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Amnesty day

(Votes will come now in bits and pieces as soon as I complete any vote, if
any.)

Romance

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Featuring Legolas

RmL3: Moriquendi by fan81981

(271 characters)

This is a rather long story, wherein I like especially the extensive
description of the Moriquendi culture, which for me is much more interesting
than the culture of the normal Wood-Elves. And I liked to read how Legolas
and his bride Rhinure manage to overcome their quit different upbringing and
view of life and its duties.


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


RA14: fan81981

Moriquendi

(380 characters)

In this rather long story I like especially the extensive description of the
Moriquendi culture, which for me is much more interesting than the culture
of the normal Wood-Elves. I do not underscribe the notion that Legolas could
go through without love with an arranged marriage. Thranduil only hopes that
the two will learn to love each other and commands his son to marry, while
Rhinure agrees for the well-being of her people. This is unbelievable for
me.

Hobbits
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Drabble
HobD3: Mother Gamgee by Marigold
URL: http://marigoldsredbook.crickhollow.net/fic_mothergamgee.html

Very poignant and sweetly told with lots of analogies that were well
thought out and blended seamlessly into the telling. The progression
of the four pieces works excellently, building each time to a little
more sadness – touching on Frodo's loss and then to Sam's and finally
culminating in a full circle of something the two silently share,
long before the trial of the Quest.


Drabble
HobD4: Resting Places by Marigold

No tears for the bereaved, which makes the sadness of the pieces all
the more heartfelt. How each of them deal with their losses, Frodo,
Esmeralda and Merry is keenly felt by it's very understatement and
the final circle of life and death with Bell Gamgee's grandchildren
playing near her grave is especially well done.


Drabble
HobD6: Then and Now by Marigold
URL: http://marigoldsredbook.crickhollow.net/fic_thenandnow.html

These are sweet! Pippin is generally seen as a sickly child and these
make full use of that piece of fanon. The clever twist is the take on
how this is reversed in later life in a bizarre way because of the
Quest. Each drabble deals with something earlier in Merry and
Pippin's lives that relates to a memorable moment during the war –
the orc whips, Merry being sick and then Merry watching over Pippin's
recovery.

I'm sorry - I admit defeat. I was planning to work on this and do my
voting a little at a time - but real life got in the way - as it will!

Although I worked on the Rohan section - which was exacting for me as
I'm more of a hobbit reader - I just didn't get time to check out the
rest of the nominations. Therefore I was limited to just reviewing
stories I have already, at least, looked at.

Everything I had time to read I have commented on, so if I didn't
comment on your story, I just haven't read it. I will try to do
better in future. Nevertheless, I liked the Rohan stories and will
try to read more in that area from now on.

In the meantime I have managed a few little votes and I hope that
helps.

Liza

Rohan
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(No subcategories)


Rh1: Bitter Watches of the Night by Sharpeslass
URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1691584/1/

The creepiness is enhanced by being told from Grima's pov. A skilful
gapfiller, well written with much restrained sexuality. A good
example of less is more.

Rh2: Complicated Allies by Sun Queen
URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/840622/1/

Not really racist as the narrator seems enamoured of his subjects.
Have to quote "one who would outlive the stars, and the one carved in
stone", that line made the whole story worth reading!


Rh3: Daughters of Orome by Thevina Finduilas
URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1436

Atmospheric telling with wonderful sense of time and place. Liked the
horse shaped cradles and the lullaby and many, many little touches
that bring mood and semblance to the whole. Fine use of language and
the detail is either familiar or well researched. I only skip read
this but plan to go back and give it more attention.


Rh4: For the Dark by Forodwaith
URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1571

Dark indeed and hauntingly sad, but strong images. I especially liked
the "man's braid" insult.


Rh5: Gastings Night by Dwimordene
URL: http://www.dwimordenespage.org/index.php?go=7&id=4&chapter=1

I find the Halloween scenario a little too "American" for my taste,
so nearly didn't read but am glad I did. It is brilliantly executed
with an obvious love of the subject matter and of course excellently
written.


Rh6: Keepers of the Hearth by Alawa
URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2980

First chapter made me cry – good start?


Rh8: Myth and Memory by Ainaechoiriel
URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1256706/1/

I enjoyed the perspective of this as it allows a new look at some of
the races of Middle-earth in particular the elves. The OC's were well
observed too.

Rh9: Namesake by Ainaechoiriel
URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1359677/1/

This works well as a war memorial piece – reminded me a little
of "After Blenheim" a thought-provoking war poem. A subject always
worth stopping and thinking about.


Rh10: Promises to Keep by Nessime
URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1789

Intriguing to hear the famous Rohan meeting from this point of view.
Nicely done.

Adventure
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A10: The Rebel by Lindelea


Fredegar Bolger in this story is one of Lindelea's best-written
characters. He is multi-dimensional, and the background she gives us
in this story really makes the reader sympathetic to this often
overlooked character. The forced march through the Shire is also very
vivid, and very realistically done.


AUTHORS

AA8: Lindelea
The Rebel

Lindelea is a very prolific author, with a very defined universe, and
it is quite well done how she matches the action in every story, all
the while staying true to her universe. She writes her hobbits
differently than I write mine, but clearly loves and understands
them. I also appreciate that her stories tend to be long enough to
really become immersed in.

Humor
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Alternate Universe
HuA2: No Living Man by Elana

Quite an interesting idea, and very bad luck for the Witch King!

Alternate Universe
HuA3: Slightly Muddled by Lindelea

I usually cringe at Americanisms in Lord of the Rings fanfiction, but
here they are quite appropriate and very funny, and the author seems
to have come up with every one imaginable here. A very funny idea,
and the humour is maintained through several chapters. Not normally
the kind of story I would chose to read, but this one made me laugh.


Hu4: Frogs by Lindelea

A very hobbit-type game, and I enjoyed the characterisations,
especially of the hobbits. Very nice story.


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



HuA23: Lindelea
Slightly Muddled, Frogs

Lindelea's sense of humour comes across well in her writing, and she
comes up with some very novel situations.

Drama
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Drabble
DD2: Dernhelm's Ride by Lindelea

Very grim and in character.


Drabble
DD9: The Silent Street by Lindelea

This drabble is chilling. The circumstance that Beregond finds
himself in is unenviable, and yet he strives to do his best despite
the personal cost.


LOTR
DL8: Pippin's Crucible by Pearl Took

Wonderful glimpse of what Pippin must endure to reach Gandalf. Very
gritty, and told quite well in the first person.