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| The Acceptable Sacrifice by Larner | 18 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005 |
| Halladan in charge of the kingdom? Poor guy, he is probably much less prepared for it than Aragorn. But he will survive one or two hours, I suppose. Elladan is right, the servants shouldn’t tiptoe in the sleeping chamber of their new King and try to surprise him with breakfast in bed or something like this. He has lived as a ranger in the wilds far too long and would be up and with a knife in the hand all too fast. And this in turn would frighten the servants to death. As for Éomer: From a practical POV there is no reason why Éowyn shouldn’t marry Faramir. He is of a noble bloodline, being the son of Denethor and nephew of Imrahil, and he is a skilled ranger and warrior and now Steward of Gondor. Certainly a fitting match for the Lady of Rohan. I know it was quite usual to chose such fitting partners out of political reasons, no matter if the couple in question was in love or not. And Faramir is a gentle soul. But on the other hand, Éomer knows about Éowyn’s feelings for Aragorn and has to wonder about her abrupt change of mind and if she truly loves Faramir, I suppose. And as you pointed out, he is an older brother! After all they have lost their parents long ago, and now Théoden is death, so Éomer certainly feels even more responsible for his little sister. So I suppose he has a bit mixed feelings about all this. Now I don’t know if to laugh or to feel sorry for Galador! The poor man had obviously already puzzled out the seating arrangement for the feast, and now Aragorn has his own ideas who has to sit where and the Umbaris are another unpleasant addition. But have I understood this correct – Galador has placed the Lady of Rohan opposite Aragorn and some eligible daughters of noble houses near him, too? Why have I the feeling he tries to play matchmaker in spite of what Aragorn told him? Truly, I hope you will show us his face when the future Queen of Gondor arrives and he realises who she is! The granddaughter of a legend *grin* Oh, by the way, the board for arranging the seats is a nice detail! Quite useful thing, I think. Author Reply: Am playing with the soft-footed servant in a future chapter. And, yes, Galador truly thinks to try some matchmaking in spite of assurances the King has that problem in hand. Maybe, as someone else commented, he thinks the King will bring in a rustic northern Dunedain maiden and hopes to provide the King with "suitable" alternatives; and clearly Eowyn is the highest ranking eligible royal available at the moment. He's probably just realizing that Eowyn is already taken now and is most disappointed. Oh, well, he CAN seat her by what is obviously her intended, and it is still an excellent alliance for Gondor (and probably at the moment a much prouder one, for Faramir is already well known and loved both in the city and throughout the realm. And the coming of the Queen is going to surprise more than just four Hobbits, I think. More tales and legends indeed, I think.... Glad you like the idea of the feast hall seating chart. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005 |
| I love Galador's toys! Sorry, pieces designed to help him organise the seating at banquets. And the idea of the eligible maidens being moved away from the King to make way for diplomats is delicious. And, I'm sure, a great relief to Aragorn. To those unaccustomed to elves and dwarves, the idea of 6000 year old legends making their way back from mythology into history must be somewhat disconcerting. Author Reply: Yes, Galador must have had loads of entertainment and reassurance from being able to play with his blocks--colored tiles symbolizing houses and alliances, I mean. ;-) And now he has to put down the idea of matchmaking in spite of the King and deal with disturbing Umbarian lords. Must be a letdown. So glad you appreciated that detail. And as Galadriel says in the prologue to the movie, "History became legend, legend became myth..." and now the process is reversing itself in Gondor. So glad you enjoyed it, Bodkin. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/6/2005 |
| A lovely view of life at court. Poor Galador! I am glad that he is getting to discover more about his King. Eligible daughters indeed! ME had smiths but I assume they didn't have horse shoes. Great detail Larner. Author Reply: I'm not certain whether or not they'd have had horseshoes; I know that Sutcliff indicated the Saxons shod their horses in the seventh century A.D., but am not certain whether or not that was true (am rereading "Dawn Wind" and this is a reason given for the acceptance of hospitality of one Saxon farmholder by another, as the smith won't be able to right things until morning). BTW, in case you didn't know it, Rosemary Sutcliff is ONE of my very favorite authors. Also wasn't certain whether or not ME had horseshoes, anyway, so I used the image of the child's drawing instead just in case.... And glad you, too, got a chuckle out of the eligible daughters fated to sit by their families after all. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/5/2005 |
| What a nightmare getting the seating right,I'm glad I wasn't in charge !But how wonderful to see those names out of legend appear ! Author Reply: Am so very glad you appreciate Galador's job, Linda! It could be a thankless task, I suspect. And I'm glad you like the names out of legend appearing, as I've enjoyed seeing them included here as well. Looking forward to your next chapter. | |
| Radbooks | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/5/2005 |
| I imagine that Halladan would have some qualms about being left in charge of things for awhile - if Aragorn was slightly overwhelmed (though hiding it well) I would think that Halladan would be even more so. Everyone's role has changed so much in such a short period of time and he has only recently come into the stewardship with the death of Halbarad. Loved Elladan and Elrohir's comment about making sure the servants didn't wake up Aragorn the wrong way and accidently get stabbed. :) Galadorn having to plan where people have to sit and having it all changed like that. I am sure that it was all down to a very precise science by that time - who was higher on the social scale and deserved the best seats, etc. I loved the fact that he had to remove the eligible daughters from the table... I think Aragorn should appreciate the men from Umbar just to spare him from that! :) Interesting how Faralion now knows so much about the king and can pass it on to others and yet still can't really 'see' him. In the sense we've talked about before and becoming a friend with Aragorn. I loved the part where Galadorn doesn't believe in Earendil and Elwing and Faralion tells him that the twins are their grandchildren. :) My chapter is up, however the alert system at ff.net doesn't appear to be working. Author Reply: Coming to terms with the new world order is going to take everyone time to deal with; and you are undoubtedly right about Halladan's own confusion, as he's only just been promoted to Steward of Arnor himself. Am going to play with the idea of waking Aragorn soon--hope you enjoy it when it comes. But for one newly come from the battlefield where there was still a threat of orc incursions, I think Aragorn would need some transition time to get used to living in civilian mode. Glad you appreciated Galador's frustration at possibly focusing the King's attention on possible brides in spite of what he was told in the conference before the coronation. And if Aragorn realized Galador had such thoughts, I think you are right he'd actually be glad those from Umbar turned up. And Faralion still is trying to come to terms with the new regime himself. But what he thinks the descendant of Elros ought to be like is anyone's guess, I suppose. I'll see if I can get to your story. Haven't gotten my notificaton this chapter is up at FFN, either. | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/5/2005 |
| It's a good thing that Galador has his seating charts to keep him busy, for he seems to have been thrust through the looking glass into a new world where there are kings who are descendants of legends. I wonder if he's realized that the new Queen will be the granddaughter of those two legendary figures whose existence he doubts. The detail and work of the seating chart is truly dizzying. I'm glad I'm not in charge of such a thing. Author Reply: How to seat folk at a formal feast is always a question. I know that in most of the medieval world a feast would have the High Table where the Lord and special guests would sit, then the lower tables for others, usually with the more notable still not seen worthy of sitting at the High Table sitting at the tables closest to the Lord, the Lord's men next, then the women and household folks, and those who just happen by and beggars and such at the tables closest to the doors (and the draft!); but for the descendants of Numenor I decided a slightly more eighteenth century arrangement might be more likely; but at a formal feast for the realm one single long table just didn't seem to work, so I came up with the open-ended oval shape I've envisioned instead, with two chances of sitting closer to the Lord of the Feast. So glad you like the idea of the seating chart; puzzled for quite a while trying to figure out how the Master of Protocol would handle such an affair. And, yes, Galador is having to wrap his mind around the realization that in the renewed world of the King's return legends can end up holding more truth than mere protocol and customary behaviors. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/5/2005 |
| Poor Galador! I think Farolian is getting a little bit of a kick out of astounding his friend with his information. Not that *he* was ever astounded, oh no, ;-) not him...*grin* Author Reply: Gack! Just wrote a very lyrical response and hit the BACK button instead of POST. HATE THAT! Yes, Galador has sought to keep the past alive by keeping the protocol straight within the Citadel--only to realize he's dismissed the very past he professes to honor; and the defender of historical and political actions is instructed by the weaver of tales and keeper of the traditions of the imagination. And now the imagination has proved truer than who bows to whom. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 11/5/2005 |
| “But Eärendil and Elwing are but the stuff of legends!” Faralion shook his head. “Say no such thing to the Peredhil, I will warn you; for they are the sons of Elrond, who was himself son to Eärendil and Elwing, alongside his brother Elros, from whom our King is descended.” Galador looked at the minstrel amazed. “But how can this be?” “Tales and legends have come to life before us, my friend Galador; rejoice that it is so.” Who can say how any of us would react if "tales and legends" came to life before us? What a transition these Men of Gondor are making, and they have such a short time in which to do so. Author Reply: I wrote a very lyrical response to this one as well, but was very busy last night hitting the back button instead of the post reply one, I see. GAACK! It is not long over a month since most of Gondor was aware there was a candidate out there eligible to become King; now they are seeing that Elves are willing to walk at that King's side, that Halflings are real and here are four of them, and what's more two of them made it all the way to Mount Doom and saw the end of Sauron's Ring and thus Sauron as well, and that Dwarves and Wizards are also equally familiar with their new Lord, who carries a legendary sword as well as wearing the Star of Elendil and displaying Elendil's tokens on his standard. Yes, changes are coming thick and fast, and some are still trying to realize the kingdom is still whole in spite of all the power Sauron threw at them. The realization the promises of the future now have a chance of being made manifest must still be a shock for them to deal with. | |