Okay, NOW Panic! by Boz4PM

Reviews (633)

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harrowcat · 27 May 2008 · Chapter 52: Oil on Troubled Waters

Just to let you know, still reading and enjoying very much!

Author's reply

Thank you! Good to know. :D

Lindelea · 27 May 2008 · Chapter 52: Oil on Troubled Waters

*sigh* If it were not so close to midnight, I'd leave a long and thoughtful review. Longer than this, anyhow. Loved the descriptions of the passing scenery, the understanding and care of those surrounding Penny, and the scene with Galadriel was marvellously done, bringing me back to the early feeling of wonder I had, reading the book, which the film dulled. Looking forward to finding out what will happen as the rest of the story unfolds.

Author's reply

Thanks for commenting at all with it being that late, lol! So glad you enjoyed it, and particularly that you felt Galadriel was true to canon. It was very important to me that that whole scene worked well.

Anna · 28 April 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

hey!! i love your story!! well, the two in the series....are you going to make another section?? i would love to see you continue this story, it is very interesting....well, email me if you want ideas...i would love to give them to you...(:

Author's reply

There will be no trilogy, I'm afraid. :) Time constraints simply will not allow it. I have said, though, that there may well be little one-offs and short stories, about Penny or other characters, and they would all be posted in one place, under one title, perhaps, as time would allow. Thank you for reading and glad you've enjoyed it!

Abra Ahab · 18 April 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

A great chapter! I wonder if this new kink in the plan - that Saruman saw Penny - will cause any great changes. Sometimes I wish she would revert back to her old spirits - just to let go of everything that she's been holding onto. One big blow-out and then everything will be well. lol - at least that's how it sometimes happens in my family :) Oh, you are such a tease when it comes to Penny and Halladan. I mean, it's been forever since she's had real human contact. And here she is - surrounded by strong handsome burly men (men! surrounded!). Surely she is affected! Or at least I would be. Then again, she's got a lot of other things on her mind. So glad to see that you're updating, despite RL obligations. I'll take what I can get!

Author's reply

I am so sorry! I honestly thought I had replied to this review! Well better late than never, I hope. :\ I know what you mean about Penny - I think she probably would feel better if she had a good old rant and rave, but i think she's just SO overwhelmed such fire is beyond her at the moment. RL has been particularly insane of late (hence the LONG delay between current chapters) but at leas the next chapter is here at last!

Miss · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

AHHH, I can't help the way I feel, but this chapter was so frusterating!! I was so hoping for some kind of action, but then it just stopped. Evil cliffy!! Secondly, i really do think that this was a difficult chapter to wright, but it was a bit too streched out. It's like Penny walking in cirkles...Nevertless, it's still good! Poor Penny, struggling to find some peace within herself. You know, after reading this chapter I hope that Penny will wake up from a coma or something..... Till the next chapter!

Author's reply

Well, mentally Penny is kind of walking in circles and it's only fair to describe that aspect of her psychological make-up at the moment - it is plot-relevant, after all. :) And I'm sorry you felt there should be more 'action' but I'm not quite sure what you might mean by that - given we know from canon that nothing much happened during the journey north aside from their meeting Saruman on the road and then pausing for seven days while they say goodbye to the Galadhrim. The timespan on this chapter was at least a week or so which, given the pace of the previous few chapters is actually quite a change and an indication of the plot moving forward far faster than previously. I'm sorry you found it all frustrating, though. Thank you for reading. And Penny is surrounded not simply by good friends, but healers with great wisdom. She'll come through this without a complete breakdown and she's also a lot more centred and mature in herself than she ever used to be.

Pearl Took · 9 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Sorry I'm late getting to reading this :-( Wonderful as always. I love the detail of the dwindling supply of tea and Erestor trying to speak English is sweet - and thank you for not doing it all phonetically! :-) I think you have Penny's homesickness spot on! There is much for her to miss that she will never find in Middle-earth which has to be worse than just missing you own home but in a world that has many similarities.

Author's reply

No need to apologise! Thanks for reading it at all. And thank you, glad you liked the chapter. Yes, I would agree - similarities at least provide some familiarity, but something utterly alien makes it all the more stark.

AspenJules · 6 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Ok, I know I left a review over at ff.net, but I thought I would add something here that I forgot about, since it took me a few days to read it all. I loved the bit with Erestor speaking english to her. While it would be so wonderful to hear it, at the same time I can imagine how jarring it would be to hear it as well. Both jarring as in shocking to her ears after so much Sindarin, Westron, etc, but also really triggering more homesickness. That little touch of home, especially with the foreign-ness of his accent (yes, I'm glad you didn't type it phonetically the whole way - I'd NEVER have gotten it! LOL) could just serve to highlight the difference of where she was. And I think her dream about the wake highlighted nicely her biggest problem, that she feels guilty for the fear, sorrow and uncertainty her family is experiencing. That really would be incredibly wearing on one, to know that her family is going through that and there's nothing she can do to relieve it for them. That should relieve the guilt, but it wouldn't. Oh, and can I just say... skinny-dipping by starlight?!?!? I LOVE IT! Great description... All right... enough going on. Well done, my dear, as always. *massive hugs*

Author's reply

Thanks, AspenJules. :D Two reviews for the price of one, eh? ;D I think Penny will take Erestor up on his offer, though. She has to. She has to exorcise the demons in a way - both for her grief as well as her homesickness. In many ways the two are inter-related. And you're right, guilt is a HUGE factor in her grief.

Pearl Took · 6 February 2008 · Chapter 50: Que Sera Sera

A very good chapter, Boz! I liked the tension you built up and how in a few knowing looks and words Penny was eased somewhat by Gandalf. Well done as always :-)

Author's reply

Thank you. :D

Dreamflower · 4 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Ah! Finally, some uninterrupted time to catch up on this latest and long-anticipated chapter. There were a lot of things to love in this--I was glad to see her able to enjoy the company and friendship of the hobbits once again, sharing breakfast and tea and Westron lessons. You do so well in portraying them. I just loved this part: Merry, just as Pippin had done with the Gondorians, had entirely taken Rohirric sensibilities about such things to heart. Penny did not doubt for a moment that if anything were to happen as they passed through the Dunlending’s land, Merry would be at the forefront of any fighting to be had, be he surrounded by warrior ellyn and Dunedain or no, such was the strength of feeling with which he had just spoken. Yes, these were hardier hobbits than those that had left the Shire so many months before. So very, very perceptive: Merry and Pippin *are* warriors now, and of their "adopted" lands, of the lands they have pledged their allegiance to. It does not change the fact of them being hobbits and of the Shire, but they are more than that now, and it will stand them in good stead. I really liked how you described the passage through Dunland, and the avoidance of the Dunlendings. It makes more sense of the group's unimpeded passage to see that the lands were not *actually* empty, but merely appearing so, with the people hiding. I'd never thought of it that way before! Penny's dream of her "wake" was utterly realistic. I've dreamed before of either myself or a loved one being dead, and yet still being there talking and interacting as though not, and in the dreamworld, it seems perfectly logical. And this: "why a story about a man utterly failing to avenge a murder that might not have even happened was considered one of the greatest stories of her people. Wow! I have never before seen such a perfect one-sentence summary of "Hamlet" before! And I can certainly understand Penny's fear of Saruman: for all that he's fallen, he's still a Maiar. He might percieve who and what she is in some way, and be able to *use* that fact in some way or another--whether likely or not, it's still possible. That would have to unsettle her. And I love the slow development of things between Penny and Halladan--that's coming along very nicely indeed! *grin*

Author's reply

It does not change the fact of them being hobbits and of the Shire, but they are more than that now, and it will stand them in good stead. Well, exactly. I think you see that so well in the way Merry, Pippin and Sam just instantly react to what's going on in the Shire from the moment they arrive, refuse to kowtow to it and just get on with turning out the ruffians. They don't even think twice about it. It makes more sense of the group's unimpeded passage to see that the lands were not *actually* empty, but merely appearing so, with the people hiding. I'd never thought of it that way before! Well, it made sense once I thought about it. Tolkien says they did not impede the travellers, thus the implication has to be that they were still there and had not deserted the land. I think they would have lost a lot of menfolk in the attack on Helm's Deep (the huorns left none alive, of course, and I doubt they would have distinguished between man or orc) so that would have been an added factor, no doubt. I have never before seen such a perfect one-sentence summary of "Hamlet" before! lol! I had to study it for two years for A-level, and have seen various productions of it, including Daniel Day-Lewis's. One of the most interesting (that I didn't see live, unfortunately) was one where the ghost was 'internalised' - i.e. the lines were said by the actor playing Hamlet, as if it was a possession or else a mere figment of his imagination/a force of madness. It's so versatile a text - you can interpret it in so many different ways. And that's exactly it re. Saruman - you've put it better than I managed. ;D

Alassiel · 4 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Greetings Boz4PM, This is a long overdue note of encouragement. I have been reading this tale and its prequel since they were first published and thoroughly enjoying them. All of the characters are well drawn and feel like real people to me. Though she is not a Mary Sue, for which I am grateful, Penny is resourceful and quite resilient. She is beginning to know the full extent of her losses, and I hope that she finds at least one among her friends who can help. One I thought of is Galadriel. I may be wrong, but I don't think she knew until some time later that she had been pardoned and could return to Aman. I know that life can often interfere with our writing time, so I understand the long intervals between chapters. I send my blessings and hopes that you will be able to complete this wonderful tale. Your Devoted Reader, Alassiel

Author's reply

And greetings to you! :D Thank you for taking time out to comment. I'm glad you're still enjoying the story all this time later. :)

Anonymous · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Hearing Penny try to explain modern concepts is wonderful. Her homesickness was teriffically written.

Author's reply

Thank you - for reading and commenting. :D

obsidianj · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

I'm very glad that you didn't write Erestor's accent. As a non native speaker, I have trouble figuring out what he was talking about in the short sample you gave. So, now Saruman is gone and even if he noticed Penny, I think she can breathe lighter. I can understand her homesickness so well. Even after a long time in the US, I still have days when everything is strange and gets on my nerves and I just want to pack up and go home. Poor Penny can't even go home for a short visit.

Author's reply

lol, well that's why I realised I couldn't include it in the main text. And that's exactly right re. homesickness. It can return even years after the initial bout of it, perhaps due to illness or depression or even just noticing someting that reminds you of home momentarily - which is what's happening to Penny right now. With everything else, especially the grief, it's hitting her hard. In some ways it's more 'sick of where she is/how she's feeling/what's happening' more than anything else. That, combined with the grief, means she's missing 'the familiar' terribly.

Silvereyes06 · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

I wanna get off to. Poor Penny, she has been through so much, it's abou time she came to terms with it and the nightmares, i can only imagine having leave my cellphone, laptop, and chocolate behind. i would go insane. BUt, i don't know why she's terrified to see Saruman, i would relish the chance to glare at him and dare him to figure out the truth of my being there. it would be great. great chapter over all, and keep it coming. i always have something to look forward too when ever im on the net.

Author's reply

Well, if she hadn't been in such a low state of mind to begin with, then she might well have felt more defiant and beligerant (sp?) about seeing Saruman. It's one of those vaguely irrational moments when, no matter what your brain is telling you (in this case that Saruman is no danger since a) he's lost his power and b) she's surrounded by a couple of hundred warriors - two things Halladan will point out to her next chapter, incidentally), your emotional side reacts instinctively in spite of you. As much as anything if Saruman had picked up on her being there and made enough of a thing about it that would bring her to the attention even of those around her - and don't forget most people still just think of her as 'strange woman found lost and wandering in the North with amnesia.' Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for reviewing. :D

Fondy · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Aiii! *Claps hands and does a jig* This was just what I needed today. Poor Penny- I caught myself nodding in commiseration and thinking that I know exactly how she feels, and also thinking she is so lucky that she has such great friends. And there's this clear sense of tension, because she may want her to go home... but I doubt any of the rest of us that have grown to love her do. XD (Sorry, Penny!) I know all this business about her dreams of her former life is going to come to a head sometime, and I guess my biggest question for her is... if she had the choice, would she really /want/ to leave this world forever, and return to her modern life? What would she have there waiting for her? I selfishly feel like the life she is living now is so much richer, so much fuller in purpose, than anything she had before. Auggh. *Scrubs eyes* The not knowing is keeelink me. ;p "Had she been feeling less tired she might have pondered over why it was she felt quite so comfortable and free to be herself in Halladan’s company. As it was she just felt gratitude towards him and was still faintly smiling even as she fell asleep." *Tries not to smile like an idiot* *Fails*

Author's reply

*grins* Glad you enjoyed it. :D if she had the choice, would she really /want/ to leave this world forever, and return to her modern life? What would she have there waiting for her? I selfishly feel like the life she is living now is so much richer, so much fuller in purpose, than anything she had before. Penny would agree with you there. It's something she was struggling to come to terms with even back in Minas Tirith, and especially after speaking to Gandalf. While the grief has been more to the fore of late, there is also a lot of guilt there as well. She even spoke of it/referred to it in Lothlorien. Given the choice, she would stay, for all she's homesick right now. That's more a reaction against all the crap she's feeling right now more than genuinely wanting to go home.

Lindelea · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Well done. I was wondering how you'd handle that meeting... I had half a notion that somehow Saruman's seeing Penny would put into his mind the notion of going to the Shire and despoiling the land as much as possible in the time he was allowed.

Author's reply

Thank you. :D That's interesting - why did you think that? What would make him connect her to The Shire at all? Frankly, after the exchange between him and Merry in ROTK that in itself would probably be enough to have put the thought into his head if he hadn't already considered it. He all but directly threatens Merry to watch out for what will have happened to the place when he gets back there. I'd be interested to know you reasoning, though. :D

Vicki Turner · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

I absolutely love this story. Great chapter! I love that fact that Erestor is speaking to Penny in English. Figures he would pick up on it. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Author's reply

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Erestor actually picked up quite a bit of vocab/basic grammar while struggling to teach Penny Sindarin back in Imladris. He's the one that has been able to translate bits of songs she sung, after all. He is a linguist by nature (or that's how I've portrayed him) and not only picks these things up quickly, also has a love for/academic interest in the workings of language, grammar and linguistics.

Kitty · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Really, it is sweet how they all try to distract Penny when she’s so depressed. It was touching that Erestor tried to talk in English with her. (And you’re right, if you did have Erestor talking like in the AN, I’d not understand much, considering my own knowledge of pronouncation is even worse! It made me giggle, though, it was so funny!) Halladan is right, of course – she needs a bit of her own medicine, to talk about the things bothering her. It has to be a very trying time for her – her knowledge about Saruman and the Shire as well as the realisation she will probably never return to her time and family, plus the tiring travel ... all in all she’s coping very well with it. Need I to mention how much I enjoy it that Halladan and Penny have become so close? Their silent understanding is wonderful to watch and has to be very valuable to both of them. As for Saruman ... *sigh* I still regret he got away there (not only in your fic, but in LotR as well) to wreak havoc in the Shire. And I can understand why Penny didn’t want to be anywhere near him. Thank you for another wonderful update!

Author's reply

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. :D And I'm glad also that you think Penny's coping well, because I do too. On occasion some have said the angst is too much, but frankly she's had a HUGE amount to deal with from Rohan onwards, one thing after another if not several things all at once. Personally I would have cracked under the strain. It says much for the people around her that she has not.

el_esteleth · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Wonderful, as ever. I greatly enjoyed this chapter. It's a good development that Penny has explained to Halladan how she's feeling homesick. Homesickness is difficult when one has the chance of seeing home again, and even more difficult when one has no foreseeable chance of seeing home again. I'm glad Halladan is there to help her. Protective!Halladan is cute. :D Very well-written. I enjoyed it very much. Es.

Author's reply

Thank you. :D Homesickness is awful - it's relentless and can be so bad as to be near paralysing, much like grief. To have both at once would be hard enough without everything else.

Mopsy · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

Oh...this one made me cry. I loved it. And Erestor was adorable (as usual *huggles him*). Thanks for this story, Boz.

Author's reply

lol - glad that crying means you loved it. Hee! ;D And thank you for reading it.

Daynawayna · 3 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Stop The World (I Wanna Get Off)

I don't even know what chapter I last reviewed, and I do apologize for that. Having said that, I must say that this story is SO worth the wait between chapters. I does make it a tad difficult to keep track of, but if re-reading a previous chapter is what it costs me, so be it. I am so in love with Penny and Halladan's relationship! Of course I would be happy to have them fall in love, but at this point, it is so pure and deep that romance just might ruin it for us. There is such depth of character that comes out as we watch them do their 'dance of friendship' as it were. There is such a closeness between them and a depth of understanding, and we learn a bit more about each whenever they decide to trust and open up to each other; it's incredibly refreshing. Halladan is so noble and just, a man's man of the time, and he cares deeply for Penny, well beyond the duty he was charged with by his father. He has become so 'real' in depth and scope, and I truly love the character. And poor Penny... I would SO be like her in trying to protect Halladan from her knowledge because it would cause him grief, even though she understands that he WANTS to know and help her. She sees his pain and wants to help him through that, but doesn't want to add to it... gah! It makes my (and her) head spin! I'm glad she trusts him more and more with each passing day, and I truly look forward to seeing their relationship blossom into whatever you see fit. My best friend in HS was a guy and while we didn't have quite the trials and tribulations these two do, we were as close as P/H and it is a liberating experience to have someone of the opposite sex you can trust like that and not have any 'romantic' ties. Not that romance is a bad thing! LOL But you get it, I think. I am anxiously awaiting the next chapter, and I love the constant angst level... but I do want to see Penny truly relax soon. Poor girl deserves it. Thanks again for all your hard work on a truly amazing adventure. Dayna PS: I don't know if you have one anywhere, but I would love to see a Character list. Because of the time between chapters (and their length!), I sometimes forget people, or can't remember if they are elf or man... not that you need any more work, mind you. :)

Author's reply

Don't apologise! Goodness, even one review on the entire fic would be more than enough and much appreciated! I'm thrilled that you can see in Penny and Halladan's relationship as I've drawn it something that is reasonable and realistic. That means a lot. Thank you. And, yes, you're right - Penny is having to play a dizzying balancing act in so many ways. She needs Halladan to force her hand if only to preserve her own sanity, really. Character list? Now you're the second person to have suggested that (though the first was some time ago now). I'd never really thought there was much need, but I shall seriously consider it now that two people have mentioned the same thing. Thanks for the suggestion. :) Author Reply: Well, after soliciting opinions from quite a few readers, it seems the vast majority thought a Character List would indeed by a Useful Thing to Have About, thusly I have done one. I'll link to it in the next chapter, and have added links to the beginning of both Don't Panic and Okay, NOW Panic, but just FYI: Here it is! Hope that's the kind of thing you meant and will be useful to you. :) (*hope the html works...*)

obsidianj · 8 January 2008 · Chapter 50: Que Sera Sera

And again: Poor Penny. Foreknowledge is really a burden and a strain. It is all fine and good to know things in a theoretical way, but then watching your friends walk blithely into the trouble you know is waiting is something else. I'm so happy for Penny that she confided in Halladan. Although he probably got more than he bargained for. But this will nicely distract him from his own troubles. I so hope Halladan and Penny realize they belong together.

Author's reply

My apologies for replying so late to this review! :\ I think you've summed it up nicely re. the foreknowledge and the burden it brings, as well as the double-edged sword Halladan's insisting she share that burden might be for him. Thank you for reading and reviewing!

el_esteleth · 1 January 2008 · Chapter 50: Que Sera Sera

Eeeep. Sorry this is such a late review. I really enjoyed this chapter (having read it four times now). I'm glad Halladan is continuing to support Penny. I found Arvain quite amusing teasing Penny, and then Halladan amusing as well when he joined in. Tadion is funny as well. I really enjoyed the chapter and look forward to more. Es.

Author's reply

Well, I'm sorry this is an even later reply! *hides* Thanks for reading and reviewing, and I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Tadion is a pest and a menace. He tries to muscle in on every chapter and then just writes himself. *glares* ;D

Miss · 18 December 2007 · Chapter 50: Que Sera Sera

Yes! I let out a cry when I saw chap 50!! So glad you updated. Well, this chapter was a bit difficult to read, though I understand it. I really miss the old Penny, but she will come around..... Don't be sorry about the length of the chapter! The longer the better!

Author's reply

I was worried more about the length of time it had taken me to write it. I've given up apologising over the lengthf of the chapters - that, and (in my mind) it means I get to the end of the story quicker. *lol* Old Penny still exists, but she is also that much more mature as well as settled within her environment. There will still be moments, but at the moment she has so much to deal with psychologically that it's not really the moment to be so relaxed as to fly off the handle. :) Glad you liked it and thanks for reading! :D

Yanic · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 50: Que Sera Sera

I loved that little bit with Halladan and Penny sharing the horse. Her reluctance to hold on to Halladan's waist was reminiscent of Penny's first run in with his father, Halbarad. I think she was a bit reluctant to cozy up to Halbarad as well, albeit for different reasons. Really liked that, a nice touch!

Author's reply

Thank you. :D

SurgicalSteel · 17 December 2007 · Chapter 50: Que Sera Sera

Nicely done. The look that Gandalf shot Penny must've been chilling for her. Arvain is a little pest of a younger brother - still tough to figure out exactly where you're going with Halladan and Penny, but they've at least reached a comfortable place with one another where they trust one another with their secrets. Close friends if nothing else. Worth the wait (as always).

Author's reply

But he's a very lovable pest, nonetheless. ;D And thank you - glad you thought so. :D