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Beyond The Dimrill Gate  by Jay of Lasgalen 10 Review(s)
InzilbethReviewed Chapter: 12 on 5/25/2009
Jay, I've been enjoying this story since first you posted and now it's complete, I'm finally picking it up again. I so like your Dwarves and the growing respect between them and the Elves. Estel is a sweetheart. To me, he has the just the right mix of innocence yet with a growing maturity and belief in himself. Loved the line about hide and seek!
On to the next chapter!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 5/4/2009
Poor Nain! I was afraid such a thing might have happened!

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 11/25/2008
Very much enjoyed this and the chapters before it. The Dwarves are unique and well-developed original characters and my heart went out to them when Náin fell. The passage through the water trap had me biting my nails, as did the entire bridge sequence. You've made Moria a very real, very creepy place. I'm glad you're continuing to update this story ... it really has captured my imagination.

Author Reply: Oops - I'm sorry I didn't respond to your reviews!

This story is taking far longer to write than I ever expected - but then, E3 are finding far more trouble than *they* ever expected. Things are drawing to a close now - but the problems still aren't at an end.

pipinheartReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/23/2008
Very nice... It seems they are always running into trouble. Elrohir, elbowing Estel, that was a nice touch... Poor, nairn, Elladan tried but he couldn't help him. I wonder what else can befall them before they are out of there...

Update soon....

nessaReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/23/2008
How horrible, falling into a deep, dark hole. You play on our worst fears. I am still trembling with the thought.

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/12/2008
Erm, well, you *did* promise heights.... *shudder* And you take the concept of cliffhanger to new heights, so to speak. *rolls eyes*

I liked the way Estel assumed that Elrohir would fling himself off the cliff once Elladan died... he was wrong, but I think it was a natural assumption in such a panicky moment.

And you do write panic-inducing situations well.... Well, at least, situations where the reader panics, no matter how well E-cubed handle it.

Well, I think you've probably hit most of *my* major phobias, anyway, so the story must be winding down... right? Right? *wonders what else Jay could possibly throw at her favorite Peredhil and their scruffy foundling, too*

I'm just glad I already know that E-cubed have to survive. LOL!

Well done, Jay!

- Barbara

KittyReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/12/2008
Ha, so I was right – Elladan didn’t fall, but was still hanging on the ladder!

This connection the twins share with each other was useful, I think – so Elrohir knew at once that Elladan was not dead. Luckily he didn’t fall too deep. Though this whole rescue sounds really frightening to me – I think I mentioned already that I am afraid of heights. And to dangle high over the abyss ... *shudder*

Oh, poor Náin. He was not the most likeable person in the world, but I am very sorry he died. I had really hoped he’d survive, too. Poor Bilbur, that’s so hard for her.

The dwarves have come a long way, I think – for them not only to tell Elladan that he’s not to blame himself for Náin’s death, but that Náin might not have tried to save Elladan is telling. They seem to have realised that elves aren’t necessarily so bad as they always thought. Well, at least *one* good thing that’s coming out of this disaster!

Now I'm feeling much better ..

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/10/2008
Wow - a really taut chapter. Sad that Nain fell, but I am most grateful that Elladan survived. Dear Estel is definitely earning points with this adventure! Well written!

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/9/2008
Oh my giddy aunt! (*g* I've always wanted to say that!) But Jay, can you possibly ramp up the action a little - I think our boys are getting a little bored! *vbg* What a stomach-twisting chapter - I was really concerned about Elladan there for a moment...it was fortunate he had that little (very little) bit of time to wrap the rope around his hand. And poor Nain! Just a great chapter, Jay...I can't wait to see where you take them next. The gates may be near, but me thinks the author will not be satisfied to make it easy on our guys. Wonderful!

linda

Author Reply: I love that expression - I'm glad you finally got a chance to use it, though I'm sorry if you thought the chapter was a little flat :>)

I knew from the start that poor Nain would die - I didn't like him at first (especially after what he said about Elrohir!) but as he developed I was sorry to kill him off.

I don't *think* there will be any major calamities between here and the gates - but sometimes the muses have their own ideas ;/

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 12 on 10/9/2008
As I was reading this, I thought of you rapelling down that tower! Did that give you the idea or influence how you wrote this. I get ideas from the oddest things sometimes. Beliond's juggling came from a show on a cruise that Mr daw dragged me to.

Let's see. Poor Nain. He had time to try to catch himself and fell anyway. The other dwarves were generous to tell Elladan not to blame himself. That cut must have been bad. Ick.

Author Reply: Actually, the idea for this chapter came from 'The Temple Of Doom' repeated on TV a year or two ago - when the bridge across a gorge is cut down, and Indy etc wrap the ropes around them. I thought 'I must use that in a story one day!'

Like you, I get inspiration from odd things. One of my most popular drabbles, 'Grammar Lessons', was sparked by a very badly worded headline on the front of a magazine.

Poor Nain. I knew from the start that he would die, even though I came to like him as the story progressed :(


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