The Book of Mazarbul by Soledad
Larner · 14 January 2016 · Chapter 6: The Road Goes Ever On, Part 3
Love the look at one of the few remaining petty-dwarves, and adored the visit with Radagast.
Author's reply
Thank you. I always thought the Petty-dwarves got short shrift in the books. We'll see Mother Aase again. And Radagast. I love Radagast.
Larner · 14 January 2016 · Chapter 5: The Road Goes Ever On, Part 2
A worthwhile payment of their coin, obviously. And loved the brief visit with the Twins.
Author's reply
The Twins are always great fun to write. As for their coin, it was well spent indeed. After all, not even Dwarves can eat it, right?
Larner · 14 January 2016 · Chapter 4: The Road Goes Ever On, Part 1
I'm not surprised that Hallavor knew--after all, he's her dad in all but blood, and good dads KNOW. Lovely that she's already aware they belong with one another. And I have to laugh at Nali's jealousy!
Author's reply
Well, what did you expect? He is a Dwarf, after all, and Dwarves are notoriously jealous. ;)
Sweetpea · 13 January 2016 · Chapter 4: The Road Goes Ever On, Part 1
I knew it! *crows* She's warming up to him! The Easternlings' story is great! I like how Nali talks about it in such a way as to bug Rei without exactly meaning to!
Author's reply
There will be a happy ending, at least temporarily. Since we all know how Balin's great expedition ended. :((
Sweetpea Deepdelver · 13 January 2016 · Chapter 3: Rescue, Courtship and Other Complications
*clucks tongue* She's going to fall for him anyway. :) ! He's too cute! I did have one quibble with this chapter. Moonstones aren't generally cut with facets--they are polished and round. It's because they are really rather soft. Now, are these moonstones different? More like sapphires? Or what? I'm a little confused. Ee-yoi, Bree has a nasty side! Weeelll.....I'm not surprised. Honestly, they would have to, living where they do. It's almost like a town in the American Old West--looks pleasant as pie, but if you cross a line.... Anyway, still reading and enjoying! Thank you once more for writing!
Author's reply
Errr... these are not real-life moonstones. They are fantasy moonstones and were imported from my ungodly long original fantasy epos, in which Elves happened to come from the Moon... sort of. Anyway, I know the real stones are different, I actually did a lot of online research on gemstones, but I wanted a bit of mystery added to the found, so... I don't imagine Bree being such a dark and unpleasant place as in the films, but as you said yourself, they have to be harsh if they want to survive on the Roadside.
Sweetpea Deepdelver · 13 January 2016 · Chapter 2: The Raiding of the Barrows
I really like the closer look you give us at the Barrow-downs. It figures that Dwarves would fare better there than the Hobbits did! The little details you give us are great! "..the ringing of gold and silver was a sound no Dwarf could fully ignore. The spell was broken, if only for a moment..." and "Apparently, some monsters could not be killed, after all – presumable because they were already dead." were the best! Eee! Hurrying onwards to the next chapter!
Author's reply
I'm always trying to mix a bit of humour into all that darkness. It would be too depressing otherwise. ;)
Sweetpea Deepdelver · 13 January 2016 · Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter in Bree
Dear Soledad, I found this on the front page of StoriesofArda, and remembering the last story of yours that I read (If you wish upon a Dwobbit) I came to it all eyes and ears ready! And it was really worth it--even though I've only got to the first chapter! I love how you portray the Dwarves in general, and girl Dwarves in particular. Everyone keeps telling me that they have (to my mind) full beards, which is NEVER how I saw them. Your girls have fake beards! *giggles* I love the compromise! All the backstory you've woven in reminds me of the reams upon reams that Tolkein himself had done. I really enjoy it so much, and I can't thank you enough for it all! I know it has the potential to bog the story down, but for me, lots of well written backstory and research always wins me over. Rei and Nali's stories are plausible and (as far as I know) unique among fanfiction. (And I read a lot of it!) I love how Rei is a Ranger-dwarf-girl! :) Overall, the first chapter was a complete delight and I look forward to more! Thank you so much!
Author's reply
Awww, thanks, I'm so glad that you enjoy yourself! So very few people are interested in Dwarves, especially in original characters, it's good to find a kindred spirit.
Larner · 12 January 2016 · Chapter 3: Rescue, Courtship and Other Complications
Am rereading so as to put the new chapters into context, particularly as it's been so long I admit I'd forgotten most of the details of the story. Poor Nali has his work cut out for him, and to find himself in love with a Dwarf maiden who lives the life of Men would make things particularly complicated! Now, to continue on, although I fear I shall need to do so starting tomorrow. So good to read your works again!
Author's reply
Thank you. :) My Tolkien muse went into shock after Fiondil's death and didn't come back for over a year. I hope, though, that now that it seems to be recovering I'll be able to continue with at least some of my never-ending WIPs.
Matt · 13 April 2013 · Chapter 12: Meeting at Balin's
I recently caught up this story and then forgot to leave a review until this most recent chapter. I tend to prefer the stories focusing on either men or elves so the fact that this held my attention speaks highly for it--at least to me. I like your characterization and though I think you've spent a bit too much time on back-story, I have enjoyed that back-story as well. I'm interested to see where the portentous warning about thwarting and whetting goes and do also hope that you will update Emissary at some point soon. Thanks as always for your hard work on this and all of your stories--even though many of them I do not read.
Author's reply
Yeah, I know, I'm terrible with my backstory overload. The truth is, I love all that background trivia... perhaps a little too much. *sheepish look* In any case, I'm glad you liked the story, despite the lack of Elves and Men. As for Emissary, I've found myself in a tight spot with that one. As you probably know, it was a piece of original fiction once, written in Hungarian, which I translate and adapt to the Ardaverse bit by bit. Right now, I'm at a spot where merging the two mythologies is something of a problem. I've countless scenes translated from future chapters, I just have to find a way for them to fit in with the rest of ME, and that's not an easy thing. But I'm working on it. Thanks for reading and commenting, it's much appreciated.
corranis · 3 April 2013 · Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter in Bree
A well written piece with a nice flow and word choice but I do got a question. How did you come to the understanding that Stiffbeards are "specialized in pickpocketing, petty theft, burglary, cheating in games and so on."? Because my favourite house is the Stiffbeards, I thought that I have read all there was to know about them (canon and fanfic). I knew that they were slender build and a bitt shorter, but not that they were practised in the arts of burglary. Was this creative writing or did you used a source?
Author's reply
The slander is all mine I'm afraid. But if you take a closer look you'll see that it isn't all Stiffbeards, just the members of the Thieves' Guild and thus Náli's family. The others are mainly breeding ponies and moving stuff from one Dwarven settlement to another; also often serving more prestigious families. I'm glad you like the story anyway. Most people are scared away by the ungodly amount of background stuff and the army of original characters. ;)
walkerskye · 21 October 2010 · Chapter 10: The Fire-Mage
a fascinating tale, very worth telling. I'm eager for more. is it still in progress? I like your dwarves, very interesting culture and people. if you've got 50 to introduce us to, your intro will take quite a long time. but like the Professor, we all love a good, meaty story.
Author's reply
Well, I've just posted a 3-part filler chapter (you can find them after Chapter 3, if you're interested), and hope that it will improve the story and iron out the break between the two story arcs. Yea, as you can see it's still *is* in progress. :)
Dís Thráinsdotter · 20 July 2009 · Chapter 0: Introduction
And great fun it is indeed. When I think of the dwarves I see them as kin and friends, I consider my home town and how they would fit in there.
Raksha The Demon · 23 June 2009 · Chapter 10: The Fire-Mage
I think we'll see the Fire-mage again in this story; at least I hope so. Fascinating scene with the salamanders/proto-dragons.
Author's reply
Oh, we'll definitely see Eikinskialdi again! But first, we'll meet the heroes of the Battle of Azanulbizar. *g* The manfish caught my imagination at once when I visited Postojna Cave in Slovenia last year. The fact that they were thought to be baby dragons when they happened to come to the surface fuelled then the proto/dragon idea.
Raksha The Demon · 23 June 2009 · Chapter 8: Return to Erebor
Wonderful descriptions of the King Under the Mountain and his realm, and even a reference to Celebrimbor!
Author's reply
I love Celebrimbor - the only Fëanorian whom I really like. Yes, he was foolish, even a bit arrogant, perhaps, but he didn't hurt anyone with that. Well, if we leave the long-term consequences out of consideration, that is. And Dáin is a great Dwarf to write: so wise, so powerful. Truly a King, if there ever was one.
Raksha The Demon · 23 June 2009 · Chapter 3: Rescue, Courtship and Other Complications
Scary-good chapter, with drama and danger from the Barrow-wight. And Rei is thawing towards Nali, thanks to his courage and the moonstones. But why does Rei dislike Goldberry?
Author's reply
To be honest, I have no idea. The original intention was of her disliking Bombadil, because, let's face it, Tom is fairly silly at times. But it somehow turned into her disliking Goldberry - perhaps she feels that Goldberry is a lot more than she looks and is afraid. And since she hates being afraid, she projects that hate to Goldberry? I'm really not sure.
Raksha The Demon · 23 June 2009 · Chapter 7: The Mercenary
I love the intricate pattern of not just one, but multiple dwarf-cultures you weave here. Nali and Rei make a great couple, too!
Author's reply
Thanks. I always thought that there was more about Dwarves than just the LongBeards. After all, they are the oldest race of ME, even if Aulë was forced to put them back to sleep. They *had* to have different customs and values, as well as different lives and occupations.
Kitt Otter · 22 June 2009 · Chapter 10: The Fire-Mage
I thought that this would keep me busy all week… yet I read it in two sittings. So here’s my bulk review. I liked the history lesson and The Hobbit recap. I never could imagine Dain without enormous muscles. ;) Loads of interesting stuff – the Dwarf-twins, the 300-hundred-year-old Loni (!!!), that Gloin is father of five, and that the magic door needed not be magic (I guess that’s practical!). I felt overwhelmed along with Rei and Nali over the Dwarven art. The in-depth discussions on the weapons was so interesting; I actually felt like I learnt something on bows and crossbows… “Dwarven society was an intricate network of kinship and alliances and rank based on both birth and personal deeds; a system that would give any other race a headache.” - Yep. :) Stargold sounds beautiful. “but Óin had a certain… reluctance to talk to people who had apparently come back from the dead.” – Hehe. I always wanted to know what lay out in the Withered Heath too. I liked Gloin’s prophetic words about Gimli’s travel-longing. I can’t tell you enough how much I love Tolkien’s dragon-lore! I’m as fascinated as Oin… or very close, anyway. I did some research on that a while back. However Morgoth could have bred them is a big question. “And those are exactly the flaws one could detect by Elves and Men… and even Dwarves, should they happen to catch the Dragon Sickness,” added Óin grimly. - I never thought of it that way before, that Dragon Sickness induces Dragon’s own flaws onto their victims. *laughs* Long have I wondered how difficult it was to get that Smaug-stench out of the Mountain. Ooo, Rune-smiths and Fire-mages… so interesting. I also loved this line: “That makes sense,” said Óin. “Gold is the metal of the Sun, and the Sun is the source of every clean fire. Only the dark flames of Udûn come from below.” Beautiful descriptions, even if it’s of desolation. It reminded me of Martian and Lunar landscapes, actually. I like Eikinskialdi – he’s not the least what I expected him to be. :) Besides being sassy, ancient, and a Fire-mage, his status as a Petty Dwarf makes him so intriguing. (And I had been impressed by Loni’s age.) You’re right, the manfish are fascinating! That’s quite a theory of them being the precursors of Dragons. Oho! Now the topic of retaking Khazad-dum comes up, and there’s a whole band just waiting for an invitation note to go. Yay! From the Barrow-downs to the Withered Heath and eventually into the depths of Khazad-dum, you’re taking me all over Middle-earth that I’ve always wanted to see… and be too afraid to go to. :D Thanks! This is so much fun to read! -Kitt
Author's reply
I established Glóin's family in "A Dwarven Yuletide", although I keep forgetting how many sons I actually gave him.*g* I regret that the Return to Erebor chapter misses a full third here, but the rules are the rules. Too bad, though; the Flói storyline is one of my favourites. You should really seek out Ro's Dwarven art at Elfwood. This whole story has been inspired by her gorgeous Dwarf pictures. As for dragon lore, that part cost a great deal of research, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm glad you still enjoy the story. In the next part, we'll meet some heroes of the Battle of Azanulbizar. Thanks for the lovely comments+
Larner · 25 May 2009 · Chapter 7: The Mercenary
Ah--mating has begun between these two in spite of Nali's foolishness, eh? Good! And love the inclusion of Floi, and his chanting of the waking of Durin. Excellent! Yes, young Dwarves should well be expected to learn such things! Nice!
Author's reply
I must admit that Ro's Dwarf drawings inspired me greatly to create these characters. Flói was an especially strong inspiration; he needed an extraordinary backstory, I found. Some day, I might return to the previous chapter and work a little on Rei and Náli getting together. But right now, I just wanted the story to move on.
Larner · 25 May 2009 · Chapter 3: Rescue, Courtship and Other Complications
Ah, she mellows! That is good! And the moonstones are a wonderful gift to her. Nice interweaving of original text again.
Author's reply
Thanks. It was my intention from the beginning to make the two a couple. It was just hard to think of something that would really impress Rei. *g*
Larner · 25 May 2009 · Chapter 2: The Raiding of the Barrows
Poor Nali--he has managed to put himself in a pickle all right! Heh! And just when Rei might have accepted him!
Author's reply
A lovesick Dwarf is not a rational Dwarf, I guess. But they'll get around, eventually.
Kitt Otter · 25 May 2009 · Chapter 7: The Mercenary
It’s been too long! But I’m glad to be caught up again. Barrow-wight history was fascinating and sent shivers down my spine. Hallavor’s reign over Rei’s temper is delicate but it works. I liked that: the Man in the Moon is a protector of thieves and lonely travelers. Is that based on a real-life legend or did you think it up? I got more shivers with Hallavor’s spell-casting. Cool yet kinda creepy. Priceless reunion between Rei and Nali. I really would hate getting on her badside, speaking of which… *snerk* she really doesn’t like Tom’s House, then, does she? I find Dwarves’ very blatant display of interest amazing. The moon-stones sound cool, like a sign especially for Rei and Nali. :) Good senior Farmer Maggot! That was a tad unexpected… Rei’s going from wanting to rip Nali limb from limb to saving his life by letting him flee on her beloved pony. Seriously, I like Rei. She’s awesome. :D Woo. Floi certainly sounds like… a character. Really, the tattoos. Hehe and barearms and the goatee. I guess that is more practical than a full beard. This was a lot of fun filling for a character only slightly mentioned by the Professor. Something of a jump, here, but a well-placed one, seeing Rei and Nali together. Oooh, the description of that stew made my stomach growl! I admit I was hanging off the edge of my seat with the history and stories, especially when they finally got to mentioning Khazad-dum. I think you are right in that learning such chants would be important – like us learning times-tables. I enjoyed both these chapters a lot. Deep and beautiful work, once again! -Kitt :)
Author's reply
Yeah, I know, I'm sorry. I have been stuck with Chapter 3 for so long, and until I finished it, I couldn't post the long-finished Ch 4, either. I liked that: the Man in the Moon is a protector of thieves and lonely travelers. Is that based on a real-life legend or did you think it up? I'm afraid I made it up entirely. It was a bit influenced by the Greek god Hermes, though. Originally, I wanted a smoother transition between the two chapters, but it just didn't come together. So I decided to simply go on with the story. Eventually I might come back and do a little rewriting. I'm very happy that you still enjoy the story. Thanks for the review! :)
Larner · 25 May 2009 · Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter in Bree
Love the world-building you show, with the culture of the Stiff-beards being explored as it is and the fascination Nali knows for Rei. Fascinating so far. Will try to get back to it tomorrow.
Author's reply
Dwarves are so unexplored! Even the Professor was mostly focused on the LongBeards. Ro did some stuff with the IronFists in his excellent Gimli story, "Of Fire and Stars", but that's basically it. I wanted to give each Clan very specific traits.
Larner · 24 May 2009 · Chapter 0: Introduction
I am so glad to see you writing again! Your responsibilities elsewhere finished for the time? Good to hear from you!
Author's reply
School term's closing in three weeks, thank God! I can't wait for summer holidays. Tolkienfic isn't something I can write just in the odd empty hour - it needs a special feeling, a mindset to it. I have been stuck with this particular story for quite some time, so I just sat down and forced myself to finsh Chapter 3. It probably shows, but at least I got away from the dead spot.
Kitt Otter · 26 July 2008 · Chapter 2: The Raiding of the Barrows
I am happy to see an update. Very exciting stuff in this chapter! I love the adventure in the Downs; I always wanted to see more of them. Oh, you gave this such suspense... if this were a movie, I'd have shut my eyes - it was frightening as Nali crept into the Downs, then into the tomb. Silly Dwarves and their love-longing! I actually hope Rei will change her mind about Nali. Really, they are alike and both do like the outdoors. I liked Hallovor's fatherly concern. I worry for Nali now, not only because of the wights but also of what Rei may do to him and without a courting gift. Kitt
Author's reply
Oh, he's going to face some hard times, but again, he should have thought first. In any case, I like him too much to cause him serious harm. ;)
Raksha The Demon · 21 July 2008 · Chapter 2: The Raiding of the Barrows
I begin to feel very sorry for Nali; and not because he's being chased by a headless Barrow-wight. He's going to face Rei's wrath without the slight mitigation that a sackful of treasure might have earned him. At least Nali is no coward; it takes guts to go dowry-hunting in a haunted barrow. Hopefully Rei will realize that he has some worth, until then, the course of true love probably not run smooth. Update soon; I am enjoying this adventure!
Author's reply
We can never know what a lovesick Dwarf is capable of, can we? But true love conquers all... or so they say. We'll see...