Reviews (253)

Larner · 22 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

How wonderful to find a distraction that worked, AND put the lembas in the Hobbits' pockets for when they needed it! Lovely! And Merry IS a genius of sorts!

Linda Hoyland · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

I loved the way you showed Boromir's growing temptation in this chapter and also the different reactions to the statues.I wonder if any of them came that way again once Aragorn was King ?If this were a book,I'd say it was unputdownable !

Baggins Babe · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

Another wonderful chapter, Shirebound, filling in the gaps superbly - at last I feel I know why Merry and Pip had lembas in their pockets. I just figured they had snaffled some against possible midnight starvation! :-)) Boromir's thought were very chilling - the Ring is working on him now, poor man. And poor Frodo, knowing he has an awful decision to make. Loved Gimli bouncing in the boat in his eagerness to see the Argonath. How typically Gimli!

Gentle Hobbit · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

Ah, wonderful. I do so love it when you weave little moments together that then explain some little detail from the books. Now we know why there is a packet of lembas in the pockets of both Merry and Pippin. Thank you, Shirebound!

harrowcat · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

What a great way to make sure two of our favourite hobbits have a little something in their pockets for later! And, yes, thanks, I am feeling a lot better even without the athelas! Happy Yule.

lbilover · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

I'm a bit behind on reading and commenting, but very happily caught up now! I do love Gimli so much, and his conversation with Frodo was a delight to read. Poor Boromir! So tormented. I really enjoyed the riddle, and the way you explain how Merry and Pippin end up with lembas in their pockets- very clever!!

Dreamflower · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

Oh, now this is brilliant! It has never occured to me to wonder in close to 40 years of re-reading LotR *why* Pippin and Merry just happened to have lembas in their pockets! What a wonderful thing is fanfiction! Sometimes it answers questions we did not even know we had!! And that moment when the Ring briefly tempted Boromir with the idea of holding Pippin hostage for It--oh, golly, that was chilling!

Andrea · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

So that's how the Lembas came into their pockets! A logical explanation. I'm fascinated with Merry here. That was a great idea and not only a distraction for Frodo, but also for Pippin. Merry is a genius :) Boromir fought a real battle with the Ring! He is partly aware that he's being influenced, but his "struggling" becomes weaker by the minute. We all know where this leads, and it always makes me sad. Poor Boromir!

Garnet Took · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

You know, I often wondered how Pippin and Merry ended up with Lembas in their pockets after they escaped from the orcs. I always just figured they'd taken and kept a packet somewhere along the line. Your explanation makes sense since Pippin would not have likely been able to resist eating it for long. Those thoughts going through Boromir's head were truly disturbing. Just the passing thought that he might hold Pippin hostage to get the Ring was very unsettling. Looking forward to the next chapter.

French Pony · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

Ooh, the first sight of the Argonath was great. . . everyone staring in open-mouthed awe at the gigundo statues, and then Gimli almost hopping out of the boat to get to them. I loved that. No wonder he and Legolas went touristing around Middle-earth after the War. He had to go back and get a closer look at the Argonath! Pippin and Merry are such cards. Frodo is definitely lucky to have them along.

SlightlyTookish · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

This was such a wonderful chapter! Poor Boromir, with all those horrible thoughts running through his head! You're setting up that final confrontation so nicely. I loved this bit: Pippin thought about that. "You're like Sting, then, aren't you? You can sense the wraiths, and it can sense the Orcs." He grinned. "You're very useful, cousin Frodo!" Only Pippin would think of such a thing! I also enjoyed the riddle game and how you worked in the lembas in Merry and Pippin's pockets! Thank goodness for Merry's game, and for Aragorn's generosity, or else the poor lads would have been so weak and hungry when they finally escaped the orcs!

SurgicalSteel · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

Oh, gracious, poor Boromir! The Ring is really doing a number on him, isn't it?Playing on his despair, subtly tempting him - and he doesn't even realize it! The riddle was great - a wonderful tribute to the Baggins who started it all. It would indeed be cool to see fic in which Aragorn's thoughts on approaching the Argonath are explored - so many moments which must have been terribly meaningful to him really aren't explored much, are they? Um. Can you tell I enjoyed this? :D

aprilkat · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

Your story is amazingly consistent in quality and appeal! I love that Merry is such a thinker and planner, who can see the implications of things. I like how he uses Pippin to raise everyone's spirits. Also that Aragorn knows who to reward, as he becomes ever more kingly before our eyes. Boromir's struggle is heart-rending and authentic. The tragedy of the Ring's victims is how their own good qualities are twisted against them.

Mysterious Jedi · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

Excellent, as always. <>< Saved from sin through Christ, mj

Cuthalion · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Riddles in the Dark

What a sweet lembas-poem! And Gimli, desperately trying to find a way to study ancient stonework... and Boromir, of course. Again, poor Boromir.

Anso the Hobbit · 20 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

What a lovely little scene with Frodo and Gimli! They are all definitively in the same tale still. Frodo is getting increasingly worried now I see and knowing what lies ahead he won't get any respite yet. Looking forward to more. :D

lovethosehobbits · 19 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

More,moremoremoremoremore!!!!! (Can you tell I like it??)

Larner · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

Knowing the choice comes soon must be tearing Frodo apart, knowing he must go on and not wanting Sam and his cousins to be endangered so. Aragorn will go with him to the end, he knows; the other Hobbits won't leave him willingly; Boromir wants to go west, not east; and he's not certain of dwarf and elf, but suspects they will go with him. Interesting Aragorn denies the Ring is tempting him; it was definitely working on Boromir, of course. Now we await the decision, and the moment of betrayal that sparks it. We all HATE that Ring, don't we?

Linda Hoyland · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

What a beautiful scene for Frodo and Aragorn.I like it that you stick to canon and don't have him trying to grab the Ring and link that to his vow to arwen.You build up the sense of impending doom beautifully.

GamgeeFest · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

Ahh! Gimli's such a softie underneath it all. Loved the way he opened up and then closed himself off again so quickly when he realized everyone was listening... but then he let Pippin lean against him and he didn't mind. *hugs Gimli*

aprilkat · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

Oh, how I adore your gruff and lovable Gimli, eager to prove his worth and touched by Frodo's feelings about him.

Pearl Took · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

"Oh Gandalf, how am I to decide this? You never told me; perhaps you didn't know. I always thought you knew everything. " That is quite the summation of it all "I always thought you knew everything." There is only One who does. Thank you, dear shirebound.

harrowcat · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

You are the Bearer, and I pledged my life and death to you that night in Bree. That is all I know." That scene is one of my very most favourites in the book. Indeed, 'sworn word my strengthen quaking heart.' The way the ring is 'offered' to so many key people in different ways has always fascinated me. I am sure there is plot bunny lurking around and nudging my elbow. I am really enjoying this, especially the one to one exchanges. But now I really must go and put myself to bed and nurse my cold! (I could do with some Athelas in a certain person's hand right now. ) Failing that menthol will have to do!

Andrea · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

"After we left Rivendell, at night sometimes, when I needed to, I could close my eyes and pretend I was having an adventure just like Bilbo's. I even had two companions he had --- a wizard and a Dwarf. And when Gandalf fell..." Frodo looked at him. "I still had you." Wonderful! Such a tender moment between Gimli and Frodo! I wonder what else the dwarf would have said, if they hadn't been "eavesdropped". It's funny, however, that like Frodo Gimli had also two companions right out of Bilbo's adventure: a wizard and - a Baggins ;-)

SlightlyTookish · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Isildur's Heir

My favorite part of this chapter was seeing Frodo and Gimli interact, and Frodo reassure Gimli of his importance to him and to the Fellowship. Gimli is often overlooked and it's nice to see him get a chance to shine, especially because we know how much he loved the hobbits! I really love the idea that Frodo was comforted by having a dwarf in the Company because Bilbo had traveled with dwarves. I'd never thought of that but it makes perfect sense!