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In Darkness Buried Deep  by GamgeeFest 8 Review(s)
Isilhen DaegolReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/8/2005
Well, this was a good chapter. I liked the realism of the search party. I can just imagine them stepping into the forest and following a trail. There's not really a whole lot to say, only I wish I had more time to read it when it's posted.

Author Reply: We're all busy nowadays. :) Glad you liked the chapter. The hobbits are approaching this similar to what they would a search of Brandy Hall, with the noticeable difference being the danger of the forest. Most of the searchers have been in the forest already, so they at least know what they're getting themselves into!

RenaissanceGrrlReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/7/2005
A few held the dark opinion that Frodo was attempting to finish what he had started three years earlier

*confusion* What did he start? Are they saying he murdered them?

Was it because he hadn’t bothered to say good night to them when they dropped him off at Del’s apartment? Had they been mad at him? Had that somehow caused them to not mind the boat? How could he be so heartless?

Poor thing! ...though I know what that train of thought can be like.

as he did not recognize the fruit, he was hesitant to try them

Well, at least he learned from the first try! This is a good sign. ^_^

Mmm. The searchers seem like they've done this before--but with the stakes much lower. (Which I suppose is true.)

I feel better now that Frodo's had food, though he DOES need more water than he could have gotten from the berries.

So now, I have to wonder--will Frodo FIND his way out, or will he GET found? (Because as much suspense as I'm in, I highly doubt that you'll kill him off!) ...and if it's the latter, will it necessarily be the search party that finds him?

Tell me why I persist in asking questions about what's to come in your fics when you never answer. (At least not with a straight answer, lol.)

Author Reply: No, Frodo was nowhere near the River so that rumor, fortunately, never got started. Rather, they are speaking of something Frodo did after they had died. I've hinted at it before in previous stories, but this one gets closest to saying just what it was he did.

Most of the searchers are Brandybucks, and so have been in the forest before. They know how to navigate it. I'm sure there have also been a couple of searches for lost kids, though not in the forest of course, most likely those searches were conducted within Brandy Hall itself. The Hall being so huge, it's easy enough for a kid to tuck himself away somewhere or go wandering off and then getting lost.

You want straight answers? Ok then: yes, no, no. But not necessarily in that order. :P

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/7/2005
Is it possible that the Old Forest has changed its mind? (If I may say so? To me that forest seems to be a living thing.)
The forest allowed it, that Frodo found the berry bushes and that the Brandybuck search party was able to track his way. Maybe, this is a good sign!

I think Gil's respect for Frodo is constantly growing. He's terribly afraid of the Old Forest, but Frodo is much younger and went in anyway - well, driven by him! Oh, I don't want to be Gil now. He must feel awful!

Author Reply: I wouldn't go so far as to say the forest has had a change of heart. More likely its contemplating what to do with its latest victims and isn't paying as much heed to Frodo. Or maybe it figures Frodo is a done deal and so isn't as concerned with him anymore. (And I would say its a living thing. I always felt that the trees of the Old Forest must be descendants of the Huorns, if not Huorns themselves. Both the Old Forest and Fangorn were once part of the same forest after all, IIRC, and Tolkien describes them so similarily.)

Gil's always had a certain degree of respect for Frodo, but you're right. By the time this is over, he'll have a much better understanding of just how brave Frodo is. He's already beginning to understand. His fear of the forest, even in the presence of eight others, is helping him to understand what Frodo must be feeling, if only a small fraction of it.

Lotrgirl1415Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/5/2005
Anonymous said "*****'A few held the dark opinion that Frodo was attempting to finish what he had started three years earlier, in a place no one would have thought to look for him.' Oh please do tell!!!*****"


OH I AGREE! I can’t wait for the hints and that story hun! *teehee*

--Katie

Author Reply: The hints will come shortly, in just another two chapters. :) The story itself - who knows when, lol. I'm glad that you are enjoying this. Thanks for reading!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/4/2005
Wanted to read this last night when I spotted it but just now got a spare moment. I have a bit more respect for Gil for going on the search. I do think he regrets his actions and is trying to do something about them. I enjoyed the scene where they were deciding who would be allowed to go and who would need to stay behind. Very good reasoning for some to stay and run things should the others become lost. I had to laugh at this:

(“We will both go,” Rufus said calmly, grinning back at his son. He turned to his brothers-in-law. “My Del would expect nothing less of either of us, and she said she’ll make meatloaf tonight if we return in time.”)

Only hobbits could walk into danger feeling better about it all for knowing that meatloaf awaited their return!

I was glad to see Frodo up and moving around again. His dreams are terrible and I do hope that the effects of those berries have worn off.

Loving it and looking forward to more!



Author Reply: Gil let his rivalry with Edon get in his way of making amends before. He figured this time he would do what he must, no matter what. He's not one to back away from his responsibilities, he just allows himself to get distracted a bit too easily when it comes to Edon.

They know that some of them must remain behind and they know that Saradoc would be going, no matter what. Mac was the obvious choice to remain at the Hall. LOL, well you know, if food can't make something look better, then it's not worth worrying about. Hobbits know and understand the important things in life. ~_^

The berries have worn off, but Frodo's still in need of adequate food and water. Three days is a long time to go without such things, especially in such heat.

Thanks for reading and for the encouragement. :)

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/4/2005
So, Gil went along, and Edon didn't...

I'm glad little Frodo found something wholesome to eat, even if it were not adequate for a meal, it should help him a bit.

I love the way they are organizing the search. Those Brandybucks are good planners.

Author Reply: Edon allowed himself to be talked out of going. Makes you wonder if he truly wanted to go in the first place... But they are all now where they are supposed to be.

After three days in such intense heat and humidity, Frodo's running low on reserves. Those poisonous "cherries" didn't help matters any. The raspberries will keep Frodo going for awhile, hopefully long enough for help to find him.

Now we know where Merry gets his organizational skills from. ;)

AnonymousReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/4/2005
'A few held the dark opinion that Frodo was attempting to finish what he had started three years earlier, in a place no one would have thought to look for him.' Oh please do tell!!!

Author Reply: More hints of this tale to come. I might eventually write the full tale, but that will be quite a while from now. Thanks for reading!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/3/2005
Ah, old Willow, you've trained your minions all too well. And am glad Frodo didn't take lasting hurt from the false cherries. Nasty old forest! And am very glad both Edon and Gil wanted to help.

Author Reply: And his minions are proving to be very good students indeed. The effects of the cherries have worn off, but Frodo's still in need of proper nutrition and water. Let's hope he's found soon!

They both wanted to help, and yet only Gil managed to do so. He had an advantage over Edon of course, as Fendi and Morti pointed out. Gil has many advantages over Edon, which is part of the reason Edon is so jealous of him. Edon's coming at this from a slightly different position than Gil is, and that is also influencing Edon's actions. If he had truly wanted to join the search party, he would have found a way to do so. But they are all now where they are supposed to be and they'll all learn a thing or two before this is over.

Thanks for reading!

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