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Title: Four Voices - Autumn, 3018 · Author: annmarwalk · Genres:
Romance: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 756
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2007-12-30 19:08:44 Score: 5
Besides the creative use of almost stream of consciousness/single
thoughts, what comes across so very strongly with these half drabbles
is the pure sincerity of each character's musings. They seem both real
and believable... though 'real and believable' may seem an odd thing
to say about fictional characters fictional thoughts. However - in the
realm of fanon that regards Boromir/Theodred as OTP - these are just
what might be recorded as passing through their minds - concern, love,
tenderness, appreciation, admiration.

Between the four very brief 'voices', Ann has deftly created a
dialogue that speaks volumes. Well done!

Title: Shadow and Thought · Author: Linda hoyland · Genres: Drama:
With Aragorn · ID: 122
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 19:10:11 Score: 4
An intriguing story set in the fourth age featuring Aragorn, Faramir,
Arwen and Eowyn. Eowyn feels betrayed when she overhears an innocent
comment that Aragorn makes and her resentment sets up the rest of this
angst-ridden story. She simmering anger towards her king is put to the
test when she has to tend to his life-threatening injuries after he is
wounded by a band of wicked men. It's during that time she learns the
truth of the matter, though there are many twists and turns to get to
that point!

I enjoyed the story, thanks for sharing!

Title: Of Dragons and Manicures · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor · ID: 714
Reviewer: Pearl Took · 2007-12-30 19:12:50 Score: 2
A charming story within a story. Brave Frodo and Sam know just how to
best a female dragon and help themselves to some of her hoard. Very,
very clever!

Well Done Llinos!

Title: Breath of Spring · Author: Ribby · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 763
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2007-12-30 19:13:34 Score: 3
I like how even though it seems that Faramir thinks there may be no
light at the end of this tunnel, he doesn't give up, but [simply sat
where he was and waited], as if somewhere deep inside, he's still
holding onto the hope that things will somehow, someway, be well.



Title: Boys Will Be Boys · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor:
Children · ID: 555
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2007-12-30 19:17:21 Score: 4
Boys do what boys do... even ones destined to be heroes. This is a
charmingly reasoned snippet of Boromir's life, one that catches boyish
thoughts in a fashion that will make many of us nod sagely... yes,
we've all seen pride coming before a, in this case literal, fall...
and the aftermath thereof. We know he gets better, we know he learns
to cope and becomes a much admired Capatin-General... but observing
part of the learning process is a quiet delight.

Title: A Hidden Hope · Author: dancingkatz · Genres: Romance:
Incomplete · ID: 465
Reviewer: Lialathuveril · 2007-12-30 19:18:36 Score: 7
I have to admit I never before lost much thought on Théodred as he
doesn't really play any role in the books and my own favourite is
Éomer, but in this story I’ve come to like him.

What I really enjoyed about the chapters so far is the framing story
involving Éowyn looking after her dying cousin and how it’s
interspersed with what happened the year before. It is also a very
good device to keep up the tension.

The other things I really enjoy are the little sayings and traditions
(like the braid) that give it a very Rohirric feeling and the author’s
obvious knowledge of horses. Also well done are the relationships
between all the principal characters (Théodred, Edlyn, Théoden, Éomer,
Éowyn) being developed. Some of it was heartbreaking, like the accord
between Théodred and his father being shattered, some was heart-warming.

I'm a bit worried that the author hasn't updated for some months. But
I hope that real life will ease up on her and she will get round to
finishing this very nice tale!


Title: Truly Tested · Author: Súlriel · Times: Mid Third Age: 2851 -
3017 TA: Drabble · ID: 257
Reviewer: Elena Tiriel · 2007-12-30 19:19:09 Score: 5
(Possible spoilers within:)

Ah, that makes all the difference, when the abstract becomes concrete!
I'm sure that large straw- or sand-filled bags don't grunt quite so
satisfyingly, nor do their bones crunch, nor do they spray blood. Nor
do they scream.

And every warrior must eventually realize that killing isn't all valor
and renown and Elven lays sung in a fire-filled hall; it's really just
plain hard, dirty, and especially dangerous work.

And it's that understanding that turns the boy-soldier into a tested
warrior.

By the way, the, er, sound-effects were especially effective.... Well
done!

Title: Three Cups of Kindness · Author: Elen Kortirion · Times:
Multi-Age: Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 448
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-30 19:19:53 Score: 5
This drabble series does a really good job at getting across the
differences in the way that Aragorn grew over the years. The
similarities work well to call the reader's attention to the
differences in Aragorn's character as he matured. I think my favorite
drabble was the first one; the author really gets across the physical
sensation of shock.

The only criticism I had was that it took me a second to see where one
drabble began and the other ended. It would have been easier to see
the distinction if (for example) you had a row of asterisks between
the drabbles.

But that's a minor criticism. This was a lovely drabble, making good
use of the different ways that bitter taste could be used, and I loved it.

Title: Green · Author: annmarwalk · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 461
Reviewer: Anoriath · 2007-12-30 19:25:59 Score: 7
Ann has a mastery of the drabble that I often envy. Her narrative is
consistently understated but the emotion it evokes is thunderous, all
the same; a thin skin of whispered words that barely contain the power
of the burgeoning storm beneath it.

So it is with Green. In this short piece she calls upon elemental
magic, capturing both Faramir's terror and the barely glimpse power of
Aragorn's charisma and physical strength.

Like the structure of a well-written good haiku, this last words of
this drabble hint at a reversal. Usually, in Tolkien's work, the smell
of athelas evokes memories of a time and place of peace and safety,
but for Faramir, Ann notes that he smells something unfamiliar and yet
recognizable. With this simple reversal, she highlights the
possibility that Faramir never really knew anything of peace and
safety before this, and the idea opens up a whole new understanding of
the Prince of Ithilien's life.

Title: Bransle Royal · Author: Ribby · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 473
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2007-12-30 19:27:11 Score: 4
This is a wonderful continuation of [Gifts of the People] and [A
Suitable Tribute]. Merrin's husband is so understanding, both of the
cutting of Merrin's hair, and of her crush on the new King; Merrin
herself is sweetly flustered but pleased, and Aragorn is charmingly
thoughtful and full of gratitude, knowing full well what kind of
sacrifice the braid of hair was for Merrin to make.

Would I be wrong to suspect that Aragorn went to that village on
purpose? It seems like the kind of thing he'd do if he could manage to
get away, and get away with it.

Title: Freddy and the Thain's Rabbit · Author: grey_wonderer · Races:
Hobbits · ID: 251
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 19:30:24 Score: 2
This is a lovely story, reminiscent of so many classic tales of toys
that endure as long as there is someone about to love them. Charming!

Title: Journey's End · Author: Altariel · Genres: Drama: Ithilien ·
ID: 442
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 19:31:05 Score: 4
Oh, what a lovely little story. I love seeing Aragorn and Faramir
being able to sneak away and enjoy some peaceful times out with their
people and just having a 'road trip'. I'm sure it was very difficult
for both of them to be stuck in Minas Tirith all the time after their
long years as Rangers. I loved your original character, Eilen, the
hostess of the inn; you made her very real in such a short story. I
wonder if she ever did figure out who she had sleeping in her barn,
but she probably didn't.

Thanks so much for sharing this!


Title: Gifts of the People · Author: Ribby · Times: Late Third Age:
3018-3022 TA: Gondor Drabble · ID: 472
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2007-12-30 19:33:56 Score: 7

Crops had been scarce as farmers recovered from the damage done to
their lands and their farms. When the time of tithing to the king came
around, many were nervous--if they gave what was expected, there would
be none left for their families.

I do so love this drabble - how aware Aragorn is that his people are
going through a very rough patch in terms of crops, how he doesn't
want to make life any harder for them by demanding tithe of
foodstuffs, and the compromise he comes up with, sending [ out a
messenger saying that the tithe could be paid however his people would
pay it--skills, talents, anything they felt worthy]. This allows all
the new King's subjects to be able to pay allegience to him without
additional hardship, and it seems a very, very Aragorn thing to do -
actually, it seems oddly more Strider to me than Aragorn, if that
makes any kind of sense.

And of course I love the things the people send to him, for you know
many of them worried for days about what would be proper. And I feel
certain that any doubts some may have had about actually having a King
again were laid to rest, once this proclamation went out.


Title: Diversion · Author: Mar'isu · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022
TA: General Drabble · ID: 708
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-30 19:34:08 Score: 3
Interesting! It makes sense that Glorfindel had to do something since
he didn't go with the Fellowship, and this does a good job of positing
gone possible course of action. Thoroughly believable, and
thought-provoking to boot.

Title: Family Jewels · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Drama: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 464
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2007-12-30 19:34:23 Score: 2
The best tales are those that inform our everyday lives! Both that
that Faramir reads and that we may read here are good examples.

Title: The Tides of the World · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late
Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Gondor · ID: 101
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-30 19:36:54 Score: 5
[Spoilers, I deem]

Aragorn has done all he could and on RotK is a mention of this moment,
but I like it that Raksha explored this. Feeling worn down, his body
demands its rest, but once all is said and done, thoughts will come in
tides crashing down on him. What follows are so many impressions and
Raksha builds up to the moment where weariness is over come by
Aragorn's powerful spirit. I love the small tribute Aragorn is paying
to those who sacrificed their lives, Halbarad and Boromir
specifically. This ficlet has a great build up and works fantastically
as a gapfiller.

Title: Risen From Flame · Author: Ribby · Races: Men: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 761
Reviewer: EdorasLass · 2007-12-30 19:39:39 Score: 5
Faramir really has more reasons to be broody and weighted down with
massive amounts of angst than almost anyone in Middle Earth (except
perhaps Frodo), yet I don't think that he'd give into that urge
completely, and this drabble is a lovely depiction of and tribute to
his strength.
I love the image of Faramir as phoenix, his old life lying in ashes
behind him, looking forward to the new age and all the possibilities
it holds, particularly when I'm sure there were many moments in the
past when Faramir despaired of being able to live anything resembling
a normal life.





Title: The Lesson · Author: Branwyn · Genres: Drama: Gondor Drabble ·
ID: 29
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 19:42:12 Score: 5
Very well done, Branwyn. It's a very moving drabble that makes you
think about how men at that time were trained for war. My mind was,
unfortunately, drawn to watching my nephews playing a video game where
they actually shoot down people in a simulated war situation. At least
Faramir could use his skill to hunt and to kill wolves to protect the
flocks and herds. Sorry, a bit off track there!

Anyway, your story was wonderful and each line clearly showed the
progression that boys and men went through to get to the place where
they had to use the skill that they'd been learning through the years.

Thanks for sharing!

Title: Blades of the Downfallen West · Author: Tanaqui · Genres:
Drama: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 441
Reviewer: Marta · 2007-12-30 19:48:05 Score: 3
This drabble pair has a nice dichotomy, from the pride and haughtiness
of the Witch-king to Merry's simple steadiness. It seemed very
Tolkienesque to me, a nice bookverse gapfiller, and I loved the
development of the history of the blades into a significant point. I
think it was, and the blades' ancestry is often overlooked. Nice work,
Tanaqui.

Title: Keeper of the Jewels · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Adventure:
Minas Tirith · ID: 64
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 19:48:22 Score: 4
A very exciting and enjoyable tale set in the Fourth Age. I thoroughly
enjoyed the original character because she was very believable and
well written. Hers was a sad life and her efforts to please her father
rang true to me. The hobbits, as well as Aragorn and Faramir were also
very well done and I enjoyed their interactions with each other.

The plot had some very nice twists and cliff-hangers that kept me
guessing right to the end of the story.

Thanks for sharing this very original tale!

Title: Rohan's Future · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Humor: Gondor or
Rohan · ID: 79
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 20:01:59 Score: 3
I'd put off reading this until Unexpected was complete, but finally
read it so I could review. I found Amrothos much more sympathetic in
this fiction when he met his matches! I thought the catapult was a
wonderful idea! Really enjoyed it.

Title: Unexpected · Author: Madeleine · Genres: Romance: Incomplete ·
ID: 559
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 20:02:20 Score: 7
This author writes a delightful Eomer and Lothiriel series from the
time they meet through their wedding and beyond. It contains both
interesting and simply funny moments. It even makes me wish for a
separate series of stories on each of her brothers! There are some
wonderful moments where you laugh with Aragorn as he watches the
conversations (debates) and there are the more serious moments. I love
her interaction with the merchants and children of Rohan. I do not
like Éofor. I have especially enjoyed watching Amrothos come into his
own in this story and show a more responsible side. However, this fic
also makes me want to scream and shake both Lothiriel *and* Madeleine!
Poor Eomer! I am sure Rohan in Madeleine's stories will never be the
same, not will Eomer. I'm anxiously looking forward to the moment when
Lothiriel sees the greater picture from Eomer's point of view. Please,
Madeleine, let him win at least one argument, even though I have never
seen a man enjoy losing more!

Title: Cultural Exchanges In Gondor · Author: Llinos/Marigold
CoAuthors · Times: Late Third Age: 3018-3022 TA: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 94
Reviewer: Rhapsody · 2007-12-30 20:03:35 Score: 5
[A few spoilers]

All these drabbles are masterfully done as both authors showed us what
the Halflings were doing in Gondor after the Ring War. Who would have
thought that Merry would thing belly dancers to be appropriate! My
favourite drabble in the series is when Gandalf shows them the sea,
especially since the Istari mentally braces himself for a long
explanation, but leave it up to Merry& Pippin to find it out for
themselves. And: [Pippin nodded towards Meriadoc, who was grinning
broadly, "we have some considerable experience in the operation of
pyrotechnics and would gladly offer our expertise."] I could so see
them standing there, offering their services! What a fantastic drabble
series and how much fun the two of you must have had when coming up
with these ideas!

Title: Fourth Age, Year 13 · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 628
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 20:04:56 Score: 3
A wonderful look at Aragorn as a father. It was a nice way to write
this story and seeing all of his thoughts as he watched his daughter
growing up. I can't wait to see how he reacts to the young men that
are going to start circling around her very, very soon. :)

Nicely done!

Title: Web of Treason · Author: Linda hoyland · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Gondor or Rohan · ID: 124
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 20:07:18 Score: 3
This writer's handling of the friendship between Faramir and Aragorn
is excellent and she's about the only author who has both and Arwen
and an Eowyn I enjoy. This was a painful story emotionally, both for
the characters and the readers!