It would be nice I guess for it all to come through with the writing but I guess that will come with more practice. I hope it will at least . Although I guess not a lot of books are supposed to be such in depth exercises in character development so we wouldn’t be expected to explain so much. At least that is what I am telling myself

I too do too much psychoanalysis of my characters in the comments, but it can be helpful too. Especially when it’s a dialogue, and it starts with a reader giving her interpretation — that way I see exactly what I *have* managed to portray so far, and perhaps where I’ve fallen short. If I find myself explaining something I do try to address it later in a chapter. But that means it was a useful exercise. And a lot of times writing about these things in the comments or on the forum helps clarify them in my own mind, so it’s probably not a bad thing for me as a beginning writer either.

I think the people really think their king is wise and good. And he is good a good person. Just hasn’t really stepped up to the mark of being a King. If he even can. He has utterly no faith in himself.

With regard to Lochan, though he knows Eallair is a weak king, the reason he is always keeping him out of the way is because he really does believe that Eallair is Branwhuld’s last hope. It is sort of interesting that while Eallair has done the thinking of what would happen if he was not there, I think the thought hasn’t even crossed Lochan’s mind. He really does feel like they would all be lost without Eallair, whether this is because he sees him as a symbol that the people really need right now, or because he thinks that Eallair isn’t living up to his full potential remains to be seen. Lochan is obviously very protective of Eallair as his friend and cousin, so there is a lot of messy emotional reasons for his behaviour as well.

I hope I haven’t said too much. I realised it is quite difficult to get all this too come through in the chapters (I need to get better at writing). And sometimes it is sooo hard to not say too much.

I really wonder how the people see him. They probably don’t realize that Lochan is essentially running the kingdom. They probably think that wise Eallair is sending him out to do his bidding. And they probably would feel despair if their king was killed. Because otherwise the idea of Eallair being their only hope is pretty despressing. Almost to the point that it seems like something Lochan would say to keep Eallair out of the way, where he can’t do any harm.

I don’t feel like Lochan has a controlling nature. I think it’s more like he has given up on Eallair and is trying to run things as best he can.

Thanks about the castle too . It is getting there. Slooooowly.

Unfortunately if Lochan doesn’t press the nerve stuff doesn’t really get done. It is a really difficult situation for him too but I do think maybe his controlling nature is meaning that Eallair doesn’t have a chance to blossom. Or maybe he never will. I honestly don’t know yet.

The ring thing was mainly to indicate how uncomfortable Eallair was with the situation. When he is nervous he tends to fidget or fiddle with things (for instance in Noah tells it plainly he was picking at the buttons on his tunic and fiddling with a loose thread). I was just thinking how often I suddenly get this feeling like my rings are uncomfortable, when I wear them everyday. It wasn’t guilt about his marriage. I think he is pretty happy right now. But kudos for noticing it, it was a bit of an odd thing to do when you are dealing with life or death matters, but Eallair just isn’t that good at that.

I wonder what’s going on with the wedding ring thing… is Eallair feeling guilty or something? Very odd.

Really loved the exchange between these three!

The new castle looks great, btw