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A Perilous Journey to Lorien  by LadyJaina 2 Review(s)
Reviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/23/2021
Thank you:) that’s an intriguing story! Please, continue!!!

Author Reply: Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed! I hope I continue to keep your intrigued all the way to the resolution! :)

quodamatReviewed Chapter: 12 on 7/12/2021
This is wonderful story! I really enjoy your nuanced depictions of the various characters. Boromir: grumpy first, sorry second; a bit sheltered and xenophobic, but keenly observant; torn between hope and fear. Pippin: determined to be cheerful no matter what, but feeling very young and insecure; aware of his own reputation and hoping not to be misunderstood; impulsive and irrepressible, but deep down concerned about everyone but himself. I could go on. Just such good characterization!

I also like the way you insert little character moments that really enrich and round out the main storyline. In this chapter, for instance, there's Pippin's very t(w)eenage discomfort at being without his clothes, and Sam's silent "help me out, why don't you??" to get Boromir to comfort Frodo (dear Sam!).

Finally, I really like what you did with Pippin's encounter with the Ring. It's telling that in his state of mind, the strongest temptation is to despair: what he wants most is for the past to not have happened. The idea of the Ring stirring up guilt is an interesting one. It reminds of of how, in Christian tradition, the devil is understood to be not just a tempter but also an accuser. (Not saying you did or should intend that parallel, just a resonance I noticed.)

I'm looking forward to continuing to read. Thanks for sharing your work!

Author Reply: Wow! What a review! Thank you so much for all your kind words!

As for the Ring stirring up guilt, my intention was that the Ring wanted to be found by any means necessary--maybe that is getting Boromir to take it, or allowing Saruman or the orcs to find it, or by driving away those who care most for Frodo--making them ineffective so that Frodo is isolated and alone. He does this both by tempting, and accusing. That said, I don't even think I realized that's what I was having Sauron do, or the parallel of Satan as the accuser. So often our beliefs shape our worldview, and, in this case, I think they bled over into fanfiction. Amazing job picking up on something so nuanced that I barely noticed it!

I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters just as much!

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