Don't punish your poor beta :-) I'm sure they are doing their best.

It is hard to imagine, isn't it? :) I hadn't realized it until I was writing, but I love the idea of Thorin being drawn to the sea...

It wasn't at all strange to read it, I felt it very fitting for Thorin. It was only when I thought about Gimli and Legolas' conversation about nature/woods versus caves I thought it must be rare for a dwarf. They like their enclosed spaces - and the sea is anything but. It think it would make most dwarves a bit uncomfortable. It's endless and unpredictable, in comparison to rock which you can shape however you like. :-)

so it's been rebuilt a bit in Angmarian style, I think...

I'll take that under advisement. Thanks for the info.

One of the things I love about Bilbo (something Thorin comments on later) is that he'll complain about all the little things, but when things actually get tough, he grits his teeth and doesn't complain at all.

Yes, this too!

Lord of the Rings Online

Do you mean an online game? I'd love to have a look at it!

It really shows the development of his attitude toward Bilbo himself

Hehe, I'm looking forward to Thorin actually complimenting his cooking. "This is... not bad." LOL