Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Spring Rites · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 842
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:43:40
Exciting ;)! I love Lothíriel's enthusiasm, her sudden shyness and then
brave daring in accepting Éomer's hand with its glimpse of foreshadowing.
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Title: The Stars Will Light Your Way · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races:
Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 705
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:46:46
The idea of Pippin's stars is truly delightful, and charmingly told.
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Title: Birthday Kisses · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 59
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-07-31 18:49:47
The difficult relationship between Denethor and Faramir is depicted
through a few well-chosen words and images. The emotions in general are
handled very well, subtly yet clearly. And the dog has real personality.
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Title: Changes and Constancy · Author: Lily · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 263
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2006-08-01 13:36:09
Set in post-Mt. Doom Minas Tirith, this story offers an affectionate,
smiling peek at a bit of vanity in Frodo, recovered enough to be piqued
by the sight of the on-set of grey. Pippin teases his older cousin, but
in this way makes his warm, admiring feelings towards his older cousin
plain to Frodo (and the reader) in a manner that suits the non-gushy
Ring-bearer. Pippin teases Frodo about [growing grey] and going about
with [white hair and a cane]. Frodo protests; hes not [an old
gaffer] yet!

In spite of this banter, its clear that both Pippin and the author
think Frodo looks splendid as he begins to look more his real age: a
hobbit at the end, rather than at the beginning of his youth. You write
of Frodos appearance through Pippins POV, [the grey shimmer sparkling
in Frodos hair could not be denied], and, [his cousins ebony head
was streaked with fine threads of silver]. Such descriptive language
sees beauty, not fault in those threads of grey so hard-won -- and in
the hobbit to whom the threads of silver belong.

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Title: Red River · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 82
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-08-01 14:18:32
This is a wonderful, understated and subtle piece of writing. All three
characters are uniquely and fully drawn, and the connections between the
trials of the Southron lord and Aragorn's past wonderfully surprising
and insightful.
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Title: Peace Comes Dropping Slow · Author: Songspinner · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 224
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-08-01 14:22:06
This is a very tender scene, full of lovely details that convey a great
deal more.
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Title: Earth, Water, Fire and Air · Author: Fileg · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 469
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-08-01 14:26:36
I remember reading this series when they were first posted, and am
pleased to renew the relationship. Each, in it's own element, perfectly
captures a moment of transformation, of becoming, but none so
successful, I think, as the last. Faramir's conversion is all the more
convincing and moving for it coming to him unlooked for.
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Title: Inheritances · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: The Steward's
Family · ID: 651
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-08-01 15:40:49
Wonderful peek into Thorongil's thoughts as he awaits his turn to
officially greet the infant heir of the rule that is righfully his.

Thorongil's thoughts are detailed and, as we might expect in the younger
Aragorn, whimsical, questioning, occasionally rueful, and perceptive,
down to his judgment of baby Boromir's character through the child's
facial expression and body language. I loved Thorongil's hope that the
baby would one day have a wise brother whose counsel would temper his
passions.

Good use of Quenya, and also good use of Austen's quote - some beliefs
are universal in the hopes of women of high society targeting an
eligible bachelor. And excellent paraphrase of the Bible quote on Saul
and David to fit Denethor and Thorongil - the application works
exceptionally well.
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Title: The Green Flash · Author: DrummerWench · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 277
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-08-01 15:55:40
Interesting treatment of Sam's sea-longing after Frodo's departure over
the Sea. I quite liked the dialogue between Sam and Cirdan, and the way
Cirdan seemed to have inherited Gandalf's avuncular interest in the
hobbits' welfare. The novel use of Narya works well in the story.
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Title: Evenstar · Author: Mar'isu · Times: The Great Years · ID: 856
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-08-01 16:02:10
What I really like about this short piece (aside from the lovely
language) is its hopefulness. All too often the Elves seem to be moping
around, keening over the lost past, whereas Men are busy making the
future. Here we see Arwen preparing to join the future, as befits her
half-Elven nature.

I don't agree with your portrayal of Elrond's view of Aragorn, but
certainly it's one possible interpretation. Rather, Elrond, I think,
thought more as Arwen does here. Or else why would he have named Aragorn
"hope"? But of course there is a huge empty chasm behind the name
"Elros"--you can create what you will, since Tolkien told us nothing of
his character.

There is a typo in the nex to last paragraph. You have "or Earendil"
instead of "of Earendil."
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Title: Not Fair · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Fixed-Length Ficlets
With Children · ID: 902
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-08-01 17:18:35
A clever look at the not insurmountable problems Eomer's son might face
as a black-haired child growing up in a traditionally golden-haired
family and society. Though at least Elfwine is, according to Tolkien's
epithet, a handsome enough fellow, and of high enough status, to have
some insulation, there will be times when the physical differences will
be made clear to him. And of course, Elfwine has a father who loves him,
as is shown here.
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Title: Spring Rites · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 842
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-08-01 17:37:57
Good evocation of something we don't see everyday in Tolkien fanfiction
- a human fertility ritual. The writer paints a striking picture of
Rohirric celebrations, with the paint-daubed shirtless men, and the leap
over the fire. Lothiriel's reactions are a nice touch.


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Title: Luck from the Ashes · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 142
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-01 20:01:56
A nice moment between Faramir and Aragorn. I loved the picture of
Aragorn and Faramir bundling up the cat and kittens and then pushing the
cart with their cloaks and the animals in it out of Rath Dinen. That
must have been a sight for the ordinary citizens ;-). I also liked the
slight uncertainty between them where Faramir first didn't know how to
take Aragorn's remark about him helping animals. But then they come to a
new understanding.
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Title: Preparing The Way · Author: Lady Aranel · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 284
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-01 20:02:42
This is so sad. The hanky alert was necessary. It took me a moment to
realize that Legolas is mourning his trusted steed and not one of his
human companions. But the sentiment would be the same. I don't think he
will ever get used to having his mortal friends go where he never can
follow as far as he knows. But still he has to let them go. I loved it
that Aragorn, Faramir and Elboron are there to help him. I think his
greatest comfort was the trusting head of Elboron on his shoulder.
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Title: ... and hear the song of salt and sea · Author: Cuthalion ·
Genres: Drama: The Steward's Family · ID: 98
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-08-02 03:43:49
An effective and haunting story, showing Finduilas' increasing isolation
and loneliness. The way she clings to little Faramir, perhaps
unknowingly clinging too much and expecting too much from so young a
child, is heartbreaking. I like the way the writer shows the slow
decline of Finduilas' spirit, from the happy bride to the lost and
depressed woman who cannot sustain herself.
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Title: Up From The Ashes · Author: Elanor Gardner · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 645
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:18:10
This story is very close to my heart. As one who lived through Hurricane
Katrina, the dedication of this story of renewal and rebirth and
rebuilding means a lot to me.

Yet even beyond the theme, this is a wonderfully crafted story. Pippin
is so very wise in this, in his own intuitive way knowing just what
Frodo needs to help him see just how the White City can recover from
devestation, and how he can help as well. There is not a single wasted
word, as she builds the story from Pippin's own pains and aches to his
efforts at relieving Frodo, and on to the need of spreading it forth to
the City. This story just moves me to tears.
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Title: Okay, NOW Panic! · Author: Boz4PM · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 907
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:19:23
This sequel to "Don't Panic" by the same author is perhaps even more
exciting and intriguing than the original, as it begins to cover unknown
territory.

Culture clash still abounds, as the heroine, Penny discovers just how
wide the gap is between the Elves with whom she has been staying and the
other human societies of Middle-earth, in Rohan, and especially in
Gondor. She must deal, once more, with a language gap. She must
acclimate herself to the fact that Men are not as hygeinic as Elves. And
she must deal with her growing uncertainty as to her fate in
Middle-earth. I look forward to every update of this tale.
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Title: Home Again · Author: Súlriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 863
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:20:29
Ah, the cats of Queen Beruthiel! I do love this haughty miss, deigning
to listen to an importunate Tom, yet knowing all along how superior she
is, LOL!
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Title: Fields of Gold · Author: Anso the Hobbit · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 966
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:25:31
This sweet and gentle story takes place when a young Merry suffers a
bout of chicken pox while visiting Pippin's family at Whitwell. An even
younger Pippin then finds himself in the unusual positiion of having to
care for his dearest older cousin. I very much love the way the small
child tries to figure out the best ways to bring comfort to his Merry,
and his confusion at Merry's continued illness. This is a lovely and
gently told story, filled with love--not only from Pippin, but also
Merry's aunt and uncle, as well as his other relatives, all of whom show
their affection and worry about him. I do believe that this is my
favorite of Anso's pre-Quest stories.
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Title: Starlight at Eventide · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey
Havens · ID: 821
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:28:32
This is a story of marital love and romance. Not the dewy-eyed and
star-struck romance of newlyweds, but the deep love and abiding care and
protectiveness of a deeply-committed couple wed for years, and on the
verge of taking the romantic and physical side of love for granted. When
that is almost lost after Estella's illness leaves her physically
fragile, and Merry fearful of hurting or harming her, they must work to
recover it. A very insightful peice of work.
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Title: The First Sip · Author: Glassadar · Races: Hobbits: Merry &
Pippin · ID: 985
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:29:21
The author was only five, and this is better than many fics I've seen by
writers four times her age.
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Title: In Aragorn's Safekeeping · Author: Radbooks · Genres: Drama · ID: 141
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:30:21
This is exactly the sort of story I would never have read without the
MEFAs, simply from its summary, yet I am so glad that I did. The author
handled the story very well, by making the modern children from a time
before LotR was published, and staying close to canon in all the events.
Rebecca and Thomas are engaging OCs, and her characterization of Aragorn
in the role of foster-father was brilliant. A very gripping epic, and
worth the time to read.
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Title: The Beauty of Memory · Author: pipkinsweetgrass · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 652
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:31:09
A very beautiful little vignette, in which Aragorn and Pippin are able
to reassure Faramir about Boromir's passing. It is so sweet in tone, as
Faramir realizes just how deep the bond between his brother and the
young hobbit went, and realizes that his brother had, indeed, left
behind a legacy in the lives of the hobbits he died to save. I
especially like the way Pippin has subconsciously adopted many of
Boromir's mannerisms. And Aragorn's role in bringing them together is
subtle and very much part of his function as healer.
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Title: Crickhollow March 1420 · Author: Anso the Hobbit · Races:
Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 194
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:31:56
This is an engaging WIP, dealing with the first of Merry's own
anniversary illnesses, and how he and Pippin must try to deal with it on
their own. I look forward to more of this story.
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Title: Safe and Sound · Author: Anso the Hobbit · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 664
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-02 15:32:54
Merry h/c, this author's specialty. As he suffers a restless night after
being separated from Pippin after the palantir incident, Legolas, Gimli
and Eowyn seek to comfort him. Each of his comforters is touched by poor
Merry's distress, and impressed by his courage