Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Inheritances · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: The Steward's
Family · ID: 651
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 02:58:50
I had not before considered how Aragorn might look upon Boromir as one
who would rule in his place if he did not achieve the throne. Naturally
he would try to take the measure of the Steward's heir, even though
Boromir was so very young.
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Title: The Walk · Author: Kelllie · Genres: Drama: Featuring Frodo or
Sam · ID: 618
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 02:59:20
I especially enjoyed the tale within a tale of the Tower of the Sun and
Minas Anor. It was heartwarming that Frodo comes to understand that his
perceived failure was not failure at all, for [You cannot be a failure
for& for failing to succeed at the impossible. ]
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Title: Of Stone and Fire · Author: Werecat · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 124
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 02:59:43
I had often wondered at Feanor's reaction to this news! I would love to
see him meet Gimli face to face. I liked very much that Gimli wasn't
worried about that possible meeting in the least!
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Title: A Woodland Prince · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Drama: Fixed-Length
Ficlet Series · ID: 303
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 03:00:14
An excellent drabble set, very in character for both Legolas and the pov
of each of the observers. I especially enjoyed the hobbity ones!
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Title: A Humble Gift · Author: GamgeeFest · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Pippin or Merry · ID: 722
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 03:00:49
An enjoyable story highlighting Faramir's growing understanding of
hobbits, Pippin in particular.
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Title: The End of All Things · Author: Ariel · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 109
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 03:01:24
Sad and yet heartwarming at the same time. A very gentle and peaceful
end for them both.
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Title: A Bride for a King · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 777
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-10 03:02:53
This author has written a number of Eomer/Lothiriel stories, and this
one is lovely, dealing with Lothiriel's reaction to her betrothal to
Eomer. But really, in many ways this story is more abour her and her
father Imrahil. I really *like* this Imrahil--shrewd and clever, but
very much a father who loves and wants the best for his daughter.
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Title: If Only · Author: Holdur · Genres: Drama: Featuring Pippin or
Merry · ID: 826
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 03:03:59
A lovely vignette, the love between them so evident.
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Title: Shadow of Himself · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 853
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 03:04:25
The author manages to take an improbable event and weave a very
believable tale. This was well thought out and enjoyably written, with
rich detail and good dialogue. I liked the ending; though the choices
were difficult, I think that Legolas and Gimli did the right thing.
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Title: Childhood Dreams · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 523
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 03:04:51
A well written glimpse of these two brothers sharing a quiet moment over
a drink down at the pub. Their conversation is so deeply revealing, both
of their personalities and their relationship. Very good drabble!
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Title: Fond Memory · Author: Isil Elensar · Genres: Drama: The Steward's
Family · ID: 331
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 03:05:59
A fine glimpse of the strong bond between these two brothers and one
that characterises them wonderfully, Faramir turning to his books and
Boromir desiring more physical exertions to assuage the grief they are
feeling this day. I liked the way that older Boromir let himself be
drawn into the comfort of Faramir's preference and his rapt attention as
Faramir read aloud. This vignette was very easy to visualise and flowed
very naturally.
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Title: Fire and Flowering · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 58
Reviewer: Branwyn · 2006-11-10 03:17:25
"Winter Bloom" is a beautiful winter solstice piece. Faramir treats
Eowyn with such tenderness and care, restraining his own passion for
fear of frightening or offending her. Maidens are such mysterious
creatures! But maybe she is not quite so delicate as he fears. *grin*
When Faramir asks her which she thinks will come first--their firstborn
child or the first foal of their new stables--she replies, ["Why that
shall surely depend on the stallions, my lord."] I loved that line; it
is probably the sort of remark she would have said in Edoras to make
Eomer laugh, but she is mortified after she says it without thinking to
her future husband. It is interesting to learn that the House of Hurin
had once resided in Ithilien. I hadnt realized that Aragorn was
returning his ancestral lands to Faramir. A very lovely ficlet!

"Making the Garden" is a beautiful scene of these two enjoying
themselves in a flowering garden. I love the names of the different
plants. After enduring years of lonely hardship, they are renewed along
with the gardens of Ithilien.

In "The Fire When It Comes," I like how Eowyn senses her husband's
troubled mood and does a very good job of distracting him. I also like
the use of the metaphor of the flames for passion--in the end, Denethor
was driven by a lust to destroy, which was not sexual but was still a
passion.

In "Astride," Eowyn's concern that her husband will no longer find her
body, altered by childbearing, attractive is very believable. However,
these two work things out, and at the end of a highly-erotic interlude,
[they are both well pleased] --as well they should be! (Though he is
lucky that she didn't smack him over that "ripened" comment...) And
Eowyn referring to Faramir as a stallion is too funny!

"Under the Holly Tree" is another winter solstice ficlet. Faramir and
Eowyn are much older and have become parents. The dialogue captures the
easy camaraderie and deep passion between this long-married couple. When
Faramir invents a new custom--kissing under the holly tree--to suit his
own ends, his wife stifles her laughter and gamely plays along in front
of their young children. The scene is amusing, and their teamwork seems
very true to life! Very well done!
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Title: The Dancing Master · Author: Flick · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 323
Reviewer: hstbtx · 2006-11-10 04:24:03
Not what I expected, so it was a very pleasant surprise as the plot was
revealed. I admit that I'd never thought of Boromir as a dancing master,
but the author does a great job of convincing us that this was another
one of his many talents!
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Title: The Burdens of Office · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 865
Reviewer: hstbtx · 2006-11-10 04:28:18
Very clever to recognize that Faramir would have conflicts of interest
between his two posts. The author is able to capture the conflict, and
Aragorn's wise resolution, in a compact set of drabbles. More would have
been beating a dead horse -- this was just right!
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Title: Imrahil's Daughter · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 183
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-10 07:19:37
Very sexy and humorous story (a great combination!). I really enjoy your
characterizations, whether it's the main ones (E & L) or secondary
(Elfhelm, Imrahil, etc.). The repartees between our lovebirds
who-don't-know-it-yet are witty and telling - many times I laughed out loud.
-----------------------------------
Title: Counting the Days · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 281
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-10 07:20:04
Very, very funny. The banter between Eomer and Eothain was excellent, as
were all the horsey descriptions. Having the two of them spying on the
Dol Amroth camp felt a bit of a stretch as far as plausibility goes, but
it was still a really entertaining story.
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Title: I can only manage One · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 766
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-10 07:20:36
I enjoyed this characterization of Lothiriel very much. I like the more
unconventional versions of her as well, but the most likely scenario is
exactly what was portrayed here - and it's nice to see recognition given
to the courage and determination of the quiet and dedicated women behind
the warriors. Lothiriel fit the part of a young and sheltered
noblewoman, who absorbed more about running a kingdom than she thought,
and has her own streak of independence that only needs the right
encouragement to truly bloom. Despite a few technical issues (the prose
was choppy at times, there are some punctuation errors to clean up, and
some transitions felt abrupt), the gentle and charming nature of the
story and its heroine carried me along very happily.

The use of the road under the Dimholt for regular travel was a real
treat, as it is something I have often wondered about - truly, why
wouldn't they use it once the ghosts are gone?
-----------------------------------
Title: A Bride for a King · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 777
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-10 07:21:04
Excellent family interactions and dialogues. Very believable emotional
upheaval, for after all she is still quite young and sheltered.

I enjoyed her discussions with her brothers, but the interview with her
father was a true highlight - I really like your Imrahil, but I kept
rooting for her to "best" him in some way. I have to admit, the constant
air of amusement bandied around by the men definitely aroused my
sympathies for her. Whether they are aware of it or not, it felt quite
condescending for a young women of her accomplishments. Eomer teases
her, certainly, but his more direct approval of her independent spirit
is a refreshing change.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Become A Queen · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 157
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-10 07:21:20
Another delightful installment! Very nice handling of the sexual tension
between the two protagonists. And once again, several moments of
laugh-out-loud humor, with many witty turns of phrase and sharp comebacks.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-10 07:21:36
This is a charming and entertaining first meeting between Eomer and
Lothiriel, with nice banter and a plausible situation. I have read
several different characterizations of Lothiriel, but I tremendously
enjoyed this one: competent, mature, skilled - very far from a spoiled
noblewoman. She definitely is a lady I could see ruling by Eomer's side
in practical, earthier Rohan.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Rohan Ghost Story · Author: Katzilla · Genres: Adventure · ID: 278
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-10 10:40:51
This is an interesting AU, in which one of Eomer's enemies survives the
Ring War to bring revenge on the new king of Rohan. Very angsty.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift of Time · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama:
Pre-Fellowship · ID: 812
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-10 10:57:20
One of the advantages a fanfic writer has over one who writes original
fiction is the assumption that readers already know what happens to
certain characters. This means that any story involving those characters
will be foreshadowing of what occurs in canon. The author makes
brilliant use of that fact--on the surface, this is simply the story of
a war-leader delivering bad news to the family of one of his men, and
reflecting on his own good fortune in being able to return to his
family. But because we know Arathorn's fate, we are able to see the
bittersweet irony in his reflections. This fills the entire piece with
foreshadowing that gives it far more depth than it would otherwise have.
Very well-crafted piece!
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Title: The Choices of Spirits · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 927
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-10 11:19:53
This is a wonderful AU, and something that could even possibly have been
canon the way the author skillfully handles the circumstances. I found
this romance and its consequences thoroughly plausible and it was
extremely well-rendered in an intense first-person POV. Very well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Steward and the Wizard · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama:
Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 522
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 14:14:03
This drabble reveals a wealth of information, both directly and veiled.
That Mithrandir is a familar figure in Minas Tirith, his relationship
with Faramir, the dynamic between Faramir and Denethor, the reason
behind the resentment that Denethor later has for Mithrandir.

Well done to make so much so very clear in so few words!
-----------------------------------
Title: Relief · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Pre-Fellowship · ID: 518
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-10 14:18:07
An interesting premise that Denethor might have been able to use the
palantir to affect the outcome of battles. I wonder if he was so
obsessed with his eldest son that he frequently watched over him in this
way?

The battle descriptions were particularly vivid.
-----------------------------------