Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Of Numenor That Was · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 424
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-14 01:53:48
A dark, dark but marvellous series, so poignant it hurts!

The grim details, the ash, the scents, the smoke blackening the sky
and everything around it are described very evocatively and chillingly.

The individual perspectives are chosen well: first the - literal -
overview by an eagle, then the tightly focused PoVs of two people
right in the midst of the atrocities, and as the finale a Maiar able
to walk in the carnage and show compassion for the victims.

The fact that it is left open whether the king's men had given her the
drink to dull her pain or to make her helpless strikes me as very
thougt-provoking detail. The same applies also to the twist of
combining the Wave with the Flames that consume her: In this context,
the Wave, at most other times only seen as the violent force that
consumed Númenor, here takes on a benevolent aspect, quenching the
Flames of the heinous sacrifice of the corrupted isle.

And in the midst of all that darkness you have Menelgund's offense at
nearly retching ["like a common gull"], which for some reason made me
laugh loud (I guess in compensation for the rest of the tear-inducing
story).

The following passage struck me the most, because it shows how far the
Númenóreans have fallen that they have even forgotten their own history:

["He knew Annatar's teachings well: how, when the One returned even
the dead would awake, and how those whose blood had slaked His thirst
would stand at His side when Taniquetil crumbled. Sakalzôr believed
those ancient truths completely; truly, his sister would join the
One's harem."]

Title: Bathing Boromir · Author: Marta · Genres: Humor: Drabble · ID: 645
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-14 01:55:25
The funny thing about this drabble is that it is completely clear why
Ioreth stands guard so emphatically, but the reason is not stated
outright - the brief statement that Boromir will take a bath shortly
is sufficient to explain everything!

I like Ioreth's protectiveness and no-nonsense manner here and her
disparaging (but I don't think meant absolutely serious) thoughts
about the younger women. She knows them, oh yes...

I can readily imagine the Ioreth whose prattling tongue we know so
well from canon using her eloquence in a much more forceful (and
coherent) manner when needed.

Title: The Burning of the Year · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 2
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-14 01:57:32
Evocative descriptions and elegant language. The ominous symbolism of
particular details - the reference to the ancient tradition of the
actual sacrifice of the Prince (Boromir?) for the good of his people,
Denethor ready to light the pyre, Faramir bedecked with the bounty of
the living land (Ithilien?) - are resonating.

The so problematic relationship between Faramir and his father are
portrayed with great insight and poignancy. Even in this so solemn
moment, Denethor must compare Faramir unfavourably with Boromir
["Almost as well as Boromir would have done..."], which I find
particularly petty. It's admirable how Faramir can overcome his
justified resentment at this with compassion.

The custom described doesn't mesh with my personal view of Gondorian
culture, but it is told convincingly, laying out an appropriate
background in history and enough details to let me *see* how it could be.

For some reason, this sentence: ["Nay, I cannot afford the ease of
despair."] resonated strongly with me. Yes, it certainly is often
easier to despair, to give up, than to strive against great odds. I
wonder if Denethor was lucid enough at the end to see his own actions
in this light, if he saw his state of desperation as easier to bear
than to continue to fight.

Title: Field of Dreams · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama · ID: 374
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-14 02:00:16
Very descriptive and detailed, the emotions and sensations of the
narrator are conveyed vividly. I like the sharp focus on every aspect
of harvesting - the sything, the sharpening of the scythe, flailing,
sieving, etc.; it really helps to define the protagonist, her
environment and her concerns.

The wide space taken up in the narrativethese everyday tasks that have
to be done no matter the circumstances, contrasted to the very brief
mention of the loss of husband and sons on the Pelennor Fields,
heighten the impact the latter has, by their very brevity.

Title: Last Light · Author: Ignoble Bard · Genres: Drama · ID: 194
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-14 02:10:29
I always find stories told from the PoV of usually inanimate objects
interesting, especially when, like here, the specific "character
traits" are taken into account in description and narration.

Very lucid, elegant language, with poignant details of description.
The accompanying picture fits very well, from the general content to
the mood conveyed in it.

To watch this story unfold, to see the slow destruction and defilement
of Orthanc from the perspective of a tree was very poignant and
moving. A living tree, just that which Saruman was in the process of
destroying with his machinery and his creatures. I wonder if this tree
or some of its kin are the rowan-trees whose loss Quickbeam so
bitterly mourns.

To leave this last tree standing just to have a perch for crows seems
particularly cruel, and I dearly hope the tree held out long enough to
see the revenge on Isengard by Ents and Huorns, and that Treebeard or
some of his kin would be able to restore it.

The crows a very consistent imagery of death, and the constant
references to them gives the whole story an even more haunting feeling.

Title: Drawing Straight With Crooked Lines · Author: Fiondil · Genres:
Drama · ID: 76
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-14 02:12:02
The narrow PoV chosen for the story works very well to let the readers
see directly through Boromir's eyes what he experiences, and feel what
he feels. The slow revelation of his surroundings is well-done, with
clear descriptions.

The discussion between Námo and Boromir was moving, revealing, and
exceedingly poignant. I liked it very much that Námo encouraged
Boromir to answer his questions, think through his actions and see
them in the right perspective on his own, and only gently guided him,
instead of just explaining everything or even lecturing him. It was
wonderful to see Boromir learning that even his bad deeds had a part
to play and were turned to good, and that Frodo had forgiven him.

Boromir's emotions rang true, and were conveyed very movingly, and I
very much appreciated that his love, protectiveness and pride for
Faramir was made so unequivocally clear.

I'm usuall not too fond of movieverse-stories, but you have used it
here to very good effect.

Title: Fell and Fair · Author: Elena Tiriel · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 526
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-14 02:33:40
An well-written set of drabbles centering on Elladan and Elrohir's
involvement in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant, and branching out
before and after in time, to those whose lives are touched by the twins.

The amount of research that went into the drabbles has to be
tremendous; yet the drabbles themselves are anything but dry. The
subjects include High-Elves, Rohirrim, Orcs and Dunedain.

This is one of the best depictions of Elladan and Elrohir that I can
remember. And the Author's Notes are a treat for any Tolkien aficionado.

Title: Gifts · Author: Acacea · Genres: Humor: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 500
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-09-16 06:45:44
"And so Denethor himself planted the seeds of the future affection
between his second son and the wizard". Very funny and feels right.
And I'm glad the baby is rather a generic baby with nothing predicting
the future great man.

Title: Oliphaunts and String · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 658
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-09-16 06:52:03
I like this piece very much. I certainly feel for helpless grandmother
-- charismatic, clever, spoiled, cruel child is evil enough without
powerful artifacts.

Title: In This These Days of Glory: From Spring to Autumn · Author:
Dana · Races: Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 568
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 09:57:06

Danachan continues her series of "Troubles" vignettes here, with the
same skill and care she took with the first half of the story.

It is significant, I think, to the scheme of LotR, that things really
did not begin to grow *worse* in the Shire until they had grown better
elsewhere. The destruction of the Ring in the Spring actually
triggered things snowballing in the Shire.

We see Lotho, so confident and full of himself in the beginning,
gradually losing his grip on both himself and his Ruffians. He knows
his supply of money seems to have dried up, but not why, and his Men
seem to be getting out of hand--and he scarcely dares to rein them in.

As for the rest of the Shire, we are again given some other POVs: Ted
Sandyman, Marigold Gamgee (with an excellent tie-in to another of
Dana's Troubles stories, "The Choices of Mistress Daisy") Tom Cotton
and others. Most sad are the tales of the series of housekeepers who
found themselves unfortunate enough to serve at Bag End briefly.

Technically these vignettes are so tightly constructed as to be
amazing. Each one is exactly 600 words, and each one gives us insight
into the POV character's feelings and thoughts in a way that is quite
visceral. And though you know it is coming, the description of Lotho's
dying is still quite chilling and shuddersome.

And it ends, of course, with Sam's (and the others') return.
Beautifully done.

Title: In This These Days of Glory: From Autumn to Spring · Author:
Dana · Races: Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 567
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 09:59:00


In a series of tightly planned vignettes, and alternating the
viewpoints of Lotho Sackville-Baggins with various other hobbits of
the Shire, Danachan chillingly documents the slide of the Shire into
the darkness that was engulfing the rest of the world outside its bounds.

She begins with the very night Frodo, Sam and Pippin leave, as Lotho
and his mother take possession of Bag End--Lotho's triumph on gaining
this long-held ambition burns hotly and fuels his further ambition.

One by one, we see others--some of them mere names on the Family
Trees, take on life and personality, as they deal with Lotho's
gradually deteriorating nature. Angelica Baggins and Will-lad Whitfoot
are two who really stand out in the narrative.

Dana's tight use of POV helps us to really get inside the heads of her
characters; by seeing how these events are so personally affecting
individuals, we get an excellent overview of how they are also
affecting the Shire at large.

As things get increasingly worse in the Shire, the story tellingly
ends on a note of hope: Rose's realization that Sam is coming back, on
the day the Quest ends. This semi-canon moment taken from JRRT's
unpublished Epilogue to Lord of the Rings is a fitting close to this.

Title: The Lining of the World · Author: Ruby Nye · Races: Hobbits:
Drabble · ID: 734
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 10:15:19
So often among those of us who favor hobbits, the fic is confined to
the stars of the story: Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, or even Bilbo. And
yet we have been told by their creator that all hobbits have in them
the kernel of courage and self-sacrifice, needing only the heat of
need to waken it.

There are a few authors who can make us remember this, who focus their
attention not on the hobbits who went forth from the Shire, but on
those who remained behind. These authors take minor characters on the
Family Trees or Original Characters, and turn them into living and
breathing personalities, not just stage extras.

Ruby Nye is one who excels at this. Her hobbits are always so very
hobbity--we are never misled into thinking of them as simply small Men
with hairy feet. They think and act as hobbits would--filled with a
love of life and all the good things that nature bestows. And yet they
also carry a deeper and more profound compassion and loyalty, and a
capacity for bravery all the greater for their small stature.

We are made very aware that the hobbits who stayed in the Shire had
their own war to fight, and that for some of them it ended their lives.

In this little drabble, one hundred well-chosen words, we get to know
and mourn Tobold Banks, one such hobbit. It is beautifully and
touchingly done, and the gasp of wonder at the end is filled with both
joy and sorrow.

Title: Following the King · Author: sophinisba solis · Genres: Drama:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 735
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 10:31:13
One of the bleakest and saddest parts of The Return of the King has to
be that last desperate gamble taken by Aragorn to march the remnant of
the army on the Black Gate, in what was, essentially a suicide
mission. They knew they faced overwhelming odds, and that they were
simply going as a decoy, on the very slender hope that somehow in
spite of everything, two small hobbits would achieve what they'd set
out to achieve.

In this double drabble, we get Pippin's POV as he joins that seemingly
doomed band in its journey to Mordor. We feel with him--one small
hobbit amid this great crowd of grim Men, struggling to keep his
spirits up, missing Merry desperately, and yet willing to give his
life in a last ditch effort to help his other beloved cousin Frodo.
His despair at the news from the Mouth of Sauron is palpable. The
ficlet is strictly book-verse, and yet it calls forth very effectively
the visual image of the movie, with the Army of the West
overwhelmingly surrounded, and the despair and last bloom of hope as
they charged

The language is striking and evocative, and I could just see him
there, lost in the vast host of Men, and then rushing forth with all
his courage to strike one last blow, as he thought, for Frodo.



Title: When Day is Done · Author: Dana · Genres: Alternate Universe ·
ID: 23
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 14:10:59
When the author told me of her concept for this AU I was intrigued and
enthusiastic. Even though I was beta, I still enjoy the story *as* a
story. The AU premise is simple: Merry and Pippin end up accompanying
Frodo into Mordor instead of Sam. While there have been briefer AUs
dealing with one or the other going with Frodo, most of them have
ended darkly and in disaster. This is not that sort of AU. Instead we
are treated to a brilliant psychological study of the dynamics between
the characters and how the relationship between them is impacted by
their circumstances, and how the dynamics of three people and Gollum
are different than those of two people and Gollum.

This is listed as slash, but there is very little in the story to
indicate that there is a physical relationship between the three
cousins. Certainly there are oblique references to episodes in the
past, and perhaps a few more reassuring touches and comforting kisses
than are strictly cousinly, but it is mostly an examination of the
very deep and abiding love between the three that goes far beyond the
physical. We will see that this experience cannot help but change
their relationship.

The prose is amazing. There were times when I would actually forget I
was beta-ing the story, and had to go back to the beginning of a
chapter, for I would get so caught up in the drama of it all. And
since she was using the original for her outline, there was a good
deal of blending canon material--I found her writing so good that
sometimes I actually had to go and double-check, to see was I reading
*her* or JRRT!

Her ability to keep a very tight third-person POV, that cuts more
closely to the bone than some people's first-person is showcased very
well in this character-driven story.

["Of course they were all weary. And cold. Pippin wandered along at
Frodo's back, and thought of home and hearth: of Yule at Brandy Hall,
though Yule was months behind – of the great fire and the great feast,
though he hardly missed the presents. If they even knew the time. He
could hardly recall how long it had been since they had broken from
their friends. He found himself wondering if they would ever go home.

But they went on. Day went on as well, and the mists lifted some and
the light brightened some as well. Pippin rubbed his hands together,
then rubbed them against his cloak. It might keep him hidden from
unfriendly eyes, but it did little to keep him very warm. Pippin
looked at the waste about them with distaste. Gollum halted them and
they rested for a while, but he hardly felt rested. He didn't want to
go on. He looked at Frodo, but Frodo seemed far away, lost in his
thoughts. He looked at Merry instead: Merry, who had been looking at
Frodo, but somehow felt Pippin's gaze and turned his head. Merry
seemed uneasy, and weary of course – but he lifted his arm and offered
his embrace, and Pippin took what was offered."]

You can just feel their weariness and sorrow, as they just keep
slogging on.

And as the reader takes the long and painful slog through Mordor with
them, it also helps to give a fresh slant on the original, seeing
places in which Sam's touch is missed by all three of them. Sam is
never forgotten, and I am very much looking forward to seeing his half
of the tale.

If you like stories that are rich in detail, and character-driven, you
will love this one.


Title: The Adventures of Frodo Gardner · Author: Dreamdeer · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Incomplete · ID: 25
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 14:11:19
Here is a story about Sam's eldest son, Frodo-lad. When King Elessar
sends a letter to Sam, asking for his help in recruiting the finest
gardener in the Shire to help with the restoration of Mordor, Sam
knows there is only one hobbit for the job: his son Frodo. Frodo's
still young, in his late tweens as was Pippin when he went on the
Quest. Accompanied by his Uncle Merry Brandybuck, who had some
business of his own to see to in Rohan and Gondor, he sets out on a
long and perilous journey.

This story is AU, but it is very subtle. The hints begin at the start,
when we see characters in the family that are not on the family tree.
Some dates do not quite add up. But it is only slowly that one
realizes that these are not mistakes in canon made by the author, but
are actual plot points. The same thing occurs when some characters are
seemingly out-of-character. We soon learn there are very good reasons
for this.

This is an amazing journey for young Frodo, and he faces some perils
that were thought long done away with. The author uses dream symbolism
to drive the story, and there is a certain mysticism about it. Yet
through it all, Frodo remains true to his purpose so far.

The story's very long, but the author updates on a weekly basis.

Title: Turned Earth · Author: Dana · Genres: Alternate Universe: The
Shire or Buckland · ID: 26
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 14:11:46
Zombies roaming the Shire? Hobbit zombies? It sounds like the craziest
and most insane sort of crack fic, but Danachan has the incredible
skill to tell this particular story not only with dignity, but without
too much serious violation of canon!

It's Shire Reckoning 1421, and after a very bright and promising 1420,
things seem to have gone horribly and bizarrely wrong in the Shire.
Crops are rotting in the ground, and a strange illness is decimating
the population. A number of hobbits have died, but now we learn that
they have not stayed buried.

I do not wish to make any spoilers, so I will try not to detail much
of the plot, but I have to say, I really do love poor Rose in this.
She bears so much of the burden, and yet manages to pull through in
the end.

Dana is able to create an eerie atmosphere of dread and despair, yet
there still remains the core of hobbit determination and endurance. We
see the sorrow and grief, and yet we also see the love and
protectiveness, that made our heroes able to endure the Quest and
achieve their goals. It's that love and determination that enable them
to endure this new challenge. There is nothing that can stand up to
hobbit solidarity after all.

And the ending, given what we know of canon, makes very good sense.

Title: Left Behind · Author: Elanor · Genres: Drama: With Merry · ID: 28
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 14:12:13
This is the first story by Elanor that I read, and it impressed me so
much! The time Merry spent in the Houses of Healing, while Pippin and
his other friends were away at the Black Gate is only touched a little
in canon, and in fanfiction all too seldom.

Yet this was Merry's difficult task, to once more be left behind,
alone in the gathering darkness. Perhaps it was even more difficult
than the moment in which he struck his desperate blow against the
Witch-king of Angmar.

In this story, the author turns the metaphor of Merry, holding on to
Pippin's hope into something literal. The leave-taking between Pippin
and Merry is so sorrowful, so full of pain, but also full of love and
dignity.

The one thing we do know from canon, is that during this time, Merry
made the acquaintance of Faramir, and they discussed Eowyn. In this
tale, they also discuss other things--including what little Merry
knows of Denethor's death, and his own anguish at not being able to go
with the rest. It is then that another battle begins, as the Shadow
reaches out for Merry once more, and he is engulfed by darkness.
Faramir's struggles to help Merry bring out some of his own memories
of a dark time in his own life, and Merry is drawn into those memories
quite literally. The author has a fascinating, dare I say, unique,
take on Finduilas' death!

Through all of this runs the threads of Pippin's hope, to which Merry
must cling in his search for light.

It is a beautiful and deeply spiritual story, and it encapsulates the
nobility of both the characters beautifully.

Title: It's No Mystery, Really · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Hobbits: Merry and Pippin · ID: 36
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 14:14:50
This is one of my favorites, out of many favorites by this particular
author. Grey Wonderer has a brilliant talent for outrageous humor, but
she also has a marvelous knack for the more gentle and subtle sorts of
humor as well. Her Merry and her Pippin are very well-developed and
well-rounded characters, and their relationship, while affectionate,
is also rather prickly. She makes it clear that there are things about
Pippin that irritate Merry in spite of his love for his cousin, and
there are things about Merry that frustrate Pippin no matter how
deeply he cares. It's very much the bantering of siblings, with a dose
of macho competitiveness thrown in for good measure.

This is just a little vignette, but it goes right to the heart of
things. It's setting is post-Quest Crickhollow, and Pippin has a cold.
Not only does he have a cold, but he is cranky and irritable, and in
no mood for advice of any sort, no matter how well meant, from his
older cousin.

The dialogue is sharp and funny, and it's quite amusing to see the
manipulations Merry uses on Pippin, and Pippin's testy reactions to
being manipulated. Here's a sample:

["Merry rolled his eyes and muttered again.

"What did you say?" Pippin demanded.

"Nothing," Merry said.

"You did too," Pippin said, irritated. "You said something. What was it?"

"Nothing important," Merry said, yawning.

"If it wasn't important, then why did you bother saying it?" Pippin
demanded.

"You say unimportant things nearly every time you open your mouth and
I don't question why you are doing it," Merry said. "Do me the same
courtesy, will you?"

Pippin glared at him, coughed again, and moved over closer to the
fireplace to stand, his arms still wrapped about his chest. "I wasn't
aware that we were being courteous," Pippin said, stiffly. "I do beg
your pardon."

"No matter," Merry said, turning to the next page of his book. "I
forgive you." "]


The ending line is both sweet and acerbic at the same time, and it
ends with the reader going "awww…" without being sappy. A very nice read!

Title: Tea and Seedcake and the Influence of Hobbits · Author: Baggins
Babe · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 492
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 14:56:47
One of the best things a fanfic writer can do is to create a
believable and realistic Original Character, whose purpose is to shed
light on, rather than to eclipse, the Canon Characters.

Baggins Babe usually concentrates on the main canon characters of the
hobbits, and does so very well for the most part. But she also has a
knack for that sort of OC, as well.

In this story, she has introduced us to Merlindor, a Gondorian
merchant who is making his first visit to Minas Tirith since the
coronation of the new King. We see with his eyes, as he enters the
White City for the first time since the War ended, and is astounded to
see the differences there.

The differences extend all the way up to the highest levels, as
Merlindor is surprised to discover, the court of King Elessar is
nothing at all like that of the Lord Denethor. He gradually makes the
acquaintance of most of the remaining members of the Fellowship, and
we see them through his eyes as not only creatures out of legend, but
also fellow people.

The author has a way with affectionate banter, keeping it gentle and
not too outrageous, and we are privileged to see through Merlindor's
eyes the love that those friends have for one another, and the
influence they've had on one another.

I would not at all mind seeing her make use of him in another
story--he really is a delightful fellow!

Title: In the Bleak, Cold Winter · Author: GamgeeFest · Races:
Hobbits: Pre-Quest · ID: 493
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 14:58:57
GamgeeFest has created a fascinating backdrop in her Shire for the
relationships of Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin. Most particularly, she
has managed to add some depth to the friendship between Merry and Sam.
In "Under Harvest Moon" an ill-considered prank by Merry causes a rift
between them, which Merry attempts to reconcile in "A Mid-Year Walking
Trip". Now, in this story she continues the tale of how the two grew
into the sort of close friends who could trust one another in a
Conspiracy.

During a particularly harsh late-season snowstorm, Sam is injured. The
injury is bad enough that he must remain at Bag End for a while to
recover while Merry is there visiting Frodo.

Sam is uncomfortable being waited on by two gentlehobbits, and the
three of them must feel their way along in this new situation. The
author has a knack for creating believable details in a hurt/comfort
situation. Her knowledge of anatomy is good, and she has done a lot of
research into historical treatments for such an injury. It is very
easy to believe in the situation she has arranged.

Rounding out the story is a very well-characterized OFC healer, for
whom the tween-aged Merry has an infatuation. This subplot is lovely,
and Merry's confusion when she returns his interest is both touching
and funny.

Title: Brotherhood · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA · ID: 733
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 15:16:50
As anyone who knows me well can say, my main interest in LotR fanfic
is hobbits. So it takes an extraordinary writer to lure me into
reading stories in which hobbits do not play a part. Bodkin is one of
a handful of Elf writers in whom I place full trust to hold and keep
my interest, in spite of the absence of my favorite characters.

This story is just lovely. In it she explores the delicate
relationship between Gilraen and little Estel, mortals, and their
guardians in Rivendell, the Elves. Most especially, the relationships
they develop with Elrond and his sons.

Bodkin shows us not only how Elladan and Elrohir became staunch
protectors and defenders of one whom they began to think of as a
"little brother", but how his presence also brightened their own
lives, which had been blighted by their own mother's ordeal at the
hands of Orcs. We also see how little Estel gradually comes to think
of Elrond as his "Ada"--and how this affects Gilraen.

There are difficulties ahead--how is she to teach her son what it
means to be mortal, when his only role models and friends are
immortal? But there are also moments of humor, love and tenderness. I
look forward to seeing more chapters of this lovely tale.

And it wouldn't hurt my feelings any if it continued long enough to at
least cover the visit of a certain Baggins to the Last Homely House…

Title: My Children: Reflections from the Shire · Author: Gryffinjack ·
Genres: Poetry: With Hobbits · ID: 35
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 16:26:02
I found this poem very touching, as the author personifies the Shire,
depicting her as a fond mother. Indeed, it is the thought of their
gentle Motherland that sustained our heroes through all the darkest
and most dire days of the Quest to rid the world of the Ring. It was
the thought of home and loved ones that kept them going in the face of
incredible odds.

That they returned to find her under assault, and were able to defend
her successfully is another theme explored here.

I really like the image of the Shire as mother, and the fact that the
poet also pays tribute to all of the four hobbits, and not to just one
or two. So seldom do we find that: most authors tend to concentrate on
just Frodo, or Frodo and Sam; a few concentrate on just Merry and
Pippin--very rarely do we see someone who cares to include all of them
as the focus.

We see the Shire's pride in these sons of her soil, and her grief that
for all they've done, none of them can find their final peace there,
but all of them must leave her finally, to find their own healing in
the end.

Well thought out and poignant in tone, though the scansion's a bit
rough in spots. A lovely poem and tribute to our four heroes.


Title: Thirst · Author: sophinisba solis · Races: Hobbits: Vignette ·
ID: 32
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 16:49:48
This is a series of four beautifully constructed vignettes, from
Merry's point of view, loosely tied together by the them of "thirst"
and of drinking.

Each vignette is solidly set in book canon, though sometimes evoking
visual images from the movies. The first is set in the Prancing Pony,
the second with Boromir on the journey, the third one in Minas Tirith
as Merry awaits news of the last battle, and the last at Cormallen as
he tends to the others as they are unconscious.

All of them reflect a different mood--the first one is somewhat
lighter in tone, though the undertone of danger remains; the second
reflects the determination of Frodo's cousins to stick with him, as
well as foreshadowing Boromir's temptation; in the third one, the mood
is one of angst and despair; while the last one begins in angst but
ends on a hopeful note and in a thoroughly hobbity mood.

I have to say, my favorite of them is the third one, in which Merry
and a stranger--a woman of Gondor, whose husband has gone to the
battle--make a passing acquaintance at a dried up fountain. Their
failed attempt to find comfort in one another's words only makes their
sorrow all the sharper, and highlights the absolute hopelessness of
those dark days.

A very worthy read.

Title: It Is Custom · Author: Mar'isu · Races: Cross-Cultural: The
Fellowship · ID: 820
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:25:45
A frank discussion among the Fellowship. I liked the hobbits'
astonishment, and Pippin's eye-opening comment about the gaffers who
were born after the Fell Winter. Boromir's incredulity about
Elves--and Aragorn--making the choices they did said more about the
insularity of the Gondor of those days than anything else. He could
not fathom that there could be other ways of dealing with it.

Title: In Aragorn's Safekeeping: Life in the King's House · Author:
Radbooks · Genres: Alternate Universe: Incomplete · ID: 416
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:26:04
This is a sequel to one of last year's nominees, and I must admit,
after reading it, I went looking for this. I was very pleased to find
that a new chapter has been posted!

Like the original "In Aragorn's Safekeeping" "Life in the King's
House" this one features the two OCs from "our" time, Thomas and
Rebecca, who are now his wards, and are betrothed to one another.
Since all this takes place *after* ROTK, it's breaking new ground. In
many ways it's a quieter and more domestic story--they are adjusting
to life in peacetime Middle-earth, but there is still plenty of
conflict and much to hold the reader's interest. My only *possible*
wish would be for more frequent updates...