Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Reunion · Author: Fawsley · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Drabble · ID: 489
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-07-14 19:35:33
As one who delights in reading and writing Thorongil recognition
stories, this is wonderful! A gem!

Title: Twice blessed is help unlooked for · Author: Tanaqui · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 631
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-07-14 19:39:24
Imrahil is shocked to find that not only do the black ships coming up
the river disgorge not allies for the enemies of Gondor, but instead
more troops of defenders led by a far too familiar form from his past,
recognizing Thorongil in the form of the Man who leads them.

A wonderful story for those of us who love to see Thorongil reflected
in the form of our favorite Ranger of Eriador and King.

Title: The Slave of the Ring · Author: Linda hoyland · Races: Men · ID:
418
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-07-14 19:52:05
Boromir is already somewhat resentful of Aragorn taking command after
Gandalf's fall; but when they stop by Nimrodel to tend the Ringbearer
and Sam's wounds he finds a new glimpse of the Ring captures his
attention and imagination. One can certainly see the beginning of the
obsession that in the end will lead him to entreat Frodo to bring the
Ring to his city and then to command him to give it over.

Good use of mood and images, and a nice contrast between Boromir's
feelings and those of Gimli looking a the mithril corslet and Aragorn
ignoring the Ring to attend to Frodo's bruises.

Title: Come Back to Me (Drabble) · Author: Marta · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 538
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-07-14 20:00:28
Some time long after Elessar's reign, apparently, the Ents themselves
are diminishing once more--gone treeish; aging remarkably; being
accidently slain by men in their wars on one another. And Treebeard
decides it is time once again to seek the Entwives.

A nice one with excellent images and thought behind it.

Title: South · Author: Aliana · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond: Gondor or
Rohan · ID: 8
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2007-07-15 00:25:58
It's the custom, over at LiveJournal where I first read this achingly
beautiful story, to quote favorite passages from the story in our
comments. In a sense, it's a lazy way to respond; but on the other
hand, it provides quick and rewarding validation to the author that the
words and phrases she labored over with such loving care did, in fact,
resonate with her readers. It's probably a good thing the custom is not
used to great extent here at the MEFA's, else my review would consist
mostly of lines and phrases and oh, single words, because each word
Aliana has chosen is, quite simply, perfect. Can writing be both warm
and cool at the same time? The Meriadoc that Aliana has written here is
not the irrepressible Merry but the mature, thoughtful Meriadoc, and
her Eowyn is not only the loving Princess of Ithilien, but also
Dernhelm, the same companion of the road, the battlefield, who
journeyed with him to the edge of life and back.

The premise of the story itself seems familiar, uncomplicated: years
after the War, Meriadoc dreams of the great horses of Rohan [dreaming
bits of horses, manes and tails, fetlocks and hooves ... dreams of
their hoof beats passing off the edge of something] and travels by
himself to visit his comrade-in-arms Éowyn in Ithilien. Their reunion
is not so much full of recalling old war stories as it is the need for
communion with one who has shared a life-changing experience, the only
one who can really understand *how it was* at Dunharrow, at the
Pelennor.

What I found so heartrending about this story is that it gave me a
glimpse of the future, our future, when men and women who served
side-by-side in war will meet, not to reminisce, but to take comfort in
each other's quiet strength once again. It's really the story of There
and Back Again, for those who were not granted escape across the Sea.

Title: Exploring the Wild · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Adventure:
Pre-Ring War · ID: 30
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2007-07-15 00:45:53
EdorasLasss Bitty stories are always overflowing with laughter and
color and pure joy. This delightful excursion had its origins in a
single drabble, now seamlessly incorporated into the story of Boromir
and Faramirs first field trip, a day of introductory skills training
with two Ithilien rangers and a night spent under the stars.

This tale is a bit longer than many of the others, and introduces
several new characters, each of them perfectly realized for their
purpose. The rangers who volunteered to lead and guide the bitties
are both impressed with and amused by their young charges, taking back
with them an appreciation both for the constricted lives of city
children, and an understanding of the youngsters who will grow to
become their commanders and leaders. The young guardsman who sings them
to sleep with a ranger lullaby is boyishly endearing, and a fine foil
for Nanny. Events in the rollicking tale are alternately hilarious and
winsome: the boys wide-eyed disbelief when Nanny reveals the planned
adventure; Boromirs banishment of Nanny from their tent because
["There aren't any girl Rangers, Nanny, and you are a girl, so you
can't play."]; bittyRanger!Faramir refusing to go to sleep without his
beloved stuffed rabbit.

ELs love for, and understanding of, young children shines throughout
with vividness and affection. Its such a treat to read these tales and
see the beginnings of the men our heroes will become.


Title: Chronicles of Blood · Author: Aervir · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 390
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2007-07-15 00:58:46
A very nice interlude between Faramir and Mithrandir. Faramir is bored
with his studies of dry military history and tactics, and would rather
be reading something livelier, more epic. Aervir has given us a bit
of a different view of Faramir, showing that he can be just as whiney
and petulant as any other schoolboy, a wonderfully realistic dimension
to his character  I don't think we've seen him too much of him at this
gawky, difficult age. It's very telling, too, that he's too tired and
restless to make the connection himself between the dry official
accounts, tallies of supplies and troop movements, and the very
personal tales behind the military actions. I also really like the way
he almost becomes embarrassed when he realizes he's sounding childish
and complaining - certainly it would be painful for him to imagine
himself somehow diminished in Mithrandir's sight. The warmth and
affection of their relationship shines through clearly, a theme I
always enjoy reading.

[These dry chronicles were not written with ink, but... with the blood
of ordinary men.]

Although this tale is short, it is powerful. It's very easy to imagine
Faramir remembering and internalizing those words to share with his own
children, that they might recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made
for them.


Title: Never Lack · Author: Ruby Nye · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 453
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2007-07-15 01:02:24
This drabble is horribly creepy in a creepiness-creeps-up-on-you sort
of way. It's not so ominous in the first reading, but oh, the second,
and the third - it just made me hunch myself up and look over my
shoulder worriedly. I'm frightened for the hobbits who had to bite
their tongues and move very gingerly around this character. If there's
an entry for Creeps of Middle-Earth in the Encyclopedia of Arda, this
guy's picture would be in it, right next to Gothmog The Potato-Headed
Orc and Grima Wormtongue.

All joking aside, probably the most disturbing aspect about this
drabble is that's it's so very plausible. We've seen this in our own
age: persons who consider themselves insulted and abused, either in
actuality or in their imaginations, who somehow manage to find the
opportunities to exact their revenge upon the world. We saw them at Abu
Ghraib and Virginia Tech. It's timeless, and universal. The Dark is
still with us.



Title: Brotherhood · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017
TA · ID: 733
Reviewer: Jay of Lasgalen · 2007-07-15 17:46:12
I've always enjoyed this series of tales, and the exploration of the
developing relationship between Elladan, Elrohir and Estel.

It seems typical of Estel in the last tale to apologise for spoiling
the day. I liked Elladan's comment: 'Adar never let Naneth come back in
until after he had finished the splint. The 'never' speaks volumes for
the amount of practise Elrond has had!

His later comments about watching and loving over and over are
desperately sad. How many chldren like Estel have they watched grow -
and then seen them die like Arathorn?


Jay

Title: To Represent the Elves · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Humor ·
ID: 810
Reviewer: Wimsey · 2007-07-15 22:14:20
This story set during the first part of the Fellowships journey
captures perfectly the spirit of the Hobbit Pippin, and the elf
Legolas. It represents so well the essence of what I think Tolkien
envisioned their personalities to be. I particularly loved how much of
the Legolas from the books was represented in the dialogue and in the
actions that happened during the tale.

Title: Poking The Badger · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor: The
Shire or Buckland · ID: 209
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-07-16 02:22:43
A delightful story dealing with the consequences, to Merry and Pippin,
of drinking the ent-draughts, when it comes to settling back into Shire
life. Some things will never be the same!

Excellent characterisation and dialogue. The allusions to the past are
very natural, and add to the sense of connection and family.

Title: For the Dwarves, Gimli · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves ·
ID: 155
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-07-16 02:25:14
There's no doubt that Tolkien's works are male-heavy and female-light.
I don't think he was particularly sexist, at least for his time, and he
did create some outstanding female characters. But it's only in
fanfiction that we get to explore, and read, more about the female half
of those lengthy family trees.

Here is one such story, that introduces Nandi, mother of Gimli. She is
seen not as a warrior or craftswoman, but as a mother - fiercely
devoted to her son, and practical, sending him on his way to Imladris
with extra treats and supplies.

An intriguing slice of family life among the Dwarves, as well as a
chapter dealing with the ramifications, in the Fellowship's quest, of
Nandi's generosity to her son.

Very entertaining!

Title: Rohan's Future · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Humor: Gondor or
Rohan · ID: 79
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2007-07-16 04:07:21
I am glad that I am not in a position to be thinking of having
children. This speaks precisely to the horrific fantasy of parenthood
that would be guaranteed to make one begin thinking that birth control
is a great and glorious thing and should be employed ruthlessly.

I can quite imagine that between Lothiriel's personality, with its
ruthless logic, and Eomer's enthusiasm and energy, you would end up
with Aelfwine, Eomund, and Hrothgar as offspring: beautifully innocent
little sadists in the Freudian sense  never intending harm, yet
single-mindedly in pursuit of requiring their environment to answer to
their desires and interests, to the disadvantage of anything qualifying
as 'environment.' You can't but love them& from the distance of perhaps
a few miles. From up close, as Uncle Amrothos discovers, maintaining
one's sanity and composure is a constant battle that only the King and
Queen seem capable of managing with anything like serenity.

Rohan's future will most definitely be in smart and eager hands, but as
Eomer notes, the kingdom has to survive the growing pains of its three
young princes, to the point where some active concern for the welfare
of others, rather than a benign neglect, begins to take hold. Of
course, one might argue Amrothos has not entirely learned that lesson 
what on earth was he thinking in deciding that having his nephews build
a siege engine was a good idea?  but then again, temporary insanity is
a plea that would, if it were able to be used, have a lot of mileage in
the royal court of Rohan, I suspect.

In any event, a hysterical story, brilliantly written  well done,
Madeleine! Highly recommended to any Tolkien-lover.

Title: Merry's Wedding · Author: Larner · Races: Hobbits: Pre-Quest ·
ID: 84
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2007-07-16 04:23:08
Given the opening paragraph, with its premise of Merry marrying Estella
twice, one halfway expects some madcap prank gone wrong or something of
that sort. What the reader gets instead is a glimpse into a very
intense bit of imaginative play by the younger hobbits of Brandy Hall,
inspired by a real wedding that is soon to come. They decide to stage
their own, as realistically as they can, and everyone sets to work to
make it happen, including Merry, drafted as the bridegroom to Estella
who has been talked into playing the part of the bride. With Frodo
dragged in to play the part of Mayor and officiator, the tweens even
get permission from Rorimac to borrow a priceless heirloom that is
traditionally used in weddings.

Some of the adults get wind of it, and even sneak out to watch, but
they respect both the play and its seriousness. Lovely little tale,
Larner!

Title: The Dwarf Dagger · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Drama: The
Shire · ID: 85
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2007-07-16 04:49:33
A thoroughly unpleasant tragedy, spurred by the spiteful, arrogant
behavior of one Lalia and tweenish hurt feelings that come of it. It is
the sort of thing that leaves one wondering how this disaster managed
not to be averted  it seems like it so easily could have been. And
yet, fortune doesn't follow logic and angry, upset hobbits don't
either. Bilbo is right  never neglect the courtesies, or at least,
don't trample on them in such a way as to indicate that courtesy itself
is unimportant.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but then again, there is nothing, in a
sense to dwell on  the senselessness of the tragedy is appropriate to
the circumstances and requires no dwelling.

Title: A Useful Skill · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Humor: Children ·
ID: 46
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:12:22
This is a lovely scene between young Faramir and Denethor, and much
more like what I had always imagined their relationship to be before
war came to Gondor. The child's voice is very strong and rang true to
my minds' ear. Denethor, too, seems very in character with canon (as
little as is directly stated about him). A particularly strong moment
is the one in which Denethor realizes his son is not obsessing over yet
another book; his surprise and confusion, combined with his
canon-assisted reputation for impatience with his younger son, make
that quite an exciting moment for readers who are automatically
cheering for Faramir to be worthy of his father's praise.

Title: Could Will Have Its Way · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men:
Gondor Drabble · ID: 286
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:12:53
A very nice, though dark, piece. The repetition and variation of the
refrain-type line gives this drabble a very musical, or at the least
lyrical, quality. While not truly the ravings of a mad man, there is a
certain desperation implied here that increases toward the end and
accelerates the tone from despairing and lonely to utterly hopeless and
obsessed, as well as a feeling of foreboding and the constant memory of
an old ache woven in between the words. Very nicely done and well worth
the reading, particularly since giving so much in so short a space is a
skill I find difficult.

Title: Perturbation of Fate · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: General
Drabble · ID: 428
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:13:31
This is a very vivid drabble, a story form I find very hard to do well.
Sound works hard to set the scene and make this vignette come alive,
and while the noises the ocean makes were never directly mentioned,
they are what came to mind as I read and stay with me now as I write.
The melancholy of Maglor's vigil comes through very strongly as well,
grouped as it is with anger and frustration. As I've come to expect
from Rhapsody's writing, this is an excellent characterization of one
of the sons of Feanor and his relationship with the silmaril, handled
delicately with a caring master's touch. No one theme is over used or
underplayed, but all are woven together neatly and securely in a small
space and time.

Title: Seen in the Halls of Dwarrowdelf · Author: Aruthir · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 73
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:15:59
Wow. It even reads dwarf-like: bold, rhythmically, hammering on the
point that pride and vanity always go before a fall, strong. Mature,
but still a little rash in its sorrow. The images I saw as I read it
were very vivid, very colorful, which surprised me considering it's set
very very deep underground. My room nearly echoed with the hammers and
voices of dwarves. An excellent piece.

Title: Youngest Son · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance: Second Age or
Earlier · ID: 406
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:17:13
Very nice! And a wonderful reminder not to overlook the physique of the
"scrawny" lads either. ;) I think, though, that Earwin's change of
demeanor seems a little sudden. A bit of insight into her thinking
about Finarfin as he deals with her brother's injury and subsequent
mischievousness might ease us into the transition along with her. He's
***WONDERFUL*** with the younger boy, and suddenly as smooth and
charming as his eldest brother or a couple of his nephews once he
relaxes. Funny how that happens in human interactions too. I'd like to
see your Finarfin with Amrod and Amras as boys, perhaps a companion
piece as they are swept up into the quest for the Silmarils? I'm so
glad I clicked that story link. :)

Title: Lord Námo's Yule Gift · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Humor · ID: 335
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:18:15
How wonderfully sweet and funny a story this was! I think this is the
first piece I've seen delve into the realm of Tolkien's afterlife, and
it was an interesting look with a surprising cast of characters. I was
glad to see that, in your Halls of Mandos, rest awaits even the most
troubled of Middle-earth's inhabitants. The characterizations of Merry
and Pippin were spot on to the goofy lads from the book and I was very
impressed with the way their relationship seemed to mesh well with the
immortal inhabitants of the Halls. The descriptions of the rooms were
lovely, but I believe my favorite part was the discussion of Yule and
Yavanna's generosity with decorations. It was, indeed, a lovely gift
for Namo, and an equally lovely one *from* Namo as well. Bravo.

Title: Seeking to Please · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Romance: Pre-Ring
War · ID: 193
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:18:55
This was quite an interesting character piece in many regards, most
notably of Elrohir, whom I've often read as less than enthusiastic
about his sister's mate. I appreciated that Aragorn/Estel/the
Dunadan/Thorongil/whatever his name is, respected warrior though he
was, never got so arrogant that his mate didn't make him nervous. This
also seems a good prequel to the scene in the films when Arwen arrives
in Gondor. I enjoyed it very much.

Title: Journeys in High Places · Author: Illwynd · Genres: Adventure:
Pre-Ring War · ID: 259
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:19:56
The relationships between these men are very well done, described
vividly with very few words and none of those wasted. Your Denethor
reads much like the one I pictured in my mind, without his madness
corrupting his love for his children. What is/was his reaction to
knowing his children were nearly taken from him by an avalanche? My
other unanswered question is, did they make their goal and finish the
journey in the time they'd decided? It was a very nice "how Boromir
learned it all" situation as background for the canon trip up the
mountain in Fellowship, and a good gap filler for the relationship
between elder and younger son.

Title: City of Trees · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Elves: With Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 641
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:20:22
Very clever. I don't suppose two such formidable elves could live year
after year without quarrels. Luckily they have plenty of time to get
over them as well. A very nice idea, and a very telling character
piece-- in which one character never appears at all!

Title: Dissonance · Author: EdorasLass · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor
· ID: 450
Reviewer: NeumeIndil · 2007-07-16 05:20:32
I hope it will not seem harsh of me to say that at first glance, I
hesitated to read this story. I've read very few good works of fiction
that use the present tense well. Having finished it now, I will say
that this is not one such. The draw into this story is slow, with just
enough details to pique the curiosity without being too telling.
Surprisingly little of the character is revealed until she encounters
the man behind the door, but the details we are given appeal to all the
senses. I was especially impressed with the excellent use of scents and
odors, which it seems are often overlooked in favor of visual details
even though the sense of smell triggers so many memories. Reading this,
we experience along with the character her meeting with the man behind
the door. We don't just see what happens and observe her reactions; we
feel and smell and see through her perspective. Very excellently done.