Númenórean court etiquette of the long days of yore. But they hold up remarkably well. And poor Aragorn, having to sit halfway in the clouds and be all formal and stiff. I can understand the Gondorians, they have a king again after thousands of years, so they seek support and counsel in old lore in search of firm footing. But really, time moves on, and I bet Aragorn and Faramir between them have made a firm commitment to blow off the dust and cobwebs of this over-elaborate protocol and get rid of as much as they deem compatible with their offices and duties. If all else fails, he could threaten to don his weatherworn Strider gear again and elope with Arwen to vanish into the mists of Eriador again, I suppose *g*. But actually what I liked best amid all this pomp and pageantry was the detail of Poppy's faint grunt and the popping of her knees. And trust Aragorn to notice it and help!
Author's reply
Yes, you've nailed the Gondorian attitude perfectly: rather than move forward into a NEW Age, they want to move backward to the time they imagine as the "glory days" of the Old Kings--and that means dragging out all the old protocol, or failing that, using the strict and formal protocol of the later Stewards (not realizing that particular formality and stratification was an austerity measure enacted because of the Enemy, who is no more!) Aragorn and Arwen had tried for a while to accommodate these hide-bound nobles and courtiers, but it's holding Gondor back. Nothing like the presence of the hobbits though, to give them and Faramir the excuse they need to dust things off. I would imagine that the King makes that threat in his head a dozen times a day, LOL! And he might even be brought to mutter it aloud once in a while if greatly frustrated. Poppy's not young--she isn't especially elderly as hobbits go, but she's well past middle age, and like her author, she has a bad knee and a touch of arthritis. And Aragorn's help was based on the gracious help I was once given years ago by the "king" in Court at an SCA event, after I myself had been called into the presence of the reigning "royalty" and realized to my embarrassment I was not going to be able to stand on my own. My knee audibly popped, too!
Linda Hoyland · 19 July 2013 · Chapter 17
Excellent judgement from Aragorn. I enjoyed this very much.
Author's reply
Thank you! He had to think long and hard about this one, but I believe he came up with a really good solution.
Fiondil · 18 July 2013 · Chapter 17
Well, the sentences are just and sound. It remains to be seen if they take advantage of what the King is offering them or if they squander this second chance. I think Clodio might do well, not sure about Drogo. He doesn't strike me as someone who learns his lessons well. So, what's next for the embassy?
Author's reply
Well, there will also be many lessons for the hobbits of the embassy, each of them finding new ways of thinking and new things to do! I actually have several little adventures in the works for some of them; and my main thing will be to find the way to put them together. We'll also see what happens with Clodio and Dago--right now, you are very close to the mark.
UTfrog · 17 July 2013 · Chapter 17
Well thought punishments, but will Clodio and Dago mend their ways.
Author's reply
Will they? That is certainly a question Aragorn has to be asking himself--but I think you may see the clues in the guardians he chose for each!
Larner · 17 July 2013 · Chapter 17
A proper punishment and time of retraining for the two of them, I think. Good enough! And Freddy will see to it that the report is given to Paladin, the Mayor, and the Master that the miscreants have all been dealt with appropriately!
Author's reply
Yes, there will soon be reports sent to the Shire and elsewhere. And Aragorn is certainly hoping that the punishment will result in rehabilitation, which is why he chose each hobbit's custodian carefully!