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Title: Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady · Author: Marta · Genres:
Romance: Gondor · ID: 604
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-08-24 05:29:58
What a wonderful look at Faramir's wooing of Eowyn with the advice of
Hurin. It is very nice to see the character of Hurin fleshed out here,
and to see how the gift of the starry mantle might have served a
practical use for Eowyn.

Excellent writing and fine crafting of this delightful tale. Thank you
for it.

Title: Firelight · Author: Songspinner · Genres: Drama: Ithilien · ID: 817
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-08-24 06:37:57
Three tales of what is seen in the light of fires within the camp at
Cormallen: Gimli works to renew the blade of Pippin's sword; an
exhausted Aragorn falls asleep as Legolas lights a brazier to keep the
sleeping Hobbits warm; Pippin recalls the climbe up to the beacon
tower and the fear of other fires that appeared to take away those
he'd come to love and honor. A series of tales of healing and renewal.

Excellent imagery and characterization, particularly of Pippin and
Legolas.

Title: Oliphaunts and String · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 658
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-08-24 09:22:17
Poor Deagol is missing, and sweet Smeagol has changed, what with
insisting the little frog he's tied up with string is an Oliphaunt
he's going to train. But his grandmother suspects the situation is
much worse; and when Deagol's body is found at last she realizes whose
hands left those bruises on the poor lad's throat. But turning Smeagol
out in painful in the end....

To think of Smeagol starting as a sweet lad, the apple of Gran's eye,
with so much promise that went to naught once he saw the Ring in his
cousin's hand...well! A sad tale of descent.

Title: The making of a Ringbearer II "Anchored" · Author: obelia
medusa · Races: Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 533
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-08-24 09:28:24
The youth of Frodo is a common enough theme, and is explored in this
one. I find the slowness of maturation of young Hobbits (Frodo, in his
tweens, is still in actions a child with a child's interests) in this
story to be rather exaggerated, but the descriptions of the intrigue
and machinations of the S-Bs is fascinating to watch.

Title: Matchmakers · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Drama: With Merry ·
ID: 587
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-08-24 09:59:52
When orphaned boys are too old for games and naps but not old enough
yet to take a Man's role, what's to be done for them? Pippin seeks to
find out why certain boys he's been seeing are stealing from the
grocers shops and so on in the lower city, and Merry is learning that
many widows and widowers are in need of companionship and aid. Now--to
match them up.

Quite a different premis than I'd seen before, and quite an original
means of learning what's going on her.

Well worth the reading.

Title: In the Bloody Cottage · Author: Soubrettina · Races: Men:
Eriador or Rivendell · ID: 581
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2007-08-24 20:06:40
Oh, Soubie, Soubie, I'd forgotten how gloriously quicksilver your
writing is, how your characters' thoughts dart and wheel about like
the hummingbirds and swallows outside my window. What is ostensibly a
glimpse of the moment of fruition of Arathorn and Gilraen's
relationship is a lovely and painful stream-of-consciousness ramble
involving goats living and dead, visiting Elves, the simultaneous
necessity and expendability of Dúnedain women, and the joy and anguish
of childbirth.

Your descriptive skills are extraordinary, but they, too, are
shimmery, dreamlike: [Gilraen's clever little feet began to falter of
a time; that she began to ache and to vomit, and fall asleep on the
ground while her goats wandered away; she waned in the cheek, and
waxed in the flank, and when winter came the laces in the shift that
Isilní had woven her barely let out far enough.] What a unique, yet
perfect, description of pregnancy! And the line [Gilraen watched the
little bulge of a foot appear, close to her ribs. She tried to tap it,
but it vanished again] made me whoop with glee, for I had that
experience myself, tickling my unborn daughter's foot. What a joy to
find it here! I don't suppose pregnancy has changed all that much,
really, from the mid-Third Age to the Late Fourth.

[In The Bloody Cottage] is not an easy read for fans of linear
narrative and clearly defined (and rigorously followed) rules of
punctuation, but for those whose imagination and sense of adventure
are energetic and unrestrained, soaring like the sparks of a bonfire
or the shooting stars of a Northern summer, Gilraen's story is
transformed from that of desperate duty and pain into a triumph of joy
and hope. Brava!


Title: Renascence · Author: Kenaz · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 577
Reviewer: Ignoble Bard · 2007-08-25 02:23:11
If there is such a thing as a perfect Elf story, I believe this one
would top the list. It opens with Legolas, plagued by sea longing,
making a visit to Minas Tirith to see Aragorn. While there he runs
into Elrohir and they renew their acquaintance. As it happens, they
have more in common than Legolas realized: ["Princes at liberty and
roving souls"] as Elrohir puts it, and they decide to travel together
to Legolas' forest home. While on the road they discover an affection
for each other that both had always harbored but fate had not allowed
them to explore. Their journey takes them to Lothlorien, where they
meet a much different and merrier Haldir than Legolas remembers from
the quest. Then it's on to the Greenwood where dangers of the past
still lurk and Legolas and Elrohir meet an unexpected, frightening
challenge.

In the course of his final errantry, Legolas discovers a new love,
reaffirms old bonds, and learns that his restlessness is not only a
result of sea longing but of something deeper. The story is full of
great conversations and descriptions, well paced with fully realized
characterizations and packed with action and suspense. There is not a
single element of this story that seems contrived or forced. It is as
flawless and beautifully crafted as an elven jewel. It is a rare story
that delivers on all counts, including a steamy side of slash, with
such style and finesse that the reader, upon coming to the end,
scrolls up and begins to read all over again. I would recommend this
story to anyone who enjoys curling up with their laptop and spending
some quality time with two utterly beguiling and noble Elves.

Title: Death of Hope · Author: Linda hoyland · Genres: Romance:
Drabble · ID: 618
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-25 03:59:31
How does a woman who has lived for over 3000 years deal with death?
Here, Linda tackles the sorrow of those who are left behind by dead
loved ones; via this drabble from the point of view of the newly
widowed Arwen.

I quite like the way Arwen's thoughts wander, looking both into the
past and the future; this strikes me as very real, as does her
preoccupation with her beloved and recently departed husband. Her
uncertainty is conveyed well in the drabble. And Arwen's apparent
calm, culminating in an extremely powerful last line, is quite effective.



Title: Getting Away from it All · Author: Bodkin · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 63
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-08-25 04:51:07
This is a truly delightful story which sees Aragorn and Faramir and
their wives enjoying a rare day of relaxation at Faramir's home in
Ithilien.

I especially enjoyed the two former Rangers futile attempts at fishing
and the way the writer depicts what is obviously a warm and close bond
between the four characters.

The story also has darker undertones as King and Steward desire time
away from the court to discuss difficulties with the Council.

I also feel sorry for the trapped life these former free spirits are
forced to live. Their freedom is but an illusion with ever present
Guards in the background.

I would love to read a sequel and learn what happens next !

Title: Under the Eyes of the Evenstar · Author: Raksha the Demon ·
Genres: Drama: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 680
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-08-25 05:11:34
This is an interesting premise for a story about what might transpire
when Boromir and Arwen met. Although Tolkien never mentions such a
meeting, it is reasonable to assume it must have taken place during
the Fellowship's long stay at Rivendell.

What must Aragorn's wife to be have thought of the man who stood in
the way of her intended's path to the throne and with it her hand in
marriage?

This story makes the meeting both poignant and amusing.

I admit to some reservations about whether it would really be
permissible for a group of Elf maidens to be ogling Boromir or any
other male in the bathing chamber, or even for Arwen herself to be
allowed to see a man bathing, but it makes a delightful image and when
Tolkien didn't tell us, we are at liberty to imagine Middle-earth
customs as we please. As Elves live so long, they might well be
broader minded than humans despite their strict morals. One thing is
certain, after weeks of wandering in the wild, Boromir would certainly
need a bath!

Arwen is initially the perfect hostess, overcoming her natural
hostility to Boromir by making a supreme effort, but when she sees his
weariness she pities him.

This well written and perceptive story ends on a poignant and chilling
note .Arwen shares her father's gifts of foresight and realises that
Boromir will never again see his homeland.


Title: The Dwarf Dagger · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Drama: The
Shire · ID: 85
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-25 06:30:52
A fine short story, sharp as Lalia the Great's temper, about an
unfortunate incident and the misunderstanding it causes, triggering a
tragedy in the Took family. This is set during the early childhood of
Pippin's father Paladin; with Bilbo a young hobbit coming into
maturity, and Paladin himself a very young child.

Excellent characterisation; not to mention outstanding knowledge of
Hobbit family relationships.

Title: The Accidental King: Five Reasons Why Finarfin Deserves an
Appreciation Month · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 5
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-25 06:33:47
A worthy exploration of Finarfin's decision to leave the Noldor,
following the Kinslaying, and return to Valinor. The essay reveals
Finarfin as an Elf of Conscience, who made a difficult decision with
no guarantee of forgiveness for following his rebellious kindred. I
also appreciated the section detailing the impact of Finarfin's
children's actions on the future of Middle-earth.

Excellent use of real-world quotations.

Title: Duty Bound · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance: Pre-Ring War ·
ID: 212
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-25 06:37:37
An outstanding Boromir romance that is all the more poignant because
it is doomed. Bodkin undertakes to explain Denethor's apparent lack of
interest in securing the succession by having him find a suitable
maiden for Boromir to marry, despite the lack of interest from the two
parties.

Boromir's young, duty-bound bride Emeldis is an extremely believable
character - she is unhappy in her predicament, but resolved to carry
out her responsibility, proud, and rather prickly. Bodkin writes her
so well that the reader can't help rooting for Emeldis and hoping she
can salvage some happiness out of the situation.

Boromir is also very well served here; good-hearted enough to want to
be kind to his young wife, but not really understanding how to make
her happy, or unselfish enough to know to unbend enough not to try,
but to listen. His natural arrogance wars with his essential humanity
here, and his lack of experience with women who are not his relatives
is obvious.

What gets me, in reading this story, is that Boromir and Emeldis do
come to care for each other, and joyfully anticipate the child that
will be born. And then it all falls apart, with sudden and devastating
tragedy.

Brownie points for excellent Faramir characterisation (he is quietly
wise as usual), and a lively wife for Imrahil; also a good job
depicting the entire Dol Amroth clan, especially little Lothiriel.

Title: In the Waiting · Author: Altariel · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 392
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-08-25 06:39:59
Altariel is one of my favorite writers of my favorite Tolkien human,
Faramir of Gondor. Here is a fine vignette from her virtual pen; and,
as is often the case, it resonates with fine characterisation and
elegant prose.

In this tale, Faramir is still the bleak Captain we saw in The Two
Towers; holding out even when there is little hope. But he has crossed
a sort of mental rubicon, in succoring rather than slaying or
imprisoning the hobbits and, above all, allowing them to convey the
Ring to Mordor instead of seizing it and taking it to Minas Tirith.
Faramir knows that his father will not be pleased at the course he has
taken; and though he knows that Denethor will verbally rake him over
the coals for his choice, Faramir does not regret that choice and
knows he did his best, for Gondor and even for Denethor. The story
shows Faramir becoming even more mature than we might have realized;
he takes the responsibility not only of judging his father, but of
possibly saving his father from himself.

The last line is rather appropriately chilling.

Title: Keepsake · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Vignette · ID: 256
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-08-25 15:28:02
This story shows a scene that I sorely missed in the books - a
farewell between Gandalf and Pippin. It acknowledges the special bond
between those two; Gandalf recognising that, indeed, this "fool of a
Took" has grown up, and Pippin becoming aware of how he will miss the
Wizard.

Title: Candles · Author: Eretria · Genres: Drama: With Merry · ID: 305
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-08-25 15:32:36
Very atmospheric storytelling. The care and fear, affection and
uncertainty are palpable, even if they are not always expressed
directly; very in-character for Hobbits. An ominous ending of the
story; it resonates even if the reader knows it will end well.

The most moving detail for me was how shaken Pippin clearly is still
by memories of Merry's bout of desperate confusion due to the Black
Breath.

Title: The spaces between two silences · Author: illyria-pffyffin ·
Genres: Drama: With Aragorn · ID: 677
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-08-25 15:34:26
I like the contrast between the lyrical beginning, and the somewhat
gross details of Aragorn's adventures in the South. But then Aragorn,
too, turns more "poetic", and the beauty of his narration and the
environment that surrounds them blend together.

The second part was a change of pace and mood compared to the first.
The loud, crowded joy at their marriage, tinged with the awareness of
past grief and future tasks for the royal couple.

The third part again is loud, but completely different in tone -
mourning for the king. And Arwen observes it all, but is tangibly
detached from it, numb in her grief.

And at the end, silence again, and memories of happier times. And the
hope for reunion beyond death. The story come full circle again.

Title: She Watches · Author: Larner · Races: Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 640
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-08-25 15:38:16
The title is very apt, as Rosie watches her husband going about his
daily routines, where one can sense that they are done not out of rote
but with loving care; and ponders about him and his adventures and how
they would affect him and his relation to her and his home.

She can appreciate all that he has seen and done, she can be uncertain
for short moments about whether a simple Hobbit life can be enough
now, but these doubts are never for long: she trusts in his honesty
and their love for one another. And, very importantly, she accepts,
without any resentment or fear or jealousy on her part, that still
there is a small part of her husband she won't be able to touch or to
share, and which will take him away from her at the very end.

I like this strong, perceptive and compassionate Rosie.

Title: Point of View · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Drabble · ID: 750
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-08-25 18:12:43
Nice characterizations: Sam, in his humility, wouldn't be able to
understand Aragorn's interest. It takes Pippin to point out the worth
of having other PoVs around, especially from those who were central to
the entire tale. Good job on Sam's voice, and I like that the King
Returned will forever be Strider to his old companions of the road.

Title: Thyme is a great healer · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 723
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-08-25 18:12:56
Wonderful connection drawn between the two, especially given their
initial meeting in Ithilien. There is a strong bond there, with their
mingled and separate memories, and I loved how you set up the encounter.

Title: Come Back to Me (Drabble) · Author: Marta · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 538
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-08-25 18:16:19
Bittersweet indeed, and a rather painful drabble about Treebeard
resuming the hunt for the Entwives. Treebeard's PoV is very well done.
The poignant and gradual decimation of his companions is given to us
clearly but without being overly sentimental, and by various logical
deaths. At the same time we are made aware of the dramatic passage of
time since the beginning of the Fourth Age by both the list of deaths
and the increasing boldness of Men. (At least, that was certainly my
impression - I had always imagined that the Old Forest was respected
and kept sacrosanct for a long, long time. But alas, the lives and
memories of Men are short....)

Excellent three-word ending, which left me hopeful for him even with
the sadness permeating the drabble.

Title: Reunion · Author: Fawsley · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Drabble · ID: 489
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-08-25 18:17:32
Nice setup of atmosphere and placement in time, and excellent
description of the old man's aging ["the long, slow death of the
senses"] and contrast to his death-dealing in earlier years. His joy
at having the King Returned is very clear, and good use of Falborn as
a connection to Thorongil/Aragorn's past.

Title: The Northmen · Author: SheBit · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Drabble · ID: 451
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-08-25 18:17:45
I like the rich descriptions, and the non-antagonistic way the
disparities are drawn between the two cultures; different, not rivals.

Title: Enter the Fourth Age, Hastily · Author: Dwimordene · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 140
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-08-25 18:19:47
This is an absolutely magical drabble, from the title to the style. It
catches the Entish way of speaking so perfectly, and the irony of the
title is well-placed and made me smile. I love the construction of the
drabble, with the emphatically offset final word.

The images called forth by Treebeard's litany are precise and
evocative, and vividly painted with excellent descriptions; each is
carefully chosen specifically for the universal response that each of
us has towards such quiet and calming scenes. Every time I read this
drabble, I can feel a sense of peacefulness and contentment steal over me.

I liked the brief reference to Merry and Pippin (and their possible
influence on "hastifying" Treebeard a bit?). They had such a strong
effect on one another, and a powerful influence on the results of the
Ring War; I enjoy believing their connection lasted the rest of their
lives, whether or not their acquaintance was ever renewed after the
hobbits left Gondor.

The effects of time are so well-explored in relation to Elves, and I
imagine that there's much of that same feeling with Ents: The growing
impacts of Men, the feeling of an end to their primary time and
influence in Middle-earth. The coming of the Fourth Age must have
seemed quite sudden indeed to an ancient like Treebeard.

Title: Celebration · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Drabble · ID: 139
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-08-25 18:26:39
Faramir fought long, hard years for just this exact result: Peace for
the people of Gondor, and Ithilien in particular. I wonder how often
he (and everyone else) was struck by how *normal* this day was
compared to the warfare of the Third Age.

This is a lovely drabble, calm and flowing. The list of activities
conjures up images from my personal memory bank of joyful days spent
at county fairs (activities may change, people don't!). I loved the
connection between the Lord and Lady of Ithilien and their folk, the
mutual respect and affection - this came through loud and clear.