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Title: Elfwine · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet
· ID: 70
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2006-09-23 22:21:01
You catch the man's exhuberence and love of life so beautifully here.
This is no time for protocol - he treats the event as he does every
other part of his life - as something to be grasped with both hands and
experienced to the full!
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Title: Treasures And Momentos · Author: Marigold · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 220
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-09-23 22:27:55
This is one lovely story that tugs at my heartstrings every time I read
it. This is my favourite story that portrays the death of Merry and
Pippin, and the deeply felt absence of the beloved pair. Perfectly
written, and perfectly told from beginning to end, I felt a sense of
great loss as I read it; of missing my most beloved hobbits. And also in
true hobbit fashion, there is a good measure of good and simple humour
included with the items Merry and Pippin bequeaths to those whom they
cherished from the remaining Fellowship. People live and they die; that
is life. If a reader finds it difficult to get past Pippin and Merry's
death, which the author does not depict in detail, then it is sad to be
missing out on a most excellent story. In one of the author's Merry
Yules installments, Merry bestows Pippin with a very special gift that
makes its way into this tale, and I thought it was touchinig--as
magnificent as her Merry and Pippin are--and as is the author herself. A
beautiful story, indeed!
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Title: Childhood Dreams · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 523
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2006-09-23 22:31:36
I like this very much because it intimates so much about the unspoken
relationship between the brothers, and because the scene is so adroitly
visualized. You see very little, but it shows you so much.- of their
character and what they see in each other and within themselves.
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Title: Strike While the Iron is Hot · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres:
Humor: The Shire · ID: 234
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-09-23 22:36:37
Full of pranks and endless fun and laughter for the reader--and of
course, Merry the instigator, who began it all. With far too much idle
time on their hands for any young hobbit, Merry and Pippin are the prank
contenders and Fredegar Bolger is the pickle in the sandwich, so to
speak. Fredegar Bolger goes to great lengths to spy on and stay out of
the way of his friends, stealthily acting as a double agent
independently to both Pippin and Merry, however, he ends up with his own
reward regardless. Poor Freddie is left scratching his head wondering
how he got the bitter end of the stick, but he soon learns a valuable
lesson in dealing with the likes of Merry and Pippin. Like always, the
author is magnificent in telling her story, writing it out, and infusing
comic relief that will send any reader into a fit of laughter. I
completely enjoyed this story, and laughed my backside off.
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Title: A Little Thing · Author: Acacea · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 75
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2006-09-23 22:41:35
This is deliciously spooky, and very original. You create with admirable
economy a whole self-contained microcosm that these events unfold in. I
particularly liked the reference to the un-aging fern, that is a very
deft touch within the drabble.
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Title: In the Houses of Healing · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Men ·
ID: 877
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-24 01:15:21
Intriguing Houses of Healing AU, the only one I've seen where Eowyn
apparently doesn't exist. The narrator is a woman of Numenorean descent
who was nurse and guardian to Denethor's sons, and who also has ties to
Aragorn's past. She and another OFC, an Elf who seems to be Faramir's
"Significant Other", frantically try to heal a badly injured (worse even
than in the book ROTK) Faramir when the new Steward is finally brought
to the Houses.

There are glimpses here of a rich history in this AU. I would like to
see more of Faramir's relationship with the mysterious Elf-Ranger.

Well-detailed description of the ladies' attempts to save unconscious,
injured and somewhat burned Faramir.

-----------------------------------
Title: Hearth and Home · Author: Molly Littlefoot · Races: Hobbits · ID: 730
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-24 04:34:32
This is a neat little story, so full of the little details that make up
day-to-day life. One thing that jumped out to me were the names. Samish,
Vistula, even Beau -- they're not the normal hobbity names that seem so
modern, but seem very other without being *un*hobbity. The ending as
well seemed very Tolkieny. This is a good read for anyone who likes
original characters and gapfillers that give an "everyman" insight into
the Ring War events.
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Title: Gandalf's No Good, Rotten, Really Bad Day · Author: Gandalfs
apprentice · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 146
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-24 08:11:03
Oh my goodness. This is a very strongly written short story; the opening
paragraph alone makes you really continue to read. What on earth could
Gandalf possibly have done to have Manwë act this scorned. From
[cringing wizard, the coldly wrathful elf-lord, and his bereft daughter]
to several theories what might have gone wrong with one note, the author
weaves a strongly written parody with a good build up. Just the thought
of Elrond (although technically he isn't an elf-lord) standing there
with Arwen wanting justice to be done is at the same time touching and
hilarious. And the tone is set for the story, point for point Manwë
cracks every weakness in Gandalf's story, but the last two lines about
Saruman in power makes you wonder if Middle Earth is better off now. It
is at least good enough for Manwë. Very entertaining.
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Title: Drift · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 203
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-24 09:26:42
Unusual and elegant drabble, one of the most original treatments of the
journey of Boromir's funeral boat. Smoothly and excellently written,
with a nice tie-in to THE TWO TOWERS.
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Title: The Will · Author: LydiaB · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 770
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-24 09:30:50
Great little drabble about what seems to be the ultimate fate of the Red
Book of Westmarch. Original, nicely written; a fascinating twist of fate
concerning a certain young man about to go to war.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Path · Author: AngieT · Races: Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 638
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-09-24 09:38:26
Oh, this is a good one! Merry stumbles upon a hobbit-hole, and a party,
with a beautiful young hobbit girl celebrating a birthday, but something
is definitely odd...

The writer builds up the sense of strangeness very lightly, with just a
few hints, and then hits the reader with unexpected horror. And the end
wraps up the mystery in an unsentimental but romantic and sad fashion.

Quite well written, especially the hobbit personalities.
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Title: A Change In The Weather · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 692
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-24 15:22:51
Four seasons in one story, four hobbits starring in their own drabble
and yet they feel so complete together. The seasons assigned to them
feel natural and well chosen; it fits them all and gives you a feeling
of contentment, especially the one assigned to Sam with his happy
feeling to see things grow after he planted them. But just as hobbity as
they all start out, the spotlight changes cleverly and shows us the dire
consequences of their journey that changed their lives so drastically.
Memories that will always remain with them as their favourite season is
there again. Especially Pippins association with rain and feeling
utterly alone touches me deeply. How lonely must he have felt to be
separated from the hobbits when Gandalf took him to the White City? This
is a beautiful ficlet series, which left a deep impression on me: what a
gem Marigold!
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Title: Lonely Night · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 295
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-24 15:43:25
When I saw the warning adult subject matter I could not suspect what
would follow next. The choice Scarlet faces and Morwen is remembered by
evoked memories in which I hope not everyone will ever have to face. In
this story it seems to clear that drinking the tea in order to safeguard
your own future or that of a child is the best solution possible, when
you approach it rationally that is. But what is the most heart wrenching
layer of this story are the emotional consequences in a profession this
hard. Scarlet who might have a good future ahead of her, with our
without her love (who might be able to provide for them elsewhere):
Morwen who looks back on a harsh life with three children only as a
memory, a what if and seemingly a life lost. And with this you look at
the heart of the story, life in a brothel is hard for all and as you
grow older, it is extra baggage you have to carry all alone. Morwens
regret and pain is so poignant. Besides the subject of this short story,
I admire the characterisation of two original characters: the story
stands strongly on its own without any mention of a canon character
which is most often a hard thing to do within fan fiction. This is a gem
of a short story, with layer after layer you discover  even after
re-reading it several times  with a good use of style and smoothly
written prose. Simply stunning Neume!
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Title: How the Eorlings Ride · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Humor · ID: 213
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-24 16:34:09
Go Merry! Go Merry! What a fantastic story! At first I thought, oh poor
Merry, but this finely written gapfiller shows us what Merry did the
first night Gandalf left with Pippin. Delightful and macho dialogue of
the Rohirrim, a poor lonely Merry looming over his pint, but soon all
the tables will be turned in the benefit of this Halfling. And how! With
rich narrative, the writer paints a great portrait what is going on in
the brothel/tavern. What more do you need when you read this:

[They passed Éomer and a stunned-looking blonde on the way and Merry
nodded politely, then strutted through Morwens door like a barnyard
cock and shut it with a thump.]

Excellent, I can, without any effort, picture how Merry looked like. And
this story is full of wonderful writing like this. One thing I do know
for sure is: do not trust Eothain to know the way when he had a pint
maybe too many. You never know where you might end up.

Gamling knows his (wo)men and shows a very practical skill: simply
observing what is going on. And I admit, I had to chuckle when I read:
[Wait, Morwen, you paid him?] Just this sentence alone! The
realisation what just happened comes at a perfect time, for both the
reader and the characters in the story. I bet the looks on our faces
matched.

This is a great short story: effective, good use of style techniques
that makes it a very charming and enjoyable read. On top of that great
characterisations which felt Tolkienlike to me. An incredibly well
balanced story Neumeindil, I thoroughly loved reading this one!
-----------------------------------
Title: Fire and Flowering · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 58
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-25 01:36:28
Some of these ficlets are very hot -- there's really no other way to put
it. We range from tentative soon-to-be-weds to young lovers to seasoned
parents, and each of these slices of life are very erotic in their own
way. And doing that with any kind of a constraint on the word count is
very difficult.

But there's so much more than that in these pieces. These are charming
character studies of both Faramir and Eowyn, and we get glimpses of what
they fear and hope for. The way they grow closer together and more
comfortable in their new roles is in its way a microcosm for the Fourth Age.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Groomsman · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Dwarves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-25 01:40:41
Aww, this was certainly sad, and unexpected. I thought it was Aragorn
getting ready for his coronation or something. It's really nice to see
Gimli preparing Boromir this way, and the comparison to a bridegroom
just about broke my heart. So much lost potential there.
-----------------------------------
Title: In The Pits Of Utumno · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 164
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-25 02:34:08
How cute! I suppose I should have seen that something was coming, but I
was blindsided. Nice job making the staging work for both scenes.
-----------------------------------
Title: Pride Goeth... · Author: Marigold · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Hobbits · ID: 936
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 03:32:52
I love the way the author depicts Boromir in this. He's already become
fond of the hobbits, but he doesn't even begin to understand them. His
affection and protectiveness is tinged with condescension, and his pride
is clearly in the forefront. And yet, when he's confronted with his own
failure here, he is honest and fair enough to admit his shortcomings.
And he begins to realize that he's underestimated the hobbits. A good
"getting acquainted" Fellowship fic.

-----------------------------------
Title: Of Flustering and Blustering · Author: Rhapsody · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 811
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 12:42:01
This is a sweet little fluffy tale of a visit to Bilbo from Gandalf and
two Dwarves a few years after the Adventure--or is it? There are a few
sinister undertones, that hint of trouble to come, and a bit of angst as
well.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Spring Day At Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 746
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 12:45:43
I love this little vignette for any number of reasons: it's from
Aragorn's POV, it's filled with love and hope, and most of all, it's
Pippin with a kite--something that just seems *right*!
-----------------------------------
Title: Horse Thief · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural
· ID: 365
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 12:50:23
Young Estel takes off after a quarrel with one of his foster
brothers--and on a steed that is not his. A rather cute little interlude.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Memorial in Four Parts · Author: Illwynd · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 702
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 12:55:53
Absolutely beautiful. Each little vignette is perfectly appropriate to
the person who is remembering. Very poignant and insightful.
-----------------------------------
Title: Unmeant Bitterness · Author: Aramel · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor · ID: 171
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 17:13:48
This is remarkable. It really is, to see such a perfectly canonical
recounting of events, from a wholly different perspective than
conventional interpretation conveys. It is in JRRT's own style, and most
of the dialogue in his own words. Yet, by showing us the interior
monologue of Denethor, the auther places a new emphasis on words, one I
had never before considered. While it won't make me give up my own
interpretation, it certainly gave food for thought. I am extremely
impressed with this, and hope to perhaps see more of this author's work,
as she is unfamiliar to me.
-----------------------------------
Title: Evenstar · Author: Mar'isu · Times: The Great Years · ID: 856
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 17:19:27
A beautiful summation of Arwen's thoughts at that feast before the
council. I thought it very poetical and lovely, though I did not really
agree with the characterization of Elrond's attitude towards Aragorn. I
liked the use of the Elven phrase at the end of the peice.
-----------------------------------
Title: Athelas · Author: Waltraute · Times: The Great Years: Gondor ·
ID: 243
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 17:26:40
I really am very fond of Bergil. This little story featuring his
harrowing search through the devestated City to find the athelas needed
for Faramir is wonderfully atmospheric, and the old man, the OC whom
Bergil remembers, who might have the kingsfoil is well-drawn. Poor
child, such a horrific experience! Very well done.
-----------------------------------