AKA the fic that will make you cry, laugh, and cry again.
The author: the amazing @determamfidd ! Who is fantastic and great and everything ! Even though she will break your heart repeatedely, which is not okay at all Dets, really, why do you do this to us? I kind of imagine her as being half buried under a mountain of books and reference (because of all the research that goes into her story), one hand typing frantically (because long chapters) and the other writing music (because there are songs to go with the story, and they are amazing!), all the while working on her khuzdul and elvish pronounciation (because languages! are! important! in! Sansûkh!)
The story: The battle was over, and Thorin Oakenshield awoke, naked and shivering, in the Halls of his Ancestors.The novelty of being dead fades quickly, and watching over his companions soon fills him with grief and guilt. Oddly, a faint flicker of hope arises in the form of his youngest kinsman, a Dwarf of Durin’s line with bright red hair.(Follows the story of the War of the Ring).
(Bagginshield, Gimli/Legolas) In which recovery takes time, the dead members of the Company take to watching Gimli as though he’s a soap opera, the living struggle with being left behind, Legolas is confused, Khuzdul is abused, and Thorin is four feet and ten inches of guilt and anger.
(summary taken from the story itself)
Why I love it (and went as far as inflict more heartbreak upon myself by rereading it and finishing the available chapters at two in the morning this morning):
– It’s well-written. Both in term of grammar/style and in term of plot, this story is nearing perfection
– the characterisation of the various characters is spot-on and credible. Characters are not static, they change with time and events.
– The characters themselves are varied, well-written, with a lot of thought and research going into their backgrounds
– A+++ representation of the LGBTQA+ community
– A+++ sass by some characters
– Frerin. If nothing else, you should read it for Frerin, who is an adorable cinnamon rolls that needs all the hugs and another serving of his grandmother’s dumpling soup (and he is not being paid enough to be the psychologist for the rest of the dwarves. Protect Frerin)
– The Dwarrodams. Oh the Dwarrowdams. They deserve a glorious song because they are the pinnacle of badassery. Dìs is frigging amazing, Hrera is terrifying
(and I fear for Mahal if she decides to make good on her promise), and the rest of the fierce dwarrodams do not demerit either.– The dwarflings. The dwarflings are very close to being my favourite characters and will probably end up taking over the world.
– Thorin’s recovery. It’s a long and harsh road, and that’s what makes it credible.
– Daìn.
– The songs, both written and performed and I will never get the Iron Hills for me out of my heart.
– Basically everything? Even the heartbreaking parts? Especially the heartbreaking parts? Because they are so well-written that it’s a pleasure to have your heart broken by them?
SO GO AND READ IT! It’s 44 chapters of greatness, with still a few more to come, and it’s soooooooooo worth it! Just make sure you have some tissues ready, because trust me, there will be tears.
sldjhfglajsdghflajhdgfaljkshdgfkajhsdfgakjhdfajh!!!
STEREDEN OH MY GOD
after all your beautiful reviews and oh my god, I come back to read this, and my heart is pounding and flapping away like a whole horde of drunken butterflies oh my god…!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!
*HUGS YOU SO DANGED TIGHT* YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL.
Aw Yiss 