Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Fourth Age, Year 13 · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 628
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-12-14 17:28:40
I particularly liked ["beautiful half-elven princess"] replacing
heroes of stories. It is very age appropriate, but also incredibly
funny being both in Forth Age of Middle Earth <i>and</i> in the realm
of fanfiction.

Title: Emmaus · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Drama: Vignette · ID: 636
Reviewer: phyloxena · 2007-12-14 18:00:02
Unlike other Houses of Healing stories have read, in ["Emmaus"], the
"dark vale" there Faramir wandered before Aragorn called him back
appears peaceful and comfortable, at least superficially. The
nightmare that trickles in is a private one -- just a little stone,
trivial loss, and Faramir doesn't struggle to escape dream or
nightmare. Instead, he chooses to awake and to fight once again,
leaving the comfort behind.

Title: Pointy-Eared Mischief · Author: TrekQueen · Genres: Crossover ·
ID: 782
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-14 18:09:09
[This review contains spoilers]

This story was a delight to read: Spock goes missing (I can't help to
think that he gets lost or missing a lot) and the crew of the
Enterprise D comes to the rescue. The story starts out as every other
ST: TNG episode, pulling you immediately into the story. Picard and
crew discuss the issues and when finally on arda, they encounter
several side effects due to Arda’s magic, the tree elven rings. Then
just as Worf things its all to good to be true, the action kicks in
with a magnificent and kick ass Erestor. That really caught my
attention and placed this character in an action filled spotlight,
something you sadly enough don’t see often in fanfic. From there the
two different groups meet and mingle * grin *, pride is hurt and
scores are settled. The description of Riker and his interest in Arwen
is intriguing and it makes me rooting for her as she immediately tells
Riker she already is with someone else (go Arwen!). The extra
additions to the away team comes in the form of Troi and Crusher, who
at their turn show us the readers the elves of Tolkien through Star
Trek eyes. The lord and Lady of Lorien bring in the interesting angle
on how the Valar might have intended things and Gandalf kindly in his
own way reminds Picard of the prime directive. It doesn’t end there,
oh no, the author explores a mightily interesting bunny, based on a
plotline from the franchise writers themselves that Elves and Vulcans
are related. Even though this story reads from the Star Trek verse, I
love this whole and complete new look on how Roddenberry might have
been influenced by Tolkien and his time travel essay in [HOME: the
Lost Road]. The ending is just classic and comes of course with a cup
of tea [Earl Grey, hot].

Title: Are You Going to Leave Me? · Author: Llinos · Genres: Drama:
With Merry · ID: 142
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:52:13
Sometimes a writer feels called upon to bridge a gap--and most
especially when it's a gap that shouldn't be! In this story Llinos
takes on Peter Jackson--who never really explained why a Merry who was
last seen near death upon the battlefield, was next seen riding among
the warriors to the Black Gate.

She somehow manages to infuse this thoroughly movie-verse notion with
the spirit of the book, as she shows how Pippin succoured Merry and
got him from the battlefield to the Houses of Healing.

I love the dialogue she has created here; Aragorn and Eomer sound very
dignified and kingly, and we see Aragorn fully in his healer mode.
Gandalf, too, is perfectly in character, but I especially love the
hobbity speech of Pippin and Merry. I especially love the part where
Pippin's talking to his unconscious cousin in a way that somewhat
mirrors Sam's speech to Frodo, when he is trying to encourage his
master at the end. And I also love the way she found a logical way for
Merry to be allowed to ride to battle, as we are shown in the movie.

An excellent "fix" of PJ's blunder!

Title: Youngest Son · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance: Second Age or
Earlier · ID: 406
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:53:07
There are not many writers who can infuse First Age Elves with enough
warmth of personality to engage my attention, focused on hobbits as it
usually is, but Bodkin invariably does. Her young Finarfin is
wonderful: vulnerable, yet strong. He feels out of his element in some
ways as he visits the home of the Teleri, and yet he envies them as
well. And he's clearly been captivated by the lovely Earwen.

The brief moments of foreshadowing are just enough to add depth to the
story, yet not enough to eclipse the joyful mood of a successful
courtship.

Title: Getting Away from it All · Author: Bodkin · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 63
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:53:33
Such a nice little light-hearted vignette of Gondor's two premier
couples, spending a lazy afternoon ["getting away from it all"] in the
wilds of Ithilien, with nothing to worry them save dalliance and light
banter, and whether or not to indulge in a swim. [spoiler follows]


Or is there? The talk also turns to intrigue, at which Bodkin has a
very deft touch, and we learn that there are those who are not
entirely happy with the return of the King.

The reader is left longing to know more of these plots and
counter-plots, and I am fervently hoping Bodkin will one day see fit
to follow-up on this!

Title: Making Acquaintance · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 216
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:53:56
I always wish that Bodkin would be more often moved to write hobbits.
She does so with such a natural understanding of their characters that
it is a delight to see. I do not believe she had ever before written
them so young as in this little tale, but that too, she brought off
effortlessly and elegantly.

Little Pippin and young Merry are very clearly themselves--Pippin,
uncurably curious and impulsive and insightful, and Merry determined
and responsible and protective, as they encounter their first Big Person.

And said Big Person was also perfectly in character, as well!

I also loved the beauty of her descriptiveness, which I won't quote
here for fear of spoilers, and the aptness of her dialogue.

And the last line was wonderfully hobbity, and a perfect ending to the
story.

Title: Thinking of Marigold · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor ·
ID: 349
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:58:09
Such a naughty conversation! No wonder we were not let in on it!

Poor Pippin is just at the age when thinking of lasses has an
inevitable result--and sitting around "nekkid" doesn't help! Of
course, he just keeps on babbling, and getting himself in deeper--I
love Merry's worry about what Sam might do!

Like all GW's humor, this is just side-splittingly funny!

Title: Shadowfax, Lord of all Horses · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 597
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:58:38
Shadowfax shows himself to be a very wise Meara in this story, in
which he foils a rather ill-advised plan of Pippin's. It's so funny to
learn just why Pippin objects to the name of an inn in Minas Tirith!!

I cannot begin to understand how GW comes up with these plots, but I'm
very glad she does!

Title: The Big Green Bottle · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor:
The Shire or Buckland · ID: 208
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:58:57
I just re-read it for this review, and I'm still giggling and wiping
my eyes. GW has a real knack for writing drunk hobbits, that only gets
funnier and funnier as it goes.

And I love Frodo's little revelation at the end! LOL!

Title: Dear · Author: Febobe (Frodo Baggins of Bag End) · Genres:
Drama: The Fellowship · ID: 811
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:59:22
These lovely little ruminations from Sam's POV, as the Ringbearers try
to settle into the guesthouse after the War, are sweet and intimate.
Sam is so hobbity, and food is the best way he knows to comfort his
Master.

Title: Don't Be Deceived · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 351
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 00:59:56
LOL! I most certainly do *not* want to spoil the lovely twist at the
end of this little tale--it was wonderful, and played off the title
not only with the reactions of the characters, but also of the reader.
A superb joke, but also the scene was set very skillfully and
atmospherically! Beautiful job!

Title: A Queen Among Farmers' Wives · Author: Imhiriel · Genres:
Humor: Drabble · ID: 635
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 01:00:26
We don't often get a fic that gives us a look at the Maggots. It's
quite clear from canon that they were a congenial and hospitable
family--and we can see by Maggot's reactions in the book that he
doesn't like to worry his wife.

Perhaps this fic explains why!

Title: Mastering Men · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 623
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 01:02:03
Faramir, showing his true mettle as a commander. This is the Faramir
described by Beregond, the one who moved Pippin's heart at first
glance, as one whom he would follow ["even under the shadow of the
black wings"]. Very deft!

Title: Future Imperfect · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851
- 3017 TA · ID: 749
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 01:02:39
This piece is very interesting, portraying Denethor as a hard father,
but not a cruel or unfeeling one. It's nice to get a glimpse of him
before the palantir had its hooks in him.

Title: Glimpses from Cormallen · Author: Marigold · Times: Late Third
Age: 3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 614
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 01:03:45
These are beautiful Cormallen drabbles. Each one illluminates a
different aspect of either Merry's or Pippin's personality, or both. I
loved seeing the teasing love between them--Merry's care and worry,
Pippin's determination, Aragorn's tenderness, Gandalf's fond
indulgence are all beautifully depicted.

I think the second one shows most perfectly how Pippin's optimism and
unquenchable cheerfulness works, for he is one who can find the good,
and something to be thankful for, even through his pain.

And in the last one we see, perhaps, the seeds of Merry's future as an
expert herbalist.

These were delightful, and I could only wish there had been more of them!

Title: Keepsake · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Vignette · ID: 256
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 01:04:39
It's sometimes forgotten that there was more than one sad parting at
the Grey Havens--Sam, Merry and Pippin said a final (in this world)
farewell not only to their beloved Frodo, but also to Bilbo, and to
Gandalf.

And while the parting from Frodo was hard, and the parting from Bilbo
was expected, the parting from Gandalf was also very grievous--and I
do think even more so to Pippin as Marigold shows so beautifully here.
It's quite clear in the books, and underscored in the films, that
Gandalf had a special fondness for his ["fool of a Took"]. It seems
quite reasonable that he would give Pippin a special keepsake to
remember him by. This one seems most appropriate.

This is a very sad, yet very sweet and loving vignette.

Title: The haunting of Minas Tirith · Author: Fawsley · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 651
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-12-15 01:44:59
Ghosts are walking on the Day of the Dead. In Minas Tirith, that ghost
is Boromir, accompanied by the spirit of his grandfather Ecthelion's
enormous dog Jumble. Fawsley's spectral Boromir gets into enough
trouble to fill any physical comedy film. Boromir doesn't realize he's
a ghost or much care. He just wants a bath, a big mug of brandy, and
to be free of Ecthelion's dog. This lively story had me chuckling all
the way through.

Title: ...To the Edge of Night: Seven Tells of a Moment · Author: Elen
Kortirion · Races: Men: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 439
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-12-15 02:06:17
What stunning set of drabbles this is. Each features the viewpoint of
seven characters involved in the pivotal moment in film "Return of the
King" where Denethor sends Faramir on the hopeless mission to retake
Osgiliath, now occupied by a huge legion of Orcs. Elen Kortirion
deftly encapsulates not only the feelings of the major
participants--Denethor, Faramir, and Pippin--but also the points of
view of other people. Her portrayal of her original characters is, for
me, the most moving, especially the viewpoint of the cook. I also like
her brief moment with Faramir.

The portrayal of Faramir and Denethor in the LOTR films still remains
controversial for some. No matter which side of this issue you stand
on, I recommend "To the Edge of Night." The set reveals Elen
Kortirion's skill in evoking pathos, tragedy, and steadfast loyalty
all within 100 words or less.

Title: The Voices of Silence · Author: Rhapsody · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 172
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-12-15 02:17:19
In "Voices of Silence," Rhapsody explores pivotal moments in the lives
of the Feanorians, with each drabble centered around a word synonymous
with silence. The result is quite moving, especially long-suffering
Nerdanel's piece at the conclusion.

Title: Gold Rings and Sam · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Poetry · ID: 501
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-15 02:21:59
*giggles* Not quite the way Tolkien told the scene, but still very
cute! This was a lot of fun, and surprisingly good at actually getting
across the tension of that moment.

Title: Romancing the Smut · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry: With
Hobbits · ID: 797
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-15 02:25:04
Funny! And I have to agree Pippin's version of things does sound less
pretentious and more fitting with hobbity sensuality. Very cute,
Llinos, with a nice bit of characterization tucked in there as well.

Title: For the Dwarves, Gimli · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves ·
ID: 155
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-12-15 02:27:24
Annmarwalk has answered what for me has been a nagging question: what
are female dwarves like? Beards aside, "For the Dwarves, Gimli"
presents us with Nandi, a caring mom who knows what a hero
needs--parental encouragement and extra pairs of socks.

Title: The River's Gavotte · Author: shirelinghpc · Genres: Drama:
Minas Tirith · ID: 532
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-12-15 02:39:11
Lyrically written vignette about the power and pull of grief, even
when the grieved one has long since died. Water and Boromir and
Faramir are bound together in a slow, soft dance of joy and then sorrow.

Title: A Special Kind of Lore · Author: Astara · Genres: Romance:
Drabble · ID: 748
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-15 03:51:09
It seems I've read a lot of stories in the last year or so dealing
with that most secret lore -- given medieval history, I'm sure there
would have been just such a book. And having recently written my own
Finduilas as a young bride, I really like this image of her
voraciousness. It's just how I imagined her.

Brilliant! Really, a very nice read, lighthearted and erotic all at
the same time.