Caught Between the Light and Dark by Budgielover
GamgeeFest · 11 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
This gets more fascinating and intriguing by the chapter. Merry shows his quick thinking, and his sympathy when he cared for Boromir, and I loved Boromir's observations on Merry's style of healing. Pippin's inquistiveness yet again almost gets him into trouble with Gandalf, though he did have a point. I'm very eager to see what happens next.
Hai Took · 9 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Yikes! Oh dear, goblins! Poor Frodo being bound up and all, at least he his able to walk, although ti won't do him much good for running away at least he is more comfortable! Pippin nearly got himself in trouble with Gandalf! That he would make the wizard so mad, yet what he was saying did have truth. Gandalf toldhim to be quiet. At least Sam was able to see and quiet Pippin down. Boromir and Merry now on their own knowing that the others are about to walk into a trap! I admire your Merry's quick mind! That he used the sugar to get rid of the goblin. I hope Merry's wound doesn't cause too any problemsm ouch. Looking forward to more!
Mysterious Jedi · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
I love the goblin being afraid of the pony. You never do let our fellowship have a moment's peace, though, do you? Ah, well. It makes for good reading :)
girlofring@aol.com · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Hey Gayle! I did not even get notified about a chapter 3. I did not leave review there, but this is good and full of suspense as always. Update again soon!
Andrea · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Well, why indeed did Gandalf not send Legolas to the rescue? Maybe, he was just too exhausted from a young hobbit's never-ending questions ;-) He should admit, that he's made a mistake. And I like your Merry. He's a very brave hobbit and he did not lose his wits, when he was confronted with the mountain goblin. Now he and Boromir have some more time to think about what to do next. I really hope this will be of any help for the others!
girlofring · 8 April 2005 · Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Anonymous · 5 April 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Gah! Please don't make me wait *too* much longer to find out what happens next!
Starfire_Moonlight · 1 April 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
This is good! I want to know what has got Frodo, this time. Write more soon!!! :D
Inkling · 17 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
I’m glad you’re posting this slowly…gives me a chance to catch up! Love the last scene, with its shift in mood as Frodo wakes up. Hmmm, is that “In the Hall of the Mountain King” I’m hearing?
Kelsey Estel · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Very nice story! You have my interest. Parts make me laugh, parts make me wince, parts make me hold my breath. That's what a good story needs. Looking forward to more!
GamgeeFest · 12 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Poor Merry! That nearly fatal experience will have him shaken for awhile. And then he doesn't get to go after his cousin. It must be doubly hard for him, trying so bravely to face his fear and then have to stay behind. At least he has something to occupy his mind in caring for Boromir and trying to produce another rope somehow. Pippin's goodbye was wonderfully Tookish. :) And now what has Frodo woken up to? Loved the slow fading of the Birthday Party dream into grim and terrifying reality. Bound and surrounded in the dark by many luminous eyes - he is quite a spot. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
DAYNA · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
WOW. what a story so far! Poor Frodo! Poor Merry and Boromir! ouch! I'm really enjoying this. Update soon! :)
Ariel · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Finally! A brief moment to read this! As I have long come to expect from you, good characterizations, compelling action and a cliffhanger with very sharp and pointy teeth! LOL! Very well done, Budgie!
Dreamflower · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Goodness gracious! The Fellowship split up--I know that is *not* going to sit well with Merry--Merry and Boromir alone on top of the cliff, the others going down that dark menacing tunnel, and the brief glimpse of Frodo's POV, and his mysterious captors...you have constructed a first-rate suspense situation!
Inkling · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 1: Chapter One
Couldn’t decide which of your fics to read next so when in doubt…pick the WIP! Love the dry humor of Frodo’s first line…and this was priceless: “…the rest of the Fellowship stared down at him with varying expressions of concern, amusement, exasperation and irritation.” So I gather Frodo has something of a history of, ah, klutziness in your stories…?
Hai Took · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Now they are all descending into a chasm! You described Legolas so perfectly! I loved this "They watched, agape, as the Elf seemed to descend as lightly as a feather, drifting down the nearly sheer wall as if he only bowed to gravity out of courtesy." And I'm sure Pippin's little stunt did nothing to ease poor Merry's nerves! This was also very Gandalf-esque "Gandalf eyed the small tree with disfavor..." Only a wizard or perhaps an Elf could have disfavor with a tree! Oh I absolutely adore Boromir! He did such a wonderful job keeping his head and all in such a situation! I liked that Merry wouldn't leave him either, it was amazing that they were both able to get up! Of course now the Fellowship is split, at least more than it already was, and that must be a bit unsettling for all! Frodo's memories fading into reality, how very disappointing to say the least! I was thinking it was Orcs who had him but on reflection that couldn't make much since could it? I mean if Legolas didn't hear them it would have to be something extremely quiet! Oh, dear I do hope the others find him soon!
Mysterious Jedi · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
*twilight zone music* looking forward to more.
Larner · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Ooh, a cool cliffhanger. I like it!
mirthor · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Just stumbled onto this - enjoying it so far, especially the latter part of this chapter. What's in store now for Merry & Boromir?
Templa Otmena · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
When there is some type of award going for being rather lax at reviewing I'll be a shoe-in :) I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter...! It really was only the beginning in Chapter 2 in deciding to follow Frodo, lol, it was the getting down that was teh best (or worst!) depending on which side of the 'screen' you reside. I loved this- '...the Elf seemed to descend as lightly as a feather, drifting down the nearly sheer wall as if he only bowed to gravity out of courtesy.' and the hobbits' reactions to Legolas' 'amazing feat' ;) Sam proclaiming that he'd go before Merry and Pippin so that a future Thain and Master of Buckland would not be lost was a wonderful touch, as was their subsequent indignation, loved it! And, as ever, I loved the interactions between Boromir and the hobbits. 'A Lesson on Hobbits' is one of my favourite fics and now that Merry and he are alone *rubs hands together* /Lovely!/, not to mention everything else that is going on *conveniently ignores rather evil cliffie* I can't wait to read more... UPDATE SOON!
Templa Otmena · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two
And the tone hasn't a-changed... the way in which you described the rapid and frenzied turn around in bahaviour, amongst the hobbits in particular was very well done- ...'the hobbits began calling shrilly, frenziedly, their teasing forgotten. Aragorn hushed them with a hand tight around the two younger hobbits’ mouths. Sam clamped his hands over his own mouth, eyes frantic above his overlaid palms.' And then of course reminding them (and us!) that on top of everything else that may have happened, the need for silence was still paramount. Lol, I enjoyed the trial and error type scenario that the fellowship worked on in figuring out what to do. Gimli informing them on rocks was a lovely touch, Legolas rather thoughtlessly firing arrows at a poor, dangling Aragorn was another one ;) I /do/ adore 'your' hobbits... you wonderfully manage to capure the best of canon and, as you said, make our favourite foursome that much more accessible.
Andrea · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Now that was close! Merry must have been frightened to death, but in the nick of time he did exactly the right thing. Thank you for switching over to Frodo here, but it made me only more uneasy (as you intended, I believe.) "Many, many cold luminous eyes were staring at him." Can't wait for the next chapter!
Lindelea · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Absolutely gripping. Glad I wasn't interrupted; it would have been difficult to tear myself away. Poor Merry! I sympathise completely. Heights make me giddy. Yikes, poor Frodo, I'm getting more and more worried. And now the Fellowship is split. (and ouch! Boromir's wrists. Merry's limbs. Pippin slamming into the wall.)
Anonymous · 8 March 2005 · Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Excellent chaper! The unease is setting in ever deeper, especially with the division of the fellowship. And now our first glimpse of Frodo's abductors! I also loved your characterizations of Boromir and Merry. I'm definitely looking forward to more of their interaction. I found it odd that there was so little discussion of exactly who would go after Frodo, though. I understand wanting-and needing-to keep everyone together, but bringing all the remaining hobbits into a dark, rank, forboding tunnel just seems like *asking* for trouble. Especially when going up against an enemy that is both swift and silent. Ignoring the fact that this may well be the point (from the storyteller's end of things), I would have thought that the hobbits would have had to argue their way past Gandalf and Aragorn in order to come along. Just a thought. Actually, I'm very tired and rather sick, so this may not be the best time for me to review...oops. If this has turned into a rambling piece of nonsense, I apologize! Thanks for such a great read! Can't wait to find out what happens next!
Pearl Took · 6 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Chapter Two
This is wonderfully intriguing!! Very creepy. I'm loving it :)