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The Hunting Trip  by Ithilien 15 Review(s)
Le RouretReviewed Chapter: 40 on 9/8/2003
Phew! I just realized I was holding my breath! Okay, so you've rescued Aragorn and Arwen -- Finally! I was starting to feel a little claustrophobic myself. And thank you for (somewhat) reconciling Kattica and Gordash; I have a feeling they're going to need each other's support pretty soon. Well, now all you have to do is get Eowyn and Legolas out of Bregus' control, fix Legolas' back, kill Bregus and stop her sinister plot . . . hmm, this story's going to go on for a while, isn't it? On the one hand I want to find out what happens next as quickly as possible, but on the other hand I don't want it to end! Congrats -- you've made a convert out of me.

JastaElfReviewed Chapter: 40 on 9/5/2003
Ah HAH, I knew there was a new chapter somewhere....

Thank you *wink-wink* for the prezzie you popped into the mail. Yum, I love sandwiches... (grin)

OK, so we've rescued Faramir and Kattica, Mattias and Gordash, Gimli, Aragorn, and Arwen.... It's time to go rescue that Elf and the blonde lady!!! (I know, soon, sooooooooon.... [grin])

Absolutely marvelous, I love getting inside Faramir's head and seeing all this from his guilt-laden POV. Denethor may be gone, but the malady lingers on... poor kid. He'll get it eventually....

And the whole discussion between Faramir, Gimli, and Kattica... wooo!! When Faramir basically told Kattica she had been no better than Gordash--Wow! Look, the Prince of Ithilien found his spine! Good lad! (Not to suggest I thought he was spineless before; he's had a rough several days, as have they all. But still...)

OK, so, now it's time to rescue Legolas, and Eowyn and the baby, RIGHT???

Great chapter, nin mellon.

Thundera TigerReviewed Chapter: 40 on 9/3/2003
Hee hee! I love it when things congeal! And I sense we're down to the big congealing. Oh, the excitement!

Well, I will certainly thank Nilmandra for this chapter (stunning piece of work) but I think you should probably take some of the credit, too. The flow of ideas and the coming together of thoughts has your mark all over it, and I absolutely loved it. My favorite parts of stories are the "Aha!" moments, and I think we just hit one. Which of course makes me all the happier, in addition to having a chapter from you to read.

Gimli's desperate search for information brought a smile to my face, despite how grim things have become. (It's that maniacal sense of humor.) And here we get a wonderful glimpse of the situation through Faramir's eyes. He's tired, injured, worried, confused, and upset. And this blends beautifully with the writing as I find myself becoming upset with Gimli even as I sympathize with him. The emotions are leaping off the screen, and the effect is astounding. The conversation on a Protected Place was a great recap and summary on everything we've learned as well as adding a few tidbits that I may have missed. One of those "Aha!" moments. Faramir's failed attempts at levity, his continuing annoyane with Gimli, and the general mistrust of Gordash builds the tension to near fever pitch toward the middle of this chapter. I think my favorite part was that cruel slam by Faramir when he challenges Kattica's own innocence. Ouch! I actually winced, which is a testament to how involved I had become at that point.

Then it seems that everybody takes a step backward. I think the mention of Aragorn might have helped significantly, but I like to think that they were moving that direction on their own, albeit a tad slowly. And may I say that it's a good thing they finally found Gimli! A dwarf is always needed to come out and state the obvious things that everyone has forgotten. What *are* they going to do to Bregus when they break through? And what will she do in return? I'd almost forgotten about these things, too. Yet another sign that a dwarf is badly needed. By the way, I love the role you've given Gimli in these debates. He's almost playing devil's advocate, but it's a rather persistent, pragmatic version of that role. I'm really not sure how to describe it, but it fits the dwarf's personality perfectly.

And then Gimli and Faramir seem to arrive at...a plan, for want of a better word. I'm trying to figure out what they've figured out and I have suspicions, but I don't think they're right. Best guess says they're going to try something with fire. Perhaps put Kattica in a position where she could also make use of the Protected Place? Or dousing the fire? Or is Bregus expending energy in keeping it a Protected Place? So many questions and not enough answers! Nor do you provide us with any answers (which I think is rather rude of you) because we're in for more reunions. Enter Arwen and Aragorn! Yea! That gang's all here!

The rescue sequence was amazing. Every action was described in detail, yet not in so much detail that the frantic race to save the king and queen ever slowed its pace. Great work! And now I believe it's time for me to beg desperately for another chapter. Pretty please? We're almost to the big climax! I can feel it, and this tense waiting can't be good for my health!

*~SuGaR~*Reviewed Chapter: 40 on 9/1/2003
ok, after reading other people's reviews, WHO THE HECK IS MARY SUE?!?!?!?...or what, some sort of stereotypical-perfect-capable of everything girl???
oh, and is the old woman that Faramir saw Kattica's grandmother?????
...dang, the weird kid is back...must brace myself....
*~SuGaR~*
p.s MORE LEGOLAS AND GIMLI!!! can't wait 'til they reunite *tear*...already getting the tears ready, now for the tissues...

*~SuGaR~*Reviewed Chapter: 40 on 9/1/2003
Make you chuckle, eh? Well, glad like them, even though most of it is just totally irrelevant nonsense. My usual "surfing the net for Tolkien humour" was interrupted by a certain horror fic, ahem *cough, cough*. I have to humour myself somehow and writing reviews like that seems to do it. Nice to know I'm not the only one >.
Last chapter I really wanted to know about Faramir and Gimli, but now I want to know about Legolas and Eowyn...argh, I'll never be happy =(...the dream bit on Legolas(oh, this was the part I forgot on my last review!!loved it ^^) was not quite enough to satisfy the rabid elf fancier in me, unfortunately...but was great to hear from Gimli again. Poor Gimli, just wait 'til he sees Legolas...The verbal tongue lashing in this chapter kinda got me down, didn't seem to get much in on their plan making *sigh*, but ARAGORN AND ARWEN ARE OUT!!! Faramir and Gimli got their wish, but of course evil you would never give it to them the way they had hoped...*glare* Don't really understand what happened with Aragorn in the cave, did he get pulled in or just go in or something??(yes, I'm stupid and can't figure it out >.<)And can't Kattica somehow overpower Bregus if she was in Henneth-Annun??? argh, so many questions...

Well, should go get ready for school now *tear*. This review probably isn't as funny as the last one(just in case you were wondering, the weird, annoying kid...she's not here!!! YIPPPEEEEE!!!!...but should coming back soon...dang...)PLEASE, MORE UPDATES, MORE RESPONSES(yes, i do love them ^.^), LESS EVIL, AND ABOVE ALL, MORE LEGOLAS AND GIMLI!!!!...not to sound demanding or anything =)and normally I would have just said "MORE LEGOLAS" w/o the "GIMLI", but you've managed to turn me into a Gimli fan, too(not that I don't like ALL the characters or anything)so, MORE LEGOLAS AND GIMLI!!!!...please!!!!=)

*~SuGaR~*
p.s can you try to send the elvish dictionary, PLEASE!!!! maybe the file is too big, will have to find out...argh, god hates me *sob*
p.p.s forgive my ignorance, but I must ask...what does "AU" and "Mary Sue" mean???...not too sharp on my "fanfic speak", that is if I'm "sharp" on anything...

LamielReviewed Chapter: 40 on 8/28/2003
Right at the start I have to say I love the river image. Hmm, can we say symbolism here? Beautiful detail, lovely description of the conflicting currents and trailing grass. Gorgeous imagery.

Faramir's being angsty as he does best, and Gimli is pushing for action and some healthy reality here. I do love that Dwarf. But he'll need to learn to respect magic, I guess, since it's got him up and walking already. Good. Bregus needs a taste of a Dwarf's axe, and I think she'll get it if she goes near Legolas again.

Marius Suenor!! It took me a moment to get that reference. Oh my goodness! Hee hee! Okay, this is a little bit of an author insertion here, but who cares. The temptation is well worth it. And no, Kattica is not a Mary Sue. She's done her job properly and stayed out of the way when she wasn't needed, and didn't fall for anyone. Though how she resisted Gimli I don't know.

Nice touch of having Gimli be so agile over stone--even with a cast leg and slippery stones at that. And some marvelous gripping action at the end. I was afraid you'd leave us with a real cliffhanger on this one, but thank goodness they're together and alive.

Now to get the A team conscious and clued in and then we can go over and take Bregus down! Yes! By the way, I responded to your reply to my e-mail--I'd be honored to help out any way I can. I seem to be slipping further and further into the slash world, but maybe we could find a way to do it without enraging the Professor's ghost too badly.


LittlefishReviewed Chapter: 40 on 8/28/2003
Wow! I am away for a while, and what do I get when I return? Two excellent chapters! Your sudden switch of sites took me by surprise, but now that I have looked into things closer, I can definitely see why you changed. As you can see, I am now also a member of this site. Yippee.

Anyway, on to the story. Both this chapter and the last were very well done, and I can see the strings beginning to come together. It is so exciting. I am glad you wrote a section from Legolas' point of view, and I love the way in which you depicted his return to consciousness. It was very unique and entertaining, while at the same time giving the readers a clear understanding of the gravity of the situation. I am also extremely glad to see that you are healing Mattias. You had me very worried there for a while. I really didn't want him to die, and I thank you for not killing him off. Of course, my thanks may be premature, but oh well! ^_^

I loved the way in which you had Aragorn and Arwen escape from the caves. The thought of the river actually tunneling a way out had occured to me, and I suspected this might be the way in which you would go. Of course, the whole cliffhanger at the end of the chapter was something I wasn't expecting, but knowing you, I should have. I loved every minute of it.

This last chapter was also excellent, delving deep into the characters emotions and their physical and mental well-being. The dialog was really well done, setting the scene and filling the chapter with tension. This is a tough time for our group, and you portray that in a myriad of different ways; through dialog, facial expression, tense silences, physical weariness. Awesome job! Oh, and I KNEW Arwen and Aragorn were going to pop up in the river as the others were talking! I brag about this because I usually can't predict what is going to happen in your stories very well. ^_^ Now they are all together!!! Yes, yes, yes!!!! I really can't wait for more.

Oh, before I sign off, I just had to make a comment on your "Mary Sue" paragraph. That was plain genius, as well as extremely humorous. Both my room-mate and I had a good laugh!

Thanks, and may this story live forever!!!!!

tapetum lucidumReviewed Chapter: 40 on 8/27/2003
I was enjoying your happy reunion at the semi-protected place when Faramir's discussion of Marius Suenor hit me full force and I started cracking up laughing! That was hilarious! My husband is giving me a not-so-amused Elrond eyebrow raise. Kattica has some of her skills, she may be in the same genus but not the correct species.

Your plan of action debate was very entertaining. Gimli wants to drop everything and go. Faramir realizes that they need a plan. When he mentions it, Gimli smacks him in the side of the head with a "Wish Aragorn was here." That must have really hurt his feelings. You were right to scold Kattica for her self-righteous attitude over Gordash. She was just where he was only a day or two ago. How quickly time flies.

Your Arwen/Aragorn arrival was quite exciting. I could see the unconscious Aragorn floating down the river like in the making of TTT. You described it well. I was glad Arwen was made of tougher stuff and was still conscious. She is an elf after all. Now it is time for a happy reunion.

You have to promise one thing. Please don't give everyone a magical cure where they are suddenly well. It aggravates me when authors give characters terrible injuries and then magically cure them so they don't have to deal with the aftermath. It's cheating. I know you promised to return all of the characters in the condition you found them but you didn't say how long it would take...

I have enjoyed being dragged over here. I don't know what to do in a site that doesn't collapse every few days or tell me chapter does not exist.

Good job! Thanks Nilmandra!

TigerLily713Reviewed Chapter: 40 on 8/27/2003
Another great chapter. I like the tension that is building between Gimli and Faramir, but also the respect and brotherhood. I'm glad to see the group coming together again! Lily

EReviewed Chapter: 40 on 8/27/2003
You're right, this is a great site! And it's about time some more people were reunited! That was really lucky. Or, depending on how you look at it, these characters are very unlucky. I liked the reference to how Faramir and Boromir used to play at the falls. However, I still think Aragorn needs a better role. He and Arwen really do work well together, don't they? When they can actually agree to doing that, lol. Update soon! Very soon!

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