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Title: An Elf · Author: laiquendi · Races: Elves: Poetry · ID: 725
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-07-29 17:03:41
I like how this returns in the end to Legolas' identity as an elf. He
may be all these other things--loving son, skilled warrior, protector of
his people and their woodland home, and friend to the members of the
Fellowship--but in the end his destiny is shaped by his race. Very nice!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Eyes of Boromir · Author: pipkinsweetgrass · Genres: Romance:
Poetry · ID: 632
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-07-29 17:17:58
Though Tolkien says that Boromir had no interest in taking a wife,
delighting only in feats of arms, that doesn't mean that the opposite
sex was equally oblivious! In this poem, Pipkin Sweetgrass writes a
ballad about a serving maid's unrequited love for Boromir and her
despair at his death. I especially liked the description of his smell--

[...the smell of leather and of rain and air so clear.]

Mmmmm! The poem's language, form, and storyline make it sound like an
old ballad, even down to the lovesick maiden's suicide at the end. Well
done!
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Title: Distant Lands · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 76
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-29 19:57:04
Now I wonder just why Faramir wants tales of Edoras so desperately. For
background on Eowyn, obviously, but I wonder whether Boromir might be
featuring into his desire as well. The disconnect here is touching -
Aragorn thinks Faramir will want tales of far-off lands, possibly like
Boromir might have enjoyed, but Faramir wants something much more real
and tangible. And that's a great way to look at Aragorn's relationship
to both brothers.
-----------------------------------
Title: Heirs of the Oath · Author: Elana · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 151
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-29 21:25:29
This is a poignant drabble pairing of inherited responsibilities not
just from forefathers but from men they both knew before they died. it
seemed a teensy bit odd to me that Theodred should think he would be
renewing his oath - did all Rohirric kings do this, I wonder? - but it
made for a lovely parallel.
-----------------------------------
Title: Red River · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 82
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-07-30 01:58:49
This story really ripped me up the first time I read it-Raksandhar's
desire to be a lord who could truly help his people really spoke to me.
He is a powerfully drawn character, though the story itself is brief. I
felt sorry for him, and for Aragorn, who, powerful as he was,
nonetheless had to bend to political realities. Faramir is at the top of
his form here, as the man he was destined to be-the intelligent, astute
ruler, adjunct to an even greater ruler, with strengths and skills that
complement Aragorn's.

The story affected me strongly enough that I had to run right out and
write one where I could give Raksandhar the relief he needed.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Groomsman · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Dwarves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-07-30 04:16:13
The title, as intended, was misleading; and I caught my breath at the
final line. This piece is tricky to review since I don't want to ruin
the surprise at the end. Kortirion disarms the reader with Gimli's
seemingly casual monologue and then with the homely details of his work
(I love that he literally uses spit and polish to shine the buckles!).

Gimli as the champion of propriety is very believable; exiled peoples,
like the dwarves, often value the old customs as a reminder of their
identity as a people. That Gimli would observe his people's customs for
a person of another race is proof that he loves and honors Boromir.
Until I read this piece, I had never considered their relationship
(certainly, I do think that Boromir and Gimli would have understood each
other better than Boromir and Legolas).

The others have only seen Gimli's skill with an axe; that he has an
artist's eye and the careful touch of a craftsman must come as a
revelation to them. It is very characteristic of Gimli that his act of
devotion speaks more loudly than his brusque words about Aragorn and
Legolas. A thought provoking and beautifully written ficlet!
-----------------------------------
Title: By The Light of Earendil's Star · Author: Branwyn · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 83
Reviewer: Acacea · 2006-07-30 05:11:08
I loved this story from the moment it started outIt had everything that
appeals to the Faramir fan in me. A promise of angst, Ithilien, rangers,
orcs, Boromir, Denethor, the works, and it's extremely well-written.
It's descriptive yet not overdone and works just perfectly.

From the descriptions of the ambush to the descriptions of Minas Tirith
to the red flowers that Boromir attacks, every bit is beautifully
captured. The characterisations are excellent, of Faramir but of course.
And of Boromir who goes in to rescue him. And of Denethor particularly
when Faramir returns. And the OCs all of whom shine on their own.

I loved the details too. I read this a year ago, and yet those little
things stayed on in my mind - the red flowers, Denthor on the boat with
Faramir when Faramir returns, all of which contribute to the
excellentness of the fic.
-----------------------------------
Title: Pink Oliphaunts · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 49
Reviewer: Acacea · 2006-07-30 05:21:35
I loved this. It's sweet and cheerful and happy.

There are not too many Elboron fics around, but thsi one makes up for
the shortfall so well! It presents such a pretty picture to my mind.
Little Elboron, his drawings, Faramir and Beregond!:)

I love the sweetness of the child Elboron. He has all the innocence and
curiosity that a child oif his age brought up in relatively peaceful
times would have.

And I love that Faramir gets the opportunity to observe that and to be
happy about it. I love too that when Faramir shows concern for the
oliphaunts, Elboron echoes that. He is every bit his father's son and
Faramir deserves that.

There are again, in this ficlet, the most amazing details - Elboron's
depiction of Eomer on horseback towering over an oliphaunt, the fact
that the oliphaunts are smiling cheerfully which I adored, Beregond's
help and Faramir's reassurance that the oliphuants would have found
their way back. Because I always wondered what had happened to the
oliphunt Sam and Frodo saw!

-----------------------------------
Title: Better Than Frodo Baggins · Author: Inkling · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 809
Reviewer: permilea · 2006-07-30 05:50:47
I love how you play with our minds, especially we angst-lovers, who
expect a certain OTHER Baggins to be the one running from bullies at the
outset! Of course I love the way you show us Lotho's character in little
ways -- the crushed eggs, how he cowers in the hedge, how he threatens
to tattle. The glimpses into his bitter, fearful, suspicious mind,
behavior, motives and homelife...and then to compare him to such a
charming, popular, and unscholarly Frodo (another twist against
prevalent fanon)! Wonderful story-crafting and characterization!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Hallowed Place of Both Peoples · Author: Imhiriel · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 944
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-07-30 05:59:05
Your drabble inspired me to go back and read through that section of
"Unfinished Tales" and the related parts in the Appendices. I had
forgotten much of it, especially the assistance (the magical mist)
provided by the denizens of Lorien, and the foreshadowing of Rohan's
future just-in-the-nick-of-time arrival at Minas Tirith during the
battle of the Pelannor Fields. After all of this, a negative reaction
from Gondor regarding the "worthiness" of Eorl's people is particularly
poignant.

Although you note that it is likely an AU version of the events, I would
also not be surprised if there was some unhappiness in Gondor at
Cirion's actions. The Eorlings may have been long-time valued allies,
but a huge portion of the South Kingdom had just been turned over to
them. They had been a nomadic people without Gondor's Numenorean
heritage, which led to big gaps in culture and development. Many of the
proud in Gondor may have felt shamed by needing assistance from an
uncivilized and "lesser" people. And indeed, facing their own long
decline, Gondor's people may not have liked this now nearby reminder of
what they could one day descend to... (The last reflection prompted by
your reference to Faramir, and what he said about Gondor's and Rohan's
influences on each other.)

A long way of saying: I found the premise believable! And you conveyed
so much with a single scene, a few subtle inferences (eg, to Faramir)
and well-chosen descriptions.
-----------------------------------
Title: Weaver · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 627
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-07-30 13:52:26
A beautiful poem about Arwen's weaving of the banner. The repeated
questions in the first line of each stanza and the rhymed couplets give
this piece the feel of an old ballad. Arwen's silent, determined weaving
becomes a metaphor for her devotion to Aragorn despite whatever the
future holds. The identity of the narrator, revealed at the end, is a
nice twist.

Arwen is a shadowy figure for much of the books, so I enjoyed this
gapfiller about her steadfast wait in the background.
-----------------------------------
Title: Sweet Woodbine · Author: Bodkin · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond ·
ID: 864
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-07-30 14:02:57
I spent a very pleasant morning recently reading this story at the
recommendation of someone whose taste I trust. I don't get as much time
to read any more as I would like, but I'm a real sucker for Valinor
stories. Legolas' position as a son of a ruler who will in effect never
really have to let him succeed to the kingship was deftly explored-I
have often wondered how that plays out in the West.

Bodkin's Elves, who are certainly not perfect, ethereal beings, react as
one might expect to an influx of immigrants who threaten their way of
life and possibly their livelihoods (rather timely given current
circumstances in real life!). The dilemmna regarding the apportionment
of natural resources to two parties who both feel they have a right to
them is a very valid one.

The Valars' answer to the problem, the creation of a new, wooded land
beyond the Pelori fills me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I think
it would be better for all the Elves to address their issues and not
have to evade them in this way. On the other hand, it is an expression
of love towards Elves who have always been somewhat suspicious of these
extreme powers.

Legolas' romance with the daughter of a most notorious family, and the
way in her family finally resign themselves to the inevitable, is very
well depicted. I had to laugh when Thranduil, who had all along been
predicted to be an insurmountable, unreasonable object, arrived and
immediately gave his blessing to the union.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Pippin · Author: GamgeeFest · Races: Hobbits: Poetry · ID: 937
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-07-30 14:05:41
Poor Cook! Yes, Peregrin must have been a sore trial to his elders. One
can only imagine the confusion and havoc that descended upon that
[glorious quiet kitchen] as he walked through the door! The image of
young Pippin [In his breeches that were slipping] is priceless. Very funny!
-----------------------------------
Title: Following Orders · Author: EdorasLass · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-07-30 14:35:30
The "Pyre of Denethor" chapter is problematic for many readers
(including this one). Why did only one of the servants and guards who
were present defy Denethor's last orders? In this drabble, Faramir
shares our reaction of disbelief.

Edoraslass points out that these men would have known Faramir for years
and would have regarded him with at least the respect and affection due
to a comrade in arms. Though I think that Faramir would eventually be
able to forgive the guards, his initial rage is entirely believable. Not
only were they willing to murder him, but they stood by as his father
commited suicide (their duty to protect the steward does not seem to
have extended to protecting the steward from himself!)

Tolkien says that Faramir can read the hearts of men; he would easily
discern self-serving cowardice disguised as loyalty. An interesting take
on this scene from Faramir's point of view.


[Note: Suffering from caffeine deprivation, I hit the wrong button and
didn't save my review. So this is my second draft, a pale imitator of
the first draft which was smoothly eloquent and full of profound insights.]
-----------------------------------
Title: One Summer's Day · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men · ID: 765
Reviewer: Madeleine · 2006-07-30 15:07:44
I am a sucker for childhood stories of Éomer and his sister and I think
I can call this one - without exaggerating - my absolute favourite.

I feel for Éowyn, but I do not feel sorry for her. If I feel sorry for
somebody it is for Éomer, who has to deal not only with his own grief at
losing his parents but also with his little sisters overwhelming pain
and her inability to find a constructive outlet. Although he gets even
more hurt by her behaviour and is to young himself to find a solution,
he doesnt give up on her.

I think Théodens is very realistically depicted. He is the certainly
well-meaning uncle, who feels an obligation to take care of his late
sisters children, but he is also the king who doesn't have the time to
look after the siblings personally and had to give them into the care of
others.

And it makes also sense that Théodred, after all thirteen resp.
seventeen years older than his cousins and with plenty of
responsibilities towards the Mark, hasnt paid too much attention to the
children until this particular summer's day. But as soon as he finally
understands the whole extent of Éowyns despair and how badly it effects
Éomer - that the young boy has too much to shoulder entirely on his own
- he quickly comes to the conclusion that he cant wait for somebody
else to hopefully find one day access to the little girl. It speaks for
him that he is willing to take on the responsibility and that he knows
how to approach his cousin, treating her like an equal and making
certain that she feels secure. In doing so, he takes at the same time a
great burden off Éomer.

Having read this story, I can imagine Théodred having played an even
greater role in the lives of Éomer and Éowyn than Théoden had.

-----------------------------------
Title: Cakes and Apples · Author: Ruby Nye · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 891
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-07-30 15:25:28
I have just adored this lovely story from the first moment that I read
it at the Shire Kitchen Challenge. Merry and Pippin are the ultimate
HOBBITS in this story! The way Pippin longingly rhapsodizes over the
beautiful toothsome cakes of his memory, describing and lingering over
each detail of their making, and the way Merry listens, his own mind
providing the scenario in Bag End's kitchen--even correcting Pippin as
to how long the cake took to bake--is just so very hobbity! It's food
and taste and the memories of taste and smell that are so important to them.

And then we have Merry's absolute determination to provide Pippin with
just such a wonderful cake, and Legolas with his deliciously amused
connivance were just the perfect touch.

The part where Pippin breaks off the first piece and feeds it to Merry
just brings tears to my eyes--I love this display of affection between
them, and Pippin's generosity, and Merry's realization of all they have.
It's so beautiful. Sigh.

And to top it all off, the recipe for the cake is utterly delicious and
every bit as good as Pippin makes it sound in his description! I have
now made it a couple of times, and just thinking about it makes me drool
like a hobbit! If you like to bake at all, you should give it a try!
-----------------------------------
Title: The River · Author: Indigo Bunting · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 51
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-07-30 15:37:51
This has to be one of the most exciting action-adventure early Quest
stories I have read since Thundera Tigers The Ring Goes South. Its
brilliantly constructed, with a heart-stopping cliffhanger at the end of
almost every chapter. Each chapter is also from the point-of-view of a
different member of the Fellowship, and the author manages to stay in
their heads beautifully.

The plot is simple enough: while crossing a river in Hollin, Sam is
swept away--along with Legolas, who is attempting to rescue the hobbit.
The description of their plight as they are tumbled helplessly through
the water had me feeling it, each time they were ducked under once more,
each time they hit a rock. Coming ashore miles away from the rest of the
Fellowship, they are captured by ruffians. And in the meanwhile, the
Company searches for them frantically.

I will not give away any more spoilers to the plot here, but just say
that what I love best is the use that the author makes of the
friendships between the various members of the Fellowship, and how all
of them are contributing to the efforts of the whole. Each person has a
chance to shine, to show his own strength, compassion and fear. It is
brilliantly done, and I look forward eagerly to each and every update.


-----------------------------------
Title: On Being the Youngest · Author: Bodkin · Races: Cross-Cultural ·
ID: 45
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-07-30 15:44:36
This is such a lovely story: it is sweet, and yet it has the sharp snap
of cleverness as well. On the surface, it is just a very nice getting
acquainted tale between Legolas and Pippin, while they discuss something
no one would guess they have in common--the experience of being the
youngest members of their respective families.

While this author seldom writes hobbits, she has a sure handle on Pippin
Took. His wit and dry sense of humor are perfectly canon, as is his
obviously serious determination to go on the Quest, no matter what, even
though he finds the whole venture mad. And she shows beautifully how the
young hobbit fascinates his Elven companion. For it turns out that
Legolas is just as curious as any Took, and is amazed to discover just
how clever--and devious--his young companion is. One thing I found quite
funny and touching was the observation that eventually, as is the way
among mortals, Peregrin Took will one day find himself no longer the
youngest, while for Legolas it will never change, and he will forever be
surrounded by Elves who are many millenia older than he.

Legolas finds himself sort of in a little mini-conspiracy with the wily
young Took, and in the process learns a few things about himself as well.

I just adore this wonderful little moment of bonding between them, and
there is the funniest little twist at the end!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Secret Gate · Author: Elanor · Genres: Drama: Incomplete · ID: 56
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-07-30 15:56:18
Of all the various works-in-progress that I am following, I have to say
that A Secret Gate is at the top of my list.

Set in Merrys and Pippins twilight years, the main plot revolves
around the decision they make to leave the Shire once more, and return
to the South.

Yet there is so much more to it than that. We also see, through a series
of flashbacks and memories, what their lives have been like in the
intervening years since returning from the Quest with Frodo.

This story contains one of the most brilliant and definitive
characterizations of Meriadoc the Magnificent, Master of Buckland, that
I have ever read. Merry stands forth as a hobbit every bit deserving of
the nickname his people have given him. We see less of Pippin in the
early chapters, yet from what I can tell, her depiction of him will
eventually be just as strong.

There are also a number of engaging and well-drawn OCs. I am
particularly fond of young Jamie Bucket. And then we have Merrys
children, and Sams and Pippins--as well as flashback glimpses of
Estella and Diamond, each of them with a strong enough personality to
hold his or her own with the canon characters.

Yet the other strength of this author is her power of description. Each
chapter is a perfectly polished gem of almost poetical prose, and her
settings have just as much personality as her people.

I cant say enough good things about this story.

-----------------------------------
Title: Frodo: The Next Generation · Author: Gentle Hobbit · Races:
Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 272
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-07-30 16:35:00
Lord of the Rings and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Most certainly
that is not an obvious crossover. And yet in this authors hands the
story seems not only perfectly plausible but very absorbing.

There are some mysteries here--why, and how, does the traumatized
post-Quest Frodo, escorted by Lord Elrond of Rivendell, end up on board
the Enterprise? What are the deep personal connections that have led
Jean-Luc Picard to skirt dangerously close to breaking the Prime
Directive in bringing Frodo aboard?

Most of the story deals with the efforts of Dr. Beverly Crusher,
assisted by Deanna Troi, to try and help with Frodos healing without
violating the Captains orders to keep their mysterious patient from
realizing his true location. Some of the solutions she comes up with are
extremely clever.

Each member of the Enterprise crew is shown as being very much in
character, as are Merry and Sam, who are brought aboard during the
effort to help Frodo. Frodo himself is also very well-depicted,
vulnerable and in pain, yet sharply intelligent and fiercely defending
his personal dignity.

In the end of course, Beverly is not able to help Frodo quite so much as
she had hoped--for while the story is AU in the most obvious ways, it
will leave the ending of LotR as we know it, intact and in canon. And
the connections between Frodo and Picard turn out to be both profound
and obvious once explained.
-----------------------------------
Title: Wizardry · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 179
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-30 16:48:37
The scene is well-depicted, sparkling with vivid details. I love how
laconic both Aragorn and Gandalf are characterised - I think it shows in
a very subtle yet clear way their relationship and their attitude
towards hardship and reversals.
-----------------------------------
Title: Strange Fortunes · Author: Tehta · Times: First Age and Prior:
Incomplete · ID: 81
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-07-30 19:04:13
This comedy of manners is a seamless melding of Middle-earth and wry
humor. You squeeze laughter out of places one would never expect to find
it, like in the description of Maeglin enjoying being thought
inscrutable--and the description, entirely drawn from Tolkien, of the
absurdly bejeweled armor. Probably there are jokes that went over my
head, as I am far from a First Age Elf chick. Have trouble telling those
Elves apart, in fact. Which is only a testament to how entertaining your
story is, because I read it all. I was a little dubious before I
started, but because I love your "Stories Spawned by Sauron" so much, I
was determined to jump in.

I think my favorite scene of all, however, is Salgant under the table
with the chicken. Loved his terrible poetry, too.

One criticism--I thought some of the talking went on too long. Shorter
would be zippier.

I hope Tuor will be in this story.before the end. And please--finish it!

Gandalfs apprentice
-----------------------------------
Title: Work Detail · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 789
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-07-30 20:52:06
This drabble always makes me giggle so hard, not so much for anything
that the drabble says but for another scene that's implied. Oh, the
drabble is hilarious in itself, but in order for Arwen to have this
conversation with her husband someone had to tell *Arwen* that her hips
were wide, and just what that meant. I have a hard time seeing Elves
dying in childbirth, so I think the midwife would have to drop
increasingly obvious (to her) hints, and much red-facedness would ensue.
And Aragorn here - clueless, typical man, then (prematurely) joyful,
then probably pretty mischievous at the very end. Priceless!
-----------------------------------
Title: Dark Appetites · Author: Elena Tiriel · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 833
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-07-30 21:09:00
Some villains are just too ornery to obediently perish when defeated;
and this powerful drabble shows the slow healing of one of them. The
sense of great malice equaled only by great appetite is excellently
conveyed.
-----------------------------------
Title: That Which Cannot Be Put Into Words · Author: Pearl Took · Times:
The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 230
Reviewer: Lindelea · 2006-07-30 21:26:34
What a lovely little story, showing so well the different kinds of
healing, appropriate to the different personalities involved. And when
"youngest" of the Fellowship meets "youngest" of Lothlorien, it is
indeed a magical moment. Written with sensitivity and richness of
detail, this is representative of the fine reading that flows from
PearlTook's imagination.
-----------------------------------