In the Court of the High King by Dreamflower
shirebound · 23 August 2012 · Chapter 15
A great tale! I never even thought about where Bandobras got that horse, until now.
Author's reply
It had to come from somewhere. A couple of years ago, in a B2MEM drabble, I speculated that it might be a Ranger's horse, if a Ranger came to warn the Shire. The rest of the tale has been percolating and waiting for the right time to be told!
Linda Hoyland · 19 August 2012 · Chapter 14
it is making me hungry to read this!
Author's reply
LOL! You know, I get that response a lot when I write about hobbits cooking and eating! I suppose that's a good thing, since I guess I make the food sound good!
Larner · 15 August 2012 · Chapter 14
Hooray! A good old fashioned Hobbit meal, finished with a story, and we get to see Frodo taking Bilbo's place as the one who keeps the stories of the histories alive for those who will come after.
Author's reply
Yes, well you know in "my" 'verse, Bilbo always spent Yule at Brandy Hall after his adventure (Hobbiton had sort of rejected him at that point, and he couldn't stand Lalia) and told stories. And Frodo, who had always gone with him, continued his tradition after he left!
shirebound · 15 August 2012 · Chapter 14
I suspect Calion will be a traveller someday, sampling foods and finding friends wherever he goes. :) I'm so happy to read how fondly and respectfully Frodo is remembered.
Author's reply
It wouldn't surprise me one little bit! *grin* To those who grew up with Frodo, he will always be remembered fondly and respectfully; of course, at this point in time Freddy, Beri and the others don't yet know how precious those memories will be, for Frodo has not yet sailed. So it's kind of bittersweet, since we readers know how short a time the others will have him around.
Fiondil · 15 August 2012 · Chapter 14
But I want to hear Frodo's tale! LOL! It was interesting to see the meal through young Calion's eyes rather than through the grown ups, both Big and Small. Hope to see another chapter soon. I want to know what Aragorn decides about the two hobbit prisoners.
Author's reply
I was trying to fit Frodo's tale in, and realized it was going on for far too long, so this chapter is actually split in two, and his tale will be in the next chapter, as well as the rest of the evening. And then of course will follow the sentencing of the prisoners. I too, am eager to get to that part, because I can't do anything about my other WIP, "Cado's Year" until I do-- it would make spoilers for this one.
Fiondil · 2 August 2012 · Chapter 13
And so the table is set and the guests have arrived. A lovely description of Brandy Hall and it was nice that Beri and Viola got some time together. Looking forward to the actual dinner. I hope it all goes well.
Author's reply
Yes, they are all ready for company now! Viola really needs to know about Brandy Hall; after all, if she and Beri wed, it's likely to be her new home!
shirebound · 1 August 2012 · Chapter 13
How I wish I could attend that feast! I love your description of Brandy Hall, and the delight the flower-seller found in her encounter with the hobbits. She'll have a nice tale to tell indeed.
Author's reply
I wish we could both be there! Erien will have a lot to talk about, won't she? She very nearly took things over; OCs will do that sometimes!
Larner · 1 August 2012 · Chapter 13
A fine preparation going on here, and I'm so glad Viola and Beri got some time to themselves. And loved the reminder of the tale of poor Pippin getting lost!
Author's reply
Yes, it's all the getting ready! I've been trying to think of a good way to let them have a little time, and this seemed like an excellent excuse. And the Brandy Hall Incident seemed a natural thing for Beri to bring up when talking of those old tunnels!
Kitty · 27 July 2012 · Chapter 12
Well, that was an unexpected way for 'Tel' to get an impression of these two and form his own opinion of them! No wonder he's driving others to distraction. What a difference to Denethor! He'd not touch that sort of clothes with a ten-foot pole, never mind wear it and talk to prisoners that way. Somehow I had that image of the Hobbits eating in all the inns to test the food over time, and then thought they could write an inn guide with recommendations by the time they leave for home. Now let's see what Aragorn is planning for Dago and Clodio.
Author's reply
You are quite right. I figure these are tactics he used frequently as "Strider" and as the Chief of the Dunedain. LOL! That sounds like a fun crack!fic! You will soon see.
Kitty · 27 July 2012 · Chapter 11
The difference with the healer's supplies makes sense, yes. Poppy with her relatively few patients would have the time to take care of that herself, but not the healers in the Houses. The number of chickens left me snickering. For me, half a chicken would be too much (ok, I'm not that much of a meat eater) already, and it's only one dish of many! It's really hard to understand how such small people can eat that much. Looks like the Hobbits are already discovering new ingredients and will doubtless find ways to make new dishes of them, too. Brave like a Hobbit? Rather fitting, when I think about it.
Author's reply
*nods* Yes, that was my idea as well. My notion is that hobbits are like birds, and have a higher metabolism than the other races. That's true of a lot of smaller species, and since hobbits are smaller it seems they might just have a higher metabolism. That little scene is one I have been waiting for years, literally, to fit into the story. Seriously, it came to me when I wasn't even half-through with "Road to Edoras"! But it's very fitting, when you come to what the people of Gondor know of hobbits: two, who went into the very lair of the Dark Lord himself, one who saved the life of their beloved Faramir and also slew a troll, and one who helped to slay the chief Nazgul-- all in spite of their small size!
Kitty · 27 July 2012 · Chapter 10
That innkeeper family has used a certain Elven family for names quite liberally *grin* I can see why just shortening the name wouldn't be of much use with them. Typical Hobbits, taking all the blame and being worried that Calembel gets into trouble with his wife. They are really good-hearted. What Niriel should wear? Easy – something comfortable and *wide* that doesn't cut into her waistline halfway through the meal already ;) Poor Ox, having to listen to them talking about all the delicacies they are going to make! No wonder he's hungry!
Author's reply
Yep. *grin* I thought that it would be funny, especially when you consider the names of the Old Tooks children. The hobbits were worried-- after all, this is the first new friend they've made in Minas Tirith!
Kitty · 27 July 2012 · Chapter 9
The ban of Men for the Shire is something I am still of two minds about, even after years. On the one hand, it is a good idea to protect the Hobbits better that way. On the other hand, I like the idea of them working closer together, like they are now. The Hobbits should not always have to go to Annuminas to meet Men, I'd like the Men to be able to visit with their Hobbit friends as well. Though there's no easy solution to that, I guess. Limited access for at least a selected number of them may be the only way to go, at least for now. How that would work out over centuries, who can say? Aragorn doesn't have the easiest task in dealing with the two miscreants, poor guy. It's hard to find a good punishment for them. *grin* Not Calembel's best idea to have a drink with Hobbits. But then, no one warned him, obviously. He'll be horribly hungover next morning – and probably a lot of other people as well.
Author's reply
Personally, I think that the Edict was not one of Tolkien's better ideas, but he gave it to us, so we have to work with it, or go AU (which I have from time to time, but not in my main Shire 'verse). OTOH, we are simply told of the Ban existing, not of how it worked or what the legalities of it were. So I managed to build in a loophole or two in my version of it. He'll find something appropriate, never fear. No, drinking with hobbits is a risky business-- though in this circumstance, it was not totally the hobbits' fault-- it was after all, the other people in the inn who kept buying the drinks!
Kitty · 27 July 2012 · Chapter 8
Nice to see the Hobbits invited to this informal visit. Aragorn really does his best to make them feel comfortable and welcome, and I like the way he includes them into the planning. Now it seems we have found the perfect pastime for Mosco; he apparently is rather eager to help with building the new Hobbit wing in Annuminas. And that way, he doesn't have to feel useless or bored while staying in Minas Tirith. Working closely with the Men will help him to get more confident around them, too, as this time they will have to listen to him. Well done, Aragorn! (and Dreamflower ;))
Author's reply
Aragorn knows that hobbits are knowledgeable and intelligent, and that they'd want to be included in the planning of things for the Northern Kingdom. I hoped that I had conveyed Mosco's fascination with buildings and construction through his observations-- it seemed a natural fit for him to join in with that project.
Kitty · 27 July 2012 · Chapter 7
What a pleasant surprise to see this story updated again! It took me a bit to get around to catch up with it, but finally I found the time. lol, that poor apprentice is quite terrified of Serindë, isn't he? *shakes head* Clodio's an idiot. That amount of profit is way too high to be not suspicious. But obviously his greed overrode everything. At least he now is honest enough to admit his mistakes. Dago, on the other hand, doesn't seem to feel anything but self-pity for missing out on the big business. He doesn't show any regret with these who were cheated and threatened. That's not going to go down well. Looks like Serindë and Poppy are going to get along famously, which is good. Poppy will enjoy her stay in Gondor so much more that way, and Serindë's obviously happy to have Hobbits around again.
Author's reply
He is, isn't he? LOL! Yes, his greed and his pride kept him from thinking straight, but he's beginning to understand now. Dago was motivated almost solely by greed, and he still doesn't understand why that's wrong. I'd always thought the two would get along! When SS gave me permission to use that bit of comment-fic, I decided to run with it! She's been very gracious and helpful.
Larner · 20 July 2012 · Chapter 12
And just why was I not surprised to learn that "Tel" was someone we know well? Heh! And I am now wondering just what kind of sentence Clodio and Dago will get. Sounds as if Dago is already setting himself up to fail.
Author's reply
Yep, "Tel" turned out to be pretty familiar. Dago, like Clovis, is a stubborn-but-not-in-a-good-way hobbit. And he is still unhappy over losing out on what he thought was a "good investment at the time".
Linda Hoyland · 19 July 2012 · Chapter 12
Aragorn had me fooled as much as the prisoners. Just loved his ruse!
Author's reply
LOL! I was surprised at the number of people who were surprised-- I figured that line about coming "down from the Bree-lands before the war" would be a dead giveaway! And of course, "Tel" was short for Telcontar=Strider. But it just goes to show how good he is at disguises!
Whispy · 19 July 2012 · Chapter 12
Bahaha, sneaky, sneaky "Tel." "Beleg was beginning to understand why the King both delighted and frustrated the Steward." Yeah, I can imagine that Aragorn's given Faramir a few premature grey hairs. I bet when Faramir imagined the "King Returned", he didn't envision Aragorn's, er, eccentric way of doing things. ;) I have all faith that Aragorn's judgement will be very just. Whispy
Author's reply
Aragorn does have an eccentric way about him, doesn't he? LOL! But then, he can-- he's King!
shirebound · 19 July 2012 · Chapter 12
Your songs are always so hobbity. :) The King is incredibly wise. I didn't guess who he was, either!
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! I love to think up hobbity songs! *giggle* "Tel" did not tell a single fib: he came south from the Bree-lands before the War, and he was there in the enclosure because he had disagreed with Beleg-- of course, the nature of his disagreement was rather milder than implied.
Fiondil · 19 July 2012 · Chapter 12
Ah Tel... or should I say Elessar? *grin* Sneaky king. Can't wait to see what punishment he decides for those two hobbits.
Author's reply
Perhaps "Telcontar", LOL! He is pretty sneaky; and personally, I think he just likes excuses to be "Strider" again every now and then.
Grey Wonderer · 16 July 2012 · Chapter 10
i like Ox. And the hobbits have a reason to cook!
Grey Wonderer · 16 July 2012 · Chapter 9
It is never wise to drink with hobbits or dwarves. LOL I loved Aragorn's thoughts that his wait for his true love had been worth it too. This is still lovely. I will be very interested to hear what Aragorn does decide to do with the prisoners. Tough question.
Author's reply
This is true! Poor Calembel did not have a clue, but to be fair, he could not have gotten out of it politely, LOL! I think that now that it's all over, he can feel a great sense of accomplishment and relief-- and he knows that his true love is the greatest reward of all. He's definitely got some ideas. I am trying to get to that chapter soon!
Fiondil · 12 July 2012 · Chapter 11
And everyone is busy. A nice chapter covering a lot of activities. I loved the "You were a brave as a hobbit" line. The significance of being considered a definition of courage should prove an interesting topic of discussion among these particular hobbits. I'm sure Frodo and Sam, at least, if not Pippin and Merry, would be appalled by the comparison. *grin*
Author's reply
*grin* I can imagine them being told of this, and each of the four secretly thinking how apt it is describing the other three, while internally downplaying his own part! I've been waiting to post that particular line for a couple of years now!
shirebound · 12 July 2012 · Chapter 11
I just love that last line! *beams* And of course... "There will be twelve of us: eight hobbits, and Calembel and his wife and the two children," said Beri. "Six birds, then," said Avor. Beri and Jolly stared at him eyes wide. "That's only a half a chicken apiece," said Beri, stating the obvious. What a delightful story!
Author's reply
Me too! I have been waiting to post that particular bit of dialogue about "brave as a hobbit" for a couple of years now! *grin* I'm glad you liked that bit! I had fun with it!
harrowcat · 12 July 2012 · Chapter 11
And a sweet treat seems to be the universal reward for brave children everywhere. Loved the description in this gentle chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you, dear! I am so glad you liked it!
Larner · 11 July 2012 · Chapter 11
Oh, but that is the height of honor for the Hobbits, to be honored in such a way! Wonderful! (And your birthday gift is FINALLY posted! Heh!)
Author's reply
I have had that particular scene in my head for a couple of years now! I was so glad to finally get a chance to post it! It just seemed to me that the courage and bravery of the Travellers would embed itself into the hearts and minds of the Gondorians, and lend itself to their everyday speech.