Reviews (633)

uptowngirl · 7 August 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

I really do enjoy this, I really hope you find time to finish this!

aorelind · 20 July 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

Oh, Bless. You know, I don't often leave you reviews. I think the last time was leaving Gondor, with the bit about Merry in the funeral cortege. (Wow, that was a long while ago!) And mostly that's because I usually check back every few weeks or months, and then I have two or three chapters! But, Oh. OH! You're ripping my heart out here. I just read chapters 53-55 in quick succession (it is now 4 am) and I'm just so struck by how much I love this story. Penny's realization was so perfect, and I knew that it was coming for so so long, that every word of it rang true. And then all the laughter and the beautiful description of her 'funeral' for her family (LOVE that Gandalf was there for her. I missed him. I feel like he is so special to Penny, and I'm so glad he was there.) and then the spring and the horrible coldness between Penny and Halladan, and oh, oh, oh, REALLY. Oh, honestly. MEN. I'm looking forward to the next update immensely, and I won't leave it nearly as long as I usually do. ;)

aelfwine · 19 July 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

Great chapter but yeah very pear shaped. I am a Halladan and penii shipper and was ready to smack him upside his typographical head! LMAO. Ah well Yes I can see how it makes for a great study in human nature. please tell me you are NOT going to leave these two anguishing like aegnor and andreth?

uptowngirl · 12 July 2008 · Chapter 22: So It Begins

wonderful, wonderful chapter! Too bad there is a picture of Penny's dress or Arwens!

Virtuelle · 7 July 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

I have just spent the weekend reading this and this last chapter just broke my heart. But I do understand why Halladan is doing what he did. I was so hoping it was his sense of duty and not that he was shocked at Penny. From that point on, then, she not only accepted her presumed fate as a spinster, she chose it willingly and decided to make the best of it. I do hope something makes that decision a mute choice. I would love to see her temper flare with him like it did with his father. ;) I doubt he would know what to do with her. LOL Wonderful story Boz4PM, can't wait for your next chapters.

Anonymous · 30 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

Wonderfully written- I can't wait to find out what happens next. Very much looking forwards to see how Penny will deal with the day to day of village life.

Miss · 29 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

What to say, what to say...This chapter was very strong. I knew Halladan would think that his duty is much more important then his feelings towards Penny. That's why he's got so angry about himself. It makes him a strong character tough. I nearly let a tear fall when Penny and Rhimlath said there goodbyes. I don't know why.... I so felt for Penny when she finaly got the chance to talk to Halladan. I even wouldn't dare to read further *LOL* I felt embaressed myself! Till the next chapter!!

iona · 28 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

Methinks, Madam Author, you delight in torturing your readers. I couldn't decide if I wanted to sporfle with amusement or splutter with outrage, so I ended up sort of doing both at once, and thus nearly asphyxiated. XD It seems that my assessment of Mr Upright Responsible Proper Guardian was spot on. However, I think I was wrong about the big brick. Bricks just aren't durable enough for this particular use. I'd say that our overly honourable Halladan needs to be hit over the head with at least five tonnes of Finnish granite before he snaps out of it, the infuriatingly and yet endearingly misguided... well, MAN! MEN! *grr* *chortle* *grr* Poor Penny. Good for her that Mireth was there to straighten her out to some degree, otherwise she would have beaten herself over the head ad infinitum. And Rhimlath is such a dear when it comes right down to it. He's a pompous prig, but he's a perceptive and caring pompous prig who looks after his friends. *fangirls Rhimlath* I am, as always, looking forward to the next chapter. I wonder how soon Arvain will take big brother to task concerning Pen-ii, and what sort of fraternal fracas will ensue...

paranoidangel · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

Oh, well, I can totally see Halladan's point of view. Or rather his POV as Mireth puts it.

Dreamflower · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

Bless Mireth. Yes, Penny and Halladan are miserable. But thanks to Mireth, at least Penny won't have to keep on flogging herself. Now, if someone will just flog Halladan!! I'm looking forward to seeing Bilbo again...

el_esteleth · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

I enjoyed the chapter. It was very well-written. And as was commented on with the last chapter, writing things as true to life as possible, instead of fairy tale-ish, makes things seem and feel real and your writing excels at making things seem and feel real. :) Penny and Halladan made me sniffle at points and also made me want to shake them at points. I'm glad Penny's confided in Mireth, though. At least now someone knows and can advise Penny if necessary. Thank you for sharing a wonderful chapter. Es.

obsidianj · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

Bummer! But I knew it would be too easy if they just talk and sort everything out at once. Halladan's pov makes perfect sense in a culture where personal desires always come after responsibility and duty. But it is so sad to watch them both. I could shake Penny for accepting things at face value. She should fight for Halladan (and I hope she will). Can't wait for the next chapter...

Kitty · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

*groans* What can I say about this chapter save: MEN!!! Honestly, I don’t know if to laugh or cry about Halladan or, maybe even better, to hit him! Well, in the end probably all three ... It was rather sad to watch Penny and Halladan so distant from each other, both so much in turmoil. And now poor Penny has to stay behind and worry for him :-( But it is nice to know her elven friends are all there to support her in this unobtrusive way. They’re so dear – it is sad to know most of them will sail in only two years. What Mireth said was certainly a bombshell to Penny! But it is so obviously right that Halladan is in love with her, too, but believes he has to limit his relationship to her to that of a guardian with his ward. Way too noble and conscientious *sigh* And of course, I absolutely disagree with Penny’s decision at the end. After all, she has the patronage of Lord Elrond and thus is suitable ;-) – love that, btw! Now I only wonder if Arvain will get the whole story out of his brother and talk some sense into him. It would be so sad for both of them to have these feelings for each other and deny them nonetheless. Oh, and thanks for explaining the title. These phrases are not always easy to understand for a non-native speaker, and dictionaries don’t always help. Had never seen that word before!

Mopsy · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

SNAP OUT OF IT, HALLADAN! For a Dunedain, he's awfully silly. Poor Penny. I felt so sad reading this. And poor Halladan - he obviously feels for her, but is just shackled by his perception of duty/propriety. And only you know if he will get his act together and clasp her to his manly bosom (as it were). I'm also devastated to see Rhimlath and Celeborn go! Rhimlath really is lovely - sometimes he doesn't 'get' it, but his understanding of the Penny/Halladan dynamic showed a real empathy about him. For all his foibles, he genuinely cares. (And Celeborn is just sex on stilts. :D) You're very, very good at characterisation! All in all, another wonderful chapter, and very satisfyingly quick to appear! I hope there are more in the works, but if not, take your time, because judging from reviews we're all happy to read and re-read while we wait. I'm just grateful for this story, and hope you still enjoy writing it as much as I enjoy reading it. Somewhat unrelated side note: we also say that things have gone pear-shaped here in Tasmania, but that's not saying much, since our culture was based on England's. I just thought it might be evidence the saying's not limited to London (unless it was brought here by Londoners, in which case, as usual, my conjecture is null and void).

Fantasia · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 55: Pear Shaped

You made me cry, I mean, crying like a baby in my office...I don't know what to tell know to my co-workers, I'll figure out something...But when I saw the update, just couldn't resist... I knew that even if we have chapter 55, things won't be OK, that the guardian/ward relationship status will prevail over the feelings, because duty was (and always should be) above everything, If I recall, most of the romances (that is the Spanish terminology to the Calvary stories, don't know in English) ended very tragically, and love will be victorious but with the death of one of he protagonists or at least both living separate and very unhappy. What a tragic literature those days...Despite waiting for the bad news, I read this chapter with some hope... Well, hope remains...I just think that live is too short, full of unhappy moments and that we should always size the opportunity for happiness wherever we find it...right now, the future that Penny is webbing for herself is so sad, depressing...I'm still voting for Penny/Halladan (can we start a campaign, it is election year here in US anyway...) Thanks for explaining the title, didn't have the most remote idea of the meaning, suits perfectly. Beautiful, sad chapter, your best so far… Thanks and waiting for more...

Anonymous · 27 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

Wonderful! I love the family interactions here- I was laughing hard enough to annoy my roommate! Penny's goodbyes were very sweet. That ending... ack! Must know what happens! Please keep writing, I love this story!

amokeh · 26 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

You had mentioned that only a few people had picked up on the subtle inference that Gandalf was trying to make Penny's words reach her mother - I actually had thought the same thing, and would love to see that drabble! After I read your reply, I realized that I hadn't told you whether or not I enjoyed the chapter in my original review. Bad amokeh!!! Well, I did. Very much, actually despite the evil cliffie (heh). Great scene with her goodbye to her mom, as well as everyone's silent support after. And seriously, Faelon is such a dear, isn't he? Steadfast friend to Penny from the first moment he met her, on the simple basis of Halbarad's feelings for her. :D And Arvain - sounds like he's more like Halladan in terms of obstinance than he thought, huh? At least when it comes to a certain Dunedain maid... Can't wait to see how it all turns out, so please tell your betas to HURRY UP WITH CHAPTER 55!!! ;)

iona · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

This story is getting more and more entertaining by the chapter! I laughed myself silly at the descriptions of Double Trouble and Big Brother's shenanigans - and then got all sniffly over Penny's letter ceremony. It may be ridiculous and in vain, but I hope that Penny's message will somehow reach her mother. Perhaps Gandalf tried something to that effect, in his usual cryptic way. And - MEN! The ever communicationally challenged MEN! I'm sitting here laughing my head off at Arvain, but a part of me wants to hit him with a brick for being such a typical male. And Halladan needs to be hit with a really [i]big[/i] brick! For all that he is sensitive to other people's emotions and uncommonly gifted in expressing himself when he wants to, he's being so obtuse in this that it's frustrating even if it's hilariously funny. 'We am a Proper And Dedicated Guardian, and we is Doing Our Duty and we Cannot Abuse Our Position' - Am I terribly bad for cackling my head off at Arvain and especially at Halladan and Penny? *cackles anyway*

Vicki_Turner · 25 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

WOW! Usually, I don't have time to leave a review, but this chapter was so good that I refused to not comment on it. Emotional, powerful, all the way through the chapter. I'm dying to read what happens next. As always, I eagerly await your updates and herald their arrival with glee.

el_esteleth · 24 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

Oh, dear. Penny is one for getting herself into scrapes. I can't help but laugh at the last little bit.. Poor Penny... and poor Halladan. Lovely chapter, as ever. I greatly enjoyed it. Especially the stories about Arvain and others. *grins* Es.

Miss · 24 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

It's me again. I noticed (after I reviewed on chap 54)your replay on my review of chap 53. You are right that Penny would fall in love with Hallandan, it was 'written all over it'. But somehow I hoped she would not, and ofcourse I was wrong. After reading chap 54 it felt not so wrong. What I forgot to mention in my review of chap 54 is the support the elves showed. Really nice. I loved it! They have '2 pair of eyes and ears', nothing will pass them. And what makes them so great is, that they don't show it. Like the part were they came together before Penny went to say goodbye. Very subtile.

Miss · 24 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

OOh yess!!! Another chapter, thank you!! A sad but also a heartly chapter You've written the part were Penny says her goodbye very good. It's difficult, but she has enough friends who can support her. I reall liked the idea of the letter - in the future - thing! I loved the tales they shared and the story about Arvail hate relationship with that woman (Hirea....)Love to read more about that. Nice cliffie! But I see that the next chapter will come soon, so I wil wait patiently,

Dreamflower · 24 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

What a wonderful chapter! And of course, now it's Halladan being a goose, going off and berating himself because, naturally, he's her guardian, and he *can't* "take advantage" of her! Loved the bit about Arvain and Hisaeleth! I've known couples like that--the kind of John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara courtship with the fine line between love and hate. Fortunately for the rest of the world, they are far more rare in real life than they are in fiction! Poor Penny! I am looking very much forward to the next chapter!

Fantasia · 24 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

I wasn't expecting this chapter this early, but I'm so glad that you’ve updated, even if you give me a heart attach with the end, please, please update soon... MEN, they are always the same, no matter if is Middle Earth, Earth, Jupiter or the moon, 21st century or 6000 years ago...I just want to slap him, I'm sure that he is thinking how improper he was, that he was taking advantage o her, that she is not emotionally stable, that he is her guardian...millions of excuses to deny his feelings and hers...That doesn't mean that I'm not exasperate with Penny either, go for girl, who ever say that men decide to whom they marry? it is the girl that one to decide and make them to believe that they are courting...and then, she just has to think that worst, but this is our Penny. It was perfect scene for the kiss, just perfect, romantic and I was full of joyt and actually scream my disappointment when he stopped (I'm working and everybody was looking at me...I said that I was at break and reading the news...) I Like all her thoughts about him looking at her, touching her, and I just loved the one picture of him leaning back and trying to have their arms together...and what a beautiful scene that one of Penny walking thru the grass field and Halladan watching her…I’m just hopeless romantic… So Arvain in love...and Halladan has the nerve to say that he needs to do something about it...Yeah, right. Very touching the "Good Bye" ceremony, and I like to believe that Gandalf did something to reach her mother instead of helping her to heal...Do Mireth, Celebdor, Faelon and Rimlath know the "Truth" about her? I guess that Faelon at least needs to know, if she is going to live with them. The whole chapter was amazing, I like all the stories, human and elves, Rimlath falling form a tree!...I just want you to now that I love this story and I will read it even if has 2000 chapters. And If Aragorn marry his foster father daughter, Halladan can marry his guard; they are not blood related anyway… BTW, I misinterpreted the family relations, Tadion is no related to Faelon family, I guess that I got confuse when they said that his mother will stay with Faelon family while they were in the south... Thanks and now I'll be checking every day for the next chapter...

Kitty · 24 June 2008 · Chapter 54: Drawing Lines

*LOL* How did Halbarad survive as long as he did with *these* sons? Particularly the two younger ones? And I am beginning to pity Halladan for having had to deal with these two for so long! Penny’s farewell to her family was moving and left me sniffling. It is easier said than done to draw a line under her old life and only look forward from now on, isn’t it? Hm, so Arvain is in love? Even if he refuses to acknowledge it, much less talk to her? Somehow I am not surprised – but of course, now I am beginning to wonder what Penny will do to play matchmaker ;) Talking about matchmaker – the end is quite the cliffhanger, you know! They so very nearly kissed, and Halladan has probably now truly realised that she loves him ... and now he is storming away *whimper* That’s mean! It is very reassuring to know the next chapter is already written and it will not take months to wait for it. Great chapter, Boz!