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Old 03-12-2010, 11:44 AM   #3522
Marroc Underhill
Haunting Spirit
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: In The Deep Places Of The World
Posts: 61
Marroc Underhill has just left Hobbiton.
Tolkien

It took me awhile to work up the nerve to make a new post; I wondered whether Marroc Underhill deserved to be woken from his 6 year slumber. In the end, I felt he'd slept long enough.

It's been awhile since I ventured onto the Downs. But, nostalgia struck me, and I couldn't resist checking out the site I was crazy about back in 2003. I couldn't even remember my username; I had to reactivate a few of my old email addresses and had to go on a great hunt, with only the knowledge that I posted in a thread about eagles back in 2003 as the only clue to finding my old identity. In the end, it all worked out, and Marroc is awake.

I know, I know: big opener for someone who only made 58 posts almost 7 years ago. But, it's very nice to see that this forum is still inhabited by incredibly intelligent users; that's one thing I always associated with the Downs, and, looking back, I feel embarrassed by my old posts, with their nonsense and poor grammar and such. I was 14 though.

On with my real introduction. My name is Eric.

Like many in my generation, I watched the movies before I read the books, but, like many, I quickly became enchanted by Tolkien's world and immersed myself in his stories. This was probably 2002. During the lonely summer of 2003, I stumbled upon the Barrow-Downs, and for months it was my favorite site. After exhausting the main site, I ventured into the forums. I was probably overwhelmed by the vast knowledge of the users, and the incredible discussions here were wowing and mind-boggling to say the least. But, I read, and read, and read. Every now and then I would post, enthusiastic about the community, but still lowly feeling - But I didn't care. It was great.

Over the next few months I lingered, but as I felt I had nothing to contribute to the community, I slowly drifted away. For the longest time, I had forgotten about the Downs (but most definitely not LotR). It was only the chance, stumbling mention (by me, strangely) that piqued my interest once again. As detailed above, driven by nostalgia and memories of this and other (long-dead) communities, I went on my little mission, and after some ghostly lingering, here I am.

I cannot tell you how great it is to see that the forum is still up and running - and hardly changed at all layout-wise. That's the most exciting part for me; if it weren't for the time-stamps, I could swear it was 2003 all over again. The icons are still awesome looking; that familiar green theme is great; even the randomized quotes at the top are still there! Even my dusty old posts are still lying about. This is great, to say the least.

From the oldest, dustiest bones lying around, to the newly interred, I thank you all for keeping this community alive after all these years. It may be hard for some people to understand, but these forums hold a lot of great memories for me.

Thank you.

Re-risen,
Marroc Underhill
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