Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The Falcon and the Star · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: The
Great Years: Gondor · ID: 57
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:36:45
What a great story. It is kind of a gapfiller, although the scene is
described in canon. But you flesh it out and give us some vivid
descriptions of how it would be for Aragorn to go out and call back
Faramir, Eowyn and Merry after the long day of battle.

I like the way you get into Aragorn's head. Something I sorely miss in
the books. His weariness and grief about all his lost friends and kin.
His doubts about his fitness to be king, I think mostly stemming from
his weariness and the still coming battles.

And then your description of Faramir's fever dreams, very chilling.
Faramir's spirit was really in a very bleak place. I love it that
Aragorn can see what Faramir sees and that he uses Anduril and his
Elessar stone to guide Faramir back. I liked it that Faramir mistook
Aragorn at first for his father, which added another obstacle to the way
back, the moment he realized his mistake. The immediate connection
between Faramir and Aragorn was beautifully written.

A great story.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Mud Summer Night's Dream · Author: SueB · Genres: Humor: Gondor
· ID: 712
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-08-24 14:37:13
In this lighthearted romp with some serious undertones, Aragorn, Faramir
and Eomer go orc hunting into a mud-infested country. I love the
addition of the severely reduced army of the dead and ghost!Boromir. I
had to laugh at the image of the dignified kings of Gondor and Rohan
falling into the mud and trying desperatly to get clean.
-----------------------------------
Title: Before Thangorodrim: The Last Fall of Himring Hill · Author:
AWing · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 78
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-24 17:14:06
Wonderful, elegant language, effective, vivid descriptions.

Skilful interweaving of canonical facts (even obscure ones), believable
interpolation and original ideas. The idea of Finrod being reborn in
time to fight in the War of Wrath is particularly intriguing, and it is
put to good use. The portrayal of the Easterlings as resembling Mongols
is an interesting and plausible concept, with well-researched details.

The characterisations, relations and emotions are excellent, nuanced and
evocative. The Sons of Fëanor seem of a precarious state of mind,
clinging to the edge of reason and "humanity", the first impression of
them - ["gaunt and ragged, lean and fell as winter wolves"] - is
unsettling but fitting, evoking in the readers the same wary reaction to
them as in the other characters.

The use of "magic", or rather "Art", often a difficult concept, is
depicted excellently, true to Tolkien's thoughts on the issue.

You show very well how thin the line is, and how easiliy crossed,
between right and wrong, good and evil (the Song each side sings is a
particularly notable example). The parley and Maedhros' words at the end
of chapter 8 are particularly haunting, as is the ambiguous note on
which the story ends.

I think this is my favourite passage: ["Looking at his nephew with the
deeper insight, he could discern only the ash and cinders of despair.
Like the Anfauglith, like Beleriand, a blasted wasteland where nothing
green would grow again, though blood watered it like rain."].
-----------------------------------
Title: Passing Regrets · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 657
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-08-24 17:17:59
It's delightful and touching to witness how Bilbo's usual disinterest in
children is totally overcome by little Frodo. The child is described
charmingly perceptive and earnest, already exhibiting many of his later
character traits, while at the same time acting according to his age.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Bargain at any Price · Author: quizzabella · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 952
Reviewer: Madeleine · 2006-08-24 17:31:05
There is only very little biographical information about Prince Imrahil
of Dol Amroth and his family and the little we know does not come from
The Lord of the Rings but from The Unfinished Tales of Númenor and
Middle-earth and, especially, from The Peoples of Middle-earth: The
History of Middle-earth vol 12, I VII The Line of Dol Amroth. And even
that is not much. We only learn  besides the names of the family
members, their date of birth and that Imrahils only daughter marries
King Éomer of Rohan  that the line is said to descent from an Elf-maid,
Mithrellas and an Númenórian named Imrazôr. However, Tolkien gives us
the understanding, that this is rather a myth than a true story.

So, here we have a whole wagonload full of canon characters, who are
close to the main protagonists  Imrahil is Elessars mightiest vassal,
Éomers father-in-law and Faramirs uncle  but who are also an unknown
quantity. That should be a fanfiction writers dream; the imagination can
run wild  to a certain extent.

Quizzabella has picked out Amrothos, Imrahils youngest son and dropped
him in Udûn, which should be  even a few years after the War of the
Ring - a rather unpleasant place. His horse had been stolen from him
and he needs replacement, but he gets himself not only a new steed for
his journey back home, but also a female companion. He takes pity in a
slave girl whom he redeems from her captors.

The story is an entertaining mixture of reluctant romance  a Prince of
Dol Amroth and a female blacksmith who is half an Easterling are not the
most likely couple  and adventure story. Amrothos has to convince the
lady that he hasnt the intention to keep her as his slave, he has to
fight an warg, gets injured and saved by Najila  the girl  and they
end up in a dubious inn, populated by an assortment of eccentric and
well-drawn characters. A mysterious gang of baddies shows up and at this
point  the story is still in progress  it is not clear whom they are
after: the prince or the pauper.

The style of the story is sweeping, the plot unique and I just wish
Quizzabella would update more regularly. I really want to know how this
tale is going to continue. Who are the villains? What is their aim? And
what is the royal family of Dol Amroth going to say about Amrothos
blacksmith?

-----------------------------------
Title: Recalled To Life - Alqualonde · Author: AWing · Races: Elves:
Feanorians · ID: 787
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-24 19:33:55
Another brilliant portrait of Maedhros, this time returned to life in
Valinor, but with the memory of all his deeds and those of his kindred
upon his head. Nevertheless, it is clearly a different Maedhros from the
deadened, burnt-out, hopelessly cynical creature we saw in [Before
Thangorodrim: The Last Fall of Himring Hill]. Knowledge does not
cripple; enough time has passed for him to have learned something from
the horror that has been many centuries of his life.

The description of Alqualondë, with its foundation of friendship between
the Noldor and the Teleri, and then the rift between them that built the
walls, and the slow spread of Telerin styles--wandering, meandering,
haphazard as the sea, and yet somehow bound together in a whole--is
beautifully written. Maedhros' meditation in the garden, and then his
appearance before the multitude of Alqualondë, Telerin Ages old as well
as Maedhros' more recent victims (Sindar and Falathrim of Beleriand),
are well matched. I liked the question that eventually led to judgment,
and which suggests that the younger among the Eldar are more fitted to
judge the need for forgiveness and for reconciliation than those old
enough to remember the crimes, and can lead others towards healing.

Well done, Awing!
-----------------------------------
Title: Make It One For Paladin · Author: Marta · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 48
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-24 22:36:03
This story goes straight to the depths of affliction, using the
unexpected perspective of Robin Smallburrow. As a collaborator, Robin
had a hand in the enforcement of Saruman's reign of intimidation and
brutality--a reign that surely did not occur simply by verbal threats,
but which had the power to enforce its threats and make examples. On the
other hand, Robin is an innocent of sorts--he's not in his position of
Shiriff for the power kick it might give, but because he wanted to see
the Shire and be helpful when needed. He's a decent person, but he's not
heroic--this leads him to his present, awful circumstances.

Robin is caught in a vicious cycle of recriminations--he cannot
understand why this has happened to him and to other "small lives" like
his, cannot understand why he should be set against others not very
different from him, nor why those others (because they are so like him
in their smallness and helplessness and, I think he is thinking, his
'mean-ness') should not blame and despise him.

And his entire world is transformed--everything has lost its luster, and
there is no good in the world any longer, only a wrongness attached to
everything and everyone, most especially to those whose lives were
larger than his and who made the incomprehensible things happen, whether
by their intention or not. It's so terrible that he can't stand the
sight any more of what is good in the great--it's intolerable to him
because they are false securities in a senseless world, where good is in
the excuses a widow makes for him for no reason he can discern, not in
the sorts of stories that movie!Sam can tell at the end of Two Towers,
for example.

So he'll find the little things the heroes should've done and the more
angry he is with them, the more he'll hate himself for not having been a
Fatty Bolger big enough to stand up when the heroes left him for larger
concerns, and because he can't be sure, I think, which is worse: the
idea that he might have failed in a world ruled by fixed standards of
right and wrong, or the idea that the world might be senselessly cruel.

Well done, Marta! A very different view on this character indeed, but
one that rings true to the brutality of war and corruption. Nicely
ironic title, too.
-----------------------------------
Title: Stronger Songs · Author: Marta · Times: First Age and Prior:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 688
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-24 22:36:32
Interesting possibility, that Tom and Treebeard met in Beleriand all
those years ago, and that Tom should be responsibly for Treebeard's
relocation to the 'present day' Fangorn Forest. Nice!
-----------------------------------
Title: A New Age · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 685
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-24 22:36:50
Those Noldor are somewhat given to doom and gloom (not without reason)
that tends to strain against the impulse to stop and enjoy the beauty of
the world. Not everything need be attached to a grander plan or
destiny--sometimes the appropriate response is to stop and admire and be
grateful for what's present.
-----------------------------------
Title: Truly Exposed · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 689
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-24 22:37:09
I like the way that Nenya forms a competing third in the relationship of
Galadriel and Celeborn, one that tends to divide them more so than
governance ever could. It's good to see Galadriel willing to lay that
divisive third aside, even if only for a little while, for the sake of
her husband and herself.
-----------------------------------
Title: Untold Tales of the Mark: The Banishment of Eomer · Author:
Katzilla · Genres: Alternate Universe: Incomplete · ID: 836
Reviewer: Madeleine · 2006-08-24 22:42:06
Ive never been an avid reader of Alternative Universe fanfiction. If we
borrow from an author we should try to tamper with his work  because
that is what we do - at least in his spirit, if that is possible at all.

Ive also never been a fancier of the Banishment-of-Éomer version from
the films. I always found that the incarceration of Éomer had much more
significance for a man like him, a man who is used to act. In the
dungeon he is completely helpless, relying on others to free him and
take action on his behalf.

Katzilla banished him but at the same time bereaved him of any
opportunity to take any immediate action on behalf of Grimas hostages 
his uncle and his sister  or for the people of Rohan. Unlike in the
films he doesnt get sent off with his weapons and riders, but thrown
out alone, without as much as switchblade and any useful equipment, just
with his horse and his basic clothes, hardly enough to keep him warm and
alive in the winter. Moreover, Grimas henchmen and a gang of Uruk-hais
are after him with the order to kill him. He barely survives both
attacks  badly injured as we cant expect otherwise from Kat  and
cant survive without the help of others. At this point he is in the
situation of dungeon-Éomer, utterly powerless and vulnerable.

But he finds that the people of the Eastfold of Rohan are staunchly
loyal to their Marshal despite being forbidden to even come close to him
on pain of death. An old farmers couple gives him shelter and as much
gear as they can spare. And after his fight against an superior number
of Uruks, when Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas finally find  close to death
and bravely guarded by Firefoot  another farmers family takes him in
without second thought. No doubt, Wormtongue has underestimated the
allegiance of the Rohirrim and their will to fight until they cant
fight anymore.

However, Kat follows not only Éomers fate. In a downright tormenting
way she describes Éowyns anguish. She, who had been forced to remain in
Meduseld  Grima gets more and more obsessed with her, his advantages
more and more blunt and repelling  has to watch helplessly how her
uncle fades away, how faithful friends like Elfhelm, Gamling and Hama
get tortured and murdered while she is at the mercy of a cruel and
ruthless man and his henchman from Dunland.

This is  as said earlier  AU and so Éomer decides on the council of
Aragorn to forestall the Wizards force, call the Rohirrim to arms and
marsh against Orthanc. Successfully he unites the éoreds of the Eastfold
and of the Westfold. Here he shows natural talent for leadership and
command and his ability to convince people and make them understand his
purpose, makes them want to follow him.

Other than most AU stories this one appears to come straight out of
Tolkiens work. Not the language, of course. That is contemporary without
being too modern or using 21th century slang. The characters, both canon
and OC, and the plotline simply fit in perfectly.

This tale is on its best way to become an heroic epic in its own right.



-----------------------------------
Title: Beware the Sea · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 404
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-24 22:43:14
These are a lovely collection of drabbles. I like the paradoxical nature
of desire in several passages, the confusion, that the sea should still
call over the power of destruction, over the choosing of the spirit of
fire, and over Vilya's mastery of water, for example. Aldarion's torn
love flows neatly into Legolas' and Sam's (and thanks for the mention of
Halbarad, btw, because you know I am an utter sucker for that). I'd
totally forgotten about that passage in RoTK that suggests Sam is
susceptible to sea-longing, but there it is. Nicely employed!

These are great little character sketches of a diverse cast, and should
be enjoyed by fans of [The Silmarillion] as well as of LOTR.
-----------------------------------
Title: Strike While the Iron is Hot · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres:
Humor: The Shire · ID: 234
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-24 23:16:44
I have to confess, one of the reasons I love this story is that it was
written at my instigation. But trust GW to go a whole lot further with
the idea than I had ever thought possible, and to come up with something
so crazy and off the wall as this.

I think what I love most is the way that Freddy Bolger is so thoroughly
taken in. He has been playing one against the other in a war of pranks,
seemingly without ever planning one himself. He thinks of himself as
very clever, and in the clear.

But he's not reckoned on the acting abilities of Pippin Took, and he
thinks himself a good deal cleverer than he really is.

I love all the hilarious reactions to the eventual prank--especially
Frodo's and Saradoc's! This is a really twisted bit of fiction and a
good deal of fun!
-----------------------------------
Title: Recalled To Life - Alqualonde · Author: AWing · Races: Elves:
Feanorians · ID: 787
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-24 23:17:20
Very beautiful prose, lyrical and poetical in itself, this is an account
of reconciliation. I am not well-versed in the Silm, but I do know of
the sons of Feanor, and this is lovely.
-----------------------------------
Title: Until the Stars Are All Alight · Author: Kenaz · Races: Men:
Featuring Aragorn · ID: 148
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-24 23:17:57
I really liked the voice the author gave Halbarad in the first part of
this, though I confess to kind of skipping the slashy ending. It was
interesting to see what Halbarad thought of the untried boy brought to him.
-----------------------------------
Title: That Immortal Sea · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 265
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-08-24 23:39:38
Hmmmm...never made the connection for some reason, that the waterfall at
Henneth-Annun might trigger Faramir's dream of Numenor. But it's obvious
when you think about it! Nicely done, Marta!
-----------------------------------
Title: Hidden on the Mountain · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 945
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-08-24 23:48:56
A very interesting point of view, Imhiriel! I like the fact that it was
Gandalf who planted the fruit there and then went with Aragorn to take
it back. And a great description of Aragorn's hands-it expresses the
healer side of him as well as the soldier.
-----------------------------------
Title: I can only manage One · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 766
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-24 23:57:03
Very sweet and amusing courtship. Some dialect issues threw me at times,
and some of the transitions were rough, but it was a fun read. Rohan
seems to be leading the way in terms of cultural openness to the plight
of women, which gives the journey towards an arranged marriage an ironic
twist, making it a journey of liberation as well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Planning Ahead · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Men · ID: 84
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-08-25 00:02:27
I love Gilraen here, so self-confident and composed! She knows what she
wants, or rather what it is that is her destiny. Arathorn is suitably
confused and confounded. A very sweet vignette.
-----------------------------------
Title: Was It For This? · Author: Alawa · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 88
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-08-25 00:06:15
There were some good stories that came out of that Memorial Day
Challenge and this was one of them. I actually like the images of the
Twins best throughout-their gentle insistence that Aragorn visit the
grave, the mourning keen for their friend, their matter-of-fact
recounting of belongings buried and retrieved. A lovely 500 words.
-----------------------------------
Title: Elfstone · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 252
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-25 00:06:51
Interesting look at the forging of the elessar. I like the symbolism in
the poetry, and the idea that the stone has to be awakened by it, that
mere smithying or settings don't create it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Return to Rivendell · Author: Acacea · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 521
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-25 00:07:05
Evocative and sad--I liked the small signs of fading: the fog coming in
to cover the clarity of an elven dream, and clouds to cover what had
been a legendary sky. The fading of the voices in the Hall of Fire, and
their songs of a past summer's glory, were a fitting ending. Well done,
Acacea!
-----------------------------------
Title: Dust On My Saddle · Author: Rous · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 630
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-25 00:07:17
Middle-earth meets the modern spaghetti Western! Boromir (so I guess)
rides into town seeking Elrond and heads straight for the saloon, as
tradition demands. At least he gets news of the elusive
Elf-lord-cum-sheriff there, who is, it seems, awaiting the posse's
arrival...
-----------------------------------
Title: Frodo Lad: First Yule · Author: Mews1945 · Races: Hobbits:
Pre-Quest · ID: 830
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-25 00:08:36
This is a beautiful Yule story, brimming with the good will and warmth
of the season! Young Frodo makes the acquaintance of small Pippin, and
in spite of their tumultuous meeting are soon fast friends. We are
treated to not one, but three celebrations--at Great Smials, Bag End and
Brandy Hall! I really enjoy this author's Frodo, who is so very sweet
and kind! And little Pippin is adorable.

The scene at the end just makes me melt.
-----------------------------------
Title: In Frodo's Hands · Author: Mews1945 · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest ·
ID: 62
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-25 00:09:36
I am not quite sure of how to describe this beautiful story--the summary
is rather stark. A very young Pippin finds himself staying at Bag End
while his parents are off to a funeral, and Bilbo is away on business.
Unlike in many stories, this Pippin is not yet well-acquainted with
Frodo, and so he is a bit hesitant and unsure of his reception.

The story is told gently in Pippins first person point-of-view. There
is a dreamlike, luminous quality to his description of the quiet at Bag
End, and his sharp observations of all that he not only sees, but
touches and smells and hears. Through small Pippins eyes, we are
introduced to a young Frodo who already has begun to be the wise and
gentle hobbit we know he will become. This is a Frodo accustomed to the
needs of young cousins, and even though he is never even mentioned in
the story, one gets the feeling that perhaps Frodo is remembering a
young Merry, as well as his own feelings and curiosities at that age.

Its quite clear that by the ending of the story, Pippin has already
begun to form that deep love and trust of Cousin Frodo that will take
him through his life in not only wanting to please Frodo, but to follow
him and protect him, just as Cousin Frodo protects him here.

-----------------------------------