Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Alone, Yourself and Nameless · Author: Pearl Took · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 434
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 16:44:18
We have all asked ourselves this question and lucky Pippin is in the
right place, and possessing an open enough mind, to get some insights.

Title: The Love of Lore · Author: Oshun · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 271
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-21 16:46:25
Oshun's got a not-so-secret passion for Faramir, and it comes out in
these intimate vignettes of childhood and reading--an obsession she
shares with Faramir himself.

I like the hints of intimacy between the adults in the second tale.

Title: Shadowfax, Lord of all Horses · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 597
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 16:50:22
Excellent motive behind Shadowfax's actions. I liked the way that the
Lord of Horses is fond enough of Pippin to look out for him. The
naming of the inn was very funny and I'd love to see the reactions of
hobbit visitors to it in later years, especially Diamond!

Title: Pippin's Little Experiment · Author: Budgielover · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 291
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 17:07:38
Budgielover's portrayal of Pippin is always entertaining and this
story is no exception. In this tale, set before the difficulties of
the Quest and the knowledge of its grimness that forces him to mature
to an extent, he is naively curious, filled with a sense of fun and
daring, and innocently capable of seeing everything new with an
open-eyed wonder that makes him very easy to love. The other hobbits
are also enjoyably written here, especially Merry - he is
appropriately put out, frightened, amused and affectionately resigned
to Pippin's behaviour by turns.

A funny, off-the-wall (or should I say "off the bed", lol) plot! I
miss Budgie's stories and hope that she will soon have more time again
to write.

Title: If I Keep You Beside Me · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 548
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 17:19:10
I liked the depth of Pippin's personality in this story very much.
There is no question as to his intelligence and empathy and his hobbit
nature really shines through.The way that the story of the nightingale
highlighted the differences between Men and hobbits was excellent and
the reactions of the two races each to the version of the other
provided even more insight to these differences.

Title: Shells · Author: pipkinsweetgrass · Races: Cross-Cultural: With
Pippin · ID: 506
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 17:23:23
I don't think that I have ever seen a story featuring Pippin and
Ioreth before and I liked their interaction here. The tale within a
tale was also nicely done and I thought Boromir's characterisation
particularly good.

Title: Woven in Friendship · Author: SlightlyTookish · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 290
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 17:44:58
(Spoiler Alert)

I really like the way that so many bits of canon are woven into this
story so seamlessly, giving it a feeling of fitting effortlessly into
LoTR in a way that most fanfiction struggles to do.

In particular I liked Pippin's memory of the horns blowing as the
Rohirrim arrived at Minas Tirith being jogged by the tapestry. That
this conversation with Eowyn might have inspired her to give Merry his
horn seems very plausible, and I liked the intimation that she gave it
partly for Pippin's sake.

Title: Lost in Translation · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 31
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 18:02:50
I really felt for poor Pippin in this story - he has been thrown into
the deep end and finds that even Merry, his anchor for as long as he
can remember, is at a loss as much as he is himself. Pippin's
frustration reminded me of several hospital experiences, and these
were ones where everyone spoke my native tongue! It must have been far
more frustrating for him.

Pippin's talk with Frodo was excellent. Frodo's advice, essentially to
accept and enjoy another culture as it is and don't be dissatisfied
because it isn't like your own, is one that many travellers in RL
could take to heart - it is so much more worthwhile to immerse
yourself in another culture, be accepting of the differences and try
to fit in than it is to struggle against the unfamiliarity and
constantly judge your new surroundings against your homeland. Travel
is broadening, but only if you let it be so. Excellent advice from an
obviously caring and loving elder cousin, and excellent too that
Pippin took the advice to heart.

Title: The Three Hunters · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Adventure ·
ID: 333
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-12-21 18:41:00
We get a glimpse into how Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli each remember
incidents involving Merry and Pippin. Their thoughts reveal as much
about them as it does the charm, compassion and strength of the hobbits.

Title: Comes Now The Plaintiff, Frodo Baggins · Author: EdorasLass ·
Genres: Humor: Parody · ID: 17
Reviewer: crowdaughter · 2007-12-21 19:16:17
Bwahahahahahahahaha! This is such an odd and mind-boggling idea, that
it takes the readers at a complete surprise; and at the same time, it
is completely brilliant! The complaints against the defendants, here,
are so very substantial, and at the same time are taken into legalese
so completely believably, that I really would love to see that
complaint taken to court. Great idea, and a wonderful execution! I like!

Title: Elements: Dreams of the Dead, Visions of the Living · Author:
pipkinsweetgrass · Genres: Alternate Universe: The Shire or Buckland ·
ID: 202
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 19:44:02
(Spoiler Alert)

There were so many things about this story that I enjoyed! High on the
list was Pippin's perceptive understanding about just how much knowing
himself and Merry had done to expand Boromir's world view, and of
course the letter to Pippin (and Merry) that revealed Gandalf's
fondness for them, Pippin especially.

The qualities and abilities of the faery blood that Pippin carried
were well thought out and the characterisations of the hobbits were
lovely.

I especially liked the ending though - the description of their
*heaven* was very much as I hope it will turn out to be for myself,
hobbits included! And the very last bit, with Faramir able to converse
so easily with Elboron was a wonderful idea.


Title: Riders to the Sea · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Alternate
Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 158
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 20:58:59
A well-written story with evocative descriptions and believable
dialogue. The circumstances were plausible and this thought of Frodo's
really summed up his character for me at this time of his life: {Now
that his fear had passed, his heart pattered with a strange thrill. He
had landed right in the middle of an adventure.}


Title: Harvest Bonfire · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance · ID: 667
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 21:22:56
Every frazzled young mother should have a Lily and a Sam to look after
them, each in different ways of course! Poor Rose - there are only
four children so far, just imagine how knackered she'll be when she
has thirteen!

Title: Torn from a Map · Author: sophinisba solis · Genres: Romance ·
ID: 601
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 21:38:34
Not a pairing that I usually find believable but this author writes
the two with such with such love that I found it a beautiful story
regardless. I especially loved the part about Merry's map and could
just imagine Sam's delight when the elves arrived at his wedding
celebration.

This author has a wonderful understanding of the characterisations and
personalities of hobbits and always infuses her stories with
thoughtful and caring dialogue and evocative descriptions. This story
is no exception.

Title: Come Back to Me · Author: Marta · Genres: Romance · ID: 67
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-21 21:47:47
Thoughtful and complex; Marta has taken a pairing that seems at first
thought unbelievable and crafted it into a study of the wider
motivations of two very difficult characters.

Title: Dangerous Folk · Author: Budgielover · Genres: Adventure:
Incomplete · ID: 800
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-21 21:56:18
Ah, a story I HOPE to see finished soon! As the Fellowship stops for
water, Frodo is grabbed by water goblins, and the remaining members
are endangered. An exciting story of dangers that might have
threatened the Fellowship as they traveled south from Rivendell.

Title: The Voices of Silence · Author: Rhapsody · Times: Multi-Age:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 172
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-12-21 22:11:21
A fascinating evocation of many different aspects of Silence, drabbled
through the minds of Finwe, Feanor, Nerdanel, their sons and grandson.
I found Nerdanel's thoughts the most tragic; no great deeds or bloody
battles for her, just everlasting sorrow and silence.

Title: Heart's Blood · Author: ChristineX · Genres: Romance · ID: 709
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-22 01:14:36
(Spoiler Alert)

This was a completely unexpected romance! I was utterly drawn into the
story and read it in one sitting. The author manages to take a
situation that seems at first thought to be totally unbelievable and
make it entertaining and plausible. It is certainly well-written and
well-thought out enough to suspend the reader's disbelief.

Lithiníel is an excellent OC without a trace of Mary-Sueishness about
her. Her thought processes and justifications as she falls in love
with Sauron seem right to me - after all, we don't clinically choose
who we love, it's fate that brings us together.

The reasons for Sauron's initial fascination with his new captive are
very logical - how long has it been since anyone had the mettle to
speak their mind without regard for the consequences, how long since
anyone had not become completely terrified in his mere presence, how
long since he had had an honest exchange of views with an intelligent
being? The way that this fascination leads to love in one that we
thought to be loveless is described very well.

I found myself wondering if their relationship might have actually
distracted Sauron enough so that he didn't manage to find the Ring
years before the Quest, giving the folks of Middle-earth a chance to
see it destroyed. Perhaps distracting him from his depredations and
death-dealing just a bit. If that is so then perhaps the Valar
themselves had something to do with bringing Sauron and Lithiníel
together!

The ending is wonderfully romantic, even though it is Sauron we are
talking about here - the image of them meeting their doom hand in hand
was somehow gentle and sweet. How the author managed to make it so
I'll never understand, but she did.

This is one of those stories that I never would have read or even been
aware of if not for the MEFA's; I am so glad that I stumbled across it
here. There is not a hobbit in sight and I didn't mind in the least!



Title: The Fire of Their Hearts Was Young · Author: Oshun · Times:
First Age and Prior: House of Fingolfin · ID: 672
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-22 02:06:28
Yet again Oshun shows us a moment of intimacy in the midst of grand
events. It's hardly possible to come up with a less likely scenario
for closeness and passion than the flight of the Noldor abandoned by
Feanor to cross the hellish ice. Yet there must have been such
moments, or how else could they have kept that fire in their hearts
indeed?

Oshun's own canon about Finrod and Fingon is particularly interesting
(let's hope I didn't get those names wrong in my backward Avari
ignorance of the Higher Things of the Quendi).

Title: Sent Unto Men · Author: Alassiel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond
· ID: 346
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-12-22 02:16:09
This is the story that inspired me to write my own LOTR fanfics. I
love the way you are not told directly the reason for Earendil having
to take a different route, but by inference only. Of course, it helps
if one is familiar with the “Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth” to
understand Manwe’s reference to Finrod and what he foresaw. A lovely
reimagining of the Christmas story and the Star of Bethlehem within
the mythology of Middle-earth.

Title: The Slave of the Ring · Author: Linda hoyland · Races: Men ·
ID: 418
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-12-22 02:23:43
This is a wonderful glmpse into the mind of Borormir, as he struggles
with the call of the Ring and his resentment of Aragorn, who he
considers a pretender to throne of Gondor. A well-told first person
narrative.

Title: Where Once My Enemy Stood · Author: Nieriel Raina · Races:
Elves: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 109
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2007-12-22 02:32:51
It must have been terribly difficult for someone like Thranduil to put
aside not just years, or even centuries, but several millennia, indeed
three ages worth of prejudice against dwarves to finally see the value
and worth of just one, the one whom his own son called “mellon”. This
is a lovely look into the heart and soul of a proud king who finally
realizes that indeed [“My enemy is not my foe.”]. To have to admit
that one he despises proved more loving toward his own son than he had
been must have been bitter. In his admission and his willingness to
find in Gimli what Legolas also discovered about the dwarf, we see
Thranduil at his best.

Title: Dark Vision · Author: White Wolf · Genres: Adventure: Minas
Tirith · ID: 483
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:36:27
Wow! That was really a dark vision. Poor Aragorn, no wonder everyone
was so confused. Usually visions are short glimpses of the future, but
this was more like a time travel ;). You had me going in the beginning
and I thought what happened to the emissary? But then it became clear.
Nicely done.

Title: More than Meets the Eye · Author: Dadgad · Genres: Humor: The
Shire or Buckland · ID: 128
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:37:44
This was too funny. I can understand that Elrond and Co. had trouble
to believe the story Elladan and Elrohir are telling. I'm sure I
missed some of the puns about golf, since I have no knowledge of the
game, but what I caught added to the surrealism of the story. [More
than meets the eye] is really an apt description of the hobbits.

Title: The Burning of the Year · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 2
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-22 02:41:03
Brrr. The last line sent a shiver down my spine. Prophetic words. The
whole story has an eerie feel to it. Maybe it comes from the shadows
and flames of the year fire. I love the way how you describe the play
of the shadows caused by the flames on Denethors face. Poor Faramir,
he is never able to do anything right in Denethor's eyes.