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and batch two

Title: At Last · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 238
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 13:35:16
This is very nicely understated. I like how Merry and Pippin seem to
move in tandem, taking turns finding their hope, as though dancing
though many leagues apart.
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Title: Summoned · Author: Agape4Gondor · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 840
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 13:38:55
This is a very interesting meditation and covers so much ground - not
only Ithilien and Minas Tirith, but the past, future, love and loss as
well. No wonder you needed 400 words - nothing else would have done it
justice.
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Title: The Price of Power · Author: Rabidsamfan · Times: The Great
Years: General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 989
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 13:40:13
An interesting thought. So often Saruman is identified with the
mechanized and Gandalf with the natural. "But trees are not an army" ...
Oh how wrong he was!
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Title: Suspicion · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 791
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 13:42:10
I guess we're not in the Shire, anymore ... very interesting that Sam
would seat part of his suspicion on Strider's being so very armed. I
thought you captured all three characters very fully, all the more for
being so brief.
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Title: Following Orders · Author: EdorasLass · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 13:43:37
Such an oft-used an infamous excuse! Bravo for finding it here in Middle
Earth and reminding us all of where we have heard it at home. A truly
new image of Faramir.
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Title: A bit of garden · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 901
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 13:45:12
Very nice and, as a compulsive weeder in my own garden and others, I
think you for enobling the trait. This is a sweet little vignette. You
found wonderful ground over which to explore interaction between Sam and
Elrond.
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Title: Inheritance · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 524
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 13:48:34
Very interesting. I liked your portrayal of Gandalf's removal, how he
can be detachedly considering Faramir at the same time that he is
engaged in conversation with him. I've no doubt Gandalf always did have
his mind simultaneously the micro and macro visions, as it were.
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Title: Red River · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 82
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-28 17:23:52
There are a number of stories dealing with the possible ramifications to
the South and East of Sauron's defeat. This brief tale is one of the
better ones. No appeal would be better to Aragorn, Elessar, than this
one--to facilitate freedom. And Faramir would know this without any
doubt. Very well done, by both the characters, and the author!
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Title: The Lost · Author: Altariel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 181
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-28 17:56:24
This story seems very entangled in other stories, yet I feel that while
it would be enhanced by holding all the other pieces, it does not suffer
for their lack. Faramir in this comes across as very much himself--not
perfect by any means, but struggling always to do what is the right and
good thing, and helped by the knowledge of Eowyn's love. And it is such
a gift to find that Boromir did leave something of himself behind.
Beautifully done.
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Title: Lord of Werewolves · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 255
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-28 18:15:40
*Snicker*! This is just wrong--in a good way! It''s so funny to imagine
the dread Morgoth coming across as something like a magical Mafia don,
and Sauron described as ["like a sissy Noldo"] spoiling the werewolves'
training. I also liked seeing the vampire Thurengwithal described as ["a
leggy moll"], LOL! And the idea that Morgoth had to worry about
housebreaking a werewolf! *shakes head*giggles* I'm sure if the Valar
could have seen all this, they would not have bothered with the War of
Wrath, they simply would have ridiculed Morgoth to death.
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Title: Weaver · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 627
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-09-28 20:28:47
This is wonderful. I wondered at the persistently sad tone until the
end, and then everything made sense. Good job. The simplicity of the
form carried me along nicely, enhancing by contrast rather than
undercutting the seriousness of the content.
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Title: Beneath the Hollow Hill · Author: Haleth · Races: Elves:
Feanorians · ID: 314
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-09-28 23:49:14
Maglor is one of those people you can take almost anywhere, since his
story is so open-ended, and I always enjoy the stories about the myriad
places in space and time people take this particular son of Feanor.

This one was even more pleasing, since I enjoy Celtic folklore and
legends. Nuada's resemblance to Maglor's brother Maedhros was eerie and
heartbreaking. For a moment, I almost hoped Maglor would succumb to the
temptation to eat or drink, that he would find a home at last among the
Tuatha de Danaan. But upon reflection, it is better and more hopeful
that he did not, lest he be forever denied a reunion with his kin.

His offer to Nuada to accompany him on his travels seemed a hopeful
note, indicating that he might be tiring of his solitary existence,
coming back to himself enough to desire companionship once more.
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Title: Beneath the Hollow Hill · Author: Haleth · Races: Elves:
Feanorians · ID: 314
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 12:54:16
This is a stunning story where Haleth weaves in the legend of the Irish
people and their folklore regarding their own elves (and the dangers! It
is known to eat their food or one will be lost forever in their realm)
and former rulers.

As Nuada says, ["My people's time above is over," he said, regret
clouding his strange yet familiar features. "I would fade like the
morning dew."] Is a daunting parallel to the fate of the firstborn in
Tolkiens world, since they were doom to fade also. Other parallels
between Maedhros (loosing a hand, renouncing the title of high king) are
beautifully woven into and the feeling that Maglor will walk upon, if
not in heart with the memory of his lost brother or by the gift of the
harp. What I especially like about this work is that it has the feel of
a story that is told around a fire deep in the night, the flow and
pacing is excellent in this piece. This is a very special story!
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Title: The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship · Author: Elana · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 150
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 12:58:12
What a nice observation of Gandalf how he perceives the Hobbits for the
first time! It would surely explain his love for smoking pipe-weed and
who would be suited perfectly for this? Yes the Hobbits. I love the last
line, it mirrors Gandalfs curiosity and has a bit of foreboding of what
is to come!
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Title: Horse Thief · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural
· ID: 365
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 13:13:37
Awwww, I love how this story unfolds itself. For a moment, I was
wondering again who might have stolen Asfaloth (yes I know, summary and
such), but I could not help myself to think it was Arwen. What really
works so wonderfully is in this story is Estel's reasoning and why he
left Rivendell to prove himself. For boys of that age, all they want is
to be with the grown ups and a simple promise can be a very good
motivation to master something. Elladan did underestimate that and has
to tell Gilraen what happened. Now.. that would be very interesting too.
A nice short story which gives the reader the warm fuzzies. Very enjoyable!
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Title: The Gift of Gold · Author: pippinfan88 · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 267
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 13:45:40
I remember reading this story before and after the first paragraph tears
welled up in my eyes, again. This is such a beautifully constructed
piece, a story within a story and twice it resembles the theme of this
subcategory. Hamfast grief over loosing his wife so suddenly and the
childrens difficulty dealing with it ([Evry night fore she goes t
bed, she opens Bells side o the wardrobe&says she can smell her
ma.]).. simply wow! I think you captured the hardship so incredibly
well in the widower and the little kids. For a moment I thought: why
would he give away the clothes, shouldnt Marigold be suited to wear
them later on. But just as that thought pops up, Pippinfan explains it.
And this is how the story flows, the reader wonders about things and so
naturally, the story tells itself to you. What is more special about
this moving tale is the sense of passing traditions in every
generations, from mother to daughter with a gift of great significance.
What is rewarding as well is that even a generation later, the Cottons
sees the fruit of an evening of labour presented to them in a very
touching manner. This in a way and indirectly portrays the closeness of
the Hobbit families and is so beautifully touched upon here. Short and
simple: but it gives you a content feeling when you read the last words.
A very moving story, thanks for writing it Pippinfan!
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Title: Inspirare · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Friendship · ID: 622
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 14:04:29
What a tenderly written short story. And ai, full of things I
recognised, for some reason pregnant women seem to be able to pick up on
a lot of things and once Rosie realised Frodo is ill, all falls on it's
place. It leaves me wondering a bit about Sam, who most likely in his
optimism has not noticed that Frodo is ill after carrying the ring for
so long. What really caught my attention in this piece was this line:
[Sam had once described what Elves were like; both old and young at the
same time, gay and sad, but with a deep wisdom.]

and then this one:
["They will look lovely on her. My mother would have been most pleased,
I think."] This made me wonder.. how does he know it is a girl? But then
at the end I read the line quoted from Tolkien's works, which made me
wonder. And I re-read the story again, just as Rosie starts to perceive
him as an elf. This is such a rich story with lovely descriptions and
down to earth dialogue. This story was a treasure to discover.
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Title: It's the Thought · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men: Fixed-Length
Ficlets With Children · ID: 71
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 14:10:29
A cute drabble and I just love the description of Éowyn's watching Éomer
playing with the sword. It feels as if at that very moment she decides
to become just as him and avenge her parents. Théodred characerisationis
beautifully done here, the thought that he would take care of him is a
most satisfying one!
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Title: The Groomsman · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Dwarves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 14:15:01
I find this drabble, for some reason, incredibly fitting for Gimli. The
practical Dwarf who wants to make sure that Boromir will look good on
his final journey. I love the way in which the author touches upon the
grief of Legolas and Aragorn who mourn for their fallen comrade after
going through so much. Finely drabbled and incredibly enjoyable!
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Title: Promise · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres: Romance: Poetry · ID: 643
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-09-29 14:25:46
This poem.. or drabble stands out for various reasons. First Vana, I
find it amazing that you can write a poem of exactly 100 words. The next
thing, at a first glance is the construction of the piece and you simply
know this will be special and outstanding.

In this poem, Vana tells the tale of the relationship of Fëanor and
Nerdanel& but as the summary says& it is just the betrothal. Very
poignant is that Nerdanel in this work will realise that loving this elf
will bring her pain and sorrow, but for her the love they will share,
the passion he invokes in her make her sway and say yes. I can imagine
that even though the parted bitterly, Nerdanel will not regret this at
all. The promise of youth, the way she sees him and the blissfulness but
the looming dark times that awaits them: great foreshadowing. All if
this is portrayed in this piece in an excellent & unusual way. Great
work Vana! Very original.
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Title: Lightly Sings the Wind · Author: Ellie · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 799
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-29 14:29:24
This is a very intense look at what this character must have felt. Such
desperate pain!
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Title: Heralded By Storms · Author: SilverMoonLady · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 128
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-09-29 17:44:13
This is beautiful. I don't believe I've ever read any long story about
the courtship of Saradoc and Esmeralda. I really look forward to seeing
more of their story--this author really has a knack for hobbit romance!
Saradoc indeed, is charming and dashing and handsome and gallant. And
Esmeralda is brave and determined and devoted and loyal. It is so easy
to see how these two personalities could have brought forth Meriadoc the
Magnificent, and have had a hand in the character of Frodo Baggins. I
hope there is more soon.
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Title: Years After and a Sea Between · Author: Dana · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 39
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-29 23:00:04
This story has a powerful minimalist feel to it. Pippin is grown and
weary but in a sense desperate for comfort. Anyone familiar with grief
will recognize themselves in this very realistic portrayal. It told just
enough to get the story apart while leaving enough unsaid to hint at the
confusion and off-kilter feeling I'm sure Pippin and Merry would have at
the end of their lives.
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Title: Theme and Variations · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 784
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-09-29 23:04:03
This story is so clever. The two sisters of Denethor are both drawn
convincingly, and Thorongil's legacy is true from start to finish. I
personally share Faramir's terror to what this errant wife could do to
his family's legacy (which is none too certain after Denethor's manner
of death and Faramir's abdication, I'm sure) but Imrahil's quiet
amusement was hilarious as well. I'm sure things would have gone
something like this, and the time period just after the coronation is
captured with wit and humor here. This is a must-read for Gondor fans,
and anyone in need of a few chuckles.
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Title: Aglarond · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 68
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2006-09-29 23:20:04
There's a study eloquence here that is very characteristic of the
Dwarves and shows very believably how they would view poetry - as idealy
being a product of their hands as much as their hearts and minds.
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