It was good to se an update to this story, and I hope this means the Muse is creeping out of wherever she has been hiding. Do you think a bit of virtual homemade ice cream would _keep_ her out of those hiding places?
And how goes the work on the longer fics?
Heh. The last of the listed books was one that Aragorn had brought from Rivendell. The “spidery handwriting” must be Gilbo’s and is that “particularly elegant hand” Elrond’s? So is Aragorn going to find that old friend when he returns to Gondor?
Lynnessë’s sensible and practical attitude towards the servants in the citadel – which is reflected in er attitude towards sharing the bathroom – will certainly endear her to thm. And I am sure she will get along well with young Cireth.
And Lynnessë got Denethor’s approval of the way she handled that silly Master Fendril. Good for her! But Denethor delivered a warning to her at the same time. So I suppose she may encounter some truly nasty and malicious as well. Fendril’s backwardness and stupidity was easily dealt with – let us hope Lynnessë is able to deal with the more malign ones too. As well as the ones who envious, supercilious, scheming, or the ones who see such a pretty morsel and thinks she is on the menu as well.
Author's reply
Unfortunately, while I'm kicking the Muse into gear about one of the longer stories, she goes into hiding for the rest. No rest for the weary with her around!
Yes, I do think that Thorongil left a book or two in the Citadel (and another on the ship he took to Umbar, which was found in the marketplace by the Hobbits and returned to Aragorn in "Ernil i Pheriannath"), and Gandalf was giving little Faramir his first taste of Hobbit stories. And now Denethor has seen the two books together and is starting to put two and two together. Perhaps this is part of why he was suspicious of Gandalf? We'll see!
The Chatelaine would be in a spot between the servants and the nobility, so she would do well to act like a regular person around them, I'd think. Getting along well with the Housekeeper would make her own job run more smoothly, I'd think.
And I see Denethor as one who approves of independence and initiative at the same time he's rather down on it to an extent. I see him as a rather complex character, actually.
As for Fendril--one day he WILL be back! He will be a major bone of contention in "Murder Most Foul," once I actually start posting that.
Thanks so much, Sunny.
Erulisse
· 7 July 2009
· Chapter 5: New Duties
I've been so patiently awaiting more in her saga. Finally my patience is rewarded. She's a great character and it's wonderful to see a more human side of Denethor and his sons also. I've been really loving this tale and I'm delighted that you've returned to it again.
Author's reply
This has been ekeing out of me in mere sentences until today the floodgates at last opened and I was able to finish this chapter! Now, to get it finished! (And my other longer tales!)
Soledad
· 6 July 2009
· Chapter 5: New Duties
Oh, lovely chapter! I especially liked your characterization of Denethor - after all the two-dimensional abuse he usually gets, this is like a breeze of fresh wind. I'm very fond of the man, despite his faults.
The thought of Linesse having Thorongil's copy of the Lay and a children's book copied by Bilbo himself is an amusing one. The water system of Minas Tirith is amazing. And I loved that Húrin sang in the afternoons.
Author's reply
I like to think he was not a two-dimensional person, and that a good deal of his final distrust of Faramir was due to his fear for what might be happening to Boromir, his growing belief that there was no way to win against Sauron, a hysterical envy that even if they did win he would lose everything to his former rival and once again he would be second in the hearts of all to Thorongil by whatever name he might be called this time, and overwhelming grief at the thought he would lose his remaining son.
I've always hoped there would linger little hints of Thorongil's life within Gondor, and who better to hold onto them than Lynesse. And Gandalf, perhaps having a copy of a book Bilbo sent to Elrond that Elrond had bound, could well have hoped to please a lonely little boy by sharing it with him, perhaps unconsciously preparing him for the day he should find two Halflings wandering behind an untrustworthy guide in Ithilien, and then come face to face with a third within Minas Tirith itself.
And of course Hurin would sing in the afternoons! How better to confirm his hold on the heart of the Steward's new Chatelaine?
Thanks so, Soledad!
Mysterious Jedi
· 7 May 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
Interesting story. I like Lynesse, she seems to be a realistic OC. I like your portrayal of Denethor as well; it is different from most I have seen. Keep up the good work!
Faenel
· 6 April 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
I've been waiting on tenterhooks for this to continue - and I usually only read Silmarillion fic. Brilliantly characterised, and I love the plot so far. I can't wait to see it unfold further!
Linda Hoyland
· 21 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
I'm sure Lyonesse will be perfect for the job.Denethor has made a wise choice.I enjoyed the mention of Thorongil in the last chapter!
Author's reply
I'm certain that even then the memory of the legendary captain was still fresh in the minds of many within Gondor, and particularly in the minds of those who'd served Ecthelion himself.
Yes, a wise choice, I think.
Linda Hoyland
· 21 February 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
I'm glad to see Tervain get his just deserts!What a wicked plan.Hooray for Hurin!
Author's reply
Ah--so glad you agree! Thanks for all!
Linda Hoyland
· 17 February 2009
· Chapter 2: Ride Interrupted
You create some great baddies! I love both Hurin and Faramir here.A very exciting chapter.
Author's reply
Am so glad you like the baddies as well as the goodies, and certainly Faramir and Hurin are both the latter!
Thanks so much, Linda!
Celeritas
· 6 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
Hurrah, she accepted!
And the more I read of him, the more I like "your" Denethor. Though IMO Lynesse gave as good as she got in their conversation and conducted herself honorably--even if he managed to pick up even more about her than she had intended. And of course Hurin will love the idea when he learns of it!
Author's reply
Am so glad you approve of Denethor as pictured here. He's not under the stress he will know in a few years' time, and is not yet convinced that only armed might will defeat the enemy.
And Hurin will indeed appreciate the company on the journey home, I'm certain. Heh!
6336
· 4 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
Well that's one proposal down, one to go, one that I think will please her mother a lot more than this one! I think Mama is hoping that being in the Citidel will put her in the way of the Brothers 'Mir!
Silly woman!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
I certainly agree Endore is hoping that proximity to the Steward's sons might lead to a more interesting (in her eyes, at least) proposal; but we already know that ain't gonna happen! Heh! What can I say? She's based in part on my maternal grandmother, who had extraordinarily romantic and unrealistic expectations for first my mother and later for us, her grandchildren. I suspect all of us failed to live up to her romantic expectations for us. Heh!
Anyway, thank you, Lynda.
Agape4Gondor
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
This was awesome! I loved the meeting with Denethor - I rolled on the floor at the thought of his reaction to here misunderstanding...
I loved that there was love shown between Denethor and Faramir - and I loved the conversation they had. Great job with Denethor's voice and I loved Lynessë's response.
This is going to be fun - sorry your Muse is driving you nuts with too much - but it's great for your readers!
Author's reply
The darkest days have not yet come, and at this time there is not yet the blatant favoritism shown for the son with the martial tendencies. We know that Denethor was apparently an excellent Steward--up until close to the end, at least; and he had not yet become suspicious of any and all, I think. I see him as being rather sardonic by nature, and it taking time to appreciate his sense of humor. Too much of a serious nature in his life at the time, which unfortunately wasn't relieved in the following years.
And my muse IS getting hyperactive once more! Glad others appreciate it!
Radbooks
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
Oh, very nice. I really like your Denethor. I've never seen him quite as evil as some portray him. He was stern and tough and hardened by life and then at the end he obviously fell under the influence of the palantir. I just don't think that Boromir and Faramir could have turned out as well as they did if he was a really bad man. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's reply
I don't think he was evil, but rather a perfectionist whose tendencies became more rigid as all began to look darker as the war heated up at the end.
Am so glad people approve!
Sunny
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
Good to see you return to Lynnessë's story after having you creative energies coopted by That Other fic :-)
So Mama thinks Faramir has recommended Lynnessë for the appointment as Chatelaine of the Citadel in Minas Tirith because he is in love with her? She is _so_ going to be disappointed when Lynnessë accepts the proposal of the one she is going to marry. *sniffs* So much for the matchmaking Mama. Though romance-wise, I suspect it will be a good thing for Lynnessë and Endorë to be geographically separated. I wouldn't put it past Mama to try to manipulate things in order to arrange matters the way _she_ wants them, up to and including trying to sabotage Húrin's suit and manufacturing something romantic from Faramir.
It seems Denethor is familiar with the concept of ambitious parents and recognizes one such in Endorë - and am equally sure he feels a matching relief that Lynnessë is not a husband-hunting female having set her eyes on a particularly prize catch. Or at least that her choice of prey does not include his sons. BEG
Lynnessë has chosen to be comfortable and out-of-date rather than uncomfortable and trendy. Good for her! It doesn't deter eyes from following her. Especially not the most important pair! ;-)
Author's reply
Oh, I suspect you are very likely right about the possible reactions of Endore, Sunny. And if Lynesse has her eyes on Hurin, I suspect it is only because he first had his eyes on her, and she's open enough to see past the obvious disability. She's not looking only on a possible match for reasons of ambition. And what looks good on a person does so no matter how fashionable it might be--a fact Lynesse and her father appreciate more than does her mother. Several members of my husband's family thought I should cut my hair as I entered middle age, neglecting the fact that both he and I loved it long--I wore my hair as I did for us, not for them.
As for That Other fic--again, it was a Might Have Been--had our Sam NOT been our Sam--had the Ring and Morgoth managed to get to him. Am so glad it DIDN'T happen that way!
Dreamflower
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
And so she has a wonderful new job that will take her to the capital!
I liked Denethor's shrewdness about her, and his amusement when she indicated that she was not interested in Faramir. I'm sure he realized that it was a logical conclusion to jump to--as the proposal he *did* make was an unusual and uncommon one, especially for a lady of Lyonesse's youth. Otherwise he would not have been so amused, I think.
The terms are very generous, and remind me of the sorts of terms and stipends often settled upon courtiers historically. Did you research that?
Good job! I look forward to Hurin's reaction when he realizes she's coming to Minas Tirith!
Author's reply
This will widen Lynesse's horizons, definitely. And I think her naivete does make her rather refreshing in Denethor's eyes, as well as reassuring as he realizes she isn't after one of his sons! And it's not only her youth but her relative unimportance that make her an unusual candidate for the position--usually one would expect to see a great lady in this position, not a relative nobody offshoot of the minor nobility.
I've read enough historical fiction and research on the latter days of the Wars of the Roses (my Roses are White, by the way) to know about some of such terms that would be offered to such folk. Have been researching the last Plantagenet kings for decades!
Thank you--and the next chapters will come when they come, I think.
Kitty
· 3 February 2009
· Chapter 4: A Proposal Considered
*lol* Poor girl, she's a bit too used to her mother permanently seeking to marry her off to one of the nobles, preferably the sons of the steward! And of course, everyone had to talk about this proposal in a way that she had to misunderstand it under these circumstances.
Denethor proved to be wise and a good tactician, considering what he said about the repercussions when he would offer the job to one of the other women. Oh yes, I can see why some of them would cause a lot of problems!
But I was grinning widely when he talked about the possibility to keep her position even after marrying. No doubt he has an idea to whom she will end up married to, particularly after her reaction to Húrin's name :D
I look forward to more of this love story!
Author's reply
My grandmother was an Endore type of person, so I know how my mom would react when others appeared to be following along with one of Grandmother's imaginings, and then Mom realized she'd been projecting her mother's motivations on others and would end up embarrassed. And by this time in his life I think Denethor would be tired of ambitious courtiers out to jockey for position, and would choose some for the sake of mere competence rather than to please folks politically.
And I suspect he already sees the way the wind is blowing between this one and his nephew!
harrowcat
· 14 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
Go, Hurin, go! Brilliant Larner but poor Faramir having to keep an eye on this person!
Author's reply
Oh, I admit it's a low blow, perhaps, to Faramir, but I have faith in him, even if this IS when he begins as Captain of the Rangers!
Andrea
· 14 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
The servant’s face went grey. “You did not say he was within the room, my Lord Prince!” he said with dismay.
Well, it was good he did not know it! That servant was a fountain of information and most of it was not to his lord's advantage.
Tervain apparently felt very secure and saw it as his right to take any woman he wanted to take.
I appreciate Hurin's suggestion of punishment. Let this so-called "Lord" do hard and dangerous work among the rangers of Ithilien to make him humble again, if that is possible AND if he lives long enough. I have my doubts!
Last but not least, I didn't have the slightest doubt that Hurin would be the winner of the duel. For he learned from the best!
Author's reply
It was great fun to have the servant find out after the fact that he'd just tattled on his master with the master present and unable to say anything about it. You're right about Tervain's attitude toward women--let one appear to spurn him, and he'll take her out of spite!
And you're certainly right about Hurin learning from the best! Indeed! Tervain is getting some very difficult lessons from life at the moment, unfortunately for him.
Celeritas
· 14 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
I love how in your stories Justice always gets served!
And the blissfully ignorant Boromir (whom you've managed to characterize to a t!) at the end rounded it off perfectly!
Author's reply
I try to make certain it gets served, at least. So often in the real world it doesn't. And am so glad you liked how I showed Boromir here. Poor dear! Doesn't have a clue at the moment. Heh!
Celeritas
· 14 January 2009
· Chapter 2: Ride Interrupted
Lynesse as chatelaine! Wow, is Lord Denethor shrewd (as he ought to be!). And hopefully this change in her position will help her pursue her own wants and not continually be bullied about by her mother (who I wouldn't be surprised if she takes all the credit)!
Tervain continues to be a sleaze--I was quite delighted when he was finally pwned (if I may use some geek speech).
Author's reply
Tolkien indicated Denethor began using the Palantir during the time Thorongil was serving in Gondor, but that he didn't truly get caught by the Eye until near the end. That being true, I'd think that he'd have been pretty competent at this time; and would have been a pretty decent father to both his sons at the moment as well as a very competent ruler and capable of finding the right folk to delegate responsibility to.
I do think that Lynesse would do well to get away from her mother for a time. I patterned Endore in part on my own grandmother, whose views on how the world OUGHT to be run could be very--different.
And am so glad you like Tervain getting caught with his pants down like this.
Celeritas
· 14 January 2009
· Chapter 1: Mettarë Ball in Dol Amroth
Oh, dear, Endore is one of those mothers...
Well, I'm glad to know Lynesse has a sharp wit and quite a bit of spirit, and it looks fairly clear that she and Hurin are well-matched...
Author's reply
Oh, yes--one of those mothers for certain.
I find I quite like Lynesse myself. She and Hurin will have a long and, I believe, a happy marriage in the end.
Thanks so for all the feedback!
Radbooks
· 13 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
Oh, very good story! I read it all this morning and I enjoyed it very much. I can't wait for the next chapter to come out.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you like it, Radbooks. And continuing to pray for William.
Kitty
· 13 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
HA! Would you be terribly surprised to know that I enjoyed this chapter *very much*? :D I could so see Tervain going from believing no one could do anything to him to getting more and more worried and then finally realising the trouble he is in now *evil grin*
It was fun to watch the interrogation unfold, to listen to the witnesses and how they pulled the rope about Tervains neck slowly closer. The nerves this guy has! Even I hadn't expected him to try and force Lynessë into an unwanted marriage, and that nearly under the noses of Imrahil and Denethor.
Of course I enjoyed it when Húrin challenged that guy, defeated him and meted out his punishment. Well done, Húrin! And I think it was wise not to exile him; Tervain knows too much about Gondor's affairs and would sell his knowledge willingly. Though somehow I doubt he will survive long among the rangers.
And Húrin proved again that he's not a cripple, no matter what certain people think (I am sure it rankles Tervain terribly that he was beaten by an one-armed man *smirks*). This and the way he came to Lynessë's defense should go a long way to make an impression on her parents. And even if he's neither Faramir nor Boromir, he is at least their cousin ...
Author's reply
I am so pleased that you did, Kitty. In Langstrand he was about the only frog in a small pond and was pretty used to getting his own way, no matter how outrageous his behavior. And now he's seeing what real power is and realizing he doesn't have it and is no longer invulnerable. He'd intended to take another minor lordling's niece who'd spurned him and force her to accept him, and instead he's off to Ithilien to serve in the most endangered of Gondor's armed forces.
As for Hurin--he's never accepted he became less of a man when he lost his arm, and he's proved that true today.
As for what Endore thinks--well, she has her own ideas on how the world shall run....
So glad you could get to this one, Kitty!
Raksha The Demon
· 12 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
I would certainly not like to be grilled by Imrahil with Denethor standing by to oversee the matter. I hope Tervain doesn't end up getting any Rangers killed. And I feel a bit sorry for Tervain's young son.
More soon, I hope.
Author's reply
Oh, but I agree, Raksha. Two Dunedain of such majesty grilling him must be almost more than he can take! And I, too, hope that Tervain does not inadvertently endanger others.
Tervain has lost his mother and now loses his father as well; but I hope he will be better off in the long run. Maybe he has the chance now to actually amount to something!
Author Reply: And of course I meant Tervain's son rather than Tervain in the second paragraph. Gads!
Parmalokwen
· 12 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
This story is lovely. Lynessë and Hurin are both very smart. I like Hurin's solution-- the possibility of treason by an exile is something that has always seemed to me to be a weakness in that form of justice.
Author's reply
In the case of someone like Tervain there is so much scope for possible treason if he were to be merely exiled. Thanks for the feedback.
curiouswombat
· 12 January 2009
· Chapter 3: The Trial of Lord Tervain
How good to see Tervain being given his comeuppance. Surely Lynessë's mother must think Lord Húrin would be a good match for her now? Let's hope he thinks it a good idea to propose quickly! After all, she could still act as a hostess for his uncle...
Author's reply
Good questions, Curiouswombat--now to see how the situation actually works out!
Thanks for the feedback.