Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: King's Man · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 197
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-17 20:55:45
I have always regretted that Halbarad did not survive the Pelennor. Nice
story!
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Title: Beware the Sea · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 404
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-17 22:30:03
A beautiful set of drabbles, each one nice on its own, but collected
together, they show the power of the sea-longing, from the First Age all
the way to the Fourth. I was especially moved by Elrond's. Well done!
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Title: A Meara for Me! · Author: Súlriel · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 893
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-17 22:46:18
Informative and readable, especially for people who have no or little
knowledge of horses; a good source for appropriate vocabulary. (Little
nitpick: the singular of "mearas" is "mearh".)
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Title: In Sequent Toil · Author: IgnobleBard · Genres: Adventure · ID: 941
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-10-17 22:49:32
I have mixed feelings about this story. It started out very
dramatically, grabbing my attention, and I was quite agog to find out
what the Elf secret was. However, the truth was a big letdown and rather
gimmicky, and the story seemed unfinished to me. Why would there be such
a fuss about this map? I wasn't convinced. There has to be more to it,
says I. I was sorry to be disappointed. I wanted to write a rave,
because I like IgnobleBard's work. I wish I had a suggestion or two for
how to fix the problem, because it could be a great tale.
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Title: Birthday Kisses · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third
Age · ID: 59
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-10-17 23:46:04
In this piece set shortly after Finduilas' death, Faramir's sixth
birthday is celebrated at a subdued family get-together. The children
and the little pup are believable and very cute. Faramir and a puppy are
an irresistible combination! I love how, even at this young age, Faramir
shows an understanding of animals. He knows how to approach the puppy
without overwhelming or frightening it, and he also picks it up
properly. Raksha's experience with dogs shows in this and also in the
description of the greyhound.

Yet despite the cute children and puppy, the story never descends into
sentimentality; in fact, it has a steely subtext--even when Faramir is a
small child, Denethor is incapable of showing any warmth toward him. He
won't even take credit for his act of kindness in giving Faramir the
puppy. And how characteristically selfish of Denethor to send away the
family pet who would have been a comfort to his sons. His shadow
engulfing the two children as he leans over Faramir is an ominous touch
since he will cast a long and dark shadow in both their lives.

It is so sad that Denethor both physically and verbally distances
himself from his younger son! Imrahil's concern is well-expressed and
well-founded.
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Title: To The Abyss · Author: Minuialeth · Times: The Great Years:
Poetry · ID: 403
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-10-18 01:15:22
In this poem, the fight with the Balrog is shown from Gandal's point of
the view. The poet uses repetition very effectively. I especially liked

[Death with each blow I delivered
Death with each blow I received]

to describe the fight as they fell. Though Gandalf can be very
plainspoken, he does sometimes use a more formal manner of speech. The
high diction is appropriate to the dramatic situation, and it is heroic
without sounding stilted or quaint. Nice work!
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Title: Whispers of the Dragon · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 916
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 07:32:51
My favourite part of this is Sam's astute comment about the Ring's
whispers to Frodo: [Its like that dragon from Mr. Bilbos adventure.
That Smaug. He said dragons tell you just enough truth to make you
believe everything they say. You stop listenin to yourself and start
listenin to them. You cant listen to dragons, thats all. You cant
look em in the eye. He looked at Frodo intently. You cant listen,
Mr. Frodo. You just cant. ]
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Title: What Goes Around Comes Around · Author: Cathleen · Times: The
Great Years: The Fellowship · ID: 726
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 07:34:39
Excellent bonding by the Fellowship, with some very funny tales of the past!
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Title: Healing the Healer · Author: SlightlyTookish · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 935
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 08:04:42
There are a lot of fics about our hobbits being healed by Aragorn, but
this story is a nice bit of turn-about!

The hobbits quick actions to heal Aragorn from his cold are very
heart-warming, though the Man doesnt think so at first. Gandalfs words
soon make him understand though, how high in the affections of the
hobbits he actually is: [They are trying to help in the only way they
know, Gandalf said after a few moments. It is part of their nature, as
hobbits, to care so deeply for others.]

There are some good glimpses of the individual characteristics of the
hobbits in this. Merry is already very familiar with the use of
medicinal herbs, Sam seeks to hasten Aragorns recovery with appropriate
food, Pippins many experiences with illnesses allow him to give his
cousins a wealth of good advice, accepted gravely, perhaps even sought,
in how to best help their friend  I loved that Merry and Frodos close
attention to Pippin here made Aragorn realise that Pippin had gained
this knowledge by first-hand experience, confirmed by Gandalfs words of
explanation about Pippins illnesses; this is a favourite bit of fanon
for me  and Frodo supervises the whole operation.

Pippins surprise at Aragorns hairless feet was more than just sweet;
it was a telling indication at just how innocent the youngest hobbit is
about things outside the Shire.

And when their efforts really work, Aragorn is appropriately
appreciative and impressed. I loved the way that the story ended, with
Boromir apparently going to be next to receive the ministrations of the
hobbit healers!

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Title: Chance Encounter · Author: Dreamflower · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 187
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 08:19:44
This is a story that is enjoyable for many reasons. First is the
wonderful detail. It is easy to imagine the action taking place, whether
it is in the streets of the City, in the Court, or at a party at the
Guesthouse of the Fellowship. This, in combination with the terrific
dialogue, and situations, makes this tale eminently re-readable.

The interactions of all of the characters are very well done and I am
pleased to meet Menelcar again, a wonderful OC!

My favourite part of this story is Pippins exciting adventures to help
foil and capture the would-be hobbitnappers. After Pippin takes a
particularly dastardly one down Aragorn whispers to the Man just how
lucky he had been that his Sir Peregrin, slayer of a troll, hadnt
carried Trollsbane, and the Mans reaction is superb! So are Frodo and
Merrys reactions to Pippins heroism.

A very engaging story!

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Title: Shelter · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 217
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 08:24:42
I enjoyed the care and honour showed to the hobbits here. The
interactions of the Fellowship were lovely.
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Title: In the Service of the King · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: The
Great Years: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 138
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 08:58:56
There are some wonderful moments in this story. I think that my
favourite aspect of it is that thanks to Pippins words and actions,
some of the more sceptical of Minas Tiriths citizens come to understand
that they have been gifted with a King that is worthy of their respect
and who will rule them wisely. I love that when these citizens come to
have an audience with him that they make it very plain that it is Sir
Peregrin that convinced them that Aragorn will be a worthy King.

Pippins efforts to aid the children of the City, who have no place
where they *can* be children, is so very appropriate to the youngest
member of the Fellowship, now grown so much in maturity. Grey Wonderer
skilfully allows us to get to know some of these children, and the
reader cant help but be pleased that these youngsters will also benefit
under Aragorns rule. The youngsters also learn a lot from Pippin, about
maturity, responsibility, and doing what is right.

The other hobbits learn something too  not to necessarily assume that
Pippins motivations and actions are thoughtless or childish or any less
worthy than their own. He has grown up and matured, but they have
trouble acknowledging that. In this story they come a long way in
accepting Pippin for who he has become, and come to understand that they
cannot simply continue to treat him as the Pippin before the Quest. It
is very clear that they have been unconsciously treating him thusly
because of their own regret over what he has faced and overcome in this
adventure. They regret that he had to grow up so quickly, but they must
learn to deal with it - it does Pippin no favours to try to keep him as
the Pippin he once was by their own treatment of him.

This is one of Grey Wonderer's more serious tales, but it is not overly
dramatic or dark. The issues are dealt with in a serious, but light and
enjoyable way. An excellent read!

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Title: The Three Towers · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 113
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:03:49
I like that this tale gives the rest of the Fellowship a chance to see
where Frodo and Sam's path had led. An interesting idea, and a good read.
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Title: To See Justice Done · Author: Lindelea · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 306
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:07:09
Some almost unbearable angst here, as one has come to expect from
Lindelea, but with a happy canonical outcome.
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Title: Awake · Author: Rabidsamfan · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 837
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:19:00
I have longed for a story that fills the movie-verse gap of what
happened after the Ring-bearers were rescued by the Eagles and when Sam
walked through that door to see Frodo, no longer held in thrall by the
Ring. This one is wonderful!

From Sams slow awakening under the ministrations of his friends, to
that last moment when he and Frodo see each other again, this story is
filled with heart-touching moments and dialogue. Well done!

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Title: The Little Hobbit · Author: Claudia · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 680
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-18 09:23:56
I was very pleasantly surprised at how lovely and sweet this story
was--it was certainly not something I would ever have imagined as being
possible. Aside from the slashiness--which was barely there, except as a
plot device--it was quite like an actual fairy tale. I loved Merry in
this, even though his role was limited. And Frodo was very believable as
an incarnation of "the little mermaid". I liked also the very
hobbitiness of the hobbits. A delightful surprise!
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Title: Four Conversations and A Dream · Author: Forodwaith · Times: The
Great Years: Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 90
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:32:51
I had never considered the changes that Arwen might experience now that
she is mortal; the extent to which she would lose her elvish senses in
payment for what she had gained. A very thought provoking story in many
ways.
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Title: Pride Before The Fall · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 742
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-10-18 09:33:23
Dark, plausible, and very realistic look at what could have happened if
Boromir had actually succeeded in gaining the Ring. Very well done!
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Title: Hidden on the Mountain · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 945
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:36:41
I had never considered that it was Gandalf who had set the sapling in
that high place. Very good!
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Title: But the Scent Still Lingers · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 947
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:42:07
A beautiful drabble. Little did the woman realise at the time that she
was dancing with the rightful King - I expect many citizens of the City
will have similar memories, and will delight to learn that Elessar is
their beloved Thorongil.
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Title: Following Orders · Author: EdorasLass · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:46:48
Grim and chilling. I wonder how these men faced Faramir, once all was
over, and to what duties they were set. Such callous, blind obedience is
ignoble and dangerous, driven by fear or not.
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Title: Last Defence of the City · Author: Branwyn · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 96
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:49:41
Denethor as he should have been! I wonder what the final outcome would
have been had this actually taken place? Excellent drabble.
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Title: Gondor Needs No King · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 207
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:52:09
Dark and chilling - reveals a lot and leaves a lot for us to imagine!
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Title: Holding the Line · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 581
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:55:16
Nice backstory to that moment in the film!
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Title: Drift · Author: Ribby · Times: The Great Years: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 203
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-10-18 09:56:54
An interesting answer as to how Boromir's funeral boat happened to drift
towards Faramir when it did.
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