In the High King's Secret Service by Fiondil
Larner · 1 October 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
I take it that Finwe wishes some quiet words with his daughter to assure himself that Valandur was not taking advantage of the situation, and perhaps to test his metal as well. Valandur and Intarion will do their best by the villagers, I'm certain.
Author's reply
I'm sure Finwë has a LOT of questions for his daughter. *grin* We'll see how Valandur and Intarion manage things. Thanks for reviewing, Larner. I very much appreciate it.
Laer · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
Findis best be careful, or Finwë and her "darling brother" will be sending her beloved far far away. LOL I am sure the Valor have other ideas that just might be better for all involved. Have a great week Fiondil
Author's reply
I'm sure Findis knows how to play the game even if Val doesn't. He's a bit naïve about things, as we will see. At any rate, I'm sure the Valar do have other ideas and we'll see what they are soon enough. Thanks for reviewing, Laer. It's greatly appreciated.
Sunny · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
It seems that Ingoldo and Fëanáro both have heads of solid rocks - and permits only their own personal ideas to flourish in their minds. Or perhaps it is that they are prejudiced about those who are not of the nobility and think that ideas from such sources can't have merit. I wonder what sort of plans Finwë and Fëanáro are cooking to get rid of Val. It will also be interesting to see Findis' reactions to said plans - tough I know already that they aren't going to work!
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Yeah, they are two of a kind, aren't they? And that thickheadedness will be addressed by higher-ups soon enough, as we will see. As for any plans Finwë and Fëanáro have for Val, that remains to be seen, but you won't have to wait long to find out. *grin* And you're right that whatever plans are afoot will come to naught since we know how it all ends for everyone anyway. Thanks for commenting. It's appreciated.
Kevana · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
Really glad the little one made it to safety and that nobody got seriously hurt, including Oromë's trees. Sounds like quite a mess to deal with though. I suppose they didn't have farm insurance at this point. :P All these subtle but significant looks flying around! It seems kind of weird Finwë would leave Intarion and Valandur in charge of cleanup, even given how responsible and capable they are. It makes me wonder what Finwë and Ingoldo are going to get up to with those trade negotiations (or whatever is actually going on) while not under two pairs of watchful eyes. But then that moment that passed between Intarion and Finwë...hm, indeed! I don't know, maybe it's just my paranoia about politicians. I generally presume that when they're conducting business without watchers, they are up to something. *grin* This story is more and more like watching a rock bounce downhill to start a landslide. You can see it coming but can't stop it, and just hope some people down below manage to get out of the way. I'm glad Findis is apparently one who can hear the rumbles. Great chapter, thanks for the update and have (dare I say it? I'll say it) an interesting week! -Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. I think your analogy about a rock bouncing downhil to start a landslide is fairly apt for this story, especially at this point in it. We'll see how things go for Val and Findis and everyone else. All those subtle and significant looks flying around have to mean something, don't they? *grin* I hope I don't have too interesting a week but thanks for the sentiment and the same to you. And thanks for taking the time to comment. You know it's greatly appreciated.
Cairistiona · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
Ah, ze plot thickens once more! Finwë certainly found a tidy way to separate his daughter from Valandur's evil designs. Thanks for nothing, Fëanáro. Meh. Fëanáro is such a... well, I'm too polite to say! Whether you worked it in intentionally or it was simply a theme that came out in the writing because of the character himself, Fëanáro's mindset really does amount to racism. Sadly "human", but inexcusable all the same, even if you do have Ada & Nana issues! Very good chapter, once again.
Author's reply
That's right, Cairistiona, the plot indeed thickens. I didn't intentionally work in the theme of racism, but it sort of came out in the writing, and there's more than one kind of 'racism' here and Fëanáro is not the only guilty party, he's just a bit more vocal about it. There is subtle racism in the way the various clans treat one another and view one another, and this is something that Val encounters, especially in his visit to Alqualondë. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's much appreciated.
someone · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
It's impossible to know what Finwë is thinking of this all. Most likely he's going to send Valandur back home with a "suitable reward" and hope that Findis will forget her feelings. “A cat?” Finwë echoed, looking nonplused. “A very large cat,” she replied, spreading her arms to indicate its size. “Not one that you could safely say no to.” *grin* Elves and their wine! I would be far more interested in saving normal fields than a vineyard. It's true that fields recover more quickly and most likely will be better because of all the ash, whereas vines grow slower and won't be quite the same again, but still...
Author's reply
Hi someone. We'll see what Finwë has planned for Val, or rather what Fëanáro does to give Finwë the excuse he needs. As for the fields... they were probably a lost cause but the vineyards could be saved, so they took priority over fields that could be quickly resown. Thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.
Calenlassiel · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
Great Chapter. I can't wait to read more about the Tilion. I am really loving this new story. Keep up the good work. :)
Author's reply
I'm glad you are enjoying the story, Calenlassiel. I appreciate you letting me know. Thanks.
UTfrog · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
Yes, a full review of all their activities will interest Finwe enormously. Glad they are home and the vineyard saved. Love that Intarion got good wine. Thanks for a very satisfying chapter.
Author's reply
Hi UTfrog. You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, especially Intarion getting good wine. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.
Elentarri · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
I like this story, but I wish you would post more often or post longer chapters. ;) PS. Please dump Fëanáro in the mud sometime soon. His attitude is making my teeth itch.
Author's reply
Sorry, Elentarri, but I think posting twice a week is often enough and the chapters are as long as they need to be and no longer. Anyway, we all know what happens to Fëanáro in the end, so we'll leave him to Eru and hope for the best. I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
bookworm · 30 September 2013 · Chapter 25: Reunited
lol and SUDDENLY Feanor realises he has a sister. I think I like Tilion, even in such a brief appearance, I can easily see how he'd become a ever-so-slightly scatterbrained pilot for the Moon, wandering off to enjoy himself rather than stick to his course XD
Author's reply
Hi bookworm. Yeah, Fëanáro is a real piece of work, isn't he? And I thought Tilion would be the perfect Maia to lead the wanderers onto the right path. *grin* Thanks for revieiwng. I appreciate it very much.
obsidianj · 29 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
Someone really wanted them to stay put together. That thunderstorm was way too convenient. Then they had to be found by Feanaro. Talk about pesky brothers. But it seems as if Findis knows how to handle him. Now to see what the fallout of this little adventure will be. Valandur will be sent home in disgrace and he is rather successful in making himself unfavorable in some quarters.
Author's reply
Hi obsidian. Yes, I imagine someone or someones wanted that. We'll see what the fallout of all this is for Valandur eventually. As you say, he's rather successful in making himself unfavorable in some quarters. Thanks for reviewing. I very much appreciate it.
obsidianj · 28 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
Loved the cat as tour guide. Although, I would have freaked out if a cat of that size showed up in front of me. But Valandur remembered correctly, they are in Lord Orome's forest. If the kitty wanted to do them harm, it could have attacked them while they were asleep. Nice touch with the shelter in the tree. Now on to find out who's tree house it is.
Author's reply
Hi obsidian. I'm sure I would have freaked out, too, but as you say, Valandur remembered just where they were and whose Forest it was. Val's "tree-cave" as he calls it was introduced in "Elf, Interrupted: Book Two". Glorfindel stayed in one, and who knows, it might well have been the same one. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Laer · 27 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
Well now guess Findis showed Fëanáro what for in a way that would be worse than if she slapped him. Good job her ;) Kind of thought that someone wanted them together, and I am glad they did ;)
Author's reply
I guess she did, Laer. And I suspect that certain Valar, who will remain nameless, are playing matchmaker here. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Larner · 27 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
I, too, had my suspicions of this oddly accoutered woodlands elf! And her response to Feanor is so appropriate to his sour nature! Now, to learn the answers to Findis's questions.
Author's reply
FIndis knows how to deal with her half-brother, that's for sure. We'll find out the answers to her questions in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing, Larner. I appreciate it.
Sunny · 27 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
I see that Val is suddenly realizing that there is a lot he doesn't know about Aman - its geography in this case - and it wouldn't surprise me that he is going to start taking steps to fill those gaps as soon as he can. I'm sure the sudden thunderstorm fulfilled its purpose in ensuring Val and Findis stayed put in their little "cave". ;-) Typical of Fëanor to come in just at the right moment - NOT - with a sneer on his face, and start jumping to conclusions. Makes me wonder just what his problem is, since he doesn't like his sister - it would make sense that he would want her married off to someone not living in Tirion (not that it is any of his business who his sister wants to marry), but then "sense" is not exactly what springs to my mind when thinking of Fëanor.
Author's reply
I'm sure Val will rectify his lack of education about Aman as soon as he can. We know that Fëanor and his sons roamed far and wide but others may have done so as well. As to Fëanor's problem, we'll see what it is eventually. He may not like his half-sister but she can be a pawn in the game of kings and Fëanor is good at using others as tools as we well know. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it very much.
Kevana · 27 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
Way to be a buzzkill, Tilion, bringing Findis' brother to the rescue! :P Ha! That's one way to ruin a moment. Oh, I'm sure it was for the best. Still, I groaned rather loudly when Fëanor showed up. Darn it! LOL! These two are just too cute together. And it only took a wildfire, a missing child, a near-death experience, being half-drowned and then tromping through a forest to do it. Well, nobody said romance was easy. On your last response - oho, really, then I look forward to seeing (eventually) whatever inspired you in the mountains, in one of your works! :) And now, because it is Friday, have a gif of a dancing chicken. It's rather hypnotizing. Hypno-chicken. Take care and have a fabulous weekend, Fiondil! -Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. That dancing chicken is to weird for me. LOL! I don't think Tilion had a say as to who would join the rescue party, so you can't really blame him. His orders were simply to report Val and Findis' whereabouts to interested parties and make sure no one got lost in the trackless Forests. And Val and Findis are cute together, aren't they? *snicker* We'll see how things progress between them from here. They're not out of the woods (figuratively speaking) yet. Have a fabulous weekend yourself and thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.
Cairistiona · 27 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
Of COURSE the rescue would come just as she kissed him, and of COURSE it would be Fëanáro at the lead. *still waiting in the Slap-Feanaro queue* Such a lovely interlude--it's fun to watch the love blossom between them and finally see that Valandur's shall not go unrequited. I did have a worry that Tilion might go wandering off on one of his random paths instead of finding rescuers, but thankfully it seems this time he stayed true to his course. :D
Author's reply
Hi Cairistiona. Yeah, it was inevitable that it would be Fëanáro who would lead the 'rescue' squad, more's the pity. Anyway, I'm glad you have been enjoying the blossoming of the romance between Val and Findis. They are a perfect foil to one another, I think. And this early on, Tilion isn't as wayward as he tended to be in later times. *grin* Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.
UTfrog · 27 September 2013 · Chapter 24: Rescue
Did it have to be Fearno who found them? He will make a fuss just for fun. Also the poor guard captain is in for it. Well they had a lovely time together which I hope will stand them well.
Author's reply
But of course it had to be Fëanáro who found them. LOL! And it's hardly the poor guard captain's fault since he was under Findis' orders. We'll see how things progress for them from here on out and what everyone else's reactions to them is. Thanks for reviewing, UTfrog. It's appreciated.
someone · 26 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
The fire sounds horrible. I hope that the elves have enough food stored somewhere or that they have other good fields somewhere else. Perhaps they will learn after this to prepare for disasters and not rely on the valar to protect them from everything. Out of curiosity, why are the "rustic" elves speaking in such a strange way? Is it an older form of language or do they have a different language of their own and don't speak Quenya correctly because of that? There's only so much that I can understand of English and interpreting that difference correctly just crossed that line. There are a lot of people that are going to be unhappy with Valandur and Findis being alone in the forest. Ingoldo and Finwë, for example. How do they even know where to look for? No one has seen them jump into the river and the fire most likely burned all evidence.
Author's reply
Hi someone. The rustics are speaking a dialect of Quenya that would be considered "quaint" by those from Tirion or Vanyamar. There will actually be a discussion about this later on. You will notice that the rustics use "be" where you or I would use "is/are", and that is the most obvious difference, and the dropping of the last sound in "-ing" words is also typical of rustic speech. I hope this helps you to understand what's going on. We'll find out just how prepared the Elves are to deal with this kind of disaster and we will see how Valandur and Findis are rescued and what other people's reactions to their being missing are. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it very much.
Tari · 24 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
A romance between Findis and Valandur could only happen in your story. I like the way it's progressing. Their being saved by a cat is a nice touch. Who sent the cat is what I'm waiting to find out.
Author's reply
Obviously, Oromë sent the cat, since Val and Findis are in his Forest. And the romance between them was foredoomed since I have them married to one another in my "Elf, Interrupted" series. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing, Tari. I quite appreciate it.
Larner · 24 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
Obviously Orome intends for his unintended guests to return to their own as soon as possible, and the small house in the tree sounds like some I've seen in the Redwood Forest. He's right--she will be safe here. Wonder who they are intended to meet with near this small lodge?
Author's reply
Yes, Oromë wants them rescued soon enough, though not TOO soon. *grin* We'll see who they meet while they are resting at the lodge in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing, Larner. It's much appreciated.
6336 · 24 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
Yay for helpful kitties and 'tree caves'! Good to hear your arboreal adventure was inspiring! Huggs, Lynda
Author's reply
Glad you liked the chapter, Lynda. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much. And yes, my pilgrimage to the mountains and leaf-viewing was very inspiring.
Sunny · 24 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
Well, Valandur may not be a master cook (and anyway he hasn't much to work with here) but he clearly isn't going to poison the two of them. I see that Oromë has sent one of his Maiar to give Valandur and Findis a helping paw. (That kitty can't really be anything else, can it?) ;-) And I'm sure all the Maiar (and the Valar, too) are in stitches over Val's little quip about why the cat is the perfect chaperone! :-D
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. You're probably right about the 'kitty' being a Maia. And I'm sure all the Maiar and Valar got a kick out of Val's little quip, as did the 'kitty'. *grin* We'll see how the two fare in their little 'tree-cave'. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.
Kevana · 23 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
I see you did not get carted off by trolls! I am extremely glad. Hope you did have a wonderful trip however! I do believe if I woke up to a mountain lion at my feet that I would be grabbing for the first weapon I could find at hand. Good to see this particular critter is not only friendly but gifted with a good sense of direction, haha. I feel terrible for Findis though, tromping through the woods with your boyfriend is one thing, doing it on a sprained ankle is another. Thanks for the great chapter Fiondil! Have a fantastic week! -Kevana
Author's reply
No, no trolls. Wouldn't have minded being carted off by Elves, though. LOL! As it is I did have a great time and found it very inspiring, though in what manner, I won't say here. Someday, y'all will find out. *heehee* Anyway, I would freak out myself if a lion mountain showed up, but these are Elves, after all, and they live in Aman, so they're not so easily scared, certainly Val isn't, as we see here. He, at least, remembers whose Forest they are in. Thanks for leaving a comment, Kevana. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I appreciate you letting me know and have a great week yourself.
UTfrog · 23 September 2013 · Chapter 23: The Forests of Oromë
Hope you had a great time in the mountains. Intriguing developments. Clearly they are being well looked after. Also love the developing romance. Great idea to have the trees listen. Seems the message was received by more than one person. Thanks
Author's reply
I had a great time, thank you. Glad you enjoyed the chapter and the developing romance. Yes, it does look as if more than one person was listening. We'll see how things develop in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing, UTfrog. I really appreciate it.