Citrine
· 22 September 2003
· Chapter 55: Aftermath
*Pain!* Well, I wished for a quick update with lots of excitement. I guess this illustrates the truth in the old saying 'Be careful what you wish for-you just might get it.' Quite brilliantly done, and you have me by the heartstrings, as usual.
Oooooh the suffering. *Lays head on desk.*
fliewatuet
· 22 September 2003
· Chapter 55: Aftermath
Poor Legolas! He tried his last to catch Pippin, and to see him so close, even feel him, only to watch him slip through his fingers. I only hope that they'll find the Hobbit before he returns to Rivendell by one of its waterfalls.
BTW I fully understand your reluctance to let Gimli come to harm. He may lose his temper when angered (though I must re-read Snowball Fight ... can't remember what misfortune happened to him). But please (*big puppy dog eyes*) don't hurt the poor pony, he had enough of a hard time at the hands of Bill Ferny already.
mpfan
· 22 September 2003
· Chapter 55: Aftermath
Oi! Still a cliffhanger! LOL. I'm on pins and needles.
Wonderful, as always.
Hai
· 22 September 2003
· Chapter 55: Aftermath
Oh, no! I though surely Legolas had him there at the second openign and all but then he didn't! Are you going to let Pippin go over a water fall?! Surely not! I hope that answeres come soon! I can hardly wait to find out what happens next! I hope it's soon! Thank you!
daw the minstrel
· 22 September 2003
· Chapter 55: Aftermath
Wow. What an adventure. All of them struggling and Pippin still slipping from their grasp. And now, all of them blaming themselves and worrying at something that can't be undone. Lots of angst here.
fliewatuet
· 15 September 2003
· Chapter 54: Disaster Strikes
Of course, given the rather peaceful setting of the previous chapters, this had to come. And Legolas had been spared so far, so it was high time that bad luck met everybody's favourite elf. Your descriptions of Pippin's feelings as he was torn away by the water were so vivid that I almost froze and went claustrophobic! But the worst part of it was that I saw it coming. From the moment the Hobbits' watched the hidden water course I knew disaster would strike (not too surprising, given the title of that chapter), and that one of them would fall in. Agreed, I did not expect two of them being swept away ...
BTW is there any member of the fellowship that has been spared major or minor injury or mishap on your part? Merry broke his wrist, Pippin was almost skewered by his own cousin and now is about to drown, Sam hurt himself with a bow, Aragorn was almost shot by a crossbow-bolt, Legolas is about to drown, I dimly remember Boromir being swept away by the current when they were practising their boating skills, and Frodo ... (I won't go into detail). I cannot remember, though, if something already happened to Gimli. If not, that would leave him the next to encounter something nasty (or cold, wet, painful, or all of them together). *Shudder*
Anyway, I want more !!!
Author's reply
Of course! You knew all that peace and quiet wouldn't last!
Hummm ... I'm thinking about your question about if anyone has been spared major or minor injury in this story. Hummm ... Gimli was rather thoroughly tortured in "Snowball Fight" and I'm leery of subjecting the hot-tempered Dwarf to too much... Hummm - BILL! Oh, yes, Bill... (rubs hands)
Seriously, thank you for letting me know how much you are enjoying the story. I appreciate that you took the time for such a detailed review, and be assured - more is coming!
Citrine
· 15 September 2003
· Chapter 54: Disaster Strikes
*Watches Pippin swept away* Eeeeeeeek!
Okay, it's now official: You Are Evil. I'm going to be crouched over this
story holding my breath until Pippin pops up...please update ASAP, before I need CPR...
Author's reply
Citrine, don't hold your breath! We don't find out what has happened to our poor Pippin until chapter 26. (Remember, my beta-reader, the infamous Marigold, made me write this plotline. I couldn't bear to do it.) I am taking a CPR class Sept 24, so if you do have a heart attack, I'll be ready to help.
Hai
· 11 September 2003
· Chapter 53: Things That Are True
I loved this chapter! I think it might be my favorite! I liked picturing the fireworks! How sweet of Gandalf to do that and design them around each hobbit! That was great! Thank you!
FantasyFan
· 11 September 2003
· Chapter 53: Things That Are True
I loved the fireworks. Each was perfect for the hobbit it was designed for. I loved the truth as revealed by the stone - Frodo's always been filled with light, for eyes that can see; and the ring will eat his soul, burning away everything else until the light is about all that is left of Frodo. I also love Pippin's concern for his cousin: it is the embodiment of what Legolas is trying to explain to him about his place in the Fellowship, though as usual Pippin goes at it with everything he's got. The tickle-fest hobbit-pile made me giggle, and it was wonderfully written to include the sweetness and innocence of the hobbits as well as the bittersweet unease of Pippin's concern.
I am enjoying your story, all though I haven't reviewed in a while, and I'll be looking forward to the next update.
shirebound
· 11 September 2003
· Chapter 53: Things That Are True
Loved this chapter! It's a rare treat to see confidences shared between Legolas and Pippin... and of course, loved the tickling, and the reason behind it. A perfect blending of joy and fear.
And oh! Another wonderful delight for us (and them), with the fireworks. And Budgie... whatever is Elrond planning??
JULES6
· 11 September 2003
· Chapter 53: Things That Are True
I can't express in words how much I am enjoying this story. The expressions are described so well you can almost see the faces making them. Then to add just the right amount of personality into each character and then intertwine them for fun, laughter, hurt, comfort and sometimes pain - but just the right doses to keep us coming back for more addication.'
Please keep up the fantastic work and hope to see more very soon.
JULES
Hai
· 1 September 2003
· Chapter 52: A Riddle-Game And Its Answer
That was very cool! I recently vsited Yellowstone and got to see some geysers erupt, even knowing what to expect the first time you see one is truly amazing and the hobbits had no idea what was coming! I'm glad their waiting was paid off so well! That was wonderful! How many chapters are you planning for this story? This is 52! That is impressive! Looking forward to more, whatever it may hold! Thank you!
Lindelea
· 31 August 2003
· Chapter 50: And Out of the Fire
How in the world do you do it? You've got me on the edge of my seat with the tension you've generated, and then... I'm laughing hysterically as Aragorn muses over whether this kind of thing happens with *any* hobbit walking party or just this particular party of hobbits, and whether he ought to conduct a scientific investigation into the matter...
Lindelea
· 31 August 2003
· Chapter 49: Into the Frying Pan
"Threats of cannibalism..." hahahaha. I love your characters and their conversation.
There is a formatting problem with this chapter; partway through, it suddenly becomes bold, oh, and yes, the whole thing looks italicized, is it supposed to be? Am reading in such haste (dh is due back any time to claim the computer) that I don't want to go back and look again...
Is this the story with the promised upcoming Pippin-angst that your beta reader is twisting your arm about? Or is it another story?
Lindelea
· 31 August 2003
· Chapter 13: A Little Suffering is Good for the Soul
I cannot tell you how many times I chortled in this chapter. What a delightful read, all the way from the parenthetical comments near the beginning, so like a "Family Circus" cartoon--somehow it reminded me of Billy's mom asking where he'd been and him answering "Oh, around" and you see a little picture of the neighborhood with a trail laid out showing exactly where he'd been and what he'd done... walking along a fence rail, watching a neighbor wash a car, jumping in and out of the ensuing puddle, etc. etc. and so on.
As I was saying... all the way from the parenthetical comments to the ending where Bilbo tells Frodo to listen to Sam and take a nap.
Absolute delight!
fliewatuet
· 31 August 2003
· Chapter 52: A Riddle-Game And Its Answer
The geyser must have been a marvelous sight (I have never seen one myself, except on TV, and I sure envy the Hobbits). But Aragorn has no easy task dealing with the Hobbits. Frodo's attempt to avoid Elrond's tonics was quite creative, if not really successful in the end. And Aragorn seemed to be hovering at the edge of panic at the thought of having to care for food for four hungry hobbits for the entire return-trip. He fought with all means available to get off that hook!
shirebound
· 31 August 2003
· Chapter 52: A Riddle-Game And Its Answer
Oh, Budgie, how marvelous! Everything about this chapter was just too, too wonderful. Your tales paint pictures of nature that are truly lovely (and always unexpected!). Thank you for such a FAST and wonderful update.
Ah, the list:
For the last mile or so, the hobbits had ceased their explorations and walked close, curly heads together in rapt, soft-voiced conversation. Aragorn was immediately on his guard.
The hobbits crept closer to each other, not liking the untrustworthiness of the formerly dependable ground.
Nothing less than a true spectacle would render them so silent and still and it pleased him that he had brought them such pleasure.
Hai
· 29 August 2003
· Chapter 51: A Meal Shared is Enjoyment Doubled
Alway wortht he time to read more on this story! I was quite pleased to see an update! Thank you! What are they going to see? I'm nearly as curious as a hobbit! Well now Legolas is with them that ought to make things even more fun! Thank you and I can't wait for more!
Author Reply: Thank YOU, Hai. It is always encouraging to know that someone so eagerly welcomes a new chapter. And your question finally gets answered. Enjoy!
fliewatuet
· 29 August 2003
· Chapter 51: A Meal Shared is Enjoyment Doubled
The Hobbits do have ... creative ... ways to assure that their stomachs are filled, Pippin in particular. I can sooo imagine those great pleading eyes that the Elves could not resist (and I marvel at Aragorn's willpower to do just that).
But Sam's offer to 'enhance' Aragorn's stew ...
Now I am curious about the destination of their trip and the wonders that will await them there (and I seriously hope that there will be no further accidents on their trip).
fliewatuet
Author Reply: Hullo Fliewatuet. I know that certainly could not resist Pip's great, sad eyes. I am sorry to dash your hopes that there will be no further accidents on the hobbit's little walking party - they ARE hobbits, after all, and trouble just seems to follow them around. (We writers, of course, are totally innocent.) Thank you for the review.
shirebound
· 28 August 2003
· Chapter 51: A Meal Shared is Enjoyment Doubled
Oh, I loved this chapter so much! What a delight (and a nice angst-break!).
I hate to bore you endlessly with my favorite lines, but I must. However, this chapter was full of so many, it's hard to choose...
Aragorn did not laugh at Pippin’s earnest expression. “You should keep it, then,” he said gently. “Who knows when such a thing may be of use?”
“No! No no no no!” The Ranger flung up his arms in disbelief then spun on his heel and stalked off, muttering under his breath.
“We have journeyed to…” Legolas teased them gently, “… to see …” the hobbits leaned forward, “…what Aragorn is taking you to see.” Pippin leaned back with an expression of disgust on his sharp face.
“I can toss some grubs an’ bark in your bowl, Strider, if you want,” offered Sam
“Aragorn told us to live by our wits,” he slurred around his candy-packed cheeks.
Author Reply: Hi Shirebound! Yes, Marigold and I are enjoying the angst-free chapters, too ... lulling people into a false sense of security ... getting them to drop their guard ... setting the trap - Eeeep! Ignore all that - that's just the random depressions of keyboard keys caused by one of my budgies tromping across my keyboard...
Hai
· 13 August 2003
· Chapter 50: And Out of the Fire
I thought surely this story would be finished as it is already 50 chapters! But is seems I will have to wait to find out what else happens! This is quite a long and involved story! I enjoyed the Wager and all the different people who were involved in it! Although it probably wasn't worth Frodo getting hurt again. Merry and Pippin seemed to proove their worth on the little outing with the Sons of Elrond and Aragorn. I loved that! Even defeating, if only temporarily, one of the Black Riders. Poor Boromir having to have Merry and Pippin spend part of their recovery with him, lol. I hope there will be more Boromir, never enough I say! ;) You write wonderfully! Thank you for such a wonderful story! I can't wait to find out more!
Author Reply: Hello Hai! Thank you for your review. I am astonished that the story has reached 50 chapters (and counting), too. There is so MUCH more that I want to put in. Plot bunnies keep jumping ruthlessly out of every chapter. I appreciate you telling me your favorite parts. Thank you for your kind words, and for letting me know how much you are enjoying the story.
GIRLOFRING
· 7 August 2003
· Chapter 50: And Out of the Fire
I LOVED IT. ARAGORN PRANCING AROUND ON THE TREE BRANCH. IT WAS COMICAL. IT WAS NEEDED TO BREAK UP THE TENSION. POOR SAM GETTING SQUASHED BENEATH HIM AND ARAGORN STILL WORRING ABOUT FRODOS BUMP ON THE HEAD.
LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR POST ON "SOMENAMELESS PLACE" AND THE PLOT BUNNY FROM THAT ONE.
TALK TO YOU LATER.
Author Reply: Hi GirlofRing! I just discovered how to reply on this site. Isn't SOA wonderful?
I'm glad you liked this chapter and hope SNP24 met expectations. I am trying to wrap up "Recovery" so I can work on other projects but the story just isn't cooperating. Ah well, we'll both enjoy the ride. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the chapter.