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Title: Fair Trade · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 900
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:26:42
That's an interesting notion: not only the solar ovens mentioned in the
A/N, but the idea that a bit of fresh bread would be a welcome reward
for good performance in the field!
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Title: Thirsty · Author: Elfhild · Times: First Age and Prior:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 319
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:28:31
I don't know a lot about Thuringwethil, other than that she was a
vampire. But this was quite a chilling drabble.
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Title: Hunting Orcs · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 723
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:31:52
We seldom get the Orcs POV, and if this is a sample, I suppose it's just
as well. It's very effective in a drabble though--thinking of rape and
murder as just a little fun is cringeworthy. But the Orcs can't seem to
understand it.
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Title: The Burdens of Office · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 865
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:34:50
This was very funny! Nowadays such a situation would be all over the
media as a conflict of interest. But among honorable men in a time when
honor was understood, it could most certainly be handled in just that
way--even if it did seem a bit confusing to the observer! LOL!
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Title: A Little Thing · Author: Acacea · Times: Early Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 75
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:37:16
Wonderful! I can think that lower life forms would have a greater sense
of self-preservation than to go anywhere near something so clearly
malevolent. And I loved the touch about the river fern!
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Title: The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship · Author: Elana · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 150
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:39:16
Uh-huh! I can so see this--that pipe-weed would be the first thing about
hobbits to draw Gandalf's attention! I loved the detail in this--the
author really captured the wizard's personality!
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Title: I'm Writing This With My Left Hand · Author: Vana Tuivana ·
Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 641
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:45:53
Wow, this is powerful! I just barely remember the story of Maedhros--but
one doesn't need to recall the details to see both the defiance and
despair in this piece!
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Title: Weaver · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 627
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:49:39
This poem is wonderful. It successfully captures the folk-feel of the
nursery rhyme it purports to be, and it is technically well-done, not
missing a beat with the rhyme and scansion. But the story is told
beautifully as well, and Arwen comes across in her devotion and
determination, while the twist at the end gives us a glimpse of the
sorrow her choice will leave.
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Title: Farewell Lullaby · Author: Armariel · Races: Hobbits: Poetry ·
ID: 719
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 02:52:59
How lovely and sweet this is! I've often thought that one of the reasons
Frodo did not make his choice to leave before Elanor was born was that
Sam would have something more to comfort him--and this poem captures
that idea in a heartbreakingly beautiful way!
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Title: Counting the Days · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 281
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-03 11:21:43
Oh my goodness, this was such a delightful story to read. I love the way
in which the author gave minor characters in Tolkien's works (Éothain,
Erchirion ect) such a wonderful voice in this story. The conversation
between Éomer and Éothain about the Kings plan to marry were quite true
to their manly nature and Éothain's insistent reminder on contingency
plans made me chuckle, but I laughed when I read how brashly Éothain is
actually quite tamed by his wife. Brilliant!

The nice twist is in the end, when Erchirion finds the two Rohan lords
flat on their belly (what a great visual and what a way to meet your
future brother-in-law):
[My Lord Éomer, fearful that his royal duties have been keeping him
from practising his scouting skills took this opportunity of brushing up
on them. In other words, he said with a deadpan face, we were spying
on you.]

Priceless! This is a wonderful short story where LBJ explores the
consequences of royal marriage where both wedding partners never have
met. The questions of Éomer are quite valid and his comrade
down-to-earth view on it is well written. Another thing, which made the
story so wonderful, is LBJ's rich descriptions of the surroundings and
the love of the horses the Rohirrim and Dol Amrothian's have. A great
story LBJ!
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Title: The Eyes of Boromir · Author: pipkinsweetgrass · Genres: Romance:
Poetry · ID: 632
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 17:46:27
This has the rhythm of a real folk song. And like a real folk-song, it
goes straight to the story--a straightforward one of a lass infatuated
with Boromir, though he never knew it. Telling of his deeds, the song
goes on to its inevitable folk-song ending! Very well done!
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Title: Naneth - Farewell · Author: Aearwen · Races: Elves: Poetry · ID: 212
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 17:51:55
Very sad, and a good description of the feelings of grief.
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Title: To The Abyss · Author: Minuialeth · Times: The Great Years:
Poetry · ID: 403
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 17:54:00
A majestic telling of the battle with the Balrog, from Gandalf's POV. I
liked the repetitions.
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Title: Promise · Author: Vana Tuivana · Genres: Romance: Poetry · ID: 643
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 17:58:00
Beautiful, with an elegance of language and form. Very attractive
visually as well.
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Title: Sleep Easy · Author: shirelinghpc · Genres: Drama: Poetry · ID: 992
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 18:04:14
This is *incredibly* beautiful and powerful! The repetition of the
phrase ["Sleep easy on your Elven bed"] gave it a strong backbone, while
the rest of the language was simple but moving! Wonderful structure and
very elegaic. A fitting tribute to Boromir.
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Title: He walks among the greenèd bowers · Author: Dwimordene · Genres:
Drama: Poetry · ID: 669
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 18:10:26
This poem, in beautifully sculpted couplets, pays tribute to both the
fallen and to the living, and shows the heavy burden borne by the
latter. To see Eomer's grief and guilt laid out so plainly was
breathtaking, and the whole lent extra impact by the line at the bottom
to indicate that it had been composed by his wife Lothiriel. Wonderful
touch, which feeds into the whole concept of Arda being a real place,
and what we see are mere translations.
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Title: Only By The Stars · Author: Rous · Genres: Romance: Poetry · ID: 740
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-03 18:13:34
An Elven love poem, unusual in its setting during the time just before
and during the creation of the Sun.
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Title: The Remains of Power · Author: Pearl Took · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 228
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-10-03 18:43:54
What a nasty devious piece of work Saruman is! One who thinks that by
betraying both masters he is showing his superiority. I suppose it is a
good thing he chose not to reveal what he knew to the Ringwraith - but
still. Nasty wizard.
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Title: Following Orders · Author: EdorasLass · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-10-03 18:47:42
Reminds me of a play I read at school - where the soldier talks of doing
his duty. Yet - look at Beregond's protracted ordeal - where he faced
death as a result of protecting Faramir. It's not surprising that there
were some who feared to disobey Denethor. Even when he was quite clearly
demented.
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Title: Quality Time · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Drama: The Steward's
Family · ID: 205
Reviewer: Acacea · 2006-10-03 20:16:01
There is a lot I like in this fic. There is so much that expressed here.
I liked most that we get to see an aspect of Denethor as a father that
comes in so few fics. We get to see the ftaher who wishes to spend time
with his sons, and who is painfully aware that this does not happen as
often as he'd like.
And at the same time, there is his thoughtfulness, his shrewdness and
his intelligence all coming to the fore. Of course, he is already seeing
Boromir as the captain, and trying to read to Faramir about Numenor.

And I loved the little scene where he puts Faramir to bed. It's tender
and sweet, and Denethor's thoughts and actions are so perfect.

And i like too that we get to see nanny from Denethor's point of view.
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Title: Awaiting The Thaw · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance · ID: 953
Reviewer: Raihon · 2006-10-03 20:19:54
The writing was engaging and the ending was satisfying, but the
structure was odd for the genre (only about 10% of the story has any
interaction of the couple!)
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Title: Until the Stars Are All Alight · Author: Kenaz · Races: Men:
Featuring Aragorn · ID: 148
Reviewer: Raihon · 2006-10-03 20:21:43
This is one of the stories I've read that has really stuck with me and I
have sort of incorporated it as part of my understanding of Aragorn's
backstory. Here's why: first is the imagery and the way this unfamiliar
culture, and the unfamiliar emotions of Rangers, are evoked in the
writing. Second is the very satisfying way it tells me more about the
young Aragorn and the beginning of his fascinating journey (though I
don't know if I buy that at that age he could be so utterly innocent as
he is here). Third is the characterization of Halbarad, in which the
author succeeds in really making me empathize with him, including that
wonderful and elusive tugging on the heartstrings. This kind of
emotional involvement is what I really seek in short stories, so this
one was very satisfying in that respect. Then there is the frisson - the
sexuality is subtle and appropriate, but more touching than one might
expect from Rangers. Finally, in terms of structure, it is clean,
elegant, and well-paced, which is also very important in a story of this
length. In short, a stellar (no pun intended) example of its genre.
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Title: Ignorance Is Bliss · Author: Eggo Waffles · Genres: Humor: Parody
· ID: 754
Reviewer: Raihon · 2006-10-03 20:21:56
This was very funny, the writing was crisp, and the pacing was good.
Loved the bit about the hair color.
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Title: The Still Point · Author: stultiloquentia · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor · ID: 87
Reviewer: Raihon · 2006-10-03 20:22:10
This is one of those utter gems of a short story. It doesn't waste a
single word and yet expresses so much that one would want to know about
this rather key moment in Arwen's life. The writing is lovely, the
playful romantic and sexual aspects are right on target, and the pacing
is perfect, but perhaps more important than the high quality of the
writing is the thought the author put into what Arwen's experience would
be like in this moment. So many small details are highlighed that show
us what she is feeling and that explain what it means to have made the
choice she made, without the explanation being pedagogical at all.
Stylistically it is great and it is a perfect bit of gap-filler.
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Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: Raihon · 2006-10-03 20:27:39
The cultural aspects of this story are interesting, but what really
captured me were the little details such as the spider and the
descriptions. I also thought there was an interesting parallel between
the fairy tale grown up Eowyn mentions and the way that young Eowyn
seems more grown up than her older husband.
-----------------------------------