Reviews (633)

Author's reply

Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I have said before, I think, but it's likely there will be little drabbles or ficlets or one-shots that won't leave me alone that will likely involve the characters from this story, so even once it ends it will reappear in 'bitty' form. Oh, and after reading the review you left on ff.net, can I just say that I am so glad you 'enjoyed' the horror that is LOTR, The Musical. *sniggers* Isn't it DIRE?! Hee!

Author's reply

Aw, thanks for your concern, Nessa. I'm fine. Things have been a little hectic of late - tiredness and managed to hurt my back (not seriously, though, I hasten to add) - but a combination of things have meant writing has been slow or impossible of late. That said, the latest chapter is written and with my betas right now, and I hope to post it by the end of the week at the latest. I'm sorry for the delay, and sorry for alarming you, but thank you for thinking of me. :) *hugs*

Author's reply

Thank you for your review! For some reason I didn't get the alert for it, so my apologies in not replying sooner. *glares at Hotmail - it does this sometimes, just randomly loses e-mail, the darn thing* I'm so very glad you've enjoyed it all, especially given you have not finished the books and were not baffled or foxed by any book-related details I've included. Do try and read them again some time - they are fab (but then I would say that, wouldn't I? ;D) And there has been some romance, of sorts - I mean Mireth and Celebdor hooked up in the course of it all, and we've had reference to angsty romance with Eleniel and Lindir. Heck, we had a wedding! ;P But, there may be yet more to come, you never know - I'm saying nothing, cos it's the one big question everyone is still asking, so just watch this space and there may or may not be romance to come.

Author's reply

Er, was this review meant to say anything? Should I delete it? ~Boz~ *rather baffled*

Author's reply

Hello there sarasrati - thanks for taking the time out to read the huge epic that this story has now become and for letting me know your thoughts so far. :) The reason I am asking is that this issue really caught my attention when Gandalf talks about returning to Valinor, saying that he does not know whether he will be allowed to stay there or be sent on somewhere else. Maybe our good Professor was more than just a normal human, and that's how he knew so much of the detail? Ah, I see - so Tolkien = Olorin? ;D I like it! *grins* Seriously, though, the debate with Olorin is whether he stays in Valinor or moves on to outside the realsm of Arda, so 'dies' (as much as a Maia can die). That said, I suppose if he stays in Valinor he could always come back to Arda again... Hm, interesting thought. *lol* Seriously, though, the whole issue of how and where our modern life fits in in relation to M-E is a tricky one. I have taken as my cue the whole 'back history' and 'provenence' that Tolkien himself created for the tales themselves. This is stuff that is dealt with in HoME and is discussed and explained by Christopher Tolkien. I do know from some reviews I've had in the past that some are unaware of this aspect of the tale, since they found it bizarre that Penny was claiming she was from the future rather than an alternate reality, and yet the whole concept of what Tolkien was trying to do was to write a mythology, a history for Britain. Thus he had ideas of an Anglo-Saxon (Aelfwine) meeting an elf or someone who knew the elves (I forget which at the moment - forgive me, but his name is Rumil, but not the Rumil of Lothlorien), who then tells the tales/hands over the manuscripts. What Tolkien then suggests in his invented provenence is that the tales have come to us translated from the Anglo-Saxon, much like Dream of the Rood or Beowulf or whatever. Thus I see it in my story, where the invented is actually real, as this: the manuscripts were very carefully kept, preserved and faithfully copied over the years until such time as Rumil gave them to Aeflwine/Aeflwine copied and translated them. Tolkien then translated them from the Anglo-Saxon. Thus there has been little room for adaptation or missing information. I will admit I have been tempted on occasion to say 'actually the texts were inaccurate, it did not happen like that but like this' - the most extreme example being in the debate I had over whether to kill off Halbarad or not. In the end, though, I made a decision as an author that to randomly change bits of the story to suit me, the author, would be too easy - something of a cop-out - for all it would make sense historically (since texts of historical happenings will have inaccuracies in them - heck, just look at the difference in the story of The Hobbit as related by Bilbo himself, and then as related by Gandalf [see Unfinished Tales]). That said, all we have of LOTR is what the hobbits saw and experienced. So there is much that is unsaid that gives me some freedom of invention - such as the orc attack in the mountains as Arwen travelled south. I don't know if that fully answers your question, but I hope it goes some way towards it. I would like to have Penny consider the whole Tolkien/history issue at some point, but then at the same time - the one thing Penny and I share is our level of Tolkien knowledge, simply because it makes it easier to write for me that way. Thus she is ignorant in areas I am ignorant in, and remembers details that I remember, and has read the same books I have read. Thus, I think she would have long ago reached the same conclusion I have just explained to you: that the whole Aelfwine/Rumil back history actually happened. :) Author Reply: This came up on my LJ a little while ago, and I'll copy my explanation from there to here since it may be better phrased: "Admittedly there's a lot of HoME I've not yet read, but what I have read (as well as reading round into the few letters and canon discussions, etc) I had always understood that intention of it all was to provide myth - as the Greeks and the Italians have their ancient tales, indeed how most cultures have ancient tales lost in the mists of time and the English, well, just don't. Probably because we're such a mongrel breed. The Celts, of course, have their myths and legends but the closest we come to it is stuff like Beowulf which is a direct rip-off from the Scandinavians. Thus it's not meant to be 'absolute history', but is myth - made up stories of what happened long, long, long ago. If Penny lands in it and finds it to be real then it has to be history - just as when they found that Troy existed and thus half of the Grecian tales HAD to be true when previously they had assumed they were entirely fictional. Of course it can't actually be history, since the archeological record is pretty accurate on this things, and obviously we know the entire thing is pure invention by Tolkien. But in the 'suspension of disbelief' then the whole point, so I understood, of Aelfwine meetin Rumil (not that Rumil, another one) who lived on Tol Eressa (I think?) was that the tales were true, but long forgotten and long lost in the mists of time. The world and moved and changed, but it happened." and "I would be the first to say it is not history. Of course it's not - it's pure invention on one man's part. However, in terms of 'fantasy', i.e. a made up story of pure imagination such as the one I am writing, then it is a reasonable plot line to say the myth is history for the reasons I pointed out - namely myths are often based on something (Troy is a classic example of exactly that). Aelfwine, an Anglo-Saxon, meets an elf (I think it's an elf, otherwise it's someone from a people who once knew elves) and is told the stories and handed the books - this is where the whole 'concocting this as myth' takes off. We also have the history of the Red Book and similar threads - so as to make it all look like history or look like real myths would (such as the history of the texts of Greek myths, for example). Thus it is much more than 'just a story about elves and stuff' - Tolkien deliberately added in all this other stuff and had an entire background concept to it all that would make it 'mirror' actual historical myth in terms of provenance, etc. So, no, it is not real. Of course it isn't real. It's no more 'real' than Alice in Wonderland or Pooh Bear or Sherlock Holmes or any other 'world' that's come from an author's imagination, but it does have a backstory that is that 'this is myth and a place back in time', thus in a purely fantasy story one could 'fall back in time umpteen millenia' and land in the middle of it all, just as one could 'fall back in time a couple of millenia' and land on the same ship Oedysseus sailed in and face the Cyclops - which is not to say Cyclops existed or everything Odysseus faced was true in the slightest. The only difference is that the Greek myths are based on germs of truth (there very likely WAS an actual man called Odysseus who fought at Troy), whereas the 'germs of truth' for Tolkienverse are pure invention by Tolkien himself. If that makes any sense." :)

Author's reply

Thanks - glad you enjoyed, and thanks for taking time out to review. :)

Author's reply

Ah, well, she has not decided as yet and with the way things stand - how she feels after the Elrond incident, she is thinking Imladris is no longer an option. In this chapter she admitted to herself she had better start getting used to the idea of staying in Gondor. Everyone is leaving to journey with the Rohirrim when they take Theoden back to Rohan to be buried. Faramir, Aragorn, Arwen - they will be all be going. It's why Prince Imrahil has arrived. Faramir, Arwen and Imrahil will then stay in Rohan while the elves and Dunedain and Aragorn go on to Orthanc and then the Gap of Rohan. Aragorn will leave them at the Gap of Rohan. Thus Penny does not have to decide until Arwen stays behind in Rohan, and she could conceivably leave it until the Gap of Rohan and then travel back to Gondor with the King, though really I think the former would be more likely if she is to stay in Gondor. It will take them 19 days to travel to Rohan and they will stay a couple of days there. So that's the time she has to make her decision. Possibly longer if they allow her to wait until the Gap of Rohan. :)

Author's reply

Thanks, Pearl Took. I am glad you are still enjoying it. :)

Author's reply

Thank you so much for reading and taking time out to review. :) While this is understandable on rare occasions it seems to occur with alarming frequency and is beginning to make her seem as a petulent child at times, to me. I am sorry if that is your impression. If you stop to consider it, though, she has not actually lost her temper at all in Okay, NOW Panic until recently and then only twice. Personally I would not call that 'alarming frequency', unless of course you call the brief one line with Aragorn, but then I would not have said she really lost her temper at that point. I am struggling to think of moments outside of her explosion with Elrond and with Sidhwen that could be considered as times when she lost her temper. Both those moments, I was at great pains to point out, came as a result of a lot of factors that built towards them. Her explosion at Sidhwen I hoped people would see as entirely justified, if perhaps the manner was not wholly appropriate, but even those around her did not condemn her wholly - far from it. As for Elrond, then yes she was out of line, but to describe her action as that of a 'petulant child' is a little harsh, I think, though of course if that is how you saw it, then fair enough. :) She has had a very traumatic few days that have come at the end of a fairly unsettled (to say the least) couple of weeks. The shock of what Halladan told her was like the straw that broke the camel's back. If she had truly behaved like a spoilt child she would have had no grounds or reason for her anger (when she in fact had seemingly good reason, the only problem being it was based on incomplete information), and likely as not would have been sullen, stubborn and refused to see herself in the wrong for a good time afterwards - none of which apply. Similarly, while most adults would, one would hope, be able to restrain themselves in the company of such nobility, I wonder how many would not crack under the strain of Penny's particular situation? She is lost in a place she had always assumed was pure fantasy; she is faced with the horrors and aftermath of war which would be stressful enough for someone of her background and upbringing but in addition to that she carries (rightly or wrongly) a lot of guilt about and feels herself in some ways culpable; she is stuck in a city she does not like and with people attacking her personally (Sidhwen et al); she was recently mugged; she is continually under pressure to keep events of future destruction to herself, feels she cannot share that burden or get advice on what to do or if she's making the right decision; she is constantly worrying if she will disappear in a puff of blue smoke and end up back in her own time at any minute; and all the while she is trying desperately to conform, change and adapt to social mores that are utterly alien to her. She has also been dealing with grief and loss on a personal level - both for her own family as well as Halbarad, and to some extent Hirvell (though she never knew him), let alone the distress Halladan's situation will have caused her. She had just had a stressful interview about what may or may not happen in the North followed by an emotional and distressing conversation with Halladan about his father's dying words. If she then reacts not wholly as a the most sane, rational person at the end of it, then I think that only shows her to be human and is entirely understandable, for all she was in the wrong. Not only that but she was not wholly at fault - Halladan should have chosen a better moment to tell her, and Elrond should not have pushed her. Personally, I think someone who was immature would have started ranting a long time ago, or else would have behaved completely outrageously in much the same manner as Penny did with Halbarad way back at the beginning of Don't Panic - she has changed much since then, or I have tried to show her as doing so. Of course, if you don't see that she has, well, then I suppose I have failed a little as a reader and I apologise - I can only explain what I was trying to do and show, even if you feel I did not manage it. :) You are right, though: she should have restrained herself. She knows that, Halladan and Arvain have told her that, and Elrond has also made that very clear. I would argue, though, that she had strong reasons and motivations for acting as she did (and Elrond himself said he understood them), and it was far from being petulent. Just imho, of course, and equally your honest and genuine impression is just as valid: a text is as much a creation of the reader by virtue of their response to it as it is a work of the author, and thus, it is argued, every reading of a text is unique both to the reader and to the time in their lives when they read. Thank you for taking time out to let me know your thoughts, and thanks for continuing to read in spite of how you think Penny has been portrayed in these two recent outbursts of hers. I hope my (rather long - apologies!) explanation has helped to provide some insight into my process and what I was trying to achieve. :) Author Reply: '..failed a little as a writer', I meant - sorry! :)

Author's reply

You're right! *slaps forehead* Yes indeed Faramir rides to Edoras, because it is there, at the 'wake' for Theoden that he and Eowyn plight their troth with Eomer's blessing. I had thought of Beregond staying in Osgilith, but you're right, I think he would travel with Faramir. Consider that paragraph cut. Thank you! Author Reply: Done! Thanks again. :)

Author's reply

Time will tell in regard to Elrond. I made it clear that things were unclear in this chapter (*grin*) - in that whatever impression Penny may have had that he was still a little reserved could be entirely her own imagination. Then again, what is said cannot be unsaid. This is a situation that will clarify itself as they journey to and through Rohan. I'm so glad you saw Elrond's response as fatherly - which is exactly how I've seen him in some ways in terms of his relationship to her: patriachal and the one responsible for her. I'm am pleased also that you liked the conversation with the brothers. They have taken to her and she has good strong friends in them - and not just because they feel they owe it to their father.

Author's reply

I think that because of the fact that Elrond has already a lot of experience in dealing with humans he is able to see more clearly about what happend. He knows Penny better than she probably knows herself and is still trying to help her find her way. I think that is a very fair and valid point. Elrond is nothing if not wise and he has a lot of years' experience behind him. Thanks for reading and reviewing. :)

Author's reply

Thanks for taking time out to review, and I'm pleased you've enjoyed the last couple of chapters. :) Your point about how we discuss these characters and their lives, how we feel we 'know' them is a fair one, I think, though equally I think Penny would have managed to work past that issue by now. It was certainly a major factor playing with her head in Don't Panic, though. I don't think all the elves will know of this. What happened will be kept amongst those who witnessed it. It's possible that Elrond, Aragorn and Celeborn might tell Arwen and Galadriel what happened, possibly include Erestor and Glorfindel into their confidence as well, but even that is not certain. Even if they did, the fact that Penny and Elrond have made their peace will be enough for no one else to mention it - they will take their lead from Elrond and if he is behaving as normal with her then so will they. Penny has spoken a little of her life and time with the elves. I have not had much opportunity to show it, though. There would have been a lot of that in the time that spanned between the two fics - Erestor has been learning English, don't forget, and language learning will inevitably lead to discuss on culture and society. Also Gandalf shows some understanding and knowledge of her world - even back in Don't Panic he was mentioning things that Penny had said to him. I also mentioned that in Lothlorien she spoke to Lindir quite a bit about her life and society. I will try and include a bit more of it, if I can, though - especially now she has to consider herself as staying forever, and trying to find a place for herself. She would probably feel easier talking about it more now she can think of it as something gone forever, not something that could come back to her at any moment.

Author's reply

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and the conversation with Elrond. Yes, Penny is not just a modern city lass, she's a mouthy modern city lass - as witnessed by her verbal tirades against Halbarad. She's matured a HUGE amount, but that ability to call a spade a spade will forever be part of her psyche. She just needs to learn when she can behave like that and when not - for example if she'd been sober enough to realise what the Rohirrim had been trying to pull in Rohan, that probably would have been a moment when it would have been appropriate for her to tear someone off a strip. ;)

Author's reply

*lol* I have no idea how to respond to that, except to say that I hope you will not be disappointed, whether she marries him or no. ;)

Author's reply

But what is it with men and their perfectly abhorrent sense of timing? :D Yes, Halladan needed to tell her, but... he meant well....gah! Men! ::giggles:: So very true. *lol* I have tried to make even my wise, good guys have their flaws, foibles or eccentricities. ;D Such is human nature, but we know even from canon that not even Maia or Elves are without their moments (kinslaying, anyone?). I'm so very pleased your read all of that from Elrond's moment - that was exactly what I was trying to get across. And I think your assessment of Elrond meaning what he says is probably a very fair one. The next few chapters will tell. :) *lol* at all the rampant Halladan/Penny shipping going on. ;P

Author's reply

Thank you for taking time out to review - I'm glad you have enjoyed it all so far. Thank you also for letting me know that you have found the events of the last two chapters true to life, even if they were perhaps a little difficult for you to read as a consequence (my apologies). I think we have all been there, even if perhaps we only realise it long after the event: we are the sum of the roads we have travelled. :)

Author's reply

Like the proverbial girl in the horror flicks that takes the proverbial spill as the baddie is chasing her. Penny just keeps taking those spills *lol* That's an excellent analogy. Especially for this chapter, because you could just SEE she was doing the wrong thing right from the get-go - the equivalent of 'no, don't go off by yourself and into that dark wood all by yourself... oh, you did. Well, don't say I didn't warn you.' *snigger* I also think your analogy of the 'small town' society is a very appropriate one as well. It's also a cultural thing. I know a lot of people of different nationalities in RL, and one thing I have noted is that in the UK you can say stuff, especially if drunk or angry, and even if it upsets people there is a level at which it's not wholly serious. Elsewhere, every insult has to be carefully weighed - if you swear, or insult someone's family, or cross a certain line you had better be prepared to back it up: things are taken far more seriously. Personally I think the latter is better, since it makes people more careful about what they say, and only say things they mean. And thank you for your comment about Elrond. I perhaps have not had much opportunity to show it, given one fic ended when it did, and the other picked up some time after the end of the War, but during that time Penny and Elrond would have got to know each other quite well - there has always been a certain level of reserve, since she is aware of who he is, his station but I'm glad what closeness they have showed through in how they interacted in this scene. :) Author Reply: You are evil and cunning *bows* I thank'ee. ;D Supreme Mistress of the Cliffhanger *LOL* I should have that made into a plaque and hung on the wall!

Author's reply

Well, thank you for taking time out to read this hulking great thing (it just keeps expanding! *lol*), as well as stopping to let me know your thoughts and response so far - much appreciated. :) I'm very glad you have enjoyed it all so far, and that you have found the fic to have depth and breadth (and the characters also). Lindir is, by the way, officially the coolest character ever. At least in your interpretation. I want to see more of him as a warrior, though. Not really been any opportunity, though we've had hints and glimpses - he protected the borders of Imladris, was one of those dealing with the orcs in the mountains, as well as the little incident in Rohan. I suspect, though, that even once this fic is finished these characters will not leave me alone. I will not start another whole fic, but I suspect there may be scenes, short fics or one-shots that insist on being written, and some may well be about Lindir, especially his earlier life - losing his brother on the Dagorlad, and his betrothed. So some may well include him in warrior mode. ;) One last thought: As a student who craves languages and is studying two on top of her first language already, I have found that I sympathize strongly with Penny having to cope with both Sindarin and Westron simultaneously...but it must be a hundred times worse without Xeroxed worksheets. Maybe even a thousand times. *shudders* Indeed. And also not really any means of writing stuff down and taking copious notes (with the Westron anyway). That said, she is immersed in the language in day-to-day life, which goes a long way to make up for it. They do say the best way to learn a language is to be surrounded by it - to be in daily contact with people using that language. That has helped her enormously because she is no natural linguist. She is also still not wholly fluent in Sindarin. At times I do make her speech a little more stilted than it would be if she were talking in English, though I dunno if that comes across - probably not. *lol*

Author's reply

Well, thank you so much for taking time out to review this if reviewing is not normally something you do - it is much appreciated. :) I'm so glad you have enjoyed the stories so far, and only hope the rest can live up to your expectations. Thanks for reading! :D

Author's reply

I think you've given a very balanced and fair summary of the situation there. Thanks for reading and reviewing - glad you enjoyed (if that's the word) the chapter. :)

Author's reply

*LOL* You know, I do believe that is exactly what Penny needs: a gag. Ai, I'm such a cow to the poor girl, I really am!

Author's reply

Apologizing, no matter how sincerely, can never take those words back Exactly. A line has been crossed, and whatever may come, the memory of that moment will always be there - just as she will never forget the moment Elrond exploded at her when he learnt of the death of Gandalf. Even if Elrond utterly forgives her and completely understands (which is by no means certain), will Penny ever forgive herself? She has a tendency to take things on herself, take things to heart and it's unlikely she will feel quite the same about Elrond ever again, if only because she will never forget this - so things will be affected, even if only from her side, and it may yet be from both sides. We shall see. Your point about her being wary to even join Dunedain society, if it's ever given as an option, is a valid one. Right about now she'd like the ground to open up and swallow her, thank you very much. Either that or wake up, find herself in hospital and discover the entire thing was a coma-induced dream. No such luck on either of those, though. I will update ASAP - the chapter is nearly done and then needs to be beta-ed, so hopefully within the next few days. :)

Author's reply

Well, so long as you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking time out from your hols to track it down and read it, though! *lol* Have a nice holiday. :D

Author's reply

Thank you. :D And I guess it does. Possibly. Who knows? (Well, me, obviously, but you know what I mean. ;P)