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Title: Stewardship · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 920
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-13 12:44:46 Score: 2
Admin Edit Review
Another of Raksha's delightful drabbles. Gandalf, already thinking of
leaving Middle Earth, reflects that he can entrust his
responsibilities to worthy inheritors. Vivid, economical and
convincing. Bookverse.
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Title: The One · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha the Demon CoAuthors · ·
ID: 921
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-13 12:48:28 Score: 2
Admin Edit Review
Crisply written short fic about Aragorn's kingship and the Faramir's
validation as Steward. Original idea but well in the spirit of the
book. Also a treat for Faramir lovers.
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Title: A Little Thing · Author: Acacea · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 75
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-14 08:55:38 Score: 2
Admin Edit Review
A very nice little drabble. The idea of all the river creatures
steering clear of the Ring is great. I imagine a shoal of fish
approaching it, and then EECH! Scattering in panic.
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Title: Gandalf's No Good, Rotten, Really Bad Day · Author: Gandalfs
apprentice · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 146
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-14 09:01:35 Score: 5
Admin Edit Review
Very funny, though hair-raisingly irreverent! I always did wonder why
Aragorn insisted on trolling around with a broken sword, unless he
kept a spare handy. In point of fact, ITB he never does actually try
to use the broken sword, nor is he put in a position to need it. One
of the many things which creak a wee bit in the plot, but which you
don't begin to notice until your 10th-plus reading. (And do they
matter even then?) You point them up with absolutely lethal accuracy!
A most enjoyable read.

Poor old Arwen, howling in the corner!
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Title: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit · Author: Altariel · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 91
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-14 17:39:25 Score: 1
Admin Edit Review
Jawdrop! Watership Down meets Lord of the Rings...

Altariel, you are brilliant, may I join your warren?
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Title: Rest and Recreation · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 700
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-14 17:43:34 Score: 4
Admin Edit Review
This captures Boromir's voice very well indeed. I always wondered what
he did during those idle weeks in Rivendell, and thought he'd have
been bored out of his skull. Trust him to get involved in some fighting.

Imladris is really wasted on Boromir. Faramir would have profited so
much from all that lore, both written and from living elves. He really
ought to have been the one to go!
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Title: Luck from the Ashes · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 142
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-14 17:50:36 Score: 6
Admin Edit Review
Aaaaw! Permission to be a pussycat please and live with Faramir for
ever. I'd even catch the occasional mouse if it would please him.
Purrrrrr!

This story beautifully explores the still tentative relationship
between the Steward and the King, with Faramir still that bit on edge.
Aragorn appreciates all the qualities in Faramir that probably
'displeased' his father: a good augury for the future.

Just one thing: would Faramir not be a bit hesitant about walking in
the ruins of the family vault? He may not remember Denethor's attempt
to burn him alive, but it is the ashes of his ancestors that he's
trampling on. Including those of his father and, presumably, mother.
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Title: Lesser Ring · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 184
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2006-06-15 03:45:21 Score: 6
Admin Edit Review
This story is one of my favorite of all of Larner's stories. I loved
the world that she created in Harad since Tolkien did not describe it
in any detail. But this story makes it an Egyptian type culture and
then within that setting, Larner tells a wonderful tale that starts
when Aragorn is a young man and then continues almost fifty years
later after he becomes king. The original characters are truly
original and the action is gripping at times... in all the right
places. Of course, all of my favorite characters are also there,
Aragorn, Arwen, Eomer, Faramir, Eowyn, Legolas, etc. It is a
wonderfully, imaginative tale that is masterfully written and I highly
recommend it.
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Title: Curious Mind, Noble Heart · Author: Nilmandra · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 270
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2006-06-15 04:05:29 Score: 5
Admin Edit Review
This is a wonderful tale. The mistakes that Estel makes are
heart-wrenching and could have been fatal and the emotion when he
thinks he killed Elrohir makes me want to cry each time I read it. But
the gentle wisdom of Elrond and Gilraen as they speak with Estel and
guide him and help him see his errors is so touching. I also want to
laugh when Estel says that he thinks that Elrond has probably never
had to discipline any boys before. It is just a wonderfully told
story, as are all of Nilmandra's stories.
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Title: Of All the Pretty Little Horses · Author: Oshun · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 736
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-15 09:15:26 Score: 2
Admin Edit Review
A very neat, if somewhat saucy, little drabble. If anyone got confused
as to what they were talking about, I've a feeling it was Eomer, not
Faramir...
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Title: To Become A Queen · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 157
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-06-15 10:23:34 Score: 10
Admin Edit Review
This relationship is just the best!

I love the sexual tension between Éomer and Lothiriel. You portray it
so beautifully – from the moment they are relieved to find it is just
as strong as they remember all the way through to the wedding.

I appreciated Lothiriel's sheer physical discomfort - it is so likely
that she would suffer from such a journey, even if her brothers have
been forcing her to ride more. And her concerns - a few brief meetings
followed by a nine month betrothal are going to have her wondering
what she has let herself in for. At least until that really sizzling
meeting with Eomer - where she did nothing more exciting than remove
her glove!

And I love her brothers. I really want to know more about Elphir - he
was such a good older brother and he has turned into such a prissy
man. He seems quite different from the rest of his family and it would
seem to be more than a frosty wife - after all, that change can only
be relatively recent. Was he perhaps more upset by his mother's
illness and death than anyone realised? And wanted stability and an
unchanging world to bolster him against it? H'mm. Don't know. But he
is very tiresome. Erchirion and Amrothos are much more open.

Eomer's declaration that as his wife she would be her own woman must
have been reassuring to a very individual Lothiriel - since he was
clearly not saying that he was too indifferent to her to care what she
did! The whole wedding was splendid - even if Eomer's declaration
seemed to have been designed to disconcert his bride at a key moment.

These characters just get more and more delightful as your story arc
develops. I cannot get enough of them and hope you never run out of
stories to tell!

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Title: Just Desserts · Author: Lindelea · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond
· ID: 161
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-06-15 10:39:52 Score: 10
Admin Edit Review
I loved the final outcomes to this story. Very public restitution and
the rewards that Jack and his boys deserved. Not just get out of jail
free, but gloriously decorated horses, king's cloaks, King and Steward
walking at your side, and a very loud announcement of inestimable
honour. Yep. I think the population of Annuminas will have got the
message. And Jack - if he is well enough - will be able to visit the
place he considers above all others to be his home.

But boy did the reader torture pile on along the way! There were some
painfully stressful moments here when my heart bled for those who were
caught up in mindless application of rules. From the guards to the
families, from the hobbits and poor damaged Haldoron to Jack and his
boys – it is all so painful! Nobody is being actively malicious – but
the ending could have been tragic.

And the end result of the episode will actually serve to strengthen
the power of the king in the north. He has been seen to be someone who
will make every effort to be fair and generous in the way he deals
with people in his care. Someone who cares more for the spirit of the
law than its letter.

I must admit that the epilogue was very tantalising, too. I rather
hanker to discover just what went on when Ferdi and the unfortunate
Haldoron got the job of escorting young Faramir Took to Gondor.

This was an excellent and very moving story – and I was very relieved
to get to the very satisfactory ending!

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Title: The Circle · Author: Karenator · Races: Men · ID: 778
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-06-15 10:55:42 Score: 10
Admin Edit Review
Tomorrow? Now that is a very tantalising ending and stirs up a whole
new level of speculation! And leaves the reader longing to find out more.

I found this such an enjoyable story. I just love the combination of
characters - Halbarad and a young fluffy-chinned Hurin, Brandol,
Elrohir ... what more could you want? A bit of orc-slaying, the
inclusion of innocently-giggly child ghosts in white, and mud and
badly-fed rangers contemplating their lot in life. Combined with some
really delightful and evocative turns of phrase.

Halbarad is such a delightfully practical ranger – but one who can
appreciate the dreamer in his son. More, I suspect from his words,
than his own father would have done. It is great to see him as a
father – reluctant to see his young son endure this rite of passage,
desiring to protect him, yet knowing he cannot, and then supporting
him through the aftermath with understanding. And Hurin is so young!
Dunedain childhood was such a short part of a long life.

I enjoyed Elrohir taking Halbarad on the ghost chase. It was
interesting to see him on his own with the rangers. And Brandol – what
a great character! I love his clumsiness and Halbarad's slight
surprise that he didn't end up in the water.

I loved it, Karen. I had begun to forget how much I missed your
writing, but this has reminded me. I hope inspiration is visiting you
and compelling you to put finger to keyboard!

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Title: A Web of Treason · Author: Linda Hoyland · · ID: 951
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-15 12:01:43 Score: 6
Admin Edit Review
There's some fine writing here, plenty of action and a strong story
line, but I keep finding myself baulking at the rather sentimental (to
me) treatment of the Aragorn/Faramir relationship. To me, these are
two strong men who would co-operate on a far more businesslike basis,
though with a strong underlying trust and affection. However, this
isn't a condemnation of the story - rather of my own narrow views!

Boromir having a wife (or something) and offspring is also something
of a shock, though I must admit that dedicated warrior as he is, there
is something about Boromir ITB that suggests to me that he might have
had an eye for a pretty girl. And the girls would like him - he's
obviously God's gift physically and has a 'pleasant' and 'kindly'
nature into the bargain. Ah well...
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Title: Come When You Are Ready · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Alternate Universe · ID: 795
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-06-15 14:14:09 Score: 10
Admin Edit Review
This is very powerful - and quite horrific.

Denethor is – despite his appalling injuries and his suffering – more
like the Denethor of Under my Wing. I can see him as the slightly
bemused, but proud and loving father he was before responsibility,
grief and a palantir drove him over the edge. I feel that this
Denethor, were he able to be aware of anything much, would be
absolutely horrified by his attempt to take Faramir with him into death.

I am glad that he wished to be reassured that all was well with
Faramir before he was willing to follow Finduilas and Boromir. And
that he chose to leave before the healers had to start removing parts
of his anatomy. I am sure that they will be waiting for Faramir when
he arrives - a long time from now.

Although that room is really no place for the faint-hearted, it seems
a good thing in the long run that Faramir was able to see his father
and speak with him. The detail of Denethor's undamaged feet, feet that
Faramir had never before seen, was touching – the sort of thing that
sticks in the memory, but what I think will be most reassuring for him
is his father's concern. I think he always felt abandoned by the
reality that has Denethor's death over and done with by the time
Faramir awakes.

Denethor is walking the edge between life and death and half-aware of
both sides – and it is good to know that his loved ones are waiting
for him with love and understanding.

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Title: A Bride for a King · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 777
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-06-15 14:37:55 Score: 10
Admin Edit Review
I do ask myself why Imrahil couldn't manage to pen a brief note to his
daughter along with the letter to Erchirion. She's remarkably
reasonable most of the time and it might have helped. Really, telling
her big brother to do his dirty work isn't very tactful – and
Lothiriel took it better than I would have expected. Possibly better
than her brothers expected, too.

And Eomer didn't do a bad job with that proposal, though. Considering.
Simple, direct, honest - and designed by a man with a strong-willed
sister. Perhaps a bit impersonal, but still not bad. And he did give
her the option of refusal – which is more than anyone else has done!

I don't know if the information obtained from Amrothos after rather
too much wine was all that useful to her - he does have a rather
skewed vision of life. And endless curiosity. But I am glad that she
didn't turn down the proposal on principle – I'm not sure that Éomer
would have come back for another and rather more tactful go. She was
sensible not to cut off her nose to spite her face!

I do love your Imrahil. He is such a very civilised and intelligent
man. The sort of man who can be irritatingly right! And all with his
children's best interests at heart. Lothiriel can't complain too much
- being betrothed to Eomer suits her down to the ground. He's much
better than Elphir's brother-in-law, who sounds a totally self-centred
loser.

This is another completely delightful story, Madeleine. There is such
great sexual tension between two people who aren't even in the same
country. And one of whom we don't even see! I love it.

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Title: Reaping · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 169
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-06-15 15:02:53 Score: 10
Admin Edit Review
I never thought I would end up feeling sorry for Ted Sandyman. He is a
nasty piece of work – in hobbit terms – but even he did not really
deserve what happened to him here!

He doubtless thought he was so clever, pre-empting the banishment he
knew was inevitable! But he was never very bright – a bully, who
thought hanging onto the coattails of those who were bigger bullies
would bring him some kind of power. He deserved his miserable flight
from the Shire – but once he fell in the hands of the hands of
Sharkey's men, he found out more about evil than even he should.

(Personally, I feel sorry for Clover. Ruffo and Mallo – and Ted – at
least chose their own path. But still none of them deserved the fate
they found. Frodo would have been absolutely horrified to discover
what happened to those banished from the Shire.)

And Ted's fate – gruesome. I love the way that he dreams of sweet
Folco offering sympathy to the tortured hobbit until finally the orcs
and orcish men finish him off – and then Folco comes to lead him home,
while his body is dumped in a shallow grave and abandoned.

Poor Ted. Nasty, but naive. He didn't really have much of a grasp of
what the world was like outside the Shire. But his learning curve was
steep and he suffered a far worse punishment than any hobbit would
have chosen to inflict on him.

I think he learned that there are worse things than the pity of a
noble heart. To paraphrase the words of a certain Gondorian. This is
quite unlike most of your writing, but I found it made a great impact
on me. Good story.

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Title: The Golden Mask · Author: kwannom · Races: Men: Incomplete ·
ID: 670
Reviewer: wenont · 2006-06-15 15:45:05 Score: 8
Admin Edit Review
This story takes place in the Year 3429 of the Second Age, one year
before the Last Alliance. It is a mix of movie and book verse and very
skillfully woven together. It follows several warriors, Haldir and an
OC called Golden Mask, among them. As Me is suffering at the hands of
Sauron, the races of elves and men decide to create an alliance
against Him, and begin a search for great warriors from both races to
lead their armies.

Though to some, the story may appear to begin slowly, I found that
there is a very valid reason for this, as it builds the foundation for
plot development in the first few chapters. There is a great deal that
needs to be said at the onset of this piece and is well worth the read
through.

I have found that the author has done a magnificent job of researching
ancient battle strategies that fit perfectly into Tolkien's supposed
timeline and era. This is a very intricate piece of writing that
deserves the attention of the author's peers, and those interested in
well portrayed battle scenes and character development..
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Title: If I had a Hammer · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Late Third
Age: The Shire · ID: 162
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-06-15 18:47:05 Score: 10
Admin Edit Review
Poor Frodo. Having to deal with woodworking Pippin, modest Sam and
crotchety Merry. Demands beyond the call of duty for a bachelor
cousin. Still at least he knows Pippin's trials from experience – that
was a great sidelight on Frodo's talents.

Pippin must be so sick of not being able to do the things that his big
cousins find so easy – and slightly less willing to accept the
magnificence of Merry. Sam is a star – he does a brilliant job of
encouraging and teaching Pippin. And boosting his confidence after the
dreadful Tobias Tunnely did his best to demolish it. And letting him
explain his very Pippish train of thought – and then giving him the
opportunity to try out his ideas.

Pippin may well come out of this having learnt a huge amount. And not
just about carpentry. (Measure twice, cut once, Pippin.) But I reckon
his cousins will have learnt a good deal, too. And maybe even Sam will
have come to believe in himself a bit more.

Merry is much more pleasant company as a hobbit with a mission – well,
unless you are Tobias Tunnely. (I love the moment he lets the old
carpenter know that the Heir to the Master of Buckland is Displeased.)

The competition itself was a delight – full of characters – and the
party afterwards just confirmed Pippin's charm. Hamfast makes an
excellent recipient for the wheelbarrow – and I'm fairly sure the
design will spread rapidly throughout the Shire!

I am glad Tobias Tunnely very wisely decided in the end to be gracious
about his loss. Although I suspect he is extremely relieved that Sam
has no plan to set up as a carpentry teacher!

I really enjoyed this story - great stuff.

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Title: About Legends or Whisperings of a Ghost · Author: juno_magic ·
Races: Men · ID: 699
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-06-16 04:43:43 Score: 7
Admin Edit Review
This remarkable story is one of the most powerful pieces of Middle
Earth fan fiction that I have ever read. It is very dark and very
moving. Juno's prose tugs at your heart while she subtly makes her
case for exposing the truth behind legends. This tale of abuse and
cruelty shows that Sauron and his minions don't hold the exclusive
copyright on evil in the Third Age. Beruthial is revealed as a victim
whose story had been erased from Middle Earth history.

As a cat lover and humble servant of a black cat, I was moved to tears
by some of the events in the story. MEFA readers will be moved, too,
but should exercise caution, because this tale is not for the
squeamish. Thank you, Juno, for redeeming the honor of cats,
especially black cats, in Middle Earth. This story stayed with me for
days after I read it.
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Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-06-16 04:45:46 Score: 2
Admin Edit Review
A sweet story and very realistic, too. Too often we fanfic writers put
Faramir and Eowyn in such maelstrom of angst. Nesta's story allows
them to have a happy, peaceful time, like any real life couple.
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Title: The Still Point · Author: stultiloquentia · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor · ID: 87
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-06-16 04:46:56 Score: 3
Admin Edit Review
Stultiloquentia opens the door to Aragorn and Arwen's bridal chamber
and presents us with a bit of PG erotica before getting down to the
true theme of the story--the meaning of mortality. The language in
this story is exquisite. But what I like best is the proposition that
the last vestiges of Arwen's immortality were lost when she lost her
virginity.
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Title: Psychodiagnostic Evaluation - Subject: The Lady of Rohan ·
Author: Anoriath · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 753
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-06-16 04:52:06 Score: 2
Admin Edit Review
What a creative take on Eowyn's state in the Houses of Healing. I've
often wondered what a modern psychologist would have to say about the
mental states of both Eowyn and Faramir after Aragorn brings them back.
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Title: Of Stone and Fire · Author: Werecat · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 124
Reviewer: Nesta · 2006-06-16 20:08:14 Score: 4
Admin Edit Review
An interesting drabble that raises some interesting questions, in
particular, how far do spirits in the Halls of Mandos follow events in
the world they have left? And could Feanor have done anything to
Gimli? Presumably not!

I must say that Gimli deserved his three hairs. He has a generous
heart - for a dwarf - whereas Feanor is dead selfish and won't give
anything of his own away.
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Title: Gandalf's No Good, Rotten, Really Bad Day · Author: Gandalfs
apprentice · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 146
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-06-16 22:12:57 Score: 2
Admin Edit Review
Wow, this was an unexpected, AU giggle. It was fun to see Gandalf,
that marvel of planning, cringe as everything goes awry. But he did
get rid of Sauron, as the original plan mandated. This was a fun romp.
-----------------------------------