Day 245: For Services Rendered

[tanaquiljall]

sgafan wanted a follow up to Stepping Up. (And yeah, yeah, I know: Must. Have. Taxes. *g*)

Day 245

as part of the Supporting Acts series.

For Services Rendered

Despite still being an uncertain land, many journeymen presented themselves to beg for letters patent. The Prince had imposed only light taxes for men of craft, set favourable terms for rents in the new market town, and guaranteed contracts from the court and army.

The secretariat sifted through letters of recommendation, examined samples – and quietly but firmly turned away those who offered bribes: the Prince had made his views clear, and the punishments severe.

Yet one place the Prince did not leave to clerks. He crossed the river to seek the services of an armourer new graduated from his apprenticeship.

Comments

[elena-tiriel.livejournal.com]

Ah, at first I thought this was Imrahil, until I saw the bit about the armorer... obviously the now-journeyman did a good job fixing whatever was wrong with the doohickey! :-) It was good of Faramir to see he was rewarded personally....

I like how Faramir adamantly refuses to allow any bribery; that seems very consistent with his honorable character (and I think Imrahil would also share that opinion).

Well done, Liz! ;-)

- Barbara

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks, Barbara.

And yes, I think Faramir would both refuse bribes and ensure personal favour where merited. (Hmm, which kinda sounds like a contradiction in terms - but it's the "where merited" part that matters!)

[gwynnyd.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed! Not that I think that Denethor approved of bribery and/or corruption but I think he might have been a tad single minded towards the last few years and perhaps didn't keep as close an eye on nearby things as he might have.

I'm sure Faramir was an excellent and conscientious Steward/Prince.

And yay that the catapult-fixer got a position!

[tanaquiljall]

Oh yes, I don't think Denethor would have condoned bribery, but I can see war profiteering taking place because worrying about procurement issues wasn't really a priority for him. But I think Faramir would understand he had to set things off on the right note if he wanted to eliminate corruption.

And I'm sure Faramir was very happy to secure the services of a craftsman he knew was helpful as well as smart!

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

Ithilien is going to be such a lovely, prosperous princedom under Faramir's rule. I can just imagine future generations looking back to the time of Faramir and Eowyn as a golden age.

[tanaquiljall]

Indeed! (And I wrote the other drabble here - which I see you enjoyed. *g*)

[sgafan.livejournal.com]

Big smile! Love that !! *pokes for the drabble between this one and the previous one* hehehehehe ;)

[tanaquiljall]

Glad you liked it. (And yeah, it did need the missing drabble, didn't it? Your poking

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Glad you liked it. (And yeah, it did need the missing drabble, didn't it? Your poking <a href-"http://tanaquilotr.livejournal.com/84147.html">worked</a>. *g*)

[dkpalaska.livejournal.com]

Very nice. Yes, the Ranger who'd not stoop to telling lies to orcs would be scrupulous in his post-War business dealings. I like very much that he personally sought out the young armourer himself.

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks - it all seemed very in character for Faramir to me!

(And I see you got yourself an LJ account. *g* Love the icon.)

[dkpalaska.livejournal.com]

Love the icon.

Thank you! I was worried that I'd have to resort to a smiley face, but then found an online tutorial...