Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The White Tree · Author: Linda Hoyland · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 94
Reviewer: Timmy2222 · 2006-09-10 15:26:59
This is such a refreshing and nice story and the words which sum it up
are compassion and friendship. The relationship between Aragorn and his
Steward tends to be neglected as Tolkien wrote about it only shortly. So
this gives the reader a view into both hearts and minds: Aragorn seeks
Faramir's friendship and the Steward is too afraid to let it happen, but
envies the Hobbits for their easy-going with the King.
And there's more to this story: the fine humor that gives the character
a heart and that warm and fuzzy feeling, i.e. that Aragorn quitted
smoking pipeweed for Arwen. Now if that isn't love I don't know what
would be! LOL
Like the other stories by Linda, this is a heart-warming episode about a
king and his way of dealing with the small problems of day-to-day life.
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Title: First Impressions · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 806
Reviewer: Perelleth · 2006-09-10 15:35:12
I'm always speechless before your descriptions, Bodkin. Halbarad's home
seems so real *and* cold, damp and "unhomely house," compared to
Imladris thropugh the house of the newly minted and wet- behind- the-
ear chieftain!

Poor Estel, he seems ot be suffering the like first day at boarding
school or at summer camp effect, missing home and Dad and brothers and
Glorfindel, while being shadowed by Halbadrad, nonetheless!

Amusing, despite all, the contrast between the disoriented newcomer and
the well at ease, mildly sarcasty and and clearly focused on "other"
matters Ranger and kin.

It seems an appropriate beginning for a long friendship.
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Title: Shadow of Himself · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 853
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-10 18:05:37
An interesting and fascinating idea, and well-handled. The emotions and
reactions of Legolas and Gimli ring so very true. I like the way the
author leaves Boromir's survival a mystery--was he truly dead? Or has he
simply been given a new life? Very well thought out.
-----------------------------------
Title: Paradox of the Fourth Age · Author: Alassante · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Incomplete · ID: 106
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-10 18:10:29
In this AU, Aragorn did not take the Paths of the Dead, and so all of
Middle-earth was lost to Sauron. In an effort to put things right, the
Valar send Laureanna, daughter of Glorfindel off to rewrite history into
its proper shape. Although there are some places where the story borders
on a Mary Sue, it never quite falls into that trap completely, and she
is an engaging character in an intriguing situation.
-----------------------------------
Title: Today · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Rohan · ID: 199
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-09-10 19:08:12
I am not a fan of slash and tend to avoid it like the plague. With the
exception of annmarwalk's stories. Her Boromir and Theodred are so
well-written and likeable and the details of their relationship are so
entertaining that I can put aside my fundamental disbelief in
gay!Boromir. Neither man is forced into the stereotypical role of the
self-abasing, simpering, feminine partner. Their relationship is based
on respect and friendship (along with a healthy dose of lust).

In this ficlet, Theodred believes that he and Boromir must enjoy the
present moment because their lives will soon be ended in battle. I think
that is a common attitude among soldiers who have lived in danger for a
long time, and it gives this story an ominous feel since we know that
these two are doomed.

One reviewer asked if the writer was implying that Theodred had
foresight; otherwise, why would he assume that he and Boromir were going
to die young? Tolkien makes it clear that Gondor and her allies are
losing; there is a manpower shortage, and their forces are being pushed
back. Boromir admits as much at the Council of Elrond. In the ficlet,
Boromir and his hosts discuss [reports of new terrors from East or
South]; the tidings are getting darker. The situation is deteriorating,
and unless help arrives from unexpected quarters, they are doomed to die
in the defense of their lands.

Wonderful details add realism and bring the characters to life--the
[lumpy horsehair mattress] in Theodred's chamber, Boromir's
"unsoldierly" love of creature comforts like a hot bath, Boromir's hair
being washed by Theodred, the spiced hazelnuts that the old nurse brings
especially for Boromir.

Another lovingly-crafted ficlet from the pen of annmarwalk!


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Title: Metamorphosis · Author: wenont · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Incomplete · ID: 672
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-10 20:06:00
A cyborg in Rivendell. Interesting premise, but I don't see where the
story is going. I like the Elves' reactions.
-----------------------------------
Title: Come When You Are Ready · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 795
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-10 20:08:33
A very chilling AU premise: what if Denethor survived setting himself on
fire for a time? What would he go through in his pain and fever? And how
would Faramir react. Very well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Passing Regrets · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 657
Reviewer: White Gull · 2006-09-10 20:27:53
This was a sweet and wonderful look into Bilbo & Frodo's meeting. I
found myself loving Bilbo as I did when I first read "The Hobbit," and
that, dear Ariel, is praise indeed.
-----------------------------------
Title: Counterpoint, Interfolio - Scherzo · Author: Daffodil Bolger ·
Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 617
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-10 20:43:05
Little Pippin, the voyeur! This is truly adorable! I love Pippin in
this--he is a clever and intelligent child, filled with curiousity and
speculations, and we follow his thoughts down all sorts of interesting
side paths as he invents lovely words like ["chilly-warm", "whoosh-drag"
and "slip-drop"]. His thoughts are perfectly in character, and he is a
sharp observer, but his observations are colored by his childish
ignorance, and he does not necessarily understand all he sees. He does
understand the important thing--he knows love and happiness when he sees
it. In spite of the slashy implications, I liked this very much, and am
very glad little Pippin allowed me to enjoy this moment of warmth with him.
-----------------------------------
Title: Music Lessons · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 55
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 21:27:35
This is a peaceful snapshot of a very young Faramir and Gandalf. I love
how patient Gandalf is with Faramir, and how willing he is to teach him
something as simple as bird calls. And Faramir is perfectly charming, in
his eagerness to learn, in his shy worry that he might be imposing on
Gandalf, and in his hesitancy to disturb Boromir with such an
unimportant matter. It must be new for him, to not be able to run to
Boromir with any question on his mind.
A lovely dynamic between these two characters - I do wish that Gandalf
and Faramir had gotten more scenes together in the books, to explore
their friendship a little more in depth.


-----------------------------------
Title: The Steward and the Wizard · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 522
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 21:44:03
I find this to be a quietly telling moment. Faramir is so wholehearted
in his excitement to see Gandalf, yet a single look from his father
stops him in his tracks. It's rather poignant to see how uncertain and
reserved Faramir becomes when confronted with his father's displeasure,
even at this young age.
And even though you don't state it explicitly, Denethor's envy at
knowing that Faramir is in some ways more comfortable with Gandalf comes
through quite clearly. When written so well, as this is, it's easier to
understand why Denethor was not overly fond of the Grey Wanderer.
-----------------------------------
Title: Inheritance · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 524
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 21:57:47
I've always wondered who had the unenviable task of explaining to
Faramir how his father died, and I think Gandalf would have been the
best person to do so. While he does sound bitter, I also hear
frustration in Faramir's voice, along with the deep need to know what
happened, and it's likely a lot of other people would have been cowed by
Faramir's resemblance to Denethor. In a situation like this, where he's
bound and determined to get the information he wants, that resemblance
is increased, but you show very well that, while Faramir may display
aspects of his father's personality, he is his own person in his own right.

-----------------------------------
Title: Was It For This? · Author: aervir · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 204
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 22:07:35
This is just painful in its expression of bleakness. It's beautifully
stark, and echoes a question asked throughout history - why have
children and raise them proudly to be strong, honourable men if they
will be cut down so effortlessly and quite possibly for no good reason?
As you well know, I have quite the soft spot for these two, and it just
makes me ache at thinking of Gondor's and Rohan's finest warriors, laid
hastily to rest without the rites and full mourning that they should
both be entitled to. Not that such things would bring them back, of
course - which is the entire point. Ceremony means very little when
one's heart is full to bursting with loss and sorrow. Perfectly gorgeous.
-----------------------------------
Title: Dance on the Way Down · Author: Aliana · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 734
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 22:32:23
This is peaceful, nostalgic, and melancholic all at once, and it's a
lovely mixture. I'm assuming that Eirien is not much older than the
Narrator was when she was first in the House, and the girl's
lightheartedness and openess is quite the contrast to the Narrator's
quieter and more reserved demeanor when she was younger. But of course
that's the point, isn't it? Eirien's generation hasn't experienced life
with the Shadow of Mordor hanging over their heads; they've not known
anything but peace.

The Narrator's rememberances of those days just after the War are
beautifully done, expressing very clearly how difficult those days were
for anyone who lived through them, and those memories are affecting
without being melodramatic - this is what happened, and this is how we
dealt with it. And now we've had twenty years to come to terms with the
aftermath, we're all mostly well adjusted, even if old wounds do
sometimes cause a twinge of pain when we poke at them.

I love her reflections on her husband - there's a strong, solid love
there that doesn't need to be embellished upon to be expressed and it's
very comforting for a reader of "Fallen". Her interaction with Iorlas is
lovely as well, and I like how they share so much about days gone by in
so few words.

And it's a relief to see that the Narrator as an older woman, with a
loving husband and family of her own.
-----------------------------------
Title: Nan Elmoth · Author: Robinka · Genres: Romance: Poetry · ID: 249
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-10 22:32:43
A lovely concept - the wedding night of an elf-lord and a Maia told in
the form of a sonnet - delivered gracefully. Good allusion to
[sensation], which Thingol and Melian must have been eager to experience
after all those years of standing still...
-----------------------------------
Title: Paper · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races: Elves: Feanorians · ID: 492
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-09-10 22:34:25
I love those Feanorians--but you are writing in an area where the bar
has been set high. So please do not think I praise this story out of
personal preference, but on its independent merits. I like so many
elements of this story: family interactions, the brothers' carrying-ons
with girls, Curufinwë's sense of estrangement and rich fantasy life, and
Fëanaro as a good father. I love the characterizations. I have to admit,
I would rather spend time in a stationery store than almost anywhere else!
-----------------------------------
Title: Home Again · Author: Súlriel · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 863
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-10 22:40:12
Excellent drabble about one of the better-known cats of Middle-earth,
obviously at the peak of her power and prestige, happily leading a
double life - by night a wild thing catting about with a raffish lover,
by day a pampered feline princess. Very good expression of the allure
and independance of cats.
-----------------------------------
Title: Rest and Recreation · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 700
Reviewer: Oshun · 2006-09-10 22:47:57
I loved this story. Great combination of humor with serious themes and
such wonderful characterization of Boromir. Poor Boromir--pretty elf
indeed!--as soon as one reads that we know the poor guy is in over his
head. But I had to love him for showing his mettle and taking his lesson
so well. Great portrait of Glorfindel. The little bits on Faramir were
subtly well done; and that was such a satisfyingly sly mention of
Aragorn. Appreciated the footnote, as well. All in all a satisfying and
carefully crafted piece.
-----------------------------------
Title: Pride Before The Fall · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 742
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 22:49:14
Oh, all kinds of evil. Boromir is perfectly terrifying here, striking
down Frodo and running for Minas Tirith, spurred on the Ring. The scene
where he snarls at the bobcat and steals its meal is particularly
disturbing: he really does come across as utterly wild and savage.

The creeping madness, his disregard for his horse, the way he treats the
guards at the City gates - all of these things build up the tension
quite effectively. When he kills the young Guard, that's where it
becomes crystal-clear that we've well and truly lost the Boromir we know
so well. And I love, LOVE that Denethor not only refuses the Ring, but
tries to explain to Boromir why it's nothing but evil and dangerous. Of
course it doesn't work, and though I would have thought it impossible,
Boromir becomes even more frightening at this point! I don't think I saw
that ending coming at all, frankly.

The epilogue is chilling. I really like that the Ring was taken from
Boromir, and that now he is crushed by the memories of all the
unspeakable things he did while under its control. A wonderfully vicious AU.
-----------------------------------
Title: One Summer's Day · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men · ID: 765
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 22:55:21
This is a lovely portrait of Eomer and Eowyn in their new home at
Edoras. Eomer's worry and frustration with Eowyn is touching, and
Eowyn's sullen temper is very realistic for a child who's been through
what she has. I like how Theodred feels the need to help, and that he's
the one who comes up with the idea of training Eowyn as a Shieldmaiden.
A nice dynamic between the cousins; it's easy to see how they would
become so close in later years.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Tide · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 77
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 23:03:39
[Your son has returned, lord, after great deeds.]
For all his self-control, I just can't hear Imrahil saying this in
anything resembling a polite tone. I'm certain that his accusation is
clear, and well it should be.
I imagine him struggling to say just that and nothing else, for fear
that he might loose his temper completely and loose his anger on
Denethor. And I think that Denethor would know Imrahil well enough to
know that he was furious. A very, very tense moment - very well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Oathbreakers · Author: Branwyn · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 42
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2006-09-10 23:25:18
This is definitely an angle I'd never seen before. I hate to think of
Boromir considering himself an oathbreaker, but in all honesty, it does
feel right that he would. Fortunately, he doesn't have to remain in
limbo for years upon years.
Aragorn's reaction is perfect, right down to being afraid he will curse
the dead if he speaks the words he wants to.
Unusual and very effective.

-----------------------------------
Title: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit · Author: Altariel · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 91
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-11 01:35:05
Excellent crossover between two epics not normally linked in fandom!

Alas, poor Rosemary, her demise at Gollum's hands is well-told from the
point of view of her quicker and more lucky comrade.

I liked the narrator's mention of the elders' knowledge that Ithilien
was once a garden; a theme also found in the wider story of TTT and
ROTK. Hopefully the rabbits will have more places to [silflay], free at
least of danger from [embleer] critters.

Well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: Seeker of Shadow · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Fixed-length ficlet · ID: 63
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-09-11 02:30:51
In this lyrical yet ominous piece, Eol tries to read the heart of his
wife-to-be Aredhel, fancying that he sees within her a secret yearning
for passion and darkness that cannot be fulfilled by the bland courtiers
of Gondolin. Eol's sardonic use of the language of romantic ballads ([O
White lady so fair] is very effective; his desire seems mingled with
scorn for this cossetted, bored lady with her idealized notions of love.
Though in the Silmarillion, she marries him willingly, there are hints
of entrapment and coercion in this poem--Eol says he can tame her heart
and that having entered his realm, she must remain (sounds a bit like
Dracula, doesn't he?). Certainly subsequent events, when Aredhel leaves
him, indicate a less than happy union between this pair of opposites. In
this ficlet, Eol's diction is shaped by his craft of metalsmithing, and
he uses the imagery of fire and steel when he speaks of attraction
between the sexes. The last stanza, written in the form of a ballad, is
darkly gorgeous.

[Come now, my fair bird, my rare bird.
A white owl thou art, and darkness thy true heart..."]

This piece is beautifully written, in a style which manages to be both
graceful and disturbing, as Eol justifies his treatment of Aredhel. One
suspects that the [seeker of shadow] found more than she bargained for.
-----------------------------------
Title: Man of the North · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 684
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-11 18:32:52
Fascinating look inside Thengel's head as he considers a certain ragged
Northern stranger. I loved the comparison between Thorongil and the
younger Thengel when the Eorling was self-exiled to Gondor.
-----------------------------------