Zetta · 29 June 2021 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Who have ever thought a story about lice would leave you feeling so good. Really well written, and despite having an itchy scalp now, I am left feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
The Devilry of Edoras by Canafinwe
Reviews (19)
obsidianj · 23 November 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
What a lovely piece. You convey Thorongil's helplessness so well. It is maddening when you can't speak the language and are unable to communicate. Getting lice added insult to injury, but the understanding of the riders laid the foundation of real friendship.
Author's reply
Thank you. It's always challenging to portray a language barrier, and I'm glad it came across well. Such a strange thing to bring people together, but it did seem suitable...
Aranadhel · 26 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Great story. Like how you portray Aragorn as from the book. *claps* You had to mention about Ancalimon, didn't you? Lol! Super intrigued with that Noldor healer of Imladris. :)
Author's reply
Thank you! I take that very seriously: Book Aragorn or no Aragorn! Yeah, I had to. Didn't think Thorongil would pine for Lindir... I'm delighted you're intrigued. I'm toying with another tale at the moment in which Ancalimon plays a larger part. I hope it turns out the way I'm envisioning. He has an interesting backstory, I promise.
curiouswombat · 26 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
What a good story this is. I had never really thought much about his early days amongst the Rohirrim, but oh how I felt his every discomfort and embarrassment.
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I'm glad it's something different and thought-provoking. It must have been such a huge adjustment, coming to Rohan as he did. It's wonderful to know the story was so evocative. Cheers!
Marianel · 25 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Yes lice! I know myself how it feels even though it doesnt have anything to do with dirty hair .Neither do I have a platoon of soldiers laughing at me!The lice just come and hell knows from where!I got mine at work as Im a teacher.I couldnt ask my hubby to help me because he cant handle my waistlong thick blond hair that well.😆My workmates screamed that I should stay at home hahahaha!I indeed look like the Rohirric women must have done.And I too had problems seeing the damned lice in my hair!!A good neighbour took pity and helped me! Afterwards I took her entire family to dinner as thanks😄. Poor Estel with his issues and the awkward situation where Deorwine asks to lend Estels comb. It must have been so hard to explain without " the fist hanging in the air" as we say in Sweden when its close to a severe fight.Thank god they were nice men the Rohirrim 😆.It was heartwarming to read about Deorwine combing Estels hair and that they minded to sing slow.Awwh I love your story and the fantastic part where Estel discovered his lice and they were "crawling, swarming,feeding and breeding on his head and that was absolutely intolerable"😂You have a way with words that is both fun and makes one feel as miserable Estel! Sorry I wrote so long a review.
Author's reply
You're absolutely right: dirty hair has nothing to do with it. Thorongil's thoughts about washing his hair are more linked to the fact that when you haven't done so in a while, the buildup of oils and flakes of dead scalp are another common cause for an itchy head. What a wonderful neighbour, to help you in that situation! I've checked my share of people for lice, and found more than a few over the years. It's always such a stressful diagnosis to get. Yes, that really was a tenuous situation -- especially as it was Deorwine who had been making the most diligent overtures of friendship. Happily it did not come to blows! I'm glad to know the ending was heartwarming, and that my word choices helped to make this story more real. Thank you for the wonderful feedback, as always: you spoil me!
someone · 25 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Somehow, every itch in my scalp has just magnified. Lice! Thorongil's horror fits one raised in Rivendell, and I seriously doubt that the Dunedain have a lice problem. I'm now rewatching The Two Towers, and will be looking quite differently at the rohirrim's hair... Realistic problems for such living quarters. I doubt that Thorongil will have to suffer sharing his bed for long, but he might remember it and supply the houses with cats, when he is a captain! It is quite funny to compare Thorongil in this and in your earlier Gondor story. Denethor wouldn't cope half so well in the same situation.
Author's reply
I'm glad you found it fitting! Yes, it would have been shocking, considering his life experiences up to this point. Where as to these men it would just be a fact of life, much like the rats. You're right: Thorongil will not linger long at the bed-sharing, barracks-dwelling rank. Nor will he forget, I'm sure. Ooh, I can just IMAGINE Denethor in this situation. No, he certainly wouldn't manage with nearly as much grace. Eek!
Aromene · 25 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
This made me itchy just reading it. Had lice as a kid, of course, as so many do and it was a very unpleasant experience! I liked the comment about it being easier to find in Aragorn's dark hair than the blond hair of his companions. How true!
Author's reply
Thanks! I had my turn, too. Isn't it funny how seldom people talk about it? I'm really enjoying the reviewers who share their lice stories! Cheers.
UTfrog · 25 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Even though my scalp is itching just from reading this, it is a tale well told! Thanks.
Author's reply
Sorry about the itchy scalp! If it's any consolation, I scratched a lot while writing it, too. Seems to be an instinctive reaction. Thank you for the lovely comments!
NotACat · 25 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Oh, the memories this brings back…the hours of combing, the lack of cooperation from the small person, the abject horror of discovering that you yourself have become infected. Eurgh >_< I like the way you've brought out something which is entirely logical and shown us the consequences thereof…or at least the best possible consequence, I would say ;-)
Author's reply
Yup: at least Thorongil's old enough to know that he needs to sit still and cooperate. Though it's never a fun job. I'm glad you found it logical! I thought it was, too. Cheers!
Larner · 24 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Ah--the embarrassment of it! Poor Thorongil, but at least now he appreciates that this is not quite the terror he'd first imagined, and he is able now to do what is needed to help Herward and whatever others there are who are equally infested. And he's able to share a few more precious words, which is always helpful.
Author's reply
Thank you for the lovely feedback, as always! Poor Thorongil, indeed: trial by embarrassment. Happily it helped him to find some common ground with the others. Much more importantly, they've finally figured out how to help him learn the language!
demeter d · 24 August 2015 · Chapter 2: Loathsome Passengers
Several reviewers guessed either fleas or lice, and I quietly agreed with them. Up til now you have given us enough little bits of Deorwine that I was not surprised when he was the one who offered to help. And the bedmate's apologizing was a lovely touch! They are quite right, it is a lot easier to see the miserable, light brown colored pests in dark hair! In the Elementary School my children attended, the little wretches were epidemic every winter! The school nurse would do weekly head checks, and children would hang their winter coats on the back of their chairs, instead of on the coat racks which were too close together! The Rohirrim would not have had the fancy pyrethrum shampoos that I used on my children, but alcohol works, too. I will bet, tho, the Riders would have thought such a use to be a waste of good ale! As always, your descriptions, of the work to be done, of the circle of songs and stories, brought me right into the room. Lovely!
Author's reply
Ah, yes! Lice in school. All too familiar with that one. While it's true that alcohol will kill lice, the concentration of ethanol that would be needed is difficult to obtain with non-modern distillation methods and is certainly out of the reach of Anglo-Saxon brewing techniques. I'm so pleased you liked the story, and especially the apology. What an icebreaker!
Marianel · 24 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
Hi Cana! This story was both humourus and very descriptive but absolutely not boring. But it seemsa bit gloomy to be in Edoras currently for Aragorn hahaha! I laughed about the awkwardness in bedroutines and the sounds of the men😆! Not easy to sleep there unless youre very tired. Eventually he will learn I guess both rohirric and to not be bothered about rats and stuff😆I will look forward to the next chapter!
Author's reply
Thanks! Yes, there really is a funny side to all this, though at the moment Aragorn can't appreciate it. Poor man can't defend himself on the rat problem, either: he has no words to explain that he's not prissily afraid of scurrying little things, but has instead a healer's very natural loathing of a virulent disease vector. So glad you're enjoying it! Thank you again for the feedback.
NotACat · 24 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
I don't recall anything in canon about Elves not getting along with cats, but nonetheless I'm enjoying this set-up so far.
Author's reply
It's from "The Book of Lost Tales: Book II": "there is hatred still between the Elves and all cats". So glad you're enjoying the story! The set-up wound up being a bit more involved than originally intended, because the setting is so unique for Aragorn and likely for many readers. Thanks for the feedback!
Freyalyn · 23 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
Lots of rats, no cats, fleas and cold water. Poor Aragorn - who will no doubt rise above it all with apparent ease (though of course we know better). Another excellent story - though it would be nice if he doesn't suffer too much this time. I'd be itching furiously by now. Also, surely he's not the first Northerner to come down and work with the Rohirrim? They must be used to see the odd one come and fight for a while, either as an end to itself or on the way to Gondor? And surely there would be a few Rangers who'd done this, had a smattering of Rohirric, and could give their Captain a few useful phrases.
Author's reply
Well, he'll certainly try! ;-) I'll try to restrain myself, too. I'm sure he's not the first Northerner to come to Rohan to serve, but the first full-blooded Numenorean? Probably. His looks would still be unusual enough for him to be an oddity and an object of curiosity -- perhaps even more so at this point, when the Queen is of Gondorian blood. This particular group of men, representing a very low social strata, would have been unlikely to be exposed much to other cultures and very much the group who would be most prone to staring and (admittedly good-natured) teasing. As for other Rangers coming to Rohan, at this point of time that's doubtful. Perhaps in prior generations, but the Dunedain were desperately short of men at least since Arador's ascension to Chieftain until well into Aragorn's tenure. So poor Thorongil is reliant on the few phrases Gandalf thought to teach him, and his own faculties.
Larner · 23 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
The poor guy has his crosses to bear--that is certain. Now, to learn as much as he can of the language as fast as he can. To be the odd man out because of lack of ability to understand would indeed be frustrating. Hope it's not a flea on the back of his neck!
Author's reply
Frustrating indeed! Such a challenge, adjusting to such a different lifestyle and a new language all at once. Our young Chieftain's having a bad case of culture shock.
UTfrog · 23 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
Poor Aragorn. Gandalf was wise to make Aragorn begin his travels as a young man.
Author's reply
Indeed he was! Really, Rohan was such a wise choice to start with: large challenges, few risks.
robnrun · 23 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
The language barrier is nicely described, not only does Aragorn not have dictionaries or Google, he is trying to work his way through what would be a very closed group. The good thing would be many routines are standardized; the bad thing would be sense of exclusion and possible hazing. Nicely done.
Author's reply
Thank you! It must have been very daunting. Definitely the best way to learn a language sustainably, but so hard at first. Yes, the set routines are helpful... especially when you have difficulty understanding instructions!
Jay of Lasgalen · 23 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
Oh dear! It sounds like he's got fleas or lice ... great story, though! I like your descriptions of the gritty reality of a soldier's life in Rohan, and the problems created by the language barrier. That was something I hadn't considered before.
Author's reply
Full marks! You're the first one on either site to work that out. I'm glad the descriptions were enjoyable: it's so different from anything Aragorn's experienced before. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and leave feedback! Cheers!
Freyalyn · 23 August 2015 · Chapter 1: A Coarse New Life
About to go out for lunch with in-laws,and saving this for when I get back this afternoon. But oh dear, I've read your summary. You're not torturing poor Aragorn again, are you...
Author's reply
Maybe a li'l bit. ;-) But it's nothing actually *painful*, I promise!