Yahoo Forum Archive
This is an archive of the MEFA Yahoo Group, which was shut down by Yahoo in 2019. The archive can be sorted by month and by topic ID. You can use your browser to search by keyword within the month or topic you have open.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | - | - | - | 182 | 1042 | 655 | 89 | 25 | 263 | 362 | 316 | 285 |
| 2005 | 189 | 56 | 107 | 538 | 347 | 446 | 97 | 276 | 194 | 358 | 565 | 136 |
| 2006 | 231 | 66 | 27 | 76 | 117 | 139 | 127 | 56 | 67 | 66 | 159 | 79 |
| 2007 | 20 | 25 | 7 | - | 29 | 72 | 99 | 143 | 3 | 185 | 83 | 103 |
| 2008 | 56 | 13 | 3 | 54 | 240 | 141 | 274 | 77 | 51 | 60 | 90 | 106 |
| 2009 | 28 | 3 | - | 39 | 194 | 101 | 72 | 27 | 22 | 15 | 36 | 24 |
| 2010 | 67 | - | 1 | 4 | 103 | 138 | 129 | 32 | 13 | 16 | 3 | 30 |
| 2011 | 1 | - | 17 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 90 | 61 | 32 | 7 | 5 | 8 |
| 2012 | 30 | - | - | - | 8 | 122 | 76 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2013 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 2 |
| 2015 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2017 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2018 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2019 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - |
Msg# 10784
Reviews for Thursday, October 21, 2010 Posted by Ann October 21, 2010 - 15:16:01 Topic ID# 10784Title: In Which Comes Sorrow Long Expected · Author: Anna Wing · Genres: Character Study: Dunedain · ID: 655
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2010-10-21 00:15:59
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
A short and bittersweet look at one of the saddest days of Faramir's life. Beautiful imagery and minimalist emotion are combined to effectively, delicately but powerfully convey the depth of Faramir's sorrow. I could see and feel it all - very nicely done!
Title: Wedding Traditions · Author: Vilwarin · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 412
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2010-10-21 00:38:08
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
I've seen many stories of Aragorn and Arwen's wedding night; and think that this is one of the most entertaining. Vilwarin writes a delightful account of the wedding, the mix of nervousness, ceremony and multi-cultural traditions. But it's the aftermath that really charmed me; written delicately but seductively, the bridegroom and bride come across both as real and physical individuals and the legendary king and his Evenstar. And Vilwarin knows just when to pull the curtain.
Romantic, gently humorous - just the right mixture of sugar and spice.
Title: 'Til Death Do Us Part · Author: Haleth · Races: Cross-Cultural: Incomplete · ID: 164
Reviewer: The Lauderdale · 2010-10-21 01:01:15
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
Read the first chapter and see if it doesn't hook you. As soon as I read it I knew it was going to be special, but I wanted to read the author's previous stories of Haleth and Inglor first. Now that I have, it is my considered opinion that you can start here. Don't get me wrong, [Pitfalls of the Palantir] is excellent, but it is possible to read this as a work in itself. It's all there in that first chapter: she's the ungracious mortal woman who is feeling her years, he is the beautiful, well-mannered and terminally oblivious Elf she secretly loves, and together, they find artifacts of the kind that abound in early Fourth Age Middle-earth. Lost palantirs, the Black Arrow of Bard, that sort of thing. Up till now Haleth hasn't been able to get rid of Gildor, but when they come to the Grey Havens, now emptied of all Elven denizens, Gildor announces his plan to build a boat: the boat that will bear him over the sea to Aman. What's more, he asks her to help him build it, and an inwardly agonized Haleth says she will. He is her friend, after all. How can she do any less?
[Pitfalls of the Palantir] was a hilarious story. It also had a profoundly madcap edge. ['Til Death Do Us Part] still has its pratfalls (a greasy nude assault on Elostirion, a splendid escape from some rotten pirates), but most of the humor is poignant, character-based. The foibles of both characters are amusing - Gildor CAN be obtuse, and you have to laugh at Haleth even as you pity her - but it is also a little wrenching to watch these two people talking at cross-purposes when they obviously care about each other very much.
The story is as yet unfinished, but I've got it on Story Alert. I need answers. What's going to happen in Chapter 17? Just what is Haleth's back-story, anyway? Will she and Gildor ever solve their communication problems? This is a wonderfully original work set Tolkien's Middle-earth: I heartily recommend it, and I feel very proud of having reviewed it without mentioning lemmings anywhere.
...whoops.
Title: Gil-Estel · Author: Mirach · Genres: Drama: Later Age Elves · ID: 128
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 01:58:36
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What must it be like for Earendil, voyaging back and forth night after night after night, high above Middle-earth, able to watch some events as they occur below, but not be able to take part or effect them? And most especially, what must it be like to watch the actions of his descendants?
Mirach answers these questions in a way that makes us identify with this nightly mariner-- we learn through flashbacks and through his concern for the dangers he sees for the last descendant of his son Elros.
The story is beautifully and lyrically told, and I especially enjoyed the way it was posted each day, a real treat.
Title: Celebrimbor · Author: Oshun · Genres: Non-Fiction: Character Essays · ID: 190
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:00:15
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
This biographical essay by Oshun puts Celebrimbor into context both in his story-external function within Tolkien's work, as a link between the First and Second Age world of The Silmarillion and Third Age of LotR, as well as the story-internal explanations of his contributions as a smith and artisan.
Oshun points out the many contradictions concerning Celebrimbor as well, yet she leaves us with a useful overview of his most likely origins and history.
A very helpful article to one like me who is perpetually confused by the events before the Third Age.
Title: The Fairy Wife · Author: Daffodil Furrow · Genres: Drama: Aragorn or Hobbits · ID: 200
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:03:20
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
I remembered reading this a few years ago, before I had drawn my own conclusions about the fairy wife of the Tooks. The story is very character driven, as a young Elven maiden, left alone after tragedy, finds herself taken in by a family of hobbits, and the object of contention between the two sons of the family.
The author found a very original way to make such an unusual union plausible, and her use of some of the lesser known Elven abilities also works into the story. I found the family dynamics to be very intense, as she brings in the sibling rivalry of the two hobbit brothers.
I found it a very absorbing page-turner!
Title: Choices · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 224
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:04:29
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
This deceptive little inner monologue seems at first to be simply a POV gapfiller-- a look into the mind of one whose mind we do not intimately see in canon. But as we read, something niggles. Something's not quite what it seems.
And then it clicks, and the reader says "Aha!"
Yet Linaewen does not bring this to the obvious conclusion-- instead she leaves the story ambivalent, and the reader to ponder what might have happened next. The ambivalence makes the story even more powerful than a firm conclusion would have.
Title: Some Things Never Change · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Humor: Comedy/Drama · ID: 239
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:05:21
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
I am quite a fan of Jael's modern day Elves, so when I saw in the summary that this was a tribute to them, I could not resist reading.
This is just too funny! Poor Aaron/Thranduil! He never thought for a moment it could happen to him, LOL! I love the way he found to blame it all on the Noldor, and his desperation that none see him.
Title: More Than Memory · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 241
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:05:57
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Glorfindel's wish makes sense-- for many of us the sight of an object is a powerful trigger to memory. As always with a successful drabble, the last line makes it...
Title: Questioning · Author: Larner · Genres: Horror · ID: 258
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:07:43
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
This was written for a challenge to write all or most of a story in nothing but dialogue, and Larner chose a very appropriate moment for such a story: Gandalf's interrogation of Gollum, after Strider has delivered him to the Elves in Mirkwood.
Larner has truly captured Gollum's nasty whine, as he evades and prevaricates and attempts to avoid answering the wizard's questions. And she also captures Gandalf as well-- his implacable questioning, and yet his pity for this lost creature. No matter how foul he finds Gollum, he has compassion as well. But that does not deter him from pressing his questions, and using what threats he may to loosen the creature's tongue..
A really telling and well done dialogue!
Title: In the Corner · Author: DrummerWench · Genres: Ficlet: Eriador or Shire · ID: 267
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:08:51
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
One of things I love in LotR is the only hinted-at friendship between Aragorn and Bilbo. We are shown a lot of those hints: we learn that Bilbo made the verse that Gandalf uses in his letter to Frodo, and Bilbo refers to him as ["my friend the Dunadan"].
In the Hall of Fire, Bilbo has consulted with him over the matter of the verse about Earendil. I love how DrummerWench has imagined that consultation-- it rings very true for both of them. I especially enjoyed Bilbo's assertion that in some ways he was older than Elrond-- his logic might have been a bit skewed, but he had a point!
A lovely little gapfiller of a vignette!
Title: The Day of the Dragon · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves · ID: 184
Reviewer: elfscribe · 2010-10-21 06:10:37
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What a great idea ‑ a dragon landing in a turnip field at Imladris! From the very beginning I was drawn into this charming tale, appreciating that Keiliss intrigued us with Erestor's consternation but didn't reveal what the problem was until several paragraphs in, and by then it was too late, I was thoroughly hooked.
All too often we attack problems like the dragon in the same way the boys did at first, by marching out with aggression and weapons and end up making the situation worse. How wonderful to see the wisdom of the youngsters, Arwen and Elrohir, as they approached the problem in a more sympathetic, constructive manner.
All the characters are very well drawn and each of them felt unique and yet there was a strong sense of them as a family. It is such a warm portrayal, sometimes humorous, and always felt true. I would have happily moved in with the whole lot of them. I loved Elrond's [dangerously tranquil voice] when grilling Elrohir and the image of him riding up on his white horse was to die for. It was particularly gratifying to see a strong, positive role for Arwen, who was resisting being relegated to a "woman's" place. [trouble follows Arwen around like a pet goose] - LOL. The budding relationship between Erestor and Glorfindel was also delightful. Their conversation and interaction made me want to see a lot more of them.
Also loved, loved the descriptions of the lost young dragon. The postscript from Handra's point of view was inspired.
Keiliss is among my favorite LOTR authors and always brings strong characterization, wonderful interaction and dialogue, and detailed sense of place to her stories. Her writing is so clear and elegant. This story is, well again, the word charming most comes to mind. I highly recommend it.
Title: A Day In The Life Of The Royal Gondorian Aerial Corps · Author: Anna Wing · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 652
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2010-10-21 07:51:53
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
This is as original an idea as you can find in Tolkien fanfiction, and a real treat to read - what if the surviving Fell Beasts were taken in by Gondor's military?
Anna conveys the danger, bravado and absurdity of such an endeavor, through Faramir and his Rangers, and the Fell Beasts' devoted caretaker, an original character called Diriel. He and the not-quite-tamed beastie steal the show; not easy when Faramir is on the scene. The new Aerial Corps certainly has some interesting times ahead!
Charming, wry humor and grit make this ficlet work - I would love to see more of it.
Title: Prodigal · Author: Aeärwen · Genres: Drama · ID: 589
Reviewer: Ellynn · 2010-10-21 09:58:41
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What a wonderful story and description of Radagast! I like how Aearwen portrays his attitudes of Men, Elves and Valar, and I have to say that I agree with him.
Many consider that he failed in his mission, but we see that it is not so: perhaps he can't save the whole world, but he tries to do as much good as he can, and he boldly refuses Yavanna's command to return to Valinor. I think that we all should learn from his example: we should look around ourselves and help people/animals/nature as much as we can.
Beautifully done!
P.s. [faded jeans, the tank top and the hoop earrings] What a picture! Just a little humoristic, but also beautiful. I wish I could see that. But in fact, thanks to Aearwen's writing, I can. I see this tall, strong, gorgeous woman and her smile.
Title: Tales from Tol Eressea · Author: Mithadan · Genres: Drama · ID: 663
Reviewer: The Lauderdale · 2010-10-21 17:58:54
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
Ælfwine is an under-used character in Tolkien-based fanfiction, though he is an intriguing presence in the History of Middle-earth: an Anglo-Saxon who finds the Straight Road and visits Tol Eressëa, where he learns lore from the Elves. In this story he discovers what appear to be gravestones in the gardens behind Elrond's house. This is a puzzling sight to Ælfwine in these Undying Lands, and prompts a moving tale from Elrond. The narrative employs an old-fashioned and formal voice (use of elevated diction and literary cataloging), with some appropriate exceptions toward the end.
Title: For All Things, A Time · Author: Marta · Races: Hobbits: Mixed Drabbles · ID: 299
Reviewer: Antane · 2010-10-21 18:24:39
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Away but not gone. He would live on in the Shire just as Frodo did long after his body was no longer there and not just through his carvings.
Title: All Was Safe With the Sea · Author: RadcliffePotter · Genres: Drama: Aragorn or Hobbits · ID: 223
Reviewer: Antane · 2010-10-21 18:33:33
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What a lovely story! I love the idea that Frodo would have dreamt of the West, even beyond what dreams we know he truly had, and actually visited there in a very real way before he even left for it. I have written such things recently myself and I don't think the Valar would have waited to begin his healing until he arrived, but begun it even before, to strengthen him and give his soul some desperately needed solace. This beautifully shows that and how wonderful to see the wonder of that smile! A treat for us all.
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2010-10-21 00:15:59
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
A short and bittersweet look at one of the saddest days of Faramir's life. Beautiful imagery and minimalist emotion are combined to effectively, delicately but powerfully convey the depth of Faramir's sorrow. I could see and feel it all - very nicely done!
Title: Wedding Traditions · Author: Vilwarin · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 412
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2010-10-21 00:38:08
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
I've seen many stories of Aragorn and Arwen's wedding night; and think that this is one of the most entertaining. Vilwarin writes a delightful account of the wedding, the mix of nervousness, ceremony and multi-cultural traditions. But it's the aftermath that really charmed me; written delicately but seductively, the bridegroom and bride come across both as real and physical individuals and the legendary king and his Evenstar. And Vilwarin knows just when to pull the curtain.
Romantic, gently humorous - just the right mixture of sugar and spice.
Title: 'Til Death Do Us Part · Author: Haleth · Races: Cross-Cultural: Incomplete · ID: 164
Reviewer: The Lauderdale · 2010-10-21 01:01:15
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
Read the first chapter and see if it doesn't hook you. As soon as I read it I knew it was going to be special, but I wanted to read the author's previous stories of Haleth and Inglor first. Now that I have, it is my considered opinion that you can start here. Don't get me wrong, [Pitfalls of the Palantir] is excellent, but it is possible to read this as a work in itself. It's all there in that first chapter: she's the ungracious mortal woman who is feeling her years, he is the beautiful, well-mannered and terminally oblivious Elf she secretly loves, and together, they find artifacts of the kind that abound in early Fourth Age Middle-earth. Lost palantirs, the Black Arrow of Bard, that sort of thing. Up till now Haleth hasn't been able to get rid of Gildor, but when they come to the Grey Havens, now emptied of all Elven denizens, Gildor announces his plan to build a boat: the boat that will bear him over the sea to Aman. What's more, he asks her to help him build it, and an inwardly agonized Haleth says she will. He is her friend, after all. How can she do any less?
[Pitfalls of the Palantir] was a hilarious story. It also had a profoundly madcap edge. ['Til Death Do Us Part] still has its pratfalls (a greasy nude assault on Elostirion, a splendid escape from some rotten pirates), but most of the humor is poignant, character-based. The foibles of both characters are amusing - Gildor CAN be obtuse, and you have to laugh at Haleth even as you pity her - but it is also a little wrenching to watch these two people talking at cross-purposes when they obviously care about each other very much.
The story is as yet unfinished, but I've got it on Story Alert. I need answers. What's going to happen in Chapter 17? Just what is Haleth's back-story, anyway? Will she and Gildor ever solve their communication problems? This is a wonderfully original work set Tolkien's Middle-earth: I heartily recommend it, and I feel very proud of having reviewed it without mentioning lemmings anywhere.
...whoops.
Title: Gil-Estel · Author: Mirach · Genres: Drama: Later Age Elves · ID: 128
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 01:58:36
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What must it be like for Earendil, voyaging back and forth night after night after night, high above Middle-earth, able to watch some events as they occur below, but not be able to take part or effect them? And most especially, what must it be like to watch the actions of his descendants?
Mirach answers these questions in a way that makes us identify with this nightly mariner-- we learn through flashbacks and through his concern for the dangers he sees for the last descendant of his son Elros.
The story is beautifully and lyrically told, and I especially enjoyed the way it was posted each day, a real treat.
Title: Celebrimbor · Author: Oshun · Genres: Non-Fiction: Character Essays · ID: 190
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:00:15
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
This biographical essay by Oshun puts Celebrimbor into context both in his story-external function within Tolkien's work, as a link between the First and Second Age world of The Silmarillion and Third Age of LotR, as well as the story-internal explanations of his contributions as a smith and artisan.
Oshun points out the many contradictions concerning Celebrimbor as well, yet she leaves us with a useful overview of his most likely origins and history.
A very helpful article to one like me who is perpetually confused by the events before the Third Age.
Title: The Fairy Wife · Author: Daffodil Furrow · Genres: Drama: Aragorn or Hobbits · ID: 200
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:03:20
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
I remembered reading this a few years ago, before I had drawn my own conclusions about the fairy wife of the Tooks. The story is very character driven, as a young Elven maiden, left alone after tragedy, finds herself taken in by a family of hobbits, and the object of contention between the two sons of the family.
The author found a very original way to make such an unusual union plausible, and her use of some of the lesser known Elven abilities also works into the story. I found the family dynamics to be very intense, as she brings in the sibling rivalry of the two hobbit brothers.
I found it a very absorbing page-turner!
Title: Choices · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 224
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:04:29
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
This deceptive little inner monologue seems at first to be simply a POV gapfiller-- a look into the mind of one whose mind we do not intimately see in canon. But as we read, something niggles. Something's not quite what it seems.
And then it clicks, and the reader says "Aha!"
Yet Linaewen does not bring this to the obvious conclusion-- instead she leaves the story ambivalent, and the reader to ponder what might have happened next. The ambivalence makes the story even more powerful than a firm conclusion would have.
Title: Some Things Never Change · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Humor: Comedy/Drama · ID: 239
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:05:21
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
I am quite a fan of Jael's modern day Elves, so when I saw in the summary that this was a tribute to them, I could not resist reading.
This is just too funny! Poor Aaron/Thranduil! He never thought for a moment it could happen to him, LOL! I love the way he found to blame it all on the Noldor, and his desperation that none see him.
Title: More Than Memory · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 241
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:05:57
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Glorfindel's wish makes sense-- for many of us the sight of an object is a powerful trigger to memory. As always with a successful drabble, the last line makes it...
Title: Questioning · Author: Larner · Genres: Horror · ID: 258
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:07:43
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
This was written for a challenge to write all or most of a story in nothing but dialogue, and Larner chose a very appropriate moment for such a story: Gandalf's interrogation of Gollum, after Strider has delivered him to the Elves in Mirkwood.
Larner has truly captured Gollum's nasty whine, as he evades and prevaricates and attempts to avoid answering the wizard's questions. And she also captures Gandalf as well-- his implacable questioning, and yet his pity for this lost creature. No matter how foul he finds Gollum, he has compassion as well. But that does not deter him from pressing his questions, and using what threats he may to loosen the creature's tongue..
A really telling and well done dialogue!
Title: In the Corner · Author: DrummerWench · Genres: Ficlet: Eriador or Shire · ID: 267
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2010-10-21 02:08:51
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
One of things I love in LotR is the only hinted-at friendship between Aragorn and Bilbo. We are shown a lot of those hints: we learn that Bilbo made the verse that Gandalf uses in his letter to Frodo, and Bilbo refers to him as ["my friend the Dunadan"].
In the Hall of Fire, Bilbo has consulted with him over the matter of the verse about Earendil. I love how DrummerWench has imagined that consultation-- it rings very true for both of them. I especially enjoyed Bilbo's assertion that in some ways he was older than Elrond-- his logic might have been a bit skewed, but he had a point!
A lovely little gapfiller of a vignette!
Title: The Day of the Dragon · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves · ID: 184
Reviewer: elfscribe · 2010-10-21 06:10:37
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What a great idea ‑ a dragon landing in a turnip field at Imladris! From the very beginning I was drawn into this charming tale, appreciating that Keiliss intrigued us with Erestor's consternation but didn't reveal what the problem was until several paragraphs in, and by then it was too late, I was thoroughly hooked.
All too often we attack problems like the dragon in the same way the boys did at first, by marching out with aggression and weapons and end up making the situation worse. How wonderful to see the wisdom of the youngsters, Arwen and Elrohir, as they approached the problem in a more sympathetic, constructive manner.
All the characters are very well drawn and each of them felt unique and yet there was a strong sense of them as a family. It is such a warm portrayal, sometimes humorous, and always felt true. I would have happily moved in with the whole lot of them. I loved Elrond's [dangerously tranquil voice] when grilling Elrohir and the image of him riding up on his white horse was to die for. It was particularly gratifying to see a strong, positive role for Arwen, who was resisting being relegated to a "woman's" place. [trouble follows Arwen around like a pet goose] - LOL. The budding relationship between Erestor and Glorfindel was also delightful. Their conversation and interaction made me want to see a lot more of them.
Also loved, loved the descriptions of the lost young dragon. The postscript from Handra's point of view was inspired.
Keiliss is among my favorite LOTR authors and always brings strong characterization, wonderful interaction and dialogue, and detailed sense of place to her stories. Her writing is so clear and elegant. This story is, well again, the word charming most comes to mind. I highly recommend it.
Title: A Day In The Life Of The Royal Gondorian Aerial Corps · Author: Anna Wing · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 652
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2010-10-21 07:51:53
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
This is as original an idea as you can find in Tolkien fanfiction, and a real treat to read - what if the surviving Fell Beasts were taken in by Gondor's military?
Anna conveys the danger, bravado and absurdity of such an endeavor, through Faramir and his Rangers, and the Fell Beasts' devoted caretaker, an original character called Diriel. He and the not-quite-tamed beastie steal the show; not easy when Faramir is on the scene. The new Aerial Corps certainly has some interesting times ahead!
Charming, wry humor and grit make this ficlet work - I would love to see more of it.
Title: Prodigal · Author: Aeärwen · Genres: Drama · ID: 589
Reviewer: Ellynn · 2010-10-21 09:58:41
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What a wonderful story and description of Radagast! I like how Aearwen portrays his attitudes of Men, Elves and Valar, and I have to say that I agree with him.
Many consider that he failed in his mission, but we see that it is not so: perhaps he can't save the whole world, but he tries to do as much good as he can, and he boldly refuses Yavanna's command to return to Valinor. I think that we all should learn from his example: we should look around ourselves and help people/animals/nature as much as we can.
Beautifully done!
P.s. [faded jeans, the tank top and the hoop earrings] What a picture! Just a little humoristic, but also beautiful. I wish I could see that. But in fact, thanks to Aearwen's writing, I can. I see this tall, strong, gorgeous woman and her smile.
Title: Tales from Tol Eressea · Author: Mithadan · Genres: Drama · ID: 663
Reviewer: The Lauderdale · 2010-10-21 17:58:54
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
Ælfwine is an under-used character in Tolkien-based fanfiction, though he is an intriguing presence in the History of Middle-earth: an Anglo-Saxon who finds the Straight Road and visits Tol Eressëa, where he learns lore from the Elves. In this story he discovers what appear to be gravestones in the gardens behind Elrond's house. This is a puzzling sight to Ælfwine in these Undying Lands, and prompts a moving tale from Elrond. The narrative employs an old-fashioned and formal voice (use of elevated diction and literary cataloging), with some appropriate exceptions toward the end.
Title: For All Things, A Time · Author: Marta · Races: Hobbits: Mixed Drabbles · ID: 299
Reviewer: Antane · 2010-10-21 18:24:39
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Away but not gone. He would live on in the Shire just as Frodo did long after his body was no longer there and not just through his carvings.
Title: All Was Safe With the Sea · Author: RadcliffePotter · Genres: Drama: Aragorn or Hobbits · ID: 223
Reviewer: Antane · 2010-10-21 18:33:33
Enter New Review or Edit Existing Draft/Hidden Review · Add To Wish List · Skip
Spoilers!
What a lovely story! I love the idea that Frodo would have dreamt of the West, even beyond what dreams we know he truly had, and actually visited there in a very real way before he even left for it. I have written such things recently myself and I don't think the Valar would have waited to begin his healing until he arrived, but begun it even before, to strengthen him and give his soul some desperately needed solace. This beautifully shows that and how wonderful to see the wonder of that smile! A treat for us all.
If you have any questions about the archive, or would like to report a technical problem, please contact Aranel (former MEFA Tech Support and current Keeper of the Archive) at araneltook@mefawards.org or at the MEFA Archive group..