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Drabble

DD1: Alone by Oakenshield

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/O/Oakenshield/Alone.htm

Rating: PG character death

Romance Partners: Aragorn/Arwen

Summary: Another death drabble, Arwen this time.



Drabble

DD2: Dernhelm's Ride by Lindelea

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=371&cid=1537

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Cadence sung by Eowyn on the long ride to the fields of Pelennor.



Drabble

DD3: Dragons by Lindorien

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=1210&cid=4878

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Faramir considers how tight memories can cling.



Drabble

DD4: Fealty and Service by Marta

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1501

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Denethor's thoughts as Faramir swears fealty to Gondor on coming of
age.



Drabble

DD5: Fear! Fire! Foes! by Marta

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1520

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A drabble about Fatty's escape from the Nazgul attack on
Crickhollow.



Drabble

DD6: Lament To Lorien by Naresha

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/N/Naresha/LamentToLorien.htm

Rating: R implied sexual situations

Romance Partners: Haldir/Aragorn

Summary: Reflections on Haldir's death by those who loved him - in drabble
form.



Drabble

DD7: Sundered by Oakenshield

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/O/Oakenshield/Sundered.htm

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Elros' dying thoughts.



Drabble

DD8: The Call by Alexcat

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/A/Alex/LOTR/A_H/C/TheCall.htm

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: We all long for home.



Drabble

DD9: The Silent Street by Lindelea

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=371&cid=1535

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Beregond's thoughts as he fights for his Captain's life.



Drabble

DD10: The Steward and the King by Marta

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1717

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Thorongil observes a young Boromir playing.



Gap-filler

DG1: A Silence Covered in Stone by Zimraphel

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1564870/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: In the last days of the Ring War, Thranduil and Celeborn meet in
the ruins of Dol Guldur and reaffirm their friendship in the midst of the
Shadow's last, most terrifying secret.



Gap-filler

DG2: Cry of the Gull by Ithilien

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/617622/1/

Rating: PG-13 violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Legolas finds himself battling his own mind as well as evil forces
during the battle at Pelargir. Missing scenes from ROTK featuring Legolas,
Gimli, Argaorn, Elladan and Elrohir.



Gap-filler

DG3: Father and Sons by Dwimordene

URL:
http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter_view.cfm?STID=6&SPOrdinal=1

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Insight into LoTR's most famous dysfunctional family that covers a
span of years, from Faramir's adolescence through Sam and Frodo's journey
through Ilthilien. The personal is political when you're the Steward and his
family.



Gap-filler

DG4: The Fire Sermon by Altariel

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/578654/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: Faramir/Eowyn

Summary: A gapfiller set during RoTK. Faramir and Eowyn in the Houses of
Healing. Companion piece to "What the Thunder Said."



Gap-filler

DG5: Theodred's Last Command by Adara\BoromirFan (Carol Kyser)

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1414101/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Short vignette about Prince Theodred's death. Fills in the gap left
by Tolkien about the death of the Prince of Rohan at the First Battle at the
Fords of the Isen.



Incomplete

DI1: A Diamond in the Storm by SilverMoon Lady

URL: http://www.scribeoz.com/fanfic/story.php?no=721

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: Pippin/Diamond

Summary: Something sinister is happening near the northwestern border of the
Shire and Pippin is determined to find out what is going on. Post LOTR.



Incomplete

DI2: Between Two Worlds by Marnie

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1773681/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Young Ereinion, sent away from his father to live in a Sindar
Haven, feels torn between two worlds. Features Cirdan, Celeborn and
Gil-galad.



Incomplete

DI3: Changing Perceptions by Nerwen Calaelen

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1279068/1/

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: The end of the Ring War and the changes that occur as a result of
it for the mysterious land of Khand.



Incomplete

DI4: Fear by Ariel

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1215350/1/

Rating: PG-13 violence; injury; child abuse

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A life threatening fall endangers young Frodo Baggins and his
brooding Brandybuck cousin knows he was to blame for it. Guilt can drive
you to many things, even the contemplation of murder.



Incomplete

DI5: Free Fall by Lindorien

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=722

Rating: PG-13 angst

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Why was Boromir sent to the Council instead of Faramir if Faramir
was the one who had the dreams? PJ gave you one answer; this fic gives a
better one.



Incomplete

DI6: Marinus Stiria by bryn_bnw

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=853

Rating: PG-13 violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Following a violent confrontation with Aragorn, Legolas sets out
with aid of Gimli to rid Gondor of the Sea Stone. Sensing certain disaster,
Aragorn is hard on their heels. Unfortunately, so too is the head Corsair of
Umbar….



Incomplete

DI7: Mirrors in the Mind by Etharei

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1283157/1/

Rating: R violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: The dungeons of Barad-dur are vast and deep, and not all evils
departed with the destruction of Sauron. An ancient evil is no longer bound.



Incomplete

DI8: Not Fire, Not Ice by CinnamonGrrl

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1583198/1/

Rating: PG some violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Sequel to The Fall of Night. Naure is orc-napped whilst on her way
to Lothlorien to regain her memories. Haldir sets out to rescue her, but
will he get more than he bargains for?



Incomplete

DI9: The Captain's Last Gift by Lady Aranel

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1467

Rating: R adult themes

Romance Partners: Legolas/f

Summary: Lalaith is a courtesan in Minas Tirith who has always made her own
choices. As the war ends and the lords of the land begin to depart the city
for home, Lalaith wonders if she has overstayed her time in a profession
that is unforgiving. As she longs for a love that could never be, will a
visit from a stranger show her that her feelings are not in vain and that
beauty is in the eye of the beholder?



Incomplete

DI10: Theodred's Tale by Elana

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=1414&cid=5934

Rating: R violence

Romance Partners: Theodred/f

Summary: Sequel to Elana's Tale, WIP. Stunned by news of Saruman's
treachery, Theodred must ready Rohan for war, while dealing with the
machinations of Grima Wormtongue and the decline of his father King Theoden.
Can he keep the secret of his love for Elana, mother of a half-orc child?
How can he stay true to all his varied loyalties, as the Battle of the Fords
of Isen grows ever closer? AU.



Incomplete

DI11: While We Dwelt in Fear by Pearl Took

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1364027/1/

Rating: G some violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: The story of the families of Merry, Pippin, Frodo and Sam as they
face the troubles of the Occupation of the Shire.



LOTR

DL1: Adaptation by Pervinca

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1175

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Legolas tries to come to grips with the mortal gift of death after
the last battle and apparent loss of one of the Fellowship's most beloved
members.



LOTR

DL2: Ashes, East Wind, Hope that Rises by ErinRua

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=696

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: EOMER - as seen through his eyes - the peril of Rohan, the
duplicity of the Wormtongue, and the coming of hope to the Riddermark. Cast
includes Eomer, Aragorn, Theoden, Grima, Eowyn, Hama, Gimli, Legolas and
several good horses. Gap-filler. Drama, action, angst. Non-slash.



LOTR

DL3: Bitter as Blood by Shadow975

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1230229/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: On Caradhras, Boromir considers the difficulties he faces; years
after his companion's fall, Aragorn wonders what part he played in it.



LOTR

DL4: Doom of Man by Alexcat

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/A/Alex/LOTR/A_H/D/DoomOfMan.htm

Rating: PG some violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: What really happened at Mount Doom.



LOTR

DL5: Final Flight by Trinity Helix

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/T/TrinityHelix/FinalFlight.htm

Rating: PG-13 violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Leading the elves to Helm's Deep, Haldir finds what he is looking
for.



LOTR

DL6: For Gondor by Avon

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1256

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Faramir's charge - a sound picture. Movie-verse. Marta discussed
the idea of people writing a scene using one sense only and this is where
that idea took me. Rather experimental.



LOTR

DL7: LifeWatch by Lindelea

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1273828/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Cormallen story from Merry's viewpoint. Companion to poem "Too
Young."



LOTR

DL8: Pippin's Crucible by Pearl Took

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1691156/1/

Rating: PG descriptions of carnage

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: This is a first person account of Pippin from his run through Minas
Tirith to find Gandalf in order to save Faramir through to his being with
Merry after Aragorn heals him.



LOTR

DL9: River Flowing by Dwimordene

URL: http://www.dwimordenespage.org/index.php?go=7&id=2&chapter=1

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: a very minor character gets a moment in the sun: one fine day in
Ithilien, while Sam and Frodo wait with Mablung and Damrod, a Haradrim troop
comes marching, marching.…



LOTR

DL10: Spartan Letters by Dwimordene

URL: http://www.dwimordenespage.org/index.php?go=7&id=8&chapter=1

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Some have questioned why Denethor's spirit was broken so swiftly
when Faramir was brought back wounded from the route of the Pelennor.



LOTR

DL11: The Mirror of Galadriel by Varia Lectio

URL: http://www.scribeoz.com/fanfic/story.php?no=807

Rating: PG implied violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: As Galadriel gazes into her Mirror, she sees different fates for
those in the Fellowship of the Ring.



LOTR

DL12: Thoughts by netkerosene

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1326060/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Eomer's thoughts about Eowyn riding to war with the Rohirrim.



LOTR

DL13: Veiling of the Sun by Maggie (M. N. Theis)

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=172

Rating: PG-13 graphic violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A twist of fate during the events at Parth Galen leaves Boromir
alive and desperately seeking the One Ring. Succombing to the dark seduction
of the Ring, Boromir joins league with Sauron's forces as Legolas is
captured by Saruman's Uruk-hai. The res tof the Fellowship struggle to
remain together, traveling across the Plains of Rohan in hopes of recovering
their lost members, and the quest to destory the Ring becomes a more trying
journey than any imagined.



LOTR

DL14: Wizard by M. Sebasky

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=3499

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: In a moment of quiet after the battle of Pelennor Fields, Gandalf
reflects upon those who have already departed and those who may yet be lost.



Poetry

DP1: Beth Gorthaur Aglar Beleth by Arwen Imladviel

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=841

Rating: PG strong imagery

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A scribe copying old manuscripts in Minas Anor found this: a poem
in Quenya, titled by a different hand in Sindarin: "The words of Sauron,
waning in glory." Probably not genuine.



Poetry

DP2: Boe Bedich Len, Haldir? by Chathol-linn

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=667

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Haldir's experience at Helm's Deep. Movie-verse.



Poetry

DP3: From Fangorn Forest to Helm's Deep, Canto I The Forest by Chathol-linn

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=561

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: The trees experience a vision when the Three Hunters enter Fangorn
Forest. Inspired by brancher's "They Say of the Elves," mentioned with
permission.



Poetry

DP4: Rescue of the Rowan by Chathol-linn

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=778

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A dream. Two mortal children fall to Rivendell, where Elrond tests
their powers.



Poetry

DP5: So Close, Yet Forever Away by Naresha

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/N/Naresha/SoCloseYetForeverAway.htm

Rating: R implied sex

Romance Partners: Haldir/Aragorn

Summary: Aragorn remembers.



Poetry

DP6: The Day the Sun Didn't Rise by Tinni

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1836029/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A retelling of a Japenese myth in Tolkien's world.



Poetry

DP7: The Love Song of Tar-Meneldur Elentirmo by Thevina

URL: http://www.scribeoz.com/fanfic/story.php?no=450

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A short poem from the "Star-watcher" king of Numenor.



Poetry

DP8: The Vain Songs by Nol

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1486803/1/

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: Maedhros/Fingon

Summary: Fingon and Maedhros in beauty, war, mad love and above all things,
vanity.



Post-WOTR

DPoW1: A Change of Seasons by runningscared

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1066

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A story of unending friendships, in which Legolas speculates upon
lost companions, his own existance, and The Sea... Set after Aragorn's
passing and stays true to JRRT's work (not AU).



Post-WOTR

DPoW2: Adamo Invenio Discovery of Love by Lasse-Lanta

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1255745/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Sequel and finale to the "Chance Meeting" series.



Post-WOTR

DPoW3: As the Gentle Rain by Lindelea

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1599

Rating: PG-13 violence; graphic torture

Romance Partners: Diamond/Pippin; Faramir Took/Goldilocks;
Ferdibrand/Pimpernel

Summary: The Travellers return to Gondor for a visit, revisiting old haunts,
stirring old memories, encountering old wonders and old dangers, and new
ones.



Post-WOTR

DPoW4: Chance Meetings by Lasse-Lanta

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1176377/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Two strangers, a chance meeting - what will happen?



Post-WOTR

DPoW5: Closing the Book by Gonzai

URL:
http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter_view.cfm?STID=309&SPOrdinal=1

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: After Sam departs for the Grey Havens, Merry and Pippin set out on
their final journey to Edoras and Gondor. Based on the timeline in Appendix
B. Angst and sadness.



Post-WOTR

DPoW6: Dance With Desire by Lasse-Lanta

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1249699/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Part 4 in the "Chance Meetings" series.



Post-WOTR

DPoW7: Fate, Fatum Or Perhaps Fari by Lasse-Lanta

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1232961/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Sequel to "Chance Meeting" & "Stolen Moment."



Post-WOTR

DPoW8: Immortal by Ainaechoiriel

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/944263/1/

Rating: PG dying characters; no actual death portrayed

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Merry and Pippin, approaching the end of their lives, have a
request to make of Legolas.



Post-WOTR

DPoW9: Little Ones of Their Own by Pearl Took

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1571927/1/

Rating: PG adult references to pregnancy

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Peregrin and Diamond Took are expecting their first child.



Post-WOTR

DPoW10: Paths We Trod, Wrongs We Bore by Coriel

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=724

Rating: PG violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Thranduil at last makes up his mind to follow his family into the
West, but first he must confront again some of the slings and arrows of his
past.



Post-WOTR

DPoW11: Perchance to Dream by M. N. Theis

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1179178/1/

Rating: R graphic descriptions of wounds and such, violence, adult themes
and *much* angst

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: After the War of the Ring, a bitter conflict with the Easterlings
leaves Legolas in terrible danger and all of Gondor on the brink of
destruction.



Post-WOTR

DPoW12: Shards of Time by AL Milton

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1045

Rating: PG adult themes

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Barahir, the writer grandson of Faramir and Eowyn, tries to find
out what truth shall he write about his legendary grandmother.



Post-WOTR

DPoW13: Sorrow Profound by Alexcat

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/A/Alex/LOTR/Q_Z/S/SorrowProfound.htm

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Elrond looks back on all he has lost.



Post-WOTR

DPoW14: Stolen Moment by Lasse-Lanta

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1206870/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Sequel to "Chance Meetings."



Post-WOTR

DPoW15: Strawberries by Khylea

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/K/Khylea/Strawberries.htm

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Remembering what kept Mr. Frodo from letting go on the side of
Orodruin, Sam brings him some strawberries and cream. Um yeah....that's
about it….



Post-WOTR

DPoW16: Sunset by Khylea

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/K/Khylea/Sunset.htm

Rating: PG reference to character death

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: After the War of the Ring is over, Legolas and Aragorn keep a
promise to Haldir.



Post-WOTR

DPoW17: The Hunting Trip by Ithilien

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/794871/1/

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Needing a break from their busy lives, our heroes travel to the
wilds of Ithilien for a little relaxation, and perhaps some hunting. But
there is evil in those woods, and unbeknownst to them, a grim adventure is
about to occur.



Post-WOTR

DPoW18: The Last Grey Ship by ErinRua

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=277

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: The voice of the Sea merely whispers, until the reasons to stay
pass on. Aragorn's days are ending, and Gimli faces more farewells as
Legolas looks to the West ... How the story may have ended. Book-derived per
ROTK Appendixes. Gap-filler. Drama, angst, friendship. Non-slash.



Post-WOTR

DPoW19: The Mantle Of Power by Marnie

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1504378/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: After Elrond's departure, Glorfindel and Celeborn face off over the
rulership of Rivendell.



Post-WOTR

DPoW20: Trees of Remembrance by jenolas

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1485747/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Eldarion makes a final visit to a very special glade of trees
Legolas planted before he left Ithilien to sail to Valinor.



Post-WOTR

DPoW21: Where the Merlin Cries by Lindelea

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1384933/1/

Rating: PG-12 violence

Romance Partners: Fastred/Elanor; Pippin/Diamond; Ferdibrand/Pimpernel

Summary: The story of Fastred and Elanor, and how the Westmarch came to be a
part of the Shire.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW1: A Family Trait by Marnie

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1682142/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Young Elladan and Elrohir make a present for their father, and a
career choice that disturbs their mother, Celebrian, and grandfather,
Celeborn.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW2: All These Wore Wings by fileg

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2505

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Random images from the siege of Gondolin haunt a small boy in
another white city. A snapshot, based on the painting "Brothers" by
Starlight.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW3: Canst Thou Forgive Me by Coriel

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=952

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: "Upon Doriath a heavy charge had fallen. Melian sat long in silence
beside Thingol the King . . . and she knew that her parting from Thingol was
the forerunner of a greater parting, and that the doom of Doriath was
drawing nigh . . . The Nauglamir was retaken, and brought back in bitter
grief to Melian the Queen." (Involving Thranduil and Melian.)



Pre-WOTR

DPrW4: E cared haniant tîn mîl by PuterPatty

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1288673/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: During a late first snow of the year 3018 T.A., Thranduil remembers
a gift of love from Legolas to his mother.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW5: Games of Innocence by Cirdan

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1329678/1/

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Young Elladan and Elrohir are playing games. Elrond watches them
and is shocked.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW6: Leaf and Branch by JastaElf

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=62

Rating: PG violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Elrond and his sons assist the Elves of Mirkwood in an attempt to
rescue a very young Prince who has been captured by Orcs.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW7: Promises to Keep by JastaElf

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=742

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Six months after the death of his Queen, King Thranduil tries to
celebrate the joys of Yuletide with his grieving sons & subjects. Mild angst
& much sweetness. May the Valar bless us, every one!



Pre-WOTR

DPrW8: Small Soldiers by Cori Lannam

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1498

Rating: PG mature themes (characters dealing with death)

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Faramir wants to see his mother one last time.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW9: The Sacrifice of Soldiers by paranoidangel

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1603

Rating: PG mature themes

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: When Elrond babysits a young Aragorn, he takes the opportunity to
teach him of his father and the meaning of death.



Romance

DR1: Forbidden Fruit by Eresse

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/E/Eresse/7_ForbiddenFruit/ForbiddenFrui
t1-2.htm

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: Elrohir/Legolas

Summary: An old friend of Legolas' develops a forbidden passion and in the
process triggers confusion, heartbreak and tragedy.



Romance

DR2: Gwador: Sorrow's First Dawning by Eresse

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/E/Eresse/5_SorrowsDawning/SorrowsDawnin
g1-2.htm

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: Elrohir/Legolas

Summary: Legolas faces the first great tragedy in his life and is unable to
cope with its aftermath.



Romance

DR3: Heart's Brother by Eresse

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/E/Eresse/6_HeartsBrother/HeartsBrother.
htm

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: Elrohir/Legolas

Summary: Gandalf hints that the conditions pertaining to the choice of the
Peredhil are not as implacable as Elrond's children think.



Romance

DR4: Heartsong by Trinity Helix

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/T/TrinityHelix/Heartsong.htm

Rating: G

Romance Partners: Glorfindel/Ecthelion

Summary: Glorfindel broods, Ecthelion shows him beauty.



Romance

DR5: His Precious by Marta

URL: http://www.parma-eruseen.net/stories/marta_precious.html

Rating: G

Romance Partners: Smeagol/f

Summary: Smeagol's old beloved sees him some years after he found the Ring,
and thinks back on what might have been.



Romance

DR6: In The Silence Of Our Hearts by Eresse

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/E/Eresse/11_InTheSilenceOfOurHearts/InT
heSilenceOfOurHearts1-2.htm

Rating: R

Romance Partners: Glorfindel/Erestor; Elrohir/Legolas

Summary: A jest inadvertently unearths an unsuspected past and sets the
stage for an unlikely future.



Romance

DR7: Into Temptation by Eresse

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/E/Eresse/8_IntoTemptation/IntoTemptatio
n.htm

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: Elrohir/Legolas

Summary: The thin line between friendship and desire isn't all that easy to
cross.



Romance

DR8: Ring of Loneliness by Alexcat

URL:
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/A/Alex/LOTR/Q_Z/R/RingOfLoneliness.htm

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: Celeborn/Elrond

Summary: Celeborn offers comfort to his son-in-law.



Romance

DR9: Summer Nights by Marta

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1320



Rating: R adult themes; prostitution, masturbation, unplanned pregnancy

Romance Partners: Faramir/OFC; Boromir/OFC

Summary: The summer of 3000 was the hottest one Faramir ever remembered.
When he found himself lost in Dol Amroth and stopped at an inn to ask
directions, he was surprised to find the place was a haven from the heat. He
decided to stay for dinner and when the matron offered him a cool room to
lie down in while his meal was prepared, he gladly accepted, without
realising exactly what he was accepting.



Romance

DR10: The Paths of Lorien by CC

URL: http://www.angelfire.com/wv/night/paths.html

Rating: R sexual innuendo

Romance Partners: Lindir/Haldir

Summary: The twins go to Lorien and Lindir finds love .



Romance

DR11: The Tale of the Laughing Maiden by Deborah Judge

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1201424/1/

Rating: R sexual themes; familial violence

Romance Partners: Curufin/Lalwen

Summary: A Curufin romance.



Romance

DR12: To Love and to Live by Lady Rheena

URL: http://www.scribeoz.com/fanfic/story.php?no=660

Rating: R violence; angst

Romance Partners: Legolas/OFC

Summary: The sequel to To Have and To Hold. Darkness falls over the Wood as
the Shadow gathers in the East. Legolas must undertake a journey from which
he may never return and Nessa faces the possibility of eternity alone in a
darkened, deathly world. A little darker than the first story, but then
these are darker times. Later guest appearances from a variety of canon
characters; not least Gollum, Gandalf, Arwen, Frodo and, of course, the
incomparable Aragorn.



D1: A Flood, A Fall, A Finale, A Fever by Pearl Took

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1766693/1/

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Merry, Pippin and Pervinca have some strange adventures. Rather
Stephen King like. From Marigold's Challenge 2 as "New Editions."



D2: Elana's Tale by Elana

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=1409&cid=5874

Rating: R implied rape; graphic birth scenes; mature themes

Romance Partners: Theodred/f

Summary: Elana is a young woman of Rohan, kidnapped by orcs and forced to
endure unimaginable horrors. But even if by some miracle she should be
rescued, what will become of her and the half-orc child she bears?



D3: Following the Other Wizard by jodancingtree

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1286



Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: It's an AU sotry: Frodo doesn't leave Middle-earth, but wanders
with Radagast the Wizard to Mordor, to heal the land and to be healed
himself. A sequel to "Another Way of Leaving."



D4: Into the West by Alexcat

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/A/Alex/LOTR/I_P/I/IntoTheWest.htm

Rating: PG sexual situation

Romance Partners: Galadriel/Celeborn

Summary: Galadriel sails.



D5: Magpies and Rhymes by Acacea

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=695

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Noisy birds in Minas Tirith trigger memories and raise hope for a
brief moment - Faramir, Denethor and a long forgotten rhyme.



D6: Motherless by Isabeau of Greenlea

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1274353/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Prince Imrahil's family struggles to deal with the loss of their
mother.



D7: Quiet by Archet

URL: http://www.ofelvesandmen.com/Stories/A/Archet/Quiet.htm

Rating: PG implied violence; character death

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Faramir remembers.



D8: Standards by Dwimordene

URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2613



Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A vignette about standards and adhering to the choices one makes.



D9: Suffering Unending by Zam Kenobi

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1694272/1/

Rating: R talk of suicide

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Tired of the constant ridicule of his father, Faramir has committed
suicide. These are Boromir's thoughts.



D10: The Ashes of Twilight by Tinuviel ylf Maegden

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=1334&cid=5493

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A tale of the thoughts of Tinuviel, the quiet thoughtful whisps of
her soul and pain as she prepares to die.



D11: The Dragon's Egg by Shireling

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1225

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A Fairytale of Gondor, starring Faramir, Boromir, Eowyn, a Wizard
and a prophesy.



D12: The Fall of Night by CinnamonGrrl

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1397271/1/

Rating: PG some violence

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Elrond, Haldir, and an old friend make a wager... can the twins and
Rumil make a humourless young woman laugh?



D13: Thinking of You by Grey Wonderer

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1088

Rating: PG-13

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: What if someone you love has no idea who you are? Suddenly all of
the memories that the two of you share are yours alone. OR What if you wake
up and you are among strangers? Somehow everything has been lost and you
have no idea how to find it again. Who are these folks and how did you get
here?



D14: Time to Make a Change by Pervinca

URL: http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=1343

Rating: G character death

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A series of vignettes in which our main hobbits face the pain of
losing their father (or parents in Frodo's case).



D15: To Sing of War by Avon

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1365813/1/

Rating: PG

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Thranduil's thoughts on war.



D16: Unrequited: Gilraen by CinnamonGrrl

URL: http://cinnamongrrl.popullus.net/files/gilraen.htm

Rating: PG reference to sex

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: A young widow burns for what can never be hers.



D17: Whispers by Ellbee

URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1271718/1/

Rating: G

Romance Partners: n/a

Summary: Someone keeps hearing whispers in the dark…





AUTHORS (remember to comment on the writer as regards to the category, not
the story, here):



Drabble

DDA1: Alexcat

The Call



Drabble

DDA2: Lindelea

The Silent Street, Dernhelm's Ride



Drabble

DDA3: Lindorien

Dragons



Drabble

DDA4: Marta

Fealty and Service, Fear! Fire! Foes!, The Steward and the King



Drabble

DDA5: Naresha

Lament To Lorien



Drabble

DDA6: Oakenshield

Sundered



Poetry

DPA1: Arwen Imladviel

Beth Gorthaur Aglar Beleth



Poetry

DPA2: Chathol-linn

Boe Bedich Len, Haldir?; From Fangorn Forest to Helm's Deep, Canto I The
Forest; Rescue of the Rowan



Poetry

DPA3: Naresha

So Close, Yet Forever Away



Poetry

DPA4: Nol

The Vain Songs



Poetry

DPA5: Thevina

The Love Song of Tar-Meneldur Elentirmo



Poetry

DPA6: Tinni

The Day the Sun Didn't Rise



DA1: Acacea

Magpies and Rhymes



DA2: Adara\BoromirFan (Carol Kyser)

Theodred's Last Command



DA3: Ainaechoiriel

Immortal



DA4: AL Milton

Shards of Time



DA5: Alexcat

Doom of Man, Sorrow Profound, Ring of Lonliness, Into the West



DA6: Altariel

The Fire Sermon



DA7: Archet

Quiet



DA8: Ariel

Fear



DA9: Avon

For Gondor, To Sing of War



DA10: bryn_bnw

Marinus Stiria



DA11: CC

The Paths of Lorien



DA12: CinnamonGrrl

Not Fire, Not Ice; The Fall of Night; Unrequited: Gilraen



DA13: Cirdan

Games of Innocence



DA14: Cori Lannam

Small Soldiers



DA15: Coriel

Paths We Trod, Wrongs We Bore; Canst Thou Forgive Me



DA16: Deborah Judge

The Tale of the Laughing Maiden



DA17: Dwimordene

Father and Sons, River Flowing, Standards, Spartan Letters



DA18: Elana

Elana's Tale, Theodred's Tale



DA19: Ellbee

Whispers



DA20: Eresse

Forbidden Fruit, Gwador: Sorrow's First Dawning, Heart's Brother, In The
Silence Of Our Hearts, Into Temptation



DA21: ErinRua

Ashes, East Wind, Hope that Rises; The Last Grey Ship



DA22: Etharei

Mirrors in the Mind



DA23: fileg

All These Wore Wings



DA24: Gonzai

Closing the Book



DA25: Grey Wonderer

Thinking of You



DA26: Isabeau of Greenlea

Motherless



DA27: Ithilien

Cry of the Gull, The Hunting Trip



DA28: JastaElf

Leaf and Branch, Promises to Keep



DA29: jenolas

Trees of Remembrance



DA30: jodancingtree

Following the Other Wizard



DA31: Khylea

Strawberries, Sunset



DA32: Lady Aranel

The Captain's Last Gift



DA33: Lady Rheena

To Love and to Live



DA34: Lasse-Lanta

Adamo Invenio Discovery of Love; Chance Meetings; Dance With Desire; Fate,
Fatum Or Perhaps Fari; Stolen Moment



DA35: Lindelea

Where the Merlin Cries, As the Gentle Rain



DA36: Lindorien

Free Fall



DA37: M. N. Theis

Perchance to Dream, Veiling of the Sun



DA38: M. Sebasky

Wizard



DA39: Marnie

Between Two Worlds, The Mantle Of Power, A Family Trait



DA40: Marta

His Precious, Summer Nights



DA41: Nerwen Calaelen

Changing Perceptions



DA42: netkerosene

Thoughts



DA43: paranoidangel

The Sacrifice of Soldiers



DA44: Pearl Took

The Sacrifice of Soldiers; While We Dwelt in Fear; Pippin's Crucible; Little
Ones of Their Own; A Flood, A Fall, A Finale, A Fever



DA45: Pervinca

Adaptation, Time to Make a Change



DA46: PuterPatty

E cared haniant tîn mîl



DA47: runningscared

A Change of Seasons



DA48: Shadow975

Bitter as Blood



DA49: Shireling

The Dragon's Egg



DA50: SilverMoon Lady

A Diamond in the Storm



DA51: Tinuviel ylf Maegden

The Ashes of Twilight



DA52: Trinity Helix

Final Flight, Heartsong



DA53: Varia Lectio

The Mirror of Galadriel



DA54: Zam Kenobi

Suffering Unending



DA55: Zimraphel

A Silence Covered in Stone





This category ends October 15th at 11:59pm Central US time.

--Ainaechoiriel
MEFA Admin and Founder

"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves," Elrond said, "for
it is Windows-compatible, and freeware at that." --H.F.

<http://home.earthlink.net/~ainae/mefa> http://gabrielle.sytes.net/mefa The
Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards
Blog: <http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com/>
http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Drama
Official Voting Ballot

Larian Elensar larian_elensar@yahoo.com


Drabble
DD1: Alone by Oakenshield

Very powerful and sad, but also inspiring, to see that all that Arwen lost, she
got back--or got back other things, just as good.




Drabble
DD2: Dernhelm's Ride by Lindelea

Powerful. You got her desperation down in such few words. Well done.




Drabble
DD3: Dragons by Lindorien

Oh yes! I loved the line about the dragons following but not all being fierce.
Well done.



Drabble
DD6: Lament To Lorien by Naresha

This piece touches on a world-wide feeling. The way everyone remembers Haldir,
the things they say really did remind me of how we mourn in our own lives.



Drabble
DD7: Sundered by Oakenshield

Well, this piece came along at the right time for me, as it reinforced an idea
I had for a fic of my own. I do think Elros had to choose as he did, and he
knew it, and really, so did Elrond, there was a reason, though they might not
know what it was. Really brave of them both to follow those destinies though
they didn't know what they were.



Drabble
DD8: The Call by Alexcat

Such a simple piece, and yet, so intense. I love the line about 'men and elves
die, but power does not.'



Drabble
DD9: The Silent Street by Lindelea

Wow, this was very powerful. Gave me goosebumps.




Gap-filler
DG1: A Silence Covered in Stone by Zimraphel

Yikes. you hit a on a pretty deep seated fear, being buried alive. *Tries not
to have nightmares*



Gap-filler
DG2: Cry of the Gull by Ithilien

Wow, I read that what...one line in the book and really thought nothing of it,
just that Legolas was now drawn to the sea. I really liked your take on it,
how you fleshed it out by showing not only how Legolas reacted, but also Gimli,
the twins, and Aragorn responded. Aragorn feeling responsible seemed so in
character for him, too. Nicely done.



Gap-filler
DG5: Theodred's Last Command by Adara\BoromirFan (Carol Kyser)

Yes, I imagine Theodred making sure Rohan was safe--as safe as possible, even
after he was gone. I did wonder though, you said the orc army pulled back, did
they ever find out why? Was it to join in the hunt for the ring bearer?




Incomplete
DI2: Between Two Worlds by Marnie

I've read this story before (as with all of your stories!) Again, as with the
first time or two, I felt Ereinion's sort of desperation at being apart from
the world where he lived, and the one where he came from. I like to think that
he and Celeborn were of similar mind. They certainly both felt like kings to
me, at least that's how I always image them both. I think they would have
ruled the same way, due to similar connections to their people and land...



LOTR
DL1: Adaptation by Pervinca

It's interesting to me to see so many interpretations of how elves handle
death. Well done with this one!


LOTR
DL3: Bitter as Blood by Shadow975

This one gave me goosebumps. "He thinks I do not see. I see." Powerful
ending.



LOTR
DL4: Doom of Man by Alexcat

You captured Isildur's expression from the movie perfectly. All you could see
in his face was lust and pure evil. No wonder Elrond seemed so sad all the
time as he talked about the line of men being broken. He must have hated the
fact that at the time, Elros's choice must have seemed to be in vain.



LOTR
DL5: Final Flight by Trinity Helix

You captured Haldir's thoughts and feelings exactly the way I saw them when I
watched the movie. It is nice to think that his last thoughts were filled with
peace and hope instead of despair.




LOTR
DL8: Pippin's Crucible by Pearl Took

You could see and feel Pippin's terror and despair as he looked for Gandalf. I
think you captured it all very well. I also like the idea that Pippin knows he
will heal too, and not be weighed down by the evil things he saw forever.



LOTR
DL9: River Flowing by Dwimordene

You know when you go see the movies or read the books that those men, even
though they're fighting for Sauron are probably not totally evil, maybe just
mislead. I liked your lead character. His youth really showed when he talked
about the fact that dying didn't matter because he'd seen "your" rivers, but
"you" would never see "his."




LOTR
DL10: Spartan Letters by Dwimordene

Faramir and Denethor are one of the saddest themes in the book for me.You let
them show some of the regrets for 'what might have been.'



LOTR
DL11: The Mirror of Galadriel by Varia Lectio

Yes, I would imagine that is what Galadriel might see in the mirror. And of
course, Sauron thought he knew much more than he did. He probably couldn't
imagine them destroying it, instead of using it. Nicely done.




LOTR
DL12: Thoughts by netkerosene

Too bad Eomer and Theodred couldn't tell Eowyn how important she was to the
country. Too bad Theodred had to die anyway, I'm always a little irritated that
he died, as stupid as that sounds. It's true though. However, I can't believe
Eomer is that unsure, but it certainly gives a different perspective of him.



LOTR
DL13: Veiling of the Sun by Maggie (M. N. Theis)

Wow! I decided two pages in that I needed to read the whole fic. You tell an
excellent 'what if'! I'm totally impressed at how well you're keeping all
those separate threads and plots and sub-plots continuing without gaping holes.
I have an advantage too, since I'm reading it all at once instead of one
chapter at a time, and I'm still seeing continuity. I like how you've shown
all the characters, (though, so far, Frodo still annoys me, the whiny thing :)
I'm really enjoying all the little tweaks to the story too, all the elements
from Tolkien are basically there, just ...twisted. Very entertaining read,
can't wait to see how things turn out. (Though I'm assuming happily, just want
to see how they get there!)

Okay, had to laugh at the part where Glorfindel tells Arwen to take his
horse..*snicker* Wow, I thought the whole ring melting would be much later, but
I guess you have a lot to wrap up afterwards. I guess since I'm not quite 2/3
done, (did you know this is in the 500 page range in MS Word, 1 inch margins,
12 point font?), there is still a lot of things happening, really. I have to
admit, I'm not fond of the Mirkwood princes. I know Thranduil has a bad rep,
but I just can't see them hating their own family that much. I mean, I know
the Noldor killed other elves, but that's the Noldor...*grin* Of course, I
guess this sort of shows that even elves aren't perfect, and the ring and it's
evilness had consequences beyond corrupting men.

Ack. I'm torn between wanting Legolas made immortal again because I wanted a
happy ending, and agreeing that this way really was fitting, since not all
stories have perfectly happy ending. Tying Aragorn and Legolas together as
mortals though, did make it happier, seeing as how they were brothers of the
heart anyway. Good job tying up all the plots and not making it seem rushed
and like you just want to finish. After long stories, a lot of authors tend to
do that, good job.



LOTR
DL14: Wizard by M. Sebasky

Wow, this is pretty depressing. How helpless Gandalf must have felt when he
realized that Denethor was beyond saving.



Poetry
DP5: So Close, Yet Forever Away by Naresha

Bittersweet and emotional. I could almost see him reaching out for Haldir, only
to have the image taken away right within his grasp.



Post-WOTR
DPoW1: A Change of Seasons by runningscared

Lovely! I thnk you got the Gimli - Legolas relationship down the way I often
see it. Thanks. It was touching and not overly angsty, which is hard to do.



Post-WOTR
DPoW8: Immortal by Ainaechoiriel

I'm sure others have said it, but this one brought me to tears. There are lots
of stories about Legolas after Aragorn dies, but they seem to skip how he would
have had to deal with the deaths of all the other members of the Fellowship.



Post-WOTR
DPoW11: Perchance to Dream by M. N. Theis

Wow, I'm impressed, all the plotting and then the twists and turns involved in
the story. Really interesting premise, I knew the necklace had something to do
with it, but obviously, not exactly how it fit in. I was really glad a few
times that the story was complete, and I didn't have to wait for updates,
because I could easily see myself whining about it if I'd have had to wait to
find out what happened between chapters. This was another story that I wasn't
sure I would read, but after the first few paragraphs, I knew I had to finish
it. I'm glad I did. I can't even imagine all the prep work you did to get it
all plotted out, then made sure to tie up all the plot lines, and with so many
characters. Well done. Thanks.



Post-WOTR
DPoW13: Sorrow Profound by Alexcat

The title should have been warning enough. It was certainly proved that
immortality is a curse, maybe even bigger than being a blessing. Elrond was
definitely the poster child for long lives equalling some joy, but also great
pain.



Post-WOTR
DPoW15: Strawberries by Khylea

When I saw Return of the King on DVD, I though of this story near the end of
the movie, when Sam is talking about the shire right before they get to Mount
Doom to destroy the ring. Obviously, the story made an impression on me!




Post-WOTR
DPoW16: Sunset by Khylea

For all of Haldir's supposed arrogance, (I know, it's probably fanon), he
certainly did not seem to begrudge helping the Rohirrim at all. I don't think
he thought the price was too high, either. I think he, like many of the elves
were willing to pay it.



Post-WOTR
DPoW18: The Last Grey Ship by ErinRua

Lovely. Did you sniffle as you wrote this? I certainly did while I read it.
Great gap-filling story!



Post-WOTR
DPoW19: The Mantle Of Power by Marnie

I love that image of Glorfindel giving that heavy cloak 'mental strokes.' How
very like my image of Glorfindel and Celeborn both to behave the way they did.
I could definitely see it, both of them seemed in character to me.



Pre-WOTR
DPrW1: A Family Trait by Marnie

I guess Elladan and Elrohir will realize why Celebrian and Celeborn shared that
look between them after the twins learn more of the the family and Noldor
history. I liked the way you made Celebrian (despite the blacksmithing) more
normal instead of an evil witch or as too fragile to do anything but look
pretty.




Pre-WOTR
DPrW2: All These Wore Wings by fileg

This is so great! I've read about Gondolin, of course, and it's one of my
favorite 'old' stories, but I've never noticed the parallels between it and
Gondor. Figures Faramir would see those things!



Pre-WOTR
DPrW4: E cared haniant týn mýl by PuterPatty

I've read this several times before and it always makes me sniffle. Not only
Thranduil's memories of the thorns, and what he told Legolas, but also at the
way Legolas lived up to the words he's learned. Well done.



Pre-WOTR
DPrW5: Games of Innocence by Cirdan

At first, I was not too happy about this story. I kept thinking the twins would
know how 'improper' those games were, but then I realized that they're young,
and acting like normal kids. So often, since they're elves, we think they
don't do things like...play improper games. Nice to see that they might.




Pre-WOTR
DPrW6: Leaf and Branch by JastaElf

What an adventure (of the horrible kind). I really didn't know, the first time
I read this, if it would end happily. (That was before I knew about Dark Leaf).
Very fitting ending too, the braiding ceremony.


Pre-WOTR
DPrW7: Promises to Keep by JastaElf

One of my all time favorites. And Legolas is a great elfling in this one.
He's cute but not overly so. Well done.




Pre-WOTR
DPrW8: Small Soldiers by Cori Lannam

What a fine line Denethor asks his sons to tread. To feel and care, but not to
forget that they can't just be little boys, that they still have obligations.
Denethor is one of the characters in the books that I really disliked. I'm
glad I could forget that for a bit and that he was just a father, trying his
best.



Romance
DR1: Forbidden Fruit by Eresse

Oh! I'd forgotten how terribly sad I felt when I read this the first time.
Sirgon's death made me sniffle again, even though in the long run, it was
probably better, or he might have died of grief anyway. He had already come to
the conclusion that he would not be able to have the relationship with Legolas
that he really wanted. In fact, he'd damaged the one he did have, and there
was probably little chance that he'd have gotten that back, let alone more.
But still, what a waste for him to die too. I think Elladan and Elrohir did a
great job explaining things to Legolas, though it's becoming more obvious that
Elrohir has deep feelings for him.




Romance
DR2: Gwador: Sorrow's First Dawning by Eresse

I often wonder what fanfic writers would do if Tolkien had given Legolas a
mother! *grin* Seriously, this is a familiar scenario, but you wrote it very
well, and gave it some added depth by sending Legolas to Rivendell to heal.
Well done.




Romance
DR3: Heart's Brother by Eresse

Okay, now Elrond, Elladan, and Mithrandir see how much 'regard' Elrohir has for
Legolas. I guess Elrohir should try to figure it out soon. And it's good to
see that their may be some sort of dispensation for them too as far as not
having to leave right when Elrond does. Interesting.




Romance
DR4: Heartsong by Trinity Helix

I've always thought that Gondolin, and the way they all stayed was unusual,
that they probably wanted to be free, but really, it's not unusual for the
elves, I guess. Lothlorien, Greenwood, and Rivendell were certainly not open,
nor did the elves who lived there come and go much. Most of the ancient elven
realms were the same way. Great vignette.



Romance
DR6: In The Silence Of Our Hearts by Eresse

Great interlude in the series. I guess I'm too revengeful, because I really
didn't think there was any reason for Arwen to yell at Erestor for *not*
accepting Glorfindel's apology the first time. I guess it's a good thing I'm
not immortal, since I tend to hold grudges, I mean eternity is a long time to
be at odds with someone. I'm glad that Erestor and Glorfindel did work things
out, and now the rest of the family is aware of Elrohir's feelings for Legolas,
so turns the heat up on that situation too.



Romance
DR7: Into Temptation by Eresse

Finally Elrohir has to admit his feelings, to himself and to Elladan, though I
question where Elladan's head is, suggesting that Elrohir tell Legolas. I
mean, Sirgon tried that and it got him absolutely nothing, though maybe Legolas
would be better able to handle it now. I doubt it though. Nice clues at the
end there, about how this change of heart might change all of their lives.




Romance
DR8: Ring of Loneliness by Alexcat

I know Celeborn wants to comfort Elrond, but I still sort of worry about him
and his judgement, at least when it comes to himself. He already has
Galadriel, I think he should think twice about getting too involved with
another ring bearer.



Romance
DR10: The Paths of Lorien by CC

The twins are such boys! Proud of themselves for not riding with the adults,
and at the same time, planning future mischief. Of course, they can't even get
into Caras Galadhon without a crisis happening. Then Lindir and Haldir--they're
interesting. Both of them are quick to deny to themselves, and everyone else,
that intitial attraction they have for each other. I'm guessing that denial
will continue, and won't be good. Now they're trying to avoid each other. I'm
curious though, if Haldir is protecting Orophin or Lindir by vowing to watch
them?

I still think this is an interesting premise, that Lindir dreams and Haldir is
in them...there with him too. Of course, they're both still denying any
connection, I can't believe that something like that has happened to either of
them before, so why they don't acknowledge it is beyond me. Or maybe they are
just scared.

Now, the twins and their little spats, that's plausible. I think Elladan being
upset with Elrohir is completely natural. He doesn't want to lose his twin to
someone else.

Okay, now I understand more of Haldir's reluctance. It's only natural that he
should try to build a wall after that experience with Taron. I can see why
he's trying to deny the attraction. He's not only protecting himself, he thinks
he's protecting Lindir too. Ooh, Haldir, go ahead and make your pronouncements
about never loving anyone, since even Amroth found mostly pain in it. It's not
that easy *not* to love though, is it?

Elladan is pretty perceptive in figuring out that Lindir likes Haldir, and
that's why Lindir seem so reluctant to see him. And not to make Haldir sound
bad, but the stuff the twins do really doesn't seem that bad to me, but I'm
used to kids. *Grin*

And for Elladan and Elrohir to be a bit intimidated by Haldir, well, I guess
they could have gone the other way and try to annoy him, since youngsters seem
to know when they are able to get under an adult's skin, and Haldir makes no
secret that he sees the twins as a chore more than anything. I think he's
lucky that the twins don't get it into their heads to do things purposely!


And the whole theme shows up again--Lindir doesn't think Haldir could love him,
that he doesn't deserve it, and Haldir is afraid to love him, that he'll end up
hurting Lindir (or possibly even causing Lindir to die). Now, they just need
to work it out. (I have a feeling it will take time!!)


Oh, it's after the breakfast incident, and now Lindir is scared. I'm thinking
if he doesn't want to fade, he won't. Silly of the others to scare him so
badly though...silly of him not to tell someone what the real problem is.
Guess silly is really just him being young.

Well, too bad that Lindir had to get so sick, but now it's all starting to come
into the open. About time!


After lots of help, it seems that Haldir and Lindir are together, though there
are still secrets between them. Well, secrets from Lindir. And the twins,
they'll have to control their emotions and sharing them...oh, and deal with
jealousy. If one of them finds someone before the other, they're in for a
rough time.





D4: Into the West by Alexcat

As sad as Elrond/Celebrian/Arwen is, I still think Celeborn/Galadriel is
sadder. I mean, they loved each other despite the fact that they knew, maybe
from the beginning, that they'd have to leave each other. Not a lot of people
will set themselves up to be hurt like that. Well done.



D6: Motherless by Isabeau of Greenlea

Touching. You have a great story telling style. I love how you let me get to
know Imrahil and his family, though he's sometimes just a name in the books.
Boromir, what a soft heart. I loved it when he told Faramir and Imrahil that
they didn't give him enough credit.



D7: Quiet by Archet

You can feel Faramir's helplessness as he asks why Boromir did not return. I
often wonder how guilty Faramir might have felt after the war, he couldn't save
Boromir, or his father, but maybe he knew he couldn't have saved either one
anyway.



D8: Standards by Dwimordene

I loved finding new stories to read. I love the idea of the standards being
permanent, but re-made by each generation. I liked your Gilraen too, she seemed
so strong, but not cold.



D15: To Sing of War by Avon

You can taste the bitterness in Thranduil's words. Or perhaps it's despair.
Nicely done.



D16: Unrequited: Gilraen by CinnamonGrrl
Unrequited love is bad all around. Hard not to be bitter, and I did feel
pretty sorry for Gilraen. *sigh* I do have one question. It felt like it ended
rather abruptly, I was wondering if it all got copied to the page right?




D17: Whispers by Ellbee

Oh yes, I loved the parts in the movie where the ring whispered "Aragorn." I
don't know if you meant that with your story, but that's what I thought of.
Well done.




AUTHORS (remember to comment on the writer as regards to the category, not the
story, here):

Drabble
DDA1: Alexcat

Alexcat has a concise, to the point style anyway, but drabbles really bring
that forward in a good way.



Drabble
DDA5: Naresha

Naresha has a lovely smooth poetic style, even in very short pieces.



Drabble
DDA6: Oakenshield

Like other pieces of Oakenshield's, her shorter ones convey some strong
feelings and images without being too sappy.



Poetry
DPA3: Naresha

I like Naresha's story telling poetic style. It's easy to read.



DA5: Alexcat

Alexcat definitely has a distinct style of writing. She manages to get to the
point, entertain her readers and still allow them to get to know her characters
without over blown prose and a lot of extraneous words.



DA7: Archet

Archet gives voice to Faramir's grief in a way that we don't always get to see,
and does it with a simple, easy-to-read style.



DA11: CC

CC has an easy, readable style and never rushes things along just to get the
story finished. She explores each piece of the plot fully without dragging it
out too long.



DA20: Eresse

I'm still in awe that Eresse is able to tie all these plots and subplots
together, yet almost all of the stories can stand alone as well. She gives the
characters depth and bredth, and allows them to grow and change without losing
their basic personalities. Also, her stories are just a good read.



DA31: Khylea
Strawberries, Sunset

Khylea is another author whose style is probably what most would consider more
minimalist than anything. She tells the story, we get to know and like her
characters, and she does it without a lot of extra additions that take away
from the telling.



DA39: Marnie
Between Two Worlds, The Mantle Of Power, A Family Trait

These are some of Marnie's shorter stories, and she still gives us thorough
glimpses of her characters and the situations they are in. I trust her
implicitly to tell me a good story, and to get the facts right, and she hasn't
let me down yet.


DA52: Trinity Helix
Final Flight, Heartsong

Trinity Helix paints pictures with words as well as she can with pencils and
her art. She fills her stories with emotion and imagery that isn't easy to
forget. I thoroughly enjoy reading about her elves as much as I love looking at
them.



This category ends October 15th at 11:59pm Central US time.

=====
Larian
larian_elensar@yahoo.com
Keeper of the OEAM archive http://www.ofelvesandmen.com
Archive addy archive@ofelvesandmen.com

Mwahahaha! Fear me and my ballots! Erm...right. Anyway, I've got another
long one here, so I hope you'll all bear with me. All the stories are first
and the author votes can be found toward the bottom. Here we go!

---------------------------------
Drama
Official Voting Ballot
---------------------------------
STORIES
---------------------------------

>>Drabble
>>DD1: Alone by Oakenshield

Very succinct, encompassing summary of everything Aragorn was to Arwen, and
a brilliant explanation for her own loss of heart.

>>Drabble
>>DD2: Dernhelm's Ride by Lindelea

This drabble reminds me of nothing so much as free from poetry, but it is
still clearly a drabble. Tight writing and good repetition of phrases pack a
lot of emotion into a tiny space. Actually, this also reminds me of a
chiasmus, with a spark of life in the middle as Eowyn shouts ýha,ý and then
it dies away again. The final words are chilling.

>>Drabble
>>DD9: The Silent Street by Lindelea

This is one of the most powerful drabbles Iýve ever read. Beregondýs
thoughts are sobering and dark. He is clearly at the edge of his limits, but
he keeps pushing out of love for his captain. The words of traitor and rebel
that the others throw at him hurt even more as we realize he knows exactly
what heýs doing and canýt turn away from it no matter how much it pains him.
Heýs saying those same words of rebel and traitor to himself, but he wonýt
back down. He canýt, and he knows it, though it seems he longs to die
himself. A great characterization of Beregondýs loyalty and the general
madness that took place at the end of Denethorýs reign.

>>Drabble
>>DD10: The Steward and the King by Marta

Great look at what Gondor faced toward the end of the Third Age and just how
young the loss of innocence went. I like that Aragorn recognizes valor in
Boromir, even at such a tender age, and that Boromir is already looking out
for Gondorýs welfare.

>>Gap-filler
>>DG1: A Silence Covered in Stone by Zimraphel

An incredibly balanced view of Mirkwood, Lothlýrien, and its two rulers.
Well, three if you count Galadriel, but Celeborn and Thranduil are the real
stars of this tale. And they are everything they should be. Thranduil is
shrewd, suspicious, canny, cunning, and resourceful. He loves his home
dearly, he loves his people even more, and he loves his family above all
that, though as a king, heýs rarely allowed to indulge in these priorities.
But theyýre reflected subtly in his thoughts. Celeborn is much the same, as
is to be expected given their backgrounds, but heýs a touch wiser, not quite
as quick to leap to judgement, and more interested in things beyond the
woods. The first chapter was a gory slog through battle and chaos, and it
was told very well. The tragedy that befell both Mirkwood and Lothlýrien is
somewhat overshadowed by the fact that the Ring was destroyed at the same
time, but that doesnýt mean the deaths are worth any less in the woods. The
second chapter, where Thranduil and Celeborn meet, is a wonderful chance to
study these two rulers in action. They are almost perfect foils to one
another, having many similarities and many fundamental differences. Great
telling of the struggle in Mirkwood and Lothlýrien.

>>Gap-filler
>>DG2: Cry of the Gull by Ithilien

Itýs pretty much a given that I will love anything Ithilien writes, but this
story is beautiful in its pathos and its imagery. No one does sea-longing
quite like Ithilien, and her take on it is heart-wrenching, especially in
latter stories. But in this story, we see a different side of it,
particularly in the last chapter where it become a haunting song that echoes
the entire world. Itýs as though Legolas is more complete now. And thought
that will change in years to come, for the moment, he has found a part of
himself he never knew and he is willing to embrace that part, whatever may
come of it. The journey to reach this acceptance was a great retelling of
the Paths of the Dead, and I loved how Aragorn remained a background
character for much of it, which I think very appropriate given what they
were doing. Instead, it fell to Elladan, Elrohir, and Gimli to pull Legolas
through, and that unlikely trio came through in spades. Great
characterization all around and a wonderful look at the sea-longing as
experienced by Silvan elves.

>>Gap-filler
>>DG3: Father and Sons by Dwimordene

Boromir, Faramir, and Denethor fics are surprisingly common, and most of
them use the dysfunctional family angle to portray these three characters.
As a result, itýs something of an overdone subject, but Dwimordene makes it
seem fresh. I wish I knew how. Perhaps itýs her attention to detail. Perhaps
itýs her amazing grasp on characterization. Perhaps itýs the multiple layers
that go into everything she writes, or the subtle nuances that mark the
differences between the three principle characters in this fic. These are
shrewd, cunning men, all of them, and it requires a deft hand to work them
into the story. Dwimordene is more than up to the challenge, and as a bonus,
she brings in one of my favorite (and occasionally forgotten) characters:
Imrahil. Who is just as cunning and just as perceptive as the other three,
but is still very much a contrast in many respects. Great foils, great
narrative, biting discussions, and some of the best political maneuvering
Iýve ever seen in a fic.

>>Gap-filler
>>DG4: The Fire Sermon by Altariel

Great use of fire and all its symbolic meanings. Faramir is indeed very
quick on the uptake, as Gandalf observes at one point in this story, and it
was a joy to watch his mind ferret through all that happened since he was
injured. The idea of fire consuming him as it consumed Denethor and Boromir
is somewhat chilling, and I never quite looked on his relationship with
Eowyn like that before. But he does have a point. Fire and passion run in
his family, and they took both his brother and his father. Itýs an
interesting idea that I would love to see explored more.

>>Incomplete
>>DI2: Between Two Worlds by Marnie

I was surprised by Celebornýs unexpected patience in this story. He reacted
much more vigorously to the sons of Fýanor in the story ýOak and Willow.ý
But then, Gil-galad is very much a child here, and given that, I think weýre
just seeing another aspect of Celebornýs character, and itýs an aspect that
intrigues me very much. Celeborn shows his usual penchant for insight and
perception in seeing what Gil-galad might become, and Gil-galad shows some
surprising maturity and forthrightness, especially given the counsel of his
tutor. Cýrdan is a quieter presence in the story, but I think thatýs how he
should be. Much like the sea, actually. Heýs there, but you donýt really
notice him until he needs to be noticed. Good characterization work all
around.

>>Incomplete
>>DI6: Marinus Stiria by bryn_bnw

Iýve decided that Silmarils make great fic material. Gems that can set elf
against elf and form the history of nearly the entire First Age are
powerful, and if an author knows how to tap into that power, an author can
have quite a fic on his/her hands. Bryn knows how, and Bryn taps for all its
worth. And this fic isnýt even finished yet! But what little there is now is
enough to make me catch my breath. The characters are stunning, and the slow
devolution of Aragornýs mind was fascinating to watch. Arwen is very much at
the top of her game, especially when she turns to Legolas as a conspirator
and confidant. The confrontation between Legolas and Aragorn, complete with
raging thunderstorm and lightning, was fantastic, and just for a moment, I
thought I understood the madness that drove Fýanor to start the first
kinslaying. The fight was fast and furious, and the consequences for both
Aragorn and Legolas are fleshed out well. Enter Gimli, who is a solid,
stabilizing presence for as long as he stays out of the corsairsý hands, and
Bergilý Well, I wonýt say anything about Bergil in case someone reading this
has yet to read Marinus Stiria, which would be a great crime. The drama and
tension in this story is great, and the added bits of humor serve as a
beautiful contrast to the darker themes within the story. Morgoth gives me
shivers, the sea-longing makes me weep, and the somewhat bumbling attempts
of the heroes to right what has gone wrong leave me on the edge of my seat
wanting to jump in and shake somebody. Very believable and very real
dramatic fic.

>>Incomplete
>>DI7: Mirrors in the Mind by Etharei

Here we have yet another of my favorite dramatic fics. And this one packs a
punch. The plot twists and turns at every opportunity, throwing clues left
and right but never fully revealing itself. You think you have a handle on
it, and then it swerves in a new direction, adding layers and layers to the
mystery until it is so complex you are forced to just sit back and enjoy the
ride. And what a ride it is. One of the strongest aspects of this fic is the
impeccable ensemble characterization. Etharei takes an enormous cast of
characters and manages to give each one a moment in the spotlight. And while
in the spotlight, they are beautifully characterized and enhanced. I think
my favorite characters in Ethareiýs capable hands would be Elladan, Elrohir,
Merry, the OC Derinsul, Gimli, Arwen, and Legolas. Thatýs only a small
portion of the cast, which might give you some idea as to just how complex
this story is. Another indication would be how Etharei has put these
characters together. Most fics team up Elladan and Elrohir, or Legolas and
Gimli, or Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn. Etharei doesnýt follow most fics. The
twins are separated, Aragorn and Arwen are separated, the start of the fic
has all Three Hunters separated, and in place of these usual team ups, we
get to see more unusual interactions (such as some very insightful dialogue
between Elrohir and Merry). The result is that the story feels very fresh
and original, which it is, but the tension between characters who donýt
usually interact adds an entirely new and exciting dynamic.

>>Incomplete
>>DI11: While We Dwelt in Fear by Pearl Took

Superb and very encompassing story. I love how various story lines are
pulled out and put together. The fic seems to be told primarily in ýmomentsý
and I think that was an excellent choice, because this fic covers a lot of
ground. I very much enjoyed how Bree was pulled into it, especially with the
suddenly very active Rangers, and I also enjoyed how we occasionally
switched over to our wanderers in the wilderness. Great characterization all
around and great ývoiceý for all the characters.

>>LOTR
>>DL1: Adaptation by Pervinca

The emotions in this fic felt very real, and I love the explanation given
for the difference between Legolas and his companions at Gandalfýs apparent
death. Legolas feels he will see Gandalf again in the West, and so the loss
is not the same for him as it is for the others. Good eye for details and
good ability to dive into the emotions of the characters.

>>LOTR
>>DL2: Ashes, East Wind, Hope that Rises by ErinRua

This story is quite possibly the best and most complete characterization of
Eomer that I have ever found. This is the Third Marshall of the Riddermark
in all his glory: forthright, bold, honest, cagey, loyal, and fearless. I
love how the encounter with the Three Hunters is turned around to be shown
from Eomerýs viewpoint, and I love even better how haughty Gimli and Legolas
both seem to him. His instant respect for Aragorn and the explanation behind
that respect were excellent, which made Eomerýs trial before Theoden even
more dramatic. Wormtongue and an encumbered Theoden were excellent, but my
favorite minor character in this piece was Hýma, who warned Eomer that he
couldnýt lend him his support but who nevertheless released Eomer from
prison as soon as possible. The doorwarden is restored to his rightful place
as an honorable, perceptive character. Later apologies and conversations
with Eowyn and Theoden wrapped this piece up nicely, and off they ride to
war and glory.

>>LOTR
>>DL3: Bitter as Blood by Shadow975

An excellent look at movie!verse and the relationship (or lack thereof)
between Boromir and Aragorn. I tend to enjoy book based fics more than I
enjoy movie based fics, but this story completely won me over. Brooding
introspection can be a difficult challenge, but itýs pulled off well here. I
think I like Boromirýs chapter best and his lines of ýHe thinks I do not
see. I see.ý But Aragorn had some great moments in his chapter, especially
when he recalls missed opportunities and wonders if his aloofness might have
contributed to Boromirýs fall. Great angsty examination of both characters.

>>LOTR
>>DL7: LifeWatch by Lindelea

The tone setter for this fic happened in the second chapter when Gimli
greets Merry and eventually hastens to reassure him that his cousins will be
perfectly fine. Merryýs pause and then his quiet response of ýYou'll be
wanting more practice if you're going to tell a convincing lieý locked me in
for the rest of the fic. That one line shows a level of maturity and
perception in Merry that not a lot of fics really emphasize. This trend
continues throughout the fic, and I like the idea that Merry is still
shadowed from his bout with the Witch-king. Itýs opened up some interesting
doors in Merryýs personality, and Lindelea explores them well.

>>LOTR
>>DL8: Pippin's Crucible by Pearl Took

Now THIS is drama. And angst. Wow, that was a heart-wrenching race through
the city. Words are failing me, actually. It was so very real. I love the
line ýI have to hurry. I have to find Gandalf.ý It starts this fic out so
well, giving Pippin a purpose and some haste. But then as he begins passing
those who are dying and those who are trying to claw their way out of the
rubble, it becomes much more than a simple purpose. It becomes his focus and
his driving force. Heýs tearing apart inside, and the only thing that keeps
him going is that eternal refrain that repeats in this fic over and over
until we feel like hurrying to find Gandalf, too. The first time Pippin sees
a hand trying to crawl out from under stone, the entire narrative crawls to
a halt, too, and the use of ellipses is quite possibly the best use of
punctuation Iýve ever seen. I actually held my breath when that happened. It
was horrible! And then the drops falling down accompanied by Pippinýs mind
reminding him that it isnýt rain. His insistence that the puddles are dark
because it is night, not for any other reason. The rambling, denying voice
of Pippinýs mind was a character within its own right, and then there were
other voices contesting it, and through it all, that pressing goal to reach
Gandalf. And then when he reaches Gandalf and finds the Witch-king, the
narrative gets choppy and abrupt, which is PERFECT because thatýs exactly
what Pippinýs mind starts doing. Absolutely stunning work of drama!

>>LOTR
>>DL10: Spartan Letters by Dwimordene

Layers upon layers, despite the fact that these letters are ýSpartan.ý Even
the first one seemed devoid of any real substance, though there was plenty
to read between the lines. And though the second letter was much shorter, it
spoke much louder. The words themselves didnýt say much. The message, did,
though. And thatýs what makes this fic so impressive. Itýs not the words.
Itýs the meaning behind the words, and it takes a talented author to make
that message speak from behind the veil of what the characters are saying
(or writing, as is the case here). Great angst, and I really wouldnýt want
to be near Denethor when he opened the letter beside his dying son.

>>LOTR
>>DL13: Veiling of the Sun by Maggie (M. N. Theis)

Iýve been trying to think of a word that might adequately describe this fic.
The best thing Iýve been able to come up with is the word ýgritty.ý This is
a gritty journey, from beginning to end. The idea behind the AU is one
thatýs been done before, but Maggie takes it to the next level. Boromir gets
the Ring from Frodo at Amon Hen, but Boromir doesnýt keep the Ring. Legolas
gets it away and gives it to Sam. After that, things go downhill very fast.
And itýs amazing just how far downhill they get before they even begin to
think of looking up. Maggie doesnýt shy away from the gore. She doesnýt
overdo it, but neither does she spare her readers the horrific journey these
characters go through. This is an intense, dark AU with elements from the
book, the movie, and complete surprises that pop in and out as the story
veers further and further away from the direction that Tolkien took it. And
itýs very believable. The characters are real, their pain is real, their
struggle is real, the politics are real, and the interactions are real. I
love the journey that Boromir took, the OCs brought in from Legolasýs
family, the incredible stakes involved, and the final, bitter-sweet
resolution that reminds us you can never really go back.

>>LOTR
>>DL14: Wizard by M. Sebasky

This fic reminds me of something Denethor said in RotK. In response to
something Pippin said, he talked about how he sent his sons to battle but
did not go himself. Gandalfýs thoughts seem to be running along similar
lines, though he has also gone to war. But heýs thinking of everyone he
brought with him, particularly Frodo, and heýs wishing that there had been
another way. Itýs an interesting experience to watch Gandalf go through a
series of regrets, and itýs handled beautifully. Denethor, Frodo, Merry,
Pippiný The list goes on, and the fact that Merry is fading during this time
is a sobering though, especially in light of what Gandalf is already
pondering. Very nice and introspective look into the White Wizard.

>>Post-WOTR
>>DPoW8: Immortal by Ainaechoiriel

Simple and sweet. I donýt think I truly understood this fic the first time I
read it, but reading it again for these awards, Iýve come to appreciate it
much more. This is a beautiful gesture on the part of a very perceptive
Pippin and Merry, and between the two of them, theyýve ensured that Legolas
will at least make it to the Undying Lands. The scene between the three of
them is terrific, but what moved me most was Arwenýs simple understanding
and compassion. She and Legolas say very little, but then, what are either
titles or words between them? Great story!

>>Post-WOTR
>>DPoW10: Paths We Trod, Wrongs We Bore by Coriel

Superb retelling of Thranduilýs past. The attack on Doriath was fast and
furious, and I love the despair and frustration he feels when he loses
Sirion, especially after having lost Doriath twice. Heýs never been able to
keep a home, and now heýs losing Greenwood, too. The weary acceptance at the
end was very well done. Great story.

>>Post-WOTR
>>DPoW11: Perchance to Dream by M. N. Theis

This story pumps out the angst and drama in spades, but the thing I like
best about it is the way it keeps the readers guessing. This story is
basically divided up in thirds, with the first third being Legolasýs, the
second Faramirýs, and the last Aragornýs. For that first third, I was
suspicious and wondered if something odd was going on, because the story was
told so very tightly from Legolasýs POV. I kept wondering if there was
something he was missing, but I didnýt guess the true ramifications until
halfway through Faramirýs third when itýs revealed just how limiting
Legolasýs POV really was. When the truth finally comes tumbling out of the
narrative, itýs accompanied by some intense revelations and a sudden surge
in the action and the drama. Itýs almost as though the story climaxes
halfway through, but as exciting and heart-wrenching as the middle is, itýs
nothing compared to the final moments of Aragornýs POV. The action and the
plot/counter-plot are gorgeous in this piece, and the characterizations are
great, particularly Arwen, who is a very grounded, practical, and
quick-thinking personality throughout the story. All in all, itýs an
intense, gripping ride from start to finish.

>>Post-WOTR
>>DPoW12: Shards of Time by AL Milton

Barahir shows some amazing insight in this tale, and Eowyn is brought to
life in a completely new light for me. I very much enjoyed his attempts to
learn more about his ýshiftingý grandmother, and I enjoyed the use of the
word ýshiftingý as it kept coming into play. Even though Eowynýs story and
the characters in this fic are sundered by time, they manage to bridge the
gap quite well, and the journey is just as much fun as the end result.

>>Post-WOTR
>>DPoW13: Sorrow Profound by Alexcat

Very moody and very profound. I shivered the idea of Elrond begging for
death when Gil-galad died, and I like how sorrow was turned inward by the
end of the story rather than outward at grief for others. Intriguing
introspection.

>>Post-WOTR
>>DPoW17: The Hunting Trip by Ithilien

Definitely one of my all-time favorite works of fanfiction. This is a
tightly-knit story that sends out no red herrings and weaves every single
minute detail into the final tapestry. Personal problems feed into the
larger problems, and solutions trickle their way down from a myriad of
different directions until they coalesce into a larger picture and readers
sit back, hit their heads, and wonder why we didnýt see it before. What I
like best about this fic is the characterization. There are six canon
characters and an encampment of OCs. None of them are overlooked. In fact,
the OCs could easily hold the story themselves. They are complete, vibrant,
believable personalities, and we are drawn into their world through details,
actions, and a very fluid narrative. The canon characters are expanded into
amazing personalities. Ithilien takes attributes and hints given in the
books and then expounds upon them for all theyýre worth, creating
well-rounded characters that shine each time they show up on a page. And
because the characters are so convincing, the drama and the action of the
story becomes that much more real and vivid. The pace takes its time getting
started, but the start is so enjoyable as our six heroes set out that I
sometimes wish it would continue to meander. But Ithilien knows what sheýs
doing, and when things get moving, the story gets very exciting very
quickly. By the end, itýs an amazing race to the finish, and I had to stop
myself from jumping ahead to find out how it all finishes. And Ithilien ties
up all the loose ends, putting a very satisfying conclusion on a very well
told story.

>>Pre-WOTR
>>DPrW1: A Family Trait by Marnie

Itýs a short little fic, but somehow it manages to give me chills. The idea
of Elladan and Elrohir growing up to become like Celebrimbor is an idea I
really donýt like, and the unease on the part of Celeborn and Celebrýan
seems to indicate that my view are shared. Somewhat unnerving piece of
fiction, despite its relatively innocent narrative. Nice contrast in moods.

>>Pre-WOTR
>>DPrW2: All These Wore Wings by fileg

Thereýs one line in this story that I just have to share, and thatýs this
one: ýstill a dreamer but never deceived by his dreams.ý Itýs what Boromir
glimpses of Faramirýs future, and I find it very moving and appropriate.
Faramir never was deceived, and it showed in his war within Ithilien, but he
still dreamed, making him a very unique character. The parallel between
Faramir and Tuor was not one I would have drawn, but I think it works, and
makes for a rather unnerving comparison.

>>Pre-WOTR
>>DPrW5: Games of Innocence by Cirdan

That was a surprisingly disturbing story, and I think the innocence of the
twins made it all the worse. They hunt Teleri while their parents assume
they hunt Orcs, and then that last game of Elrond and Elrosý I was
disturbed. Thereýs something fundamentally wrong in seeing the horrors of
the First Age and Second Age acted out by children. Very eerie tale.

>>Pre-WOTR
>>DPrW6: Leaf and Branch by JastaElf

In terms of dramatic content, I think JastaElfýs alternate story Dark Leaf
dwarfs this one, but this is still a great piece of fiction. It jumps
immediately into the action with Elrond searching frantically for a very
young Legolas, and I love the immediacy and urgency conveyed. Itýs a great
pace to start off the story. Legolasýs defiance of the Orcs at such a young
age spoke volumes on the elf he will eventually become. The introduction of
a Nazgýl is a chilling development, and the Nazgýl is portrayed very well.
Dark, ominous, and frighteningly intelligent. Still, he should know better
than to take Thranduil at face value. I absolutely love Thranduil in this
fic, portrayed as shrewd and stalwart with an overwhelming need to see his
son safe and sound. Great story with both action and drama, and I aware
bonus points for using the word ýrivený at one point in the tale. Thatýs a
great word and definitely needs to be used more.

>>Pre-WOTR
>>DPrW7: Promises to Keep by JastaElf

There ought to be more stories like this. I love glimpses of Thranduil and
young Legolas, especially in the hands of an author so gifted as JastaElf. I
love the long look at Thranduil that we get in the beginning of the story
before Legolas is added to the action, and later Brethilas. Heart-warming,
bittersweet tale, especially for Thranduilýs part, and I very much enjoyed
it.

>>Pre-WOTR
>>DPrW8: Small Soldiers by Cori Lannam

I really liked this story, which is odd because I donýt normally like young
Boromir and young Faramir. But this story is different. You can see inklings
of their adult personalities in these younger versions, and stern Denethor
reveals that he does indeed have a softer side. Boromirýs need to be adult
and show authority was great, and his surrender to comfort in the end was
heart-warming, though his vow even as he did so sent chills down my spine. I
could see the Ring twisting that promise into a need to protect Gondor
regardless of Elrondýs council. Faramirýs recovery from his motherýs death
was much like his recovery from Denethorýs death in RotK. Great echoes of
the future in a story of the past.

>>D1: A Flood, A Fall, A Finale, A Fever by Pearl Took

Fascinating ride. Iýve never read a fic quite like this, and I very much
enjoyed it. And yes, it was eerily reminiscent of Stephen King, though I
consider this better written than anything King puts out. I kept looking to
see if the new sequence would be the one that explained the rest of them,
but it never really did, though there were many clues and hints dropped
along the way. The fact that each one started out with roughly the same line
gave an unnerving, surreal feel, and built the tension quite nicely. Very
unique and very different story.

>>D5: Magpies and Rhymes by Acacea

Chilling and foreboding. I loved the use of a childrenýs rhyme, and I
enjoyed seeing Denethor and Faramir together and not at one anotherýs
throats. Itýs a moment when they can both agree on something. Unfortunately,
that something is not particularly pleasant. No matter what, it seems
theyýll always be marred.

>>D7: Quiet by Archet

Broody and moving little piece of introspection. I like the repetition of
the word ýquietý and how it seems to draw everything together. I imagine
that Faramirýs mind is a very quiet place, especially at times like this.

>>D8: Standards by Dwimordene

I love character studies, especially when they get into culture and
politics. Arwen and Gilraen are both characters for whom culture and
politics play a large role, and placing these two together and having them
create a standard/shroud for Aragorn as a gift to a bride-groom was
inspired. I love Arwenýs almost clumsy attempts to embrace Dýnedain culture.
She doesnýt truly understand it yet, though by the end, sheýll probably
understand it all too well. Itýs something of a heart breaker, especially
given what we know will ultimately happen to Arwen. Gilraen makes the most
of her appearance by showing a keen mind but also a weary heart. Characters
only mentioned (such as Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, and Aragorn) are
surprisingly complete in this fic, despite their absence, which is the mark
of an extremely talented writer.

>>D15: To Sing of War by Avon

This story is written in prose, but it has a very poetic feel to it. I love
the way Thranduilýs view on war is expressed, and I love how his experiences
are brought forward to support this view. Thranduil has indeed lived war,
and Avon shows us that. I think the question from the trees of ýWhere are
the restý and the rejoinder of ýThere are no restý was what really got to me
in the end. Beautiful and tragic little tale.

>>D17: Whispers by Ellbee

Whoa. Creepy. A wonderful look at seduction and temptation inching their way
into Aragornýs thoughts. I really appreciate how he had dismissed the Ring
initially but was too wise to do so now. Very chilling.

----------------------------------
AUTHORS
----------------------------------

>>Drabble
>>DDA2: Lindelea

Lindelea has some terrific long stories, but her drabbles are amazing, too.
She knows exactly how to strike an emotional chord with the audience, and
she knows just what words will get the most from her readers. She brings
home whatever message is contained within the drabble through the use of
repetition. Sometimes itýs a literal repetition of words, and at other times
itýs a more subtle repetition of ideas and thoughts. Either way, it works.
Lindelea is an amazing drama drabble writer.

>>DA10: bryn_bnw

Most people familiar with Bryn are familiar with her humorous works. And
those are good, there can be no doubt about that. But the dark story of
ýmarinus stiriaý is a world above and apart from the more light-hearted
fics. Certain chapters of ýOut of the Frying Paný hinted that Bryn could be
an excellent drama and angst writer, but I was completely blown away by this
story as it progressed. This is wonderful drama and angst, balanced by
careful insertions of humor that hark back to the lighter tales but never
overwhelm the sheer pathos in this story. One of the things that impresses
me most is Brynýs ability to create atmosphere and to use the environment to
enhance the story. The fact that Aragorn and Legolas come to blows during a
raging thunderstorm might seem clichý, but only to those who have not read
the scene. It fits perfectly, and there is no sense whatsoever that this
thunderstorm is in any way ýclichý.ý The quiet fields of Rohan outside
Aglarond where Gimli and Legolas sit and talk is another example of Brynýs
ability in this area. The meeting place becomes a place of compromise where
Legolas and Gimli both feel comfortable and where they can talk without fear
of interruption. Little touches like scenery and weather add volumes to this
story, and Brynýs drama is driven as much by the characters as it is by the
setting.

>>DA17: Dwimordene

Dwimordeneýs writing style is perfectly suited for drama. She has a talent
for getting into a characterýs psyche and examining situations from all
angles. When those situations turn problematic and multiple characters start
interacting, the drama takes on new dimensions. It becomes a political game,
a personal obstacle, and a family dispute. Character introspection seems to
play an important part in whatever situation Dwimordene has concocted for
her characters, and she is careful to make these moments of reflection
pertinent to the story and intriguing for readers. Itýs easy for some
writers to become bogged down by introspective details, but Dwimordene
neatly avoids that trap by transforming introspection into an extension of
dialogue. Her characters essentially speak to themselves. Not with thoughts
in italics or anything like that, but the structure of the narrative is such
that it feels as though the introspection is a long conversation. And as
Dwimordene excels at conversation (some of the most impressive dialogue can
be seen in her stories involving Faramir) the introspection becomes a thing
of great interest and plays very well into the dramatic atmosphere that
already characterizes her stories.

>>DA22: Etharei

Etharei is able to take characters who donýt normally go together and give
them new life as they form new relationships. It adds an entirely different
level of complexity to a drama fic, and a very welcome one at that.
Ethareiýs story has its share of hurt/comfort, drama, angst, action, and
mystery, but the main conflict is augmented by the fact that characters
unused to working together are suddenly forced into situations where they
must rely upon each other. As if that wasnýt complex enough, Etharei also
enhances Tolkienýs characters, the most obvious example being her
characterization of Gimli who is suddenly beset with dreams. So the
characters are fighting themselves (which is not unusual in a drama fic, but
Etharie makes it count here), theyýre struggling to work with one another
(again, not entirely unusual, but it gets a lot of focus in this fic), and
theyýre also attempting to find out what is happening to those who have
disappeared. Even those who have disappeared are trying to figure out what
happened to themselves. All three levels receive focus, and all three play
into the storyýs greater picture, making for a very rich and very detailed
drama. My hat goes off to Etharei for pulling all this together and also for
keeping careful track of the various threads within the story. Those of you
who have read this amazing fic will know that keeping everything straight is
no simple task.

>>DA27: Ithilien

Ithilien is one of my favorite authors in both the LotR fandom and other
fandoms around the Internet. She shows amazing abilities at ensemble
characterization in which the POV is shared by several different people, and
she is equally gifted when telling a story from a single viewpoint. She
firmly grounds readers in her characters, giving them a chance to get to
know the heroes and villains of the story, and then she swings the drama
into place. Itýs a very effective writing tool, and as readers, we become
completely embroiled in the story, unable to leave it. One of the things
that Ithilien does best are moments of disorientation. That sounds odd, but
itýs true. Not many authors can pull off a convincing and disorienting
dream-like sequence, but Ithilien excels at it. Itýs a difficult task,
especially since Ithilien so carefully stays within the bounds of her
characterýs POV. The narrative and story must move forward, but coherency
has to be sacrificed because the character is confused or adrift. Ithilien
strikes a delicate balance between the two and then walks a grueling
tightrope to the other side, guiding the reader through the disorientation
but letting us experience enough of it to feed into the storyýs drama. And
then there are Ithilienýs other and many talents, such as her ability for
heart-stopping action, cruel cliff hangers, humor, insightful romance, and a
host of other things that I could spend an entire day ticking off. A very
gifted and very well-rounded author.

>>DA28: JastaElf

JastElf conveys a sense of movement within her stories. I really donýt know
if I can explain it any better than that because Iým not sure I understand
it myself. But whenever I read her stories, it feels as though things are
constantly moving. Even when the characters are just talking to one another
or sitting around reflectively, something always seems to be happening. I
suspect itýs the narrative that does this, because the words sweep the
reader along with a steady flow of images and ideas. And this flow never
stops, though it does ebb and swell from time to time, and that seems to be
JastaElfýs best way of increasing tension and drama. I donýt know of any
other author who operates in quite this way, which makes all of Jastaýs
stories unique, refreshing, and very enjoyable. Drama can be difficult to
write because it so often becomes stagnant if drawn out, but because
JastaElf has such a moving narrative, drama is always exciting and new in
her fics.

>>DA37: M. N. Theis

I would actually say that M. N. Theis writes angst more than she writes
drama, but however you want to interpret it, the stories mentioned here are
dark, gripping, and incapable of being put aside once theyýre begun. Much of
the storiesý focus and drive comes from character introspection,
particularly the story ýPerchance to Dream.ý And as a huge fan of character
introspection myself, I love it. I love the depth this gives us and the
understanding of their ultimate decisions, actions, and motivations. Maggie
also does action very well, and by keeping it in the limited POV, battle
scenes become intense, focused, and bewildering. I can only imagine what
kind of planning and preparation go into these fics, because they are woven
as seamless arcs from beginning to end. Great narrative, great dialogue, and
great ability to incorporate both book and movie verse.

>>DA44: Pearl Took

Pearl Took is very gifted when it comes to hobbits, and even more gifted
when it comes to narratives. She posses an amazing ability to stop and start
the pace of a story at will, and when it happens, it feels completely
natural. Itýs a wonderful way to heighten tension and play with a readerýs
emotions, and itýs an even better to play up and draw out the drama of a
situation. She has a wonderful feel for what different characters sound
like, and when the narrative turns to introspection, the ambling paths of
the mind become a fascinating and occasionally frightening journey.

>>DA55: Zimraphel

Zimraphel has a unique ability to burrow into the characterýs minds, root
out their true thoughts, and then bring them to the surface. But itýs done
subtly enough that their outward personalities, occasionally a shield
against grief or pain, remain firmly in place. The result is a fantastic
characterization blend that incorporates nearly all the attributes of the
characters in question. Then Zimraphel adds in a touch of beautiful,
heart-wrenching angst and the end result is stunning. We come to know the
characters well enough that their drama is also our drama, and when they are
hurt, we are hurt right along with them.

------------------------------------

Ta-da! Um...yeah, I guess that was a little long. Sorry about that!

Thundera

_________________________________________________________________
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Drama is a big category. I thought I'd get some of it out of the way....

Given the length of the category, and some of the stories in it, I had to
modify some of my ff.net reviews for the stories I'd read a long while ago.
Sorry, I couldn't be more original, folks. The memory is not what it used
to be.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ainaechoiriel [mailto:mefaadmin@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 12:36 PM
To: MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MEFAwards] Drama--Official Voting Ballot



Drama

Official Voting Ballot




Drabble

DD2: Dernhelm's Ride by Lindelea

Interesting, and quit grim, as suits her at that time, I think.



Drabble

DD5: Fear! Fire! Foes! by Marta

Fatty is often forgotten for the unsung hero that he is. He held the fort,
allowing the others to get away. And he suffered for it in the end.



Drabble

DD7: Sundered by Oakenshield

Touching and poignant. His decision must have been a hard one. This set of
drabbles pulls that out and the remembrance of the brother at the end is a
very nice touch.



Drabble

DD8: The Call by Alexcat

Ooh, I don't think we hear from *that* POV very often. Very intriguing.



Drabble

DD9: The Silent Street by Lindelea

Ah, what a tough positioin Beregond was in. Truly he had to slay friends to
save Faramir. That is understated in LOTR, I think.



Drabble

DD10: The Steward and the King by Marta

A nice insight into a possible childhood moment for Boromir and a memory for
Aragorn.


Gap-filler

DG2: Cry of the Gull by Ithilien

This was one of the first LOTR fanfics I ever read. And it got me started
reading WIPs. Grr... But it was that good. It hooked me. I think these
"missing" scenes are my favorite type of LOTR fanfic. The characterizations
were really well. They felt like themselves. I liked Gimli's and Legolas's
interaction and I think Ithilien hit on Aragorn's weight (of duty) really
well. She wrote of the sea-longing beautifully and I really liked the end
where Legolas sang, and that way shared a bit of the music of with Aragorn.


Gap-filler

DG3: Father and Sons by Dwimordene

My memory doesn't do this justice, but there's not enough time to read it
again. This was, I believe the first completed story of Dwimordene's that I
read and I think it captured this family very well. There is dysfunction in
this family and that's something some people can't write without falling
into extremes, such as child abuse. Dwim doesn't go there, but she does
show the dysfunction, the weight Faramir must have lived with, and still the
love between the brothers. Using Gandalf for an external POV (I think I
remember she did) was also good, as sometimes it takes someone outside such
a family to see the truth without the filters dysfunction puts on our eyes
and ears. Denethor here was not a vile villain, but a lost father, too far
gone to shadow to see his errant ways.



Gap-filler

DG4: The Fire Sermon by Altariel

I really enjoyed this. Altariel covered the romance but didn't make it
heavy-handed, which I very much appreciate. Here characterization of Faramir
was great, and I felt his grief at learning that his father died (and thus
his whole family) and even more that his father only loved him there at the
end when he should have loved him his whole life. Faramir a wonderful tragic
character, Faramir, I mean. A hero with a heart broken so many times over
and yet it stays strong. This story really brought that out.


LOTR

DL3: Bitter as Blood by Shadow975

This is a wonderful, incredible vignette. Shadow975 captured that moment
when Boromir picked up the ring and gave us his thoughts and feelings so
well, and poetically. This is beautifully written.

Post-WOTR

DPoW11: Perchance to Dream by M. N. Theis

I am so glad I did not read this as a WIP. Seeing as I read the bulk of it
over three days, it was quite intense and compelling, as evidenced by my
doing something very dangerous to read it. Read and drive at the same time.
Be thankful for my very good peripheral vision. This was masterfully
crafted. A very complex plot, well-done combat scenes, believable OC's, no
thread ignored, the attention in three parts to only one character each.
And it was absolutely the best, most horrible long death scene(s) I've ever
read. And being only half-way through the story, I would have died of
vexation had I had to wait to find out that it wasn't as it seemed. As it
was I had to spoil ahead just to know I could put the story down for the
night and not be crying at work when I read it the next day. Oh, and
Pippin's song! So perfect! Bravo!


Post-WOTR

DPoW17: The Hunting Trip by Ithilien

Ithilien started me with WIPs, and she's one of the last WIPs I've been
readering. And this story is a good reason why. It's painful waiting for
the next chapter, wondering if, finally, the story will turn and give the
good guys a break. So many real human (and Elvish) emotions and situations
played out in this story, and even the more "paranormal" events were handled
with a sense of reality. All of the familiar characters felt right, but in a
more modern way of presenting them, close-in, emotional, thoughtful. And
angsty as all get out!


Post-WOTR

DPoW18: The Last Grey Ship by ErinRua

This is a wonderful story, beautifully written. What more can I say? The
heavier emotions are there, sadness and grief, but even the comedy is
brilliant. Laughter through tears is one of the best things a story can
bring out in a reader, I think.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW4: E cared haniant tîn mîl by PuterPatty

This is beautiful. I actually cried a few tears when I first read it and the
song at the end really sealed that deal. And then I cried the first time I
heard the song on the radio. The characterizations were very good and I
loved the relationship between Legolas and each of his parents, and of
course between Thranduil and his wife. Legolas's letter is just like him--as
I like to think of him. Light and yet not unaware of the darkness. A little
humorous, but noble and wise throughout.


Pre-WOTR

DPrW6: Leaf and Branch by JastaElf

Wonderful story! I really enjoyed this, more than I thought I would at the
start. This was my first of Jasta's stories and I ended up just adoring it.
I read the last three chapters on my PDA while shopping with my sister. I
waited in line behind her reading the Epilogue and refused to move over to
another line with no waiting just so I could finish it. A smile was
plastered on my face the whole time. This was a wonderful debut! And the
darker "what if..." fic to this is great, too, though I'm dying for another
chapter.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW8: Small Soldiers by Cori Lannam

An endearing little tale of Faramir and Boromir on the day their mother
dies.


D9: Suffering Unending by Zam Kenobi

Good story. Very good. And a wonderful, bittersweet message. Zam touched on
a lot in a very short amount of words.


This category ends October 15th at 11:59pm Central US time.

--Ainaechoiriel
MEFA Admin and Founder

"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves," Elrond said, "for
it is Windows-compatible, and freeware at that." --H.F.

<http://home.earthlink.net/~ainae/mefa> http://gabrielle.sytes.net/mefa The
Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards
Blog: <http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com/>
http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com





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Drama

Official Voting Ballot




Drama- mefas



Drabble

DD1: Alone by Oakenshield
Beautiful and sadý as the story of Arwen and Aragorn must be in the end.



Drabble

DD4: Fealty and Service by Marta
A look at the father and son that is surprising to say the least.



Drabble

DD6: Lament To Lorien by Naresha
A love sad series of drabbles that lament the death of Haldir. I found them haunting and well written.



Drabble

DD7: Sundered by Oakenshield
Another sad one by Oaksý one of the saddest tales in Tolkiený the sundering of Elrond and Elros. Very well done in a set of drabbles.



Drabble

DD10: The Steward and the King by Marta
Foreshadowing the future in a haunting little drabble.



LOTR

DL5: Final Flight by Trinity Helix
This is another of those that make me cry. Centering on the thoughts of Haldir as he comes to Helmýs Deep and dies there but it is not a hopeless story. Indeed, its theme seems to be hopeý hope for middle earth, hope for the future beyond.



Post-WOTR

DPoW15: Strawberries by Khylea
This was sweet and so Sam like in its telling. It was a loving and sweet tale of friendship and devotion. Made me want to taste a strawberry too.



Post-WOTR

DPoW16: Sunset by Khylea
Lovely story about the sacrifices of those who die for the freedom of others. A fitting story for a Memorial Day challenge.



Post-WOTR

DPoW19: The Mantle Of Power by Marnie

This one is sadý but not. The elves have gone but for Celeborn, Glorfindel and the twins. And Celeborn comes to Imladris. And interesting look at the aftermathý and yet we are left wondering.



Post-WOTR

DPoW20: Trees of Remembrance by jenolas
Another tearful story, it spans from Eldarionýs childhood to his old age and even though it seems to dwell on loss and sorrow, it really is about what the name suggestsý remembrance. A lovely story.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW1: A Family Trait by Marnie

I smiled when I read this one even before I read the endnotesý elves and metal and jewel work did not result in positive resultsý but the twins were pleased none the less. A sweet story with a little bite.



Romance

DR1: Forbidden Fruit by Eresse
Like all of Eresseýs work, this is well written though really sadý the tale of unrequited love. She has a real affection and feeling for the characters and establishes a wonderful relationship between them all.





Romance

DR2: Gwador: Sorrow's First Dawning by Eresse
Another lovely tale in the Greenleaf and Imladris series. Eresse deals with the death of Legolasý mother in a tension filled story that showcases the kindness of the elves of Rivendell in taking Legolas to help in his healing. We see tiny hints of things to come in Elladanýs concern for Elrohir. Well done and flows wellý you get drawn into this universe quickly.



Romance

DR3: Heart's Brother by Eresse
This little short piece is nice.. a picnic and Gandalf is very observant! Elrohir keeps his secret well so far.



Romance

DR4: Heartsong by Trinity Helix

Lovely lyrical little tale of friendship, perhaps more. I found it pleasant to readý but one always has the fate of Gondolin and Glorfindel and Ecthelion in the back of your mind when you read of that time.



Romance

DR6: In The Silence Of Our Hearts by Eresse

This is such a sweet interlude in the story of Legolas and Elrohir. I love the nosiness of the twins and the pride of the Erestor and Glorfindel. I love the fact that Erestor never made it easy for Glor even after he knew! More good reading!



Romance

DR7: Into Temptation by Eresse

I love this oneý Poor Elrohir is so cute in his fear and disgust with himself and being terribly afraid of storms myself, I surely understand poor Legolas!







Official Keeper of Yorgi's Hard Drive, Nick Maitland's Hands
and the Soldier's Hat.
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LOTR_Adult_Fiction
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ofelvesandmenSLASH
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alexs_story_book
http://www.journalfen.net/users/alexcat

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Drama



Official Voting Ballot



Authors:



Drabble

DDA4: Marta

Fealty and Service, Fear! Fire! Foes!, The Steward and the King
Marta is in her element with drama and drabbles. They do seem to her specialty and she addresses them well.



Drabble

DDA5: Naresha

Lament To Lorien
Naresha does a wonderful sad drabble and this series is one of her best.



Drabble

DDA6: Oakenshield

Sundered
Oakýs dramatic style fits the drabble and category well. She writer serious fiction with a wistful sadness.





DA20: Eresse

Forbidden Fruit, Gwador: Sorrow's First Dawning, Heart's Brother, In The
Silence Of Our Hearts, Into Temptation
Eresseýs dramatic books in her Greenleaf and Imladris series are as always well done and sad without being over dramatic and maudlin.



DA29: jenolas

Trees of Remembrance



Jenolas has a wonderfully sad little dramatic piece with this one. A person would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved.



DA31: Khylea

Strawberries, Sunset

Khylea writes dramatic fiction as well as she does lighthearted romance. She finds a word or sentence and makes a story from and does an excellent job.



DA39: Marnie

Between Two Worlds, The Mantle Of Power, A Family Trait

Marnie has a flair for drama without becoming overly sentimental. I find all her work a joy to read.



DA52: Trinity Helix

Final Flight, Heartsong

Drmatic tearful events are portrayed well in these short little fics. Trinity has a nice style without a lot of extra wording too.










Official Keeper of Yorgi's Hard Drive, Nick Maitland's Hands
and the Soldier's Hat.
http://www.ofelvesandmen.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LOTR_Adult_Fiction
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ofelvesandmenSLASH
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alexs_story_book
http://www.journalfen.net/users/alexcat

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Oh dear.

I read plenty and have some notes for reviews, but time to transform
them into something resembling actual sentences? Haha. Busy cleaning
apartment, see you around at Amnesty Day. I'll review the Drabbles
now to justify that I'm still on the member list.

One question: in the author sub-category, Oakenshield is only listed
as author of one drabble (could have been Sundered, I'm not sure),
but there are two: Alone and Sundered. Is that done on purpose or a
mistake?

Oh, and: Dragons, by Lindariel? I couldn't read it. Bad link.

> Drama
>
> Official Voting Ballot
>

> Drabble
>
> DD1: Alone by Oakenshield

This drabble is all that I fear in Tolkien writing and fanfic: both
captivating and sad. Excellent writing. Every thing about it just
works for me: the way the sentence structure is repeated intensifies
it; it stresses in how many different ways Arwen made a sacrifice for
her love and needs Aragorn without appearing boring or too
repetitive. Some of the effects of Arwen's decision, like her being
alone and having lost her family, turn up in plenty of fanfics,
other's I haven't read or imagined like this before: the way the loss
of magic must have pained Arwen, or that loosing her immortality must
have brought to her the feeling of running out of time, something an
Elf hardly ever has to deal with. Both new and old aspects are made
so vivid and urgent.

The drabble also creates a sense of foreboding: While describing how
important Aragorn was to Arwen, the „he had" already indicates that
now he is gone, and with him all the protection against pain and fear
and dispair he could give to Arwen. The last sentence confirms this,
and that Arwen's reaction isn't described creates a kind of suction
to try and imagine what it must be like.

> DD2: Dernhelm's Ride by Lindelea

I like the way the name "Dernhelm" is used instead of Eowyn: it gives
some kind of reality to the person she assumes, as if he was a real
person (and maybe he was, but I don't think so), given some substance
by Eowyn's longing to be somebody who can ride to war without being
sent back. That all of Dernhelm's equipment come from dead men
gives "him" a kind of creepy touch. This is enhanced by the way the
subject of being dead turns up in different ways: Aragorn on the
Paths of the Dead, and Eowyn feeling as if she was dead.

I also love Eowyn's disdain for the women's work she is expected to
do – this disdain seems to be the most alive thing about her at that
moment – and I think that line about the dogs playing with the brats
alludes to something Gandalf said about the way Eowyn watched the
dignity of the Edoras sink – wonderfully cleverly done!

> DD7: Sundered by Oakenshield

Another sad, yet beautiful drabble. The repetition of lines and
patterns as well as the way those patterns are changed make a
perfectly balanced mix of contrast and similarity. A similarly good
balance is in the way not only death but also Elrond's sacrifice are
stressed, and those sacrifices appear no less sad then death. The
last line about working for a world but never seeing it brings that
home.

> DD8: The Call by Alexcat

Little used characters are such a joy to read about, and I'm
impressed about how well the point of view of a semi-animate object
comes alive here. Interesting new twist, and I especially like the
eery line about metal and men and elves passing, in contrast to
power.

> DD9: The Silent Street by Lindelea

This drabble is fantastic in so many different ways: It centers on an
underused, but very deserving character, picks one of the most
drastic situations Beregond is going through, and manages to capture
it in the limitations of hundred word count.

I'm amazed about how perfect a job Lindelea did on showing the
torment it must have been for Beregond to fight against his comrades
and friends, wounding and even killing them, without making it feel
too soppy. Inventing a relative among his foes (at least I think that
this wasn't part of book-canon) stresses this even more, though it
wouldn't have been neccessary IMO – it's almost a bit too much for
me; the situation is tragic enough without it.

The way the different, clashing motivations and inputs are depicted
is cleverly done and works wondeful to me to make the situation come
to life: Denethor calling for Beregond to be killed, the death he
has to cause and his own horror at this, being called a traitor, and
fearing for the life of his captain. Another excellent element is the
repetition of the first line in the end: this works great to stress
how caught up in the situation Beregond is, how all his pain and
aversion neither help him out of it nor change his mind.

This is all that a drabble should be: it concentrates a situation, a
character and emotions into hundred words and makes me wish it was
much longer to read.

> DD10: The Steward and the King by Marta
>

Very lovely, clever, expressive situation, though the tears were a
bit over the top for me. Both Bormorin and Thorongil/Aragorn are
sweet, and great way to show how very much Boromir grew up with the
threat of orcs and dark realms, how it has formed his life from the
beginning.

-----Original Message-----
From: fourth_moon [mailto:new_moon@gmx.net]
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 9:02 PM
To: MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MEFAwards] Re: Drama--Official Voting Ballot

>One question: in the author sub-category, Oakenshield is only listed as

author of one drabble (could have been Sundered, I'm not sure), but there
are two: Alone and Sundered. Is that done on purpose or a mistake?

That's on purpose. Only one nomination per author per category. So if an
author wrote 5 stories and they're all in the same category/subcategory,
there's still only one nomination.

Oh, but if under Oakensheild's name has only one drabble listed, that is a
mistake. But it's just a little one. The titles are there just to job
memories so you can associate authors with stories you've read.

>Oh, and: Dragons, by Lindariel? I couldn't read it. Bad link.

Lindoriel, I've heard, has removed her stories from the internet. They were
not taken out of the awards, however, because some members may already have
read them and are thus prepared to comment.

--Ainaechoiriel
MEFA Admin and Founder

"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves," Elrond said, "for
it is Windows-compatible, and freeware at that." --H.F.

http://gabrielle.sytes.net/mefa The Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards
Blog: http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com

Alas that I must save the rest for Amnesty Day! So, mostly just authors in
this one, but one story.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ainaechoiriel [mailto:mefaadmin@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 12:36 PM
To: MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MEFAwards] Drama--Official Voting Ballot




Drama

Official Voting Ballot


D15: To Sing of War by Avon

I had read this one before, but it is worthy of rereading. It captures
Thranduil very well, what he must have gone through. I, too, liked the
imagery of the trees asking where the others were, and the answer: "There
are no rest." Beautiful, tragic, bloody, poignant. War, indeed.

AUTHORS (remember to comment on the writer as regards to the category, not
the story, here):



Drabble

DDA1: Alexcat

Alexcat did a good job of capturing the Ring's POV. The drabble format
worked well for it, I think.



Drabble

DDA2: Lindelea

Lindelea can really do a lot in such a short format. She puts a feeling
into her drabbles, just one, and fills it out.


Drabble

DDA6: Oakenshield

Oakenshield picked up on a lesser-known character and in just 200 words,
helped us see why he made his choice and how it might have felt to do so.


Poetry

DPA2: Chathol-linn

Chathol-linn has a gift for poetry. I would envy here, but my first love is
in stories, though I have been inspired with poems now and then. I do like
the rhyming ones best, but am astounded at times how easy it seems she came
by those rhymes. Easy in reading, of course, they may have been hard in the
writing. The result doesn't show the struggle, just a nicely polished
result.



DA2: Adara\BoromirFan (Carol Kyser)

Adara took a character we barely got to see in the books and also the films
and gave him some life. Or death. Either way, she did a good job with that,
not letting it go so far as sappiness, but getting the feelings just right.


DA9: Avon

Avon tried something I don't think I'd be brave enough to try, though now it
intrigues me to may be give it a go: a story with only one sense. It
constricts the writer, but also the reader. I felt blind reading her story
and I wonder if I could make a reader feel deaf.... And To Sing of War?
Beautifully done, poetic and yet showing the horrors of war as one being
might have witnessed it. Thranduil. Well done.


DA14: Cori Lannam

Cori does a good job of characterization for Denethor before the palantir
drove him to madness. She portray's his sons well, too.


DA17: Dwimordene

Dwimordene has a wonderful grasp of the Steward's family characterizations,
and she really knows how to tell a tale well. Very well. I can't help but
think her philosophy education flavors her writing and syntax. And in a
good way. She can hold the drama throughout, make you laugh or cry when
necessary and let you really feel like you know those characters. She
brings us closer, in most cases, than Tolkien did, as he told his story from
more of a distance. Dwim brings us right it so that we can see the dust on
the fireplace mantle. And she's not limited to the Stewards's family. I
know from other stories she can write Legolas and Elves well, and here she
wrote Arwen better perhaps than I've ever seen her written before. Even for
Tolkien. He didn't write much of her. Dwim filled her out, put flesh on
her bones, gave her a soul, distinctly Elven yet mortal by decision.

DA21: ErinRua

ErinRua did a wonderful job with Ashes, East Winds, and Hope that Rises. And
just where did she get that title, I wonder. I love it. Her
characterizations were wonderful, she stuck very close to the book and moved
the plot along at a good pace, not to slow and not too fast. And
wonderfully Tolkienesque, too!


DA24: Gonzai

Gonzai is a wonderful artist and a great writer. She really has a grasp for
characters and really cares to get them right. She puts her passion into
her stories and her love for the Hobbits shows. I've known her since before
she wrote her first fanfic (I think) and she does a wonderful job. And
really, you should see her artwork!



DA27: Ithilien

Ithilien wrote the stories that got me hooked. On WIPs. You evil author,
you! Fortunately, or unfortunately--depends how you look at it--I am behind
enough in completed stories that I don't have to start reading anymore WIPs!
But she was definitely worth the anxiety waiting for her next chapter to be
posted. Evil, evil author!


DA28: JastaElf

Jasta is another of the authors that earned a metaphorical review from me.
She writes antique jewelry. Don't ask me how my mind comes up with these.
It just does. And to my mind, that's really the best way to describe her
writing. She's gripping, both in her lighter stories, and her very dark
ones. Very dark. She has a lovely style, very descriptive and it gets into
the hearts of the characters. And her original characters are some of the
most vividly drawn OC's in LOTR fanfic, I think. Saeros, is especially
wonderful.


DA37: M. N. Theis

Maggie has a masterful talent as a storyteller, and a story dreamer. It's
one thing to tell a tale and another to create it and tell it. I like to
think of myself as someone who has well-tortured her characters from time to
time, but Maggie goes to lengths I'm not sure I could even dream of. I
don't think I can think of any other author who can so lengthily drag out
the most torturous angst out of a story, and spread it around to all the
characters. I nearly complained that it should be illegal to carry a reader
on so, dragging out the torment. I mean, for heaven's sake, I was reading in
my car! While driving 60 mph! Then I remembered my own advice authors:
Don't be afraid to be evil. Maggie, my dear, you are truly, truly evil!



DA38: M. Sebasky

M. Sebesky portrayed Gandalf very well, not as a two-dimensional demi-god,
but as a person, wizard though he may be, with cares and worries and
regrets. Beautifully done.

DA45: Pervinca

Pervinca caught hold of Legolas's characterization very well, and how he
would perceive Gimli, too. And the Hobbits. She looked at mortality through
an immortal's eye and showed how he adapted. Good job!


DA46: PuterPatty

PuterPatty took a beautiful song and wrote a story to match. I'm not usually
one for songfic, but this one had the song at the end. Much better than
sprinkled throughout. She didn't let the song distract from the story.
Instead she wrote the story to fit the song.


DA47: runningscared

I do love a good novel, but sometimes it's the short stories that amaze me.
They are different animals, one no better than the other. A short story, in
the hands of a gifted author can touch the reader in so short a span of
pages. Runningscared is one such author. Well done!


DA48: Shadow975

I don't think I've read many stories by Shadow975, but every time I read one
of hers, I am touched or moved in some way. She writes low-key but poignant
and brings us into the characters in a wonderful way.


DA54: Zam Kenobi

Zam did a wonderful job portraying the sorrow that could lead to suicide and
the sorrow that follows it. It may be AU but it is still wonderfully
written.



This category ends October 15th at 11:59pm Central US time.

--Ainaechoiriel
MEFA Admin and Founder

"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves," Elrond said, "for
it is Windows-compatible, and freeware at that." --H.F.

<http://home.earthlink.net/~ainae/mefa> http://gabrielle.sytes.net/mefa The
Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards
Blog: <http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com/>
http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com





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-----Original Message-----
From: Ainaechoiriel [mailto:mefaadmin@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 12:36 PM
To: MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MEFAwards] Drama--Official Voting Ballot




Drama

Official Voting Ballot





Gap-filler

DG1: A Silence Covered in Stone by Zimraphel

I have read this one before and my memory is, again, lacking. Suffice it to
say that this story offers a chilling view of what may have become of King
Eanur.



Incomplete

DI6: Marinus Stiria by bryn_bnw

A disturbing story of what might happen should a Silmaril wash up on shore,
setting friend against friend. Oh, and Morgoth's trying to get back into
Middle-Earth. I like that Legolas tries to do the right thing, but I'm
afraid that the story has left off at a bad point. Bergi! And Gimli's been
keel-hauled and Aragorn and Legolas seem to be captured. The really creepy
Corsair has the stone. Oh dear!


LOTR

DL13: Veiling of the Sun by Maggie (M. N. Theis)

For torture fic lovers, this is a wonderfully angst-filled story, in spite
of language flaws. It has a plot that catches one right from the beginning.
What if Boromir had help? I like that Legolas takes back the ring and
passes it to Sam. And from there on this plot will wring your heart over
and over and surprise it, too, as Boromir, in the end does more for Legolas
than his own brothers. It has an ambiguous ending, but one that let's you
interpret it in your own way. I chose to interpret it as a happy ending.

Pre-WOTR

DPrW2: All These Wore Wings by fileg

I don't think I'd ever thought of the similarities between Minas Tirith and
Gondolin, Idril and Eowyn. I didn't really get the part about the boats,
but I do thank Fileg for opening my mind to those similarities.



Pre-WOTR

DPrW7: Promises to Keep by JastaElf

Yet another review to fall prey to my Swiss Chese memory. I do have an
ff.net review to go by, so I know I liked this story, especially part where
Legolas is afraid all his words will fall out! JastaElf did well in
bringing out the magic in Mirkwood it as well as the danger. I like what
we've gotten to see of Brethilas, Legolas's brother from other stories.
Speaking of other stories....


D5: Magpies and Rhymes by Acacea

I honestly don't know what the magpies have to do with that rhyme. Is it
real? Or made up for this story? Anyway, I like the foreboding of the
magpies when put with the rhyme. Three for a letter, but one for sorrow.
And it was sorry in the end.




AUTHORS (remember to comment on the writer as regards to the category, not
the story, here):



DA6: Altariel

Altariel is another author whose review must suffer because of my memory. I
loved her series about Faramir, which The Fire Sermon is part of. Altariel
does a wonderful job, especially with his point of view. She's a wonderful
writer, as evidenced by her now getting paid for such work! I wish I could
say more.




DA55: Zimraphel

One more comment on Zimraphel as an author. Oh, haven't I said it all
already? I would go on and on as she deserves, but my post-MegaStress brain
hasn't been allowing me to make very well-written comments. In fact, I'm not
sure all my comments make sense. So if I was going to go on and on, I'd
want it to actually say something, something I hadn't already said. In
short, Zimraphel is a great writer, one I'm happy to have read and nominated
for these awards.





This category ends October 15th at 11:59pm Central US time.

--Ainaechoiriel
MEFA Admin and Founder

"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves," Elrond said, "for
it is Windows-compatible, and freeware at that." --H.F.

<http://home.earthlink.net/~ainae/mefa> http://gabrielle.sytes.net/mefa The
Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards
Blog: <http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com/>
http://www.ainaechoiriel.blogspot.com





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