Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Birnam Wood · Author: Inkling · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond ·
ID: 917
Reviewer: Songspinner · 2006-11-26 02:38:21
Oh my. As a Shakespeare scholar and sometime theater director, this one
caught my eye immediately. My skepticism vanished as the writer
seamlessly connected the two stories, maintaining a good deal of
Tolkien's living forest and its' power. Details were beautiful - the boy
encountering the ent and the connection later on; the descriptive
language was well thought-out and helped to create a vivid picture.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fair-weather Friends · Author: pippinfan88 · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 126
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-26 05:27:52
This small story is a jewel. It touches upon a subject I and many others
have often wondered about: what effects did the horrors of war do to
Merry and Pippin? The subject matter was touched upon with care and with
certain realism. It was so anchored in reality that I was reminded of my
brother in law, who was a P.O.W. during the Korean War. She could have
been describing his experience, her story that accurate. I found both
characters written with a poignant beauty, and, though brief, the story
was well rounded. The use of emotion was subtle yet strong, the use of
language wonderfully wrought, with a skillful leanness that lent the
tale a yet more realistic touch. The emotional content was sound and
rich without being sloppy of cloying, and Merry is written as the fully
mature though battle-scarred hobbit he is. Hobbits are not children, and
this writer understands the difference between their innocence and
childishness. She respects them, as they deserve. Estella is suitably
innocent of the depth of Merry's inner wounds, and this makes her a well
rounded character. The use of descriptives was well handled and never
over-done, and the dialogue was a treat as well. It is a story full of
bitter tears and bright hope, with the bright thread of hope woven
throughout. This story, like its author, did not disappoint. Very well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Just Us Lads · Author: pippinfan88 · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 291
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-26 05:48:56
What a wonderful vignette this is! As a mother and a grandmother I can
say with some authority that the relationship between Paladin and Pippin
is just right. And Pippin would weary of being forever surrounded by
females. She's done a wonderful job with young Pippin. I loved his
stream of consciousness in this story, and the dialogue between father
and son was just lovely. I also liked seeing Bandobras show up, as I'm
always fascinated when his name comes up. The Tooks are wonderful
subject matter, and the author has mined source material for this, even
down to place and date. This story is quite sound and a joy to read. I
loved the descriptives, especially Pippin thinking of his sisters as out
to catch a lad, except, of course, his mother. There is a gentle quality
to this story which I found touching and reminiscent of my own tom-boy
childhood. But what I really liked is that even though it was just us
lads, as Paladin put it, the lasses were still there, somehow,
underlining the theme of family. Subtext is one of my pecadilloes, and
though brief, this story manages to incorporate subtext into the body of
the tale. The tale manages to be sweet, yet never saccharine. Well done
all the way around, through and through.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift of Gold · Author: pippinfan88 · Genres: Drama:
Remembering · ID: 267
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-26 06:14:47
This story is simply breathtaking because of the theme alone: drawing
life from death. This lovely and very spiritually rich story was a warm
and wonderful peek into the heart of Sam's sister, Marigold, recounting
memories both happy and sad. I liked the way the author revisted the
past events, recounting the high emotions along with that dull and deep
ache one feels upon losing a loved one. The memories lend the story
weight and realism in a way difficult to capture. Old Ham and his
children just broke my heart. Their emotions were so genuine that it is
quite apparent to the reader that this is a tale full of unspoken and
spoken truths. The emotional content recommends it, but let us not
forget the descriptives, masterfully done, as well as the dialogue. The
dialogue is quite natural, lending yet more realism to the tale. The
gold ribbon becomes the legacy of lives both past and present, a symbol
of familial love, and a promise of hope for tomorrows yet to come. The
ribbon is quite literally the ribbon of life, one alotted to us all. It
becomes lives encapsualted in a narrow length of fabric and passed on in
love and faith in days to come. The denoument was just wonderful, ending
the story with bright tomorrows. The subtext was rich and layered. All
in all, well worth the read.
-----------------------------------
Title: Gandalf's No Good, Rotten, Really Bad Day · Author: Gandalfs
apprentice · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 146
Reviewer: Nienor Niniel · 2006-11-26 14:01:38
Oh dear - a rather unfortunate turn of events. Now that I read it like
that, Gandalf really was not very careful. I guess he became too used to
the fact that things were always working out for him in the end for some
reason. Poor Arwen, though!
-----------------------------------
Title: Theme and Variations · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 784
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-26 18:38:14
Yes, of course, I remembered I had read this before as soon as I started
it. Faramir's aunts are delightful, I giggled and gasped throughout
their conversations, not only about Faramir and Eowyn's relationship,
but their speculations and matching making in regards to Aragorn. - The
aunts, especially Morwen struck me as especially appropriate in view of
all the family visits and parties we ' suffer' through our holiday season.

You have a gift of characterization that shines throughtout this piece,
taking those people we all know and love, and sometimes would love to
knock their heads :) and weaving them in to Faramir's troubled days.

You're twins are priceless ["Our father use under the illusion that he
might amount to something"] needs a spew warning as I ended up with
coffee in my keyboard.

and before I close, I have to say that seeing Arwen through your
Faramir's eyes is a real treat.

Overall, this short story is a real delight to read.


-----------------------------------
Title: Oaths Foresworn · Author: Rhapsody · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 315
Reviewer: Alassante · 2006-11-26 18:59:15
I am not certain but I am fairly sure that Oaths Foresworn was my first
exposure to Rhapsodys Maglor. And wow  she blew me away with this
short story. I reread this before review and once again, tears filled my
eyes. This is a rip your heart out fiction to me. For those who say
that all of the Feanorians were just cold blooded kinslaying madmen, I
would tell them to read this story. Seeing these four, Amrod, Amras,
Maedhros, and Maglor through her eyes and you see how multi-dimentional
these characters were. Amras and Amrod, who are often times either
ignored in fanfiction for the more popular brothers or written like
drunken frat boys, are shown as fallen warriors in their last moments;
so tragic, so real. It reminds me of how I felt the first time I saw The
Fellowship of the Ring during the scene of Boromirs death when Aragorn
was kneeling by his side. Even worse since it was an elf not a man. The
devasting reality that an elf, a being that could live forever, is
mortally wounded is tragic enough but add to it the sense of failure
that not only did they fall short in their oath to their father and
brothers to regain the Silmarils but also they failed their own kind,
their family, and themselves. Questioning in their last moment if the
oath was a mistake. It is probably something that had tormented them
throughout their lives but in their final moment but they put a voice to
the question,

[We held true, did we not Kano? But was it all worth it? What world am
I leaving my family? Who will look after them? ]

Then Maglor thoughts about another oath  [The words almost choked him,
how could he, Maglor, take on another Oath?

This dreadful oath came at such cost and pain.]

Rhapsody is truly deserving of every praise this tale has received and I
hope it continues to touch people the way it touched me.

-----------------------------------
Title: In Stitches · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: Children · ID: 132
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-26 19:31:19
This story delighted me from the first word. I adore the idea of young
Pippin learning how to knit and I enjoyed watching him spend some
quality time with his mother, and I loved the glimpse Pearl gives us at
the family farm in Whitwell! Very well done!
-----------------------------------
Title: Reaping · Author: Dreamflower · Races: Hobbits: Post-Sauron's
Fall · ID: 169
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-26 20:10:22
This story must have been extremely difficult for her to write. It was
very difficult to read both times, but it was a most excellent read. I
tip my hat to Dreamflower and how she poured her heart and soul into
this sad tale of Ted Sandyman. She hinted about his demise in The Road
to Edoras, and I have to admit that I became curious. Here, the author
takes us from Ted's flight from Hobbiton, how he survived the trip down
to the Ford, and then through the horrifying recompense that was his
due. Many times we skip over the "ugly" bits because we simply don't
have the nerve to write about the violence that existed during this War.
Even the good Professor left much of it unsaid while the four Travellers
returned to the Shire and found it in ruin and her people suffering from
hunger and torment. Even when Merry and Pippin are rescuing the poor
hobbits that had been locked up in the lockholes in Michel Delving, much
of the battering and torture had been stealthily left out, though we
could pretty much guess at it. Dreamflower courageously makes us see the
bad, the ugly...and the tragedy of it all. This story took guts to
write, and Dreamflower was the one to do it and do it well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Merry Yules · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Fixed-Length
Ficlet series · ID: 114
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-26 20:41:00
This is a beautiful, beautiful glimpse into the lives (and loves) of our
infamous Pippin and Merry. Marigold cleverly writes in exactly
two-hundred words, fourteen various Merry Yules that these two beloved
cousins share. She takes us from Pippin's cot as a baby, and his helping
Merry out in his flute recital was ever so cute! Then we see anxious
young Merry concerned for his ill cousin on a couple of occasions, and
we see how naturally Merry and Pippin's abiding love for one another
grows throughout the years. I noticed how every Yule the two cousins
warmed their nightshirts by placing them near the hearth. Few folks
realise just how drafty and cold it is inside those old manors (and
smials!), so I enjoyed that bit of history, so to speak. I fell out
laughing at the Yule that Merry missed his Estella--it was even more
funny after reading the story behind it! Oh, and I almost cried reading
the Yule, 1406, when Merry gifted his Pippin with the pearl handled comb
and brush set. We see it again later in Gondor when Marigold explores
the last days they spent on this side of the Grey Curtain. I enjoyed
each and every glimpse into the lives of our beloved hobbits--I have
enjoyed this entire series and you will, too.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Spring Day At Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 746
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-26 21:16:55
Oh, I got all misty-eyed when I first read this! After nearly losing our
sweet Pippin, Aragorn witnesses first-hand and ponders the scene of
Pippin's unquenchable spirit and the cheerfulness our beloved lad
unwittingly exudes as he flies a kite his friends built for him. I sat
idly by on the grass along with Frodo, Sam, and Merry observing the
tweenager use every bit of concentration to successfully fly the lovely
toy that symbolises his wonderful life, and the joy unspeakable that his
cousins and dearest friends feel at that moment in time. Marigold is so
talented in that the reader feels this joy unspeakable as well--I know I
did. A very beautiful story!
-----------------------------------
Title: Thief of Hearts: How Pippin Stole Merrys Heart · Author:
pipkinsweetgrass · Races: Hobbits: Children · ID: 918
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-26 21:59:46
["No, I rather dont think I want one like him. No, I am sure I do not,
I dont want one like this one; I fancy I want this one."]

I just LOVE that line! And it sums up the beginning of a beautiful love
story that is so near and dear to all of our hearts. The author writes
that, to Pippin, Merry was always as constant as the sky. I can't think
of anything more sweet and honest. Pipkin does a fabulous job in
capturing life and times of hobbits in the Shire, giving us a wee peek
at Pippin and Merry's families and also of society in general through
the eyes of young Meriadoc. I simply adored little Merry and how he
thought he smelled apples while holding baby Pippin. Every single word
and every action of this wonderful tale has its place in the story;
nothing is out of context or over the top. Pipkin is brilliant in that
she can draw in her readers from the start and not let go until the very
end. Charming from beginning to end!


-----------------------------------
Title: A Rabbits Tale · Author: grey_wonderer · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 982
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-27 03:36:36
Errol is becoming almost a canon character! Well, certainly fanon. He is
even writing his own stories now, and proves to be a gifted,
straightforward author. His account of Pippin's tribulations after he
has returned from the mysterious journey that Errol was not permitted to
accompany him on are told very well; he doesn't know or understand the
details, but he does understand that Pippin needs him as much as ever,
despite the fact that he has grown up.

Errol's relationship with Merry, both of them Pippin's protectors, is
one of the most delightful aspects of this story. The glimpses that we
get from Errol's pov of Pippin's family at the Smials while Pippin is
missing are particularly welcome, as that is not often covered in
fanfiction, and the Professor said even less about it.

I enjoy all of Grey Wonderer's stories, particularly the ones which
feature Errol.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Spy · Author: daw the minstrel · Races: Elves · ID: 268
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-27 06:08:35
Cleverly written vignette by daw the minstrel, about one of her OMCs,
Beliond, an elf of Mirkwood, who has been around and seen a lot. In this
tale, he is spying on Men near the Sea of Rhun, and decides to
facilitate a local regime change.

Beliond is an interesting character, sly, smart, musically gifted as one
would expect of an Elf, and with a wealth of years of experience behind
him that is not so much stated as implied. I liked the line, toward the
end, where Beliond assumes that he can properly manage Thranduil, who he
also serves with apparent devotion.


-----------------------------------
Title: Last Goodbyes Series · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Drama:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Series · ID: 814
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-27 06:50:15
A poignant series of farewells, some intentional and some not, but all
of them evoking the sorrow of separation and death. My favorites were
the two versions, interlaced of [Beyond the circles of the world], both
really lovely and evocative.
-----------------------------------
Title: In Aragorn's Safekeeping · Author: Radbooks · Genres: Drama · ID: 141
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-27 06:58:07
Ambitious and credible "Tenth Walker" type of story, that is not quite
so much Tenth Walker as Tenth and Eleventh Walkers; as the Fellowship is
joined by not one, but two teenagers.

However, the boy and girl are very well written, ripped from the world
they know, a world that had suddenly turned tragic, and deposited in
Middle-earth, they do not turn into Mary-Sue and/or Marty-Stu, but have
to grow up quickly and eventually choose which destiny, and world, will
be theirs.


-----------------------------------
Title: Man of Gondor · Author: LittleHobbitGal · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Incomplete · ID: 682
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-27 07:01:38
This wonderful story is so deft, so compulsively readable, that I
couldn't make myself stop from beginning to end. The writer addresses
many possibilities and unanswered as well as unanswerable issues, and
delves into the phsycological makeup of Middle earth's most
dysfunctional family. It is endemic among many Lord of the Rings fans to
take a judgemental stance on canon characters, but the author has not
not fallen into that trap. It is obvious that she has delved into the
thematic subtext of the source material deeply and thoroughly, and has
come away from the source material laden with a full toolbox with which
to build thoughtful, well done fan fiction.

The writer handles her text with an insight as lean and as muscular as a
wolf, and her stream of consiousness is executed with remarkable depth
and verisimilitude. Imagery which is both delicate and powerful are
attendant throughout the story. Descriptives and narrative are very well
handled, and the author has a talent for drawing back the curtain and
getting the reader to ask themselves, what if? Some of the ideas
presented are not only tragic, but also frightening, and her talent for
presenting them in a believable manner makes the story all the more
frightening. The realm of possibilities she shows us is filled with a
terrible grace. Grammer is very sound...I wish all fan fiction could be
handled with such deftness and care. The characterizations are well
executed, the action is swift and charged with meaning and emotion so
that the tale seems to take on a life of its own. Interactions between
characters are spot on. In short, I see nothing in this story to not
love, and hope to see the writer recieve the rewards she deserves.
-----------------------------------
Title: Not In Vain · Author: Pipwise Brandygin · Races: Hobbits: War of
the Ring · ID: 675
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-27 07:03:36
This is a highly canonical and in-depth look into the mind of the
youngest member of the Fellowship. I chose this for my C2 archive, The
Bee Charmer and Bee Charmer: Remember Me Award for many reasons. While
it is true that I am partial to Boromir, Merry and Pippin stories, I
also love the relationship between Gandalf and Pippin, and was glad to
see a story that has some understanding of Pippin's love for his
non-hobbit friends.

The story dips deeply into the well of Tolkienian subtext to showcase
the multiple layers of spirituality found in the source material.
Characterization is good, dialogue is sound and the verisimilitude
proves that this story may well have been a missing scene. Use of action
verbs is skilfully handled with wonderful narrative and emotional
content. The story also reveals the developement arc of the character of
Pippin as is evident, both textually and subtextually, in the source
material. Being partial to stories driven by dialogue, I found myself
re-reading this little story. I cannot find a single flaw in the
foundation of it, and the craftiness with which it was built is a
testement to the writer's perception of source material as much as her
apparent love. Emotional content is fine and fluid and lauguage handled
with care for the craft. This is a very satisying read, and one I'm
proud to have nominated.
-----------------------------------
Title: Boromir's Journey Home Amon Hen to Minas Tirith · Author:
majorbee · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 690
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-27 07:18:46
From beginning to end, this story is packed with everything a reader
needs to satisfy. Here you will find drama, redemption, strength, humor,
loyalty, horror, angst and all the other wonderful themes present in the
source material, all written in a style which is original enough to call
a signature voice. Narrative and descriptive is top notch, the plotline
fast and sharp, with many an unlooked for turn of events.

I liked the way she handled all the characters, and all the Fellowship
feels the benefit of her loving regard for their characters. The pace is
quick, the style lively and the plot twists and turns like a snake on
hot pavement. The dialogue and action drives this story to a fevered
pitch, and the reader wonders with each installation which way the worm
will turn. It is well worth the read, and had it not been a derivitive
work I could easily see this as a published original storyline. Heck,
Hollywood cranks out movies by the ton which are less worthy than this
story, and that alone made it worth the read as well as the
recommendation for an award. Some truly original thinking went into this
tale, and I predict a great future for this writer. It is my sincere
hope that others will read this story, if for no other reason than the
rich imagination of the author coupled with her love of the source material.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hobbit Lessons · Author: Citrine · Races: Hobbits: Friendship ·
ID: 729
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-27 07:28:30
Some stories are written to demonstrate the learning arc of one
character in regards to situations or other characters. This is one of
the latter variety, and I absolutely adore it. Many readers do not grasp
the fact that, amongst all the Fellowship, only Boromir had never seen a
hobbit, nor was he even aware they were anything more than creatures
from children's tales. This author understands what a shock it must have
been to Boromir to meet not just one hobbit, but five, including Bilbo.
Not only does this story show what a challenge Boromir had before him in
learning about a race of people he had been brought up to believe was
only a myth, it also shows the qualities of each hobbit as well. I liked
the way the author delved into the personalities of each character. The
tools are familiar ones, but none the worse for our having seen them
before, and used them ourselves. This writer has her toolbox organised
and each tool is used with gentle precision. Emotional content is good,
storyline sound and denoument spot on. I wish all stories of this sort
were handled with as much love and deftness as this author has shown
with this story. From beginning to end, it is a thoughtful story which
takes good care of all of our beloved Fellowship. It is a simple tale
about complex personalities, handled with wonderful regard for the craft
as well as the source material.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Spring Day At Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 746
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-27 07:36:13
I've been a part of Marigold's little fic challenge community for some
time, and have seen some wonderful things come of it. Reading this story
is indeed part of that blessed experience. She writes this story with a
sound and fresh voice, so very anchored in Middle earth that it might
have been part of the book. I found the descriptives delightful, and
could easily picture a healing Pippin at play, once more, for a little
while, the endearing youngster whom I had seen running and singing on
the green grass at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, his
high, sweet voice filling the air with the curious vitality in Pippin
that I love so well. Her crafting Aragorn's point of view was so well
done I can easily imagine it. The characterizations of the hobbits was
just perfect, especially the bright spirit of Pippin, unquenchable as
ever. Her stories are always a joy to read, but this one touched my
heart in a special way that few can accomplish. The tone seems
lighthearted and celebratory on the surface, yet underneath, in the
subtext we see the deeply embedded spiritual content sparkling like a
diamond: hope, like the spirit of young Pippin, springs eternal. The
story dovetails nicely with fanon Pippin as well, and this tale is just
too good at what it does to let it slip by. I've read it more than once,
and every time, I'm left with a warm feeling that, in Marigold's hands,
Pippin is going to be just fine. That is as good a reason to read it as
any I can think of.
-----------------------------------
Title: If Only · Author: Holdur · Genres: Drama: Featuring Pippin or
Merry · ID: 826
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2006-11-27 07:44:06
This story, though short, is long on pathos. Very reflective and quite
respectful of the source material, the author enters into this tale with
a bundle of questions in the arena of spirituality which I can never
tire of. Stream of consciousness is most excellent, characterization is
on target, denoument is, well, for lack of better words, it left me with
a sweet ache in my heart which I never saw coming. There is so much love
in this story that it is impossible to finish it without feeling it
touch your heart. Touching and imaginative, this little treasure is full
of heart, spirit and love. This story has been stuck in my head since I
read it a couple of years ago, so when I went looking for worthy stories
I had to dig around until I found it. The grammatical structure is good
and the story reads as very canon, whilst also reaching into unexplored
territory. Narrative and descriptives are beautifully turned out with a
hand both gentle and firm. I could feel the sun and the breeze. Heck, I
could nearly smell Boromir, feel the touch of his hand, sink into the
warmth of his brotherly embrace. This is a Boromir with a soul. This is
the Boromir that Pippin loved from the time they met. And this is a
story that painted a picture of a friendship that surely went beyond the
grave. Well turned, highly readable and utterly loveable.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Remains of Power · Author: Pearl Took · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 228
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-27 13:55:46
Quiet, wicked and unsettling visit to Saruman's perspective of post-Ent
Isengard. His PoV and character are seamless, his actions and thoughts
completely believable. I thought the subtle battle of wills between he
and the Nazgul was extremely well done. Very smooth way of working in
that flock of ducks, too!
-----------------------------------
Title: King's Man · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Times: The Great
Years: Vignette · ID: 197
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-27 13:56:18
I liked this momentarily peaceful and relaxed moment between two
comrades, sharing perfect understanding. Their relationship is vividly
portrayed.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Worst of All Evils · Author: Marta · Times: The Great Years:
Vignette · ID: 697
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-27 13:57:57
Good exploration of the "heroine or deserter" question; I really liked
getting it from Elfhelm's perspective. Elfhelm and Eomer's relationship
is nicely portrayed.
-----------------------------------