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Title: The Household Accounts · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 50
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 09:04:53
A cleverly written, subtly haunting vignette where Eowyn faces the
influence of her husband's family's past on their new lives. Unlike some
more heavy-handed stories, the influence comes not in the form of
nightmares, but in the account books kept by the housekeeper of the
Steward's residence in Minas Tirith. Eowyn feels the fabric worn bought
for various garments made for Faramir's father, mother and brother; a
unique way of furthering her knowledge of those who are gone forever.

The writer is obviously quite knowledgeable about textiles and ancient
weaving techniques, the vocabulary used in the story, while intelligible
to readers, adds to the feel of authenticity.

I liked Eowyn's implied resolution to turn the scraps of the material
used to make Finduilas' gown into a dress for a baby girl of her own - a
nifty way of tying together Faramir's lost mother with the daughter
Eowyn hopes to give Faramir. And the detail of Finduilas' material being
a [sea-green] is appropriate and moving.


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Title: The Tide · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 77
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 09:15:47
Yee-HAH! We don't see Angry Imrahil often enough; and the Valar Know, he
has cause at this point. Though Imrahil's confrontation with Denethor
here, sadly, seems like that of the Irresistible Force colliding with
the Immovable Object; with Imrahil storming in like an angry wave, and
Denethor as obdurate as a rocky seaside promontory.

The author delivers a fine portrayal of Imrahil's frustration at this
shattering moment in his and Denethor's lives. The piece is all the more
effective in that Imrahil doesn't see the emotions behind Denethor's
mask; we can guess that Imrahil's righteous anger on his apparently
mortally wounded nephew's behalf is salting some very raw wounds in the
Steward's already stressed mind.


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Title: The Oathbreakers · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 42
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 09:42:31
Scary good. Aragorn's regret for the loss of Boromir is obvious, and
infuses this other-worldly drabble with human warmth.

The ending is sad but rather beautiful.

My only quibble, and it is a minor one, is that I would have also liked
to see a somewhat longer version of this story. But then one wouldn't
have had this one searing moment of recognition and, for a second time,
loss.
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Title: Benison · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Remembering · ID: 67
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 09:55:57
A rather bewitching vignette of the newly married Eowyn encountering her
husband's long-dead mother; not via an actual ghost, but through the
gift of Finduilas' sewing basket and daybook. Eowyn is able to meet
Finduilas, through the memories stored in the book.

The reference to Eowyn and Faramir's both losing their mothers at a
young age is quite apt, and lends texture to the story. The sense of
Finduilas' life and love for her family, lingers gracefully through the
writer's evocative prose.
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Title: A Lasting Peace · Author: SueB · Genres: Drama · ID: 711
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-18 11:42:53
[A Lasting Peace] is an ambitious story of post-Ring War politics,
prejudice, war, and the peace that its hero nearly sacrifices his life
to assure.

It was a bit difficult to believe that Faramir would achieve such such
near-mystical calmness while being tortured. Although he is an
intelligent, thoughtful man, I have never thought he was saintly.

The characterisation of Legolas is good. Most of the villains - orcs and
torturers - inspire the proper fear and loathing.

The most important original character, Henvain, is actually more
convincing than Faramir, an unassuming 'grunt' who rises to the occasion
with heroic determination.

The scenes where the OC's discuss Gondor-Harad relations are quite
convincing, and a good way to show, rather than tell, the difficulties
in overcoming pre-conceived attitudes.

The last chapter is possibly the best, and most affecting, in the entire
story.
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Title: Black Hour · Author: Nesta · Times: The Great Years: Gondor · ID: 92
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 14:31:14
There is something quite touching and compelling about this author\'s
version of Faramir. He has his father\'s sharp mind and his political
cunning, but enough humility to know when he is beat. The political
aspects like how he viewed Pelendur's argument were also very well
thought-through and technically it was a well-written piece. It makes me
want to read more of what this author wrote.
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Title: Relief · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Pre-Fellowship · ID: 518
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 14:31:28
This short little piece is just so chock-full of surprises. At the
beginning I thought that it would be a simple portrayal of Boromir
loves: paint a bad situation for Boromir, and have Faramir rescue him.
I've read my share of those stories, and I usually like them. But it's
the last scene that really makes this one stand out for me: the relief
that Denethor's use of the palantir buys for Boromir and by extension
all Gondor, is not a relief for those of us who knows what will come of
this increased use of the palantir. It lends a bittersweet tone to the
entire piece that makes this story truly original. Good job!
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Title: The gift · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later Ages ·
ID: 807
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 14:35:20
I've read a lot of stories about the pre-WOTR relationship of Aragorn
and Legolas, but this was certainly a unique explanation of that
relationship. Legolas was well-drawn here, and I especially like
Gilraen's wisdom.
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Title: In the Woods · Author: Werecat · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond ·
ID: 119
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 14:40:43
What an original story! I like the idea that Radagast might still be
hanging around, and painting it through the eyes of a culture skeptical
of fantasy made it work even better for me.
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Title: The Secret of Dog Lake · Author: Karenator · Races: Elves · ID: 819
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 14:41:03
I really like this piece, both the frame story and the tale that Haldir
weaves. Everyone's reactions, especially Elrond's at certain points,
were hysterical, and Elladan and Elrohir were very believable for
elflings of their age. Though I wondered - is the frame story based on
something from the Silm? It seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn't
place it.
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Title: The question of being fair · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 796
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-07-18 14:51:28
This is an amusing story and you painted a lovely picture. This is also
a clever idea of using one of the often debated points in your story.
Tolkien's often vague choices of words may confuse or amaze the readers
(I remember my own struggle to remember all those difficult names for
example), but you used the question of Celegorm's hair color in a very
playful and well-written way. Very well done!
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Title: Red River · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 82
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:04:09
This was definitely a potent read, with a lot to speak to our modern
age. Yet I think it would have to be a concern for Gondor in the Fourth
Age and is in a very true sense the "burden of victory". If the leading
Gondorians gave thought only to their own interest they would lose what
was pure in them, and like any post-war clean-up there would simply not
be enough resources to go around.

Beyond that, there were some old favourites in this piece. Aragorn and
Faramir playing a game of chess always gives me a warm and fuzzy
nostalgic feeling; it has played such a strong role in so many of your
pieces. Here it takes on a nice metaphorical twist, and you delightfully
give us an OC who trumps our canon heroes without forcing any of them
out-of-character. Brava.
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Title: The Consequences of Curiosity · Author: A L Milton · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 153
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:04:37
Well-written story. You handle the hint of eroticism well, and I can
very easily see Aragorns discomfort! Diligent steward, indeed. And the
particular roles mentioned, especially the last, seemed very
in-character for F&E.
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Title: First Impressions · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 806
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:11:02
What I like most about this is the descriptions, and how you've made me
both hate and love the Angle. I could see what Aragorn must have been
feeling very well. Well done.
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Title: Earth's Daughter · Author: Aramel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 170
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:13:01
I have not read "The Last Ship" so I have a vague feeling that I am
missing a lot of this piece's depth. So the fact that it moved me so
deeply should be high recommendation. It's a touching tale of the mortal
girl who was offered the chance to sail West but didn't. Aramel captures
the longing of mortals to meet Elves, and I see in her OC Silmarien
shades of Sam. More than that, the older Firiel has a wisdom about the
gift of Men that many of her peoples' kings would have done well to
learn. I'm not sure I am really meant to "enjoy" a piece this weighty,
but it certainly did affect me.
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Title: How Grima Lost His Eyebrows · Author: NeumeIndil · Times: Late
Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 800
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-07-18 15:13:31
I found this story utterly hilarious. Not only because you set up a
somewhat sleepy mood at the beginning, giving the readers a glimpse into
Grima's daydreaming and expectations, but also because it seemed to be
like a missing scene in the movie. The last line was priceless, and I
felt really sorry for Grima, but he should have knocked first. None the
less, I would have liked to see his face at that moment. Great job!
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Title: A Shirt for Legolas · Author: Lady Aranel · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 285
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:13:41
How sweet! I know that you based this on the weave of a movie prop, and
it's a very neat explanation of it. I really liked the sense of
character you've infused into a little sister for Legolas. I wouldn't
mind reading more about her one of these days.
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Title: Along the Morgai · Author: Rabidsamfan · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 849
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:13:52
This drabble about breaks your heart. So many strong images - Sam in the
Shire 'battling dragons' before he even knew what they were, Sam's
battle with a real ally of Morgoth, Frodo smiling at the memory of Sam's
deeds. But what really gets me is the image of the Gaffer puzzling
through the letter and then its meaning hitting him, and Frodo's
fatalism throughout. You really packed a lot into this drabble, but it
works really well - powerful, not overburdened.
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Title: Aglarond · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 68
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:14:02
Here, you have taken the essential character of dwarves and distilled it
into just one hundred words. They are not elves who craft pretty words,
but neither are they orcs who eschew all beauty. I found it touching
that Gimli did not try to carve Galadriel's likeness in stone but
settled for her name. That's a step toward the other, elven reality he
has been exposed to, but still is very dwarven. Nice job catching this
enigmatic culture.
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Title: Such an Hour · Author: SlightlyTookish · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 237
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:14:20
Interesting perspective on the hobbits and the part they played in the
War of the Ring. You captured them nicely.
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Title: Remembrance · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 73
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:14:32
How wonderful! This story is so well-told. When I read "Legacy" this was
the one part that I had a hard time accepting: that Faramir and Boromir
could get away with something. Denethor seems all-seeing at times, and
even in his grief I don't think his sons could outmanoeuvre him on
something this important. But the fact that he might have known about it
and chosen to ignore it.

Again, the ending is what really won me over to this story. Without
giving something away to future readers, it is not at all what you would
expect. And that surprise just drives home the utter truth of the
author's characterization of Denethor. He is kindler and gentler but
loses none of his cunning nor of his complete control over himself --
even at this desperate pass. Well worth the read.
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Title: Do Not Think Me A Dream · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Men: Gondor
· ID: 40
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:14:50
There is something powerful in the melancholy of this piece. Many drama
stories can be so heavy that one cannot imagine anyone bearing up under
that kind of stress for any length of time. But Finduilas's ennui here
is palpable and just mild enough that it could wear on for years quite
easily, wearing her down with it. She looks on her children and envies
their nanny the time to give to them -- but then she does not take the
easy road of looking only at the external stresses that keep her away
from her children, but also examines her perceived internal failings.
That to me is at the heart of this honest and frank portrayal of
Finduilas. A well-written snapshot of an underexplored character.
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Title: The Dancing Master · Author: Flick · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 323
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:15:00
What a neat little gapfiller! Very sweet, but also very melancholy - as
it should be, after all that these two lost. I particularly liked how
you made Boromir out to be the better dancer. I hadn't thought he would,
but the way you portrayed him seemed very in-character.
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Title: The Lost · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 181
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:15:14
This story was great fun. Brand is an original character who has always
captured my imagination and here he is in full force. He is responsible
and diligent but also moody and more than a little unsure of himself
around all these great lords -- as you would expect of a teenaged
whoreson thrust into a world he had never imagined would accept him. But
what I really like is a tangential matter here: Faramir and Eowyn, why
Faramir loves her and the wisdom that we see in her. Even though Eowyn
only inhabits the shadows just beyond this piece, her presence is fully
felt. I think she and Brand would get along quite well one of these days.
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Title: Mine · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Humor: Children · ID: 66
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-18 15:15:28
I like what you've done with Nanny's longsuffering patience here. It all
seemed so natural, and quietly humorous.
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