meckinock
· 26 April 2008
· Chapter 3: Disaster Strikes
I cannot even imagine the twins' terror at realizing Estel had got separated from them in an orc-infested cave complex. I'm in a panic if my cat gets out of the yard. The fight scene was really nicely done, and now they have an even bigger problem. Yikes.
Author's reply
I think it would be a mixture of terror and fury - and they're ready to kill Estel themselves when they finally catch up with him!
I find battle and action scenes the hardest to write, so I'm glad it worked for you. But yes, things are getting worse ...
meckinock
· 26 April 2008
· Chapter 2: A Journey In The Dark
Eek! If Estel survives this, he is going to be in so much trouble. Bad Estel! This was a wonderfully descriptive chapter, Jay. You really brought out the current creepiness of the place, but with the wistful reminders of the Dwarves as well. Elladan and Elrohir's vast depth of experience and unfailing judgment really shines here as they lead Estel through the passages.
Author's reply
Trouble? Oh yes! He'll be lucky if his brothers don't kill him, never mind the orcs!
I'm so glad that you like the twins' experience and judgement here - they're dedicated warriors, with many centuries of battle and orc hunting behind them.
meckinock
· 26 April 2008
· Chapter 1: An Unseen Menace
This is a great set-up, Jay, to place Aragorn's previous trip into Moria druing the "Estel" years. Elladan and Elrohir would surely not have been able to resist investigating whatever was going on under the mountain. The descriptions of the terrain and the dark sensations that Elladan experiences gives a really dark, creepy, suspenseful tone to the chapter, although I enjoyed the bits of humor, too.
Author's reply
Thanks, Meckinock!
It seemed a good combination of canon to me. The twins - seasoned warriors as they are - simply couldn't ignore the signs they saw and felt. I'm really glad you felt the oppressive atmosphere they encountered! And I just can't resist a little humour when the three are together - to me it feels natural that they'd tease each other.
hanci
· 9 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
Elladan has a really good lung capacity! When he swam through and didn't see Bilbur anywhere, I was really confused - what could have happened? - Sinking because of heavy boots - those dwarves... :o) And Elladan's thoughts about the beard... The dwarves are great.
Thanks for posting what you had, it's good as always and the end is natural - allows us to imagine the brothers' reaction, hehe.
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
Selene
· 5 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
*grin* Now we know why Aragorn in TTT knew of the dwarf women having beards ;)
Don't apologies for the short chapter, I had fun reading it and it's always good to see E3 in action. This time all 3 of them were able to prove themselves. Keep it up!
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
Faith
· 5 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
WOO HOO! HE I mean shes alive! YAY!!! I certainly didnt see that one coming...My Valar how awkard is that..lol... you must update soon mellon-nin
Namarie
Faith
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
Peredhil lover
· 5 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
I'm glad that you went ahead and posted what you had. Any well-written story involving Elrohir, Elladan and Estel is always popular with me!
I am enjoying this very much and it was nice to have an update, no matter how short. It was good to find out what happened to Bilbur and to see Elladan and Estel rescuing her together. Having Bilbur turn out to be a female was a development that I wasn't expecting, but it makes the story even more interesting.
Hope you have a nice holiday, and I look forward to reading more when you return.
peredhil lover
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
erunyauve
· 4 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
>>There was something in his manner - protective and annoyed - that seemed very familiar. Elladan grinned. "I think, he whispered to Estel and Elrohir, "that Bilbur may well be his brother!"
Farin overheard, and shook his head curtly. "No." Then he sighed, and added almost reluctantly, "She is my sister."
I think the ending is fine. Of course, I wish the chapter were longer (giving me more to read), but it's complete as it is. I was quite happy to see that you'd updated!
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
nessa
· 4 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
Thank you for posting what you had. I've been dying to know what happened to Bilbur. That was also very scary. All that deep, dark water. Yuck. And feeling around in the deep, dark water for who knows what-it gives me the shivers. I liked Bilburs hairy mouth. And the big surpise at the end. So funny. Looking forward to the next update.
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
grumpy
· 4 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
A lady dwarf, they have met a lady dwarf, that is something for Estel to tell his children. And they almost lost her to the water. Good thing that Estel got over his fear of the water.
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
Bodkin
· 4 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
Good for Elladan - I'm glad he persisted in retrieving Bilbur from the depths. Not to mention that he and his brother passed their Lifesaving badge! And it's such a good thing that Estel had the guts to dive in to assist him - if only to keep Elrohir dry.
The fact that Bilbur is a sister is a turn-up for the books! We don't often get to see female dwarves - and I should think that saving this one will put Farin everlastingly in the debt of E3.
A short chapter, true - but a very enjoyable one! I hope the muse is refreshed by your break away.
Author's reply
I'm so sorry I never responded to this review! I never intentionally abandoned the story, and I've finally managed to get the next chapter finished. There's more on Bilbur, and E3's reaction to the news, and a solution to put paid to the orcs and the dragon.
Kitty
· 3 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
You may not be happy with this chapter, but I am. Short, yes, but I am glad you posted it nonetheless. Poor Bilbur had waited long enough for rescue from the icy waters.
Though I guessed that it was Elladan who would dive in again and search for Bilbur, I hadn't expected Estel to follow him, not after his own bad experience. That was very brave of him.
The fact the elves rescued Bilbur from the water and then reanimated him ... err ... her should do something to help the dwarves to overcome their distrust of the elves. I hope this will help them for the remainder of their time together in the Mines.
And it ended definitely unexpected. His sister? Well, that was certainly a surprise! Somehow it brought the TTT movie back to mind, where Aragorn on the way to Helms Deep made the remark about dwarven women and beards. Now we know *why* he knew it so well *grin*
Have a nice holiday, Jay!
Author's reply
I'm so sorry I never responded to this review! I never intentionally abandoned the story, and I've finally managed to get the next chapter finished. There's more on Bilbur, and E3's reaction to the news, and a solution to put paid to the orcs and the dragon.
French Pony
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
I loved this chapter. I loved the desperate underwater seach, the rescue that was truly heroic on all counts, and that the Elves were able to revive Bilbur. But the thing I loved best of all was the last line. That is awesome.
Author's reply
I'm so sorry I never responded to this review! I never intentionally abandoned the story, and I've finally managed to get the next chapter finished. There's more on Bilbur, and E3's reaction to the news, and a solution to put paid to the orcs and the dragon.
pipinheart
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
Nice...
I like how Estel went in after Elladan to help with the rescue... Elladan and Elrohir saved Bilbur and funny finding out that her was a female even better...
Keep up the good work, can't wait to hear more...
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
daw the minstrel
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
Why the apology? This was a fun read. Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel each had a chance to shine. I'm kind of claustrophobic so the thought of being in that water tunnel made me gasp for air. I suspected that one of those dwarves was female but I wasn't sure which. Looks like E3 have sweetened the relationship with dwarves even if only a little.
Author's reply
Daw, I'm so sorry I never responded to this review! I never intentionally abandoned the story, and I've finally managed to get the next chapter finished. There's more on Bilbur, and E3's reaction to the news, and a solution to put paid to the orcs and the dragon. More water, I'm afraid :(
Elflingimp
· 2 December 2006
· Chapter 9: Search And Rescue
Well even if it was short at least we now know what happened Thanks! will be waiting faithfully for more! :)
Author's reply
*Taps on screen*
Hello? Are you still there??
I’m so sorry for not updating this story for so long – and also for missing your review! However, the good news is that it’s not been abandoned, and I’ve finally finished Chapter Ten. It’s being proofread at the moment, and I’ll post the update in a day or so.
pipinheart
· 19 October 2006
· Chapter 8: In The Deep Places Of The World
Nice... You feel for estel, his fear of that dark water and his fear and panic as he felt he couldn't make it through the water.... and where is the last darwf?
Please update soon...
Author's reply
Poor Estel. He really didn't like this. And as for the dwarf, Elladan is searching for him right now.
pipinheart
· 19 October 2006
· Chapter 7: Unexpected Company
Nice...
I love the exchange between the darwves and Elladan and the others. Especially the other darwves insulting Elrohir and thought Elladan didn't know...Nice... and the surprise telling them that thier grandmother was Lady of the wood...
Poor Elrohir, he is exhausted for sure. And love that you reintroduced the story of when he exhausted himself once again...nice...
Keep up the good work...
grumpy
· 12 October 2006
· Chapter 8: In The Deep Places Of The World
Well Estel almost went to a watery grave, and they seem to be short a dwarf. Somebody needs to go back and find the poor fellow. Can not go arround leaving dwarves behind, there is not enough of them as it is.
Author's reply
Yes, Estel had a few nasty moments there. While E3 may not agree with you about dwarves, I doubt that they'll leave Bilbur to drown ...
Nilmandra
· 6 October 2006
· Chapter 8: In The Deep Places Of The World
This is rather morbid, but I have thought of the ways one might die, and drowning because you're trapped is up there on my list of ways not to go. The lungs filling with water.. ok, lets not dwell on that. Poor Estel. I understand fully his fear. That scene from the original Poseidon Adventure comes to mind.
Is the dwarf also trapped? This will be bad if they blame the elves.
Author's reply
It can't be pleasant. It's not top of my ways to die either. Poor Estel - and poor Bilbur, because he's still down there.
Faith
· 6 October 2006
· Chapter 8: In The Deep Places Of The World
Poor El:( and poor dwarf...Abosulty wonderful story... i love it...we wants more precioussssssssss...*Grins
Navear!
Faith, the Sue Slayer
Author's reply
I'm writing more, just as fast as Life and Work let me!
erunyauve
· 6 October 2006
· Chapter 8: In The Deep Places Of The World
I'm guessing that poor Bilbur is stuck - if anything like the Watcher had been in the water, I should think they would have sensed it. Then again, if the creature was busy elsewhere... .
I'm thoroughly enjoying this. I especially liked the dragon theory - it's always been a bit of a mystery to me that no one knew about the balrog, considering that a millennium isn't much to an elf and even Dwarves would only be a few generations removed.
I'm thinking, though, that Elrohir *did* see the thing and was just too exhausted to fully understand what he was seeing?
Author's reply
Thank you. I needed the dragon theory so that E3 could account for all the things they'd seen. If they go back and say there's a dragon, they'll be believed. If they go back and say there's something there but we don't know what, there will be further investigation. And someone will think Balrog.
You're quite right about Elrohir - he did see it, but didn't realise what he was seeing. If his mind had been clearer, he'd have known.
paranoidangel
· 5 October 2006
· Chapter 8: In The Deep Places Of The World
You're such a horrible nasty person! Just as I'm thinking they might be on their way out of this mess, it gets worse!
Author's reply
:>)
You should be used to me by now ...
Fawlen
· 5 October 2006
· Chapter 8: In The Deep Places Of The World
OOOOHHHH my whole body was tense when i read this chapter especially when Estel got stuck thank goodness for Elladan and what has happened to poor Bilbur is he stuck or have the Orcs found him please update soon pretty please thanks Fawlen
Author's reply
Elladan has gone back to find Bilbur - he's in the mood for heroic rescues at the moment!
erunyauve
· 5 October 2006
· Chapter 3: Disaster Strikes
Ack! I don't want to go back to work and leave this here! This is such an amazing story. We feel genuine dread and suspense, yet also see the characters encountering the first signs and clues to things to be resolved in the future. It's a blend that works, given that we know everyone is going to survive and get out. I can't wait to return and read the next chapter.