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Title: Return to Me · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 266
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-22 16:03:48
This story connects three canon events in Tolkiens world in a touching
way. It starts with Finarfins journey to the Halls of Mandos to
retrieve his son and Dawns descriptions of it and the emotions that are
evoked in Finarfins soul are incredibly realistic. We meet Mandos and
we do learn how elves are reincarnated while Mandos repairs the body
which once has been utterly marred. Finarfin is foremost a father in
this piece and you can feel how much he is struggling with the harm done
to his first-born.

Then halfway the piece we are transferred to the cold plains of Araman
where Finarfin pleads his children to return home. But Finrod does not
hearken and the roles of leadership feel reversed and this is
magnificently captured in the following fragment:

[There he stood, letting the vicious wind whip him until he was numb
with the pain of it, whispering, You will return to me, until his lips
grew too cold to move any longer, and then it was only his thoughts,
carried on the icy wind that would wrap his sons ears, leagues to the
north, and make him shiver as though portended of death. You will return
to me.]

While I read this I immediately thought: well Finarfin, you never
expected that it would happen in this manner. Once awake and returned to
life, Father and Son discuss the morality and fire that still burns
within Finrod. In a way, both ill find healing of the hurts with each
other and the first seed starts to grow with this quote:

[Fathers who are willing to forsake their sons in service of a cause
he stopped, considered. Before I was a king, Findaráto, he said at
last, I was your father. And no price is too dear to save you.]

This surely is pressing motivation for Finarfin to go to war on
Beleriand during the War of Wrath. Besides the clever weaving and
connecting of these three main events in Finarfin's life, I simply
marvel at the rich language, which expresses itself in the narrative and
dialogue written by Dawn. I simply feel drawn into the story at instant
and once I finish the story, it gives me lots of topics to think about.
This is a great piece of writing Dawn!
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Title: Alas, for the dying of the trees · Author: Gandalfs apprentice ·
Races: Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 788
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-22 16:11:20
This drabble contains so many layers!
First, there is the gruff dwarf who can yet acknowledge and appreciate
Elven skills. Then, it shows his real troubles that come with age. And
underneath the brief but succinct picture of Legolas staring at the
trees, one can sense that in reality, it's not the trees he is most
concerned about, but his aging companion. And that Gimli senses it, and
uses his grumbling to lighten the mood.
A marvellous accomplishment for just 100 words.
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Title: Last Defence of the City · Author: Branwyn · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 96
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-22 16:12:31
Oh, if only...! This gives a very plausible scenario, skilfully using
canon events and extrapolating from there. Denethor's portrayal is
utterly believable: not twisted by grief, despair and the palantír, it's
easy to imagine him acting in just this way.
-----------------------------------
Title: Ship and Shore · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 867
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2006-10-22 16:13:27
Some very unique perspectives, and beautifully written. The thoughts and
feelings of the respective narrator was evoked very vividly. I
especially liked the insight into the culture of the Lossoth; and the
very last line of the last drabble.
-----------------------------------
Title: Trust · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama · ID: 216
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-22 23:25:09
I have to say up front that I have a hard time accepting the idea that
Denethor physically abused Finduilas. The boys, *maybe*, but I just
dont see a propensity toward that type of loss of control before the
stress of Finduilass death. But I only mention that because this is one
of those rare stories that really and truly makes me forget my qualms
about issues like this. And it is convincing.

The politics are fascinating and realistic (and comprehensible even
without having read the other stories in this series, which is in itself
a skill), but they arent what makes this story such a powerful read. It
takes a tragically real subject matter and tells it in a way that feels
true to real life. For me this touched way too lcose to reality to be a
comfortable read, and I never properly enjoy stuff like this, but it
still deserves attention because it shows the repercussions acts can
have. This is not like so many other stories Ive read where tragedy is
used for cheap angst -- the emotional content is complicated and nuanced
in a way you very rarely see in fanfic, or fiction period.

There is so much to recommend this story. Canon characters seem very
true to what Tolkien wrote while at the same time challenging the
readers preconceptions; OCs are delightfully believable outgrowths of
the world Tolkien created; laudably well-handled and
tastefully-described eroticism. A story that is definitely worth the
effort and deserves to be read by anyone with the slightest interest in
Middle-earth -- just make sure you do it when you have some time to
think over the backstories described.
-----------------------------------
Title: The End of All Things · Author: Ariel · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 109
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-22 23:39:21
As I was reading this I was reminded of Sam's plea to Frodo outside of
Shelob's lair, ["Don't go where I can't follow".] This is a lovely
inversion - the younger Sam is the first to die. It truly is the end of
all things, and it's told with such a gentle touch that it almost feels
effortless. Well done, Ariel.
-----------------------------------
Title: Don't Panic! · Author: Boz4PM · Times: The Great Years · ID: 908
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-10-22 23:58:52
This story took me totally by surprise. I'm a hobbit writer and reader,
I don't read MarySues. But the summary on this story just had to be
checked out - a story that had to be what it might *really* be like of a
21st century person went to the Middle Earth of LOTR and the mention
that the story was at SOA by invitation of the site managers.

This story is just plain awesome. Penny arrives in Middle Earth.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli show up and . . .
["The man, elf and dwarf exchanged a look. What do you think? asked Gimli.

Legolas shook his head. No doubt about it.

Aragorn nodded. My sentiments exactly. He drew his sword. Die, Oh
Mary- Sue, spawn of Morgoth! ] And then good ol' Strider lops her head off.

Penny awakes from her dream, to find she really *is* in Middle Earth and
from that point on we laugh and cry with Penny (Pen-ii to those she ends
up taken in by) as she tries to come to grips with a dirty, primative
world where she doesn't understand a word spoken by anyone.

And that is what makes this tale so enchanting, it *is* much like I
think circumstances would unfold for a madern person suddenly thrown
into cultures like the ones in LOTR. Even the Elves, though obviously
quite advanced, aren't what we would regard as "modern" and sometimes
the most that can be said is that they are MUCH cleaner than any other
culture. Boz's Elves are wonderful, they are real and humorous, her
Rangers rough and gentlemanly, her hobbits charming and warm.

A marvelous story!!
-----------------------------------
Title: Okay, NOW Panic! · Author: Boz4PM · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 907
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-10-23 00:05:41
This follow-up story is as wonderful as the first installment of
Pen-ii's adventures. Boz deals beautifully with the issue of whether
Pen-ii will live with in the Kindom of Gondor or will she return to
Rivendell to live with the Elves. Or, will she find herself wisked back
to her "own" time as abruptly as she was wisked to Middle Earth?

As this is a WIP, we've yet to find out, but I know I'm very much
enjoying the ride!
-----------------------------------
Title: Treasures And Momentos · Author: Marigold · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 220
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-23 00:09:16
This was really touching - it seemed like just the kind of gifts that
Merry and Pippin would leave behind.
-----------------------------------
Title: Shattered Twilight · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: First Age
Elves · ID: 247
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-23 00:40:25
Ooh, shades of John Hinkley here - it's spooky how much of a
relationship Maeglin has here. I can definitely see the desperate evil
in him.
-----------------------------------
Title: You Watch To Dissociate · Author: Ghettoelleth · Genres: Drama:
General Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 195
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-23 00:46:39
This drabble is powerful - we as readers tend to forget that for every
consensual romance there's usually an admirer lurking in the shadows.
Here Daeron's perception of Beren is frighteningly on-target.
-----------------------------------
Title: The King's Surgeon · Author: SurgicalSteel · Races: Men:
Incomplete · ID: 845
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-10-23 00:49:12
This story is one of the best I've ever read. I don't normally read
"Men" stories, but i just had to give a story entitled "The King's
Surgeon" by SurgicalSteel a try. This story shines.

Serinde is a child of Dol Amroth who is sent to Minas Tirith after her
foot is run over by a cart. She finds the world of the Houses of Healing
fascinating and ends up remainging there to apprentice as a healer. She
takes particularly well to surgery. Serinde becomes one of the finest
surgeons in Minas Tirith, but she is strong willed and assertive, two
things that don't sit well with the Steward and she is eventually
exiled. She heads north to find either Rivendell or the settlements she
has heard of that are inhabited by the Dunedin. She ends up in Bree.

(Hoorah! Hobbits!)

Life in Bree is simple and hard in many ways but "The Butcher of
Ithilien" soon becomes a well respected healer amongst both the Big and
Little Folk of the town.

I will leave my synopsis there so the readers of this review can go and
discover this marvelous story for themselves.

This story is filled with love and laughter, death and sorrow, but it
shines with it's reality. The medical facts are all accurate and
accurately described. There is passion that, while also well described,
is tastefully done. Due to this, several chapters are labled as for
adult readers.

A masterpiece!!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift of Time · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 812
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-23 00:53:29
Nice glimpse of Arathorn doing an all-too-necessary duty of a captain.
-----------------------------------
Title: How the Eorlings Ride · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Humor · ID: 213
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-23 03:13:39
Poor Eothain! He wasn't so bad, really, but he sure got taken advantage
of here. I felt for him -- but that didn't keep me from chuckling from
start to finish. Lily and the blonde and everyone else all wanting
Pippin... how cute.
-----------------------------------
Title: Suspicion · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 791
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-10-23 03:19:20
Oh, I love it! This is such a funny moment; I especially love the phrase
["He's got more metal on him than the blacksmith"], that sounds exactly
like Sam would sound. It's in-character for him to get all protective
like this, but also hilarious to think of Aragorn really being put in
his place by the little gardener from the Shire. I wonder how he
(Aragorn) managed to keep a straight face, because you know as a Ranger
he overheard.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Age of Men · Author: Marta · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Hobbits · ID: 401
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-10-23 04:06:21
Interesting slice of Treebeard's life as he greets the hobbits on their
way home from the great quest. The hobbits have obviously grown and
changed in many ways, yet Treebeard remains mostly the same; and the
contrast heightens the charm of the piece. Still, the hobbits' visit
stirs old longings and a desire for action in the ancient Ent, a sign of
the young halflings' role as catalysts for all kinds of events and peoples.

Treebeard's voice is well-written and credible.
-----------------------------------
Title: Until the King Returns · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette ·
ID: 540
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-10-23 04:34:39
An intriguing, if cynical look at Mardil the Steadfast's relationship
with the last King of Gondor, and focusses on the question of how Mardil
allowed Earnur to take his ill-fated last ride.

Earnur is well-written here, as seen through the crucible of Mardil's
thoughts; the portrait emerges of an over-proud and thoughtless King who
catered to his own desires rather than his duty to Gondor.
-----------------------------------
Title: Bored · Author: Make It Stop · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 779
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2006-10-23 04:44:15
Do the MEFAs have a laugh-o-meter for judging comedy pieces? Then
"Bored" would be get my highest rating. What a bizarre, off-the-wall
sense of humor Make-it-Stop has, which she conveys wonderfully in this
piece.

In "Bored," Faramir and Denethor's dinner discussion becomes a situation
comedy that occurs only in the mind of the two participants. It's a
perfect father-son show down, with each person thinking about what he
would like to do to the other person...except that both participants
know what is being thought. For example:

["Faramir visualized chopping down the White Tree, turning it into an
ugly, uncomfortable futon, and selling it to Orcs at a yard sale."]

And Denethor's response:

["Denethor visualized a Fell Beast getting tangled in his sons hair"]

Add to the mix an ennui-ridden guardsman with possibly confused sexual
identity named Weblog (now where could Make-it-Stop have found such a
name?). The result: a great comic diversion from the more serious
business of reviewing stories for the MEFAs.

"Bored" was inspired by Movieverse and by a phrase from Tolkien in the
LOTR appendices. I found it fun to imagine David Wenham and John Noble
as their movie characters, sitting down to dinner and having this spat.
But those who prefer book verse need only imagine their favorite visions
of Faramir and Denethor to enjoy "Bored" immensely.
-----------------------------------
Title: At the Rising of the Moon · Author: Linda Hoyland · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 846
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2006-10-23 14:59:30
This is a very atmospheric and cute insight in a Yule celebration of the
King's and the Steward family. The author spent a big deal on
researching Yule celebrations and it shines through in this work. Gudrun
is just a wonderful and well fleshed out OC in this work. A great story
Linda!
-----------------------------------
Title: Where The Shadows Are · Author: Kenaz · Genres: Drama: Elves in
Later Ages · ID: 776
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-10-23 16:20:08
Erotic and intense. Very sad. You have left an unresolved conflict:
Elrond and Celebrian. Of course, we know the result. But does he ever
place Celebrian first in his heart? Then he loses her, too. Poor Elrond.
-----------------------------------
Title: Bored · Author: Make It Stop · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 779
Reviewer: Katzilla · 2006-10-23 18:51:20
This is wonderful! Thanks so much for a good laugh, I neeeded it today.
I especially loved the "Houses of Exercise!!" So Gondor even had a gym -
but I guess they needed it in order to wear that steel-can armour.
-----------------------------------
Title: Beleg and Túrin · Author: Raihon · Genres: Romance · ID: 755
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2006-10-23 18:55:08
This is a fine retelling of the story of Beleg and Turin as slash. As
such, it is an excellent melding of Tolkien lore and language with the
slash genre. I felt very badly for Beleg, who falls in love with the
First Age equivalent of the toxic boyfriend. What a hard case! Both
characters come alive.

Raihon is a fine writer. I just wish there was more of her....
-----------------------------------
Title: Rivendell 9 to 5 · Author: Claudio · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Incomplete · ID: 562
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-23 19:39:34
This is just too funny, I don't even know where to start, from the
mental image of Elrond pulling up his socks to the pool noodles, the
sprained jaw and the cafeteria cards, I'm laughing so hard I'm crying.
All I can think is Elladan must secretly be in charge of my life and I'm
afraid to look outside, because I think there might be a rubber catus on
my truck's antenna. and don't even 'go there' with the salary and taxes.

Thank you again for another addition to your wonderful Elladan and
Elrohir stories.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hands of Healing · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance: Rohan ·
ID: 102
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-23 19:44:44
This is one of my favorites. I love the view of Aragorn through Eowyn's
eyes and thoughts and through her heart, and especially seeing him
through her as the horses see him.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fairy Tales of Middle-Earth · Author: DrummerWench · Genres:
Drama · ID: 261
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-10-23 19:50:11
I haven't read this before, but saw them on the list here and was
intrigued. What a fun idea and you handle it in a wonderful way.

The tales themselves are good, but I especially like how you weave the
traditional tone and style of the fairy tales into something so totally
middle-earthian.
-----------------------------------