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Title: All Save One · Author: LadyDeb1970 · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor · ID: 691
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 17:32:08

Don't we all wish Boromir could have been reunited with his companions?
Even for just a short while? A lovely little vignette that makes it
possible, for Boromir to reassure those he had travelled with that all
was well.
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Title: The Worst of All Evils · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years:
Vignette · ID: 697
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 17:42:41
Yes, I too have thought that Eowyn must have had an "understanding" with
the men of the eored--that they knew, but refused to acknowledge her
identity, as they knew, but preferred to deny, Merry's presence. And I
can see how Elfhelm would definitely have trepidations about Eomer's
reaction to that. A scene that very easily could have happened, and
handled very deftly.
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Title: Seam of Stone · Author: hossgal · Times: The Great Years · ID: 129
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-25 17:54:54
Very atmospheric prose. It took me a while to realize what Gimli was
doing and why.
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Title: Beleg and Túrin · Author: Raihon · Genres: Romance · ID: 755
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-25 18:25:09
I can't help to feel that the ending should be more expanded upon to
find a better balance in the story. I think I checked a couple of times
if that was really it. I like the characterisation of Turin in this
piece: his character develops as the story progresses.
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Title: The Roots of the Ivy · Author: Aranel Took · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 118
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-09-26 00:16:40
This is a rather wild AU. If the reader can get past the premise, they
will be drawn into a rich story. Ivy the girl between the worlds--for
the hobbits too tall for men to small-- has to overcome lots of very
believable obstacles until she can find happiness. I especially like the
description of her teenage/tween years, where she doesn't fit in
anywhere because of her mixed heritage. Poor Merry has to deal with a
daughter who is only 13, but shows all signs of being a tween. I like it
that Ivy shows characteristics of both her parents, although that makes
it even harder on the parent who is supervising her at the moment.
Intertwined with Ivy's story is the story of Merry and Pippin and how
they grow up and into their roles as Master of Buckland and Thain.
Pippin's story is heartbreaking, but in the end everything turns out for
the best.
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Title: By The Light of Earendil's Star · Author: Branwyn · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 83
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-09-26 00:17:32
This is a great, gripping tale of adventure in the woods of Ithilien.
After Boromir learns that Faramir is captured by orcs, he immediately
mounts a rescue mission without asking for permission first. I love
Boromir's impulsive decision to come to Faramir's rescue, but he is not
so reckless that he doesn't come up with a plan that has some hope of
success, although his second in command is a big help. I think the
characterization of the brothers is spot on. The original characters
Captain Haldan, cousin Eldahil, Ranger Hirluin all have their distinct
voices and fit seemlessly into the story. Even the orcs are well
characterized. Denethor's desperate search for his sons and how he
already relys on the Palantir is chilling to read, especially that he,
this early, already doesn't get the whole truth. That should have been a
warning to him.

Thanks for a great read.
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Title: Inheritances · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: The Steward's
Family · ID: 651
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-09-26 00:18:15
These are interesting musings of Thorongil while he waits to greet young
Boromir, the heir to the Steward. I think it is a bit far fetched to
come to conclusions about the character of a child at that young age
from the way it grips a toy, but I have seen this often enough in adults
when watching a child. I like the comparison of Finduilas' sacrifice to
Gilraen's sacrifice, although Thorongil has no idea what fate holds in
store for Finduilas.
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Title: In the Houses of Healing · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Men ·
ID: 877
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-09-26 00:18:48
An interesting AU tale. I like the glimpses into the life of traders and
their relationship with the rangers. The narrator seems to have a very
interesting past. This story is a part of a series. Since I haven't read
any of the other stories, I felt a bit confused in the beginning. I had
a bit trouble to figure out which female was speaking. It became clearer
in the later chapters.
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Title: First Impressions · Author: Bodkin · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 806
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-09-26 00:19:21
Estel's first impression of his new 'home' is not the best and Bodkin
does her best to describe the surroundings as unappealing as possible
especially compared to Rivendell. I like Halbarad's outlook at the same
surroundings. I think he points Aragorn to something very important.
Home is not so much where you are, but the people around you.
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Title: Brothers at Heart · Author: Radbooks · Races: Men: Incomplete ·
ID: 451
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-09-26 00:20:45
In this version of the scenario Aragorn meets the Dunedain for the first
time, he is accepted as the new leader without any open opposition. It
is his birthright, and they won't deny it. Aragorn acknowledges that he
has much to learn, and his elders are willing to support and teach him
all that he needs to know.

Aside from a very well characterized Aragorn, the story has a huge,
lively cast of original characters from children to grandparents, which
all come to life. I like it that the Dunedain accept Aragorn, but there
are still some around who resent the old decision to send Aragorn and
Gilraen away, not least of all his grandmother. The crusty, old lady has
her own way of showing that this new grandson might have turned out well
even if he was raised by elves.

Another thing I like is that Aragorn's obstacles on the way to be the
leader we come to know in the books, stem partly from his youth and
inexperience but also from his ignorance of the ways of the Dunedain.
You can't have someone grow up in a different culture and then expect
him to seemlessly blend in.

I'm eagerly waiting to see where this will go in the end.
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Title: Psychodiagnostic Evaluation - Subject: The Lady of Rohan ·
Author: Anoriath · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 753
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 02:45:55
Oh, that was funny! I loved the jargon--it was absolutely perfect!
Yeah--that's the reaction you'd get, nowadays!
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Title: Of Squirrels and Stolen Pies · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres:
Humor: Children · ID: 305
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 03:02:12
When it comes to Pippish, no one can do it quite so well as GW! Pippin
is superb, as he innocently manages to confuse the heck out of everyone
except Merry--who also knows just when to intervene. And he knows the
value of a cherry pie, as well!
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Title: Revenge is a dish best served cold · Author: Lialathuveril ·
Genres: Humor · ID: 297
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 03:05:02
Ah, yes! The humor in seeing someone having to eat something totally
disgusting! Very funny!
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Title: You Never Know · Author: MysteriousWays · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 701
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 03:13:14
Poor Frodo! It's just one of those days--or is it? Why is everybody but
him "nekkid"? Hilarious!
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Title: Bedtime Story · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 355
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 03:18:38
A little child's imagination can be a dangerous thing! As Aragorn
realizes, when his son begins playacting his bedtime stories!
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Title: The Prince and the Pea · Author: Karri · Genres: Humor: Children
· ID: 158
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 03:26:08
Dear little Estel stars in a Middle-earth version of the Princess and
the Pea--only it's a prince and it's Legolas, and it's Glorfindel who
instigates the whole thing. Poor kid--I wonder when or if he finally
figured out the joke was on him!
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Title: 17 Cunning Corsairs · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 244
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 03:28:47
I got a chuckle out of this one--little Lothiriel fancies a pirate's
life, does she? Very cute!
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Title: A Precious Gift · Author: Isil Elensar · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 250
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-26 10:48:24
Ill try not to sound to prejudiced or gushy since Isil wrote this for
me. But oh, I can relate to Indis, being so tired after hours of labour.
The private moment between Indis and Fingolfin is perfectly written, the
sense of familiarity, but just checking if all was in order with a
child, which has been such a part of you for a long time. As a mom, you
know the child is all right, but still you want to make sure. Ah and
Finwe, granted a new life with another spouse because he longed for more
children, which the author touches upon gently, is well handled and
gives you a bitter sweet, but also a fuzzy feeling of happiness. The
story feels as a peek around the corner, feeling a witness to an
important milestone which will be one of the seeds to the changes to
come. A short work written with love and gifted to someone else, which
gives the title most certainly a double meaning.
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Title: Blood Brothers · Author: Elana · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 149
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-26 11:08:10
I was drawn to this ficlet by the summary and wow, what an unusual
insight in a 'villians' mind. Elena portrays the final moments of a
Haradrim soldier who thinks he fights for what is right, together with
his mumak who has been with him all his life. This drabble simply shows
that in a war there are no winners, only victims. Very strongly drabbled!
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Title: Fire · Author: Aramel · Genres: Drama: Fixed-Length Ficlet Series
· ID: 172
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-26 12:12:24
Aramel portrays the several meanings of fire and how this element
fuelled the Fëanorians and their followers in this incredibly well
written series. From the desire of Celegorm, the driving force of
Maedhros, goal, the wrath, and injustice done to the exiles taken fruit
from Melkor's seeds of burning lies, the spirit of fire embodied by
Fëanor and oh so stunning, to the creation of Narya. They all are
connected, but are also small gems. A part that was particularly evoking
was this:

[The wild swan has flown off with his heart, so he will comfort himself
with a lesser bird-- and if this glimmering shade of a maiden is a poor
substitute for her fire, still he can dream.]

Simply amazing, this gives us a great insight in Celegorms character
and his motives.
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Title: Legacy · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 299
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-26 12:31:08
I simply love the timing and the parallels drawn here between the two
hobbits and Boromir. What is so particularly moving in this work and
what I immediately remembered was Boromirs sacrifice for them at Parth
Galen, securing the future of two future hobbit rulers, by giving up his
own. The way you write Pippin here, a title he inherited (just as
Boromir should have), the peace of the Shire, which only could have, be
guaranteed by the Fellowship.

Boromirs last stand seemed just a pebble cast in the river, and it
seems as if this alternates the course just a little bit: but many years
later those two (and the readers too) remember and honour for his brave
deed and the ultimate sacrifice of Gondors son. This drabble has
beautiful bookverse characterisations and a well timed drabble: it all
fits so incredible nice within the word limit. This is such an evoking
piece Nancy; it simply gives me the goose bumps. Now where are the
tissues? *snif*
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Title: A Darkened Heart · Author: Beethoven's 7th · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 774
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-26 12:36:00
Oh my goodness, while reading this drabble I can picture Boromir looking
up to the Argonauts. You did a marvellous job at catching that moment,
reminding me how easy it is for the Ring to evoke darkness in one's
heart. What I particularly like about this piece is that you feel the
shift of thoughts in the words, from hope and faith in the King to
darkness that Aragorn will fail and Gondor can take care of her own.
Excellently drabbled: two thumbs up!
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Title: Summoned · Author: Agape4Gondor · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 840
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-26 12:54:14
Amazing! I marvel at the manner how the author portrays the love of the
Steward's Sons for the lands of Gondor. Each their own love and they
would give anything to defend it. What is so beautifully written is how
Faramir needs the healing of Ithilien, being scorched as it is after
such a long occupation and the parallel of Denethor's demands on him
(and not making use of his full potential) and his almost death in fire,
stands out in this part:

[I was summoned by my King once before - from the darkness of the Black
Breath and another's breath. He held me in his arms and waited for death
to take us both. But I was ripped from those arms that would take me
through fire into another world  a world free from the horrors that he
thought awaited us. Even now, when darkness falls, I wonder why I was
spared.]

The parallel of Aragorn saving Faramir from death and Denethor wanting
to take him into death is grimly explored here. It feels as if Faramir
is still caught between these two and that he admits that he has
troubles dealing with entering a new age, despite what good it might bring.

The relief of Faramir that Ithilien will be his is very tangible, as a
medicine he needs. Just as the lands need to grow back to what once was,
so does Faramir need the time to heal itself, but that takes time.

When I read the last line, I can only hope that the love and the healing
qualities of the lands will heal his wounds, so that he and his future
bride can enjoy thier new lives soon. This short story has many layers
in well-written prose. Every time I re-read it, there is something new
that appeals to me. A great piece of work!
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Title: A Bad Day Gone Good · Author: MysteriousWays · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 229
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 17:33:52
This story has a lot going for it: I love that Nibs is the main
character--he seldom gets much "screen time" in fics. I got a kick out
of the explanations for the Cotton lads' nicknames. And I felt for poor
Nibs with his day going so badly. His encounter with the Dwarf was fun.
A cute story!
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Title: Merry's Magnificent Yule · Author: Marigold · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 211
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-26 17:39:20
Poor Pippin, having to take care of a dreadfully drunk Merry, who's
missing Estella at Yuletime. It's just one thing after another, and
Pippin handles each situation with patient aplomb. Very sweet and funny!
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