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Don't Panic!  by Boz4PM 7 Review(s)
DaynawaynaReviewed Chapter: 23 on 1/4/2006
That's it.. make me cry again! That was beautiful, Boz, just beautiful. Poor Penny. I'm glad she got to tell Halbarad the truth. I just wish he wouldn't die. :( Or does he? It's been 2 yrs since I read it so I'm trusting what you write. This just keeps getting better and better. And I keep repeating myself, don't I? LOL Can't wait to read more!

docmonReviewed Chapter: 23 on 1/4/2006
Oh well, I tried to stop rambling, but I found I have MORE to say. I had to comment on the relationsihp you've built between Halbarad and Penny. Nearly a father-daughter sort of relationship, I found it touching, interesting and rather a natural development of things. Very well done, and of course, very anti-MS.
Again, well done!

Author Reply: Thank you. I felt it was important that he didn't simply become a friend - they share a special bond if only because of all they went through together in that journey between Bree and Imladris.

docmonReviewed Chapter: 23 on 1/4/2006
To quote your wonderful main character, this is fan-bloody-tastic!!!!! I can't say enough, though I suppose I will try, so apologies if I ramble.
It was telling enough how this would go when, after I'd printed out the whole story, I was up the first night to 3 am reading!!! I considered berating you for not putting a warning on this, something to the effect of 'you will not be able to put this story down, so make sure you have plenty of free time ahead of you.' ;-) But you don't deserve berating! High praise only! I am so enjoying the adventures and misadventures of Pen-ii - you have portrayed her ordeals so realistically, every page rings true. I particularly was impressed with your portrayal of her near-madness as she struggled to come to grips with what had happened. It was so realistic (as far as I can tell, not having gone through a similar experience ;-)) - with the anger, disbelief, the sick sinking feeling of something VERY wrong, more disbelief, and of course the denial (that ancient river in Egypt, indeed! LOL). Even her grief over what she thought was true madness, and yet it paled next to what she felt when she finally understood. Not overdone at all, but so much how I think it would go. Especially that she wasn't overjoyed over being in Middle-earth, but saw the true implications of such a thing. Rather than gloss over her struggle with her emotions, you led us through the whole roller coaster ride - and Halbarad's struggle to deal!
I cannot finish without mentioning how moving this chapter, and the farewell scene with Halbarad, was. It literally took my breath away. Her despair that led her to tell Halbarad and his understanding were heartwrenching. But then to see him vow to watch over her upon his return, knowing there won't be one(unless this isn't his final trip) - no words, wonderful is not enough.
Ok, I'm going to stop rambling! Can't wait to finish this, and very, very glad to see there's a sequel in the works. Yay!
Great work!
docmon

Author Reply: I'm going to get lumps on my head from the amount of people who thwap me over reading this thing non-stop. It's not my fault, I tell you! *shakes fist*

Glad to hear you are enjoying it, and the emotional detail. It never occurred to me to gloss over it, truth be told. This fic was written in response to a challenge - which was to show what it would be really like, what problems you would face, and to me the realisation of where you were and struggling to come to terms with it, would be the most immediate and one of the biggest problems of all. I had no option but go into it in detail. Some complained it was a little too much, but to me if I was really in Penny's situation, I would struggle to remain sane - frankly I think she shows great strength to not completely snap and go off her rocker.

And ramble away! Rambling is good. Trust me - I am the master of rambling (though usually incoherently, as anyone who reads my LJ will tell you. lol).

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 23 on 12/14/2005
I'm glad she go to tell Halbarad the truth. It truly would be a terrible burden to know who will die.

Well done, Boz. Well done indeed :)

phoenix23531Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 12/14/2005
I love what you have done with Halbarad's character. That he would be so concerned for her well-being and then so disappointed in her was an interesting mix. And I'm glad that (for once) this is not a romantically charged interaction.
Also, I love the comparison of Penny's situation to that of the elves, that her forknowledge of events would be as an analogy to their interaction with mortals. It is one of the things I loved so much of Tolkien's writing - the melancholy and yet the courage by which they continue to live and love in the face of death and change - and you have brought it out so well, especially here.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 23 on 12/11/2005
How hard. Emotional things are tough enough without the added complications here.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 23 on 12/11/2005
Well. I'm glad she got that message across to Halbarad. And I suspect having told someone will be a huge relief. Even if it's only one thing of many.

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