for Mazarbul3/22/2011 c1 
11CC.V.RG
Wow, i usually rally around stories about elves, but for my first fic centered around dwarves...it was pretty good! :)
11CC.V.RGWow, i usually rally around stories about elves, but for my first fic centered around dwarves...it was pretty good! :)
5/13/2010 c1 2Blackgenius
Wow, great story. This is a really interesting point of view, it really embodies both the sorrow of Dwarven past and hope for the future. I particularly liked the way you wrote Gimli, and the way you emphasized how his journey changed him. Excellent read, looking foward to reading more of your work!
2BlackgeniusWow, great story. This is a really interesting point of view, it really embodies both the sorrow of Dwarven past and hope for the future. I particularly liked the way you wrote Gimli, and the way you emphasized how his journey changed him. Excellent read, looking foward to reading more of your work!
12/13/2009 c1 35Levade
I've always felt so sad for Gimli when the Fellowship is in Moria. Every step would be a reminder of what should have been a crowning achievement and was really a huge disaster.
Your Gimli is spot-on and just lovely. Older, wiser, how could he be anything else after living through his experiences?
Great story. Sad, but very, very Dwarven.
Peace,
Levade
35LevadeI've always felt so sad for Gimli when the Fellowship is in Moria. Every step would be a reminder of what should have been a crowning achievement and was really a huge disaster.
Your Gimli is spot-on and just lovely. Older, wiser, how could he be anything else after living through his experiences?
Great story. Sad, but very, very Dwarven.
Peace,
Levade
11/30/2009 c1 1Khelc-sul Renai
...This sounds very true for the dwarves... And Thorin's assessment of Gimli and the changes fits him well.
Good story. Well written.
1Khelc-sul Renai...This sounds very true for the dwarves... And Thorin's assessment of Gimli and the changes fits him well.
Good story. Well written.
11/21/2009 c1 19Lunatique
Great story! I love the shadow of grief and dread that seems to hang over everything, and the will and courage of the characters to move beyond that and forge a future for themselves and their kind. The conflict over the future of dwarfkind was intense, yet restrained and tempered by the deep understanding and friendship of Thorin and Gimli. I like everything about this, the stately language, the reference to Durin's line as simply the Heirs, the heavy weight of Khazad-dum and more recent losses on the two characters, references like stone singing back that illuminated the alien yet beautiful world of the dwarves, and the little touches of camaraderie, caring, and humor that lightened what would otherwise have been a very dark tale. I really like Gimli stories that delves into the lives and thoughts of dwarves, and that depict him on his own terms and not as Legolas's sidekick/satellite. Needless to say, I loved this one.
19LunatiqueGreat story! I love the shadow of grief and dread that seems to hang over everything, and the will and courage of the characters to move beyond that and forge a future for themselves and their kind. The conflict over the future of dwarfkind was intense, yet restrained and tempered by the deep understanding and friendship of Thorin and Gimli. I like everything about this, the stately language, the reference to Durin's line as simply the Heirs, the heavy weight of Khazad-dum and more recent losses on the two characters, references like stone singing back that illuminated the alien yet beautiful world of the dwarves, and the little touches of camaraderie, caring, and humor that lightened what would otherwise have been a very dark tale. I really like Gimli stories that delves into the lives and thoughts of dwarves, and that depict him on his own terms and not as Legolas's sidekick/satellite. Needless to say, I loved this one.
11/6/2009 c1 3anarithilien
Oh so nice to see you are still at it, still writing fanfics! And this is a wonderful little insight into the lives of the dwarves and a nice fleshing out of our favorite dwarf. Few can do this as well as you. Gimli proves himself very wise and clever in this story, and I love how you juxtapose his wisdom with that of Thorin's. I can see clearly the influence the Fellowship has had on him (not to mention the thinking of a certain elf), and he does seem the elder in this story. The only thing that was missing, the thing I almost expected, was him asking Thorin to allow him to build the Aglarond colony. You know you now must do that, don't you?
(As an aside, I'm curious as to what sources you use to research dwarven language. I'm trying to find a word that would be the equivalent of 'passion' or 'desire' in Khazad, but I have no real resources. Can you point me in the right direction?)
3anarithilienOh so nice to see you are still at it, still writing fanfics! And this is a wonderful little insight into the lives of the dwarves and a nice fleshing out of our favorite dwarf. Few can do this as well as you. Gimli proves himself very wise and clever in this story, and I love how you juxtapose his wisdom with that of Thorin's. I can see clearly the influence the Fellowship has had on him (not to mention the thinking of a certain elf), and he does seem the elder in this story. The only thing that was missing, the thing I almost expected, was him asking Thorin to allow him to build the Aglarond colony. You know you now must do that, don't you?
(As an aside, I'm curious as to what sources you use to research dwarven language. I'm trying to find a word that would be the equivalent of 'passion' or 'desire' in Khazad, but I have no real resources. Can you point me in the right direction?)
11/4/2009 c1 MissQuigley
I've said it before and i'll say it again. You are an amazing writer!
I love they way you can really suck your readers into the story and paint a picture. I can see, hear and smell everything. Your characterizations are the best, you really bring them to life.
I also love the way you write from a dwarf perspective. The grammar, spoken sentences and words are so 'dwarven'.
I still believe you are the best Tolkien writer on the net and I am so glad you still write the occasional short stories. It's sad that you aren't continuing your multi-chaptered epics though, but I do understand how time consuming and exhausting it must be to write like you do.
Thank you so much for writing, it was a pleasure to read :)
I've said it before and i'll say it again. You are an amazing writer!
I love they way you can really suck your readers into the story and paint a picture. I can see, hear and smell everything. Your characterizations are the best, you really bring them to life.
I also love the way you write from a dwarf perspective. The grammar, spoken sentences and words are so 'dwarven'.
I still believe you are the best Tolkien writer on the net and I am so glad you still write the occasional short stories. It's sad that you aren't continuing your multi-chaptered epics though, but I do understand how time consuming and exhausting it must be to write like you do.
Thank you so much for writing, it was a pleasure to read :)
11/1/2009 c1 2Mia-philosephet
It's fantastic to have another story from you! You have such a mind for detail; I had never thought about the aftermath of what Gimli learned about Moria. What tragedy. Thank you for once again calling attention to one of the many fascinating details of Tolkien's seemingly inexhaustible world.
Mia Philosephet
2Mia-philosephetIt's fantastic to have another story from you! You have such a mind for detail; I had never thought about the aftermath of what Gimli learned about Moria. What tragedy. Thank you for once again calling attention to one of the many fascinating details of Tolkien's seemingly inexhaustible world.
Mia Philosephet
11/1/2009 c1 71Nieriel Raina
Magnificent and powerful, once again you manage to portray the dwarves so realistically I can see it all in my head. Thorin has simply come alive to me in this story. And Gimli...how difficult this must have been for him!
Truly wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
71Nieriel RainaMagnificent and powerful, once again you manage to portray the dwarves so realistically I can see it all in my head. Thorin has simply come alive to me in this story. And Gimli...how difficult this must have been for him!
Truly wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
11/1/2009 c1 vectis
I Hate writing reviews for your stories as my words are always inadequate, but here goes... I loved this glimpse of Gimli's return home and how his experiences have brought him both wisdom and understanding. I'm sure that this new-found knowledge will stand him in good stead for the years to come when he is leader of his own settlement.
I Hate writing reviews for your stories as my words are always inadequate, but here goes... I loved this glimpse of Gimli's return home and how his experiences have brought him both wisdom and understanding. I'm sure that this new-found knowledge will stand him in good stead for the years to come when he is leader of his own settlement.
10/31/2009 c1 6Aislynn Crowdaughter
Hi, Thundera!
Beautiful and sad. I marvel at the way you manage to capture the way of thinking of the Dwarves, ad their connection with their tradition and their heritage - the way both Thorin and Gimli feel themselves connect to the old and lost glory that was Khazad-dum is well written, as are the images you have them invoke to show their feelings. I love the reference to Dwarven politics - the Heirs - and also the notion that Gimli has aged through his journey more than the ones he left behind.
And even here, in this first encounter, so far at the start of his later development as Lord of the Glittering Caves, the first elements of the development can be felt that will later set Gimli apart from his people and his family, and will end in that Dwarf alone of all set sail to accompany an Elf to Aman. It can be seen in the way Gimli suddenly uses Gandalf's mannish name, in how he speaks of hope, in his connection to a certain Elf.
This is a great piece, and it fits perfectly in your longer saga of Gimli's and Legolas' friendship. Very well done!
Thank you for writing and sharing! :)
6Aislynn CrowdaughterHi, Thundera!
Beautiful and sad. I marvel at the way you manage to capture the way of thinking of the Dwarves, ad their connection with their tradition and their heritage - the way both Thorin and Gimli feel themselves connect to the old and lost glory that was Khazad-dum is well written, as are the images you have them invoke to show their feelings. I love the reference to Dwarven politics - the Heirs - and also the notion that Gimli has aged through his journey more than the ones he left behind.
And even here, in this first encounter, so far at the start of his later development as Lord of the Glittering Caves, the first elements of the development can be felt that will later set Gimli apart from his people and his family, and will end in that Dwarf alone of all set sail to accompany an Elf to Aman. It can be seen in the way Gimli suddenly uses Gandalf's mannish name, in how he speaks of hope, in his connection to a certain Elf.
This is a great piece, and it fits perfectly in your longer saga of Gimli's and Legolas' friendship. Very well done!
Thank you for writing and sharing! :)
10/31/2009 c1 45Belphegor
As always, Tiger, you deprive me of words after a good read :o) Always a joy to read something new from you, especially if it revolves around my favourite Dwarf. How many times can I repeat that you've got Gimli's character down pat? How much can I say I love the inner character you give the Dwarves and the places they inhabit without repeating myself? The way you tell the story, you really make a reader *feel* the majesty and sadness of the stone halls and lost pillars, you make both Gimli' and Thorin's pains very real, the tragedy of Khazad-Dûm a tangible sorrow.
I love the weight you give to words - and this is a world where words have a weight and meaning to them that differs according to who is speaking, and to whom. Gimli's choice of using "Gandalf" instead of the dwarven "Tharkûn" tells Thorin he doesn't speak as a diplomat and a witness anymore, but as a friend and brother in arms of Gandalf; it also (and again, most readers of Tolkien take this for granted, but *you* know how to pick up on essential character details) stresses just how alone Gimli (and Legolas, if we follow the same logic) was in the Fellowship. Aragorn and Boromir were, if not quite equals, at least Men; there were four hobbits; Gandalf has few peers. Gimli and Legolas both had a whole community behind them that they left to (in the beginning) carry news to Rivendell. No wonder they became such tight friends, really.
Thorin's dilemma as the leader who has to make the hard decisions and justify his actions is very interesting, and I like the subtle change in his perception of Gimli as not quite obviously younger than him anymore. He *will* need all the strength he can get to persuade the Dwarves not to return to Moria. A very interesting tidbit, by the way, is Gimli's use of the Elven word, which would no doubt be thought of as a major breach of politically correct among the Dwarves :o) That Gimli sees past the origin of the word through to its essential meaning (without even a passing remark about the elven word being judgemental) shows how much he's gained in lucidity and what not being blinded anymore by racial prejudice means.
In short - I love this story. I love the characterisation, the use of context to make the drama and the stakes work, and I love it that it ties with the general feeling of the Fourth Age being the age of Men, not older races. In Fear No Darkness, I remember a scene where Legolas reminds his father that most of the *really* heroic deeds were performed by either the Hobbits or the Men - and that *he* dropped his bow when confronted with the terror that was the Balrog. Gimli admits to the same "weakness" here, and I love this little parallel. I assume it was more or less on purpose? :o)
Always a joy to read from you. And *now* I'm repeating myself :D
Much of love,
Belphegor :o]
45BelphegorAs always, Tiger, you deprive me of words after a good read :o) Always a joy to read something new from you, especially if it revolves around my favourite Dwarf. How many times can I repeat that you've got Gimli's character down pat? How much can I say I love the inner character you give the Dwarves and the places they inhabit without repeating myself? The way you tell the story, you really make a reader *feel* the majesty and sadness of the stone halls and lost pillars, you make both Gimli' and Thorin's pains very real, the tragedy of Khazad-Dûm a tangible sorrow.
I love the weight you give to words - and this is a world where words have a weight and meaning to them that differs according to who is speaking, and to whom. Gimli's choice of using "Gandalf" instead of the dwarven "Tharkûn" tells Thorin he doesn't speak as a diplomat and a witness anymore, but as a friend and brother in arms of Gandalf; it also (and again, most readers of Tolkien take this for granted, but *you* know how to pick up on essential character details) stresses just how alone Gimli (and Legolas, if we follow the same logic) was in the Fellowship. Aragorn and Boromir were, if not quite equals, at least Men; there were four hobbits; Gandalf has few peers. Gimli and Legolas both had a whole community behind them that they left to (in the beginning) carry news to Rivendell. No wonder they became such tight friends, really.
Thorin's dilemma as the leader who has to make the hard decisions and justify his actions is very interesting, and I like the subtle change in his perception of Gimli as not quite obviously younger than him anymore. He *will* need all the strength he can get to persuade the Dwarves not to return to Moria. A very interesting tidbit, by the way, is Gimli's use of the Elven word, which would no doubt be thought of as a major breach of politically correct among the Dwarves :o) That Gimli sees past the origin of the word through to its essential meaning (without even a passing remark about the elven word being judgemental) shows how much he's gained in lucidity and what not being blinded anymore by racial prejudice means.
In short - I love this story. I love the characterisation, the use of context to make the drama and the stakes work, and I love it that it ties with the general feeling of the Fourth Age being the age of Men, not older races. In Fear No Darkness, I remember a scene where Legolas reminds his father that most of the *really* heroic deeds were performed by either the Hobbits or the Men - and that *he* dropped his bow when confronted with the terror that was the Balrog. Gimli admits to the same "weakness" here, and I love this little parallel. I assume it was more or less on purpose? :o)
Always a joy to read from you. And *now* I'm repeating myself :D
Much of love,
Belphegor :o]
10/31/2009 c1 9ziggy3
Hey- you're back! Wonderful. The scene of the feast in the mountain is rich and vivid, lot of sound and visuals. Gimli is as always, perfectly portrayed- brave, confident, intelligent. The sense of loss is sharp and painful- enough to make me recall the first time I read LOTR and having loved the Hobbit as a child, sobbing my heart out to find kindly Balin dead- because he is the one who looks after Bilbo really. There is a wonderful atmosphere in this- from the loud feast to the quiet dark Halls where they talk, and I have a vivid picture of Gimli stirring the fire to make more light. And of course he would not tell all the news- it would be something the dwarves keep for themselves. As always, everything beautifully done- sigh. Lovely to get something from you. Thank you.
9ziggy3Hey- you're back! Wonderful. The scene of the feast in the mountain is rich and vivid, lot of sound and visuals. Gimli is as always, perfectly portrayed- brave, confident, intelligent. The sense of loss is sharp and painful- enough to make me recall the first time I read LOTR and having loved the Hobbit as a child, sobbing my heart out to find kindly Balin dead- because he is the one who looks after Bilbo really. There is a wonderful atmosphere in this- from the loud feast to the quiet dark Halls where they talk, and I have a vivid picture of Gimli stirring the fire to make more light. And of course he would not tell all the news- it would be something the dwarves keep for themselves. As always, everything beautifully done- sigh. Lovely to get something from you. Thank you.