Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Pawns
<http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=2624&cid=10226> · Author:
Tialys
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=23
0> · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings: Hobbits · ID: 310
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=310>
Reviewer: Dwimordene
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=8>
· 2005-07-08 23:13:11 Score: 2
I can see how this would work to try and get at that sense of Gandalf's
sacrifice of "pawns" outside the chessboard, although I'm not sure I quite
buy this particular way of going about it. But good concept and
well-written.

Title: The
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter_view.cfm?STID=4053&SPOrdinal=1

> Dark Night of the Soul · Author: Ellisande

<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=26
1> · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings: Poetry · ID: 272
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=272>
Reviewer: Dwimordene
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=8>
· 2005-07-08 23:14:07 Score: 6
I'm impressed with how little narrative was needed to order the poetry. I
had to pull in a lot more to put my piece together. In any event, those
marginal notes and crossed out poems do their work to help us see Denethor's
complex relationship with his wife and himself through his wife and his
writing. That bitter recrimination and turning back upon himself gives me a
good sense of someone desperately enclosed in himself, who has just been
robbed of hte one window he had to the outside. Interesting that the
purgation in the "Catharsis" chapter doesn't achieve its end: Denethor
chooses to keep the pain close and to relish it. He isn't able to let go and
so he's holding onto a splinter of Finduilas that will fester with time and
ruin him. Nicely done.

Title: A Tale of
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2798> Years · Author:
Ellisande
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=26
1> · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings: Poetry · ID: 269
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=269>
Reviewer: Dwimordene
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=8>
· 2005-07-08 23:14:44 Score: 3
Ellisande strikes again, catching Denethor in several different moods
through this series of poems: resentful jealousy, hurt pride, love, grief,
that particular fervor for Gondor that rightly deserves a place in any study
of Denethor's psyche, and the bitter relationship with Aragorn, whether as
Thorongil or Elessar. An impressive display.

Title: The Return of
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2904> the King ·
Author: Ellisande
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=26
1> · Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings: Poetry · ID: 268
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=268>
Reviewer: Dwimordene
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=8>
· 2005-07-08 23:15:10 Score: 4
Ah, a different take on why Denethor might try to take Faramir with him.
Denethor's bitterness and brokenness are given a point by his own words—his
questioning first line that highlights the deeply personal, enclosed
perspective he holds in this fateful moment. That it echoes that "a rose by
any other name", but by putting that certainty in question, is a lovely
twist.

Title: Black <http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2496>
Diamond · Author: thevina_finduilas
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=87

> · Races/Places: Dwarves · ID: 563

<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=563>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-09 01:51:39 Score: 3

This was a very nice gap-filler. You did a good job of giving us a peak into
Gimli's heart, making him approachable without un-Dwarvish. And I loved the
comparison of Pippin to a diamond (especially given that he ends up marring
one). It was very well done.

Title: Call of the
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1573> Druedain ·
Author: thevina_finduilas
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=87

> · Races/Places: Gondor: Original Characters · ID: 565

<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=565>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-09 02:02:47 Score: 4

This story was sad, but in a different way than straightforward angst. The
boy's descriptions of his beating are so matter-of-fact! That made it all
the more effective, and I'm glad Thevina was able to capture that part of
her original character's personality. I'm glad that he will be able to find
other drum-makers and hopefully make a life with them. This was very well
told.

Title: The Council of
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2303> Elrond in the
Style of Hiawatha · Author: Theresa
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=32
6> Green · Genres: Crossovers: Poetry · ID: 559
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=559>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-09 02:44:47 Score: 2

I'm not familiar with the original, but the meter of this poem worked
nicely, and the humour was very sharp. This was an enjoyable read.

Title: Elves and
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=4071> Potatoes ·
Author: Celandine
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=24
3> Brandybuck · Races/Places: Hobbits · ID: 185
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=185>
Reviewer: Nancy
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=10
5> Brooke · 2005-07-09 11:54:26 Score: 5
This is an excellent story, from beginning to end and all along the middle.
Whether meticulously researched or butressed by the author's own knowledge
the small detials - types of flowers, composting - gave wonderful depth and
texture without sounding showy. This story kept my attention throughout;
each character was thoughtfully and authentically realized; the Gaffer
particulalry deserves notice as he is present so little in Tolkien's text. I
felt present at every stage.

Title: A Gift at
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=682> Year's Turning ·
Author: Celandine
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=24
3> Brandybuck · Races/Places: Gondor: Denethor and Finduilas · ID: 186
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=186>
Reviewer: Nancy
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=10
5> Brooke · 2005-07-09 12:09:57 Score: 2
I have always loved this story and I am glad to see it here. Celandine has
done her usually wonderful job at creating a vivid tapestry of a story. All
her characters feel full and real, and pieces of canon are woven in seeming
without effort.

Title: GimlI: The
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2402> Owner's Guide
and Maintenance Manual · Author: Theresa
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=32
6> Green · Genres: Humor · ID: 1157
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=1157>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-09 18:24:14 Score: 3

I love all of the owner's guides, and this one was no exception. The bit
about Gimli watching "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" was cute, but I
think what I lived the most was the last line: "Galadriel, baby! Here i
come!" This was an enjoyable romp.

Title: The Gift <http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2183>
· Author: Theresa
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=32
6> Green · Genres: Humor · ID: 1156
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=1156>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-09 19:09:49 Score: 6

*snork* This was absolutely hilarious! I loved the concept of Gimli and
Legolas struggling over the idea of what to buy a young Eldarion - since he
is a prince they need to be politic (given that Legolas is for all purposes
a lord under Aragorn and Gimli is a lord under Eomer...) but Eldarion is
also one, which means there are very few things he actually needs or would
even enjoy. I had a similar problem when my own nephew turned one, and I can
certainly sympathise with them.

And Legolas' resolution to the quandry was very funny, as was his thought as
to why they should stop thinking about birthday gifts and start thinking
about more *cough* "enjoyable" endeavours. This whole piece was a very
enjoyable piece of fluff. I really enjoyed it.

Title: Advice <http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2603>
· Author: Theresa
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=32
6> Green · Genres: Humor: Aragorn · ID: 556
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=556>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-09 20:53:12 Score: 10

This was a lot of fun. I'm not sure which I enjoyed more: Aragorn's marital
problems; Legolas's and Gimli's, umm, creative solutions; or Aragorn's
growing knowledge of just how many liberties the elf and dwarf had taken
with his palce? "No, not in! But especially not on!" That had me laughing
out loud.

Beyond that, if the reader accepts that Legolas and Gimli developed a
romantic relationship (which is an idea that I have often struggled with,
and really don't think Tolkien intended, but for the purpose of this fic I
was able to put my qualms aside), then this gives us a very canonical
characterisation of Legolas and Gimli. That is, accepting the existence of
the relationship I think Theresa Green's extrapolation of Legolas and Gimli
into the Fourth Age has a lot of connections with book canon, moreso than a
lot of other stories that I have read. The animosity we see in the books is
still there, but it's no longer the only element in their friendship.

I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite point, as I said, but I think if
I had to it would be the very end. "She [Arwen] didn't strike him as the
kind of woman who would get pleasure from being dominated in the bedroom
like that. [...] she would make a superb Empress." It was so nice to see
someone who acknowledged the native strength in Tolkien's women, and the
fact that any man who wished to live in peace with them would learn not to
challenge that power but instead to accept and respect it. As a woman and
something of a feminist, I found that very empowering -- and also very
in-character, and funny in a sensitive sort of way. It was the perfect
ending.

Title: Advice <http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2764>
Taken · Author: Theresa
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=32
6> Green · Genres: Humor: Aragorn · ID: 557
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=557>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-09 23:59:39 Score: 6

This was great fun, too. While the prequel to this one depended mostly on
word play to entertain me, this one had some endearing scenes. Ellies
"daddy-woof-woof" response to Aragorn's dog collar. Arwen's amusement at
Legolas's, ahem, creative imagination. Legolas-as-troll and the very cute
image of Eldarion riding a horse. But I think my favourite moment had to be
Gimli's encounter with the prime minister. That was truly great!

And then, there's the vague descriptions of Aragorn's and Arwen's "council
meeting". That was a really clever presentation of this -- it's not too
explicit, but I knew more or less what was happening. THis was a
well-written story.

Title: Birthday's
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=2403> Eve · Author:
Theresa
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=32
6> Green · Genres: Humor: Aragorn · ID: 558
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=558>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 02:48:01 Score: 3

This was a fun piece. Your characterisations of Legolas and Gimli here is
nice, but I think I most like the interaction between Aragorn and his chief
counsellor. Of course, Gimli's apology at the end was also priceless. This
was a good follow-up to "The Gift".

Title: Melkor <http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=395> ·
Author: Joan
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=19
0> Milligan · Races/Places: Villains: Poetry · ID: 440
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=440>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 02:52:23 Score: 4

This song had a very strong, formal, almost Biblical feel to it. To be
perfectly honest, it reminded me of the first chapter of Genesis. Which puts
Melkor's role in an interesting light: creation would not be the same
without him. I think my favourite lines were the last two:

"For only in darkness the light
And only in silence, the song"

This summed up a very neat point about life in Arda marred and the art of
that marring.

Title: Sauron
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter_view.cfm?STID=395&SPOrdinal=2>
· Author: Joan
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=19
0> Milligan · Races/Places: Villains: Poetry · ID: 442
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=442>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 03:07:24 Score: 7

This was another nice poem. I particularly liked the analogy of Sauron to
the storm; it reminded me of the statement made by Boromir in "The
Fellowship of the Ring", that Sauron could control the storms on the borders
of Mordor. You had some really exemplary turns of phrases in here, but I
think my favourite was:

"Driven by lies and defiance the ships have long left for the West
And I am left here laughing and knowing that once again
Fate I have mocked and godly love and darkened the Gift of Man".

There's also the point that Sauron apparently thinks that what he is doing
is morally acceptable, or at least morally ambiguous ("Say it is evil I
wakened, or say it is freedom of heart / Both I will take, and proudly").
That makes this whole situation all the more tolerable; he suddenly seems
much more pitiable. Just like Sauron he was mislead, or perhaps corrupted;
he was good once.

Title: Strange
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/challenge/chapter_view.cfm?NGID=102&STID=2359&
SPOrdinal=17> Bedfellows · Author: Dwimordene
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=8>
· Races/Places: Villains: Orcs · ID: 250
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=250>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 03:21:48 Score: 6

This was a delicious insight into an orc's mind. I like the fact that Ugluk
recognised his place whereas Grishnakh put on airs like he did. Saruman was
of course power-hungry, but in the books I always sensed a sort of
self-sufficiency in the Isengard orcs. They knew they were good enough, and
they did not feel the need to claim more than that.

Beyond that, there are several phrases I particularly liked for an orc/uruk.
"For where there's an argument, there's blood to be spilled" was probably my
favourite. They had a literary quality to them, but somehow they did not
sound out-of-character. Ugluk is a bit higher than fodder for the war
machine, but he is still in essence a killing machine. That seems fitting
somehow. Well done.

Title: One
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/challenge/chapter_view.cfm?STID=2359&SPOrdinal
=10&NGID=102> Dark Day in Lugbúrz · Author: Starlight
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=19
5> · Races/Places: Villains: Orcs · ID: 521
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=521>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 03:34:55 Score: 4

This was a very neat perspective into why Gollum was set free, and I liked
Grishnakh's thoughts and his enterprising spirit. However, I was under the
impression that Gollum only revealed "Shire" and "baggins" under torture,
and that he never told what had been taken by the Baggins. Perhaps that's
just the movies' impact, though. Regardless this was a neat scene and you
communicated the grisly nature of the Tower well here.

Title: Gift of <http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=1412>
Rule · Author: Lyllyn
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=18
8> · Races/Places: Villains: Nazgul · ID: 470
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=470>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 03:49:18 Score: 8

In the note at the end, the author records Tolkien's note that "among those
whom he ensnared with the Nine Rings three were great lords of Numenorean
race". I like her claim that the Witch-king was one of those Numenorean
lords. It's not set in stone by canon, of course, but it makes a lot of
sense that Sauron would get something of a power-rush by having his most
powerful assistants be from the race he hated most. As Elves would not serve
evil of their free will, that meant the Numenoreans.

And your nameless nobleman is every inch a Numenorean. He almost seems a
Numenorean of the same stock as Ar-Pharazon, but this man is quieter.
There's a nobility about him that's hard to pin down. Of course he's trying
to subjugate the "lesser men", but he is not doing it necessarily because he
s power-hungry; he at least makes a good-faith effort through gifts and
assistance.

I can see how he would be courted by Sauron. In fact, he reminds me of
Sauron. This was a very well-drawn portrait of how corruption might work,
and the last line ("I reached for the gift that I should never have needed")
stole my breath.

Title: Once
<http://www.tolkienfanfiction.com/Story_Read_Chapter.php?CHid=1143> ·
Author: Meril
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=29
3> · Races/Places: Villains: Nazgul · ID: 485
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=485>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 03:58:35 Score: 9

This drouble-drabble accomplishes so much! Even without the context
suggested in the link, I understood roughly what was going on. (And I know
precious little of Numenorean history before the time of Tar-Palantir...)
But you gave him a majesty. I can see his anger at the patronising attitude
of the ladies of the court, his annoyance with the natives of Endore, how
enticing that little lie (that he would be succeeded by his sons) might have
been. It seems that he is bitter to have the so-called Gift taken away means
that he recognises something of the wisdom of Iluvatar: that it is a good
thing to be finite, but to have your work continued by others. In many way
its better than being infinite like the Elves (well, infinite in the sense
that they have no true end; even Elves are not infinite in the sense that
they have a beginning).

And those last two words: "He falls". Again, this was a last line that
simply took my breath away. It is so understated,, has such a simplicity to
it, but it certainly does the job. I really liked this one, Meril.
Congratulations on writing a piece with a word limit, without it feeling
like you were scimping (toward the end or at any point).

Title: Shadowsong
<http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=4038> · Author:
Ellisande
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=26
1> · Races/Places: Villains: Nazgul · ID: 714
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=714>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 04:33:17 Score: 3

This vignette had a powerful, mythic quality, only augmented by the
point-of-view character's attitude of not being involved in his own fate.
The book-ending of the piece with lines from the Ring's inscription was
particularly effective.

Title: This Too Shall Pass <http://www.scribeoz.com/fanfic/story.php?no=461>
· Author: Isabeau
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=18
2> of Greenlea · Races/Places: Villains: Nazgul · ID: 742
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=742>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 04:46:57 Score: 2

This piece was spooky, but at the same time funny. It also made me wonder if
there's a race in Arda that Isabeau doesn't write well. ;-)

Title: Alas,
<http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=3581&cid=13574> Poor
Ufthak! · Author: Elena
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=24
7> Tiriel · Races/Places: Villains: Drabble · ID: 200
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=reviewsBrowse&show_all=n
o&navbar_page=0&markpage=32&form_story_filter=200>
Reviewer: Marta
<http://gabrielle.sytes.net/MEFA2005/index.php?page=authorDetails&form_id=16

> · 2005-07-10 05:21:14 Score: 10

Oh, dear, when I read the title and the (necessarily cribbed ;-P) first few
words, I thought "By the Valar, Elena has gone and put Shakespeare into an
Orc's head". You're just spunky enough to pull that off. But then I read on:
"we suspected he'd deserted like a stinkin' Morgul-rat." And I laughed.
Hard. So much that I almost slid out of my chair. The discongruity was just
so great -- it seems you're spunky enough to not only put Shakespeare into
an orc's head, but then to turn around and cut even those expectations.

And then you made me stop laughing, and sit up and take notice. Your
description in the second paragraph was as well-done as I have come to
expect from you, but it's really the beginning of the third that caught my
attention: "Take heart! Her Ladyship doesn't eat dead meat, or suck cold
blood. She'll keep you alive, here in Her larder, maybe for weeks!" That
this should be an encouraging thought to an Orc, even in jest... wow. Very
orcish, very chilling, but very true to Tolkien. Of course the first half is
straight out of the books, but it didn't seem unnatural at all to have it
here.

And now you've given me the mental image of salted elf-flesh hanging in the
supply shack, perhaps being smoked with dried warg-dung, somewhere in the
farms of southern Mordor. *shivers*

Elena, I told you once hat you were probably one of the top three drabblists
I know. (Incidentally, Annmarwalk is my second favourite, and Meril is my
third.) But it's drabbles like this that make you earn that position in my
ranking. You accomplished so much here! And it's all the more valuable of a
gem because it's so hard to write orcs well, and that's done so rarely. See
what you did? This review is three times as long as your drabble, you have
me thinking that hard.

Title: The <http://www.dwimordenespage.org/index.php?go=7&id=19&chapter=25>
Men of the South · Author: Dwimordene
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· Races/Places: Villains: Drabble · ID: 233
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Reviewer: Marta
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> · 2005-07-10 05:49:51 Score: 9

Ouch, Dwim. I've come to expect a high quality of writing about the Haradrim
for you, but this one takes the cake. It is superb, but also makes you
wince. I have read that quote from "The Return of the King" probably a
half-dozen times, and it has always bothered me, but I couldn't particularly
identify why it bothered me so much more than all of the other blanket
killings. And you have captured it so well: for every enlistee in the
Gondorian army, there was a counterpart in the Haradrim who had the bad
fortune to be born where the stars are strange, and who served the Red Eye
instead of the White Tower probably for no better reason than a Gondorian
chose his allegiance.

It also makes me wonder why Tolkien saw fit to spare the Ruffians and the
Dunlendings who survived those battles. Was it racism toward people who
inhabited the land southeast of what became Europe? Because those peoples
didn't threaten the future of all the West, like the Haradrim did (because
the stakes in this battle were higher)? Was it a comment on the Gondorians,
or did Tolkien have any reason at all? I don't know, but reading this
passage in light of what you said actually made me cry. (I think that's a
good thing; tears need to be shed for this kind of blanket massacre.)



Title: Orc's
<http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=1887&cid=13341> Best
Friend · Author: Forodwaith
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> · Races/Places: Villains: Drabble · ID: 384

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Reviewer: Marta
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> · 2005-07-10 05:56:32 Score: 1

Chilling. I had never thought much about the relationship between wargs and
orcs, but this seems plausible to me.



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