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Vignette
LV6: Repairs by Isabeau of Greenlea
URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/883019/1/

This is one of my absolute favorite stories, and I have read many Tolkien
fan fictions. Gimli's personality really shows through his pride of craft
-- he knew that not just any orc collar could notch the blade he had forged
himself. You can respect the "differentness" of the Dwarves by Gimli's
comments about how a warrior is judged by the quality of care he lavishes on
his weapons and armor. Gimli's approach to repairing his axe is very
practical; he goes about the repair process in a very quiet, experienced
way. I love the interaction between Legolas and Gimli: Once he sees that the
Elf has arrived, Gimli immediately takes charge and assigns him a task, and
dismisses Legolas' real concern for his head wound. It amuses me that he
ascribes Legolas' good qualities to his mother -- guess Dwarves don't like
Thranduil much! I also very much liked that Gimli talked Legolas into
surrendering his knives so he could give them an keener edge (did you know:
one knife is book-verse, two knives is movie-verse? I just found that out
recently...), and that he allowed Legolas to watch him at work; I was
touched by the level of mutual trust and respect these actions showed
between the two warriors. Also, though he is clearly extremely proud, I
liked that Gimli would admit to Legolas that he is but an "ordinary" smith,
whose talents lie more with prospecting new mines. Some of your phrases are
simply perfection embodied: "my arms remembered the proper rhythm of the
hammer" -- I understand that feeling when I try to ride a bike again; also
like "a gleaming crescent of proper silver death" -- so infinitely Dwarvish!
The repetitiveness of the phrase "My axe was notched" echoes the
repetitiveness of the work Gimli does at the forge, and it pulls the story
together into a tightly-knit, cohesive vignette, and also provides a very
satisfying ending when you change the "was" to "had been". There is
something compelling about "left the fire to die without looking back" --
reminds me of Gimli leaving Middle-earth without looking back. This story is
truly a work of art!


L3: Aglarond by ErinRua
URL: http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1394

I have said before of this and (very few) other stories that it is one of my
all-time favorite stories, and I have probably read over a thousand Tolkien
fan fictions. Well, I've changed my mind: This is my all-time favorite
Tolkien fan fiction. I weep in joy for the beauty of your words and the
beauty of your images and the beauty of Legolas and Gimli's mutual
friendship every single time I read this story (and I have done so many
dozens of times). The detailed descriptions of the cave are astounding and
awe-inspiring; I almost feel like I'm watching a fabulous National
Geographic special in color on television while I read them. Every detail,
like how the sound is magnified and intensified, is not only accurate but
serves to enhance the atmosphere. I feel so empathetic for Legolas; you
don't overplay his claustrophobia, but you imbue his actions and words with
just enough unease to make me feel his discomfort (not to mention, I'm
claustrophobic myself -- but you don't give me a full-fledged attack, thank
goodness!). Gimli is such a sympathetic character in his concern for his
friend and his recognition, and acceptance, of the differences between him.
(I like the touch of Gimli admiring the shape of Legolas' face -- like any
artist would -- and deciding that only marble would do it justice, but was
saddened when he decided not to sculpt it because the other Dwarves wouldn't
understand...) I was very touched by both Legolas' willingness to trust
Gimli by staying put and keeping his eyes closed, and Gimli's attempts to
make a bit more noise to reassure his friend that he had not been abandoned.
It is extremely difficult for someone to whom a skill (like being
comfortable underground) comes naturally to have that gut-level
understanding of and empathy for another person to whom that skill does not
come naturally or, worse yet, has fears around that skill (claustrophobia);
Gimli really has the ability to put himself into Legolas' shoes, despite
their differences. And then the grand unveiling: I was very moved by
Legolas' reaction, especially his tears, his thanks, and Gimli's realization
of their similarities in being able to share an appreciation for
extraordinary beauty. Like I said, this is my all-time favorite story, and
I have never said that about any other story. I thank you for sharing this
extraordinary beauty with your readers.

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