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Title: The Tide · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 77
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 07:17:45
I enjoyed seeing this from Imrahil's PoV. His inner dialogue was
wonderful - having to remind himself of Denethor's status and
relationship to himself to avoid losing his temper altogether. His utter
fury was believable, given how Faramir had been sent forth on a suicide
mission and now his wounded nephew was receiving just as cold a
reception upon his return. I can well believe that he dared say no more
at that moment lest he give in to that final impulse and slug Denethor
soundly.
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Title: The Household Accounts · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 50
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 07:18:04
I thought the author did a good job of capturing Eowyn's PoV in this
story. I loved her perspective of the housekeeper, of the faint
dreariness with which she approached this routine task, and the image of
her warrior's hands and the silk. That last picture in particular
resonated with me as a symbol of what might be a difficult transistion
for her, past life and dreams into the present ones.

There was a lot of depth in this short piece, covering remnants and
reminders of Faramir's lost family members. The brief comments about the
cloth brought forth very clear images of their one-time owners, and I
was especially touched by Finduilas' unspoken hope for a little girl.

Branwyn also managed to deftly weave in a lot of detail about the cloth
and its storage, which I thought added much to my feeling of being in M-e.
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Title: Servant of the Tower · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 95
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 07:18:40
An unusual perspective, and well-told. The servant is rationalizing his
actions that day, and even he knows it. He sticks to his story because
abandoning it would mean admitting the grave wrong he committed in the
name of "obedience." However, I don't want to trivialize the bitter and
fearful choice he had that day (either trust your heart or your lord),
and quite likely he acted under some of the same despair and
hopelessness as Denethor did and thought, "What difference does it
make?" The drabble clearly shows his internal struggle and current
outcast status, and I felt more pity for him at the end than disgust.
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Title: An Exaltation of Larks · Author: Ibilover · Times: The Great
Years · ID: 178
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 07:35:40
This is a wonderful story set as the Fellowship is still getting to know
one another. It was good to see this friendly game between Aragorn and
Boromir, lessening the distance between them. I really enjoy reading
about lighter moments like this during the Quest.

The story cleverly uses a book that Aragorn and Boromir are both
familiar with (and a real one in our present day world) as the basis for
the names of venery, and the examples given are very good. I
particularly have always liked [a murder of crows] as it makes me
think of the Crebain.

Boromirs love for his brother is very clear, and I liked that it was
Gandalf that had given Faramir this beloved book.

The contest for a term for the hobbits was superb, and I loved a
[nestle of halflings]. It was great that Gandalf knew the proper
terminology, a well-known fanon one  a [hobbitpile]! I should think
that the hobbits should pay the Men back, by coming up for a suitable
term for them!

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Title: Wizardry · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 179
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-17 07:41:11
This is such a wonderful short piece. It is cleverly constructed, making
good use of Tolkiens characters. The first [Well] is the opening
punch for a moment mixed with frustration, humour, and relief. After
both took a moment of rest and let humour lift their spirits, which I
could so imagine how they sat there, twinkles in their eyes and a
lingering smile bursting in into a full laugh. In that sense, the author
did a great job in picturing that moment! The last [Well] heralds the
moment of decision and action and I cannot help to think I would love to
read what will follow next. A delightful piece Dwimordene! Thanks for
sharing.
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Title: The Remains of Power · Author: Pearl Took · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 228
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 07:48:15
Saruman may have lost this battle, but he has not lost his thirst for
vengance. It is chilling to see that vengance directed towards the
Shire, Saurman making his plans even while still trapped in Orthanc.
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Title: Fear and Loathing in Middle Earth · Author: vladazhael · Genres:
Humor: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 407
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-17 07:51:13
This is such a great drabble and the author succeeds brilliantly in
writing Tolkien in modern style. Pipeweed having hallucinating effects
(or not), phrases like ["What's that black thing?"] or ["What the hell
are you talking about?"], Crebain being bats (and in the moivie they
truly did more look like bats to me)... simply amazing and hilarious. I
could imagine how Legolas stood there swaying on his feeds because of
the tobacco. His mind is muddled and foggy, which clearly shines through
in this piece. It makes me wonder what will become of them if Legolas
reacts to such a simple thing like this. Very amusing Vlad! Great work!
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Title: Old Man Willow · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 859
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-17 07:58:23
Awww Old Willow gets some love and comfort too. His reaction feels very
entish to me; he slow realisation that he is being hugged by a real elf
is very touching (it gives the term tree huggers a fantastic dimension
too). I love the idea of Legolas healing the hurts of creatures that
were harmed during all those years. This fits the ideology of the
remaining elves with their love for arda and its creatures perfectly. A
beautifully written short piece, thanks for sharing Jay!
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Title: Beware the Sea · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 404
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-17 08:05:23
Simply beautiful Marta. In one piece you capture the tales of the years
and the characters voices in these drabbles picturing various states of
minds of Tolkiens characters. From finding piece, grief, madness& all
are tied to Ulmos creations. Well drabbled and incredibly enjoyable,
the pacing of the pieces makes it almost read like a poem. A great work!
Thanks for sharing!
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Title: That Which Cannot Be Put Into Words · Author: Pearl Took · Times:
The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 230
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 08:06:08
There are many things that I like about this story. One of them is the
different ways in which the Fellowship find healing. I thought that each
choice was very apropos of the individual.

Pippin is characterised wonderfully here. His youth, ability to bring
joy and merriment, his love of music. This last is fanon I know, but it
fits him. I love that he himself gains strength from [the laughter he
could evoke from the Fellowship], helping all to heal.

His meeting with the young (but ageless to him) elf lady is charming;
his shyness, her eagerness to come to know him, their inability to
converse in a common language. Until Pippin suddenly finds himself
singing to her, and they discover their common language of music. I
loved her reaction to his voice: [She had not known any of the small
ones had such a voice. It was like birdsong. Like the singing of the
breezes.] What a beautiful description! And she sings to him in return.

There is a very elvish feel to this story. I am left with the impression
that millennia from now, this elf will still treasure the time spent
with Pippin, singing together in the woods of Loríen.

-----------------------------------
Title: Flotsam · Author: Salsify · Times: The Great Years: Vignette · ID: 85
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 08:24:18
This is a haunting story. I never considered the deaths of the captives
that must have been in Isengard, but I have no doubt that they were
there; this was after all where the half-orcs in LoTR had sprung from.

Merrys recurring thought, even years later, ["Whatever else it was, it
was a baby."], is filled with horrified sympathy, even though Merry,
innocent hobbit that he once was has been hardened by war. It could just
as easily been a hobbit infant, if things had gone but a little
differently, and Merry knows this, and must somehow face the reality
that the drowning of Isengard  and its innocents  had been for a
greater purpose. Not something easy for this still gentle hobbit to come
to terms with.

The choice of title is haunting as well, reducing the drowned baby to
something less even than it was. And that is what war does.


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Title: Such loveliness in living thing · Author: Tanaqui · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 904
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 08:30:04
I enjoyed this reflection on Bilbo's first meeting with Arwen. Tanaqui
did a good job with Bilbo's voice, and his perspectives of those who
gave him the "previews" of Arwen were marvelous. I laughed at his
dismissal of her brother's tale, and felt his care of Elrond to be
touching and poignant. (Perhaps Bilbo understood Elrond's feelings all
too well, as he himself probably sorely missed his beloved nephew.) But
the long and enthusiastic list that Aragorn gave him gets the most
skepticism, not without cause given the rose-colored glasses through
which any of us view our beloved. A very lovely drabble on the build-up
to a rarely-portrayed first meeting.
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Title: Ship and Shore · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 867
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 08:30:30
This is a set of very powerful and often subtle drabbles. The words and
phrases have a wonderful poetry and symmetry, and even though it has
been a while since I read the Silm I could follow along with each
episode. Tanaqui manages four different perspectives very well. Each PoV
is well-drawn and enabled me to follow the individual voices easily.

In the first, the bitterness and derision of the Teleri was
well-portrayed, with a nice use of the repetitive phrase at beginning
and end. I could feel the unnamed mariner's despair at the loss of his
homeland (I assumed it was Elendil), and thought the Snowman's
perspective of Arvedui (["courage or foolishness of Southern-folk"]) was
perfect. I struggled a bit with the final drabble before I realized it
was a dwarf, looking down (figuratively and literally) on the refugees
fleeing from the Grey Havens, but once the light went on I thought the
portrayal was very in-character for a proud and defiant dwarf.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hair · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 321
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 08:30:59
Very humorous reflection on Legolas' part, and a believable perspective
that I'd not considered before. The Quest was likely the first time he'd
travelled with so many non-Elven companions. I imagine the relatively
hairless Elves would approach the hairier denizens of M-e with a mixture
of fascination and revulsion.
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Title: Teatime in Rivendell · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 373
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 08:31:22
Very funny! Bilbo finally gets even. And it is so very typical that a
hobbit would focus on the episode of the vanishing food, as opposed to
what his dwarven friends suffered in Thranduil's dungeons.
-----------------------------------
Title: Alas, for the dying of the trees · Author: Gandalfs apprentice ·
Races: Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 788
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 08:32:01
I thought this was a brilliant and spot-on characterization of Gimli.
His voice was perfect, from his reflections on the benefits of knowing
Sindarin - tinged with a smith's perspective - to his grumpy listing of
all his old-age ailments. In just a few words, Gandalf's Apprentice
managed to capture the deep ongoing friendship between these two
disparate individuals, including the humor and care they had for one
another. Legolas no doubt is grieving for more than just the trees, and
Gimli no doubt understands this.

I enjoyed the whole style of this piece, as the phrasing and entire flow
of the drabble were a delight.
-----------------------------------
Title: Stewardship · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 920
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-10-17 08:32:45
It was nice to see Gandalf in a position where he could look back in
satisfaction and forth in anticipation after the end of the War. I
thought the author caught his voice perfectly, and laughed at his
perspective of his ["young friends"], for of course even Aragorn was a
stripling compared to him. The Maia truly deserves this moment of
well-earned reflection after all of his tireless efforts on
Middle-earth's behalf.

Raksha captures everyone very well even with just the short glimpses
offered to us through Gandalf's eyes. I found Frodo's quiet napping -
still tired from his travails and already separate from his friends - to
be quite sad; and hoped that Boromir was present in spirit, perhaps in
Aragorn's thoughts as he gazed at the city that Boromir had defended for
so long.
-----------------------------------
Title: Iridescence · Author: Larner · Times: The Great Years: Vignette ·
ID: 121
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 08:37:01
I loved reading about the four hobbits first sight of these beautiful
birds! The gift of the feathers was wonderful and I know that they were
treasured by the hobbits and passed down through generations. I wonder
if perhaps some birds came at last as gifts to the Shire.
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Title: Wishing On The Stars · Author: Marigold · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 116
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-17 08:54:46
I am very fond of [Slightly Tookish Star Universe] so I was delighted to
find out that you wrote something in this !verse too. And what a
pleasant read it was. Eglantines worry over the nearly adult Pippin is
so well written in this piece. Her observations in the stars, which
seems to reflects Pippins well being so far away is so perfectly tied
to Eglantines fluttering of her mother heart. It somehow gives me
another view on STs [Stars and Sniffles] on how Gandalf made those
stars& are they part of Pippins essence or fea?

Anyway! I just love how you write the worries and pain of those who were
left behind in the Shire while the four went on their quest. What else
does have Eglantine have than to cling onto fate, even during the
occupation of the Shire? But the ending made me cry and it is such a
poignant culmination of Eglantines emotions and this story that I had
to blink away my own tears when I read this:

[Mother! Oh, Mother!

And a shining figure threw himself into her arms.

It was a Hero.]

And heroes both are. This is a beautifully written vignette series
Marigold! I love the build up and various stages of emotions in this
piece where you perfectly balance you words in order to evoke different
feelings from your readers. For everyone who loves to read about Hobbits
and Tooks or is a mother to a child: there is something in here. Thank
you for giving Eglantine more story time in this moving piece.
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Title: Elemental Spirits · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 693
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-17 09:07:14
Take four elements and tie them to the four hobbits& and all in hundred
words exactly& how do you do this Marigold? Wow! I think Sam was the
most obvious too all, but when I read the others I was simply amazed by
the choice and the wording of the elemental attributes in these four. At
the end I can only nod in full approval in the assignation of an
elemental to a hobbit, but the descriptions of it was stunning. Pippin
bubbly as water (why do I had to think of his actions at the gates of
Moria when he stirred the watcher in the water&), Merrys fell inner
fire (the way you touch upon his battle with the Witchking&) yeps.
Frodo's description of frailness was so poignant. But Sam, dear Sam, I
could imagine him standing with the gift of Galadriel - the box of earth
and seeds  in his hands and you know how he will bring sustenance to
the Shire again. This is a great piece Marigold, very thought provoking
and well written!
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Title: Childhood Dreams · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 523
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 19:24:06
A nice, quiet and reflective moment for Faramir and Boromir, as they
share wine and memories.
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Title: The Steward's Dream · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Fixed-Length
Ficlets With Children · ID: 647
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 19:29:10
Very much in character for Boromir. Nice ending.
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Title: A thing unheard of · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Dwarves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 905
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 19:32:36
Yes. I can see this in Gimli's memory, as he hesitates before the Paths
of the Dead--there are indeed, things stronger than vows. Well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: Unmeant Bitterness · Author: Aramel · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor · ID: 171
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 20:49:29
Oh, the sorrows that come from words badly spoken and misinterpreted.
This is a thoughtful story, a very interesting premise. I liked the way
that Faramir's leavetaking and his father's response was like a standing
joke to them both.
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Title: The Worst of All Evils · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years:
Vignette · ID: 697
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 20:54:31
I can't imagine that Eomer would have been too pleased with Elfwine. I
have often wondered about this conversation!
-----------------------------------