Reviews (27)

Author's reply

Thank you, Ainu Laire! I do think Aragorn would have found it very difficult to adjust to the restraints of being king - and the silly customs would confine him a great deal as king than they ever did in his Thorongil days. Actually, I think Faramir would find them pretty chafing - and he is used to them! Arwen would do her best to make the transition from Ranger and warrior to King as painless as possible - but as an Elf Queen, she would have to be cautious - or there could have been a lot of resentment. And that high throne! It makes a great symbol when you're the Steward and sitting at the bottom of the flight of steps - but when you're obliged to sit above everybody's head, it must be like being in a goldfish bowl. And, come to that, being a target! Maybe - in a few years - Aragorn will be in a position to bring the throne down to a more reasonable level. About the same time he presents his son to the assembled populace, perhaps!

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For all he grew up in Imladris with an education fit for a king, it didn't include the actual process of ruling. Aragorn might just have found it impossible to deal with the sheer tedium of being top of the pyramid! And - if it hadn't been for Arwen, he might well have decided that being a Ranger was much better suited to his talents. I'm sure she would have pushed Aragorn and Faramir out into the field from time to time - just for their sanity. Eowyn, too, perhaps. Minas Tirith would have taken a long time to feel like home to all of them, but Arwen is probably best suited for this kind of game. I'm sure Arwen will let Aragorn know what he agreed to ... if he remembers to ask. Or I'm sure Faramir will have it in the minutes. Thanks, elliska.

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He might be able to alter the throne in time - I reckon he might need Eldarion to arrive before he can even think of it - but it is an important symbol of his right to rule. But Aragorn will change some of Gondor's fundamental assumptions, I think. He's lived too close to the earth and the people to fall for the natural assumption of the rich and the powerful that they are the only ones who count. Thank you, Linda. I'm glad you liked it.

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It's a fairy-tale. But fairy-tales, when you look more closely, aren't all that comfortable. I'm sure Aragorn is delighted to have won his bride - and proud to have restored his line to kingship. But now he has to try to live with the consequences. He will change Gondor, I reckon. But he - and Arwen and Faramir - are too wise to try to do it all at once. I'm afraid he's stuck with the throne - it's too important a symbol of his descent. But the audiences - he stands a better chance of altering those!

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Thank you! Arwen won't have let him agree to anything too shocking! But Aragorn is used to action and taking personal responsibility for what happens. I really can't imagine him taking any pleasure in the ceremonial aspects of kingship. Or appreciating the boot-lickers and place-seekers. He is a man who is king - and he might well fear that the role will take over the person. Some of the formality would stay, I think. But the essentials would have to change. This isn't 2050 and Aragorn isn't Earnur. Times have most definitely moved on - and it is a new age. I don't know if any further inspiration will strike - but I'll keep it in mind.

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I'm sure Arwen wouldn't have nudged him into agreeing with anything too suspect! It's a long time since there's been a king - and I suspect that the books of etiquette and protocol are getting a lot of use. And that people are using hazy memories of children's stories, as well, to work out just how you should treat your king. Once the dust settles, everyone will come to know Elessar as a practical man who prefers bread and cheese to fancy cream-filled castles and he can start doing what he feels he needs to do. The danger could be coming to believe in your own myth - and expecting people to open your doors and brush the dust from your slippers. But Arwen won't let that happen! I think it would cause interesting difficulties with Eldarion, like as not. Aragorn spent a long time earning the position that will be his son's from birth. Whereas Eldarion will grow up knowing nothing but the high throne and the watching eyes.

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Thank you! I think Arwen will need to sneak both Aragorn and Faramir out into the open soon - I don't know that either of them is particularly well-equipped for constant confinement. Although it will be tougher on Aragorn - a Ranger with everyone constantly watching his every move! It's enough to give him a breakdown! I'm sure a lot will change - but they will have to be careful not to frighten those who have been perfectly content with the way Gondor has been run over the last millennium and try to involve them all in the process.

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It must have been really tough for Aragorn. After 25 years or so, he had probably got used to it - or turned some of it round to suit him - but that first year after all the excitement had settled down. Well. I'm glad it'll never happen to me! I reckon there would have been some who were keen to restore the kingship just exactly as if the last thousand years hadn't brought any change at all. And others who would want to wring every personal advantage out of it that they could. But Aragorn is old enough and experienced enough to be wily - and he has a 3000 year old elf at his side. Still tough on a Ranger to be stuck on top of a throne in full view of everyone in Gondor - and them all gazing to see if he scratches his nose. I don't think Denethor would have gone much for pomp - but I do reckon he would have been one for formality. And the trouble now is no-one really knows how formal to be ... shame Arwen didn't spend any time visiting the Kings of Gondor - she could put them right from personal experience. Although I daresay that would make her seem even more alien. Faramir is an important part in the successful establishment of this new venture - if he had refused to recognise Aragorn, it would have been much harder for him to take his place on that high throne. But generosity and clear-sightedness are so much part of Faramir's nature that he willingly takes up a subsidiary place. (Probably easier on one who never expected to rule. Boromir might well have found it far tougher.)

Author's reply

Well - Elrond would have found it quite difficult to pass on much training in ruling, I suppose. Aragorn was supposed to be hidden when he was being educated in Rivendell and then went out into the wild. I don't suppose he came back for many refresher courses in how to rule Gondor. Thorongil could have picked up knowledge from Ecthelion - but this is a different situation, really. I can see assorted people trying to re-establish the monarchy exactly as it was when the last king left - and others trying to ensure that it was different, but to their advantage, while in the middle you have a king who is more used to hiding in a dark corner of the Prancing Pony. That raised throne - must have been a great symbol of the delegation of power to the Steward, but not one to live with as king! I reckon that's a symbol that might have to endure a while, though. The birth of Eldarion might see Aragorn able to change that. I hope you had a good birthday - and that you're all sorted for What Comes Next!

Author's reply

Thank you! It would be a good time to be a bit of a fresh breeze and change some of the more outdated notions. But still, Aragorn would have had to move fairly cautiously and keep his hands in sight, so that the more powerful citizens of Gondor didn't end up looking at him as too much of a threat! But he has Faramir (and Imrahil) on his side - and I think that would be pretty key to acceptance.

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Aragorn had spent too much time out in the fresh air among the people to be a ruler bound by tradition. But I think he had enough sense to know that, even as the long-lost heir returned, he needed to have the people on his side to stay king - and that means working with the rich and powerful as well as supporting the rights of the governed. It's a good time to start new traditions - but I reckon Arwen and Faramir would have encouraged him not to do too much at once. Thank you!

Author's reply

Poor Aragorn! That throne makes a terrific symbol of majesty - but it must be a horrible place to have to sit! And it must have been such a tough transition - those first few months, especially. Despite growing up in Rivendell, he never had any direct training in ruling - and had spent so many years alone and on the edge of society. Thank you!

Author's reply

Despite growing up in Imladris - and spending time in Gondor as Thorongil - Aragorn wasn't really trained to sit on that High Throne. He had spent too much time on his own, making his own decisions, to take too kindly to councillors, too. After the first glory wore off, Aragorn must have had moments of considering flight. In fact, probably only Arwen's presence got him through that first couple of years - because he couldn't have run off with her into the wild. She had to be Queen - and that kept him being King. Isildur wasn't bad - a bit on the arrogant side, I think, and headstrong. But good people. Although it's probably as well she didn't know him herself - I don't think Faramir would have coped!

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Tumbril! They are trapped in in and on show until they reach the guillotine ... in about 120 years. Talk about Eowyn fearing a cage - I think Aragorn (and Arwen) have stepped into one! Neither Aragorn nor Arwen is really prepared for Gondorian majesty - but they are not going to be pressed into some court official's idea of the right mould. It won't be long before things start to change. They have to be careful, though. They - and Faramir - are a few people at the apex of society's pyramid. Whatever the birthright, they have to be careful not to turn people against them. And a few trappings might be a worthwhile price for real change. And being overcome by the power of the Ring shouldn't detract from the fact that Isildur was one of the Faithful - and the saviour of the White Tree. Headstrong, though. Rather too sure of himself to listen to Elrond. Thank you.

Author's reply

Thank you very much, DJ! I'm so pleased that you enjoy the stories - and I love writing them. I'm delighted that you stopped along to comment. I reckon Aragorn would have coped quite well with all this for the first month or two - coronation, marriage, Theoden's funeral, back to Minas Tirith - a month to six weeks and then BAM - the realisation that this was his life now. Not the image he might have had when wading through Midgewater Marshes of a comfortable life with Arwen by his side and the ability to Do Good, but the spirit-sucking formality and tedium of kingship. He will change things, I think - and fairly quickly - but he has to be careful. Yes, he is king and Isildur's heir - but kings rule with the consent of their subjects and the rich and powerful have louder voices than the poor and oppressed. The audiences will change quickly - I suspect he might start holding some in other places, where he doesn't have to sit on a throne high above the crowd. And he will soon convince people that his private apartments are just that - with no more attendants than are needed to look after them. The court etiquette - well, at the moment, everyone is looking in old books and trying to decide what is expected. A few interviews with the Master of Protocol should set up new customs - possibly rather more in tune with the customs of Imladris. The cooks will soon stop looking for chances to show off their skills and realise the King and Queen prefer simple meals. I think Aragorn will still feel trapped - he isn't used to being inside all the time and he isn't used to being surrounded by so many people. Especially not having them watching him. For most of his life his objective was to go unseen! He - and Faramir, come to that - will need Ranger time, where they can get wet and dirty and look after themselves. Fortunately, he will be king for a good long time - and that will give him plenty of opportunity to get Gondor running in the way he would prefer. Thank you for commenting DJ!

Author's reply

Would you care to apply? I imagine the Library has had a real run on books of etiquette and royal protocol. And all those Gondorian ladies are trying to work out just how deeply they should curtsey and whether a Lady-in-Waiting outranks a Lady-of-the-Bedchamber. The trouble being it's all a thousand years out of date and the court is about to be reorganised by one who is very accustomed to being Lady of Imladris and isn't going to put up with any old nonsense. Aragorn has to be patient, I think. He knows that it's more important to change some things than others - but I don't think he'll stay perched up at the top of his staircase for very long. He needs the goodwill of these people if he is to effect real change. Thank you. I'm glad you liked it!

Author's reply

Thank you, Ellie. I do think that long trail to becoming king might seem the easier part of the task once the gloss has worn off! Aragorn has taken on a tremendously difficult job, and even with the support of Faramir and Arwen, there are still going to be times when he really wishes he was back in the mud tracking Gollum. But he'll make a good job of it - and he'll have far more sympathy with Eowyn's dread of being caged by the time he has the system working to suit him!

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But court life is formal and traditional - and Gondor is a formal and traditional society. And they are stepping back a thousand years and trying to work with a monarchical system that has almost been forgotten, in the wake of a system of stewardship where Denethor was, I imagine, quite partial to the trappings of rule. In a way, being new is a plus - he can change things - but it's also a difficulty. Aragorn wouldn't want to be too much of a new broom - he would risk disturbing the status quo and making himself too unpopular to last long. You get to be king because of who you are, but you only get to stay king if the society in which you live is prepared to accept you and go along with whatever changes you want to make. Aragorn is in a good position to start - but he doesn't want to make waves over unimportant matters. Arwen's experience, patience and wisdom - and her understanding of people - will be very valuable in helping him make the right moves carefully enough not to scare the horses.

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She still short of hobbity maturity though. And way short of being a grown-up elf. I think the Gondorian nobility might have kicked up rather at the idea of knocking down that stupid throne and putting it at more of a level with the rest of the human race. I think he might have to wait on that until Eldarion is born. (It might be his first act in celebration.) Those rather smug audiences are going to last rather less time than that, though. About a fortnight, I think, before they set up something rather less soothing to the sensibilities of the horde. And Aragorn might resign himself to the throne for a bit in order to deal with more important things. I suspect Denethor rather enjoyed the formality and the deference - and that all that is keeping Aragorn from breaking out is the need not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Actually - the traditional happy ending is Aragorn assuming the throne and winning the prize of the elven bride .... and happy endings only work if the world ends there. Being king would have been really hard on a man used to freedom ... and living with his dream bride probably wasn't all honey, either.

Author's reply

I think he'd have hated the cage even more than Eowyn. Being, as he was, far less accustomed to it! (At least, I suppose you could say his heritage was always a cage of a kind, but at least it was an outdoor, self-inflicted one!) Being expected to parade himself like a performing poodle won't have been to his taste at all. Fortunately both Arwen and Faramir will do their best to loosen the bars for him.

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Isildur was clearly Good People before the Ring fell in his hands and began whispering in his ear. One of the Faithful, who brought the sapling of the White Tree to Middle-earth. Headstrong, yes, and impetuous perhaps rather than disciplined through a long apprenticeship to hardship. Perhaps a bit over-confident about his own abilities, but still Good People. There must have been difficulties for Arwen and Aragorn adjusting to marriage - no matter how much they loved each other. She's had thirty times as long to learn about things. And she's an elf. It might make it harder for her to welcome change - but, I think, to have chosen to marry Aragorn and embrace the fate of men must make her pretty open to new things. And startng afresh. (And then, so many of the customs must have seemed pretty weird - and pointless - to her anyway.)

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I reckoned Denethor rather liked all the traditional formality. And deference. And now the whole court is in confusion, trying to work out how to treat a king - who surely needs even more deference than the Steward. There are probably a number of very old books of court protocol currently being examined for ideas of how to behave! But I think that will be swept out the door quite quickly. Even without Aragorn's views, I can't see Arwen sticking this indefinitely!

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Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! I do like this birthday story thing!

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I'll keep the suggestion in mind! I do think it would have been hard for Aragorn to go from outdoor Ranger to indoor King - even though he's probably been hoping for some of the perks for about 50 years. He'd have to be careful to keep people on his side - but he's not going to want that kind of on-a-pedestal treatment. Or put up with it for long.