Reviews (95)

Bodkin · 29 January 2006 · Chapter 12: A Private Affair

Some very interesting thoughts on Dwarven society here - its secretiveness and authoritarianism. Clannishness. I like Dim - he, at least, seems to have enormous respect for Thorin's companions and pet Burglar and the questioning must have found him trustworthy. Although it all still seems a little odd... They don't seem to be getting much further forward in finding the You-Know-What, though. But Bilbo is enjoying the food along the way!

Bodkin · 16 January 2006 · Chapter 11: Unexpected Appearances

I wonder why Dim came to Bilbo's rescue! I hope he hasn't got Ulterior Motives. I like the way you describe the dwarves relationship with gold - it sounds almost romantic! Dain is very suspicious of everything, though.

Dreamflower · 15 January 2006 · Chapter 11: Unexpected Appearances

Good heavens! Dain sounds worse than I'd imagined--he almost sounds like Thorin did when he was under the spell of the dragon's gold! I'm glad Bilbo's old friends spoke up for him, even though they were not listened to. And I am curious beyond measure to know just what Dim was up to in aiding Bilbo! This is getting more and more mysterious!

Bodkin · 31 December 2005 · Chapter 10: Stray Conversation

This is not a good thing! Dain seems a most grumpy dwarf king - and more than a little grasping. He's never going to believe that Bilbo just simply got lost. Unless he sees a profit in it, that is!

Dreamflower · 29 December 2005 · Chapter 10: Stray Conversation

Ooops! Poor Bilbo. And just when a Ring would have been most useful, I can imagine him thinking! I am very puzzled now. A lot of my suspicions were put to rest by what Bilbo overheard, and now I can't for the life of me figure things out. You are very good with red herrings! I was so pleased to see an update for this--I do love this story!

Bodkin · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 9: Dim Hopes

Out of the frying pan into the fire. Poor Bilbo!

Dreamflower · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 9: Dim Hopes

Oh you've no idea how eagerly I've been awaiting a new chapter of this! I just love it. Poor Bilbo, up to his old "burglar-y" tricks, LOL! and still very good at them, too, for ninety-nine years old! I just love the way you have captured every nuance of Bilbo's desperate thoughts--this really could have come straight out of The Hobbit, truly, you have the tone and voice down so well! I like his wishing for the Ring. As far as he's concerned, it's still nothing more than a very useful trinket. And the mystery deepens: who was the mysterious Dwarf, and was it in fact a lass? And--oh dear me! A cliff-hanger! Poor Bilbo--as he is probably thinking at the moment "confusticate and bebother these Dwarves!"

Bodkin · 2 October 2005 · Chapter 8: Jeweler's Passage

Bilbo was very clever there - he nearly convinced Urd. But getting lost in the tunnels doesn't seem too great an idea, although it's probably better than being caught in the treasury by Dain. Interesting stuff. I look forward to finding out more.

Dreamflower · 2 October 2005 · Chapter 8: Jeweler's Passage

Oh dear! Poor Bilbo! Although I'm sure this will work out better than he knows, thanks to the (in)famous Baggins luck, LOL! I *loved*--no, not strong enough--I *adored* his cryptic boasts to Urd. So very clever and so very much in line with exactly the kind of thing he had said to Smaug. Absolutely perfec, each little boast a gem in itself! How lovely! Thanks so much for this!

Bodkin · 21 August 2005 · Chapter 7: Forging Ahead

I love the images of the forge - all those kind of red, glowing, sparking pictures - together with shadows and heat. And the contrast with Bilbo's memory of a dwarven forge that was cold and silent. Perhaps the dwarves should bear in mind that Bilbo is a large part of the reason they have their mountain back. The idea of keeping a handy store of food so the apprentices don't waste away - very sensible. Bilbo and the spicy sausage made me grin. Didn't stop him eating though. Or insisting on finishing his lunch before the investigation could continue. Get the priorities straight, chaps!

Dreamflower · 19 August 2005 · Chapter 7: Forging Ahead

When I saw this update this morning, I was so excited! I had errands to run, and thought I'd print it out to read at lunchtime. Imagine my dismay when the printer ran out of ink halfway through! There is so much to love about this. I adore Bilbo's polite lying, and the way he secretly thinks about the Shire. And I loved this exchange with Gimli: "Yours also," responded Bilbo with a small bow. "Though I highly doubt any of my family shall ever be underfoot for you, I appreciate the thought." If Bilbo only knew! And I had to sputter when I saw this: "A good point. And I'm sure we will find something for you, if only among Bombur's leftovers." They exited the hall, Glóin waving at a couple dwarves as they went. "He has leftovers?" said Bilbo. "Another good point," agreed Glóin. Too funny! I hope to see another update soon! Wonderful!

Dreamflower · 5 August 2005 · Chapter 6: High and Low

Well, well, well, we have the chief suspects listed now, don't we? I liked the shrewd way the Dwarves dealt with the idea of Dain himself being the theif--not that he *wouldn't* do such a thing, but that he wasn't to be considered--unless--no other options were left. Just the kind of thinking I would expect from Dwarves! So Gimli is Bilbo's roommate? Are they actually going to meet or keep on just missing each other? I cannot recall from the Rivendell chapters of FotR whether there are any indications that Gimli met Bilbo prior to that or not. I've really been looking forward to this update! I am very much enjoying this story!

Bodkin · 24 July 2005 · Chapter 5: A Treasure Amiss

Do we get to meet young Gimli? I'm not sure that hiding what has happened is going to turn out to be a good idea. But then, it's probably the best idea going at the time! I like the way Bilbo is determined to restore the Arkenstone to Thorin. (Even if it is combined with a practical desire to avoid blame for something that is not his fault. Good tale!

Larner · 22 July 2005 · Chapter 5: A Treasure Amiss

Bless drowsing Hobbits and absent Dwarves. Gimli's room is being used by Bilbo? Very appropriate.

Dreamflower · 22 July 2005 · Chapter 5: A Treasure Amiss

You really do have Bilbo, and Bilbo's voice down beautifully! I just *love* the following little bit of dialogue! Bilbo unsuccessfully tried to stifle a yawn. "Not your fault, you've all been most courteous. Most unexpected. Thorin, I mean, not your being courteous." I have a feeling Dain already knows the Arkenstone is gone...

Dreamflower · 22 July 2005 · Chapter 4: Untimely Taken

Oh, dear, I had a hunch that was where this was going. And Dain is going to "blame" Bilbo.

Bodkin · 20 July 2005 · Chapter 4: Untimely Taken

Oh my. Dain is not going to be pleased. I hope he doesn't blame Bilbo - he must know that (even if he were that way inclined) Bilbo hasn't has any opportunity to purloin the Arkenstone. Are we heading for a Bilbo detective story? He's got the pipe, he could get the deerstalker - and we'll do without the violin! I love the way the path gets steadily darker as they head towards Thorin's tomb - and the increasingly unused feel of the air. Looking forward to more.

Larner · 19 July 2005 · Chapter 4: Untimely Taken

Aha! We have it! The Arkenstone stolen once again? How awful! Lovely descriptions--find myself walking through the long passages and into the final tomb alongside Bilbo, ducking out of the way for Dwarvish sibling rivalry! Lovely!

Larner · 19 July 2005 · Chapter 3: No Company Forgotten

Ah, Prim--this is as excellent as Nothing of Note. I hope you'll put the fourth chapter on here soon, as I prefer to read here over FFN. Love the description of how they became reticent when avoiding explaining what Balin and the others were doing. Wish they'd stayed, of course....

Dreamflower · 11 July 2005 · Chapter 3: No Company Forgotten

I printed these first three chapters out to read on my lunch break at work today. This is a wonderful story. I don't believe I have *ever* read another story dealing with Bilbo's adventures among the Dwarves *after* his Last Birthday! How brilliant and original! These chapters are so well-written, very much in the style of The Hobbit. I am completely hooked. Why do I get the feeling that poor Bilbo is being set up by Dain?