Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Adar & Ion: A-da? · Author: Sivan Shemesh · Genres: Alternate
Universe · ID: 528
Reviewer: aranelgoldenflower · 2008-05-30 08:09:53
Hey Sivan! I know you love this story, so I reckon it deserves the
nomination.....even if you love babies, and I'd rather avoid them!

'"A-da?" Greenleaf called again with a sweet voice that seemed to melt
his father, leaving him open mouthed' - then again.....it is very sweet!

All in all.....I think that this is a cute story, and whilst it hasn't
yet won me over to *baby legolas* ......maybe in the future.......

Lily

Title: Thawing Lily · Author: Soubrettina · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 30
Reviewer: Greylin · 2008-05-30 08:57:38
'Thawing Lily' is short, demanding and very satisfying. As I started
reading it I admit to thinking "WTF?" but by the end I was roaring
with delight. The author offers a witty and immensely touching insight
into Eowyn's state of mind as she recovers in the Houses of Healing
and we learn something very unexpected about her relationship with
Faramir - this is by no means a conventional take on their story.
Eowyn's stream of consciousness reveals her despair and vulnerability
but even in the slough of despond she retains a lively wit, sarcasm
and an irritability at her inability to understand herself and the
resulting turmoil. No wonder I was laughing one moment and close to
tears the next. A writing technique that I have never seen before is
used in the final chapter - the closest I can come to describing it
without giving the game away is "interactive". This is a farce with a
heart. Sheer brilliance!

Title: One Step More - The Heroism of Frodo Baggins · Author:
ConnieMarie · Genres: Non-Fiction: Character Studies · ID: 395
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-05-30 17:47:27
This is a wonderfully written and moving essay on why so many people
love Frodo and how he has inspired others to continue down the Road
despite their trials. Since he endured his with grace, they find they
can endure theirs. It points out in many convincing ways why he is so
admirable and worthy of love and respect. I have this taped up on my
bedroom wall and just recently re-read it and continue to be moved by
it. That is the power of the love and admiration we all have who love
him for his sacrifices, efforts and just for being him!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Title: Answers · Author: Armariel · Genres: Poetry: Drama · ID: 458
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-05-30 18:03:44
Many of the stories I have nominated are ones that I read years ago
and the power of such beauty and love has remained with me. That is a
mark of a truly talented story teller. This is one of the most loving,
moving tributes I have read to a beloved friend and brother as Frodo
"Answers" the "Questions" Sam had in another poem. Wonderful, powerful
testimony to being blessed by true love. And what a blessing to us to
read!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Title: The Myth of the One Ring's Power · Author: Dreamflower ·
Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 532
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel · 2008-05-31 01:02:31
Spoilers!
Dreamflower has written an extremely intriguing essay in which she
explores the possible nature of the One Ring's power. She postulates
that perhaps is was not quite as powerful as some individuals might
have believed. Her working hypothesis is that the power of the Ring is
flawed because of the manner of its creation - that because Sauron
allowed some of his power to flow into it, it behaved in the same way
its creator would, and therefore has the same blind spots and flaws as
its creator. The essay is well-researched, as I would expect from
Dreamflower, copiously footnoted with reference to the original text
which back up her point - but more importantly, it's a thought
provoking and interesting read. Extremely well done!

Title: Cold Be Hand and Heart and Bone · Author: Imhiriel · Races:
Villains: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 286
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-05-31 17:57:58
Interesting idea, that the barrow might not have been made for the
prince, but was much, much older. Creepy!

Title: Too Many Rangers · Author: Larner · Races: Hobbits · ID: 116
Reviewer: Queen Galadriel · 2008-05-31 19:37:43
This is absolutely hilarious! It had me giggling throughout, from
Butterburs--interesting observations about Trotter to Trotter himself,
and the confusion of names, and Striders rather paternal handling of
the whole situation! A writer's delight, possibly my favorite humorous
piece you've ever done! The idea of characters and elements of a story
that have been revised "coming back to haunt" present characters
and/or elements is delightful and intriguing. This makes me wonder
what the journey would have been like if Trotter had won out and put
Strider out of the picture...has me imagining Trotter as a king of
Gondor...:) (Hmmm...he would have needed a different queen, perhaps a
fairy or a smaller race of elf...) It also makes me wonder what goes
on in my own story world when I'm not looking that I never hear about.
*grins* Thanks for a wonderful and much-needed dose of witty humor and
a great laugh! This is a keeper!
God bless,
Galadriel

Title: The Littlest Warrior · Author: RavensWing14337 · Races: Elves:
House of Elrond · ID: 552
Reviewer: Thorongirl · 2008-06-03 16:27:56
In this compelling, alternately dramatic and humorous tale,
RavensWing14337 has written one of the very best Little Estel
portrayals I've ever found in fan fiction. What starts out as a
wonderfully tender and funny 'take' on Estel soon takes a very dark
and frightening turn and the reader truly begins to dread whatever
danger Saruman has unleashed. The author's depiction of familiar
characters like Elrond, Glorfindel, and Haldir is sophisticated,
witty, and awe-inspiring. The original characters are all well fleshed
out and seamlessly interwoven into the story.

There will be times when you laugh out loud at Estel's antics and
other times when your heart is in your mouth. An absolutely 'must
read' story!

Title: First Name Terms · Author: Marchwriter (The Lady of Light) ·
Races: Cross-Cultural: Elves and Men · ID: 311
Reviewer: Thorongirl · 2008-06-03 16:29:55
Spoilers!
I first became intrigued with this story because of the vivid summary
the author had posted.

Fortunately, the summary's clarity was more than matched by the story
itself as the tale quickly turns into an amazingly well written
'Haldir/Aragorn' first meeting.

The author has a clear, exciting writing style and the plot seems
plausible at all times. She also likes to mix in some unusual words
and phraseology that don't require someone unfamiliar with them to
understand their exact meaning. The context makes everything clear and
the writing is enhanced by the author's assumption of her readers'
intelligence.

Haldir's reluctance to become emotionally involved with a wounded
Aragorn is the crux of the story. The prejudice of some other members
of Haldir's patrol comes into play as does Aragorn's elven upbringing.
But we never take for granted that everything will turn out well, and
a brilliantly written re-encounter with the orcs who first injured
Aragorn keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.

Will the elf and the ranger actually overcome all the obstacles in
their way and become friends? A strong, appropriate conclusion answers
the question and left this reader longing for more stories with this
pairing. A can't miss tale in the Lord of the Rings genre!


Title: The Work of Small Hands · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres:
Longer Works · ID: 352
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-06-03 18:13:03
Spoilers!
This story has a lot to recommend it. It has a cast of strong minor
characters and original characters, and develops them nicely so that
they fit nicely with what I know about the different elves of Valinor,
yet still feel like distinct characters.

The depiction of darkness, too, was done very affectively. I mean by
that both the literal darkness, with all the affects that it would
have on the food chain (and the poisoned water! I never would have
thought of that); as well as the metaphorical darkness that separated
the remaining Noldor both from their more civilized past as well as
the other Elven kindreds. And that descriptions of the food supply
were so, so authentic-feeling. I learned very quickly not to be
snacking when I was reading this story, because the despair and grit
was that real, it made me feel sick.

But I think hands-down the best part was the author's handling of the
Valar, and especially Earwen's realization that they knew the state of
things in Tirion. I could write an essay on that alone, but I'll just
say this: it rocked.

Well done, Dawn!

Title: Forfeit · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Times: Late Third
Age: Gondor Drabbles · ID: 401
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-06-03 18:30:39
Spoilers!
You know, I have no clue if this is intentional or not, but I sense
shades of Plato in this drabble. Friends encouraging him to flee,
having secured his escape, and he refuses for honor's sake.... It adds
a nice bit of philosophical depth to it, at least for me.

Whatever the case may be on that point, it's outstanding as fanfic,
getting at the heart of honor and doing the right thing, but also
highlighting nicely the emotional content of this period in canon.
That last paragraph always (and will always, I think) makes me get a
little weepy-eyed. It's really nice work, Branwyn.

Title: Cold Be Hand and Heart and Bone · Author: Imhiriel · Races:
Villains: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 286
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-06-03 19:30:28
Ooh, creepily done, Imhiriel. Nice expansion of this scene, I could
see it happening just this way.

Title: Blue · Author: red lasbelin · Races: Elves · ID: 563
Reviewer: Phyncke · 2008-06-05 01:46:28
I feel very strongly about this story as Gondolin is one of my pet
areas and the House system there in particular interests me.
Red_lasbelin in her story, Blue, takes a moment in the life of the
character, Glorfindel and expands it for us into a story that enriches
our view of this character and explains so much about how the Hidden
City might have worked too.

This is short story but it says so much. We see his mother here and we
see his emotion at a very important moment in his life, ascension to a
position of power and prestige. This is so well done and for me this
does what fan fic is supposed to. It compliments what Tolkien himself
did and adds to the Silmarillion tale. I can see this fitting in so well.

I also like that we see his thoughts, or feel rather, yes feel is a
better word. I felt what Glorfindel felt, every minute there. The
details, the hair, the clothing. Small things in such a large moment.
It is a sharp focus view with a wide angle lense for the significance.

This does what fan fic is supposed to do and it is like a gem. I also
love her title. Blue. It has a symmetry and a simplicity to it that
just holds for the story. It all fits so well.

There is one sentence that I just carry with me from the final paragraph:

[Glory walked hand in hand with his mother down the long ornate hall,
it felt as if he was walking towards something entirely new.]

Anyone who has gotten married or graduated...or had a "moment" like
that can empathize with this line. It just resonates and makes this
story universal. We all are drawn in and are walking with him to down
that corridor...

I would like to thank red for this story.

Title: Footsteps in Time · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves · ID: 76
Reviewer: elfscribe · 2008-06-05 02:35:29
Spoilers!
Nuanced and sensitively wrought characterizations, especially Melian -
I LOVE how you've made her sort of fey and different from the
elves.["She moved like a shadow across the sun, small, dark-haired,
graceful as flowing water. She seemed to glide up the three steps to
Thingol's throne, where she took her place on the seat that had stood
conspicuously vacant beside his. The newcomers needed no-one to tell
them that this was Melian, Queen of Doriath."] And I liked how she
manipulated Thingol. Also very impressed with Thingol's description.
Beautiful. Enjoyed minor characters such as Mirant and the
characterization of the Aman and Sylvan elves ["whispering in their
soft, bird-like tongue."]

Wonderful also are the characterizations of Celeborn and Galadriel and
their love for one another. The wedding night was lovely - understated
and yet passionate. I also get a sense of them struggling to be good
leaders to their people. ["You and I are still untried, not centre
enough for them."]

["There is a shadow over all the world," she told him, resting her
hand on his - though whether to give or receive comfort was not clear.
"I hear it on the wind, I feel it in the earth. Nature is holding its
breath."] Here Galadriel's prescience comes alive, with all the
attendant tragedy as she actually can sense her kins' deaths. I liked
this echo of that beautiful beginning to the FOTR movie.

The scene where Galadriel senses Findarato's death is so vivid and
terribly sad. ["One night a dream came to Galadriel, vivid, bright
with sound and colour - leaping flames and flowing lava, the
unmistakable clash of fighting, elven voices raised in battle anthem,
the sky-borne roar as the Dragon passed across her vision."
"Findaráto?" she breathed, the voice that had screamed and raged now
little more than a whisper. "Findaráto." Then she subsided against
Celeborn and the tears began.]

I liked the sense of hopefulness in meeting her nephew. And knowing
your stories, this brings things around full-circle. I wish now for
the whole novel with your wonderful characters integrated into a
complete narrative.

When I read your stories, I always get a sense that I have been given
a real glimpse inside Tolkien's world but with a shimmering detail
that brings it alive in new and wonderful ways.



Title: The Captain's New Clothes · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 421
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-05 06:32:27
Spoilers!
I just loved this delightfully amusing story and applaud the author
for her vivid imagination and powers of observation.I attempted to
write a story about the same picture and simply wrote a conventional
drabble about Faramir encountering Frodo and Sam and not being tempted
by the One Ring,having failed to notice just how odd Faramir's
clothing is!
I love the explanation here that the strange outfit was provided by
Faramir's loving Aunt to keep him warm on cold Ithilien nights.
I liked the characterisation of the men and their yearning for some
simple home comforts. the list of the goodies that Faramir's Aunt sent
together with the clothing quite makes my mouth water!
It is typical of Faramir's good heartedness that he will wear the
dreadful orange garments so that his aunt will not be offended and
continue sending treats for the men.
I can well believe that the brilliant hue might well scare the enemy.
Perhaps that is what Auntie thought?
The mind boggles as to what Frodo and Sam would have thought if
Faramir had beed dressed like this! Maybe they would have seen him
coming and run away and the whole plot of the book would have been
changed?

I would heartily reccomend this to anyone who needs a good laugh and
their spirits raising.

Title: The Prisoner of Time · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Alternate Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 313
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-07 08:11:22
Spoilers!
I have often wondered what would have happened if Denethor had lived
and not perished on the funeral pyre.This story gives a very chilling
answer, which given the way Tolkien depicts Denethor,as a man driven
by pride,would be the all too likely outcome.
Bearing in mind,Tolkien's Catholic faith, Denethor falls into mortal
sin by taking his own life while in the grip of pride and despair.In
this chilling story,the Steward heeds Gandalf, who is of course a
messenger of Higher Powers,but still the Steward clings to his pride
and his hatred of and jealousy of Aragorn. The result is Faramir's
death, for without the healing hands of the King,poor Faramir is
doomed.Without Faramir,Eowyn also rides to her doom.
Denethor is left a broken old man who can only sit in a darkened
room.Unlike Faramir, he refuses to yield to Aragorn and instead breaks
his rod at Faramir's tomb.
I often wish that Tolkien had told us more about why Denethor so hated
Thorongil.My personal view is that he saw in Aragorn,what he could
have been,but was not and history repeated itself with Faramir.I think
too that he was jealous of the love Ecthelion had for Thorongil.This
is a highly unsettling and brilliantly written story which answers the
"what if"? that many readers like to ask.

Title: Refuge · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Elves: Noldor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 423
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-07 08:37:15
Spoilers!
I had read about Tolkien's last work "The Simarillion" and how
difficult it was to read and understand.So much to my shame I never
tried to read it even though my late Mother bought me a copy about
twenty five years ago at the same time I discovered Lord of the
Rings.The book lay gathering dust on the shelf until I read this
ficlet and that it was based on the daunting Simarillion. I was amazed
to recognise a name I knew- Elrond,Arwen's father and Aragorn's foster
father.So this intruided me greatly. I wanted to know then, who was
Elros, who was Maglor, what had happened to the boys?
Raksha made me ask all these questions in this intruiging glimpse of
the childhood of Elrond and Elros, so I had to fetch "The Simarillion"
down from the bookcase,brush off the dust and read it.I am very glad I
did!
I love the way the writer links Maglor's rescue of the boys with
Elrond's later reputation for hospitality.Were it not for Elrond, the
heirs of the Kings would long ago have died out and we would have not
had Aragorn to lead the struggle against Sauron.
I love the titele "Refuge" as the story links refuges of present and
future. As Maglor,gave refuge to Elrond, Elrond with give refuge to
many when he grows to maturity.

Title: A Large Bold Hand · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 10
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-06-07 21:01:38
For some reason, this year, I've become enamored of the dwarves and
their stories, and I think this perfectly charming drabble is one of
the reasons why. With the barest minimum of description and
scene-setting, and a single sentence of a reference note, Jay of
Lasgalen has told a story that made me laugh out loud with delight.
The appearance of one of Elrond's sons, rather that Elrond himself,
adds unexpected humor ["Elrohir had never regarded his handwriting as
particularly beautiful – indeed, Erestor had often likened it to a
spider's crawl"] to the tale, while Ori's comment ["The way it flows –
like rippling water"] is wonderfully in character for the Dwarves and
their love and fascination for the interplay of water and rock. In a
mere hundred words, this drabble exemplifies fanfiction at its finest:
the way a writer of skill and imagination can take a single line,
tossed away almost carelessly by the original author, and make of it a
new creation of depth and beauty.

Title: Call of the Wild · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance:
Drabbles · ID: 94
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-06-08 00:58:27
I've personally pondered character who is basically no more than a
footnote. I usually got stuck on speculations about language and
appearance and certain fairly obvious cultural extrapolations. This,
however, is a much more exciting way to think about her--you bring on
such heat a just a few words. One of the most entertaining things
about writing fanfiction is to take a tiny detail or two from the text
and run hog wild with it building a whole personality, life story and
adventure around it. This is a wonderful example of a writer's ability
to do that. (I'm not really sure you needed the little footnote. I was
thrilled to think I knew who you were writing about and then the
footnote kind of took the wind out of my sails. Telling the reader,
spoiled my fun a little. I guess it depends on who you see as your
audience; I still think the ones who would appreciate this the most
would still be canon geeks.)

Really wonderful use of the drabble format.

Title: Courage · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 41
Reviewer: Nieriel Raina · 2008-06-08 04:01:13
Ugh. I can't abide oysters! But this is a very nice little tale.
Legolas and Gimli are perfect!

Title: Some Confusion in Accounts · Author: viv · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 276
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-09 02:28:44
This was very amusing.I can imagine it would be scary interviewing
Galadriel!

Title: Old Man Willow · Author: Nath · Races: Other Beings · ID: 314
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-10 01:20:47
An unusual and highly unsettling story.The write manages to convince
me that this chilling AU might well have happened. I always have seen
trees as benign, but this story made me shiver.I imagine the trees did
once rule before humans came.Could they rule again?

Title: Steward's Trumpets · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Times:
Late Third Age: Gondor Drabbles · ID: 400
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-10 02:35:38
What a lovely heart warming moment which must help ease Faramir's
grief. How fitting that "Steward's Trumpets" should grow in the
ruins,almost as if nature herself is leaving a tribute.Moments like
this are very healing.

Title: A Midsummer Day's Dream · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 422
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-06-10 06:37:26
Spoilers!
Death must come to even our favourite fictional characters, which is
part of what makes them human and identifiable with. I admit,I find
Elves hard to warm to as it is so hard to empathise with beings that
live for ever.
This deeply moving and beautifully written story tells of the death of
Faramir,an event about which Tolkien tells us nothing,save that
Faramir reached the ripe old age of a hundred and twenty years old.

Raksha here gives Faramir the type of death that any fan of the
Steward would hope that he had, sudden,painless and surrounded by his
loved ones.I also loved the thought that Boromir came to lead the
beloved Steward beyond the circles of the World together with eowyn
and a daughter who had died young.Faramir does not know whether he is
waking or dreaming to see these loved ones again.We can share his joy
as he is reunited with them.
It is a beautiful day and Faramir is in a beautiful garden,happy that
his beloved land is prospering and at peace.


I especially liked the detail that Aragorn is the first at Faramir's
side as he collapses.It seems so fitting,given that he gave Faramir
the life that he enjoyed throughout his reign by healing him.

I defy anyone to read this beautiful story without a tear or two in
their eyes.

Title: Promise and Sorrow · Author: Virtuella · Times: Late Third Age
· ID: 607
Reviewer: aranelgoldenflower · 2008-06-10 07:41:25
I really enjoyed reading these! They are a superb example of how good
purely OC stories can be!
You use some wonderful ideas to captivate the reader, and the endings
are enhanced by the great twists you use!
I really like the way that half are sad and half are happy, and it
gives a lovely balance!
My overall favourite line was: "Was it a judgement on us that our men
fell under the shadow?"

Best of Luck with all your nominations

Pip :)