Elendiari22
· 6 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Oh, SHOOT! Any chapter that ends with a character crying, "oh, no!" qualifies as a cliffhanger. I know that you write cliffhangers, and I love your stories, but sheesh! This is evil! You must continue! Please update again soon, Budgie!
Author's reply
Hahahhhaaaa! * Ahem *
I mean ... thank you, Elendiari. I hope that the fifteenth and last chapter will repay everyone for hanging in there and enduring the evil cliffhangers. I promise you that the last chapter does not end on one. Thanks so much for reviewing.
Pearl Took
· 6 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
I'm out of breath. And then . . .
You leave us hanging!!!
Wonderful!
Sorry it's been awhile, I didn't realized I hadn't been keeping up. This is all too good.
Pearl Took
Author's reply
But Pearl, you knew I had to end this tension-ridden chapter with a cliffhanger! I think that is why I have a series of short, fluffly, happy stories planned, as an apology to everyone who has to endure my evil twist of mind. I'm so glad that you have enjoyed this story, and thank you for letting me know that.
Cuthalion
· 6 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Ahhh... how dare you! Each new chapter costs me one year of my life!
But... earnestly now, that is great. The idea with evil creeping into the room and using the curtain to fight, is brilliant. You keep me hooked though I know how it ends. Update soon, please. Okay? Okay?
Author's reply
I hope each chapter doesn't take a year off your life, Cuthalion - we would miss you. Your support and generous encouragement is greatly appreciated, and I thank you for it.
eiluj
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
I hereby declare you the hands-down winner in the Most Complex Story sub-category of the Rivendell Surgery Fic Category.
And it's not over yet (gasp).
Author's reply
Eiluj, that is a title I accept with a bow and a loud "thank you!" Seriously, thank you. I was hesitant to try this story line, as it has been done so well by others, but the response from readers has made it worth it. I just hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Gershwhen
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
What do you mean "ah, no!" @.@
You're doing a great job of continuing to build the already painful tension. Even though I well know what happens in the end, I still find myself furiously reading along to see if Frodo will fight and if the healers will be sucessful. THAT is the sign of a true writer -- you can make the story exciting, even though I know how it will all turn out.
I do so adore your Elrond and the twins, we don't see enough of them in fan fic with the hobbits -- and I do think all three would do anything in Middle Earth to aide the halflings.
Thanks for the great update!
Author's reply
Hi, Gershwhen. I had originally planned this story to be fourteen chapters, but Marigold had such good suggestions that I got all excited again and had to expand it to fifteen chapters to accommodate her ideas. So you can blame HER for the additional angst and waiting. Thanks for your kind words, and for your compliment.
Hai
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
ah, no?! What is that suppose to mean?! That shard is out everything is suppose to be okay now right? Poor Bilbo! How good of him to keep talking to Frodo and hard it must have been for him! Wicked drapes wrapping themselves around Aragorn's throat! That was a bit of a shock, good thing Merry is able to react when prompted! Looking forward to more, can hardly wait to find out what has got Aragorn saying "ah, no"!
Author's reply
Hi, Hai. You have followed this story (and my others) so faithfully. I just wanted to say, 'thanks.' Your encouragement has meant a lot to me.
pebbles
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Gosh, you are cruel! After all that drama, another cliffhanger? How could you?
Author's reply
Now pebbles, you KNOW I am cruel. You should hear the evil little laugh when I post a cliffhanger like this *smirks* Hopefully, though, the next (and last) chapter will make it up to you. Thanks.
cpsings4him
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! Budgie!!!! How could you!!!!!!!! You can't stop there!! Oh...but you DID!!!!!! You must, must, must update soon! Peck at those keys budgie...peck faster!!!
GREAT chapter, by the way! I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning!
Blessings!
cp
Author's reply
"Peck those keys" - love it, cp! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter - the angst needed a little action. I bet Professor Tolkien never envisioned his gap being filled by something like this... Oh well, WE are enjoying it!
fliewatuet
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
You're doing an incredible job here! I mean, we all know how it is going to end, but you still manage to keep every chapter filled with more suspense than the last. I thought the furniture gone wild in the previous chapter was creepy, but the drapes trying to kill everyone had me on the edge of my seat. But I am glad that Elrond finally managed to get the shard out of Frodo's wound, if only at great pain for himself, as it seems. But Aragorn's "oh no!" is not really assuring ...
Kat...aka...chickloveslotr
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
oh no what will happen next!*hides in corner*love the story!its so sad!
*cries* frodo just going through he*l...your so great at writing1
Bejai
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Oh, you are so cruel with the cliffhangers! I don't think I've reviewed in a while, but I eagerly read each new chapter. Glad that we've finally got that thing out of him ... what's next?
LKK
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Are you determined to make me gray before my time?
The shard is out of Frodo, praise all! But WHAT NOW?????????
Has anyone told you that you're a cruel author? (Just kidding. Well, sorta just kidding. ;-) )
Elwen
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
You did it again!
I'm running out of finger nails here, hanging onto this cliff. Don't keep me here too long!
Lossenchristal
· 5 April 2004
· Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
You know, my heart almost stopped beating during this chapter, it was so exciting! You should have seen my face light up and my pulse race when I got the notification that you had updated! YES YES YES! the shard is out! But of course you left us(or should I say Frodo's life) hanging once again... Will it do any good to say.."Please update SOON!"?:)
Thanks so much! I LOVE your stories!
Namarië,
~Lossenchristal
Patty
· 13 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Now that's exciting!! . . . . You are a marvelous storyteller, my friend. Please come back VERY soon.
Author's reply
You are too kind, Patty. This has been an exceedingly difficult story to plot and write, because it so emotion-driven and because such stunningly good writers as Ariel and Elwen have already created such masterpieces set in this time period. I appreciate you letting me know you are enjoying my effort - thanks.
fliewatuet
· 12 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Wow, your story continues to amaze me. I mean, I know how it is going to end, yet your description of the events that led to Frodo's recovery keep me on the edge of my seat, the end of the latest chapter in particular. Phew, Sauron summoning the elemnts to his aid, the wind attacking Frodo's bedchamber, Aragorn's battle with the drapes gone wild, Gandalf's usage of his staff to first hinder the Hobbits from interfering with the operation, then to bar the door. Creepy, very creepy, it send shivers down my spine!
fliewatuet
Author's reply
Hi Fliewatuet! I'm sure Professor Tolkien never envisioned such an expansion to his masterwork ... but the framework he graced us with provides such a springboard to the imagination... Thank you again for letting me know you are enjoying this story.
Lossenchristal
· 11 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Lossenchristal grips with her fingertips a little harder on the cliff she is hanging off of.* ;) Wow! What a chapter! I didn't thing you could get another chapter in without getting the shard out, but *tips hat* you have proved me wrong again! Now please hurry and continue! I'm not sure how long I can hang on!!!!;)
(I loved Gandalf's staff!;)
Namarië.
~Lossenchristal
Author's reply
Lossenchristal, I have this mental image of you like MovieFrodo in RotK, hanging off the cliff. Don't let go!
Thank you for reviewing and letting me know how much you are enjoying the story. I appreciate it.
Anso the Hobbit
· 11 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
I am speechless! Fantastic!... go Gandalf´s staff!... get that shard out of Frodo now! and please, please update soon. Thank you for an amazing story!
Author's reply
Hi Anso. So glad to see you writing. Addictive, isn't it?
Thank you so much for your kind review. This has been probably the most exhausting story I've written. Poor Frodo is NEVER going to forgive me...
Hai
· 10 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
So much happened when Gandalf realized the enemies plan! It is amazing if any of them make it through! I like that Gandalf's staff was set up to keep the hobbits back, and then to block the door. I hope more is on the way soon! Thank you!
Author's reply
Hullo, Hai! Thanks for sticking with the story. I can't but wonder what the Professor would think ... so many liberties taken with his masterpiece. I'm glad and relieved this story has been so well received.
Cúthalion
· 10 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Uff... and still that awful splinter has not been removed! Very good, really - I especially like the way you use the storm like a dark magic coming directly from Sauron, and the scene with Aragorn being rescued from that cloth is breathtaking.
The only thing that leaves me a little bit uncomfortable (and only a little, for this is an awesome good story) is your description of Pippin. It is only natural that he cries and is in horrible fear for his cousin, but in your story I always have the impression that he's a small child, and he isn't. He is a man (though a small man). But that is really the only thing. I love this story and I'm eagerly waiting for the next chapter. Don't let us wait so long the next time!
Author's reply
Hi Cuthalion. (Love the name.) Thank you for your review, and I'm glad you are enjoying this 'angst-fest.' I do agree with you that I tend to write 'my' Pippin young. The general opinion is Pip is perhaps 15 or 16 in human years, but I think he is somewhat immature for his age. Many of his actions and exploits are drawn from watching my teenage brothers at that age. It's a miracle any t(w)eenager lives to grow up... You will be happy to hear the next chapter is already finished and only awaiting the last rewrite and beta. I'll try not to take so long!
Elendiari22
· 10 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Ack! Gah! Cliffie! NOO!! This is so excellent that I want to find out what happens next. Please update again soon!
Author's reply
Now, now, Elendiari22, you KNEW there would be a cliffhanger, didn't you?
Thank you for the compliment, and I will try not to take so long. Lots of boring RL has gotten in my way lately (a crashed hard disk, moving, and double eye surgery) but I am trying to ignore RL. I'm much happier that way. ;)
shirebound
· 10 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
I just want to say, for the record, that you're going to be the death of me, Budgie. Get that splinter out of Frodo and get it out NOW!!
*wrings hands and paces the room with the hobbits, careful of that staff*
Author's reply
Oh noooo! If I were to be the death of Shirebound, I'd quit writing right now! (Plus the entire LotRs community would lynch me.) Mindful of that threat, I hope to have the next chapter up quite quickly.
cpsings4him
· 10 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
*Sits in stunned silence*
Oh!! This is sooooo good!! But, oh my! What an evil, evil, evil cliffy! You mustn't make us wait long for the next chapter! Write fast, Budgie! Write fast!
Blessings!
cp
Author's reply
Yes, cp! Thank you for your review(s). I'm glad you are enjoying it. This story has been an exceedingly difficult one to write, but as you can tell, we are getting down to the wire, now.
Lindelea
· 10 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Wow.
Absolutely riveting.
Cannot even leave a coherent review.
Update soon!
Author's reply
Oh, Lindelea, that was so funny, coming from YOU! One of the most articulate, coherent writers in LotRs fandom or any other! I take your review as the highest praise.
LKK
· 10 March 2004
· Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
I did not think it was possible for this story to become any more intensive. Clearly I was wrong. Please, I can't take any more of this! Get that shard out of Frodo!
LKK
Author's reply
LKK, it constantly amazes me what pours out when I focus on a time period in LotRs. Who would have thought there was all this drama and emotion, just waiting for some hapless writer to explore it? I think I need to focus on some bright, happy time periods after this...
(Nope, too late. I'm on chapter five of a new story and it's too late.)