Yahoo Forum Archive
This is an archive of the MEFA Yahoo Group, which was shut down by Yahoo in 2019. The archive can be sorted by month and by topic ID. You can use your browser to search by keyword within the month or topic you have open.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | - | - | - | 182 | 1042 | 655 | 89 | 25 | 263 | 362 | 316 | 285 |
| 2005 | 189 | 56 | 107 | 538 | 347 | 446 | 97 | 276 | 194 | 358 | 565 | 136 |
| 2006 | 231 | 66 | 27 | 76 | 117 | 139 | 127 | 56 | 67 | 66 | 159 | 79 |
| 2007 | 20 | 25 | 7 | - | 29 | 72 | 99 | 143 | 3 | 185 | 83 | 103 |
| 2008 | 56 | 13 | 3 | 54 | 240 | 141 | 274 | 77 | 51 | 60 | 90 | 106 |
| 2009 | 28 | 3 | - | 39 | 194 | 101 | 72 | 27 | 22 | 15 | 36 | 24 |
| 2010 | 67 | - | 1 | 4 | 103 | 138 | 129 | 32 | 13 | 16 | 3 | 30 |
| 2011 | 1 | - | 17 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 90 | 61 | 32 | 7 | 5 | 8 |
| 2012 | 30 | - | - | - | 8 | 122 | 76 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2013 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 2 |
| 2015 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2017 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2018 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2019 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - |
Title: This Present Darkness · Author: Lamiel · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 808
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2007-12-07 01:06:20
I cannot believe that this story has not already been reviewed, for it
is excellent!
This is a powerful AU that is still very much set in possible canon,
and it touches on very, very intense themes. The Aragorn in this story
seems at first sight very different from the Aragorn we know from book
canon, and who is said by the appendices to have been a great and wise
king; in this story, Aragorn has been king only for a few years, and
already he is a controlling, suspicious, increasingly unscrupulous
king, who becomes more and more paranoid, suspects treason and spies
everywhere and does not hesitate to use even the love and trust of his
friends and loved ones (as well as his subjects) against them to reach
his goals. At the same time, he seems to be driven by dark impulses he
barely acknowledges to himself.
And yet, the more disquieting it is to see how very fitting and
possible this very change in Aragorn is indeed, the way it is brought
about in the story, and how much those personality streaks are indeed
grounded in the very personality we know and love from Aragorn in
canon. Indeed, it is Aragorn's wish to protect the ones he loves, to
protect his people, that opens him up for the darkness that threatens
his very soul.
In this Aragorn, Lamiel manages to capture the essence of that quote
of Legolas from Return of the King (The Last Debate): ["In that hour I
looked on Aragorn and thought how great and terrible a Lord he might
have become in the strength of his will, had he taken the Ring to
himself."]; and she pulls her readers directly into the desperate
struggle of Aagorn's friends for his soul.
And while the story unravels, as much as we fear for the soul of
Aragorn, we fear even more for those friends and loved ones - chiefly
among them Arwen and Legolas, Faramir and Eowy, and Gimli, who are
unwilling to give up on Aragorn, and yet are in danger of being hurt
by the more-and-more paranoid king.
On the other hand, there is friendship - Legolas, fighting with all he
is and has for the recovery and rescue of Aragorn's soul, and, at the
same time, never becoming less than the capable, diplomatic, and very
strong elven prince he is. Aragorn's friendship to Legolas, which
manages to keep him tethered on the side of the light for a time.
Until that very friendship turns against Legolas...
Lamiel's powerful craft of story telling draws the readers in and does
not let them up, and the whole scenario she has created here is so
well working, so very believable, that one starts to fear very much
for her characters from the start. I found myself breathless while
following the story, helplessly fearing for the characters, and
sitting on the edge of my seat most of the time. All characters are
carefully crafted, close to canon, recognizable, and come alive in
every single line of the story. This is an alternative universe at its
best, and I have followed it breathlessly so far. This is one of the
best alternative universe stories in LOTR fandom I ever read, and it
is one of my absolute favorites.
Title: A Queen Among Farmers' Wives · Author: Imhiriel · Genres:
Humor: Drabble · ID: 635
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 01:52:47
Perhaps Farmer Maggot ought not to have indulged in that last drink
with Bombadil--he'd been warned, after all. But there's no question he
loves his wife.
A fun read!
Title: Farewell · Author: Vilwarin · Genres: Drama: With Aragorn · ID: 706
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 01:59:03
Of the losses known on the field of the Pelennor, for Aragorn the
worst must have been the loss of his kinsman and friend, Halbarad.
This last exchange between the two of them is marvelous.
Title: "Dumpling" · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor: The Shire
or Buckland · ID: 777
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:08:48
Well, obviously Merry isn't anywhere as intelligent as Dumpling the
Sheep. His first day of a month's long visit isn't shaping up too well.
A wonderful introduction to Grey Wonderer's sheep! Caution, laughter
ahead.
Title: Way Out West · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Adventure: Pre-Ring
War · ID: 769
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:19:01
Two were headed westward, out of the Shire, intent on seeing the Sea
and perhaps Mithlond itself. Only Mithlond is a secret place, and well
protected. So, when they are found sleeping in sight of the Haven they
are....
A wonderful look at Merry and Pippin's first trip westward, the one
they only remembered years later.
Title: Coda · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Second Age: Drabble · ID: 627
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:22:39
What great treasures given to Elros by those who remained in Middle
Earth were lost when Numenor sank.
A moment of grief and thought, extraordinarily well told.
Title: A Truth Universally Acknowledged · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Humor: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 556
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:28:26
What kind of wife does the Steward's heir wish for himself, he who has
a taste for tall, blue-eyed blondes? It is a taste shared by his
cousin, they learn. Not in that ballroom will Boromir find his future
mate, though....
Rather sad, knowing the fate the Captain-General faces, and the
predilictions seen in his nature.
Title: Sweet Memories · Author: PipMer · Races: Hobbits · ID: 272
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:47:25
Frodo's memories, known on the third anniversary of his parents'
death, then shared years later with another who'd lost a parent while
yet a child. And the shared memories help the other accept the Hobbits
as true people in their own right.
Interesting means of meeting a challenge.
Title: No Harm Will Come of It · Author: Marigold · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 456
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-07 05:15:12
[spoilers]
This is a delightful series, imagining the Gaffer's changing attitude
toward books from the time he first agrees to let Sam learn his
letters until the Four Travellers have returned. Especially moving are
the drabbles that take place during "The Troubles," when he can puzzle
out enough of the notice to know something ominous is afoot, and later
when reading comes to be both an escape from his plight and a reminder
of his son.
Marigold does a wonderful job of capturing Hamfast's
personality--down-to-earth, a mite suspicious, but above all
practical--and has his voice down pat. I love the understated,
self-deprecating way he lets Frodo and all present know that he, too,
has now learned his letters: ["Thankee kindly Mister Frodo, but might
be I can puzzle it out, with a bit 'o help."]
A most enjoyable read!
Title: Weary Beyond Joy Or Sorrow? · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late
Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 671
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-07 07:37:27
[spoilers]
This was deeply moving. The language beautifully conveys Aragorn's
sorrow and weariness. Tolkien does not tell us specifically that
Aragorn grieved for Halbarad,but I am certain he did.
I love Gandalf here too.Aragorn tries to be strong but is wise enough
to know when to accept comfort.
Incomplete · ID: 808
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2007-12-07 01:06:20
I cannot believe that this story has not already been reviewed, for it
is excellent!
This is a powerful AU that is still very much set in possible canon,
and it touches on very, very intense themes. The Aragorn in this story
seems at first sight very different from the Aragorn we know from book
canon, and who is said by the appendices to have been a great and wise
king; in this story, Aragorn has been king only for a few years, and
already he is a controlling, suspicious, increasingly unscrupulous
king, who becomes more and more paranoid, suspects treason and spies
everywhere and does not hesitate to use even the love and trust of his
friends and loved ones (as well as his subjects) against them to reach
his goals. At the same time, he seems to be driven by dark impulses he
barely acknowledges to himself.
And yet, the more disquieting it is to see how very fitting and
possible this very change in Aragorn is indeed, the way it is brought
about in the story, and how much those personality streaks are indeed
grounded in the very personality we know and love from Aragorn in
canon. Indeed, it is Aragorn's wish to protect the ones he loves, to
protect his people, that opens him up for the darkness that threatens
his very soul.
In this Aragorn, Lamiel manages to capture the essence of that quote
of Legolas from Return of the King (The Last Debate): ["In that hour I
looked on Aragorn and thought how great and terrible a Lord he might
have become in the strength of his will, had he taken the Ring to
himself."]; and she pulls her readers directly into the desperate
struggle of Aagorn's friends for his soul.
And while the story unravels, as much as we fear for the soul of
Aragorn, we fear even more for those friends and loved ones - chiefly
among them Arwen and Legolas, Faramir and Eowy, and Gimli, who are
unwilling to give up on Aragorn, and yet are in danger of being hurt
by the more-and-more paranoid king.
On the other hand, there is friendship - Legolas, fighting with all he
is and has for the recovery and rescue of Aragorn's soul, and, at the
same time, never becoming less than the capable, diplomatic, and very
strong elven prince he is. Aragorn's friendship to Legolas, which
manages to keep him tethered on the side of the light for a time.
Until that very friendship turns against Legolas...
Lamiel's powerful craft of story telling draws the readers in and does
not let them up, and the whole scenario she has created here is so
well working, so very believable, that one starts to fear very much
for her characters from the start. I found myself breathless while
following the story, helplessly fearing for the characters, and
sitting on the edge of my seat most of the time. All characters are
carefully crafted, close to canon, recognizable, and come alive in
every single line of the story. This is an alternative universe at its
best, and I have followed it breathlessly so far. This is one of the
best alternative universe stories in LOTR fandom I ever read, and it
is one of my absolute favorites.
Title: A Queen Among Farmers' Wives · Author: Imhiriel · Genres:
Humor: Drabble · ID: 635
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 01:52:47
Perhaps Farmer Maggot ought not to have indulged in that last drink
with Bombadil--he'd been warned, after all. But there's no question he
loves his wife.
A fun read!
Title: Farewell · Author: Vilwarin · Genres: Drama: With Aragorn · ID: 706
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 01:59:03
Of the losses known on the field of the Pelennor, for Aragorn the
worst must have been the loss of his kinsman and friend, Halbarad.
This last exchange between the two of them is marvelous.
Title: "Dumpling" · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor: The Shire
or Buckland · ID: 777
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:08:48
Well, obviously Merry isn't anywhere as intelligent as Dumpling the
Sheep. His first day of a month's long visit isn't shaping up too well.
A wonderful introduction to Grey Wonderer's sheep! Caution, laughter
ahead.
Title: Way Out West · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Adventure: Pre-Ring
War · ID: 769
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:19:01
Two were headed westward, out of the Shire, intent on seeing the Sea
and perhaps Mithlond itself. Only Mithlond is a secret place, and well
protected. So, when they are found sleeping in sight of the Haven they
are....
A wonderful look at Merry and Pippin's first trip westward, the one
they only remembered years later.
Title: Coda · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Second Age: Drabble · ID: 627
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:22:39
What great treasures given to Elros by those who remained in Middle
Earth were lost when Numenor sank.
A moment of grief and thought, extraordinarily well told.
Title: A Truth Universally Acknowledged · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Humor: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 556
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:28:26
What kind of wife does the Steward's heir wish for himself, he who has
a taste for tall, blue-eyed blondes? It is a taste shared by his
cousin, they learn. Not in that ballroom will Boromir find his future
mate, though....
Rather sad, knowing the fate the Captain-General faces, and the
predilictions seen in his nature.
Title: Sweet Memories · Author: PipMer · Races: Hobbits · ID: 272
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-07 02:47:25
Frodo's memories, known on the third anniversary of his parents'
death, then shared years later with another who'd lost a parent while
yet a child. And the shared memories help the other accept the Hobbits
as true people in their own right.
Interesting means of meeting a challenge.
Title: No Harm Will Come of It · Author: Marigold · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 456
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-07 05:15:12
[spoilers]
This is a delightful series, imagining the Gaffer's changing attitude
toward books from the time he first agrees to let Sam learn his
letters until the Four Travellers have returned. Especially moving are
the drabbles that take place during "The Troubles," when he can puzzle
out enough of the notice to know something ominous is afoot, and later
when reading comes to be both an escape from his plight and a reminder
of his son.
Marigold does a wonderful job of capturing Hamfast's
personality--down-to-earth, a mite suspicious, but above all
practical--and has his voice down pat. I love the understated,
self-deprecating way he lets Frodo and all present know that he, too,
has now learned his letters: ["Thankee kindly Mister Frodo, but might
be I can puzzle it out, with a bit 'o help."]
A most enjoyable read!
Title: Weary Beyond Joy Or Sorrow? · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late
Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 671
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-07 07:37:27
[spoilers]
This was deeply moving. The language beautifully conveys Aragorn's
sorrow and weariness. Tolkien does not tell us specifically that
Aragorn grieved for Halbarad,but I am certain he did.
I love Gandalf here too.Aragorn tries to be strong but is wise enough
to know when to accept comfort.
If you have any questions about the archive, or would like to report a technical problem, please contact Aranel (former MEFA Tech Support and current Keeper of the Archive) at araneltook@mefawards.org or at the MEFA Archive group..