Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: A Truth Universally Acknowledged · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Humor: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 556
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-01 20:00:15
Very funny to think of these fine gentlemen drawing lots to select
wives from the creme of society. Even funnier to think that Boromir is
lacking in any way. This is a cute little story with a delightful
twist at the end.

Title: A Song of Silence · Author: Nessime · Races: Men · ID: 156
Reviewer: Aranel Took · 2007-10-01 20:15:20
This is a beautifully written story, featuring original characters in
Edoras. Nessime presents an interesting backstory to the tapestries of
Meduseld, and how they came to be. Her characters are well-defined and
realistic--they fit right into Tolkien's Rohan--and their interaction
with each other is very touching. It's fascinating to see the lives of
minor characters in the background of great events. Nessime's
descriptive writing is excellent, painting a clear picture without
overwhelming the reader with details. But I think the most impressive
aspect of the story is the style. Nessime uses a "formal" style,
similar to Tolkien's, wonderfully. It's not dry or stilted, but flows
naturally and feels right for the story. This is an excellent story
with a lot of life in it.

Title: Rock and Hawk · Author: Adaneth · Races: Cross-Cultural · ID: 221
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-01 20:54:26
Adaneth's many special talents shine in this first novel-length
installment of her epic saga of Dwarvish and Mannish cultural clashes
and relationships as they, individually and together, struggle for
survival. Her attention to detail at every level show the intensity of
critical thought that has gone into this work. I appreciate the
realism in everything from the garments and crops to weapons, plants
and wildlife and even the weather patterns. The tone and flavor of her
distinct writing style bring a rich and unique story to life, not just
in a black and white reading print kind of way, but in a full-flavored
three-dimensional living it kind of way that is hard to find no matter
if you're reading online or in print.

Title: The Tolkienian War on Science · Author: Doc Bushwell · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 444
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-10-01 21:02:32
Just as Doc Bushwell, I read Tolkien's works at a later age and the
way she perceives his works, and shines a different light on the
Noldor made me humming yes or oh yeah all along. As a Silm writer,
Feanorians to be precise, it sometimes is difficult to describe why
you want to write about them and as much as one might try, the
dreamier elven races always seemed more appealing to readers and were
favoured by the Professor himself.

However, after I read this bit: [There were three groups of Elves
living in Aman in the West: the Vanyar, the pious faithful who were
sycophants of the Valar, the Teleri who were the surfer-dudes who dug
tunes, built ships and lived by the sea, and finally, the Noldor.] a
giggle surfaced and well, I simply could not quit reading. Doc
Bushwell writes in clear and engaging prose, weaves in twinges of
humour, but even more so, her essays are also a joy to read. No matter
what topic that might be - for those non-scientific it is easy to
follow and the examples given are explained in a tangible way
(although the name of Dick Cheney made me laugh so hard). She weaves
in examples from current day life, Fëanor's IP rights are a great
example here, to explain why those who do feel drawn to Fëanor's
house, love to explore and write about them. I think we often don't
think about how the world in itself works, even though the professor's
work are a great source for escapism, I think Doc Bushwell illustrates
Tolkien's antipathy for scientist in a great way as veiled as it may
be in his works.

The structure of this essay is cleverly constructed and comes fully to
its right at its conclusion where more examples except Fëanor are
brought up - Sauron is yet another good example - and with the
knowledge of all his works, Doc Bushwell rightfully wonders why the
scientists on Arda had to be punished so severely. A point well
brought across, I could not agree more with this piece.

Title: Mischief in Imladris · Author: Alassante · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 525
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-01 21:08:00

These are fun and delightful interludes. I don't know how I've missed
reading them before. I especially love your mischievous identical
twins playing grownup games with the ladies.

Title: Fëanorian Fates Series · Author: Alassante · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 276
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-01 21:16:01
Having seen the incompletes and various incarnations of this series of
drabbles, I can only read in awe and sit back with a show of respect.
Well done. You have very well captured not just the stark emotional
states, but in a unique visual way. Each ficlet being different from
the others, but unique in it's own way so clearly reflects the sons
themselves that a reader can't help but be pulled into this tragic story.

Title: Green No Longer · Author: Allee · Genres: Drama: Vignette · ID: 666
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-10-01 21:24:05
You've handled a tough and emotional subject with a delicate balance
of tenderness and realism. This is an engaging piece of fiction, not
just in reflection of our fandom, but also of our current world and I
find that very Tolkienesque in a bittersweet way.

Title: Time · Author: Bodkin · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 414
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-10-01 22:31:33
This is a haunting tale on several levels. Legolas obviously seems
greatly affected by the ruins and what they signify. ["The past should
not be forgotten."] And yet it is. How many of us even contemplate the
dust of ages that lie beneath our feet as we go about our daily lives,
unaware perhaps that the Dead outnumber the Living? In viewing this
one ruin Legolas is able to experience tragedy in the particular
rather than in the general, to see in a single human family's death
and the loss of even a memory of their existence the fate of all
humans over Time: none remember the names of the Dead of civilizations
past. Most people are unaware that they even existed.

Legolas of course is befuddled not only by the lack of memory among
humans but their seeming uncaring that such memories are lacking, yet
he little appreciates that this may be a factor in our make-up that
Eru has planted within us: we are the Guest, as Finrod tells Andreth,
and as such, our thoughts are ever to the future, not to the past.
It's not that mortals don't matter, especially to other mortals, but
we have not been given the gift (or curse) of Memory. As a race we are
always sipping from the waters of Lethe, that we do not bind ourselves
unwittingly to a Past that cannot have any hold on us, for we are
destined to leave the Circles of Arda and cannot linger. Our only
consolation is that, while individuals are forgotten, the Secondborn
retain a memory of themselves as a whole which lives through each
succeeding generation.

The discussion between Legolas and Faramir about the lack of names of
people in the records, especially of women and children, struck a
chord with me as I have done family research and remember the
frustration of not having actual names listed, only notations like
"wife" or "child". And I'm sure that Legolas is finding it difficult
to understand why Faramir takes such lack of knowledge with
equanimity, but again he doesn't quite appreciate the necessity of
"genealogical amnesia" with which we mortals suffer.

The conversation with Thimbriel is so poignant and full of subtle
grief on both sides of the divide. For Legolas... that any Child of
Ilúvatar need go unremembered and unmarked as having even lived; for
Thimbriel... that the burden of memory must be endured at all. The
doll symbolizes all of this for them both. Thimbriel has the right of
it when she says, ["They lived, and died and moved on.... The past is
past - but Dínen's blood still flows among some of those who would
follow the Prince back to Ithilien and we will start again...."]

["I shall never understand men," Legolas admitted, almost shyly. "Not
fully."]

["Why would you?.... Indeed why would you want to?"] Thimbriel retorts
gently.

Indeed. Yet in groping for understanding, if only a little, Legolas
(and by extention all the Firstborn who have ever had dealings with
the Secondborn) acts as the Keeper of our memories that we mortals by
our very nature cannot be for ourselves... and perhaps that is as Eru
wills.


Title: Knowing · Author: rhyselle · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later Ages
· ID: 765
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-10-01 22:34:38
This brief tale, beautifully written, aptly depicts Glorfindel's role,
not as consummate warrior or advisor to Elrond, but as protector of
the young. It is obvious that the elf feels very deeply for those whom
he loves and grieves for the (necessary) separation. The memory of his
conversation with Irmo about Elured and Elurin during his time in
Mandos is sweet and points out how the clearest sign of love that we
show to another is to let go of the need to "protect" and allow those
whom we profess to love to stand on their own two feet.

Irmo's words, echoed by those of Another, help Glorfindel to see this
but more importantly to actually "know" it as true. We often accept
things intellectually, without necessarily taking them into our
deepest selves and living them out as truths. This is a lesson
Glorfindel needed to learn while still in Mandos, a lesson that helps
him with his relationship with his other "twins", Elladan and Elrohir.
You know that Glorfindel is going to be the protector/teacher/big
brother/confidant of the twins in the same way as he was for Elured
and Elurin, but now he's matured enough to know just when it will be
time to step back and allow Elladan and Elrohir the chance to fly on
their own.

I'm sure Elrond and Celebrían, watching their friend with their sons,
often wondered where Glorfindel's infinite patience, his unconditional
love and his joy for the twins comes from. They might guess, but we
"know"!

Title: The White Tower · Author: Anna Wing · Races: Elves · ID: 528
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-10-01 22:38:28
Ah, this is such a fabulous story! I really like the way how the
author wove in futuristic inventions, mentioning of new weapons and
such in such a elegant and non-jarring way. It just simply fits and it
has a special flair to it. The sidenotes to elves reborn, like
Thingol, for example are natural and fitting, in character even. There
are a few uncanon things in this story that I simply ignored because
it fits so well in this verse: Everything matches and balances out.
The twist is well executed, the author alludes the reader almost with
a possible fight ahead, but leave it up to the Feanorians to bring in
that twist. Somehow I think Eërendil knew it all along, perhaps having
more faith in people than Elwing has. I love this story a lot, for
some reason I just wish there are more Elwing stories written by the
author set in this 'universe'.

Title: A Wish for Yestare · Author: rhyselle · Races: Men: Gondor ·
ID: 178
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-10-01 22:39:19
It is very rare to see a story where Denethor is not being actively
cruel to Faramir. Certainly, from what we read in the Lord of the
Rings, Denethor appears to have a greater love for his firstborn,
Boromir, but that doesn't mean that there is no love between him and
Faramir. This ficlet brings out that aspect of the Last Ruling
Steward's character very well.

I love that Denethor discreetly takes the paper boat from Faramir and
tucks it up in his sleeve without chastising the young man in public
and when the two share a laugh over Boromir's ineptitude in making
paper boats, I like how Imhrail, upon hearing the two laugh rejoices,
possibly grieving that there were too few times when such occurred
between these two whom he loved.

Faramir's thoughts about his own unworthiness are heartbreaking and
you have a clear sense of the great love and respect he has for his
older brother. The fact that we know that Faramir and Denethor's
prayers to the Valar for the safe return of Boromir will not be
answered is especially poignant. Or perhaps, their prayers were
answered but not in the way any expected. Boromir never returned, but
he was kept safe, safe from the evil of the One Ring, safe from
corruption of his soul and the destruction of Gondor that would have
followed because of it.

Perhaps in later years Faramir remembered this particular Yestare and
took comfort in the fact that for a brief moment father and son were
united in their love and concern for Boromir and that the Valar truly
did answer their prayers for their absent loved one. One can only hope.

Title: Salt · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 743
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-10-01 22:40:12
Salt is a story so unique and is told with a beautiful and touching
grace. The story is told from Caranthir's perspective and how he sees
the relationship with his mother. Dawn makes great use of imagery
here, starting from Caranthir's age, making me suddenly wish that my
tears could be caught in such a beautiful vial. From there, it became
an emotional journey for me as a reader where a box of tissues does
come in handy. The central theme is the love of a son for his mother
and it just feels like all brothers managed to break free from her,
except for him, wanting to remain her child, not wanting to be grown
up and not seeking solace in her embrace. The moment though when
Nerdanel does hear his voice and she scoops up his tears from the sea,
that is the moment where their bond - to me - is sundered. Too bad
though that if Caranthir's tears & grieve could move mountains... that
this did not happen earlier. Although... the sea in the end swallowed
most of the destroyed Beleriand, so in the end he did move his
mountains and seas.

Besides this bond, the story also sheds a light on how he and his
brothers fared overseas in Beleriand; this bit so beautifully
illustrates that:

[I stretched my thoughts to each of my brothers that night, as we lay
beneath the same roof for the first time in years; I felt each of them
reluctant, most of all, Celegorm and Curufin, who would speak the
loudest in order to convince us that they were not cowards.] or [I
felt their fear of death bitter as poison upon my tongue, and
Curufin's dread of leaving his son—estranged from Curufin but still
secretly adored—alone in this treacherous land.] or [I sampled the
dreams of the twins, mingled in the middle like the blood they'd once
shared, that did not concern themselves with oaths and Silmarils and
the dirge-like darkness of Maglor's sleep.] or [Maedhros dreamt of
Thangorodrim, always of Thangorodrim. And revenge.]

This left me wondering who of the seven was really striving to get
hold of the jewels. Or did, like in macho family dynamics, they
provoked each other, even after Feanor's passing to be the one who
found it the most important. Would this view in the so-called
Dawn-verse be that impelling force that became their doom? I would say
yes and the author illustrates this quite well. It leaves me as a
reader wondering who truly was concerned about it the most. This way
of storytelling pulls the reader into it more, in my humble opinion.

[But this night was different; this night, she clutched the phials and
stretched her thoughts over the sea, and I answered.

Mother! Mother, I will be home soon!]

The power of this moment, the ultimate love between mother and son
reaches that peak in this bit. This is so incredibly strongly written,
the love a child has for you is unconditionally. Maybe later in life
and when they grow up, they change and become distant. Just as
Caranthir becomes distant that even his mother perceives him as
strange, I think that was my first pang and I wondered: Carni, do not
do this to yourself and then that sentence, the eagerness, the promise
and hope. Of all her sons, Caranthir answers and it just makes me sad
that we all know he will never return home. However, the visual Dawn
gives the reader for themselves to decide, Nerdanel standing, wishing,
praying hoping that her children at war for this desperate cause will
return home.

This is such a harsh fate for Nerdanel, the person who lost all she
loved to war. Even if they split up before Feanor left, I bet that she
still loved him. It is her that ends up empty-handed and what I find
so powerful in this story is that she is helping to rebuild the city
that was the victim of the first kinslaying, whereas at the same time,
Caranthir signifies the downfall and destruction of all that kept her
family from her. This is such a great and deeply moving story, one I
do read often.

Title: Gold Rings and Sam · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Poetry · ID: 501
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-10-01 22:41:47
Apologies to Dr. Seuss, indeed! "Green Eggs and Ham" was one of the
first books I ever owned and from which I learned to read, so it's,
oddly enough, one of my favorite books with many fond memories. I'm
sure it's only coincidental that in both versions, one of the
characters is named "Sam". At any rate, I like how Samwise's initial
distrust of Faramir is used as the basis of the poem and how Faramir's
responses here are echoes of the actual words he spoke to Frodo and
Sam in Henneth Annun about what he would do if he found he had the One
Ring in his possession. And I would have been right behind Fararmir
chasing that annoying Halflling around the cave. Well done!

Title: Senses · Author: mistycracraft · Genres: Drama: With Aragorn ·
ID: 367
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-10-01 22:45:29
Waking to a world of darkness and silence after an accident, Aragorn
must struggle to come to terms with possibly being blind and deaf for
the rest of his life. This is a remarkable story of a favorite
character who struggles to accept the unacceptable, who experiences
the gamut of emotions from fear to rage to denial and finally to
learning to live with one's limitations and yet finding joy in spite
of them.

Having grown up with my own physical handicaps I can sympathize with
Aragorn's frustrations as he attempts to adapt himself to his new
environment. I like how Elladan forces Aragorn to learn to live again,
to learn to communicate and to experience life as "good" whatever
one's circumstances. I thought it interesting how he came up with the
idea of tracing the tengwar on Aragorn's hand as a means of speaking
and wondered if somewhere in Middle-earth some mortal hadn't already
devised a method similar to the manual alphabet for the deaf, if not
actual signs.

I also liked how Elrohir encouraged Aragorn to use his other senses
simply by leading him out to the balcony and letting him decide what
he was experiencing.

These two brothers between them give Aragorn the impetus to start
taking charge of his life so that eventually he starts to become more
independent, more sure of himself, and begins to hone his other senses
and take joy in the fact that he lives.

This story touched me on many levels: sympathizing with Aragorn's
plight and all the emotions he experiences, the love and concern of
his brothers and Ada as they encourage him to not give up on life and
living and the determination on Aragorn's part to remain a part of his
world however limited in scope it might now be.

It's also interesting to see how the author "explains" Aragorn's
extraordinary talents in tracking and the ability to use all his
senses to the fullest. Obviously Aragorn learned more than one
important lesson from his accident, lessons we can all take to heart,
whatever our circumstances.

Title: Good Rest Ye Merry · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry · ID: 798
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-10-01 22:47:08
This is a classic example of parody that reminds me vividly of the
filksongs popular in the SCA, especially those that parodied some
aspect of Scadian life and culture. The mixture of humor and
irreverance towards the characters is well balanced so that it doesn't
devolve into meanness. The verses poke fun of the characters without
denigrating them. Composing song parodies is not easy but this author
has shown great skill and finesse in doing so.

The verses for Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir are especially hysterical
and I laughed out loud when I was singing them. I don't think I can
hear this particular carol (one of my favorites, by the way) again
without remembering this little parody. It would have been nice if
Sam, Gimli and Gandalf could have had their own verses rather than
simply being mentioned in relation to the other members of the
Fellowship, then, the title could have been changed to "Good Rest Ye
Merry, Fellowship", but I suppose you can't have everything.

Title: The Last Queen · Author: Maeve Riannon · Races: Men · ID: 744
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-10-01 22:51:35
Maeve has a thing for suspense: this was a thrilling read, truly
amazing and the chills ran down my spine. And what a theme to explore!
The King and Queen seem to rule from afar, as if nobody can reach or
touch them, except for the death. Yet so much is going on outside the
palace: you can't see it, but yet it is so tangible. The queen's
twisted way of rallying Ar-Pharazon and in the end where the author
slowly reveals how much she hated him or is it love. Wow! Was
Tar-Miriel mad or calculated? I still haven't decided yet, I think I
have to read it again. It leaves you as a reader wondering if she
should have played her cards differently... and at what cost. I love
how she tricked Ar-Pharazon into sailing to Aman in such a way that
his dignity and male pride was left intact. The powerful ending feels
almost as if she is released from her prison: free at last! Just don't
ask how..

This is a gem of a story with great pacing, a well timed tension woven
through it combined with a well rounded characterizations (Maeve made
me see the characters, feel their anger, loathing and loving) with the
absolute icing on the cake for me: a beautiful narrative without
giving too much details. This is especially key to writing
suspense/horror: let the reader fill in those details, let them wonder
what a character might do, but most of all: keep them on the edge of
their seat. This is a great short story!

Title: Clothes Make the Man · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres:
Humor: Drabble · ID: 625
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-10-01 23:26:20
This one just kills me. Celeborn, Aragorn and Galadriel are all deftly
characterized in just few words. I completely believe that Celeborn
would certainly have learned to pick his battles by this time and
would definitely let this one pass. You just had to get in that little
dig about Noldorin sensibilites! Grrr. I did use it once myself--once.
Anyway, can't complain, I guess, since you got your laugh. And it is a
drabble with a sweet little twist at the end. Awww!

Title: Journeys in High Places · Author: Illwynd · Genres: Adventure:
Pre-Ring War · ID: 259
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 00:06:33
An interesting premise for a Boromir/Faramir adventure story - the
brothers share Faramir's Ranger Captaincy test of crossing the White
Mountains in a certain period of time. Together, the brothers
encounter beauty and danger.

Suspenseful story that avoids many fanon cliches. I like the
descriptions of the mountains, and the brothers' view of the land they
were born to protect.

Title: Not Fade Away · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later
Ages · ID: 127
Reviewer: Ignoble Bard · 2007-10-02 00:17:10
Ever read a story at once so familiar and heartwarming that reading it
is like putting on a favorite old sweater or sitting in front of a
fire with a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day? Well, "Not
Fade Away" is just such a story, possibly the best all around
fanfiction I've ever read. Through the eyes of the heroine, an average
modern woman, newly divorced, newly laid off and starting over at a
time in her life she expected to be settling in, the reader is pulled
into her circumstances and never has time to look back. From the
mysterious janitor at a too-good-to-be-true toy company, to an Irish
pub on a Chicago back street with a group of most unusual patrons, the
story zips along at a pace ensured to keep the reader enchanted.

Yet there is much more to this tale than its simple "girl meets elves"
premise seems to suggest. The heroine, in discovering the secrets of
her new friends, also finds herself on a journey of self discovery
that culminates in an ending as surprising as it is uplifting. How
often do you read story that makes you want to visit the places
featured or spend time with the characters? Me either. Which is
another reason this story is so special. If anyone is flipping through
an archive or the awards site here looking for a truly exceptional
read, this is one link you'll be glad clicked.


Title: Even Quicker Than Doubt · Author: Keiliss · Genres: Romance:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 365
Reviewer: Phyncke · 2007-10-02 00:25:34
This is a story that I followed avidly as it was written chapter by
chapter and I am so happy to find it here among the nominations. I
looked forward to each installment and sat down to read with pleasure.

What sets this tale apart is the richness of the description and the
subtlety of the relationships drawn. Keiliss gets at the complications
between Gil-Galad and Glorfindel so well, but they are drawn to each
other and they work. I have to admit I have read and re-read parts of
this story a few times and count it among my favorite in fan fiction.
Her Gil-Galad is strong and so very believable. He is a capable ruler
but he is very real. He does his duty but he is fallable and makes
mistakes too. By no means is he perfect.

I also found that the secondary characters and relationships were not
weak here, as you find in some tales. Each characterization has its
strength. You can see how Elros is feeling and remarkably you
understand the dog.

This is a fabulous story and goes in my favorite file. Well done. I
have not touched on everything I could say but I hope that I highlight
some of what makes this an excellent story. Thank you for reading this
review.

Title: Exploring the Wild · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Adventure:
Pre-Ring War · ID: 30
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-02 00:37:37
This is a wonderful story that should not be missed by anyone who
enjoys stories of Boromir and Faramir's youth, or stories of children
in Tolkien's Middle-earth.

In this excellent tale, the boys, aged about nine and four years old
respectively, enjoy a day and a night outdoors, camping in the garden
and wandering on the Pelennor in the company of two Rangers detailed
for the task.

The characterisation of the children is outstanding; Boromir bold and
impetuous and a bit arrogant; Faramir restless and quite intelligent
for so young a child but still a little insecure about being out of
the nursery for the first time. EdorasLass has not forgotten that
Tolkien said Boromir was Faramir's protector during their youth; the
scene where Boromir helps Faramir out of his wet clothes shows that
the older brother is used to helping take care of his little brother,
regardless of the expertise of their Nanny.

I like the way the boys are written as real children - bright and
good-natured, but still subject to the impatience and physical
constraints of childhood.

There's also a fine cameo by Denethor, who whole-heartedly assists in
the arranging of his sons' camping adventure. I found his taking
Boromir to task for the latter's unkind remark to Nanny very typical;
Gondorians seem to place great value in courtesy in TTT and ROTK.

And of course my inner Faramirist was delighted to see evidence of
little Faramir's affinity for woodcraft and tree-climbing even at a
tender age!

Very engaging and entertaining!

Title: The Voices of Silence · Author: Rhapsody · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 172
Reviewer: Phyncke · 2007-10-02 00:39:26
Each one of these reads like a poem in shifting perspective. I can see
the speaker and hear their voice so loudly. I like the quickness of
the pace of this set of drabbles and they are written in a lyrical
rhythm. The tone and word choice is very antiquarian and it *feels*
like first age language.

Very well done.

Title: The Odd Couple · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Romance:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 270
Reviewer: Oshun · 2007-10-02 01:18:38
Great set--but [Hair] is my favorite of the lot! [Envy] is fabulously
ridiculous. I always liked reading social anthropology--uncertain if
it's a science, but it sure is fun. Very visual piece as well.
[Unexpected] Hmm. I was waiting. [Honey] is the one that I thought
should be double-rated: "G" for children; "R" for adults!
[Differences] Ah, insufferable and yet so endearing dwarf and elf here
and surprisingly wise Pippin. [Secrets] Nice work, Gimli! Much more
satisfying than the original. Lovely end-piece for this series but I
would like to read more.

Title: A Game of Chess · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble
· ID: 605
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-10-02 01:19:15
A clever twist on a crafty Thorongil and gullible (but not for long)
Denethor.

It's a big challenge to imagine how Aragorn would have "hidden" so
much about himself--this is certainly one way.

Title: Prince of Winter · Author: jastaelf · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 93
Reviewer: Phyncke · 2007-10-02 01:19:39
This is my first time reading anything in this series or universe and
I have to say I am hooked. This story makes me want to go back and see
what all happened before and I want to know what is going to come
next! *whines*

There is a lot hanging over this story. The ever present "what
happened to Legolas" is so potent a force here. In what people think,
in what people say and all that. You lead it very well here and I can
fill in the blanks pretty well and draw the conclusions.

I see Legolas here as a gawky elfling, all legs and arms and big blue
eyes. He is delightfully drawn and so unsure of himself. Not at all
the confident elf we are used to. It is a different picture but you
can see that the adult elves around him who support him will see that
he develops into that person we know. It will just take time. He has
Celeborn, Saeros and Haldir to see to that, as well as Galadriel.

I just loved this to pieces and I am going to search out more of this.
Thank you Jasta. Your use of language here is masterful and I just
sank into this tale.