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Title: Calm after the Storm · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 350
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2007-12-18 05:20:21
Imhiriel gives us a realistic picture of Imrahil of Dol Amroth. The
Prince is shown not as some gleaming, iconic Swan Knight, but also as
an.exhausted and filfthy captain, all to eager to rid himself of
battle's detritous.

Title: Stay With Me · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 518
Reviewer: pipkinsweetgrass · 2007-12-18 05:20:52
Set in the Shire post-quest, this story is a study of Aunt and Nephew,
one so close, so sweet, the relationship is all but that of a Mother
and Son. The characters are so natural one could forget this is fan
fiction. Stream of consciousness seems to be the great strength of
this story, with dialog being a powerful second runner up. Add a dash
of angst and a generous helping of insightful comfort and you have a
recipe for a lovely hobbit g-rated interlude between aunt and nephew.
I loved the way Pippin's Auntie knows him so well that she can draw
him easily into talking. The protagonist is having problems settling
back into the life of a Shire-hobbit. This tale deals with that in a
manner both gentle and powerful. While I'm sure there are some things
even the loving hands and voices of those dearest cannot heal, that
does not mean those hands cannot be helping hands. In the end both
Pippin and his aunt rediscover what they always knew in their hearts:
hobbit sense and hobbit love suits a hobbit best. This writer has
earned her stripes, and this tale joins a list of others which
demonstrate this thoroughly. This is a wonderfully sweet and quite
believable character study, and I often recommend this writer's work.

Title: When Day is Done · Author: Dana · Genres: Alternate Universe ·
ID: 23
Reviewer: Elanor · 2007-12-18 05:29:44
This seamless AU, in which Merry and Pippin take Sam's place on the
long road to Mordor, is an experience in and of itself. Carefully
interspersed with Tolkien's own text, it is a deeply thoughtful,
character-driven journey into despair and darkness, and a fascinating
look at how that ever more enshrouding darkness plays out in the minds
of the clever and capable Merry Brandybuck, and the light-hearted,
sweetly loving, and desperately young Peregrin Took. We know what
resources Sam had; but we are held in suspense here as we wait to see
whether Merry and Pippin can bolster Frodo's strange and frightening
decline, and themselves withstand the desolation of the Black Lands
and the pernicious influence of the Ring.

The sound of the narrative is astonishing, not only for its uncanny
match to Tolkien's own, but for the moods it evokes: the mind-numbing
strain of the journey; the creeping domination of the Ring; the grief
and loneliness of the three travellers, who cannot give or find
comfort in one another; the soul-emptying horror of the last day.

This is a writer who understands the emotional complexities of
Tolkien's characters and is skilled enough to control them for the
duration of a very long story--a difficult task by any measure, but
particularly formidable in this context. Not one, but two very
different characters must face the unknown with Frodo, and triumph or
succumb to the power of the Ring. Both Merry and Pippin are
fascinating to watch as they struggle to stay upright and keep moving
and honor the lives in which they lived and loved before they made
their artless choice to descend into hell to keep Frodo safe.

Beautifully written, carefully conceived; a triumph of insight,
patience and love.

Title: Of Difficulties and Delicate Situations · Author: Garnet Took ·
Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 255
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-18 05:44:13
After over two years of marriage Pippin and Diamond are becoming
concerned about Diamond's failure to conceive, and the proposed trip
to Gondor so Pippin can serve his King as a Guard of the Citadel seems
just the ticket to both quiet the wagging Took tongues and to perhaps
see if King and Queen have any idea--after all, both are competent
healers....

Sweetly and delicately done.

Title: Miss Dora Baggins' Book of Manners · Author: Dreamflower ·
Races: Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 239
Reviewer: Elanor · 2007-12-18 05:44:41
This is such a clever, helpful work for other writers, full of
marvelous suggestions (well, alright, Rules) for Life in the Shire,
compiled by Miss Dora and delightfully executed in her Own, Inimitable
Style, which requires judicious use of Capitals and a Placid,
Authoritative Voice. The author does a wonderful job rendering both
Right and Rule and I have made a study of several sections for my own
work.

The very existence of this 'book' speaks to the love and respect the
author bears Tolkien's creation and the Hobbits of the Shire, not to
mention her generosity with respect to other writers. This is an
insiders' book, clever and detailed, and deeply appreciated!

Title: Tales of Thanksgiving · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First
Age and Prior · ID: 184
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-18 05:48:25
Are they of thanksgiving, or grief, or a mixture of the two? Must be read.

Title: From the Sea · Author: Ford of Bruinen · Times: First Age and
Prior: House of Fingolfin · ID: 113
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-18 05:56:37
Tuor, protege of Ulmo himself, has come to Gondolin and here meets
Idril, and we see the beginning of the second great love affair
between Men and Elves of Middle Earth.

One can almost taste the concern of Tuor that none of this is quite real.

Title: All that is gold... · Author: Perelleth · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 42
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-18 06:29:10
Did Bilbo Baggins possibly meet the child Estel within Rivendell
during his visits there? Or did he remain ignorant of him? And how
much did Gandalf know or not know about the presence of the child?

A plausible meeting here, a foreshadowing of the growing awareness of
Gandalf that Bilbo's trove is more than it seems, and the beginnings
of the Riddle of Aragorn. The detail is finely wrought, and the
growing knowledge well presented.

Title: And Thought How Blessed He Was · Author: Imhiriel · Genres:
Romance: Drabble · ID: 670
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-12-18 11:23:51
What is undoubtedly the sweetest moment in Aragorn's life, and his
truest reward, is gently and sweetly rendered by Imhiriel.

Title: Osgiliath · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 626
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2007-12-18 11:36:52
Dwimordene is a master dabbler, her incredible output matched only by
the way she achieves incredible complexity in very few words. Here,
Boromir undergoes a trial by fire and has a very chilling realization
about his Enemy, as he encounters the Black Captain for the first time.

Title: If I Keep You Beside Me · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 548
Reviewer: Llinos · 2007-12-18 13:08:53
(spoiler alert)

There are a great many things about this story that I thought were
very well done and described. I thought that the way that the story
moved between the Quest and Pippin's present in Minas Tirith was very
effective.

Pippin's thoughts throughout were very natural and in character. I
liked how the contrasting stories of the nightingale brought on the
sudden realisation of just how alien the race of Men are to hobbits -
I much prefer the hobbits' version. Pippin metaphorically becoming the
nightingale, unwilling to sing because he is caged and yet compelled
to because of the situation in which he found himself was very
poignant and I could easily feel his distress. Well done contrast
between singing for Boromir and the Fellowship because he wants and
likes to and having to sing at Denethor's command.

That Pippin was very well aware of Boromir's increasing distraction
over Frodo and the Ring and that he and Merry were acting as
distractions themselves, hoping through their friendship and
interaction to divert Boromir from his fixation, was very insightful.

A thought-provoking story that does an excellent job of highlighting
cultural differences both between races and individuals.


Title: Lost in Translation · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 31
Reviewer: Llinos · 2007-12-18 13:47:02
Even more than the main theme of Pippin simply being deeply frustrated
with his inability to understand the elves I enjoyed this story's
deeper theme - Pippin's growing maturity as he is forced to deal with
the changes to his comfortable knowledge of how the world should be.
He is gradually forced to accept broader horizons than he has ever
understood existed and he comes to understand that Merry can sometimes
be as unsure as he is himself, which is disconcerting, as if a safety
net has been taken away. His conversation with Frodo was full of love
and patience and it is easy to see how Frodo has endeared himself to
his younger cousins.

Thoughtfully written and a pleasure to read.

Title: Free and Gay · Author: Marta · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 81
Reviewer: Raihon · 2007-12-18 14:53:36
Charming and clever, this snippet of Gondorian culture and Boromir's
personal dilemmas is well written and has great plays on words. I
especially enjoyed the reference to horns and harps. Well done.

Title: Foray · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA · ID: 55
Reviewer: Altariel · 2007-12-18 15:49:09
No mother to attend, and father too busy, but Boromir does his best to
be both, and Faramir appreciates it (and is embarrassed by it too!). A
very touching portrait of the bond between the two brothers.

Title: Daybreak · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 705
Reviewer: Altariel · 2007-12-18 15:51:06
Beautiful. I'm glad he made it through the Night.

Title: Family Jewels · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 464
Reviewer: Altariel · 2007-12-18 16:01:39
Thoughtful reflection on how parenthood changes us, and changes how we
interpret the stories we have known for a long time. And very in
character for Faramir to find compassion for his father, even as he
rejects the choices Denethor made.

Title: Blooded · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 3
Reviewer: Altariel · 2007-12-18 16:14:44
Sensitive portrayal of young men and their first kills. Faramir, who
would not tell "even an orc" a falsehood, is bound to be affected by
the death of someone at his own hands. Faramir's sense that Boromir
had lied in some way - or, at least, had not told the whole truth -
fascinated me. Was it to preserve Faramir from knowledge, or does it
say something of Boromir's pursuit of glory above all?


Title: A Crown of Woodland Flowers · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races:
Elves: With Mirkwood Elves · ID: 180
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-18 19:35:19
Nice job capturing the carefree quality of this moment! It was light
and thoroughly enjoyable; I liked reading it.

Title: Gone Fishin' · Author: Aranel Took · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 322
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-18 19:49:30
This ficlet does a very good job of capturing the simple pleasures
Aragorn would have to sacrifice when he became king of Gondor. I'm
sure there were lots of little things he would miss, and "Gone
Fishin'" shows how he would be affected by this loss -- Aragorn fans
will want to check this one out.

Title: Shells · Author: pipkinsweetgrass · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Pippin · ID: 506
Reviewer: Llinos · 2007-12-18 21:29:21
I enjoyed seeing Ioreth looking after Pippin and the flashback was
very good too. A very sweet story written in a flowing style.

Title: Alone, Yourself and Nameless · Author: Pearl Took · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 434
Reviewer: Llinos · 2007-12-18 21:32:38
It's nice to read about a thoughtful and contemplative Pippin. Very
interesting subject matter!

Title: Fourth Age, Year 13 · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 628
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-18 22:02:02
This story gives a really spectacular look into the joys of
parenthood, and I can easily see Aragorn thinking these thoughts. His
OC daughter has all of the charms of youth, and the fact that she is
so carefree in comparison to our canonical favorites a generation ago
(who would be squires or at least seriously thinking about it) does a
nice job of characterizing the new age.

Title: Great and Terrible · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: General
Drabble · ID: 721
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-18 22:11:40
Absolutely chilling. You did a good job of capturing just how badly
things might have gone. While canonical Lord of the Rings isn't
without loss by any means, this shows how lightly Middle-earth got
off, compared to what could have been.

Title: Pest Control · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Cross-Cultural: Drabble
· ID: 697
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-18 22:27:52
There isn't enough fanfic out there about the ents, let alone the
entwives. This drabble gives a nice view of Middle-earth, capturing
the entwives' hatred of orcs and evil things well, to say nothing of
the birds-eye view of things creatures as large as ents would have to
have. This is a really well-conceived drabble.

Title: Not Fade Away · Author: Jael · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later
Ages · ID: 127
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2007-12-18 22:39:59
[May contain spoilers]
This story is a lighthearted, funny, and yet captivating and very
interesting tale about what may have become of those Elves who did not
made the journey to Aman, but stayed in Middle Earth - and at the same
time, it comes over so completely naturally, so very believable, that
it takes the readers breath. The Original Character, a woman who is a
so completely ordinarily modern-day matter-of-fact and no-bullshit
character that one can easily fall in love with her during the very
first chapter, remains delightfully clueless for a long time, and that
way gives us , the readers, all the more opportunity to discover all
those delightfully thrown in hints, including the odd quirks of the
...*Janitor* of the company where our heroine lands a job. And from
there, the story takes off and just gets better.

I have rarely read a modern-earth AU that came across more
matter-of-factly and more believable, and still, the whole tale
remains an enjoyable read that can be enjoyed many times again, for
the story is rich in little details that are a delight to rediscover.
Even more, with this story Jael opens up a whole new story-universe
that gives the opportunity for many more tales in this arc, be them
prequels to show how the characters ended up there through the times,
or sequels which give a hint what may become of them afterwards. And
all this is done in a delightful, but firm reverse reading of
Tolkien's stance on those 'backwood' Elves who were "less wise" than
their so-called nobler Noldorin cousins of the West, aka the
Mirkwood-connection. It is *their* point of view that we are getting here.

I have to say, if any Modern day AU ever made it into my personal
canon, this one would be it. A very lovely read, and one I will likely
repeat very often. :)