Okay, NOW Panic! by Boz4PM
harrowcat · 14 September 2008 · Chapter 60: Tying Up Loose Ends
I, for one, am actually quite glad that you have finished but only because you have timed it well with the arrival of my e.book reader so I can go back to the beginning and read it all over again. I too would love to read the fill-ins and further explorations that you come up with. Well done Boz and thank you for such an entertaining tale.
Author's reply
Thank you, and thanks for reading. :D
Redheredh · 13 September 2008 · Chapter 60: Tying Up Loose Ends
Thank you! for writing this wonderful and entertaining story! Thanks to Nilmandra for getting you to post it here at SOA. Many thanks to your betas and friends and readers for encouraging you not to quit. I truly enjoyed this realistic look at a modern girl falling into Middle-earth. You are an insightful and talented writer. I feel terribly guilty about always letting other people leave reviews, and here at the end, this being the only one I have offered. Better late than never, I guess. But, what I really wanted to say is: Congratulations! on a work of literature well done and a novel task nicely completed! You and Penny have deservedly entered into Tolkien fanfiction fame and history. Now Enjoy It!! A good story does not end; it is read again forever! Oh and thanks also for promising a bit more Penny panic to let us down easy... ;D
Author's reply
Thank you! And thank you for reading and taking time out to comment. :D
Dreamflower · 13 September 2008 · Chapter 60: Tying Up Loose Ends
Utterly and completely perfect, dear! The ultimate in the old time-travel conundrum "I'm my own (umpteen times great) grandmother" story! And it's as good an explanation as any--she had to go back in time, because obviously she *did* go back in time or she wouldn't exist. While I confess that I would have been just as happy to see the wedding, and perhaps a future meeting between Penny and the remaining three hobbit Travellers, I agree with you that this is just the right way to wrap it all up. And I look forward to those future gapfillers, ficlets and vignettes as the time and inspiration provides them to you!! A brilliant end to a brilliant fic!
Author's reply
she had to go back in time, because obviously she *did* go back in time or she wouldn't exist. Exactly! Hee! :D Thanks, dreamflower! And thank you so much for reading. :D
el_esteleth · 13 September 2008 · Chapter 60: Tying Up Loose Ends
Very lovely ending. Yes, I must admit that I would have loved to have had more, but isn't that always the case with anything that you read and enjoy? And besides, all good (great) things must come to an end. But the ending suited the story and tied it up very nicely, while leaving the opportunity to do little one-shots if the mood takes you. :) I must cheer for Arvain and Hisaeleth (sp?). I'm so very happy they finally sorted things out for themselves and that Halladan got to turn the tables a little on Arvain and call his brother an ass in turn. I laughed so loud at that part, I'm glad my roommate wasn't sleeping. I think I must say that the final chapter has followed the philosophy of this story right to the end. Having Halladan and Penny live "happily ever after" wouldn't be in keeping with the realism that's been established since chapter one of "Don't Panic", so in my humble opinion I think you did a wonderful job of keeping to how you've written this fic so far. And it has been a very fun, enjoyable, emotional, wonderful ride. (Now I get wordy in my reviews when I figure this'll be the last one... or close to it. ;) ) I've really enjoyed the ride, even though I didn't join in until partway through ONP. It's been a wonderful reading experience for me, especially since it is one of the most realistic fanfics I've ever read. Your ability to draw the reader in and have them experience the emotions and development of the characters is wonderful. :) It makes reading your writing very enjoyable and rewarding. Yours is one of the few fics that I've stayed with over the years, for that very reason. It's enjoyable and realistic to read. Thank you for sharing your writing. It's been very fun and well worth the time spent reading each chapter. Thank you again for sharing. Es.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, I think revenge was sweet for Halladan in that moment. ;D Hee! Thank you, and thanks for reading. :D
aelfwine · 13 September 2008 · Chapter 60: Tying Up Loose Ends
I love the fact that you turned her into her own grandma! it is a wonderful way of making sure your fans dont insist in a trilogy LOL! I do however look forward to seeing you write something new! Thank you for this lovely work of art. I will look for future works of yours on a regular basis . dont keep us all hanging , please!?
Author's reply
LOL! I'd not thought of it in those terms, but yeah, it at least brings it to a definite conclusion. lol! Thanks! :D Ah, well now - NO promises. ;) RL has been insanely insane for some time and that will only increase as my little one gets 'not so little' with time. :)
Radbooks · 13 September 2008 · Chapter 60: Tying Up Loose Ends
While I am sorry to see Penny's adventures draw to a close, I do understand that there needed to be a true story arc and stopping point. This seems to be a logical place for that because it truly could go on forever! The ending was cleverly done and leaves us wanting more! ;) Thanks so much for sharing your story and for all of the hard work you put into it over the years. I know that I have truly appreciated it because I know how busy your life has been. I'm looking forward to any ficlets you might write in the future!
Author's reply
Thank you! :D
Alassiel · 13 September 2008 · Chapter 60: Tying Up Loose Ends
Dear Boz 4PM, Thank you, thank you, thank you! It must feel very strange to have ended this saga, but I, as a devoted reader, am deeply grateful that you kept at it to the end. I love both Don't Panic and this tale, for so many reasons: I love that Penny is not a Mary Sue and is subject to all the faults and foibles of a real woman. I love the restrained, tender love story, that there was deep friendship before there was romantic love. I love imagining how it would really feel to live in the time of this tale. I don't call it another dimension, because Tolkien didn't. One last thing: I am totally blind and so read online by means of a wireless headset and screen-reading software. It was a delight to sit in my reclining chair, headset perched high and just immerse myself in this story. In fact, I love it so much I'm going right back to the beginning of Don't Panic. Many Many Blessings, Alassiel
Author's reply
Thank you so much, and thanks for reading... or should I perhaps be thanking you for listening? lol!
Anonymous · 13 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
You had me sniffling from saddness at parts, and practically squeeing from happiness by the end. I love this story!
Author's reply
Thank you! :D
Miss · 12 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Gosh what a chapter!!! Very beautifull written!!
Author's reply
Thank you. :D
Virtuelle · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Sweet Elbereth YES!!!! Grief Boz I had to stop reading this morning in the middle of this chapter. I was almost in tears; I worried all day that they were going to walk away from each other. *ties to stop smiling from ear to ear, but finds she can't* Now I will sneak back to last chapter and steal your line. ;) and insert my name instead because that is what I did mentally when Halladan kissed her. Grins uncontrollably,lol. ~*~a tiny little Penny Virtuelle deep inside her skipped a jig and pumped its fist in the air yelling ‘YES!’~*~ oh add a few more YES!!! Good thing my husband is at work or he may think I had gone nuts for mentally and verbally yelling in excitement. LOL Thank you for your wonderful talented writing that keeps us on the edge and makes us love Penny and Halladan like they were our own kin. Gad's I can't wait for the next chapter any chance it’s at the betas?
Author's reply
lol - quite a few readers have reviewed with similar sentiments: that is was a good job hubby was out/downstairs/out of earshot/similar so they couldn't worry over the reactions as the chapter was read. I'm just so thrilled that everyone empathised so much. :D THanks!
amarie2008 · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Just a wonderfull chapter again!! I think very highly of your work and look forward to every chapter. Penny and Halladan together at last!!! I hope you will continue writing about Penny after you finished "Okay Now Panic". Maybe continue with some chapters about Penny's life with the Dunadain, and her marriage. I would love to read how she will cope there. And will we ever know why Penny was sent to Middle Earth in the first place?
Author's reply
Thank you. :D Yes, I do hope to have, not a third fic - there will be no trilogy - but a collection of drabbles, scenes, ficlets and 'one-shots' of various things as they occur to me and pertaining to all the characters, those we've met and perhaps even some we've only ever heard about. I'm currently scouting out suggestions for a title on my LiveJournal if you or anyone reading this wants to swing by. :)
harrowcat · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Lynching parties were held off but you will never know how close you came half way through this chapter! Great stuff!
Author's reply
ROFL! I can well imagine, actually. ;) Glad you enjoyed it!
Soledad · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
I am in complete agreement with Arvain. I wish you could see the big, sappy grin on my face (or perhaps it's better that you don't...) I know it won't be an easy ride for the two, but I trust them to be stubborn enough to manage. Now for Arvain... that's one grossly overdue courtship, too.
Author's reply
I know it won't be an easy ride for the two, but I trust them to be stubborn enough to manage. Yeah, I think that's a fair enough assessment. lol! Ah, Arvain, Arvain. Calling his brother an ass was something of a 'pot calling the kettle black' situation and then some, methinks. ;D
Heather · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Such sweet, sweet torture!! Considering it's my birthday tomorrow, what an awesome birthday gift! I'll be on a high for the rest of the week! I've been thoroughly enjoying this story since I quite accidentally stumbled upon it a few weeks ago and am now totally addicted. I love your sense of humour, your attention to detail regarding the circumstances in the books, and watching this Penny character grow and evolve has been such a joy. Finally, finally, a fan fic not involving another walker who falls madly in love with King so and so , just someone ordinary dropped into fantastic circumstances and her "realistic" reaction to such. I've never left a review until now, but after the last chapter, I just couldn't contain myself! Thanks Boz! You rock!
Author's reply
Thank you! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the fic and Penny's 'evolution' (as it were), and felt that I've managed to (hopefully) maintain the 'realism' thing that was the whole original spur behind it all. Thanks for taking time out to comment and let me know. :D
Kitty · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Valar, Boz, you're killing me with this emotional rollercoaster! After seeing the chapter title, I had a bad feeling in my stomach, and from that, it got worse and worse. You left me crying about this terrible mess - at work! (Really, I shouldn't read at work, but I'm meeting with a friend afterwards and will be home quite late, so I *had* to read now) Otherwise, I can only quote Arvain: “YES!” he shouted. “AT LAST! HA!” He said (nearly) all that is to say here. I was hoping, but not daring to hope (um ... does that make sense?) for the happy end, and when it came and Halladan turned up and kissed her, I was totally taken by surprise. Yay for Mireth and her talking sense into *both* of them! And for Elrond telling Halladan it's okay to marry her! Really, Mireth deserves a particularly wonderful wedding gift after all she did for Penny and for Halladan, too. Great chapter, Boz! I am sure my smile is at least as broad as Penny's! :-))) And now I need a bit of chocolate to calm my frayed nerves ...
Author's reply
My sincere apologies for making you cry! :\ Though I'm glad the emotions were real enough and clearly written enough for you to empathise. :D Yay for Mireth (and Elrond) indeed. They really are hopeless, aren't they? lol! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Tathrien · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Arvain pretty much summed it up perfectly!!!!
Author's reply
lol, didn't he just? Hee!
Dreamflower · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
If my grin gets any wider it will meet at the back and the top of my head will fall off. *pumps hand in air* YESSSS!!!!!!!!! Uh...oh, by the way, I liked this chapter. *goes back to the top to read again*sigh*
Author's reply
If my grin gets any wider it will meet at the back and the top of my head will fall off. ROFL! I take it you approve? ;P Glad that's the case. :D
Daynawayna · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
SQUEEEEEEE!!! ::claps happily:: I'm sure you heard me squeal from SoCal to England! LOL OMG OMG!! WONDERFUL! They're both so damn pigheaded! But I guess LOVE finally broke through it for Halladan. I was going to come after him myself if he didn't try to fix the problem! And for once he did the right thing! WOOT! :D And, true to form, a woman/elf has to step in for both parties and tell each the true feelings of the other. Mireth truly is a gem. Very wise and loving. I can't wait to see what Halladan will get her for a wedding gift from him AND Penny. That was just precious. This was TOTALLY worth the wait, Boz. I swear that one day, I will find a way to print these two stories in book form for my own personal library so I can read them over and over again. And I'm so glad that there's more to come because THIS ISN'T THE END YET! ::dances around the house happily:: The only thing I'm afraid of is what you might do to them now that they're together. If Halladan coming back in and sweeping her off her feet is cliche, then I'm expecting the star-crossed lovers to suffer greatly at your hands, my dear. If Halladan comes back dead, I will fly to England and hunt you down! LOL. PLEASE let them be happy. I don't care about wounds or injuries as long as healing happens and they grow stronger in love and STAY TOGETHER. ::giggling now:: PLEASE don't mess with our heads anymore! PLEASE!!!! I'm so excited that I'm going to read this to hubby when he gets home from work. He's been following (whether he wanted to or not. :P And he really likes it!) the story cuz I keep telling him about it and he'll be very happy. I know he'll laugh at Halladan's first attempt at a proposal, but then, so did I. ;) I'm just wondering how you're going to end this saga. Or will it ever end? LOL Seven Books like Harry Potter maybe? ROFLOL! :D Oh.... like so many others on this review page, I must say, YOU MADE MY DAY, WEEK AND MONTH! The only thing that would have been more perfect is if this chapter had come out on my birthday, still 3ish weeks away. But this is a WONDERFUL gift and I gladly accept it. LOL Okay, enough blathering. Pitch perfect as always, Boz. Thank you for FINALLY bringing us to this point. It was beautiful.
Author's reply
Mireth's always been there - a gentle, unobtrusive friend - but it's been great to bring her to fore these last few chapters at long last. :D Please pass on my apologies to your husband for his having to have this great long epic THING inflicted on him, LOL! And thank you - glad it pleased you so much, and thanks for reading and reviewing. :D
Jambaby · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow!!! I have been waiting for that for ever!!!! It was beautiful! Jambaby
Author's reply
Thank you. :D
aelfwine · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
You are so mean! making me cry before you made me laugh.To quote arvain ,"YES!" lol I am glad it is not the last chapter though or I would be bugging you to start another story.
Author's reply
*is mean* *tries to look contrite* Sorry! But, hey, it made the end that much sweeter, yes? ;D
lazyreader · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Hi! I have been a reader of this story every since it started but never left a review. (I know that's not very nice of me :( ) But I couldn't leave this chapter without comment. Though it is well past midnight, I am grinning like an idiot. You know, when I saw the title of the chapter, I knew it would go wrong. And sure it did. (What kind of proposal was that anyway?!?!) The end came as a surprise not only to Penny :-) BUt I am SO HAPPY! And it is ridiculus that a story can have us this excited, but that only means that it is EXCELLENT. Please, please keep up the good work. I dread the day when I see "THE END" at the bottom of the page. Do you not want to continueuntil they have children??? And they visit Gondor together??? ANything!! I would just like to know their FULL story.
Author's reply
There is never any obligation to leave a review. ;) But thank you for doing so now and for letting me know how much you enjoyed this chapter and the fic as a whole! :D
Fantasia · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
This chapter is the most WONDERFUL thing that happened to me today. I loved it. Gods, but you are a great writer, you made me cry and then smile and then laugh and finally happy. It was a cliché, but a beautiful, lovely cliché. I can't review properly now, I'm working and I have been already laughing and everybody is giving me worry looks, besides, I want to re read it and enjoy it all over again, I will leave a better review later, but thanks, you are the best!
Author's reply
Aw, thank you. That's very kind. Thank you for commenting and I'm glad you've enjoyed the chapter. :D
el_esteleth · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
FINALLY! I absolutely love Mireth. I clapped when she talked to Penny and Halladan. They're well matched, Penny and Halladan, especially for stubbornness. I wasn't wrong about what tortures would be devised for them in this chapter, though. I knew it couldn't go too easily. *giggles* Very enjoyable chapter, realistic as ever. I do very much enjoy reading each new chapter. This brightened my day after such an unfortunate job interview earlier. :) I'm glad it's Thursday in New Zealand. :P Es.
Author's reply
I wasn't wrong about what tortures would be devised for them in this chapter, though. I knew it couldn't go too easily. *giggles* But of COURSE not! This is ME writing them, after all! ;D *cackles evilly* Glad your day was brightened, hon. *hugs*
6336 · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 59: So It Ends
Oh Yes! Yes! Yes!(Hand pumping air!!!) O.K. Now when is the wedding? More please, Lynda
Author's reply
lol! :D The wedding will be in a year. To my mind it makes sense that the Dunedain (generally) follow the usual elvish way of doing things and thus have a year's long betrothal, though I suspect they could also be fairly flexible about it if need be (again, much like the elves).
Miss · 9 September 2008 · Chapter 58: Beating Round The Bush
Nice! Good that the next chapter won't take long! Penny settled in alright. Does she still trying to paint her mother? Or did she gave up?