Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: That Immortal Sea · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 265
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:03:48
To one who dreams of the wave, that cave behind the waterfall can't have
been the best place to stay!
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Title: Just a Little Shove · Author: Inglor · Genres: Humor:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 798
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:09:12
These things have a way of getting out, though. There's always a little
bird ...
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Title: Half a Sticky Mile · Author: SlightlyTookish · Genres: Adventure
· ID: 940
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:16:36
That must have been a really scary situation - and neither of them has
much idea what's going on which makes it worse! Pippin did well against
that horrible man - but it's a good thing that hobbits have good
hearing. And I hope they find breakfast soon.
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Title: Rest and Recreation · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 700
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:23:10
Poor lonely Boromir! It's like his first day at a new school where
everyone else knows each other.

I'm glad he challenged Glorfindel before he knew who he was. The pair of
them seem to have had a lot of fun! And he proved his determination and
his ability to learn even when confronted by a legend. His remaining
time at Rivendell will probably not seem quite so dreary.

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Title: The Beauty of Memory · Author: pipkinsweetgrass · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 652
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:31:23
Very sweet. Both Faramir and Pippin needed that sharing of memory, I
think. Good to see that Boromir has left a legacy in the hobbit who
admired him so much.
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Title: Homecomings · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 225
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:37:13
I can see those fathers and father figures relishing the fact that their
sons are alive - and then starting to pick out the vast changes in them
and coming to grieve for the people they were beforehand. But, in the
end, how could they not be proud of what they achieved? Very touching.
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Title: Starlight at Eventide · Author: Ariel · Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey
Havens · ID: 821
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:44:14
I can see exactly why Merry was so protective of Estella and couldn't
see that she needed to get back to normal - and that his desire for her
was part of that. I'm glad that they worked through their problems. And
it seemed very right - that, in the end, he should perceive stars, while
her vision was more earthy. Estella seems very close to the Earth Mother
- productive, receptive, warm and so on, while Merry is wilder and more
free, better able to fly, yet protective of those in his care.


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Title: Teatime in Rivendell · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 373
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 15:52:10
Poor Legolas - trying to be gracious to the strange little creature -
and wham! he's being held responsible for keeping food from a hungry
hobbit and a gaggle of dwarves! As if he didn't get his own back while
hiding in the halls of the Elvenking... (I wonder if this incident had a
knock-on effect when it came to the elf and the other hobbits?)
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Title: Lawd of Them Hills · Author: Make It Stop/Princess Faz CoAuthors
· Races: Men: Incomplete · ID: 304
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-11-11 16:04:00
OK, I'm from Kentucky and I still think this is hilarious. The Rowans on
the ATVs had me howling, and at least they make sure the kids wear
helmets! Denny consulting the phone psychic was a scream, and the
dysfunctional family of the Gondors translates wickedly well into the
hillbilly setting. And I'm not even going to talk about L.Ron Halfelven!
As the author of an unfinished humor piece myself, I can certainly
understand how the humor muse can up and run away, but I am fervently
hoping that yours returns soon and that you finish this.
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Title: Ships Passing · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 302
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:04:49
What an interesting pairing! It would have been fascinating to see how
Faramir and Halbarad would have dealt with each other as sidekicks to
the new king. Both Rangers, both loyal beyond reason, both honest - and
yet it is sad that it is this Steward's son who never knew the living
Halbarad that is left to mourn him.

This has actually made me feel quite emotional - and I don't do emotion!
Excellent piece of work.
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Title: The Unexpected Guest · Author: pippinfan88 · Genres: Humor: The
Shire · ID: 635
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:07:57
Oh yes - such an entertaining tale! I love the unfortunate father-to-be
driven back home by circumstances that then left him - er - divested of
his apparel. Thus initiating the tradition of the male stripper at
various all-female events. But not, I hope, the start of the gorillagram.

I wonder how long it took the ladies to stop grinning every time they
saw poor Pippin.... Years, probably.

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Title: Show his quality · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Steward's Sons
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 875
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:13:36
Faramir knows how to win hearts - and how to earn loyalty. Qualities
that will stand him in excellent stead.
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Title: Pearl of Great Price · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits:
Pre-Quest · ID: 804
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:16:06
I am glad there was a happy outcome for poor Pearl! That Lalia! One of
your best unpleasant characters - and the Smials will be better off
without her.
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Title: The Dancing Master · Author: Flick · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 323
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-11-11 16:17:16
I really, really enjoyed this vignette, because I too am a big fan of
Boromir and I too am inclined to damn the Ring at odd moments. It is
good to see Boromir as something other than the soldier, even if he
tells Eowyn his interest in dancing is only to improve his swordplay.
And his good-humored care of both his gawky, bookish brother and the
gawky pre-teen Eowyn is sweetly depicted. It is only a couple of years
since he died, and Faramir's grief is obviously very sharp and well
depicted. That on the happiest day of his life he could miss his
departed brother so much is only logical. How nice that Eowyn could
comfort him with her own memories of the man.
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Title: Dance on the Way Down · Author: Aliana · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 734
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:26:02
I loved this. There is such a difference between those who were there
and those born afterwards. Innocence and experience. Not that anyone
would ever want their children to live through such days ... I liked the
meeting between the healer and Captain Iorlas and their reminiscences
about the days when the world was just about to end. I found this to be
a very touching story - I really enjoyed it.
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Title: But the Scent Still Lingers · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 947
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:29:28
I wonder how many knew him so swiftly. Fragrance can be more effective
in stimulating memory than any other sense. The age differences must
have been - well - odd, with all the different races and types of people
growing old at different rates.

I wonder if the woman let him know of their shared experience. Probably not.
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Title: Iridescence · Author: Larner · Times: The Great Years: Vignette ·
ID: 121
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:34:21
The exotic beauty of the peacocks reflects the unusual qualities of the
hobbits - who are also in a rather alien environment. I enjoy the way
they make friends wherever they go - and win the love of children so easily.
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Title: What Goes Around · Author: GamgeeFest · Genres: Humor: Children ·
ID: 188
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:38:01
Yet another delightful episode! I love the way these have just cottoned
on to their parents' own child-management skills. And the fifty year old
Pippin has only just realised that his parents were in on Sam's game.

Their use of cousin-power is masterly, though. As it should be. They
haven't quite outgrown the curiosity that makes them want to play - but
they have developed enough sense not to do so in front of their wives!
Is Sam still manageable through guilt? I would have thought he might
have enough Mayoral steel to disregard it by now - although perhaps not.
(Mind you, those aunts sound a scary pair.)

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Title: Shadow of Himself · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 853
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2006-11-11 16:42:30
I've read a lot of "Boromir Lives" stories, and I'm very fond of the
genre, but this is the first one that has approached the idea in quite
this way. There is almost an element of fear in Boromir's repudiation of
his past, as if the Valar did indeed let him live again, but only with
the provision that he never seek to know what he once was, and that
somehow he remembers this. I can understand why Legolas and Gimli made
the decision they did, but having read the story twice now, I do still
question it. Boromir seems to be very sure that his memories will never
return, but I think that is more his fear talking than anything else,
which brings me back to the idea that he must be under some injunction
not to seek to know.

Faramir certainly has the right to know that his brother lives, and I
suspect that if he and Imrahil and Aragorn were to show up on Randir's
doorstep those memories might indeed return. Since Boromir redeemed his
fall to the ring with an honorable death in battle, his fear of
remembering seems odd to me, which once again makes me think this is the
Valar talking here. Of course it could also be my own desire for a more
conventional happy ending talking as well...

Despite my questions, I really, really liked this story, and the unique
premise the author put forward is well delinieated and believable. And
it is a happy ending of a sort-Randir is left in peace, and Gimli and
Legolas at least know that their companion lived and is happy. The best
AU stories always leave questions in your mind.
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Title: Elements · Author: Pearl Took · Times: The Great Years · ID: 667
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:43:50
Gandalf conceals himself beneath a costume of familiarity - but really
he is nothing like the grumpy old man he shows people. There is such
power and wisdom in him - and a knowledge older than time.

The right words at the right time - and Pippin is heartened for what he
will face.

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Title: At Crickhollow · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Merry &
Pippin · ID: 241
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:50:11
Merry is a proper dandy - I can just see him poring over those two
weskits and trying to decide which one to wear. And being glad to stay
at Crickhollow - once he had Pippin convince him that there would be
food enough for hobbit tummies.

They would relish being on their own - once they had convinced Merry's
mum that they were all right. It sounds a perfect and most comfortable
evening.
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Title: The Tide · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 77
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 16:56:08
You can just feel Imrahil's anger and frustration here. Yet, what can he
do? Gondor needs Dol Amroth on the field of battle - and Denethor is so
close to destroying his son ... Perhaps it is as well for Denethor that
he doesn't survive. I don't think Imrahil would be very pleased with his
later conduct.
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Title: Shelter · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 217
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish · 2006-11-11 17:16:16
This is my second-favorite of Shirebound's stories. I love the tender
healing Pippin receives at Cormallen (something terribly overlooked in
LOTR) and especially his conversation with Gimli in chapter one and
Aragorn in chapter three. It's a joy to see Merry reunited with the
other hobbits, and also to see how the Men react to them with gratitude.
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Title: Shelter · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 217
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-11 18:08:30
It must have been such a relief for the four hobbits to be back together
at last. And I can see the men being totally bemused by their presence -
particularly as the Ringbearer himself was among them. Poor Aragorn has
so much on his mind - but there is never too much to do that he cannot
ensure the wellbeing of the hobbits. And have you told the story of
Gerontius and the diamonds to which Gandalf testifies? If not, you
really should!
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Title: The Choices of Spirits · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 927
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-11 18:29:55
This is simply astonishingly beautiful. As I mentioned in another review
I have only a cursory knowledge of the canon about Caranthir and Haleth,
but this author makesme believe here. Their pain, their pride, and most
of all their love -- it is all so palpable, I could not bring myself to
disagree that things might in fact have happened this way. And the
epilogue, with the little girl with the spyglass and that great line,
["But that cannot be! the others will cry and speak diatribes of
sundered fates and spirits."], sums up so much about what I love about
this story. It seems to fly in the face of those who would point to
canonical facts with a tale that transcends those difficulties without
completely disregarding them. Very nicely done.
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