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Doomed to Live  by fliewatuet 6 Review(s)
Timmy2222Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 10/5/2004
Oooh, oh, this is getting worse... I am shaking my head in awe how Aragorn had managed to remain conscious AND on his feet with that severe injury. But the breaking of the collar bone will not be easily mended. Aragorn was right with his order to tell the Hobbits to escape alone if a chance occurs; he won't be with them, I fear.

Again a wonderful display of how the characters interact - their bravery and companionship under the worst circumstances.

Looking forward to more.

- T.

Author Reply: Now, I will neither ease your fears nor confirm them. Only that, yes, Aragorn's sword cut won't be easily mended. He still has quite an adventure ahead of him.

I hope you won't have to wait too long for more. The next chapter is basically finished, but there are some pieces that still suck. I hope I'll get them polished soon ...

fliewatuet

CaelinReviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/13/2004
This is an excellent story. I sometimes find AU tales lacking in the true essence of Tolkien, but you have somehow managed to capture it. Your characterisation is very good and the events described, although obviously not canon, could easily be so.

I also like your style of writing and it is particularly impressive that you manage it so well in a language that is not your first. I look forward to reading the rest of the story.

Author Reply: Thanks for the praise! And I agree with you that AUs are a tricky thing. The concept in itself offers a wealth of opportunities (if you try to answer the what if question) but is often misused as a label for stories that don't stick to facts presented in the original text. For me it is a welcome excuse to delve deeper into Tolkien's text, and I find myself suddenly pondering little details I would have never noticed had I not been bitten by that particular plot-bunny!

meckinockReviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/31/2004
Hey, an update!
I was really hoping you would continue this story. I can't fault you for the 10 months, though - at least you have something to show for it. Congratulations on your PhD!
Poor Merry. Emergency Medicine 101, as taught by Professor Patient, with an audience of Uruks. He's doing pretty well, considering the circumstances. I just hope he takes Aragorn's advice and runs if he gets the chance. I won't pester for an update, but I'm looking forward to one!
mrk


Author Reply: LOL, nice summary of the chapter, Emergency Medicine 101, indeed! Glad you like the new chapter, it was long in the making, after all;-) I only hope that the next one won't take that long ... I've already about 1000 words written ...

And thanks for the congratulations. I still have my viva ahead of me but the thesis itself is written and I still cannot believe that that's off my desk. Now I only need a new job ...

Do you have a new story planned? A sequel to 'In the Hands of the Enemy' perhaps?

fliewatuet

grumpyReviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/29/2004
great chapter, good old Merry, in the role of healer, with Aragorn(poor guy) trying to tell him what to do. Enjoying your story, Always did like Boramir, so glad that he still lives.
looking forward to more

Author Reply: Thanks for letting me know that you enjoy my little tale. And the next chapter will hopefully take less than 10 months to write ;-)

fliewatuet

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/22/2004
Wow! Usually AU stories leave me rather out of sorts. I don't usually care for them but this one had me hooked! I appreciate stories where Boromir survives and am looking forward to seeing what kind of part he can play in the rest of the war! Gimli's anger over learning about Boromir's misdeeds was very well written although I'm glad that he eventually excepted it and has tried to move on with their relationship, I hope it will soon be able to be called friendship! Merry did a wonderful job trying to help Strider! It was a lot to try and do, with the added pressure of Pippin being held captive if must have been very difficult! Looking forward to more and I hope it isn't long in the coming!

Author Reply: Thanks for the review! I am always glad to hear that someone enjoys reading my little story. I still don't know how Boromir managed to survive the attack at Amon Hen. It wasn't my original intention, but somehow I needed him alive in order to get where I want the story to go and he settled into the story quite comfortably and refused to back off. But that's just Boromir and that's why I like him <*big grin*>. With him alive, at least part of the story turned into 'what-if' rather than A/U and exploring the dynamics of Boromir/Legolas/Gimli as the three Hunters is quite a lot of fun! I am already looking forward to their meeting with Éomer, though the next chapter will deal with Aragorn and the Hobbits. Éomer's appearance is scheduled for Chapter 10 and the next updates will hopefully appear a bit faster than this one!

fliewatuet

AMReviewed Chapter: 8 on 7/20/2004
Congtats on finishing your thesis. I guess it was more important than a story.

I just reread this from the beginning because I like it so much. Your characters are wonderfully drawn and your dialogue rings true.

As for your command of written English - you beat most English-only speakers. The placement of commas is somewhat subjective and throughout the entire story there was one spot where you didn't put one and I would have. Otherwise I was with you.
I found two places that need fixing:
* chapter 4 - "safe by name" should be "save by name",
* chapter 5 - "all those month" should be "all those months".

BTW: If you found yourself looking over you shoulder today it was because I was cyber-stalking you. Read chapter 8 at Henneth Annun (because I saw it was up). Then went to FF.net, read it, and left a review. Then came here.

Anne Marie/AM

Author Reply: Wow, that's real dedication:-) Thank you! And thanks for pointing out those nasty typos. As someone else said: they do breed in the dark! I'll fix them with the next update.

As for the questions you left in the other review: Chapter 9 will focus on the flight, though not on its outcome (*evil grin*) and Chapter 10 will return to Boromir et al. And I sincerely hope that both my muses and my writing time will allow for a faster update.

fliewatuet

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