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Title: Swan Song · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 637
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 10:16:58
Ah, a wonderful glimpse of one of the Princes of Dol Amroth taking
leave of one of the loves of his life ere he rides north to fight
orcs. The environment is well done; the mood expertly conveyed.

Title: Droplets · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 566
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 10:29:41
Dawn, what a marvelous series of ficlets focused on Elrond and water,
whether the sea or fountains, rain or tears, or more than one of
these. Water symbolized fear, loss, love, and finding once again.

Our most beloved counselor Peredhel and the gift of water, cleansing
or healing. Most poignant.

Title: Father and Son · Author: Istarnie · Genres: Drama: Second Age
or Earlier · ID: 718
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 10:38:20
The first son died in the ships of the Teleri. Feanor begins to count
the cost of his choices.

The bitterness of the Elven smith is well conveyed.

Title: Mettare Duties · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 647
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 10:42:01
He may dance with the young damsels of his court, but they have been
led into skill by the one he loves best; and the love song he sings is
so appropriate to where his heart is truly given! Wonderful look at a
mature Faramir and his wife!

Title: Lord Irmo's Gift · Author: shirebound · Genres: Crossover · ID: 576
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 10:44:46
Lord Irmo is the Vala of dreams; and the one Sam is allowed to counsel
in this dream is one who truly wished to know just how Sam felt as he
prepared to climb Orodruin.

From Tol Eressea to quite a different isle indeed! Marvelous to think
that one Sam advised another! Love it, Shirebound!

Title: Just Deserts · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 505
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 10:51:03
As they greeted Sam and Frodo at the feast there in Cormallen, Pippin
and Merry told them they were now knights of Gondor and Rohan
respectively. Lovely look at how the knighting might have happened.

Title: It Gives a Lovely Light · Author: Oshun · Genres: Drama: Second
Age or Earlier · ID: 338
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-21 11:05:05
For anyone looking for a new author to read and wanting to test the
unknown waters before sinking into a long, involved story, this is a
good place to begin to check out Oshun, a passionate Silmarillion
writer. This fascinating collection of drabbles and short pieces
allows her to focus on her favorite and best subjects--love among the
grand, impossible Noldor (and their kin, not to forget Elrond, who was
only partly Noldorin).

Oshun excels at the private moments, the secret loves and romances,
weaving in Elven art and music and an acute eye for the social scene.
She is on her way to concocting a complete biography of Gil-galad, and
Elrond too. Oshun!verse is as likely as most and as compelling as any.
But her greatest love is reserved for Maedhros and Maglor. Feanorians
simply must read these pieces. Even those of us (like me) who don't
usually gravitate to stories of the impossibily beautiful Elves and
their heaven behind the towering mountains, find much here to enjoy.

Still waiting for the Valar to appear now and then.

Title: Taking Leave · Author: Soubrettina · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 326
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-21 11:09:35
I've found, to my surprise, that Soubrettina is one of those
ridiculously gifted fanfic writers who isn't liked by some in the
fandom. More loss they!

It can only be her originality that some find objectionable. This tale
is a good example. Delving into the secret moments, the seldom spoken
feelings, Soubrettina conjures up scenes of emotional depth that stick
with you.

This story of Eowyn's death is a retrospective comment on her
impossible love for Aragorn and its "might have beens." And it's so
right that they should share grandchildren in the end. Of course!

Title: Alone, Yourself and Nameless · Author: Pearl Took · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 434
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 11:26:05
During their second night within the House of Tom Bombadil, Pippin
muses on Tom's question of Frodo as to what he was himself, alone and
nameless; and as he considers this he considers what it is that Tom is
as well. His answer amuses and reassures him, and it did so for me as
well.

Ah, our Pippin, thinking and using his imagination!

So sweet a tale!

Title: Sometime Ever After · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond · ID: 363
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 11:35:59
Drugs or hallucinations from the wound itself, or a brief series of
meetings with the first Man he'd met toward whom he felt as a brother?
Aragorn's not certain. But he was told to look to his daughter--who'd
not yet been born.

Very moving, and in its way reassuring. An excellent story, Dwimordene!.

Title: The Fëanorieli · Author: Istarnie · Genres: Humor · ID: 530
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-21 11:42:41
This is such a delightful ficlet, you can just feel how the horror
rises within Feanor as his teenage daughters keep on asking him
questions and their bickering.

[Would that Nerdanel restrained her passions but a little] What a
delightful take to reverse this detail, because we know that Nerdanel
sought to do that the same. This piece, again leaves me wondering that
if both would have found a balance in what they wanted to bequathe in
their children, Fëanor might have had daughters too. This piece blends
in archaic language (something which the author handles quite
naturally and feels like her trademark) with the intimate thoughts of
Feanor. I really loved this one!

Title: Counsel · Author: Alassiel · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor ·
ID: 292
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 11:50:31
As he prepares for his coronation, Aragorn has a most
enlightening--and blessed--visitation. Reassurance--counsel--comfort;
all he deserves, and all he receives that night. And he is sung
quietly to rest for what hours he might know by his unusual visitor.

One of my favorite of Alassiel's stories.

Title: The Dancer · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Drama: Minas Tirith ·
ID: 150
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 12:02:18
The heartache of unrequited love will remain always, as does the
regret for what might have been, no matter how satisfying the life
experienced.

This look at one who loved Denethor and had hoped perhaps to become
his bride, her losses and her perceptions of him as well, are most
enlightening.

Very thought-provoking, and most interesting POV.

Title: South · Author: Aliana · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond: Gondor
or Rohan · ID: 8
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 12:16:50
Restlessness and dreams have drawn Merry southwards for a brief time,
to share with Eowyn the unspoken memory of their ride together. For
those who have been through the glory and terror of war as has Merry,
there is so often the need to connect again with those who shared that
time with them.

A wonderful capturing of that need, and the special kinship that
flowers between those who have risked all together; and a wonderful
memorial to those Merry loved and honored, both remaining with him and
lost to him.

Title: Enter the Fourth Age, Hastily · Author: Dwimordene · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 140
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 12:20:41
If the Ents' name for orcs is as long as years of torment, then what
is their word for this new state of affairs after the fall of Sauron?

Marvelous (although I think that the Hobbit word for it is elegant in
its simplicity!).

Title: Cool Sunlight and Green Grass · Author: SlightlyTookish ·
Races: Hobbits: Post-Ring War · ID: 211
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 12:25:31
How must Pippin have felt as he was at last allowed out of his bed
there in the camp at Cormallen? Now we know! Joyful!

Title: Untitled (because sometimes, words are better not wasted) ·
Author: Unsung Heroine · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 642
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-21 12:29:15
What a delightful take on Arda remade and what would happen if this
couple would meet again. To me it perfectly ties in with other stories
Unsung Heroine has written, yet she brings it in such a manner that
such background is not directly needed. I love the descriptions of the
Italian streets & train stations, minimum as the sights and sounds of
Rome are, they just give that perfect balance in writing. Their
reunion reflects the need both share to be completed again: the
missing and wanting to remember and savour every minute shines
through. The characters still take in their surroundings and each
other passionately and especially Haleth’s comment places them firmly
in the Tolkien Universe.
[“Oh, full of crumbling, faded mortal garishness and the memory of
things that once were beautiful.” She pauses, smiling. “I bet you’d
like it,” she adds wistfully. “Where were you?”]

This bit alone serves as a beautiful touchstone, laying out the
differences between them immediately. I simply love the idea of
Caranthir walking around in Rome and meeting her there, once they
arrive on the [Piazza del Popolo] I find myself holding my breath and
the turn of the story is so fitting and believable. This sentence
stands out the most and is so brilliant: [Walking ghosts of something
that fails to be history. That maybe never was.] What a wonderful
short story, very elegantly written, yet straightforward and from the
heart. To me this story was a pleasant discovery, which features two
Tolkien characters in modern times.


Title: Of Numenor That Was · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 424
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 12:33:04
Here we see to what Numenor fell under the influence of Sauron, as he
convinced Ar-Pharazon and those who followed his ways of the supremacy
of Morgoth. To see the blasphemy of his teachings as they must have
been made manifest is terrifyingly painful.

Well done series.

Title: He Just Doesn't Listen · Author: White Wolf · Genres:
Adventure: Minas Tirith · ID: 495
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 12:51:01
No, when it comes to not risking himself for the sake of his friend,
Legolas just won't listen at all. Movie-verse as well as AU, but
interesting anyway.

Title: Glistening · Author: Ellie · Races: Elves · ID: 383
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-21 13:54:37
[this review contains spoilers]
[Glistening] is a vignette series that all works tremendously well
together. As stand alone stories, all the vignettes mark an important
event, but it seems that the theme Ellie has chosen works down in
every generation to come. I would rave on to describe the effects of
this series, so I am going to settle for a beautiful and skilled story
weaving, and marvellous descriptions.

Starting with Olwë and his love, Ellie takes the reader on the road of
wondrous moments and deeply moving thoughts of her chosen characters.
Eärendil and Elrond somehow remain my most favourites in this.

[There Eärendil shone; a light for both elves and men. Pity and awe
consumed Eonwë’s heart as he triumphantly called to the young peredhel
in a mighty voice.]

In this vignette, the narrative works so incredibly well. The manner
how she portrayed Tirion through Eärendil's eyes, the feeling of
despair that he might be too late and failed the two kindreds.

[He knew in his heart beyond all doubt that his calling was not to be
regent of an elven nation, but caretaker of a people. With a sigh, he
accepted the task with the heavy burdens and responsibilities that
would accompany it. Taking a deep steadying breath, he placed Vilya
upon his finger, and the renewal began.] I love this part immensely.

Not only compared to the rulership of the Noldor, Elrond shoulders
much more than the guardianship of the ring. Ellie writes this so well
in this line: [Gil-Galad may not have been able to force him to take
up the crown of the Noldor, but he did thrust a different circlet of
power upon him, and it was one Elrond dared not refuse.] It just feels
as of that moment, we have reached a turning point in the history of
Arda. The vignette series ends with Elladan and Elrohir, and her take
on the twins is quite refreshing. Ellie managed to give the two of
them quite a different personality with their own motives to fight for
the good cause. One is driven by vengeance, the other wishes to keep
the family together. Looking at this vignette series as a while many
themes pass by: Falling in love, celebrating love, bringing forth a
new one, fighting for your generation when you really must and, when
your offspring can do it own their own one has to set them free and
remain a caretaker on the background. Thank you Ellie, for sharing
this work with us, it has been most thought provoking.

Title: Dance of Desire · Author: Ellie · Genres: Humor: Children · ID: 405
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-21 14:01:01
[this review contains spoilers]
This brief liclet just oozes from the cuteness. Replace Rumil’s dreams
with the ambition to become a firefighter or a famous athlete and you
can see how well Ellie understands the mind of a young child. In this
piece she juts shows us the world seen trough an elfling’s perspective
and keeps the piece skillfully in one point of view.

At first she kept me on the edge of my seat here when I read about the
chilling battle of Rumil fighting Orcs and keeping him at bay with
excellent skill. Then suddenly the reader realises that what we see is
Rumil's utter desire to be fighting just like his adar and big brother
where Haldir explains to his father how an elfling can be so fully
consumed by such a whish. A very wee!dance of desire!


Title: Healing Lessons · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Cross-Cultural:
With Pippin · ID: 296
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 16:14:42
Very appropriate for Gimli, both in his style of healing and that he
uses this knowledge to help Pippin.

Title: Tales of the Innkeeper · Author: Allee · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 237
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-21 16:23:30
We don't get to see too much of the "common folk" of Middle-earth in
fanfic, nor in Tolkien--the Hobbits play that part, I guess--but
Allee's stories make up for the lack.

Her delightful vignettes capture in speech and tone the scene inside
an Inn when a certain King comes to stay. In a few short strokes, she
describes a personality and an interaction--several of them. Her
portrait of Aragorn is very much in character, melding the Ranger and
the King.

I hope these stories continue--I'm longing to find out the resolution
of the Carandol problem.

Title: The Last Temptation · Author: Maeve Riannon · Genres: Drama:
Second Age or Earlier · ID: 264
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-21 16:27:33
Tolkien's most interesting characters are those who wander out of
their expected environments and encounter new and strange things. In
this case, it's Melian the Maia as an incarnate. How she must have
chafed under the command "not to meddle"! And she certainly bent the
rules a bit, for all that. Who can understand the ways of the Gods?

Maeve takes one of the saddest legends, the deaths of Dior's sons at
the hands of the sons of Feanor, and makes it personal. So sad, and a
successful presentation of the challenge of making a Goddess--human.



Title: The Tolkienian War on Science · Author: Doc Bushwell · Genres:
Non-Fiction · ID: 444
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-21 16:42:24
How I cheered when I first read this essay! Doc Bushwell's take on
Tolkien's hatred of science and technology is spot on.

Generally, when I read the books, I just want to go along for the
ride, but all too often Tolkien won't let you. He is too busy
preaching, and it gets in the way of his story-telling. All the same,
the true artist in him is at war with the preacher, and so you get the
portrait of Feanor as the "evil scientist" but also the "greatest of
the Noldor." In that way Tolkien himself recognized his own dilemma.

In the Lord of the Rings I recognize it primarily in the treatment of
Saruman. According to Gandalf, Saruman wants to pursue social order
and therefore follow Sauron. It's rather hard to understand what this
is supposed to mean, since whenever you see them Sauron's minions are
busy killing and destroying. Not good for business. The only sense my
atheistic brain can make of it is that people like Saruman aren't
supposed to boss all the others around. What, like telling the Elves
to leave Middle-earth, where Eru put them, and come to Aman? Go figure.

In the end, like all religions, you just have to accept the
unexplainable on faith. And that's why I'll always be on Feanor's
side! Really, there's a great AU tale of Saruman in there somewhere....