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Title: Thus Are Legends Born · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men:
Fixed-Length Ficlets With Children · ID: 732
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 16:12:08
I love Faramir's way of viewing the world! And who is to say that he
isn't right, and Boromir mistaken?
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Title: It's the Thought · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Men: Fixed-Length
Ficlets With Children · ID: 71
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 16:18:10
This was a wonderful glimpse of Theodred, but an even better one of
Éowyn. Just that brief mention at the end was enough to show that she
had the makings of a shield maiden even then.
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Title: Unfolded · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Fixed-Length Ficlets
With Children · ID: 906
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 16:23:44
This is a lovely drabble! I love Bergil's perceptiveness, as well as his
eagerness to serve. He is such a responsible child, but a child just the
same, happy and filled with pride at having this duty. This drabble
captured all of these aspects about his personality so well.

I also liked very much the knowledge that all is just getting better and
better in Minas Tirith as time goes by; the Tree is thriving, and so is
Faramir!
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Title: Keeping an eye on the enemy · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men:
Fixed-Length Ficlets With Children · ID: 871
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 16:26:32
I loved this moment with the brothers! It is nice to get a glimpse of
them when they could still play.
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Title: Maturity · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Fixed-Length Ficlets
With Children · ID: 899
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 16:29:47
Boromir's decision to let Faramir enjoy himself in the last part was
very well done - even if Boromir teases him about it later! I am sure
that by this point Faramir's pleasant moments are few and far between.
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Title: The Steward's Dream · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Fixed-Length
Ficlets With Children · ID: 647
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 16:33:30
Like all of Marta's drabbles, this is beautiful and thoughtfully
written. Boromir's willingness to see the King returned speaks volumes
about his true nobility, very much like Faramir's here. I am quite sure
that Denethor would not have felt the same.
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Title: Not Fair · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Fixed-Length Ficlets
With Children · ID: 902
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 16:36:44
A lovely father and son moment. I loved Eomer's play on words: [No, not
fair. ]
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Title: Merry Yules · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Fixed-Length
Ficlet series · ID: 114
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-25 17:39:26
Gladsome, cheery wee tales of Yuletime with my favorite two hobbit lads.
These double drabbles are such fun to read. Marigold so wonderfully into
Merry and Pippin's heads.
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Title: A Message and a Bottle · Author: Larner · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 89
Reviewer: SlightlyTookish · 2006-11-25 17:56:25
This is my favorite story of Larner's, hands down. There is an
incredible message of hope in this story, of everlasting friendship, and
fate and faith that I have read it several times and cannot tire of it.
I love the idea of an old tradition between Bilbo and Toby has
continued, through Frodo and then later Merry, Pippin and Sam. I adore
that it is Pippin's crazy idea that eventually causes the unthinkable
communication with a loved one. A glorious story, and I thank Larner for
sharing it.
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Title: Wishing On The Stars · Author: Marigold · Times: The Great Years:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 116
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-25 18:08:55
Charming wee looks at Eglantine seeking comfort when Pippin and the
others are gone on the quest. Written to fit in with Slightly Tookish's
Star Universe these charming stories feature Pippin's Stars. Touching
glimpses into the heart of a distraught mother.
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Title: Music Lessons · Author: Acacea · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 55
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-25 19:02:26
I didn't expect this kind of music lesson ;-). But that was a lesson
Faramir really needed later. I love the interaction between Gandalf and
Faramir and the depiction of Faramir as a little boy. Shy, but ready to
take any opportunity to learn and very loyal to his brother.
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Title: Shelter · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great Years:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 217
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-25 19:04:29
This is a lovely, heartwarming gap-filler about the time at Cormallen. I
like the idea that there was a shelter for the wounded and that the
recovering hobbits would shelter there from time to time, much to the
delight of the poor wounded soldiers who were probably bored to death.
Aragorn's interaction with the hobbits rings true and I can see Merry
sleep between Frodo and Sam just to make sure that they are all safe.
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Title: Finding the Right Words · Author: Nienor Niniel · Races: Men:
Post-Sauron's Fall · ID: 785
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-25 19:06:11
This is a very nice gap-filler about the last night before the
coronation for Faramir. I love the imagery of all the Kings and Stewards
filing by Faramir out of the Shadows of the Hall. I love it that at last
Denethor approves of Faramir. Very evocative.
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Title: The Long Road Home · Author: AmandaK · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 743
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2006-11-25 19:07:01
This is a very satisfying read when you can accept that Boromir
survives. It is a very long way home for Boromir. I like the way he
picks up strays along the way and either let them stay with him or helps
them along with a recommendation or some money from his hard earned
wages. I felt sorry that he lost his canine companion, but some things
have to be sacrificed. Better the dog than the boy. The reunion with his
former comrades was touching and I loved the solution to the political
entanglement that Boromir's survival caused in Gondor. That is always
somehow lacking in other Boromir survives stories I have read.
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Title: Bilbo's Nursery Rhyme for Merry and Pippin · Author: Llinos ·
Races: Hobbits: Poetry · ID: 882
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-25 19:19:58
Oh, gosh--just to imagine wee little Pippin doing his utmost to shout
out the words on time and correctly is sooo cuuute! Knowing that they
were the subjects, I know that these two wee hobbits enjoyed Bilbo's
nursery rhyme everytime they visited him and Frodo at Bag End. I enjoyed
it on the first read!

This bit of clever poetry is just one of many other wonderful poems
written by this extremely talented author. I have this odd notion that
Llinos writes all of her poetry in just a few minutes...and she probably
does because she *is* that gifted. All right, maybe she works at it a
little bit. Maybe.
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Title: Caws Llyffant · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 634
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-25 19:56:58
I laughed so hard when I read this on the Challenges! Poor Frodo can't
find one specific item on Bilbo's shopping list--thinking it must be
some sort of exotic cheese, so he decided to purchase all of the cheese
the market vendor had to offer. Later at the party, we learn that Frog's
Cheese isn't cheese at all, lol, but it was fun making the discovery all
the same. Oh, how I laughed when the list called for carrots! Merry
nearly stole the show while he tried "helping" Frodo find the shopping
list for the party and "help" Sam carry the goods, but later when Pippin
arrived, the young cousins had to share the spotlight. No wonder Pippin
ran off on the Quest--we thought it was because he loved Frodo dearly,
but really he was running away from his overbearing mum. Another most
excellent story from this outstanding author.
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Title: Fellowship of the Conkers · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor · ID: 880
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-25 20:42:12
LOL, I think I was with Merry and Pippin the whole time on the sidelines
laughing my butt off! Those two are natural comics when written by this
most excellent author. Just reading about those two hams getting
penalised over "unsports-hobbit like conduct or laughter" had me in
stitches! Llinos wrote the narrative impeccably and explained the rules
at the very beginning, which made it easy to follow along during the
matches. Perfect detail and hilarious humour is peppered throughout the
story--all the while learning about this old children's game. And poor
Boromir...I think he had it the toughest--or roughest, but that happens
when you have no talent for such a game. I'd venture to comment that the
hobbits had a humungous advantage over their taller companions due to
the fact that they have a sharp eye for any target of any size, period.
If you need a good laugh, or just to put a smile on your face, then I
highly recommend this funny story.
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Title: Gimli's Tale · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Dwarves · ID: 934
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-25 21:02:43
I love how Pearl Took can take a character and make him her own in one
sweep. I'm sure Gimli had made it into earlier tales, but this was a
fantastic portrayal of him and Pippin together. Her detail was
flawless--as always, and I could easily see the Beauty Stone in my
mind's eye--and the beauty of the story. Excellent!
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Title: The Singer · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits · ID: 979
Reviewer: pippinfan88 · 2006-11-25 21:43:59
This is one of the many stories that have pressed me to daub Pearl Took
at Queen--or Mistress of Plots and Twists. This tales winds not once,
but many times with fantastic suspense and drama all the way through.
Just when you think you have the story fleshed out in your head, she
suddenly takes the story elsewhere--its like the tantalising twisting
ride of a rollercoaster. When I first read this, I sat glued to the edge
of my seat until everyone was safe and riding toward home. Pearl
possesses the ability to take her readers on a wild adventure with her
amazing imagination. In a land where evil can still lurk in dark
corners, Pippin is taken captive by a dark shadow who is under the
strange delusion that Sauron would praise her deeds if she stole a
certain "thing" from the small creatures who allegedly destroyed him.
Will she succeed in her endeavour? You shall have to read it--the ending
is so cool! I love the glimpse the author gives us into the lives of
folk--such as Bergil in his adulthood--many years later after the War.
In this wonderful story, this magnificent author makes everything
plausible and entertaining at the same time. Nothing is out of place.
Pearl Took has never disappointed me with any of her tales, and this one
delivers and more! Full of nail-biting suspense, this story is not one
to miss.
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Title: Ddraigspelt  An Orc Love Poem · Author: Llinos · Genres:
Romance: Poetry · ID: 879
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-25 22:11:18
This is a superb poem, and I have never read anything like it! If an
Uruk-hai were ever to write a love poem, this would be it; as always
Llinos has captured the voice of the *writer* of this piece perfectly!
Everything about it is absolutely flawless, from the harsh, savage
emotion, the violence, the very orcish descriptions, and the inevitable
hopelessness and battle-hardened acceptance that they will never be
together again because their duty separates them.

There is such urgent lust in this poem! When I read this I can easily
imagine it recited aloud in a low, snarling whisper, the Uruk who wrote
it remembering his lost love with its repetition. The cadence of it has
such an animalistic quality to it and the poem builds and builds until
the inevitable sense of loss at the end, very much like a sexual act
itself. This is really skilfully done, and I think very impressive.

The language is just stunning, and I can totally imagine that the author
was an Uruk-hai! There is never any question in the readers mind that it
might be otherwise. There is no mistaking that it is a love poem,
inspired by great emotion, but there is also no question that it could
have been written by any other race, and that is simply superb. What I
like best about this poem is learning what Uruks consider to be
attractive in the opposite sex; fierceness, scent, aggression, a cold
heart. Ddraigspelt and Nagash were wonderfully matched and I hope that
he finds her once again!

-----------------------------------
Title: Book Learning · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 910
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-26 00:36:22
What an wonderful story: superbly written, marvelous tone and pace,
great characterizations. I laughed so hard throughout the entire tale;
it was funny and charming and heart-warming and - oh, yes - quite sexy.
Faramir and Eowyn's innocence in this particular regard was set up
extremely well and believably, and their attempts to rectify this lapse
in their education were hilarious. Entertaining tie-ins of the turnip
farmer and head loremaster to connect the searches of the Steward and
his wife - wry, subtle Eradan was especially priceless. One could well
imagine he had seen it all before...

I loved Faramir's complete inability to concentrate, described perfectly
by Freydis: ["...it is plain to see that Lord Faramir is happily bedded.
He has that stunned look, as if a pole axe had struck him in the head."]
Freydis herself was another delightful character. I was glad that Eowyn
found her for the in-depth vegetable lesson, although I'd have to guess
that the studies on aphrodisiacs were totally unnecessary. Eowyn and
Faramir's different perspectives were each enlightening, showing us how
their personal worries were feeding on each other.

The author's skill extended to a tasteful and yet very steamy ending for
the lovers, as well as a marvelous handling of Faramir's frequent
fantasies and Eowyn's recollection of their wedding night. Definitely,
this story is going on my "reread" list. *vbg*
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Title: For the Moon to Lead, and All the Stars to Follow · Author:
annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 200
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-26 00:36:39
Excellent inner voice, and descriptions, particularly of Boromir's
dancing partners. A great deal of backstory and personal feeling were
captured well in a very short space.
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Title: Remembrance · Author: Acacea · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 73
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-26 00:38:12
Poignant and powerful story of a political match that became more, but
went unrealized at the time it happened. Very good characterizations.
Denethor's hindsight is heart-wrenching, as I too thought of what might
have been different in their union - if only he had paid attention,
known how to open up to her, listened to his instincts. His reflective
PoV was really well-handled, of a man working long and hard hours during
a difficult time leading to war and subsequently neglecting his wife and
perhaps family. Quite a moral for families today, actually...

The twist at the end, placing Denethor's musing in a specific and
horrific time, shook me and made the entire piece even more striking.
-----------------------------------
Title: Respite · Author: Nesta · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 750
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2006-11-26 00:38:27
Charming and sweet! I enjoyed this brief look at the lovers, with Eowyn
seeming the more inhibited one for a change. Very entertaining bantering.
-----------------------------------
Title: In a Heartbeat · Author: Piplover · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Pippin or Merry · ID: 928
Reviewer: Songspinner · 2006-11-26 02:19:52
This tale, including reference to another one of Marigold's lovely
stories, resounds with Pippin's tendency (just as in the books) to leap
first and ask questions later. In this case, it's a good thing. Arwen's
thanks to him was a beautiful touch, and I liked Pip's comparison with
how Gimli feels about his Lady. The Council scene, with humor and then
danger, was well crafted, and kept me in suspense.