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Title: New Life · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 686
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:38:02 Score: 6
(Possible spoilers within:)

Ah, this brings beautiful visions of amber fields of grain (yes, I
know... wheat or rye, not real corn).

But after invoking all the symbols of spring, we see that it is, in
fact, a very sad event.

I like the idea that the farewells they say today must last to the end
of the world. It gives us a slight hint of what time must look like to
an immortal.

But most of all, what I love about this drabble the strong sense of
love between father and daughter; tinged by a hint of the melancholy
that parents feel when their beloved child has grown up and away from
them, which becomes especially acute when the child marries and starts
their own family.

And I like the fact that you don't interpret Elrond's [bitter parting]
with Arwen as meaning that they are angry at each other, like many do.
Well done, Liz!

Title: None may live now as they have lived · Author: Tanaqui · Times:
Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 687
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:38:26 Score: 5
(Possible spoilers within:)

What an interesting look at obsession... the Chieftain of the Dunedain
takes on so much responsibility that he thinks he must see to every
detail of his people's needs. Has he forgotten that he spent decades
away from them, and they survived his absence? Typical Type A
super-responsible Ranger personality....

I like how Arwen will take care of sending the missives, but at the
same time she reassures him that he can succeed, his people can fend
for themselves -- and that she will look over him from afar.

I wonder if he was this obsessive after he became King? Perhaps he was
fortunate in that his Steward would not allow him to take on too much?


Title: Rekindling · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: General Drabble ·
ID: 688
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:38:44 Score: 5
(Possible spoilers within:)

What a lovely description of a traditional Rohirric mid-winter
celebration!

It is obvious that Eomer (and of course also Eowyn) is still mourning
the loss of his father and mother, and clearly cares very deeply for
his little sister. I like how he is aware of her slight chill.

Theoden is brilliant here; whereas Eomer simply assumed he would lose
to Theodred his prior honored position of carrying the light, his
uncle understands full well how to bring both of them into their new
family fold.

This is a gentle, loving vignette, Liz, very nicely done!


Title: Sea King; Seeking · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 689
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:39:03 Score: 10
(Possible spoilers within:)

This is a heart-breaking series about Aldarion's obsession with the
Sea, and how its repercussions rippled throughout those who loved him,
for both good and bad.

The observations throughout this series are acute; for example,
Veantur was the first mariner from Numenor to return to Middle-earth
again. In his many voyages, he always witnessed new mariners look back
at Meneltarma -- yet his grandson, Aldarion, only looked forward.

Almarian, his mother, sees the similarities between her husband and
son -- both given to obsessiveness -- yet has hope for a romance to
settle her son down.

Aldarion is so besotted by the Sea that he distances himself from his
betrothed.

Erendis at first looked forward to his return, but as his voyage went
on years longer than expected, she became withdrawn and embittered.

Tar-Meneldur, Aldarion's father, feeling lost in the great events of
the age, hopes that his son is wise enough to answer Gil-galad's
request for aid.

And finally, Ancalime, Aldarion's daughter, half-remembering a painful
parting with her father, and not trusting any other man not to hurt her.

What I like most about this series, beside the evocative language, is
the unique voice of each of the characters. The author has created a
masterpiece in this series.

Title: Surprises · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Hobbits: Drabble · ID: 690
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:39:23 Score: 4
(Possible spoilers within:)

This is a delightful vignette, giving us quite an insight into
Pippin's character; though he is a war veteran, he is still secretly
pleased by a pending surprise birthday party. You get the impression
that he is still quite young yet, which, by Hobbit standards, is true.

The detail about him having a hard time finding gifts in the
post-Scouring Shire gives this drabble poignance.

But I especially enjoyed the surprise at the end!


Title: Tradition · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Cross-Cultural: Drabble ·
ID: 691
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:39:40 Score: 6
(Possible spoilers within:)

I always thought that passage about Gleowine never writing any more
music (or maybe never even singing?) after Theoden's death was
particularly sad and poignant, but Tanaqui turns it into an
opportunity for an interesting cross-cultural misunderstanding on
Faramir's part. It is clear that Faramir has been playing his usual
scholarly part, seeking to understand Rohirric music (perhaps to
please his bride-to-be?) in his usual thorough manner, without
realizing that his questions were distressing Theoden's minstrel.
Eowyn is loving but firm here with her betrothed... informing him of
what he doesn't know about her culture, while insisting that he not
bother Gleowine further -- and providing an alternative.

Title: Renewal · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 - 3017
TA: Drabble · ID: 692
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:39:56 Score: 7
(Possible spoilers within:)

The imagery in this drabble is incredibly gorgeous! I love the
descriptions of fields of flowers of various colors covering the
slopes, leaving only the summit unclad. And the geology is almost as
fascinating as the botany... LOL!

But the the sights and sounds of civilization returning to the
Desolation of Smaug is perhaps the most cheerful and heartening and
truly hopeful part of this drabble; and the mentions of all the
sounds, including Dale's bells (the ones that Elrond remembers as
being so merry) sets the scene as effectively as the visuals. Bilbo
must have been amazed!

This drabble really shows what can be accomplished with careful
selection of language. Phrases like [crow-cracked wind] absolutely
jump off the page (screen?) and sparkle in intensity.

The author took her inspiration from Mount Saint Helens in the state
of Washington (USA), and if you have not looked at the photograph that
she posted with this drabble, I highly recommend doing so!

Title: Crossing · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble · ID: 693
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:40:15 Score: 5
(Possible spoilers within:)

An interesting exploration of Faramir's first journey to Ithilien, a
land that Gondor claimed but did not entirely control in Faramir's
lifetime -- until after the Ring War. One gets a sense of Faramir's
unease during the crossing of the Anduin; he looks backward toward the
familiar lands of his youth, and then looks forward to the gloomy
lands of his future. The journey over the river becomes a metaphor for
his journey into adult reponsibilities, for presumably he's taking up
a military rotation as part of the Rangers of Ithilien, and he seems
to have an intuition that his life will never be the same.

Title: Welcome · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Elves: Fixed-Length Ficlet ·
ID: 694
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:40:30 Score: 7
(Possible spoilers within:)

*Sigh* This drabble is just so beautiful!

The author uses the technique of repetition to very good effect here;
the reader gets into a rhythm, and knows what to expect -- until the
very end, where the focus shifts from Glorfindel (*dreamy fangurly
sigh*) to Elrond (*big fangurly smile*)... and my favorite description
of Elrond from <i>The Hobbit</i> is absolutely perfectly placed here
in this context.

And though Rivendell is never named directly, its depictions ring true
and consistent with Tolkien's many descriptions of it in all its
aspects. We can't help but know that these tall mountains are the
Misty Mountains, and this river is the loud Bruinen.

What I like best is the deep-down, absolutely overwhelming sense of
peace and tranquility that Glorfindel feels; he can begin to make this
new place into his own home as soon as he arrives, because of the kind
welcome that Elrond extends to him. That is a beautiful sentiment.
Well done!


Title: Stranger in a strange land · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Men:
General Drabble · ID: 695
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:40:51 Score: 10
(Possible spoilers within:)

This drabble is absolutely brilliant! From the limp curtains to the
billowing dust to the loud and shrill horns bleating unfamiliar tones,
to the heavy foodstuffs, and the endless length of the ceremony... all
combine to make us readers as miserable as poor beleaguered King
Elessar. Ah, the duties of state must be lying heavy on his shoulders
right about now!

I like that he has been here before, but as an invisible nobody; he
might have been even more thirsty then, but at least he could sneak
off before the politicians stopped blathering. There are definite
advantages to being an invisible nobody.

The only thing that is not strange is the blathering politicians...
they are universal, are they not? (Of course, Aragorn would never
blather... much. Except when he's introducing himself to Eomer for the
first time in the middle of the plains of Rohan....)

The language in this drabble is not just evocative, but simply
brilliant; for example, [The blare of giant horns... added grace notes
to a headache gifted by the remorseless sun.] Oh, my! As an occasional
headache sufferer, some of which are sparked by the bright sunshine
and heat, I can so empathize with Aragorn here! *Winces in imaginary
shared pain*

And what does Aragorn do? He longs for a beer at the Prancing Pony!
King he may be, but he is still an itinerant Ranger of the North at heart.


Title: For everything, there is a season · Author: Tanaqui · Genres:
Drama: Gondor Drabble · ID: 696
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:41:06 Score: 7
(Possible spoilers within:)

There is a strong underlying sense of fate in this drabble; that the
Fallen King at the Cross-roads was <i>meant</i> to be crowned again,
as a sign to Frodo and Sam who were <i>meant</i> to bear the ring to
its destruction.

Up until the end, every step of the process is normal and natural;
birds scatter seeds, which take root at the proper season and sprout,
and, if watered enough, grow....

But at the last, it almost seems that the flowers are deliberate in
their actions... a hint of anthropomorphism, but it works so
beautifully in this context.

And the language in this drabble is exquisite. I love the contrast
between the roots in the past and the shoots reaching towards the
future, and between the real stars in the sky and the starry flowers
on the ground, and between Varda and Vana (a somewhat obscure Vala
LOL! I had to look her up to see that she was indeed closely
associated with flowers).

Nicely done!

Title: Pest Control · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Cross-Cultural: Drabble
· ID: 697
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 08:41:22 Score: 6
(Possible spoilers within:)

Hee hee hee. Remind me not to annoy any Ent-wives, okay?

Well, this drabble gives me the real sense of the shock and horror
that Fimbrethil must have felt in smelling the Orcs in her cherry
orchard -- imagine that horrendous stench (even worse than sweaty
men!) overcoming the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms! That is not
to be supported!

Anyway, I like Fimbrethil's initially cautious response, then her
angry roar and charge when she sees the Orcs destroying the plants;
that kind of destruction is simply not to be tolerated by an Ent-wife!

And the ending was dark (for the Orcs) and delicious -- well, I'm sure
the grainfields thought it was delicious, anyway. The last sentence,
and the last word, are an eye-opening (but well-deserved) shock. Well
done!


Title: Some Dark Place · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 226
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 09:03:31 Score: 3
(Possible spoilers within:)

An interesting gap-filler, describing a lone Aragorn's first encounter
with Nazgul. His emotional and physical reactions are extreme,
consistent with his pained words to the Hobbits later in Bree.

I really like how he counts on Halbarad to be discreet about the more
embarrassing aspects of his reaction. Well done!

Title: I Will Comfort Thee · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama: The
Fellowship · ID: 458
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 09:12:25 Score: 4
Very touching - and a comfort they all need. Boromir would want to
reassure his little brother, too - and it would take an expedition
like this to reconcile Boromir's companions to goodbyes spoken in too
much haste in the middle of crisis. (Not to mention that it's
doubtless a very good way of building a close relationship between
Steward and King.) I like the feeling of acceptance the venture brings.

Title: A Quadrabble for Sam · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 397
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 09:17:14 Score: 3
The unexpected reminder is always the worst - bringing back horrors
completely unexpectedly. I love Sam's attempts to evade the issues ...
there can't have been anyone more horrified by being the centre of
attention. But he's up against those who will wheedle the problems out
of him and do their best to solve them, regardless!

Title: Swan Song · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 637
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 09:20:32 Score: 3
The tie between the Princes of Dol Amroth and the sea certainly back
up their elvish connections. As does their touch of foresight. A
beautiful picture of a painful farewell between lovers.

Title: The Far Corner of the Garden · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Drama: Ithilien · ID: 554
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 09:26:46 Score: 3
I love Eowyn lying awake planning her garden - and it is just like her
to go first for the practical and prosaic before allowing herself to
dream of scarlet and white flowers and almond groves. I hope she got
it planted so that she and Faramir could rest there on warm evenings.

Title: Gondor's Sons · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama:
Vignette · ID: 728
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 09:32:25 Score: 4
A moment at which all men - no matter how great or powerful - are
completely helpless. And superfluous to requirements.

I love the image of controlled, rational Faramir desiring nothing more
than to punch his brother-in-law. And that of Arwen keeping the two
kings out of the room while Faramir reassures himself as to Eowyn's
health and meets his son.

Delightful.

Title: Tales of the Innkeeper · Author: Allee · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 237
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 09:41:48 Score: 4
This is one very sharp innkeeper! And he's getting a very valuable
insight into the mind and habits of the king - and I think the king is
appreciating the exchange. But then, a monarch who warmed his feet at
the fire in the Prancing Pony would value the down-to-earthness of a
good innkeeper as he runs his own microcosm of a kingdom.

Shame that the innkeeper is probably right - and that Elessar would
need to become more of a monarch and less of a man, as time passed.
Still. We can hope that he kept fighting against it.


Title: The River of Stars · Author: Marta · Races: Men: General
Drabble · ID: 412
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-29 09:44:37 Score: 6
(Possible spoilers within:)

Marta's talents with the drabble form are clearly shown in this lovely
work. The language is rich and evocative, and she includes a wealth of
details drawn from canon that make it sublime. For example, she writes
of the destruction of the Dome of the Stars in Osgiliath, and uses
that to draw in references to the fact that the Numenoreans are great
marine navigators from ancient times, in contrast to the land-bound
Northmen of Rhovanion.

I especially like the sinister undertone of the last part of this
drabble; the Numenorean descendants are arrogant, sure of their higher
lineage, and expecting that this upstart grandson of a King of
Rhovanion will not be able to hold the throne indefinitely. And they
stand ready to help in his overthrow... chilling!

Title: Field of Dreams · Author: agape4gondor · Genres: Drama · ID: 374
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 09:53:57 Score: 3
This is all so sad. There must have been so many women struggling to
keep the essentials of life going - missing husbands and sons. And a
generation of girls growing up who would never marry, but who would,
instead, have to do all the heavy labour that would usually have been
'men's work'. Forgotten heroines, from whose efforts the brave new
world began.



Title: Second Mum · Author: Larner · Genres: Drama: The Shire · ID: 82
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 10:04:12 Score: 2
Esmeralda makes such a good and caring substitute for Frodo's own
mother. I'm glad she was there for him always.

Title: The Dwarf Dagger · Author: Dreamflower · Genres: Drama: The
Shire · ID: 85
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 10:29:04 Score: 4
Easy to see who Hyacinth used as a role model. Evil, evil Lalia.
Totally self-centred and using everyone around her quite ruthlessly.
Lobelia must have taken a lesson or two from her when it came to
son-rearing. Poor Ferumbras - just as he was beginning to care for his
cousin, too. A moment when he was even more likely to settle on
eternal bachelorhood - young dreams being rather more influential than
perhaps they should be.

I'm only surprised that the Whitwell family were ever coaxed back to
the Great Smials.

Title: Geometry · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble · ID: 80
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 10:32:04 Score: 2
Oh - very apt! Boromir was the link that provided a bond between
Denethor and Faramir and, without him, the others will only end up
further apart.

Title: Circumstances · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 621
Reviewer: Bodkin · 2007-12-29 10:35:16 Score: 3
Circumstances, as they say, alter cases. And, in most societies, there
are those who rise - through talent, charm, beauty ... And then
there's the Corporal Carrot factor - of which they know not.