Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: A Need To Know · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits: Post-Ring
War · ID: 776
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:26:41
Sam finds himself more than a little flustered by the blunt opinions
of his future father-in-law. But old Tom Cotton is a very wily fellow,
and he has more in mind with his prodding than to annoy Sam.

Title: Daybreak · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 705
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:27:15
A powerful drabble--it's just the reaction one would expect Faramir
would have. Beautiful!

Title: Bitter Springs · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 634
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:32:04
Interesting speculation about the political situation between Rohan
and Gondor, during the lead-up to the War of the Ring. It's quite
realistic to suppose that both Theodred and Eomer would find it
frustrating to deal with Theoden under Wormtongue's control, and
Boromir, had he come to deal with Rohan on the Steward's behalf would
also have been frustrated. The dialogue felt very realistic.

Title: Merry's Grandmother · Author: grey_wonderer · Races: Hobbits:
Pre-Quest · ID: 137
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:32:52
This is one of Grey Wonderer's rare serious stories. There is *some*
humor in it, but the focus is on Merry getting acquainted with his
Took grandmother, whom he has rarely had a chance to talk with. She
shares a very special story with him, and he learns a lesson about
trust from both her and from Pippin. Very sweet and thoughtful.

Title: Remembering Anew · Author: Pearl Took · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 88
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:33:38
This story has a very interesting concept: several generations after
the Quest, most of the Shire has forgotten the true story of the War
of the Ring, and the role of the Travellers has been twisted out of
all recognition. This is the story of Merry's and Pippin's
descendants, and their own Quest to recover the truth. There are some
very unexpected twists in this.

Title: Letting Go · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War · ID: 230
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-09-16 17:34:31
I like this Slightly Tookish's Paladin; he's very compassionate and
understanding towards his son. I like his concern, and his wisdom, and
the way he puts Pippin's needs first--before his own wish to have his
son home, before his pride. This is a very insightful piece.

Title: Tamer's Tale · Author: juno_magic · Races: Cross-Cultural · ID: 41
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-09-16 18:29:23
This is a wonderful little story, a new Point of View in Middle-Earth
in the form of the original character, Tamer. We get to see Tamer's
life as she grows up and the romance she has with none other than
Gandalf. And why shouldn't Gandalf have a romance? We get to see a
different side to Gandalf, a more "human" element to him, and a
possible explanation for why future canon events turn out the way they
do. But this is really Tamer's Tale, and though she's an OC we get to
know her well in the few chapters of this story. We are introduced to
the people of Himling and the life of the fishermen. The descriptions
of Tamer and her home are rich and detailed, and the interactions of
the characters very believable. And the ending will leave you asking
Juno, "But what happens next?!"

Title: A Collection of Sindarin Tanka · Author: juno_magic · Genres:
Poetry · ID: 224
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-09-16 18:32:13
A unique collection of poetry--Elvish poems, written in Sindarin (with
English translation), in a Japanese form. The Elvish subject fits the
form of the tanka beautifully. Elves fit well into the traditionally
formal voice of a tanka, and like the elves tanka are usually focused
on nature and life. Though very short, they have much to say--about
love and longing and leaving. And if you don't know a word of
Sindarin, the English versions stand on their own.

Title: The Fëanorieli · Author: Istarnie · Genres: Humor · ID: 530
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-09-17 02:17:21
What if Feanor had daughters rather than sons? This amusing dream
piece presents a possible scenario. It's fun to think of Feanor trying
to cope with disobedient daughters, of similar temperment to his canon
brood of sons.

Title: She Watches · Author: Larner · Races: Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 640
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-17 05:43:43
Larner is well-known for writing long stories and novels with
meticulously detailed hobbit customs and themes. Yet this vignette is
a favorite of mine among her many works, it's short, sweet and
slightly sharp.

The vignette is Rosie Cotton Gamgee's POV of her husband, his
adventures, and their marriage, many years after Sam's return. Through
her eyes, we can not only what we knew, that Sam has a divided heart;
partly happily bound to the Shire in his role as husband, father and
Mayor, and partly bound to the greater world outside it and the
beloved friend and "Master" who awaits him in the Undying Lands, but
what we did not necessarily know, that Rosie is aware of it.

[She Watches] reminds me somewhat of Tolkien's tale of Aldarion and
Erendis, "The Mariner's Wife", another story of a wife whose husband's
heart belongs to more than home and marriage. But where Erendis
becomes embittered and angry by having to share her husband with his
seafaring and missions to Middle-earth, Rosie takes a more practical
and charitable view, rejoicing that she has as much of her husband as
she does, that Sam can give so much of himself to a small corner of
the world when he has been far away from it and walked among the great
and done such great things. Rosie is not lacking in pride, but she has
more dignity than Erendis, or else Rosie has enough pride in herself
and her own worth not to need Sam's constant attention. Either that,
or Rosie just has the common sense that Erendis lacked - some people
do have divided hearts, and their loved ones can either make the best
of it, or wither up inside in bitterness. Given that Rosie and their
children saw a lot more of Sam during their married life than Erendis
saw of Aldarion, Rosie's decision seems to have been the right one.

I love these two paragraphs, and find them very telling:


[And yet, for all most of his heart is here, here in Bag End under the
Hill, she still catches him paused, his eyes turned westward, for an
important part of his heart is there, waiting for his coming one day.

But that day isn't yet, not while she remains here for him to come
home to. And she finds she has pity for the one who waits there--some
pity, at least.]


To me, the line about Rosie's having [some pity, at least] for Frodo,
who she knows is waiting for Sam to come and who she knows holds part
of Sam's heart, indicates that she does have some sorrow and perhaps
anger over the situation. But Rosie's greatness of heart triumphs here
- where a lesser person might wallow in anger about their husband
pining for a friend who is awaiting him beyond mortal lands, Rosie can
see the pathos of their dilemma, and find some pity for Frodo.

An unusual and complex portrait of Rosie.


Title: The Slave of the Ring · Author: Linda hoyland · Races: Men ·
ID: 418
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-17 05:57:31
Lindahoyland rarely writes of Boromir; preferring to concentrate on
stories of Denethor's second son and his Fourth Age friendship with
Aragorn. So it was with surprise and delight that I first beheld this
tale.

My reading pleasure doesn't diminish after several readings. Linda
paints a vivid first-person portrait of Boromir as a man of strength
and fundamental goodwill, yet a fatal flaw in his pride. That pride is
seen subtly, in little touches of resentment against Aragorn; and as
he falls more and more under the sway of the Ring, the resentment
grows more obvious and more ugly.

I especially liked Boromir's perception of Aragorn as being similar to
Denethor; which, when he thinks of it, scares him, for by then he is
beginning to have troubling thoughts.

A worthy portrait of a man slowly coming under the influence of a
dangerous thing; a thing which pulls him in by his own worse impulses.

Excellent and apt use of quotations from Wagner's DAS RHEINGOLD at the
beginning of the story.

Title: Fourth Age, Year 13 · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 628
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-17 06:35:13
A delightful trip down the road of fatherhood; specifically fatherhood
of girl-children, for Aragorn, as Dwimordene takes the King through
his oldest daughter's first thirteen years. The story is effervescent,
charming, and very poignant; also beautiful in language. The bit about
Aragorn's younger daughter being nervous of her barely known father
when he returns home from the war strikes me as particularly credible.

It's a rollicking road for Elessar; who has faced many foes but is
rather nervous himself as his oldest daughter stands on the brink of
adolescence.

One of the best LOTR-characters-and-their-kids stories I've read.

Title: Fell and Fair · Author: Elena Tiriel · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 526
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-17 07:51:20
A very interesting gapfiller, full of intriguing details of characters
and actions, which brings this event in Middle-earth history (or one
version of it) to life, especially in really bringing together data
that is either described or implied in canon, or can be inferred
logically (I also found the extensive author's notes very illuminating).

Wonderful use of language, formal, with a slight archaic touch, but
seldom stilted. The drabble format is here very cleverly employed to
choose just the right term, just the most evocative and fitting turn
of phrase. The language also adapts to individual points of view; for
example Círdan uses metaphors of the sea, the Orcs slur.

The appropriate tension is for the most part sustained over the lines
of the individual drabbles, sometimes interrupted by welcome scenes
which are more light-hearted. A very realistic touch - nobody can be
always grim and alert. I also like the reminiscences to earlier times;
they gave the story a wider panorama and helped to flesh out
characters and relationships.

My favourite drabbles were the two from Círdan's POV chapters "Early
2510 Third Age" & "A Few Days Later", "A Balchoth war widow", ch.
"2511 Third Age", and "Elrohir, late that afternoon", ch. "Fourth Age.

Title: The making of a Ringbearer II "Anchored" · Author: obelia
medusa · Races: Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 533
Reviewer: PipMer · 2007-09-17 17:37:54
I adore this story. All of the characters' personalities are fleshed
out and believable, staying true to Tolkien's interpretation of such.
Frodo and Sam's relationship is true to form, as is Merry and Frodo's.
Little Pippin is drawn to perfection, with his cheerfulness and love
of Frodo.

One of my favorite parts is when Merry is angry at Frodo for leaving
Brandy Hall to go live with Bilbo. When Bilbo goes to soothe a hurt
Merry, and asks him who takes care of Frodo, Merry responds in typical
childlike fashion by claiming that HE takes care of Frodo. So tender!

Well done!

Title: Who The Sword Devours · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men · ID: 364
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-09-18 00:35:55

Well, first I have to admit that, typically, I wouldn't click on a
story with "contemplates" in the summary (says she who is
accused of craving copious amounts of blood and gore in her reading as
she rips her hair from the roots and screams
'conflict, more conflict' to her critique partners), but having been a
long time fan and having high expectations of
your work (not to mention having seen the ecstatic yet pleading SSP
when this was first posted online) I took a chance and, as
usual, was glad I did.

Your Boomer grips me from the start, the voice of a warrior strong
with angst and love and hopes and regret, finding some
small comfort through the deaths in knowing, in the end, of a job well
done - knowing that death and loss is an integral
part of life and living and that however else it ends, he done his part.

Your narrative and descriptions are balanced and pointed. vivid and
visual without being overdrawn and lagging. As I
read along, I don't have to stop and close my eyes to see your scenes,
because they come to life between me and the page as
I'm reading. Each line breaths life into the story in a special and
unique way, adding depth and reality to the
picture.

Your voice and tone is wonderfully consistent and smooth. I find it
appropriate to the voice of an educated warrior of
old, without sounding historically stilted or awkward, and the pacing
as well. Each element of this work comes together in
balanced support of the other. I especially like how you address the
questions of honor, love, loyalty, respectability and responsibility.
- his
gradual and self-justified sliding toward temptation. - excellent
building sexual tension with a perfect blend of explicitness.

I love your Boomer, his strength, his arrogance, his faults, truly a
'David' in his world, a man of his times. Tolkien left him, in many
ways, between the lines and you have brought him to life for me - and
I thank you for that.




Title: A Very Rain of Sparrows · Author: Dwimordene · Races: Men · ID: 440
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-18 04:33:56
A richly textured story of some of the unknowns of Gondorian history;
the common people caught in the crossfire of the Kin-strife.
Intricate, well-written and entirely credible.

Title: The Last Queen · Author: Maeve Riannon · Races: Men · ID: 744
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-18 04:41:09
A strange and dark interpretation of the troubled (to say the least!)
marriage of Tar-Miriel and Ar-Pharazon, and Miriel's last days.
Skillfully written and frought with passion and portents.

Title: "A Cat Of A Different Color" · Author: Cathleen · Genres:
Mystery · ID: 385
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-09-18 05:03:58
"A Cat of a Different Color" is a delightful tale within a tale. In a
quiet moment in the early days of their journey, the members of the
fellowship stop for breakfast after a night's travelling. Boromir
entertains them with the story of the mysterious tortoise shell cat
who could tell the future. A fortune telling feline? You have to read
the story to find out.

"Cat" is a well-written fairy tell of Middle Earth with a dark twist
at the end. I was as fond of Cathleen's depictions of Merry and Pippin
as I was fond of the imaginative story that Boromir tells.

Title: Osgiliath · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 626
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-09-19 05:07:55
You feel the coming of the shadows and the Nazgul as they overtake
Osgiliath in this chilling, moody drabble.

Title: The Burning of the Year · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 2
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-09-20 00:10:28
The summary of "The Burning of the Year" is simple. Because Boromir is
off on his journey to Rivendell, Faramir in his stead leads the
traditional Gondorian new year's procession, the "burning of the
year." Afterwards he and Denethor share new year's drinks with the
people of Minas Tirith.

What I love about this deceptively simple story is the many levels on
which it operates. Raksha has chosen to tell this character piece in
the first person, present tense point of view. This approach results
in great drama and immediacy, as you experience Faramir's stream of
conscious thoughts about his country, their traditions, his missing
brother, and, most of all, his father.

And that's not all. A fascinating aspect of "Burning" is the backstory
of the celebration, which Faramir attributes to the original occupants
of Gondor, the "pagans" who greeted Elendil's ships. In those days the
procession culminated with the burning not only of the year but also a
selected youth or young man, in the hope that this sacrifice would
bring good luck and a bounteous harvest in the new year. By the time
Faramir participates, only the wheat wreath on his head winds up in
the bonfire. Raksha skillfully echoes real life ethnic and religious
traditions, among them the sacrifice of the Green Man in pagan
Britain, the candle lighting at dusk by Jews at Chanukah, and Jesus'
crown of thorns and weary walk down the Via Dolorosa, among many
Solstice practices.

Finally, the "Burning of the Year" foreshadows Faramir's eventual fate
in the harrowing "Pyre of Denethor" chapter, where Faramir almost
becomes the sacrificed youth/Green Man of the pagan tradition. Raksha
seems to indicate a slight thawing between the father and his second
son before the tragic scene that we all know is to come, which makes
"Burning" all the more heartrending.

This story first appeared in December 2006, right before Christmas. I
loved its premise and admired Raksha's ability to present it in
wonderful language. At second reading I still think it's one of the
best stories I read in the past year.

Title: The Undiscovered Country · Author: Wimsey · Genres: Drama:
Elves in Later Ages · ID: 715
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-09-20 04:39:56
This is a beautifully written and heart rending story concerning Arwen
after the death of her beloved Aragorn.

The writer brings Arwen vividly alive and expertly conveys her grief
to the reader. This Arwen is very human and angry at being left alone.

What must it be like for an immortal Elf to come to terms with
death,when it it is hard enough for mortals who always have known
their destiny?

How Arwen embraces her destiny againgst a background of changing
seasons is the major them of this story which ends on an uplifting note

Title: Gone Fishin' · Author: Aranel Took · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 322
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-09-20 04:57:06
This was very enjoyable, nicely written and made me smile. I love the
image of Aragorn sneaking off to go fishing and it is very in
character for him.

Title: Riders to the Sea · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Alternate
Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 158
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-09-20 04:57:24
I liked this fresh look at how Aragorn and Frodo might have met. In
this beautifully written, story, Frodo encounters the the injured
Strider and helps him. The author provides an interesting role
reversal,given that in many stories it is Aragorn who cares from Frodo.
I like the author's use of beautiful,poetic languge and the way Frodo
gradually overcomes his fears and finds a new friend.

Title: The Taming of the Badger · Author: Pentangle · Genres: Drama:
With Aragorn · ID: 234
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-09-20 04:57:40
I loved this story and it has quickly become a favourite.We are so
used to seeing Aragorn win all hearts unless they belong to Sauron's
followers that it comes as a surprise when a crusty old healer
dislikes him when he takes up his place amongst the Rangers. The
reader initially dislikes the old man but the as the story unfolds
becomes as anxious to understand him as Aragorn is and feel his envy
and heartache. A highly reccomended and heartwarming read.

Title: In Shadow Realm · Author: Legolass · Genres: Adventure · ID: 266
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-09-20 04:58:34
This is a gripping and remarkable story, which had me early awaiting
each installment. The writer has a true gift for creating tension and
making the reader care about the characters.
Although,this is primarily a story about the depth of the friendship
between Aragorn and Legolas,other characters are not forgotten either
and the remaining members of the Fellowship,Faramir and Arwen,
Eldarion, Celeborn and the twins all play their part.

The story is set in the Fourth Age and returns to the Paths of the
Dead. It seems some ghosts still linger and Aragorn is drawn into a
trap when he tries to help those who dwell in the shadow on of the
mountain.

Eventually it is only Legolas' love for his friend that saves Aragorn
from a death worse than death.

I especially liked Faramir and Arwen's parts in this story, the love
that all his friends show for Aragorn and the writer's realistic
details that ordeals are not easily recovered from. The original
characters are also well portrayed as is a sub ploit dealing with
predudice against Elves.