Page 1584…
Happy Tuesday!
I know some of you don’t like Niviene because she keeps telling Dan that Alex shouldn’t be king… but she’s right.
She doesn’t dislike Alex. She’s not playing sides. She’s simply telling the truth.
Now… whether Dan and Alex agree is another thing.
I’m just sayin’…
“You’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”
I believe the following quotes are appropriate:
DENNIS: Listen — strange women lying in ponds distributing swords
is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power
derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical
aquatic ceremony.
ARTHUR: Be quiet!
DENNIS: Well you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power
just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
Why do I think of Monty Python and the scene with Arthur and the Peasant right now.
“You can’t tell me what to do. I’m the king! Wait, I’m not the king. You can tell me what to do, then. But wait, I’m the king now!”
Wow. Great minds think alike. Literally, posted mine seconds behind yours.
Has not Daniel read Invictus?
“I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.”
Daniel has the right to choose. I hope he realizes that. I would love for him to be able to see Dreamland first-hand, but if he does not want to rule, then Niviene should respect his choice. Besides, the current situation makes him and Alex the perfect team. Alex is charismatic, likable, and forceful – while Daniel is knowledgeable and wise. Two for the price of one, as it were.
Daniel: Nivienne, there is a simple solution.
Niv: Oh, what is that, my liege?
Daniel: I hereby ABDICATE. Therefore, based on all known rules for monarchies, Alex is OFFICIALLY the rightful king.
Niv: You can’t do that!!!!
Daniel: A king can most definitely abdicate his throne! Now hush!
Niv: But….
Daniel: HUSH!
Niv: …….
Daniel: It’s good to be da king…..
Maybe Niv. is right. But she is not seeing the whole picture.
I just thought about a Babylon 5 (on of my most favor SF series ever) Where Ambassador Londo ask a fortune-teller about his future. And she says that he will be ruler for a short time before Vir (his assistant) will take over.
So i think in dreamland’s case Alex should be king first and will let Danial rule Dreamland after he has freed Dreamland from the darksite.
The one problem with that analogy was that for Vir to Rule Londo had to die. I’m also a huge B5 fan. And it wasn’t just a fortune teller, it was the emperor’s wife, played by Majel Barrett Roddenberry 🙂
I think author should not comment or justify characters’ actions OOC…
… the main charm of the written story is readers’ imagination leading to big surprises when the truth is finally revealed in the story itself.
Please, let us imagine, suspect, search for conspiracy… please 🙂
She was the Emperor’s wife, but she was also a truthsayer. And I loved that episode because it lead to a deeper mistrust between Vir and Londo, who eye each other as enemies since obviously, as you say, the first one has to die for the second to rule..
Supreme executive power of king Arthur derives from a mandate from the masses given when he later waved the sword claiming it was the sword from stone and masses not only believed it but accepted it as a sufficient qualification. Not so much weirder that masses believing the votes were counted correctly.
*Shrugs*
it’s important for the story I guess. so, who am I to point fingers? There will be a satisfying solution.
If not? Well, it wouldn’t be too hard too write another piece of fan-fiction for myself, with a more agreeable outcome. Although, I very much doubt that will be neccesary.
It’s Scott’s story, so the writer does as he does. No argument from me there. I let it evolve as it goes.
Also, it wouldn’t be very interesting if stories have only outcomes that please everyone. It makes for dull lecture. There are f.i. already too many movies with “agreeable” outcomes made, where Hollywood warped the original story, robbing it of it’s impact.
Nope. I let Scott do his thing, lean back and just see what’s coming.
Maybe Scott had to delete a lot of prissy, hateful comments, and felt that he had to step in?
Haters have forced f.i. Paul of “Wapsi-square”-fame to open a separate forum with it’s own moderators, because he couldn’t keep up with the deluge of hateful trolling.
Relative anonimity brings-out the sociopath in many……
Stressful is only a state of mind …
TWC.
#6: 2,705
#7: 2,625 <= us again. Yay!
#8: 2,605 <= too close.
Do vote, fellow Readers!
Should this be the scene that those shadow creatures show up and would Niviene react in horror as one of them steals Excalibur(unless Dan left it home?)
I keep having this feeling that the Sword of Kings is going to make Niviene’s argument invalid, just refuse to let Daniel into Dreamland because Alex is already the king.
Good or bad, I find it a surprising revelation given that there are two swords and that each has chosen differently according to its own criteria. It’ll be interesting to see how it’s all reconciled down the line.
I can’t help but wonder if Niviene mandated Dan to always wield/carry the sword in her presence. I think she’d throw a fit if he just showed up without it. That would be unkingly, don’tcha know.
Dan has the sword with him. 🙂 He didn’t leave it at home. See panel three. 🙂
He’s got Excalibur with him and it’s not glowing blue, so no Nightmare Realm Beasties nearby. Also, don’t forget, Niviene is a powerful magic user: If N.R.B.s were to suddenly appear she might not react in horror but rather blast them herself.
I think that Niviene’s point is that technically the Sword of Kings chose Daniel first…and that’s how Alex was chosen at all. He got into Dreamland through a loophole and by virtue of being Daniel’s twin he was given the chance to be Dreamland’s king. Excalibur doesn’t seem to be a sword that chooses its wielder. I think it’s granted to the king by the people who made it (though there’s not too much precendent for this since Arthur was the only other king who had it before it was given to Dan).
But you’re right…it will be interesting to see how all of this is reconciled. 🙂
When exactly did the sword pick Daniel, anyway? She handed him Excalibur herself, but I haven’t heard any soliloquies about rightful rulership from the chatty dream sword, as I recall.
Oh Niviene…I <3 you. 🙂 She's so very black & white…not much room for gray in her eyes. It makes her a more interesting character.
It's also nice to have her clarify one of the traits that the Sword of Kings looks for when selecting the next king. I'm sure compassion isn't the only trait given what Nicodemus said about some of the kings of Dreamland having been unjust or ruthless (i.e. his comments on Julius Caesar on pg 1028). I'm sure we'll eventually learn everything the Sword looks for…someday….maybe… 🙂
The Sword of Kings (aka chatty dream sword) picked Daniel years ago….that’s why he couldn’t get into Dreamland even as a child. He was chosen as the rightful heir, but due to the laws of the land, the heir cannot enter Dreamland while another king still reigns. Arthur was not truly “killed,” but was instead locked into a place between life and death…which made him still technically king and prevented any of the heirs that would follow from entering Dreamland to take up the throne. Alex was able to enter Dreamland due to the loophole of being Dan’s younger twin, and that’s what allowed him the chance to take up the Sword of Kings and become what Dan could not.
Here we go again with the crab queen. When is she going to figure out that her stupid opinons are totally irrelevant. 🙁
Is it just me or does the sword in panel three look a bit off? Like it’s see-through or something?
Perhaps the real question is: How do we know the Sword of Kings actually chose Dan to be the king? It may have chosen him by proxy, solely to get to Alex instead. Perhaps Alex was the real choice, and the Sword, after all this time, finally found the loophole it needed.
Agreed. Dan has a right to abdicate and choose not to be king.
Part of why so many of us are bothered by this, I think, is that we don’t believe in the ideology behind monarchy as a form of government, so it seems to many of us that Dan is not really a more legitimate ruler than Alex, regardless of whether the rules say he is the rightful king.
That is an interesting, and plausible, concept.
My viewpoint, and tell me if you think I’m wrong, people…
I think that while we have Dan’s intelligence backing up Alex, we’ve got a functioning king. However, were this to be switched around, Alex would not be able to help Dan. Let’s face it, the boy isn’t the brightest thing around and if he’s limited to advice, it wouldn’t really work out. And Dan might have less… hmm, how do I say this… willingness to do things in Dreamland the way Alex does.
So ultimately, I think if they switch places, it won’t work out as well as leaving them where they are now, from an objective, quality of the king measurement.
(I may be biased because I have my own fraternal twin and we fill in each other’s missing pieces like Dan and Alex seem to!)
Ah, found a better way to say this:
If Alex is the brawn, and Dan is the brain, you don’t want the brain physically there while the brawn can only advise.
We are currently in 8th by only TEN VOTES!! GET VOTING PEOPLE!!!
New it. New she would say/do something like that.
Just a random thought here… perhaps the sword in its infinite wisdom chose Dan BECAUSE he had a twin and thus would be the only way to correct the situation. in other words the sword chose Alex by virtue of choosing Dan.
This story is so well-woven!
“King? Why would I want to be king when I can be SUPREME MILITARY COMMANDER FOR LIFE!?”
That would be sad. It’s not fair that Daniel would never get to experience Dreamland.
Alex was as close to Daniel as the sword could get. You work with what you’ve got. At least with Alex as king, the sword would have access to Daniel.
Or it chose Alex because that was as close as it was going to get to Daniel. That idea goes both ways.
That idea goes both ways. 🙂 I commented on that above.
Oh, crap! Sorry…the system told me it wouldn’t post my comment because it was duplicative. And now I sound like a dork. Ah, well. 😮
Why are folks so concerned that Alex may not be king? Is it because you just like him so much better than Dan? Or is it because you don’t want to see Alex and Nastajia broken up?
Myself (same Nicole, btw…just changed my avatar), I have been bummed from the beginning that Dan couldn’t experience Dreamland when he was the one who kept the stories alive and written down for his brother. I remember thinking, “Wow…he’s a way better person than me.” I’d be completely jealous…especially upon learning that ALL children experience Dreamland.
And then to learn that Dan is actually the true king and that circumstances blocked him from Dreamland and his destiny…how awful! I just really feel for him. So when a character comes along who not only recognizes that but is unafraid to simply state what is true and validate Dan…well, I think it’s great.
I knew Dan would react this way (as in the comic above) because he’s almost inhumanly self-sacrificing. He’d rather never get to see Dreamland than take anything good away from Alex. I guess it makes me think that Dan really doesn’t care to ever go to Dreamland and I find that hard to believe. I wouldnt’ want him to be king if he doesn’t want it. But can’t he at least get to go to Dreamland?
Yeah, that was the line i was searching for, But for the sake of Dreamland let’s change the word “die” in to “rule” 😉
I totally agree on your points of view.
Hey! I’m just enjoying the story. I read with the understanding that there has to be some tension applied to the storyline. And when the tension has certain complex harmonics blended into the plot, it becomes that much more interesting. Good job, Scott!
Alex and Dan are obviously non-identical twins, so who says Dan is the older? Just because he came out first doesn’t mean his egg was the first to be fertilized… Birth might be the easiest way to determine age but Alex could have existed first 😉
For me, as disliker of Niviene, I think it is because of the way Niviene tried to force Daniel to be the king and did not (enough) recognized the thinks Alex already did on Dreamland.
Also it feels for me Niviene, has some hidden agenda, doing so. Time will tell of this is true or not. I trust Scott enough to know all go’s well in the end.
But why can not both be kings?
Well, Scott’s putting his thoughts and hard work out here for free. I think he’s entitled to clear up any confusion that he sees in the comments.
We’ll all figure that out when the brothers make their decision.
I’m with you, Tjempie. I’m hoping for “deeper magic” (as they say in Narnia) and that both of the brothers will get to reign in Dreamland.
Dan is easily my favorite character. I’d love to see him in Dreamland someday.
Oddly, he’d make a far better king than Alex, but part of why I like him is he doesn’t wanna be king.
I have to agree with Gaidig. A lot of North Americans disagree with the concept of a monarchy. Making Alex risk his life and then exiling him to a life of mediocrity simply because he was born second seems unfair. However, the sword picked Dan because he’s a better choice as king. Making him rule from the shadows while a less competent rules takes credit for his plans is equally unfair.
My biggest problem with Ninieve is the tact she’s taking. She never asked Alex if he *wanted* to remain king, simply told him that he had to give it up. This is basically a sure fire way to make kingship seem more valuable, worth fighting over. She then goes to Dan when his brother’s not around and insisting that he think of himself as king. She seems to be creating conflict where none exists.
In terms of RPGs, she’s an infuriating character because it’s hard to judge her alignment. She’s could be lawful good (according to the rules, Dan is king, therefore Dan is the best candidate for kingship and she will work towards making Dan king) or chaotic evil (she’s bending the rules to suit some sort of agenda of her own, and if she hurts Alex/Dan in the process, so be it). Opposite sides of the spectrum but both equally likely.
I know Niviene is just stating the obvious (over and over and over and over again) but part of me fears that she’ll turn into something of a villain if Dan doesn’t become king, or worse, convince Alex to relinquish the throne to Dan.
Star Wars reference FTW!
“It’s good to be the king.” Mel Brooks, History of the World, Part I
She’s an example of why idealists can be dangerous.
I agree with you, Prythian.
What are you waiting for, Dan? Just lop off that mouthy fish-lady’s head and be done with it!
Agreed. He’s such a noble character. Not that Alex isn’t…it’s just that everyone seems to adore handsome, sword-wielding Alex. So I naturally gravitate to Dan. Alex has enough cheerleaders. 🙂
Except we measure age from birth–not from conception. So Dan is the older.
Like in religious orders, where seniority is not by age, but by entry into the community.
Yeah. Make Dan King, and Alex Earl Marshal.
Theodoric II (Visigoth King) held of his younger brothers by making Frederic, his next brother, his viceroy and marshal, blocking those even younger than them. It worked for ten years, but after Frederic died in 463, Theodoric was killed by the next in line after only three years.
I do not like Niviene. I do not think I will ever like Niviene. She makes me hateful and bitter. How good a king would Daniel be if he feels as though it is his fault his brother is hurt?
Wow, never has one character ever made almost stop reading a web comic. I get that Dan is king, yadda yadda yadda, but even Scott stating it like that doesn’t make me like Nievene any better. In fact, my like and respect for her has dropped a whole ‘nother notch. She says Dan has to respect the fact that Alex isn’t king? How about she respect the fact that Dan doesn’t WANT to be king. When is anyone other then Alex, Dan and Nastajia ever going to stand up to her and say something?
I’m with an above poster. Scott’s comment about Niviene’s intentions flat out stated something that might have been better left to our imaginations, until the climactic reveal either validated our suspicions of her, or her point of view on who should be king.
Now, if he in fact did this to head off a growing movement of hateful comments, well that’s life. And they (haters) suck. But either way, the tension is gone.
Then again, all we really know now is that Niviene honestly believes she is right, and that’s *never* been a reason somebody did something drastic, ever in the history of storytelling. 😛
Also, thanks to some above posters for voicing my own questions as to why Niviene keeps claiming the sword chose Dan. I rather clearly recall the Sword of Kings flat out saying “Alexander is king,” back when we learned the sword is a talking recordbook of everything that’s happened in Dreamland’s history. Has it (the Sword) ever *actually said* anything to back Niviene’s point of view up, or are we all head-cannoning the idea that it did so?
i seriously want to slap her right now. who cares if dan is the rightful king or not, alex is happy in dreamland so he should be there and it only hurting dan more knowing he is the one that will take it away. doesn’t the sword of kings have any say in this? i mean the bloody thing can talk, i’m sure it as a mind of it’s own, so I think it up the sword whether alex is king or not, not some b**chy mermaid.
I can’t support Niviene’s opinion here. Dan may be good at the technical side, but there’s a huge issue: He would NEVER be able to forgive himself if he cut his brother off from his love. Alex, meanwhile, would grow in resentment over the years, watching his brother going to Dreamland every night, and knowing that he’ll never get to see Nastajia again. Less than this has pitted brothers together. On another note, if Dan allows his convictions to be compromised so easily by Niviene, then he’s definitely not the one to be king.
Louis the XIV was the “rightful” King of France, but there was nothing right about his rule. Niviene may be wise, but so was Merlin, and let’s see how Camelot is doing these days… Oh, right.
It’s good to be king…
I have a hard time agreeing with Niviene. Monarchism has given us some of the cruelest leaders in history. It is based entirely on the genetic lottery and is in decline across the globe for good reason. Could Dan make a better king than Alex? Possible but compassion is only a small part of what makes a great leader. There is so much more to it.
Niviene lives by archaic rules. She has lived in isolation for far too long. While according to these rules Dan should be king, he very well may not be the better choice. Just because you are born into a monarchistic system that does not instantly mean you will be a good ruler. Just look through world history for example after example from nations large and small.
Hi all!
Wednesday’s page render is still chugging along (grass)…so I’ll post in the morning.
As for the blog post… it wasn’t intended to be any kind of spoiler or anything…sorry.
All I was trying to say was that Niviene was only explaining how things work in Dreamland.
Whether Dan, Alex, and Nastajia ADHERE to this law of the land is up to them.
No spoiler about that. Just explaining (as others have pointed out) that for Niviene… things are much more “black and white”.
To her… you have a responsibility… you do it.
I think the reason people are annoyed with Niviene is not merely because of what she is saying but because she is saying it in a very egotistical way. She is very clearly communicating that she knows the Truth and that all other perspectives are Wrong. She is speaking very much like an adult speaking to a child when that adult has no respect for the child. You know the kind: teachers who became teachers because they have knowledge to give, not because they care about or respect children; or adults who have forgotten that children are just as much people and deserve just as much respect as they do.
But to be clear, she isn’t simply telling the truth. She is a) speaking her interpretation of the truth (her failure to recognise that it’s her interpretation betrays her ego) and b) making demands that others respect her view while not respecting theirs: “and you should respect this.”
She also fails to recognise that Daniel can in no way be bound by Dreamland law and therefore she must treat him as one who is not subject to that law unless he chooses to accept its authority. If he does not then her unwillingness to respect him by accepting his position clearly shows that she would be someone that would be very dangerous for a ruler to trust.
From a less logical and more intuitive perspective, I should also point out that Alex and Daniel have already demonstrated that they can each be successful and contribute well in their current roles. There would be no way of knowing that they wouldn’t have severe problems trying to take on the other’s role!
Didn’t the sword chose Alex? When did it chose Dan?
Dreamland does not seem to have a lacking of patronizing characters… Every time a new character uses the term “my dear” it just sounds like talking to an infant… like they are smiling inside because they know better.
Well given that just about all the non-natives have been children, I’m sure there’s a social inertia that causes them to speak to everyone like that.
I’ve known kindergarten teachers that talk like that even when surrounded by adults, its just how you get wired 🙂
About the time Dan was born, apparently. That’s why he never, ever had night dreams. As a king-to-be, he couldn’t enter Dreamland while Arthur still was not quite dead. And then, many years afterwards, Alex pulled the sword from that hidden grave to release Arthur from his captivity between life and death and become the king in his brother’s stead. We just learnt these facts in the reverse order.
This brings up an interesting point. Nic violated the Dreamland laws in a major way for many years, having usurped the throne from its rightful occupancy by a human. So it can be done, just at an awful price.
Daniel, honey, it’s called a Regent. (I think. If it’s not, just call it like that, or your emissary or something. You’re the king, sweetie, pretty sure you get to decide what things are called in your own court. Moving on.)
Make Alex your Regent (or emissary, or whatever you like) and rule from a distance as King. Niviene and faith and destiny and whatnot are happy, but you’re not taking anything away from Alex. You’re still running the show, but you also have him on hand if his more physical qualities happen to be needed again.
And IF you guys figure out a way for more adults to go to dreamland, Nicole and yourself can visit at your leisure. I’m guessing that if it comes to a choice that does not include whether or not you are king, you’d rather potentially lose the chance to see Dreamland than to break your brother’s heart.
But then, this would make for a rather expeditious and boring solution to a lovely dilemma… you know what, Daniel? Don’t think of any of that, at least not yet. Angst and suspense are much more entertaining. 😀
Truth.
I certainly agree given the current state of affairs in Dreamland. However, how does your assessment change if the Nightmare Realm is incapacitated (with regards to threatening Earth and Dreamland’s inhabitants and visitors)? What if Dreamland reaches a peace-time state where the external threats are completely eliminated or negated? Would Dreamland really need the brawn half of the twins? Would it be okay to have just Daniel with Alex in a more “advisory” position?
Not suggesting this because it’s the end solution I want (it’s only half of the end solution I want :P)…just curious how a change in the “reality” of Dreamland would change your perspective on who should be king…if it would change at all. 😀
Whereas I don’t want both of them to be king. 🙂 I want Dan to be king. I just want them to work out the whole portal (or amulet from Arthur) thing so that Alex and/or Nicole can either move permanently to Dreamland or at least visit regularly. 🙂 Of course, I don’t believe that this solution will be a good/feasible one until the whole issue with the Nightmare Realm and Nicodemus is sorted out…
I’m more inclined to think she’s lawful good. 🙂 Scott seems to have indicated in his comments that she’s just stating facts and pushing to make things “the way they’re supposed to be.”
Is she stating them without tact? Yes. Without any concern for the impact on others? Not entirely, but yes (she did sympathize briefly with Nastajia about the potential loss of her relationship with Alex…and before someone questions her sympthy I will also say Niviene pointed out…heartlessly/manipulatively in the opinions of many…that she’s suffered for the greater good of Dreamland, and it’s Nastajia’s duty to do the same).
Anyhow…like I said yesterday. She’s very black & white with no understanding or acceptance of “gray areas.” 🙂 Very much lawful good.
I’d be willing to bet that she’s respect that Dan doesn’t want the crown if Dan said it just like that…or if he stated that he relinquished his claim to the throne in favor of his brother. I think Shay got it right in his comment above…she’s lawful good. For her, what is right and according to law is the only allowable option/reality. Therefore, if the lawful/rightful king declared he would not take the throne and instead wishes to abdicate in favor of his brother, she would probably accept it and move on (she may not agree with it, but she wouldn’t fight it).
However (a scenario for you), if he did that and then Alex tried to give him the Sword of Kings to let him go to Dreamland (finally), I bet she’d fight that with every last ounce of fishy power she has…because Dan would have rejected that opportunity, and no longer have a right to it.
Everyone hates Niviene for her lack of tact. I love her because she’s so unlike any other character in this story…and because she provokes such strong emotional reactions in the readers…which is an excellent sign of fabulous story-telling. 😀 Props to Scott!!
Of course the Sword of Kings originally chose Dan. Why else do you think he couldn’t get to Dreamland as a child when all other children could? 🙂 It’s because of Dreamland’s laws of succession (as explained by Scott in comments and to an extent by Nicodemus near the beginning of chapter 15) that Dan was barred from entering Dreamland…because he was the rightful heir, and the heir cannot enter Dreamland while it still has a king.
With Arthur locked between life and death in the Tomb of Kings, the law of Dreamland acted as if there stll was a king and never allowed another heir to enter. Alex freed Arthur when he entered the tomb and took up the Sword of Kings…however, in so doing, he became the next king (by virtue of being Dan’s younger twin and therefore eligible for the throne), which therefore continued the prohibition on Daniel’s visits to Dreamland as a child since Dan was still a rightful heir (and obviously he couldn’t enter now because he’s “too old”).
That’s how you know that the Sword of Kings did choose Dan. 🙂 Plus…Scott has said so. 😛 He’s verified that Niviene is just stating facts (whether or not we like them or the characters choose to act on them).
In Merlin’s defense (according to Scott’s version of the story), Arthur was sealed away when the spell he and the centaur shaman were performing was interrupted by the wraiths…and Merlin elected to be sealed into a tree in order to be alive when the time came to overthrow Nicodemus. It would have been hard for Camelot to survive without its wisest councelor and its good king. 🙂
I think you have a point, but I’m inclined to think that the sword selects rulers based on more than just compassion (though that might have been the defining trait that put Dan in the running). After all, Nicodemus pointed out that some of the rulers of Dreamland were unjust and/or cruel…and they were selected by the same Sword of Kings. It obviously didn’t pick those rulers because they had compassion…there’s got to be much more to it (unless the Sword is trying to “learn from past mistakes” by picking a more compassionate heir).
It’s like I’ve been saying (and it’s nice to know I was on point since Scott’s said it now, too)…Niviene sees the world in black & white. For her, there are no “interpretations.” There just is right and wrong…truth and lies…doing one’s duty and failing to do one’s duty. 🙂 She’s a unique character (at least to this story). I wouldn’t say she has an ego for asserting that she speaks the truth…she just doesn’t see things the way that the rest of us do, so as far as she can see, the truth she speaks is the only truth.
Interesting interpretation…I’ve just felt like the use of “my dear” was something that the older people said to younger people. My grandmother uses the term with all of us in the family…even adults who aren’t even married into the family (yet). None of her children use the phrase, so I associate it with older people from a different era…which is exactly what Niviene is.
Whew! 🙂 Just spent a lot of time defending my fishy-lady and I’m spent! 🙂 I look forward to the new page when you can get it up Scott!! 😀
*rolls her eyes, gives a thumbs down and goes to read other webcomics*
I agree with the analysis, but I’d suggest Lawful Good Neutral–she prefers what is lawful to what is good for those involved.
Her history has a bearing here too–she gave up a relationship for centuries for the good of Dreamland. So she’s not afraid to ask Alex and Nastajia to to similarly.
I would love for Dan to be king. He would make an amazing ruler. Being king has more to do with diplomacy and AVOIDING war, rather than fighting. And Dan would do that so well. 🙂 I just don’t want Alex and Nastajia to have to give each other up. Although I think they would do it, if it would benefit Dreamland the most. They all have good hearts.
If Dan and Alex came to that decision together, then Dan would make a great king. I don’t think Dan would ever insist. It would have to be Alex giving him his blessing before Dan would be willing to take the throne.
I love Niviene because she tells it like it is. She doesn’t water anything down and she sticks to what she believes is good and true. She won’t just bend because everyone thinks she should. She’s going to speak the truth even in the face of total rejection. Kind of like a biblical prophet.
She’s not doing anything wrong, people! She’s just not towing the line you want her to tow.
Yes, because Alex’s happiness trumps everyone else’s. Jeez. Is Dan really so unworthy of being happy, too? Of getting to experience Dreamland?
And, yet, Sean, Dan has never once “grown in resentment” over all the years that Alex got to go to Dreamland and he didn’t. So you’re basically saying, since Dan is a better person, Alex can have all the good stuff, because HIS character is broken and flawed. So we should cater to Alex.
The reality is, both brothers have good hearts. I know they will come up with a solution that is best for them and best for Dreamland.
Plus, kings of Dreamland are chosen, not born (i.e., of the same bloodline).
Niviene is thousands of years old and a native of Dreamland. Explain to me why Alex and Dan would know Dreamland law better than her?
Love ya, Jules! 🙂
There’s more to needing brawn than a war (or external threat). Right now Dreamlanders need to have faith in the human king again, to get USED to the idea of having a human king. I don’t see Daniel having the ‘get up and go’ attitude that I think is required for that.
Though, yes, it is POSSIBLE… I just think it might be more precarious than it would be with Alex remaining.
Who cares how well they know Dreamland law. Daniel is, at the very least, not subject to it!
Seeing things in black and white isn’t something I care for personally, but it’s certainly not egotism. However, not being able to tell the difference between one’s viewpoint and truth is part of the very definition of egocentrism. A person who thinks that their interpretation is truth itself is, by definition, egotistical.
Right back atcha Nicole! 😀
And the thought never went off in Merlin’s head, “You know, pretty much everyone dies around 30 here. Hm, might wanna see about 40 year old Arthur laying down proper succession, especially since he’s a questing king. And dear God am I old! I should get an apprentice”? There’s also the following from a fellow wise wizard:
“I make mistakes just like the next man. In fact, being – forgive me – rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.” -Albus Dumbledore
Niviene falls into the same trap Merlin does. She IS knowledgeable, and has tons of experience, but it’s always the people who know better that make the most egregious mistakes.
No I’m not, and I’ll thank you not to misquote me. Sure, Dan may have had some jealousy growing up, but what was he gonna do about it? They didn’t know that Dreamland was a real place, or that there was a curse. Dan just couldn’t remember dreaming, not an entirely uncommon occurrence in our world.
Or are you saying that the fate of two worlds, and the love of a woman would have no effect on that equation? See, the misquoting thing sucks doesn’t it?
what episode was that from again?
Dan’s Sword was given to him if I am not misstaken.
True and it takes more than just brains to rule a land or guide a people. Let’s face it u r not always going to have the time to sit down and think you gotta have instincts that allow you to react quickly without thought (I admit that quality is best in battle though) and Dan doesn’t have that Alex emotions seem to always lead him in the right place.
True and true Scott did state this for us all so there is little point to dispute it, but if you go for just what we know from the story itself ALL first born males are possible canidates so they all were kept away other wise Dreamland would have been overrun with children. Just had to state that fact cuz what you said suggested otherwise. And like I said: Scott did state this for us all so there is little point to dispute it.
What book is that from? I don’t remember him ever saying that though it sounds like something he would say.