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Title: The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship · Author: Elana · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 150
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-25 04:26:57
A delightful take on the origin both of Gandalf's friendship with
hobbits and his smoking habit. The writer's tie-in of Gandalf's
affiliation with fire and his interest in the halflings' smoking
practices is inspired.

Gandalf is captured very well in this drabble, I felt as if I was truly
reading his thoughts.
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Title: Dawn of a New Age: First Age · Author: elliska · Times: First Age
and Prior: Incomplete · ID: 406
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-25 04:39:20
Rousing elaboration on the early wars in Beleriand and the first rising
of the Moon, as seen mostly from the Elves who fight, and survive, a
vicious battle with orcs. Oropher, Thingol, Melian, Celeborn are the
familiar names, Denethor of the Nandor slightly less so but still a
historic presence. New characters, friends and relatives, including
Oropher's unknown father, are created, with skill.

And a cameo by Eol - how appropriate that he should alert Thingol to the
appearance of the moon!

Excellent chapter that brings to vivid life the beautiful sketches of
the Silmarillion. I hope the author will finish the story.
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Title: Prison · Author: Radbooks · Races: Men: Vignette · ID: 794
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-25 04:55:04
Excellent vignette of Eomer's imprisonment TTT. I loved the
characterisation; Eomer is stern, filled with dread for the danger
facing all he loves, yet still formidable and defiant, his strength
undiminished. And the use of Aragorn as the inspiration of hope in
Eomer's heart is just wonderful, especially considering that he later
reveals his liking for Aragorn began the moment they met.
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Title: Gimli's Tale · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Dwarves · ID: 934
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-25 06:24:54
I loved this story the first time I read it. After reading it again, I
love it all the more. Its mythic qualities are underscored by the beauty
of the voice it was written in. I liked the reflective quality of this
story. It has a rich subtext, as rich as the main text. The language is
handled masterfully, with good use of action and dialogue. The
characterizations are true to source material as well. Gimli is an
underwritten character, so it was so good to see him in this story, and
his kind are well interpreted and represented in this story. Her Pippin,
too, is well represented, not too immature as is often the case, but a
young hobbit who has earned the right to come into his own. The
emotional content is strong, yet not at all cloying. The author has done
her homework, remaining true to the vision of the source material, and
her fertile imagination is evident throughout the entire tale. The
author has a full toolbox, and with this story she has weilded them all
with all the deftness of one of Aule's Children. I loved the idea of a
Beauty Stone, and this notion seemed so anchored in source material that
one wonders if Tolkien didn't leave a manuscript lying around very
similar to what has been crafted with this story.
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Title: First Night · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: War of the
Ring · ID: 400
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-25 07:05:06
This story, told in first person, is an exellent stream of consciousness
story, offering a peek into the inner Pippin on his first night in
Gondor. The author does a splendid job of showing us, not telling us. It
is apprent in a very painful way that Pippin is in a place utterly
foreign to him. The story is so well written that it is quite easy for
the reader to identify with it's narrator, and, in so doing, understand
that we are the little people Tolkien wanted the hobbits to represent.
It is easy to glamorize war. It is far harder to show when war must be
fought, not for the sake of glory, but for the sake of good and the love
of all which is good. Pippin's memories of home, placed next to his
imaginings of Mordor and his all too real waking nightmare of the
darkness covering the White City are perfectly balanced, showing the
reader the scales by which we may measure the need to go to war. The
ending is perfect, the dim light of Gandalf's arrival the very symbol of
the light of hope in the darkness of despair. Voice is strong and clear,
and the author has applied her skills with language in a manner both
deft and precise without leaving the tale shallow or uninspired. All in
all, this was an exellent read and one I could revisit often.
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Title: The Fords of Isen · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Adventure · ID: 41
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-25 08:50:17
I just loved the way you built up the tension here,a perfect ghost story
for a chilly night.A wonderful atmospheric piece in which an old warrior
of Rohan tells his grandson of a ghostly encounter.You do Tolkien proud !

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Title: The Acceptable Sacrifice · Author: Larner · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Frodo or Sam · ID: 775
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-25 08:54:06
A touching story , the title of which is taken from Christian worship,
about Frodo's suffering after the Ring is destroyed. I especially
enjoyed the way his relationship with Aragorn is depicted here,as a
strong bond of brotherly love obviously exists between him and Frodo.It
is so sad all the KIng's efforts to heal the Hobbit prove vain.
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Title: Earth's Daughter · Author: Aramel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 170
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-25 10:30:59
I especially enjoy reading snippets taken out of canon and expanded and
this was no exception. The young girl and the elderly woman were vivid
to me, as was the Elven ship. You did well to convey the emotions of
love and regret through her thoughts.
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Title: We Were Young Once ~ I · Author: CorielConquistadora · Races:
Elves: Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 614
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:37:33
I enjoyed this story, especially getting the Sindarian perspective of
the First and Second Ages, and their desire to escape Noldorian
influence and rule. It was initially difficult for me to get close to
the characters; once I did I thought both canon and OC's were believably
constructed and likeable. The writing felt a little overly florid at
many points; however, good descriptions throughout really painted a
vivid picture. I also liked the well-selected quotes aptly setting the
tone at the beginning of each chapter. Nicely done!
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Title: A Creature Of Fire · Author: daw the minstrel · Races: Elves:
Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 956
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:37:48
This is definitely my favorite of Daw's stories entered in this year's
MEFAs, and perhaps even of the dozen or so I've been able to read so
far. It is powerful and telling, and covers a huge emotional range.
Legolas' character and perspectives are at turns thoughtful,
entertaining and heart-rending. Daw has made him into such an
exceptional and beloved individual for me, shaping many facets for the
Elf who will one day join the Fellowship. Legolas' relationship with
Beliond in particular continues to be a complete delight. His inability
to deal with Galelas, as well as not understanding the connection Eilian
feels with G., are realistic flaws that only make him more alive for me.
His fragile romance with Tuilinn was marvelous and beautifully portrayed.

The tension of the dragon's attack was handled extremely well - I was on
the edge of my seat. But what a crushing blow dealt to Legolas... I was
just devastated by Tuilinn's death. Legolas' grieving felt like my own,
it was handled with such grace and understanding, and I cried several
times as we followed him through the start of the process. His family,
friends and keeper's love and their desire to help him were realistic
and touching, but as always, Thranduil steals the show. The sudden,
final memory of his laughing mother was a tremendous gift, and ended the
story on the perfect note of reborn joy.

This story added an even greater weight and poignancy to Legolas'
eventually sailing west - now with perhaps the hope that Tuilinn has
been released from Mandos' halls to greet him. Do please, please someday
write of their reunion, Daw!
-----------------------------------
Title: Beech Leaves · Author: Redheredh · Races: Elves: Featuring
Mirkwood Elves · ID: 165
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:37:58
An intriguing look at the process of rehousing spirits. Excellent
portrayal of initial memories coming back (["to breathe into lungs"]).
Good suspense - I didn't know who Feren was until the end.
-----------------------------------
Title: All Those Who Wander · Author: daw the minstrel · Races: Elves:
Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 209
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:38:15
I so enjoyed this story. Everyone's reactions to Lorellin's death and
their struggles to adjust are realistically portrayed, right in line
with their characters as we've come to know them. Legolas is a very
believable 4-year old, and I watched with a mix of compassion and humor
as his father and brothers tried to help him through this tough time.

Thranduil is given some great face time in his role as father, from
trying to find the balance between aiding and spoiling his youngest, to
comforting his eldest in what could have been a tragic mistake, to
actually - *somehow* - connecting with his troublesome middle child. For
this last, I loved how we were shown Lorellin's role in mediating, and
how those memories are what brings Thranduil to reach out to Eilian in
just the right way. Excellent interactions all around, and I thought the
flashbacks were clear and well-handled. The background characters and
events are set up smoothly and distinctly, pointing us along the path to
gradual resolutions without my ever feeling forced into it.

There are so many wonderful moments in this story, but I must say, as a
parent, that this one line resonated highly, ["Thranduil had always
taken pride in the disciplined, dignified Ithilden, seeing his own
success as a parent in his oldest sons behavior. Eilian had come as a
humbling shock."] That is *exactly* how it is, LoL!
-----------------------------------
Title: Starlight on Leaves · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves:
Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 813
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:38:29
Lovely, just lovely. A beautiful portrait of the new king returning
home; his inner reflections and first decisions are poignant and
appropriate. I loved the wonderful married relationship you showed, and
the eroticism was very tastefully handled. I also appreciated the
matter-of-fact way that Thranduil acknowledged his wife's able rule
during his absence.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: Featuring Mirkwood Elves ·
ID: 160
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:38:43
Such a gentle and loving story. Nice flashbacks. Beautiful descriptions
of the healing of the forest in Ithilien. The relationship between
Legolas and Thranduil was marvelous.
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Title: Horse Thief · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural
· ID: 365
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:38:54
Entertaining and charming! I especially liked that Estel intelligently
took the best horse for his escape, and Elladan's punishment. Some
interesting years ahead, indeed.
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Title: Rest and Recreation · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 700
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:39:15
Very entertaining, with Boromir's restlessness with Imladris and
mistaken assessments of Elven warriors, and well-drawn characters.
Excellent description of the sparring.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Memorial in Four Parts · Author: Illwynd · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 702
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:39:28
Poignant, reflective and well-written. Each memory, though taking place
in different times, is clear and beautifully tied to both Boromir and
the one remembering.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Choices of Spirits · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 927
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:39:45
Caranthir gets the usual intensely personal treatment that I've come to
expect from Dawn Felagund, with the usual result: A character that I'd
previously felt utterly ambivalent about has become familiar and known,
and - good grief! - even liked. She handles the (fanfic convention?)
romance of Caranthir and Haleth with her usual deft touch. Flashbacks
that flesh out the story are woven in beautifully, always providing some
important illustration that better illuminates her character's feelings
or actions.

The characterizations are superb and lovingly rendered. Even the brief
glimpses of secondary individuals are well-drawn, plausible and clear.
But I truly loved her depiction of Haleth and Caranthir, and their
hidden romance and marriage: that it took so long for them to figure it
out; that Haleth could not and would not leave her people to another
leader, no matter the personal cost; that Caranthir's well-imagined
Elvishness failed to mark the passage of time. That last in particular I
thought was a crucial understanding - who among us doesn't remark that
the years pass more quickly as we age? How much more escalated this must
seem to an elf.

Finally, I thought the ending was lovely, poignant and true, without
descending into sentimentality or sappiness. The determined little girl
in the epilogue was an excellent touch, giving us the lovers' final fate
in a round-about way.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Matter of Honor · Author: meckinock · Races: Cross-Cultural ·
ID: 208
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:39:59
Wonderful dialogues and interactions among all the characters. Shifts in
perspective are well-handled and clear, but Halbarad's PoV is
particularly priceless and often very funny - from his thoughts on
events and people to the descriptions he gives to things. I laughed out
loud numerous times at the clever turns of phrase that pepper this
story. Truly, truly loved Halbarad and Eirien's relationship -
marvelously and tenderly done.

I found the characterizations to be solid and believable, and really
appreciated the care given to depicting the Dunlendings as being
something other than mindless villains. The descriptions were vivid and
evocative, easily allowing me to feel immersed in each scene. I also
enjoyed (perhaps predictably) the reminder of the "women's world" that
operated in the background of any successful settlement, and the
sometimes secret knowledge that they kept.

I did have a few minor struggles... I wondered why first Arathorn and
then Gilraen would have kept those seemingly-incriminating letters -
some reason can be concocted (guilt, reminders of folly, etc.) but we
aren't given one. Also, the resolution (although happily concurring with
my own thoughts that Arathorn would never be irresponsible enough to
sire an illegitimate child, with the Isildur's heir issue looming)
seemed to happen almost too quickly after the tremendous adventures we
had just enjoyed. But these really were minor, and I found the story
gripping and moving. I cried a little at the end, thinking of that
wonderful Halbarad dying on the Pelennor, and Eirien having only his
sword and a soiled shirt...
-----------------------------------
Title: A Taste of Diplomacy · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 939
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 12:40:28
Very, very well done! Denethor is not my favorite character, although I
will readily admit that he is much misunderstood and vilified. But
Thevina Finduilas has done a marvelous job of humanizing the man by
showing him in all the flagrant awkwardness of adolescence, and I could
not help immensely liking this struggling young man with the high
expectations and demanding father.

Little bits worked in to the narrative seem to prefigure so much of
Denethor's future development, especially that of his never seeming to
please his father (shadows of the rivalry with Thorongil and attitude
towards Faramir). The characterizations of everyone were excellent, but
especially that of the dwarves and Denethor's interaction with Favik. An
exceedingly well-conceived and well-executed story.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Meara for Me! · Author: Súlriel · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 893
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 14:48:30
This was a wonderful read and (I imagine - I'm only a reader) a great
resource for writers looking for reality checks when dealing with horses
in their own tales. Each horse was described in such an intimate and
entertaining way: their physical attributes, personalities, strengths
and quirks were all lovingly detailed. I really enjoyed how M-e
considerations were woven into the short "stories" that accompanied each
horse.

The one thing I would have liked to see in addition to all the terrific
information already supplied: How many hands each horse stands at the
shoulder. Sometimes it was mentioned in the links for each specific
horse, but not always, and it would be nice to have it on the main page.
Superb and entertaining work!
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Title: Lembas, Shmembas · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Non-Fiction ·
ID: 850
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 14:48:48
The author did a good job of culling through canonical references, and
then distilling them all down to basic facts. From here, I found
Rabidsamfan's interpolations and assumptions to be intriguing and
well-based. It was also written in a very entertaining and
easy-to-follow style. Nice work!
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Title: Tolkien's Use of Expletives · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 147
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 14:49:11
Excellent research (which surely must not have been *too* painful!) for
excellent reasons. Although I am not put off by more intimate or casual
styles of writing than Tolkien's own grand and epic tone, too modern a
phrasing or modern words will easily jolt me right out of a story. As
pointed out here, it is a matter of matching both Tolkien's
characterizations and his societal/cultural structures. This is a very
helpful - and entertaining - list even for those of us who are solely
readers, as it assists in distinguishing between the ever blurry fanon
and canon sources. Thank you very much for sharing this!
-----------------------------------
Title: Dana's Annotated Tale of Years · Author: Dana · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 274
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 14:50:59
Excellent resource material for either readers or writers. I understand
using the First Age time line from the Encyclopedia of Arda as a
starting point, although I find their unreferenced information to
sometimes be in error (or unduly speculative) - that part alone I would
approach with some caution, and would probably check against other
references if possible. However, the annotated transcription of the rest
is wonderful - easily searchable, with important additions tucked in
from family trees and other sources.
-----------------------------------
Title: More Lembas Thoughts · Author: Rabidsamfan · Genres: Non-Fiction
· ID: 851
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-25 14:51:15
Entertaining and well-reasoned defense of earlier conclusions, and some
additional interesting speculation. I enjoyed both essays and marked
them for future reference.
-----------------------------------