When in Gondor, do as the Gondorians do.
Good old Mistress Poppy! She was right to give Viola permission for the dance.
A beautiful romance is developing! Very nice.
I remember having heard about the waltz being regarded "scandalous" when it first came out. And I think it fits perfectly into the "renewed" Gondor.
But back to the waltz. Time changes indeed. Just compare the waltz to e.g. Lambada and tell me what looks more scandalous ;-)
Author's reply
Poppy is a very practical hobbit!
And I am glad that Beri and Viola's romance is going along smoothly.
I'm sure that the hobbits, used to the livelier circle and set dances of the North might have been a wee bit scandalized-- but they are in another culture, after all!
FantasyFan
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 5
I do enjoy the slow unfolding of the Hobbits' experiences in getting familiar with Gondor, here and in the previous chapter. I like seeing all of them with their own refelctions, but I think I like the thoughts of Berilac the best. Perhaps he's not the most profound, but his focus on Viola is charming and hopeful and makes me smile. It is good of the king and queen to add a shire dance, and a shire minstrel, and some food the hobbits are sure to enjoy. They are gracious hosts indeed, and have made their guests very comfortable in a place that might be very intimidating instead.
Author's reply
I have to confess, I am enjoying writing Berilac and Viola's romance quite a lot-- I am not much for romance in general, but these two are quite fun to write!
Well, I think that Elessar knew from the beginning, when he chose Menelcar as the Court Bard back in my story "Chance Encounter" that he would bring with him some of the fresh air from the north to Gondor! And of course, it does make it much easier to make the hobbits feel at home!
Soledad
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 4
This chapter made me hungry... ;)
Loved the Hobbit women's common sense... not believing everything they're told indeed! *g*
Author's reply
Doesn't that feast sound delicious? I love Gode Cookery! It's such a great site!
Mistress Poppy is quite the embodiment of "hobbit-sense", isn't she?
Soledad
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 3
I love the way you use Hobbits only mentioned as participating in Bilbo's birthday party to build a solid background to the actual events. There's nothing like family gossip to cast some light on hidden events, is there?
Author's reply
*grin* Absolutely!
Soledad
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 2
I see I need to read the previous stories before I start feeling too sorry for the prisoners. But whatever they'd done, never being able to go home is a terrible thing for everyone.
Ah, Faramir! He never ceases to amaze me.
Author's reply
The prisoners are a sorry lot to be sure. Short version, these two conspired with Lotho, helped to finance his takeover of the Shire, profited from it, and then tried to cover up their crimes. When the High King and the King of Rohan sent delegates to the Shire, Clodio's two sons thought to disrupt the process and keep their father from being investigated by vandalizing the delegates' campsite. In the process they injured one of the Rohirrim. Which is why the two sons were sent to Rohan rather than Gondor for judgement.
I have come to really enjoy writing Faramir! I see him as the King's right-hand man!
Soledad
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 1
Oh, the poor dears! Being outnumbered by all those Big People and overwhelmed by the size of everything. But I'm sure they'll do just fine. Hobbits are a resilient lot.
Author's reply
Hobbits are very resilient! And it helps that there are several of them, so that they have each other. Still the size of everything has to be somewhat intimidating!
Soledad
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 0: Prologue
Of course they'll be hungry! They're Hobbits, after all! *g*
I've just discovered this story - been away from the fandom for a while - and I'm looking forward how it turns out. I expect great fun, as always.
Author's reply
Well, welcome to this one! I'm glad you are back!
Erulisse
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 5
LOLOL, introducing the waltz into Gondor? Do you realize how scandolous the waltz was thought to be quite daring and obscene when it was first introduced in high company in the mid-1700's. It's so nice to know that Gondor really started things back in the misty history of Arda. A lovely chapter to what is turning into a really charming story.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
I absolutely do realze it! My hobbits are quite used to the versions of English Country Dance that I usually give them to do. And I knew that Menelcar would have introduced a few of those into Gondor in preparation for the hobbits' arrival. But I also wanted something exotic and different for them to dance to as well, and so a waltz it was. (Though of course, you will note that I carefully did *NOT* call it that!)
I'm glad you are enjoying this!
harrowcat
· 13 July 2010
· Chapter 5
Ah, true love! And the discovery of the wider world. Heady times for hobbits.
Loving this as usual Dreamflower.
Author's reply
I do so enjoy writing Beri and Viola's romance. It's not a genre I'm normally given to writing, but this couple really appeals to me for some reason. And yes, they are still discovering the wider world.
I'm glad you are still enjoying it!
Larner
· 12 July 2010
· Chapter 5
What a wonderful, beautiful evening for them all! And I love the thought of Beri and Viola "doing as the Gondorians do"! Heh!
Author's reply
*grin* I've always envisioned Minas Tirith as a "Romish" sort of place, so twisting arund the old saying was kind of fun!
shirebound
· 12 July 2010
· Chapter 5
I really like this conversation between Faramir and Mosco. What a wonderful feast! And I always love 'seeing' the White Tree (and other special trees) through new eyes.
Author's reply
Thank you! When we had the White Tree as a challenge element, I knew I wanted to show the first sight of it by one of my hobbit delegation. And I had originally wanted Mosco's conversation to be with the King, but Faramir insisted it was he who had spoken with the hobbit!
shirebound
· 12 July 2010
· Chapter 4
It's wonderful to see Menelcar again! And the thought that the Royal Kitchens have hobbit-sized pots and pans is just lovely.
Author's reply
One of the things I have been looking forward to in this story is having a chance to write Menelcar again! Of course as Court Bard, he'd have a good deal to do with entertaining at feasts. And as one of the few Big Folk in Gondor who has a previous experience with hobbits before the War, he'd also be needed to help with the hobbits!
(And there will be a couple of other familiar faces in future chapters!)
GamgeeFest
· 12 July 2010
· Chapter 5
Beri is such a dear romantic. I'm sure Viola is wondering how she was so lucky as to capture *his* regard! It was good of Mistress Poppy to allow them the final dance - a bit scandalous as far as hobbits are concerned maybe but still innocent enough. Enjoyed seeing Mosco and Faramir's conversation in its proper context.
Author's reply
Yes, well, of course he is, he's a Brandybuck! (I've always pictured Merry as being very gallant and romantic as well). Yes, well, since most of the dances the hobbits of "my" Shire do are more-or-less English Country Dance which are mostly danced in circles or sets, or are quite lively if they are for couples, a slow dance in which the partners held one another closely would be quie scandalous.
Rather like the waltz was when it was first introduced!
And I'm glad you liked my planned setting for their conversation!
GamgeeFest
· 9 July 2010
· Chapter 4
What a delightful chapter! I enjoyed Poppy's advice to not take everything the Big Folk say at face value - after all, nothing beats plain hobbit sense. Enjoyed also seeing the feast through Denny's and Rolly's eyes, most especially their discussion on naming rooms. The food certainly sounds delicious.
Author's reply
Yes, Mistress Poppy is definitely going to be weighing up her own experience against the practices of the Southerners!
I had fun using them as POV characters-- I hope to give them, and Mosco and Jolly a bit more to do in this story than they had in R2E!
The Gode Cookery site is just filled with marvelos ideas for fancy feasts! And most of it is pefectly delicious!
Virtuella
· 9 July 2010
· Chapter 4
"hobbit-sized pots and pans" - Now, I wonder, would they be bigger or smaller than human-sized pans? ;-)
Lovely chapter, I particularly enjoyed the errand boy and the minstrel.
BTW, what period of recipe? I looked at the link, but it didn't give a date.
Author's reply
I think the capacity of the pans might have been about the same, but the size of the handles and so forth would be meant for small hobbit hands to handle.
Most of the recipes were 14th and 15th c. It didn't give a date for the feast as a whole, but if you look at most of the individual recipes, you will see the "originals" before the redaction, and it will give the source. Some for example were from the The Goodman of Paris (Le Ménagier de Paris). A Treatise on Moral and Domestic Economy by A Citizen of Paris (c. 1395). Others were from other sources, but from a similar timespan.
Andrea
· 9 July 2010
· Chapter 4
Great feast! And good to see Menelcar again.
Although the two hobbits had never seen him before, he made the feel more comfortable among the Big Folk.
And that song! I just love it :-)
Author's reply
Yes. Menelcar will probably be showing up sometimes in this story! And you are right-- his previous knowledge of the Shire and hobbits helped him to relate to them!
Thank you!
Larner
· 9 July 2010
· Chapter 4
Rolly is doing right well, I would say! Am glad that he found himself reacting so to the song about the Travellers! Wonderful!
Author's reply
I'm hoping to give Rolly and Denny somewhat larger roles in this story! And the story of what the other hobbits went through has to be very moving.
Fiondil
· 8 July 2010
· Chapter 4
It's a good thing I read this *after* I'd already had dinner or I would have been salivating on my laptop. *LOL* I'm familiar with Goode Cookery and have used it myself when planning feasts for my own stories. *grin* Good to see Menelcar again and to hear how Pippin comforted young Sador during the siege. Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Yes, Gode Cookery is a brilliant website, and I love it to pieces!
Menelcar, of course, is now Aragorn's Court Bard and will naturally be making appearances in this story. I was a little surprised at his introducing himself so early-- I'd just meant to have him sing. But he wanted to talk to the hobbits first.
Pippin comforting young Sador is from my Mathoms II story, "Will There Ever Be a Morning?"
Lindelea
· 8 July 2010
· Chapter 4
How nice to see Menelcar!
Fascinating hobbit's-eye view of the feast. I figured you'd drawn from historical sources, knowing your attention to detail.
Mmmm, strawberry pie. We didn't get to go strawberry picking this year, and I'm very sorry about that!
I can imagine Pippin comforting the young messenger during the siege, generous heart that he has.
What fun!
Author's reply
Of course there's no doubt that Aragorn's Court Bard is going to meet the delegation from the Shire!
I love Gode Cookery! When I was still active in the SCA, I used some of their recipes for feasts. But it's so fun to check out the historical recipes and all of the hard work of redacting them has been done!
I was thrilled to see the feast end with strawberry pie-- of course it's not the right time of year, so I figure the King has *hothouses*!
And Pippin comforting young Sador is from my Challenge story "Will There Ever Be a Morning?" Yes, Pippin does have a very generous heart, doesn't he?
Andrea
· 4 July 2010
· Chapter 3
“Thank you, sire,” said Freddy, relieved. He had confidence in this King, whose eyes spoke of wisdom and discernment.
And he's not mistaken with this judgement.
It was interesting to find out about the early origins of the pipeweed trade.
But Lotho and all his companions were overrun by Sharky and his Ruffians in the end! The misled hobbits treated Saruman as an equal, but he did not!
So, there is a lot we can blame Lotho for, but he could not foresee the end.
He was simply too greedy. And that made him blind!
Author's reply
The misled hobbits treated Saruman as an equal, but he did not!
Exactly. Saruman saw the hobbits he dealt with as nothing more than useful pawns, and a way to annoy Gandalf.
No-- I am quite sure that if Lotho *could* have seen his ignominious end, he would NEVER have had any dealings with Mr. White! Lotho might have been greedy, but I am sure he would not want to end up imprisoned in his own hole and then murdered!
GamgeeFest
· 4 July 2010
· Chapter 3
Lotho is at fault for many things, stupidity and self-entitlement chief among them, but he's not responsible for the Black Riders. I hope Freddy isn't making that assumption!
I enjoyed your take on Saruman's dealings with the Shire and how little by little his was able to reach more and more hobbits. I also liked the hobbity family gossip and think that Freddy and Beri likely have the right of it; it's good know that not all the apples on the Bracegirdle tree were rotten! I look forward to the feast as much as the hobbits, as well as the other many revelations they have awaiting them. :D
Author's reply
No, he wasn't, although many of the inhabitants of the Shire *did* believe that he was, especially the Gaffer! But Freddy wouldn't make that mistake-- he knew better than most that the Black Riders were far more than some of Lotho's Ruffians!
However, the knowledge that on the very night he was running for his life from them, Lotho was invitin *more* danger into the Shire behind everyone's back-- well, that just had to sting!
Trying to reconcile the Bracegirdles on Lobelia's side of the family with the one on the Brandybuck family tree, and filling in from the Boffin Family Tree in PoMe is what made me come up with that bit of family history! And then of couse, there is that entry in the ToY for 1353 (TA2953) indicating that Saruman's *already* meddling in the Shire...
It all makes for some really interesting plot bunnies. I'd love to see a few other fic writers tackle that subject as well!
FantasyFan
· 1 July 2010
· Chapter 3
Freddy is right to have confidence in the King - he remembers all the mealtimes! But seriously, the frank discussion has to be a relief. The traitors are guilty of greed, fraud, cruelty and general orneriness, but they were outmatched by Saruman from the start. It is very interesting to hear how far back the dealings go.
I'm pleased to have new chapters of this story to read. I've been going back and re-reading A New Reckoning and The Road to Edoras, and re-discovering how much I really enjoyed them. Thanks for your faithfulness to this fandom!
Author's reply
Oh, there's no doubt whatsoever that Lotho and his cronies were used and manipulated by Saruman from the start-- but without their greed, they would not have fallen for his temptation.
Yes, I've long been fascinatted by that! In both UT and the ToY, it's clear he'd been trying to undermine the Shire for a long time! In fact, the year I mention in the story is the year we are given in the ToY!
I'm so glad you still enjoy the first two stories! ANR was a fairly early story for me, and I am surprised at how well it has held up. As for my faithfulness to the fandom, well, I seem to be a fandom monogamist-- LotR has always been my fandom and always will be; I just can't imagine feeling the same way about any other.
Virtuella
· 1 July 2010
· Chapter 3
Oh, I like the special hobbit chairs!
Very interestign to see some back story to the pipe weed affair. I didn't quite understand what the connection was supposed to be between Lotho's letter and the Black Riders, other than the date, would you mind explaining that?
Author's reply
It was the date, of course. It had to strike Freddy as he realized that even as he was fleeing for his life from Black Riders, Lotho was in the process of opening the back door of the Shire to even more danger! I was sure that would upset him!
The only time I have mentioned the hobbit chairs in another story, I only mentioned one of them, but I knew all along there were four of them, built to the King's specifications for his hobbit friends.
Theresa Greenfalcon
· 30 June 2010
· Chapter 3
It's good to know the actual culpability of Clodio and Dago with Lotho over his and Saruman's actions during the war within the Shire. I like that you don't just gloss over what happened and that you make the crimes and characters more three-dimensional than most do.
Author's reply
I decided that Clodio and Dago were mainly guilty of helping to finance Lotho's ambitions, and that they told themselves that it was all simply good business-- even though both of them were aware that Lotho was capable of doing some really spiteful things. Clodio's own motives were more from spite than greed-- he had long been jealous of his sister's marriage to the Thain, which gave her more status than him-- the Head of the Banks family. Dago, on the other hand was motivated sheerly by greed; he was not especially ambitious, but he thought he was much cleverer than he actually was.
What was worse, of course, was their failure to say or do anything during the Troubles of the Occupaton. Neither of them approved of the violence the Ruffians brought in, but they did not want anyone to realize they had anything to do with it.
Aeärwen
· 30 June 2010
· Chapter 3
I do enjoy the backstory that you're developing for this, dealing with the goings-on between Isengard and the Shire in the days before the Quest. You're painting a very interesting picture of Saruman and Lotho, and making Saruman's interest in destroying the Shire have a lot more reason behind it.
I also like the more informal office you've given Elessar; it's much more in keeping with his character as a former ranger and Dúnadan. I'd think that Aragorn would have some difficulties with the expected airs of the Gondorian court - not that he wasn't familiar, but that they just didn't *fit* him.
Looking forward to your next installments of both this and the other. This is a treat!
Author's reply
We know from Unfinished Tales and also from the Tale of Years that Saruman took an interest in hobbits and the Shire as early as TA 2953, when he began to keep agents in Bree and the Southfarthing. We don't have much in the way of details though, so I am trying to figure those out logically. I think Saruman's interest in corrupting the Shire, to begin with, was nothing more than a petty wish to discomfit Gandalf.
I'd think that Aragorn would have some difficulties with the expected airs of the Gondorian court - not that he wasn't familiar, but that they just didn't *fit* him.
Exactly.
I first came up with Aragorn's informal office in my story "Chance Encounter". I decided that he chose a small room not too far from the throne room, where he could relax and work without all the pomp. I even have a backstory for that battered table, though I haven't told it yet. It may find its way into this tale somewhere along the line.