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Reclaiming Khazad-dûm  by Ellynn 3 Review(s)
LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/29/2021
Methinks Darri is one sharp character. His realization that the story is growing with each telling was well done. I like the moment of connection with the passing elf.

I'm sorry the king took offense. Sometimes it is a better idea to listen quietly than to show off your pride. The elves might have had information worth hearing.

Interesting speculation about the hidden spider nursery that keeps replenishing the forest supply. Since we no longer have giant spiders in the world, I wonder what hero might have been responsible for finally eradicating the menace?

I have tried mead once or twice. I remember the last time clearly; it was not to my taste. Rather than sweet, like a Rheinland Auslese (which is what I was expecting, seeing as it was made from honey), it was dry and reminded me more of a very dry French wine. (My taste runs to German or California or Washington or Oregon wines rather than French; I have tasted French wine mainly at family gatherings as that is my brother-in-law's preference. I find Italian, South American, and Australian wine quite palatable as well. And now you're going to think me a lush. Sigh, I love wine, but it does not love me, so these days I use it mostly in cooking. Still, they say to cook with a wine good enough for drinking...)

Author Reply: Back in carboniferous period, oxygen level was about 30%. All the insects and spiders and their relatives were GIANT. I'm SO glad they are small now. :)))

Thank you for the review, I'm glad you like those little details. Thanks for reading.

(I like sweet drinks. Sweet sparkling wines, sweet liquers made of blueberries. And yes, I think wine is a good addition for cooking. :) )

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/16/2021
That brief moment of connection was enough to cement respect for these different beings and their long histories and endeavors to cleanse the earth of the Dark Lords' evils. Lovely details.

Author Reply: I'm so glad you think so. *hugs*

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/11/2021
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 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! :)))

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