Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: A Truth Universally Acknowledged · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Humor: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 556
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-12-08 13:38:01
Heh heh! Matchmaking Lothiriel makes an appearance here, as she tried
to persuade her cousin Boromir to do his dynastic duty. Unfortunately,
she finds that there's no spark of romance in the Captain-General-one
woman would do as well as another as far as he's concerned, only he
doesn't have time to court any of them! Faramir is a highly
entertained observer here, but he's not the current object of
Lothiriel's matchmaking urges! A cute, short piece which does indeed
make a nod to Austen. I loved that both Boromir and Lothiriel admitted
a taste for tall, blue-eyed blondes!

Title: Coda · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Second Age: Drabble · ID: 627
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-12-08 13:42:17
In a short hundred words, Imhiriel manages to convey the utter, tragic
waste that was the downfall of Numenor by describing only one of the
many irreplaceable works of art that were destroyed. And the irony is
that the wisdom conveyed by this particular work was obviously ignored.

Title: Blooded · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 3
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-12-08 13:47:55
A beautiful short story describing Faramir's reaction after his first
battle. His other young companions one and all seem to be unmoved by
the larger implications of what they've done-they boast of their
newl-found prowess and of further kills to come. But Faramir, poet and
musician, takes no enjoyment in the killing, reflecting upon how he
wishes he could remain in Minas Tirith with his lute, and
acknowledging that his position makes that impossible. A life of
killing stretches before him, and he regards that future with little
enthusiasm. Young Faramir is very well drawn here.

Title: Dawning Hope: A Day Out · Author: Radbooks · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 659
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-08 20:04:28
[spoilers]
Shortly after Eomer and Eowyn moved to Edoras, their cousin Theodred
spends an afternoon out riding with them. What starts out as harmless
fun and a getting to know experience between the cousins turns dark
when Eomer gets wounded. I like the way these three are characterized
here. Eomer and Eowyn as young children let already see glimpses of
what they will become, although they are fairly subdued because of the
upheaval in their lives. Theodred gets experience in watching his
young cousins, although he gets more than he bargained for.

Title: Stirrings of Shadow · Author: Fiondil · Genres: Adventure:
Incomplete · ID: 233
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-08 21:06:01
This story tells of Aragorn's years in service to Thengel. In this
tale he travels with a cousin and it seems common for Rangers of the
North to take up service in Rohan. Aragorn's youth, his lack of
fluency in the Rohirric language, and his superior skill in sword
fighting gets him into trouble with some of the more close minded
Rohirrim. It takes him a while to earn the respect of the other
riders, although Thengel likes and supports him and Aragorn can show
his loyalty and support for the king when there is a rebellion in Rohan.
Where Aragorn goes, elves are bound to show up, if just to check that
he does not get into trouble. I like the strangeness of the elves in
this tale contrasted with the down to earth and "normal" behavior of
the humans. The elves in this tale are not like very wise, old humans.
Their behavior is kind of unpredictable for the Rohirrim, which
explains the respect and fear they have for them. The tale has a
richly drawn cast of original characters. I especially like Widfara a
young Rohirric rider and one of the closest friends Aragorn makes
among the Rohirrim.

Title: Gentlemen's Night Out · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor: Gondor
or Rohan · ID: 181
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-08 21:06:59
This is a funny letter. I think Erchirion is brave to sent a letter
like that to his son. I loved the prank the Mirkwood elves played on
their newly growing up friends. But leave it to Legolas to not just
let it rest with that one article, but go on searching until he found
more on the subject. That should teach his comrades.

Title: Future Imperfect · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA · ID: 749
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-08 21:08:45
[spoilers]
That was an interesting conversation Faramir listened to unseen. It is
kind of chilling to listen to father and grandfather thinking of where
to post their children and grandchildren. I think Denethor has the
right of it, though, when he thinks into the future. When Faramir is
supposed to lead Gondor's armies when Boromir becomes Steward, he
needs experience in leading ground troops and not ships. The only flaw
in Denethor's thinking I think is that it leaves out any preference of
Faramir himself. Would he be better as a ship captain or as an army
captain? Adrahil thinks he might make a good ship captain, but his
motivation that that might be a safer position is also flawed. I like
the way you portrayed both Denethor and Adrahil in this piece. This is
the Denethor before he despaired, a hard but noble man and cunning
leader of Gondor.

Title: It Is Custom · Author: Mar'isu · Races: Cross-Cultural: The
Fellowship · ID: 820
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-08 21:56:39
The cultural differences between the races once more come to the fore
in this short story. It must be strange for Boromir to hear that the
hobbits don't know battle and therefore can't understand Boromir's way
of seeking solace after one. I like the way the customs differ
according to the background of the different members of the Fellowship.

Title: Diversion · Author: Mar'isu · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 708
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-08 22:17:34
Oh, so that's what Glorfindel is doing to help the Fellowship. That is
a clever ploy. Alas, I'm not sure how long the enemy will take to find
out that the ring is not where he would expect it.

Title: Droplets · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 566
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-08 22:18:51
This series of ficlets highlights the tragic of Elrond's life.
Everyone deserts him, whether by choice or not. At least in the end he
finds Celebrian again. I always knew that Elrond had lots of losses
through the ages, but this ficlet series brings the pertinent stations
of his life in sharp relief. I especially liked the good-bye to
Celebrian. That was very touching.

Title: Blessed by Ilúvatar · Author: White Wolf · Genres: Drama: Elves
in Later Ages · ID: 485
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-09 01:27:09
Death and loss, birth and renewal--the themes of this story as we see
the circumstances surrounding the birth of Legolas and how he came to
learn of the older brother who was killed by the Enemy's creatures
before he was born.

Title: Mistaken Identities · Author: Greywing · Races: Elves · ID: 201
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-09 01:40:10
So, now we know--the Greek gods were those of the Eldar who stayed
behind. And the one identified as Artemis was glorious; and the one as
Aphrodite!

I am still giggling at this wonderful explanation as to how it all
came to be.

Title: Multicultural Interactions · Author: annmarwalk · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 18
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-09 01:52:29
The first encounter between Elboron son of Faramir and Elanor Gardner
was a bit--rough? But they found themselves remembering tales told by
fathers of the other's father, and are now set for a marvelous
friendship, I believe.

Title: The Stranger · Author: mistycracraft · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 89
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-09 02:05:56
Ah--so this story was nominated, too? Excellent! I've already done one
of the sequel--now to the original tale.

Was he an assassin? Surely one who lived by the sword, the
dark-featured Man with the watchful gaze and travel-stained cloak in
the corner. But when he smiles----

Edric's first meeting with Strider the Ranger, and his realization
that this is not as forbidding an individual as he'd thought.

Excellent evocation of atmosphere.

Title: An Alphabet for Middle-earth · Author: Dreamflower · Races:
Cross-Cultural · ID: 231
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-09 02:10:59
Dreamflower's response to last year's HASA Advent calendar challenge
was so marvelous! A wonderful collection of shorts on each letter of
the alphabet.

Title: No Harm Will Come of It · Author: Marigold · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 456
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-09 02:48:56
This is a really elegant series of drabbles, telling an unexpected story.

[spoilers] We all know that the Gaffer was illiterate. Or was he? In
these lovely drabbles, Marigold explores the idea that perhaps Hamfast
knew a bit more than he let on, listening in to young Samwise's
lessons. I loved the gradual build-up to the ending, as with each
segment, the Gaffer goes a bit further.

Beautiful!

Title: Rohan's Future · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Humor: Gondor or
Rohan · ID: 79
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-09 02:49:12
This story had me laughing myself sick! Poor Amrothos, having to
babysit the royal princes of Rohan--offspring of his sister and Eomer,
and filled with all the more intractable qualities of each parent.

It was clear from the start that the smug Amrothos has finally met his
match in this group of unruly lads, who are by turns, mischievous,
curious, "helpful" and impulsive! It's a wonder he survived to give
them back to their parents!

Amazing! And it's going to be very interesting one day to see these
boys all grown up and in charge of the country. Will they ever be able
to live down the ignominy of nearly burning down the Royal Stables?

Title: The Waves' Song · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: General
Drabble · ID: 6
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-09 02:49:30
Very melancholy, as suits the subject; vivid imagery, it blends the
two loves of the Elves--trees, and the sea.

Title: Bathing Boromir · Author: Marta · Genres: Humor: Drabble · ID: 645
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-09 02:49:50
*Chuckle* A good answer to the "B" prompt of the challenge, it was a
very cute scenario! I love Ioreth standing guard againse hordes of
eager apprentices!

Title: Poking The Badger · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor: The
Shire or Buckland · ID: 209
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-09 02:50:22
*grin* I do love the interaction between GW's Merry and Pippin,
especially the little post-Quest stories set at Crickhollow. In this
one it's Merry who is being a bit unreasonably touchy over some
aspects of their return home, and Pippin who manages, in his own
unique way, to help his cousin put a bit of perspective on things.

One of the things I love about GW's Pippin is that he is so much
sharper than anyone realizes, because he tends to look at things in a
very different way.

An adorable story.

Title: Bilbo's Gifts · Author: Llinos/Marigold CoAuthors · Races:
Hobbits: Children · ID: 207
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-09 02:50:43
These were adorable ficlets! In each of them Bilbo showed his
generosity and perspicacity--but I have to say that my favorite was
the one about Merry, who even as a faunt is already showing his
ingenuity, precociousness and determination.

Title: Crossing towards Sunrise · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond · ID: 14
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-09 02:51:09
It's so very seldom that we get really *good* fic from Gandalf's POV.
JRRT was very cagey about it, and it seems most fic writers shy away
from it. But this story shows his compassion so clearly, as we see his
observations of Elrond on that voyage to the West. His love and
friendship shine through, though Elrond is not capable of taking much
notice of it.

I also enjoy Bilbo in this. He's another who is very observant, and he
too tries in his own inimitable and hobbity way, to show his love for
this Elven-lord who gave him refuge for so many years.

And the final reunion of Elrond with his beloved was so touching.

Title: Stricken From the Book · Author: Larner · Genres: Drama: The
Shire · ID: 348
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-09 03:55:07
Poor Frodo to have so much to deal with when he felt so ill and then
to strike himself from the book !The writer portrays his suffering
well and draws the reader into the poor Hobbit's plight..



Title: Heart of Lamedon · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men: Gondor
Drabble · ID: 288
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-09 04:04:14
An interesting glimpse of the Lord of Lamedon, the only lord of Gondor
brave enough to follow Aragorn and the ghostly army.It seems the noble
lord has long awaited this moment.

Title: Forcing a Path · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Drama: The
Fellowship · ID: 400
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-09 04:20:27
I think this would be an excellent story to read in a heatwave as the
snow is so well described !This truly made me feel what it must have
been like for Aragorn and Boromir on the mountain. Two truly brave men!