Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: At The Foot of the Sarn Gebir · Author: Rabidsamfan · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA · ID: 787
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-10-09 17:14:43
You must be a camper! The detail in Sam's preparations was very rich.
But the best detail for me was Legolas's acceptance of Sam's
invitation to a proper Shire breakfast, replete as it was with an
unspoken hope for peace and shared survival.

Title: Ours · Author: Queen Galadriel · Races: Hobbits · ID: 334
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-10-09 17:20:04
It is often within such little moments we feel the strongest love and
this story captures that perfectly.

Title: The Promise in her Eyes · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Humor:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 100
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 17:27:07
When an itinerant musician sees a lovely young girl in Edoras, he
found his eyes and heart engaged indeed. But this time he's been
attracted to the wrong young lady, and her brother has a thing to day
about matters--part of it with his fist--before the musician left the
King's city rather precipitously.

Lovely tale from the musician's point of view, and perfect tale of a
young Eowyn just opening to life.

Title: Drawn With Love · Author: MerryK · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 569
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-10-09 17:41:59
Yes, at first I thought Boromir-as-an-artist would be most OOC, but I
found your portrait of Boromir to be as true as that he draws in this
story. You didn't make an artist out of Boromir, but had him
draw/paint the way the Boromir we know and love would do everything -
exactingly, precisely, unsentimentally, perfectly. Thus, a lovely
portrait of Gondor's ruling family, represented by it's absent member.

Title: They Did Not Take Root In That Land · Author: Perelleth ·
Times: Early Third Age: 1-2850 TA · ID: 43
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 18:15:13
I'll bet even the passage of a millennium and a half wasn't enough to
make Ereinion delighted to see Oropher again. And it seemed as if he
hadn't overcome his tendency to be contentious just for the sake of it.

However, some things do seem to have moved on rather over those years.
The palace, for example. I liked Oropher getting lost therein - even
if he called it reconnaissance - and ending up detached from his
minders. And his uncertainty about Glorfindel was most amusing - long
may it continue. Elrond has grown up and into his role - he's not a
barely grown elf about to be deserted by his brother any more.

You do intrigue so well - the intricate manoeuvring of people all of
whom have their own agenda and none of whom is willing to concede - or
explain - or just simply sit down and talk through a problem without
trying to gain an advantage over everyone else.

I love your stories, perelleth. And, of course, the characters in
them! Together with the very complicated lives they lead. Such a
pleasure to read.



Title: All that is gold... · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 42
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 18:16:33
That first line is brilliant! I can just see little Estel looking
jadedly at his wooden warriors! And his justification for going to the
kitchen to find his knife - well, of course he needs it. He doesn't
want to risk Elrohir getting hurt, now does he?

While Bilbo - you can't keep a good hobbit from a kitchen. He must be
desperate for a snack after all that feasting!

And the presentation of Elladan's anger that the goblin problem - and
Dol Guldur - had been allowed to fester to their family's harm is
really very reasonable. Although, I suppose, the whole problem with
trying to anticipate history is that, however many threads you see,
there are far more that you don't. Not even if you're Mithrandir.
(Otherwise Saruman would never have become the louse he did.) But the
feeling that overcame Elrond and Mithrandir when Bilbo donned IT -
very ominous. I wonder if it is part of what led Mithrandir to spend
so much time visiting the Shire thereafter. Even if only indirectly.

The charm of Bilbo being trapped by Estel! Each finds the other
absolutely fascinating. I love that Bilbo thinks he's an elfling. Why
shouldn't he, after all? I doubt he has much experience of the
children of Men - and probably none at all of the Dunedain. While
Estel's learned honesty is touching - he can't have found it easy to
hide misdemeanours around a houseful of adult elves (and a sharp-eyed
mother) and certainly knows it is better to confess than be found out.
And being found out is probably infinitely better than telling a lie.
While what Bilbo says about love/friendship being above treasure -
both true and good words for the boy to hear from someone who was not
in a parental role! I love the gift that Bilbo leaves for him!
Beautifully woven!

A delightful and very clever story, perelleth. I love it.


Title: A Thankless Task · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Drama: Youth ·
ID: 49
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 18:19:32
I hope Boromir is made to do his own mending when on campaign. I can
just see him handing the task over to his Gondorian equivalent of a
batman - and feeling smug that Nanny had been wrong. Or there would
always be someone willing to boot-lick the Steward's heir by darning
his socks!

Good move on Nanny's part to send Boromir to speak to Denethor - and
I'm not happy to see her picking up on his father's lower tolerance
level of Faramir's wishes. Or, come to that, that Faramir will lose
Nanny's support when he hits twelve. Twelve is too young to become a
man. True, he won't need a Nanny then - but he will continue to need
the love and support of a mother-figure.

Faramir is a clever boy - and he will benefit (in the end) from his
love of learning whatever there is to learn. While Boromir ... Nanny
knows him better than anyone. Poor little duckling.

I do so love these stories of Nanny with her duckling and rabbit. They
make such a wonderful family - regardless of her actually connection
to them. I'd love to see Nanny with Faramir's children. Some day.

Title: The End of Dark Days · Author: annmarwalk/EdorasLass CoAuthors
· Genres: Drama: Minas Tirith · ID: 56
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 18:23:07
I doubt many people with menfolk in the battle escaped with them
totally unscathed, but still - poor Nanny and her family. It'll be a
while before they all come to terms with what has happened.

And her husband is undoubtedly the best one to break to Nanny what has
happened to her rabbit. Boromir and Faramir might not be her children,
but they're as good as. You can't abandon a child you've raised from
infancy, just because he was born to other parents ... The down-side
of being a nanny.

Thank goodness for Mag. Her presence throughout it all lends perspective.

But she's right to wonder about how those who obeyed Denethor would
cope with what they did - unless they could live with the 'just
obeying orders' argument.

I can't help but feel for the kid with the good boots - a sacrifice to
the greater good. In a way - although it won't feel that way to any of
his kin.

I'm sure Nanny will cast a most critical gaze over Eowyn. I only hope
the White Lady and Wraithslayer manages to live up to expectations.
(Doubtless she has a protective Nanny of her own to help her
understand. It would be interesting to have the two surrogate mothers
meet ... Perhaps over the crib of the next generation. That could be a
battlefield to match the Pelennor.)


Title: Passages · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 60
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 18:32:28
I do love your writing and don't comment on it nearly enough. The way
you depict the Dol Amroth family - and their additions - is a delight,
and I must say that I think Brandmir is one of the most charming
characters of them all.

And he is doing remarkably well for a child snatched from poverty in
Pelargir to become the - er - unofficial heir of his blood father. But
then some bloodlines breed true, it would appear. (I have a sneaking
desire to know just how Brand helped his mother and improved his
half-siblings lot in life, too.)

I love the way he supports the other stolen children - and the way he
enjoys the opportunity his position grants him to help the lad who
yearns to go to sea. And his relationship with Andrahar - it is
growing deeper, really, as he learns to understand his guardian and
begins to comprehend the closeness between him and Boromir. And as he
disposes of some of his childish expectations.

I love Brand stories. Any more would be welcome at any time!

Title: Yule · Author: rhyselle · Races: Hobbits: Merry and Pippin ·
ID: 764
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 18:42:55
Those who have returned from great adventures are always, it would
seem, left with holes in their hearts. And what greater loss, really,
than Boromir, who never got the chance to complete his role in the
lives of Merry and Pippin.

This is such a precious way for traditions to spread - and a glorious
way for them to remember their friend and defender. I love that Merry
and Pippin were still setting the light boats sailing downriver even
in old age. Loyal, they both are - their love, once won, doesn't fade.

Title: Day and Night · Author: Peredhil lover · Genres: Drama: Youth ·
ID: 190
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 18:45:18
The three sons of Elrond go out on patrol on the eve of Estel's
twentieth birthday, facing trolls and more, finding themselves glad at
the last that Glorfindel overpowered Elladan's desire to protect the
young Man by leaving him behind. For, with maturity, Estel's gift of
healing has been made plain, and Elladan needs it deeply as a rockfall
traps him and Estel within a cave in the wake of an encounter with trolls.

Well written and excellent characterizations.

Title: Before the Gate · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 704
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 18:49:54
The Morannon must have been a complete nightmare - I dread to think
how all those who stood before it must have felt in those last few
hours. I am rather of the opinion that all of those who went to the
Black Gate must have made their peace with death before they began the
march. After all - they cannot have expected to survive it. And,
really, death would have been infinitely preferable to surviving this
battle - unless, of course, Frodo, against all reasonable expectation,
pulled off the miracle. (Hurrah for Frodo!)

Great bit of Elladan and Elrohir interaction! Their understanding of
each other is so complete. (Well, I suppose it should be after the
best part of three thousand years.)


Title: Time to Let Go · Author: PipMer · Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey
Havens · ID: 261
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 18:50:18
Now Elanor Fairbairn anticipates her final farewell with her father,
and thinks about all he has been to her, the Shire, her family, Middle
Earth itself, and the one he goes to know reunion with.

A very sweet and poignant short tale.

Title: Fell Beasts · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains: Drabble · ID: 403
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 18:53:42
And how was it that fell beasts were drawn to the side of this age's
current dark lord? Here we see the tale told well and shortly.

Title: A Suitable Tribute · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Drama · ID: 474
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 18:57:42
Ah--how this young woman has found to pay the tithe to their new king!
A sacrifice of her crowning glory, but one in keeping with the need to
express thanks to this new lord as he's released the requirement farm
folk should give of their produce for their tithes.

One of the most marvelous stories I've read yet by Edoraslass.

Title: None may live now as they have lived · Author: Tanaqui · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 687
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 19:00:55
Aragorn makes a final attempt to reassure and instruct his lieutenants
as he prepares to meet Frodo; and Arwen reassures him. With such
devotion, he found perhaps his own heart's hope strengthened.

Title: A Game of Chess · Author: Altariel · Genres: Romance: Gondor ·
ID: 609
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 19:01:50
This must have been one of the first long stories I read - certainly
one of the first to focus on Faramir and Eowyn - and I love it
unconditionally. Quite apart from the beautifully drawn characters and
their suffering as they struggle to recover from the damage of war and
allow themselves to build a relationship that will endure into the
Fourth Age, I thoroughly enjoyed a portrayal that sees both of the two
lead characters (and, come to that, Imrahil and Aragorn, in their own
way) as flawed characters who have struggled to emerge from
chrysalises that could well have trapped them into repeating the
errors of their forebears and failing to find the promise of those
first days.

And, of course, they never would. Not easily. Both Faramir
(especially) and Eowyn are damaged - by parenting, by war, by a lack
of trust. Not to mention (as you do) by their inability to communicate
effectively with each other.

Which chapters to I enjoy most? It's hard to say really - some are
remarkably painful. But I love Eowyn sitting in Edoras, reading
Faramir's polite note and finding his poem. And I love Faramir and
Elboron in the gardens of their home in Ithilien. Faramir snapping -
so bitingly and alliteratively - at the brainless product of
generations of Gondorian breeding. And I am glad - so glad - that they
managed to find each other again and come to an understanding - there
on the Pelennor where the world nearly came to an end.

This is such a beautiful story. Beautifully and elegantly written.
Superbly characterised. Just ... probably my favourite ever.

Title: A...Like An Antagonistic Arwen · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha
the Demon CoAuthors · Genres: Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 758
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-10-09 19:04:47
Four marvelous tales of individuals who have managed to raise the slow
wrath of Elrond's daughter, Elessar's wife. Humor, pathos, and fair
warning that not for nothing is she the granddaughter of Galadriel
Artanis.

A lovely set by Linda and Raksha.

Title: Promises to Keep · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Times: Early Third
Age: 1-2850 TA · ID: 321
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 19:11:35
This is such a touching story! I'm glad Oropher put in an appearance
here to ease some of the sores that Thranduil still carried. And I
loved his hint about the name the future arrival should bear. And,
most particularly, to put his ghostly foot down and tell his son that
they would all be reunited in the Blessed Realm - eventually, when the
time came. These words might, in the end, be just what are needed to
get Thranduil to overcome his obstinate adherence to the Greenwood and
get himself onto that white ship to sail west.

The celebration of anniversaries of becoming reigning monarch always
have the connotations of taking pleasure in the death of your
predecessor - which must be rather galling for those who are the
children of the previous incumbent. Everybody else might rejoice, but
somehow I can't see Thranduil taking too much pleasure in his
accession. Telparian is right, though - Thranduil does think better in
the wood. And, hopefully, will return with greater peace of mind.


Title: The Treasure Hunt · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races: Elves ·
ID: 320
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 19:14:38
Being left in charge of the twins must have seemed to Glorfindel and
Erestor comparable to ... confronting Balrogs and facing down Dark
Lords. At the very least.

What better treasure could Elladan and Elrohir have than their parents
getting home! And such a relief for Erestor and Glorfindel - who
probably couldn't imagine managing to hand the twins back unharmed!

I loved the way the twins seized the opportunity to head to the
waterfall - after all, they were virtuously only doing as they had
been told. And Glorfindel to the rescue - whilst they watch him
setting the clues and sneak along behind him. (I expect they enjoyed
seeing Glorfindel have fun! They were probably going out of their way
to entertain him...)

Such sweet twins.

Title: Freddy and the Thain's Rabbit · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Hobbits · ID: 251
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-10-09 19:19:21
I just love Errol. He is just a top rabbit - and, somehow, I'm just
not at all surprised he turned out to be the kind of rabbit who might
have belonged to Arwen about 3000 years before. But that leaves a
looooooooooooot of time in between for someong to elaborate on the
adventures of Errol.

I hope that one day, a long time from now, Errol ends up sailing west
with one of Arwen's brothers to spend a future with her nephews and
nieces.

Whoever would have thought that an anthropomorphic child's comforter
would have developed such a very strong character - and announced his
presence in so many stories? I'm looking forward to Errol's next
publicised adventures.


Title: Mistaken Identities · Author: Greywing · Races: Elves · ID: 201
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-10-09 19:53:00
I am not familair with Greywing's works, but this was surely a treat
since I didn't expect such a piece based on the summary. Awww poor
Haldir being turned into a goddess hehehe. Perhaps he ran to hard from
the fangirls. I just loved the re-naming of our beloved LotR elves to
greek gods and well Glorfindel was just very obvious, after that it
became a mere guess game who was who. Thranduil's Bacchus was just
marvellous and spot on. And ah, Celeborn standing in the surf, now
that must have been a great sight! This tale has a lovely light tone
to it, full of mirth with a tinge of sea-longing: it somehow
completely fits the vision of the tra-li-la singing elves in the
Hobbit to me. Marvellously done!

Title: All Lies and Jest · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: With Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 104
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-10-09 20:10:18
This is a stunning short story. Even though the Sindar rulers would
take on the Silvan traditions, Thranduil's pondering about this
request where he tries to balance his own morality against that of the
couple is explored so well in this piece. I love this insight in
Thranduil's life, the tough decision he has to make as a ruler and how
he tried to life his own life to a certain standard. Not only that, I
found the way how you described the family dynamics, the small touches
here and there on how Oropher and Legolas are in relation to Thranduil
– truly amazing. The worries of parent, child, and friend but also as
a ruler: you all weaved it in at a great way while also addressing the
LACE issue about bonding with someone you love! Yet I can see the
couple's side as well, wanting to live to their own Silvan traditions,
knowing no shame to re-marry, even when the partners have already died
and might have been reborn. Thranduil's conclusion that his lands have
become that of the enemy rings through in his despair, after all it
was the doubt and uncertainty Melkor played upon and made the elves
and men stray. He wavered and should have trusted. The end with Galion
nearly feels as if the butler voices the words a reader might want to
say to Thranduil. This carefully balanced piece just touches your
heart deeply.

Title: Hiraeth · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry · ID: 803
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-10-09 20:23:04
I have seldom seen serious poetry from this author; she usually seems
to post light comic verse. But this poem about the sea-longing of the
Elves proves that she has an excellent ear for serious poetry as well.
Technically, it is perfect in scansion and rhyme scheme, and the
language choice, slightly archaic, for example ["rill or dene"] fits
very well with JRRT's own use of words that are less common nowadays,
yet they are not so out of the ordinary as to distract from the flow
of the poem.

The imagery is beautiful: ["Within the treeholm, cool and green, /
Where solitude makes quiet peace,"] immediately draws the reader into
a quiet peace, which is then disturbed in the latter half by the
unceasing longing. I absolutely love the metaphor of ["But when the
Moon draws back the tide / He drags upon my soul as well,"].

I could easily imagine this poem as coming from Legolas as he tries to
overcome his own sea-longing.



Title: The Great Hobbiton Race 1435 · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits:
Incomplete · ID: 83
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-10-09 20:27:46
This is a masterpeice of comic farce; Marry and Pippin, now Master and
Thain. have brought a new invention to the Shire:

["The Great Steam Vapour Spindle Activated Vegetation Dissection and
Lubrication Apparatus – by Appointment to Thain Peregrin I, and under
Chartered Licence from Meriadoc Brandybuck, Master of Buckland,
dedicated to the Hobbits of Bywater and Hobbiton in the Year 1435."]

It's an amazing steam driven device with a rather Victorian air about
it, and the two hobbits are mightily proud of it.

The hobbits of the Shire, whom JRRT describes as not liking ["machines
more complicated than a forge-bellows, a water-mill, or a hand-loom"]
are very suitably suspicious and initially reluctant about this
device. Soon enough, though, they are at least temporarily won over by
the promise of spectacle, when Mayor Samwise and his son Frodo
challenge the machine to a contest in mowing a field, something that
rather brought to my mind the myths of ["John Henry"] or ["Paul Bunyan"].

There are a number of really funny moments, described with dry and
understated wit:

["The fleeing hobbits were undoubtedly shrewd in their flight as the
Thain's tendency to wave to the crowd and sound the whistle, whilst
steering with one hand did little to improve the steam engine's
manoeuvrability."]

Merry proves to be not only Master of Buckland, but also a master of
techno-babble:

["Of course it goes backwards!" Merry sighed in exasperation. "It's
got a double cone clutch system, with coaxial bevel reverse gears!"]

The ending of the competition remains to be seen. I am mightily
curious as to how it will end--but I'm giving the odds to Mayor Sam!