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Okay, NOW Panic! by Boz4PM	9 Review(s)
Nikara	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/9/2006
Wow! I have spent way too long reading this story over the past few days. It is incredible. I never believed that I would like it until I started reading it. Great job with everything. Your writing style and details are beautiful. I can't wait to read more!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/7/2006
Good wedding. I'll bet the ladies of Gondor hope that none of the elves will be hanging around for too long. They're far too pretty. Halbarad's sons are rather appealing. Well, they would be, really. And they managed to get Penny dancing in the end!

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/7/2006
Ah, the wedding, finally! And wonderful described! :) Penny must have felt like Cinderella, or at least I would’ve felt so among all these dressed up elves and nobles, no matter how beautiful my own dress may have been. And I can understand she nearly didn’t recognise Sam at first sight – this elegant hero is no longer the modest gardener of Bag End! I enjoyed Penny’s reunion with the hobbits, although I suppose it is still a bit difficult for her, knowing what is happening in the Shire and that Frodo will never wholly recover in Middle-earth. Hm ... Legolas should have realised until now just why Penny acted so odd around Boromir and in what a situation he had brought her with his assumption that she was in love with him. Can’t wait until they have a chance to talk in private! Well, that goes for Aragorn and Gandalf, as well. giggle Now I wonder if the stiff Gondorian protocoll and seating arrangement will survive Aragorn’s and Arwen’s rule? They have one hundred and twenty years to get rid of the worst formality, after all. And the stuffed swan ... rofl I doubt I’d been brave enough to try that! Another part I loved very much was Aragorn’s remark about ‚modicum of civility’ in Penny’s greeting and the way she hugged Arwen. Oh yes, I can see the raised eyebrows of the Gondorians! eg Oh, and I love the banter between Lindir and Penny. And of course I love Halbarad’s sons more and more. Arvain may be more fun, but somehow I still prefer Halladan. He seems a bit melancholy after the loss of his father and his other brother. Poor guy, it would do him a world of good to find love with Penny hint, hint Anyway, can’t wait for more!

Lyn	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/6/2006
You've really made this one of the more realistic portrayals of life in those times with all the research and detail, but I don't believe England at that time had tomatoes, spices such as cinnamon or herbs. It is possible that dates and figs came from Harad, but the spices would have come from the Orient, beyond Tolkien's maps I think. I discovered that England had wild srawberries but didn't get modern large strawberries until a shipment from Virginia in 1642. Blueberries arrived in England in 1946 although they had whortleberries. Early food was rather limited then, but lots of salt (no pepper). Grease from butter and tallow from deer and lard from pigs, flower from wheat. I imagine they had dill weeds and thyme, rosemarry. Apples, but no citrus. I haven't really done much research so this may all be wrong, but I think it is correct. Bacon and beer of course. Milk, cream, eggs, chicken. And swans and ducks. Honey was the only sweet. Onions for certain. Forgive me if any of this is wrong. I think Tolkien envisioned this ancient time as 7,000 years ago, long before the Romans, Dark Ages, and Middle Ages. Author Reply: Which is the essential problem and difference with Middle-earth, and why I have allowed myself poetic licence in such matters. Since, if you were to be absolutely historically accurate, then the hobbits can not have their shire weed and Sam can not wax lyrical about 'po-ta-toes.' Indeed, if you want to be really historically accurate, then Britons 7,000 years ago were using only stone tools - no Anduril, no dwarf armour, no mithril. ;) The dates and cinnamon were intended to indicate trade with southern states (even if not directly - most trade would have been done in 'stages'). Figs and apricots (and similar) to indicate the warmer climate in Gondor, particularly in Lebennin. Pepper was already in use in Roman times. To my mind, the Shire is England with the possible immediate environs (Arnor) included also. Outside of Arnor you are getting into the rest of Europe if not beyond - the scales are too big for them not to be - so when you reach places as far afield as Rohan, Gondor or Dol Amroth, then you are into a very different cultural history than the British one. To my mind Gondor, but particularly Dol Amroth, are more mediterranean in climate, which means a whole different set of native plants (and foods), such as figs and olives. Whatever did not grow in Minas Tirith or on the Pelennor would be transported up from Dol Amroth, or even trading states further south now peace is re-established, by river. Having the Anduin does open up a lot of possibilities. (This is how I have worked it out in my head). Anyway, my point is, that given JRRT had those 'historical anomalies' in The Shire, means some anomalies/allowance can be made by an author setting their fiction in his world. (Another is the clock on Bilbo's mantlepiece). Civilisations, foods and ways of doing things rise and fall - we can see this in our own history, and it's clear in Tolkien's world too with the demise of the skill of Numenorean building one very clear example. But I thank you for taking the time to point this out, and yes you are correct. :)

Pearl Took	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/6/2006
Wonderful!! So beautiful, I could just picture everything. SIGH Author Reply: Thank you - for reading, enjoying and reviewing. :D

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/6/2006
This was just wonderful! I loved the descriptions of the finery of all the guests, and the reunion with the hobbits wsa just as touching and funny as I had hoped for. We are reminded that most of the bad news she is still acquainted with relates directly to those four, and to Frodo in particular. How hard is it going to be for her now, not to warn them of what they are going home to? But for the most part it was a happy reunion, and the description of Sam's reaction was perfect. I also enjoyed the banter between Halbarad's sons and Lindir, and I loved the way she greeted the new Royal couple. The curious looks she is recieving from the Gondorians are probably just the beginning--everyone is going to want to know just who and what this mortal woman is who came with the Elves. I do think that perhaps we see some possibilities arising with Halladan. I have to admit I have had hopes in that direction since the start of this sequel. Author Reply: Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for taking time to let me know your reaction. Always lovely to hear back from readers who have noticed the little things that I include. :D

Mopsy	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/6/2006
Just remembered - are you going to write Mireth and Celebdor's wedding? I would LOVE to read that. I know you said it would be less than a year ahead of the action, which is forever, but maybe you're planning to write it anyway? I live in hope. Author Reply: In all honesty? Probably not. But never say 'never', I suppose. ;)

Mopsy	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/6/2006
Frankly HOORAY. VERY brill chapter. I loved it. I cherish Lindir (but am sad there's been no Erestor banter for a while. Am I alone in adoring him?). I also am in love with Halladan, and I love his limp, and feel extremely sorry for him. I'm a very loyal reader, checking for updates at ff.net embarrassingly often. The delay (entirely forgivable, I hastily add) led me to find a link to your LJ in another review, and thus I found my way here, AFTER being absolutely amazed (or possibly astonished) to find myself mentioned in a relatively aged entry in your LJ. It was about a Doctor Who comment I left in a review. So, I wanted to thank you for the LJ mention, as well. Author Reply: Oh, hello there! No, you are not alone in liking the Erestor of my story, quite a few people do I think. Though Rhimlath, Lindir and Halbarad seem to be the main contenders for people's affections. lol There's just not been much opportunity for Erestor banter, with everything else I have wanted to include in chapters. There will be more coming, though. As for the LJ mention, well you deserved it. It was an utterly hilarious suggestion, and one that could work well for a 'bamf-fic'. (To explain to anyone reading this who doesn't know what we're on about, Mopsy suggested it was not too late to make this fic a Doctor Who/LOTR crossover and have Penny turfed out of the TARDIS by Rose being the explanation for her landing, unexpectedly, in a field near Bree).

Levade	Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 3/5/2006
I hope they didn't put those swans in front of Prince Imrahil! Wow, what a feast, and I can imagine the finery, with everyone trying to outdo the other. If the sun came out you might be blinded by the gems. Lovely chapter, the wedding was great but my favourite part is still the Dunadain. They just seem to belong to both worlds and yet they must be far more grim than the Gondorians? Ah, I don't know, but I really liked this chapter. Seeing the hobbits again was touching, and Penny knows Frodo will never recover. Mithrandir was being his usual elusive self and Lindir, the younger brother who just can't stop teasing. Now if they can just get through the ode... :) Author Reply: lol Well, I suspect even Prince Imrahil would have been stoical and thought swans made good eating on occasion. After all we have many people in history using stags or boars as their badges or family crests, no? If the sun came out you might be blinded by the gems. I did consider putting in a line to that effect, but I had already had her nearly blinded by the amount of mithril in the silver banner the twins carried. sniggers Thank you for commenting, and I am glad you enjoyed it all. And as for the ode... Well, I've already written that little moment. :)

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