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Title: Merrys Present · Author: Mariole · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 639
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-07 18:41:06
The descriptions of the setting, of the sights and sounds, are very
evocative. Frodo explained things well for Merry, deepening his
understanding and empathy.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Taste of Diplomacy · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 939
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-07 18:41:25
I think that's the first story I've seen about a young Denethor. You
have captured that awkward stage of youth well, while his thoughts
reveal that he is both observant and intelligent. The settings are
sketched with a few clear descriptions, and the cross-cultural scenes
are interesting.
-----------------------------------
Title: In The Pits Of Utumno · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 164
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-09-07 23:02:18
Elatan the elf has decided on a bold plan to rescue his friend, Elendur,
from Utumno, Melkor's first stronghold. Going cautiously along the sides
of the main hall, he makes his way to the lower levels of the prison,
where finally he is successful in finding Elendur lying on a pile of
filthy rags. His companion obviously has been tortured and mistreated.
Tossing his cloak over his wretched friend's shoulders, he leads him up
the flights of stairs to the main hall, where they find that none other
than Melkor himself is holding court. Before them, one guard patrols a
tunnel that leads upward to safety. When Elatan turns around, he finds
someone blocking the passage - Melkor!
In a surprise ending, we learn that "Elatan" and "Elendur" are really
the elf twins, Elrohir and Elladan, who are playing a game about
escaping Utumno after their father had told them about it. A good story
with a surprise ending.
-----------------------------------
Title: Requiem · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior:
Incomplete · ID: 218
Reviewer: Angmar · 2006-09-07 23:37:36
Knowledge has come to Celegorm that his wolf hound, Haun, has just died.
He thinks of their past together and how they have been master and hound
since Orome gave the hound to him back in Valinor long before. Though
the dog left him three times, he returned to Celegorm twice. Though the
creature had great love and loyalty for his master, he still had more
for the beautiful Luthien, who his master also loved.
Haun in the halls of Mandos reflects on his years of service to his
master, and how, even though he left him when the animal was dying, he
wished only to feel the hand of his old friend and owner upon his death.
Haun does not stay long in the halls and is liberated to go back to
Orome, but the dog is not satisfied without Celegorm.
Still his theme in the Song is not over and his destiny may lie in
reassuming his place as the leader of the pack of Valinor's hounds.
The Silmarillion is a book that many people stay away from because they
think it is a hard read, but the author did a very good job on a
difficult topic.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Rabbits Tale · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 982
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-09-08 08:29:19
I love this story and its narrator. Errol is a wonderfully wise,
self-possessed stuffed rabbit, making the most of his limited
perspective from the wardrobe, stoically accepting his [luck or fate or
whatever it is that drags us all around by the ears].

My favorite passage: [once I was certain that Pippin was sleeping I
allowed my mind to drift to my own thoughts and concerns. Yes, stuffed
rabbits do have concerns but I'll not explain those now.]

The moment of crisis, when Errol calls Pippin out of his nightmares, is
profoundly sad on several levels, for it is the voice that children can
hear but adults outgrow, and because it can now evoke the evil memory of
another voice in Pippin's head.

The ending is perfect...heart-warming without ever becoming sappy or
sentimental. A truly delightful tale!


-----------------------------------
Title: Demand and You Shall Receive · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres:
Humor: Children · ID: 159
Reviewer: Inkling · 2006-09-08 08:32:58
This story is hilarious! At first, we are as charmed by Pippin's little
bells as Frodo is. But gradually we come to realize that they serve much
the same function as belling a cat: to give potential prey fair warning
of Pippins approach. (OK, maybe it's really so his aunt can find him
easily, but the first explanation seems more apt...this child is a
darling little terror who takes no prisoners.) Merry, as the
eye-rolling, know-it-all eleven-year-old, and Frodo, as the increasingly
flustered, hopelessly outmatched narrator, are wonderfully drawn as
well...I love the interactions between these three cousins in GW's stories.


-----------------------------------
Title: Oaths Foresworn · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 315
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-09-08 12:31:47
This vignette is a slice of life, and not a pretty one. If anyone would
like to know what it was like to experience, say, one hour as one of
Fëanors sons in their tragic, tormented lives after the kinslaying,
look no further than this story.

From the opening paragraph, this vignette hits the reader strongly in
the gut with its stark realism and emotional cacophony, and does not
pull its punches. When it opens, it is at the time right after Fëanors
twin sons, Amrod and Amras, have been slain. Actually, Amrod is not yet
dead, but with his last dying breaths, he speaks to his two oldest
brothers, Maglor and Maedhros, and extracts promises from them both that
they will look after his wife and children.

Amrod is an interesting, complicated character and a true Fëanorion: he
is proud of holding true to his fathers oath, but laments doing so
because he does not like the ruin he perceives he and his brothers have
wreaked upon the world.

Maedhros and Maglor, interesting characters themselves, clearly feel
bereft and almost helpless, floundering as they are upon the sea of
their own grief and self-realization, making their last empty promises
to their dying brother.

What wonderful characterizations and heart-tugging emotional description
there is in this terrific story of foolhardiness and regret.


-----------------------------------
Title: Shattered Twilight · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 247
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-09-08 12:34:59
This is a very emotional ficlet that tears at the readers heartstrings.
In the first sentence the author uses the word haunt and that word
certainly describes Maeglins state of mind. He describes Idril, his
futile love and whom he calls his muse in terms that only a man
half-crazed with love would use.

There is dramatic use of surprise at the end of the first paragraph when
Maeglin tells us his father poisoned his mother. Then his hopelessness
is described by his words how I wished and How I craved, as if he
realizes he cannot have those things now.

Regret is in his futile questions as he grapples with his fate. Then, at
the end, he accepts it, just like they tell you that people do
eventually, when they know they are going to die. And Maeglin is
resigned to this, knowing that he has ruined his own life, yet he still
pines for Idril.

I love the way the author has shown the progression of Maeglins
thoughts and how she has described his emotional state. This was very
well done. One of my favorites by this author.

-----------------------------------
Title: Letters in the sand · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Feanorians
· ID: 176
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-09-08 12:36:58
I love the existentialist nature of this fic. It is a tale told in five
parts, where Maglor is examining his feelings about, first, being his
fathers pawn, to his rage against the Valar, his rage upon realizing
his lovers betrayal and at his flesh being burned. Finally, he reflects
upon his now empty life and considers his fate.

This story is very thoughtful and insightful, albeit short. It mentions
Maglors feelings about all the above things without delving deeply into
his emotions. His mind must have been in turmoil when he was reflecting
on all of the tragedies that had touched his life.

This story was very thought-provoking, and personally, I would love to
see it expanded. It may be subjective, but I love to read theories about
Maglors fate.

-----------------------------------
Title: Lay of Lord and Lady · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres: Drama:
Poetry · ID: 629
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-09-08 12:46:24
This clever poem relates the tale of Aredhel, White Lady of the Noldor
and her husband, the Dark Elf Eöl. Most of the stanzas carry a reference
to either lightness or darkness. This theme runs as a thread through the
poem.

The contrast between light and dark is used very well to illustrate the
differences between Eöl and Aredhel, a lady who was attracted to a man
who was her opposite.

This poem reads like a ballad. It is full of angsty sentiment suited to
that type of poem. This particular story of Tolkiens lends itself
particularly well to this type of vehicle.

-----------------------------------
Title: Strange Fortunes · Author: Tehta · Times: First Age and Prior:
Incomplete · ID: 81
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-09-08 12:48:17
This is a beautifully-written story with multiple characters and an
intricate plot. The interactions between the characters are very
cleverly described and are probably the most entertaining thing about
this story. Each character is unique and exquisitely drawn. The author
makes it very clear which characters the reader is supposed to either
like or view with sympathy: Glorfindel, Idril, Egalmoth; and who the
reader should dislike intensely: Salgant and possibly Maeglin; but she
has made the characters of Ecthelion and Maeglin (again) so sympathetic
that while the reader knows that Ecthelion is supposed to be good and
Maeglin bad, somehow the lines that separate their characters
goodness or badness are made a little fuzzy, and both of these
characters are shown to be flawed but not at all unattractive.

The intriguing nature of the characterizations and the characters
relationships with each other help to create a most intriguing story
that is impossible to put down. The intricate plot fits in well with
Tolkiens story of the fall of Gondolin, filling in very many of the
gaps that Tolkien left.

The author cleverly infuses this story with original poetry and great
wit and humor. And although the humor is wickedly clever and almost
subversive, the story still remains within the spirit of Tolkiens
writing, which was not without its own humor, although confined more to
Lord of the Rings than The Silmarillion. How clever of the author to
replace the funny hobbits of LoTR with some amusing denizens of Gondolin.

Gondolin still remains a beautiful, majestic place within the story by
the authors descriptions, and Turgon is still a ruler of great dignity
and far-reaching vision, despite the antics of some of his citizens.

I think that this delightful story is one of the best I have ever read
in the fan fiction universe.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift of Time · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 812
Reviewer: digdigil · 2006-09-08 14:28:40
This is a good story with an intriguing, myseterious first paragraph. It
makes the reader wonder who Daddy is. There is vivid imagery in the
second paragraph, which makes us want to know more about the victim. The
author cleverly establishes sympathy for the son who lost his father by
the descriptions of him: He is too young and has a cold hand.

When I found out that the narrator is Aragorns father, I was fascinated
to read something about him. He is not written about a great deal among
the fan fiction I have read so far, so I found story quite refreshing
and immediately wanted to know more about Arathorn.

Arathorn ensures the boys loyalty before he leaves him to return to his
beloved wife and son. This is a nice touchit shows us something of
Arathorns characterthat he would show one of his subjects such
sympathy and compassion, thus ensuring their fealty to him. I thought
this was well done by the writer. There is also good contrast shown
between the two families: Arathorns is intact where the young boys is not.

The last paragraph tells us more about Arathorns characterthat he is
wise and far-seeing in his attempt to not only be compassionate with the
boy but also to ensure that his followers will support him when time and
war necessitates this.

This is a well-written, emotional short story, with strong
characterizations and vivid descriptions. I would recommend it as good
reading for anyone who likes stories about the Dunedain.
-----------------------------------
Title: In The Pits Of Utumno · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 164
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-09-08 22:22:47
OK, you got me cold there. For a while, I was believing this was a Silm
fic, and I laughed out loud when I realized what was actually happening.
Glorfindel does indeed have a great deal to answer for, and no doubt
eventually "Melkor" will catch up with him.

Gotta love them twins, but it's a miracle Elrond wasn't totally grey by
the time of his Council.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Silent Street · Author: Sophinisba Solis · Races: Hobbits:
Merry & Pippin · ID: 65
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-09 02:44:53
This story is an amazing bit of atmospheric writing. Merry, still
recovering from his bout with the Witch-king in the Houses of Healing
wishes to come to grips with his clouded memories of the aftermath.
None of his physical surroundings strike a chord in him, as Pippin takes
him back to where he found him. But his description of what he
saw/felt/heard, wreathed in the blackness of his despair, does strike a
chord in his cousin. The desciption of their journey into the Rath
Dinen, and Merry's recognition of the place he's never been sent chills
down my spine.

The story *is* slash--so I have to confess I did skip some of it near
the end--but it by no means diminishes the power of the prose, nor the
despair that the cousins endured near the end of the Quest.

A beautiful piece of writing.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: julia · 2006-09-09 14:41:51
A great beginning story to one of my favorite E/L series ever. I think
the fact that we, the readers, figure out that Lothiriel's nameless
patient is Eomer long before she does adds a certain sense of fun to a
story that is humorous in some parts and quite serious in others. And
the hug is in the last chapter is great, presages a very sexy kiss in
the next installment.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Become A Queen · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 157
Reviewer: julia · 2006-09-09 14:49:47
Yay, finally the wedding between our favorite couple and at least the
beginning of what promises to be very enjoyable wedding night for both
of them. The wedding feast is also very well done, with the antics of
Lothiriel's brothers, Gimli's most inappropriate toasts, and lots of
other fun. I also like your characterization of Aragorn, he and Eomer's
conversations are funny and well-written.
-----------------------------------
Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-10 01:31:41
Shows in descriptive, well-chosen details the difference between reality
and ["Legend"]. The subtly formal language feels very appropriate for
her as the view-point-character.
Éowyn's memories, especially of what she actually felt, are evocative. I
like it that, although she sees her youthful errors, she would do it
again if need be, because in the end, and despite what else might have
motivated her, it was worth it.
This made me smile: ["They say he is like me; I know not. He is very
young and impudent."] and wonder if she said it half in jest.
-----------------------------------
Title: Strength of a River · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 513
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-09-10 01:32:52
Wonderful evocation of the beauty and peril of Ithilien and those who
guard it with dedication and love, especially, of course, Faramir.
His unusual wish to be a river so he can see the sea ring very true to
Faramir and his Númenórean heritage.
The words about the Anduin and the ["strength of a river"] are poignant
and moving.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Meara for Me! · Author: Súlriel · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 893
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-09-10 03:48:48
This is a well written piece of work, which serves an excellent resource
for writers. For those of us who are not experts on horses, but who have
multiple horses in our stories it is invaluable. I have looked at it
many times for the pleasure of looking at these horses. It provides
inspiration and understanding of the horses that writers necessarily
will include in almost any Tolkien fanfic. Recently, I found exactly the
horse I needed for my current work-in-progress. True I picked a stallion
and turned it into a mare, but she would have been a far less
interesting, and certainly less beautiful, without Sulriel's guide.
-----------------------------------
Title: Home Again · Author: Súlriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 863
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-09-10 03:58:29
This is a deftly written, elegant, humorous drabble about, of all
things, a love affair between a common tom cat and one of Queen
Beruthiel's cats. I nearly missed this ficlet--saw and passed it by a
couple of times! Did I really want to read a drabble about a cat? What a
pleasant surprise--don't miss it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Theme and Variations · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 784
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-09-10 05:05:56
To say that this story approaches how Jane Austen might have written
Tolkien is in no way a misnomer and the combination works on every
level. Gossip, match-making, misunderstanding, and unsolicited opinions
abound. The tale telling and speculation about both Thorongil and
Aragorn (first, as individuals and, after a shocking-to-some revelation,
as one and same) are priceless and hilarious. One of the things that
makes this story different is that it is simultaneously wildly funny and
thought-provoking.

This is a comedy of manners with a solid core of serious observations.
The opening line draws me right in: [Faramir was looking forward to an
unexpectedly happy future.] (Very Jane Austen.) Gandalfs_apprentice has
a wide range, but her true obsession is writing about Aragorn. In this
case, she does extremely well at giving us Aragorn through Faramirs
eyes. I love that idea and it is executed perfectly here. The story is
carefully crafted, a pleasure to read, and is able to deal in an
appropriately (in relation to the genre of the story) light tone with
difficult and painful subjectsDenethor, for example. There is no joking
about him. But while staying completely within the context and tone the
author has chosen, Faramir is able to somewhat integrate his
understanding of this still raw subject.

Canon characters are accurately and sensitively portrayed while some
memorable original characters are introduced: the dreadful aunt that
everybody loves to hate stands out. Meanwhile the quiet, sensitive,
intelligent aunt (harder to do in a comedic piece) is fully drawn as
well. Aragorn and Faramir are both wonderfully and convincingly done.
Put this one on your short list of absolute must-reads this year.

-----------------------------------
Title: An Empty Saddle to Fill · Author: Anoriath · Races: Men: Vignette
· ID: 752
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-09-10 14:19:18
This vignette gains its full weight with the quotes from UT at the
beginning. Theodred's death is a sad, yet most understated effects of
Saruman's machinations. His bookverse death is far more impressive (of
course) than movieverse. He knew he had been ambushed and he asked to be
left there to die on the field, wishing to protect the Ford with his
death.He must have felt that all was in vain and that all he had fighted
for and was due to potect would be lost to darkness.

Life in the Riddermark few years prior to the return of the King to
Gondor must have been quite desperate, and surely Theodred must have
been a stalwart support for his two younger cousins, even if he felt the
hopelessness of it all.

It is heartrending to feel his impotence, despite his anger, even as a
grown-up, battle hardened warrior, and the King's heir, before the
subtle machinations of the worm, (Saruman's) but yet he's determined to
protect his fair cousin even beyond death... A sad, moving tale of one
who did not live to see better days. Nice job!

-----------------------------------
Title: Good Neighbors · Author: daw the minstrel · Genres: Adventure ·
ID: 818
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-09-10 14:33:45
I think tis was one of the first fanfics I ever read, and I was so
lucky! Daw's Mirkwood Universe is firmly canon based. She draws the time
line and much inspiration from the tale of the years, and so there are
always pieces of canon floating along the tale to ground it even deeply
in Tolkien's universe.

In this tale there are a lot of canon details: a visit from Mithranidir,
a reference to Celebrían's incident, a visit form the grief-stricken
twins...and of course, the enchanting of the Enchanted River and
Thranduil's wary attitude towards men.

But it was the magic that finally captured me, apart form the well
written characters and interactions, the children fostering a lost human
child, the wild middle-brother learning that grief may cause grief to
others...but above them, Thranduil King of the forest emerges in all his
strength.

When he casts his spell on the river he is just drawing form his natural
connection with the forest, and from all elves' deep atunement to the
substance of Arda. It reminded me of that quote from the elves in
Lórien, when the hobbits ask if the cloaks they are given are magical
and they answer "& the magic of the rocks, the trees the waters, the
things that we love.. I think that is more or less what Thranduil does
here, and it comes out with a eerie beauty, a very powerful image.

All parts of the sotry come perfectly and neatly tied up together in the
end, and there are no "winners" at all, only different shades of grey,
much as in life.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Matter of Honor · Author: meckinock · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 208
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-09-10 15:17:54
Mostly told from Halbarad's wry, dry, and very human point of view this
tale is a true adventure. It begins with the heroes on a tight
situation, with Halbarad riding a wounded and tired Aragorn to
Rivendell, in the company of a troublesome hobbit and Gandalf. A tense
episode of hero-almost-drowned in the river ensues, and they are all
dragged into Rivendell's safety in a state that allows Elrond to
practice at pleasure his healing skills.

The unearthing of some old letters from Arathorn casts a cold shower on
Aragorn's hopes, as he suspects that his father might have had another
-illegitimate- heir. He starts off to search for that lost heir, and
stubborn Halbarad follows. Some adventures and difficult situations
worth of "the adventures of the three musketeers beyond the age of
retirement, them being just two," follow, and right now we are biting
our nails wondering how our heros will come out from the frying pan.

But under Halbarad's dry sense of humour and saracstic approach, and his
distrustful regard of the elves, lies a profound tale of relationships
based on deep respect, among people of different races who are burdened
with great responsiblities and who know they are all playing in the same
side and for a prize larger than any of their own lives. With some other
clueless ones threw in for good effect as well.

The conversations in Rivendell are deep and moving, between Aagorn and
Elrond, Elrond and Halbarad, Gandalf and Elrond, while Elladan makes a
lovely fool of himself and Elrohir nails down perfectly the profound
differences between Elves and Men in a wine-soaked conversation with
Halbarad.

And after all that elven environment, you go and manage to make us feel
at home when we reach the Angle, the cold, weathered, uncomfortable,
harsh Angle with Halbarad. That's masterful, ranger.
-----------------------------------
Title: Awaiting The Thaw · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 953
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-09-10 15:26:23
A nice backstory for Elladan's wife, perfectly condensed. Even if one is
not familiar with the adventures of Elrond's twin sons in Valinor, this
piece is a perfect stand alone. The anguish of those dark days in
Middle-earth in perfectly depicted in the first chapter, with the twins
frozen in their relentless grief. One can never doubt that these elves
must have been truly blissful in Valinor. The difference comes out
clearly in the second chapter, as the hunt begins in all seriousness,
Elrohir and Legolas try to trap her, they all behave like elflings and
the elleth shows an inmpressive retraint.
-----------------------------------