Reviews (633)

Kitty · 28 December 2005 · Chapter 13: Hitchcock Would Be Proud

I’m glad Eleniel and Mireth finally know at least a bit about Penny. They deserve the truth after being so good friends for her, being there every time she needed them. After Lindir knows, I had wondered when she will tell them. Rhimlath seems to be a lot of fun – as long as I don’t have to listen to him. Poor Lindir – but it serves him right! *giggles* I’d not reached this height at all if I’d tried to get up in a talan, because I feel very unwell if I’m too high up. Can’t look from a balcony or open window from higher than the third floor without feeling very dizzy! *shudders*

Lindelea · 27 December 2005 · Chapter 15: Let's Call The Whole Thing Off

Lindir has a wicked sense of humour, indeed. Sort of like a relative of dh's who visited Wales, not knowing the language, and asked the postman (I think it was the postman) how to say "Good morning." He told her a phrase, she repeated it over several times, and then brightly went about insulting everyone she met, until some kind soul pulled her aside and asked her, didn't she know what she was saying????!!! And on sober reflection, I have noticed you've not yet mentioned Lindir's marital state.

Lindelea · 27 December 2005 · Chapter 15: Let's Call The Whole Thing Off

But that was hardly the point. What a thing to behold, the old stories being told by those who were there... and very nice that Penny has gained some fluency in the language by this point, enough to follow thought-by-thought if not word-for-word, as it sounds. And Fangorn. I'm glad you did not leave Fangorn out.

Dreamflower · 27 December 2005 · Chapter 15: Let's Call The Whole Thing Off

What an interesting chapter! I had never really much thought of the wariness between Fangorn and Lorien. How odd--I wonder why? Erestor was already declaring that he knew for a fact that the last time Rhimlath had used Westron was with the Fellowship, and he had it on good authority they had not understood a word he said. "Maura was convinced you were speaking some sort of strange Silvan patois." Really, now! Stuff like that should come with a beverage warning! Poor Penny, being used by Lindir for his joke, and put in the middle of Erestor and Rhimlath, LOL! Their bickering reminds me of a flamewar on the 'net. With Lindir as a "troll" in the modern sense of the word. I also loved the ellyth teasing Arwen about Aragorn. Some things never *do* change, do they? And the bardic competition between the ancients, that was a hoot, too!

Kitty · 27 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Lords, Ladies and Lies

A very difficult evening for Penny. To be forced to talk about it all again ... and her fear to find herself in our time again is so palpable. Now she has come to terms with her being in Middle-earth, it would probably drive her insane to awake in London again and not to know if she has dreamed it all. At least now she had the dreaded conversation with Galadriel, and without too much problems, and Lindir knows, too. I think it will be a relief for her to be able to be honest with him. They are so good friends that it is truly time he knows her story, too. All in all, he took it quite well. And I am glad they can bicker again!

phoenix23531 · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 14: I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me

Hoo-boy, what a night for Penny. Do any of the Galadhrim have toes left? Loved Rumil's impetuosity and I agree that most of the characters would have been married. It's a bitter pill, given how much fun we seem to have with them. But we can still dream. lol.

phoenix23531 · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Lords, Ladies and Lies

Finally Penny gets some release! The poor thing has been carrying this burden for one whole story and an additional 12 chapters! :-) But I agree, this would most likely be the first time her Sindarin would be fluent enough, her temperament stable enough, and the company significant enought to justify it. You mention that Glorfindel was in the clearing with Penny and the others, and then that Glorfindel was responsible for striking up a merry tune. The first time I read it I immediately pictured Glorfindel dancing around, but then I re-read it as Glorfindel having set it up before attending Penny's explanation. It was an interesting way of providing contrast to the situation - elves continuing to dance and sing while their lords and ladies discuss significant matters. I liked the contrast. As ever, I also liked Penny and Lindir bickering. Can't wait to hear if she gets out of this dance (though I doubt it!) Ooh, what fun. Thanks again for another fun chapter.

Kitty · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Stupid Is As Stupid Does

Even under normal circumstances Galadriel can be quite intimidating, I think, and for Penny it must be much worser! To meet someone who can read your thoughts is bad enough if you’re not from a time some six thousand years in the future. I can understand why she tried to avoid Galadriel, even if it was foolish. But she recovered quickly. I enjoyed it *so* much how she turned the table on Lindir concerning the tour through Lothlorien with Rhimlath! *snickers*

Kitty · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 10: Love and Marriage

She was surrounded by a horde of gossipy elves, wasn't she? I couldn’t put it any better! How embarassing to think the elves can feel *this* and talk so freely about it! As for Cerin Amroth ... I wonder if Elrond guessed correctly why Penny reacted so odd. But even if not, I suppose he wasn’t too far from the truth. Poor guy.

Lindelea · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 14: I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me

Am sick as a dog, too sick to type much. Heading back to bed, actually. An amusing chapter, though, and watching tipsy Rumil was fun. The grammar gremlin noticed one thing, despite the general lack of energy around here: as if she feared he may let go any second and she would be sent flying into the crowd. Would suggest changing "may" to "might" to make tenses agree O and in the last chapter before this, it was that I had never heard that particular idiom or colloquialism or whatever you'd call it. Thanks for the explanation! (But the grammar gremlin says that in your explanation you said "'to get stuck *it*' means 'to get down to it'". (emphasis added) But in the chapter you said "they got stuck *in*". Is that a variant? Language is fascinating stuff.

Dreamflower · 26 December 2005 · Chapter 14: I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me

*Wheeeee!!!* You have now reached the point where I left off! Yaay!! My gosh, I was ROTFLMBO when Penny found herself trying to avoid thinking about slash, as Galadriel approached. I find myself wondering just *what* that cool Noldor would think if she *did* read some of the more implausible scenarios out of Penny's head! Would she be amused, appalled, or just flat confused for once? And poor Penny, being danced around to the point of exhaustion by an inebriated Rumil, LOL! And you make a very good point--truth is, any of the Elves might very well have been married--*including Legolas*--and if it had no reason to come into the story, there would have been no need for JRRT to mention it!

Lindelea · 25 December 2005 · Chapter 13: Hitchcock Would Be Proud

They got stuck in. Frankly I do not understand this statement. It makes no sense to me. Gee, I wish laundry were so communal around here. Sounds fun. I'm with Penny as to exploring. There's always something just around the corner, or down the branch of the path I'm on... It was communal without the 'communal bathing' element. Penny liked it. Sounds wonderful! Something like taking a sauna in the dark with only females, and the only light from the coals on top of the stove, and the moon shimmering on the water of the lake as we raced down the ramp to the water to jump in. (And the males supposedly kept busy elsewhere by the camp director and his wife, just as they organised chores for us females when the males were in the sauna... Not very trusting, the director and his wife. LOL! They didn't have to use the sauna; they had a hot shower for their family's use!) I can understand Penny's reaction to the staircase. I have no problem with heights if there's something solid under me and I have a good grip. I used to do rock climbing with joy, but unfortunately my joints don't support me any more in such endeavours. The grammar gremlin wished to observe that Rimlath has a bit of trouble with commas when he is addressing Pen-ii: "I was just telling Lindir about our itinerary for the day,LadyPen-ii," Rhimlath explained. "You will break your neck at that speed,Lady Pen-ii!"

Silvae · 25 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Lords, Ladies and Lies

Wow! I read the first story on OSA when it was first posted, but I never realised there was a sequel. This is so well written and realistic... please continue! Cheers, Silvae PS : By the way, being french, I must correct you : eating horseflesh here is no longer considered perfectly acceptable but rather eccentric, and is frowned upon by many people.Those who still eat it are mainly over 60. (OK, I realise I'm generalising here, but that's how I've seen and heard it. ^^)

Lindelea · 24 December 2005 · Chapter 12: Lords, Ladies and Lies

What an amazing chapter! Galadriel and Celeborn were as I had imagined them. In the film they acted as a friend used to when mimicking "people on 'ludes' " (whatever that might be, some sort of tranquiliser, I suspect). I had been curious about Lindir's reaction. The group setting, in such a high and respectable company, was undoubtedly very wise. And I was glad to see them back on their "regular" footing ("bickered all the way back to the clearing") as if nothing had changed, even though it had. Drat. I want to see something more than friendship grow between the two. Is it too silly of me? Legolas only surmised there was something more since he knew what amnesia felt like in a human. Was this in the other story? I don't remember what this was referring to. How did Legolas know what amnesia felt like in a human? Modern life under the shadow of Morgoth. A sobering thought, but rings true. I find myself wishing that Penny can stay in Middle-earth. How tragic to anticipate being, without warning, yanked out of that world, that even Galadriel pronounces her "home", at some deep level. She's not quite Dorothy, after all, travelling round to find someone to send her back to Kansas and Auntie Em. Though I still suspect she feels more at home amongst the Elves than Men. (And *what* does Galadriel know? Curiosity raises its head.) The grammar gremlin wished to add a few comments. a wave of it all she missed hit her without warning. It sounds as if there is an extra word here. at the thought that would never be able to thank him properly herself It sounds as if a word is missing here. Only those who got to know you better may question that but would accept that Father here, Erestor, myself and others had accepted your presence and your story. I would suggest substituting "might" for "may" to make the tenses agree. curiousity Is that proper spelling? I had long ago taught myself that it was "curious" and "curiously" but "curiosity". Or perhaps it is "generosity" that I am thinking of. If I weren't in such a rush I'd consult the spell-checker.

phoenix23531 · 23 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Stupid Is As Stupid Does

Ok, this time it wasn't by mistake that I have to review 3 chapters in one - moving is such an annoying and time-consuming process. Again, appologies! Oh, my goodness - Penny's song choices are hilarious. And to have been overheard not just en route to Lothlorien, but in the process of meeting Galadriel and Celeborn...D'oh! Queen was a very good choice - "very, very frightening!" If only Galadriel knew, somehow I think she would be infinitely amused. I am growing to love the bickering between Mireth, Eleniel, Celebdor, and Lindir. And with the addition of Rhimlath and their interactions being so well written, it is an absolute hoot. I hope we get to see plenty more. Ooh, and Lindir's bridge pun - was it Lindir who couldn't resist? :-) *chuckles* Your descriptions of their journey along a similar route to the Fellowship is wonderful. Also, your descriptions of the gruesome dead orcs was phenomenal - not gory, but very focussed on the effects such a sight would have on Penny's emotions and understanding of the world she is now in. Your handling of the Cerin Amroth moment was excellent. I never considered that Elrond would pass that site as he took his daughter to Gondor, nor that he would recognise the significance of it, but it does make sense that he would on both counts. And it is both a terribly sad and beautiful notion, one that you addressed so well. Sniffle. I also never made the connection between the green fosse that Tolkien describes and an actual moat, though again it makes infinite sense. It's funny how some descriptions make a very vivid picture and others get glossed over. Penny's feelings of isolation in Lothlorien struck me as being very similar to Boromir's. Aragorn & Legolas each had elven connections, the hobbits had one another, and Gimli was love-struck. But Boromir was ever the odd one out there, poor sod. I loved the parallel. All the best, phoenix23531

Bodkin · 23 December 2005 · Chapter 11: Stupid Is As Stupid Does

Love the image of Penny scooting round the glade trying to keep ahead of Galadriel. And resorting to singing Bohemian Rhapsody. She will have to tell Lindir. If it wasn't so bizarre, he would have guessed by now - but who could suspect something so strange.

Bodkin · 23 December 2005 · Chapter 10: Love and Marriage

If everybody could tell each other's - h'mm - status just by looking at them, we might find that the teenage ... activity rate would drop to zero immediately. So perhaps it would be a good thing! On the other hand, it's cringe-makingly embarrassing for poor Penny just at the moment! These snippets of information she keeps remembering must feel like a punch, though. Off to the wedding and she already knows when Arwen will die, and where. And Galadriel and Celeborn are pretty impressive.

Lindelea · 22 December 2005 · Chapter 10: Love and Marriage

LOL! Random thoughts--chocolate cookies do not a good breakfast make. Tasty, yes. But perilous for people with blood sugar issues. Rhimlath reminds me of someone I know. I heard someone (not a Tolkien fan--someone who has never been able to "get into" LOTR, has picked it up and put it down several time so I know that your story was not an influence) use "sniggering" in conversation yesterday! I was immediately reminded of your "hysterical sniggering". To hear this word, two days running, that I almost never encounter. How interesting. Poor Penny. Poor Elrond. Poor Arwen, even as she is embracing joy with all its associated sorrows. Poor M-e, with Lothlorien fading. Lovely descriptions. Why do I have this sense of utter confidence in Galadriel?

Bodkin · 22 December 2005 · Chapter 9: A Bridge Too Far

Imladris escaped quite well, really. It must be salutary to see the damage that war has done to Lothlorien. That bridge sounds seriously not my cup of tea! I'm not surprised Penny squealed. But keeping quiet around the Galadhrim does sound a better idea.

Kitty · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 9: A Bridge Too Far

*grins* Poor Penny, she is a quite irresistible target for Lindir and Celebdor! Although I have to admit their try to drag her about the rope bridge was very amusing. And I can imagine what Glorfindel said to Lindir about the hair dying incident! *lol* Lindir should not be overly offended even if Penny translates „bloody elves“ to him in the end!

Kitty · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 8: To Orc Or Not To Orc

Penny’s curiosity to see an orc was understandable, but being slaughtered and maimed doesn’t improve their appearance, and I’m sure it was a very ugly sight *shudders* Very responsible of Lindir to show her one who didn’t look so badly, only a pity she saw the others.

Lindelea · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 9: A Bridge Too Far

Another fascinating chapter, full of wonder, irritation, and amusement (and sometimes all together). You have managed to remind me why hobbits have long held more appeal for me, than elves. And here I was feeling so much more fascinated with the Firstborn than I had before (except, perhaps, when reading Bodkin's tales. I'm sure there are lots of excellent writers of elves out there but prejudice is a difficult barrier to cross--my earliest dipping into elf-centred fanfic left a very bad taste in my mouth). However, thankfully you balanced the "distant" elves of Lothlorien (were they not so ageless I might have called them "clueless") with the more-familiar elves of Rivendell. (How I hate it when people talk over my head! Hasn't happened in a long while, but the memory still smarts...) A few high points: Celebdor did 'injured innocence' very well. I imagine that he did. hysterical sniggering such a way with words In the meantime if you could restrain yourself, Celebdor, or anyone else from doing anything that may make her scream, shout, rant or do anything else that elicits comments and raised eyebrows from our hosts then I would be most grateful. Words fail me. But I do have something of the feeling that Penny is a child, or, dare I say, a pet? I remind myself that to centuries-old elves she would be little more than an infant. "Sorry," Lindir sniggered. "I could not resist." It would be hard for anyone to resist, I think. (Lindir, you are among those who have been redeeming elves in my opinion of the creatures. Not that you'd care! LOL) I look forward to the meeting with Galadriel, even if Pen-ii doesn't.

Bodkin · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 8: To Orc Or Not To Orc

Very wise of Lindir to offer her the sight of a relatively whole orc - and I can understand why she wanted to see it. Orcs are, after all, a rather significant part of the story. But the orc pile - enough to upset even hardened stomachs. Being there - I'll bet some of the elves are pretty amused by her star-struck-ness.

Bodkin · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 7: She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain

At which point, just to be bloody-minded, Lindir started up a jaunty ballad. I just love these elves. And it must be disconcerting to come close to orcs - even it you know for certain that they are real. Scary.

Bodkin · 21 December 2005 · Chapter 6: Decisions and Canticles

One of the problems of immortality. You truly can never live down embarrassing episodes. Poor Erestor. Westron seems to be a bit of a problem - maybe Penny will have to stick with Sindarin speakers. I'm glad she is going to tell Lindir All About It, and that he managed to make her sing. Just as well she could remember something a bit more traditional than 'Santa Baby' or 'Radio Gaga' though. I'd love to think of her trying to explain rap. Or maybe not.