Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Holding Moonlight · Author: Claudia · Genres: Romance · ID: 681
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 22:38:25
This was certainly original, though I would have liked it longer. Either
way, Halbarad's point at the end is one worth considering, and it speaks
volumes for his character.
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Title: Jewels · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 790
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 22:42:20
You say so much here by saying so little. The imagery is rich, and it
hints at a much longer story (that I would love to see written, btw, but
for the moment I will happily enjoy my mind's filling-in of the
details). And so nice to see Arwen and Eowyn sticking together like
that. Those wild women of the north have to stick together.
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Title: Seeker of Shadow · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 63
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 22:44:55
Tantalizingly dark. I don't think the people of Gondolin would have
likedd Aredhel too much had she lived long there after her return from
Eol. For that depth to be unset on their city of light.... very well
done here, Raksha, devedloping a contrast between light and dark and
using that imagery for all it's worth. You gave us a compelling glimpse
of both characters here.
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Title: Of Flustering and Blustering · Author: Rhapsody · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 811
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 22:57:35
After the Erebor quest, Gandalf and Gloin visit Bilbo's hobbit hole on a
windy, blustery day, and Gloin brings his son, Gimli. At first, Gimli
does not particularly care for Bilbo, due to the hobbit's energetic
antics and scatterbrained tendencies. The diminutive halfling is not
exactly what Gimli would consider the stuff of legends. Gloin and
Gandalf reminisce with Bilbo on the old days of the quest. When the
subject of the Ring is about to be brought up, Bilbo begins to panic, as
he was not entirely truthful about how he obtained the Ring. The more
distressed he becomes, the more he is tempted to put on the Ring, and he
hears commands in Black Speech in his mind. Fortunately for Bilbo,
Gandalf diverts the attention to the mithril shirt, and Bilbo can relax
once again. An enjoyable read.
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Title: Immortality · Author: LydiaB · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 494
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 23:00:55
Very evocative. You did a first-rate job getting across just what he
suffered through for love.
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Title: Letters in the sand · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Feanorians
· ID: 176
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 23:10:45
While Maglor lives in exile on the seashore, he muses upon the past and
draws letters upon the sand as he tries to make sense of his mind. The
Silmaril of water, once in his possession, now lies in the sea, cast
there by his own hand. Tortured by the past and his longings for the
Silmaril, he asks himself endless questions, the answers to which do not
come to him. The story is enhanced by graphics of the Feanorean letters.
An interesting insight into Maglor's mind.
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Title: Autumn Hunter · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Romance: Fixed-length
ficlet · ID: 353
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 23:11:12
Mmm, very nice. Celegorm as a hunter is played out well here. Nice to
see how that prowess might extend to other areas of his life.
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Title: Shattered Twilight · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 247
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 23:19:27
On the long fall down from the walls of Gondolin, Maeglin thinks upon
the woman he loves, Idril, whom he considers to be his muse. Even though
he is about to meet his death in the flames below, he still pines for
Idril, and feels that he has been doomed unjustly. A thoughtful piece
that evokes the soul of Meaglin.
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Title: For the Moon to Lead, and All the Stars to Follow · Author:
annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 200
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 23:24:26
I really liked this. Not that the woman here is a paragon of virtue, but
it's nice to see an OFC with a backbone and who is perhaps a little
manipulative. And Boromir is using all of those women to make him appear
respectable (and we know where his heart really lies, right, Ann?) so it
seems only right that she would use him right back.

But more than that you have hinted at a wonderfully deep tale of
unrequited love between her and Denethor. It makes me wish that Denethor
could reach out to one who loved him so well, that she could provide a
bit of balance. So much packed in here! Really nice job of creationg a
whole world in so short a piece.
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Title: Oaths Foresworn · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 315
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 23:28:11
After the second kinslaying at the Vales of Sirion, Meadhros finds that
Amras is dead. In his dying moments, Amrod asks his brother, Maglor, to
care for his wife and children after his approaching death. Once again,
Maglor finds himself dedicated to fulfilling another oath.
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Title: The Gift of Time · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 812
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 23:40:30
Arathorn, the father of Aragorn, tells the family of a Dunedain ranger
the sad news of the man's death. Aragorn spares the man's wife the
gruesome details of his death, for he does not want to distress the
greiving woman any more. However, when the man's teenage son questions
him upon his father's death, Arathorn considers telling the full story,
but decides to tell him the same vague one which he told the boy's
mother. The death of the teenage boy's father reminds Arathron of his
father's own death, and he longs to return to his wife and baby Aragorn.
-----------------------------------
Title: Swan Dance · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 797
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-27 23:50:53
This drabble reveals the thoughts of one of the sons of Feanor as he
wields his sword against his own kindred at Alqualonde. In spite of a
few errors in grammar, this is a very good and well written piece.
-----------------------------------
Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-27 23:59:50
What a perfect portrait of contentment! It's nice to think they had this
memory.
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Title: A stranger Among us, or, Here and Back Again. · Author: Ottis413
· Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 296
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-28 00:11:00
Far too infrequently, Tolkien fanfic writers do not cross the boundary
between science fiction, with its wealth of modern age, time travel and
aliens. However, the author has taken the plunge and come up with this
delightful tale, which is almost a spoof of the Professor and his
colleagues. When Elrond crosses the time barrier and arrives in Oxford,
he makes the acquaintance of a number of professors, such as Sir Peter
Tennant and J. R. R. Tolkien. It is interesting to note that Elrond of
the 20th century has a reading taste for Einstein, biology, chemistry,
and history and enjoys going to the Natural History Museum. Elrond and
Tennant find that they have interests in common, one being in
revisionist history, for they both believe that much of existing history
was written to appease kings, religious leaders and popular opinion.
Elrond has a poor opinion of modern day medicine and surgery, and his
ideas of religion and philosophy were at odds with those of
Christianity. Einstein, however, was viewed by him with great respect
because Elrond considered him an original thinker and one of the forward
thinkers in theories of time and space. After Elrond informs Tennant
that he will be leaving, Tennant asks to be able to keep in contact.
However, as the reader already knows, Elrond is going to a place like
heaven, from which it is highly doubtful he will leave again. Of course,
who knows, maybe Elrond will cross the golden rainbow barrier of time
and space and come back and visit? Elrond, naturally, is sorrowful about
the savagery to which mankind has fallen, and reveals to Tennant that of
all those that he has met upon earth, he considers only Tennant and
Tolkien as worthy of being friends. The story ends with Tennant hoping
that Tolkien will publish his factual histories of Middle-earth soon. A
delightful "tongue-in-cheek" read that I don't think Mr. Tolkien would
object to at all. I, for one, hope that more writers will cross that
line that separates science fiction from Tolkien fantasy more often in
the future.
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Title: Lobelia's List · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 201
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2006-08-28 00:58:25
Such a beautifully realised and amazingly economic look into Lobelia's
mind that reveals so much! All her little tics and concerns are shown,
who is worthy of what, who can be trusted [in her opinion] and who is
suspect. It's a lovely little piece of characterization that rings so true.
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Title: Last Defence of the City · Author: Branwyn · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 96
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-08-28 05:49:20
If only Denethor had been like this,as I am certain the potential was
there before his fall. A very well written glimpse of what might have been.
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Title: Merrys Present · Author: Mariole · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 639
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-28 21:25:20
I love stories that explore the brother-like bond between Frodo and
Merry during the early years, and this one is wonderful! It is sad and
poignant and filled with a depth of feeling, all without being angsty.
There is no anguish-filled moaning in this, but instead, Frodo opens his
heart to young Merry on a subject that Merry is only just beginning to
be old enough to understand. The conversation about the deaths of
Primula and Drogo is very thoughtful and candid--and Frodo is so very
wise and understanding and loving in the way he shares his grief and
sorrow, and Merry is so quick to take it upon himself. This is a
beautiful work of art.
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Title: A Humble Gift · Author: GamgeeFest · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Pippin or Merry · ID: 722
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-28 21:38:37
There are many stories which explore the friendship and affection
between Pippin and Faramir son of Denethor. This is a lovely one, in
which the two friends share wine and conversation. Faramir shows himself
a very astute observer of hobbit behavior, and their conversation ranges
over a wide range of topics--but touches on Boromir, and on Pippin's
rescue of Faramir. I love the gift that Faramir gives Pippin--it echoes
the canonical parallels between Pippin and Merry, as well as the gift
Faramir's betrothed Eowyn gives Pippin. Very well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: For Love of the Lord of the White Tree · Author: Legolass ·
Genres: Drama · ID: 202
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-08-28 22:22:10
I read this story as it was posted at Stories of Arda, and really
enjoyed it. It is a whocking great adventure, full of angst and drama of
all kinds, from the military to the deep friendship variety.

There is one thing that seems out of place for me, and it is
unfortunately central to the relationship between the two main
characters. Your description of the love between Aragorn and Legolas is
so flowery and intense that, to my mind, they are in love with each
other. That's fine, but you never specify that they have a sexual
relationship. Are you being coy?
-----------------------------------
Title: Call yourself Thorongil · Author: Nilmandra · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 731
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-08-28 22:32:11
A one shot combining Aragorn's first meeting with Gandalf and his
decision to go south as Thorongil--very much by the influence of the
wizard. The story is well told and the background history impeccable. I
like your portrait of Gandalf and his sense of humor.
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Title: Return to Rivendell · Author: Acacea · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 521
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-08-28 22:32:23
How sad. This made me wonder whether part of Elrond's changing
perception might be Arwen's choice - I know that after a loss happiness
can only make your own sorrow more poignant. Either way, this drabble
did a good job of conveying his sense of what has been lost.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Climb a Tree · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits: Children ·
ID: 646
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-28 23:13:15
So often it's Merry who rescues young Pippin. In this lovely turnabout,
it's Pippin who does the honors. The author has a very sure handle on
Merry's voice, and it is told in his POV, which she does well. I
especially love how Merry can hear his other cousins in Pippin's voice.
I am quite sure that under other circumstances, folks hear Merry in that
voice as well!

And in spite of knowing all must turn out well, we are still in suspense
right up until the instant both lads are back on solid ground.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Learn His Letters · Author: GamgeeFest · Races: Hobbits:
Children · ID: 977
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-28 23:18:51
This is another lovely story about the Gamgees, by a writer who has made
a family that is mostly names on a family tree in the Appendix come
alive. In this one, we explore why the Gaffer is reluctant to allow Sam
to "learn his letters", and how that problem is overcome by Sam's big
brother.

Her Halfred is perfectly wonderful! What a marvelous big brother he was,
and so persistant, as well! I love the way that Frodo reacted, too,
completely supportive of Halfred, even though Bilbo had to be all
correct about things.

And--yes--what would Bell have wanted and why did she want it? Once he
hit on that particular argument, he was bound to win.

Very sweet story!

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Title: Lobelia's List · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 201
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-08-28 23:21:00
Very humorous and very much like the Lobelia we know and dread. So very
methodical. I am reminded of her visit to Bag End, inventory in hand,
the day Frodo left. Good job!
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Title: After the End · Author: Ottis413 · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 781
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-08-28 23:59:34
In this alternative universe post Ring War adventure, the war went
poorly for the West and the other side won. Barliman Butterbeer, the
innkeeper of the Prancing Pony at Bree, his young daughter and older
son, are early victims of rioting after the takeover. His older
daughter, Jasmin, dies while giving birth to the son of a no-good from
Archet, Mark Baker. All that are left after the Troubles are Barliman's
widow, Alisa, and his young grandson, William. With three-fourths of the
population of Bree dead with the plague and the looting, the inn went
out of business, and Alisa had to make money to support herself and her
grandson any way she could, sometimes driven to prostitution with the
teamsters.
When William is seven, his father, Mark Baker, comes back, and it is
obvious that his father spent the past seven years in the employ of the
Dark forces. His father is abusive to him and renames him Kenneth, Kenny
for short, a name which the boy does not like.
As time goes by, William founds out his father really is proud of him,
but proud only because he is a reflection of his father's good looks and
agility. For treats, Mark takes William riding, and on a Sunday ride to
the Shire one day, they see Saruman. William has seen Saruman and the
Nazgul before, flying in some form of hovercraft, a wagon that floats
above the ground.
When Mark beats, brutalizes and rapes William's grandmother, William
decides to kill Saruman, because he cannot kill his own father. Since
his father works for Saruman, William believes that his father must love
the wizard, so he wants to kill the thing that his father loves.
Two years later, Mark confiscates an enspelled bow and arrow designed by
elves to kill Nazgul. It is then that William decides that the time is
ripe to kill Saruman, although he loves him and worships him. Waiting
until his father is drunk with his friend, William takes the bow and
arrow and goes to a hill where he can view the road which Saruman uses
to travel sometimes. Saruman and a Nazgul ride by on the floating wagon,
and William fires the arrow, killing first the Nazgul and then Saruman.
The next morning, the town is in an uproar, and William tells a boy in
the market that he thinks that Mark was the one who killed the Nazgul.
The rumor spreads, and Mark is arrested and taken away, never to be seen
again. Others are executed and Bree is burnt. William is taken away and
no harm comes to him, but never sees his grandmother again. Years later,
he thinks back to the night of the killing and feels no guilt. He
finally rid himself of his father, but he will always remember the
beauty of Saruman and the floating wagon in the night.
This is a psychological study of how one individual, through abuse and
brutalization, learns to be a cold, blooded, fatalistic killer who loves
the thing he kills. This is a brilliant study of the human mind, well
done and executed. In my opinion, this is one of the best pieces of
fanfiction around.
-----------------------------------