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Title: Measures of Time · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Romance:
Gondor · ID: 50
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:50:53 Score: 3
Eowyn accepts the passing of time with both rue and grace. It is so
good to see Faramir/Eowyn at this stage of their lives, where the
differences between the Rohirric blood of the Princess and the
Numenorean blood of the Prince have cause him to show his age much
less than she. But it is beautiful to know that he, at least, can see
no difference at all.

Title: He Came To Meet Me · Author: sophinisba solis · Genres: Romance
· ID: 33
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:51:07 Score: 3
A number of writers have shown Diamond of Long Cleeve and Pippin
having a certain foreknowledge of their meeting and falling in love,
but I don't believe I have ever seen it done with such subtlety. The
language is at the same time dreamy and evocative, and earthy and
sharp. This is just beautiful, really!

Title: Harvest Bonfire · Author: Cuthalion · Genres: Romance · ID: 667
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:51:22 Score: 3
Cuthalion's OFC Lily Proudfoot has been in many of her stories--in
this one, she proves to be the prop and stay of an exhausted Rose. I
love the take charge way she helps out the young parents, enabling
them to some time alone.

And the Rose/Sam moments are both sensual and beautiful!

Title: Watching and Waiting · Author: Llinos · Genres: Poetry: With
Hobbits · ID: 796
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-30 22:51:38 Score: 10
This is a wonderful set of what is basically two poems, one echoing
the other, the first one spoken by Pippin to Merry in the Houses of
Healing after he falls under the spell of the Black Breath and then
Merry to Pippin as he waits desperately for him to recover from his
troll squashing accident.

Neither hobbit is sure that the other will return to him and each
sends out a desperate plea for the others survival. They make every
promise that they can think of to try and bring their cousin back from
the brink of death, so much so, that it also paints a poignant picture
of their childhood together.

Llinos has a fantastic understanding of how to keep it simple,
especially in her poetry, and in doing so packs far more of a punch
than other writers that are more verbose. Deep emotions, such as those
that Merry and Pippin are each undergoing as they watch and wait and
hope against hope for the other to recover, are beautifully expressed
with an enormous depth of feeling. At the same time, the words are
uncomplicated and straightforward, in such a quiet understated way
that hobbits might really speak them, so that the impact of the
emotion is even greater.

I especially liked the way the verses mirror each other and made me
wonder if it was a verse that they had played with in their childhood,
particularly because of the use of childish words. My favourite idea
though is that perhaps Merry had subconsciously heard Pippin's version
while he was lying under the Black Breath in the Houses of Healing and
later sang his own version of the poem to help Pippin recover at
Cormallen.

The closing lines in particular are heart-rending and, even though we
know the outcome, bring a tear to the eye, every time that I read these.


Title: A Suitable Tribute · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Drama · ID: 474
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:51:41 Score: 3
Such a simple and heartfelt tribute to the King who had saved them
from darkness. I love the way her beloved was so supportive of her
decision, and I am very sure that the King was impressed with her
sacrifice.

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: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:51:55 Score: 2
This conversation between Arwen and Aragorn was so perfect I could
hear and see it playing out in my head! The author especially had
Arwen's voice just right! Beautiful!

Title: A...Like An Antagonistic Arwen · Author: Linda Hoyland/Raksha
the Demon CoAuthors · Genres: Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 758
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:52:09 Score: 3
This prompt from Back to Middle-earth Month's alphabet challenge was a
hard one, but the authors came up with exactly the sort of thing that
would have raised Undomiel's ire: a slur to her beloved.

Title: Rain on the Downs · Author: Breon Briarwood · Races: Hobbits ·
ID: 794
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:52:30 Score: 2
At first I thought this was AU, but was soon surprised by the twist at
the end! Very neatly done!

Title: Thyme is a great healer · Author: Tanaqui · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond: Drabble · ID: 723
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:52:49 Score: 2
Yes, time or "thyme" may heal old griefs, but they will never be
forgotten. I really like this moment between Sam and Faramir--I think
in many ways they had a lot in common.

Title: Adolescence · Author: Larner · Races: Cross-Cultural: Gondor ·
ID: 143
Reviewer: Radbooks · 2007-12-30 22:53:00 Score: 5
This is a very fun short story that any parent, or aunt or anyone that
deals with young people can relate to. Aragorn's and Sam's daughters
are tired of the rules that surround them and find a way to escape
them for an afternoon. Aragorn and Sam track them down and, I think,
have fun doing so. It's nice to play 'Ranger' for a time.

I really enjoy stories set in the Fourth Age and Larner's original
characters are all very well-drawn as are the settings in Minas
Tirith. The adventure itself seems highly plausible and it was fun
following the girls around the market.

Thanks for sharing!

Title: Of Dragons and Manicures · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor · ID: 714
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-30 22:53:35 Score: 10
[Spoilers]

This author excels in coming up with plots that are out of the
ordinary and I am so envious of that talent! I am also envious of her
apparently effortless ability to write stories that are so
side-splittingly hilarious! Apparently Frodo and his faithful
companion Samwise had many adventures before the Quest and this is one
of them; and a very funny and entertaining one it is!

This out of the ordinary tale is a most excellent and funny
story-within-a-story! I love the way that this adventure begins, with
the witty list of Frodo Baggins's many and varied skills, including
[how to distinguish a decent red wine from cheap, fancy-labelled
plonk]! Definitely a skill that a worthy and well bred young
gentlehobbit simply must have. The nod to film-Frodo's nail biting was
very funny, especially as Merry comments on it later in the tale.

There are nods to film and book Sam too, in particular when he
comments ["I don't know as how I'd have managed to carry all those
things with me," Sam gave a puzzled smile. "And all the right things
just as they were needed!"]

I loved all of the nods to The Hobbit and Bilbo's various titles
therein, adapted to Frodo and Samwise and all of them just spot on and
hilarious. Spangla is a perfect lady in her concerns over her weight
and appearance and how she measures up to her rivals and Frodo knows
how to tweak every one of her feared shortcomings so as to bring her
to tears, all part of his nefarious and clever plot to steal her
treasure. The way that Frodo and Sam immobilise the poor dragon had me
in stitches! She never had a ghost of a chance against this pair.

All of the dialogue between Frodo, Sam and the hapless dragon was
filled with wit and delivered with perfect timing. The situation was
just so fantastic that the children hearing it must have been beside
themselves â€" as I was myself! I loved the way that Marigold especially
was so caught up in the tale that she was worried over her brother's
foothair.

The characterisations at the end of the story of Bilbo and all of the
younger cousins and Sam and Marigold were just perfect. I loved the
image of Bilbo gathering all of these youngsters around him, weaving
such marvellous tales for their enjoyment and I thank the author for
transcribing it for us. I am hoping that next she will present us with
one starring Merry and Pippin!

Title: ...To the Edge of Night: Seven Tells of a Moment · Author: Elen
Kortirion · Races: Men: Other Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 439
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:53:46 Score: 3
Even though it is not in canon, this is one incredibly powerful and
moving moment in movie-verse, and the author, in a very effective
series of drabbles, makes us relive it in all its beautiful and
inexorable sorrow.

Title: Some Dark Place · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres: Adventure:
Fixed-Length Ficlet · ID: 226
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:54:22 Score: 3
It seems very clear from the hints in the text that Aragorn had some
experience of the Black Riders before he and the hobbits encountered
them on Weathertop. This is a very plausible, atmospheric and
thrilling first encounter.

Title: For the Dwarves, Gimli · Author: annmarwalk · Races: Dwarves ·
ID: 155
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:54:43 Score: 3
Trust a mother to cut to the chase: honor and duty do not mean much to
her compared to having her son safe. Not much is ever written of
Gimli's family--this is the first time I've seen a story of their
reaction to Gimli's joining the Company.

Title: Thoughts About The Old Forest · Author: pippinfan88 · Races:
Hobbits: Gapfiller · ID: 141
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:54:57 Score: 3
Once they had all separated after supper, what did the five hobbits at
Crickhollow think of the morning's journey? Pippinfan's speculations
seem all to possible. It's unlikely any of the five got much rest that
night.

Title: The Ground Portends · Author: Thevina Finduilas · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 638
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:55:32 Score: 4
It's seldom that we get fic in Gimli's POV, yet this one is just
wonderful. It evokes his Dwarvishness, and his growing change from
*just* a Dwarf into something more. I like his growing friendship with
Eomer, and I love that even after Gandalf's reassurances, he is still
worried about Merry and Pippin. And I love the slightly alien tone of
his conversation with Legolas--it's quite clear these are two
different kinds of people, and that they are also different from Men.
Very evocative gap-filler!

Title: A Kingly Discussion · Author: GamgeeFest · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Grey Havens · ID: 780
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:55:54 Score: 4
I love GamgeeFest's Gaffer--she really has him nailed! His reactions
to the King's letter, and those of the listening hobbits are both
touching and hilarious. I love his stout defense of Bilbo and Frodo,
and his explanations as to the why of things were very funny. I loved
the sly reference to Turin, LOL!

And I also loved the many definitions of "cracked"! It reminded me of
Gandalf telling Bilbo of the many definitions of "good morning"!

Title: Tea and Crumpets · Author: Llinos · Genres: Humor: The Shire or
Buckland · ID: 799
Reviewer: Marigold · 2007-12-30 22:55:55 Score: 10
This is wickedly funny! I do worry that folks might be put off by the
implied slash but that is just a short bit at the very end and the
majority of the story is quite simply hilarious Merry and Pippin
humour! So those of you that aren't slash fans should read it anyway,
and don't fear, there is nothing graphic even if you go on to read to
the end and I urge you to do so. If you don't read you are missing
some brilliant interaction between these two!

Both of the hobbits are in wonderful form here and the witty dialogue
flies far and fast as Pippin tries to explain to Merry why there are
simply no crumpets left for their tea.

The descriptions of Pippin's misadventures with the majority of the
lovely fresh crumpets that he bought that morning are very funny
indeed! There are aggressive squirrels involved, mishaps with flames
and beer and an inadvertent absence of the required tea when one
crumpet did in fact turn out unscathed.

Merry listens to all of Pippin's explanations with a growing
fascination that is very funny to see! I love that even after years of
exposure to Pippin's mishaps that he is still caught up in the
explanations and finds them a source of amusement rather than becoming
exasperated. This story is a wonderful exchange between my two
favourite hobbits!


Title: Anchor · Author: Songspinner · Genres: Drama: Elves in Later
Ages · ID: 772
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:56:10 Score: 6
This is a lovely story. I'm very fond of stories exploring Legolas'
ties to the other members of the Fellowship, and his reasons for
staying on in Middle-earth and fighting off the sea-longing. In this
one, he is comforting Aragorn's young son, and in the process,
recieves some comfort of his own.

I like the semblance of depth here, of moments untold--for example the
hint that Merry also had suffered particularly hard from perhaps an
anniversary illness of his own at some time in the past--one that took
the King to his side. And I love the implications of the name of one
of Faramir and Eowyn's children--Borogrin. Seems as though he was
named after both Boromir and Pippin.

It's such a tribute to Legolas' strength of will, and of the depth of
his love for his mortal friends, that he is able to stay for them.
Very lovely and nicely told!

Title: Between Crown and Mantle · Author: Marastar · Times: Late Third
Age: 3018-3022 TA · ID: 701
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:56:27 Score: 2
A very thought-provoking conversation between Eowyn and Gandalf after
the War has ended. I really appreciate the use of little-known canon
facts to make a point.

Title: One Who Sticks Closer than a Brother · Author: Lindelea ·
Genres: Drama: Incomplete · ID: 417
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:56:49 Score: 6
Lindelea's Shire is a rich tapestry of custom and history, and is
filled with some very memorable OCs. While she has the reputation of
writing a lot of Pippin h/c and angst, she has recently turned her pen
towards a couple of her OCs: Pippin's cousins, Ferdibrand and Tolibold.

This story, an immediate sequel to her story "A Matter of
Appearances", puts both hobbits through the wringer. Lin is a mistress
of cliff-hangers, and we are kept holding our breath in a
roller-coaster of emotion. And before it's over, Pippin, Merry and the
High King himself will all have their part to play!

I truly loved the way she managed all the disparate threads of plot
and narrative, without ever letting us lose sight of the important
emotions. A very good and exciting read!

Title: Sent Unto Men · Author: Alassiel · Times: Fourth Age and Beyond
· ID: 346
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:57:15 Score: 2
A perfect story for the Season, Earendil is given a new course to
follow, and a very special mission! I really do love this idea--it
makes the most sense of anything.

Title: Stay With Me · Author: pippinfan88 · Races: Hobbits:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 518
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2007-12-30 22:57:30 Score: 3
I've always thought myself that Esmeralda Brandybuck would have a
special place in her heart for her nephew Pippin, and apparently
Pippinfan thinks so as well--a very sweet story of Pippin's aunt,
helping him deal with some of his post-Quest memories.

Title: On the Banks of the Brandywine (Berilac's Song) · Author:
Dreamflower · Genres: Poetry: With Hobbits · ID: 712
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2007-12-30 22:57:43 Score: 3
Flowers, true love and family, and a nice smial, all on the banks of
the Brandywine - staples of hobbit life praised in this rousing and
very hobbity song. Very well done, Dreamflower!

Title: Romance · Author: Greywing · Genres: Humor: Other Fixed-Length
Ficlet · ID: 375
Reviewer: nau_tika · 2007-12-30 23:00:50 Score: 2
This is a wonderful drabble. The last two lines are really the
highlight of the piece. I loved it.