harrowcat
· 7 November 2005
· Chapter 25: Consequences
The healing began with the first word of the Steward. This is a 'wow' of a chapter Lindelea! I am proud of myself for guessing it. I, too, was a little surprised that the King let it get to fifty lashes but you had everyone's reactions perfect for me. I want to hear The King and his steward in conversation over this. Will he let him resign or will he help him take the harder path?
Author's reply
Well, I deliberately did not specify how many lashes the Steward took. Something less than one hundred, for certain. I don't know if it was as many as fifty, though it might have been. The number "fifty" was stated as Haleth's sentence.
There is a very interesting conversation coming up between Steward and King...
Good job on guessing!
Larner
· 7 November 2005
· Chapter 25: Consequences
I am proud--more than proud--of every single one of them, from Aragorn to Haladorn to Haleth to Merry, Pippin, and Sam. Yes, let the healing begin now in earnest.
And Haladorn himself has been taken by orcs in the past?
A mighty oak he has finally become indeed, now that his grief is in its place. And the Valar will, I think, bless him while Eru will honor him mightily.
Author's reply
Yes, Haldoron was taken by Orcs in the past, and Aragorn led the rescue party. Quite an exciting and desperate story, and one that cemented the trust and friendship between the cousins, as well as made Haldoron Aragorn's man forever after. Complete and utter loyalty--and devastating shame when he realised he had failed his cousin and his King.
Dreamflower
· 7 November 2005
· Chapter 25: Consequences
*whoosh*
Now *that* was something.
I was surprised at Aragorn letting him take the lashes, though I knew he would stop it before it went too far. The hobbits' reactions were perfect.
Haldoron has publicly made sure those whom he condemned are now received as the heroes they are--his gesture will ensure that, if nothing else. Yet his self-flagellation (and though he was not the one wielding the whip, it most certainly *was* that, as those who were could not gainsay him) was also in a way a gesture of pride. Not content to merely announce that he was in the wrong, he had to make his penance public. (I am reminded of what JRRT said of Frodo, about his feelings of guilt for not destroying the Ring being in a way the last vestiges of his pride.)
Hopefully, however, the physical suffering will help him to gain a bit of perspective; perhaps *that* was the reason Aragorn let it go as far as he did. For the healing will have to be more than physical, yet the comfort can begin there, on the simpler level.
Author's reply
Well, it was the only penance that Haldoron could understand at that time. He had not yet been "hobbitized", you see...
You know, I had originally written this as him remitting all penalty, for I find the idea of flogging repugnant, but thinking it over after Larner's remarks, I thought perhaps it would fit into Tolkien's Roman Catholic understanding, the Steward's taking the punishment on himself. (If I am misinterpreting and have caused offence to someone of that church, I apologise.)
You are spot on about gaining perspective, that is very likely why Aragorn let it go as far as it did. But after his cousin broke down under the flogging, he stopped everything. Perhaps he was watching the sergeant, too, and understood Haleth's intention to interfere... er, intervene.
Larner
· 6 November 2005
· Chapter 24: The Whipping Ground
Oh, a lovely cliffhanger here. And am so glad that Diamond already knows Pippin's decision. And glad Aragorn himself is there in hunting garb to see his cousin's contrition.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, Pippin is wise not to try to hide things from Diamond... it is better to have her working in his corner than trying to keep tabs on him because he's been less than truthful with her.
Aragorn is himself there, partly to keep things from going too far, I think. Sure hope it comes off as being plausible.
(Credited you for your contribution in the author's notes. Thanks again for your help.)
Elena Tiriel
· 6 November 2005
· Chapter 24: The Whipping Ground
*whines piteously* you are the queen of drawing out suspense until your readers' faces turn blue.....
how do you manage to hook us so thoroughly?
- Barbara, heliotropishly tinted....
Author's reply
Don't know. It might have something to do with typing until 1 a.m. and then trying to find a good stopping place. Tired brains do odd things.
at least you are not bored...!
But thank you for your vote of confidence.
Bodkin
· 6 November 2005
· Chapter 24: The Whipping Ground
You are doing a very good job of making the Steward multi-dimensional - and more than just a title. And I like the way you - and Aragorn - are giving him him rope to redeem himself, while at the same time ensuring that the King and the hobbits are there to stop things from going wrong should he prove to be more intransigent than the King thinks he is.
And I suspect Diamond has been left with a task here too. While she sits with her fingers crossed, hoping that Pippin is not called upon to make the sacrifice he and the other hobbits have in mind.
But your tendency to leave chapters at the moment designed to torment your readers! It is deplorable! Now I have to wait until you are willing to ease my fears - it's just not good enough.
More! More! Please.
Author's reply
Multi-dimensional. Yes, I have a taste for that, if not a passion. People are fascinating.
And your first paragraph is very true, in more ways than one, as you shall see when I have enough time to type in the rest of the scene. If I can persuade dh to read some more Middle Age stories to the dc today... (Robin Hood. King Arthur. William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Such a smorgasbord to choose from.)
As to leaving chapters...
I will have to think about that.
Perhaps it is a way of keeping interest in the story. (Mine, for the most part. I have a woefully abbreviated attention span. My ADD child, most likely, got it from me.)
Dreamflower
· 6 November 2005
· Chapter 24: The Whipping Ground
So Aragorn is not quite certain that his Steward will follow his orders, is he? and he wants to make sure his hobbits don't end up offering their own backs to the lash, in case the Steward fails to mitigate the punishment.
It must be a very difficult thing for him to stand there and anticipate telling everyone he was wrong and that the King has pardoned these Men. How will he do it? What will he say? Eagerly awaiting the next chapter...
Author's reply
Aragorn is not quite sure what his Steward will do, or how far he will go, for certain. But I think he is still thinking the best of his cousin.
Next chapter coming soon, I hope. (Today or tomorrow, anyhow)
harrowcat
· 6 November 2005
· Chapter 24: The Whipping Ground
I hope and fear that the Steward may need a strong back. And I just love the 'hidden Ranger'. I am just dying for the resolution of this.
Author's reply
Bless you for thinking the best of the poor man.
(And I love the 'hidden Ranger' too! I have this image of him wandering his kingdom in disguise on occasion, sort of checking up on things)
Larner
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 23: Midnight Conversation
Aha--this is the reason for the hatred of those who have broken the King's edict. I can now understand. Bless Aragorn for being wiser than I (and in more knowledge of his cousin's reasons for unreason here). I wonder if Haldoran will offer his own back to the smiters--it might clear both his mind and his spirit.
I love Aragorn.
Author's reply
What an interesting idea, Haldoron giving himself up. At first I thought it was unworkable, but then I figured a way to work it in... You don't think such an act would be out-of-character as he's been drawn thus far, do you?
Dreamflower
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 23: Midnight Conversation
Well, now Aragorn is taking a hand. And we see that this is perhaps, not the first time the Steward has been overzealous and inflexible.
So his son was one of the Guardsmen killed trying to steal the gold offered in payment in "Rope"? That certainly accounts for a good deal; his dismissal of Bilbo too, accounts as well. Bilbo's self-effacing and droll way of speaking, and the hobbit way of making light of things, led a good many I am sure, to misjudge him and his accomplishments. But his beginning statement "interfering little"...whatever he was going to say, Aragorn did not want to hear it. But it speaks to something just a little darker--prejudice.
This is clearly a Man who knew nothing of the people he was guarding over the years, and he obviously developed a somewhat contemptuous attitude to them. Not a Good Thing.
Author's reply
Yes, his son was one of the guardsmen killed by the ruffians who were after the gold in "Rope". (When you think of it, something like eight or ten Messengers lost their lives, and each had a story of his own, and loved ones...)
"Prejudice" is a strong term. Certainly, he has formed an impression of hobbits, and has pre-judged them from his limited exposure, but that "Interfering little..." was more frustration speaking than an opinion of all hobbits. However, it probably only confirms Elessar in his resolve to send his cousin away on sabbatical, with select company.
He's not so much "contemptuous" as "patronising". He was not one of the Rangers who went South in the War of the Ring, but rather stayed behind to help guard the families of the Dunedain--I don't know how well this fits into canon, but I have an idea that the guards were pulled from the borders of the Shire with the increasing threat, about the same time Halbarad rode with his group of thiry southwards, and that they had to evacuate the remnant of Dunedain to Rivendell, where they joined the Elves in fighting when Rivendell was attacked. But that's all conjecture on my part; I haven't made too much of a study of the Northern Rangers outside of reading part of Leaward's fascinating take.
In any event, it is clear that he needs to get to know a few hobbits personally. He's rather shy, would you believe it? ...and has stayed in the background whenever the hobbits visited the King at the Lake.
Author Reply: When I went off on that "not one of the Rangers who went South" tangent, what I meant to say was that he therefore did not see the great deeds of hobbits, or hear of them at first hand, and he had his own concerns, what with fighting for the survival of his kin, and of Rivendell itself. And he's such a pragmatist, that never having seen the Black Gate or the Morannon or Sam and Frodo's battered bodies, he cannot conceive that what the people in the South went through was worse than the battle for Imladris or the atrocities the Northen Dunedain faced before they fled their isolated villages.
Dreamflower
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 22: Of a Heart, Speaking in the Silence
Poor Seledrith, not understanding any of this confusing turn of events that has brought her life upside down. Yet hope is beginning to be found in the quiet of the night...
Author's reply
Yes, this is beyond her understanding. It is certainly more than the petty little things that people would gossip about in the marketplace. And she was pretty young when they travelled to the North-land in a convoy, of sorts, protected by guardsmen, and they were not to stray beyond the bounds of the camp where the watchmen paced, and "ruffians" and "law-breakers" were whispered of by parents when they thought the children asleep.
But there is a little hope now, and more with the growing light of day.
harrowcat
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 23: Midnight Conversation
Oh poor Haldoron. What a sorry mess. I feel so sad for him. All closed in on himself and feeling such a failure after a bright and promising start. But Aragorn is still on the case so all is not lost.
Author's reply
Yes, all is not lost. Aragorn, after all, is a Master Healer, though self-admittedly not so great as Elrond was. Still, he does pretty well for himself, don't you think?
Bodkin
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 23: Midnight Conversation
Well, OK. I can feel sorry for Haldoron too. But the trouble is that his heartbreak and hardening - and his justice - isn't confined to a personal level. When he, as Steward, chooses to be harsh, it is everyone who suffers - some personally, some, like Aragorn, by reputation.
I hope that Haldoron manages to find the fire with that warrant - and stagger as far as the square to speak to Baranurthon and his assistant before anything else happens! It wouldn't be a good idea for him to meet a cutpurse preying on drunken men of wealth at this particular moment.
A holiday. Listening and talking (- to hobbits?). Good idea. Does the Steward have no wife? Or is she, like his son, dead? No other children? He needs something to soften his heart and given him a better understanding of people.
Very interesting. Very, very interesting.
Author's reply
It wouldn't be a good idea for him to meet a cutpurse preying on drunken men of wealth at this particular moment.
Sheesh, I never thought of that!
I'm afraid the Steward is alone in the world. His wife died giving birth to his son, and when his son was murdered, it sort of cut the heart out of the man. Now whom do we know that's good at softening hearts?
Bodkin
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 22: Of a Heart, Speaking in the Silence
Poor Seledrith. I'm glad that Pippin appears to have heard her distress - I am sure he will do his best to reassure her. And his best is good.
Aragorn must be a little happier about Will's health if he has left to deal with other business. He might not be able to promise recovery, but he clearly feels his own presence is hardly essential now.
At least it's two steps forward to one back now.
Author's reply
Yes, Pippin's best is awfully good, and I hope he will be up to his usual standard.
The drug has worn off, and Aragorn was able clearly to perceive Will/Gwillam's self and not the hurt, confused, dreaming-of-days-past-with-mother-and-father, poor fellow.
FantasyFan
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 23: Midnight Conversation
Ah, so there is a reason for the Steward's harsh and inflexible manner. His son has been killed, and he can't get over the pain of it, and bitterness robs justice of mercy, leaving only vengance behind.
I wonder if this is what Pippin would have been like, had Farry been killed by the ruffians. You see how real the possibility is in Runaway, and there are echoes of it in Ferdi's attitudes towards men. How hard it is to keep looking for good, when the all too frequent consequences of evil cause real and personal pain. Frodo had figured out how, and so was even able to extend mercy to Saruman, but we mere mortals have a much harder time with this lesson.
(Even though I'm still not reviewing often, I am reading and enjoying.)
FF
Author's reply
An interesting speculation, about Pippin. The prospect of losing Farry (in Runaway, and in Glisters) certainly did make him hard and cold, didn't it? I hadn't made that connexion but it is a logical leap.
Forgiveness is a big issue around here, where siblings keep outraging one another. Am learning a lot.
Glad to hear you are still reading (and enjoying).
Pearl Took
· 4 November 2005
· Chapter 23: Midnight Conversation
Poor Haldoron. I figured there had to be some reason for his coldness as I couldn't see Aragorn giving command of his northern city to someone like that. He has definately lost his perspective. Well done as always!
Author's reply
"Lost his perspective" sums things up perfectly!
I think he's going to have an attitude adjustment in his future.
Don't you think it would give him a turn to spend time with a hobbit who thinks all men are ruffians, ergo Haldoron himself is one?
*g*
Pearl Took
· 3 November 2005
· Chapter 22: Of a Heart, Speaking in the Silence
Ah, my dear, my favorite - the Halfling Prince.
I'm so glad I started reading this :) Another wonderful Lindelea tale. Bravo!!
Now I eagerly await more ;)
Author's reply
Ah, I'm glad you started reading, too, kept reading through the roughest part.
More will come, if all goes well, on the morrow.
Thanks!
Pearl Took
· 3 November 2005
· Chapter 20: Peace and Safety
Powerful, powerful chapters!!
"...and somewhere in the depths of the Citadel, the Steward poured himself another glass of strong spirits, and stared into the candle flame, and wondered how he could have been so cocksure and careless, and condemned innocent men, upright men, who had won the King's favour with their brave and selfless actions."
Wonderfully written!!!
Author's reply
Oops, missed this one. Well, the Steward has a heart-to-heart talk with the King in the latest chapter published. Hopefully we'll see some progress made.
Pearl Took
· 3 November 2005
· Chapter 11: What the Healer Ordered
I beg a pardon from you, dear Lin. I've been reading along for a bit (oviously as this is chapter 11) and not commenting. I've kept waiting for this to become too drear and dire and that I would need to quit reading - instead it has drawn me along. This paragraph needed noting, so I'm finally leaving a response.
"He wondered, as he ate, though he hardly knew what to wonder. The time stretched out, and he ate slowly to enjoy the sensation. He suspended all thought, existing only in the moment, no future, no past, just this moment, now, each bite, the flavour bursting from the food as he slowly chewed, the texture, the sensation, the taste, the colours juxtaposed against the crisp white of the plate, green and deep red, brown and creamy-white, and the plate became his world, and nothing existed beyond, for if he were to look up... But he did not look up, to see the gallows before him, and he did not look to either side, to the guards that still flanked him, and he thought of nothing but the food... Rather hobbity, some part of his mind said, but he put that thought, too, away."
A most awesome paragraph!! Such imagery :) and the "for if he were to look up . . ." with the reader knowing as well as Will what he would see.
MEWD!!!!
Author's reply
O thank you. It was hobbity, and also a very natural thing for Will to do. I contemplated a plate of food, and that paragraph was the result!
Thanks, extremely, for your encouraging comments.
Author Reply: p.s. and I'm glad you kept reading through the most difficult part
Larner
· 3 November 2005
· Chapter 22: Of a Heart, Speaking in the Silence
I am glad that Pippin is there with her and heard that. I think it will be most reassuring in the long run.
But it must be difficult, now knowing who your love was before....
Author's reply
It must be awfully difficult. But some of the deep, dark secrets in Will/Gwillam's past are good ones.
harrowcat
· 3 November 2005
· Chapter 22: Of a Heart, Speaking in the Silence
Oh poor Seledrith. Trust is such a fragile thing and her whole world seems turned upsidedown. Somebody needs to sit her down and help her recognise the truth of the situation. Pippin you are listening, aren't you?
Author's reply
Yes, I think Pippin has overheard. It's possible that Seledrith is in for an eye-opener, and no mistake.
TopazTook
· 2 November 2005
· Chapter 21: The King Takes a Hand
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave..." It seems that the healer who drugged Will to make things easier for him may have backfired in his intent. I hope joy truly will come with the morning, for both this family and the citizens of the town, who are now laboring under a burden of fear as they see upstanding citizens carted off, for all they know, to more hangings. I do still wonder at a Steward who has worked with Aragorn for several years, it sounds like, but still doesn't know to listen to hobbits.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, the joy is coming... we're past the worst of the angst now (for the most part). This is the part of the story that is both most fun, and most difficult, to write.
Hopefully the Steward's attitude will be understandable when all is said and done.
Thanks!
Larner
· 1 November 2005
· Chapter 21: The King Takes a Hand
At least WE know that Will was drugged; hopefully that will fade soon; and to know that Jack's most joyous thoughts are of being in the Shire! Ah, how fitting! And now Pippin is remembering a long-ago trip from the farm to Hobbiton on a tall man's shoulders! Lovely, lovely, Lindelea!
Author's reply
Yes, I figure that a heavy dose of sleeping draught wouldn't last more than six or eight hours, do you think? At least, it's hard to find cough medicine that lasts that long, in this day and age.
It really was a pity that the Edict banned Jack from the Shire. I think he really considered the Shire his home. Bree was just a place to spend the winter where he didn't have to stay bent-over most of the time.
Thanks!
Bodkin
· 1 November 2005
· Chapter 21: The King Takes a Hand
Huzzah for Aragorn! And athelas. I reckon (knowing nowt about it) that being unconscious might well be very advantageous for poor Will. He won't be panicking about his difficulty breathing - and that will probably make it easier on him. Although Aragorn's concern is worrying . . . but he doesn't know about the drugged part.
Tell Seledrith not to get too upset about Will's deep dark secret - silence was to protect her, not deceive her. Although he can expect a serious Talking To, if he recovers enough.
I love the way athelas smells, to Jack, like spring in the Shire - and that its fragrance seems to have liberated some of his memories. He and Pippin need a loooooong talk.
I am also very glad that Aragorn has said, loud, plain and unmistakable, that the warrant was ripped up by his own hands and burned. And that the pardon is on its way.
The greengrocer's sons haven't been able to relieve the worry of their kin yet. But morning comes early in the greengrocery trade. Hopefully Airin and Denny's wife will have the edge taken off their worry soon.
Author's reply
Yes... he half-guessed at the drugged part but since he doesn't know a healer was in the picture he's missing half the information he needs.
I guess it would be advantageous at that, so long as Will doesn't swallow his tongue or something. (Can people really do that?)
Poor Seledrith. But you never know what might happen next...
Long talk, coming up soon.
And you're right, morning does come early in the greengrocer's trade. Thankfully! Airin and Merileth and the children are due some relief.
Thanks!
harrowcat
· 1 November 2005
· Chapter 21: The King Takes a Hand
I never thought of the quote about the hands of the king being set to a tune or from a song! Now I want to hear the tune or, at least, read the verses of the whole song. *grins and shyly pushes a little pet nuzgul in Lindelea's direction with the promise that he doesn't eat much - no really!*
Now! When is that potion going to stop working or when are these healer's going to find out what he was given before it is too late.
Oh, and as one who works odd hours I sympathise with the greengrocers.
Author's reply
I'm thinking it might have been one of those very old songs, considered a "nonsense" song as so many of our nursery songs are, when you don't know the background behind them.
Tune or verses to the whole song. Hmmm. Wonder if Shirebound would oblige. She wrote a wonderful song for Pippin to sing, all about Strider's many names. Who else... Dreamflower, of course!
I rather have my hands full writing music for a CD-project, but perhaps the Muse will spare a thought to LOTR music once more. You just never know what the Muse is going to do next.
I work odd hours too, even though I really don't have to. (Well, if I want to write, I guess I do.) It is why I am so often short on sleep, like today. *yawn* Which leads to a muzzy, brainless feeling. Whew.