I absolutely love your story so far. I like seeing Sam do something more than just look after Frodo for a change, and it gives a good inside on how te relationship between Legolas and Gimli came about.
Keep at it because I for one can't wait to see how the story will continue
Author's reply
Thanks, Fire. I apologize for taking so long to respond. That's not usually like me. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. It's been both fun and rewarding to do some character development on Sam and Legolas. (I'm with you on wanting to see Sam do more than fret about Frodo, and Legolas' character just needs some serious fleshing out.) Thanks again for taking the time to review, and I hope you'll keep on reading!
Anso the Hobbit
· 17 March 2006
· Chapter 5: A Wizard's Burden
Hunters, eh? Well, there is something foul about them I am sure. :) I like how you shift the POV from one member of the Fellowship to the other, and I was very pleased to see my own dear Merry in his right element - keeping his head clear and reassuring Pippin. He's good at that, lol.
Author's reply
Hello, Anso, and welcome to the story! I deeply apologize for waiting so long to respond to your reviews. I usually go back and check before I post the next chapter to be sure that I’ve got them all, but I missed yours when I did that (because I only looked at reviews from the latest chapter, silly me)! You reviewed the first five chapters, and I’ll just respond to them all in one fell swoop.
First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to review. So many people don’t, and while that’s their prerogative, I’d love to know what they have to say. Based on your name (and your comments), I’d guess that you’re a hobbit fan. :) I’m a big Fellowship fan, myself. The portion of the books where they’re first together was always my favorite. Well, there’s lots of Sam to be had in this story, for sure. He’s really becoming a favorite of mine, and he’s a joy to write. And if you like Merry, he does get his own chapter – the latest one, as a matter of fact. I’m trying to give everyone their own chapter, even though they don’t always come easily. Gandalf was very, very hard to pin down, and Merry was no piece of cake himself.
Anyway, I’m glad you thought the story was worth a couple of reviews. I don’t know if you’ve caught up since then, but if you have, I hope you liked it. Cheers, and I’d love to hear from you again!
Anso the Hobbit
· 17 March 2006
· Chapter 4: Forward or Back
Oh! Of course there had to be trouble afoot! I just hope that the Fellowship will manage to reunite before they meet trouble. I do like your Sam! He's just as I see him. :)
Anso the Hobbit
· 17 March 2006
· Chapter 3: The Searchers
I do love this story! For one thing, Sam isn't the one people usually sweep down a river and that is nice to see! Yes, I'm evil, I know, lol. Also, it's very nice to see the hobbits boss Aragorn around, lol! Another thing is that Frodo isn't sick from his "bath" in the river. I do like it when people go off the traditional path in stories and write something new. :D
Anso the Hobbit
· 17 March 2006
· Chapter 2: Swept Away
Poor Sam! What a dreadful thing to be swept away by the river when he can't swim. Thank goodness Legolas was there and that they reached the bank in the end. I hope they're not too far from the rest of the company and will find them fast so they can find shelter and warmth. Great story!
Anso the Hobbit
· 17 March 2006
· Chapter 1: To the Crossing
Several people has recommended this story and finally I come to it! And what a story it is too! Full of lots of lovely moments, hobbity for the most part, and excitement too! I am very eager to read more of this!
Dairwendan
· 8 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
It's great to have the Fellowship back together, in whatever condition!
I love the new wrinkle with Boromir!
Great writing!
Thanks!
Dairwendan
Author's reply
Thanks, Dairwendan! I'm sorry for taking so long to reply. I hope that people are starting to see the pattern in me, though. Sometimes I wait until I'm ready to post the next chapter before responding. This time it just took a really long time. :) Hope you'll still be reading!
Ariel
· 7 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Ah, I had thought not. I read this chapter, as usual, offline, and didn't have the opportunity then. And one thing drives out another, as I am sure you understand. LOL!
You did succeed here. Well done! No noticeable difference in the style (which is still highly engaging and readable) but NOTHING I remembered stumbling on! I am so glad you found that advice helpful. It does my heart good to see that I was able to give you something you could use. :D Thank you for that.
I see lots of folks with advice and comments on the story actions, but I don't usually comment on story events unless there's something that seems odd to me. So far I am captivated and completely bound up in the story and am just following you! Take me where you will, Captain! You've steered us an exemplary course so far.
Author's reply
Oh, shoot. I never did give your email a proper reply, did I? I’m sorry. I’m sure you know what I thought of your comments by now, but I let that get away from me somehow. I also let these responses get away from me; I did about half of the reviews for this chapter right after they were posted and left the rest languishing. I can’t remember why exactly, but it’s been a busy spring and summer, and I had some trouble writing chapter 13. Anyway, the next chapter is about ready, but I’m still rereading it and making little changes. When I came back to finish responding to chapter 12 reviews I went back and found that email you sent, and I’m going to keep it in mind when reading through the chapter for the last time. I’ve already done quite a bit of trimming but there’s got to be room for more. I know me. :) Anyway, thanks again for the advice, and we’ll see if you notice anything.
Dreamflower
· 3 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Ah. At last.
I was interrupted so many times the day I read the chapter, and then when I finally finished, I had no time to write a real review. And then I could not get back to it the next day. *sigh* RL can be such a pain sometimes.
The tenor of this chapter is subtly different this time. It is not only due to your use of Boromir's POV--which by the way is very well done--but also to the fact that for the first time since very early in the story, the Company has been reunited.
In the beginning of course, the suspense is maintained, as Boromir and Aragorn chase the Elf and the hobbit down the current. I love Boromir's recognition that Aragorn actually has more endurance than he--not a grudging admission, but a practical one, and filled with respect. I like your characterization of him here. This is early in the journey; they have not passed through Moria, nor has he been subject to Galadriel's testing. He has not yet begun to be haunted by the Ring, or if he is, it is still a minor and unacknowledged thing, easily put aside by the stress over his companions' fate. All he is concerned with is saving Sam and Legolas, and the possibility of the unknown enemies preventing them from doing so.
And then his desperate efforts to bring Sam out of the water, and his memories of Faramir that begin to surface is very effective.
And Merry just *shines* here:
To Boromir’s surprise, it was Merry who took charge. “Get out of the way!” he snarled, and Frodo and Pippin scrabbled backwards, never taking their eyes off of Sam.
Merry knelt at Sam’s side and laid his head upon the gardener’s chest. “No heartbeat,” he announced.
Pippin burst into tears, and Boromir felt his heart grow cold. No heartbeat. Surely Sam could not be dead! He had survived the flood, the fall, and who knew what else at the hands of Men only to be lost now during his escape? He rested his tired arms upon his knees and let his head drop forward. He had not run fast enough after all.
But Merry had not given up hope. He settled himself firmly upon his knees, pinched Sam’s nose shut, leaned over, and covered Sam’s mouth with his own. At first Boromir was thoroughly startled, but then he saw Sam’s chest rise, and the memory he had pressed down just a short time ago tugged at the corners of his mind.
Sam’s chest rose again.
I find it very plausible that hobbits who lived on the Brandywine would indeed know what to do for a drowning victim. While I do not always like to see some anachronisms, we have to remember that M-e is not an exact equivalent of the Middle-ages in our world. Remnants of the old knowledge from the West still abound, and the societies there mirror a number of stages of development, while we have to realize that they might have knowledge that was later lost. And I like very much that his resuscitation method was not identical to CPR, though similar enough to be effective. And I know this was *Boromir's* POV, but he is not the only one who must have had memories trigger by the event. Why does Frodo not act? He spent almost half his life in Buckland, after all--but he had to be remembering his parents, probably he was paralysed by fear... Thus it makes it very probable that Merry was the only one who *could* react.
I also love the quick and unquestioning way in which Pippin responds to Merry's instructions. Both the younger hobbits shine in this chapter.
When Pippin and Merry found their "shelter", I could not help but smile in memory of Sam's comment in the books about "one wall and no roof make a house". I do not know if this was an intentional nod to that, but if it was, it was effective and subtle.
The urgent preparations for the surgery ramped up the tension. I loved Merry's startlement, yet instant acquiescence, at being asked to scrub for Aragorn's surgery on Leglolas. And, again, I don't find his medical knowledge anachronistic in the least. He was not only trained by Elrond, the greatest healer of M-e, but he had spent much time in Minas Tirith, where they knew how to cure "all ills such as Men are subject to east of the Sea" (I'm not sure if that's an *exact* quote, but it's close enough).
Sam's fear for Legolas proves how close the two of them became during their captivity. And fortunately he was able to get his urgent warning out, so they will not be unprepared for the nature of their enemy.
I also loved Pippin's determination to do his part against the enemies who had abused Sam--and Gimli assuaging his pride, by reminding him that he and Merry would need to guard the wounded. And Aragorn's reluctance to see the hobbits possibly have to kill was very touching--in spite of everything, he wants them to hold on to the innocence of that as long as possible.
Now at last, all the friends are together again!
As always, another chapter of this story has left me wanting more. Even knowing what happened, as I re-read it this morning, my pulse was pounding and my adrenaline was flowing!
Author's reply
Hello, Dreamflower! I’m so sorry I didn’t respond to this review sooner. So much time has passed since the last posting that I can no longer remember why I only replied to about half of them. I want you to know that the delayed response is nothing personal (not that I really thought you’d think that, but just to be sure). I love getting your reviews and your feedback is important to me.
Gosh, where to start? You mentioned so many things. I’m glad you liked Boromir. I know I’ve said this in some other responses, but I don’t see him as a black-hearted villain. I loved the treatment they gave him in the movies; I actually thought he was a little one-dimensional in the books. (Sacrilege, I know, but there it is.) You are so dead on about how the Ring hasn’t had much of a chance to work on Boromir yet, this being an early date in the Quest. I also think he might have mixed feelings about Aragorn. After all, Aragorn is the man who can come back to Gondor and displace Boromir’s family, but he also has a way of commanding respect. It seems natural to me that Boromir would be watching and weighing Aragorn during the Quest, wondering if he would make a suitable leader for the people that he loves.
No one seemed to find the rescue breathing/CPR or “surgery” out of place. I’m glad that everyone seemed to be thinking the same things that I was: that Merry grew up on the Brandywine and ought to have some experience with drowning, and that Aragorn was trained by Elrond. I know what you mean about anachronisms. I try to avoid them, but it can be difficult! I caught myself using the word “riveted” at one point, and while most people probably wouldn’t have noticed it, they didn’t have rivets in Middle-earth.
About why Frodo didn’t act when Boromir brought Sam back: yes, he was thinking of his parents, and of Sam, too (who feared deep water; how awful to die in the manner that you most feared!). What’s more, I thought that he probably wouldn’t know what to do. Merry took over so quickly anyway that it didn’t make much difference.
I loved developing a relationship between Sam and Legolas in this story. They both come to it with so little knowledge of each others’ races; Sam’s seen the Elves but never known one, and Legolas has had almost no exposure to hobbits. (That’s an assumption, of course, but it seems reasonable.) Being thrown into the situation they were in, they came to depend on and care for one another. Poor Sam. It crushed him to think that they had gotten free at last only to have Legolas die in the attempt.
Two more brief comments on your comments. First, Aragorn’s comment about not wanting the hobbits to have to kill does tie in to the story overall. And second, I can’t take credit for the link between the Fellowship’s current shelter and Sam’s comment about one wall and no roof (on Caradhras?). It was unintentional.
Mordaen
· 3 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Your story is really tense! I'm dying to know what happens next.
Author's reply
Thanks, Mordaen! Sorry for the crazy long delay in the response to your review, but I left some of them hanging. Not sure why anymore. Anyhow, I’ll post again soon. I hope you pick up the story again.
Nightwing
· 2 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Wow, how do you do it?? Sustained tension and anxiety propelled us all the way through this chapter at a breakneck pace, and yet it never became overwrought or repetitive, and the moments of true action were tightly written and exciting. Well done.
I want to say I really appreciate the way you are handling Boromir. He is a flawed and complex character, and given what he eventually attempts to do to Frodo, it is easy for people to dismiss him as vain, weak, susceptible, and even evil. He deserves none of these labels. He's actually one of my favorite members of the Fellowship. I was not very fond of the book Boromir - he did come off as quite arrogant and snippy - but I really loved how the actor Sean Bean portrayed him in the films. He made the Man of Gondor a fully rounded and very compelling character, and I developed great sympathy for him. And it didn't hurt that I found Sean Bean quite attractive. I like big guys. :) So I thank you for doing right by Boromir. And you've given us a glimpse into a frightening story in his past that has obviously affected him deeply.
Which brings me to another point, which you had mentioned to Ithilien in your response (of course I read other reviews and your responses to them, I'm nosy as hell when it comes to my favorite writers) - the river as a character. You have many of our Fellowship members interacting with and reacting to it. Whether it be Sam's fear of water and his inability to swim, Boromir's memory of Faramir's near-drowning, Legolas fighting for his and Sam's lives when they were caught in the rapids, Merry's life-long association with the river near his home and his knowledge of rescue breathing, the river has really taken on a huge roll in this story. It's very interesting.
I'm with Lamiel in supporting the idea that Aragorn possessed an understanding of the relationship between infection and uncleanliness. It would be too much of a stretch to have him mention "germs" and "bacteria", but he is an exceptionally gifted and intuitive healer, and was taught by Lord Elrond himself. Though men didn't have any idea back then about how infection was caused, no doubt the elves at least had figured out that things needed to be kept clean when treating wounds.
I also think that it's possible that Merry knew how to do rescue breathing. I had it in my story as well, and really gnawed my nails down in worry, wondering if it would fly historically. I couldn't find any medical references as to when mouth-to-mouth was first discovered, until I discovered a reference to it in, of all things, Beowulf. Which is, of course, from the way back old days. As Tolkien was a Beowulf scholar, that was good enough for me! Mouth-to-mouth in Middle-earth? You betcha.
I do not know if you are a "typo fixer". If you are, I'll point them out in case you want to log in and effect repairs. First part, during the chase, Aragorn says "They are moving faster than they are". I'm thinking it should read "They are moving faster than we are". Next one: when the companions are huddled around the fire, and Boromir "could not conscience doing nothing". Perhaps "could not in good conscience do nothing"? Last one: Sam telling the others about the baddies. "They were tying to make us tell" change to "trying".
I'll mention one thing that seems a bit off in the POV. This is just my eye, and perhaps it'll look fine to you, but I'll mention it and see what you think. The sentence is "Boromir made as if to rise, but Gimli stopped him". This does not sound like the POV of Boromir himself, but of someone watching him. Boromir would either rise or not in his own observations of himself, there would be no "as if to", no guessing. How does it seem to you?
All right, I'll go now. I know I'm being a complete pain in the neck with this massive beast of a review. Sorry it's so long and obnoxious. Blame the icy roads. School was cancelled, and I am home with my child rather than at work today. Did I not have this long lovely lazy day ahead of me, my review would have been about five sentences long.
I'll part with saying I'm immensely worried about our two injured friends. Legolas will be hurting for some time, but with that Elven stamina he'll pull through. Sam though... I'm concerned. I have not forgotten that he felt ill before with a sore throat and rising fever. With everything else he has had to endure, I fear we will soon have a hobbit with pneumonia on our hands. Aragorn will have his work cut out for him. Boromir is exhausted and chilled, everyone is worn out, and the baddies are not finished with our friends yet. I'm sure they're coming - an ambush in the dark perhaps!
Oh wait, I must mention Pippin!! He was great in this chapter, doing his part and trying to be helpful. He's becoming quite the little outdoorsman isn't he? The scene of him building the fire and commenting on the quality of the fuel raised him in my esteem. He's learned much, and I am pleased to see the youngest member of the Fellowship portrayed as something other than a complete imbecile.
All right, I'm gone. Good grief...
Author's reply
Hello, Nightwing! I’ve got to start off by apologizing for not replying to your review sooner. I know you say you read other people’s reviews, so I probably don’t have to say this again, but I got away from my responses for a while and never went back. I do remember feeling that I didn’t have the heart to work on the responses while I was having trouble with the chapter that I’m about to post.
Please don’t apologize for leaving long reviews! You are an excellent reviewer, and I always look forward to reading what you have to say. You mentioned so many things that I want to respond to that I am sure the response will be at least as long as the review. I’ll start with saying that I am a rabid typo-fixer, and I appreciate your pointing them out. My own eyes go over each chapter so many times that certain errors go utterly unnoticed. The only two you listed that weren’t unintentional were the “made as if to rise” sentence and the use of “conscience” as a verb. I’ve seen “conscience” used that way before, but I couldn’t find any reference to it as a verb when I looked it up, so I’ll change it. I understand the “made as if to rise” bit myself, but it is a little awkward, so I’ll change that to “started to rise”. I don’t enjoy being distracted by muddled sentences or technical errors in other people’s stories, so I don’t want them to be found in mine.
About Boromir and Pippin. I liked Sean Bean’s Boromir better than Tolkien’s Boromir, too. (Gasp! Treason!) I think that we saw more of his flaws than his strengths in the book (although Tolkien does let his worthiness shine through in the end). I picture Boromir as being a very noble man, one who loves his family and his people. I also think that it is this love that serves as his weakness as well as his strength. I imagine that the Ring lures him with promises of the salvation of Gondor (and perhaps a contented Denethor) rather than personal glory. As for Pippin: In many stories I have read, he comes across as rather twee. (I like that word – twee. So fun to say.) I think too much is made of the fact that Pippin is not of age, and while Tolkien did establish his tendency to get into scrapes, that can’t be his only defining trait. He’s not stupid, and he’s not a twelve-year-old. I often find stories in which the other characters address Pippin as if he were still a child! How many nearly-of-age humans appreciate being treated in such a manner? None that I know of. I think Pippin would be anxious to prove his worth amid both the older hobbits and the Big Folk of the Fellowship, who all happen to be warriors. But I also think that when real danger comes knocking he’d forget about trying to prove himself and just act.
On to first aid and rescue breathing in Middle-earth. Everything that you said about the Elves and cleanliness is precisely what I was thinking of. You are dead on about the Elves never having heard of bacteria, but I thought that they certainly might have puzzled out the link between infections and dirt. I don’t think it takes a great leap of imagination to think that washing one’s hands before sticking them in an open wound is a good idea. And as you said, Aragorn was trained by Elrond, the greatest healer in Middle-earth. If anyone should know about the link between cleanliness and healing, he should. As far as rescue breathing goes, I didn’t worry about it for too long. This is something else that I thought might have been puzzled out by folk who lived near water. I don’t think that trying to force air into a drowning victim’s lungs is a terribly novel concept. In the next chapter I’ve got Merry observing that it doesn’t always work, and he doesn’t know why, but that there’s no point in not trying. I thought that Merry’s efforts to give Sam’s heart a jolt were logical, too. If he hadn’t thrown Sam against the ground, I would have had him thwacking Sam’s chest with his fist now and again.
A lot of people seem to be concerned that the end of the story is imminent. You don’t, though, and you’re quite right – for all the right reasons. How can the end be here what with Legolas out cold (literally), Sam coming down with something, Garan stalking about with the worst of intentions and everyone else just plain worn out? No, there is certainly more coming! There’s a part of me that doesn’t want the story to end – I enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it – but I know that I’ll feel very pleased when it’s completed. It has turned out better than I expected and received a response the like of which I had never dreamed of. People really seem to enjoy it. Put that all together, and when the story ends I will be able to declare it a success in my book.
Periantari
· 1 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
HOw awesome was this chapter, i can't begin to praise.
It was so exciting when Sam was found and then reviving him and Merry taking charge to help resusicate Sam---wow ..i was again on the edge of my seat throughout this one. I finally get to see fine, very fine comfort/healing for Sam... and his telling the Fellowship what he knew---that dialogue was written really well. I really like your detail in having him stutter a bit because he's still so cold. And Frodo helping Sam out is awesome. :)
And i love your Merry--love that you put him in charge and that Aragorn also looks to him for help. :)
I love your Boromir point of view--it's awesome to hear from him.
Reallyliked this line: Boromir could say without boasting that he was a brave man, but even the bravest of souls were not immune to fear.
I really like your Boromir characterization. :)
And LEgolas being carried in with an arrow in his back!!! wow... my heart stopped there. I hope that he will be ok... poor Legolas.
I see that this will continue on for a while--i really hope the Men don't find them so soon... But question: isn't the Men on the same side of the River as the Fellowship? If this is true, then the Men will quickly find them again ....very soon.
WOw--you know how much I ADORE this story ...but this chapter ruled because finally Sam is the recipient of much needed care. awww~!
And yes, please update asap. :)
Author's reply
Well, so much for the updating ASAP, huh? I’m so sorry it’s been so long; I’ll mention why in a brief note at the end of the next chapter. I’m so glad you’re continuing to enjoy the story. These last chapters have given many of the characters a chance to put their nobler qualities on display. The story is mostly finished by this point, but there are still a few chapters left to go. The Men are not on the same side of the river as the Fellowship, but they know where they’re at. Garan will have guessed that the group of spies he saw has something to do with Sam and Legolas, though, and he’ll want to get them back.
I hope you keep on reading when I post again (soon!) and that you keep on enjoying!
Anonymous
· 1 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
It was a delight to find that you had updated, and what a wonderful chapter this is. I'm much relieved that the fellowship is together again, even if poor Sam and Legolas are not in the best of shape. I have confidence in the others to pull them thruogh. I'm glad that you actually let us see Boromir save Sam, and I am glad that Boromir was the one to do it. It was a treat to get to see him risking his life for Sam and helping Pippin with the fire. I'm glad he was a bit put out with Aragorn's impatience with Pippin. Boromir was very likeable in this chapter. Pippin was very well done. I liked seeing a less foolish version of the youngest hobbit. Seeing Merry in take-charge mode was another highlight. With the men still out to get them, the fellowship is not out of the woods yet. I can't wait to see what will happen next. I have one question. I'm probably just dense, but why was Frodo hesitant to take Sam's hand?
Althea
Author's reply
How’s it going, Althea? I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to this review. I left a bunch of them hanging for some reason, but it’s time for me to catch up now. I’m so glad you liked Boromir in the last chapter. The poor guy gets kind of a bum rap, I think. I always envisioned him as a noble Man with the best of intentions who wants something so badly that it makes him act in a way that is contrary to his basic nature. It can’t have been easy for him to weigh the fate of Gondor (as he imagined it) against the will of a couple of Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits at a little council. People do some crazy things in the name of love. I’m also glad that you liked Pippin. Too often he seems to be portrayed as purely clownish, but there’s nothing in this present situation to joke about, really. He ends up as a knight of Gondor; the raw material for that has to be in place to start with.
French Pony
· 1 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Once again, your choice of perspective works well here. I like what you've done with Boromir, making him a real guy's guy. He is extremely brave to be rushing into the river after Sam, but I like that he has his limits, too. I especially like that he seems to be discovering some of those limits here. That he was perfectly brave and capable and ready to help with the rescue right up till it involved CPR on a drowning victim said quite a bit about his character without you ever having to come right out and say anything.
Legolas really has taken quite a beating, and what with the arrow wound and the surgery, he's going to be one miserable Elf for the next couple of days. But it sounds like he'll have all eight of his (current) nearest and dearest watching over him like a whole flock of guardian angels, so he'll be okay.
It's good that everyone is together again. Even if the Men come back, they'll have quite a bit to deal with.
Author's reply
Bonjour, French Pony! I apologize for waiting so long to respond to your review. It’s been so long that I don’t even remember why I replied to only half of them at the time. I’m glad you liked the last chapter. It sounds like you get a very masculine vibe from Boromir, too. I always thought that his father must have had extremely high expectations of his children, and that Boromir must have been more like him than Faramir was. It could certainly help explain why Denethor favored Boromir so much, but I also like the idea that the two brothers were close despite their father. I try to keep my writing as close to the books as I can, but I really liked the way the movies handled the relationship between Boromir and Faramir.
You’re right – Legolas isn’t going to be dying on anyone. I don’t think I’m giving anything away by saying so. After all, if he kicked the bucket, then this story would veer firmly into AU territory, and I’ve been calling this a “side adventure” right from the start.
Larner
· 1 March 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Ah, but imagination is such a strong thing, and this memory is so close to what they have been through this afternoon and early evening. That it should have been sparked is all too plausible; as is the fact of it hitting close to the heart. The heart isn't ruled by rational thinking, after all.
And the fight for Legolas's life is still far from over, after all.
Thank heavens they had a River Hobbit along!
Author's reply
Hello, Larner! I apologize for not responding to this review way back when you first left it. I can’t believe it’s been since March. I’m getting ready to post again, though, so I thought I had better get caught up with these! I’m glad you liked the last chapter. It was almost stressful to write at times, and I was kind of drained afterwards. Very lucky indeed for the Fellowship to have Merry with them. Everyone’s got their own set of skills, and this was the perfect time for Merry to use his.
Grey Wonderer
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
I love all that lies beneath the surface in this one. Boromir's confession about Faramir to Frodo who, unbeknown to Boromir, lost his parents to drowning; Merry's knowledge of what to do for someone who is nearly drown makes me wonder all what all he has seen from living near the Brandywine all of his life, Pippin's determination to be counted among the warriors but his hesitation upon second thought, Aragorn's need to save Legolas and Gimli's unspoken feelings about the Elf in this time, Frodo's inner guilt at putting all in danger because of what he carries, Sam's worry for both Frodo and Legolas in spite of his own peril, and Gandalf who has the power to do so much but is limited to heating water and allowing what will happen to happen! This is wonderful! Boromir is so noble and he is struggling with so much more than he can name at this point. I am rambling but this was one fantastic chapter!
Author's reply
Well, looky here – someone’s finally getting around to answering her reviews from more than THREE MONTHS AGO! Truth be told, I did answer a few of them right away, but I stopped at some point and I’m not sure why. I really shouldn’t have left you hanging of all people; you’ve been such a great reader. Still, I hope that readers recognize this pattern in me by now. If a month or so goes by and I suddenly start responding to reviews, it means that I’m about ready to post again (since I don’t like to post until I’ve sent all my responses).
So glad you liked the last chapter! It’s been so interesting to get into the heads of all these different characters and see how they think about the same situation. They’ve all got such different backgrounds and histories that they’re all thinking and feeling some very different things. You also mentioned Gandalf, and how he’s limited in what he can do at present. Sometimes we all get stuck in no-win situations; whatever we do, we lose. Lucky for everyone that Sam and Legolas decided to take their fate into their own hands.
Lamiel
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
This is such a good story, and I was so happy to see that you'd updated. And with such a nice long, satisfying chapter too! I was afraid that you'd leave us with another cliff-hanger, at least with regard to Legolas' survival. I know that I probably would have done so, were I writing the story. You are a kinder author than I, and I'm grateful for that.
There's a nice mix of suspense and action in this chapter, and even some character development for Boromir. Excellent! I also thought that you did a good job managing the details of first aid in Middle-earth. It's always a trick to figure out what they might have known in those times. We modern readers would cringe to see Aragorn perform surgery without disinfectant, and yet in the Middle Ages doctors had no concept of the practice. Still, Elrond was the greatest healer in Middle-earth, and he trained Aragorn. Presumably the Elves would be a bit more sophisticated. I particularly liked Merry's revival of Sam. Of course he wouldn't know modern CPR, but his technique was still effective, and it made sense to the reader that it would be so. That was an example of story-telling in its finest form. You show what is happening, you don't tell the reader more than what the character would know, and everything makes sense. Wonderfully done.
I am so glad to have the Fellowship back together again at last! Aragorn's desperation to reach Legolas fairly radiated off the page, even though it was told from Boromir's POV. That small moment when he snapped at Pippin was particularly striking. Oh, this is so well done. I'm eager to read the next chapter, and yet I don't want the story to end. I hope that you have many more plot bunnies nipping at your heels, because I would love to read any other stories you feel inspired to write.
Author's reply
Hello, Lamiel! Glad you liked Boromir’s “character development”. One reason that I like Fellowship stories so much is because it gives readers (and me as a writer) the chance to have a new take on the characters. I always felt like Boromir came off as a bit one-sided in the books. I imagine that he had many noble qualities that must have shone through before he began to succumb to the pull of the Ring. After all, he did manage to redeem himself when all was said and done.
A lot of people commented on the “Middle-earth first aid/CPR”. You pinpointed my thoughts exactly on the use of disinfectant. I feel certain that while the Elves had no concept of microbes, they might have made the connection between cleanliness and infection. And yes, Elrond was the greatest healer in Middle-earth, and Aragorn followed his reputation. I’m pleased that you liked Merry’s scene, too. I thought that since the Brandybucks lived near water, they probably would have seen many near-drownings… and perhaps puzzled out how to revive the victims, even if they didn’t know everything that was happening physiologically when they did so.
Ah, I’m glad to see that Aragorn’s concern for Legolas was apparent. He really didn’t behave fairly toward Pippin, although he has some excuse. They’re all feeling the strain, Aragorn especially. It can’t be easy to have an old friend depending on you for their life. As for the end of the story, well, it’s not here yet. I’ve got a few more chapters left at least. I don’t know what I’ll do after I finish it, but if a worthy bunny comes along, I’ll probably tackle it. :)
Dreamflower
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Oh, this chapter is just as suspense filled as the rest have been, in spite of the rescue. There is so much to like about it, it's going to be hard to list them all! And I have very little time now for a proper review, so I hope to come back and do one tomorrow!
Author's reply
So nice of you to want to leave a "proper" review, although I wouldn't be at all hurt if you only felt compelled to leave a short one! You've been an excellent reviewer, long or short. (I'll leave more comments after your other review.)
GamgeeFest
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
*big sigh of relief* They're safe and back with the Fellowship at last! What a relief! It was such good luck that Boromir saw Sam's hand. He could have so easily missed it. Legolas will be fine, once he recovers from the cold and the arrow wound. I can't wait to see what will happen next. I doubt the Fellowship will have much time to rest before being assualted. Garan won't let his men rest until they get their "prizes" back. Congrats on the nominations, they're very much deserved. :)
Author's reply
Thanks, GamgeeFest. You’re right about Boromir being lucky; he definitely could have missed the sight of Sam’s hand against the rock. I think the Fellowship should be more concerned for Sam than Legolas in the long run. Legolas has surely been through the wringer more than once, but Sam hasn’t. Running from Ringwraiths is one thing; his recent experiences are another.
Delrauko
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Great! im glad legolas and sam are safe with the fellowship again...or as safe as they can be anyway! cant wait for the ending!
Author's reply
Thanks, Delrauko! Sam and Legolas are with the Fellowship, yes, but the story’s not over yet.
XtremeFrolicker
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Congratulations on yet another WONDERFULLY written chapter!! I've been checking constantly to see if it was up, and you just made my day by posting it!! I'm so happy to hear you're nominated for an award- you deserve it. I'm really happy that the Fellowship is back together, but does this mean that the stories almost over? Could you add a couple dozen more plot twists please?
Author's reply
Thanks, Xtreme! It’s so nice to hear that you’re so involved in the story. I know what you mean about new chapters of your favorite stories being such a treat. I love it when the stories I follow get updated. About the length of the story: it’s not over yet. Yes, Sam and Legolas are back with the rest of the company, but they have some recovering to do. Garan and three of his men are still wandering around out there, too, and now they know of the existence of the rest of the Fellowship. They ought to have some idea that these newcomers have something to do with their lost prisoners, as they were watching the showdown from across the river. (And Aragorn did shoot at them, too, although that hasn’t been stated yet.) I don’t think a little thing like being outnumbered will stop Garan from trying to find the Fellowship; he’s a sorcerer, after all, and thinks quite a lot of himself. The question is: can he find a way down the cliff and across the river?
Jay of Lasgalen
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Great to see an update! This whole story has been wonderfully tense, and this chapter is no exception. The race along the river, discovering Sam and reviving him was very well done - and I loved the nuances of Frodo's reaction to the mention of Faramir's near drowning. Very subtly done.
You do a lovely job of not quite explaining what Aragorn is doing to remove the arrow from Legolas's back, while leaving vivid pictures in the imagination. Yes, I know Legolas will recover (and soon) but this is still full of suspense.
Jay
Author's reply
Ah, thanks, Jay. With regard to the “surgery”, what you said was just what I was trying to do – let the reader know what was going on without really saying it. I have extremely limited knowledge of the details of arrow removal, but I can guess at the basics. Who needs more than that, anyway? The thing’s got to be pulled out. I did spend some time mulling over the tools that Aragorn might have with him, though.
Bodkin
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Oh excellent - more information on this nerve-wracking story! I'm so glad Sam made it from the river and it's a very good thing that Merry is a Brandybuck and knows what to do in the case of apparent drownings.
I love the Boromir point of view - and his flashbacks to Faramir's near death experience. Aragorn must be made of iron to pursue Legolas like that - and he is still alive to be brought back and operated on. That is one tough elf. Good bit of Gandalf magic too - just when it's needed.
Of course, getting them back together and attempting to stitch them back together is a bit too hopeful and there must be disasters to come - but I am relieved to have Legolas and Sam on the right side of the river and back in a group.
Looking forward to more.
Author's reply
Thanks, Bodkin! I’m happy to have Sam and Legolas out of the river as well, even if they’re a bit worse for wear. It is a good thing for Sam that Merry knew what to do. Glad you liked Boromir’s POV. I don’t think he comes across as a very sympathetic character in the books; I actually thought that the films did a more thorough portrayal of him. The origin of the Faramir-nearly-drowning story seems to have two halves. One involves the fact that the river itself is such a strong “character” in the story. Not only has it been the driving force behind the fates of Sam and Legolas, but many of the characters have links to rivers as well. Frodo’s parents drowned, Merry, Legolas, and Boromir live near rivers, and we can’t forget Sam’s fear of swimming. The Faramir story also originated from my belief that he and Boromir were close. I think that Boromir would have thought of his brother often – of how he was faring, of how their father was treating him, of the shoes he would have to fill should Boromir never return. It’s interesting how love can make someone strong and vulnerable at the same time.
shirebound
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
What a wonderfully thrilling chapter.
Merry threw Sam’s back against the ground. “Breathe!” he fairly shrieked.
Pippin bent down and reached for Sam’s nose. Sam’s body suddenly convulsed, and the unexpected movement so surprised Pippin that he squeaked and nearly fell over backwards.
Merry scrambled off Sam’s legs and knelt at his side. “That’s it!” he cried. “Come on, Sam!”
Yay Merry, and yay for everyone who toiled so wearily and unceasingly to forge this group into a true Fellowship. And good heavens, Frodo, you're allowed to let Sam know how worried you were about him!
Author's reply
Thanks for the lovely comments, shirebound. So glad you think the Fellowship is behaving as a team. As for Frodo… well, a lot of things were going through his head after Sam was revived. His own parents drowned, after all. You seem to be thinking of the moment when Frodo kept reaching for Sam’s hand and withdrawing again. He was afraid for Sam, afraid that he was still hanging in the balance, afraid to disturb that balance. Never fear, though; he’ll let Sam know just how much he was missed.
Lyn
· 28 February 2006
· Chapter 12: Breath of Life
Ah...a favorite bird and a favorite author!
Excellent writing!
Just one suggestion:
“Get my pack off of Bill, if you please.
I believe the correct expression is, "Get my pack off Bill, if you please."
"off of" is a colloquial expression (I use it also, but try to avoid it
when writing).
If I haven't mentioned it before, please consider this a request should he
occasion rise; that is, use the proper form of the verb to sneak rather than the
currently popular one: sneak, sneaked, has/have sneaked.
Thank you again for sharing your wonderful talent with others!
Author's reply
Thanks, Lyn. I don’t know if I’ll take your suggestion or not, but I’m glad you brought it up. I do want this story to be the best it can be. I’m glad you’re continuing to enjoy the story!