Eruanneth_Luin
· 23 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
Poor Penny! Just when she thinks she is beyond the ‘revelation’ stage, she again is subjected to the questioning of her knowledge, once more dredging up the painful implications over which she is suffering much guilt.
Their surprise of untold details that are spoken of with certainty though unshared with others must have troubled those attended the ‘conference’.
Will she admit what she knows of the situation in the Shire, or again let the tale unfold in the manner written of in modern time?
Oh, I was genuinely delighted to find Halladan awaiting her. He seems a man of high honor even though he is troubled in mind. Perhaps another wedding is in store for us?
Author's reply
The matter of the Shire is an issue Penny will have to wrangle in upcoming chapters. Suffice it to say it will cause her some inner turmoil and will not be an easy decision whichever way she decides to jump.
I am glad Halladan appeals to you - I wanted to create in him and his brother, young men their father would be proud of. :)
Bodkin
· 23 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
An interesting conversation. They are right to point out that the responsibility was not hers and that they all had their part in making the choices that led to that room in the Citadel.
Mind you, she still has the burden of knowing a few things - and deciding whether to pass them on.
Glad to see Halladan is waiting for her.
Author's reply
I think that is what will get through to her in the end as much as anything - the fact that, in many ways, she is not wholly unique in terms of feeling guilt or responsible.
Mind you, she still has the burden of knowing a few things - and deciding whether to pass them on.
Indeed, and this will be addressed in upcoming chapters.
Halladan is a 'good egg', as they say. :)
elliska
· 22 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
I haven't reviewed this story as well as I should have, though I have been reading and thoroughly enjoying it all along. I just couldn't resist commenting on this chapter though--of all of them, I think I like this one best. Penny's thoughts on everything she knew and how they all must feel about her in the end were fascinating to me. Great job here.
Author's reply
Oh, don't feel obliged in the least! I am glad that you have been continuing to enjoy it, though, and that this chapter particularly interested you. In some ways it was not dissimilar to the 'questioning' scene back in Imladris, only this was more about Penny's self-examination rather than explanation of herself (if that makes any sense). An important chapter for her as a character - this was something she needed to do, probably since the War ended.
Thanks for continuing to read it and for taking time to comment. :)
Even
· 22 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
Hi there!
Loverly chapter!
I have checked every day for a new one. :)
It did not disappoint and at the same time beautifully written!
I am realy excited to read what will happen next!
Please continue soon!
cu even
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and reviewing - I am glad you enjoyed it. :)
Miss
· 22 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
Wow! Finally! Great chapter, like always.
I must say, that all the others chapters have worked to this chapter. Where Penny, confronts herself and to the others why she never mentioned something. That was very hard for her to do (and to write this chapter also...). Well written!
Arg, why can't Elrond or Aragon give a straight answer to Penny's Question! Great, another cliff...but love it!!
Where is Lindir? I love this karakter!
Update soon...
Author's reply
I must say, that all the others chapters have worked to this chapter.
Exactly so, and this is indeed a situation that will progress over the coming chapters. Finally coming face to face with the after-effects of the War is quite unnerving and shocking for her. She would find it so even without all the specifics of her situation/the guilt she carries over her 'foreknowledge', etc. She has yet to be told about Halbarad's dying words, for example, as well as a few other things I have stored up my sleeve. ;)
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking time to review. :)
Fire
· 22 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
I have just now read both Don't panic and this story so far and just absolutly loved it. You really seem to have thought the whole thing throug very well, espassialy with all the details. Like the healing herbs used and al the way through to how the wedding would go and all.
I find myself totaly intruiged by it al and can't wait for the rest of it all.
Author's reply
Well, first off - thank you for taking the time to read it all, given it's all now quite some length! I am glad you have enjoyed it so far and I just hope the rest lives up to your impression thus far.
Ah, details, details - I am a tad obsessed by details and often to my detriment. I can't NOT write the details (if you see what I mean), but I fear it makes me waffley at times and also takes me off on tangents.
Thanks for taking time out to comment - much appreciated. :)
Dreamflower
· 22 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
Oh, this was just what Penny needed, to open up and be able to discuss all that she had kept pent up for so very long, and to realize that, yes, they *did* understand.
I loved the little part where she mentions the speculations of "those who know the story"--all the little AU scenarios, all the various ideas that had been come up with in both discussion and in fanfic. I would have loved to see Gandalf's (and the others) reacting to some of the wilder ideas: why didn't they have an Eagle fly Frodo to the Mountain? for example. And it would be funny for them to learn of some other "versions" of the tale--in which, for example, Gandalf whacks Denethor upside the head with his staff, or Pippin lights the beacons, or the Dead came to the Pelennor! LOL! Although they would probably be immensely amused.
But all this is a great relief to her, and though it is still going to be a burden knowing what the hobbits will face when they get home, at least she knows she has not gone wrong so far.
Author's reply
Well, there was more 'discuss of the plot and AU stuff' at first, but it was distracting me from the 'through arc' of the chapter and just seemed too much. There was a whole section about Denethor and his attitude to Aragorn, for example. Now she's broached this subject at last she will no doubr discuss it more in the upcoming days and weeks. :)
And, yes, it is exactly what she needed, though she will not accept it all overnight, obviously, but it's a start.
Thanks for reading and taking time to comment - always nice to hear people's immediate reactions and responses to a chapter. :)
Lindelea
· 22 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
I am interrupted, at last count, five times in the reading, and have given up until another time, when less than halfway down the "page"
Still I must commend you on your gripping narrative. It flows well, and of course the reader has been waiting to read of this meeting...
One quibble. I have read that Gandalf's eyes were "black" rather than grey. (Though that might be Gandalf the Grey and not the White; I don't remember just where that specific bit of description is.)
Anyhow, I hope to come back and offer more coherent feedback, for the many points that were raised and set to rest in this chapter.
Excellent job.
Author's reply
It flows well
Thank you! That means a lot, given it's taken a lot of work and crafting - this chapter more than most, in fact. Not since Halbarad's death has a chapter taken quite so much 'tweaking', I don't think.
I have read that Gandalf's eyes were "black" rather than grey.
Darn it! Thank you. :)
Glad you enjoyed what you were able to read of it so far. And thanks for taking the time to comment.
Pearl Took
· 22 April 2006
· Chapter 26: Easier Said Than Done
This is still so wonderfully well thought out, Boz! A magnificent work!
I hope RL improves. Know that many of us totally understand and are fine with waiting for the times you can post more.
Take good care of yourself :)
Author's reply
Glad you liked it, and thanks for the kind words. Life is a tad tiring with a toddler in the house. ;)
Elizabeth
· 20 April 2006
· Chapter 25: Like Father Like Son?
This has to be the only 'dropped in Middle-earth' story I have ever enjoyed. It's wonderful, and I admire how much research you put into it. Penny is hilariously funny, actually, and all the cross-cultural "issues" are fantastic. Poor Faramir! I loved him speech "went over very well with the elves" -- no kidding! I like Rhimlath and Erestor best, with their declined verbs and whatnot. Also, I like the integration of the hobbits' real names, and all the realities of Middle-earth life for a twentieth-/twenty-first-century girl like Penny.
That said, I have a few nitpicky questions. I'm not sure if you're counting UT, but in there, we're told that the Rohirrim were noticably shorter than the Gondorians, because they had interbred with a shorter and stockier people at some point in their past. You used "Fíriel" for an Elf -- in Sindarin, that means "mortal maiden", so it seems rather bizarre (and in Quenya, it means "she who has died," which is not, um, what I think you're looking for). Also, you distinguish between "the Dúnedain" and "Gondorians," as if the Gondorians are *not* Dúnedain, which also struck me as odd, because Tolkien very clearly calls them "Dúnedain of the North" and "Dúnedain of the South" -- I should think at least the inbred upper classes would deserve the title. Also (sorry!), in LotR when Pippin arrives in Minas Tirith, he can't understand most of the people because they're speaking Sindarin (to each other), but here, very few seem to know it at all, and do not speak it among themselves.
Author's reply
Thank you for your comments - I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far. :) And thank you so much for you 'nitpicky questions'.
Someone else here did comment on 'Firiel', but did not explain why they were questioning it. I did ask them but never got a response. I took the name from a Tolkien poem, thinking at first it was of an elleth, and then (without realising the meaning) thought it would still serve once I realised she was mortal. Now you have pointed out the name's meaning I shall change it at once (once I've decided on an alternative, that is *lol*). Thank you.
I don't believe I have compared Rohirric and Gondorian statures - I will check, though, because saying that perhaps I did when she first arrived. If I have I shall amend it so Gondorians are taller, as indeed they would be. 'Mea culpa' if I have them the same size. Looking back I realise I have Lindir saying the riders of Rohan they see in the distance are 'as tall as some Dunedain,' which perhaps should be corrected - they would be only be 'nearly as tall' as any Dunadan (if that), but not 'as tall.' I used Tolkien's description of the first encounter with the Rohirrim in The Two Towers as my guide on this, where they are described as tall (and indeed Eomer is described as tall, as is Eowyn). If something different is said in UT, then I will go with LOTR first. This is the problem with Tolkien - there are contradictions at times. My rule of thumb on stuff like this is LOTR first, then The Sil, then UT, then HOME in terms of contradictions or grey areas (of which there are many in Tolkienverse). It usually serves me relatively well. However, I will check all this, and if I've misread the stuff in LOTR, then I will amend it all accordingly. :)
As for Gondorians/Dunedain of the South, the Gondorians are also referred to as Gondorians or people of Gondor. Frankly, if I used the same term for both peoples it would become desperately confusing for the reader. When the term 'The Dunedain' is used (and I will need to double-check this, but I am relatively certain this is the case) it is used as a shorthand to mean 'the Dunedain of the North'. So too in my fic. I am well aware of the genetic history of the two peoples - after all how else would Aragorn be their legitimate King? :) I have also made it clear that Faramir looks very like a Dunadan. I would have used more examples of Gondorians who share the characteristics, but there has been a LOT to cram in in the last few chapters and we're only one day in to her being in Minas Tirith. ;)
I will have to check the Pippin/Sindarin thing. I re-read those chapters of his first arrival several times before writing the first Gondor/Minas Tirith chapters, and I have to say I do not remember that at all - if you could give the reference for it, that would be helpful. I also asked extensively amongst canon/book-bods (as well as my 'canon beta') about the extent to which it is generally thought Sindarin was spoken in Gondor before I broached the subject in my fic since I knew it would be an issue, and we all agreed: it would be spoken by the upper classes, in that they would be able to speak it, but perhaps not all the time. In my fic what I have is that the upper classes are able to speak it and do so, but the lower classes and those lacking education do not. It is not the case that 'few seem to know it all', and if that's the impression you've got, then my apologies. Indeed, the elves have no problem conversing and I've mentioned at least once that not all the elves know Westron - particularly not those from Lothlorien. Also Penny was able to converse happily with most of the Gondorians she met at the wedding. The only specific times it was mentioned that someone was talking in Westron was with the servant woman Milves, and the young Lady Sidhwen. As for the latter there is a very specific reason why she was not speaking Sindarin that will be explained in later chapters.
Feel free to come back at me if you think my thinking is off-base with some of this - all con crit and corrections are gratefully recieved. I really do appreciate your input on this and getting me to consider these points. I will definitely look into them all and check that I have understood stuff correctly and/or can justify my authorial decisions.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. :)
Lindelea
· 8 April 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
Lots of smiles in this one. Penny being tugged, pulled, bullied, argued... into a state of exhaustion. Males contemplating the age-old question of why females go to the ladies' en masse. And more, that I don't have time to mention, but I do like your style.
Look forward to more. (Look forward to having more time to read, too, but that'll be a while in coming.)
Even
· 22 March 2006
· Chapter 25: Like Father Like Son?
Hi!
This is a very good story. I love it!
I can hardly wait to see what's going to happen next.
Please continue and PLEASE UPDATE SOON!
Greetings from Germany ;)
Even
Daynawayna
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
Another wonderful chapter, and I'm almost caught up! LOL I'm enjoying Halladan and Arvain very much, and I can't wait to see more of them with Penny. And what's this... Aragorn claiming Penny would fit in with the Court? Oh dear... the plot thickens! And the "bridal dance"... LOVED it! Very precious.
And thank you for not apologizing for length! LOL :)
Bodkin
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 25: Like Father Like Son?
The problems they have with laundry! I hope all those male elves don't go getting the idea that laundry should be left to the females. It's a dangerous precedent.
Love the conversations. Penny seemed inspired (not) at the thought of breakfast table Westron practice. And Aragorn should consider making it compulsory for Rangers to carry a comb. Penny should mention it to him.
Her relationship with Halladan seems to be coming on. They are developing an understanding that is partly connected to their humanity among elves - and helped by Penny's weird knowledge of what they endured.
Mopsy
· 19 March 2006
· Chapter 25: Like Father Like Son?
Poor darling Halladan! *cuddles him* *gives him to Penny to cuddle* He seems so lonely. I loved their chat. And they're so kind to each other.
Loved the washing problem too. And the reference to the River Incident. The ellyn are SO ADORABLE. I don't know if that's the appropriate reaction, but to think of Lindir and Glorfindel standing around with their washing in a little basket having all sorts of difficulties with strange humans makes for a very sweet image. I note Lindir referred to himself as a lord, too. Actually, that's interesting, like the mention in a recent chapter that he served Gil-galad. Lindir's an onion...many layers...how old IS he, anyway?
Author's reply
Well, I have no specific figure in mind for him, but I have this idea he was a young (but adult) ellon when he fought on the Dagorlad. He and Rhimlath are of a similar age.
Anonymous
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 25: Like Father Like Son?
A wonderful chapter, Boz! A marvelous shifting from the humor of the first part to the tenderness of the ending. Most excellently well done :)
Pearl Took
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
Once again, the plot thickens :) I look forward to Penny's many up and coming discussions.
Kitty
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 25: Like Father Like Son?
Oh Boz, I’ve laughed myself silly about the question who has to wash the clothes of the elves! Poor Faramir! Dúrion and Mílves were priceless! And then all the Gondorian women who tried to sneak in the barracks to have a look at the clothes washing ellyn! That was absolutely hilarious! *ROFL!!*
And then the question of Rangers and washing *giggle* The chapter title was very fitting, I must say! Well, Penny can be stubborn, and Halladan will probably have to give in *eg* I enjoyed all the banter *so* much! Thank you!
Now I wonder if Erestor and Rhimlath are able to bear it when Frodo starts to give Penny Westron lessons! Honestly, I hope it will not end with *three* teachers squabbling about the right version, or poor Penny will never learn anything at all!
It was nice that you gave Penny and Halladan this quiet time together, so they could talk in private. Even if Halladan is probably right that it is too early to tell Penny of Halbarad’s last wish, I think it will be a great comfort for her to know she has nothing to hide from him and Arvain. And somehow I think it could comfort Halladan as well that she knew his father and is mourning his death so much. His offer to wait for her was sweet – obviously he can sense how anxious she is about all that.
Now I look forward to this conversation with Aragorn and the others! I hope so much Penny will feel better afterwards.
Bodkin
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
The relationships are all developing nicely! I can just see the Ladies of Gondor scowling at popular Penny! And those who have spotted that she seems on good terms with the powerful - and is worth cultivating.
Halbarad's sons, though, have much better reasons for taking her under their wings. They are both still coming to terms with recent events - it'll take a while before they can. Quite a while probably. I do wonder what Arvain was about to say...
Silvae
· 14 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
I just thought I'd drop by to say I'm loving it as usual (but I'm a lazy slob so I've only left about one review on this story up til now ^^;).
Maybe poor Arvain should get a wart growing kit!
Cheers,
Silvae
PS : Oh, and it's "fait accompli", no s... if you care at all. -_^
Kitty
· 13 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
Apologising? For what? A long chapter? No, it wasn’t long – it was not long enough! I was rudely awakened out of my bliss at the end, when the side wouldn’t scroll down further!
What a wonderful chapter to start my week at work with! (You don’t expect me to wait until the evening?!) There are so many parts I loved: The bickering between Erestor, Lindir and Rhimlath – I still don’t know if I feel sorry for Rhimlath after Erestor’s comments, as he is so pompous and was himself quite rude to Lindir and Penny. And of course I could see the jealousy of the Gondorian women after Penny danced with nearly everone important among Dúnedain and Elves *eg* You know, now I can’t help imagining the gossip among the Gondorians when Penny meets with the King, Gandalf and Legolas and maybe the twins, Elrond and the other Lords of Imladris who know her story *giggle*
As for Arvain and Halladan, I love them more and more. I’m not sure if Arvain is better able to deal with his grief or if he only is hiding it behind a merry front, but it is quite obvious Halladan is feeling the loss of father and brother very keenly. Poor guy. He needs someone as Penny who is understanding and patient to help him deal with it. *waves Penny-Halladan-banner* Well, Eruanneth explained in her review already why Halladan and Penny would be a good match, and I agree!
Now I truly look forward to hear more about Halbarad’s sons, they are so intriguing characters. And of course I look forward to the promised conversation between Penny and the others.
Mopsy
· 12 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
I'm really sorry to leave two reviews again, but I keep forgetting things - Mireth and Celebdor are my favourite couple, and am very happy to see Erestor again, but what I really wanted to say was that the bit with the males shaking their heads and wondering why girls always go to the latrines in a group made me laugh so much. Some things never change, I suppose...I liked the tension between Rhimlath, Erestor and Lindir, too. For the first time it seemed as if it was really quite heated.
Author's reply
Well, those three are old friends. I think of Lindir and Rhimlath of being of a relatively similar age. Old friends can get heated and even fall out on occasion, but it does not break the relationship. They can be brutally honest with each other and in fact that's what makes it a friendship - being able to do that and take it on the chin. Besides which, after several centuries if not millenia, you are bound to get irritated with each other on occasion, so I think the occasional 'heated' moment is allowed. ;)
Eruanneth_Luin
· 12 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
Oh dear, what a hearty laugh I had over poor Rhimlath and his “wrongly inflected noun and badly declined verb’ and ‘begetting starlight in spite of buttery pools’. Since I have attempted to learn both Quenya and Sindarin and made many a similar error, I can feel for that supercilious elf even while finding him laughable for his high-handed attitudes. (A curious note: MS Word spell-check offers as a correction for ‘Rhimlath’ only a single option; Hamlet. Could there be a connection?)
For some reason I find myself very taken with Halladan. From the first startling encounter with one she thought was Halbarad, I have wondered if he will be ‘the One for Penny’. The little aside that Penny was at heart a city girl coupled with the fact that the some of the Northern Dunadain would likely drift South to be with their newly acclaimed King, that Halladan speaks Sindarin fluently, is easy around elves and knows all about Penny’s decidedly odd appearance into Middle-Earth, all point to a highly probable and successful relationship (marriage as Halladan would not entertain anything less honorable). And now the hint dropped by Aragorn concerning her suitability to mingle comfortably with the Gondorion court and the revelation that Halladan is unmarried is added to the list. Halladan needs to find a less destructive manner of dealing with his grief and a caring Penny might be just the thing.
Another comment: A special thank you for the relatively easy-to-pronounce elvish (and other) names. As I read your tale out loud to my husband, I appreciate names that are less complicated to speak. There are a couple of writers who seem to delight in placing ‘R’s’ which are to be trilled in positions which would challenge a native speaking Elf!
Please continue soon. Halladan is quite intriguing and the novelty (in many ways) of ‘Penny at the court of Gondor’, and the ‘after the party’ interactions of Men and Elves could prove fascinating.
Author's reply
*blinks* at the Rhimlath/Hamlet thing. How very odd. I do enjoy writing Rhimlath. He's a minor character (intended to only appear for the Lothlorien chapters) who has run away from me with a life of his own. He's a twerp, but a loveable one. :D
Glad you have found so much depth in Halladan already. We will be seeing more of him, his brother (and hearing more of Hirvell, of course) in later chapters. :)
Mopsy
· 12 March 2006
· Chapter 24: Wine, Women and Song
I adored it. I LOVED the silly ladies dance in the courtyard, and Arwen and Estel's private joke...also all Penny's dance partners. Your characterisation of Halladan is brilliant. I feel more and more sorry for him, and want Penny to snog his brains out by way of comforting him. Actually he reminds me a bit of an Edwardian hero...sort of unreadable and contradictory, with all sorts of gruff and manly layers.
Author's reply
*lol* Nice to see the 'Penny/Halladan' shippers are alive and well on this site as well as elsewhere. The Penny/Arvain lot are in the minority, poor things. *snerks*
Glad you enjoyed it, and we'll be seeing a lot more of Halladan. *hugs him*
Nikara
· 9 March 2006
· Chapter 23: THE Wedding of The Age
Wow! I have spent way too long reading this story over the past few days. It is incredible. I never believed that I would like it until I started reading it. Great job with everything. Your writing style and details are beautiful. I can't wait to read more!