Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Mine · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Humor: Children · ID: 66
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 01:11:51
This was wonderful! I loved Bromir calling his brother [that baby]!
Being 5 when his brother came along, Boromir must have occasionaly been
resentful of this new addition.

His care for Clover is so sweet, especially the careful washing
instructions. That he also cares for Faramir is very evident.
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Title: Strange meeting · Author: Nesta · Races: Men: Post-Sauron's Fall
· ID: 93
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 01:26:27
Yes. This is Faramir; this is Aragorn. This is the sort of thing they
would say to one another, these are the thoughts they would think in
such circumstances. This story is well-concieved and well-constructed,
but most of all it has heart and insight into the characters. Beautiful.
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Title: Preparing The Way · Author: Lady Aranel · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 284
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 01:33:58
A very moving tale, as Legolas pays a final fairwell to a faithful
friend. Very touching.
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Title: Luck from the Ashes · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 142
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 01:39:41
Wonderful little vignette, sweet and touching, without being fluffy--in
spite of the subject matter. The interaction between a King and a
Steward who are still getting to know one another rings true--as do
their actions as true heroes, rescuing those in distress--no matter of
what kind those beings are. I find myself wanting to know more of the
grey kitten's fate...
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Title: Elfwine · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet
· ID: 70
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 01:41:54
I loved Eomer's enthusiasm in this!
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Title: The Age of Men · Author: Marta · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Hobbits · ID: 401
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 01:56:26
Yes, this seems to be very much the sort of voice Treebeard would have,
and the sort of musings he might make. I hope, perhaps, that he will
take up that search once more!
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Title: Bored · Author: Make It Stop · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 779
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 01:56:41
I have tears in my eyes I laughed so hard! Especially when Weblog became
so excited about the peas! And his thoughts of Faramir's manly
appearance - goodness knows *what* observations he would make if he
*were* gay!
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Title: Of All the Pretty Little Horses · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor:
Gondor · ID: 736
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 02:05:00
A very funny and yet plausible misunderstanding!
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Title: That Which Remains Us · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 749
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:13:16
Faramir goes through the painful ritual of clearing out his late
father's things, and comes across something unexpected: poems that
Denethor had written for Finduilas. Naturally, he reads them.

I have to say, the poems were brilliant: it had to take work to make
poems that were *almost*--but not quite--right. It was clear that
somehow Denethor was never totally satisfied with them, and they had
been hidden away since his wife's death. This is a very insightful and
clever piece, and Faramir is left with an unexpected view of his father.
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Title: Ship and Shore · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 867
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:19:29
A very powerful and poetic set of drabbles, I could follow these events,
even though my knowledge of the First and Second Ages is rather
limited--yet nothing was specifically said--it was all in the
description! Very good work!
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Title: For the Dwarves · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Dwarves: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 894
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:22:26
A very tiny moment in time: a lovely gapfiller, reminding the reader
that Durin's Day would have fallen while Gimli and his father were still
in Rivendell before the Quest. Lovely!
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Title: Midwinter in Mordor · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 872
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:25:34
Now who would ever have thought of Orcs celebrating the Winter Solstice?
Not so different from other creatures--fire and feasting. *shudder*
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Title: The Summons · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 254
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-17 03:28:59
This is a poignant set of stories. I am used to the idea of thinking
that Boromir was summoned to Rivendell, but the idea that Aragorn was in
turn summoned is interesting. And each of these scenes has an element
besides those two characters' relationships that is interesting, like
Arwen's scent or Gandalf's humour. Lovely little scenes in their own
right, and they combine to tell a really neat story.
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Title: 300 Horses · Author: Rous · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 631
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:29:29
Well, this was certainly different! I did like the concept--very
amusing. And the flavor of changing language was captured as well. Clever!
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Title: The Steward and the Wizard · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 522
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:33:36
Very astute. Yet this Denethor would do well to ask himself why his
young son is wary in his presence, and happy in the wizard's, rather
than indulging his envy.
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Title: Birnam Wood · Author: Inkling · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond ·
ID: 917
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:38:03
This was very clever, playing on JRRT's own expressed desire to actually
see Birnam Wood move in "Macbeth". To have the Ents and Huorns as a part
of that historical battle was a very clever conceit. And I loved the
wisdom of the OCs. Well done!
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Title: More Lembas Thoughts · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Non-Fiction
· ID: 851
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:46:00
Rabidsamfan here continues her speculation into the nature of lembas. I
like much of her reasoning here, and I love her wry tone--especially
when she describes the Elves of Rivendell loading up the food supplies
for the Fellowship, LOL! A fun read as well as a good bit of reasoning.
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Title: Lembas, Shmembas · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Non-Fiction ·
ID: 850
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 03:49:41
Rabidsamfan speculates on the nature of lembas, and its effects on Frodo
and Sam as they travel in Mordor. It's well-researched both in canon,
and in modern biology, and logically, yet amusingly presented. I like
many of the conclusions she comes to with this.
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Title: Treasures And Momentos · Author: Marigold · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 220
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-10-17 04:25:14
Anyone who has ever had to go through the possessions left by a departed
loved one will appreciate this story. It's poignant and sweet. It's
appropriate that Merry and Pippin got to celebrate Yule one last time
together; and fitting that Merry took care of Pippin one last time
before taking his own departure.
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Title: Fairy Tales of Middle-Earth · Author: DrummerWench · Genres:
Drama · ID: 261
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-10-17 04:32:54
What would stories would the youngsters of Middle-earth have as fairy
tales? This is a well-written batch of such tales; covering several of
the diverse species/cultures of Middle-earth. I particularly enjoyed The
Swans and The Wooden Boy, but all are rewarding to read, with neat
twists and occasionally characters that we have already met.
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Title: Both Beholden · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 180
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 06:22:04
I appreciated the careful setup of this story. Boromirs reasons for
being among the Rangers were very well conceived. The dismal weather and
disguising darkness made an evocative setting for the uncomfortable and
layered exchange between Boromir and Halbarad. I enjoyed the lightening
into dawn at the end, symbolic of the lightening of their relationship -
and perhaps a bit of Boromirs heart towards his potential king.

The dance between Aragorn and Boromir was very clever, with B. thwarted
in his purpose at each turn. The verbal sparring between Boromir and
Halbarad was excellent. All the characterizations were well done, even
the brief glimpses, and I had no trouble seeing this Boromir as the man
of the books. But Halbarad  with his loyalty and own mirroring need to
test Boromir  was truly outstanding.

The author presented three very interesting and well-conceived
interpolations: The Kin-Strife connection, and the past (or future)
vision of ships upon the Anduin bearing the kings standard; the Rangers
growth out of the kings royal guard and the evolution of leadership in
the North; and Halbarad as Aragorns Steward, especially in light of
Aragorns long wanderings away from his people.

Halbarads bittersweet recognition that Aragorn would soon need others
to lean on was touching, and I loved his confident assertion that
Boromir would stand with Aragorn in the end. It would be very
interesting to see Halbarad's inner reflections if/when he learned the
manner of Boromir's death. I hoped that he remembered Boromirs vision
when he himself was sailing up the Anduin with Aragorn months later, and
knew it for a sign before he died that his king had transformed that
potential for political division into true hope for a reunited kingdom.
-----------------------------------
Title: Elements · Author: Pearl Took · Times: The Great Years · ID: 667
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 06:48:53
This is a stunning work, one of Pearls very best, and I have thought so
from the moment that I first read it.

The first part has a largely otherworldly quality about it, even though
it is concerning properties of Middle-earth; earth, air, fire, and
water. That quality is quite appropriate, as Gandalf is no earthly
being, for all he comes here in the guise of one.

Gandalfs thoughts and reflection about each element are solemn and set
forth like a mantra, and are filled with descriptions that convey ages
out of mind, as when he is describing air: [I knew it when it was first
made.] Eight simple words, but they convey so much to the reader about
Gandalfs true nature. And then in the same passage she writes [I have
smelled the seasons in its breezes, and the warm fragrance of congenial
pipe smoke filling it in a comfortable sitting room.] which brings a
lovely picture to my mind of Gandalf sharing a pipe with his friends the
hobbits, who have no clue of the true identity or power of the being in
their midst. Nor would they probably care if they did, for he is
(mostly) kindly and gentle. They know and love him as a friend, welcome
to move among them. It is said, angels walk our own earth in the guise
of wanderers.

When Gandalf is first sent to Middle-earth he does not know why. Over
the ages this becomes clear to him, and he has many tasks and trials.
But I loved Pearls choice of one very important reason, though it may
seem insignificant in the great scheme of things.

It is to comfort one small brave hobbit, frightened and resigned to his
own horrible death. A very young hobbit, far from his home, swept up in
Great Events, doing his best in a War not of his making, sitting with
[eyes clouded with doubt and dread, set in a pale face smudged with soot
and grime]. With love and gentleness Gandalf eases Pippins fears about
death and brings him hope. A small thing? Perhaps, but not to Pippin,
for at that moment it means everything.

For all that Gandalf is the mover of great things, a guide to help the
peoples of Middle-earth vanquish a great evil, still he is a loving
protector and friend to the very smallest of his charges. And that is
what makes him Great.

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Title: Seam of Stone · Author: hossgal · Times: The Great Years · ID: 129
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 07:09:11
The descriptions here were very well done, as were the dialogue and
characterisations. I did not expect the twist in the plot at all!
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Title: The Steward and the Wizard · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 522
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 07:17:09
It begins already, Faramir as the ["wizard's pupil"]. Denethor certainly
has enough reasons to be grim, after Finduilas' death and with the
Stewardship to contend with. It would only be natural, however, for a
perceptive young boy to be drawn to Gandalf, who has a great reserve for
hope and joy. The author had no trouble painting out the beginnings of
this little triangle for me, despite how few words she used to do it with.
-----------------------------------
Title: Childhood Dreams · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 523
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 07:17:27
This is such a nice, quiet interlude in lives that seemed otherwise
embroiled in battles (with enemies or family). The author did a nice job
setting up the scene: I could picture the setting clearly and "hear"
their voices as I read it. It's very sweet that Faramir wanted to be
like his older brother, and I like the way that the drabble indirectly
led up to that revelation.
-----------------------------------