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The River by Indigo Bunting	23 Review(s)
Lamiel	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 9/1/2006
Dear Sam. This really does show the essence of his character, a hero who would deny it until his last breath. His admiration of Legolas is palpable, but at every turn he downplays his own role in the drama. He is just as heroic as the Elf, in his own way, in this tale, but he won't admit it. I'm glad that the Fellowship witnessed some of the drama on the cliff, just so that they can appreciate him a bit more. I think there are arguments both ways regarding the Hobbits characterization in the books, but it did seem to me that the others were a bit deprecating toward him, at least at first. There is a certain class structure in the Shire, and Sam is the only member of the Fellowship who is not nobility (I would count Gimli as upper-class because of the fame that Gloin must have enjoyed, being one of the original 13 who recaptured the Lonely Mountain). That relationship certainly changes by the end of the Quest, and this story gives a nice take on one possible contribution to that change. I think that if Legolas were awake he would probably be more direct and honest about what happened to him and Sam, simply because he is a warrior and understands better than Sam does how important it is for Gandalf and Aragorn and the rest to know the exact nature of the threat that faces them. But apart from that he might well dismiss his own accomplishments, even as Sam does. I've commented before that those two seem very alike to me in some ways. And what a cliff-hanger you leave us on! Less literally this time than in previous chapters, perhaps, but still! I loved the way you built up to it with Bill's snorting and jumping in his hobbles, and Merry growing annoyed with him. I'll bet the Men were throwing pebbles or something at Bill to make him do that. It plays almost like a scene from a suspense thriller, with the rest of the Fellowship calling Merry back. So he's caught, and Aragorn's injured, and Legolas is awake but probably can't do much. Pity Legolas couldn't have awoken sooner to warn them -- but he must have felt something to wake up at all. Your explanation, through Aragorn, of Elven healing techniques made me grin. I agree completely -- and it brings back happy memories of my first love, Star Trek. Elves and Vulcans have a lot of similarities too. I do hope that real life is kind and allows you to update quickly! I'm enjoying this story so much. Once it is finished I think I'll print it all out and just read it from beginning to end, all at once. Author Reply: I’ve ruminated on the ‘nobility’ of the various members of the Fellowship before, and I do agree with you that all of them could claim it in some way with the exception of Sam. And the funny thing about that is that he does end up as the Mayor of Hobbiton. Really, every single person in the company was destined to lead. I’ve actually got a nebulous idea for a story based on this very concept. You’ve got Sam’s behavior dead on. He’s definitely downplaying his role in the story, and he’s building up Legolas a little. You are exactly right that Legolas would feel less hesitation at giving more details, and that he would gloss over some of his own actions that Sam saw fit to expound on. I imagine that he has been in some dangerous situations before, and so he is much better able than Sam to deal (mentally) with what he experienced while in captivity. Unhappy Sam has never been through such a wringer before. Moreover, he has never had to kill before. He is absolutely mortified by what he’s done, even though he doesn’t know what else he could have done, and he is not at all comfortable telling everyone else about it. He doesn’t know what they’ll think of him when they hear, and in his shock and sorrow he is imagining the worst. Elves and Vulcans have a lot of similarities too. Interesting! I didn’t realize that I was describing Vulcan healing techniques when I was talking about Legolas’ deep sleep. I don’t know much about Star Trek period, but I did know that Vulcans have pointy ears. :) I don’t think that I’ll have much more time to write in the future than I’ve had lately, but I do think that this next chapter will come more smoothly than the last two. I’m back to some action instead of everyone sitting around, talking and thinking. Also, I’m back to Sam’s and Legolas’ POVs. Since I’ve spent more time on them than anyone else, I do feel most comfortable when I’m writing them. As for printing the story out – please do wait until the end! Before I post the last chapter I plan to update the rest of them. I’ve made some little word changes and such here and there, and I want to make sure that the story on this website accurately reflects my master copy.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 9/1/2006
Oh wow! I was so glad to see an update--I told myself I should save it for morning, but I have no will-power at all when it comes to this story! Pippin's POV was perfect; we get his youth and his Tookish impatience, yet he has leashed that as best he can. No matter how bored and restless he feels, he's not going to shirk his duty to his friends. His fear and concern for Sam and Legolas came through so well. I loved the exchange with Merry about breakfast--a nice bit of lightness amidst the tension. I'm glad you had Sam tell his story. This was a good place for a recap of past chapters, yet you used it also to convey Sam's state of mind, and the reactions of the others to his tale. And I knew something was going to happen when Bill got restless...but, oh, now you've left us dangling from the cliff again! I hope my fingernails hold out until the next update! Author Reply: I’m glad to hear that you liked Pippin, Dreamflower. You’re so right – he is young, and Tookish to boot – but he’s not stupid, and he’s not three years old. I think he’s more mature than a lot of people give him credit for. I enjoyed the breakfast scene as well. It was hobbity and it was fun. In my mind, it stands out in stark contrast to most of what’s been going on, especially with regard to Sam. His life has been utterly unreal for the past few days, and this pleasant moment is something he would have difficulty participating in at the moment. Pippin has seen his share of horrors in this story, but compared to Sam, he has been relatively untouched. There was a brief time in which I considered excising most of Sam’s story, thinking that it might be unnecessary or repetitious. I decided to leave it in not only because it was a good way to show what Sam is feeling now that he’s done what he’s done (and how he reacts to everyone around him), but also because it really has been a while since I posted the first chapter. I thought the recap might be useful to everyone else who isn’t as steeped in the story as I am.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 9/1/2006
Oh no! That was naive of Merry - Bill's distress should have warned him that something was wrong. And now he is in the hands of the villains. I hope it doesn't take as long to retrieve him as it did to get Sam and Legolas out of their hands. Sam's story-telling was probably a relief to him - even if he didn't tell it all. (I'm not surprised he couldn't get out what Saruman would do with Legolas. Horrible.) But Gandalf's assurance that the questioning would have been unnecessary if Garan had been able to read Sam's thoughts must have been a relief. Betraying Frodo must have been about the worst thing for Sam to worry about. I liked seeing this chapter through Pippin's eyes. The poor young hobbit is growing up fast - and turning into a valuable companion. Now I shall be worrying about Merry until the next update! Author Reply: Yes, Merry was a little naïve – but what happened was not entirely his fault. He didn’t go very far at all, and it wasn’t until just before he was seized that Bill really started acting up. There is a reason he didn’t see the Man waiting for him (which will be explained in the next chapter), and Bill sensed what he could not. You’re right about Sam’s retelling being a relief to him, for exactly the reason you stated – now he knows that he hasn’t betrayed Frodo (against his will, but that wouldn’t make any difference to Sam. In this case, failure is failure is failure.) Still, there’s a lot that he’s not saying. He would feel better knowing that the rest of them already know the worst of it, but not until he’d gone through a period of feeling just awful that they knew. What he did to Jakov is his deep, dark secret now. Glad you liked Pippin’s POV! I worked hard at bringing out his youth, but I didn’t want him to come across as a buffoon. A lot of people seem to think that he is naturally clumsy or careless, but I think that his curiosity and youth merely override his more prudent sensibilities on occasion. We’ve all been there. Anyway, I imagine that he would want the approval of the rest of the hobbits and the “sophisticated” Big Folk, and that their presence would be a restraining influence. Really, Boromir, Strider, Gimli and Legolas would probably have been somewhat exotic to him, being of foreign races and warriors to boot. Between the four of them, there’s an awful lot of pride and gravity to face.

peri an	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 9/1/2006
I am so shuddering with fright for Merry. QUite a chapter you've given us. The big showdown is now upon us!!!!! ::So excited:: =) :D Author Reply: Yes, the big showdown is here at last. I can’t wait to finish writing it!

Althea	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/31/2006
I was so excited to see an update to this story. This chapter was well worth the wait. Pippin's unease druing his watch, Frodo's desire to have things come to a head, Sam's reluctance to tell the whole story, and finally Merry's capture -- the tension not only never let up, but continued to swell as the story progressed. I am so looking forward to finding out what will happen next. This story continues to keep me on the edge of my seat. Author Reply: It’s so nice to hear that people are “excited” to see updates to the story. Thank you very much for saying so; it gives me a lift like you wouldn’t believe. You’re also not the only person to say that the chapter was “worth the wait”, which I can’t identify with (portions of it stubbornly refused to be written, and as a result, I just can’t love it as much as some of the others. Gandalf’s chapter is another good example. Some chapters come out with joy and ease; others struggle to be born, and thereafter I always remember the irritation I felt at the time.) Still, what really matters is what you, the reader, see in the end – a cohesive whole. I’m glad that the various moods of the hobbits came through. This chapter really focused on them more than anything else. Sam’s reluctance to talk is deep-seated; he’s got a few demons to deal with before he can fully recover.

Periantari	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/31/2006
Wow that chapter was definitely one of my favorites. I am hardly able to type down all that i loved in this chapter but i'm so glad for this chapter and Sam being center of attention, everyone listening to Sam... and the cliff-hanger? I am so on the edge of my seat. We thought weâ€™d lost you before; we wonâ€™t lose you again.â€ ANd that quote by Frodo melted me. Amazing, amazing chapter. More feedback when i feel i am able to type more because i'm just awed at the evil cliffie you left us. Author Reply: You like Sam, don’t you? :) I’m glad you enjoyed the chapter. It was not one of my favorites – the ones that come less than smoothly never are – but I think it came out okay, considering. It is pleasant for me as a writer to be back with Sam. I’ve spent so much time on him and Legolas now that they feel more familiar to me than the rest of the Fellowship. “We thought we’d lost you before; we won’t lose you again.” I also liked this quote from Frodo. I see him as being much more reserved than Sam is, and I have done my best to portray that. Still, he does care for Sam, and there will be times when he shows unguarded affection.

XtremeFrolicker	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/31/2006
You're amazing!! Author Reply: Thanks!! :)

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/31/2006
OH NO!!!!!!!! A cliffie! I'm still alive, and awaiting the next chapter. grin Poor Sam. And I hope Legolas wakes up soon. Author Reply: Yes… a cliffhanger. The last one of the story, though. Resolution looms on the horizon. By the way, Legolas did wake up there at the very end of the chapter.

valjean	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/31/2006
Gah! It's a cliff-hanger. I HATE it when you authors do that! PLEASE try to up date soon! Cliffhangers make me jumpy for days! I won't be able to think about anything else! Author Reply: Sorry about that, valjean. I will try to update ASAP. I hate it when authors leave me on cliffhangers as well. Fortunately I think this next chapter will be written relatively smoothly.

mithwen	Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/31/2006
I should be sleeping…I should be in bed. But fool that I am; I just had to check for any updates on my favourite stories. I should not be reading the story now, nor writing a review, but here I am. (Arg- foolish stupid woman.) Great chapter, but just like the fellowship I want Legolas to wake up. And may all the evil men die terrible deaths. (kill-kill-kill) Humph…tired silly woman is going to bed now; Update soon and God night. Author Reply: Always a good idea to wait until morning to check for updates… but that doesn’t always happen. I’m glad you liked the chapter. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but it was time to end the chapter. By the way, Legolas did wake up there at the very end. Let’s just say that he is highly attuned to the feel of this particular evil now. Some part of him sensed it when it drew near and woke the rest of him up. I will try to update soon. I haven’t had as much time to work on the next chapter as I would like, but I think that it will flow pretty smoothly (and quickly). The chapters with the most conflict usually do.

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