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| Okay, NOW Panic! by Boz4PM | 11 Review(s) |
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| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 7/15/2006 |
| Wow, I finally got a chance to catch up to everything! These last few chapters have been amazing--like a roller-coaster ride. I really liked the way you handled the subject of Halladan's "shell-shock" or PTSD. I found the review and reply on the subject fascinating. Of course, on another level, these are also problems the hobbits are dealing with, as well. And I am impressed with the way you handled her revelations of the realities of "modern warfare" to those "in the know". It was not something she really wished to do, yet somehow, she had to make them understand. When Galadriel got that brief glimpse--I am sure that it was horrifying to realize what the world one come to one day. Yet there will be many ages to come before that occurs. Her talk with Mithrandir was wonderful. That she is beginning to think of her family is actually a good sign, for she can begin to admit that she will probably never see them again, and be able to move on with her new life. I loved her hesitancy about confiding Saruman's future black-heartedness--she feels that things still must take their destined path, although it must make being around Frodo, especially, very hard. I'm thinking that Penny will not remain in Minas Tirith. The only thing I regret about that is that the "bitches" in the court will somehow think they've "won" something by her absence. I must confess, I am among those who are hoping for a denouement involving Penny and Halladan together, but I do hope it will be a while yet--the story is so engrossing, I hate to think of it nearing the end. Author Reply: Of course, on another level, these are also problems the hobbits are dealing with, as well. Indeed, as I tried to show to a lesser extent during the conversation at tea. That said, hobbits seem to have a certain natural resilience and zest for life that means things never come wholly dark for them. Frodo is the exception, perhaps, but that is understandable given what he went through, and even then his dark moments post-War are really those days when his wounds/scars hurt him and he becomes ill. The other three seem stronger for their experience - changed but in a good way. Frodo is most affected and yet there is a good part of him that is the same hobbit he always was. It was not something she really wished to do, yet somehow, she had to make them understand. Indeed. As I said in responses to the reviews in the last chapter, in some ways this is a means, albeit unintentionally, for Penny to show she does have some understanding and knowledge, that she's not wholly ignorant or stupid. Not they have necessarily thought that of her, but she is showing them, perhaps, a deeper level of natural wisdom/learning than they may have previously realised. All too often she's the clumsy one, the one in trouble, the one letting her mouth run away with her, so we need some good positives in her favour - something to balance the flakiness and hot-headedness. ... Not sure I explained that terribly well, but hopefully you get what I mean. *lol* The talk with Mithrandir was necessary on several levels - she needed to know one way or another if she's staying or not, and we need explanation as to why she is not telling them about the Scouring of the Shire (or not yet anyway - she may yet change her mind). As you say, this is the best she could have hoped for, for all Gandalf's refusal to say for absolutely certain and also his ignorance of how or why she is where she is - she now has 'closure' (dreadful word, but can't think of a better one) and can start to move on. And I think you are right: the bitches certainly would consider it a victory. | |