Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The Winter Fell and Silent · Author: Jael · Races: Elves:
Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 957
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 21:52:25
You know I found this delightful when I first read it at Open Scrolls
and now find that it's just as good on continued re-reads. I especially
enjoy this sub-genre of exploring questions and inconsistencies in the
canon and think you did a wonderful job with it here.

I enjoyed your characterizations of both Legolas and Thranduil, and felt
that you did a good job, there also, of staying true to canon especially
in presenting the contradictions in Legolas - his ageless youth and the
persistent strength in his innocence.

Well done. :)
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Title: Summer Call · Author: mitasova · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's Fall ·
ID: 772
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 21:52:53
I especially love the beauty and heartbreak in this story. I appreciate
the thought that Faramir would choose his time in that way and go
peacefully. That last ride appeals to me in a lot of ways, and I like
how you have him surrounded by loved ones, both those he is leaving
behind and those he's going to be with. Well done.
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Title: Dust On My Saddle · Author: Rous · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 630
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:03:11
Wonderful fun! I just love this mix of two of my favorite genres,
western and fantasy. I can just imagine any number characters, Clint
Eastwood or even Steve McQueen going up against Elrond - but I know they
wouldn't stand a chance. :)
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Title: The Tenth Walker · Author: Lindelea · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 198
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:03:29
I can't remember ever being this enthralled with a 'retelling' of canon
events, but this is absolutely delightful. I sat and read completely
through it, as much as is there.

Bill's pony voice is spot-on, your pace and style is smooth and flowing.
You have a unique talent to completely immerse youself, and more
importantly - the reader, in not just the story, but the point of view
character and in my opinion that ranks this story high on my list of
favorites.

I found this story to be chock full of precious gems, from the subtle
nuance of the old man's death, to the measure of the days by the
distance from Bree - how wonderfully pony-like - to the kind, gentle and
generous Master fastening the delicate lace fly-bonnet of Bill's furry ears.
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Title: Truly Exposed · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 689
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-23 22:05:43
This sweet ficlet brought out the warm fuzzies for me. This faintly
erotic tale could make Galadriel/Celeborn shippers out of us all.
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Title: A Shirt for Legolas · Author: Lady Aranel · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 285
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:05:55
Delightful! It's wonderful to see Legolas in this light, the love and
compassion he has for his little sister. It's warming to think of him
wearing that shirt, made by her, throughout his journey.

I know that canon doesn't state he has a sister, but it doesn't say he
didn't and I think it's unlikely that Thranduil would have only one
child. I can well see the close-knit and lovely family your portray here
- and that's one reason I especially enjoy all your work, because your
characters seems to match the canon characters in my head.
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Title: Lonely Night · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 295
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:06:23

I can't say I 'enjoyed' this heartbreaking look at a way of life both
here, historically, and in Middle-earth, but it certainly did move me
emotionally, and I think that may (really) be the stronger praise.

I especially appreciate how you've worked within Tolkien's Middle-earth
and created your own world within a world, your own believable cast of
original characters blend flawlessly with Tolkien's canon characters and
this is specifically my favorite kind of fanfic - more, new stories to
read within that world.
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Title: The Will · Author: LydiaB · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 770
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:06:40
This is one that captivated me from the first reading, and it never
grows old with the re-reading. it took me just a second of shock with
the first reading, and I had (had to or wanted to!? :) to read it again.
(and again) to savor what we all dream of, to know it's real. You worked
it in so perfectly, so wonderfully!

it's so skillfully, done with just the right amount of subtly to really
'engage the dream' and let us believe.

Well done!
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Title: Those Also Serve Who Stand and Wait · Author: Haleth · Times:
First Age and Prior · ID: 293
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:06:59
I often seen people criticize Tolkien for his lack of strength of female
characters, but as you clearly show, while he may not have spotlighted
them in his own writings, they certainly are there for those of us who
care to look. Indeed, the homes must be kept if there is to be anything
to return to, and sometimes that takes the greatest strength of all.

It's all well and good for the men to have the so-called 'glory' of war
- and Tolkien's women did fight, the Elf-women went to war, and we have
the Shield-maidens of Rohan for two examples, but they also *had* to
come home at some point or there would be no future at all - no
children, no next generation. It think it takes a special kind of
strength to fill both roles and I especially appreciate how your story
highlights these ideals.



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Title: Of Stone and Fire · Author: Werecat · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 124
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:07:15
Very insightful and well done. What a thing to imagine, a clash between
those two - the fire of Feanor and the great stone-strength of Gimli.
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Title: Lawd of Them Hills · Author: Make It Stop/Princess Faz CoAuthors
· Races: Men: Incomplete · ID: 304
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-07-23 22:08:02
"Lawd" is one of the best Middle Earth parodies that I've ever read, as
well as being a great satire on Appalachian life. (I went to school
there and had many friends among the Appalachia people.) "Lawd" is
definitely LOTR as the Coen brothers, creators of "O' Brother Where Art
Thou," would have filmed it had they gotten the rights.

This story succeeds as a satire in so many places. I don't know which
scene I like better, the hysterical take on "The Sons of the Stewards"
from the extended Two Towers film or the Council of L. Ron. Not to
mention their characterization of the notorious Sarah Man, CEO of Starbucks.

My congrats go out to Make It Stop and Princess Faz also for such great
work on the "local" dialogue. Please don't make us wait years to see
your take on Ari Gorn (does he look like George Clooney) and all those
Rohan cousins that live down in the next holler.
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Title: The Usurper · Author: Elena Tiriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 834
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:10:04
As much as I love the Men of the West, it's difficult for me to remember
or accept those such as Castamir, and back through the 'fallen' kings of
Numenor. It's tragic to me that the sons of Elros would come to that,
and especially rewarding to see Aragorn prove true.

Difficult? it rips at my heart, but we see it through out the history of
the world as well as throughout the history of Middle-earth, and, I
think, that's one element that gives this drabble it's intensity.

That so many would fall and so few remain true - even in the same
family, for example: such a noble family as Denethor, Boromir and
Faramir, the Darkness threaded it's way into their hearts and minds. How
could we expect any lesser men to stand strong?

Yet, without darkness the light doesn't shine - and I greatly appreciate
the contrast that you give us with your writing - you delve to the very
heart of Tolkien's writing's, in my opinion, the horrors that lurk and
are sometimes exposed in mankind, and yet - always - there is good, and
if it's not enough to balance the moment, at least there is hope.

Well Done!
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Title: A Little Thing · Author: Acacea · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 75
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:10:22
I like your portrayal of the ring waiting waiting waiting, longer than
the life of the fronds; and the fishes and even the other traps avoiding
it's evil. I like the thought of the 'things of nature' avoiding it, as
if they have the innocence to have resistance. Very insightful.
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Title: The Prince and the Librarian · Author: Sazziel · Times: Fourth
Age and Beyond: Incomplete · ID: 878
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:12:18
This is delightful Sazziel. I really enjoy your style and your
characterization. I love the thought of Eldarion in the library,
although I hate to think of it in such a sad state. I'm glad to see he's
getting it cleaned up.

You have a lovely cast of characters and a wonderful tangle of intrique,
suspense and conflict. I especially appreciate the heightening tension
throughout and am waiting impatiently to see this one complete.
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Title: The Salt-Rose · Author: Lady Aranel · Genres: Romance: Incomplete
· ID: 283
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:12:37
How to explain how this moves and excites me - it's sensual and
evocative; erotic without being coarse or crass and delightfully
in-character in spite of the situation, or maybe, because of the situation.

Legolas, in his irrepressible curiosity, is all things Elvish and at the
same time so totally himself - as Tolkien wrote him: 'proper', but with
a bit more curiosity, and the desire to follow it, than would be the
wisest course.

One element that I especially like about this chapter is the strength of
what isn't said, the insinuations and implications must be filled by the
readers imagination. I find this kind of writing draws me in and allows
my total immersion in the story - and this is one I'd certainly love to
be immersed in. :)

Very well done - I'm hoping to see more of this before too long!
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Title: Elfwine · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet
· ID: 70
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:14:56
Ah yes! The new father: bellowing, sending out riders with the news and
breaking out kegs of brew. :) well done.
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Title: To The Abyss · Author: Minuialeth · Times: The Great Years:
Poetry · ID: 403
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:15:13
Minnu, this work is powerful and emotional, as I've come to expect from you.

While I appreciate the first section, I find the second section to be
especially appealing. Maybe because it's more deeply from Gandalfs
perspective.

Overall well done. Thank you for sharing. Becky
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Title: 300 Horses · Author: Rous · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 631
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:15:53
I just love this one.
- extremely well-done and totally in keeping with the Tolkienistic style
and the spirit of his first love - that of the basis and malleability of
the language. Correct spelling, and pronunciation, would be
anachronistic. That is the kind of attention to detail that is so often
missed that I especially love to see an author get right.
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Title: A Hallowed Place of Both Peoples · Author: Imhiriel · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 944
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-23 22:16:37
I appreciate this drabble. I especially love the Unfinished Tales and
other books of the Histories and think they are often overlooked and
their rich stories neglected. Thank you for posting this.
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Title: A Night in the Woods · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 511
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-24 00:41:27
You know, I was as shocked as Faramir at this whimsical moment from
Boromir. So props for originality on that note. But I think the real
point of this story was not the elves but the relationship between
Boromir and Faramir. You have portrayedit very nicely: loving and
affectionate but even more importantly natural. They both feel
comfortable kidding each other, and their jabs are not intended to hurt,
which speaks highly of both of them. Nice peak into their relationship.
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Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-24 00:51:44
This is a very helpful list of exclamations and words used by the
characters of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. It confirms my intuitive
dislike of a lot of expletives used in fanfiction. Most of them don't
feel 'right'. I will keep this list and will put it to good use when
beta reading. I find it especially helpful to get some guidance in
creating some new phrases but still keeping the spirit of the books.
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Title: In the Shadow of Hope · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races: Men:
Vignette · ID: 715
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-24 00:52:36
This short scene captures, in my opinion, perfectly Eowyn's mood during
the interminable waiting for the outcome of the final battle. Her
restlessness and moodiness is jumping off the page. It's not despair she
is feeling. I would call it depression. I love the moment when she
observes the green shrubs and blooming flowers without joy. That brought
home to me how down she really feels, and then, at the end, when she
asks for a sign of hope, Faramir shows up. The story ends here, but it
is the perfect answer to her plea.
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Title: In a Heartbeat · Author: Piplover · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Pippin or Merry · ID: 928
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-24 01:28:25
Pippin and standing guard. I could see him trading sniggers and yawns
with his friend. Duty or no Duty. I loved the interaction between
Aragorn and Pippin. Aragorn changing between his different roles as
King, friend and healer, but being a friend first to Pippin. The
decision to put the assassins to death was the right one in the setting
of this world. Aragorn has to stay hard, no matter what it cost him.
Middle-earth is not a setting for modern ideas about keeping people
locked up for life.
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Title: An Exaltation of Larks · Author: Ibilover · Times: The Great
Years · ID: 178
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-07-24 01:54:21
What a charming story! I love the moments of introspection for both
Aragorn and Boromir as their memories carry them back to happier days
with loved ones. Of course Mithrandir would have been the one to give
Faramir that book  thats a perfect detail. I particularly enjoyed the
musical sound of the terms of venery youve incorporated into the story.
Reading this brightened up my afternoon so much; thank you for writing it!
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Title: Flotsam · Author: Salsify · Times: The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 85
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-07-24 01:55:12
Ive spent a pleasant day today reading and commenting. Ive read
lighthearted tales of Lothiriel and Eomer, Pippin and Gandalf; tales of
Aragorn and Imrahils desperate courage at the Black Gate, tales of
Faramirs enduring love for both his brother and his father.

But I havent read anything at all like this story, ever.

Youve captured so much, in so few words  Merrys irrepressible
good-heartedness, despite the terrors and sorrows hes endured; his
courage, and most of all, his compassion. Not even the Professor gave us
this type of insight into Merrys character, as a thoughtful observer of
the horrors of war. Thank you for providing this brief, haunting
glimpse, not only of the victims of war, but the effects of the
realization that there are other, innocent victims on those who have
taken part in the battle.
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