Reclaiming Khazad-dûm by Ellynn
shirebound · 2 July 2021 · Chapter 34: Chapter 34
"And besides the burned gear, there is an inscription all over your forehead – 'I am in pain He's a well-trained healer indeed, and Darri is lucky to be helped so skillfully.
Author's reply
"To have an inscription all over one's forehead" is a direct translation of a Croatian phrase *giggles* I thought it would fit here :))) Thank you, dear *hugs*
Larner · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 30: Chapter 30 of 39
Oh, I know the feeling well. It's why I try to comment on every chapter I read (except those few times I find nothing good or constructive to say). The realities of war are horrid to face, and Halldis is learning this lesson well. I respect her courage.
Author's reply
I appreciate your reviews so much. They mean so very much to me. Thank you. *hugs*
Larner · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 29: Chapter 29
How well I remember that warning. A terrible dream! Now she will see the costs of war. I pity even the orcs, I find. At least those who flee will trouble Durin's folk no more--or at least not for a long time.
Author's reply
In one of the writing courses I recently had, I read that the author should achieve that the readers have some feelings even for the antagonist(s). It's good to hear that readers (or at least some of them) sympathize wit the orcs too. Thank you. :*
Larner · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 28: Chapter 28
There are always the fallen to mourn and honor, aren't there? At least their father died accomplishing the ages-long desire of their people--to liberate their ancient homeland.
Author's reply
As I said to some reviewers - if there is a big war, it seemed unrealistic that none of the characters is killed. So I had to do this. Thank you so much!
Larner · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 27: Chapter 27
I am impressed by the planning. The battles have been well executed so far. He dealt well with Ernis, getting her past denial and into the needs of reality most effectively!
Author's reply
You know the proverb - good planning is a big part of the success. They just had to prepare as good as possible. Thank you!
Larner · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 26: Chapter 26
To have them on the run is itself a triumph! But the cost....
Author's reply
Every war has a cost. :(
Aranadhel · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Suspense is making me ache to know the outcome!
Author's reply
Step by step, week by week... Thank you so much for the review!
Larner · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 25: Chapter 25
Well, they're in, at least. Love the cantrips--great obstacles!
Author's reply
Well, the dwarves have to use *everything* they can. And even that way, it won't be easy. Thank you for the review, dear!
shirebound · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 33: Chapter 33
What a horrific, but very logical, trap. I'm so relieved every time we know that Darri is safe!
Author's reply
Don't worry, I will not kill the main characters. That is, POV characters :) But... be prepared. Darri's father is not the only named character who does not survive the war. I think it's more realistic that way. Thank you so much. *hugs*
Aldwen · 27 June 2021 · Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Great chapter, I like the suspense! Hot grease and water is a vile move. :( These Orcs are quite smart. But they also should be, with all kinds of nasty things, devised to kill and cause pain...
Author's reply
At first, I wrote water and oil - I did it automatically, without thinking. I mean, in our everyday life, we know that hot oid and water are bad combination, and that if the oil catches fire, we must not extinguish it with water. But then a friend warned me that the probability for the orcs having the oil is very small, but that they would probably have grease (from the animals - from the game they catch). That surely made more sense. Thank you for the review and the compliments! :)
Aranadhel · 20 June 2021 · Chapter 32: Chapter 32
Good. Good. Good. I like the suspense. Aranadhel
Author's reply
Thank you so much! :)
shirebound · 20 June 2021 · Chapter 32: Chapter 32
What a sweet reunion. :) As passionate as the Dwarves are to recapture their homeland, it can only be hoped that, paying such a high price, they ultimately feel that this effort has been worthwhile.
Author's reply
The price must be high, there is no other way to achieve the goal, but... you will see in the end! :) Thank you so much! :*
Aldwen · 16 June 2021 · Chapter 31: Chapter 31
Ouch... Not good (for the Dwarves, I mean). :( Overconfidence has its price. The Orcs devised a good plan. Waiting eagerly what happens next!
Author's reply
Well, I had to complicate Dwarves' lives a little bit, didn't I? *grins* And I did it again, and again... At least Durin learned the lesson! Thank you for the review, dear!
Aranadhel · 13 June 2021 · Chapter 31: Chapter 31
Hi here's my review. Disbelief. Suspense. Waiting for next chapter. Aran
Author's reply
In a week ;) Now we are in the part of the story that we can dub "empire strikes back"... I mean, the orcs, the orcs!!! :))) Thank you!
shirebound · 13 June 2021 · Chapter 31: Chapter 31
Such a clever, and devastating, attack. You describe this tragedy beautifully.
Author's reply
Well, the orcs used what they had at hand. I didn't describe it in the story, but I imagine that those rocks (that the orcs used) were there from long time ago - who knows, maybe even back from the age of the dwarves? Maybe the dwarves used/needed them for something, and when they were banished, the rocks remained. And the orcs used them. We knew it wouldn't be easy for the dwarves. Thank you, dear. :*
Lindelea · 7 June 2021 · Chapter 13: Chapter 13
p.p.s. on reviews... I understand. Back in 2004/2005, I was driven to write by the stories and characters piling up in my mind as if demanding release. I would have kept writing for myself, reviews or no reviews, but I have to admit that it was the reviews that kept me posting. It wasn't so much the feedback itself as much as the feeling I wasn't just talking to myself. However, it was the conversation - the interaction with readers who generously shared their impressions and thoughts - that often sparked new ideas and new insights and infused energy into the writing process. I guess that's why I make the effort to offer some kind of thoughtful response. I appreciate the effort that goes into crafting and posting a chapter, and I remember the empty feeling that I was talking to myself when I would see that people clicked on a chapter but nobody left any acknowledgment, either positive or negative. Yes, you can see "hits" on a posting, but when there are no comments, you might imagine those hits are people clicking into a chapter, reading the first sentence or two, and clicking out again because of lack of interest or whatever. When I started posting again after a long time away, it was such a warm feeling to read reviews and realize that some readers still remembered my stories and were happy that I'd returned to work on the WIPs and try to finish them. Anyhow, I'm possibly being too wordy today. I need to dive into my work, but I've been so enjoying dipping my toes into fanfic yesterday and today, it's hard to tear myself away. LOL!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for this, too. I will not stop writing (reviews or no reviews). As you know, writing really helps me a lot in this difficult period. A new novel (somewhat shorter than Reclaiming Khazad-dum) is finished and currently being translated, and I have a new idea. I *LOVE* writing too much to stop. But as you wrote yourself, you understand how it feels when you are in (almost complete) silence of the readers. And yes, just like in your case, a few times reviews gave me new ideas.
Lindelea · 7 June 2021 · Chapter 13: Chapter 13
p.s. I had the odd thought that the legend about the origins of the Beornings had a grain of truth, sort of like the Shire-folk's talk as JRRT mentioned about the Tooks having a fairy ancestor (Dreamflower wrote a lovely story about this, Ancestress, posted here on SoA). I wondered if perhaps one of the Valar might have been exploring/enjoying Middle-earth in the guise of a bear and encountered or was testing the Man who became the Father of the Beornings. I don't know how plausible it is, as it has been some years since I read up on the Valar while writing a story about the origins of the Shire-folk.
Author's reply
Interesting idea!
Lindelea · 7 June 2021 · Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Oh, how I love the depiction of Grimbar, and the many details that round out his portrait. The description of the cottage, his changing expressions, the simple meal, his brief retelling of history. (Does he know about the spiders in the Forest?) As I was reading, I remembered that Beorn came to support the Dwarves in the Battle of the Five Armies, so I broke off and went to find that account. Because I have the Kindle version of The Hobbit, it was easy to search on the word "bear" and find mentions of him... which led me further in the search results for the book, to the passage describing Bilbo's journey home, which says that Beorn was with him "for much of the way" along with Gandalf, a detail that I had never really noticed before! And then, of course, I returned to finish reading this chapter. I am so glad to be back, able to read more, and definitely looking forward to it! I find myself wondering if the Dwarf folk would have stories/legends passed down from Thorin's time, of the encounter with Beorn on their way to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug (or whatever it was they were doing - I find myself wondering, now, why they merely engaged a Burglar... what did they hope to attain?) and his decisive role in the Battle of the Five Armies. But even with the Eagles they were still outnumbered. In that last hour Beorn himself had appeared—no one knew how or from where. He came alone, and in bear’s shape; and he seemed to have grown almost to giant-size in his wrath. The roar of his voice was like drums and guns; and he tossed wolves and goblins from his path like straws and feathers. He fell upon their rear, and broke like a clap of thunder through the ring. The dwarves were making a stand still about their lords upon a low rounded hill. Then Beorn stooped and lifted Thorin, who had fallen pierced with spears, and bore him out of the fray. Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Hobbit (Lord of the Rings) (p. 291). HMH Books. Kindle Edition.
Author's reply
Hey, it's so good to hear from you again! I didn't like this long silence, and it's good to know that you're fine. :) I prefer paper editions; I don't have a Kindle and I have no single e-book. But I do have Tolkien's works in pdf, and I love them for the reason you mention - it's so easy to find something. Find and find/replace commands are one of my favorite commands!!! :))) You'll find out the answer (about stories from Thorin's time) at some point later in the story. :) Thank you so much!
Aldwen · 7 June 2021 · Chapter 30: Chapter 30 of 39
Durin's overconfidence certainly sounds like a recipe for trouble... :( Do not be discouraged! People who do not write themselves often do not realise how frustrating it is to not get any feedback. This is a very nice story. I much prefer to see relationships, emotions and character development, and here they are nicely balanced with action. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's reply
As I said to the previous reviewer, no worries - I'm not discouraged in a way that I'll stop writing (I love it too much), I'm just frustrated. Thank you so much for the support, dear. *hugs*
Anonymous · 6 June 2021 · Chapter 30: Chapter 30 of 39
I'm enjoying your story very much. I like the give and take between Durin and his general Nardi. Nardi trying to do his duty and keep the king safe, but Durin showing his leadership and acting like a dwarf that we have all seen in the books and movies. I also enjoy all the familial interactions between the various related dwarves. Eagerly awaiting your next chapter, don't get discouraged, you're telling a great story.
Author's reply
Thank you for the review. :) Don't worry, I'm not discouraged in a way that I'll stop writing (I love it and need it), but not receiving feedback is frustrating and painful. Anyway, thanks for the compliments! :)
Aranadhel · 6 June 2021 · Chapter 30: Chapter 30 of 39
Hi Ellyn, Good updates so far. I think the reason people don't review this story is because of your storyline maybe? Like me I look forward reading about the battle but you focus a lot more on Haldis and her feelings (love, regret, scared etc) instead of her father, Durin and his battle to reclaim his ancestors homeland. That's why I only leave a review when the battle of Khazad Dum is going to happen. Please don't be offended by my point of view. I'm not interested in Haldis'character. It's boring. Rather read more on the battles and Durin and the Dwarf army. Baruk Khazad.
Author's reply
I am not offended. After all (not sure if I'm going to translate/express this correctly), personal tastes are different and shouldn't be a matter of arguing. If people didn't like the story, I guess they wouldn't read it this long. The reason people don't review is because most people are simply lazy. It's not just my story; it's everywhere, everyone's stories. Fanfiction stories, stories on different web-sites, books on Amazon... everywhere. And yes, I know it, but it's still frustrating. As for me, if there would be a story with battles, battles, battles - well, I would find that boring. What I want in stories (mine, or other authors') are other things: I want to know what characters think, feel, what makes them happy, what makes them sad, I want to see their relationships. I want to feel their world through their eyes. Action is ok, but action, action, action? Boring. I wouldn't normally reveal what would happen in next chapters, but I'll say this: I'm afraid you have the wrong impression. There won't be a great big battle to reclaim homeland. Or, if you want me to express things differently, one big battle to RECLAIM homeland (not shouting but emphasizing) consists of many small battles and is already happening. After all, here you don't have one big field, you don't have two armies approaching from two sides, and you don't have one big clash. You have 21 big halls and many other smaller halls. Imagine conquering a city: you would have to win house by house, street by street. Here, in Khazad-dum, you have to conquer hall by hall. That's the bottom line. The last battle - for the last hall - the one after which you can say that you RECLAIMED your homeland - might easily be the smallest one, simply because there will be just a few orcs left.
shirebound · 6 June 2021 · Chapter 30: Chapter 30 of 39
Durin chose a worthy general, and I wish he would follow his advice. *sigh* I empathize with your frustration about reviews. I posted fanfic for 18 years, and found that, even in the early days when there were huge numbers of readers, the number of reviews rarely exceeded 4% of the number of views/hits. These days, there are even fewer reviews, and the discrepancy never made any sense to me either. I know that my stories are still being read (because fanfiction.net allows access to statistics), and that's some consolation. If readers knew the time, energy, research, and creativity that went into writing these stories, I know they'd be kind enough to offer a word or two in a review.
Author's reply
Well, Durin generally listens to what the others have to say. But now became too self-confident and too sure that nothing can go wrong. Add to that a little bit of dwarvish stuborness - and we get recipe for disaster! Ok, I can reveal that it will not be a huge disaster, but... Maybe it was 4% in the past; from what I can judge, it is even less today. :(
Aldwen · 30 May 2021 · Chapter 29: Chapter 29
Nice chapter! Very interesting to read the orc perspective!
Author's reply
I have to admit that I didn't plan it (orc scene, I mean), it was "an inspiration of the moment", so to say :) Thank you! *hugs*
shirebound · 30 May 2021 · Chapter 29: Chapter 29
What a terrible nightmare for Halldis, but keeping busy at these very needed tasks will help her. That was an interesting orc conversation!
Author's reply
The orc scene is short, but it was interesting and funny to write. :) And there will be two more! :) Thank you so much. *hugs*
Aldwen · 23 May 2021 · Chapter 28: Chapter 28
Oh... poor brothers... This is sad. But nothing comes without a cost. And one day they will meet again... This was a moving chapter. Thank you!
Author's reply
I don't know, it felt somehow unrealistic (and my beta confirmed) to have a war, and that none of the characters die. So... I had to. Thank you for the compliments!