Stone of Erebor by Primsong
Bodkin · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 19: Memento
So Dim and Bilbo are now conspiring to return the ... missing artefact without having his friends know where it went. Could be interesting! Poor old Mizul. I hope the Companions would be understanding if they knew - but they are, after all, dwarves. Some things - mainly to do with gold and jewels and dwarf-women - cannot be overlooked. Fingers crossed.
Dreamflower · 4 August 2006 · Chapter 19: Memento
Oh, I love Bilbo! He knows just what to do, though I am sure it will be not nearly so simple as he makes it sound, he will not give his old friends the chance to do something they might regret after, and he will help young Dim to return the Stone--somehow, it will work out. I loved the little hints and reminiscences about the Ring, and about his own sight of the Arkenstone--he really *does* understand more than most about obsession and its perils. Now the *mystery* is solved, but the problem--not quite yet! I'm looking forward to how that plays out--since he's no longer got the means to be invisible...
Dreamflower · 22 July 2006 · Chapter 18: Boxed In
What a wonderfully exciting chapter! First of all, I loved the perfectly hobbity description of the meal! It was absolutely spot-on! After all, when a tender roast lamb is carried in upon its silver tray, stuffed with spring onions to complement the fish soup, nothing can seem too gloomy. Fat golden loaves of braided egg-bread were pulled apart in good-natured competition, goodly chunks of amethyst beets and reddened sweet carrots were speared, heady with flavor after being cooked in wine. He ate heartily of these, plus several of the small meat and cabbage dumplings that were heaped on the sideboard. It was a shame that most of the party were still too out of sorts to properly appreciate their meal. Even the dessert failed to properly perk them up. Bilbo sniffed appreciatively at the darkly moist brandy cake, all flecked with fruit that shone like gems when sliced upon the bright plates. He topped it with clotted cream and then generously consumed the extra portions, lest they go to waste. I was drooling by the end of that paragraph, and quite jealous of Bilbo! Bilbo's sneaking out had me holding my breath--I just knew things were going too well, and yet, when he was finally attacked I was nearly as surprised as he was! His speculations on Dwarves, again are so much like Bilbo--his Tookish curiousity coming to the fore. I find myself just as curious! And I am more puzzled than ever by Dim, who seems a very enigmatic character indeed!
Author's reply
I based the menus on a blend of the traditional national seasonings and preferences of the Welsh and the Finnish with a touch of Germanic and Yiddish, as this fits my take on the national templates of Tolkien's dwarves. Believe it or not, I had the menus planned before the rest of the tale had gone beyond an outline. Perhaps there is a bit of Hobbit in me too.
DrummerWench · 30 June 2006 · Chapter 17: Time out of Mind
Hi, Primsong I looked at the beginning of the tale a while back, and said, "No, no, I'm /not/ starting any more WIPs!" Then I ran into a bit of time, and read it all in one swoop... I can't say how delightful I find it. It's so authentically Hobbity! All the details are just right. DrummerWench * goes to sign up for notifications right away *
Author's reply
Thank you for reading! :-)
Bodkin · 29 June 2006 · Chapter 17: Time out of Mind
I reckon Bilbo might learn more if he finds his way back. He is more observant - and has fewer presumptions.
Dreamflower · 27 June 2006 · Chapter 17: Time out of Mind
Oh how exciting to see another update so soon! I'm beginning to get a sort of glimmer about what may have happened...I think the clues are there...maybe...but I'm not sure. This is really intriguing, Primsong!
Bodkin · 23 June 2006 · Chapter 16: Well Guarded Treasure
Well-guarded treasure. H'mm. Yes. I'm not totally impressed with what seems to be the dwarven way of guarding such treasure. It seems rather more like imprisonment. Rule-bound, rigid imprisonment under the guise of care. Still... Dimul's name sounds familiar, does it? I think it might help to place just how ... before they go much further, too.
Dreamflower · 19 June 2006 · Chapter 16: Well Guarded Treasure
Oh goodness! Poor Bilbo, completely in the dark about these strange Dwarven customs! It took *me* a few minutes to catch on! But it's seemingly not getting them any "forwarder" towards solving the mystery! I love all the little hints about Dwarven culture, and the way you often leave us to draw our own conclusions the same way Bilbo did. I'd love to see the reactions of some of them to the Shire--not passing through as they were on the Adventure, but as guests expected to know the customs of their hosts. On the whole, I think Bilbo is doing very well among the Dwarves. In spite of this little problem they are having with a certain missing Stone...
Author's reply
Thanks... I was a bit shy of treading where the good Professor obviously did not, but at least for "my" dwarves, it gives a glimpse of where all the wimmenfolk may be. I can't imagine them managing nearly as well as Bilbo does if they had to trade places with him, they are not as generally flexible I think. ;-)
Bodkin · 2 April 2006 · Chapter 15: Old Secrets
Dim would have to be pretty - well - dim to produce a suspicious forgery and hand it over like that. Of course, the dwarves didn't seem to ask themselves any questions about just how likely that whole pile of dubious confession was before they started tearing their beards and feeling dishonoured. Either that makes dwarves very gullible - or maybe so honest (except where acquiring treasure is concerned) that it doesn't occur to them to smell the fish - or maybe the master criminal is not so much a master as he thinks. Good thing that they had Bilbo there - and a good thing that they listen to his words. And another good thing that they are taking him along in their attempt to interrogate Dim. He might actually think to ask some relevant questions and listen to the answers.
Dreamflower · 1 April 2006 · Chapter 15: Old Secrets
Ooh, Bilbo is making an *excellent* detective! He should write a monograph on old parchment, and the folding of paper, and how to tell if a seal is fresh! So, the letter from Balin is a forgery--but how? And who is it that wishes to sow discord among them? I'm with Bilbo--I don't think young Dim is responsible. But I still would like to know what *Dain's* been up to! This is such a lovely little mystery/intrigue/adventure! I'm so glad to see it updated once more!
Larner · 1 April 2006 · Chapter 15: Old Secrets
Ah, am so glad you updated so soon after I'd read through the rest of the story. So, someone seeks to cause dissension and distrust and to blame Balin's absent party for the theft, eh? Hmm. About time they start finding out who did this. And it's a good thing they have Bilbo of ALL Hobbits there to aid them to see what is there before them.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 14: Something Fishy
Balin's seal--now? Now, this does sound fishy as we who know LOTR know that such is not likely from Moria. Now I'm more intrigued than ever, I must say.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 13: Hidden Ways
Ah, yes, our Bilbo would find the books. And he would explore them. Love the book on beard drssing, and the recognition of the special braid of honor on his companions. And of COURSE a primer for Dwarves would include how to handle and care for tools and edges. What's more natural, after all? Again the details please and feel just right.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 12: A Private Affair
Another wonderful chapter. I just love your depiction of Bilbo and his humor and his typical Hobbit appetite. And now he's chosen a secret-keeper among the Company, and tomorrow will visit the treasuries. I certainly hope that the Arkenstone is found soon, but find myself hoping it isn't among the King's goods, actually. As nasty as he is, I just hope he isn't that dishonored.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 11: Unexpected Appearances
Well, obviously Dim is far more honorable than his king. And he is quite observant and careful as well. Am interested in learning more of him.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 10: Stray Conversation
Clever Dim! Now what will happen, I wonder? To find Bilbo was pretty good, I think. And Dain is as untrusting as ever, it appears.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 9: Dim Hopes
Bilbo's own imaginings are as wonderful as the rest of the tale! And the description of the dressing of Dain is wonderful. Wonder if the Dwarf he saw from behind was Dim's sister after all? I can certainly understand Bilbo's wish to see a Dwarven lass, after all.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 8: Jeweler's Passage
Poor Bilbo, lost in the "Dwarf Smials." But he will win out, as he is Burglar Baggins, after all. Lovely details, and exceedingly well written.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 7: Forging Ahead
Forging ahead indeed. Urd sounds a disturbing fellow, and I hope they don't have any difficulty getting Bilbo in there. And Dain isn't being particularly royal, save as a royal pain in the patoot, I must say.
Larner · 29 March 2006 · Chapter 6: High and Low
Bless Bombur--still the mightiest Dwarf of all--in girth, at least! And we are begun with our investigations. Watch out Hercule and Jessica--here comes the clever Bilbo, the best of investigators!
Bodkin · 1 March 2006 · Chapter 14: Something Fishy
Balin's seal??? Balin's seal as in sealed by Balin - or is this someone's cunning plan?? I love the way the lives of hobbits and dwarves seem to revolve around food. Although dwarven lives also seem to revolve around money and the collection of treasure. (I like the dreamy I'm-in-LURVE looks on their faces when they think about treasure.) I'm looking forward to finding out more.
Author's reply
Seeing as any time they weren't obsessed with getting treasure, they were thinking about food in The Hobbit, and then a portly Gloin in FotR reports that Bombur has finally gotten so fat he has to be carried by six other dwarves I figured they have quite the appetite - though not quite enough to give any respectable Hobbit a real run for his money. :-) Thank you for the review!
Dreamflower · 27 February 2006 · Chapter 14: Something Fishy
Oh my! What an unexpected twist! I can't recall offhand when Gloin said they had last heard from Balin at Elrond's feast? Is it a genuine message? Or is it a trap of some sort? And Bilbo's exasperation with the Dwarves eternally suspicious nature was perfectly understandable. I just loved his confusion at the question about what would happen to a guard in the Shire who failed in his watch! It's quite clear that the Shirriffs and the Bounders simply don't get much thought in the Shire, as there is so very little "crime"--save perhaps for tweenage crop raids or the occasional pie disappearing from a larder. And I think those would probably be family matters for the most part. I also loved the little trance the Dwarves went into when speaking of their treasures! You have really taken all the canon hints from The Hobbit in developing your Dwarf society! Now I'm *really* looking forward to more!
Author's reply
Tolkien left us only a smattering of hints, but so much is open to guesses or interpretation I'm glad it "feels right." At this time it's been nearly 10 years since they last heard from Balin or anyone else from the colony. It is no wonder it's quite unexpected to them... Thank you so much for your continued readership!
Bodkin · 9 February 2006 · Chapter 13: Hidden Ways
"A day without pie is a like a day without sunshine," What a hobbity saying! I love seeing Bilbo sitting innocently in a public place reading his way through the dwarves' book collection! And Bofur's view of books as shelf furniture - requiring more copper bindings to make them look good. I can see that most of those books wouldn't be considered secret knowledge - but letting Bilbo in on the intricacies of beard-braiding!! Surely that's top secret! And Thorin's dwarves are heroes - while Bilbo get to be Mad Baggins. Hardly seems fair - but I don't think Bilbo would much enjoy spending his days as a hero. It's too unhobbity.
Author's reply
This was an indulgence on my part - I always wondered what they might write about when they weren't busy filling official missives with hot air. :-)
Dreamflower · 7 February 2006 · Chapter 13: Hidden Ways
Ah, a nice peaceful interlude for Bilbo, as the others look for the missing Stone. I liked the account of his time there in the little courtyard, and how the refreshments were paid for, and I loved the different books he was looking through. In all this, he remains himself, so very Bilboish--curious, observant and droll. I can't wait to discover what the other Dwarves have found out!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for your reviews - I find the little things are so much of what life is really made of... and I appreciate your vote of confidence that I am maintaining him as "him" - He's such a favorite of mine, I hope I can do him some justice.
Dreamflower · 29 January 2006 · Chapter 12: A Private Affair
What a wonderful chapter, as you weave in so much of LotR--with Balin's absence--and the legendary secretiveness of Dwarves--and Gimli! And I love young Dim. I also like the way Bilbo is just so very much himself in this, just hobbity and curious and his musings about Age just tickled me at the end. I have to say, I am so glad of this story! I adore Bilbo, and hardly anyone ever does him, unless it's part of Frodo's story. Yet he had so much of his own story to tell, apart from his cousin! Thank you for putting the spotlight on him so very beautifully!!