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's 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
· 24 June 2010
· Chapter 2
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's 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
· 24 June 2010
· Chapter 2
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's 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
· 23 June 2010
· Chapter 2
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's 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
· 23 June 2010
· Chapter 2
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's 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
· 23 June 2010
· Chapter 2
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's 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.
cathleen
· 20 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Ah, I can easily visulaize these scenes and picture the hobbits recalling the things Pippin has told them about his experiences. I laughed over the part about Mistress Poppy and her poor knees, lol! I wonder what excitement such an entourage of hobbits will bring to Minas Tirith?
Author's reply
I hope that they will bring along not only some excitement, but a fresh way of looking at things!
GamgeeFest
· 19 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Love the delegations arrival to the city. Their overwhelmed and nervous reactions are right on, and the description of the city through Freddy's eyes reminds us how imposing the city can be. The best part of course is their introduction to the King and Queen, and Aragorn and Arwen coming down to personally greet the delegation. If the hobbits thought their wides were widened before, they're in for a surprise.
GamgeeFest
· 19 June 2010
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Oh goody! A new adventure begins!
ecrm
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
I'm very happy to see part 2 of the story. I've been looking forward to it ever since I started to read the Road to Edoras. It's fun to see Hobbit preconceptions about stupid 'big folk' being shattered by a place like Minas Tirith. As a student of Roman/Byzantine history I loved the presentation to the King. It seems to me that being introduced by the herald and not having the king speak at all would be exactly the kind of normal procedure used for receiving ambassadors in a realm as old as Gondor. Great chapter!
Author's reply
The way I see it, is that after generations of rule by the Stewards, who seemed determined to "freeze" everything at the time the last King vanished (for example, using the chair at the foot of the steps rather than the throne), the Gondorians would expect all those old preserved, but long unused, traditions to be re-instated with all the pomp and formality. On the other hand, I can see Aragorn chafing at that and gradually changing them as he can. The arrival of hobbits-- and not just any hobbits, but kin and friends of the small heroes of the War-- would give him the perfect opportunity to set aside one more stale tradition and set a new precedent.
Also, I am quite fond of the herald idea. I confess that there I am very influenced by my experiences in the SCA, and in attending "courts" at events. You can't beat an SCA herald for pomp!
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
Claudia
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
wow, this was terrific! I love seeing Minas Tirith through the eyes of hobbits! Everything must be so stately and kingly and HUGE. :)
Author's reply
"Stately and kingly and HUGE"
Yes. But trust that stately king to make it warm and personal, and to bring things down to te hobbits' size.
Theresa Greenfalcon
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
I was *waiting* on this one, and totally missed the prologue and first chapter till now - seeing this COMPLETELY made my day! I'm currently grinning like a loon!
Thanks for writing it, Dreamflower! See you on LJ too! [Tracey Claybon]
Author's reply
I'm so glad that I "made your day"! That makes ME grin.
Thanks for the R&R!
shirebound
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
The deafening applause makes my heart happy. What a lovely welcome, especially the eyes "filled with warmth and kindness".
Author's reply
I think that he would always have a warm welcome for these friends of his friends. And I always think that, like his foster father, he would have been "kind as summer".
Mîdhaer
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
I had a feeling Aragorn would be the kind of person to ignore protocol completely. It seems to me he didn't realize court protocol mostly involved him sitting on the throne while Faramir does all the work. I think the hobbits were the perfect excuse for him to ignore protocol, given their informal nature. Wonderful job thus far. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
~Mîdhaer
Author's reply
In my mind, he's been chipping away at protocol for a while, and this arrival of the hobbits gives him a big chance to throw some more of it aside and set a new precedent. And because they are hobbits, the people are not going to really mind.
Larner
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Hooray! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! What a proper welcome for the Hobbits of the Shire!
Author's reply
*grin*
*joins in the cheer!*
Larner
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Hooray! They are in view at last! Yay!
Author's reply
You just know he's had outriders and scouts watching for days!
Andrea
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Great start!
You could feel with the hobbits kneeling nervously before the High Kings throne.
But somewhere inside my mind I wondered how long Aragorn would stick to protocol ;-)
He's the best king ever!
Author's reply
Yes indeed! They were all very nervous, but I knew that Aragorn would greet them himself!
He is.
Erulisse (one L)
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
What a delight. I know I will enjoy this tale as it unfolds and I will have to look back through archives to find the prior ones and get more familiar with the characters. Trust to Aragon, both demonstrating the value that he places in the hobbits, as well as making them feel more comfortable in this city of large people and larger buildings. Taking himself and the Queen from the dais down to Hobbit level was a stroke of genius and exactly what Strider would have done. Beautifully crafted - this will be a joy to read.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Thank you very much! I'm glad to be continuing the story I began in "A New Reckoning" and "The Road to Edoras".
Yes, Aragorn is serving notice to the populace of the city that hobbits enjoy a very special place in his heart.
Arwen75
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Yeah you are continuing the story at last. Looking forward to seeing how this progresses. But I cna imagine how the hobbits felt as they appraoched the throne. Waiting to see what happens while they are in Minas Tirith - a lot I suspect - and of course Aragorn has to deal with the two miscreants as well.
Time to go and re-read the earlier stories I feel
Author's reply
Yes, at last!
He certainly does have the miscreants to deal with...
Kitty
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Poor Hobbits, I can imagine how they feel. Edoras was already a bit much, and while Meduseld is beautiful in its own right, it's a bit rustic in comparison and can't really prepare anyone for the White City. Minas Tirith is not only impressing, but intimidating, and for Hobbits probably even more so than Men, as they aren't used to anything even remotely similar. And then to be introduced to the High King ... though I guess Aragorn will soon put them at ease.
Loved it how the audience started out all proper and Aragorn then decided to screw protocol and cut the whole formal stuff short. And how like him to notice that Poppy was having problems with her knees and help her up! I'm certain she will appreciate it.
Look forward to more! :)
Author's reply
Yes, they've moved up in increasing gulps when it comes to the towns and cities of Men: Bree and Tharbad seemed huge to them-- until they encountered Edoras! And now Minas Tirith! Which of course, is the largest city of Men in the West!
I think Aragorn and Faramir had decided ahead of time to "screw protocol"-- both as a way of showing their friendship and honor to the hobbits, and to set their own sort of precedent for dealing with the hobbits. It's a way of serving notice that hobbits have a whole different set of privileges!
And he'd certainly notice that Poppy had a bit of difficulty kneeling, and so give her a hand up. This was also a sort of tribute from me to a number of SCA monarchs who served me that same favor from time to time.
harrowcat
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Oh!!! *squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!* More, more, more, more... I am lapping this up. I am overjoyed to see more of this.
Thank you so much Dreamflower.
Author's reply
Why, you are very welcome, dear! I'm glad to be getting on with it!
Kitty
· 17 June 2010
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Yippiiieeee!!! You started the sequel! *does a happy dance* Had nearly lost hope.
Aragorn and Faramir will probably look forward to an entertaining and much less boring time now ;)
Author's reply
Well, I should say there will be a less boring time with hobbits in town...
Lindelea
· 16 June 2010
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Hooray!
I'm not reading much of anything at present, and writing less, but I made the time to read this prologue, at least, before heading belatedly to bed.
(Glad it was short, but even more glad that there's more to look forward to!)
Will save Chapter 1 for tomorrow.
I love that Elessar uses a battered table for a desk. Seems Striderish, somehow.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you found time for it!
I have this little idea of the office that Elessar sets up-- he doesn't want to use the Steward's office, after all. He finds a (relatively) small room off an out of the way corridor, that's nevertheless close to the audience chambers and the throne room, and decides that's the perfect place. And he chooses what goes in there, and scandalizes most of the upper servants, because, well, that was just meant to be a little store-room, and the furnishings were things that had been removed from public view because they are too worn. It's just not *fit* for the King...some of them still cluck their tongues in disapproval when they have occasion to go in there...
Fiondil
· 16 June 2010
· Chapter 1
Finally! And just the other week I was wondering when (or if) you would ever write this sequel. Great start and I look forward to reading the rest. Just wish the chapters weren't so short. I just get into them and.... ack! where's the rest? *LOL* Thanks for writing this. I know I'm not the only one who's been waiting to find out what happens to Freddy and Berilac and Mistress Poppy and Viola and, yes, even Clodio and Dago, and the other hobbits as they experience life in 'the big city'. *grin*
Author's reply
LOL! Well, we hobbit writers often tend towards shorter chapters, LOL! But I am really going to try and keep this updated regularly!
I too, am looking forward to their stay! They will be learning a lot-- and so will the people of Gondor!
Linda Hoyland
· 16 June 2010
· Chapter 1
What a lovely welcome from Aragorn!
Author's reply
Yes. He's very glad to see hobbits again, isn't he?