Daynawayna
· 29 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
OOOooooohhhhh no they DI'ENT! Penny and Arvain, nose to nose to toes to toes!?!?!? Run people run!!! Wow. That's a scary cliffie to be left at, Mom! Bring us to safety QUICKLY!! :)
I love how Penny dealt with Halladan, and Arvain trying to deal with it as a man and warrior would.... gonna cause trouble to be sure! They still aren't used to 21 century Penny and her ways, even if she is in the right! I know Arvain meant well, but Penny sure had the right idea... this is gonna be hard on all concerned. I just hope that Halladan isn't too hard on himself and allows those tears we briefly saw to fall and 'cleanse' him as it were, and know that he can draw strength from this weakness from Penny, his brother and Aragorn, just to name a few.
I'm sorry RL keeps butting in and I do hope your promise of a quick post is within the next 30 hours! LOL
Dayna
Author's reply
*lol*
I love how Penny dealt with Halladan, and Arvain trying to deal with it as a man and warrior would.... gonna cause trouble to be sure! They still aren't used to 21 century Penny and her ways, even if she is in the right! I know Arvain meant well, but Penny sure had the right idea... this is gonna be hard on all concerned.
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up: both of them were acting absolutely sincerely and instinctively but coming at it from entirely different perspectives. Add to that their shock and concern, as well as Arvain already feeling a little out of sorts and tetchy due to the memories of his father and brother as well as being in nicotine withdrawal... 'Tis an explosive mix. ;)
Hope to have the next chapter posted tomorrow or Monday. :)
Melneth
· 28 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
My first review ever, feel honored. :)
So I randomly discovered your stories while trying to avoid studying and boy am I glad. I fell in love with them quickly and soon every spare minute while not studying was spent catching up to here.
I love how you get us emotionally involved and then with a quick comment or quirked eyebrow by a character get us to laugh again.
Kuddos for the image of the poor Dunedain having to quit nicotine cold turkey.
I'm willing to wait a month or so for updates, but please don't desert us forever - I have to know how it will all end, eventually!
Author's reply
I am indeed honoured! Thank you! :D
I'm so glad you have enjoyed it all so far. And thank you for reading. More to come soon, I promise. :)
Dreamflower
· 28 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
A very nice chapter! And I notice that you gave a tribute to your readers in the title, *wink* LOL!
Seriously, it was quite *worth* the wait. There were so many *little* things to enjoy in it--Pippin elbowing Gimli, Merry trying to catch Legolas' eye, during the song; Penny noticing that the Dunedain were having a bit of nicotine withdrawal; Penny's sense of irony in trying to escape from a real life fantasy by reading fantasy that was actually history--what a convoluted and disorienting thought that must have been!
And poor Halladan! To have a flashback like that, and have everyone find out about it. And I'm afraid that the worst thing for him will be to realize that he could have harmed Penny! He's going to be beating himself up over that one!
I look forward to that next chapter eagerly!
Author's reply
Thank you. lol - someone else said that about the chapter title as well. It was one of several possibilities, including 'Killing Time' and 'Dead Calm', but I lumped for that one for various reasons in the end. :)
I'm so glad the little things caught your eye. It's the detail that delays me and sometimes I get frustrated that I can't NOT write them in, but it's always heartening when they get picked up on. :)
Pearl Took
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 44: No Man Is An Island
You write as one who is familiar with grief.
This is deep and sensitive and altogether beautiful.
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm very glad you think so.
el_esteleth
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
Very good chapter.
The Arvain and Penny getting mad at each other I found quite amusing. I really enjoyed the chapter.
Sorry for a rather short review this time. I might leave a proper review in your LJ in a few days when I'm less tired. :)
Es.
Author's reply
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D Penny and Arvain getting ratty was more or less an inevitable consequence of many factors combining at once. :)
Pearl Took
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 43: Feasting and Farewells
I got behind, sorry Boz.
This was a very emotional chapter for everyone! It had to be so hard on the Elves of Imladris to lose Arwen. Life is full of hard choices, even for immortals.
Author's reply
Don't apologise! It's taken me an age to post the latest chapter, so in some ways you're better off reading it slowly than all those poor people who are forced to wait while I can crank out the next chapter for them! *lol*
I'm so glad you liked this chapter. Yeah, the whole Arwen's choice thing is a hard thing indeed - something that had to be dealt with and would have been quite traumatic for them all, as much as they understood and accepted her choice.
Kitty
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
Another chapter worth the long wait. Overall you managed to balance the fun with the seriousness very well.
On the fun side are, of course, the Dunedain on pipeweed withdrawal *lol*
And it is only sensible to ask them, admittedly, but the High King of Gondor and Arnor or the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen as (nearly) ordinary tour guides made me grinning. Oh, I would love so *dearly* to follow them around! Going around there with Legolas, listen to him explaining ... *is jealous of Penny*
Glad Penny got the tour through the caves – she would have regretted it if she’d not taken the chance. It has to be an experience nobody does easily forget. But you’re probably right about the elves – for the Wood elves, used to open spaces, it would be more difficult to endure the caves than for those who lived in Nargothrond or Menegroth.
Can symphatise with Penny so much – the feeling there had to be oppressive for her, for more than one reason, and I’d done the same as she did and retreated in the world of books. What a weird feeling to try and distract herself from Helms Deep reading about Tuor and then realising Glorfindel who lived there is around now ... but her asking for another Westron lesson left me speechless. Seems she’s truly rather desperate for distraction.
How disconcerting that Halladan had another flashback! But I have to admit, it had to happen – he is far from over his trauma. Did Arvain ever witness one of these flashbacks? Somehow I got the impression he did not, or he would probably not have reacted the way he did. Even after thinking it over a while, I think Penny was right and Arvain wrong – yelling at Halladan would not help but maybe even make it worse. Penny’s calm reaction seems so much better to me to penetrate this ... is stupor the right word?
Their quarrel afterwards was inevitable, I think, as they both had to release the bottled up emotions; still, I hope they will not remain angry with each other for long.
And poor Halladan is going to be so embarassed about so many people dragged in into his problem. To have him nearly in tears left me sniffling. I hope the others are able to help him - and he allows it.
Glad to know the next chapter will not take so long!
Author's reply
Glad you felt it was worth the wait! And, no, not too long for the next one, I promise. :)
I had this idea that for some of the elves they could cope with it to a certain extent, perhaps, but that for most it would be a horrendous experience - something they simply weren't used to. The Silvan and Sindar in particular. Some of the Noldo would be less affected since they are, after all, more used to living in buildings and (of old) in the caves of Nargothrond and Menegroth. Legolas, of course, is in something of a unique position but even he is described as 'silent' by Tolkien after seeing them - whether in shock at their beauty or slightly unsettled by it all he never makes clear which is why I have him reacting as he does: admitting it has a certain raw beauty, but is really too deep and dark for him to feel comfortable.
Arvain has never witnessed a flashback that we know of, only the vivid dreams Halladan was having on occasion in Minas Tirith. If Halladan has ever had a flashback in Arvain's presence (and the possibility is there that it has happened) then it has only ever been a 'quiet' occurrence, like that which Penny witnessed between Minas Tirith and Edoras (when she sat quietly with him and held his hand till it had passed).
Tathrien
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
I was both surprised and glad to see the alert notifying me that there was a new chapter. I'm leaving for Thailand tomorrow for two weeks, so I was able to get my Lord of the Rings fix before then! ;)
Poor Penny. All these raging emotions must be so draining for her to deal with, and it doesn't help that many of the others she would normally go to for support are being somewhat affected (if not as severely) by the surroundings.
I hope Halladan is alright. It will be hard having so many people know of his struggles, but perhaps, they will be able to help him more than he could help himself.
Also, I hope Penny and Arvain make up soon. Halladan doesn't need to deal with unnecessary tension between two people who have been such supports to him.
Thanks for a great chapter!
~Tathrien
Author's reply
Ah, well, I'm glad you got to read it before you head off! :D
Yeah, it's hard for everyone all round, not least because this place has affected all of them and, up till now, the elves have had their own burden to deal with.
Thanks for reading!
Miss
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
Forgot one word at the last sentence: - begin -
Miss
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
Well,WELL! I knew you would update, but it took you long enough. Quit understandeble. Smashing chapter!
I really appriciate the dephts of each chapter, now also in this one. But I also long for some action. I understand that this is more an emotional story then a action story. But I can wish, right? Not that it would happen, it is your story so you decied.
I really look forward to the next chapter!!! Let the 'words battle!'
Author's reply
Well, they will be on the move once more come the next chapter. I am not sure anything hugely exciting will happen in the trip north, though, if only because it would have been mentioned by the hobbits if it had happened: so no orcs, no attacks by Dunlendings, etc. The most excitement will be Isengard itself and then meeting Saruman on the road - which should be an 'interesting' moment for Penny to say the least.
I am trying to move the story forward, but these darn characters WILL have minds of their own, you know! *shakes fist at them* ;P
Kreestuh
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
Sweet. I leave a review yesterday, and get a chapter today. Now that's service. >_<
Wonderful chapter- as soon as I read Halladan had turned to 'cry', I thought something might be up. He doesn't sound like someone who would greive in public, even if it was with Penny and Arvain.
Keep em coming! I want to see more!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it! :D
Halladan isn't the sort to grieve in public at all, you are right. He is very open and up front - calls a spade 'a spade' as we say here in the UK - but when it comes to emotions he keeps it all under wraps and struggles to put a brave face on things. 'Stiff upper lip' and all that.
However, in such a moment - when emotions are raw and there are extenuating circumstances - emotions (or tears) can overwhelm you in spite of yourself. That's what both Penny and Arvain assumed had happened, and that Halladan, being one who normally would not show such emotion, had turned away while he tried to bring himself under control. :)
Mopsy
· 27 June 2007
· Chapter 46: Those Who Wait
*pounce*
So very bloody good! I am a great big gigantic fangirl of your fics. The oliphaunt of fangirls. It's quite amazing.
I'm so glad the next chapter is coming because OMG HALLADAN. Don't cry!!
Author's reply
Thank you! Glad you liked it, and have no fear, the next chapter will be posted in under a week. :)
Kreestuh
· 26 June 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
This needs to be updated. Hardcore. I'm missing my Penny fix!
Author's reply
Just updated today. :) My apologies - RL has been very insane of late, hence the LONG delay - but also I needed to write a good chunk of the chapter that follows the one I've just posted before I could post this one. You'll understand why when you read it. ;)
Jo
· 29 May 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
I just have to say that I'm loving this story. I usually don't read this type of LOTR stories, but a friend really recommended it and I'm glad she did!
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm so glad you've enjoyed it, and thank you also to your friend for reccing it. :D
Tathrien
· 14 May 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
Wow! After about a week, I have just recently finished reading all of Don't Panic and Okay, NOW Panic! It's ironic how I always find such addicting stories around exam week when I can least afford to spend hours reading them...Oh well, it was worth it. ;)
I have so enjoyed both of your stories. I'll admit, I usually avoid such stories (girl being dropped into Middle Earth), but your mention Nilmandra's recommendation caught my attention. I decided to check this out and I am so glad I did. You're style is refreshing and fun to read, and the plot is so original. You are a very talented writer!
I have so much I want to say but I think a review covering all sixty something chapters of both of your stories might just be over doing it a bit. :) I do want to say, though, that I love your characters and how you portray them, especially all the Dunedain and, of course, "Pen-ii."
I look forward to your next update!
~Tathrien
Author's reply
I'm forever in awe of people who read this thing new from the very beginning all the way through, since it is so very huge now, and also manage to do it quickly! So thank you for putting in that effort (just hope it didn't affect your exams! :\).
I'm so very glad that you found the effort worth it, and enjoyed the stories so far. Thank you! New chapter just posted (apologies for the long delay it getting it up).
paranoidangel
· 11 May 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
I've just caught up and read five chapters in three days, and they were so angsty too, it's very depressing (in a good way). I love the protective relationship between Halladan and Penny.
Author's reply
Thank you, glad you enjoyed them (if 'enjoyed' is quite the word). :)
Tira
· 9 May 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
I have spent tha last two days reading both of these, and frankly any story that can make me laugh and cry in turn is what I consider a good -if not great- story to read. You did absolutely wonderful in your descriptions, particularly the Latrines of Doom, and I love your description of elvish sensibilities. Kudos to you.
Author's reply
You managed it in two days?! Goodness me! *lol* Well done you - kudos to you, in fact, for not only braving it all but doing it all so fast! Thank you for doing so, though, and I'm so very glad you enjoyed it all.
Ah, the Latrine of Doom. I did so laugh when I thought of inflicting that on her. ;D
Bodkin
· 1 May 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
I'm not surprised that Helm's Deep is almost too much for Penny. If she had been there at the time, it might have held more personal memories - but, as it is, she knows both too much and too little. And that's bound to be tough.
Author's reply
but, as it is, she knows both too much and too little
Yes, which is, I think, a large part of the dilemma she faces. It was much the same in Gondor as well. She knows enough, both of the story and war in general from her own time to be able to imagine all sorts of things. Ignorance is only bliss if you are truly ignorant, otherwise knowing, for all it might be horrendous, is easier to deal with in some ways because it's the not knowing, the imagination coming up with all sorts of horrors that is infinitely worse and more stressful. Goes for many situations, not just Penny's.
Thankfully she has an excellent support system around her.
Mopsy
· 22 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
Sweet Percy riding naked on a unicycle! That was an impressively quick update. One almost falls behind. (But one doesn't because one is obsessed.)
Dear old Halladan. He's such a soldier. His and Penny's positions have reversed...yet in supporting her he's supported, too.
Penny's friends are so marvellous...Lindir and Mireth are such rocks. I really hope Penny will tell Mireth the truth, she's being pretty omissive, and Mireth cares so much.
I loved the descriptive passages of Helm's Deep. I really felt it...the atmosphere was just right, as were the details. The film's version fell short. (But then, the films fell short in general, grand though they were.) :P Your level of care and research really shines through in chapters like this one.
Keep up the marvellous work, and be well. :)
Author's reply
Yes, I was surprised myself, to be honest! ;D I managed to find a little more time than usual and much of what was in this chapter was stuff I've had in my head for a very long time, so it was able to flow out at my 'normal' writing rate (which is very fast, though not always that way with this fic, I have to say).
His and Penny's positions have reversed...yet in supporting her he's supported, too.
Exactly so. Often one can find a diversion or the distraction one needs from ones own pain by occupying yourself with another.
I'm so glad the descriptions of Helm's Deep seemed believeable and true. Thank you. :)
Dreamflower
· 22 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
An amazing chapter. You have managed to so wonderfully convey the sense of oppression that Penny is feeling, the heavy weight of it beating her down. It's clear that she, herself, may not quite realize how bad it is. But those who are with her do, and it's reassuring to know she'll have plenty of love and support.
You have captured the massive awesomeness of Helm's Deep wonderfully. As you described things, the images were clear. I think the juxtaposition of the weight of stone with the weight of grief was very well done.
Author's reply
Thank you, Dreamflower. Yes, she is very low right now, but given everything she's been through it is to be expected. And you're right, she doesn't really know how low she is (though I think subconsciously she might have some inkling - she has matured enough to, I think).
When I began on this sequel fic, the more I thought about it, about where she would be going and what she would see, let alone considered the experience of being thrown into an alien culture and world, entirely cut off from everything you've known and loved, I realised that the immediate shock would indeed wear off at first, but that deeper trauma would have to be explored and expressed as she saw the effects of the War and considered her own role within that, let alone compared it to her own personal loss. These last couple of chapters have been the culmination of a long, slow build-up to this point, and I'm so very pleased that you found the oppressive darkness of her state to be believable and well expressed. Thank you. That means a lot.
Aelfwine
· 22 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
I was so surprised and pleased to see a new chapter up so soon! (this does not mean it is ok to take longer on the next one lol)Can we say addicted? You have truely caught the flavor of grief in penni. You are one fantastic writer and I look forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Ah, well, consider this a suprise bonus. ;P Can't say how long the next one will take. When things are flowing well, I do naturally write very fast. Penny takes longer because I fine tune and really have to be concentrated to write it - it takes a lot out of me. Also these last several chapters have been quite complicated to think through thanks to the umpteen threads and interwoven layers. That combined with RL limiting writing time anyway... *lol*
Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reading! :)
matt
· 21 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
This is very well done I think....You capture emotions on seeing a place where fighting has occurred well from what I have been told. This has the same kind of reverence that I always associated with the American cemetery behind the beaches of Normandy.
Again, nicely done.
Matt
Author's reply
Visitin war graves is quite an emotionally intense experience, I have to say. I've visited those in Northern France (WW2) but also the mass graves just outside Leningrad (as it then still was), which was really a very chilling experience.
Thanks for reading and taking time out to comment. :)
Nessa
· 21 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
I thought I was there! The descriptions of Helms Deep are so vivid. Thank you for another intensely well written chapter. lol
Author's reply
I'm glad you thought so. Thank you. :)
Beruthiels Cat
· 21 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
Waiting to hear from you regarding the PM I sent...
BC
Author's reply
I'm terribly sorry, but I have not recieved it. Would you please resend it? Or else you can leave a message/comment on my LJ and I can reply directly there. :)
Author Reply: Ah, I think ff.net (I'm assuming you sent it via ff.net?) has been playing silly whatsits overnight, so if you sent it in the past 24 hours I won't have recieved it because I've not recieved notifications of the few reviews showing up (and the numbers indicate I've had more reviews than I can see for the new chapter). So, it might yet turn up (late), or it might have got lost in the system. Sorry! LJ is possibly a better (more reliable) bet. :)
Miss
· 21 April 2007
· Chapter 45: Down Deep
Oh thanks!!!!!
Can't say much then BRILJANT!!!
(sorry for this short review but it's nou 1:13 pm and I am alle sleepy)
Author's reply
Thanks for taking time out to review even though it was so late! ;D Glad you enjoyed it. :)