Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: If I Keep You Beside Me · Author: sophinisba solis · Races:
Cross-Cultural: With Pippin · ID: 548
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-27 11:35:29
There are so many interesting threads in this story, all variations on
a theme, all interwoven so skillfully I almost didn't notice their
common color until the end. Very well done. I appreciate tales where
the action carries the character development so effortlessly.

Title: Mushrooms · Author: claudia6032000 · Genres: Drama: The
Fellowship · ID: 561
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-27 11:47:06
Oh, that food poisoning would make one ask for the sword! This simple,
and even amusing, catalyst brings out something interesting in everyone.

Title: Halls Beyond · Author: Elen Kortirion · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: General Drabble · ID: 454
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 12:14:06
In entering the Halls of Mandos, Haldir finds things aren't as he'd
anticipated. Perhaps this once a mistake might have been made....

Nice.

Title: The Wizard's Coin · Author: grey_wonderer · Races: Hobbits:
Pre-Quest · ID: 480
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 15:53:20
All of the hobbits in this story are written in an entertaining way
and I enjoyed Frodo's characterisation especially. Pippin's cute way
of speaking is really endearing!

Title: The Great Blotmath Walnut War In The Year 1423 · Author:
grey_wonderer · Races: Hobbits: Post-Grey Havens · ID: 165
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 15:57:34
A funny situation! My favourite bit had to be when Pippin totally
cowed Pervinca and surprised Merry by suddenly taking on the
characteristics of his father.

Title: Bilbo's Gifts · Author: Llinos/Marigold CoAuthors · Races:
Hobbits: Children · ID: 207
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:18:26
(spoilers)

I really like the way that these two authors write together. Every
section really compliments the other and Bilbo is written so
consistently throughout that it is impossible to tell that he is not
being written by a single author. The differences in his *gifts* to
each of the cousins are cleverly done to reveal different facets of
Bilbo's personality so this is an excellent character study for Bilbo
as well as excellent glimpses of his young cousins.

Being a Frodo lover his story was naturally my favourite! I loved the
way that he had the dwarf and elf riding together, a wonderful hint of
Frodo's gift of occasional insights into the future. Bilbo really was
wonderful here, several steps ahead of Drogo at every turn. The
interesting backstory about Drogo's and Primula's financial situation
was one that I have never read before and I really liked this addition
to to the imaginings of what we know about Frodo's childhood.

Sam's story was really sweet as well. I really loved that he was so
obedient even though he was disappointed about having to give his gift
back. I was so glad that the gaffer relented in the end! It was great
seeing all of the Gamgee's interacting together and the gaffer's
reason for changing his mind seemed perfectly logical to me. I loved
Sam's sneaky sip of the gaffer's cider!

Merry's tale had me rolling on the floor laughing! I could just
imagine the intent expression on his serious little face as he trotted
around the hall dispensing his gifts and his dialogue was so funny -
childish but most definitely Merry! He is a real handful and I
absolutely adore his characterisation here - I can totally see this
little Merry growing up to be the Meriadoc the Magnificent that we
know from the books. The cheque to Frodo was terrific!

I was on the edge of my seat for Pippin's story, wondering what the
heck was wrong with him. Clever idea about the foreign plant! I loved
that Bilbo went to fetch the elves from Pippin's storybook! Smaug was
a fantastic present and the way the toy was described made me want one
for myself.

Don't miss this story - or rather stories!



Title: A Twist of Fate · Author: LydiaB · Times: First Age and Prior ·
ID: 478
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-27 16:20:57
[Spoiler alert]

Glorfindel and his spouse barely made it away from Gondolin and hope
shines through in Lydia's words, but yet not since there is this
undertone of sadness. In a few words, the author pictures a very vivid
scene, two -at first sight - strangers, just common survivors of a
ghastly battle. It is loving, tender and the twist at the end comes
like a punch in the gut. It leaves me wondering what will become of
her. A part of me isn’t surprised that she ill drown in her grief, or
she will go west because he had the firm belief all was worth it. If
you read the ficlet again, the sad undertone nearly overrules any
thought of hope and love. This is what this makes this piece very
special, to reveal a different layer underneath it, giving the story
another meaning. Well done Lydia, this is another beautiful gem
written by you!

Title: Flying Snails and Dragon-flies · Author: pippinfan88 · Races:
Hobbits: Children · ID: 99
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:23:37
(spoilers)

This story is really sweet! I love Pippin's well-thought out
imaginings here and that Gandalf takes him so seriously. It was great
the way that Pippin roped Merry into helping him. And Pippin invented
the unicorn! Everytime I see a picture of one from now on I will
remember that it's all thanks to Pip!



Title: Pippin’s Sorrowful Day · Author: camilliatook · Races: Hobbits:
Children · ID: 812
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:24:35
Sweet and fluffy, a fun young-hobbit story!

Title: Magical Mystical Cave · Author: Lily · Races: Hobbits: Children
· ID: 213
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:27:01
Frodo was in excellent elder-cousin mode in this story. I love reading
stories that highlight his childhood relationship with Merry and this
one was really good. I really loved seeing such a great glimpse of
Frodo's imagination!

Title: Tea for Two · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits: Children ·
ID: 304
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:29:33
Frodo's characterisation was just lovely here! I wish that I would
have had an elder cousin just like him. No wonder he was as beloved as
Billbo by the younger set.

Title: Making the best of a bad situation · Author: Hai Took · Races:
Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 535
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:41:52
(spoilers)

This is a terrific story! I am partial to Frodo and/or Sam tales but I
can recognise and appreciate a good Merry and Pippin story when I read
one and this one really fits that bill.

It makes perfect sense to me that Pippin, young as he was, would feel
overwhelmed by everything that was happening to them all on their way
to Rivendell, especially after Frodo was wounded on Weathertop. It is
an excellent nod to his growing maturity though, that he chooses to
let out his fear in private, and to Merry, rather than in froint of
any of the others, especially Frodo, who he doesn't want to worry and
think badly of him. I also thought that it was really responsible of
Pippin to have continued to gather the firewood even while he was crying.

Merry is wonderfully sympathetic and supportive and my favourite part
was that when they returned to the others that Pippin put on his
cheerful demeanor as if nothing at all was bothering him to keep the
others as lighthearted as he possibly could. I think taht was a very
important part of Pippin's role on the quest and I really admire that
he was able to keep it up in the face of being so afraid at times.

Title: Thoughts About The Old Forest · Author: pippinfan88 · Races:
Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 141
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:47:59
I really liked these glimpses into the heads of the characters the
night before they embarked on their adventure. Everyone was
wonderfully written - Merry is a *terrific* organiser, Fredgar a
constant nibbler, Pippin excited and unsure of himself, Sam is
practical and Frodo feels responsibily and relief. His fond thoughts
about the conspirators were great!

I liked the nod to Pippin's future knighthood!

Title: Darkness on a Bright Morning · Author: Hai Took · Races:
Hobbits: Hurt/Comfort · ID: 807
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:50:26
An excellent moment between Merry and Pippin. I love that it is Pippin
who is so strong and supportive for Merry here. Merry must have felt
absolutely terrible! The lamb was a very sweet touch, very life-affirming.

Title: Nothing At All · Author: MagicalRachel · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 809
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 16:52:49
I really love it when authors expand my favourite scenes from canon
and this story is a wonderful example of that. Sam is in great voice
here and so is Frodo. Good story!

Title: The Great Hobbiton Race 1435 · Author: Llinos · Races: Hobbits:
Incomplete · ID: 83
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 17:15:07
(spoilers)

I absolutely cannot wait for this story to be finished! It is one of
the funniest things that I have ever read! I really admire how this
author is ablle to write such awesome humour as well as drama, angst,
hurt-comfort and astonishingly good poetry. But I think her humorous
stories are my absolute favourites!

{"The Great Steam Vapour Spindle Activated Vegetation Dissection and
Lubrication Apparatus â€" by Appointment to Thain Peregrin I, and under
Chartered Licence from Meriadoc Brandybuck, Master of Buckland,
dedicated to the Hobbits of Bywater and Hobbiton in the Year 1435."}
is a brilliantly concieved machine. It is nothiong like the Shire has
ever seen before and is supect just because of that, not to mention
because it is a machine that is a lot more complicated from the simple
devices that the hobbits are used to using. The way that the author
introduces the machine into hobbit society is terrific - leave it to
Master Meriadoc and Thain Peregrin! I love their enthusiasm over the
contraption and the way that Merry has evidently memorised the
instruction booklet (even though he occasionally forgets little
details of its operation under duress - of which there is quite a lot,
thanks to Pippin).

The idea of a Wager is great fun and I love the methodical way that
Sam and Frodo-lad go about cutting their side of the field. Rather
like Sam managed the trip to Mount Doom (though not as grim!) - one
step at a time and we'll get where we're going. Frodo-lad's leap to
safety had me laughing out loud and so did just about everything that
Pippin fell afoul of. His using up the steam by blowing the whistle
constantly, his fancy, unintended gymnastics, his putting so many of
his mistakes onto Merry - all excellent! Merry is great here too, so
into the whole thing! I love his attitude! He's so competitive!

The townsfolk in the story are terrific - the clever comments and
asides and cheering, Tom Cotton in the armchair, the blacksmith who
seems to know as much (or more!) about the running of the machine as
Merry and Pippin do. Their inclusion makes the whole situation really
come even more to life in my opinion. This author is really skilled
not just at writing the characters that we are familar with but also
with writing periphiral characters, whether original or bookverse. She
has a real gift for writing dialogue that makes the characters just
come to life, no matter the situation, their class, or station in
life. They always sound realistic, every one.

I love the way that the story just builds and builds to the point is
it now and I can't wait to see what happens next - waiting for an
update has been driving me batty!

Title: Mettarë · Author: Galadriel · Races: Men · ID: 34
Reviewer: trikywun · 2007-12-27 17:24:44
Absolutely lovely! I could just *feel* this tale, as though I was
there and watching it play out. Boromir's harshness and inability to
enjoy this pleasant moment is palpable and I really felt so badly that
his life has brought him to this. The descriptions throughout were so
quietly beautiful and the ending was stunning - there is hope for
Boromir yet. Really, really well done!

Title: The Exile · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 537
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-27 17:50:05
This is a poignant scene. After reading this I'm not sure if it
wouldn't be better to no longer see the place you are not allowed to
visit. Poor Beregond only catches glimpses of the place of his
childhood when he accompanies Faramir, which makes his longing only
worse. His captaincy really comes with a high price.

Title: Alone and Forsaken · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Drama: Vignette
· ID: 466
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-27 17:51:58
Brrrr. While reading this a shiver ran down my spine. Boromir's
despair is so palpable and his reasoning seems so logical. I could
feel that with every argument he sank deeper into despondency. Knowing
how this will all end makes it even stronger.

Title: Waiting By the Water · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Drama: With
Aragorn · ID: 395
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-27 17:52:41
[spoilers]

That was an unexpected meeting. But it seems fitting. I think Aragorn
needed this to give him the peace of mind to go on to Minas Tirith. I
loved the vivid descriptions of the dawn by the river and the details
of the boat.

Title: The Return · Author: mistycracraft · Races: Men: Eriador or
Rivendell · ID: 90
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-27 17:55:59
This charming little tale derives its tension from the encounter
between the main protagonist and King Elessar, who is known to Edric
as Ranger Strider only. The reader waits smiling for the moment when
Edric realizes who his old 'mystery man' really is. I love the warmth
and comfort this story radiates. The world is at peace and all is well
when you can meet your sovereign in an inn and talk to him just like
to a long lost friend.

Title: The Perfect Girl · Author: nikara · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 232
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-27 17:56:44
This is an interesting, well researched essay about the character of
Mary Sues. I agree with the author that not all
girl-falls-into-Middle-earth and self-insertion stories are
necessarily bad and that there are different definitions of what is a
'Mary Sue'.

Title: Matchmakers · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Drama: With Merry ·
ID: 587
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2007-12-27 17:58:38
[spoilers]
Pippin goes on an adventure of his own and I think in typical Pippin
fashion doesn't think too much about the consequences his deeds might
have. And the consequences might have been severe. But all ends well
and Pippin, together with Merry, come up with a really good solution
to help the orphaned boys and lonely widows after the war in Minas
Tirith. I think they help Aragorn looking good for his subjects. I
like Pippin in this story who is shown as really caring about the boys
in the city.

Title: Letting Go · Author: Ellie · Times: First Age and Prior · ID: 790
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 18:30:54
A wonderful look at Ingwe's worries as he sees his people prepare to
sail to Ennor to face Morgoth at last, following the Valar themselves.
A true king indeed.

Lovely, gentle tone.

Title: Once Upon a Strongbow · Author: Legolass · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Gondor · ID: 685
Reviewer: Larner · 2007-12-27 18:33:22
A most dear set of stories as we look on the friendships that have
risen between Men and Elves over the ages of Middle Earth.