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Msg# 8360

MEFA Reviews for October 30, 2007 (Part 1) Posted by Ann October 30, 2007 - 3:42:13 Topic ID# 8360
Title: Glimpses from Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Times: Late Third
Age: 3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 614
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-09 04:48:55
Sweetly written, but not cloying, set of drabbles dealing with
Pippin's recovery at Cormallen. The medical details are quite
credible; down to Pippin's feeling the weather in his injured leg.

I liked the nod to Merry's future canonical vocation in herb-lore in
his mixing a potion to ease Pippin's sore leg under Aragorn's
direction, with confidence that he will be able to make it again in
the Shire. These drabbles convey the younger hobbits' new maturity as
well as their friendship and the sorrows they have seen.

Title: The Green Knight and the Heir of Meduseld · Author: Le Rouret ·
Genres: Adventure · ID: 170
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-09 04:57:17
An epic worthy of the name.

Tolkien purists might be put off by the more medieval flavor of the
fashions and fashions and some of the phrases, or perhaps more
romantic in the tradition of Sir Walter Scott, but that would be a
shame. LeRouret has created a rich tapestry against which to write
several stories, all starring Legolas, who is also called [The Green
Knight] in her early Fourth Age tales.

In this story, Eomer requests that Faramir and Eowyn give him one of
their sons to come to Edoras and be his heir, since Lothiriel has not
yet produced a son. Faramir and Eowyn decide that their older son,
13-year-old Fastred, should accept the honor. And therein hangs the
tale; since Fastred, an adventurous, high-spirited boy, does not want
to give up his wonderful life in Ithilien.

How Fastred is taught the error of his ways, and matures, through
adventure and danger, makes for a great story. LeRouret blends
considerable knowledge of politics, economics, with the ups and downs
of early adolescence. There's hardly ever a dull moment, as the story
winds from Osgiliath through Legolas' elven colony, to Rohan and
treachery and danger.

I think everyone will like the ending. I know I did.

Title: Brotherhood · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Drama: Incomplete · ID: 733
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-10-09 05:00:47
I don't usually like little Estel stories as the future KIng is so
often portrayed as unbelievably cute and his poor mother relegated to
the background or killed off while her perfect son is raised almost
exclusively by Elves.

This delightful and heartwarming story emphasies Aragorn's humanity
and his mother's bond with her son.

Gilraen frets that young Estel has no playmates and the twins
volunteer, an arrangement which benefits all parties,though Gilraen
has to contend with motherly anxieties. Beautifully written and very
readable.

Title: Foray · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA · ID: 55
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-10-09 05:09:02
I found this story concerning Faramir going off to be a soldier
immensly moving with very relevant and poignant echoes for the present.

It is told from Boromir's point of view and I was made acutely aware
of Boromir's lack of a mother as Boromir seems to have assumed the
maternal role in worrying over whether Faramir will have enough to
eat, keep warm and above all come back safely.Unlike a mother, Boromir
is compelled to hide his feelings.

It was so sad that Denethor could not even find the time to bid his
younger son farewell and offer a father's blessing, a chilling
foresight of what is to come in the future.At least Faramir has a
loving older brother.

A very well written story that anyone who has seen a loved one depart
for war will surely identify with.

Title: The Three Hunters · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Adventure ·
ID: 333
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-10-09 05:11:55
A good exploration of the Three Hunters' personal memories of Pippin
and Merry as they track them. I particularly enjoyed Gimli's POV;
which felt different, more...well, more Dwarvish...than that of the
other two narrators. And the last chapter is the best, understated and
very hobbitish, acknowledging their happiness at the reunion along
with the bittersweet realization that the young hobbits' survival and
good fortune was not without cost.

Title: Fourth Age, Year 13 · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 628
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-10-09 05:18:08
A delightful ficlet in which Aragorn contemplates the joys of
fatherhood on his daughter's thirteenth birthday.I loved the touchs of
humour which shows that the King is a father like any other. A story
sure to please anyone who has watched children grow up.

Title: The spaces between two silences · Author: illyria-pffyffin ·
Genres: Drama: With Aragorn · ID: 677
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-10-09 05:41:35
This is one of the most beautiful and poetic accounts of Aragorn and
Arwen's love that I have ever read.Arwen reflects on special moments
she shared with her beloved husband, both the sound and the silence as
she prepares to accept the Gift of Men.Simply lovely.

Title: Where Once My Enemy Stood · Author: Nieriel Raina · Races:
Elves: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 109
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-10-09 05:47:05
We know that there was deep seated emnity between Elves and Dwarfs and
this ficlet explores Thanduril's reaction to his son befriending one
of a race he so despises. I liked the suggestion that Gimli was the
reason Legolas moved to Ithilien.
Eventually, Thanduril learns to see Gimli's worth and overcome the old
hatreds.
A well written and thought provoking ficlet.

Title: Could Will Have Its Way · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men:
Gondor Drabble · ID: 286
Reviewer: Robinka · 2007-10-09 07:53:18
An excellently written drabble and a great explanation as to why
Denethor started to look into the Palantir. Effective in showing his
slowly succumbing to the influence of the Seeing Stone.

Very well done!

Title: A Mother's Wish · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: General
Drabble · ID: 429
Reviewer: Robinka · 2007-10-09 09:25:14
Maglor and his mother are reunited in a metaphorical sense by the
shared song that resounds over the sea. A very emotional and touching
drabble. Well done!

Title: Mistaken Identities · Author: Greywing · Races: Elves · ID: 201
Reviewer: Robinka · 2007-10-09 09:49:19
[The mortals have named Haldir the goddess of the hunt, and he has
fled to the mountains in despair and shame.]

This line got me laughing out loud because I suddenly became aware why
Actaeon had ended up poorly ;)

Jokes aside, I really love this short story. Greywing gives us a
mixture of Tolkien's universe and Greek mythology spiced up by a fresh
sense of humor and some interesting comparisons, which sometimes made
me snicker, other times -- feel contemplative. This tale is both
funny, with great, appropriately 'elvish', dialogues, and
thought-provoking, when it explores the fate of the Firstborn. A touch
of melancholy blended with light-heartedness make the story a great
reading experience.

Wonderfully done!

Title: Miss Dora Baggins' Book of Manners · Author: Dreamflower ·
Races: Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 239
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 11:29:45
Of the characters Tolkien created who are little better than mere
names, Dora Baggins and her reams of advice is one of my favorites.
So, when I came across Dreamflower's story for the first time I found
myself thrilled.

Yes, here is this very Baggins Baggins, whose book is filled with
advice, common sense, and occasional very Hobbity observations that
set us giggling at the same time we so appreciate her. How her feeling
that Hobbits must be Predictable must have annoyed Bilbo and Frodo, at
the same time other advice would cause them to nod their heads in
understanding.

A pleasure to peruse, and it has been an inspiration to me.

Title: Darkness on a Bright Morning · Author: Hai Took · Races:
Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 807
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 11:41:38
Dealing with the memories of the darkest days hasn't been particularly
easy for Merry and Pippin. After striking out in one of his darker
dreams, Merry realizes he's physically struck Pippin and blacked his
eye; and now he finds some peace in a sheep pasture, where Pippin
finds him with advice to forgive himself and accept things as they come.

Nice h/c.

Title: Two Yuletide Carols of the Shire · Author: Dreamflower ·
Genres: Poetry: With Hobbits · ID: 736
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 11:43:40
Only Hobbits would find reason to reference a good beer in their Yule
Carols, but it's so appropriate!

Two wonderful carols Dreamflower has written for use in one of her
stories. May there be many more!

Title: To Represent the Elves · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Humor
· ID: 810
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 11:54:09
Hobbits hold such charm within themselves, and certainly Pippin has
more than his fair share! And now he's out to learn more about their
Elven companion as they walk through Eriador, just beginning to
realize how old Legolas is. And Legolas realizes maybe he isn't too
old to play any more.

A fun look at the opening of the reserved Elf to Hobbit curiosity and
appreciation.

Title: Shadowfax, Lord of all Horses · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 597
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 12:23:26
Ah, Shadowfax, looking out for the safety of Peregrin Took, even if he
has to embarrass him terribly in so doing! When Pippin tried to
protect the honor of the Shire by challenging to Rohirrim to a race
and sets out to race on Merry's Stybba, Shadowfax sets himself to
bring Pippin to Merry to see things set straight.

Pippin finds himself carried through almost the entire city by the
seat of his pants and the back of his shirt, Sam and Frodo are
heartily amused (along with the bulk of the citizens of Minas Tirith),
and Merry is exasperated with Pippin's unwillingness to realize he's
just been saved from probable serious injury. But the crowning
embarrassment is to find a pub has been renamed after the
incident--although there are compensations that bring Pippin to
appreciate the new state of affairs after all.

Nice chuckles from our Grey Wonderer.

Title: Signs · Author: permilea · Races: Hobbits: Children · ID: 384
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 12:33:54
No, it wasn't truly Pippin's fault a frog ended up in Lobelia's
tea--for the sheep started the affair, after all! A lovely laugh at
Pippin's interpretation of "signs."

Title: Adrift · Author: fantasyfan · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: Gondor · ID: 313
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 12:45:09
How does one who's been adrift in spirit for the past two weeks awaken
to the realization it's all over. And to awaken to find oneself being
embraced by Aragorn--bliss indeed. Frodo's awakening in Cormallen is
told from Frodo's own confused point of view as things finally begin
to fall together.

Lovely and poignant.

Title: Behind Every Great Man... · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Mid
Third Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 52
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-10-09 14:28:39
This is a cute and funny drabble. With only perfectly pitched dialogue
and no description, we still get a perfect sense of tone of voice.
Mormegil's slightly creepy attentiveness and Denethor's mild
befuddlement are clearly shown.


Title: Of Numenor That Was · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 424
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-10-09 14:30:21
Marta presents a range of thought-provoking drabbles in this series
about the Downfall from the perspective of some unusual original
characters. I particularly enjoyed the first drabble from the point of
view of one of the Eagles of the West.


Title: Swan Song · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 637
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-10-09 15:39:06
I'm a sucker for a good drabble, and in this piece, Imhiriel has
constructed something that comes close to my idea of perfection for
the form, finely crafted in every aspect. The language is rich and
evocative: every word has clearly been carefully selected for both its
exact meaning and its contribution to the the overall rhythm, which
calls up the surge of the surf on the shore. The imagery conjures up
the impermanence of mortal life, while the night-time hooting of the
swan presents itself as a death omen peculiar to the culture of Dol
Amroth: The mood is elegiac without ever slipping over into pathos. In
short, one of those drabbles I really wish *I* had written! Very well
done.

Title: Droplets · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 566
Reviewer: Robinka · 2007-10-09 16:29:51
"Droplets" is a series of double-drabbles presenting the span of
Elrond's life, from his meeting with his and his twin brother's foster
fathers, Maedhros and Maglor, up to his trip overseas to Valinor. Each
one takes on an important event and provides a great insight into his
state of mind.

This is a very emotional and beautiful piece of writing. Elrond
appears to be a really tragic figure and symbolizes, in my opinion,
the nature of the Firstborn. He had to suffer a lot throughout his
life and he lost nearly everyone whom he held dear. And in spite of
all, he remained such a wise and almost stoic character, and Dawn
subtly points it out in her drabbles. She draws a complete portrayal
of a complex character using the main theme of water – the drops of
rain, teardrops, and waves, to indicate a few examples of the
metaphors she uses. The imagery is vivid and symbolic, and it
highlights the most significant turns in Elrond's life in a stunning way.

Awesomely done!


Title: The Ground Portends · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 638
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-10-09 16:54:27
If this story came from a kernel of text, I have forgotten that
kernel, but this story springs very naturally from Tolkien's work
whether the impetus was in that work or the author's imagination.

Gimli's perspective here is both rich and appropriately narrow: narrow
as it is uniquely his alone, and rich because it encompasses so much -
fear for Pippin and Merry, lessons learned in Lothlorien, new
experiences in the world of Men, all that make up Gimli's broadening view.

I love the way the author uses Gimli's experience atop a horse as a
starting point for exploring both his alienation and his growing
comfort outside the familiar. How many times he must have been told
his companions were ignorant of his ways! How tiring that must have
been, but as in this story, it never made Gimli retreat, but rather
advance into the larger world around him.

Title: Bathing Boromir · Author: Marta · Genres: Humor: Drabble · ID: 645
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-10-09 16:58:09
Sweet to see that Boromir had a mother-figure in his life, whether he
percieved her that way or not. A lovely thought.

Title: An Apple for Your Thoughts? · Author: Demus · Races:
Cross-Cultural: The Fellowship · ID: 716
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-10-09 17:07:41
The getting-to-know-you period among the Fellowship is a rich one,
often depicted, but I really liked the way in this story as Frodo and
Boromir learned more about one another they didn't talk about, but
danced around, a major difference between their cultures - that in
Gondor children grow up faster and take on the responsibilities of
adults, because they must always be ready for war.