Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: The Craft of the Elven Smith · Author: Larner · Times:
Multi-Age · ID: 1
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 20:25:05
I really enjoyed Larner's tale of Nerdanel creating more things that
were passed on to Middle Earth, things that in the future generations
would help to aid and heal rather than destroy as her husband and sons
had done. I have always thought that Nerdanel's tale was so tragic. To
suffer through what all of Valinor did with the knowledge that it was
YOUR husband and children that started the kinslaying. Then to lose
them all, lose everything, in such a sudden and painful way, never to
return. How much hatred she must have felt for the Simarils and all
that Feanor had done. But it was nice to see a tale of her pulling
herself up from the ashes rather than playing a victim. Plus the Valar
are hard characters to write and I think Larner did a great job
showing them as powerful, wise, and compassionate. Very well done!

Title: I Stand No Longer Alone · Author: Larner · Races: Men: Minas
Tirith · ID: 62
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 20:34:41
Hmm...I would never have thought a story about a throne would be that
interesting. I think back to Gimli's comments about what would Ents
have to talk about. But if that throne was the original throne it had
seen many kings and I imagine it has also seen many things. (if
thrones can see of course) This is another very well written and
original piece of writing by Larner that I enjoyed.

Title: The Return · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Drama · ID: 167
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 20:37:44
How tragic! It reminds me of Saving Private Ryan. For one family
member to return home to let the mother/wife know that all of the
others had died would be so hard, especially if it was HIS family he
was delivering the news about. He has to deal with his own grief yet
be strong enough to tell her of the news. Very touching Lady Bluejay.
A nice look at something people who celebrated the return of the king
and end of the war didn't think too much about.

Title: Messengers from the West · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Genres:
Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 98
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 20:44:15
Aww this is very sweet. The fact that the twins wanted to celebrate
Aragorn's birthday with him enough to travel so far, I doubt they were
'in the neighborhood'. I always love stories that shows the affection
between Aragorn and his adopted family. I don't think that Peter
Jackson showed the love Elrond felt for him very well and we know what
he did to the twins. *sob* The books hint at it but do not delve into
it as much as Aragorn's relationship with Arwen. So its only
fanfiction that gives us a little bit more into the love they must
have felt for him. This was a very well written and enjoyable fiction,
Jay.

Title: Dawn Twilight · Author: viv · Times: Modern Times · ID: 182
Reviewer: eiranae · 2008-06-24 21:52:45
Spoilers!
I read the first part of this story in one sitting. The ideas, the
action, the suspense all held me glued to the screen. I squealed with
joy when Viv finished it, and I finally found out what happened to the
characters.

The lighthearted humor Viv uses throughout the story kept me rolling.
I enjoyed the sarcastic wit of Moria, the main character. Moria
embodies the typical college girl trying to make her way through tough
classes and everyday life on your own. Moria is a character I could
easily identify with. I enjoyed her initial rejection of Greg. I
especially enjoyed the chapter where Moria realizes that Greg isn't as
'geeky' or 'ugly' as she thought. The continuing relationship between
them had me rolling and quivering with anticipation in turns.

Viv does a great job of 'modernizing' the Elves and Dwarves. I can
actually imagine these characters slipping through the cracks and
managing to avoid being recognized for what they are. The compound
under the mountain was brilliantly written. I loved Moria's
camaraderie with the Dwarves.

The ending went in an entirely different direction than I had expected
which for me only added to the beauty of the tale. Moria's unique way
of bringing all the characters to a compromise was heartwarming while
continuing to slide effortlessly into canon.

All in all, the story kept me riveted and entertained. I would
recommend it to any adult who enjoys humor as much as I do.

Title: Whatever Harm Encroached · Author: Nieriel Raina · Times:
Second and Early Third Age · ID: 708
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 22:56:21
As someone who does not appreciate the 'evil', 'abusive' Thranduil who
is mean and horrible to his son Legolas that is so often portrayed in
fanfiction, I always love to see a little glimpse into the bond of
Thranduil and Legolas in a favorable light. This is a nice story,
showing not only the relationship between those two but the
obligations that Thranduil faced, not only as a king but as the
provider and protector of his family and his realm. Once again, he is
often portrayed as a drunkard sex crazed king who chases after young
ladies rather than leading his people but canon shows that he was a
good king. I like the way that Nieriel Raina did not tell who he was
immediately. Unlike some, I do not mind mystery characters =0) and it
made you even more pleased when you found out who it was. The simple
statement by Legolas that he was a good king was touching and sweet.

Title: A Large Bold Hand · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 10
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 23:05:59
What a cute story! I really like the thought of a dwarf coming to an
elf to learn about Elvish writing. And you know how I love
Elrohir...in anything. lol I could see him teaching a dwarf how to
write. I imgine elves are very patient with teaching since they're
immortal and have no need to hurry. Perhaps it would be less foreign
to the dwarves for one of the twins to do it since they were Peredhil
and traveled with the rangers. Tolkien never really explained how the
dwarves, or perhaps only Gimli, that were at the Council fared in
Rivendell in between the council and the departure of the fellowship.
This may be your most unique pairing but it was a good one!

Title: The Skills That Keep You Alive · Author: Gwynnyd · Times: Mid
Third Age · ID: 434
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 23:08:10
Once again - I am in awe of Gwynnyd's writing. This tale was amusing
as well. Writing about Glorfindel teaching a young Estel to do the
very unmanly task of sewing beads in order to teach him how to fight
was brilliant. And she made Elladan and Glorfindel all sexy in the
their 'I'm a suave' elf and can do anything better than you' way. Plus
Glorfindel instill in Aragorn a respect for the finer details of
battle and the fact that it takes more than just picking up a sword
and swinging to actually fight well. Estel's eagerness to learn as
well as impress Glorfindel made you really feel how this child would
probably have been cherished by those who knew of his fate and wanted
to prepare him to the best of their ability to face the future. He
would be hunted when he left Rivendell and Glorfindel, Elrond, and the
twins would want to make sure that Estel did not go out there blind. I
could not help wondering if encouraging him to be able to cut the
buttons off a foe's jacket, didn't also apply to cutting buttons off a
lady's dress! I can just imagine what these elves, all confirmed
bachelors at this point, had to say about seducing women to a young
Estel who wanted to know more about S-E-X. haha Then, in a typical one
two punch, after she gets me all warm and fuzzy about these manly men
being all nurturing she delivers the last line.

And I almost spewed drink out of my nose.

Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: Alassante · 2008-06-24 23:23:52
Hmm, where do I start with this gem of a drabble??? This drabble had
me laughing outloud and spewing drink on my screen which often times
does happen when reading Viv's humor. (or else you need a hanky.
Either way -people stare) Only Viv can pull off this kind of humor
with such a perfect blend of beautiful writing and flat out hysterical
humor. She's my hero and when I grow up, I want to be able to write
like her. And she did it in merely 200 words! Unbelievable. Hearing
the Witch King's internal thoughts and how Eowyn just misinterpreted
his intention - poor guy just wanted a date with her. Oh and calling
Merry teddy!! Made me think of the Ewoks from Star Wars. haha Amazing
also is that she gave someone like the Witch King a new 'voice' to me.
Now i can not look at that scene the same way. lol This piece is proof
that we are writing and reading fanfiction to have fun and it does not
need to be all seriousness and canon strict. We can laugh about it,
cry about it, or be on the edge of our seat and its all about the
enjoyment of writing and reading it. Viv has always been, to me, the
ideal fanfiction writer because she makes me *FEEL* something whether
its sadness, amused, shocked, scandalized, etc etc she always leaves
me impressed and satisfied.

Title: Some Confusion in Accounts · Author: viv · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 276
Reviewer: Robinka · 2008-06-25 09:48:52
Sparkling with humor, this ficlet is excellently done, and the last
line got me roaring with laughter. Wonderful little tale!

Title: In absentia · Author: Robinka · Races: Elves: House of Finwe ·
ID: 84
Reviewer: hrymfaxe · 2008-06-25 18:54:36
Spoilers!
This is such a powerful take on the aftermath of the epic rescue
mission by Fingon. I'm blown away by all the oppositions you use in
this piece and how well they work to highlight the emotions of
Maedhros and Fingon.

The way the fire and the shadow are fighting for dominance in the room
is a wonderful image for how the shadow has overtaking Maedhros who
once was as a burning flame in his glory. Even his heart is now of
stone. I love the little flashbacks to their past where you show how
much their life has changed – how far they have fallen from the what
they could have been. And Fingon's thoughts about Maedhros
convalescence are well-crafted to show us the process and the lack of
success that has brought even Fingon the Valiant to tears.

The despair in this is also underlined by the difference between the
inside and the outside. Smoky, sweaty and sour against fresh and clear
– and also the bat that flies in freedom outside, that Fingon cannot
but envy.

Fingon is at his wits end – he has tried everything he can think of to
rouse Maedhros from his stupor. He must wonder if his valiant deed was
the best outcome for his friend and cousin, did he force him to live a
life he did not want anymore? But he keeps true to his nature, daring
all and even offering his own life to show Maedhros that his soul is
not yet so black that he will kill one he loves. The ending is great
for in reaching out and caring for another, Maedhros shows that he
chooses to live.

A really great story!


Title: King Stag · Author: Jael · Races: Elves: Mirkwood Elves · ID: 86
Reviewer: hrymfaxe · 2008-06-25 18:55:03
Spoilers!
I read this story yesterday intending to review it then, but I found
that I had to let it roll around in my head for some time before I
could put my thoughts about it together.

Your representation of the dark elves is deeply fascinating,
especially as seen through the eyes of an ignorant Thranduil.
Lalaithiel's parents' calm acceptance of the marriage was still
coupled with a wish to test the mettle of their daughter's husband,
and the ceremony they put Thranduil through felt like something very
real, old and meaningful. Very magical as well with the deer and the
wound on Turon's neck. The physical presence of Thranduil on the page
is great too, he feels real.

I also really enjoyed the humorous moments, like when Thranduil
discovers he is drinking piss, or having his father in law see him
with a morning erection! Besides being funny these moments lend even
more gravity to the sad or serious events.

You hint at Thranduil being quite old – but it is clear that love has
rejuvenated him, and also made him a bit rash. He doesn't listen to
the warnings Turon gives him about living with the promises he makes
on that night, but maybe he is just right that wisdom is not among his
character traits. I like how the last chapter shows him living with
and hurting over how everything came to pass but still live out his
promise as strongly and steadfastly as he is able, and also not
regretting the time he had. A sad ending to a story that began in such
hope and joy.


Title: Chance Encounter · Author: przed · Races: Men: Steward's Family
· ID: 5
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-25 23:53:17
This is a stylish vignette and manages to fit in a meeting of two
people I ordinarily would not expect to see in the same scene for
another thirty years - at least, not in the same scene, and with both
of them able to speak. The choice of present tense through lends a
lovely immediacy to the story, while also contributing to cutting down
the complexity of sentences. What is left is a cleanly told tale.

Boromir's youthful enthusiasm and brashness are well-portrayed, but we
can see here an aspect of his personality that did not survive the
revisions Tolkien made: he has that sparkle of optimism and easy
generosity, despite his natural interest in being known ['for his own
deeds'] and his sense of self-sufficiency. Later events will take that
from him and leave him a much darker, more hard-edged character.

Likewise with Aragorn: he isn't weighed down here nearly as much by
the weight of his task, or so it seems, or perhaps this encounter with
Boromir brings back something of a younger self. I loved the line near
the end showing the tension between himself and Denethor, and
Boromir's method of thanking Aragorn only brings home to the reader
that in a sense, payment was never quite rendered - not personally, to
Aragorn.

An enjoyable story, Boromir and Aragorn fans ought to enjoy it.

Title: Lily Took · Author: Cathleen · Races: Hobbits: Childhood · ID: 147
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-25 23:59:09
Short and sweet - I liked the device of having the toy carry part of
the dialogue. It fits Pippin's age and the matter-of-fact delivery,
both Pippin's responses and the toy's 'provocations', helps pull the
reader into the story.


Title: Ghost · Author: Elleth · Races: Elves: Noldor Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 218
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 00:04:43
Well-written - one gets a glimpse at the longing that still remains
with Nerdanel for Feanor, despite their estrangement. I do wonder: the
summary says she *may* have a chance for farewell, and the obvious
interpretation is to wonder whether she was simply dreaming of Feanor.
But given that someone arrives with a message from Mandos, I'm moved
to wonder: is the chance for farewell doubtful, only because the
messenger could bring a chance for 'hello again' with him?

Title: Seeing Stars · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 360
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 00:16:44
Were it not that the birth of his son is, for Faramir, one of the more
joyous events in his life, and probably incapable of being tarnished
by anything short of war, I would imagine that the Steward of Gondor
might possibly be rather mortified the next morning!

Fathers and sons and bloodlines and contrasts: the harshness of the
Ecthelion-Denethor father-son relationship, brought out in a spare
reference by Aragorn, contrasts notably with Faramir's bubbly
enthusiasm for his own son. Yet the thrust of Faramir's reminiscence
on the line of the Stewards is that they are all bound together to
protect Gondor. He doesn't reject his father, though clearly he will
not be his father in terms of his child-rearing. That seems very
appropriate for Faramir.

Title: Writer's Bloke · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Humor: Drabbles ·
ID: 431
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 00:22:02
Spoilers!
Every writer who personifies muses or complains about characters
talking to her will be able to identify with this drabble. One wonders
what Faramir reads in the writer's (female) heart, and what exactly is
in chapter six. Faramir's creation, perhaps, within a particular story?

This short drabble gives a new face to the notion of "pushy muses"!
Thanks for the laugh, Stefaniab!

Title: Hope comes for Estel · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Aragorn · ID: 622
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 00:42:34
Spoilers!
I enjoy stories that deal in the interpersonal politics that surely
would have been rife once the Battle of the Black Gate had been won,
and the Army of the West made it bac to Gondor. The status of
Aragorn's claim to kingship and how it is received among the people
(and the nobility, especially) in Gondor is something one doesn't
wonder about much in the books, but fan-authors like Stefaniab manage
to bring out a sense of the uncertainty and the precariousness of
Aragorn's situation.

Stefaniab constructs an interview between future king and present
steward, which goes from formal greeting to slightly wry humor to a
sort of exhausted earnestness, and by restricting the POV to Aragorn,
is able to show that fair words and good deeds nevertheless can be
read differently from their face value. This is not to say the
interview is contentious, but there is a certain tension as both
Aragorn and Faramir feel their way toward an understanding of each
other and of their roles in a peace time neither of them have really
ever experienced before. We also get a good idea of Arnor's situation
and the challenge Aragorn will face in trying to rebuild it while at
the same time governing Gondor. And the author reminds us every now
and again that she's a good humorist, too - ["Mithrandir is certain to
turn me into a toad for coming here today," Faramir joked and broke
into Aragorn's thoughts. "That's what he threatened to do when he
trained me in my teens."

"I've heard that threat before, mostly directed at misbehaving
hobbits," Aragorn eased enough to have a chuckle. "So far no toad has
ever claimed kinship to a Baggins or a Bracegirdle." ] is a favorite
exchange.

Well done! Fans of Faramir, Aragorn, and Gondor will enjoy this, I think.

Title: Broken Star · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Robinka · 2008-06-26 12:00:04
Spoilers!
This double drabble tells the whole story in only 200 words: a tale of
a tragic hero, the broken star of the House of Finwë who was part of
the kinslaying, but turned back on those who had cause the
catastrophe; a story of redemption when Celebrimbor tried to redeem
himself and in the process he put his trust in someone whom he should
have never trusted. Then, broken in body, betrayed, and yet not broken
in spirit, he refused to reveal where the three rings were, and he was
cruelly punished. And even though he had a small part in Sauron's
downfall, he was robbed of hope and left alone to face his former
mentor, now his tormenter.

This double drabble is a very elegantly written, thrilling and
heart-breaking. And after I read the last line, I though that I didn't
want to know what happened next. Let the curtain fall.

Brava! Amazingly done!

Title: Apart · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 551
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 16:17:40
Spoilers!
The author makes the symmetrical narration bend parallel regrets into
a reconciliation and reunion. I liked that neither Legolas nor Gimli
are, in the end, willing to concede that there may be issues they
cannot discuss - they just recognize the need to delay the discussion
until they've worked up to it.

Title: The Last Words · Author: Rhapsody · Genres: Drama: Featuring
the Noldor · ID: 409
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 16:28:11
Spoilers!
What I liked in this was the intensity of address that Nerdanel gives
- not to another person, but to things. The Silmarils are strange
objects, and given the way in which important things tend to have
something of a limited will or sentience in Tolkien's universe, I
found myself waiting to see whether there would be some response from
them. It made for an interesting tension that seems appropriate given
the context.

Title: A Great Evil Unmade · Author: Linaewen · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 267
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 16:35:25
Spoilers!
AUs are great fun, and I don't think I've seen this 'solution' to the
Ring Quest before. The logic of the choice of Ringbearer works, as
does the scenario that brought about the passing of the Ring from
Frodo to another bearer: it is no more implausible than Tolkien's
Parth Galen, and it keeps some of its resonances nicely. Frodo's
wounding reminds us of Boromir's death on Parth Galen - it is almost
as if they have switched burdens: that the price for being able to
surrender the Ring to another on the Quest is to pay in blood almost
as dearly as Boromir did in the original in order to free himself of
the Ring. That gives a certain gravity to the story that I think is
appropriate.

Title: Loss · Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Drama: Hurt/Comfort ·
ID: 196
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 16:48:29
Surgical steel, indeed. I haven't read other Serinde stories, so I
lack that background, but that doesn't prevent comprehension. I'm also
not a medically trained person, but one doesn't need to be to wince in
sympathetic pain. It's a realistic situation - childbirth is dangerous
in pre-industrial societies, and the characters reacted in what seems
a believable way to this dangerous premature birth.

I did feel a bit rushed through the story, and so wasn't able to
connect as much with Halbarad as I'd thought. Still, it's well-written
and made me cringe!

Title: For What I Wait · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Angst/Tragedy · ID: 125
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 16:58:17
Trying to pick a beginning for an AU is tricky, because that really
does affect what the author can do to suspend the reader's disbelief.
Usually, AU stories try to offer an explanation of some sort for how
the story diverged, but Dawn takes a riskier path and makes us rely
solely on the strength of emotion present in the writing. We have to
invest in this scene - a sort of desacralized pieta between father and
dying son - and construct a possible answer. Feanor helps us a little,
but since he himself does not know exactly what has happened to
Maglor, we are still left to wonder, and we do not know what diverted
Feanor from his own fate.

The Maedhros intervention was interesting - I can believe Feanor
would've viewed Maedhros's suicide in these terms. It's less certain
to me how that event works in terms of this story, which seems to take
place a long time afterwards.

Nevertheless, intriguing possibility, and a very poignant end for Maglor.

Title: Broken Star · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-06-26 17:03:53
Spoilers!
A disturbing and intense interaction - brief, but necessarily and
effectively so. Both Celebrimbor and Sauron seem to split in this
scene into two lives: Celebrimbor's self-loathing, revealed in his
defiance and his agony, marks this scene as a kind of redemption of an
earlier, unwise self. Sauron's ability to be wounded by the use of the
name that he will forever afterwards bear, suggests a final break with
the better part of himself.

The horrific juxtaposition of tenderness and intimacy that ends this
scene works very well: torture mimes viciously the self-exposure of
love. We know how it goes from here on out...