Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Breeze · Author: illyria-pffyffin · Races: Hobbits: War of the
Ring · ID: 974
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-20 21:49:31
A strongly angsty story.
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Title: Dear Diary · Author: Lily · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 264
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-20 21:53:31
It is so wonderful to know how much others also believe there was much
love between Frodo and her son. It is so very wonderful to read
Primula's thoughts here.
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Title: Reconciliation · Author: Willow_41z · Genres: Romance: Incomplete
· ID: 802
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-20 22:02:19
A very pleasant and nice Eomer/Lothiriel romance, the premise being that
it was a marriage of state, and that Lothiriel got pregnant immediately.
The story slowly and realistically shows the evolution of a real love
between them. There are also a number of very well-done OCs. Good work!
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Title: The Golden Bell of Greenleaf · Author: lwarren · Times: Fourth
Age and Beyond: Incomplete · ID: 168
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-20 22:05:02
This look at Legolas coming to terms with sea longing and the loss of
Arod is entrancing. I only wish she would write faster.
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Title: Once Upon a Memory · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 665
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-20 22:17:51
Definitely a keeper, this story. It's said that scents and tastes tend
to bring back our oldest and most basic memories; and in this one a
cinnamon bun brings back a childhood tramp that ended with a visit from
a most memorable healer at Ollie's Faunt for both Pippin and Merry.

Sweet and delightful.
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Title: Childhood Dreams · Author: Acacea · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 523
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-20 22:33:42
A moment of thought and exchange of memories, well caught.
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Title: On the Anduin · Author: Gentle Hobbit · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 619
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-20 23:00:08
This AU short story in which Frodo is actually wounded by the arrow that
in the book rebounds from the mithril shirt is a wonderful one, clearly
displaying the depth of courage of Frodo, who fears his own weakness in
facing the surgery to come, and Pippin, who is excluded from facing that
surgery directly.

There is a wonderful humanity about the entire piece that is beautiful
to read, particularly as we see Pippin, for all his immaturity, is best
able at the end to aid Frodo as he recovers from the ordeal of having
the arrow removed.
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Title: Evenstar · Author: Mar'isu · Times: The Great Years · ID: 856
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-20 23:08:15
Definitely an emotionally moving and definite moment in Arwen's life,
affirming the choice made, looking forward to the positive that will
come of it. Indeed she has chosen, and for the moment is glad of it.

The strongest and best written of such stories of Arwen's view of her
own choice I've read so far.
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Title: Untrodden Path · Author: Timmy2222 · Races: Men: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 308
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2006-11-20 23:18:54
This story is an AU detour in Aragorn's long search to capture Gollum.
It is filled with suspense and action, and has a number of very
well-drawn OCs.
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Title: The One · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha the Demon CoAuthors ·
Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn · ID: 852
Reviewer: meckinock · 2006-11-21 01:50:44
This is a short but moving tribute to Aragorn's love for Gondor and his
conviction, based on a long-ago dream, that someday he would be welcomed
there. HIs disappointment at realizing, over a span of years, that
neither Ecthelion, nor Denethor, nor Boromir was the face he saw in his
dream was bitter, and so the unexpected fulfillment of his long-held
desire upon his encounter with Faramir in the Houses of Healing was that
much more satisfying and heartwarming. A lovely image of two men finally
finding the truth they had long sought. Nicely done, Linda and Raksha.
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Title: At the Rising of the Moon · Author: Linda Hoyland · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 846
Reviewer: meckinock · 2006-11-21 03:21:48
Well, just reading this story is putting me in the holiday spirit. Warm,
humorous, and non-angsty, it nevertheless pays service to some
substantial points - Aragorn's deep appreciation of Faramir's immediate
acceptance, and the realization that it spared Gondor from what could
have been years of strife and discord had the Steward questioned his
claim; Aragorn's deep knowledge of Rohirrim culture, and above all his
combination of kingliness and humanity. Gudrun was a wonderful OC, and
her yellow tabby had good taste. A delightful holiday tale.
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Title: Lost · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late Third Age · ID: 260
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-21 07:56:42
I wonder if Aragorn thought of this encounter in later years - and
wondered if he would have done better to leave Bill in the woods.

But then, he wouldn't have been Aragorn, would he?
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Title: Merrys Present · Author: Mariole · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 639
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-21 08:07:01
A very sweet story - it really puts a strength into the relationship
between Frodo and Merry that is beyond sentimentality.
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Title: When The Days Are Warm · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: The
Steward's Family · ID: 145
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-21 08:12:47
My little sister brought crocuses to my grandfather as he was dying - in
a very similar way. I expect Finduilas appreciated the sunshine yellow
and the rich eggy colour - and the reminder of life beyond her room.
Although Boromir is, I think, too aware of how easily life can be
uprooted to be reassured by the promise of replanting the flowers. Poor
kids. Those are warm days I don't think will come again.
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Title: First Night · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: War of the
Ring · ID: 400
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-21 08:22:50
I think the sense of smell evokes memory more quickly than anything else
- and at least it gave Pippin a moment of comfort - of familiarity in a
strange place. Until Gandalf arrived, able, hopefully, to offer
something a bit more tangible.
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Title: Kissing is Different · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 280
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-21 10:49:26
This is a thoroughly delightful story. I very much enjoyed the interplay
of dialogue between Loth and Eomer in the stables. While I'm often put
off by too much musing and introspection by characters, LadyBJ's Eomer
was perfectly balanced. His thought's, wonderfully in his own voice and
very much as I imagine him, had me laughing out loud as he went on about
the political situation he was being faced with.

The dialogue in the stable was perfectly balanced and I especially
enjoyed the interplay that they both maintained - especially Eomer in
not letting her know (he thought) who he was. It's, again, so
wonderfully in character for even such a great horseman as Eomer - when
faced with a lady like the princess of dol amroth - to miss that his
dear Firefoot betrayed his identity.
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Title: Counting the Days · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance:
Lothíriel & Éomer · ID: 281
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-21 11:06:10
another delightful scenerio - I especially love the conversation between
Eomer and Eothain as to why Eomer might have agreed and the reasoning
behind it, regarding her brothers, had me in stitches - all so very true
though. - and so like Eomer to be so perceptive. and also like him to be
...umm... 'dedicated' in his research.

all in all a wonderful story.


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Title: Beneath the Hollow Hill · Author: Haleth · Races: Elves:
Feanorians · ID: 314
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-21 11:21:44
I especially enjoyed this story because of the interweaving of myths. I
like to see these types of stories in view of JRRT's desire, in writing
the Histories of Middle-earth, to give us new legends, but most
especially because of the way he wove them in through the existing ones
- and I feel that this story exemplifies that.

I felt that the character of Maglor was especially well-drawn and very
much enjoyed the descriptions of his music.
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Title: At Crickhollow · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Merry &
Pippin · ID: 241
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-21 11:33:01
A very lovely view of the guys settling into their own place. I like the
contrasts of the journey and being home again - how different it is than
it was before. I like seeing them 'all grown up', but still themselves.
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Title: A Mud Summer Night's Dream · Author: SueB · Genres: Humor: Gondor
· ID: 712
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-21 12:00:22
This is such a fun story! I thoroughly enjoyed it all - mud-covered
heroes, usefully solid Boromir, co-operative squad from the Army of the
Dead, elves, Arwen, Eowyn - even the orcs! And a lovely flowing tale to
read as well. I shall look to see if there is a sequel!
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Title: Board Games (Cinquain) · Author: Rous · Genres: Drama: Poetry ·
ID: 741
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-21 12:03:40
I always enjoy a good drabble, but these forms of poetry require even
tighter and more insightful writing. Every single word has to count, and
Rous does this especially well with these Conquain. It always amazes me
how someone can create such a strong visual imagine with so few words.
Rous has that talent and shows it very well here.
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Title: House of Finwë · Author: Ghettoelleth · Times: First Age and
Prior: Incomplete · ID: 100
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-21 15:33:23
The intensity of G's drabbles is simply amazing. Her language is
beautiful and poetic yet she so skillfully creates a mood that remains
with me as a reader long after reading these short pieces. When I first
read this series, I thought that they might be some of the best drabbles
that I have read in this fandom. I stand by that belief.

For me, as a reader, part of the success of a short piece is its impact
at the end. G also manages this marvelously. While some drabbles have a
tendency to feel as though they are trailing off or were left
unfinished, G manages to end each with an impact that is more than
suitable for her weighty subject matter. In few words, she leads readers
to understand the tragedy that is the Feanorians, sharing their final
moments in a way that is quite like no other author I've ever read.
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Title: Midwinter Rites · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Aragorn
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 868
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2006-11-21 15:46:01
A man of such wide experience! He will - probably - feel wistful for
those earliest midwinters and feel very content in the passage of all
those in between that have brought him to this one. Annuminas in the
company of his wife and children will make the struggle worthwhile!
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Title: Oaths Foresworn · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 315
Reviewer: Dawn Felagund · 2006-11-21 15:58:44
"Oaths Foresworn" is a story that I discovered long ago, and it was a
joy to read it again to review it for this award. I've read enough
stories to have developed something of a thick skin as a reader, yet I
was barely a third into this one and had tears in my eyes already.
Rhapsody conveys a powerful moment between the brothers with her usual
skill as an author. It is easy, given this sort of story, to rely on
melodrama, but I believe that Rhapsody has written an emotionally honest
vignette about Amrod's final moments.

It is easy to condemn the Feanorians as naught but kinslayers, but as
this vignette serves to remind us, they lost and grieved as well,
tormented by the burden of their guilt. Rhapsody does a lot with this
short piece. There is the emotional encounter between Amrod and Maglor
as Amrod spends his final moments. She hints at a backstory and a life
for Amrod beyond being a murderous son of Feanor: He has a wife and
children; he is not simply a monster and a kinslayer. And finally, she
exposes the possible motivation behind Maglor and Maedhros's decision to
foster Elrond and Elros, something that--given their history--can feel a
little incongruous but, again, reveals their humanity. They will not
make the same mistakes with Elrond and Elros as they did with Amrod and
Amras. But most importantly, she shows the strength of the bond that
exists within this family, that drove them to damn themselves once with
an oath, following their father into exile. Maglor again commits himself
to an oath, and we see that despite it all, love remains strong in this
family.
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Title: Until the King Returns · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette ·
ID: 540
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2006-11-21 18:36:06
This is a fascinating character study, drawn at a critical point - not
when he makes the descision, or contemplates it, but has now to live
with the consequences. This is the ultimate paradox for a politician -
sacrifice the state to save the leader? or sacrifice the leader to save
the state? Well done, as always.
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