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Title: Kindness Rewarded · Author: White Wolf · Races: Elves:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 494
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-24 07:04:42
A warm hearted glimpse of Legolas' deep affinity with nature when he
rescues an injured bird and tenderly cares for the little creature.
The twist at the end brought a smile to my face.

Title: He Just Doesn't Listen · Author: White Wolf · Genres:
Adventure: Minas Tirith · ID: 495
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-24 07:07:58
I read this gripping AU with my heart in my mouth for fear one of my
favourite characters was going to die. A well told tale with many
twists and turns.I am not usually an AU fan but this one caught and
held my interest.

Title: Blessed by Ilúvatar · Author: White Wolf · Genres: Drama: Elves
in Later Ages · ID: 485
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2007-12-24 07:11:41
I think this is a story that many people could identify with as it
deals with grief, hope and renewal, matters we all experience at some
time or other in our lives. King Thanduril's Queen surprises her
husband with her reaction to their grief when one of their sons dies.
This writer is a highly gifted storyteller.

Title: The Witch-king's Cloak · Author: Radbooks · Genres: Humor:
Parody · ID: 106
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:32:43
This little ficlet made me laugh out loud. Poor Witchking, too bad
that he couldn't get his tailor to make him a fitting spare cloak. I
loved the short, chopped description of everything that is wrong with
this cloak.

Title: Escape · Author: Bodkin · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017 TA
· ID: 24
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:34:07
It is unusual to have the main protagonists remain nameless. But here
it works to emphasize the qualities of the Dunedain in general and of
a typical elven warrior patrol. We never find out who the man and the
elven patrol leader are, but they show some very familiar
characteristics of both groups.

Title: Lighting Fires · Author: Gwynnyd · Genres: Adventure: Pre-Ring
War · ID: 95
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:37:11
This is a great tale about young Estel and Elrohir. Estel succumbs to
the age old lure of thinking he is grown up and doesn't need any
boring lessons. So, Elrohir takes him on a test to judge his fitness
for more 'practical' lessons. It was heartbreaking to witness Estel's
despair when he thought he failed Elrohir. I loved the interaction
between the two brothers and thought Estel was quite ingenious to find
solutions to the problems they faced for his age. I think you
described a boy his age very well.

Title: Tales of the Innkeeper · Author: Allee · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 237
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:42:17
These Tales of the Innkeeper are a charming collection of little
scenes in an inn during an unexpected stay of King Elessar, stranded
there during a snowstorm. The reader gets to know King Elessar through
the eyes of the Innkeeper. I love it that the Innkeeper, the inn and
the place have no name. This is just a place up North, although
Denethor made it there once in his life. The innkeeper is a wise man
and his observations of the King are clear-eyed and astute. I like the
language used. This is written as if the innkeeper is directly
speaking to the reader which gives the innkeeper a unique personality.

Title: Lords of Gondor, Sons of the Shire · Author: Gandalfs
apprentice · Races: Men: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 379
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:45:16
Two great little ficlets. With a few words the early days between
Boromir and Aragorn are evoked and Sam's plain hobbit sense sees
clearly through Boromir's affront. I like the second one even more.
How telling is it that the history of Arnor is covered in cobwebs. But
the old scribes knew one basic thing about hobbits and Pippin can show
Faramir the real thing.

Title: Vocabulary Lessons · Author: Larner · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 521
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:47:13
This story is great. I love the way the characters of Frodo, Sam and
Aragorn start to shine in contrast to the impudent, young heir. That
lordling has a lot to learn. I don't think he will ever forget that
lesson. I just hope he will not take it the wrong way and turn bitter,
but the end gives hope. This story gave me a warm feeling, just what I
needed today. To see the interaction between the ringbearers and
Aragorn and the servants in the Citadel made the ignorance and
aloofness of the visitor even more noticable.

Title: In the Bloody Cottage · Author: Soubrettina · Races: Men:
Eriador or Rivendell · ID: 581
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:50:50
This is a very bleak and dark view at Aragorn's birth. Although all
ends well, the reader gets a grim impression of how perilous
childbirth among the Dunedain was. It is from Gilraen's point of view
and the strength of the mother shines through, although she is nearly
overwhelmed by the birth. In her half-conscious state between living
and dead the reader is left to wonder what was dream and what was real.

Title: Some Dark Place · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 226
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:52:56
This ficlet very skillfully evokes the fear the ringwraiths strike
into the heart of their enemies. I think it is a great gapfiller,
which explains Aragorn's reaction to the Riders in Bree. Brrr, after
this description I really don't want to meet them.

Title: The man in the woods · Author: Dot · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 13
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:57:29
In this story a young girl and her brother are confronted with the
grim reality of the dangers of life for the Dunedain. I love the
description of everyday life for the children and the games they play.
The 'King-returned' game reminds me of some of the role-playing games
I played with my siblings long ago.

Title: A Useful Skill · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Humor: Children ·
ID: 46
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 13:59:36
That was a lovely little scene. I loved Faramir's earnestness and,
naturally, he is good at what he does. Very clever from Nanny to have
a 'manly' excuse to teach her charge sewing, pardon darning. But I
don't think Boromir will be very pleased when this new subject comes
up ;-).

Title: Brothers at Heart · Author: Radbooks · Times: Mid Third Age:
2851 - 3017 TA · ID: 330
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 14:06:57
In this tale about Aragorn arriving back at the Dunedain to take up
his mantle as chieftain, there is no question that he has the right to
lead the Dunedain, although not everyone loves him at first sight.

Aragorn grows quickly into his role and I love the symbolism when he
removes the sword that he got from Elrond as a young boy, to replace
it with the sword he inherited from his father, thus showing he
finally feels fully at home among the Dunedain.

The tale weaves a rich tapestry of life in the villages of the
Dunedain and the difficulties they face in the wilderness. The
judgment of men in Bree is chilling but in this time and setting the
only way possible.

The story has a wide cast of OCs all of them richly drawn and
interesting characters in their own right. I love the relationship
between Halbarad and Aragorn and Halbarad's father. My favorite of all
the OCs is the healer Nestad, with his wisdom a welcome support for
the young chieftain.

Title: Once Upon a Strongbow · Author: Legolass · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 685
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-24 14:14:09
The story of Beleg and Turin told to young children as bedtime story
is narrated by an elven father and Aragorn. I love the interweaving of
the elven and human storyteller in the early chapters. Each of the
storytellers brings his unique point of view from the human and elven
perspective to the story and the rapt audience asks good questions
which help to bring into focus the extraordinary friendship between
the human and the elf. The elven storyteller had me guessing who it
is, but when he is revealed it made perfect sense.

Title: Crimson Fields · Author: Amrunofthesummercountry · Genres:
Drama: With Merry · ID: 295
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 15:26:07
I found the relationship of the characters as depicted here to be
natural and easy to believe in. Normally I am more interested in Frodo
and Sam stories, slash or gen, but I really thought that the author
got Merry and Pippin down here. I felt that this story did a good job
of explaining what is actually a very complex relationship on many levels.

The descriptions were very easy to visualise and the dialogue was
really well done.

Title: Are You Going to Leave Me? · Author: Llinos · Genres: Drama:
With Merry · ID: 142
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 15:46:53
(spoilers)

What a cool idea for a gapfiller! This was something that really
bugged me about the film - how on earth did Merry go from lying half
dead on the battlefield to riding to the Black Gate behind Eomer? If
Peter Jackson is going to change canon the least that he could do
would be to be careful of continuity! But finally I have found a story
that answers that qestion exactly to my satisfaction.

I loved in the film that in a nod to bookverse-Pippin slaying his
troll that Merry's foot was showing from beneath his pile of slain
enemies. It was terrific that this author picked up on such a small
detail from the film and included it here because I really think that
the sight of Merry's foot was an incredibly emotional moment for
Pippin and the author writes the aftermath of that moment really well.
The story just draws you in so natutally, event leading to event.
Pippin's care and worry over Merry and his ingenuity in signalling
help was really excellently done!

I won't go through the whole story in this review, though I would like
to, but I do want to say that I thought that Eowyn and Eomer's
Rohirrim voices were really well written and the argument/discussion
over whether or not Merry should be able to accompany the others to
the Black Gate was just perfect. Every character was in perfect voice
and Eomer knighting Merry so that he became his responsibility and he
could give his approval was great! Merry's insistence that he be
included was really hobbit-like! The fierce devotion that both hobbits
had for Frodo brought tears to my eyes.

This story is excellent and is going to go on my list of favourites.

Title: Drawn With Love · Author: MerryK · Genres: Drama: Youth · ID: 569
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 15:59:41
(spoilers)

This story is really gorgeous! I love the brothers 'Mir and I think
that this is now one of my favourite fics about them. Faramir is so
sweet and in need of love and Boromir is so stalwart and caring over
his little brother. I don't have any doubt that Boromir would be have
been encouraged to develope his artistic talents to such an extent. It
would be a skill like dancing and proper table manners and that sort
of thing for someone born of such high station. And I think that the
love he has for the subject matter and for the recipient would add
skill and attention to details.

What I liked best was Boromir's perserverence here. He didn't give up
until the representation of their mother was just exactly right. He
(and the author) really brought Finduilas to life right before our
eyes. I can see Boromir at this age being so detail oriented and
determined to be absolutely accurate as he is depicted here, qualities
that he certainly had when he grew up.

Faramir's pleasure was just wonderful! I love that he has such a
fantastic picture of his mother now, to watch over him. It's no wnder
that Faramir is devoted to his elder brother, and it is easy to see
from Boromir's care of little Faramir why it was so natural that he
became the protector of the young hobbits while on the quest.

I loved the ending! It couldn't have been better!

Title: Knave of Hearts · Author: grey_wonderer · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 252
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 16:09:20
(spoilers)

Merry's attitude in general but especially toward Pippin is great in
this story and Frodo's determination not to believe that Pippin knows
exactly what he is doing is priceless. Sometimes Frodo can be just a
bit too trusting! I loved the bit where Pippin tried to offer sleeping
Saradoc a bite of the gooey tart, it was really sweet of him! But when
Esmeralda discovered it all and told Frodo off was my favourite part.

I liked the dialogue throughout the story and the fast pace. A really
good story!

Title: The Horses of Eorl · Author: Branwyn · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Drabble · ID: 477
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 16:13:31
(spoilers)

This is a great idea for a drabble. I never thought about the Rohirrim
getting any of their stolen horses back and I am so glad that they did
here. I liked the gentle feeling that I got from this and that they
called in Radagast was perfect.

Title: The Green Hill · Author: Baranduin · Races: Cross-Cultural: The
Fellowship · ID: 562
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 16:21:11
(spoiler)

A bit AU as Aragorn never returned to Cerin Amroth but it's a lovely
story regardless. I liked the depth of the friendship between Aragorn
and Frodo here. The descriptions of Aragorn's changing facial
expressions is great and conjures up some really sweet images but my
favourite part is Aragorn not remembering what he and Arwen said
despite the wonderfullness of the event - just like me not being able
to remember my wedding day, lol!

Frodo's reassurance of Aragorn at the end is just perfect!

Title: Helping Hands · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 615
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 16:43:07
(spoilers)

These drabbles are so sensitively done. I liked how they are titled
with the days as they make each drabble even more significant. Each
drabble is so in character and so filled with love. The author manages
to pack so much emotion into each and the scenes are set so that it is
clear in your mind where the action is taking place but without any
wasted words.

My favourite part of the first drabble was how matter-of-fact Merry
was when he helped Pippin to his feet. I liked that he didn't make any
special out of it, just quietly offered his arm. I thought that was
exactly the way he would have handled it, and could picture him,
worried but filled with the pride of the moment and understanding why
Pippin went through with the ceremony without having to speak of it.

Sam was in excellent character in the second one. His silently
berating himself at not offering help sooner was just what he would
have done, never accepting that he shouldn't be able to see eveything
that Frodo needs even before he knows that he needs it. I liked the
mention of Merry and Pippin here too, and got a lump in my throat
imagining Frodo trying to use his knife and fork.

The third one is my favourite I think - the way that Pippin and Merry
just seem to know what to do for Sam on this anniversary of Frodo's
leaving and the way that Sam silently admits them is on the surface a
humorous visual, but in reality deadly serious so it works on both of
those levels for me.

The author has really captured Pippin and Merry in the last drabble.
The way that Pippin knows that something is wrong just from the way
Merry turns the pages of a book is such a perfect way to show their
closeness, as was the Crickhollow setting. And the fact that Merry was
trying to hide that there was a problem from Pippin was perfectly in
character.

An excellent series of drabbles that really capture the nature of
these hobbits.



Title: Beauty · Author: Marta · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 646
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 16:47:02
Such beautiful observations of Frodo here! I liked the contrast with
Rosie and could see how their different types of beauty stir Sam
differently. I also liked the way that it could be read as slash, if
one felt inclined. Very lovely drabble indeed!

Title: Cool Sunlight and Green Grass · Author: SlightlyTookish ·
Races: Hobbits: Post-Ring War · ID: 211
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 16:49:46
Pippin must have been delighted to final be able to leave his sickbed
and venture outside and the author really captures that here. All of
the characters are really well written and I loved the feeling of
delight I got while reading, sharing the moment.

Title: Keepsake · Author: Marigold · Races: Hobbits: Vignette · ID: 256
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-24 17:07:31
(spoilers)

This is a favourite scene of mine. I thought the details were just
about nonexistant in the book and not covered nearly enough in the
film. It was really great to find this story that goes into the moment
in greater depth.

I feel that Gandalf had a really special relationship with Pippin and
that is how this author depicts them here, as if their relationship is
that of a grandfather and cherished grandson, saying what is their
final farewell in Middle-earth. It is obvious that Pippin is aware
that Gandalf's gruffness is a facade and that he knows his value to
the wizard and he isn't afariad to show Gandalf how much he means to
him. The story is angsty and emotional and yet the emotion is not
overdone.

The characterisations are really good. I love Pippin's character on
this - he is brave but not afraid to be sad and to weep as he knows
that Gandalf won't think badly of him for doing so. I like the fact
that Pippin has known Gandalf since childhood in this universe (from
Llinos's universe) as it gives their parting even more angst.

I loved the idea that Gandalf left Pippin a gift to remember him by!
That the gift is a new and slightly glitzier copy of an item that
Gandalf had given him as a child and that Pippin lost while lighting
the beacons makes it even more special and emphasises the closeness of
their relationship even more.

What a sad parting - it made me cry but it was a very satisfying
version of events.