Eirinn Leigh
· 10 June 2016
· Chapter 25: Epilogue
The epilogue was rather jarring compared to the rest of the story. When did Gandalf cloud his memories? Why was this, rather important, element get introduced only in the last chapter (this is what made it so jarring)? It didn't seem to be referenced during the previous chapter concerning the council....
Author's reply
Thank you for your review, Eirinn. I only know that when my friend offered this piece of writing to me, I felt it belonged to the end of this tale. I'm very happy that this tale is still being discovered and read.
PSW
· 23 November 2015
· Chapter 25: Epilogue
Ohhh...wow, yes what an epilogue. Definitely unexpected....
This was a great story, I really enjoyed it. Thanks so much for writing!
Author's reply
Thank you so much. This remains my longest story ever, and am proud of the way it turned out. I greatly appreciate your sweet and thoughtful comments.
PSW
· 23 November 2015
· Chapter 21: A Thousand Stars
Well, that's taken care of! Glad Frodo can start on the path to recovery now!
PSW
· 23 November 2015
· Chapter 20: Piecing Things Together
The suspense is killing me!!
Oh wait, I can just go read the next chapter. Whew! ;-)
PSW
· 23 November 2015
· Chapter 19: The Last Homely House
It think that your reconciliation worked brilliantly... :-)
BTW, I loved the story about turning Elladan green, and now every time Pippin sees him, he laughs. Bound to made Elladan a little jumpy... :-P
Author's reply
I absolutely loved writing Pippin and Merry in this story. The more I write about the characters, the more I feel I know them, and appreciate everything about them.
PSW
· 23 November 2015
· Chapter 18: Rivendell
Oo... Very interesting plan to remove the shard from Frodo. I had never thought about the fact that they don't know where it is exactly...
And, good for Pippin (even if it was more of a hysterical reaction than anything). And good for Aragorn for keeping his promise to Pippin...
PSW
· 23 November 2015
· Chapter 17: The Ford of Bruinen
Whew! Made it at last! Not out of the woods yet, but at least they've made it. Elrond better rustle up a whole company of healers -- they're none of them in very good shape...
PSW
· 22 November 2015
· Chapter 9: The Hands of the King
Well, that didn't go well for them -- although we already knew how it would turn out. :-P Seems quite realistic that the hobbits would all be in shock. They've run from the Black Riders, but never really faced them before or felt the Black Breath (Merry never went on his walk in this version, right?). That would definitely be a shock to the system...
Author's reply
That Black Breath must be dreadful indeed. It was quite challenging (but fun) to weave my "Q" verse into the real journey taken by Aragorn and the hobbits.
PSW
· 22 November 2015
· Chapter 3: An Unseen Enemy
No wandering off in the creepy marshes, silly hobbits! *Nothing* good can come of that... :-P
PSW
· 22 November 2015
· Chapter 1: The Doom of Men
The Ring's at work right away, isn't it? Hopefully that's as strong as it gets throughout the journey, and their friendship will be stronger still...
Speedy Hobbit
· 19 April 2015
· Chapter 2: Strider
Such a cute chapter here! I loved the entire debate over what to call Strider ending with the decision to go with Strider! The playful banter between the hobbits was most amusing. The whole conversation about Frodo being mistreated in Buckland and often insulted definitely hit home- I was bullied pretty much the entirety of grade school. Mercifully, those years are long gone- almost ten years now- but it was a miserable time and I, like Frodo, was always extremely angry about it, especially in high school- I think I used to rant about school all the time on my high school LJ because I hated it so much. I also very much feel the same way as he if one of my friends is being insulted since being bullied is really, really horrible!
Author's reply
Bullying is so abusive and damaging, and I'm incredibly sorry to know that you were subjected to it for so long. *hugs*
Your reviews are reminding me how much time, energy, and love went into writing this story. I was very proud of it, and am so happy to know you're enjoying it all over again.
Speedy Hobbit
· 19 April 2015
· Chapter 1: The Doom of Men
I have to tell you, this stood out in my mind as one of my favorite fanfics when I was a teenager, and now in my late twenties (cannot believe it's been this long since this fic was written!) I can very much see why. This is still a very engaging story,!
"You have true friends, Frodo Baggins. There are few treasures as highly valued." Ahhhh! So many feels! I can also understand the concept of being longtime friends much longer than I could when I was a teen- reminiscing about the past was something my friends and I rarely did back then- we wanted to be adults, not little kids!- but we do it all the time now, be it that fifth grade field trip, all those times in my library's children's rooms and how much mischief we got into there (to think I work in same library now! I bet if anyone told the children's librarians of the 90s I'd be working there in the 2010s there would have been a chorus of groans), high school shenanigans... well, you get the idea. Anyhow, the brief thoughts of the past definitely hit home much more now than when I was 16-18.
I also at that age couldn't fathom being separated from friends for months, let alone years, and still remaining friends because that was something I had not yet experienced. Now as an adult I have to say the catchup conversations and picking up right where things were left off in the friendship seems a lot more real! I once thought if two people were separated without talking for months the friendship would fade and die- but that's not always true.
Anyhow. Good stuff so far. Had to comment on the parts that affected me the most differently now from when I was an angsty, angry, insecure high school girl.
Author's reply
Cher, it's so great to hear from you, and to know that this story is enjoyable for you in new ways. We really have all been together for a long time now, haven't we?
And I was so happy to hear about your recent New York Adventure. *happy dance*
Speedy Hobbit
· 13 June 2014
· Chapter 1: The Doom of Men
I managed to wander back to this site after a hiatus of many years. By Chance or Purpose as one of my favorites from when I frequented SoA in high school (I used to be Trishette though I doubt you'd remember me.)
Going for rereads of everything now; it'll be interesting seeing how my reactions to stories have changed from when I was 16 and constantly squeezing about everything LotR to the point where I stuck a Tolkien quote in my high school graduation speech!
Thus far, thus is as amazing as I remember.
Author's reply
Of course I remember you, Trishette! What a pleasure to hear from you again.
I recently re-read all of my "Quarantined" stories before writing the latest sequel "The Rings of Evendim", and remembered how much I enjoyed writing this series. The "Q"-verse is truly my LOTR happy place. Thank you so much for getting back in touch.
addie71
· 11 August 2011
· Chapter 25: Epilogue
I just finished re-reading this wonderful seqeul to "Quarantined" and I think I loved it even more the second time around. The relationships between all the hobbits and Aragorn are a joy, but especially between that of Frodo and Aragorn. I can't get enough of it.
Author's reply
Oh Addie, thank you so much! I remember how much time and research went into this story. It was a journey I'll never forget! I adore Frodo and Aragorn friendship stories, and was so happy to be able to imagine the "Quarantined" storyline all the way to Rivendell... and beyond.
*smooches you*
6336
· 7 July 2010
· Chapter 5: More Midges than Water
And Pippen really does, just outside Moria! Brave Took!
Lynda
Author's reply
I loved exploring Pippin's character in this story. He truly shows his quality in so many ways during the Quest.
Mîdhaer
· 9 May 2010
· Chapter 18: Rivendell
“Saruman will pay for his foul deeds,” he murmured angrily, “this not least among them.”
Shouldn't it be Sauron instead of Saruman? Anyway I love this story, and I love your characters, especially Glorfindel.
Author's reply
Hi, Mîdhaer. I believe I was referring to Saruman delaying Gandalf so long, such that he couldn't be with Frodo on the Road. I'm so happy you're enjoying the story! I enjoy writing about the interaction of Big Folk with hobbits, and this was one of the first stories in which I was able to include Elves.
6336
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 16: Estel
Just read this and I wondered why Glorfindel didn't just take Frodo in front of him on Asfaloth and ride hell for leather for Imlardris, after all it was Frodo they were more interested in and Glorfindel could have sent others to help Aragorn and the Hobbits.
Lynda
Author's reply
I think that's an excellent question, and one only the Professor can answer! But my own partial answer would have been in Glorfindel's line to Aragorn, "“They must not have you, either, my friend.” Glorfindel is safeguarding both the Ring-bearer and Isildur's heir from the Nazgul. Also, it's very possible he didn't trust himself to be able to fight off the Nine with no help, if he was the only one with Frodo when they attacked.
Fun stuff to ponder, and these are the questions that keep us writing. :)
Endaewen
· 20 January 2009
· Chapter 25: Epilogue
I'm doing a re-read through your stories and just had to say how much I'm loving them all, especially this one and Quarantined.
Author's reply
Oh my, thank you! I've enjoyed writing every one of these stories so very much.
PipMer
· 10 June 2007
· Chapter 25: Epilogue
This was an AWESOME story! I've read quite a few of your other stories, and I enjoy all of them. I think you're a very talented writer.
Keep up the good work!
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Pipmer!! And thank you for the nominations you made for my stories for the MEFA awards. I truly appreciate that so much. Your enthusiasm is very inspiring, and I'm thrilled you're enjoying the stories. *hugs you*
Larner
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 25: Epilogue
Oh, it was an AWFUL thing to do--so awful and yet the right thing, the only thing that could induce Aragorn to let Frodo do what he needed to do.
And the memories are released now for Aragorn, and for Frodo now as well? Dear Frodo, finally awakening to find love there for him.
Author's reply
I just had to end this story with a moment of joy and wonder, for Estel and his "little one". Thank you so much for reading, Larner.
Larner
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 24: Aftershocks
And in the end the sacrifice was accepted and returned and brought to its fulfillment; and only Aragorn's presence at the end saw that happen.
Author's reply
Very true. How I love these characters.
Larner
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 23: The Council of Elrond
And if he did not find the way, no one could. The steel in the heart of this Hobbit was refined indeed by the end. It was a burden none should have expected to have borne.
Author's reply
Isn't that an amazing scene? I still can't read the quietly spoken, "I will take the ring..." without getting all emotional.
Larner
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 22: Awakenings
And now an infection to add insult to injury, and to slow the healing and the Council. Alas.
Author's reply
Just couldn't squeak by without a teensy bit more Frodo healing! :D
Larner
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 21: A Thousand Stars
Yes, they come from everywhere, drawn by dreams and thinly veiled threats and who knows what? And Frodo at last truly sleeps within his body, gaining strength for the greater quest to come.
Author's reply
Frodo at last truly sleeps within his body
I love how you word that.
Larner
· 26 October 2006
· Chapter 20: Piecing Things Together
Our wise, perceptive Meriadoc Brandybuck, Master in Training that he is, already with the pieces in place, beginning to make sense of the underlying picture. Yes, the King returns!
And at last the moment has come....
Author's reply
What *were* Merry and Pippin doing all that time? It was interesting to try to imagine it.