Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Go Out in Joy · Author: Larner · Genres: Alternate Universe:
The Shire or Buckland · ID: 145
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 13:39:15
A sad but uplifting story, well worth reading but keep the tissues handy!

Title: Riders to the Sea · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Alternate
Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 158
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 13:41:17
I really liked the idea of Frodo and Aragorn meeting years before the
quest. I thought that both characters were written enjoyably and that
the scenario was believable.

Title: Elements: Dreams of the Dead, Visions of the Living · Author:
pipkinsweetgrass · Genres: Alternate Universe: The Shire or Buckland ·
ID: 202
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 13:46:39
I found this story a very difficult one to read but I was glad that I
did. Stories with character deaths always hit me hard and I tend to
avoid them but I am really glad that I read this one. Pippin's fairy
blood is a big part of the story but the main thing here is how well
the deep friendships of the Fellowship are portrayed. The author did a
good job handling all of the emotions.

Title: The Waves' Song · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: General
Drabble · ID: 6
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 13:49:15
This is a lovely drabble. I liked the way that the author tied the sea
into Arwen's death though she was miles away. It seemed fitting.

Title: Aragorn's Moment · Author: docmon · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 509
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 13:52:54
This is a beautiful explanation of what might have gone through
Aragorn's mind in that moment. That point of no return. I like the way
that Aragorn set aside his personal future for the path he is about to
follow to the end.

Title: Letting Go · Author: Rowan · Genres: Drama: The Shire · ID: 310
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 13:54:12
This is a lovely story! I have often imagined what Bilbo and Frodo
might have discussed before Bilbo left the Shire for good and this
possibility really rings true and plausible. I loved the close
relationship that the two of them shared. The writing was very flowing
and easy; by that I mean it all seemed so natural and not forced.

I feel sorry for both of them that they were fated to follow different
paths at this time in their lives but at least I have the comfort of
knowing that they would eventually be together again, a comfort that
neither of them could be sure of.

Title: Erestor and Estel: Hidden · Author: Pentangle · Genres: Drama:
Youth · ID: 167
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 13:58:25
This is a touching little story about Erestor, Elrond's grumpy
advisor, and young Estel. Estel can see through Erestor's facade even
if other's can't. I love his description of where Erestor hides his
smiles, a very ingenious list of hidden places and so typical for a
young child.

Title: A Rohan Tapestry · Author: shirebound · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 96
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 14:00:43
This delightful, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes more serious tale
tells of the journey north of the hobbits. First to Edoras and then
until they part from Aragorn. The characterization of the hobbits is
spot on. They are still young and mischievous, especially Pippin, but
they all have matured beyond the mere passage of time. I love it that
the quest is not simply put behind all of them. It is not only Frodo,
who still suffers from the aftereffects of the quest as it seems in
the books. But during the long slow journey north and with the help of
their friends, Aragorn, Eomer and the elves, the process of healing
can be accomplished. I had to chuckle on the insistence of the hobbits
to leave the Rohirrim some good recipes to improve the Rohan cuisine.

Title: Mettarë · Author: Galadriel · Races: Men · ID: 34
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 14:03:12
This short, touching vignette puts in stark relief Boromir's and
through him Gondor's despair. Boromir can't even set his burden aside
to celebrate Mettare anymore. The war against the darkness consumes
all soldiers in Gondor without a respite. He is watching from the
sidelines as the hobbits, elves and even Aragorn celebrate Mettare.
His detachment and reaction to Aragorn's song emphasize it all the
more. Beautifully done.

Title: Mardil Goes A-Courting · Author: Le Rouret · Genres: Humor:
Gondor or Rohan · ID: 366
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 14:03:33
(spoilers)

Legolas is a really crafty matchmaker! His ideas of what is necessary
for a happy marriage sound just right to me! I loved the twists and
turns in this and the fact that in the end, Mardil wound up with the
girl that he never had a clue has wanted him all along and that he
never would have considered because of her age was just priceless.
What a great twist! The way that Legolas managaed the whole situation
so that all parties were ultimately pleased by the outcome -except
perhaps her father and I hope he never finds out just how his
*accident* actually happened - was so cleverly done that I never saw
it coming.

All of the characters were enjoyably written, especially poor Mardil
the virgin. He's going to have an interesting wedding night.

I love all of the Green Knight stories but this one is close to being
my favourite I think. I am looking forward to many more stories in
this universe, hopefully with more Bandobras and perhaps some Pearl,
Merry and Pippin!

Title: When the King Comes Back (Brandy Hall) · Author: Dreamflower ·
Genres: Drama: With Merry · ID: 713
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 14:04:36
This is a delightful companion piece from Merry's point of view to the
same period from Pippin's point of view. The stories are closely
interlinked though they are not repetitive.The friendship of the 4
friends shines through and I especially liked the addition of Berilac,
a cousin of Merry's and his friend, who provides an outside
perspective of what Merry tells about his travels and what he observes
himself. Through him the estrangement of the 4 travelers from home is
emphasized and the reader gets an idea how difficult it is for the
hobbits to gain an understanding of the four friends adventures.

Title: Concerning the Curious Healing Properties of Soup · Author:
pipkinsweetgrass · Races: Cross-Cultural: The Fellowship · ID: 571
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 14:06:51
I this heartwarming story, the Fellowship works together to create
their own flavor of chicken soup to aid an ailing Pippin. I like the
way they pool their resources and talents together to create this
soup. The characterization of the nine walkers I think is spot on.
Gandalf keeping himself a bit apart,Aragorn and Legolas the hunters
(with surprising results, I laughed at that) and I love Boromir the
warrior who shows a side to being a soldier the hobbits didn't expect.

Title: Making Acquaintance · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 216
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 14:08:37
This little encounter might be AU, but it is charming. Merry and
Pippin are just as I imagined them to be as young lads. That vow to
Gandalf will come back to haunt them, but I don't think they really
mind ;-).

Title: Blooded · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 3
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 14:13:16
[spoilers]
This story shows how different Faramir is in contrast to most of the
other boys his age. After they survived their first battle the other
boys boast of their deeds, think about what to call their weapons.
Faramir sits apart, which I think is a fitting picture, since he is
different than the others. He shows that he will be a good leader,
since he thinks already ahead to the next battle, to future tasks and
at the same time he reflects on his greatest fear, which fear I think
describes him most. I love the way the author brings out Faramir's
character in a few words and actions.

Title: Dreams the Way We Planned Them · Author: SlightlyTookish ·
Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 297
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 14:16:42
(spoilers)

This story is lovely. The author manages to capture the emotions just
right I think. Pippin's stillness and Merry's heavy burden of waiting
and not knowing if Pippin would wake or not were so well described
that I could almost feel the emotions myself and feel the heavy
silence around me. And even through the stress of their *present* I
was able to sense the peace and contentment that they would have in
the future. Most of all I think that I liked the shared dream - I like
that they had that connection at that moment, it seemed exactly right.

This story does a great job of portraying the closeness between these
two cousions and I think that even non-slash fans would enjoy this,
the relationship is so well written.

Title: Not Fade Away · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later
Ages · ID: 127
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-15 14:17:06
This AU surprised me. I found the premise unusual, and it didn't
disappoint. I like the way Posey's new job and her encounter with the
strange people at her new company gradually draw her into the world of
her employer. I loved trying to figure out who the protagonists at
Dale Toys Company are. The digs at the modern world and fandom,
especially the spam subjects made me laugh.

Title: Time · Author: Bodkin · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 414
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 14:21:29
I thought that Legolas was wonderful in this story, so caring, and
wondered if perhaps his nature had been changed a bit by the mortals
he has grown to love or if he had always been so. The premise is a
really interesting one and I found it to really suit Legolas. I felt
so sorry for the poor family but at least they will never be
forgotten. Lovely writing!

Title: Tea and Seedcake and the Influence of Hobbits · Author: Baggins
Babe · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 492
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 14:22:52
I loved the influence upon Gondor that the hobbits; had left behind!
Good story!

Title: Waste Not, Want Not · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Villains:
Drabble · ID: 722
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-15 14:24:25
I love the matter-of-factness in this! Gruesome but realistic I think!

Title: Jewels · Author: Lindelea · Races: Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 311
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-15 16:05:14
This is among Lindelea's earliest fics. It is a very long story, all
about the hobbits' return and their life the first few years after the
Quest, with the main focus on Merry and Pippin. It sort of established
her version of the Shire, setting things in motion for numerous
stories to follow.

As one would expect from Lindelea, there is a generous helping of
angst and of Pippin h/c, but in addition, there is Merry h/c, romance,
adventure, excitement, tragedy and intrigue. And through it all, she
maintains that hobbity voice, of speaking lightly when things are serious.

I read it previously, but it has been extensively edited for reposting
at the SoA archive, and there are quite a few improvements.

I really enjoy Lindelea's universe. It is a remarkably cohesive one,
and she was a big influence on my own earliest writings.

Title: Postponing the Inevitable · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Romance: With Rohirrim · ID: 755
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-15 18:22:54
[mild spoilers]
This is a very touching and wonderful addition to the universe of
Boromir/Theodred stories. I've read a few stories that have the two
men worrying over having to get married, of course, but I think this
is the first one that takes it from the fatherly point-of-view.
Theoden is wonderfully conceived, not unconcerned with political
matters but still not quite capable of stopping his spoiling of
Theodred. It's a subtle position, and EL writes it well.

I recommend it to all people who enjoy this 'ship, but with a proviso:
Boromir and Theodred aren't even present in the piece, and those of
you looking for a hawt story probably would be disappointed; but it
gives a marvellously warm view of the real humanity of the
relationship, in a short space, so if you're looking for something to
make you smile and sigh happily, give it a read.

Title: The Case of the Purloined Mushrooms · Author: Inkling · Genres:
Mystery · ID: 298
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-15 18:42:47
A delightful,warm hearted story which captures the essence of Hobbits
delightfully. A well written and enjoyable tale of every life for the
Hobbits seen from the eyes of their postperson.

Title: The Beginning of a Wonderful Friendship · Author: Imhiriel ·
Races: Cross-Cultural · ID: 629
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-15 19:09:46
I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse at the beginning of the relationship
between Celeborn and Galadriel. For all her faults, I think she would
have gotten peeved by intolerance; she certainly is the voice of
reason when Celeborn welcomes the Fellowship into Lothlorien three
ages after this story. You did a good job of capturing Celeborn's
passion, and I could see this being the symbiotic relationship Tolkien
gives us in canon. Truly, these two need each other.

Title: Heirloom · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Hobbits · ID: 778
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-15 20:05:17
Such a small treasure - and very symbolic of the role of mothers and
wives! I'm glad it was handed from wife to wife - and that Lalia
wasn't handed it. She was too interested in power and glory to prize
it as she should. A lovely tale of the generations of Thains and their
wives.

Title: When the King Comes Back · Author: shirebound · Genres:
Alternate Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 361
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-15 20:08:42
Such a sweet story! I'm glad Halbarad was introduced to the wonders
beneath Bag End - and the the injuries were no worse than they were!