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The River by Indigo Bunting	13 Review(s)
Anso the Hobbit	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/17/2006
Hunters, eh? Well, there is something foul about them I am sure. :) I like how you shift the POV from one member of the Fellowship to the other, and I was very pleased to see my own dear Merry in his right element - keeping his head clear and reassuring Pippin. He's good at that, lol. Author Reply: Hello, Anso, and welcome to the story! I deeply apologize for waiting so long to respond to your reviews. I usually go back and check before I post the next chapter to be sure that I’ve got them all, but I missed yours when I did that (because I only looked at reviews from the latest chapter, silly me)! You reviewed the first five chapters, and I’ll just respond to them all in one fell swoop. First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to review. So many people don’t, and while that’s their prerogative, I’d love to know what they have to say. Based on your name (and your comments), I’d guess that you’re a hobbit fan. :) I’m a big Fellowship fan, myself. The portion of the books where they’re first together was always my favorite. Well, there’s lots of Sam to be had in this story, for sure. He’s really becoming a favorite of mine, and he’s a joy to write. And if you like Merry, he does get his own chapter – the latest one, as a matter of fact. I’m trying to give everyone their own chapter, even though they don’t always come easily. Gandalf was very, very hard to pin down, and Merry was no piece of cake himself. Anyway, I’m glad you thought the story was worth a couple of reviews. I don’t know if you’ve caught up since then, but if you have, I hope you liked it. Cheers, and I’d love to hear from you again!

Ariel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/19/2006
Working my way through the story... I am enjoying this piece a great deal so far. The detail level, for the surroundings, is just right to set the scene, and the action is well played and very exciting. Would you mind if I sent you an email? Author Reply: Thank you very much, Ariel. I'm glad to hear that you find the details engaging but not too engaging. Over-description can be distracting, in my opinion. I would not mind at all if you sent me an email.

GamgeeFest	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/7/2005
I had to laugh at Merry and Pippin arguing with Aragorn over the intentions of the men and why they had to be hunting the Fellowship. I can easily see such a conversation taking place. It's good to see that Gimli doesn't hate Legolas so much that he would want to see Legolas harmed. It's a wonder to read this, and know that they later become the closest of friends. I'm now worried about Sam and Legolas' abilities to hide as effectively from these men and their dogs. It doesn't seem very promising for them. As to Gandalf's decisions, hard though they are, they are the right ones. Frodo would understand and could help his cousins to understand in time, if it comes to abandoning the search or leaving a hurt companion behind. This is such a wonderful story. I'm catching up, slowly but surely. :) Author Reply: It’s so much easier for everyone to talk and think about leaving Sam and Legolas behind than to actually do it. If they knew what had happened to them, they probably could not say what they are saying now – even Gandalf. (I know this is a review for chapter 5, but you’ve reviewed all the way through chapter 8 by now, so I can say it without giving anything away.) I think that Gandalf would probably make the decision to follow the greater good anyway, but not without making a great personal sacrifice. Having to do that sort of thing would scar him and everyone else in the Fellowship forever. Ah, Merry and Pippin – ever optimistic. Aragorn’s thoughts on what the Men were doing in the gorge had to seem like the worst possible scenario to them, but wishing for something to be so doesn’t make it happen. As for Legolas and Gimli, their friendship was always one of my very favorite things about The Lord of the Rings, and I wish that Tolkien had spilled more ink over it. I love that such a deep commitment grew where there was once only the deepest distrust.

Periantari	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/1/2005
Awesome chapter~ it only gets better doesn't it? =) Men nearly uncovering the Fellowship, Gandalf's doubts, still not finding LEgolas and Sam--- Wow. I love how you get into Gandalf's head... you skillfully manage to write really well what must be going through his mind at the moment in which he's the leader and really needs to make the decision on when it is time to move on from the search. My favorite bits from this chapter: =) “We are responsible adults, too,” Pippin had said huffily one morning, not long after setting out from Imladris. “Just because we are smaller than most does not mean that we need our hands to be held.” Just something so Pippin to say ! I enjoy reading about other races of Middle-Earth thinking that hobbits are smaller than they really are. :) ANd your Gandalf and Gimli exchanges were incredible~ Made me smile indeed. :) “What is more, I have not yet had the chance to teach him proper manners. I was greatly looking forward to it, for he has an acid tongue.” “No doubt Legolas will miss his own chance to do the same for you,” Gandalf said dryly. hehe-i love Legolas and Gimli's bantering and mentions of it is so right to do and so detailed as well. :) The hobbits would be crushed by such a turn of events – Frodo especially. Gandalf felt a pang of sorrow just imagining the look on Frodo’s face. The Ring-bearer was constantly in his thoughts despite his concern for the missing pair. Frodo had changed since setting out from the Shire; he kept to himself more than he used to, for one thing, and much of his good hobbit-cheer that Gandalf knew and loved so well was absent. It was no wonder, fore he bore a token of great evil, a wound that would trouble him for the rest of his days, and the hopes of all Middle-earth on his shoulders. I know! Frodo is the bravest hobbit i know! He's gone through so much... and losing Sam like this and not finding him would be so hard, so hard. :( Major angst could be written here ... are you intending to write also the hobbits' point of views as well? I think you would do that well also for you have already show you have major skill with Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf and Boromir. :) Losing Sam would make it difficult for Frodo to go on – but he would have to. He would have to find the courage somewhere. He looked as if he meant to make Sam appear by sheer force of will. I can't imagine Frodo without Sam... "Frodo couln't have gone far without Sam." Find courage somewhere... from Merry and Pippin? but no, we're not thinking that Sam and Legolas wont' be found eventually. (just really hope the men won't find them first.) ANd i love how you put that Frodo was trying to make Sam appear by force of will- brilliant. Thanks so much~ you're really a great writer!!!! (and sorry for the long review) hehe =) Author Reply:* Well, I’m glad you liked Gandalf, because as I’ve said to other reviewers, he was a tough nut to crack. Darn well took me forever. I don’t envy him his position as leader at all, not when he’s got to be the one to pronounce sentence on Sam’s and Legolas’ fates. I enjoyed writing Gimli and Gandalf’s exchange. I thought it was important to point out that while Gimli doesn’t like Legolas much at all, it doesn’t make him heartless. Gimli seems to have a strong sense of honor; the fact that Legolas is a member of the Fellowship must temper his dislike somewhat. However, I don’t think that it would be easy for me to write Legolas and Gimli sparring, at least, not for long. I don’t seem to have a knack for humor, and I have little practice with insults. Frodo is certainly courageous, but he was very fortunate not to lose any of his kin during the Quest. (Losing Gandalf was bad enough!) All the hobbits look after each other, and I think that if Sam were lost, Frodo would take it very personally. In this story, at least, he feels a sense of responsibility for Sam, though it doesn’t match Sam’s solicitousness of Frodo. Ah, don’t apologize for long reviews! I love long reviews. I’m really glad that you seem to be enjoying the story so much.

Grey Wonderer	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/31/2005
Interesting to read about Gandlaf being unsure of things. I liked his conversation with Gimli about Legolas. This is getting more exciting by the minute but real life is calling and so I will have to save the rest for later. I am enjoying this very much and I will be back. Excellent story! Author Reply: I mentioned this in my responses to other chapter 5 reviews, but Gandalf was very hard for me to capture. It took me about three months to write and edit the chapter, and that’s why he almost certainly won’t be getting another. Besides, there are other members of the Fellowship that need to get into the spotlight. I think Gandalf is very sure of the Big Picture; he comprehends Sauron and his evil better than anyone else in the Fellowship possibly could, better than almost everyone else in Middle-earth. He must feel with more rock-solid certainty than any of his present companions that the Ring must be destroyed. But obstacles have been springing up on the way to that goal, obstacles that may cost the lives of those that Gandalf has learned to care for. Even in the face of the “greater good”, love and friendship can’t be lightly thrown aside. Yes, better take care of that real life. It’s all around us, after all. :-)

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/26/2005
As so many of the surprises they've had already have been so unpleasant, I certainly don't question Gandalf's hope there aren't more waiting for them. And I hope that Legolas and Sam, being forewarned about the men following them, have a plan ready to hatch. Spotted only one type--an extra "we" iirc. Beautiful exploration of the situation, and like the description of this "hunting" party. Author Reply: Too bad Legolas doesn’t know about the dogs. He didn’t see any canine tracks when he came across the Men’s trail. And thank you for letting me know about the typo! I appreciate your pointing it out. Sometimes things like that happen when I’m editing chapters; I’ll re-word a sentence and accidentally leave something in that was meant to be deleted. Something that small… well, my eyes just slide right past it.

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/26/2005
Gandalf's is a useful perspective, as it places the Company's current predicament in its proper context. This accident is even more dangerous than if they had just been on a regular journey, and hard choices must be made in war. It would indeed break Frodo's heart to leave either Sam or Legolas or both behind, but there is no doubt that that is what will be done should they not turn up in time. The hunting Men are a nice addition to the story -- they're a credible danger, especially since they are so obviously out of place in this lonely country. Author Reply: I’m glad you think that the Men are credible. I’ve been finding that it can be tough to make every aspect of a story plausible. I am doing my very best to think of all ‘what ifs’, of all possible objections to various scenarios and decisions made, but I doubt I’ll catch them all. At least I think I will be able to avoid gaping plot holes and lapses of credibility. Oh, and as I mentioned in one of my replies to another reviewer, Gandalf was a royal pain to write, but his was an important POV to capture. His judgment isn’t as colored by his affection for the missing pair as the others’ is. That’s not to say that he feels less affection for Sam and Legolas than the others do, but he sees the Big Picture more clearly than anyone else in the group. I think that in part it’s that long life, those millennia of experience that make him so difficult to synchronize with despite the fact that he’s got so many mortal characteristics, so many “human” strengths and failings.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/26/2005
Tough decisions. At least they're on Gandalf's shoulders - and he's had plenty of practice. But I should think Frodo will find this one hard to accept. And those smelly men are now between the remaining seven and Legolas/Sam. And they do not seem to be good news. Bad news with big dogs, too. This is worrying. Author Reply: I figured that Gandalf must have had to make plenty of difficult decisions during his long stay in Middle-earth, and this one surely couldn’t be the worst, despite what it could mean for Frodo (and Sam). Gandalf has such a soft spot for hobbits. Frodo can accept it better now than he’d be able to if he were actually faced with the turning point – with the parting of the ways, as it were. Everyone seems to be worried about the Men… but that’s because you’re all smart, and you all know your fanfiction. Everyone in the Fellowship is pretty much stuck where they are (as long as they hold to their present intentions, anyway). For now, all they can really do is move in two straight, parallel lines.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/25/2005
The hunting dogs are a nasty twist. And it looks as if time is running short. Author Reply: Yes, the dogs definitely make it tougher to avoid being seen by the Men. Most of the Fellowship is lucky enough to be well out of their way.

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/25/2005
I really love Frodo's determination -- and practicality -- here. The Ring-bearer’s face was a stony mask of determination, and his eyes swept the path as thoroughly as Aragorn’s did the far bank. He looked as if he meant to make Sam appear by sheer force of will. “We have to cover as much ground as we can. I don’t know how long you’re planning on letting this go on, Gandalf, but surely it’s not forever. And maybe we don’t have forever, but I won’t give Sam any less than everything I can with the time I’ve got.” Author Reply: Thanks, shirebound. Really, what other choice does Frodo have than to use the time that he has remaining to the best of his ability? If Sam is dead – as Frodo fears – then they might never find his body. At least Gandalf is willing to go on until they have lost all reasonable expectation of finding Sam alive. It would be hard for Frodo to go on knowing that he hadn’t done everything he could do for Sam.

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