phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 25: To Balrog or Not To Balrog
Oh, dear did she suffer in this one. It galled me, when reading the LotR, that Elrond, who had suffered so much in his life, would also be burdened with forsight. Yet he had thousands of years and several close-to-home experiences with which to deal with this forsight. In other words: poor Penny. (I seem to be saying that an awful lot, don't I.)
That Arwen would be drawn to helping Penny was a very nice touch. And that she would be there, see Penny struggle, and not know if it were Aragorn's fate that had her so distraught is - well, it was a disturbing notion. Also, that all those in the room were close to Gandalf and Aragorn and yet knew full well the ramifications of their facing a Balrog would have been incredibly difficult for them not to wring the information out of the poor girl.
phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 24: ... Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu!
Hehehe, yup, still one Glorfindel! I had one little question on this chapter: Didn't Celebrimbor die before the establishment of Imladris? Your having him paint a mural (which I took to be something relatively permanent and unmovable) made me a little confused. I may have misinterpreted it though, and if so, I appologise. If not, could he have done a painting instead of a mural that was somehow saved before the sack and fall of Nargothrond? Still, it was a moving notion that Glorfindel could share this with Penny, and that someone so involved in all that was happening, and who had met such a black and horrible end, had painted such a reverent and peaceful image.
Author's reply
i will check that about Celebrimbor, thank you. I had understood the attack on Eriador to have been after Imladris was established. *wanders off to poke her canon beta* ;)
phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 23: So Long, Farewell...
I love what you have done with Halbarad's character. That he would be so concerned for her well-being and then so disappointed in her was an interesting mix. And I'm glad that (for once) this is not a romantically charged interaction.
Also, I love the comparison of Penny's situation to that of the elves, that her forknowledge of events would be as an analogy to their interaction with mortals. It is one of the things I loved so much of Tolkien's writing - the melancholy and yet the courage by which they continue to live and love in the face of death and change - and you have brought it out so well, especially here.
phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 21: The Prodigal Son
Yep, I was afraid poor Penny might have to face that little challenge. I may enjoy re-enactment, but there is nothing in heaven or earth that could move me to try using a cut-throat razor. Uh-uh, not happening, no way. *shudder* OUCH!
Again, well done on Boromir's character, and especially on the universal language with which he tried to let her down. It spoke volumes on both his position and his being a gentleman. And, sob, the idea that there may have been someone he looked for when returning to Gondor...sob. It's a fair assumption, and I imagine not one that has ever crossed the minds of Mary Sue writers in full, hormonally charged swing.
phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 20: Open Mouth, Change Feet
Yep, me again. Sorry 'bout this.
I forgot to mention earlier how entertaining your chapter titles have been. It's a great clue as to the tenor of the chapter, and always gives me a kick.
Again with the Boromir/Penny issue - it's a good thing I read this bit at home.
I'm also glad you covered the issue of 'unmarried non-virgin woman roaming the world alone' issue. This would have been a HUGE concern, especially given that she was found wandering alone in her pjs even had this happened 50 years ago. Says a little something about lifestyles nowadays, that this isn't a concern, doesn't it. No judgement calls here, just that it is strikingly different and has changed in such a short period of time.
Oh, my god! was the scene down by the river a hoot. I had tears on my cheeks from laughing so hard. Even now, having read the rest of the tale, I still chuckle over that one. Absolutely hilarious. Put that in the Mary Sue's pipe, eh? Fiendishly clever, that one. The gossip lines in a house of elves was truly and hysterically funny. And what can I say of Lindir. Hah!! Oh, I haven't laughed that hard in too long a time. Thank you so much. I think I'll keep that chapter handy for days when I need a pick-me-up.
Author's reply
Thanks for noticing the chapter titles. Very occasionally inspiration fails me, but I do like to make them mean something or be entertaining and and of themselves. There are several in the sequel that are song titles or skits on the same, for example.
Yes, the river scene and Lindir's subsequent embarrassment struck a chord with many, I think - and there is a lot of more of that sort of nonsense to come in the sequel, which (being set after the War) can afford to be a lot more light-hearted than much of Don't Panic is.
As for the unmarried non-virgin issue: yes, you are right. Even 40 years ago it still would have been a big deal. In some areas of the world, it still is. This will come back to haunt Penny both in this fic and the next.
phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 19: Another Fine Mess
YES! Side-saddle would most definitely have been more apropo. And from what I gather, it's a lot harder than normal riding. A LOT harder. Oh, and I was wondering if all this 'cultural' information was just from research or from experience? Would I be right in guessing that it is a combination of the two? You write of medieval-ish items and practices very well, and in either case congratulations.
Oh, how I howled at Legolas' interpretation of Penny's regard towards Boromir. And that Mithrandir did not translate her "Oh, shit." Poor Penny, and poor Boromir! Hah!
Author's reply
You're right - it's both. Research as needed, but also information I have squirrelled away over the years as well as used myself on occasion. :o)
phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 18: Sense and Sensibilities
Ah, Penny's near faux-pas of telling Arwen how strange it would be to wake up in Valinor. Ouch, that WOULD have hurt. I could only imagine how Elrond would have reacted had he overheard that slip out.
In this chapter, I love your characterisation of Boromir. You grant him all the nobility, intelligence and chivalric nature that Tolkien imbued him with. Too often, fanfic writers gloss him over as either bad or 'good-but-intrinsically flawed' when this was in no way the case. I love that you have kept him so much 'in character'. Thank you for doing him justice.
I also love the assumption (and very well-assumed) that Legolas and Gloin (if not Gimli himself) had met previously. It is no stretch of imagination to assume this, and I think your description of their potential for having met was very well done. That, and the assumption that Legolas would have been beside his father at the Battle of Five Armies really goes a long way to making him a more Tolkien character than a too-often mischaracterised AU one. If that made any sense, please let me know. :-)
Author's reply
Well, thank you for that.
It is true I am a Boromir fan - I have been ever since I first read LOTR way back when - but I tried to stay objective and treat his characterisation exactly as I did the rest: write them exactly as I see them when I read the books.
phoenix23531
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 17: Beauties and Nincompoops
Ok, I know I promised to review each chapter, but I had to compromise. So I read through to the end. So I appologize both for the delay in congratulations and for the mass lump of emails you're about to get.
Chapter 17 - I was a bit confused at her absolute abhorance to riding, but as I talked to a friend of mine, she told me of her utter fear the first time she rode a horse and convinced me that this type of reaction wasn't far from the norm. I haven't ridden often, but have always loved horses and riding, but you wrote of Penny's fear so well that I could begin to understand it.
Gandalf's calling Pippin a Nincompoop was hilarious. Priceless! And Mireth is turning out to be a hoot. The chuckles I had over Penny's being surrounded by gorgeous ellyn and not losing it completely - as a stereotypical Mary Sue would have done in about the first line of chapter 1 - was well worth the odd looks I got from my colleague. I tell you, I'm going to get fired one day for laughing so hard over all this.
Ellethill
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 7: That Old River in Egypt
My god, this is wonderful! I love how realistic it is, I love how you show all sides of the characters' thoughts; I adore every single bit of it!
Strangely, I had actually wondered at one point, being swamped by 'girl lands in ME' fics and parodies of the above mentioned fic... fics, what exactly would happen if that took place. I am very glad to see that, till now at least, you seem to have pretty much covered everything.
Did I mention how much I love this? Looking forward to reading more!
Miss
· 14 December 2005
· Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
Hey, is't me agian.....
I forget to mention in my last review, that while a red this story a song 'popped'in my head. It was a song from goo goo doll>> Iris. When you'll listen to the lyrics I think you may know what I mean....
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 22: A Friend In Need
Beutiful. The ending made me cry. Just beautiful.
Kathy_SFF
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
What a wonderful story. I'm definately not a Mary Sue reader and was a little worried when I decided to start reading this story. I loved it. The problems she went through (language, clothing, washing cloths in a river!!!, latrines!!!!!, open sewers....Yadda, yadda) are never really covered in most fan fiction. I loved how her relationship with Halabard (sp) evolved and matured with both finally becomming friends. I also loved how Penny had to learn the language and stumble through rather than ...all of a sudden knowing it or being understood. I think you also got the main Tolkien characters spot on with how you wrote them. I could go on but I bet most has already been said. I'm looking forward to a very interesting sequel.
Author's reply
Thank you for taking the time to tell me you enjoyed it all - and I am most flattered to know you thought I had got the characters 'spot on' as you say. I hope you enjoy the sequel. :)
fionnbharr
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
I eagerly await the further adventures of Pen ii. You have made such wonderful believable characters..
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and glad you enjoyed it. :)
Lindelea
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
Beautifully done. If I were not in haste (for these are stolen moments) I would leave more of my thoughts here.
I must admit I was mourning Halbarad from early on in the story, and then when Penny realised, well, we mourned together. You have created a vivid cast of characters, and your Penny is not only believably fallible but also greatly courageous in the final analysis.
Looking forward to the sequel.
Author's reply
Thank you. *weeps for Halbarad* Ai, it was SUCH a hard decision to stick to canon on that one. I so very nearly let him live... *sighs sadly* :(
Hope you enjoy the sequel. I shall post it a chapter at a time I think, and chapter 1 is posted this morning already. :)
Daynawayna
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 9: Curiouser and Curiouser
oh.my.Eru! ....... :::is speechless::: ...............
Its like you climbed into Tolkien's head or something! I'm just floored! WOW!
Penny is right, Halbarad is right, Aragorn, Elrond, the twins, Gandalf... you are just amazing Boz. I'm just... wow. It's absolutely perfect.
Bodkin
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
I wonder if Arwen can sense from Penny that Aragorn will be OK. Possibly. She could hardly bear to be around the Evenstar if she knew that he was to die and/or fail.
But Halbarad! Yet Elrond is right: he is a warrior, he would go anyway. So painful for Penny, though.
I look forward to following Penny's adventures further.
Author's reply
Well, I only hint at such things, in some ways because it would be difficult to do too much or go too far without 'treading on the feet of canon', as it were. however, it's clear elves can sense, see and foretell quite a bit - so I think it could be argued they would have a strong idea of what might be about to occur, and if not in general (i.e. that Sauron would fall - not even Gandalf knew for certain, though he probably guessed) they may well get presentiment about individuals. It is something again hinted at in the sequel - in Elriel's reaction to Penny's disclosure that she has had foreknowledge during the War.
Bodkin
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 26: Sending Out An S.O.S.
Tough.
Very tough.
Bodkin
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 25: To Balrog or Not To Balrog
Such a difficult situation. I don't think she could have coped had she not known that the quest was ultimately successful. And that few named characters died. And then there's the Prime Directive stuff - speaking could change everything, whether she meant to or not.
TithenFeredir
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
“'Pen-ii, does he fall? Does Sauron fall?'
...'Yes,' she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Elrond’s eyes closed for the briefest of moments and he took a breath."
To me this was the high point of the entire story, the most intensely meaningful moment. It was the one thing of all that Elrond or any of the characters would have been desperate to know. This is such a well thought out, well-written story and a complete departure from the cliche of the modern-day character falling into Middle-earth. At the same time it shows that the journey many Tolkien lovers would like to take would probably be more difficult than enjoyable and would ultimately be heartbreaking as well. Bravo, Boz. Well done. Thanks for posting your excellent story here. I look forward to your sequel. ~TF
Author's reply
Thank you for that. It is indeed the entire point. It was interesting as I was posting and writing this way back in early 2004 how a number of reviewers/readers didn't seem to understand this point at first: that if she tries to change something, even the slightest thing, it could jeopardise the fall of Sauron - something too horrendous to even contemplate. As I responded at the time (as did other reviewers/readers also, which was gratifying), I could have made Penny very different from how she is. She is educated and a Tolkien fan (rather than simply an LOTR/film fan). She does have a brain, even if it lets her down spectactularly on occasion - all of those things inform her decision making in this regard.
Nor is it over - there is the Scouring of the Shire, after all. Something that will have to be addressed in the sequel, which I hope you will read (and enjoy?). I will look forward to reading your comments, feedback, con crit and thoughts on that as I post it here. :)
Rhiannon
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 16: The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side
No chocolate in Middle Earth??????????? Life was hard! What a ridiculously arduous task taking a bath was -- we are so spoiled.
Daynawayna
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 5: The Latrine of Doom
Wow! I'm busy at work for 4 days, get 2 days off, come back and BAM! Complete story posted! I know it was already done, but wow! LOL
I'm SO loving this story Boz! I am just amazed at the insight and detail you put in here. Absolutley phenominal! you could sell it to all the "LOTR Nutters" out there and make a small fortune! ::cackles::
I can't say enough good things about this story. You have me completly hooked. Awesome, awesome characters, great research, and even the language Penny uses is *ahem* acceptable. I don't blame her one iota for picking every colorful word she can find, cuz eventhough I try not to use such colorful language... I'd be swearing a blue-streak, too!
Pearl Took
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 13: A Square Peg
Yes, the mistakes we make ;) No wonder it took the dear Professor so long to write all of this to begin with! I find that is the hardest part of writing fanfic - if like many of us one wants to stay close to canon.
This is a wonderful story and just keeps getting better :)
daw the minstrel
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 27: The Final Curtain
Wonderful ending, Boz. I could picture these Rangers. As I recall, Halbarad is the only one Tolkien says died, but he may just not have mentioned the others.
Author's reply
He did not mention any other of the Dunedain by name at all - dead or not. Halbarad is the only one we know about in any capacity. A shame, really, but in some ways it adds to their mystique and mystery - this solitary wanderers defending the North like strong, silent shadows in the night...
daw the minstrel
· 12 December 2005
· Chapter 26: Sending Out An S.O.S.
Oh my stars. How awful. Her decision not to interfere means the Grey Company goes south.
Pearl Took
· 11 December 2005
· Chapter 10: Calm Before The Storm
She thought of all those Mary Sue fics she had enjoyed loathing all these years. She chuckled. She’d like to see some fourteen year-old Orli fancier cope with THIS lot. Could ANYONE cope with it? She seriously doubted it. SHE couldn’t, that was for damn sure!
An absolutely marvelous paragraph!!!!