Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Stolen · Author: Meril · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 46
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2006-07-24 01:56:15
I remember how you agonized over this; I was honored to be allowed to
read it in its earliest stages. I think we all have some dark!fic inside
us; and we need to write it, not only to exorcise the cruelly laughing
demon-muses that whisper those types of stories, but to exercise our own
skills in writing them.

Youve done an extraordinary job of examining Galadriel, and all she
holds dear: the power of Neya; her own power as a ringbearer; her love
of the beauty of Lorien and the word she has created there. Her love for
her family, her Celeborn, her pride in her own heritage. Your
descriptions of how each of these elements are despoiled, destroyed
before her eyes, are very powerfully written. The final abuse, the final
indignity which finally breaks Galadriels spirit, in heartrending in
its simplicity.

Its a horrific tale. I know this wasnt easy for you to write, but Im
very glad that you did: Im proud of the way you are stretching yourself
as a writer.
-----------------------------------
Title: Tinúviel, Tinúviel · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance: Rohan ·
ID: 103
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-24 02:58:06
This written version of the movieverse Aragorn's vision of Arwen as he
is being affectionately nuzzled by Brego makes more sense than the movie
scene (where I would have preferred more of the touching relationship of
a Dunadan and his beloved horse). The writer ties the two rather
disparate movieverse moments together in a more plausible way, and
elaborates on the themes of duty and hope.
-----------------------------------
Title: Mirrors of Numenor · Author: Dostoevsky's Mouse · Races: Men:
Incomplete · ID: 242
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-24 05:51:39
I only have one complaint about this story: it isn't finished! This tale
has everything that I look for in the best fanfic: Aragorn, flashing
swords, Aragorn, interesting interpersonal dialog, Aragorn, fine writing.

I love Thorongil stories, but so many are disappointing. Yours provides
a fine portrait of both Denethor and Aragorn and establishes an
intriguing respect and wariness between them. I could see them becoming
fast friends--or enemies. I am very eager to see where you will take the
tale. There are already several threads to be followed and resolved:
Denethor's discovery of Thorongil's identity--or not; how much will he
find out about the healing powers (which should already be raising big
questions--they are hardly common, I should think); more to be revealed
about Thorongil's time in Rohan.

The battle scene was very well done. Graphic, full of action, but not
going on too long. Your knowledge of ships is thorough enough to be
convincing.

One thing jarred me, though. With the story being told from Denethor's
point of view, it is odd that Aragorn is called by his real name, and
not by Thorongil. After all, the reader knows who he is, if Denethor
does not.

I am glad also that you show a reasonable tension between Ecthelion and
Denethor without making either one a villain. There is too much "taking
sides" in fanfic.


Gandalfs apprentice
-----------------------------------
Title: Lobelia's List · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 201
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-24 07:59:48
Cute, but quite in-character and appropriate list of things to do before
a particular auction, written by Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. This takes
the reader quickly into Lobelia's brightly acquisitive mind. Fun to read.
-----------------------------------
Title: Diplomatic Relations · Author: annmarwalk/EdorasLass CoAuthors ·
Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 189
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-24 08:11:41
A spirited, romantic slash story. If one believes that some Tolkien
characters could go in that direction, than Boromir is a natural for the
genre. And this story sets him and Theodred up nicely, as two splendid
young men who instantly yearn and burn for each other. The allusions to
sex are convincing but not too graphic.

I do have a little trouble believing that the Eorling culture would be
so understanding of homosexuality, particularly in it's King's only son,
but that idea is made to work in the context of this story.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Prince and the Pea · Author: Karri · Genres: Humor: Children
· ID: 158
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-24 16:41:39
This enjoyable story takes off on the Princess and the Pea. It's fun
seeing the great Elf lords getting the better of little Estel, but I
suspect he figured it out pretty quick. I did wonder what happened to
the badly wounded Elf at the beginning.

Gandalfs apprentice
-----------------------------------
Title: Making Merry · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits · ID: 663
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-07-24 16:44:16
What struck me most about this story was how, even in the midst of a
most wonderful party, Merry could not abandon himself to joy as Pippin
could. There is a sorrow in this short, sweet tale, hidden under words
of rejoicing. And yet the nature of hobbits triumphs, for Merry chooses
to rejoin the party. All of this is told in wonderfully pure
"Tolkien-voice" and unfaultering POV, even to Merry's memory of "Bilbo
and HIS dwarves" (emphasis mine). This story is a lovely glimpse into
the core of Merry's personality, and Pippin's too as he dances by.
-----------------------------------
Title: Trivial Matters · Author: Thundera Tiger · Genres: Humor: Gondor
· ID: 839
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-24 16:47:44
I got the biggest kick here out of Legolas, the super-sensitive Elf (so
typical of those moody, whiny creatures--sorry, but so often that's how
they are presented in fanfic!). Obviously Faramir is getting a wicked
chuckle out of besting everyone, including the rather self-satisfied
King. I appreciated Gimli role in the commission of the crime in question.

The story is of course completely without any point or any redeeming
meaning or social value, and that's the reason it is so funny, along
with the astute turns of phrase.

Gandalfs apprentice
-----------------------------------
Title: Hobbit Lessons · Author: Citrine · Races: Hobbits: Friendship ·
ID: 729
Reviewer: Budgielover · 2006-07-24 16:50:58
The shining star of this story is the interaction between hobbits and
Big Folk, lovingly written with just a hint of hobbit impertinence. The
authors draws our characters very much from canon and infuses them with
the vitality of the movies. The dialogue is delightful and very much
what we would think to hear from them, and the sly humor perfect. Best
of all is seeing Boromir as a friend to the hobbits as well as
protector, and his concern for and love of the Little Folk endears him
to the reader.
-----------------------------------
Title: Tinúviel, Tinúviel · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance: Rohan ·
ID: 103
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-24 17:08:29
This is a nice little scene. It fleshes out what Aragorn might have
thought and felt when he woke on the bank of the river after the fall
off the cliff. It gives more depth to the visuals of the movie scene and
fits into the dreamlike mood of the movie sequence. Nice touch to have
Elrond show up in his thoughts. And I also wondered how Brego managed to
get to that spot on his own ;-).
-----------------------------------
Title: Elven Braids · Author: viggomaniac · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 808
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-24 17:10:11
That was an interesting idea about Aragorn's hairdo. I never thought
about it. But growing up amongst elves, he probably had an elven hairdo
unless his mother insisted of cutting his hair Dunedain fashion ;-)

I loved the characterization of the orcs. Really repelling. I found it a
nice touch that they characterized Aragorn not just by how he looked,
but by his smell. He was wearing elven braids, but humans' clothing. So
the deciding factor for the orcs was his smell. That made the orcs
really an alien species to me.
-----------------------------------
Title: Theme and Variations · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 784
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-07-24 18:46:33
A truly enjoyable story!

I always regret that Tolkien does not tell us much about the
preparations for Aragorn's coronation and the time directly afterwards.
It would have been very nice to see the reactions of the people of the
City to the coming of a new king, but sadly we don't see much of these.
So I really like to see stories that explore this period of time,
focussing on different aspects.

This fic, on the first glance, is centered around some "lighter" themes:
Aragorn's love-life for the most part. And I believe that things are
realistic like they are in this fic: an unmarried King who attracts the
attention of by far to many ladies with hope for themselves or family
members, gossip running high, and also bewilderment at the strange
habits of this "Ranger King". Faramir's aunts are very enjoyable
characters, and I like the way Faramir handles them.

Although the fic is placed in the "humour" category, it also has some
serious elements: Faramir's worries about his father's fate. It's good
that there is a kind of solution for these, too.

I definitely recommend this fic, especially to the Faramir-lovers.
-----------------------------------
Title: Unfolded · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Fixed-Length Ficlets
With Children · ID: 906
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-24 22:10:52
Bergil is a good choice as PoV-character: He, as the youngest person we
encounter in LotR, is a perfect representation for all that the new
White Tree stands for at the dawn of this new Age. His youthfulness and
joy shines through even such a limited number of words. And his love and
worship for Faramir, already seen in the books, is well presented.

-----------------------------------
Title: Hidden Wonders · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 420
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-24 22:31:19
Lovely little drabble about Eowyn, her husband's library, and Faramir's
stealth approach to romance! I wish the writer would do a longer version
of this snapshot.

Eowyn's wonder at the sheer number of books is of particular note; since
she is depicted as pleased rather than intimidated by her discovery.
-----------------------------------
Title: Bored · Author: Make It Stop · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 779
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-24 22:32:17
A great little movieverse tale that takes Faramir and Denethor's ability
to read the hearts of men for a very funny ride. As a terribly bored
guard stands watch, Denethor and his second son read each other's hearts
with increasing irritation, lobbing thoughts and mental images at each
other like missiles.

It's also funny that all this goes on while the oblivious Boromir eats.

Best mental threat from Faramir to his father: [Faramir imagined
grabbing the keys to the city from Hurin the Tall and furiously
scratching the living daylights out of Denethors palantir.]


-----------------------------------
Title: Lesser Ring · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 184
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-24 22:38:25
A thoughtful tale of Aragorn's two visits to Harad, several decades apart.

The culture of Harad is richly detailed, with significant loans from
Egyptian myth woven into the tapestry of Middle-earth. Multiple plots
and sub-plots involving the lesser Rings made before the Three and the
One -- the struggles of a prince of Harad to survive Sauron's influence
and later to cast the fallen dark lord's legacy out from his land, and
the discovery of a lost tribe of Dunedain --are handled skillfully, as
is the huge cast of characters.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lost · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 260
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-07-25 01:03:36
This is an interesting encounter. Aragorn meets little Bill Ferny in the
woods around Bree. It seems like Bill Ferny was already up to mischief
at an early age. ["I didn't do anything"] is the age old excuse of all
troublemakers ;-).
-----------------------------------
Title: Young Master Merry · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: Poetry
· ID: 666
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-07-25 01:24:36
A fun piece of writing! In this tale of the misadventures of young Merry
Brandybuck, poet Pearl Took uses a rhyme scheme and diction that are
cleverly reminiscent of a nursery rhyme. I especially liked the line,

[What he wore under
soon it too went asunder]

No, I am not telling -- you will have to read the poem to find out!
-----------------------------------
Title: In a Pig's Eye · Author: Lindelea · Genres: Humor · ID: 747
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-25 02:52:14
This is delightful Lindelea - to think that Elves have pigs, of all
things. I can't imagine what prompted this lovely little peice of work,
but I'm glad. Pippin's joy shows clearly in fun and engaging ways - this
was a fun read.
-----------------------------------
Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-07-25 02:59:33
I really enjoyed this Rasksha. It's filled with a genuine strength of
emotion threaded through the thoughts. I don't typically care for such
introspective works, but this really did move me. I feel that it
epitomizes the depth of the strength in Eowyn and you portray her very
much as I see her in my own mind - and I always appreciate reading an
author who can do that.
-----------------------------------
Title: Both Beholden · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 180
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-25 17:16:36
This is one of my very favorite stories. Many fanfic writers have seized
upon the large unanswered area left by Tolkien on the relationship
between Boromir and Aragorn. This story is a very satisfactory answer.
Of course, it suits my own inclinations, I confess--I too see Boromir as
choosing to side with Aragorn if there were conflict in Gondor--that is,
absent the very large matter of the Ring. Faramir was doubtful in his
comments to Frodo about Boromir seeing Aragorn as a rival in Minas
Tirith's wars, but he himself had not yet met Aragorn when he spoke
those words.

I imagine that although Boromir might have felt some rivalry, or
tension, he would have put them aside for the sake of Gondor. But the
Ring did not allow him to make this choice.

Another reason I love this story is the portrait of Halbarad--sober,
knife-sharp, loyal to the core. If Halbarad and Boromir ever met, this
is how it happened!

I also really enjoyed the brief history lesson on Arnor--the erosion of
kingdom to villages to roving band of Rangers is convincing, as is the
description of Ranger life on the road.

The atmosphere of the brooding wet night adds to the thoughtfulness of
the piece. I liked the hoots of the owl. Too often we don't get enough
of the sounds and smells of Middle-Earth.
-----------------------------------
Title: Athelas · Author: Waltraute · Times: The Great Years: Gondor ·
ID: 243
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-25 21:35:52
A fine story. It serves to remind us of the untold stories of heroism in
LotR--all the ones like Bergil who had a part to play in the great tale.
This incident is well imagined; the moment when he finds the old man
dead is a real heart-stopper. Will he find the athelas after all? The
description of the destruction of the city is enough but not too much.
And the character of the old man is well drawn with a few quick strokes.

I do think, however, that the story could do with a good edit. There is
awkward language and infelicitous wording. This should be a perfect
little gem.
-----------------------------------
Title: At the Rising of the Moon · Author: Linda Hoyland · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 846
Reviewer: julia · 2006-07-25 22:45:06
Love this story as always--it's so nice to see Fara and Aragorn not
fighting for their lives, or being gravely wounded and all that stuff.
Gudrun remains one of the coolest OC's ever, in my humble opinion. Love
the moment in the orchard in the moonlight when Aragorn's natural mojo
comes into play and he looks again like one of the Kings of old. That
passage in particular is beautifully described. And I am totally with
Elbeth on the no-frills thing. It was very clever of Eowyn and Arwen to
make her a dress that was a miniature of the Queen's, and it was great
the way "Strider" led her out on the dance floor himself to quell any
whispering about her standing at court. And that last dream chapter is
the bomb! Two of the hottest hunks in ME in the buff? Alas, only in our
dreams!
-----------------------------------
Title: The White Tree · Author: Linda Hoyland · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 94
Reviewer: julia · 2006-07-25 23:02:18
Ah, what a beautiful story this is! Love Aragorn's almost-palpable
longing for Arwen in the beginning, then his joy when he rides off to
Mindolluin with Gandalf and finds the seedling White Tree, because he
knows it means his beloved is soon to come to him to be his wife and
Queen. Also like to see Fara, so shy with King at the start that he will
not even eat breakfast with him and the hobbits, get really mad and go
confront Aragorn when he thinks he has had the White Tree cut down. Then
when he finds out about the new one and accepts his "punishment" of
having tea and cakes with the King, it breaks the ice and they start to
have a real talk. They have some good ideas too, to dump the compulsory
draft and stop making the Fountain Guards wear those scary masks! The
vision Faramir has and shares with Aragorn of the blooming White Tree
and the beginning of a new line of Kings descended from Aragorn and
Arwen is beautiful. It goes very well with the dream that Aragorn has at
the end. Altogether a very well-written tale of an important moment that
Tolkien left out.
-----------------------------------
Title: The One · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha the Demon CoAuthors ·
Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn · ID: 852
Reviewer: julia · 2006-07-25 23:14:38
An excellent effort from both authors. Good portrayal of Aragorn's
desire to meet the man he knows he will be his Steward, from his first
dream of him, through his disappointment in learning that neither
Denethor nor his firstborn is the man he seeks, to his joy in finally
meeting Fara when he goes to him in the HOH and heals him. Also liked
how Aragorn said that through the long years, when it seemed he would
never regain his throne, that the dream of the man who would be his
Steward renewed his hope. A story that conveys much with very few words.
-----------------------------------