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Title: Threshold · Author: Mechtild · Genres: Romance: Incomplete · ID: 823
Reviewer: White Gull · 2006-08-26 14:31:43
This story grew on me. At first I was put off by the May-December
romance, made more startling by the fact Rosa is the mother of Frodo's
good friend, and a woman he has grown up knowing. BUT, I loved from the
start the author's wonderful prose. I've never read better, and not just
in fanfic! I came to realize that Rosa is a great example of the age-old
tradition of older, experienced women taking in the young bucks and
teaching them, molding them, in the art of love-making. And who, tell
me, could possibly resist Frodo Baggins? That she grows to love him is
very believable, even if acting upon that love (the both of them) takes
a little more imagination. :)
-----------------------------------
Title: The Falcon's Watch · Author: pippinfan88 · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 227
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-08-26 23:10:08
This is a wonderful story about dealing with partings and dealing with
death. Merry's son, Kalimas and Pippin's son, Faramir, are on their way
to Minas Tirith to pay final respects to their fathers. Kalimas is at
peace with Merry's need to leave the Shire to spend his final days in
the King's city but Faramir is bitter about Pippin doing so. On the way
Faramir has to come to terms with his unforgiving and bitter heart
before it ruins him.

There is a great deal of Merry and Pippin in Kalimas and Faramir. They
share the same sort of closeness and insight into each other's minds and
hearts as did their father's. Yet in some ways, Kali is Pippinish and
Faramir is Merryish. Kali quickly could understand his father's need to
leave the Shire, understanding that he needed healing the Shire couldn't
provide. He is insightful into other people's feelings. Faramir is
pragmatic, why did is father leave when his family still loved and
needed him? Even though he is very aware of Pippin's increased
nightmares and sadness after Diamond's passing, Faramir simply can not
see past his own need to have his father near him. He (Faramir) gets all
the comphort and strength he needs from the Shire and his family, why
can't his father?

Through interaction with his cousin, the King, his own son and a
mysterious falcon, Faramir Took finds the understanding he needs to
leave behind his bitter attitude towards Pippin's leaving and at last
can truly morn his father.

All of this is handled with great insight and sensitivity by Pippinfan.
Even with a moment of suspense part way through, the whole story has a
wonderful gentleness throughout it. Pippinfan paints beautiful word
pictures that help us feel everything right along with Faramir.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Meara for Me! · Author: Súlriel · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 893
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-26 23:59:17
This very well done work deserves to be included in any Tolkien fan's
list of reference links. The background material on horses, their
training, their mental and physical strengths and weaknesses, was very
well done and researched by the author, and shows the author's insight
into and a knowledge of the subject. The addition of the photographs of
the horses adds greatly to the overall feeling that one is dealing with
real horses. A thoroughly delightful read overall, and the author is to
be complimented for a scholarly research effort.
-----------------------------------
Title: For a cause, a friend, a loved one · Author: Werecat · Genres:
Humor · ID: 120
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 00:10:07
When I was reading this story, I was reminded of children's tales, such
as "Chicken Licken and the Sky is Falling" or the "Little Red Hen." In
these tales, each one of the animals has something to add, whether good
or bad, and this one is no different. The steady horse, the owl, the
mourning doves, the mice, and the wisest, the disdainful cat. The horse
must go away to war and the other creatures who occupy the barn are
frightened that their protector will be leaving them. Who is left around
to save the day? The cat, of course. Not even an orc could take on a
mother cat and a litter of kittens. Another one of Werecat's charming
tales that I found enjoyable.
-----------------------------------
Title: And all in evil ended be · Author: Werecat · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 122
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 00:18:38
In the House of Healing, Ioreth has a problem that she didn't expect.
What could cause that very staid woman to shriek in fear and run to find
a weapon to fight the foe? Nothing less than a reminder of Melkor's
continuing influence upon the earth - some nasty cockroaches. I have
been a reader of Werecat's stories for years, because she always gives
her tales a twist. Another good one that brought some chuckles from me.
-----------------------------------
Title: Of Stone and Fire · Author: Werecat · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 124
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 00:29:51
When Gimli arrives in Valinor, Feanor learns that Galadriel had given
the dwarf three trands of her golden hair. However, Galadriel refused
Feanor's request for the same boon. Feanor is not happy. How long can he
hold a grudge? Probably for the rest of eternity. It is good for Gimli
that Feanor will be in Mandos for a very long, long time yet to come. An
enjoyable read.
-----------------------------------
Title: In the Woods · Author: Werecat · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond ·
ID: 119
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 00:37:17
In medieval Europe, tales about Elves were commonplace. In this story, a
grandmother regails her grandchildren with a story from her youth. A
strange old man who was kind to all the animals lived there near her
home, but the villagers feared that which they didn't understand.
Ignorance breeds violence, and so they burnt his cottage. The girl sees
an appearance by lingering elves on their way to the West, and somehow
the old man appears in different manifestations. Could he have been
Radagast, the Brown Wizard, who was still lingering? A nice story
linking the tales of medieval Europe into Tolkien's mythologia.
-----------------------------------
Title: Where The Shadows Are · Author: Kenaz · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 776
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-08-27 00:44:35
This is a pairing I enjoy when it is well-handled, and it certainly is
here! During the Last Alliance, Elrond and Gil-galad come together for
what looks to be the last time. Elrond will be great one day himself,
but he is an acolyte to greatness now. Gil-galad knows of his looming
fate (and that is an interesting touch) for Elrond has foreseen it, and
even while he affirms his love for his herald, he is beginning to sever
the connection between them, to push Elrond away from him and towards
Celebrian, towards the life that Elrond must live after Gil-galad is
gone. He shines like a star indeed, in this story-I chuckled over the
unfortunate minstrel and the inevitable spear jokes. It's always been
rather strange to me that, alone of the Elves of Middle-earth, Gil-galad
is proficient with that weapon to an extent that you never hear of him
wielding a sword.

The heat, the grit, the discomfort of a war held in Sauron's territory
is beautifully conveyed, as is the sort of physical intimacy that would
take place in such a setting. The descriptions of the almost combative
love-making are both sensual and vivid, yet there is an undeniable care
and tenderness beneath them that shines through. To dare to love in such
a setting and in the face of such a doom, is the truest victory of all.

["Not only fell deeds awoke here, but the fairest deeds as well!"]

Definitely. The fairest writing too.

-----------------------------------
Title: Beleg and Túrin · Author: Raihon · Genres: Romance · ID: 755
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 02:06:56
Original pairings that have any basis in Tolkien are getting hard to
find, which is why I am thankful for this story. I had never read or
even imagined a romantic relationship between Beleg and Turin. It works
in an enigmatic sort of way, though the ending felt a little short. I
really liked especially how you did not smooth over Turin's rough character
-----------------------------------
Title: Untold Tales of the Mark: The Banishment of Eomer · Author:
Katzilla · Genres: Alternate Universe: Incomplete · ID: 836
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2006-08-27 05:10:56
I seem to be forging a personal tradition of getting sucked in by one
epic length story that I had been absolutely convinced I would never
have time to read. And then I go ahead and click chapter one, and before
I know it, I'm reading through the last chapters of the story. Despite a
few POV wobbles and a couple of grammatical errors that occasionally
tripped me, this story has proved absolutely gripping from chapter one.

Katzilla has taken elements from book and movie and managed to put them
together in a manner that is plausibe, suspensful, and yet uniquely its
own story, following neither the books nor the movies. It's a better
story for it. The banishment scenario in the movieverse was clearly a
plot device that didn't quite get handled as it deserved: no one who
goes into exile with as much clout as Eomer is allowed to take his
personal eored with him. This scenario makes sense, and the trials he
goes through as he struggles to survive the weather, assassination
squads, and the tearing pressure of personal loves sacrificed for ends
larger than the personal are believable and moving. Théodred's Obi-wan
Kenobi-like presence, as a part of Éomer that continues the fight and
identifies him with others is well done, and I quite enjoyed these
episdoes, as they added to our sense of Eomer's inner world. I can
believe Eomer would think and behave as he does in this story, and that
Eothain, Elfhelm, Gamling, and Háma would think and behave as they do.

And I can certainly believe Eowyn. At one point, a few years ago, a
friend and I discussed the possibility of an AU!Rohan where the cavalry
didn't come in time, and the means of control on Eowyn were essentially
what we see played out in this story: Eowyn is controlled through her
love for those closest to her--to keep her controlled, torture or the
threat of it is the most effective means. It won't get Grima everywhere
he wants to go with her--it will fail to give him the one thing he most
wants, but it'll give him the appearance for a time.

And may I say, this is without doubt the best Grima I've seen written up
close in fanfic--there's no flinching from his cruelty and lust, but
there's also no cheapening of the complexity of his desire for Eowyn,
which isn't merely lust. But arrogance, vengefulness and his quite
apparent selfishness thoroughly mar the chances of that feeling ever
developing so that the object of his affections could ever accept it. At
the same time, his selfishness makes it impossible for him to see, until
too late, that this is the case. I'm not saying I feel for him,
precisely, but he's comprehensible--Katzilla does the hard work to show
his contradictions in a way that makes Grima come alive, instead of
reducing him to a character that feels false or less complicated than an
actual person would.

And now that we've reached the climactic stage of horror for the
hostages, will the cavalry come to the rescue in time? Will this story
pull through to rejoin the main storyline of LOTR, or will the AU spiral
even wider, so that the events in Rohan change the course of the war and
result in a different outcome, or the same outcome but achieved in a
definitely different manner? I eagerly await the next chapter, and for
adult readers who can handle some truly violent, ugly and painful
situations, read this story. It's an AU written with style and it
carries off the alternate situation beautifully. But be prepared to
sacrifice sleep time for this one, or else hours you'd planned to be
doing something else: at least for me, this is one story that I can
safely say I was not able to put down once I started in on it, despite
having other plans. Bravo, Katzilla! Thank you for a marvellous story,
and please continue soon.
-----------------------------------
Title: Reaping · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 169
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-08-27 13:14:05
This is quite a sad story. It shows well how people can be drawn into
crime while deceiving themselves that they do not really cause harm, and
how they can be harmed by events they do not really understand.

The fic makes the reader really pity the poor Miller, although usually
we see him as one of the (smaller) villains of the book.

I like the fact that in spite of the terror Ted experiences, there is
some sort of reconciliation in the end.

Well done! Nienor
-----------------------------------
Title: To Ride, To Will, To Fear · Author: Ellethill · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 841
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-08-27 14:05:27
This is an amazing story. It has quite a simple premise: someone is
captured, and others must free this person. Yet the plot grows very
complex due to the relationships of the characters involved.

The story plays on the fact that many people, including himself,
underestimate Faramir. Here, the same is true for Éomer, who draws his
own (wrong) conclusions on Faramir's guilt after a bad thing has
happened to Éowyn. When the truth and Faramir's true valour are
revealed, it is almost too late to save him. We see that Faramir is a
very brave man who, when driven to it, completely ignores his safety and
his own life to do what he feels he has to do.

We also get an insight in Éowyn's character: her courage on the one
hand, the way she deals with fear and desperation on the other hand.

Aragorn is also in character, at least as I perceive him: he realises
that stopping Faramir from what he is about to do out of concern for him
would not do him any good. So he acts against his instincts in order to
respect Faramir's wishes.

I like the writing style of the piece: it relates well to Tolkien's,
without seeming like an imitation.

All in all, this is a great story in which all the characters are indeed
in character and which is very gripping.
-----------------------------------
Title: THE DAWNING · Author: digdigil · Genres: Drama: First Age Elves ·
ID: 938
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 14:56:37
I have to admit that I re-read this short story once a while. This tale
is simply beautiful and stunning while each time I read it, I discover
something new in it. The manner how the author writes about Maedhros'
awakening and how is nurse encourages him reclaim his life is splendidly
explored in clear and effective prose. To me this piece feels almost as
if Maedhros is reborn again, yes, I know, with one hand less.

Digdigil s original character, the nurse, serves a great purpose, if
not the most important here while Maedhros tries to deal with the shock
of loosing his hand while recovering and yet she does not steal the show
by being on the foreground too much just as a nurse would be. Serving
the patient, giving them hope, alternatives and yet confronting them
with reality in a gentle manner. Maedhros incoherent thoughts, his mind
focussing on the one that rescued him brought tears to my eyes.

And this line gives me the chills:

[I am Amaurea, she replied. Think of me as heralding the dawn of your
new life. And she smiled at him once more, lighting up his new day with
a brilliance to rival the sun.]

Simply wow!
-----------------------------------
Title: Son of Finwë · Author: Minuialeth · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 193
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 15:19:36
This is a piece of powerful prose of which I thought I had to share. I
love the manner how the author describes what goes through this
warrior's mind, his courage, defiance, and realisation in his heart. He
knows he will not survive, but yet to face death. But there is something
so forceful and evocative with this drabble.

After reading the first line, you know something crucial is about to
happen and I almost have my nose pressed against the screen to read what
will happen next as if I am driven by the rush of elven adrenaline
myself. This is what makes this drabble so incredibly great. Minuialeth
crawls into Fingolfins head and shows us what goes through his mind
when he fights the utter evil in Tolkiens world: Morgoth. But what
gives me the shivers is how Minuialeth takes a step further and gives us
insight in Fingolfins final thoughts which is incredibly well done.
Once I read the final word, I am amazed how the author managed to
capture this significant moment in High Kings life in simply 100 words!

But the last line is the best:

[My own destiny I etched into the forehead of time: He who marred evil.]

This line for me shows me that even though Morgoth caused much harm to
Arda, it is Fingolfin's powerful blade Ringil that let this evil feel
how it feels like to get it returned. I can just envision this fallen
Valar screaming his anguish and hurt pride now that Fingolfin has proven
something which others though long impossible. What a heritage to leave
behind.

Truly amazing!
-----------------------------------
Title: Spirit of Fire · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 196
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 15:35:13
Oh what a powerful portrayal of Nerdanel's thoughts. Very sensual and
moving, I love the way you captured her love for her husband with well
chosed wording!
-----------------------------------
Title: Shattered Twilight · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 247
Reviewer: Minuialeth · 2006-08-27 15:41:57
Maeglin has always been one of the rather fascinating characters.
Rhapsody managed to touch on exactly the point that makes him
interesting: Elves are creatures of the light despite their falls from
grace, but hes a perfect mixture of shadow and light. Rhapsody conveyed
that with smooth and flawlessly touching language. You can see him there
breathing his last breath and the images flash in front of you; a
brilliant mind gone astray.

But the finer points in this piece arent directly obvious, when you
read again, you notice that not only do the words show Maeglin as a
character you can neither hate nor sympathize with, but a unique
individual. He is poetic and tragic even in has last thoughts.

Yet as heavy as these thoughts are, the piece floats. This floating
really gives it an atmosphere of both surreal and unearthly departure,
just like a spirit. There is nothing artificial about the language; it
is sincere and as such highly adapted to focusing on the actual
importance of the thoughts presented. This is a mark of a very clever
writer.

The final product is so vivid that one stands before a striking
emotional weight; when I finished reading I caught myself breathing
slowly&Hes gone&A mystery, a tragedy, a paradox&all there in a flash, a
life lost&.Absolutely gorgeous work!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 131
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 17:21:58
The Gift is a story that has a special meaning to me, it was quite
unexpectedly gifted to me before Christmas last year, and as the story
itself deals with a gift that cannot be expressed in a materialistic
value, this story has the same value for me. Dawn has this unique voice
and talent in her stories in which she captures the daily life of the
House of Fëanor. The events seemingly seems quite insignificant, but
have a huge impact later on. The selfless Celegorm lets go of the woman
he wants to court for his younger brother Curufin and throughout the
story you can feel that Celegorm wished differently by the wording to
buy him love& but also in a way for himself. In the end, Celegorm does
end up with the most precious gift for the Midwinter Festival, even
though it comes at a high price for all. Celebrimbor lost his mother (as
many others during this event), but gained the undying love of his
uncle, a gift that Celegorm is more willing to give and in a way to accept.

This story leaves me wondering what would have happened if Curufin had
not pleaded to have Terentaulë as his wife. Celegorm would have settled
down, have a peaceful life; there would be no Celebrimbor, therefore no
forging of the rings. A very intriguing thought.

On top of this all, Dawn gives us insight in what must have gone through
their minds after the kinslaying of Alqualondë with stunning narrative
gift which gives you the feeling that you, as a reader, are witnessing
this personally. There is pain and doubt in the air, yet all move on
because there is no turning back.

So yes, The Gift is exactly as it was intended and gives you as the
reader a great insight in the characters and the events that those
characters experienced. A smooth read with outstanding prose, which
gives you the feeling that the story came to an end too fast. Thank you
so much Dawn, for giving.
-----------------------------------
Title: Of All the Pretty Little Horses · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor:
Gondor · ID: 736
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 17:32:13
This is such a naughty piece that makes me laugh. A I read along, a
suspicion dawns on me that both men are talking about two complete
different things and the manner Oshun writes it is done in such a
splendid manner. Priceless, good writing and very enjoyable!
-----------------------------------
Title: 17 Cunning Corsairs · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 244
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 17:32:49
What a delightful little tale to read. Very slowly the author reveals to
us who the girl in question is and it leaves me smiling broadly one I
finished the story. Who would have thought that Lothíriel would be such
a rogue at heart.
-----------------------------------
Title: Naneth - Farewell · Author: Aearwen · Races: Elves: Poetry · ID: 212
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 17:56:20
This is simply beautiful. Even though I read this poem a couple of
times, it still amazes me how this piece touches me so deeply when I
read it. Aearwen shows us the vulnerable side of Maeglin after his
mother was killed at his father's hand. In this piece, Aearwen gives us
insight in the difference how Maeglin was raised by both his parents;
giving me the feeling Maeglin was closer to Aredhel than Eol. His pain
and the feeling of missing her shows in every word that Aearwen shares
with us. Still bound by grief, it is so hard to feel his mother around
him, as she promised him and it makes me want to hug him.

With this prose, Aearwen paints a beautiful portrait of the relationship
between Maeglin and his mother Aredhel and the city both loved. While
reading this poem, I realised that how bittersweet it actually is that
Maeglin destroyed the city his mother loved so much and he loved to see
through her eyes. So poignant and well written, a treat to read.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Tale of Feanor: A Light in the Darkness · Author: digdigil ·
Races: Elves: Feanorians · ID: 262
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 17:58:01
This story was a delightful discovery for me, in three short chapters
Digdigil illustrates how the three women in Fëanors life played such an
important role. Miriel forsaking him, Nerdanel leaving him and Galadriel
refusing him something so very simple: a strand of her silver hair. On
top of this all, this short story gives the reader a quick but
sufficient insight on what happened in Feanors life and how he and his
character traits had such a huge influence on the fate of the Noldor.

For me this story is a very pleasant read, it leaves me wondering what
about a lot of things&if matters would have taken a different spin.
Digdigil writes the scenes with an eye for vivid details and this story
is elegantly composed with very strong characterisations, I surely would
recommend it to readers who havent read the Silmarillion yet, but are
very curious on what happened without opening the book themselves. Thank
you for sharing Digdigil!
-----------------------------------
Title: Little Stars · Author: Space Weavil · Races: Elves: Feanorians ·
ID: 107
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-08-27 18:03:44
[Hopefully it was enjoyable to someone out there besides myself.]

This is an understatement: I absolutely loved it. Spaceweavil captures
the utter confusion of this kinslaying, how sad this might be, extremely
well. The confusion of kin killing kin, the why: it all comes from
Nathriel. This vignette is a very well written gap-filler, especially
when you read the Silmarillion and wonder why and how Elwing's sons
ended up in the cave. Maedhros is just terrifying, is he not? The manner
how he turned his back to Nathriel while his men finish her off makes
you wonder why he could not spare her life. And with that moment,
Spaceweavil makes me as a reader wondering why they would commit such an
act. Of course, the jewels were in the hands where they should be not
according to the remaining Fëanorians and their followers, but this
singular senseless killing makes you question if their souls truly can
be redeemed. It makes me wonder if Maglor would allow such a thing, him
being the weariest about it and I guess not. Especially since he did not
kill the children. A great vignette Space!
-----------------------------------
Title: Awaiting The Thaw · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 953
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 20:52:54
This gives a nice glimpse into the callousness that might have driven
the twins to become such ruthless warriors. Nice job contrasting that
with a healer's more constructive goals.
-----------------------------------
Title: That Which Cannot Be Put Into Words · Author: Pearl Took · Times:
The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 230
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-27 21:10:23
A sweet and touching little story, set in Lothlorien, in which Pippin
finds a way to communicate with an Elf who does not speak the Common
Tongue. Beautiful use of the idea of Pippin as musically inclined.

-----------------------------------
Title: The Singer · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits · ID: 979
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-27 21:13:51
This is a very interesting Fourth Age tale, in which Sir Peregrin goes
forth on a quest for his King, and finds himself in serious peril. Young
Faramir Took must help to rescue his father.

The story is tense and suspenseful, and the villain is an extremely
fascinating OC.

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