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Title: Many Guises and Many Names · Author: Gandalfs apprentice ·
Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 380
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-12-26 03:18:00
These are well done and pointed snippets. I enjoy the glimpses of his
life. You have a knack of characterization and it shows well in this
series. I especially enjoyed seeing him with Gandalf at Bree.

Title: Green Magic · Author: Gandalfs apprentice · Genres: Crossover ·
ID: 312
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2007-12-26 03:23:51
The road not taken, indeed. It's so wonderful to think that Tom's
still on the job and that I might meet him on one of my long rides.
Although, in any case, I'll be careful to stick to the higher trail.

Title: O, Cruel Fate · Author: Greywing · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Incomplete · ID: 58
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-26 04:03:01
No one can write like Greywing. Fast-paced, hilarious, witty, she has
it all. Not only that, she paints, too, and English isn't even her
first language.

This is a very special tale of a series of unfortunate events, shall
we say, mostly involving Valarin incompetence, mixing up bodies and
identities in a way that just flows naturally from the fea/hroar
thing. The take on the Powers is one of the things I like the most
about this tale--that mix of carelessness and callousness is just right.

Greywing has left the tale incomplete, and at a most unfortunate spot,
for the reader--Ellie is now in Lorien's garden, as herself. Actually,
I'm kind of hoping she will end up as Glorfindel--it tickles me pink
to think of him that way in LotR.

I read snatches of this tale as Greywing composed it at the Garden of
Ithilien, but it is much, much better read all at a snatch. My only
regret is that Greywing hasn't included the enchanting pictures she
has painted for this story. Some, especially of Neldor, are
priceless--or Gil-galad with his little dog. Woo hoo!

Feanor re-embodied as a cat! I've known that cat.....

Well, Greywing, how are you going to top this? How in the Valar's name
are you going to end it? Maybe it will just go on and on and on into
the far depths of time.....

Title: Mistaken Identities · Author: Greywing · Races: Elves · ID: 201
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-26 04:08:28
This is the story that first introduced me to Greywing's work. I was
browsing for stuff to read, and just had to try anything Tolkien that
involved Greek mythology. Of course, I was totally delighted, and
tried to guess the identity of the person in question. I failed, but
Greywing and I had a blast corresponding with each other. Well, one
thing led to another, and next thing you know, she's illustrating my
stories. Wow!

Her writing only gets better as she keeps at it, and she's so young,
and so very talented at many different endeavors. Some day, when she's
world famous, I'll be able to say "I knew her when...."

Title: Lift the Wings · Author: Imbecamiel · Genres: Romance: Pre-Ring
War · ID: 376
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-26 04:48:44
A touching vignette of the healing effect of young Estel on Rivendell,
bereft after the loss of its mistress. You were wise here to
concentrate on the feelings of the adults and not on the impossible
cuteness of the child. So many little Estel stories are sickly
saccharine, but you have avoided it. A very good idea to have
Celebrian foretell his coming! It fits, also, although it is not
canon, to have Gilraen die too.



Title: A Mother's Touch · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Humor:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 44
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-12-26 05:41:06
It's hard to think of the feasom Smaug as a child, especially one who
calls his mother 'mama'. Loved her admonition that dragons got
bloodstained but never dirty..

Title: Journey Home · Author: Dot · Races: Elves: With Mirkwood Elves
· ID: 102
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-12-26 06:07:45
It was interesting to see things from the POV of a young warrior
wounded in his first battle. I liked seeing Nendir's joy at being
remembered by the king and also his offer of comfort to Thranduil, the
worried father.

Legolas was as caring as we know him to be.

Title: Behold the King · Author: Linda hoyland · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 433
Reviewer: White Wolf · 2007-12-26 06:44:55
We get a wonderful glimpse into the unselfish heart of Faramir, as he
brings the crown of Gondor to Aragorn at his coronation. We also see
Aragorn's thoughts as he accepts the crown and begins his reign. Both
points of view are skillfully done in first-person narrative.

Title: In the Waiting · Author: Altariel · Races: Men: Gondor · ID: 392
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2007-12-26 07:14:41
Such a splendid, seamless gap-filler following a very pivotal event.
It is always a distinct pleasure to sink into the mind and thoughts of
Altariel's Faramir - his nobility, his strength and his beauty of soul
are so uplifting, and they are shown all the more clearly here where
his behavior is presented against the awful weight of the Ring.

There are many threads drawn from both book canon and the author's
own, all magnificently woven in together with her usual beautiful,
precise and poetic prose. For example, I still shiver at the
connection between Denethor's spy Angrim (one of Altariel's personal
inventions) with ["I saw his eyes glitter in the dark"], and the
far-seeing palantir's ["glitter upon its heights"]. It also calls to
mind a link between these "eyes" of Denethor and the Eye of Sauron,
whose actions and influences Faramir has just been contemplating.
Denethor and Sauron's methods are similar, even if their purposes are
at odds; and the fact that Denethor ends his life in furious despair
offers a moral commentary about the ends justifying the means.

The tension of the vignette is eased a bit by Faramir finding some
relief through the lingering, determined beauty of Ithilien. In fact,
the description of the herb reminded me very much of athelas - another
foreshadowing of events to come? Either way, the rest is well-earned,
for Faramir does indeed resolutely ["stand between the darkness and
that which we loved; as Ranger, between Dark Tower and White, and as
son, between my father and himself."] Wonderful stuff.

Title: Truly Tested · Author: Súlriel · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 257
Reviewer: Gandalfs apprentice · 2007-12-26 12:54:14
This is a drabble as it should be done--taut, every word counts, a
story told.

Title: The Perfect Girl · Author: nikara · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 232
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 13:35:01
As one who loves developing original characters, I've been accused of
making them Mary Sues; and at least one member of the HASA group tends
to feel almost all OCs are Mary Sues and has stated this opinion
frequently and taken part in debates on the subject. The question as
to when a character ceases to be a Mary Sue and becomes a true
Original Character is fascinating.

A most interesting and thought-provoking essay, and greatly appreciated.

Title: Unstrung · Author: Tehta · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 161
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 14:15:51
Maglor has seen great gains in his lifetime, but more great losses,
many of those due to the hubris of his father and brothers. My
favorite vignette here deals with Elrond and Elros as
replacements--replacements and redemption; are these possible or
desirable or even reachable goals? The writer is wise to leave it to
us as readers to figure out.

Title: The Stone of Erebor · Author: Primsong · Genres: Mystery · ID: 401
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 16:26:50
I first became aware of Primsong's wonderful work with her tale
"Nothing of Note." I'm glad she joined "Stories of Arda," and grieve
only she seems not always to get the reading her work deserves.

This is a marvelous mystery, and the details of Dwarf life, from
primers for little Dwarves to the great respect given to the few Dwarf
maidens amongst them to the thinking that makes Dain putty in Bilbo's
hands is absolutely fascinating as well as delightful.

An author whose works are always well crafted and worth the reading.

Title: Journeys in High Places · Author: Illwynd · Genres: Adventure:
Pre-Ring War · ID: 259
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 17:00:37
A crossing of the White Mountains--a test for those who would become
captains among the Rangers; and Boromir will not allow his brother to
go through it alone. But pitting oneself against the mountains is a
tricky business; and when an avalanche comes....

Excellent descriptions of landscape and participants in the survival
challenge. Well worth the read.

Title: Bitter · Author: vladazhael · Genres: Drama: General Drabble ·
ID: 173
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 17:03:56
This unnamed son of Feanor has reason the be bitter against his
father, this abandonment not least.

Title: Youngest Son · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Romance: Second Age or
Earlier · ID: 406
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 17:17:22
He'd been watching her for some time, and she'd been working hard at
maintaining indifference; but when Salmer was hurt in a swimming mishap...

A wonderful look at how Finarfin and Earwen came to appreciate one
another, and at the manipulative nature of younger brothers.

Title: Irreverence · Author: Aratlithiel · Genres: Humor · ID: 619
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 17:28:29
Pippin only wanted to know what it was like to fly with the Eagles,
and Frodo was being most unforcoming. But what the two of them knew
from one another was most unexpected--if only to be expected in the
end. Endurance Beyond Hope meets the Tooks in a minor skirmish!

A lusty laugh.

Title: Fissures · Author: Thundera Tiger · Races: Dwarves · ID: 804
Reviewer: docmon · 2007-12-26 17:38:21
Fissures is a complex story that demonstrates the depth of the
friendship between Legolas and Gimli and the effect it has had on
Gimli, through the eyes of another dwarf. It gives its secrets away
gradually, building tension through the thoughts of this close friend
of Gimli.
The writing shows its best quality in its good sense of timing, its
sense of humor, and the well-crafted prose. The writing is tight and
the story unfolds naturally. The humor shows up in unexpected places.
The reader will be pleasantly surprised by lines such as when the main
characters wonders what other dwarves will think if they find that he
["... murdered their lord in a fit of exasperation."] when he has had
enough of the dwarf's "new" attitude. It is also interesting to see
the political implications of Gimli's friendship with Legolas. Rarely
is consideration given to how the dwarf community will view this
relationship. A unique perspective into a friendship that is often
written on.

Title: Rauros, golden Rauros-falls · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor:
Drabble · ID: 624
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-12-26 18:29:31
*giggles* Poor Boromir! What is great about this drabble is that the
reader knows the punchline long before Boromir does, and can fully
revel in his growing awareness. Very nicely constructed. Well done!

Title: Too Many Adverbs · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Humor: Drabble ·
ID: 660
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-12-26 18:30:24
An amusing portrait of Boromir trying the patience of his tutor. The
disdain of a young warrior for the finer arts is vividly drawn â€" as is
what brings him back to his lesson. The tutor is also clearly sketched
in a few words, with his dry humour crating a perfect last line.
Nicely done!

Title: Not an Ordinary Day · Author: nau_tika · Genres: Drama: The
Fellowship · ID: 737
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-26 18:30:45
This is a nice character portrait of all involved.

Title: At the Sign of the Prancing Pony · Author: Marta · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Drabble · ID: 163
Reviewer: Tanaqui · 2007-12-26 18:32:28
Oh, what a sweet piece this is about capabilities and talents â€" and
the value of differences! Nob's feeling of being overwhelmed as he
stands literally at/under the titular sign is made very clear, as is
the process by which he came be to prenticed at this particular
establishment â€" in character with what we see of his curiosity in the
book â€" and his realisation of what he has to offer. I especially love
the inclusion of the Hobbit saying ["beef and barley make the best
stew when mixed"] â€" the perfect touch. Bravo!


Title: Reflections of the Past · Author: shirebound · Genres:
Alternate Universe: The Shire or Buckland · ID: 359
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-26 18:35:36
At last I've read this portion of the "Quarantined" stories. Frodo's
new pup is into digging and chewing, and puppies will do; and when she
digs against the wall in the cold cellar she uncovers a marvelous pair
of stones, carved and decorated over 6000 years previous. And Frodo's
friend Estel is there to see and recognize the images.

A wonderful tale of the coming of Scamp to Bag End and the growing
friendship between the mysterious Ranger and the young Hobbit. Fluff,
but of the best quality!

Title: The Three Hunters · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Adventure ·
ID: 333
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-26 18:38:40
This is a very nice combination of things - depth of feeling,
joviality, observation and well-imagined experience - balanced just
right. Well done.

Title: Drawing Straight With Crooked Lines · Author: Fiondil · Genres:
Drama · ID: 76
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-26 18:50:12
I liked this view of the penitent Boromir finding forgiveness within
himself, but I wonder if it might not work better as a double drabble.