Reviews (633)

Lindelea · 15 February 2006 · Chapter 21: The Shield of Achilles

"It was Halbarad." Ah. Interesting. Halbarad's eldest, perhaps? No time to comment on what a glorious job you've done, and snip favourite snippets and all. These are stolen moments, and I shouldn't even be here. But well done, indeed.

Kitty · 7 February 2006 · Chapter 20: I'm H.A.P.P.Y.

So, finally I've enough time to properly read and review this chapter! Sorry I'm so late! Sugar and salt? Yoghurt? You know, it is intriguing what one can learn simply through reading fanfiction. Now I wonder if I don’t even know stomach problems because I’m eating so much yoghurt! And even Elrond has obviously learned something new. It would be very interesting to have him exchange his healing experiences with a modern day doctor. They could probably learn a lot from each other. Oh – Penny thinks Elrond will be gone in one year. I think that’s not exactly correct – it is still summer 3019, and the ringbearers departed from Middle-earth at the end of september 3021. So it are two years. She shouldn't completely forget her maths ;-) Anyway, I’m looking forward to the wedding and to know how Penny will fare in Minas Tirith! And her reunion with the Fellowship should prove interesting. Can't wait to see it all from her POV!

Dreamflower · 5 February 2006 · Chapter 20: I'm H.A.P.P.Y.

So glad Penny is recovered, and in time for the wedding, too! A lot happens in this chapter--her recovery from illness, entering Gondor, the musings on Mordor--but really, it is quite lovely how subtle you are about the most momentous thing: Penny's realization that staying in Rivendell is probably not her best option, even though it might be what she would wish. I love the efforts you went to, to make sure that the cures and so forth were realistice--I love that sort of detail in a fic. It gives the story a good deal of depth! I recently made the welcome discovery that not only did one of my RL friends read fanfic, but in talking it came out that she had been reading "Don't Panic", but had given up on it, because she thought it was not going to be updated. She was thrilled when I told her that it had been archived here, and had been completed, and that you were in the process of a sequel. I hope to see her again soon, and find out if she got the chance to finish reading it!

Pearl Took · 5 February 2006 · Chapter 20: I'm H.A.P.P.Y.

I'm glad Penny is better. Good touch, having the Mountains of Shadow giving off no particularly bad vibes. I look forward to the next chapter :)

Bodkin · 5 February 2006 · Chapter 20: I'm H.A.P.P.Y.

I'm glad Penny is beginning to pick up a bit. Mireth and Eleniel are very good friends to her. I'm not surprised she's beginning to fret rather about the days beyond Elrond's sailing. And the wedding comes on apace. But Elrond's not planning on taking up eating iogget, then.

CatsbyCat · 5 February 2006 · Chapter 20: I'm H.A.P.P.Y.

An update! :o) Just the thing for a Sunday morning - thanks for that! I'm so glad to see that Penny is on the mend and once again you handled the mundane, yet embarrassing side effects of being that ill and a woman at the same time! The poor girl having to go through that. I love the way you got yoghurt into the story and that it was someone like the Rohirrim that had provided it. You know, just to show that the elves don't quite know everything ;o) I am curious what is going to happen next - yes there's the wedding and festivities and such like, but long term? What with Galadriel reminding Penny that the elves are leaving - a sad and sobering thought - I really don't blame her for feeling apprehensive. Can't wait to find out! Cheers CC

Flintheart · 4 February 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

PLEASE write more

FLINTHEART · 25 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

MORE STORY !!!!! PLEEEEEEESSSSSSSSEEEEEE!!!!!

Kathy_SFF · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

How did you read my mind? I was just thinking that with all the filth in Rohan it was a miracle that Penny hadn't become sick. Given the primative sanitation practices, and her 21st century immune system it was bound to happen. You do a great job of depicting her misery, I especially loved the scene of Penny fleeing to the latrines and loosing her blanket. You bring out a good point that even today certain illnesses can still kill despite all our medicines. Penny's inability to take in, or keep fluids becomes a big problem as dehydration can kill faster than lack of food, and this can't be solved by the insertion of an IV. What a cliffhanger!!! Please post the next chapter soon!

phoenix23531 · 21 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

Sorry I fell off the map there, literally. I've now moved to Australia, and my interent access isn't quite the same, nor will it be till I find a more permanent place to live. So sorry for not reviewing, though I read and howled my way through these chapters. I am still loving this tale! Regarding the jam/herb remedy, could it have been barberry you heard about? There's an excellent article (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Barberrych.html) that explains more about the properties of it. It's really quite amazing the properties such a common berry has. Well, i have to run, but I did want to say how much I am enjoying these chapters, and congrats again. All the best!

Bodkin · 21 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

Poor Penny. I'm so glad they didn't leave her in Rohan - she'd never have coped! If she lasts through this, she'll be even more concerned about the prospect of leaving the care of the elves.

Pearl Took · 21 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

Well done, Boz! I like where you got the idea for the herbal remedy. You really are writing a fantastic set of stories here!! I'm loving it :)

Pearl Took · 21 January 2006 · Chapter 18: The Morning After

"Galadriel in particular made a point of talking to all who were not too intimidated by her. Widows and widowers, mothers who had lost sons or brothers, young children now orphaned, all felt their hearts calmed a little by Galadriel if she spoke to them, or even many of the other Eldar. There was such reassuring wisdom of the Ages with the elves that many Rohirrim felt their troubles, their pain eased for a while. The black despair lifted, and for perhaps the first time since the War was won they could see a brighter future in spite of all that they had lost." This got me all teary. Beautiful.

Flintheart · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

I forgot to say, I was THRILLED to find a new chapter. I hope you can continue with this, and if there is ever any help you need, I'd be delighted to offer it. I keep expecting an occasion when she complains that she'll NEVER be any good at something she is slowly learning, to hear one of the Elves say, "Well I wasn't any better then this when I started learning it." "When was that?" Pause, "A thousand years ago I think."

Flintheart · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

Delightful. Well, not for poor Penny. I have had major food poisoning myself, and if you survive the first day or so, you usually crawl back to life. But the level above that is tricky Don't forget the water with both (cooked) honey and a pinch of salt. One of the old time killers of food poisoning is electrolyte failure. You are losing lytes at an incredible rate with the explosive runs/vomitting. It can literally cause heart failure because the sodium-potasium balance gets so far off normal. It gets very hard for the body to actually absorb the water as well because the balance is off. That's why the simple method in Africa is water with a spoonful of sugar and some salt. Enjoying this story more then any other RINGS fic i have ever read. Although I must say that actually I have wondered whether you have thought of the most simple logical reason that Penny might have been zapped to ME. Sauroman or Sauron worried about the outcome of things and decided to perform some elaborate spell to pull some people out of the future to see if they had won and if not, why not. They may not have been able to control exactly where their victoms ended up and so there may have been several. Maybe Sauron got some poor sod who never read the books, or maybe Sauroman has been wondering all this time where his catch ended up.....

Pearl Took · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 12: Lords, Ladies and Lies

A good and most well written chapter. You managed to recount Penny's story yet have it still seem fresh, that is tricky to do and you did it well. And I loved the touch of having her think of Galadriel's "I have passed the test . . ." speech and Galadriel "hearing" it and being amazed.

Kitty · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

Oh, poor Penny! I’d guessed she’d somehow fall ill, but that is much worser than everything I’d expected! You’re quite evil to the poor girl, aren’t you? I’m glad you at least did not leave her at Edoras. She would feel lonely and abandoned, even if some elves remained behind with her. With the elves she feels so much more comfortable than with the other humans, and she is with the best healers. Well, I trust you not to kill her – if only because it would kill the story as well ;-)

Pearl Took · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 9: A Bridge Too Far

Ooooo! Great pun there at the end :) A wonderful mix in this chapter of the nightmare of orcs, whole or in pieces, and the hilarity of Lindir and Celebdor toting Penny off to make her cross the river on the rope. Good touch, as well, having the Galadrim talking "over" her.

Dreamflower · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

What a horrid experience! Of course, it was probably caused by the local water, although it could have been tainted food. The Rohirrim probably have a certain amount of immunity that a modern person, seldom if ever exposed to such things, would lack. Our modern sanitation comes at a price, though I think that it is generally worth it. I sympathize immensely, as it's only been a few weeks since I had a similar experience, caused by a side effect of a new medication. Needless to say I'm not taking it any more--but it certainly helped me identify with Penny's distress--which was very realistically portrayed. I'm so glad they took her along--I'd hate to see her miss Arwen's wedding after all she's been through.

Lindelea · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

Poor Pen-ii! BTDT. I got food poisoning once that was so severe it stripped the lining of my intestines, and I couldn't manage any acidic food for months after without doubling over. I wonder if the herb might be oregano, as you mentioned? I heard an infomercial on the marvels of some sort of super-oregano oil, some time ago. Seems as if the stuff could cure a cloudy day, among other things. A conveyance that might be more comfortable than jolting wagon would be a canvas or blanket stretched and secured between two well-matched horses. Only bad thing is that a healer couldn't sit with her. It does make for a smoother ride, though, and works well in open country. (Not so well on a narrow path, of course.) Am *very* glad they didn't leave her in Rohan. And I know you wouldn't bring her *this* far just to let her die. Might be realistic but highly unsatisfying. Besides, I am looking forward to her meeting the hobbits again, now that (almost) all has happened. And... dare I hope that Beregond migh somehow figure into the story? (How I love the drama of Beregond's story, and Aragorn's wisdom and mercy.)

Lindelea · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 18: The Morning After

Ah! I missed this update, but caught it with the next. Poor Penny, not even aware that there's a great deal more to be mortified over. For some reason I am hoping she never finds out. So elves use that hangover cure with the whole raw egg, eh? What do they substitute for Worcestershire sauce in the concoction?

Miss · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

Poor Penny. I hope she'll make it to Gondor.....

CatsbyCat · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

An update! Thank you Boz! What a great thing to come home to on a Friday afternoon. And I must say, I do have to commend you on your accurate and sympathetic portrayal of some who has (as we say in my family *ahem*) the galloping squits. It's the most unpleasant thing to go through when everything it coming out at both ends and I can just feel Penny's shame at suffering this in a place that has merely a thin piece of cloth between you and everyone else - nothing is sacred! I've been in hospital in a four person ward and had to use a bed pan - it's mortifying! You did it brilliantly and I was almost squirming on her behalf. I loved the elves concern for her and am very glad that they decided to take her with them. Leaving her would simply have been too traumatic. This could indeed be rather serious with such a virulent tummy bug and no modern medicines to hand, but I have good faith that you won't do anything too drastic to Penny. She's too feisty a fighter to succumb... right? Get well soon Pen-ii! Looking forward to the next update. :o) CC

Nilmandra · 20 January 2006 · Chapter 19: It Never Rains

This is perhaps one of the most realistic scenarios of travelling in time, that our immune system does not have the natural immunity as those who live in such times to fight off the diseases common to that time and place. If we as tourists go to third world countries, we have the same problem even now. Poor Penny - I do feel for her. And I hesitate to wonder if she will die here in Middle-earth, as that is all to realistic too, unfortunately. :/

Flintheart · 18 January 2006 · Chapter 3: Under Starter's Orders

This has been the most fun fanfic I have read in MANY years. i can only hope you will find a conclusion that is agreeable. I must admit I have been surprised that such a wateringpot did not die of dehydration in the first book. THANK YOU for a GREAT read. Anne