Gilded Cage - Linda Hoyland

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Author: Linda Hoyland
Title: Gilded Cage
Rating: G
Theme: pairs
Elements: horse,carriage
Beta: none
Author's Notes: With thanks to Raksha for the idea.
Summary: luxury is not always comfort.
Word Count:100



The procession traversed the streets of Dol Amroth. Eager citizens craned their necks to catch a glimpse of their King and Queen as their ornately decorated carriage went slowly by, drawn by four splendid grey horses.

Aragorn gritted his teeth and forced himself to smile. It was kind of Prince Imrahil to send his carriage, but how he hated this bumpy, stuffy, uncomfortable means of transport. Little did the admiring crowds know that to Aragorn, a carriage was akin to a gilded cage. Better by far to be astride his faithful steed feeling the wind and sun caress his face.

Comments

[dreamflower]

What a perfect use of the prompt words! And yes, I can see that's exactly how Aragorn would have reacted to having to ride in a carriage!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm so sorry this late. I struggled to begin with with the prompt and then got the dates mixed up. I'm pleased you felt it turned out well.

[dreamflower]

Don't worry about "late". While we like for stories to turn up on time, we are perfectly fine with late entries, and in fact, are expecting a couple more.

And I really do like what you did with your words-- they work quite well here.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, one reason I like taking part here is that you are understanding if things don't quite work out.

[ignoblebard.livejournal.com]

Very nice drabble, and I couldn't agree wtih Aragorn more.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm pleased that you liked my drabble. I wouldn't fancy riding in a coach either!

[paranoidangel]

I can totally see Aragorn feeling like that. And yet that's what comes of being King.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm pleased this rang true for you.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Oh, but I can so see this and appreciate his sentiments. Kudos, Linda!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so pleased that you liked this.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Ah - a whole new take on the concept of the gilded cage - well done!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it.

[wormwood-7.livejournal.com]

I can absolutely envisage Aragorn feeling like this. Good use of the prompt.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm pleased this felt true to you.

[clodia-metelli.livejournal.com]

That's delightful. And of course Aragorn would feel caged in a carriage!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you.I'm delighted that you liked this.

[antane.livejournal.com]

I agree out in the wind and sun would be better! We've lost a lot that we don't even realize with our mechanized world.

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

You are quite right. WE have lost much of the wisdom of ancient times about nature.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I can definitely believe this is how he felt. I can't imagine a carriage being a comfortable ride.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I've read the carriage the Queen rides in on state occasions is far from comfortable.I'm pleased this rang true for you.

[pearltook1]

I like your imagery. I can well imagine "Strider" preferring the open air and less pomp.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you.I'm sure Aragorn always remained Srider at heart.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I couldn't see Aragorn enjoying a carriage ride! :-)

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

No, I couldn't either!

[labourslamp.livejournal.com]

Very effective, and very in character! I love how you can still see the Ranger in the King!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so pleased that you liked this.

[rs9.livejournal.com]

Poor Aragorn. I can just see his fake smile through his gritted teeth. At least Imrahil did not teach him the "queenly" wave.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

LOL.You now have me wondering what Aragorn doing a queenly wave would look like!

[thunderatiger.livejournal.com]

You so succinctly captured Aragorn's personality in this drabble, though perhaps I shouldn't use the word "capture." He's feeling caged enough as it is. :) I wonder how much Prince Imrahil knows or suspects about Aragorn's preferences, being a Swan-knight and a prince with ties to elves and the Sea. Still, even if he does guess that the King would rather sit astride his horse, there are appearances to consider, too. Lots of complicated motives and needs tied up into one little drabble!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I'm delighted that you felt I captured Aragorn's personality in all senses of the word!I think Imrahil is more born to enduring pomp than Aragorn is.

[someplacetobe.livejournal.com]

I was chuckling at the end: he would have thought of it as such.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm pleased this made you smile.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

The shape of things to come for Aragorn, I suspect. The formality of kingship must have had more than its share of suffocating moments. I'm impressed by the way you used the prompts - they would have left me flailing, lol.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I was stuck with the prompt until Raksha gave the idea. I've always felt poor Aragorn must have felt stifled at time.I'm pleased that you liked this.

[armarielrozita.livejournal.com]

Ah....being a king is going to take some getting used to, what?;)

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I certainly think it is!

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

So very true for Aragorn and a great use of the prompts. I really enjoyed this.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed this.