Timmy2222
· 5 October 2004
· Chapter 5: Up Hill and Over Plain -- Part 2
You catch the characters very well. Gimli, proud, stubborn, and distrustful to one, who claimed himself a traitor. Boromir, weakened by his wounds, but willing to keep up with the Company, and grateful they did not abandon him at all. And Legolas, serene, knowing, leading them though doubts fight within him.
I laughed about the last paragraph and Legolas' uncertainty what kind of medicines he should use. It seems hard to imagine that through all the years that Elf has lived, he doesn't know anything about healing, but it only adds to the very 'human' touch you gave all the characters.
- T.
Author's reply
Glad you like my characterization. And as far as Legolas' uncertainity is concerned, that was very much deliberate *g*. I like toying with people's expectations, and having seen Legolas described as one with a profound knowledge about all of Middle-earth, not only Mirkwood (see, e.g. PJ's movies), or with having healing skills that would match those of Elrond, I just couldn't resist. It also changes the group dynamics of the three hunters, and I just wanted to explore what would happen if none of them would be really fitting for the role that Aragorn plays in the original text.
He, and nobody's perfect, not even Legolas ;-)
fliewatuet
Timmy2222
· 5 October 2004
· Chapter 3: A Fateful Glimpse
Finally, my dear author, you are someone who fully read your Tolkien. While reading the last paragraph, I thought, well, Denethor had already seen Aragorn, but not under that very name! And, there you are, and Denethor recognizes the adviser/counsellor of his father as Thorongil. YES!
- T.
P.S. What a hard fate for Robby and Tobby, and, no, you better don't guess my age, please...
Author's reply
Sorry for not replying to your reviews earlier. As a reward, you'll get an answer for every single one of them *vbg*
As far as my knowledge of Tolkien is concerned, I must admit that it is somewhat selective. While I eagerly devour every page that has the name "Aragorn" (or one of his many aliases) written upon it, I could so far not convince myself to reread either the Hobbit or the Silmarillion. But doing my research for this fic has rewarded me with many insights in odd details that I would have otherwise skipped entirely.
fliewatuet
P.S.: Robby and Tobby are behaving again. But they send greetings and thank you for expressing your concerns about their welfare ;-)
Timmy2222
· 4 October 2004
· Chapter 2: Of Hunters and Hunted
After reading several AU stories at different times, I started anew with this one to get the right connections...
I very much like the way you catch Aragorn's intention to ease Pippin's worry. Though weary and in pain, he still thinks about the Hobbits.
It was interesting to read that you gave the Uruk-hai the possibility to think and reflect their doings, and that some have learned lore - in fact that they are able to do more than killing or dragging Hobbits along by order of Saruman. It is a good idea to bring forward the characters of the bad guys with some details. I suppose you need that for later.
BTW: Did you bring Robbi and Tobbi, too?
- T.
Author's reply
Yes, Aragorn! He just can't change the way he is. And in giving the Uruk-hai and Orcs some dialog that showed them as more than just evil killing-machines, I only stuck to Tolkien. They constantly quarrel, complain and each tribe/group has its own interests. Giving them a reason for acting the way they act is a vital part for me to make the story believable. I couldn't go without it. I don't buy villains that act evil just because they are apparently evil (and because the author needs an excuse for someone to torture our favourite heroes ... not that I don´t read those stories anyway :-P).
Thanks for the reply, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story (next chapter is on its way),
fliewatuet
P.S.: Shall I guess your age? ;-) Seriously, Robby and Tobby were left in charge of household maintainance issues and failed miserably ... they are locked in the pantry *vbg*
Timmy2222
· 27 September 2004
· Chapter 1: Scattered
What a promising start! Usually I skip AU stories, but this one looks like it could become better and better. I like the grip you hold on the language, especially by reading that English is not your native language. I will continue reading as soon as I can.
- T.
Author's reply
I am glad that you like the start and hope that the rest lives up to your expectations. As I am rather slow to update, there's no need to hurry through the rest ;-) (though I am working on the next chapter and hope to get it posted about Mid-October)
Caelin
· 13 August 2004
· Chapter 8: Cold Comfort
This is an excellent story. I sometimes find AU tales lacking in the true essence of Tolkien, but you have somehow managed to capture it. Your characterisation is very good and the events described, although obviously not canon, could easily be so.
I also like your style of writing and it is particularly impressive that you manage it so well in a language that is not your first. I look forward to reading the rest of the story.
Author's reply
Thanks for the praise! And I agree with you that AUs are a tricky thing. The concept in itself offers a wealth of opportunities (if you try to answer the what if question) but is often misused as a label for stories that don't stick to facts presented in the original text. For me it is a welcome excuse to delve deeper into Tolkien's text, and I find myself suddenly pondering little details I would have never noticed had I not been bitten by that particular plot-bunny!
meckinock
· 31 July 2004
· Chapter 8: Cold Comfort
Hey, an update!
I was really hoping you would continue this story. I can't fault you for the 10 months, though - at least you have something to show for it. Congratulations on your PhD!
Poor Merry. Emergency Medicine 101, as taught by Professor Patient, with an audience of Uruks. He's doing pretty well, considering the circumstances. I just hope he takes Aragorn's advice and runs if he gets the chance. I won't pester for an update, but I'm looking forward to one!
mrk
Author's reply
LOL, nice summary of the chapter, Emergency Medicine 101, indeed! Glad you like the new chapter, it was long in the making, after all;-) I only hope that the next one won't take that long ... I've already about 1000 words written ...
And thanks for the congratulations. I still have my viva ahead of me but the thesis itself is written and I still cannot believe that that's off my desk. Now I only need a new job ...
Do you have a new story planned? A sequel to 'In the Hands of the Enemy' perhaps?
fliewatuet
grumpy
· 29 July 2004
· Chapter 8: Cold Comfort
great chapter, good old Merry, in the role of healer, with Aragorn(poor guy) trying to tell him what to do. Enjoying your story, Always did like Boramir, so glad that he still lives.
looking forward to more
Author's reply
Thanks for letting me know that you enjoy my little tale. And the next chapter will hopefully take less than 10 months to write ;-)
fliewatuet
Hai Took
· 22 July 2004
· Chapter 8: Cold Comfort
Wow! Usually AU stories leave me rather out of sorts. I don't usually care for them but this one had me hooked! I appreciate stories where Boromir survives and am looking forward to seeing what kind of part he can play in the rest of the war! Gimli's anger over learning about Boromir's misdeeds was very well written although I'm glad that he eventually excepted it and has tried to move on with their relationship, I hope it will soon be able to be called friendship! Merry did a wonderful job trying to help Strider! It was a lot to try and do, with the added pressure of Pippin being held captive if must have been very difficult! Looking forward to more and I hope it isn't long in the coming!
Author's reply
Thanks for the review! I am always glad to hear that someone enjoys reading my little story. I still don't know how Boromir managed to survive the attack at Amon Hen. It wasn't my original intention, but somehow I needed him alive in order to get where I want the story to go and he settled into the story quite comfortably and refused to back off. But that's just Boromir and that's why I like him <*big grin*>. With him alive, at least part of the story turned into 'what-if' rather than A/U and exploring the dynamics of Boromir/Legolas/Gimli as the three Hunters is quite a lot of fun! I am already looking forward to their meeting with Éomer, though the next chapter will deal with Aragorn and the Hobbits. Éomer's appearance is scheduled for Chapter 10 and the next updates will hopefully appear a bit faster than this one!
fliewatuet
AM
· 20 July 2004
· Chapter 8: Cold Comfort
Congtats on finishing your thesis. I guess it was more important than a story.
I just reread this from the beginning because I like it so much. Your characters are wonderfully drawn and your dialogue rings true.
As for your command of written English - you beat most English-only speakers. The placement of commas is somewhat subjective and throughout the entire story there was one spot where you didn't put one and I would have. Otherwise I was with you.
I found two places that need fixing:
* chapter 4 - "safe by name" should be "save by name",
* chapter 5 - "all those month" should be "all those months".
BTW: If you found yourself looking over you shoulder today it was because I was cyber-stalking you. Read chapter 8 at Henneth Annun (because I saw it was up). Then went to FF.net, read it, and left a review. Then came here.
Anne Marie/AM
Author's reply
Wow, that's real dedication:-) Thank you! And thanks for pointing out those nasty typos. As someone else said: they do breed in the dark! I'll fix them with the next update.
As for the questions you left in the other review: Chapter 9 will focus on the flight, though not on its outcome (*evil grin*) and Chapter 10 will return to Boromir et al. And I sincerely hope that both my muses and my writing time will allow for a faster update.
fliewatuet
ellybaggins
· 22 March 2004
· Chapter 7: The Falling Leaves of Lórien
please update soon!
EllyBaggins
· 25 January 2004
· Chapter 7: The Falling Leaves of Lórien
please don't leave me waiting for the next part of the story! i can't wait!!! The whole story is a fantastic twist to the tale, i'm loving every bit of it!
Author's reply
Hi Elly Baggins,
I am sorry to leave you hanging for so long, but there are some real life issues I have to see to first (such as finishing a PhD-thesis). I hope that I'll have more time at my hands by mid-February to resume writing Doomed to Live. I am really looking forward to it.
Thanks for the review,
flewatuet
Alisha B
· 13 October 2003
· Chapter 7: The Falling Leaves of Lórien
Very good story! I'm really enjoying it. I can't remember what chapter this is, but I can only imagine how long this story is going to be! The pace is a bit slow, and I'd really like to see more action. But you know, I'm not sure which I'd want more: longer chapters, or faster updates. Okay, never mind. I'll leave it up to you! (it's really YOUR decision anyway) lol. Keep up the good work!
Author's reply
Hi Alisha,
yes, this story is going to be a long one (and I refrain from any guesses as to its final length). But I promise that my updates will come faster in the future (I am about to finish my PhD-thesis, at least a first draft, by mid-February, then I'll have more time to write more interesting things;-)).
As to the slow pace: can you name a point that's particularly bothersome or is it just the rather short chapters (and the too long pauses between updates) in general? You don't need to reply if it takes too long to answer, but I am always eager to hear other's opinions about my writing.
Thanks for the review,
fliewatuet
morgan
· 13 October 2003
· Chapter 7: The Falling Leaves of Lórien
hey, update again girl (or boy)! i really like this story!
Author's reply
Hi morgan,
sorry for not complying to your request. Doomed to Live has been on hold due to real life issues (I have to finish my PhD-thesis before doing anything else), so I hope you'll manage to wait for another month. The story is not abandonded, I promise.
Thanks for the review,
fliewatuet (girl, by the way)
phoenixphile
· 15 September 2003
· Chapter 7: The Falling Leaves of Lórien
I just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying your story so far - an intriguing premise and quite well-executed. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work!
Author's reply
Hi phoenixphile,
thanks for the review. I hope I won't exhaust your patience, but due to real life issues (such as an as of yet unfinished PhD-thesis) I won't have time to continue Doomed to Live until mid-February. But I am really looking forward to writing something for fun again ...
Again, thanks for the review,
fliewatuet
Envinyatar
· 7 September 2003
· Chapter 1: Scattered
I somehow missed this on ff, glad to find it here. Very promising start, you've certainly caught my attention and it's extremely well-written. Hard to believe that English is not your first language!
Nikara
· 29 August 2003
· Chapter 7: The Falling Leaves of Lórien
This is a really good story! It has been handled very well. It is interesting seeing the differences in circumstances depending on who is where. Keep it up- you are doing a great job!
Author's reply
Hi Nikara,
thanks for the praise. I am always glad to hear that people like my story (even if it is on hold for the moment). And I would like to apologize for the long delay. I am buried chest-high in real-life issues (such as finishing a PhD-thesis), but I already see a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that I'll be able to continue with Doomed to Live no later than mid-February.
Thanks for your patience,
fliewatuet