Reclaiming Khazad-dûm by Ellynn
meckinock · 10 March 2021 · Chapter 1: Notes and Prologue
Test review for Ellyn - please leave a reply if you get this. Thanks
Author's reply
Hey, I got your e-mail (as you already know), but I didn't get notification for this review. I saw it only because I clicked on reviews to see if there are any new. I wonder if you'll get notification for my reply...
shirebound · 8 March 2021 · Chapter 17: Chapter 17
"I believe our King." -- Your Durin VII would have been greatly admired to inspire trust and devotion. I'm happy for our young couple. :)
Author's reply
Thanks, dear friend! :)
Larner · 6 March 2021 · Chapter 1: Notes and Prologue
Past time for me to follow this, too. Love his sign!
Author's reply
Well, the chapters are quite short (1500-2500 words), so it's easy to catch up. :) Thank you for the review! You know me, I had to pick something in the sky... :)))
shirebound · 1 March 2021 · Chapter 16: Chapter 16
nowadays there are so few elves remaining in Middle-earth that they almost stopped being a part of its everyday life. A sad thought, but most likely true. I really like the image of a dwarvish hangover feeling like "all the mining wagons of Erebor had run over him"! :)
Author's reply
Writing this party in the village and its consequences the following day was the second favorite part of writing the whole story for me (the first being the part with Grimbar). :) Thanks, dear! *hugs*
Lindelea · 25 February 2021 · Chapter 1: Notes and Prologue
I have not read much Dwarf-oriented fanfic, and I write Dwarves with fear and trepidation, worried I won't get them right or will make them too hobbity or some such. I have added this to my reading list. It seems especially timely, now that I am outlining further chapters in Faramir Took's story, a good section of which takes place at the Lonely Mountain. (I suppose I might skip the Lonely Mountain section and simply refer to it in retrospect, but... I can be brave. Sure I can. Ha.) And here I am with little knowledge of Dwarf society, except for what I could glean from The Hobbit and LOTR proper. (And do female Dwarves have beards, or was that just a movie joke?) Anyhow, I will enjoy seeing your take on their society and interactions.
Author's reply
Hello! Thank you for the review, and I'm so glad to hear this. :) Anyway, I'm not sure if my dwarves are dwarvish enough; there are moments when they seem too human-ish. Most of my characters are young, though, and they just want to have fun. I guess there isn't much difference in young dwarves or young humans: let's drink, let's sing, let's just have good time. :) As for the beards - yes, dwarf women had beards. ;) And finally.... yes. Be brave. Absolutely!
shirebound · 22 February 2021 · Chapter 15: Chapter 15
This "big improvised fair" is very beneficial to everyone, and I enjoyed it too. I love reading and writing about marketplaces, and trading, and all the new things people can experience and learn. And mmmm... steak! It's lovely to imagine how these little girls' lives will change, now that they're "dwarf friends" for life. :)
Author's reply
I haven't really thought about it, but who knows - once dwarves settle in Khazad-dum and start a new life and start trading, maybe Halldis and Tyra will visit the village again and spend time with little girl again :) Yes, it's nice to think they will meet again and become friends. :) Thank you for the review! *hugs*
shirebound · 15 February 2021 · Chapter 14: Chapter 14
They were an important part of this world – especially in the past – and worthy of knowing. It seemed that Halldis understood it. I like that. Yum, I wouldn't mind sampling a gingerbread biscuit!
Author's reply
I hope you have something sweet at hand :))) Thank you for the review, dear. :*
shirebound · 8 February 2021 · Chapter 13: Chapter 13
I enjoyed this lovely encounter as much as they did. And it's nice to know that the Beornings survive, with families and good lives and good hearts.
Author's reply
I'm so glad to hear this *happy* I also enjoyed writing it. :))) Thank you! :*
shirebound · 1 February 2021 · Chapter 12: Chapter 12
What a delightful new character! It sounds as if Grimbar is eager for company.
Author's reply
Oh yes, he definitely is! :D I'm glad you like him :))) Thank you for the review, dear. :*
shirebound · 25 January 2021 · Chapter 11: Chapter 11
LOL, there's always something! Oooh, whose house is this?
Author's reply
Well, many surprises can happen in the forest, can't they? :D You'll find out in the next chapter, and for now, I'll only say - it's an OC :)
shirebound · 18 January 2021 · Chapter 10: Chapter 10 of 39
Like a beautiful gem you discover in a rock, new and totally unknown till that moment, and you realize you have discovered a whole new world... and at the same time you realize that it was here long before you and that it is ancient. What a poetic, and very Dwarf-like insight. I'm enjoying their "courtship" very much. :)
Author's reply
And I enjoyed writing it! :) Things are going to "heat up" soon... after all, we have young blood here, and not much is needed for it to boil! :D I'm glad you like that detail you mentioned. :) Thanks for the review *hugs*
shirebound · 11 January 2021 · Chapter 9: Chapter 9
Darri is a very special and insightful Dwarf. This truly is the meeting of different species, and one that might be one of the last ever in Middle-earth. And Durin's speculations about the orcs are very interesting!
Author's reply
Well, Durin's speculations about the orcs are actually my own thoughts. So, let's see. Yes, Tolkien did a wonderful job creating the world of Arda and creating languages. But other fields of everyday life? Not so much. (Yep, I am a huge Tolkien-fan, but I'm also being realistic.) I guess it was easy for him to write "countless orcs in Moria" and then to just go on, without looking back. But, if we stop and think, we have to ask - what to "countless orcs" eat? They are not spirits like the Ainur, they are ordinary creatures of flesh&blood. They need food. "Countless" number of any such species requires huge amount of food. Agriculture? Nope, not at all. You can't have fields of wheat high on the slopes of the mountain. Farming cows and/or chicken? Highly unlikely. Not on the outside, and especially not in the inside. Trade with the Rohirrim and Beornings? I don't have to answer that one at all... Then what remains? Hunting game in the forests on the slopes, and... and, uhm, nothing else. Ok, maybe cultivating some mushrooms in the caves. (Remember the scene in FotR movie, when a huge number of the orcs appear in the 21st Hall and they surround the Fellowship? My first question was - what to these guys survive on? Mushrooms? Eating each other? Because, hey, there was A LOT of them. They would need A LOT of food.) And I believe that there is no "countless game" living in the forests. My point? No, there can't be countless orcs in Moria. To be realistic, we have to admit that their number is very, very limited. Yes, surely there were enough to defeat Balin & his company, and to defeat some other dwarves' groups before Balin (especially because Balrog was there earlier), but countless? No. Thank you so much for the review! :)))
shirebound · 4 January 2021 · Chapter 8: Chapter 8
It's a new Age indeed when elves and dwarves so easily converse and trust one another!
Author's reply
Well, seven centuries is not the blink of an eye even for the elves, I believe; it's been a really long time since the last strife between those two peoples. As you will see in the next chapter, they are still cautious and don't trust completely, but they can at least talk normally. :)
shirebound · 28 December 2020 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
I know that long ago there were giant spiders in this forest but... weren't all evil beings eradicated from The Wood of Greenleaves? Ah, but perhaps they're no longer shadowed by evil. But... we'll see!
Author's reply
Yep, you'll see :) I'll say nothing... except thank you for the review. Your support means so much to me! <3
shirebound · 21 December 2020 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Oh dear, it sounds like a new peril for her... love at first sight. :)
Author's reply
Haha, not love just yet, but yes, romantic things are set in motion... :) Thank you for the review. :)
Aranadhel · 16 December 2020 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Suilaid, mellon! Love the series so far. Hope you will have a few Silvan elves show up to meet the drarwes in your next post. Hannon le.
Author's reply
You will see, you will see... *smiles* Thank you so much for the review and for your kind words. :)
shirebound · 15 December 2020 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5
It was as if the water was telling her a tale of this forest What a lovely thing. I would be very grateful also to experience it.
Author's reply
Thank you so much, dear, I'm glad you like this. :)
Matt · 14 December 2020 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
I'm not a super-frequent visitor to SoA anymore but I do stop in from time to time. This is a great story that has sprung up since I last visited and I'm super-curious to see where you take it. Your characters feel dwarven as Tolkien saw things but definitely well developed in your own mode as well. Thanks loads for your hard work on this!
Author's reply
Awww, thank you so much! You put a big smile on my face :))) And you also made me a little nervous - I hope that the next chapters won't disappoint you. It's good to hear that the characters feel dwarvish - I wasn't sure if I was able to do it, or they sound like human young adults.
shirebound · 10 December 2020 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4
I would risk much for strawberries as well! And I can well imagine the noise of so many Dwarves moving through an area. The trees must be so confused! (You need to delete the 'strikethrough' in the second half of your chapter.)
Author's reply
Oooops, I have absolutely no idea how strikethrough happened! Moreover, I think I clicked "preview" before publishing... anyway, I hope it's ok now. Thank you for the review, dear! *hugs*
Mirkwoodmaiden · 7 December 2020 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Ellynn! I love this chapter! I feel Halldis' pain being something of a short stature myself I can understand her frustration. I feel her optimism for the new land and the prospects it will hopefully bring. I feel the brimming hope of all those who left their homes to seek a different life. It takes courage and belief and optimism to up sticks and move to a new and uncertain land I feel this in Halldis. I like her. One small point, it may be of no import and perhaps this was a conscious decision on your part. If so disregard this portion of the review. Mirkwood did not revert back to "Greenwood the Great." A few days after the destruction of the One Ring Thranduil and Celeborn met in Mirkwood and changed the name to Eryn Lasgalen "The Wood of Greenleaves" I am really enjoying the story! More please soon! :-) Stay Safe!! ((hugs)) MM
Author's reply
Hey dear, thank you so much for the review. I'm glad you like it :))) As for the second part of the review, my first thought after reading it was "F**K, I wasn't aware of it!!!" The thing is, I knew that, after the War of the Ring and the defeat of evil, Mirkwood was clean of evil and that it was not called Mirkwood any more. So I simply took for granted that the old name returned to use. :/ And it seems that neither of my two betas (one Croatian beta, and curiouswombat who checks my translation and grammar) were aware of this. I'll correct it in the following chapters. ;)
shirebound · 5 December 2020 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Then a horn was heard nearby – seven times. The King's sign. I like that. :) And I understand Haldis very well -- being 4'11" (maybe) makes me tall for a hobbit and short for a human!
Author's reply
Then you know all the "short-girl's-problems" jokes :) thanks for the review! <3
Mirkwoodmaiden · 3 December 2020 · Chapter 1: Notes and Prologue
Ellynn! The voice in this story, Durin's voice starts off so strongly. I can feel his drive and his commitment. A very imaginative story. I look forward to the chapters to come. Hope you and yours are well. Stay Safe! Mellon nin! ((hugs)) MM
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your kind words! Stay safe!
shirebound · 2 December 2020 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2 of 39
Imagine leading 7000 people on a journey to a legendary place, carrying the hopes and dreams of an entire Race on your shoulders... And you *have* imagined the whole adventure! Congratulations on a wonderful beginning.
Author's reply
Oh, I definitely wouldn't like to do it in the real world! It' easy to lead the quest on the paper. :) Thank you for your kind words. *hugs*
shirebound · 2 December 2020 · Chapter 1: Notes and Prologue
And sometimes I wonder... maybe those are the real memories? Because, after all, I am Durin, and maybe – sometimes, somehow – I can see and feel what was seen and felt by those who carried that name before me. What a fascinating idea.
Author's reply
Well, it is not *my* idea, I can't take the credit. :) I didn't read the whole HoME, but I know that there are some hints that dwarves believe that Durin I reincarnated six times. For my story, I decided that I would not take reincarnation, but I imagine that those seven Durins share some special bond over time and space, and that they can sometimes feel each other's thoughts. Thank you so much for reading!