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| Holding Back the Flood by shirebound | 24 Review(s) |
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| Andrea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/3/2009 |
| Great chapter, Shirebound! From the way how the hobbits deal with this situation, it should be plain to see that all of them are REQUIRED on the quest! Frodo (besides the fact that he's the Ringbearer) is the one who can assess a situation quickly and then decide whether it is dangerous or nor. And he's always right! Merry thinks ahead so that dangerous situations can be avoided. And Pippin's quick thinking always ends with a practical solution. (There's no question, of course, that Mr. Frodo will be accompanied by his Sam!) I also loved Gimli's way to deal with the situation, the dwarven way. He paused a moment to catch his breath, fighting the urge to just push the Elf away and find out how badly Sam was hurt. Instead, he carefully pulled Legolas to a clear area of ground near the fire. That's our Gimli. No further comment needed. And now to the rescue! That piece of rock really makes me worry. Author Reply: Thank you, Andrea! I agree, each hobbit is a unique jewel; and even more valuable when they're all together. I think Merry and Pippin *would* have followed the Fellowship south unless allowed to go... or tied up in sacks, like Pippin boldly said to Elrond. I'm glad you're enjoying 'my' Gimli. I see Dwarves as impulsive and hot-tempered, but not fools. And now to the rescue! :) | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/3/2009 |
| O my, a Morgul shard! There's a fearful thought. And Elrond not free to help. I find it a relief that Frodo, Pip and Merry are on the *outside* side of the wall, but it's still troubling that Gimli, Sam, and Legolas are on the flood-threatened side. I love Pippin's cheek, offering to lend Strider *Merry's* comb. LOL! And Merry pressing his point, that he and Pip will be needed on the journey to come. I find myself wondering--we've seen most of the fellowship. Will Boromir make an appearance, or did you excuse his absence in a previous chapter and I've forgotten? I love Gimli as you've written him here. Solid as a rock. I like his practical upbringing, and would expect nothing less from Gloin. Looking forward to more. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Lindelea. My original idea for this story didn't include Boromir, regretfully, so if he appears it will be a delightful surprise. I never quite know where these stories will insist on going. :) I'm really happy you're enjoying this. I love finding ways for the hobbits to tease, but also to 'show their quality'. | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/3/2009 |
| Yay, finally had time to re-read today and leave proper feedback. This chapter is full of wonderful things. I'm glad Aragorn quickly shifted to allow for the possibility of a Nazgul, because there is nothing more annoying (and dangerous) as a doctor/healer who doesn't listen to the patient and give credence to information about their own body, eh? Gimli's two mantras are very practical and worth remembering apart from the story; I don't think there is anyone other than your Gimli I would want with me in an emergency, except perhaps shirebound. Finally, I am thrilled that Sam's fate is still hanging in the balance... my favorite kind of story. Author Reply: I agree about Aragorn! I think the weeks it took to get to Rivendell taught him a lot about the competence of hobbits, as well as learning to trust that Frodo would have better instincts about the 'shadow world' than most people. Thank you for your lovely comments. I hope we never find ourselves in any type of emergency unless a Dwarf (or perhaps an entire Fellowship) is with us. Dear Sam. :) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/3/2009 |
| Frodo is most perceptive, and Merry most wise in his suggestions. And I love how methodically Gimli is responding to the crisis as well! Now--everyone HURRY as safely as possible! Author Reply: Yes, it's time for everyone to HURRY! Thank you so much for your comments. :) | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/2/2009 |
| Thank The Valar help is there. Good thinking on Merry's part about what's remaining of the shard possibly vanishing once out in the sunlight. And Pippin's ever present scarf ends up being useful yet again. Here's hoping Aragorn and Pippin can get Frodo to Elrond and Gandalf before it's too late. Same w/Gimli, Legolas and Sam!! Loved how Gloin's lessons came back to Gimli so quickly. A good friend of ours will be very happy to see that Gimli had the presence of mind to dress Sam's head would to the best of what our stout and resourceful dwarf was able to. ;o) Can't wait to see how all of this comes out. Looking very much forward to the next part in this story. :o) Author Reply: Yes, I thought of our friend when that head wound needed to be addressed! :) Thank you, Tigger. I've written myself so many little notes about this storyline, it's a pleasure and a wonder to see it come together at last. | |
| Althea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/2/2009 |
| It was great to see Aragorn playing a larger part in this chapter. I love Merry and Pippin's quick thinking. Pippin is such a dear the way he banters with Aragorn in order to distract Frodo. The shard embeded in Frodo's leg being like the Weathertop wound took me by surprise. I didn't see that one coming. You really know how to keep the suspense high. Hooray for Gimli for keeping his head. I'm glad to see that Legolas has come around, but I'm still worried about Sam-- still unconscious with a gash in his head. I hope the elves are able rescue our trapped heroes soon and that Elrond can continue to hold back the flood. I'm really enjoying this story. It's very exciting. Author Reply: Thank you, Althea. I just couldn't imagine this story without Aragorn, since I love it when he's in "healer mode" with the hobbits. It's such a joy to write banter and fluff, but it's a wonderful compliment to know that a story is 'exciting' and surprising, as well. | |
| shadowolf | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/2/2009 |
| Very nice. I always thought it was considerate of Legolas to ask how everyone else was before himself. I also like how you incorporated the first Nazgul attack into this second one with the blade. Very well put together. I hope to read more soon! Author Reply: Thank you very much! Tolkien wrote Merry as a very intelligent and capable hobbit, and it's a pleasure to highlight that aspect of him. | |
| Inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/2/2009 |
| Oh the tension grows! Your Gimli is excellent; so resourceful and matter of fact, as you would expect of the Dwarves; Merry and Pippin are a great double act, but most of all, of course, I'm waiting to see how Aragorn tackles this shard. I doubt he's ever done anything like this before. Another great chapter. Author Reply: I'm really happy that Gimli is coming across as a unique, resourceful, and 'real' character. And Aragorn is (as you well know) quite a resourceful fellow himself. Thank you for reading. :) | |
| ArianneG | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/2/2009 |
| A small predicament? That's a huge understatement. Glad that rescue is soon near to hand, though! Though knowing you, it'll be a while yet before Legolas. Gimli and Sam are gotten out of their stone prison. One only hopes that Elrond can hold until then. Oh dear--surgeon!Aragorn gets to sharpen his scalpels, eh? Bless Merry and Pippin for their inventiveness. Aragorn would've surely had a worse time of it trying to find that shard if it melted and broke off in the wound, like the shard in Frodo's shoulder. Author Reply: Thank you for your comments. I think Gimli might actually feel more comfortable being in charge of an underground emergency, than roaming around Rivendell trying to avoid conversations with Elves. I'm really enjoying learning how to write him. Bless those hobbits, indeed. They all contribute something so unique and wonderful. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/2/2009 |
| Oh, this is marvelous and tense--but help has arrived. I love seeing how the wheels are turning: Aragorn's determination to keep his own fear from the hobbits, Merry's quick thinking about the rock-shard and Pippin's solution; and most of all Gimli's careful assessments of everything he needs to do! This is just wonderful! Poor Bilbo--he's just got used to Frodo being better, and now Pippin will have to tell him that Frodo's injured again! I hope that it won't take too long to get to the others... “You two make a good team,” Aragorn said. “I agree,” Merry said, gazing at him meaningfully. Merry's not going to miss a chance to remind the Big Folk that he and Pippin will be an asset to the Quest. “What do you have? What must be done?” Not for the first time, his father’s patient training came back to Gimli; after so many years, those two basic questions were as much a part of him as his beard. All Dwarves, starting as younglings, were taught the wonders of Mahal’s mighty realm... as well as its dangers. Tale after tale, drill after drill, reinforced the lesson: Rocks will fall; lives will hang in the balance; decisions will need to be made. Acting impulsively often led to further disaster. What a great look into the culture of the Dwarves and how they deal with the dangers of their chosen habitat! I'm so eager to see more! Author Reply: Thank you, Dreamflower! I imagine that Merry would take advantage of any chance to show his expectation about the make-up of the Fellowship, and what he and Pippin might be able to contribute. He is a very clever hobbit. I learn so much about the characters by writing about them. I have to assume that Dwarves are pretty narrowly focussed on the earth, in all its glory, and that children would learn from a very young age about its dangers, as well. This story is so much fun. :) | |