Nilmandra
· 16 October 2003
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six
I admit you scared me a bit there - a little external heart massage - I truly feared that if Frodo had passed he would pass into the wraith world and truly be beyond their reach.
How awful this was for them all, for all the hobbits and the elves and everyone there. And they are not done yet :( I thought Merry's thoughts as he tried to compose a letter to his parents was touching - what can one say? What should one say? And then sometimes you decide it it best to wait until the end to see if anything can be said at all....
Anso
· 16 October 2003
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six
Budgielover, you are just great!
I am shameful that I have not reviewed your stories before, but now I will.
I love your carachterizations of the hobbits. I especially love Merry, but I think he will collapse soon always looking out for Pip and staying strong and helping out. I love that he offerd to monitor Frodo`s pulse. I think it is good for Frodo to feel a hobbit`s touch among all these elves, even if he is unconsious.
Please update soon!
Hai
· 15 October 2003
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six
Poor, little guys! been through so much and they still don't have any peace of mind! I hope Elrond finds that shard soon! Terrible! I loved it, though you do such a wonderful jobing writing everyone, really it is wonderful! I'm looking forward to more, thank you!
Bejai
· 15 October 2003
· Chapter 6: Chapter Six
I am very much enjoying this story. Tolkien leaves a critical gap, and one that you know had to be filled with deep emotion for everyone involved. Looking forward to the next chapter.
pebbles66
· 9 October 2003
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Oh, how can you leave it like this? You must update quickly, quickly , you hear?
This is very well done, and I'm enjoying every word. It's just hard to wait on such a cliffhanger!
daw the minstrel
· 9 October 2003
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Well, I don't believe you kill him because he has to save Middle Earth. This is dramatic nonetheless. I have to say that, hopeless elf girl that I am, I am particularly charmed by the small glimpes of the sons of Elrond helping their father and being amused by the tone in which the hobbits speak to him.
How can you do two stories at once like this? It would drive me crazy.
Author's reply
Hi Daw. Thanks for the review. I'm answering questions today, and hope you don't mind that this response is a bit late. (Okay, okay ... very late.) As to how I can keep two stories running at once - I don't really know. I just seem to have no trouble switching my mindset back and forth. For that time I'm working on that story, no other exists. I usually have two stories running and one preparing to start ("Riding the Nightmare" in which I just finished chapter seven and am waiting for my beta-reader to start sending them back but I want to wrap up on of my others first) and at least one short story. I am so single-minded focused on Middle-earth and what's happening when I'm there that I think the smoke alarm could go off and I wouldn't notice...
Thanks for following my stories. I'm always so honored when you say you like my work!
Elentari
· 9 October 2003
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five
whoa... cliffhanger? are you kidding me? ahhhh~!!!! MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS! hehe sorry... i was really into it... scrolling ...scrolling...and then no more...
wow...please update with more... it's so intense and all the emotions are there...
oh wow... great writing!
Thanks a lot... (write more soon!) omg..
~Elentari =) (poor Frodo!!!)
Nilmandra
· 9 October 2003
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five
How awful and trying these days must have been! Despite knowing of their success, it is still terribly difficult to read of the suffering of Frodo and the agony of those who had to watch him, helplessly.
Arwen Baggins
· 9 October 2003
· Chapter 5: Chapter Five
What? Why didn't Elrond listen to Merry when he tried to warn him about the irregular pulse? You can't leave us hanging! Starts chanting: "Update, update...!" Well, you get the idea. And really I'm the first reviewer for this chapter. Cool!
Le Rouret
· 8 October 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Arwen Baggins
· 28 September 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
WHAT?? They can't amputate Frodo's entire arm! Please up-date soon, I can't wait to see the Hobbits' reaction to the suggestion: Sam and Bilbo's especially.
fliewatuet
· 28 September 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
I'm still following this story, though I am sometimes hard pressed catching up with your frequent posts (no, I do not complain, not at all ... maybe about RL that keeps me from reading, but never about one of my favourite author's frequent updates).
So now the Hobbits had all some amount of rest, though poor Sam apparently did not indulge in too much sleep. And I marvel at their determination to stay at Frodo's side, for what is to come will be quite gruesome to watch ...
fliewatuet
Pearl Took
· 28 September 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
On the edge of my seat with suspense! You are right, all the hobbits would want to stay in the room, even if they couldn't watch, they would want to have that close proximity to Frodo. Pippin's love at first sight for Arwen is precious.
daw the minstrel
· 28 September 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Oh, I see a very realistic description of surgery coming. I think I have to brace myself about like the hobbits are doing.
I like the idea of the hobbits drawing strength from one another, sleeping together, maybe even able to sense one another's presence even when unconscious. And they are a surprisingly strong folk, for all their emotional openness.
Shireling
· 28 September 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Budgie
Even though I know the outcome this is still very scary. You have cranked up the tension till it is almost unbearable.
Please make him better quickly!
Helen
Nilmandra
· 28 September 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
I like that in the midst of such sorrow, Pippin is still awe struck upon seeing Arwen. Your portrayal of the hobbits is wonderful as always, but your elves are quite good too. I like the quiet dignity of the twins, and the love in Elrond's eyes at his daughter.
shirebound
· 28 September 2003
· Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Gah! Budgie, what a horrific scene for the hobbits to be witnessing! You portray their love and steadfastness sooo well.
But even in the midst of the horror, is a bit of sunshine. Therefore, of course, I love this the most...
"Not a woman, Merry corrected himself a moment later, an Elf-maid. Then Merry’s mind shut down and his mouth fell open."
Hee hee
Pearl took
· 27 September 2003
· Chapter 3: Chapter Three
It is 12:15 AM, so I'm not sure how coherent I'll be, nor how good my spelling shall be! lol
This is a wonderful tale, The care and concern that everyone is showing. I loved Pippin comforting Merry - one doesn't often see that, it was well done. You write such thorough responses and I feel I too often don't, even when it isn't late, or early as the case may be! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the story as you post it.
Pearl Took
Nilmandra
· 18 September 2003
· Chapter 3: Chapter Three
The detail in this is beautiful - I can see the scene you have crafted perfectly. Elrond is graceful and gentle, yet strong and sturdy. The hobbits are perfectly done- Merry so strong and Sam so devoted and Pippin so..Pippin :)
I am glad Frodo sleeps, for I also do not want him to suffer.
daw the minstrel
· 18 September 2003
· Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Nice detailed, domestic scene. The concern of these people for one another is touching.
shirebound
· 18 September 2003
· Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Oh Budgie, you can't imagine how happy I am every time I see that you've updated... ANYthing! Bilbo continues to be such a pillar of strength and practicality. You write him beautifully.
I particularly love---
"The young hobbit’s hands trembled; he was so exhausted that it frightened him, and he did not want the others, especially Pippin, to see."
"...six pairs of eyes tracking the spoon’s progress..."
daw the minstrel
· 15 September 2003
· Chapter 2: Chapter Two
How wonderful that Sam sees Elrond as something out of legend. And as it turns out, he is a legend capable of sending them from the room if they distract him or his patient. Bilbo rings true to me. He speaks like a parent who has seen his child in many frightening moments.
Author's reply
Hi Daw! Can you imagine how Sam felt, seeing fairy-tales come true before his eyes? All the stories he had heard about the Master of Rivendell and his sons and the Evenstar true. And then to have his heart's desire achieved in such circumstances - the joy and the terror and the fear must have almost torn him apart.
(I do have to wonder what Elrond was thinking - that hobbits were harmless no doubt. These four might turn his dark hair gray before they leave Rivendell.)
Thank you for your comment on Bilbo - he is such a complex character to write. Above all, his love for Frodo has to shine through. You'll see a lot more of him as this story progresses.
daw the minstrel
· 15 September 2003
· Chapter 1: Chapter One
This had me from the first paragraph. The details of the horses and so on gave it such a sense of reality that I was swept into the story far more than I expected to be. (I am usually an elf-girl and don't read many hobbit stories.) The reminder of Glorfindel's power was also striking. It made him seem very elfy - fey and wise and dangerous.
Author's reply
Hello, Daw. "Fey and wise and dangerous..." what a wonderful description of Glorfindel. I just might have to borrow it (with credit to you, of course!).
I am flattered that the story is powerful enough to draw in an elf-lover - be assured, there will be plenty of Elves in this story. Thank you!
Nilmandra
· 11 September 2003
· Chapter 2: Chapter Two
You caught Bilbo perfectly! That was him; I could hear him speaking!
“I nursed that boy through sickness and silliness and ridiculous accidents like falling out of the roof-tree at Bag End. I won’t allow him to die when he’s just started acting like a responsible adult. Buck up, Samwise. Gandalf, open that door.”
I like your elves as well - Elrond is grace and dignity, timeless and ageless; and his sons are helpful, not bumbling idiots.
Bilbo seeing Merry reduced me to tears. This scene reminds me of the one in Little Women, when Marmee comes just as Beth is fighting for her life, and how the girls endured those long days and nights, and finally that comoforting figure appeared. In this case, the young hobbits came to Bilbo and the elves, and they are still weary and so fearful, but you see the glimmer of hope.
Author's reply
Nilmandra, thank you for your comments. I love Bilbo, just as much as the Fab Four. I've been wanting him to make that comment about Frodo falling out of the roof tree at Bag End for a long time, as a precursor to a short story. I'll have to read "Little Women" again - it's been years. Now that you mention it, I can see many parallels between the girls and the hobbits - in character, in writing them, in the relationships. I hope there will be happy moments in OOAK to make the tears up to you.
fliewatuet
· 11 September 2003
· Chapter 2: Chapter Two
Did I ever tell you that I just love those missing-scenes fics? I've always wondered about what happened during the arrival of the Hobbits' in Rivendell and Frodo's waking. And I really appreciate that you have picked Sam's point of view to tell it.
Author's reply
Hullo Fliewatuet! You did mention that you like missing-scene fics - so do I. I want to incorporate all my favorite missing scene fics together with canon and have every moment accounted for. Of course, what is more fun is reading all the different versions of the same event. I read Ariel's "Thicker Than Blood" and think, yes, it must have happened just like that. Then I read Willow-Wode's "Ring Bearer" and know that's exactly what occurred. Fascinating, that we can accept and enjoy so many different viewpoints.
The viewpoints will be shifting from hobbit to hobbit some, but for the most part the story does follow how THEY feel. But I have to confess, I have a special affection for Sam.
Thank you!