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| With Hope and Without Hope by docmon | 6 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Thundera Tiger | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/11/2008 |
| You paint disorientation very well. Actually, let's revise that and say that you paint strong emotions of any kind very well. Merry's breakdown was heartfelt and gut wrenching, while Aragorn's trial before the palantir was acutely felt and Pippin's desperation to get the Ranger back had me on the edge of my seat, despite the fact that I've read the draft versions and know what's going to happen. The story still comes alive each time I read it, which to me is the hallmark of greatness. Once again, awesome chapter! Author Reply: Thanks again, Thundera! I take those compliments to heart! I do want to paint the emotions well - but there's the trick of not overdoing it. Sometimes it is hard to tell. But then, that's what you're there for! Thank you again! | |
| Naledi | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/10/2008 |
| Oh dear! Things are looking bleak for the fellowship! I like the way you've got Merry and Pippin largely underestimated by the orcs and given more freedom. I think that's very much how Tolkien writes them. I hope they will be able to come up with a scheme to help the others. I'm also wondering where Gandalf is, as he must be somewhere at large. Author Reply: Thanks for writing, Naledi! Bleak? Bleak, smeak! Things could be so much worse! Who knows how much worse it may get... [beg] That's one of the key to hobbits, I felt: because of their stature and how they came across, they were constantly underestimated. Tolkien exploited this and I tried to do the same! Gandalf? Oh, that guy the other reviewers keep mentioning... must look him up, see who they're talking about... | |
| Ainu Laire | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/9/2008 |
| *whistles* I haven't seen the remaining Fellowship- all of it- in Orthanc, ever. It's quite a fascinating tale, and terrifying, especially since they all made it. Pippin's slip of the tongue is most unfortunate, but I imagine Saruman would have found out anyways. Wow, poor Fellowship. I feel sorry for all of them. Ah, the palantir. I wonder if Saruman will reveal Aragorn to Sauron if he tires of him? That would be... bad. One minor error. The singualar of Dúnedain is "Dúnadan", not Dúnedan as you put. But, otherwise, that's all I see. I cannot wait for the next chapter. I am really nervous about what is to happen... I'm hoping for a happy ending, but am beginning to doubt that it will happen. I wonder if Legolas' escape attempt and run-in with Treebeard will bring any good when Gandalf comes back? One can only hope. Author Reply: Thanks for writing, Ainu Laire! I'm finding out now how rare this kind of story is. It was part of my premise from the beginning. Glad to hear you're enjoying it, terrifying as it may be. I think you're right, and Saruman would have found out. Pippin made their lot only slightly better than it could have been. Thanks for the correction - @#*% Sindarin! ;-) I'll make a note of it. oh! And I made you nervous! Better and better! No hints here! Gandalf? Who's he? [beg] | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/9/2008 |
| I'm a bit surprised Aragorn didn't recognize the Palantir. I can appreciate how being forced to see the visions of Rohan destroyed exhausted him. Now, to turn it elsewhere.... And Merry is learning things quickly, while Saruman is distracted from thoughts of Frodo. Author Reply: Hi Larner! You have to remember Aragorn hadn't ever seen a palantir - only heard about it in legends. He had no reason to think Saruman had one, so it was the last thing on his mind - his pain-ridden, dehydrated, starved mind, I might add. Our Ranger isn't doing too well. I know, I know, it's my fault! [eg] Yes, Merry didn't miss a beat! He's a determined little hobbit! ;-) | |
| Cairistiona | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/9/2008 |
| This was heartwrenching. That Saruman is torturing Aragorn through his mind makes perfect sense, story-wise, but it's so hard to watch Aragorn going through such despair. Thank goodness for Pippin ... his care for Strider came at just the right time, but I worry even the stout hearts of the halflings won't long survive Orthanc's hell. You're pulling all the right emotional strings with this one, drat it! LOL Author Reply: Oh! just what I love to hear! I had no idea torture was so much fun [eg]! Yes, I'm afraid this is just how I saw Saruman treating Aragorn, so my readers had no choice. Some of it was actually hard to write! But hobbits must be hobbits, so Pippin can do something for Aragorn. For now... [beg] | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 6/9/2008 |
| Poor Aragorn! pippin and Merry are very brave here. Author Reply: Thanks, Linda! I tried to keep each of them in character, no matter what was happening to them. But I'm afraid the fun times are over - in case you were wondering. ;-) Thanks for writing. | |