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Title: The Accidental King: Five Reasons Why Finarfin Deserves an
Appreciation Month · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 5
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:33:06
This essay, while being well-structured, well-reasonened and lucid, is
nevertheless written in a vivid, engaging, and entertaining style.

Keeping a tight focus on the text and analysing very thoroughly
pertinent lines - and their placement - in canon, the essay is able to
expose misconceptions or oversimplifications of certain readings of
Finarfin. It reveals where aspects of fanon might have originated by
erroneously conflating different passages. I think here in particular
about Finarfin's actual reasons for turning back from exile, which was
not fear of the wrath of the Valar, but ["grief"] and ["bitterness"]
at what had already been done at Alqualondë.

I also appreciate that you pointed out the harsh and bitter realities
- and uncertainties - Finarfin found at his return to Valinor. It
could not have been easy to come home to so much grief and destruction
and try to lead a remnant of a folk that would be held responsible for
a good part of it, especially as Finarfin would never have expected to
have to adopt this role, and as he is so much personally affected.

The look at Finarfin's children and their deeds to further illuminate
his own character is also a reasonable and convincing step, especially
in a Tolkien-context. It shows, I think, that his importance, or his
influence, reached further than his canon appearance would suggest.

Title: Enter the Fourth Age, Hastily · Author: Dwimordene · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 140
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:37:39
This drabble has so much to offer, and its premise, structure and
content are all interwoven to a unit that is even greater than its parts.

It takes Treebeard's character, his manner of speaking and his
attitudes, adds to it other information known in canon about Ents, and
combines it all to a highly original and creative idea, realised
consistently and to great effect.

The definition here found for ["peace"] is very moving, intricate,
sweeping, and so very accurate, and it is particularly appropriate
that a creature so close in touch with nature like Treebeard would try
to describe it in this manner. It also paints a very evocative picture.

Furthermore, the definition contains in itself even the opposite of
the term it describes, and so brings ["peace"] out in even sharper
relief against this backdrop of agitated nature.

I also like the perplexity and wonder at Hobbits and their peculiar
customs that seem to be inherent in Treebeard's last words and echoes
his attitude towards Merry & Pippin in the books.

Entish, as Tolkien tells us, is ["slow, sonorous, agglomerated,
repetitive, indeed longwinded; formed of a multiplicity of
vowel-shades and distinctions of tone and quantity"], and nobody was
able to learn it, not even even the Elves. But if someone would use
only words in their own language, without the complications of
variable shadings and tones, this drabble would be a good example to
explain the basis mechanisms.

Title: Respite · Author: Lindelea · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble · ID: 303
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:38:38
This drabble has good pacing, vivid language, and detailed
descriptions. It has an immediacy that draws the readers in with its
first words.

I like the fact that it seems at first glance a general overview about
the varied life of Rangers, and that we learn only at the very end
that in fact it is actually a gap-filler for a moment in the trilogy,
and so has a very specific setting in place and time.

It is structured very appropriately to its content. The brief moment
of rest that is all that the Rangers can expect between frantic
activity, organising those activities, and hard-fought engagements
with the enemy, is placed right in the middle between descriptions of
just such activities.

I also like the fact that while one can infer that the drabble is
about Faramir in particular, it could also describe other Rangers (or
at least officers) with a similar mind-set.

But, as this *is* about Faramir, it conveys a convincing and evocative
picture of his character, his duties, and his attitude towards those.
You have captured his love of lore, but also his dedication to duty,
where he does not begrudge the lack of opportunity to pursue his
interests, but is fully prepared and willing to do what is needed to
protect his people.

Title: Belonging · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance: Second Age or
Earlier · ID: 422
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:40:54
A lovely, gentle, highly romantic interlude in the life of
newly-wedded Elrond and Celebrían. The characterisations are complex
and heart-warming, the language and imagery lyrical and evocative.

There is a sensuous, tingling overtone to the story that is all the
more effective for being not quite explicit or graphic, and
alternating smoothly between intense and moving and more playful and
amusing. I like the sense we get of the freshness and newness of their
marriage, that both still are feeling their way into ever greater
intimacy and knowledge about each other. I also like the tight focus
only on the married couple and their day together.

Celebrían's portrayal is particularly delightful. She is playful and
radiating joy, so full of love and longing for her husband, and she
manages to draw out Elrond, who is prone to brooding and guardedness;
and it is also made quite clear that she has a very strong personality
and that her husband depends quite a lot on her - which makes the
later grievous events all the more tragic and painful.

The last paragraphs were especially poignant in light of what is to
come in the future, and I hope these statements: [`I am with you
always. Whatever might become of us in the centuries to come, whatever
challenges we might face, I am with you always.'] and [`Whatever
happens,' she said, `however bad it might be, we will cope with it,
because we have had now.'] proved true and sustained both in their
long time apart.

Title: Between Crown and Mantle · Author: Marastar · Times: Late Third
Age: 3018-3022 TA · ID: 701
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:43:25
Vibrant descriptions, subtly emotionally charged atmosphere, and a
thought-provoking theme.

A marvellous interweaving of various histories, showing similarities
and differences and thus giving new interpretations and/or new insight
into the events not only to Éowyn, but also to the readers.

A lovely, poignant and careful description of the beauty and art of
the tapestry and its details, which includes even its fading, its
transience. Those passages seem to make the tapestry and its subject
really come to life, and so give additional meaning to the talk
between the protagonists.

The eternal question of "Éowyn - heroine or deserter?" is posed in an
original way, indirect, only slowly revealing itself to the readers as
the reason for Éowyn's discomfort and unsettledness in her own home.
It is conveyed in a very understated way how the slaying of the
Witch-king itself, but also the ambiguous reception of this deed,
still shadows her thoughts.

I love the way both "Faramirs" are here interwoven with Éowyn's story.
I have always regretted it that there are so few stories of Faramir
the King's son, but your story is all the more rich and rewarding to read.

It is an intriguing details that the brief sight of Narya gave her the
courage to approch Gandalf, very apt for this Ring that, according to
the Tale of Years, Círdan gave him to ["rekindle hearts to the valour
of old in a world that grows chill"].

Title: Resurrection · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 265
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:47:48
The language and structure of the story illustrates very well its mood
and content. Halbarad's fever dreams and nearly slipping away to
death, and his slow road to recovery, are conveyed by appropriately
vague and dream-like descriptions, as the readers see the story unfold
through his point of view.

I find it a very intriguing detail that on one level, Halbarad *knows*
he shouldn't have survived, that this is an alternative reality. It
makes the tension of the piece between canon and AU that much tangible
and I find it very creative to address this aspect in the story itself.

In addition, comparing, or "paralleling" Death with Aragorn somehow
gives the impression that it was only his friend's and king's need for
him that made him turn back from dying. I find this aspect very
telling and poignant, all the more so when their friendship is here
rather implied; so self-evident and strong that it doesn't have to be
explained or dwelled on much.

Title: The princess from the sea : a Gondorian fairy-tale · Author:
Fawsley · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 652
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:48:18
Lovely descriptions, and the fairy tale plot blends well with
Middle-earth, in a mix of seriousness and irony.

The tone is suitably light, as is the fact that the protagonists are
written less as individuals and more as archetypes.

The fairy tale conventions used (for example the so symbolic numbers
seven and three, or the fact that the humble one "wins" in the end)
are woven into the story in places and ways that made sense.

Title: Pick Your Battles · Author: Aliana · Genres: Alternate Universe
· ID: 550
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:49:16
The transformation of time and language works surprisingly well. The
realities of the horrors of war, of death and wounds and helpless
perplexity of the people living in such times is, after all, eternally
unchanged in essence, unfortunately. In using modern language, it was
also perhaps easier to really describe the realities of it bluntly and
unvarnished.

I like how the story just seems to be an excerpt, with no real
beginning or end, how things repeat themselves: it gives a sense of
how even the reality of war can have its banalities and boredom and
petty episodes.

The characterisations are very poignant, the emotions and thoughts of
the protagonist evocative and engaging. I liked how he wasn't that
interested in news of how the siege developed, but just did his job
and picked up details by hearsay or by the odd means of interpreting
his patients' wounds.

The narrator of "Fallen" actually appearing in the story as
["Narrator"], complete with a declaration of what her meta-function
was - too funny!

Title: Five Things That Never Happened to Theodred and Boromir ·
Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 545
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:49:45
A very broad range of "what if's?", spanning truly dreadful
alternatives to rather hopeful ones, from the first, which is
appropriately short as *any* possibility for the life of Théodred and
a future with Boromir is nipped in the bud, to the image of them in
living to an old age, married but still together.

My absolute favourite is the fourth one - it had me flinching and
exlaiming out loud at the horror of the pictures it conjured. And the
idea that Wormtongue might have done something like that is eerily
possible...

Title: Riders to the Sea · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Alternate
Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 158
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-24 21:51:45
Beautiful, descriptive style; I was immediately drawn in by the
wonderful, lyrical beginning.

I like how there are so many diverse strands interwoven into the story
- the Sea, Mearas, Elves etc. It really sets the scene for some
enchanting adventure and how Frodo is favourably predisposed to like
them, in contrast to most other Hobbits.

Despite the "AU-ness" of this encounter, there is a feeling of
familiarity of this "first" meeting between Strider and Frodo: the
suspicion and despite of it, the will to listen on Frodo's side, and
Strider's demonstration - by drawing a weapon - that the suspicion
towards strangers may be well-founded. Just as the canonical first
meeting in the Prancing Pony.

I think my favourite part is actually Bilbo's remembered advice to
Frodo to not forget the magic ["in your own backyard"].

Title: The Captain and the King · Author: plasticChevy · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 738
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-09-25 09:23:33
The narrative moves along at a flexible pace, and there is a good
balance between action, description and introspection.

I had reservations regarding some details of plot and characterisation
(notably: why let Halbarad survive the war just to make him a villain
with, to my mind, not very plausible motivation to hate Boromir and go
to such lengths to prevent him from becoming Steward?), but on the
whole, the changes in the story due to the altered circumstances
worked relatively well.

Title: A Hidden Hope · Author: dancingkatz · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 465
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-26 04:21:13
Intriguing movie-verse story about the late great Theodred and a young
woman who he loved.

I really like the framing sequence, wherein Eowyn tends her dying
cousin, as much as the rest of the tale - we see Eowyn's courage and
determination, and the vicious extent of Wormtongue's villainy.

The romance is pleasant. I like the careful delineation of various
Rohirric customs; and the good use of language in the naming of
various Mearas young and old.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the story when it finishes.

Title: And Not To Yield · Author: Lady Marshy · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 117
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-26 04:35:04
I'm not usually a fan of LOTR slashfics; but there is no sex here, and
the AU deserves major points for originality in the identity of the
one who, in this story, took the Ring and seemingly set up the tragedy
that culminates here.

Title: Cultural Exchanges In Gondor · Author: Llinos/Marigold
CoAuthors · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 94
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-26 05:12:30
A set of ten delightful double-drabbles wherein the hobbits discover
new and interesting facets of life in Gondor during their post-Ring
War stay there. The hobbits' boundless curiosity as they learn new
things about the realm of the White Tree is refreshing; and it's quite
understandable that Pippin seems still to be the most curious of all.

I particularly liked the vignette detailing the hobbits' day at the
beach - its last line is priceless.

Title: Left Behind · Author: Elanor · Genres: Drama: With Merry · ID: 28
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-09-26 05:14:56

Here is a psychological and emotional study of Faramir and Merry, as
they battle their demons, and their loneliness, in the wake of the
departure of the Host to the Black Gate. There is an unusual flashback
to the death of Finduilas, and a rather interesting reason created for
much of Denethor's disfavor of his second son.

As a Faramirist, I was very impressed with most of Faramir's
characterisation. I particularly liked the part where, after Faramir
grieves bitterly in the Houses of Healing over his father and
brother's deaths, he awakens the next day resolved to redeem his
father's ruin and hold the City for the King whether Sauron is
defeated or triumphs - that, to me, was very Faramirish.

Title: The Young Knights · Author: Soledad · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 98
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-09-26 05:44:48
Lord Forlong of Lossarnach in Gondor holds a great tournament in his
lovely old walled city of Carvossonn. Folk come from miles around to
compete, watch, and shop at the extravagant fair that precedes the
weeklong event. Against the panoply of all the young knights at the
tournee, the women of Lord Forlong's house live, love, and fight
political battles amongst themselves and their female guests.

I love the details of "The Young Knights," particularly the richness
of Soledad's descriptions of banners, armament, the booths at the
Faire, and the different competitions in the tournament, particularly
the melee.

Occasionally the back story of Lord Forlong's women got confusing. It
was hard to keep straight who was conniving for power, while Forlong's
two daughters longed for true love. I also would have liked to learn
more of the young knight Herumor.

All in all, this is a satisfying story. You feel like you are there.
And the tournament chapters are just terrific.

Title: No Pain, No Gain · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 435
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-26 11:19:32
A humorous pair of ficlets in which first Merry gets a tattoo, and
then Arwen has her first baby, using the same dialogue for both. As
always, Ann has managed to capture so much in so little. Lovely humor!

Title: Shells · Author: pipkinsweetgrass · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Pippin · ID: 506
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-26 11:26:16
Ah, our Pippin, hearing a tale of Boromir as a child, newly bereft of
his mother. And to think of Ioreth insisting that both Boromir and
Pippin are lambs--so sweet.

Interesting tale within a tale.

Title: Warriors' Scars · Author: Marta · Times: Early Third Age:
1-2850 TA · ID: 648
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-26 11:32:47
To know the grief and desire for revenge and to make safe must have
been difficult for Elrond's twin sons after their mother's capture and
wounding. To see Glorfindel seek to help Elladan find a positive
reason for his actions was heartening.

Interesting to see this approach in seeking to heal that grief in the
sons and then the father as is done here.

Title: Four Voices - Autumn, 3018 · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Romance: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 756
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-26 11:37:49
I'm not truly a slash fan, although in this case I could see this
pairing as possible. Interesting look at four views of the possible
romantic relationship between Theodred and Boromir. Always Ann can
bring such emotional depth with such economy of words.

Title: Glimpses from Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Times: Late Third
Age: 3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 614
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-26 11:44:09
Such wonderful vignettes of Pippin's recovery, tended by Aragorn,
Merry, and Gandalf. The love of all of them is so obvious and
delightful, as is the reality that just recovering from such a serious
set of injuries isn't a smooth road. Beautiful details.

Title: Holding onto Hope · Author: Alassante · Times: First Age and
Prior · ID: 368
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-09-27 03:19:49
I truly enjoyed this glimpse of such an important point in the History
of Middle-earth. These moments have been written so many times in so
many ways, it's hard to find a fresh retelling, but Alassante has done
that. I can tell how much thought went into this work, the nuances of
personality and relationship, both personal and political. both on the
micro and the macro scale - all beautifully interwoven.

It's hard to imagine Maedhros down and out, but certainly with all he
went through, I think this is an excellent portrayal of him as it
wasn't just physical torment that he endured, but the very presence of
Morgoth himself.

I especially love your Celebrimbor, he's frightfully neglected in this
fandom and I like you portrayal of him as the balancing act between
the brothers. I can easily imagine, growing up amid that bunch that he
learned how to balance of tact and strength early in his life.

Thank you for sharing this. I truly enjoyed it.


Title: Thinking of Marigold · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor ·
ID: 349
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-27 03:36:57
Grey Wonderer's stories are always hilarious and filled with charm,
and at times they can also be more than suitably naughty. In this
story we find our four naked in the aftermath of the attack by the
barrow-wight, having stripped themselves of the flimsy finery with
which the wight had dressed them, waiting for Tom Bombadil's return
with the ponies and packs. Only Pippin is thinking--all too often a
dangerous thing for GW's Pippin to do, as a thinking Pippin is usually
in danger of embarrassing Merry and, all too often, himself as well.
And as he considers the beautiful Hobbit lasses he, at the venerable
age of 28, has known (including Sam's sister Marigold) Pippin proceeds
to embarrass them all, particularly as it is very quickly proven that,
in common with adolescents of all sorts, Pippin is easily aroused by
his own considerations. And through it all Merry sits there, totally
dumbfounded by his beloved cousin's thought processes, wondering if
Sam will allow the lad to live, considering what he has to say about
Marigold and--other--lasses!

A hilarious story and well worth the read.

Title: Time · Author: Bodkin · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 414
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-27 03:39:16
Elves do not experience time precisely the way mortals do, often
finding our ephemeral nature difficult to fully appreciate. Yet at
times our lack of permanence will strike home, as it did with Legolas
when he came upon a farmstead where apparently all or most appear to
have died as a result of an attack by Sauron's folk. Now he wishes to
know who these were, and finds the lack of desire to know these
victims shown by the Men he consults difficult to understand.

A most thoughtful consideration of the comparisons and contrasts
between the two natures and how the experience of time can lead to
different responses to the same situations. As always, Bodkin manages
to involve us with her characters most thoroughly, leading us to care
as much as does Legolas here.

Few have the true feel for Elven nature within the late third and
early fourth age as well as does our Bodking, I find, and I'm proud to
recommend this story.

Title: One Who Sticks Closer than a Brother · Author: Lindelea ·
Genres: Drama: Incomplete · ID: 417
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-09-27 03:44:48
Lindelea has specialized in presenting us with tales of the Shire that
are compelling as our beloved Hobbits find themselves in situations
that test their ability to rebound from grave injury. This time it is
Tolly, head of Thain Peregrin Took's escort, who is most at risk. As a
severe fever sweeps the Tooklands Tolly, still upset over the recent
scare involving Faramir and the ruffians who'd kidnapped him in order
to get control of the Thain's gold, wanders out of the Great Smial,
caught in nightmare of the past, remembering how it was during the
Time of Troubles. Now--will the Thain be able to get the Hobbit to the
King in time to receive the blessings of Aragorn's healing hands, and
how can aid be brought to Ferdi, who almost died of a major concussion
and who now is suffering apparently lasting injury as a result?

When a part of his healing proves to be coming to terms with an
apparent betrayal of the Shire when he aids former friends among Men
to escape from the Shire that they might return with their recovered
goods to their mother in Bree, the King himself finds himself drawn
into Tolly's concerns.

As always a compelling story from one of our best Hobbit writers.