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By Chance or Purpose  by shirebound 5 Review(s)
PSWReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/22/2015
The Ring's at work right away, isn't it? Hopefully that's as strong as it gets throughout the journey, and their friendship will be stronger still...

Speedy HobbitReviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/19/2015
I have to tell you, this stood out in my mind as one of my favorite fanfics when I was a teenager, and now in my late twenties (cannot believe it's been this long since this fic was written!) I can very much see why. This is still a very engaging story,!

"You have true friends, Frodo Baggins. There are few treasures as highly valued." Ahhhh! So many feels! I can also understand the concept of being longtime friends much longer than I could when I was a teen- reminiscing about the past was something my friends and I rarely did back then- we wanted to be adults, not little kids!- but we do it all the time now, be it that fifth grade field trip, all those times in my library's children's rooms and how much mischief we got into there (to think I work in same library now! I bet if anyone told the children's librarians of the 90s I'd be working there in the 2010s there would have been a chorus of groans), high school shenanigans... well, you get the idea. Anyhow, the brief thoughts of the past definitely hit home much more now than when I was 16-18.

I also at that age couldn't fathom being separated from friends for months, let alone years, and still remaining friends because that was something I had not yet experienced. Now as an adult I have to say the catchup conversations and picking up right where things were left off in the friendship seems a lot more real! I once thought if two people were separated without talking for months the friendship would fade and die- but that's not always true.

Anyhow. Good stuff so far. Had to comment on the parts that affected me the most differently now from when I was an angsty, angry, insecure high school girl.

Author Reply: Cher, it's so great to hear from you, and to know that this story is enjoyable for you in new ways. We really have all been together for a long time now, haven't we?

And I was so happy to hear about your recent New York Adventure. *happy dance*

Speedy HobbitReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/13/2014
I managed to wander back to this site after a hiatus of many years. By Chance or Purpose as one of my favorites from when I frequented SoA in high school (I used to be Trishette though I doubt you'd remember me.)

Going for rereads of everything now; it'll be interesting seeing how my reactions to stories have changed from when I was 16 and constantly squeezing about everything LotR to the point where I stuck a Tolkien quote in my high school graduation speech!

Thus far, thus is as amazing as I remember.

Author Reply: Of course I remember you, Trishette! What a pleasure to hear from you again.

I recently re-read all of my "Quarantined" stories before writing the latest sequel "The Rings of Evendim", and remembered how much I enjoyed writing this series. The "Q"-verse is truly my LOTR happy place. Thank you so much for getting back in touch.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/26/2006
And Sam has stayed true to that vow.

So glad that in this version Frodo has confidence in Strider, and some knowledge of who and what he is.

Author Reply: It was a challenge -- but a fun challenge -- to expand the "Quarantined" universe into the Quest.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/21/2004
After reading your adorable bit of "puppy fluff", I was tempted to come and check out your other AU stories. I was surprised to remember I had read "Quarantined" before I had figured out how to leave reviews. But somehow I had missed this one. A *very* promising start. I like the idea of keeping events the same, while changing only the interactions of the characters. Love your Merry--absolutely perfect!

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