Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Trivial Matters · Author: Thundera Tiger · Genres: Humor: Gondor
· ID: 839
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-21 21:19:15
This was just great. I should have known from the summary and what I
know of this author that it would be an understated refined sort of
inanity. Faramir was cunning and just... great, I guess. He seems to
almost defy description. Every inch the subtle man we see in the book
canon but with a sense of humor refined by peacetime and an obvious
enjoyment of toying with other lords. And you knew he'd take the jokes
foisted on him in the same way.

But the real reason this story shines so much is Legolas. He is lordly
and restrained (moreso than I would have ever been) but he still has
that rough edge that we see when he storms out. It's exactly what I
would expect of a Sindarin prince. No event here is canonical, but every
one fits EXACTLY with the character that Tolkien developed. On finishing
this story, the very first thing I did was email a Legolas-centric
writer and recommend it. From those ["rougher elements"] of the crowd at
the Rohirric festival, to the fact that Gimli would not only try for
days to figure out the irritant but would see fit to share it - spot on.
Poor picked-on elf, you feel sorry for him by the end of the piece. But
that does keep you from giggling.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Matter of Honor · Author: meckinock · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 208
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-08-21 23:44:41
This story has everything: adventure, humor, drama, great writing. The
author starts with an entertaining comic tale (told by Aragorn) and
drops right into a near-death experience involving flying arrows, deadly
wounds, and a raging river. What more could you want?

And then it gets better. Aragorn finds a cache of letters that seem to
indicate he is not Arathorn's first-born son! Omigod! How's that for a
little wrinkle in the plans? So he flees into the Wild, seeking answers.

Naturally, Halbarad comes to the rescue. Only it appears now, at this
point in the story, that Halbarad needs rescuing more than Aragorn. Will
we ever get to find out the answer to the central mystery?

In any case, it's clear there's more sword-whacking ahead, and no doubt
a timely appearance by Gandalf--all to be wrapped up with a solution
confirming our hero's hereditary rights....at least I hope so.

Meckinock has created some great original characters in this story, as
well as carrying over some from the prequel, In the Hands of the Enemy.
I expect a final appearance from Dudo, of course, filling us in on his
adjustments to life in Rivendell, and his eventual move to the Shire.

The best comic scene so far is the night in the Hall of Fire where
Elladan makes a fool of himself.
-----------------------------------
Title: Shadow of Himself · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 853
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 00:15:58
That was just devastating, to be perfectly frank right up front. I've
seen several variations on the Boromir Lives alternate universe,
including one that did go with an amnesiac Boromir. But to play it out
to the end (or to one of its possible ends) takes a lot of work, and
though this might be the shorter path, it's by no means the easy one.

Randir, formerly Boromir, in his new life is a man more at peace perhaps
than any of those who came through the Ring War alive and with memories
intact. Aside from the occasional nightmare that warns him against
delving into his past, he has no connection to anything from his past
and after so many years, no longer desires to have anything to do with
his old life. Gimli and Legolas are devastated, and Boromir is not
unsympathetic to their yearning to have him in their lives again, but he
cannot force his own feeling, and he sees in them a reaction he does not
wish to see in others. Nor does he wish his life, built up with such
effort, destroyed for the sake of something he may never recall. He's a
different person, more thoroughly so than any could imagine him to be,
and so no longer suited perhaps to the calling he once had in life.

What a burden for Legolas and Gimli, to have to decide whether to bring
the tale to Minas Tirith and all Boromir's family and friends! The
reader really identifies with them, and sympathizes with them, yet
Boromir, too, in his new guise as Randir, is also worthy of sympathy.
He's an innocent now, in a way that he never was, and who would wish to
see his life ruined by the intrusion of past ties he's in a way outgrown?

Very well done, EdorasLass! A very poignant story--people who like AUs
should read this. Actually, anyone who likes Fellowship stories should
enjoy it--highly recommended.
-----------------------------------
Title: After the End · Author: Ottis413 · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 781
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 00:32:24
Very gutsy move, setting a story in a dystopic Middle-earth, where the
Quest failed. The major actors in that we assume are long since dead--or
at least, we hope they are. Being a prisoner of the Dark Lord or his
agents is hardly a fate worth considering.

Far from the front, the Breelanders discover too late that they are on
the losing side, as Sauron's army sweeps over them, destroying the town
and reducing it to a few huddled, hardened survivors whose fatalism and
endurance are their two most prominent traits. And they need it, for
life under Sauron and his chief lieutenants--the Nazgûl and a 'redeemed'
Saruman--is brutal and often short. William Baker, born into this world,
has nothing of idealism in him; he doesn't even have desire--life is a
continual accommodation of a ruthless reality, where even Nazgûl are not
so much frightening as simply a part of the world he knows. He can't
even conceive of anything more than that.

The disruption his father's return to Bree causes is enough to inspire a
peculiarly cool hatred that just barely rises to the point of inspiring
action. Even then, his world is so narrow, he can't connect to anyone
beyond the grandmother he would avenge, so that his targets in vengeance
are really accidental--he doesn't hate them. So far as they affect them,
he's fascinated by them, but that's of no consequence; nor are any of
the foreseen consequences. It's all fate and the mechanism of necessity.

Chilling, somber, and dark, for those who've been missing
post-apocalyptic fics in this fandom, try this story!
-----------------------------------
Title: Pride Before The Fall · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 742
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 00:36:50
Sic transit Boromir. And Denethor. And the entire course of the war. If
Boromir had claimed the Ring (successfully claimed it, that is), it
might have gone something like this. The desire to protect may move him
initially, but how quickly it becomes something terribly, horribly
other! After so long alone with the Ring, invisible to all other eyes
and so in a sense unassailable because unable to get outside himself and
realize there are others to whom he is responsible, Boromir returns home
a twisted creature. He is most definitely not himself, transformed by
the power of the Ring into a delusional, impulsively violent tyrant,
capable of the most casual sort of slaughter.

Not that it helps in the end, as the epilogue shows. A very dark tale,
Amanda, but one all too plausible!
-----------------------------------
Title: The First Age of the Sun: Triumph · Author: Inglor · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Incomplete · ID: 215
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 00:39:42
This is too early in its development for the AU aspects to really have
had a chance to play out for the reader, and demonstrate the
consequences of a love match between Luthien and Finrod. Some
interesting character interactions, though. We'll see whether the wars
against Morgoth end where the title would have it, in triumph.
-----------------------------------
Title: Such a Little Thing · Author: Ribby · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 206
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 00:42:30
Brutal and quick, one wonders what ultimately becomes of Denethor and
Boromir, now that they've claimed the Ring. Fall out among family? Do
they challenge Mordor successfully? Just how much time do they have, and
now that there's no challenge from the North, is Middle-earth condemned
to fall to darkness? I think we need a third fic, here...
-----------------------------------
Title: Years After and a Sea Between · Author: Dana · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 39
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 00:52:52
I love the tone of this piece--in the tumble of narration, punctuated
with conversation, Dana gives force to the fate or decision or call it
what you will that moves Pippin. The need for healing, and for an end to
exile from friends gone over the sea, suffuses the story, and the love
and longing of the two aged, ex-patriots is palpable.

So, too, the intimate, loving relationship between Pippin and
Merry--more than friends or cousins, unapologetically in love and each
other's comfort after the deaths of their wives, they have the feel of
people who have gone through lives that have been stretched to the very
limits. Dana writes them with a certain welcome spareness that mimics
the way long time lovers really don't need to say much--they know each
other so well, and yet when they do speak, it's hardly trivial. But
being hobbits, they're not overly somber--the two set sail for the
Straight Path and Valinor with Merry still insisting Pippin's cracked at
long last, and Pippin quite willing to say he has and grina about it to
cover the sorrow of leaving friends behind. Legolas feels just right in
this respect, and the brief appearances of Aragorn and Gimli are both
satisfying, despite their brevity.

Very well done, Dana, I quite enjoyed this. Hobbit-lovers ought to enjoy
this alternate fate of Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, as they
light out on one last adventure.
-----------------------------------
Title: Come When You Are Ready · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 795
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 01:10:50
Redeeming Denethor is quite the task, especially after the pyre. The
eerie stillness of Denethor's dreams, alone in the tower, save for the
voices of wife and son, and two allies, all of them now dead. But
Denethor cannot join them quite yet--he's in the borderlands between
life and death, plucked from the pyre but so wounded as to be
unrecognizable.

Cutting back and forth between Denethor's oddly peaceful--save for a few
disturbing intrusions from the outside world and his persistant, driving
fear over his inability to find Faramir--dreams, and the reality of his
sickroom and the plight of family and acquaintances is an effective
tactic. Poor Faramir--as if the man had not enough trauma to deal with,
his father's steadily worsening condition cannot but horrify him.

But there is a release for them both--this is a redemption story.
Denethor cannot be ready to pass until he knows his younger son is safe
and well, and happily, Faramir is able to provide him that assurance,
and to know that his father feared for him undoubtedly goes some length
towards healing him as well.

Well-told, EL!
-----------------------------------
Title: Beleg and Túrin · Author: Raihon · Genres: Romance · ID: 755
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 01:19:20
Turin has never been my favorite character, and Raihon reminds me of
why--he's just not likeable, as selfish and perverse as he can be (and
by 'perverse' I don't mean erotically, I mean in the five year-old child
sense of perverse). This also makes him a hard character to write as the
beloved of a man who has some sense of selflessness, despite what love
makes of him. That perverse temperamtent makes the first part of this
fic on the rocky side, but once past that point, I think the story
improves and becomes a very credible, plausible glimpse into one
possible relationship between Beleg and Turin.

Beleg's awareness of his beloved's faults, and the unfairness with which
Turin treats him, and his way of dealing with it strike me as about
right for an Elf, as does the forging of the crisis moment for him. It
makes sense to me that once committed, the problems he has with Turin
become manageable for him and he knows a little peace in this
relationship, which is far from ideal.

Nicely done, Raihon!
-----------------------------------
Title: Work Detail · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 789
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-22 01:20:46
An amusing bit of verbal foreplay. I'm sure there are many other work
details not nearly so enjoyable a king could be given.
-----------------------------------
Title: Bored · Author: Make It Stop · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 779
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-22 02:49:27
This one really did earn quite a few snickers. I don't know which part i
liked best, the complete pettiness we see bouncing back between Faramir
and Denethor, or the exquisit boredom you've given the sentryman. But
Boromir's ["Pass the peas"] line absolutely takes the cake. No wonder
the bloke volunteered for the Rivendell trip - it would be worth it just
to get away from that family.
-----------------------------------
Title: Psychodiagnostic Evaluation - Subject: The Lady of Rohan ·
Author: Anoriath · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 753
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-22 02:51:14
It's amazing how much of the canon shines through the psychobabble. Well
done on this.
-----------------------------------
Title: Cacophony · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 929
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-22 02:56:04
Oh dear. I was tutored in piano since I was about six, so by the time I
got to middle school the violin was my second instrument. So I can
*completely* appreciate the horror off duelling Valar. The modern
musical references just make it all the more irreverent - which is all
to the good. The barbershop quartet had me snickering.
-----------------------------------
Title: Gondor Needs No King · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 207
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-08-22 05:54:10
An inversion of Gondor's Faithful Jewel into something far more cold and
predatory in this AU ficlet. The horror is in the sinister implications
of Denethor's pleasure in the lack of rivals for the rule of Gondor, in
his pleasure at what his son has become, and the mildly rueful tone of
his regret over Faramir's horrible death.


-----------------------------------
Title: Such a Little Thing · Author: Ribby · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 206
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-08-22 06:03:03
A darkly detailed ficlet that dovetails with the writer's AU drabble
[Gondor Has No King]. This longer and even darker explains how the Ring
fully corrupted Boromir. In this AU, Boromir the Fair does not redeem
himself, and kills a comrade, with fateful consequences for
Middle-earth. Even worse (Spoiler!), he consents to Faramir's immolation
- the description of those moments are horribly effective, particularly
the notion that Faramir's death kills all that was good and noble in
Boromir.

Go and read the real TTT and ROTK; this AU ficlet is written too well,
and leaves a shivery, painful aftertaste in the reader's mind.
-----------------------------------
Title: Home Again · Author: Súlriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 863
Reviewer: Robinka · 2006-08-22 10:38:01
This is a wonderful, vivid, sensuous, and beautifully done portrayal of
a feline. It sounds very "cattish" and like what I've always imagined
the inner monologue of a cat could be. You painted a splendid picture
with words.
-----------------------------------
Title: Voices on the Wind · Author: Phyncke · Times: First Age and Prior
· ID: 112
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-22 14:14:33
This is a wonderful story of a terrible battle, of hope lost, and yet
regained at the end. It is a moving tale of release from a terrible
bondage into freedom once the battle is over. It tells of Fingolfins
last fight against Morgoth, when he went forth on his own to challenge
the Dark Lord in single combat.

The descriptions are excellent: from Fingolfins vision of the ravaged
countryside to his reflections as he travels on his lone quest. There is
a heart-rending description of the battle between High King and Dark
Lord. Morgoth is presented in terrifying terms, as is his weapon, the
Hammer of the Underworld.

There are shudderingly realistic descriptions of Fingolfins last
moments, and of the vision his fëa had of the aftermathof what was
about to happen to his body.

Towards the end of the story there is a nice touch, a lovely surprise:
the mention of Fingolfins horse, Rochallar, that the fallen king sees
as the eagle is carrying his body away from the battle scene.

The story has a lovely ending, whereby Fingolfin lets his soul be
released and becomes finally free.

I found this short story to be an uplifting read and moving in its
lovely, emotional descriptions.


-----------------------------------
Title: The Lost Hunter · Author: tuxedo_elf · Times: First Age and Prior
· ID: 721
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-22 14:23:40
The main thing that I love about this story is its remarkable
emotionality, expressed in the second voice, an unusual voice to use
when writing any story. But it works very well in this tale, bringing an
element of closeness and intimacy to the events as the Vala Oromë
expresses his regret upon losing his loved one, Celegorm.

There is a sense of sadness imbued within the entire short story. The
reader is told in the first paragraph that something went wrong in the
relationship that resulted in the sundering of the two parties involved.
This creates a state of suspense as the reader is left wondering what
happened between the lovers to sunder them.

This suspense, as well as the sadness, is alleviated briefly by the
narrators descriptions of the lovers first meeting and the joy the
narrator shows in his description of the affection he feels for
Celegorm. The author does a good job of describing this happiness and
the emotion expressed in his happiness when he is with his lover.

The descriptions of Celegorms ability to speak to animals is beautiful.
The reader is led to understand completely how the Vala could be drawn
to this Elf, and then fall in love with him, and how much in common they
possessed.

Then comes the heartbreaking conclusion: the realization of the
severance between the two lovers that occurs because of the interference
of Celegorms father in their lives, the desire of everyone for the
corrupting Silmarils and of what Fëanor has done in the madness that has
overtaken his reason, and has involved all his sons in it. This is all
very well dramatized by the author.

There is good description in the end of Oromës sense of horror, loss,
sadness and regret over what has become of his loved one, but also the
hope that he and Celegorm may meet again and love one another once more,
is beautifully described.

In conclusion, I think that this story is beautifully written, describes
the emotions throughout extremely well, and leaves the reader with a
lingering sense of sadness in the futile sundering of a once-great
relationship, and the sense that it did not have to be this way. The
sentiments within can be very well applied to peoples lives today.


-----------------------------------
Title: Earth, Water, Fire and Air · Author: Fileg · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 469
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-22 14:25:33
This series of four drabbles based on the four elements as well as four
of the tarot cards, the Ace of Shields, Ace of Cups, Ace of Swords and
Ace of Wands. The author nicely uses them to capture the character of
each person upon which they are based.

The first one, concerning Eowyn, contains some lovely metaphors that
illustrate the shield maidens bravery. The first sentence adeptly
conveys the hope for the future of this countrysaid only in a few
words, it encapsulates the importance of the upcoming battle.

In the second drabble, the author beautifully illustrates the sentiment
that causes a woman to put the welfare of others before her own, as
Arwen contemplates a golden bowl, another beautiful metaphor used here
to illustrate life. The last line is powerful, as Arwen reflects upon
her decision to trade her contentment for love and uncertainty. The
author comes to the conclusion that Arwen chose her fate not merely out
of love for Aragorn, but also to realize her vision that she would be
ensuring that Elven blood will flow through the veins of future human
beings.

Next, the Ace of Swords belongs to Aragorn, whom the author compares to
his broken sword. The power of sacrifice and his nobility are very well
drawn as he ponders his father or forefathers, and realizes that he
shall carry on.

In the last drabble, Faramir considers his fate, and healed of his
wounds, feels the uplifting sense of liberation. It has a lovely
melancholic yet hopeful mood, illustrated by the use of colorful words:
white, ashes, darkness. The hurt done to Faramir is evident in the words
used to describe his thoughts: I heard voices, struggled, I had
burned, grew heavier.

I thought that these four connected drabbles were beautiful and very
well-written. They describe the thoughts and moods of their subjects
extremely well.


-----------------------------------
Title: I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes · Author: juno_magic · Races: Men · ID: 698
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-08-22 14:32:56
This thoughtful, rather moody story asks us to follow not only Mernoch
on his daily journey up the mountain path to the summit of the beacon
hill of Halfirien, but also to follow his train of thought and his
struggle with his beliefs about Eru and the holy mountain. Eventually he
comes to the conclusion that his beliefs are intact and his well-known
prayer is finally fully stated. Throughout the story, one line of the
prayer is interspersed among some of Mernochs thoughts.

The opening of the story is strong and descriptive, with colourful
descriptions of the stables, the area outside the house, and the path up
the mountainside. I also liked the mention of the Numenoreans beliefs
about Eru and their own experience with Him, and how they contrasted
with Mernochs own beliefs. The characterizations were strong. We have a
good sense of who Mernoch is and how he differs from the other people
around him. I particularly liked the mention at the end of Gerricks
wife, who is waiting for him down below. That lent a sweet, everyday
human touch to this story which is mainly about spirituality.

The descriptions are colourful and help to imbue the story with a unique
moodone that is thoughtful and spiritual.

This intriguing, thoughtful story about a simple man questioning his own
beliefs encourages the reader to think about his or her own
spirituality. Overall I enjoyed this spiritual story very much.

-----------------------------------
Title: A Golden Light in the Time of Darkness · Author: wenont · Genres:
Alternate Universe · ID: 911
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-22 17:01:08
A human foundling raised by Haldir in Lothlorien. Movie-verse.
-----------------------------------
Title: Assume, Confuse, Consume, Amuse · Author: pipkinsweetgrass ·
Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 648
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-22 17:02:44
A very amusing bit of fluff--it's what all of us secretly wish would
happen to us.
-----------------------------------
Title: Nothing of Note · Author: Primsong · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 43
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-22 17:14:19
Engaging story, right from the start. Flowing dialogue, skilful handling
and use of suspense. The descriptions are evocative and precise and fit
smoothly into the narrative. You show very well how beautiful the Shire
can be, and Bilbo's small adventures are well-plotted and interesting,
especially his stay at the White Towers.

The characterisations are vivid, distinct and believable, the characters
truly come to life and are easily memorable. All the members of the
Gamgee and Cotton families were a true delight. The portrayal of Bilbo
is especially wonderful: perceptive, mischievous, eccentric, loving
adventures, warm-hearted (loved how he dealt with the children) and
generous. And the children themselves are adorable, from Sam to little
Rosie to further canonical or original characters (just the right
balance: sweet without inducing toothache *g*).

The distance between Bilbo and most of the other Hobbits is explored
very well, in conjunction with clear observations on Hobbit society and
their general way of thinking (and I appreciate that you show the
positive as well as the negative sides).

The issue of Bilbo adopting Frodo as his heir is developed cleverly,
hints and thoughts subtly slipped into the course of the narrative,
until the issue becomes imminent.

The oblique allusions to Bilbo's pointed birthday gifts in FotR and him
inventing, working on and singing poems were a nice touch.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hope Eternal · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn ·
ID: 930
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-22 17:17:03
Sad, difficult subject. It shows unflinchingly the painful, hard
decisions leaders must make to balance mercy, justice, and the need and
responsibility to protect their own people.
Though only briefly sketched, the descriptions and characterisations are
clear and distinct.
I find the title strangely heartening, it seems to give a positive
outlook, especially in contrast to the haunting ending.
-----------------------------------