Thanks for the story. The dwarves are among my favorite LOTR characters (Thank Gimli). Balin was my favorite Hobbit dwarf and I'm glad to see a story where his dream is finally realized even if several hundred years too late for him to physically witness. Perhaps we can say he was watching from the halls of Mahal and smiling.
Author's reply
Hey, thank you so much! :)
P.s. If you like dwarves, I'll be bold enough for a little bit of SSP, and I'll say that you'll find more dwarves-stories on my list... :)
The halls are cleansed and their mansions and ancient monuments restored. And two young people have committed themselves to one another and the future together. Love Durin atop the rebuilt tower. Does he see the changes wrought by the long-ago battle between Gandalf and the Balrog?
A desirable look at the Dwarves' civilization! Thanks for this tale!
Author's reply
And thank *you* for all the reviews and support and compliments. All of it mean so much to me.
*big hug*
Larner
· 20 November 2021
· Chapter 38: Chapter 38
To have their ancient home back is indeed the time for celebration. Bless them all!
Larner
· 19 November 2021
· Chapter 37: Chapter 37
I rejoice that Nardi has recovered so well so quickly. But learn there are orcs plotting another trap is distressing. Hmm. They are hoping to escape to the west. If the gates were damaged by the Watcher, how are they going to get out?
Author's reply
It's been centuries since the Watcher damaged the gates, so the orcs had more than enough time to clear the mess - to clear out the way out. I imagine they could come to the pile of all those rocks, and after throwing one by one aside (the hall is bit enough), they could get out.
Thank you.
Larner
· 17 November 2021
· Chapter 36: Chapter 36
Poor Durin. In the end it all comes back to him as being his responsibility. But all of them are taking their own responsibilities seriously, which works to the good of all.
Author's reply
Yes, I've always imagined all of them very responsible.
Thank you so much, dear.
Larner
· 17 November 2021
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
I'm so glad she is so perceptive. And her brother is just as he ought to be. I'm just sorry all are learning how hard it is to take part in battles, and to live with them afterwards.
Author's reply
War can't leave anyone unharmed, one way or another. :(
Larner
· 17 November 2021
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
What a pleasant relief to know at last.
Author's reply
Sunshine comes after the rain. :)
Thanks!
Larner
· 17 November 2021
· Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Quite the nasty strategy being used by these orcs! Alas for their victims!
Author's reply
Well, it wouldn't be realistic if the orcs didn't fight back and if there weren't casualties among the dwarves.
Thank you for the review.
Larner
· 4 September 2021
· Chapter 32: Chapter 32
One reunion amongst the losses, at least. One tiny spark to keep hope alight.
Author's reply
It was such a delight writing it. :)
Thank you!
Larner
· 3 September 2021
· Chapter 31: Chapter 31
Alas! To so underestimate the orcs would be such a shock! I so hope Narvi isn't too badly injured! Mahal protect them all!
Author's reply
Even the best leaders make mistakes occasionally.
Thanks for the review!
Oh my! You completed this one! I admit to leaving this review without reading any further than I was before, but I just wanted you to know that I'm looking forward to reading through the rest of the chapters in this one, and then tackling your new story, which sounds intriguing! (Reading is on the back burner at the moment, as my inbox just filled up with several days' worth of work tasks. Nevertheless, I can hardly wait to have a free day again to jump in and start reading.)
Best wishes, and congratulations on finishing this lovely work.
Author's reply
Of course I completed it - I didn't post while still writing, but my process is: writing, editing, translating, and then posting. ;) In the very beginning of posting, when I published chapter 2, I named it "chapter 2 of 39", so that readers know how long it will be.
Similarly, chapter 2 of the new story is named "chapter 2 of 16". ;)
I hope your period of being busy will pass soon. :)
Thank you so much! *hugs*
Anonymous
· 5 August 2021
· Chapter 30: Chapter 30 of 39
This is probably some of the best fanfic I have ever read. Please keep up the good work
'Until the very end of Arda, there will be light again in deep places, there will be ringing of hammers and the sound of our songs in the halls.'
Thank you so much for this beautiful and touching story! I really enjoyed it!
Author's reply
And thank *you* for the review. I'm glad to hear it.
I enjoyed writing it! :)
The Dwarves craft passionately from the earth, and you craft equally passionately with your words. This has been a beautiful story, written with love. Well done, my friend, and thank you for the happiest of all endings.
Author's reply
I enjoyed writing this.
And thank *you*, my friend, for everything.
Aranadhel
· 17 July 2021
· Chapter 38: Chapter 38
Fitting finale.
Grazie.
Author's reply
Actually, it could have been better. You were right, a few chapters ago; maybe not about the scale of the battle, but about the battle itself.
Anyway, as I don't feel like typing the same reply twice, please go and read my reply to Shirebound's review to this chapter. ;)
And thank you so much!!!
shirebound
· 17 July 2021
· Chapter 38: Chapter 38
What an incredible achievement for Durin and his people... and for you, telling their story so beautifully!
Author's reply
As I said in my reply to Aranadhel in previous chapter, after what I've learned recently, I would have made this chapter differently.
In one of previous replies, I wrote that there would not be a big final battle, because every next battle is "smaller" in intensity - there are fewer and fewer orcs, and we don't have a huge battlefield and a huge battle. In the end, there were not many orcs remaining, so I imagine that the battle in the last hall to be conquered was a short one.
However, now I think that I should have described that final battle, instead of just mentioning it in journal-flashback. Maybe it was a small battle, but I had to make some sort of culmination. However, by the time I realized it - which was very recently - everything was written, edited and translated. I just didn't feel like diving into this again and making big changes. I hope the readers will forgive. :)
Thank you so much, darling!
shirebound
· 14 July 2021
· Chapter 37: Chapter 37
Get rest. And when you are healthy again, you'll walk through the free Khazad-dûm.
What an incredible day that will be, both for these Dwarves and all others in Ages yet to be.
Poor orcses, they're only doing what they were bred and trained to do.
Author's reply
Just a little bit more to that day. <3
You know, I am really looking forward to writing my little orc. Planning is in full swing (if that is the right expression), and I think I'll start in about two weeks. :)
Aranadhel
· 14 July 2021
· Chapter 37: Chapter 37
One last chapter to go. I'm sad.
Author's reply
Two, actually. ;)
I took some writing courses in the past months, and knowing what I know now, if I wrote this story now, I would write the end differently. I mean, the final outcome would be the same, of course - the dwarves win their home anyway - but I would do it in a different way.
But this story was written and edited in 2020 (as I said in the beginning, it was my cure against Covid-depression), and I just didn't feel like correcting the end now. I can only hope that my readers will forgive me.
And I can say that the new story - which I will start to publish soon - has a better dynamics, especially towards its end.
Thank you so much for the review. *hugs*
Aldwen
· 11 July 2021
· Chapter 36: Chapter 36
This was sweet! :) I am glad they had those few moments together!
Author's reply
awww, thanks, i'm glad to hear that! :)))
shirebound
· 11 July 2021
· Chapter 36: Chapter 36
It's so good that these young people can comfort one another, and make each other smile and even laugh in such dire times.
Author's reply
Family, friends, partners - the most important in our lives. <3
Thank you. *hugs*
Aldwen
· 9 July 2021
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
Poor Halldis, I so sympathize with her! The uncertainty, balancing on the edge of hope and despair, not knowing whether she will find those she loves alive... You depict that really good! And the diary entries are a great way of showing Durin's thought process and personality.
Author's reply
thank you so much, dear. *hugs*
shirebound
· 7 July 2021
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
What a relief for her. :)
I really like Durin's diary entries, they give a glimpse into a leader's heart and mind.
Author's reply
I'm glad to hear that! *happy*
Thank you *hugs*
Aranadhel
· 7 July 2021
· Chapter 35: Chapter 35
I suspect there's gonna be reinforcements soon for the Dwarves. Heheehe
Author's reply
Reinforcements, as in, more dwarves coming? Uhm... no.
Just curious, what gave you that impression? Now I wonder if I've done something wrong... :/
Anyway, thanks so much for the review!
Aldwen
· 4 July 2021
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
I am glad Darri is out of danger for the present! I like the healer too. :)
Author's reply
Awww, I'm so glad for that! :)
Thank you, dear. :*
Aranadhel
· 2 July 2021
· Chapter 34: Chapter 34
I like the healer, Vestri.
Reminds me of my surgeon lol.
Aran
Author's reply
It's great to hear that the people like the characters! *happy*
Thank you!