Isabeau's Journal

By:Isabeau
 November, 12 2005

OK, folks-this is the general forum now for questions that don't seem to fit in any of the other threads. I'm going to sort some of the earlier posts into the appropriate forums, but it might take a while, so bear with me. I'll delete the ones that have already been reposted by their authors.

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 [241] Rebecca wrote: It seems to me like there are two different issues embedded in the question of Why Halaran Moved to Anorien:

1. Why Anorien?
2. Who in the north, if anyone, knew where he was (and possibly why)?

About time I got back to this, don't you think? A bit stalled with the story at present-maybe I'll be able to finish it this weekend.

As far as (1) goes, I'm thinking that it's close to Minas Tirith, but unpopulated enough that Halaran's obvious Northern accent, etc. will be accepted and not commented upon. I would think that if he were to settle in MT itself (unlikely, or in the surrounding area, word might get back to Denethor and he might be in for some questioning. But visiting every once in a while to buy supplies and trade furs wouldn't cause a lot of comment. He could keep a watch upon things. I suspect that his plan was that if the Enemy finally made his move, Halaran would summon an Eagle to let Aragorn know.

And if I've already spoken of this elsewhere, forgive me-I've been so long away that I only know to start replying where I left off.

I see a problem with Aragorn having much if any contact with Halaran after he left; it's the same problem I have with Litharel -- why didn't anyone come looking for Hethlin?

I think they didn't know she existed, plain and simple. If Aragorn heard anything from the Eagles, it was that the whole family had died. I come down hard on him for some of his other choices, but I'll cut him some slack on this one....


Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:06 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [242] Sorry to interrupt things with a bit of random and unimportant curiosity, but I've been wondering since I reread "Blackbow": Does Heth remember that it was Esteven who came out to Henneth Annun? Does it ever occur to Esteven that the "lad" he thanked was Heth? Does it ever come out that Heth was almost sent to Dol Amroth in a whole 'nother capacity, years earlier? I found the whole Ranger discussion about the situation very funny, especially Mablung being tempted to see the "flower of Gondor’s chivalry being horribly embarrassed by an Anorien woods-girl." Hee.

I'm sorry to read about your story stalling! Hopefully your muse will perk up over the weekend. The mere hint of a promise of more new reading has had me scanning TFF every day with a hopeful heart. :)

Denise
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:19 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [243] Nargil asked: In your universe are the beacons just to let the outlying land like Lossarnach know or do they go to Rohan like in the movies. And how does word get to Dol-amroth, it seems a bit far for Imri to get his army there in a day like Tolkien says.

They go almost to Rohan like in the movie-I used Fonstadt's map to pick the one I wanted Heth to live near. As for Dol Amroth, I think Tolkien mentions at some point another line of beacons that stretches west to Belfalas. I can't remember where I read that, but I figure they exist. It just makes sense-beacons are a lot faster than sending riders clear to the coast.



More random questions

1)Is there another chapter or another one shot that follows reparitions?

No. What you see is what you get there. Now some of the consequences might be covered in Silver Swan but I've not decided yet.

2)Do we ever find out who Boromi was to marry?

Haven't decided yet about that either. There might be a story there about the girl, or I might never do anything with it.

3)When Andra fights with two swords does he use Nightshade and another blade or does he have two that match? And does he have a normal straight sword as well as the scimitars?

I think he has another very nice scimitar to use when he fights two-sword with Nightshade. But I also think he can do it with straight swords, and he has a very nice one, and another almost as nice to pair it with.

Andra really doesn't spend his money on much but weapons, at least until he gets Brand.

Well, OK, weapons, massages, an instructor in mystical hand-to-hand fighting techniques from Khand and Haradric cooking when he can find it.

5)How did Imri get his ear pierced, was it back in his sailor days or did he get it done before then,

Good question! I think he did it before he was a sailor, because it looked dashing. Probably on a dare, when he was less than sober.

also does he still have it done in CMC or did he let it heal up after he gave Aisha the earing in Ultimatums?

He got another earring. He still has the pierced ear in CMC, though I've never mentioned it.

6)Do we get to see Andra and Adrahil's conversation after the last chapter of Ultimatums and will they ever go out to tea?

Not sure yet for the third time! It seems to be my week for it. I'll let you know. Sometimes things that happen off-stage just stay off-stage.

Isabeau
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:25 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [244] "...an instructor in mystical hand-to-hand fighting techniques from Khand..."

Have we seen this yet?

Denise
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:30 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [245] Denise wrote: Sorry to interrupt things with a bit of random and unimportant curiosity, but I've been wondering since I reread "Blackbow": Does Heth remember that it was Esteven who came out to Henneth Annun? Does it ever occur to Esteven that the "lad" he thanked was Heth? Does it ever come out that Heth was almost sent to Dol Amroth in a whole 'nother capacity, years earlier?

I suspect they'll share a laugh about it at some point. And Esteven will probably pass the information on to Andrahar at some point.

I found the whole Ranger discussion about the situation very funny, especially Mablung being tempted to see the "flower of Gondor’s chivalry being horribly embarrassed by an Anorien woods-girl." Hee.

Mablung has a warped sense of humor. It could explain why he's able to put up with Lorend.

I'm sorry to read about your story stalling! Hopefully your muse will perk up over the weekend. The mere hint of a promise of more new reading has had me scanning TFF every day with a hopeful heart. :)

Irritating thing is, it's almost done.

Isabeau
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:39 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [246] Denise wrote: "...an instructor in mystical hand-to-hand fighting techniques from Khand..."

Have we seen this yet?

No, not yet. You might see the fruits of his labor one day. The man's just a living deadly weapon.

Isabeau
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:41 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [247] Hurray, Isabeau's back! Although I'm sorry to hear that you're stalled on your story.

Based on your lastest posts, it sounds like Halaran chose Anorien in part to be of some use to Aragorn if needed, but they didn't keep in touch at all if Aragorn hadn't even known about Hethlin's existence. Makes sense to me, and lets Aragorn off the hook, which is good. I'm still not convinced about Litharel, but I'll try to keep an open mind about him -- if Hethlin can, so can I!

Rebecca
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:52 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [248] No, not yet. You might see the fruits of his labor one day. The man's just a living deadly weapon.

Sounds like River from Firefly (sadly short-lived sci-fi show)

Rebecca
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 19:54 GMT  Reply to this Comment


 [249] I'm recently re-read Blackbow, and Denise's questions about the story reminded me of a question I wanted to ask for a long time:

Is there ever an explanation why there's no proper healer in Henneth Annûn, at least as far back as 3015?

It seems to me as there should be one - it is the easternmost outpost of Gondor, on the forefront of Mordor; it stations a big company of Rangers; it's under the command of the Steward's son, the Captain of the Rangers; the Gondorian forces are undermanned as it is and should thus husband their strengths. And furthermore, as Mablung is second-in-command, it would seem as though he has to make extra time if his skills as stitcher and improvised healer are needed (as you write in ch.1).

Is this/will this ever be more fully explained (e.g. in the continuation to Blackbow *hint, hint* *g*)?

Thoughts I had about it that could explain it a bit:

- It has to do with Denethor's deteriorating stewardship as further evidenced by Faramir's more-or-less underhand dealings with Imrahil re: supplies (in Blackbow), or the neglect of the repairing of the Rammas Echor (in RotK)

- Lore is neglected in favour of training soldiers as we know from the books, so perhaps educations in medicine (or other sciences) is limited resulting in a dearth of able personnel across the whole width of the kingdom, and people have to muddle through as they can

I'm curious if I'm even close to the mark.

Imhiriel
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 21:22 GMT  Reply to this Comment

 [250] I think they didn't know she existed, plain and simple. If Aragorn heard anything from the Eagles, it was that the whole family had died.

I have never seen the Eagles as having everyday, intimate personal contact to people, so they wouldn't a) know and wouldn't b) tell all the details of the lives of their bondes friends. I have always seen the contacts they had as something special. Remember Gwaenur was at first reluctant agree to a role as carrier, even though it was an emergency. I feel the same would still hold more true for any services as messengers - they lend themselves to it only under really, really, important circumstances (remember the often asked question why the Eagles didn't simply drop the One Ring into Mount Doom - Manwë Air Express *g*).

Anyway, my point is, in effect, that I see it as you said above.

Imhiriel
Posted:Feb 17, 2006 21:24 GMT  Reply to this Comment

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