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Title: Call To Arms · Author: Space Weavil · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 857
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-16 20:16:11
Oh my goodness Space! I should have known that a drabble featuring
Khâmul should have come with a beverage alert. What is so like about
this drabble is that I can see the Witchking gathering his men, giving
instructions, scanning over the crowd and then slowly a very poetic pep
talk ends in the annoyed line:

[What dyou mean he has a note from his mum?]

What a great way to write to such a challenge Space! Simply excellent!
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Title: Until Light Returns · Author: elliska · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 707
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-16 20:24:55
This is such an excellent drabble. There is so much in this 100 word
piece than meets the eye. It is full of hope and full of history. The
manner in which Elliska compares Anar's light over Greenwood the Great
with the light of the two trees is simply stunning. The Moriquendi do
not need the bliss of Valinor to know that there is so much to love and
to fight for. Why sail if you have such a leader to guide and rule over
you. You don't need to have seen the pride of the Valar or hunt after
the Silmaril to find something that is worth fighting for: nature and
the land itself, the love for Arda is more than enough. This drabble
gives me a great perspective on Thandruil and his people, one I don't
see that often. This is such a great drabble Elliska, thanks for sharing!
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Title: Just a Little Shove · Author: Inglor · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 798
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-16 21:21:30
I love this drabble. It is just so realistic from Glorfindel to pop that
question because, let's be honest, didn't we all think the same that
such a solution would have saved Middle Earth from so much harm? Isildur
was already sooo close and it would have been so tempting just to tip
him over. I just love this dialogue which feels as if it happens over a
good glass of wine, Glorfindel's almost flawless logic and Elrond's
musing answers, always political. It makes you wonder if the professor
might have once considered the same in a draft. Splendid drabble Inglor!
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Title: My Eyes! My Eyes! · Author: Alassante · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 358
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-16 21:30:47
Hehehe, no need for hiding from the [PMF=Pervy Men Fanciers] Alassante.
What a gorgeous visual of Glorfindel here. Yum! What a treat for the
reader, so incredibly sensual and evocative. Arwen's reaction is just so
fantastic: her eyes are so fixed on the elf, watching every move he
makes and then... so well timed. That one glance that changed her fate
and that of Aragorn *grins*

[If all ellyn are that big, I will wait and find a Man.]

Teehee!! Too bad we won't get Glorfindel's response to that. I would
have loved to hear his answer and how he would have acted upon it (I am
at least very curious what he would have done). *grin* Also, I hope
Aragorn doesn't find out, that won't do any wonders to his sexual self
esteeme, although, we all know the saying about size doesn't matter, but
who's gonna explain that to her? Delightfuflly naughty and written with
humour: simply wonderful.
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Title: Teatime in Rivendell · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 373
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-16 21:41:29
This is very Bilbo! Very sharp, witty, polity and utterly hobbity. He
never forgets, but neither will pass on of a plate of such delightful
treats.

[And he snatched Legolas's plate of honey cakes. "How does that feel?"]

I can't help to think: go get them Bilbo! That was indeed rude (but also
a very necessary action for the Mirkwood elves, I know). I can picture
how good Bilbo must have felt after that! A great drabble, quite in
character!
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Title: Elfstone · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 252
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-16 21:47:38
This is a very nice drabble which shows the utter quality of the
Feanorian craftmanship. The author in question gives me a good feeling
that at the beginning all jewels made by this house were of first origin
good. A great drabble!
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Title: Paper · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races: Elves: Feanorians · ID: 492
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-16 22:12:55
Paper is another favourite story of mine. In elegant prose, Dawn gives
us a peak in Curufins life this time and also insight in his character
and the decisions he made to find his place in this family. This line
simply stands out and carries so much weight:

[Writing of it later, in the secret haven of the library: Let it be
known, I have claimed my destiny as the favored son of Fëanaro.]

This is so powerful and the scene before that, no, even better, this
whole story explains why Curufin felt driven to claim this destiny.
Everone in this family has a role and the inner strife amongst the
brothers is well explored. Maedhros who flinches, brash Celegorm,
Caranthir following his example... I also love the way, in this context,
how this connects your other works [the Gift and Another Mans Cage].

But what I like about this story is that in the end it leaves you
wondering if even Curufin is writing this. It feels a story within a
story; he either relates how he met his first love, or maybe his wife,
in a story. Or this meeting of love is a fantasy or& But how could he
possibly have run out of paper!!! I love when I come across a work like
this. As a reader you can decide for yourself what the author means with
it. Actually, there is a line in this beautiful short story, which says
it all:

[And so the paper is itself a loremaster, he thinks, like me. Each story
containing a story within and without, spiraling toward infinity in both
directions.]

Very though provoking and evocative, Tirion, Fëanors household, his
sons feel so real to you as a reader in this piece. A great read and a
gem of a story!
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Title: My Eyes! My Eyes! · Author: Alassante · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 358
Reviewer: couchbroccoli · 2006-09-17 00:46:24
That is an absolute riot! Even knowing it was short you managed to suck
me in like a steamy romance novel only to pull the rug out from under
me. Nice. I guess once you've gone Noldo you never go back.lol
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Title: Here You Cannot Leave Me · Author: Alassante · Genres: Drama:
Poetry · ID: 356
Reviewer: couchbroccoli · 2006-09-17 02:22:24
This poem captures the anguish and despair of one who has sacrificed Her
very life for the one she loved only to be left behind as he died first.
Only at the end of Elessar's life did Arwen comprehend the weight of her
father Elrond's foretelling. The author beautifully illustrates the
utter sorrow and the loss of the will to live by one who should never
have known the hand of death. Arwen's pain is tangible as the poem
progresses toward it's sorrowful conclusion. I was deeply moved by this.
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Title: Tharbad Crossing · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Men:
Steward's Sons Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 253
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-17 02:56:47
A closer look at a very dramatic moment only hinted at briefly in canon.
At this point, Boromir could have given up, yet he heroically continued
on--and by this drabble, inspired by his love for his brother. Beautiful!
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Title: A Hallowed Place of Both Peoples · Author: Imhiriel · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 944
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-17 03:00:07
A wonderful look at Eorl's point of view. Well aware that the people of
Gondor do not truly respect his people, still he knows that the Rohirrim
have their own source of pride and self-worth, and he will see their
oaths kept for his part, even when not trusted. A very pivotal moment.
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Title: Was It For This? · Author: aervir · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 204
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-17 03:09:13
Excellent parallels drawn between the deaths of Boromir and
Theodred--very thought provoking!
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Title: Counting the Days · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 281
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-17 07:16:13
Delightful short story where Eomer, after agreeing to wed Lothiriel
sight unseen, speculates on his decision, and eventually tries to sneak
a look at her by spying on the company escorting her to Rohan - and
swiftly regrets his action.

Excellent dialogue. Eomer's rapport with Firefoot, and his handling of
the stallion, are particularly notable.
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Title: Object Lessons · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 668
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-17 07:21:13
Interesting double-drabble about Faramir and Boromir as teenagers.
Boromir pays for his brashness, and Faramir teaches him a lesson, but
the story also aptly illustrates Faramir's love for his brother.

Perhaps Denethor promoted Boromir to Captain-General on the assumption
that the duty of leading Gondor's forces against Sauron might be less
dangerous than Boromir's games with his friends.
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Title: Heirs of the Oath · Author: Elana · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 151
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-17 07:32:44
I especially like the way Theodred is written here, brief as his
appearance is, intelligent as well as confident. Good parallels between
Theodred/Boromir and Eorl/Cirion, and skillful conveyance of the
poignancy in the doomed heirs never having been able to stand in their
ancestor's places.
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Title: Both Beholden · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 180
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-17 08:33:10
This is a story I struggled more than I expected too, so I felt relieved
when I read the author notes to see that even the author felt the same.
This is a very insightful piece into Boromir's character and to be he
feels exactly as he is in book!verse. And I simply love Dwimordene's
Halbarad: sharp and keen, this characterisation is a treat and kept me
on reading. A nice read.
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Title: Arwen's Heart · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 139
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-17 14:45:49
This is an absolutely beautiful story. Arwen's strength and loyalty, of
which we are offered only brief glimpses in canon, are here fleshed out
completely believably. Yes, I can see in this Arwen a devotion and a
love that could accept a destiny beyond her comprehension, and endure a
forty-year betrothal, decades spent in a strang place among strange
people, and finally, an acceptance of a fate beyond her ken.

And the end--it made perfect sense, for to be beyond the bounds of Arda
*is* to be beyond all time, where time is irrelevant, and to wait means
nothing at all.

A brilliant job!
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Title: In a Pig's Eye · Author: Lindelea · Genres: Humor · ID: 747
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 16:31:06
I can see why Pippin is so excited. Even if wallowing in a pig sty isn't
exactly my idea of fun! Everything else emphasises the difference
between hobbits and elves - but they both have pigs. But I do think
Pippin's reaction suggests he might have found and eaten some magic
mushrooms as well as the more normal sort! (But then, euphoria will do
that to you, too.)

I can see why Elrond doubted that he, at least, was up to the
seriousness of the task - even as he involuntarily responded in exactly
the way that made young Pippin such a support to his cousin.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hair · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 321
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 16:33:23
I feel for Legolas. To an elf, the inappropriateness of those hairy body
parts must have been almost stomach-turning! He'll never be the same again!
-----------------------------------
Title: Birthday Kisses · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 59
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 16:39:06
So touching. I liked seeing a Denethor as a father who was unable to
show his love for this son like his mother rather than one who didn't
feel affection for him. And the puppy was a thoughtful gift - and one
that would have helped Faramir deal with his loneliness. And Mousie is a
great name for the pup's mother! I hope Faramir comes up with just as
good a name for this one.
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Title: Pippin's Hands · Author: Pearl Took · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 130
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 16:43:10
He had done a lot - been a lot of places and seen things others had not,
but under it all he was a hobbit who loved the Shire and probably valued
it more highly than those who had no idea how close it had all come to
being lost. And with a way of expressing how he felt. I'm sure his
audience felt a difference, even if they had no idea what had caused it.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Precious Gift · Author: Isil Elensar · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 250
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 16:50:42
I'm not surprised Finwe is a little anxious - after all, his experience
of childbirth is not good! I'm sure he will be waiting on tenterhooks to
see if Indis wakes up again.
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Title: Suspicion · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 791
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 16:56:25
Well - that Strider would be very out of place in the Shire. I'm not
surprised that Sam was suspicious. And even a man with that lot of metal
will come off the worse with a cooking pot to the cranium.
-----------------------------------
Title: Legend · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 933
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 17:01:13
The difference between romance and reality - the recognition of what is
important, the reason for what they did as opposed to the legend. It
must have been hard in some ways to bring up children to a safe world
and know it hung on a thread - something they will never comprehend. But
Eowyn has the right of it.

I liked her here - a clear-sighted shieldmaiden grown old, who still
knows what matters.
-----------------------------------
Title: Father and Daughter · Author: Imhiriel · Times: First Age and
Prior · ID: 943
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-09-17 17:15:02
I feel for Finarfin here - having to return home without any of his
children. His task is worse, in a way, than Elrond's arrival when he had
to tell Celebrian of Arwen's choice and the twins' delay, for there is
no knowing if Galadriel will ever be forgiven or whether her four
brothers will ever return. Her father knows, though, that he has left
her with a husband who loves her and will support her through all her
trials ... but he still has to face Earwen's grief.

I loved this. They are three elves I really like - and I feel they are
behaving very much in character - and I like the point of view. It is
very moving to see through Finarfin's eyes here.
-----------------------------------