Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Promise · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres: Romance: Poetry · ID: 643
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-20 05:20:01
Ah, this is so poignant! The first paragraphs, pregnant with
expectations and promises--life, fire, great deeds and passion, and
above all, undying love--shrink away so quickly into sorrow foreseen.
Nerdanel is both beautiful and wise, but she is also brave, to accept
from the outset the tragedy and trauma seeded in those flowers and that
promise. No surprises, no unexpected falls--she foresees the shape of
her future with Feanor, but chooses to accept the painful for the sake
of the promise in him of a life worth singing of.

Beautiful and concise, Vana! Fans of Feanor and Nerdanel should read this.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Fords of Isen · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Adventure · ID: 41
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-20 05:20:33
A very interesting ghost story--save for the water, the scent of
mouldering earth, and the oysters, and the bits of conversation, you'd
think that Boromir and Théodred were quite alive. I loved Boromir's
comment that, with regard to his expectations about death, he'd just
assumed neither of them would ever die. The matter-of-fact,
down-to-earth talk and comfortable manner of the two ghosts towards each
other makes death just a slight disruption of an otherwise contiuous
life. Théodred's comment about disliking the damp of the river, though
he knows he shouldn't complain to Boromir about it, is hysterical. The
dialogue throughout captures the spirit of two men who were warriors
first and foremost, and great friends.

The poor narrator, though, terrified out of his wits by these ghosts,
even if they are his benefactors! Good of him and of his friend to
return to honor the dead, and attempt to assuage their longing for
certain missed pleasures of life.
-----------------------------------
Title: Curious Mind, Noble Heart · Author: Nilmandra · Genres: Adventure
· ID: 270
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-20 05:20:49
I hadn't even noticed the line that inspired this story, but Nilmandra
does much to make it henceforth memorable.

In addition to giving a plausible reference for pop-guns in
Middle-earth, this is a story about learning to be responsible in the
following of orders. Estel is young enough that of course he can't do
much else but that, but he is also a child growing up without other
children about, and in the midst of beings who count time in centuries.
There's a lot going on in the outside world that goes far over his head,
but not so much so that he can't hear it in snatches. There's nothing
like a half-known secret to set imagination and curiosity into play, and
they feed nicely into Estel's already established desire to be helpful
and to join in the defense of his home. Before anyone can blink twice,
chance conspires to make a minor disaster out of his stealthy efforts to
learn how to use the pop-gun.

In the background of it all lurks Arador, whose death has affected
Elrohir apparently profoundly, especially given the news from the
Rangers of finding Arador's sword in a troll's cache. That makes Estel's
reconciliation gift--his grandfather's star-brooch, though he doesn't
know its provenance--that much more profoundly moving for Elrohir, and
indeed for all the adults. But he doesn't ask about those
reactions--perhaps respecting the need to tame curiosity.

Well done, Nilmandra!
-----------------------------------
Title: Appearances Can Be Deceiving · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 760
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-20 05:21:06
I love Bilbo and Aragorn stories. Clearly, there's a fairly lengthy
history between the two by the time we meet Bilbo (or rather, meet him
again) in Rivendell, in FOTR. But we don't know how long they've known
each other or much else about their friendship, other than that there's
some poetry beta-reading that involves some rather brutal honesty...

This first meeting of the Dúnadain and the hobbit is plausible, humorous
in the way of mistaken identities and misconceptions that turn out well
in the end, and shows us Bilbo's adventuresome spirit. His decision to
tour the valley of Rivendell on his own gives us a lovely glimpse of the
enchanting landscape, and has that sense of an extended holiday that I
imagine fits Bilbo in his adjustment period among the Elves.

That holiday feeling is interrupted by Aragorn's unexpected arrival at
the ford. Bilbo's determination to warn his new fellows of the entry of
a strange, unkempt, and rather wild-looking Man, injured but able to
cross into the valley unhindered, is touching. His eventual meeting with
Aragorn, and the almost immediate friendship they strike up, as they
introduce themselves and tell their respective tales, is well written,
and we see the genesis of the poem Bilbo recites in the books--the one
he had composed when Aragorn originally told him his story.

Very nicely done, Dreamflower!
-----------------------------------
Title: A Battle Of A Different Kind · Author: Katzilla · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 279
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 12:47:14
Eothain is obviously right. Worries for Eowyn's welfare waside, the men
will fight better if they are protecting something. It's sexist in a
way, but it's also honouring the world Tolkien created. But I could so
feel for Eowyn! To feel helpless and hopelesss as those around you are
taken away one by one, it must have been a cruel torture indeed. And her
battle with Wormtongue was more elusive and less prone to inspire songs,
but even more dangerous in its own way.

One quibble - you use Rohirrim to refer to an individual man, but it is
singular. Would eorling or rohir be better?
-----------------------------------
Title: Birthdays · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 988
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 13:30:19
There's something about the tone of this story, especially toward the
end. Elanor is so childlike just how she should be, and I think that
simplicity is maybe what makes Sam finally be able to forgive himself
well. It's not easy to pull off, but it works here.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lonely Night · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 295
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 13:31:19
How sad, these choices! You made me feel for both OCs here.
-----------------------------------
Title: Benison · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Remembering · ID: 67
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 13:59:18
The thing about this story that still blows me away on my third reading
is the way that Annmarwalk uses physical details so effectively here!
The two best examples are probably the threadbox and the basket. The
basket, ["woven of sea-grass, green and gold fronds now faded"], iks
obviously a relic from her Dol Amroth childhood. And the threadbox is
similary described as ["ivory-inlaid"], and since ivory comes from
elephant tusks and elephants from Harad, then this must either also be
from Dol Amroth or be a very queenly gift if it comes from Minas Tirith.
How much could Harad be exporting to Gondor in those days?

Details like this that just skirt on the edge of describing let me
create a whole world inside my head, with nothing you said to contradict
it. Like the poetry ["written in a powerful masculine hand, of such
passion that Eowyn blushed as she read"]. It makes me blush, too,
because I am even now imagining just the kind of romantic (and probably
fairly erotic) poetry that a man who closed himself off to so many would
choose to compose for his wife. This very short story is easily as much
a [treasure-trove] as Finduilas's basket and I'm so glad to have read it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Today · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 199
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-20 16:26:14
Another in the series of Annmarwalk's Boromir/Théodred stories, this is
aptly titled. Present tense, foreshortened future that looks no further,
really, than the night, dismissing the concerns of diplomacy for
tomorrow. Diplomacy can afford tomorrows, is all about there being a
tomorrow, but as the final paragraph chillingly shows, there is no
future for these two lovers. Théodred knows it--it seems this one
glimpse of foresight among Rohirrim shows the dead end awaiting both
himself and Boromir, which makes today the only day that matters for
their love.

Tragic in the end, the unfolding is nevertheless warmly written and
angst-free. Recommended for slashers who like a little angst sprinkled
in with their fun.
-----------------------------------
Title: Quality Time · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Drama: The Steward's
Family · ID: 205
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 17:18:31
We usually only see Nanny with the children, so this story where she
interacts with Denethor gives her a chance to interact with an adult. It
adds a lot of depth to her character, even though the story seems more
about Denethor than her. I understand the demands on his time - if
Faramir is born Ecthelion is probably dead or dying - but he still
suffers from the fact that his duties keep him from his sons more than
he'd like. That was really touching, and the ending with him watching
Faramir sleep was precious beyond words (and in a completely
non-gollumesque way!)

One thing I noticed: Nanny was chosen by Finduilas! Which makes good
sense but is never made explicit anywhere else that I've read. If
Denethor is intimidating now, she's in trouble when Finduilas dies,
especially if she is connected to Finduilas in Denethor's mind. That
would be an interesting idea for a future story *nudge, nudge*
-----------------------------------
Title: When The Days Are Warm · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: The
Steward's Family · ID: 145
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 17:27:38
This was a hauntingly sad little piece that really captured Finduiilas'
melancholy well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Revenge is a dish best served cold · Author: Lialathuveril ·
Genres: Humor · ID: 297
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 19:04:14
This was great fun. Eomer was delightfully in character, especially with
those thoughts about mustering the courage that let him do all his
heroic deeds, and it's good that he's getting a bit of a cooler head
from a few years at king. But let it never be said that this is merely a
boys-will-be-boys thing. My female cousins pulled the same type of gag
on me when I came to Germany for the first time. Somehow it seems
inherent in human nature that we like to see each other squirm.
-----------------------------------
Title: Of Squirrels and Stolen Pies · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres:
Humor: Children · ID: 305
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 22:53:29
Cute! Pippin's meandering answers made me smile.
-----------------------------------
Title: Bedtime Story · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 355
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-20 23:06:21
This was fun! Eldarion is such an energetic little kid in your hands,
which makes for some great moments.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Gift of Tears · Author: vladazhael · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 615
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-08-21 01:37:28
As I've said before, I really appreciate the depth of emotion you convey
in this work - especially the view of Elven death.
-----------------------------------
Title: Gaiety in Gondor · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 563
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-21 14:24:48
This drabble makes me laugh. I love the semantic differences between gay
and gay ;). I especially love the hinted at consequences of interpreting
the gayety the wrong way.
-----------------------------------
Title: Where The Shadows Are · Author: Kenaz · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 776
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-21 14:25:52
This was a heartbreaking tale. Gil-galad expecting to fall and trying to
distance himself from Elrond, trying to make the separation more
bearable. But Elrond wants none of it.

I was a bit confused with some of the point of view changes in the
beginning, but I could figure it out.

I thought your description of the desolate landscape very vivid and
descriptive. It set the mood for the whole piece, which then carried on
into the encounter between Gil-galad and Elrond.


-----------------------------------
Title: Lesser Ring · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 184
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-21 14:26:40
This tale starts with Aragorn's first visit to Harad and spans into
Aragorn's years as King when he makes another visit to Harad, meeting
some of the people still living he got to know during his first visit.
Along the way Aragorn can show that even after 10 years as a king, he is
still a warrior and the enemies of him and his friends should never
underestimate him. I thought it a lovely idea to have a lost group of
Dunedain found somewhere beyond Harad. That made for some interesting
reactions.

The characterization of Aragorn is great, his care and concern for all
his people and even people he just met. I like the description of his
duties as king, and how similar these duties are in other cultures. The
ruler has to rule and to speak judgement, no matter what the customs are.

This story features a host of canon and original characters and they all
come to life with their own voices.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Three Towers · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 113
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-21 14:27:46
Frodo has to visit the past to find healing for the future. With the
help of his friends from the fellowship, he visits the Tower of Critih
Ungol again to try to sort out what was dream and what was real of his
captivity there. Along the way everyone has a chance to heal some of the
wounds of the quest.

The characters in this story are very well developed. The four hobbits
each have their distinctive voice and especially Sam is spot on. I love
the description of the interaction between the members of the
fellowship.How Merry and Pippin try to cheer Frodo up, how Gimli in his
rough way makes sure Frodo will not encounter a dead Snaga and gives Sam
the cruel whip to dispose of, to lay that demon to rest.
-----------------------------------
Title: Was It For This? · Author: Alawa · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 88
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-21 14:28:21
A nice reflective piece on the worth of the fight against Sauron.
Aragorn finally finds a connection to his father.
-----------------------------------
Title: At the Rising of the Moon · Author: Linda Hoyland · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 846
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-21 14:38:28
This was a fun little romp. It's great to see the length that even king
and steward will go to keep their harried wives happy, and Elbeth was
charmingly tomboyish.
-----------------------------------
Title: Quo Vadis? · Author: Tehta · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 86
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-08-21 19:40:06
I have been a long-time fan of your work, though this is my first time
reading this particular story. As usual, you bring to life the people of
Gondolin--in this case Salgant--people whom we see sketched in few words
in the books and reveal much about their characters and motivations
without creating a story that is heavy or too expository. The subtle use
of humor is always appreciated.

This is perhaps my favorite line in the story:

[Once, only once, had he won that honour: an injustice, no doubt, but on
this terrible day a fortunate misfortune. After all, he had only one head.]

This says a lot about Salgant's character and--I will admit--made me
snicker a bit too.

The ending is sad and frightening yet fitting: That he who had not the
courage to die as a warrior, in defense of his home, will instead suffer
a worse fate as a captive of Angband. At once, I feel sorry for Salgant
yet can't completely dismiss the feeling that he was deserving.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Precious Gift · Author: Isil Elensar · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 250
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-08-21 19:49:47
In a family that will later be torn by strife and betrayal, stories like
this remind us of the happier times that make the later tragic events
all the more painful when they do begin. But even as this is a sweet
little story, there are other things at work too. For one, there is the
very real fear--probably looming in the thoughts of more than just
Finwe--that Indis will succumb to the same strange affliction that took
the life of Mirel. There is the reader's knowledge that with the birth
of Fingolfin, events have been set in motion that cannot be rescinded.
And there is the subtle humor of poor Indis trying to sleep and being
interrupted by her proud and excited husband...and her eventual success,
of course, is a fitting conclusion.
-----------------------------------
Title: THE DAWNING · Author: digdigil · Genres: Drama: First Age Elves ·
ID: 938
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-08-21 20:03:33
This story will always be precious to me, for reasons that might be
obvious to some. :) As a reader and an author, the awakening of Maedhros
after his rescue from Thangorodrim has always been of great interest to
me, in part because of the many ways that different authors approach the
same subject. Your tender and no-nonsense OFC is left dealing with many
of these issues--explaining the loss of his hand, of his beautiful
bodily form--and she lends a feeling of both strength and tenderness
that is hard to create in a character. One of your strengths as an
author, I believe, and so rare in this fandom is the ability to create
original characters that are at once realistic and lively and yet do not
overshadow their canon counterparts.

And I love that the story is gentle and hope-filled where many (myself
included) would take this topic in an angsty or even brutal direction.
Your stories always cheer me up and lighten my (admittedly) sometimes
ponderous moods. Such a lovely little story, Jenni!
-----------------------------------
Title: Raven Hair and Silver Eyes · Author: Ellie · Times: First Age and
Prior · ID: 174
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-08-21 20:15:55
Your Anaire is very different from mine but a joy to read! The beginning
of this story is light and beautiful but turns dark with the strife
between Feanor and Fingolfin and the Darkening of Valinor. The device of
using "raven hair and silver eyes" is fitting and very nicely done,
tracing this feature as the first that Anaire noticed about Fingolfin
until the point where she realizes that it--representative of her
children's similarity to their father--has helped bring about the first
kinslaying. A beautiful story, Ellie, at once beautiful and heartbreaking.
-----------------------------------