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Title: Charms of Wisdom and Grace · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Drama: Ithilien · ID: 460
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:19:16
[Contains spoilers]

Ah, the mystery of your poem, "The Weaver's Song" is made a little
clearer. I still don't know who wove a cloak for Boromir (unless it
was Faramir!!), but I love the notion that the things one makes, if
made with love, carry a beneficial power. This seems to be the notion
in this vignette, as well as in your triolet. "His father's love,
interwoven with the colors and scents of home;charms of wisdom and
grace," is the charm here, and Faramir, surprisingly a weaver, is the
one who casts it, this time for his son.


Title: Where There's Life, There's Hope (and in need of vittles) ·
Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble · ID: 463
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:19:30
Gosh, this is good, Ann. It's only brief, but you do so much with it.
"The staff of life", wheat was called, the typical component of bread
in the Western world. You have made that oft-heard saying come alive
in your story so that it conjures up not just life of the body, but
life of the spirit, and life of the will. Thus nourished and
sustained, the King of Gondor will go on.

Title: End Times · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble
· ID: 702
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:19:47
[Contains spoilers]

What a great introduction to "The End of Dark Days". It goes so well
with that fic, I wish you had cross-posted it there, perhaps in
italics, up at the top of that story. Every LotR reader knows what is
going on in this passage, but they still would wonder (if there were
no title to let them know) whose voice is speaking. Your full story
("The End of Dark Days") would let them know, as well as—more
importantly—establishing just what Mag had seen that had made her so
emotional when she finally gave way, speaking to Nanny of what had
been going on in the City.



Title: Spring after Winter · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 462
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:20:02
Your opening sentence is a beauty, Ann. The words drop into my mind in
a series of sense-images, in slow succession, as one word moves to the
next, as if your story's rain were slowing, easing, until it stills,
lingering over the image of Sam on the rock, then picking up again as
he wakes in Ithilien to the sound of the pattering drops above him,
quickening and intensifying as Gandalf's laughter breaks forth like
spring rain coursing through a dry river-bed.

Title: The Company of Heroes · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Hobbits:
Children · ID: 393
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:20:40
[May contain spoilers]

There, now you've gone and made me cry. Simply, with un-mushy
tenderness, you showed Sam, his children, and the readers coming to a
deep insight into Boromir's role in the Great Tale, and the bringing
of the Quest to fulfilment.

Stylistically, I admired the way you let the phrase, "it worked out
fair" sound three times, each time striking a different note,
emotionally and in terms of sense. The way the three phrases were
used, even the word "fair" was heard in a richer, more complex way. I
heard "fair" in the sense of *just* (i.e. Boromir paid his dues,
righting his unworthy actions with noble ones), and I heard "fair" in
the sense of *high* or *worthy* or even *beautiful*. For Boromir's
part in the Quest did have its own beauty and value. Even his fault,
grave as it was, in the end seemed like a dark but strong, necessary
thread woven into the larger narrative tapestry, without which would
have come apart—or never been woven at all.

As for your portrayal of the children, I was especially tickled by the
image of little Ruby waving a *stuffed oliphaunt* by the leg, and the
way you had here verbalize Boromir's name, "Bo'mir! Bo'mir the Tall!"

This was very well-conceived and crafted, Ann. Thank you.


Title: No Pain, No Gain · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 435
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:21:30
That was most amusing, Ann, the joke being in comparing the pain of
getting a tattoo with that of giving birth. Personally, I think I'd
much rather get the tattoo—and I don't even like tattoos! *g*

Title: The End of Dark Days · Author: annmarwalk/EdorasLass CoAuthors
· Genres: Drama: Minas Tirith · ID: 56
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:21:42
[Contains spoilers]

What a *great* story your two have written! It pulled me in then
dragged me to each subsequent chapter without stopping. The pacing,
the establishing of time and place, the characterizations—everything
was what I could wish and more.

I knew that "Mag" is an ongoing character of yours, and I have read
one or two tales in which she is featured—enough to know that she is a
cook in the Steward's house who is very fond of the Steward's sons
(and they of her)—but this could be a stand-alone story. I need never
have heard of Mag to become completely engrossed in the story.

All of your original characters, not just Mag, were convincing. They
were also endearing. "Nanny"'s brother Pilimór was only present for
part of a chapter, but he won my heart immediately. I even cried over
Mag's tale of the death of Donal the cobbler's nephew, who died before
the tale began, simply because of the excellence of the story-telling.
Apart from their own tales, your original characters provide excellent
eyes through which to show the events of the canon story in a
different light, offering new insights and even more reasons to care
for already beloved characters. Your depiction of the cost of war,
even honourable war, is very moving in this story. I was brought to
tears in the paragraphs in which Minas Tirith and the Gondorian
survivors pick up the pieces of their lives.

You have the gift of bringing Tolkien's "gaps" to life in way that is
faithful to the source, while offering insights culled from your own
lives and experiences (I suspect). Interpersonal insight is everywhere
evident, along with a sad wisdom, leavened throughout with your
signature warm, engaging sense of humour.


Title: The Dancer · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Minas Tirith ·
ID: 150
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:21:53
[Contains spoilers]

What a story. I do obeisance before your story-telling craft. This
character is so beautifully done, her voice so clearly captured in
your tale, and the tale she tells rings so true, how can I not love it?

The scene in which Denethor earnestly takes her hand—the reader's
breath stopped along with the heroine's in that moment—even though the
reader knows, as does the older narrator, that whatever he is going to
ask it will not be for her hand in marriage—is perfectly played. And
the moment when she sees Denethor and Finduilas together at the
Mettarë ball, I imagined I could feel the heart-twist she did, yet
with a complicated ambivalence. For you have made me believe that she
really does love this man. As much as the sight of Denethor's and
Finduilas' obviously enamoured state is like a knife-wound, she seems
not able to permit herself to feel rancour towards either, for what
would be the point? The point is that he be happy in love, not that he
be hers, in the end. That is the sort of woman she is.

Her own end—not throwing herself from the citadel but carrying on,
making do with a marriage based on duty with its lesser degree of
companionship, still being of service where she might—is one that
perhaps only a grown-up can admire, but it only increased by respect
and regard for your heroine.

The final vignette, years later at another ball, in which you reveal
how in spite of having gone on to live a different life her love for
Denethor has endured undimmed, is the perfect finishing touch to a
story full of sharp truths about real life, the painful way of wisdom,
and, yes, love.


Title: Foreign Ways · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Gondor or
Rohan · ID: 54
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:22:32
I love stories that portray Éowyn sympathetically, and as the
character I know from LotR. This is one of them and I thank you for
that. Another thing I liked was how it piqued my interest in things I
don't know about. This *kumiss*—is it a real drink? That is, a drink
found in non-Middle-earth? Mag's tantalizing depiction of this drink
and its making has persuaded me to look it up.

I raise my glass to the coming together of Rohan and Gondor—in the
marriage bed and in the kitchen.


Title: Boys Will Be Boys · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 555
Reviewer: Mechtild · 2007-12-10 16:22:59
It is heart-warming to see Boromir portrayed as a child any reader
could recognize, meeting adversity and trying hard to cope, with some
sense of his dignity in tact. This is a lesson few are permitted to
stop learning. And, throughout life, few cease to appreciate the
consoling and revivifying effect of good things to eat, prepared and
served with love. Hurray for Mag the cook, a healer in her own right.


Title: Healing Lessons · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Cross-Cultural:
With Pippin · ID: 296
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-10 16:26:22
A very nice moment for Pip. It is good to see that Dwarves have some
healing tools. I do like the OC, Parsow. And I really like Gimli's
'guarding' Estel. Very nice all the way around.

Title: Woven in Friendship · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 290
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-10 16:35:21
This is an absolutely delightful and fun tale. One small moment in
Edoras brought such fond memories. The thoughts of Minas Tirith, the
horn of Boromir, the tapestries, Eowyn, Pip's concern for Merry - all
delightful - but the best was the twist at the end. A very plausible
twist. I very much enjoyed this.

Title: Shadowfax, Lord of all Horses · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 597
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-10 17:00:22
Very nice tale. I love the name of the tavern, but was quite caught up
in the story of why it was so named! Nice job.

Title: Sea Food · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Children · ID: 53
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2007-12-10 17:05:54
Very nice tale. It is gratifying to think that Imrahil would take time
out of a busy court life and military life to take the boys on such an
adventure. I loved the conclusion. Still laughing at poor Imrahil who
would have enjoyed such a fresh and delicious breakfast!

Title: All Lies and Jest · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: With Mirkwood
Elves · ID: 104
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2007-12-11 00:08:55
This is a short, thoughtful story about the LACE and what they might
mean - or not mean - to those elves who are *not* of the Noldoring
variety. I always had my doubts that the "Laws And Customs of the
Eldar" would apply to all Elves without distinction, especially to
those who stayed behind in Middle Earth and did not made the journey
to Aman.

This story touches on that problem in a very intelligent way, and also
gives a few good reasons why the Sindar should have even known of the
laws of the Valar, and also why they should have bothered to heed
them. At the same time, the tale gives a few insightful comments on
the hard and uneasy decisions that may come along with kingship, and
how Thranduil would have dealt with it. Among the most compelling
elements of the story, to me, is the fact that the Thranduil in this
story is not so sure of himself - and yet faces up to the decisions
and choices he has to make, even when the outcome is most bitter.

All in all, a great read, and a very good story!

Title: Fissures · Author: Thundera Tiger · Races: Dwarves · ID: 804
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2007-12-11 00:26:47
This is a wonderful and very intelligent comment on the impact the
friendship with Legolas and the close association with an Elf may have
on Gimli. One of the greatest strengths of Thundera Tiger in her
examinations of this friendship in her stories is the close eye she
gives to the culture clash between the elven and Dwarven views of
these two, and the way they influence each other, at times even more
than they, themselves, notice. here, we see Gimli being more prone to
elven influence than his own Dwarven friends and comrades like - and
the great part is that he, himself, seems to be the last who notices.

On the other hand, we wonder while reading if the concern of Gimli's
friends is valid - or if it is simple narrow-mindedness. The power of
this story is that it leaves that question open. Both views have value
and justice to them, and we, the readers, are left in doubt who we
should root for. Thundera manages to show the depth of Legolas' and
Gimli's friendhip by these subtle influences, even when the two
friends are not appearing together in the story, and it is part of her
great skill as a writer that she manages to both show the depth of
commitment between the Elf and Dwarf and does not leaves out the cost
this association may have for both of them.

Thindera Tiger's stories were among my first love in this fandom. This
story reminds me again why that is so, although it is short. :)

Title: Who is this Gil-galad, of Whom You Speak? · Author: Erunyauve ·
Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 250
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2007-12-11 00:44:59
A very interesting essay, on a king we have far too little about
normally. Thank you for writing and sharing!

Title: Bransle Royal · Author: Ribby · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 473
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-11 01:57:02
This charming little ficlet leaves me yearning for more. There are
hints to an incident in the past between the main characters. With a
few words the characters come to life, Aragorn as King incognito in
his ranger garb and Merrin an OC during a merry dance.

Title: Answers and Questions · Author: Peredhil lover · Genres: Drama:
Youth · ID: 189
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-11 01:59:37
In the aftermath of his first battle, Estel gets criticized by Elladan
while Elrohir tries to help him see Elladan more clearly. I love the
characterization of the twins in this story. They are usually
characterized as "the twins", pretty much indistinguishable. In this
story they both are distinct individuals and you would never mistake
one for the other from their behavior. I like the idea that both the
twins attitude stem from the same motivation, to guide and protect Estel.

Title: Lords of Gondor · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Incomplete · ID: 154
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-11 02:02:24
This story is an AU insofar as Boromir survives Amon Hen, but to me
the even greater lure is that this story is also a gapfiller for the
time from Amon Hen forward to whatever endpoint the author has in
mind. Through clever plotting Boromir's survival doesn't change the
story drastically so far, since he still has a lot of healing to do.

I love the fleshing out of the canon parts in Minas Tirith, the
description of the relationship between Denethor and Faramir, which is
not as strained as a lot of stories show. The scene with Denethor and
Faramir grieving in Boromir's room is one of my favorites. This gives
the story a lot of emotional depth which is sometimes missing from the
original.

From all the OCs, I especially like Durlin, Boromir's attendant who,
in the absence of his master, takes care of Denethor and Faramir. We
see some of the actions of Denethor and Faramir through his eyes,
which give a new perspective to known canon facts.

Title: I Bid You Stand · Author: storyfish · Genres: Adventure · ID: 225
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-11 02:21:56
This movieverse gapfiller fleshes out how Merry managed to be at the
battle of the Morannon and some of the consequences he has to face for
fighting the witchking. I love the way the friendship of Merry and
Pippin is portrayed in this story. Each one looking out for the other.

Title: Senses · Author: mistycracraft · Genres: Drama: With Aragorn ·
ID: 367
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-11 02:23:40
[spoilers]
Aragorn is recovering slowly after a bad head injury which leaves him
deaf and blind for a time without knowing whether he will fully heal.
The way the author describes Aragorn's limited world through smell and
touch is very realistic.The limitations of his senses enhance his
remaining senses to unknown heights. He is cared for by Elrond and his
foster brothers, which take on distinct personalities in the way they
care for Aragorn. I love the writing-on-palm way of communication
which is slow but effective for simple conversation. Another thing I
really like is the description of the emotional toll his injuries take
on Aragorn, how he sinks into the silence surrounding him and stops
making any effort at communication. What a relief when the first signs
of healing, as annoying as they are, are heard ;-).

Title: The haunting of Minas Tirith · Author: Fawsley · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 651
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-11 02:27:02
That is really a haunting night. I love the way Faramir and Aragorn
talk themselves into a haunted mood and then, when the door opens,
they are ready to believe in ghosts, only to have everything
hilariously turned upside down. I'm still chuckling.

Title: A Truth Universally Acknowledged · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Humor: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 556
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-12-11 07:22:10
Nice and hilarious, and with a good pace. So, half of a crowded
ballroom is fit to fulfill Boromir's high demands?

Title: The Unbearable Smugness of Being Feanor · Author: Ignoble Bard
· Genres: Humor · ID: 164
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-12-11 07:31:22
Great dialogue (and nothing else) and an unexpected outcome.