Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Banished · Author: shirelinghpc · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Gondor · ID: 993
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:19:33 Score: 3
What I liked best about this enjoyable tale is that Aragorn is in on the
scheme with Merry and Pippin. It clearly shows the depth of their
friendship post-Quest. The scenario was very funny, and Legolas'
irritation was well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Little Brothers · Author: DinaLori · Races: Men · ID: 686
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:20:06 Score: 3
Lovely banter between Merry and Pippin here, very in character. I liked
how their closeness reminded Boromir of himself and Faramir when they
were younger and awakened his protective instincts. A very enjoyable story!
-----------------------------------
Title: Pippin's Hands · Author: Pearl Took · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: The Shire · ID: 130
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:22:10 Score: 2
I am glad that Pippin still has the joy of his music after the Quest.
His travels and all that he had experienced would add an even greater
emotion to his performing.
-----------------------------------
Title: Of Birds and Bees · Author: Cathleen · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 727
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:22:49 Score: 1
An amusing story! I enjoyed these tales within a tale.
-----------------------------------
Title: Midwinter in Mordor · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 872
Reviewer: Llinos · 2006-11-29 00:23:36 Score: 2
Grisly and with a very realistic feel! This is an excellent look at an
Orcish festival. I liked this very much, especially as I am so fond of orcs!
-----------------------------------
Title: We Were Young Once ~ I · Author: CorielConquistadora · Races:
Elves: Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 614
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 00:39:30 Score: 3
I love Thranduil and I found this reading the MEFAs. He is great in this
story--so powerful and regal! Exactly as I imagine him. And I really
like how the canon is mixed into this story. This was a really great
read! I will go look for other things you wrote.
-----------------------------------
Title: A New Age · Author: Marta · Races: Elves: Fixed-Length Ficlet
Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 685
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 00:42:22 Score: 2
As you can guess from my screen name, I love Thranduil and Celeborn. So
I loved this drabble. It really shows Thranduil exactly like I picture
him--so woodelfy. This is a great read!
-----------------------------------
Title: Starlight on Leaves · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves:
Featuring Mirkwood Elves · ID: 813
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 00:44:24 Score: 3
I love Thranduil, so I loved this story. He was great in this. I think
you did a great job showing how hard the losses from the war were and I
liked that he had something good to come home to. This was a great read!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Hobbit and the Man: "All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter" ·
Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Races: Cross-Cultural: With Hobbits · ID: 351
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-29 00:47:11 Score: 2
Nice twist on Gandalf's recommendation. I especially love your
characterization of Aragorn here, through Bilbo's eyes, with his
questioning. Well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Until Light Returns · Author: elliska · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet Featuring Legolas or Thranduil · ID: 707
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 00:50:05 Score: 5
Gosh, this drabble is so great! I never really got into drabbles that
much until reading some of the ones for the MEFAs. I found some nice
ones here. But I really like this one particularly. I love that
Thranduil is portrayed as fighting for the survival of Mirkwood. I love
to see him as a strong character and I think that really comes across
here. I also really like the comparison of the forest when he first saw
it to the Two Trees. It really makes the reader see how magnificent the
forest was in his eyes to see it compared to those to great symbols. And
the comparison itself is so lyrical. This was a really great read.
-----------------------------------
Title: Interrupted Journeys: Journeys of Discovery · Author: elliska ·
Genres: Drama: Incomplete · ID: 163
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 00:57:07 Score: 5
I usually do not like young character/children stories. That sort of
thing does not interest me much. But this story is part of a bigger
series that I have been reading so I gave it a chance. I ended up liking
it pretty well because it tells a lot of mini-stories within the
chapters, many of which hint at canon moments. Those stories are very
interesting. And, like the rest of the stories in this series, the
characters are really well developed. Very individual. And I'm
interested to see where the intrigue with the 'bad guys' is going to
lead in this story since it seems to have spread to the children's
generation. That can't be good. I hope the author continues it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Ring Thoughts · Author: Nesta · Times: The Great Years · ID: 190
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-29 00:57:38 Score: 3
fun and intresting ... very intriquing to see the story from that unique
point of view. I especially like how the ring characterized each
individual according to how useful they were to it.
-----------------------------------
Title: 'Til we meet again · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: Featuring
Mirkwood Elves · ID: 817
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 00:59:39 Score: 3
This is a really tender moment between two of my favorite characters. It
really shows the type of relationship I think they had (not the terrible
father Thranduil that you see in so many stories). This was a great read!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: Featuring Mirkwood Elves ·
ID: 160
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 01:01:58 Score: 3
Like the other story here by the same author, this shows really great
moment between two of my favorite characters. And it shows a little wood
elf magic, which I absolutely love seeing, especially when it's
Thranduil healing a forest. This was a great read!
-----------------------------------
Title: Boats To Build · Author: Nancy Brooke · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 300
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-29 01:02:49 Score: 4
Nancy, I am sure I reviewed this last week and so I got a jolt to see it
still on my wish list. I wonder if the review got pasted into some other
story ...? someone will be confused.

At any rate, I'll say again how much I love this. I remember seeing it
in the archive last year and commenting, but this is one that I'll be
able to re-read indefinitely. it touches a chord with me.
-----------------------------------
Title: Dawn of a New Age: First Age · Author: elliska · Times: First Age
and Prior: Incomplete · ID: 406
Reviewer: sindarlover · 2006-11-29 01:10:24 Score: 7
Even though there is only one chapter of it, this has the potential to
be my favorite story of all time. As my screen name gives away, I love
the Sindarin Elves and this story promises to flesh out the canon
surrounding them in the Silmarillion. I love that idea. And so far, this
is so well written. The battle was really tense without being just
description of bloody violence, which bores me. And the appearance of
the Moon was very magical, just as one would expect it to be. I also
liked how Melian sings the Girdle into place. That seems to make sense
given that Luthien uses song to put a spell on Morgoth later in canon.
Plus, this story has as 'other characters' some of the characters that
are featured in this author's other story series. I like those
characters' older selves, so I am interested to see how this author
developes those characters here. I am leaving this review partly to beg
the author to continue this story. It has great potential and I would
really like to see the rest of it.
-----------------------------------
Title: Until the King Returns · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Vignette ·
ID: 540
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2006-11-29 01:15:47 Score: 2
I really enjoyed this Marta, not just as a story, but as an in-depth
character study of both men. As always, your careful attention to detail
shines through.
-----------------------------------
Title: Frodo's Exciting Day Out · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor: Parody
· ID: 829
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2006-11-29 02:03:54 Score: 3
I really don't see how your mind does these parodies, Llinos, but I'm
glad it does! This is too perfectly hilarious. Just the right mix of
fact and fiction, sense and nonsense. Everyone is oddly true to
character, just in this story that is more than slightly askew.

Reminiscent of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!

Wonderful, just wonderful!
-----------------------------------
Title: Seam of Stone · Author: hossgal · Times: The Great Years · ID: 129
Reviewer: Marta · 2006-11-29 02:36:19 Score: 4
This story draws a really powerful parallel between the loves of Aragorn
and Arwen, and Legolas and Gimli. In both there is a sense of falling
and being raised up, and an almost mythic quality. I'd never thought of
Legolas/Gimli in quite these terms, but it's affective. A nice little
interlude while the characters are waiting for great events to find
them. Well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: Treasures And Momentos · Author: Marigold · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Pippin or Merry · ID: 220
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 03:47:39 Score: 3
This was a very moving story in which Aragorn sorts out Mery and
Pippin's belongings after they die.How he must have loved them to for a
King to take on such a humble task !It is a comfort to the reader to
learn that the Hobbits were able to enjoy life to the end and died
almost at the same time.Very nicely written.
-----------------------------------
Title: About Legends or Whisperings of a Ghost · Author: juno_magic ·
Races: Men · ID: 699
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 03:55:36 Score: 4
I only chanced on this story when browsing MEFA at the last moment and I
am so glad I did as it is one of the most,chilling,moving and powerful
stories I have read in a long time.
The writer suggests that far from Queen Beruiel and her cats being
evil,it was her husband who was the monster. The things he did to
her(and the poor cats) made me shudder to read,
I shall never think of Queen Beruiel in the same light again.She was
after all,a fellow cat lover !
-----------------------------------
Title: Butterflies and Caterpillars · Author: Radbooks · Times: Late
Third Age · ID: 258
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 03:59:13 Score: 3
I don't usually care much for little Estel stories, but this was an
exception.It is both sweet and moving and very well written. Glorfindel
teaches young Estel about the transformation that occurs to create a
butterfly. I feel this story has a deeper meaning, which shines through
without preaching and brings a tear to the tear.
-----------------------------------
Title: Birnam Wood · Author: Inkling · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond ·
ID: 917
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 04:01:48 Score: 4
A delightful and truly unique story.I believe Tolkien when young saw
Macbeth and was disapointed that the trees did not move.When he came to
write his great works, he tried to remedy this by the creation of
Treebeard and the Ents.This story cleverly combines both Macbeth and the
Two Towers, to make Treebeard part of Macbeth.He and his Ents now live
in Birnham wood and advance upon Macbeth's castle.
The story is seen through the eyes of a yoiung boy who has seen the
shepherds of the forest before.
-----------------------------------
Title: Lesser Ring · Author: Larner · Genres: Adventure · ID: 184
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 04:02:12 Score: 10
[This was a fascinating tale spanning both Aragorn's years of wandering
when he visits Harad and a second visit,made years laterwhen he is King.

Validated Review:]

This is a story i greatly enjoyed reading as it explores events in
Aragorn's years of travelling when he goes to Harad and saves a man's
life who eventually becomes the ruler.
Years later,as King, Aragorn is invited to pay a state visit only for
the ruler's rivals to plot against him and their lord. I admit I had
some reservations about this part of the story,as it seemed unwise to
take all the notables of Gondor and Rohan to a pontentially hostile
country,including Aragorn's, Faramir's and Eomer's young families.I was
taken aback at Aragorn humiliating and torturing the captured would be
assasins, for Tolkien said in some of his supplementary writing that the
Wise would not even torture an Orc,even if lives were at stake,and it
seemed out of character for the noble king.
Apart from that, I loved this story
The story shows Aragorn's greatness and nobility and how he uses it to
build bridges between different cultures.

There were some very interesting other characters,the ruler of Harad and
a slave whom Arwen rescues from the slave market who turns out to have a
connection with the King,

I especially enjoyed the relationships between the characters,Aragorn's
thoughtfulness for his friends and their care for him when he is wounded.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Last Thing He Said · Author: NeumeIndil · Genres: Drama · ID: 294
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 04:38:00 Score: 4
An outstanding story that I would never had encountered were it not for
MEFA. What an unual idea to tell the main events of the War of the Ring
through the eyes of animals whose owners never came back.

Sometimes,it is a little hard to determine what species is speaking, but
I loved this story and intend to return to it in the future.

The writer also tells us a great deal about Tolkien's heroes through the
eyes of their animals.
-----------------------------------
Title: Psychodiagnostic Evaluation - Subject: The Lady of Rohan ·
Author: Anoriath · Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 753
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-29 04:46:15 Score: 3
Very clever look at the attraction of Faramir to Eowyn from a modern
psychiatric viewpoint. I loved the use of medical jargon, which adds an
extra touch of authenticity. All in all, it's wickedly funny.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Letter Home · Author: Frodo Baggins of Bag End (Febobe) ·
Times: The Great Years: Gondor · ID: 978
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2006-11-29 04:51:01 Score: 5
Letters are a time-honored literary device, and this one, from the least
erudite of the four Fellowship hobbits, does not disappoint.

Sam's letter home to his father tells a small part of his and Frodo's
trials, and tries to put it all in terms that the Gaffer would
understand, including Sauron's motivations, so that there is a great
deal of discussion of food and vegetables that one wouldn't necessarily
see in letters by his companions. But I could see Sam thinking of how
best to tell of such drastic things to an old gardener who has never
left the Shire, and the letter rings true.


-----------------------------------
Title: Was It For This? · Author: Alawa · Genres: Drama: Remembering ·
ID: 88
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 04:55:55 Score: 1
A moving little story. It is nice to think that Aragorn honours the
memory of his father.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Memorial in Four Parts · Author: Illwynd · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 702
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2006-11-29 05:00:39 Score: 2
I touching memorial to Boromir as seen through the eyes of Faramir and
members of the Fellowship. I especially enjoyed the conversation between
Aragorn and Faramir.
-----------------------------------
Title: Whispers of the Dragon · Author: Shirebound · Times: The Great
Years: The Fellowship · ID: 916
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 06:34:22 Score: 3
The journey down the Anduin is complicated when Saruman seeks to stop
the journey and insinuate his way into the Ringbearer's mind. Together
the Fellowship face the injuries wrought by his sabotage and the twisted
truth and lies of Saruman's attempts to suborn them.

Slightly AU, and consistently fascinating throughout.
-----------------------------------
Title: On the Fair Hill · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 946
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 06:51:27 Score: 3
Although written of Aragorn and Arwen, this might have described other
pairs of lovers. Poignant and sweet, a couple seen from a distance in
the pleasure and grief of the brief moment allowed together.
-----------------------------------
Title: Father and Daughter · Author: Imhiriel · Times: First Age and
Prior · ID: 943
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 06:53:52 Score: 3
At the end of the War of Wrath Finarfin takes leave of his daughter
Artanis, glad she has chosen the husband she has taken. In her he sees
the loving child she'd been and the woman and wife and lady she's
become, accepting her choice that will keep them sundered for two more
ages of Middle Earth.

A wonderful look at this leavetaking.
-----------------------------------
Title: Hidden on the Mountain · Author: Imhiriel · Times: The Great
Years: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 945
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 07:01:50 Score: 3
It's been a time since I last read this, but it is still well worth it.
The new White Tree vaguely remembers its fruit being planted in the
Hallow, and finds itself rejoicing to be held in the hands of the new King.

The waiting has not been in vain for any party to the beginning of the
new age.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Hallowed Place of Both Peoples · Author: Imhiriel · Times:
Early Third Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 944
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 07:04:07 Score: 3
I never understood why it was that Elendil's tomb had to be moved after
Eorl saw it; that Eorl chose to remain true in spite of the apparent
distrust and the imputation of unworthiness on the part of the folk of
Gondor says much of just how much more honorable he was than Cirion
realized.
-----------------------------------
Title: What Better Companion? · Author: Space Weavil · Races: Elves ·
ID: 175
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-29 07:21:25 Score: 3
This was just fascinating! I loved this glimpse of Olorin; he seemed so
very new and childlike and yet ageless, which is exactly right at this
point in time. His comments about the things that he loves put me in
mind instantly of hobbits and explained his delight in them in his
persona as Gandalf.
-----------------------------------
Title: House of Reeds · Author: The Bookbinder's Daughter · Races: Elves
· ID: 660
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-29 07:35:57 Score: 5
This is an exceptional story, and I loved and believed every word. The
descriptions and dialogue are just right; brief yet perfect and lyrical.
I had no difficulty accepting the unusual pairing either. The masterful
way this fic is written shows them to be a good match. It was a real
shame that Glorfindel waited so long to speak.

I wonder how things would have played out differently if he had done so
sooner, and I wonder if Goldberry still thinks of him, for it is
difficult to think of two characters more dissimilar in physical form
and personality than Glorfindel and Tom Bombadil.

-----------------------------------
Title: The Heads of One Thousand Goblins: A Love Story · Author:
SickleYield · Races: Dwarves · ID: 644
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 07:40:20 Score: 4
Now, this story of Wiri Shorinsdotter wooing Gimli by presenting him
with a thousand goblin heads and one troll's head is remarkable. I'd
never thought of him marrying, and enjoyed Annmarwalk's tale of the
Dwarf woman who refused to accompany him from Erador to Minas Tirith,
using her cat as a reason.

And the idea that he would know one love before accompanying Legolas out
of Middle Earth is wonderful. Well done, friend.
-----------------------------------
Title: The One · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha the Demon CoAuthors ·
Races: Men: Featuring Aragorn · ID: 852
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2006-11-29 07:44:53 Score: 3
I enjoyed this vignette and found it plausible in light of Aragorn's
gift of foresight. I liked the sense of hope that it gave him, that some
day there would be a steward that would welcome him to Minas Tirith,
even as he was wondering how it could ever happen. It was well done.
-----------------------------------
Title: The Gift · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: Featuring Mirkwood Elves ·
ID: 160
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-29 07:46:28 Score: 3
This is a wonderful story! I really enjoyed the interaction between
Legolas and Thranduil, both in the present and in the flashbacks. The
magick was just stunning, and that Legolas augmented his father in the
healing was perfect! The descriptions of the land and trees being called
back was absolutely fascinating and felt so real.
-----------------------------------
Title: The gift · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later Ages ·
ID: 807
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 08:02:57 Score: 3
As the author indicates, this is a movieverse story, as Legolas is
summoned to Imladris to attend on Gilraen as she sets herself to find
again the love she lost long ago, refusing the love offered her in this
world.

A beautiful, moving story and well worth the read.
-----------------------------------
Title: Object Lessons · Author: Marta · Times: Late Third Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 668
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 08:05:20 Score: 2
Oh, a delightful look at the younger of Denethor's sons serving as
teacher to the older regarding the lesson of temperance. Wonderful short
here!
-----------------------------------
Title: The Groomsman · Author: Elen Kortirion · Races: Dwarves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-29 08:07:17 Score: 3
This caught me completely by surprise. Just stunning! Gimli is in
wonderful character here, and the emotion behind his gruff facade and
the way that he shows how much he truly cares in his meticulous care for
his fallen comrade is touching.
-----------------------------------
Title: Aglarond · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves: Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 68
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-29 08:10:46 Score: 3
It was wonderful to see Gimli as a crafter here, rather than a warrior.
I know that he must judge all beautiful things now by she who is most
fair so it is fitting that she is his inspiration.
-----------------------------------
Title: Ring Thoughts · Author: Nesta · Times: The Great Years · ID: 190
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 08:19:04 Score: 4
Ah, how the Ring works to destroy integrity, first looking through the
Fellowship for Its best victim, focusing on Boromir, taking a quick
swipe at Galadriel before returning Its attention back on the Gondorian,
then finding Itself blocked with Faramir.

THEY and HE help balk Its ambitions at ever turn; and the Woolyfoot is
far too capable of withstanding it for the moment.

A fascinating look at the Ring's own thoughts and machinations.
-----------------------------------
Title: [untitled] He: Gimli fic prompt #84 · Author: Thevina Finduilas ·
Races: Dwarves · ID: 718
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-29 08:21:08 Score: 4
Every tale that I read by this author featuring Gimli seems to be even
better than the one before. She is into his head in an almost telepathic
way, and always relates what she finds there with the perfect choice of
words. This is a stunning story, that reveals in just this short chapter
more than I ever knew about Gimli before, and I find that I like him
very much and am anxious to get to know him better. Her hints about
Dwarven culture are fascinating as well.
-----------------------------------
Title: Fairy Tales of Middle-Earth · Author: DrummerWench · Genres:
Drama · ID: 261
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 08:22:12 Score: 3
Oh, such a wonderful collection of stories from across the free lands of
Middle Earth, so fit to entertain small Hobbits, young children of Men,
curious Elflings, and even bright-eyed Dwarves and Beornings. Each story
is complete in itself, is reminiscent of our traditional fairy tales,
and is delightful.

Everyone needs to enjoy this one, I think!
-----------------------------------
Title: Drabbles for Lord of the Rings · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits:
Fixed-Length Ficlet series · ID: 758
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 08:27:34 Score: 2
I love the poetry forms used to express the heart of each of the chosen
vignettes. Well done, and marvelous use of wording and rhyme schemes.
-----------------------------------
Title: A Taste of Diplomacy · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 939
Reviewer: Marigold · 2006-11-29 08:33:31 Score: 3
This is an interesting look at young Denethor, before he becomes
enamoured with his own perception of his faultless perfection. It was
nice to see him so fascinated by another race, long years before he
would simply hold those not of his own kind in contempt.
-----------------------------------
Title: To Climb a Tree · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits: Children ·
ID: 646
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 08:37:22 Score: 4
Merry learned how to climb trees at Ferdibrand's insistence so as to
prepare for the day when he must perhaps save Pippin; but when it's
needed it's Pippin who reminds him how to climb trees, reminding Merry
of Frodo's natural authority, preparing him for the day when he will be
Thain.

It's a marvelous story, to see Pippin keeping his cool in the face of
danger to save his cousin.
-----------------------------------
Title: Just Us Lads · Author: pippinfan88 · Times: Late Third Age: The
Shire · ID: 291
Reviewer: Larner · 2006-11-29 08:41:18 Score: 3
How wonderful it is when father and son are able to spend time together,
just the two of them on the farm near Whitwell. One of a charming
collection of short looks at our favorite lads.
-----------------------------------