Reviews (29)

zGLNdytadbxc · 31 May 2012 · Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty

Hi, I was wondering if this book (Nex) was suiabtle for a 12 year old girl? (My daughter) I have every intention of reading a copy myself and therefore finding out for myself if it's suiabtle, but I'm still deep in another book. I've not found any kind of rating for any of your books, apologies if I've just not looked hard enough!Cheers.Tony

dzjpMVvye · 31 May 2012 · Chapter 6: Chapter Six

Hi Grant,It's up to you whether you want to post all the catehprs. It may be best to only post the chapter you intend to read and give a quick recap of the events leading up to this chapter. That way folks won't be confused. If you simply want to e-mail the chapter to everyone and not leave it on the web, then copy and paste it into Mail Subscribers on the Dashboard. A copy will go out to everyone, but it won't save to the website. Cheers,Laurel

Laurelin · 20 January 2009 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two

wow!!!!!!1 this is really good so far!!!!!! hey weren't you one of the people 2 coment on that thing where aragorn is curing faramir?????? the name looks familiar haha!!!! any way im gonna keep reading and leave a coment on all the the chapters that people haven't already commented on :) haha jk. but this is really good it almost reminds me of the way jr tolkien writes!!!!! so congrats

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

Oh, LOL... very very good! And the twist at the end with the town being called Ashville was hilarious! I really enjoyed this introduction to Marly, Peter, Rich and Brion, and have a greater understanding now of the fellowship's pleasure at meeting up with them in Minas Tirith. And now I found out that my daughter read this a long time ago on ff.net and loved it too! Very very fun - I look forward to reading Leavetaking next, then Snowball fight. Thanks for such a wealth of pleasurable reading, Budgie!

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 23: Chapter Twenty-Three

ARGH!!! They just can't catch a break! You are an evil, evil author-woman, Budgie!! I had hoped that Gandalf would have come in in time... But I DID love Sam's muttered "Hasn't been so good for the town, neither." That made me laugh... and Merry's goodness in leaving them some gold. I was worried that they didn't have *any* of their money left with which to repay Marly and Peter's goodness, though I knew that eventually they ended up in Minas Tirith. Ok, two more chapters - this MUST resolve soon. OH, and what is it about powdered myrhh? I'd never heard of it being a healing herb...

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty

And so the stage is just about set for the final confrontation. The only ones missing now are Gimli and Sam... and I'm sure they're not far behind. On to the climactic conclusion! By the way, not this chapter but last chapter, I *really* liked the phrase that the fire "feasted on his sleeve*. That was really wonderfully put!

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen

Oh man - I should be fixing dinner! This is going to be quite a confrontation in the public gardens, and I HAVE TO LEAVE!! Ok... I'll read more later.

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen

I KNEW they shouldn't have trusted Merry! What was he THINKING?? (and that he could be Merry *or* Aragorn.) Didn't he think about the damage to Aragorn and Legolas' honor? Well, I imagine he's going to get an earful from Gandalf. I can just hear the conversation that decided Gandalf would be the one to talk to him... lol... The other two were a little too closely involved, and I'm not sure Gimli would have seen what the problem was, LOL. Oh yikes... poor Frodo! That description was sickeningly brilliant, Budgie, and I think that that is all I will say about that except, thank heavens he fainted!

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen

Oh MAN! Stupid commander, checking all the coins... It was a good idea of Merry's (though disturbing how easily dishonest ideas come to him! LOL) but I guess the Commander's grudge made him more vigilant. Oh NO! Poor Brion - guess the idea of taking his shoes off had unexpectedly bad consequences! Sure glad I don't have to wait for the next chapter!

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen

Legolas and Aragorn are listening to MERRY now? Oh boy.... I hope they at least insist on hearing his entire plan first! I mean... getting Frodo, Pippin and Sam into trouble is one thing... but the Dunadan and the Prince of Mirkwood? Oh boy.... And now the other one... YIKES! Well, maybe the two hunters will clash with each other and leave Peter and Marly and their family alone. Oh boy - I'm glad I don't have to wait!

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve

Oh man!!! Is there going to be ANY part of this town left standing when they are through??? ROFL I think it's even more infuriating that the Elf doesn't even CARE about his appearance.... it seems to just be natural for him to look nice. I'd love to see him singed and disheveled like this... LOL

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven

Oh boy... *watches anxiously with Pip, wondering what Merry is up to, and how, and what will come of it...* AHA! So that's the answer to the ring issue! Good to know I didn't miss anything and you didn't mess up! Well done! (Reminds me of how in the movies he was always yanking it off, and then it kept being back around his neck again... lol.) I'm glad Frodo is honest with Marly, and that she doesn't turn him out (didn't think she would) but I hope they're able to protect themselves as well as Frodo. Oh Merry!!! Oh boy... as if they all hadn't caused *enough* trouble in that little town!

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 10: Chapter Ten

LOL, you have to love Gimli - the master of understatement! "We must leave this place." LOL - you think?? So I finally get to meet Marly and Peter and their two boys. But here's a question - didn't you have that nasty creature break the chain and then Frodo put the ring and chain in his breast pocket? When did he put it back around his neck? Did I miss it, or was that a goof? I love the phrasing and the imagery though of a spot of ice against him underneath the warmth of the quilts. Ok - Pippin is cracking me up! He's such a charmer, and shameless at using it! I'm glad that he's helping to get some coin though - they'll need it! Poor Sam ethics are sorely tried until he hears what the plans are for Gandalf, Gimli and Boromir. THEN he realizes how important it is to get them free. I feel bad for the Guardsman, losing all his sons like that, then his wife and his honor, or so he feels. Stupid Denethor! But punishing these three to settle his score with the Steward just isn't right. Uh OH... I hope Merry isn't pushing their luck too far..... On to the next chapter!

AspenJules · 17 January 2007 · Chapter 9: Chapter Nine

Ok, I can't help giggling a bit at the idea that Aragorn would harbor a faint resentment at the Elves for their ability to maintain their looks. Does he envy their long life? No. Does he resent their superior senses and physical abilities? No. But the fact that they can crawl through the bush and come out looking fine irks him! That is TOO funny! So his little twinge of satisfaction at Legolas' burned locks is hilarious! UH OH! That creature is close on Frodo's heels, and now the guardsman recognized Boromir! Things are *not* looking good for the Fellowship! You know, Budgie - if you didn't write such compelling cliffhangers, it would be easier to leave reviews, LOL. Reading it like this, after it's been completed, I hardly pause between finishing one chapter and moving on to the next, trying to save the characters from the terrible situations you place them in. It's hard to remember to stop and leave a review about how much (and why) I'm enjoying this story!

Queen Galadriel · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

There are many kinds of evil, and you capture these two perfectly: the malicious, proud, through-and-through evil displayed in your fire-making monster (what is it, by the way?), and the treacherous, devious evil in Alissa; and yet there was a drop of good left in her still, I think. That said, I enjoyed this story very, very much, and read all but the last three chapters in one sitting. Very suspensefull...I'm so glad I didn't catch this one while it was still in progress; I'd have been driven out of my mind by the cliff-hangers! :-) I love your characterisation here, and I think Frodo, Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf are especially true to canon. I'll have to check out "Leavetaking." You continue to amaze me with your complex plot lines! And I'm always astonished to see how your stories play out. Goodness, you wouldn't think such little folk could get into so much trouble and get out again alive! :-) I'm inclined to say with Gandalf that Hobbits are most amazing creatures. Very well done! God bless, Galadriel

Queen Galadriel · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Eeeeeee! I am terified of giant rats! If those things...ooooo! But that wasn't the purpose of this review. I thought I'd tell you, you're very good at cliffhangers! I'm off to read more! God bless, Galadriel

Pearl Took · 22 November 2003 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

budgielover, This was great fun! Exciting, action packed and a good laugh. A wonderful story! Thank you! Pearl Took

LKK · 18 September 2003 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

Excellent story, Budgielover! I loved that you mixed humor and terror throughout the story. You have a marvelous ability to handle a large number of characters, make them all individuals, and most important keep them all equally involved in the story. I had a wonderful time reading this. I'm looking forward to the "silly little epilogue" that I plan on reading next. :-) LKK

Lamiel · 11 September 2003 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

Oh, this is marvelous. Just wonderful. I've been following this fic for weeks now, and lurking the whole while shamelessly, but I just had to let you know what a wonderful job you've done. All the characters are great, and their interactions, and a fantastic mix of humor and action/adventure. Legolas shooting that throwing star was perfect, and the Hobbits were very well done--so often they're treated like children, or glossed over entirely, but here they had unique and separate personalities. Lovely. Thank you so much for a great story. Lamiel P.S. You wouldn't by any chance happen to be from Ashville, Oregon? I grew up not far from there.

FantasyFan · 27 August 2003 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

I've found the last chapter of your lovely story here at storiesofarda, where I had missed it ending at ff.n (came here for another story entirely after ff.n was behaving so badly as to not let me leave a review). I have to tell you, I burst out laughing at the final paragraph. So appropriate, for I was sure that there wouldn't be a building standing in this poor town by the time they left it. Lots of nice tying up of ends in this chapter - indeed I was astonished to see the word 'complete' in the summary as I thought there would need to be several more chapters to end it. I am really intrigued as to what kind of creature that could possibly have been. It's a magic user, able to conjure fire, and cloak in darkness, unsurprisingly in the service of Mordor, but reassuringly mortal. I realize that you don't have to completely explain everything in these kind of stories, but I wonder what you had in mind? Anyway, I knew Frodo would be indignant at Merry's unorthodox methods of obtaining funds, and he was. However, Frodo is a hobbit of surprising talents, and it was clever of you to remember his reputation as a rakish youth. Having Sara be his teacher was a brilliant touch. And then Pippin, of the sweet eyes and smile. Just like him to collect goodies from his admirers. I do like the way all your characters are drawn in this fic. Overall, I'd give this a high grade for exciting plot, well-done original characters and faithful canon characters, and witty writing. Thanks for sharing it with us!

shirebound · 27 August 2003 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

Complete!!???? That took me totally by surprise, Budgie! What an amazing story. (You'll never live this one down, you know. Never.) This was amazing: “She is very beautiful, Boromir.” “I do not wish to discuss this, Aragorn.” “Breathtaking as the glow of the moon through milk quartz, those Harad women. I have heard –“ “Gimli, I do not wish to discuss this with you, either.” “Would you take offense if I compared her to an exotic bloom –“ “I would, Legolas.” Frodo smiled and snuggled himself deeper into the Ranger’s warm arms, and let the world drift away from him. Wondrous dialogue! Snuggling! Ashville! Another Budgielover extravaganza.

Iris Sandydowns · 27 August 2003 · Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five

Oh, this was the perfect ending. And I love the name you gave the town! LOL! That was very clever having Alissa kill the creature. I was seriously worried about how they were going to get Frodo back this time. Too bad she and Boromir will never actually meet in Minis Tirith. (but of course in AU anything is possible!) I enjoyed this story very much and I'll definitely be taking your advice and reading "Leavetaking" starting tomorrow. <3 Sandy

Iris Sandydowns · 21 August 2003 · Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four

Budgie, what have you done to our poor Fellowship! This is a wonderful story, but I'm afraid the entire town will burn to cinders before we get to the end. :D I tore through the last 20 chapters in less than a day, just couldn't stop reading! And now poor Frodo has been taken again. I was clapping and cheering when he started kicking that foul creature and managed to get himself dropped. Now, hopefully he'll be out of harm's way when Gandalf and the creature go at it! What a wonderful, caring and compassionate family you have created to help Frodo. If only more people were like Marly, Peter, Rich and Brion, this world would be a much better place. I’m so glad Merry managed to surreptitiously leave them with enough money to repay their kindness. And leave it to Sam to remember the owner of the cellar where the hobbits hid and had their little feast! I await the next chapters with great anticipation! The only thing I ask is that you not burn down Marly & Peter’s house. That would be too tragic to bear! Oh, and one small thing, for some reason when you italicize a word (or make it bold), the remainder of your chapter is italicized (or bold) as well. If your HTML coding is correct, it might be a bug in SOA’s programming. Just thought you'd like to know. <3 Sandy Author Reply: Hi Iris. Thank you for the kind review. You read 20 chapters in a day? Wow, that is flattering. Thanks for the tip on the SOA bug - I went back and fought and fought with that chapter to get it to behave. I care very much that the story be right and appreciate you letting me know. It looks like SOA has correctd that now. Thanks so much and I hope you enjoy the finale.

WestieLab · 20 August 2003 · Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! WHAT HAPPENS!?! I MUST KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! Author Reply: Hi WestieLab. In response to the desperation evident in your review (or should I call it an agonized scream? ;) ), I've finished the story. I hope you enjoy!

Faervarya · 19 August 2003 · Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry. I need more!! I have read and Loved many of your stories. Humour, action, tenderness and great characterization - its all in every story. And I love this site - sooo much better than ff.net. So pleeease, huury with the next chapter - I am not sure I will be abble to breath until Frodo is back with the Fellowship. BTW, how about a happy little interlude story with lots of great fellowship interaction and no evel cliffies. Just a short one - it would be good for my heart. Author Reply: Hi Faervarya. Thank you so much for letting me know how much you are enjoying this story. And I agree with what you said about this site - it is wonderful. I've been thinking about what you said for a happy little interlude story (you are so right), and after "Some Nameless Place" is complete, be on the lookout for "Leavetaking." It is just a one-chapter humorous apology to all the people I riled with my cliffhangers. I'll give some more thought to a longer interlude story "with great Fellowship interaction and no evil cliffies." (Maybe just a few evil cliffies? Just one or two?)