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Great day today!! 90 new final reviews!!


Title: One Day in Ithilien · Author: jen_loves_elves · Books/Time:
Post-Ring War · ID: 744
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 08:12:14 Score: 2
A very cute bit of silliness featuring a happy, but harried, Faramir,
who must deal with wife, children and an overly enthusiastic Elf-
neighbor. It's fun to see a non-angsty Faramir.

Title: In Plain Sight · Author: Aratlithiel · Books/Time: Post-Ring
War: Gap-Filler · ID: 885
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 08:17:00 Score: 2
This is a true howler! The author takes all the usual assumptions
about Frodo's frailty and turns them on their heads. This particular
Frodo is anything but frail, and resents being told no.

Title: Light out of Darkness · Author: Shirebound · Books/Time: Post-
Ring War: Gap-Filler · ID: 895
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 08:23:51 Score: 3
All of the little vignettes comprising this little series are
thoughtful, touched with sweet melancholy, and somehow comforting. It
is interesting to see Frodo's interaction with the various people in
each tale, and how the theme of light is incorporated.

Title: Greenery · Author: Forodwaith · Books/Time: Post-Ring War:
Gondor · ID: 14
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 08:25:22 Score: 1
A very sweet little confrontation, between Arwen and a very finely
drawn OC. Thoughtful and gentle.

Title: Bare Feet and Beer · Author: Gwynnyd · Books/Time: Post-Ring
War: Gondor · ID: 571
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 08:31:21 Score: 3
There are a number of stories exploring how the friendship of King
and Steward developed. This is definitely one of the better ones.
Persuading Faramir to lay aside formality and become a friend was one
of Aragorn's more difficult tasks. I love the way this one plays out.

Title: In The Shadow of His Blade · Author: pipkinsweetgrass ·
Books/Time: Post-Ring War: Gondor · ID: 803
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 08:45:13 Score: 3
Every fanfic author seems to have certain favorite aspects of canon
to explore, that touches her own heart. The relationship of
Boromir,Merry and Pippin is this author's, and in this story, the
sacrifice Boromir made for the hobbits is placed in its perspective
with deep love and understanding. This story's mythic qualities are
outstanding.

Title: Reunion · Author: Vistula the Dunadan · Books/Time: Post-Ring
War: Ithilien Drabble · ID: 634
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 08:48:35 Score: 1
A wonderful drabble, and a conversation that I can easily imagine
taking place! Perfect voices, for both characters!

Title: Cormallen · Author: Frodo Baggins of Bag End (Febobe) ·
Books/Time: The Lord of The Rings · ID: 799
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 09:03:25 Score: 6
This is an amazing piece. The thoughts of Frodo's dearest friends and
companions at the Feast in Cormallen are each captured with such
clarity. Aragorn, king and friend, but above all, his healer, knowing
how vain his efforts may have been. I found Gandalf's the most heart-
breaking, as he sorrows over what he wrought. And the hobbits, each
of them so much in character, limning their own personal relationship
with Frodo with their own unique POV. And Gimli and Legolas, oft
neglected in this sort of thing are perfect as well. And the insight
Legolas brings echoes my own thoughts of how he would react to Frodo.

Title: Spellbound · Author: Shirebound · Books/Time: The Lord of The
Rings · ID: 880
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 09:04:52 Score: 2
This is one very creepy gap-filler about one of the very creepiest
episodes in the entire trilogy! Very well-thought out, very vivid,
and very beautifully done!

Title: Hands of a Healer · Author: Azalais · Books/Time: The Lord of
The Rings: Drabble · ID: 142
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 09:07:16 Score: 1
A very nice moment frozen in 100 words; I could easily see it as I
read.

Title: Wise Enough · Author: Tanaqui · Books/Time: The Lord of The
Rings: Drabble · ID: 552
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 09:09:18 Score: 2
Yes, Faramir was wise enough, to know the ruses of the Enemy and
resist. This is one picture of the kind of temptation he had to
overcome.

Title: Beyond the Borders · Author: Marta · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural: Vignette · ID: 578
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2005-08-24 10:32:03 Score: 9
This is a moving story showing the adjustments being made by various
characters and peoples in the North after the end of the Ring War.
While Elrond's gift to Pippin at the end of the story will help the
Hobbits learn what lies "beyond the borders", they are not the only
ones in this story making discoveries as they move beyond the limits
that have previously circumscribed their activities and expectations.

The small details about the changes that the destruction of evil has
brought to the North for dwarves, hobbits, men and elves have been
thought through well, but it is in the characterisation of her two
protagonists that Marta shows her skill. In young Halbeleg, Marta has
created an endearing portrait of a ranger who finds himself
unexpectedly thrust into a diplomatic and administrative role he
probably never expected would be his. He is nervous and unsure, yet
the reader senses Aragorn is as fortunate in his choice of Stewards
in the North as he in the South. Meanwhile, Elrond's weariness and
desire to be re-united with his wife, now that his task is over and
the power of the Ring has faded, is palpable. Yet he is still
courteous, welcoming and wise. All in all, a very well-crafted piece
about how we "move on".

Title: A conspiracy forged · Author: Marta · Races/Places: Hobbits:
Pre-War of the Ring · ID: 585
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2005-08-24 10:33:45 Score: 8
This is a delightful story in which Marta smoothly blends Tolkien
canon and her own invention to show how the roots of the "conspiracy"
between Frodo's four friends in Fellowship of the Ring might have
formed.

She does an excellent job of exploring the particular affection
between Bilbo and Pippin which is hinted at in the books. As Merry
tells Pippin: "You two come from the same mold…. Bilbo can't help
liking you; you remind him of himself." And Marta makes us like
Pippin very much in this piece -- as well as Merry. She gives us a
convincing and moving portrait of the protective and comforting role
Merry has already assumed with regard to his cousin. She also nicely
draws out the travails of sibling relationships and family
obligations for the future heir of a large and important family. And
the history of the pipe fits well into Tolkien's world.

The dialogue is lively and naturalistic, and the descriptive passages
are as rich and satisfying as Bilbo's birthday feast.

Title: Flawed and Fair · Author: Tehta · Genres: Humor: Elves · ID:
1129
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2005-08-24 13:36:06 Score: 10
Intimidated by the prospect of a novella length Elf-slash story
between the two Elves I arguably care least about and which was also
supposed to be funny, I avoided this story. Bad move. Good thing such
logic as, "Well, other people like it" and "Damn, but the Orc-slaying
Ditty was comically awful—Tehta!Ecthelion must have some good taste"
convinced me to surrender to chapter one. And then two through seven
and the non-chapter, all in a go. This story definitely plays on some
staple slash clichés that we all know and use and love/hate depending
on the day of the week—guilt, obliviousness to completely obvious
hints of interest, wounds requiring backrubs—but it manages to do so
in such a way that the characters actually seem to progress towards a
relationship that doesn't leave one cold and totally indifferent. As
with Mary Sue and a good OFC, the line between the story being
hindered by clichés and the story making use of them is very thin.

So where does this leave me in the end? Well, "Flawed and Fair" is
not always laugh aloud funny, but it definitely gets some chuckles
and grins, keeps the brooding at bay with internal mockery, and even
manages to drag in *Symposium*, which always gets bonus points from
me when it's done well. It's well-written, snarky in the right
places, and it got me to care about Ecthelion and Glorfindel, which
is a major feat, so Tehta must be doing something right. Good work!


Title: Stock and Stone · Author: Marta · Races/Places: Dwarves · ID:
608
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2005-08-24 13:40:39 Score: 10
Creating a story populated entirely by original characters is always
a risky business, but Marta succeeds brilliant in creating two non-
canon but entirely believable characters in a girl-dwarf of the
Mountain and boy-Man of Dale. Marta has captured the dwarven mind
particularly well in her characterisation of Thris, who is proud,
fierce and passionate about crafts, yet also quick witted and
intellectually curious.

Her two characters still have the openness and curiosity of youth
that allows them to question and explain in a way their elders would
not -- and because of that, they are able to learn about each other's
culture and customs. In outlining those customs, particularly with
respect to funerary practices and beliefs in the afterlife, Marta
makes effective use of the little canon information we do have on
those topics. She also demonstrates effectively the similarities and
commonality of beliefs. And because the characters themselves must
explain their customs in simple terms and words, Marta is able to
help us, as readers, understand those concepts.

This alone would make this one of the best cross-cultural stories I
have read, but Marta's lightness of touch in language in both
dialogue and description are a great foil to the ideas she expounds.
And while there are many serious aspects to this piece, there are
also numerous quiet moments of amusement for the reader, such as when
Borin assuming Thris is a boy, because she has a beard, when
apparently fearless Thris is shocked and repulsed by the customs of
Men.

Title: A City of Scarlet Flowers · Author: annmarwalk · Books/Time:
Post-Ring War: Gondor · ID: 390
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:06:17 Score: 2
A new tradition grows up in the White City, in tribute to those who
were fallen, and Faramir is happy to take note of it. Very true to
the spontaneous way things can happen, and a nice OC.

Title: A Refuge for the Weary · Author: Tanaqui · Books/Time: Post-
Ring War: Gondor Drabble · ID: 547
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:08:23 Score: 3
Yes, I can see Faramir wishing to speak to Elrond of Boromir's days
in Rivendell, perhaps hoping that his brother had some peace and
enjoyment while there; and I think that Elrond would indeed, be
sympathetic to the concern of a grieving brother.

Title: Seeing · Author: Tanaqui · Books/Time: Post-Ring War: Gondor
Drabble · ID: 1356
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:11:05 Score: 2
And that's all it really comes down to for anyone, isn't it? Saving
the world and winning battles is all well and good, but seeing your
loved ones safe, happy and thriving is what it's really all about.

Title: Faint Hope · Author: Forodwaith · Books/Time: Post-Ring War:
Vignette · ID: 357
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:13:24 Score: 1
Sweet, tender and melancholy, very true to both characters.

Title: An Unexpected Party · Author: Marta · Books/Time: The Hobbit:
Drabble · ID: 1359
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:14:40 Score: 1
Very cute and accurate summary of the first chapter of The Hobbit.

Title: High King and Halfling · Author: Marta · Books/Time: The
Silmarillion: Drabble · ID: 581
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:20:23 Score: 2
*Snicker.* Persistence, that most hobbity of all traits is clearly
present in this ancestor of Tooks and Brandybucks. Very cute
interpretation of how it might have happened.

Title: Bittersweet · Author: Vistula the Dunadan · Genres: Drama
(includes Angst): Drabble · ID: 43
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:22:28 Score: 1
Very poetic and descriptive.

Title: Time in the Ditch · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama
(includes Angst): Drabble · ID: 253
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:24:32 Score: 2
And that is much the way it must have gone for most of Aragorn's
adult life, before he became King. Very thought provoking.

Title: Mathesis · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama (includes
Angst): Gondor Drabble · ID: 532
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:26:37 Score: 1
An interesting look at one way in which Denethor's mind worked;
possibly explaining a lot of things.

Title: Heirlooms · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Humor: Drabble · ID: 402
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:29:41 Score: 2
This is exactly the sort of snarky humor I love for Aragorn, all of a
piece with his canon retorts to Butterbur, to the herbmaster in the
House of Healing, and his gentle teasing of Merry in the same place.
Very nice!

Title: "They have a Cave Troll" · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Humor:
Drabble · ID: 572
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:31:18 Score: 1
Now this made me laugh out loud! What a unique POV, and exactly as I
would imagine it!

Title: Knight's Service · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Rohan ·
ID: 582
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:33:44 Score: 1
Grin. Good old Pippin, he knows just what's important. This is a very
cute tribute to another story. Lovingly done.

Title: The Gift · Author: maranya14 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural:
Drabble · ID: 480
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:36:31 Score: 2
Very nice! I have often imagined that Bilbo regularly commissioned
gifts from the toymakers of Dale for his young cousins. And a thrush
would be a perfect reminder of his own Adventure.

Title: An Unexpected Gift · Author: Marta · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural: Drabble · ID: 584
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:38:02 Score: 1
Trust Denethor to want to speed Gandalf away; trust Gandalf to be
practical about it. Very funny in a snarky kind of way!

Title: High Places · Author: Kielle · Genres: Drama (includes Angst):
Elves · ID: 1086
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2005-08-24 14:41:23 Score: 4
What a sad, sweet story! I never thought that Maeglin might love
little Earendil, think of him as the son he should have had. The
child's POV is very well-written and believable. The poignancy of his
clinging to Maeglin as Gondolin falls down around them, when it is
Maeglin who played a crucial part in the city's fall, and Maeglin who
wants to carry him and Idril away and let Tuor perish, adds extra
texture.

And the conclusion is excellent!

Title: Recaptured! Drabbles · Author: Marigold · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural: Drabble · ID: 1172
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:41:29 Score: 3
These are a perfect tribute to one of the most intriguing AUs
around, "Recaptured"". Each drabble is easily recognizable and could
actually be a gapfiller to the longer story. I especially like the
one about Diswygr. I very much enjoy the long story, and these
drabbles are a nice contribution to that. Very well done!

Title: On Watch in Moria · Author: Gwynnyd · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural: Drabble · ID: 1302
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2005-08-24 14:43:45 Score: 3
Not a single wasted word in this little mood piece from Aragorn's
POV, as he stands watch in the black of Moria. I especially love the
image of Gandalf's light gradually going out as he sleeps, and the
hobbits sleeping "tumbled like puppies". Beautiful.

Title: A Diamond In The Storm · Author: SilverMoonLady · Genres:
Romance · ID: 780
Reviewer: Angmar · 2005-08-24 15:51:57 Score: 3
Pippin is off on another adventure, this time in the cold north. Why
are there strange disappearances? What will Pippin find? Diamond is a
real shrew who finally warms up. Excitement, adventure, mystery and
romance makes for a good read in the story.

Title: At the Sammath Naur · Author: Aratlithiel · Books/Time: Gap-
Filler: Drama · ID: 126
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:52:14 Score: 3
Not sure of the ending but the portrayal of Frodo being seduced by
the Ring with all its contradictions was very well played out and I
liked the visions of all he could see, all he was, once he put the
Ring on. The part at the end that I liked a lot was Frodo's
weariness, his willingness to accept the peace of death.

Title: By All The Signs · Author: Tialys · Books/Time: Post-Ring War
· ID: 757
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:52:29 Score: 3
Ah, they just don't get it, do they? And it's nice to know Hobbits
are still around. Gives me hope that there's an Elf around here
somewhere. But rightly, would any archaeologists believe such a
story? They might if they uncovered the bones under those stones.
Especially after that find in (was it Indonesia?). Nicely done.


Title: Links · Author: Forodwaith · Books/Time: Post-Ring War:
General Drabble · ID: 23
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:52:48 Score: 1
Poignant and fitting remembrance for Boromir and a nice treatment of
the tie between these two.

Title: A City of Scarlet Flowers · Author: annmarwalk · Books/Time:
Post-Ring War: Gondor · ID: 390
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:53:07 Score: 1
I like the picture this little story painted of the renewal and
remembrance after war. Nicely done.

Title: Who Will Care? · Author: faramir_boromir · Books/Time: Post-
Ring War: Gondor · ID: 612
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:53:20 Score: 3
It wasn't perfectly clear when the story took place though I did
guess the who. And I like the reasoning he comes up with. He has a
bigger picture than his father and that, in the end, was the making
of a good steward for the returned king. He would be the type to try
to remake the library into something more suited to all the land.


Title: The Finest of Vintages · Author: Regina · Books/Time: The
Hobbit · ID: 1103
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:53:40 Score: 2
Who could really resist such a handsome charmer? The lady has no
choice really, as this writer wrote very well. Good
characterizations, especially of the OC wine seller. And I like this
portrayal of Legolas.

Title: Bringing the Sun · Author: Tanaqui · Books/Time: The Lord of
The Rings: Drabble · ID: 1382
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:53:56 Score: 1
A nice little gap-filler drabble, showing a friendship between
Aragorn and Legolas.

Title: A Lesson on Hobbits · Author: Budgielover · Books/Time: The
Lord of The Rings: Incomplete · ID: 177
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:54:17 Score: 4
Oh, I enjoyed these stories. Each of the three Big Folk (though Gimli
is a Dwarf) saw something different to wonder at about the Hobbits. I
loved that Boromir recognized Merry's intelligence, and how Gimli and
Aragorn likened Hobbits to cats (and Aragorn's descriptions of those
creatures were perfect!), and then Legolas's gentle curiosity and
keen observations. Good characterizations all around!


Title: After All · Author: jastaelf · Books/Time: The Lord of The
Rings: Post-Ring War · ID: 100
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:54:45 Score: 4
What a lovely story! I loved that Legolas ruined all those arrows,
but also the playfulness of his family in Valinor. And the banter
with Gimli…. I've mostly read stories by Jasta that are before The
Lord of the Rings, so I don't think I've gotten a good example of her
Gimli-Legolas banter before. But this was great. My favorite bit was
when Gimli reminded Legolas that what he'd said was a long speech for
him. Well done!

Title: A Desperate Race · Author: Budgielover · Books/Time: The Lord
of The Rings: Rivendell · ID: 675
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:55:08 Score: 3
My favorite part of this story was right near the end. Merry, taking
charge. When I read the books, I was so impressed with Merry's being
on top of everything. I missed that in the movies. It was very nice
to see that Merry again in this short story. The descriptions
otherwise were quite good and it fleshed out a small part of the
story of the trek to Rivendell.

Title: Alqualonde · Author: Joan Milligan · Books/Time: The
Silmarillion: Feanor and Sons · ID: 36
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:55:19 Score: 4
This, like Maglor's view of the ruins, is beautiful in its
horridness. The writing isn't horrid. That's the beauty. It's the
subject. The destruction and yet with it the author makes a point:
There would be no drama if there had been no Kinslaying. Would we
have remembered Alqualonde without it? It doesn't condone it but it
is true. Maglor was a good choice of character to look at it this way.

Title: Shadow · Author: Celebsul · Books/Time: The Silmarillion:
First Age · ID: 775
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:55:34 Score: 1
Good descriptions of the valar at war

Title: A Choice Once Made · Author: Celandine Brandybuck ·
Books/Time: The Silmarillion: Second Age · ID: 182
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:56:09 Score: 3
While I stick to a particular part of the story published in the Silm
(she did not choose Pharazon), setting that aside, I enjoyed this
story. And oh the hope it gives at the end, but we, unlike Miriel
know what was coming on that dawn that she waited for for other
reasons. A beautiful, sad portrayal. Well done!

Title: The Stars of Harad · Author: Cassia & Siobhan · Genres:
Adventure: Long Form · ID: 1219
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 16:57:15 Score: 6
It took me a while to get hooked into this story as I'm not so hooked
on Aragorn as I am Legolas, but Cassia and Siobhan never let me down.
It may have started out with just Aragorn's angst and trials, but
then they evened it out with Legolas's searching for Aragorn and the
trouble he gets in too. It was interesting to see the different
culture of the Simbani in this story and an unusual treatment of
slave-life, which, while it never shied away from the horrors of what
slavery means, it showed that those very slaves could find joy in
life even in their servitude. Very intriguingly done. And another
great adventure in the Mellon Chronicles.


Title: The Last Time · Author: SoundOfHorns · Books/Time: Post-Ring
War: Final Partings · ID: 1118
Reviewer: Garnet Took · 2005-08-24 16:59:57 Score: 3
I have tears in my eyes after this story. That was amazing.

I've never read a story like this one that has torn out my heart the
way this one did. I think the thing that surprised me most was the
way Aragorn reacted to Merry's passing. It made me really stop and
think about how his life had been impacted by those four swee, little
hobbits.

Thanks. so much for this one.

Title: Words Unsaid · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama (includes
Angst): Gapfiller · ID: 55
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:00:14 Score: 3
A good story, though perhaps repetitive at times. It fits the
challenge well though subtly of a superstition, that a farewell, in
the truest sense, could mean the safe return of a loved one or ease
their passing should they not return, but harsh words were a poison.
And it's nice to see how Denethor changes once he thinks Faramir is
lost to him.

Title: Time and Times and Half a Time · Author: Honesty · Genres:
Horror · ID: 1024
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:01:00 Score: 3
An odd title perhaps but a deeply sad and disturbing tale. Legolas's
fate is perhaps the worst he could ever have, and Gimli's grief is
well-played. It's a beautifully told story of something extremely
awful, and how friends could handle it best. Not for the squeamish,
but well worth the read. Keep a tissue on hand.


Title: Best Laid Plans · Author: Lamiel · Genres: Humor · ID: 455
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:01:15 Score: 4
This was hilarious! All the characters seemed just right even given
this comic twist. Pippin conspiring to make a cake, and Merry trying
to keep him from going overboard. How many candles will fit on the
cake and how old is Legolas anyway? Bergil dressed as an Easterling
and Aragorn trying not to give in to Gimli's use of his private
quarters. And it all came together so nicely! Or messily depending on
how you look at it. Terribly funny!

Title: Ailurophobia · Author: Werecat · Genres: Humor: Animals · ID:
115
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:01:35 Score: 2
I'm not sure about Telvido, but I like the cats in this one! Not even
Melkor could tame them. The depictions of the cats were so realistic.
I have five. I should know. But thankfully, unlike Morgoth, I don't
sneeze. Well done.

Title: The Willing Teacher and the Apt Pupil · Author: Elen Kortirion
· Genres: Humor: Aragorn · ID: 209
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:01:53 Score: 2
This is one of those stories where someone overhears something and
thinks it's something totally different. Only this time it's us doing
the overhearing, and I'm quite glad it wasn't what it sounded like!
Good twist! Deftly done.


Title: The Scruff Factor · Author: jastaelf · Genres: Humor: Aragorn
· ID: 293
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:02:27 Score: 3
I think my absolute favorite part is when Legolas comes out of the
bath saying he has a Plan and the twins can hear the capital P! That
was brilliantly funny, and I loved the way Legolas was so brilliant
himself. Always at the top of everything, tricking Aragorn and the
even the twins, who thought they were in on it. This is a playfully
evil Legolas...in a good way!

Title: The Official Fanfiction University of Middle-earth · Author:
Camilla Sandman · Genres: Humor: Metafic · ID: 180
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:02:46 Score: 2
A very funny story set in a place where very bad fanficcers go to
learn the right way to write, even if it kills them. And even the
typos are part of the story. A very long, fun ride, that will make
you want to enroll.

Title: Death, I Call Thee · Author: Werecat · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural · ID: 292
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:03:03 Score: 3
Wow! Five drabbles with very different views of death, each
distinctive to the cultures and individuals. The Rohirrim felt
Rohirric, the Gondorian Gondorian and so on. The human from Harad
very distinct from the orc. And the dead guy. And each line was
perfect, calling death what it is for each. Very nicely done.

Title: The Gift · Author: maranya14 · Races/Places: Cross-Cultural:
Drabble · ID: 480
Reviewer: Ainaechoiriel · 2005-08-24 17:03:24 Score: 2
Interesting. It took 2 reads for it to sink in. I liked it. The
respect between Dale and the mountain and the devotion of this man to
apprentice under the Dwarves. Good job.

Title: Take the Little Ones · Author: Space Weavil · Genres: Drama
(includes Angst): Elves · ID: 163
Reviewer: Angmar · 2005-08-24 17:14:58 Score: 3
A group of elflings, escorted by Erestor, takes a journey to the
ruins of Ost-in-Edhil to learn a lesson of the cost of pride. Erestor
makes his own painful mental journey, comparing the past with the
present. Great use of description to convey a mood.

Title: Best Laid Plans · Author: Lamiel · Genres: Humor · ID: 455
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-08-24 18:00:30 Score: 10
There are some stories that have all the canon facts straight, have
all the commas in the right place, and the writing is certainly
sufficient. But something about them just doesn't zing. this was not
one of those categories.

The author takes us on a wild ride set a few years into the Fourth
Age, involving most of the major players from Gondor, plus Gimli,
Legolas, Merry, and Pippin. They are all delightfully in character,
which makes the zany antics all the more hilarious. Each element by
itself is perfectly believable: Legolas' reaction to a shady man in
Haradric dress moving toward the king's resident (and Bergil's
reasoning, both for being dressed like that and being where he was,
for instance). And the debate over cakes was oh-so-hobbity.

But what I really liked was the portrayal of so many parts of canon
in a thoroughly integrated way. A good example of this would be
Legolas's claustrophobia (which I suppose is fanon not canon, but the
author supports it using canon facts). We are never told that Legolas
is claustrophobic. We're never even described a situation where he
displays that. Instead we are given Gimli's jabs with perfect comedic
timing, and Legolas's physical reaction -- which is so much better
than anything else could have been.

Perfect comedic timing, great descriptions, seemingly effortless in-
character interactions that result in completely off-the-wall
scenarios, topped off with Aragorn out-manoeuvred at every turn...
what more could a girl want?

Title: What Thou Lovest Well · Author: LadyAranel · Books/Time: Post-
Ring War: Incomplete · ID: 458
Reviewer: Marta · 2005-08-24 18:02:00 Score: 6
This is a great story. In addition to the charming and detailed
images of daily life in Fourth Age-Ithilien, there's a latent
eroticism infused throughout this piece -- obviously these are people
at peace with their own love for each other, which seemed fitting for
peacetime. Faramir's and Eowyn's love for each other is at the
forefront, whether it's their slipping off to their room after a
quiet evening talking with Legolas, or the glee Faramir feels over
hearing of Eowyn's carrying their child. This is a very enjoyable
peace. In fact, it's one of the WIPs that I most want to see move
forward (Lalaith is also right up there. :-P ).

Title: On Watch in Moria · Author: Gwynnyd · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural: Drabble · ID: 1302
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:25:48 Score: 3
Nicely drawn snapshot in time. I love the word-pictures: "daylight
dignity" and the image of the sleeping hobbits tumbled together like
puppies, huddled to share their warmth. And one cannot help thinking
that the "sounds of stealthy feet" either have been heard, or soon
will be.

Title: In Thranduil's Halls · Author: Gwynnyd · Books/Time: Post-Ring
War: Vignette · ID: 1304
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:29:04 Score: 2
Here is a picture of Legolas home at last, but not at rest. Home has
become an alien place, a stopping place, and yet... even in
Greenwood, he hears the echoes of the gulls' cries and feels the tug
of the Sea. Haunting.

Title: The Weaving is the Easy Part · Author: Gwynnyd · Races/Places:
Elves: Drabble · ID: 1305
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:35:13 Score: 3
Fascinating little gem. You can almost hear the rhythm of the shuttle
in the words, and see Arwen's fingers at their work. The parallels
between the banner she is weaving for Aragorn, and the mission and
destiny of the man himself, are thoughtfully drawn.

Title: Two Views for a Stranger · Author: Gwynnyd · Races/Places:
Cross-Cultural: Drabble · ID: 1303
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:39:45 Score: 4
The author has taken a brief passage, Boromir's travels, and given it
life and reality. The clash of cultures is clear in the two
contrasting drabbles, the stranger who does not even realise he is in
Elvish woods, and who worries about the implications of talking aloud
to himself (and answering), and those who wonder why he doesn't call
out! How *did* he manage to find Imladris, anyhow?

Title: Back to the Valley · Author: Thundera Tiger · Races/Places:
Elves · ID: 590
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:41:20 Score: 5
I remember the first time I read this story! It lurks in the back of
my memory, a fine example of this author's powerful writing, vivid
imagery, and banquet for the senses. Even as I despair for the
nameless prisoner, I feel the small satisfaction at his continued
defiance, even victory (if that is not too strong a term) over his
captors. I can hear them grinding their teeth in frustration, see
them stopping their ears, even, somehow, see through the battered
flesh to the smile that remains deep inside, that spark of defiance
in the midst of hopelessness. Incredible writing. Simply incredible.

Title: A Gift · Author: Forodwaith · Races/Places: Hobbits: Drabble ·
ID: 370
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:43:43 Score: 1
A sweet picture, indeed. If you could call a sword sweet!

Title: The Taint of Guilt Lingering · Author: Vistula the Dunadan ·
Races/Places: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 635
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:45:35 Score: 1
How bitter and haunting. I could weep for Sam, reading this.

Title: Spoons · Author: LKK · Races/Places: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 644
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:46:29 Score: 2
Very funny, nice gapfiller, sounds true to the character (she
wouldn't *steal* actually, just take things that really ought to have
been hers).

Title: And Now to Bed · Author: Marigold · Races/Places: Hobbits:
Drabble · ID: 783
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:48:10 Score: 5
Very nicely done indeed; giving each Traveller a unique personhood
and clearly delineating the changes that the Quest made in each of
them. I feel a sense of sorrow, reading about Merry and Pippin (and
to some extent, Frodo, though after his healing I cannot imagine
anything but healing and blessed sleep as appropriate). I can only
hope that marriage to wives who love them will help Merry and Pippin
as much as Rosie helps Sam. I like the way this ends with Sam; thus
ending on a hopeful note, and it is a bright spot that he has a
connexion with Frodo.

Title: The King's Commission · Author: Larner · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural: Post-War of the Ring · ID: 215
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:49:31 Score: 4
This is an astonishing story, broad in depth and rich in detail,
showing familiar characters through the eyes of a deftly-drawn
original character. The story is compelling, drawing the reader from
chapter to chapter. The setting is carefully-thought-out, such that
one can smell the smells, feel the textures, as well as see and hear.
The characters are multi-dimensional and sound "real". It is a long
story, but well worth the time to read.

Title: Marigold · Author: Marigold · Races/Places: Hobbits: Drabble ·
ID: 784
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:50:33 Score: 3
O I do like the pictures you paint here. You make Marigold very real
to me, someone I think I would like to know. She is as bright and
sunny as her name! I can see how her industry and determination and
hard-working ways could have sustained the Gaffer through the
Troubles.

Title: Elements of the Resistance · Author: Marta · Races/Places:
Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 939
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:55:37 Score: 4
Ah how I love to read stories about Fatty Bolger that show him as
more than a buffoon or a clown. But you have broken my heart!
Excellent job, using the five themes to tie this drabble series
together, and Freddy's indomitable spirit shines through, even after
fearful torment and through its lingering effects. The contrast of
the ruffians' brutality with his simple thoughts of home at the end,
especially, was very effective.

Title: Bedazzled · Author: Beethoven's 7th · Races/Places: Hobbits:
Drabble · ID: 976
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:56:06 Score: 4
This is a wonderful sensory experience, bringing the reader into the
scene with an economy of words that paint a vivid picture, nearly so
vivid as the fireworks themselves. I can see in my mind's eye the
whirling dancers, the children jumping to try to catch the pretty
falling stars, the wince and duck at the thunderous noise, and the
breathless pause as the next rocket goes up...

Title: A Letter Home · Author: Llinos · Races/Places: Hobbits: Pippin
· ID: 761
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:56:41 Score: 5
It was an interesting exercise to imagine Paladin's face as he
proceeded through the letter. In fact, I began to imagine the whole
scenario: the arrival, the exclamations, sitting down all together,
Paladin clearing his throat and beginning to read, trailing off, his
face getting red, scanning the pages, clearing his throat again and
saying, "And how are the crops this year?" LOL! And that last line,
the p.s., was so delightful, your timing so true, that I really did
laugh out loud.

Title: Changes · Author: Dwimordene · Races/Places: Hobbits: Post-
Ring War Drabble · ID: 231
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 18:59:59 Score: 3
Very nice! A gentle look, a deft touch, and somehow I can see that
sudden smile. Merry is always seen as the most introspective of the
hobbits (unless Frodo takes that role), and he sounds very "true"
here. I especially like the hopeful ending.

Title: Namesake · Author: Elana · Races/Places: Hobbits: Post-Ring
War Drabble · ID: 301
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:01:00 Score: 2
"Could he bear to keep that name alive?" Here is a different take on
the story than I've seen before. Sam's devotion to his master is
drawn as clearly as his courage here.

Title: Chasing and Burg'ling · Author: Marta · Races/Places: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War Drabble · ID: 580
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:02:20 Score: 2
Why do I get the feeling the Gaffer will never completely understand?
(And that, somehow, that's okay.)

(Burgling dragons. Snort.)

Title: A Lesson In Mercy · Author: Vistula the Dunadan ·
Races/Places: Hobbits: Post-Ring War Drabble · ID: 638
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:03:00 Score: 1
Lovely use of word-pictures and parallels, especially the dewdrops in
the web and the tears on Elanor's face.

Title: The Terror of Buckland · Author: Inkling · Races/Places:
Hobbits: Pre-War of the Ring · ID: 687
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:03:38 Score: 5
This gap-filler explores the early years of Frodo's life, after he
lost his parents. This is Frodo as I could well imagine him, "taller
and fairer than most", graceful, daring, full of fire and life,
easily fitting Bilbo's opinion of the finest hobbit in the Shire. All
the characters, not just Frodo, are drawn with care against a lushly-
imagined background. The story pulls you in and keeps you reading,
all the way from the exciting beginning to the heart-tugging end.
Well done!

Title: My Hero · Author: Vistula the Dunadan · Races/Places: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War Drabble · ID: 640
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:05:52 Score: 1
Very funny, and vividly told. Don't even know what Sam was facing--a
normal-sized spider or a mouse perhaps?

Title: Rohirrim Grey · Author: sulriel · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 143
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:09:43 Score: 4
What a helpful article! I know I have referred to this more than once
in my never-ending quest for accuracy. Sulriel knows her horses, and
her genetics, and writes clearly for the layman without
condescending. The photos are particularly helpful.

Now I understand why so many of JRRT's steeds were grey...

(And did you know that, according to a history of fire-fighting, grey
horses show up best in smoke, which is why this colour was favoured
to pull fire wagons?)

Title: Travel Times in Middle-earth · Author: sulriel · Genres: Non-
Fiction · ID: 144
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:12:49 Score: 4
An excellent and most helpful article, that I have referenced in the
never-ending quest for accuracy and making a story more "real".
Travel times can be quite a puzzle to modern readers/writers, who are
used to whizzing down the road in a mechanical contraption. Even
those of us who've used ponies or shanks' ponies in our travels
sometimes have trouble reconciling distance. I am so glad that since
I first looked at this, it has been expanded to include distances in
the Shire.

Title: A Long, Unexpected Drabble · Author: Elena Tiriel · Genres:
Humor: Metafic · ID: 193
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2005-08-24 19:14:17 Score: 1
You left me laughing! Very clever, indeed, and you managed to fit all
the words in. Well, sort of. (*g*)

Title: Mae Govannen · Author: Azalais · Books/Time: Gap-Filler:
Drabble · ID: 148
Reviewer: LadyAranel · 2005-08-24 19:17:14 Score: 2
Oh. I really like this! It shows both Glorfi in all his shining glory
and the emmense relief of Aragorn at his coming. Take that Movie!
Arwen!

Title: Mistress Gilraen · Author: AfterEver · Races/Places: Cross-
Cultural · ID: 65
Reviewer: LadyAranel · 2005-08-24 19:18:03 Score: 2
A wonderful story! Of course, *I* knew that it was not Elrond's
intent to take her to mistress from the start, but still I was swept
along by her not knowing! Excellent!

Title: The Prince of Golden Flowers · Author: Avon · Genres: Drama
(includes Angst): Drabble · ID: 18
Reviewer: LadyAranel · 2005-08-24 19:21:06 Score: 2
This was interesting and depends on your take of the first
Glorfindel.. is he dead or not? It most definitely stirs the muse.

***********