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Beyond The Dimrill Gate  by Jay of Lasgalen 13 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/4/2009
Ah--well done, and worthy of Dwalin's son!

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/17/2008
I really like the Dwarves in this chapter - using their craft and plotting how to make the diversion happen. And Estel wanting to see a dragon. I'm with the others - I prefer great distances from things that want to cook me alive and eat me.

Author Reply: I liked using the dwarves' skill with stone here - it's too easy to make the elves superior in stength and knowledge in all matters.

I think Elladan and Elrohir still have a sneaking longing to see a real dragon too - even as age, experience and maturity kick in and tell them it's Not A Good Idea.


Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/16/2008
Whoooo hooo ! That had to be a sight - glad our crew didn't get caught up in the waters and carried away - of course, the Dwarves would have planned that they wouldn't...

Author Reply: The dwarves knew *exactly* what they were doing, down to the last detail. It was fun to show rheir skill with stone :>)

BlueEyedElfReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/6/2008
I seem to have been forgetting to review lately, so I will make this review for the last few chapters.

First of all, the idea of Bilbur being a woman is just hilarious. I loved Dan, Ro and Estel's shock at the confession.

I love the plan of unleashing the river. I can only imagine the orc's surprise as they were washed away. Very clever.

I have really enjoyed Estel in this. He has done lots of growing up over the course of this story. It is nice to see the twins respect the fact that he is maturing. They are sure going to have some interesting stories to tell Ada when they get home.

I have been enjoying this take on Estel's great deeds. I will be watching for the next chapter.

Author Reply: Thank you for reviewing when it's been so long since I updated! I'm glad you enjoyed the revelation about Bilbur.

I've enjoyed writing the interaction of the dwarves with E3 - as they work together they use each other's skills to defeat the orcs.

It's been fun to use that quote about Estel and explore it, showing his greater maturity and responsibility while his brothers still worry about him.

Thank you for the review!

erunyauveReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/6/2008
What a treat, to see a new chapter!

>>"He doesn't like having his prejudices challenged," Estel whispered very quietly.

"Of course not," Elladan agreed, watching as Náin poured another cup of the tea and took it to Elrohir. "Who does? But at least he has the courage to admit he could be wrong. I can think of several elves who could not do that."

Again, this is such a wonderful gap-filler - everything knits so well into LOTR.


Author Reply: Thank you - I'm just relieved that the new chapter seems to fit fairly seamlessly with the rest of the story - I thank my beta for that!

Thank you for highlighting a particular section you liked - it means a lot to me.


Jay

nessaReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/2/2008
Yes, we are still all here and dancing for joy that you have joined us again. Its a delight to see the barriers falling between the dwarves and the three Elrondians. I'm afraid they are going to find something worse than a dragon down there. Keep that muse happy, alright?

Author Reply: I'm just so sorry it's taken me so long!

Shared adversity and working together to overcome it has broken down the barriers between E3 and the dwarves as they learn each has something to give - but they never will find anything worse than the 'dragon'. I have to keep reminding myself that no-one knew about the Balrog!

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/30/2008
Heights??? Heights??? *Barbara squeaks, then gulps, hard*

By the way, thought you'd appreciate this passage that I dug up for the bios of E&E that I'm going to update in the HASA Research Library.... er, someday....

"And when [Aragorn] was still but a youth, yet strong withal, he went abroad with Elladan and Elrohir and learned much of hunting and of war, and many secrets of the wild."

The Peoples of Middle-earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 9, The Making of Appendix A: The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen

Author Reply: I love that quote! I must have missed it before, but it still links with the 'great deeds'. I haven't actually *read* HoME much, but it's a wonderful research source to dip into for background material.

Heights? Think canon, and the escape from Moria. And falling ...

TithenaruReviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/30/2008
Great to see this update; gave me an excuse to re-read the other chapters - double HOORAY!

I always enjoy your fiction, and this three brothers tale is no exception.

"Estel flushed a little, the colour vivid on his pale face. “It would not have been the first tall story you told me, though!” he retorted under his breath."

Isn't that the truth .... poor Estel.

Can't wait for the next chapter.
Tithenaru

Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed reading (and re-reading) this story. After such a long pause I'm not surprised you had to go back over it! There were points I'd forgotten and had to check on myself.

Poor Estel - but he's growing up so fast here under the twins' guidance; and he's even surprising them.

I'm well on the way with the next chapter now that the muse has finally returned!

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/29/2008
Very nice... I didn't want this one to end...

I like how the drawves and the Ellandan, Elrohir and Estel are working together, it's not often you see that.

I thought it amusing that the drawves tea was so terrible.

Finally Elladan is trusting Estel to go scouting ahead on his own, he has proven his worth to him.

Flooding the orcs and dragon, serves them right.

Love it...Great job...

Author Reply: I haven't written about dwarves very much before, so I'm glad you like them working with E3. Even Nain has mellowed since they saved Bilbur!

Tolkien tells us that Estel perfomed 'great deeds' at this time, and goes off into the wild on his own soon after this. Elladan has to begin to trust Estel's judgement now.

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 10 on 4/29/2008
Hi Jay!

Congratulations on the muse returning! I soooo empathize with having an obstinately dormant muse! *Barbara glares at Glorfindel, her muse, who is indolently lounging on her sofa, quaffing expensive Dorwinion, wadding up sheets of scratch paper with Barbara's numerous in-progress but stalled drabbles, throwing them at the wastepaper basket across the room, perfectly dunking each shot..... Dratted, lazy Elf!*

I'm not sure I've ever commented on this story before, but if not, I understand why now: in order to refresh my memory, I went back a few chepters, to the one where the dwarf got stuck underwater.................

Erm, did I ever mention that I am claustrophobic?

Very, very claustrophobic...............

My heart is finally beginning to return to a normal rate, but I have a feeling I won't sleep well tonight.

And it's all your fault! *glares*

Anyway, this last chapter has some very interesting developments... the rather neatly-fitting theory about what is causing the evil feeling and the heat.... and the very clever use of Dwarven skills to divert the river into the den of iniquity....

Nicely done!

- Barbara, trying to dry off her sweaty palms....






Author Reply: Claustrophobic? This isn't the best story for you, then! I hope it doesn't give you nightmares. They will be moving up to the wider, more open halls in the next chapter though, so no more dark, cramped tunnels (but what are you like with heights?)

The dragon theory fits what they're seeing, but of course we know it's wrong. They had to have something to go back and report though, or they would keep on searching.

Here's hoping the muse doesn't depart again - there's not far to go now!




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