Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Frodo's Thoughts - Sam · Author: trikywun · Genres: Drama:
General Drabble · ID: 786
Reviewer: Llinos · 2007-12-13 18:52:59
(Spoiler Alert)

This drabble is a beautiful example of love in its purest form -
nonsexual, although slash fans could read that into it - but to me it
is more about devotion and kinship and unquestioning loyalty. The
clever way that it could also be read as slash should that be the
reader's preference seems to me to be skilfully done.

The author has really summed up Sam's character here, and indirectly
Frodo's too, for Sam wouldn't evidence this heroic devotion towards
Frodo without good reason. Nice grasp of the characters.

Title: The Waves' Song · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: General
Drabble · ID: 6
Reviewer: Llinos · 2007-12-13 19:05:33
This is a beautiful drabble for all its sadness, and it is very sad
indeed. And yet there is a sense of quiet strength flowing through it
as well. I loved the seafaring terms as Arwen faces her end; the sea
theme is exactly right, a stunning way to throw into sharp focus the
reality that Arwen will never cross the sea as her kindred did but
will make a far different voyage herself.

The language and descriptions are haunting and paint a scene that is
almost startlingly vivid. This is an excellent drabble!

Title: Frodo's Thoughts - Aragorn · Author: trikywun · Genres: Drama:
General Drabble · ID: 785
Reviewer: Llinos · 2007-12-13 19:18:23
This author seems to have a real knack for getting inside Frodo's head
and reading his thoughts. I thought that her Boromir drabble on the
same theme was impressive and feel the same about this one. I hope
that she continues the series with the rest of the Fellowship,
especially the hobbits.

Again, as with the Boromir drabble, Frodo succinctly gets right to the
heart of the matter in his consideration of what the implications of
his bearing the Ring has on another member of the Fellowship, this
time Aragorn.

What I particularly found interesting about this one is Frodo's clear
desire to be considered a friend by Aragorn, something that didn't
appear to concern him in his thoughts about Boromir in the previous
drabble. I found this to be wonderfully subtle. I also thought that it
was very hobbitlike, counting friendship to be the most important
aspect of his relationship with someone that he clearly respects and
considers, for his part, to be a friend.

I am looking forward to reading more by this new author.


Title: Oliphaunts and String · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 658
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-13 21:02:02
The whimsical title of this ficlet gives no hint to the sad,
disturbing story that unfolds. That Smeagol calls the captive frog an
oliphant hearkens back to happier days listening to the folk tales of
his grandmother...days that, like his sweet voice, are now gone
forever. Well done!

Title: Making Acquaintance · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 216
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2007-12-13 21:03:37
A absolutely marvelous possibility of the first meeting of Meriadoc
Brandybuck and Peregrin Took with Gandalf the Grey. How kind of the
old wizard to show up in time to rescue an errant little Took! Perfect
from beginning to end!

Title: Another Doom · Author: mrkinch · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 663
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:44:55
Insightful look into Boromir's mind and heart, and a very plausible
reason for why he "took away" the journey to Imladris from Faramir who
had dreamed the riddle-dream more often than Boromir.

There is tangible despair in Boromir, a feeling of being driven,
despite being certain that struggle against the Shadow will be futile
and doomed at the last. But also the doubt, or at least, anxious
question whether Faramir might understand Boromir's reasoning, might
understand that only hard action without much time for thought lets
him go on without hope.

I loved the ambiguity of the final line, the double-meaning of
["unlooked-for hope"]. It is perhaps not even certain whether Boromir
welcomes this new hope, which shakes the certainty he has drawn from
the expectation that the end is near.

Title: Escape · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017 TA
· ID: 24
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:45:24
Effective storytelling, where the smallest and most innocuous details,
like a small caterpillar or an itching calf, increase tension and
peril. Switching between the PoV of the Ranger and that of the Elf is
also an effective technique.

Good characterisation despite the anonymity of the protagonists
(although I have a good guess just who at least the Ranger is). I like
the wry, resigned tone of the Ranger's thoughts despite the danger he
is in.

Believable rendition of Radagast and his home.

Title: Watching and Waiting · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry: With
Hobbits · ID: 796
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:46:05
Technically clean, and the "narrative" never seems pressed into form
artificially.

The voices of the characters are captured well in the poetic form. I
like how the two halves echo each other and are indicative of the deep
bond between the two cousins and the roles they play for each other,
and how their separation is effecting and disturbing them.

Enjoyable and moving interweaving of memories of the past with hopes
for the future.

Title: Stone from Above · Author: Thundera Tiger · Races: Men · ID: 284
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:46:55
Viscerally gripping descriptions of the battle of Helm's Deep, leading
the readers to the eye-level, so to speak, of the simple soldiers, and
to the level where the fighting becomes more and more difficult the
longer it takes, where both victory and loss present new obstacles for
both sides.

Háma's thoughts and sensations are conveyed clearly, especially his
determination to serve to the very end, ruthless against himself and
the great pain his fatal wound must be causing him.

The process and order of the battle smoothly builds on what is known
from canon. The tension builds smoothly, aided by the back-and-forth
between Háma's doings and the battle going on below, towards the -
literal - impact of the climax.

Title: Darkness Visible · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 725
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:49:02
Very powerful, evocative imagery. The appearance and force of the
recalled approaching storm is captured in marvellous details. I liked
the balance between the force of the storm and the expectation of its
benign and welcomed results.

The marvellous second paragraph builds on these pictures, yet the
readers can immediately sense that despite some surface similarities,
*this* approaching darkness if of a completely different quality, a
malicious, insidious, poisonous quality. The imagery of darkness as
grasping, stealing the warmth, torturing the earth gives it a very
real, sinister, downright creepy presence, as if it was an embodiment
of Sauron himself.

My favourite detail is, I believe, that of the air tasting ["of the
iron anger of earth tortured beyond endurance"]; it brings together a
great variety of sensory information to form a very poignant image.

Title: Comforting Silence · Author: Radbooks · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 157
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:49:52
Excellent characterisation and insightful look into the relationship
between Faramir and Aragorn.

The PoV of Faramir is very sensitively written, which is, under the
circumstances, not an easy feat to accomplish. His grief and sorrow is
palpable, and all this colours his thoughts. But nevertheless his
perception is as incisive and clear as ever, he is able to detach
himself - to some degree - from his emotions and put everything that
is happening in perspective, and fully appreciate Aragorn's silent
companionship.

I think Aragorn did exactly the right thing, even when he must be
grieving for Éowyn's loss himself. Being there, open for anything
Faramir might do or say or need from him, but without putting any
pressure on him to be communicative or coherent. His everyday gestures
are able to relax Faramir as no deliberate effort at comfort might
have done.

Title: Hiraeth · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry · ID: 803
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:50:47
A very atmospheric poem that has a marvellously "elvish" feel about it.

The style, rhyme scheme and language perfectly complement each other
and the subject matter.

The language is especially lovely: lush and resonant, capturing the
look and feel of the nature described very poignantly.

The relentness of the sea-longing is conveyed very well, especially
when set against the calmness of the setting; and I liked how you have
combined it with and compared it to the moon's influence on the tides.

I especially loved how you have captured that particular kind of
stillness and peacefulness the narrator feels in his home/in nature,
as if being in a comforting embrace.

Title: Future Imperfect · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA · ID: 749
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:51:24
Good characterisations of all three protagonists - no easy feat
considering that the readers never "see" Denethor and Adrahil
directly, and can only infer from what and how they speak, and how
Faramir interprets what he hears and observes.

It's ironic how the tendency of grandparents to indulge their
grandchildren can express itself here only by Adrahil attempting to
get a posting for Faramir that is a *little* less dangerous - knowing
full well there is no *real* safety wherever Faramir would go.

I very much like the Faramir's description of Ithilien as a
["mysterious land"] ["shrouded in secrecy"]. It reminded me of your
drabble ["Crossing"], and captures, I think, not only the land, but
also the Rangers guarding and defending it, as you show also here in
this story.

Title: Passages · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 60
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:52:41
An engaging story that combines elements of exciting adventure, moving
character interaction, thought-provoking themes and sparkling humour.

Excellent characterisations, regardless of whether original or canon
characters, or whether long-established or new ones. There are
credible character arcs throughout, and the characters and
relationships change and adapt with new developments

I especially like Brandmir's courage, (relative) sangfroid,
resourcefulness, and caring for the other children during their
kidnapping.

It's sad to see Brand and Andrahar drifting apart after Brand's
discovery of the truth of Andra's and Boromir's relationship, but a
realistic stage in the experiences of young adults who find that their
elders also have clay feet. This subject matter is examined very
sensitively, always interwoven well into the plot and grounded in the
specific characteristics of the people involved.

The dreams or visions Brand has from his father were very moving,
despite - or perhaps because - being such an unsentimental "reunion"
between father and son.

Title: Descent · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Early Third Age: 1-2850
TA · ID: 632
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2007-12-14 00:53:23
The backdrop for this story comes alive in all its bustling, colourful
activity; it appeals to all the senses in sound, scent and sight and
forms a true three-dimensional picture.

I very much enjoyed the multi-cultural aspect of this story, how
Pelargir is seen as a melting pot of many different influences.

Both this story and ["A Very Rain of Sparrows"] are concerned with the
Kin-Strife, and both show this important era in Gondor's history, the
political implications, the upheaval in the lives and society of the
citizens, from the low level of children belonging to the common populace.

This makes for narrative infused with tension, but subtly, filtered
through the limited comprehension and perception of the protagonists
at the same time as their everyday life and little personal concerns
are of more immediate interest to them, without perhaps realising just
how much the greater events impinges on those.

Title: Passages · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 60
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-14 01:35:53
[spoilers]

I happen to know that the author of this fun story is a member of the
SCA, and as soon as I read even the prologue it was obvious to me that
she knows her historical protocol. The details of Brand's ennoblement
were convincingly told, and all of the social/political details seemed
very convincing for a portrayal of a vaguely medieval society. Not
that her Gondor is my Gondor on every point, but it had a
"historicality" to it that I found most convincing. So the author gets
kudos from me on that point.

But where this story really takes off is its handling of OCs. We have
the bastard son of Boromir, the homosexual captain of the Swan Knights
and lover of Boromir, the woman who was captured by orcs and served
among the Rangers... any one of which might be a bit off-putting in a
less-skilled writer's hand, but Isabeau has a real knack for pulling
them off. They feel authentic to Gondor and natural within their
world, with just enough interaction with canon to make the story feel
Ardaish. I was impressed.

And, Isa: I really can't wait to read more. Please do post a new
chapter soon!

Title: Drawn With Love · Author: MerryK · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 569
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-14 01:40:26
This is a really charming portrayal of Boromir. The idea of him as
artist was novel, but surprisingly believable. It's a fine addition to
the Brothers 'Mir subgenre, but you have succeeded in making Boromir
both strong and with faults of his own. That's not easy to do, and
really adds to the depth of his character. I highly enjoyed this read.

Title: Alone, Yourself and Nameless · Author: Pearl Took · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 434
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2007-12-14 02:22:28
Who am I? What am I? Why am I here? These questions are as old as
human consciousness, and in this amazing story, Pearl has chosen a
wonderful character to ask them: that's right, it's the Unquenchable
Peregrin Took. This story explores the sense of self, delving into the
consciousness in a manner as thoughtful as it is emotional. Stories
like this one can ask us questions we may or may not wish to dwell
upon. The question of self, is, of course, that most difficult of
definitions, and it does not always express itself as such. While the
reader may think back on a tale like this, for all of that, this is a
story meant to take with you, for it reminds us who is truly deciding
the greater part of our destinies. Also, through the use of subtext,
we find ourselves drawn to the tale bearing further questions, some
answerable, some unanswerable. One such example is the question of the
collective conscious. So with all this depth, one might think this
would be a long story. Indeed, not. The author has addressed our
innermost being via her Pippin. Through him, she has found a
short-cut. Not to mushrooms, but to a deeper understanding of the
state of self, and of everything that cascades from this innermost
heart of our hearts. .

Title: A Queen Among Farmers' Wives · Author: Imhiriel · Genres:
Humor: Drabble · ID: 635
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-14 02:30:04
Oh, this was delightful! Farmer Maggot is formidable but
good-tempered, and if I was Frodo I'd be more scared of her than the
dogs. This did a really good job of capturing the hobbity joie de vive.

Title: The Steward's New Clothes · Author: GypsieRose · Genres: Humor:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 511
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-14 03:30:04
Funny! Though I must admit I pity the poor tailor. The mental image of
him trying to convince Denethor to go with something more colorful was
priceless.

Title: Don't Be Deceived · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 351
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-14 03:43:38
[spoilers]

Oh, interesting turn-about. I can easily see this happening, though I
never imagined this scenario until I read your story -- just my
favorite type of ficlet. And it was nice that Estel was the one being
suspicious of the grungy king. Talk about irony!

Title: Sorgbyrðen · Author: Aranel Took · Races: Men · ID: 275
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-14 04:52:39
She watched her father ride out, expecting their patrol to be
reasonably short and with the promise of a swift return--only when at
last the eored came back her father was dead, followed soon by her
mother. Now we see how and why Eowyn became a shieldmaiden.

The determination to not be found helpless is fully understandable
after reading this well written story.

Title: Fruition · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 7
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-12-14 07:23:35
Ouch. Trust sweet and gentle Nanny with a bedtime story. We never
actually met Finduilas or Adrahil ITB, and Thorongil and Denethor
don't do anything surprising in the circumstances, but wicked, cruel
Imrahil is very AU. I guess if he was blindly used by his father and
sister, the story would still work and be even more disturbing.

Title: The Witch-king's Cloak · Author: Radbooks · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 106
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-14 08:21:44
A wickedly humorous answer to the movie-verse question, where did the
Ringwraiths get new cloaks after Aragorn torched them at Weathertop?
The image of the Witch-king as fashion victim, trying in vain to swirl
his too-short, off-black spare cloak around himself in proper menacing
style is one that gave me quite a chuckle!

Title: The Wink of an Eye · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Mid Third
Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 664
Reviewer: Inkling · 2007-12-14 08:25:58
So the Dark Lord has a playful side, does he? This seems to be a bonus
entry in the There and Back alphabet challenge, and a fine one it is!
I wonder what else Sauron got up to with that palantir...prank calls
to Saruman, perhaps?

Great fun!