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The Hunting Trip  by Ithilien 8 Review(s)
IceAngelReviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/17/2003
wow wow wow! What a climax!! Have you seen Sleepy Hollow?? I can just picture Bala as the headless horseman there *shudder*
And over into the falls, I would have never expected that!
THankyou forever for the Faramir hhmmmmm...
I have to run but am eagerly awaiting the conclusion and restraining my urge to straggle which comes upon me at the end of every chapter you write. Bala ended up as a fantastic baddy, I always love conversational climaxes where the characters get a chance to insult and argue first - as fantastic as I knew it would be!! thanks so much
IceAngel

fliewatuetReviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/17/2003
Wow! This chapter was wonderful (well, for the most part, for I would not term the beheading of someone wonderful, even if that someone is Bäla and even if it is that well written). But I am glad that Bregus and Bäla are dead, after all. (fliewatuet wipes sweat off her forehead)

First of all, I loved Gimli's impression of Arwen. Her confidence in her husband's abilities, the way she conversed with the dogs, and her premonition were written so convincing and added that air of strangeness that set her, as an Elf, apart from the Dwarf and the Soldiers.

Gimli, again, was marvellous. He was in his element. Those little details that mark him as a Dwarf who is at home under ground worked lovely both in his first foray into Henneth Annûn and in him being able to track the hidden witch. And finally, his halberd came into good use!

The scene between Aragorn and Bäla was quite frightening. Bäla not succumbing to what seemed like a mortal injury, even tricking Aragorn into believing him no longer a threat was most disconcerting, especially when he had Aragorn pinned beneath him and revealed his initial plans to him. Bäla's little monologue about manipulating others was like the dash of cream on top of that scene!

And the ending, when Gimli finally met the mysterious yet magnificent stag as well, was just perfect (I fear that I am slowly running out of adjectives for my praise *grin* but this was just too good). And finally, the secret of that stag was revealed. Lovely!

But now it is about time that Legolas recovered (as if the poor Elf were not already suffering enough, Bäla had to enhance the sea-longing!), Kattica gave birth to a hopefully healthy child, and everyone retreated to their well-deserved respite (though I am not so sure whether Henneth-Annân has not lost some of its charm).

fliewatuet

NightwingReviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/16/2003
Eeeek, I have the heebie-jeebies now. That headless body running around and bursting into flame. I can well imagine the elves in the trees: "What on earth is THAT??!!" "I dunno, but I think we'd better shoot that puppy!" Twang, twang, twang.

Then the horrid head goes rolling by. I bet it was shrieking, too. Ugh. Bye bye, Bregus and Bala!! (Gosh, he sure knew a lot personal stuff about Aragorn's sex-life, didn't he? What big creep.)

Yaay! Fabulous job, Gimli! Great description of that beautiful moment when he swung his weapon and delivered the blow. And Arwen was fantastic. I loved her poise and confidence as she helped Gimli with the pain of having to wait.

Eowyn, too. Such courage. Good thing Kattica fixed her arm up, so she could hold the knife back. And I like the way her immediate instinct was to try to protect Legolas. Hope she didn't wrench his back too badly when she tried to drag him away.

Lovely imagery of Gimli's moment with the magnificent animal. And I do hope all those mindless zombies can start thinking for themselves now that the old bat is gone. Nope, I do not feel sorry for Bregus. Horrid old thing. Good riddance.

Speaking of Legolas, it's been a while since we have focused on him. So I do look forward to seeing more of him next chapter, though I expect it won't be much fun.


Tapetum LucidumReviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/16/2003
That last review was kind of short. Sorry, I hit enter when I should have tabbed.

Thanks for the quick update! You did great showing Gimli's frustration at being unable to enter the cave. He must have been beside himself to know that his dearest friends were in danger and he could not help. Arwen has changed from the hysterical wife stuck in the cave to the calm, controlled voice of reason. She has grown a lot hasn't she? Your description of the dogs being guided and wanting to help Legolas was excellent.

Faramir gave Bregus a heck of a fight. I can only imagine the revulsion he felt when she looked at him so lustily. Your Eowyn is a great fighter - she will never give up easily - and she is still trying to protect our elf. I am glad Mattias and Gordash are once again free of the spell. I like them as good guys. Bregus' fear of the soldiers is again her weakness. Luckily she is mad, if she were sane and able to focus she would be a much worse opponent. It seems she is gone for the moment but we all know how non-fatal falls over cliffs into water can be. (right Aragorn)?

Bala planned the entire thing from the beginning?! He is indeed a master manipulator. It is hard to imagine how he put the entire plot together when he was already dead. I guess dwarves are natural sprinters. The battle among Bala, Aragorn and Gimli was excellent. It was well choreographed and gruesome. Bala is truly evil incarnate - threatening Arwen in front of Aragorn is never a good idea.

Having Kattica's grandmother appear as the buck was a nice touch.

Recommendation - go see the movie Master and Commander - there is a GREAT ROTK preview which includes Legolas hanging from one of the winged Nazgul mounts while it is flying through the air. I about needed a cigarette after the preview and I am not a smoker. There is also a good preview for Viggio's new movie Hidalgo.

Tapetum

Tapetum LucidumReviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/16/2003

*~SuGaR~*Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/15/2003
i knew it was kattica's grandmother...

ahhh...finally done, but i actually didn't want bregus to die anymore =S...at least Bala's dead too, but poor curtik...

wut now of legolas?? really wanted gimli to finally see him again, and for him to get better, but i guess that'll be coming. Too bad eowyn and legolas couldn't really do much =( but it would have been a wee bit on the strange side if the elf just suddenly sprang up and whacked Bregus...wait he already did that...ok, sprang up and started killing Bala!!! =)

well, can't wait to see Legolas awake again (please don't make it take too long...) oh, and wut about Kattica?!?!?! she started going through labour half way through!!! and you have to show Eowyn's baby too!!! next chapter, next chapter!!!

bubai!~

*~SuGaR~*

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/15/2003
For some reason it makes me extraordinarily happy that Gimli got to be the one to take out Bala. I had wished it even before reading this chapter, and then, there it was, part of your plan. Now we just need to see poor Legolas, who appears to be in rough shape, and Kattica, whose baby comes too early.

sofiaReviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/15/2003
this chapter is really exciting!

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