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| By Chance or Purpose by shirebound | 19 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Budgielover | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/6/2003 |
| As I so often do with your stories, I had to sit back and think about this one for a while. Not because they were convoluted or difficult to understand, but because I felt a deeper meaning than went beyond the surface words. I was both surprised and satisfied with Gandalf's move of making Aragorn forget his earlier memories and affection for Frodo, for you are absolutely right - how could Aragorn send someone he loved so into such dreadful danger and hardship? I admire the thought processes that led you to this conclusion. As for the story in total, I thoroughly enjoyed it. As you always manage to do, your hobbits shine forth with a light of their own and include us in their circle of friendship and love. Wonderful, wonderful story. Author Reply: "surprised and satisfied" are *just* what I hoped folks would feel after reading the epilogue. Gentle Hobbit had a truly unique and challenging idea here. Omigosh, I love that. "...hobbits...include us in their circle of friendship and love." Sigh. | |
| Pearl Took | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/5/2003 |
| shirebound, I read this a bit ago, but didn't review right away. It took me a bit to get a handle on this epilogue. I like it. An interesting twist on decisions that may or may not need to be made. What indeed would happen if others could make such decisions for us. Which choice would Aragorn have made if choosing between the two options had been offered to him? It is a wonderful "What if?" I will look forward, as always, to your new story. Pearl Took Author Reply: Thanks, Pearl. The epilogue does take a bit of getting used to, but I'm glad it grew on you! Ah, "what if..." So many stories are based on that very notion. | |
| Little Mouse | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/3/2003 |
| Hey Shirebound! I'm sorry it's been soooo incredibly long since I reviewed this story, but, well, as the song goes: "Life Happened." So back to buisness. This was such an awesome story! I thoroughly enjoyed every minutes of it. It made me smile when things weren't going so well, and reading each chapter gave me a few moments of rest in an otherwise hectic day. I thank you for that. I have to admit, when I began reading the epilogue, I didn't like it. It didn't make sense. But then Gandalf appeared, and explained, and suddenly it made perfect sense! I salute you, as well as Gentle Hobbit, for comming up with the idea. Well done. You deserve a round of applause. *leads the general populice in said round of applause* Very well done indeed. Confession time: I went back and read all of the stories you've posted. Every single last one. And now for the compliment and encouragement: You've done such a wonderful job, even at the very beginning you were a wonderful writer. Now, you are phenominal. I mean that. You've gotten better. I can tell because I can see the differences between your earliest fics and this latest one. You really have improved your writing with each story. You explore something new in each one, placing the characters in different scenarios and seeing what happens to them. The stories have gotten more complex, and the characters themselves are more defined and well-developed. No wonder I like you so much. You not only have good ideas, you've learned how to make them come alive, and you continue to hone your craft and find new ways bringing out the spirit and life of your characters. Bravo!! I will never fail to learn from you as an author. Again, I thank you. I can't wait for the next story! See you then! -Little Mouse Author Reply: My goodness, what a lovely review! I may cry! You've read every story I've posted? I'm deeply honored. I still can't believe I have so many stories to tell, and that people actually want to read them. Amazing. (And I have to say thank you, especially, for saying that my writing has improved. Over the past year and a half, I've worked very hard to make it so.) | |
| frodo16424 | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/3/2003 |
| What an ending! You were right - the epilogue does deserve to be with this story. Glad Aragorn gave Frodo's memories back - he deserved them. Thanks again for a wonderful story. Author Reply: Thanks, frodo! It's been interesting steering the story towards this unique ending! | |
| Arwen Baggins | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/3/2003 |
| WOW! That was certainly intersting. I wasn't expecting Gandalf to steal Aragorn's memories! I didn't know that he even could... though of course if he can read them, then he can probably steal them as well. The thought just never crossed my mind. Author Reply: I'm glad it was interesting! Thanks to Gentle Hobbit, I was able to end this story in a non-predictable way. | |
| Shireling | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/3/2003 |
| Janet, A lovely ending from a true Hobbit lover. I can imagine how hurt Aragorn would be to realise that Gandalf had hidden his memories, but imagine how awful it would have been for Frodo not to have had those memories to shore him up as he travelled to Mordor. Thank you for a wonderful story Helen. Author Reply: Thanks, Helen. There *is* some hurt here, but also a lot of love -- I just *have* to have lots of love in my stories! | |
| fliewatuet | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/3/2003 |
| Wow, that Epilogue was quite unexpected, but a wonderful tie in of both 'Quarantined' and 'By Chance or Purpose' with the canon-events. Needless to say that I thoroughly enjoyed both stories. Thanks for writing and sharing! fliewatuet Author Reply: Thanks for sticking with the stories! I'm so glad you're enjoying the "Quarantined" universe. | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/3/2003 |
| That was an interesting epilogue - and something our dear wizard might do, if he thought it necessary. It also made me think of how other parents felt about seeing their children go to war, into danger as they did. Aragorn was son to Elrond, and of course he would lose both son and daughter if there was success. Gloin saw his son leave; and rather doubt Thranduil received with gladness news his son was on this quest. Sam, Merry and Pippin - what in the world must their parents have thought? They were just missing. Frodo though - he didn't have parents to worry about him. He had dear old Bilbo - and Bilbo let him go to Mordor, but then Bilbo would have gone! Hobbits are amazing creatures. And Aragorn - it is an interesting question to think if he could have let Frodo go. My, this is all done! Congratulations on another great story and great finish! So, what is next? :D Author Reply: Thanks, Nilmandra! Every answer sparks a new question, doesn't it? (I love all your speculating.) What's next... is a light story set about a year after "Quarantined", which I hope to begin in January. It'll be time for some anti-angst, by then! | |
| Elwen | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 12/3/2003 |
| Ahhhhhhhhhh. *sighs contentedly* That was a lovely ending . . . tying everything up in a neat bow. Thankyou for another great yarn. I hope you're going to start weaving another one very soon. Author Reply: Thank you so much, Elwen. I do have a penchant for "neat bow" endings, however they're achieved! | |