Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Home At Last · Author: Dreamflower · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 883
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-19 01:45:05
Ah, but the return home is not as uneventful as Bilbo had imagined,
particularly as he finds he must deal with the typical Shire Hobbit's
antipathy toward anything as uncomfortable as one going on an ADVENTURE!
It appears only one Hobbit truly wishes right now to hear the tale, for
the rest are too busy expressing their disgust at Bilbo's disgraceful
behavior.

But one sees the beginnings of how in time Bilbo becomes enthralled with
one of his younger cousins, as acceptance comes not from his agemates
but from that younger cousin's father, himself young at the time.

Well, well written.
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Title: New beginnings · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Humor · ID: 815
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 02:13:08
A very interesting story set in the beginning of the Second Age.
Gil-galad is only a very fledgling King, and he has many personalities
to deal with and millenia of distrust and feuds to overcome among the
many Elves. It's written in a light-hearted and humorous vein, yet the
underlying theme is a serious one. I have to say, though, that my
favorite OC in the story was the seagull who fell in love with Ingil!
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Title: The Blind Cannot See What the Mute Cannot Say · Author: Firniswin
· Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 134
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 02:39:30
A very interesting premise: what if Legolas was unable to speak, and
young Estel was blind?
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Title: Heart of the Horselord · Author: rynogeny · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 986
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 02:56:23
An AU: Eomer falls in love with and weds someone other than Lothiriel.
Lisswyn is a nice OC, and the plot is believable.
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Title: Regret · Author: mistycracraft · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 232
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 02:58:47
A very nicely done friendship tale--not only Aragorn's friendship with
Legolas, but with others as well. An excellent examination of the idea
of someone who sacrifices himself for another.
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Title: Raven Hair and Silver Eyes · Author: Ellie · Times: First Age and
Prior · ID: 174
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 03:08:44
A well-written character sketch of Fingolfin and his brothers from the
POV of his wife Anaire, giving the events leading up to the departure
from Valinor. Very insightful.
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Title: Little Brothers · Author: DinaLori · Races: Men · ID: 686
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-19 10:00:49
I liked this story for its stream of consiousness and the view of Merry
and Pippin's relationship through Boromir's eyes. I also liked the
portrayal of the relationship between Boromir and Faramir. It explores
the character of Boromir and explains his reasons for teaching Merry and
Pippin how to fight as well as underlining some of the possible and/or
probable reasons he died to save them. This is a sweetly written but
highly reflective piece, with believable inner dialogue which reveals a
close scrutny of a character's personality and history. It touches on
the subtext of both book and movie source materials, and I found it very
believable, almost a missing scene. Emotional content is sound,
revealing the humanity of a beloved character. I particularly liked the
way it ended. Yes, Boromir did have a need to be needed, and when
Faramir no longer needed him so much, he would have been happy to find a
certain pair of hobbits which fit the bill.
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Title: Memorabilia and Other Useful Things · Author: Illwynd · Times:
The Great Years: The Fellowship · ID: 714
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-19 10:04:33
Some stories stay with you. This is one of those stories. The emotional
content is high, the stream of consciousness honed to a fine point, the
spirituality fulfilling. All in all, I found it very satisfying, my only
complaint being that there was not enough of it. Memorabilia and Other
Useful Things is one of those stories which inspire so many emotions it
is difficult to describe exactly what kind of story it is. Through the
use of Pippin's collection, the author gives us a glimpse inside the
mind of one of the most unusual hobbits in Tolkien's world. Pippin, the
beloved trickster, is tenderhearted, as can be seen in the subtext of
the source material, and Illwynd has not missed that. She has homed in
on this side of Pippin's character, the side missed by so many, a side
which can be a bit melancholy, even dark, and balanced it against his
unquenchable cheefulness. The story shows the author's reflections in
regards to subtext and characterisation. The dialogue is sound in
regards to speech patterns which gives the story the feeling correctness
in regards to canon, emotional content is balanced, denoument bringing
the story to a gently joyous note, which brings the character back to
the state I love best, that of the beloved trickster. I loved Illwynd's
Pippin and feel she captured his bright and unquenchable spirit perfectly.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Memorial in Four Parts · Author: Illwynd · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 702
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-19 10:16:40
This is a very moving story, heart-wrenching in its insight, beauty and
emotional content. It manages to be highly reflective from four
different points of view. The writer has taken great care with the craft
in regards to language skills, voice, point of view, descriptives and
characterization, and writes portraits of the hearts of four different
chacters. The subject matter is one both near and dear to me, and one I
wish could be touched upon with thoughtful and crafty deftness as this
writer has demonstrated. Careful attention has been paid to the stream
of consciousness of each of the four living characters, and through them
we can hear the voice of the departed companion. Therein lies the
craftwise spine of this bittersweet little tale. Though a small story,
it is rich in color and texture with great attention paid to use of
language and voice, verisimilitude of character and a wonderfully
thought out denoument. This is a story with weight on its side. A deep
understanding of source material subtext is apparent in this work. This
is a story by someone who both loves and understands even the most
subtle nuances of meaning in the source material as well as in her own
material. This one makes you wish it had actually been part of Lord of
the Rings. I've read it multiple times, which I never do unless I find
something new in each reading, and this is a sure sign that there is
great worth in this story.
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Title: A Sight to Remember · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits:
Children · ID: 703
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-19 13:29:17
Oh, how I laughed so hard when I first read this story! Two little
hobbits up to no-good, also known as mischief, and getting quite an
eyeful in the process, lol. And I loved and laughed at their hilarious
reaction! Pippin and his young friend think up the perfect prank and
actually succeed--but they don't escape the scrutiny of Frodo and Merry.
I love Rusty--I can so relate to this little lass; she knows how to have
fun! I adore Dreamflower's world of hobbits, and she has a gift for
creating excellent original characters. If you need a good laugh right
now, I highly recommend this tale!
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Title: Tom Bombadil and the Four Travellers · Author: Dreamflower ·
Times: The Great Years: Poetry · ID: 887
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-19 13:38:24
I was flabbergasted when I first read this most exellent poetry. At
first read, I would have sworn that the good Professor himself woke up
from his long sleep, wrote this poem for Dreamflower, and then went back
to his rest. To me, this whole rendition of Tom Bombadil and his
adventure with the hobbits totally blended with Tolkien's own works.
Whether I have an eye for this sort of thing or not, it all sounded like
Tolkien to me! I'm not the biggest fan of Bombadil, but this poem drew
me in hook, line, and sinker. Dreamflower has an obvious talent for
poetry and makes it look so easy, but I know it's not, lol. Very well
done, my friend!
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Title: Cousin Calla · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest ·
ID: 767
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-19 13:44:12
I just love Cousin Calla! She is that dear old auntie--the eccentric of
the family that everyone whispers about but never speaks of in detail.
She is a recluse in her own apartment, yet a extremely talented artist
with a deep love for her young cousin, Frodo. I love the idea of artists
in the Shire; obviously, they didn't have cameras back then, lol, so
sketching or painting was one venue of passing down family history. I
found this story of Cousin Calla very sweet and endearing.
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Title: Chance Encounter · Author: Dreamflower · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 187
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-19 13:56:35
A delighful story about a chance meeting between Pippin and his would-be
benefactor in Minas Tirith, post-War. That is, if Pippin had indeed
acted on impulse when he was a younger lad. And in this lovely story we
get to see again what Pippin is really made of! This is a sequel of
sorts of Life of a Bard--another endearing tale about these two lovely
characters who blend their talents of singing and making music.
Dreamflower, again, has this blessed gift of capturing a magical place
and time that happened so long ago. I just love her world of hobbits!
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Title: A Rabbits Tale · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 982
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-19 14:19:11
I just absolutely adore this wonderful, marvellous story! I cry every
time I read it. Grey Wonderer had a natural ability and gift for writing
the funniest tales fillied with laughter, love, and undying friendship,
as is the case in this tale that deals with the aftermath and horrors of
war and the abiding love and loyalty of a favourite childhood toy.
Pippin is finding that he still needs his childhood friend, Errol, the
stuffed rabbit. Errol relates much of the excitement of his life with
Pippin, his relationships with Merry, and even Pervinca. There is an
honest depth to her character, Errol, that blends flawlessly with her
hobbit characters. I have fallen hopelessly in love with Errol the
stuffed rabbit; I often equate Pippin and Errol's relationship to that
of Puff the Magic Dragon and the little boy, Jackie. I love her entire
series that portrays Errol and Pippin together. When you read this tale,
don't forget the tissues!
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Title: At Last · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 238
Reviewer: GamgeeFest · 2006-11-19 16:36:33
Merry's concern for Pippin and his desire to reach him is nearly
tangible, as is Pippin's small hope that he will see his cousin again.
The image of Merry separated from his cousin by a battlefield is
heartbreaking, until you get to Pippin's side of it and feel his hope
rising as he realizes the Rohirrim have arrived.
-----------------------------------
Title: Legacy · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 299
Reviewer: GamgeeFest · 2006-11-19 16:42:47
On such a special occassion, Pippin would want to see all of his dearest
friends there, including the one who sacrificed everything to ensure he
lived to see it.
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Title: Lobelia's List · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 201
Reviewer: GamgeeFest · 2006-11-19 16:48:50
This is funny! So perfectly in Lobelia's voice, I could hear it as I
read and imagine her sneers and leers as she wrote it. Her obverastion
on the Gamgees are so accurately haughty. My favorite list item has to
be: ["4. How to keep lollygaggers away from beer barrel? Station Otho at
cellar door? Who to watch Otho?"]

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Title: A bit of garden · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 901
Reviewer: GamgeeFest · 2006-11-19 16:51:21
Sam's a gardener through and through, and this little piece shows that
perfectly. I love his reaction at being caught by Elrond, and that
Elrond doesn't seem surprised to see him there.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Return of the Shadow · Author: juno_magic · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Incomplete · ID: 330
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 16:52:32
This is very interesting. I have the feeling I am missing some of the
backstory of the main OCs character, yet enough is explained to go on
with. I like the other OC, Mina, and her obsession with Tolkien and
Sindarin. Some of the concerns she has remind me of many of the
arguments held on the internet. It's very atmospheric.
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Title: Web of Friendship · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Hobbits: General
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 932
Reviewer: GamgeeFest · 2006-11-19 16:54:11
I imagine Elanor would get quite lonely while she was in Minas Tirith.
That Arwen notices this and gives her a way to connect with the other
girls is very much in keeping with her caring and observant nature.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Path · Author: AngieT · Races: Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 638
Reviewer: GamgeeFest · 2006-11-19 16:58:48
An urban legend finds new life in Middle Earth. A fun and spooky read.
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Title: The Healer and the Warrior · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 140
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 17:02:51
This is the first of several stories the author has written about
Eomer/Lothiriel. Her Lothiriel is a healer in the Houses of Healing, and
her acquaintance with Eomer begins in a very unconventional manner. But
this Lothiriel is anything but conventional.
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Title: Fair, Strong and Cold · Author: Ellethill · Genres: Romance:
Gondor · ID: 751
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 17:45:15
While I have to say, the premise of Aragorn and Eomer pushing
Faramir/Eowyn into a marriage of state is not one I could normally find
plausible, this author makes an excellent case for it. Moreover, she
treats the whole subject well, with dignity, successfully capturing the
high and noble tone of "The Steward and the King" chapter.
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Title: An Empty Saddle to Fill · Author: Anoriath · Races: Men: Vignette
· ID: 752
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 17:52:09
Theodred's POV as he ponders his cousin Eowyn and all that they are
having to deal with in the dark days of Wormtongue's sway is rendered in
language very like that of JRRT's own. A nice bite to the ending, as well.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Green Flash · Author: DrummerWench · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Frodo or Sam · ID: 277
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-19 18:35:56
This is absolutely gorgeous! It captures perfectly the spirit and tone
of JRRT himself. I love the idea of Cirdan, lending his aid and comfort
to the three bereft friends, and helping Sam to realize what he needed
to know in order to one day follow Frodo. The beautiful tale of the
Elven maiden had a wonderful mythical quality to it, like a genuine
folk-tale. And the quotes from canon flowed seamlessly into the text,
beginning and end. Lovely, lovely job!
-----------------------------------