Elemmírë · 28 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Via Media
I agree with Grey Wonderer--there are way too few Gimli stories out there, let alone one that expands upon Dwarven culture. Very cool! Gimli's explanation of his tattoo to Pippin reminded me of the actors that played the roles of the Fellowship. They got their own tatoos after a long, strenuous job (like the Dwarves' apprenticeship), and wanted to keep their design secret for as long as they could. I truly cannot picture any other race in Tolkien's Middle-earth that would embrace the custom of tatooing. I really enjoyed how you linked the manner of the Dwarves dress, braids, tatoos, etc. denoting their trade--very reminiscient of the medieval Scottish masons and other guilds during that period. Well done!
Author's reply
Yes, there are way too few Gimlifics and Dwarf culture stories. Not to pimp it, but if you like this genre, I wrote "Speak, Friend and Enter" [http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=2042] which focuses on Dwarvish/Elvish interaction and is one of my personal favorites of my own stories. What a marvelous parallel you describe between this and the LotR actors! And thank you for thinking that my idea that Dwarves would use their own unique exterior clues to reveal aspects of themselves worked; I very much think of them as being like medieval guildspersons. Guilddwarves? ;) My thanks for your enthusiastic words about this story!