Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Not One of Us · Author: StarLight9 · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Elves and Men · ID: 542
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-14 14:38:24
It's not easy being different. I know how that feels, especially being
unable to do the same sorts of things my brothers did because of birth
defects and handicaps, so I can truly sympathize with young Estel
trying his best to compete against Elven children who are simply
better than he and having to deal with the prejudices of others. Yet
in the end he shows them that he does have worth and learns that
differences are what make us strong. How Estel comes to that
realization and how he proves his worth to others makes for a very
good read.

Title: National Treasure · Author: Baranduin · Times: Modern Times ·
ID: 201
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-14 14:39:41
I've always been fascinated by archeology and history and consider
myself an armchair archeologist. Oddly enough, one of my own areas of
interest is the history of the Templars, so it was with curiosity that
I read this little tale of two archeologists seeking to find the first
Templar foundation in Scotland. What they find instead is something
else, but neither of them recognize it for what it truly is. The
reader, however, does and therein lies the enjoyment of the tale. And
I loved the irony at the end. A lovely little piece.

Title: Early Winter at Himring Hill · Author: Oshun · Genres: Romance:
Elven Lands · ID: 79
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-14 14:46:27
Though very short, this ficlet is loaded with beauty imagery. Oshun
does an excellent job of putting the reader in the scene. One can feel
the cold and hear the heavy wooden doors opening. Yet, the best
imagery is her description of Fingon, and the poignancy one must feel
in the face of his carefree nature that will soon be crushed by the
weight of history and oaths. The implications that he timed his
arrival at Himring Hill just right is an amusing twist.

Title: I Give You a Rainbow · Author: Golden · Races: Hobbits:
Friendship · ID: 571
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-14 14:56:01
I remember reading a story when I was younger called "A Rainbow for
Robin" about a young blind girl who described colors in a similar
fashion as Pippin does here - white was the smell of fresh linen while
yellow was the feel of the sun on her face. Pippin proves a very
resource hobbit lad when he meets a lass named Evergreen who is
different. He takes the time to come up with a game that they can play
together and teaches her about color. A very sweet story and shows how
physical limitations are no bar to one's imagination and ingenuity.

Title: At the Last Minute · Author: rhyselle · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Elves and Men · ID: 544
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-14 16:15:59
A distraught Aragorn, still grieving over his mother's death, decides
suddenly to return to Imladris from Mirkwood, dragging Legolas with
him, to celebrate Yule with Elrond and his brothers. It must have been
heart-wrenching, though, for him to come back to Imladris to find that
none of the Yule decorations were up and realize that the elves had
only done so in previous years for his and Gilraen's benefit. Those of
us who are not home for the holidays or are unable to celebrate them
as we are used to usually take comfort in the fact that our friends
and family are still celebrating the holiday as usual even in our
absence. I think Aragorn had that same thought and when he walked into
the Last Homely House and saw nothing that spoke of Yule it was more
of a shock than he was expecting.

How the elves of Imladris, with Legolas' help, seek to surprise
Aragorn with their "Yule-for-Estel conspiracy" is told with gentle
humor and great poignancy. Legolas and Glorfindel are delightfully
funny as they seek to make Gilraen's Yule Ginger biscuits without a
clue as to how to do it and Elrond is shown as the loving adar that he
is in his attempt to lessen his son's grief and give him what he needs
most - the love of family.. A warm and lovely read at any time of the
year.

Title: The Work of Small Hands · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres:
Longer Works · ID: 352
Reviewer: Oshun · 2008-07-14 16:35:13
Spoilers!
I believe I told you when I first started writing the Noldor, that one
of the things I had difficulty with as a writer trying to image my own
person vision of the entire world of the Noldor, was to come up with a
good reason for why those who chose to stay behind did make that
decision, especially Finarfin. And why did the most of the prominent
women among the Finweans break with their spouses and stay, when the
overwhelming majority of the Noldor left and stayed together?

The problem in the original texts (that a large numner of significant
women are barely visible) could provoke a discussion of the role of
women in this sort of heroic storytelling. Your story is a
thought-provoking attempt to explain them and how they might have
behaved. But more so, it is a plausible look at who picked up the
pieces of this shattered people in this paradise turned nightmare, how
they might have done that, and what demons of their own they had to
confront in order to do so.

The accounts of the darkness are convincing, the details of the
changes wrought by the event of the darkness itself, and the
abandonment of Tirion and its environs by the vast majority of its
population. I still want to argue with you about a lot of the finer
details. I kind of don't know where to start and this is not the
place. There were times when I wanted to grab Earwen by the shoulders
and shake her until her teeth rattled, but then, in her defense, she
did have the worst of it in many ways. Also, would Finarfin have
really been in such bad shape if he actually had the will to turn
around and come back? I am not sure.

Congratulations for opening up the whole can of worms and throwing
some light on it. It's a bold attempt and a fascinating one.


Title: The Lost Restored · Author: Larner · Times: Late Third Age:
Gondor · ID: 59
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-14 16:37:45
Spoilers!
I'm like Namo, a real sucker for happy endings and redemption stories
are my favorite simply because they give me hope that my own poor
choices in life have some redeeming value to them, even if I can't (or
won't) see them. I loved it that it was Eonwe who walked beside
Aragorn as he carries Frodo. That is so cool!

I thought it interesting that Smeagol still speaks of himself in the
third person at first. He sounds like a three-year-old here trying to
understand why he isn't being punished for being bad. You just want to
huggle him and sing him a lullaby or something. Yet, later, he uses
"I" when he is speaking with Frodo, so you can see that that part of
his personality has been healed and restored -- the sense of self that
is so unique to sentiate beings. And I thought it sweet (and very
telling) that he still refers to Frodo as "Master" not only when he
first "wakes up" but later at the Feast.

There are too many favorite images to list them all but I think my
particular favorite is the conversation between Smeagol and Atar when
Atar shows him scenes of how others -- Aragorn, the Elves of Mirkwood,
Gandalf, Frodo and Sam -- had treated him, not evilly as he wanted to
imagine, but with kindness and even with love, though at the time he
did not understand this.

The conversations that Gandalf, Frodo and Smeagol each have with Atar
are illuminating and uplifting, for we see how even evil can turn to
good at the last.

Title: Sour Milk · Author: Linda hoyland · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 521
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-14 16:58:24
This is as delightful a piece of fluff as any I've read in the past year.

Answering the challenge to provide a story for one of the most
gak-inducing, Tolkien-inspired art work available, Linda has concocted
an Aesop's fable with a lesson for any arrogant ruler: "Gaze on your
people with disdain and superiority and you will turn the country's
milk sour!"

No self-respecting ruler would want that to happen, right?

Linda's very AU Aragorn learns a mighty lesson from the cats of Minas
Tirith. They react to the spoilt milk by having a heated exchange with
the King that changes his mood, so to speak.

"Sour Milk" is a delightful, humorous tale that is recommended for
everyone, including the kiddies--especially the kiddies who like
kitties. To add to the story's whimsy with a moral, Linda includes an
illustration of her major feline character. (I have it on the author's
word that her cat Leo posed for the photo!)

Title: Five Hair Care Tips for Rohirrim · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Humor · ID: 71
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-14 17:02:12
This story tackles the question, "What if the Rohirrim had their own
fashion rags, like that "Mode" magazine where TV's Ugly Betty works?
What might their Beauty Advice columns suggest? Edorlas Lass puts her
considerable wit to the test to come up with this excellent answer.

The author of this advice column clearly understands her audience of
hard-riding, hard-drinking men and even a few women who engage in the
same pursuits. She understands that personal grooming may take second
place to the pampering of a horse. The purpose of "Five Hair Care Tips
for Rohirrim," then, is to influence cultural behavior in the Mark.
Now that doesn't mean that by grooming their hair, the Rohirrim should
adopt the practices of those wimpy Gondorians to the South, but ....I
refrain from telling the best bits, but will instead drop a
hint---hair clips.

If you enjoy humor pieces and especially love those Rohirrim, check
this story out.

Title: Oathbreakers · Author: Thundera Tiger · Times: Late Third Age ·
ID: 470
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-14 17:06:50
This visit with Elrond's sons on the eve of their journey with Aragorn
along the Paths of the Dead becomes a thoughtful rumination on the
meaning of oaths, oath breakers, and oath keepers. I enjoyed that
Thundera Tiger presents the twins Elladan and Elrohir as two elves
with similar appearance and very different views.

In particular, the twins discuss the nature of Eowyn's possible
breaking of her promise to stay in Rohan and lead her people instead
of following Aragorn out of love for him--as Elladan has inadvertently
overheard. The unspoken theme, for me, was whether either of Elrond's
sons contemplated breaking their oath to Aragorn for fear of meeting
the oath breakers in the depths of the mountain?

Title: The Conscience of the King · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Humor · ID: 649
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-14 17:08:08
In this spot-on character piece, Raksha presents two sides of the
newly crowned Eomer King's psyche having a knock-down, drag out,
mental coflict with each other. The reason for Eomer's internal
argument? A woman? Of course. Love? Naturally. But this time the woman
is his sister, and it is the night of her wedding.

Raksha neatly characterizes one side of Eomer as the blustery older
brother, protective of his sister, prickly about her bridegroom, and
not a little fearful that her husband will take her away from him, the
brother who has loved her all her life. Anyone with a brother will
recognize this behavior, even though Raksha keeps Eomer's surroundings
firmly grounded in Middle Earth. Raksha also lets us get to know
Eomer's other side, his better nature as a reasonable, perceptive
pragmatist. The portrayal of this side of Eomer gives us a taste of
the great ruler Tolkien tells us he will become.

Couple the incisiveness of the character portrayal with lots of humor
and you have a satisfying quick look into the life of one of my
favorites among Tolkien's secondary characters.

Title: The Wrong Path · Author: Erviniae · Genres: Drama: Incomplete ·
ID: 538
Reviewer: chaotic_binky · 2008-07-14 20:04:59
This story encompasses the past and the present, where the prejudices
of the past threaten the happiness of the future. In this story the
characters deal with the injustices of their life and accept them but
will it always be like that?

Title: Young Fëanáro Makes A Stone · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor:
Valar & Maiar · ID: 77
Reviewer: chaotic_binky · 2008-07-14 20:28:53
A precocious young Feanor makes a perfect emerald and impresses Aule
with it. A delightful, simple story, but on a deeper level it reveals
Feanor's fascination with creating the beautiful stone; an embryonic
event that led to tragic obsession, which may have been encouraged by
Aule, at the end of the story, urging the young Feanor to keep the
stone in his pocket as he goes on to greater things.

Title: Starcrossed · Author: weepingnaiad · Genres: Drama: Featuring
the Noldor · ID: 493
Reviewer: chaotic_binky · 2008-07-14 20:57:10
An epic panorama of the events on Ereinion's life, from when he was
young and sent away by his father to stay with Cirdan to when he
became High King of Middle-earth. The side story of the battles and
the Ereinion identifying with the young Elrond and Elros play
alongside and merge to an inevitable conclusion.

Title: A Perfect Impression · Author: weepingnaiad · Times: Second and
Early Third Age · ID: 494
Reviewer: chaotic_binky · 2008-07-14 21:01:28
Thranduil and his wife are in an arranged marriage, it takes a
supremely happy event for them to realise that there feelings for one
another. A sweet and simple story that will make the reader smile.

Title: Aulë the Smith · Author: Oshun · Genres: Non-Fiction: Character
Studies · ID: 530
Reviewer: chaotic_binky · 2008-07-14 21:12:30
A comprehensive account of Aule as he appears in Tolkien's writings.
More useful than encyclopaedia entries as the author attempts to tease
through various criticisms and parallels, especially ones relating to
Melkor and how Aule's character is affected by Tolkien's anti-science
bias.

Title: The Pillar Perished Is · Author: Imhiriel · Times: First Age
and Prior: House of Finwe · ID: 356
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-14 21:34:03
Spoilers!
A haunting portrait of Feanor as a man mourning for his father.
Imhiriel conveys the intensity of Feanor's pride, passion and terrible
grief. One wonders what might have happened if Finwe had lived.

Imhiriel uses a marvelous poem by Sir Thomas Wyatt as inspiration and
part of the story; Feanor is bound to his father by chains of his own
obsession, tangled love and grief and deprivation, that is even
stronger than his desire for the stolen Silmarils.

The master artificer of the Elves is not an easy character to capture
on paper; but I recognize him here, burning slowly, about to unleash
the fires of vengeance on an unsuspecting Middle-earth. Well done!


Title: Temptation · Author: Princess Artemis · Genres: Poetry · ID: 416
Reviewer: Inkling · 2008-07-14 21:37:10
This is without a doubt one of the most unusual and thought-provoking
works of fan fiction I have read. Certainly there are other fics
featuring a sentient, malevolent One Ring, but I know of no others
written from the first-person POV of the Ring--and a fascinating,
chilling perspective it is!

In a few searing lines of prose poetry, Princess Artemis has deftly
captured the entire history of the Ring and its bearers (and
almost-bearers). Especially intriguing is her take on Sauron as merely
the first in a long line of fools to be ensnared by the Ring's siren
song (alternatively, this could be also be an egomaniacal conceit on
the part of the Ring).

But the author's most impressive accomplishment is investing the Ring
with an actual personality beyond pure and simple evilness. I don't
mean that it has any redeeming qualities, but rather that it is a
complicated, faceted portrait of evil. The Ring shows itself to be
arrogant and cunning, with clear favorites among its bearers. But it
also succumbs to the occasional frustrated temper tantrum, and has
blind spots a mile wide that ultimately prove its undoing.

Not surprisingly, the Ring's most complex--and sick--relationship is
with Gollum [the lesser me], who is treated as an ill-used lover: [i
want you back, precious...]. Sméagol, then, becomes the rival who must
be eliminated: [Then Gollum is my precious...and i slay thee swiftly...].

In the end, the reader is left to ponder the poem's implications: was
this Ring no more than an unwitting projection of Sauron's own will
and spirit, or was it truly a separate entity, as it seems to
believe...a Frankenstein's monster of a creation that quickly spun out
of its master's control, though their fates remained intertwined?


Title: Fine Art for Future Generations · Author: stefaniab · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 561
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-14 21:50:47
Spoilers!
This is quite a hilarious send-up of perhaps the worst piece of
Tolkien art ever painted - a really, really awful thing that turned
Boromir's death into a wannabe Pieta (which could offend sincere
Christians as well as aficionados of fine art) - can you believe
Aragorn in the role of Mary, and poor dying/dead Boromir as Jesus?


Stefania takes the seriocomic route here, and wisely provides the
reader with the viewpoint of someone who participated in the
painting's creation, as Arwen, shepherding her son and Boromir's
nephew through the Museum of Minas Tirith, remembers the horrors of a
histrionic and perfectionist artist who apparently was more interested
in creating great art than in realism. The bit about the artist using
a gnome statue as a stand-in for Gimli was wonderfully apt, since
that's exactly what Gimli resembles in the picture.

I noticed that Arwen does not reveal the secrets of the artists'
models to Elboron and Eldarion - the Queen of Gondor is no fool!

Title: I Ain't Got Nobody · Author: Ignoble Bard · Genres: Humor:
Valar & Maiar · ID: 568
Reviewer: whitewave · 2008-07-14 22:21:35
Spoilers!
Any story that puts the Valar in a funny role is always soomething
worth reading, the additional treat here is that I'm also quite fond
of Namo. From Glorfindel's very first line to the last priceless one,
this "silly-fic" had me hooked! I loved: the body chamber, the "tight
crotch" line, when Namo "jumped like a scalded cat" (I swear I laughed
out loud in the office while I was reading this), when Namo "almost
drooled" (it's not really hard for me to picture the Doomsman of the
Valar looking so silly, which says a lot about me really), the
lintbrush bit with the wayward hairs, and of course, all the "mundane"
activities that Namo seemed to be doing every time Glorfindel's fea
goes to find him. I also think that Glorfindel must have a very, very
good reason (or very, very bad motive) for not really trying too hard
to stay out of trouble. This is extremely entertaining and I've read
it several times and it still makes me laugh. Thanks for sharing this.

Title: On Canon and Fanfic · Author: Marta · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 123
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-14 23:10:05
Marta's "On Canon and Fanfic" is an informal treatise on the subject
of the much belitted term, Alternate Universe, and its relationship to
canon in Tolkien-based fan fiction. I have often said, "the only
person who writes canon is Tolkien." Marta's philosophy is similar,
though she expresses her thoughts in her own way. You may feel otherwise.

However, the purpose of this review is not to debate the points of the
essay, but to encourage you to read "On Canon and Fanfic." Writers and
readers in many fan fiction "verses" are faced with similar issues to
those that Marta presents. Happily, Marta's style is friendly, not
stilted, and is guaranteed to give you food for thought.

Title: Pride and Despair: A Defense of Ecthelion's Son · Author: Marta
· Genres: Non-Fiction: Character Studies · ID: 624
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-14 23:51:59
Marta's essay and interpretation of Denethor is must-read source
material for anyone who plans to write Denethor, or simply enjoys
reading stories of the House of Hurin. Her research gathers many of
the more illustrative Denethor-related quotes from numerous sources,
from key scenes in Return of the King to far beyond the LOTR
canon--including early drafts finally printed in the HOME volumes and,
by golly, even a few quotes from the LOTR films to provide contrast.
For this reason alone, "Pride and Despair: A Defense of Ecthelion's
Son" is an invaluable research tool.

Being an unapologetic Denethor-ist myself, I agreed quite readily with
about 85 percent of Marta's points. I especially concurred with her
assessment of Denethor's relationship with the palantir. Her take on
Denethor's relationship with Faramir is quite unusual and worth
contemplating. My interpretation of film Denethor, on the other hand,
is much more sympathetic than Marta's. Other readers of this essay
most likely will draw their own conclusions. What makes reasonable
discussion about Denethor so much fun is the complexity of this minor
character, so adroitly interpreted here by Marta.



Title: Destiny · Author: Cinzia · Races: Men · ID: 592
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-07-15 01:42:25
This is just an achingly beautiful story in so many different ways.
First of all, as a Boromir/Theodred girl, I adore the imagery of the
young, resplendent princes, [the fair, blond son of the King of the
Mark; and the son of the Ruling Steward of Gondor, a darker flame next
to the light brilliance of his taller friend], already good friends
and companions of the heart, [seeking in each other peace and solace
from the blood and the dreadful excitement of the fight.] These are
the two that I have written, and love seeing others write as well (and
especially welcome when written as well as this.)

The idea of Aragorn as a silent witness to their tryst, aching with
loneliness and longing, not only for their unabashed pleasure in each
other but also for their joyful companionship is quite vividly drawn,
and almost painful to read. Aragorn's fascination with Boromir, the
foreknowledge that this splendid young man holds the key to his
future, for good or ill, and his guilt and shame over his incipient
desire is well depicted, a lovely melancholy note.

Title: Only Water in Your Veins · Author: Michelle · Races: Men · ID: 154
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-07-15 01:42:47
An unusual story. It was interesting to see Thorongil in this type of
situation, helpless and almost (but not quite) giving in to despair.
The description of the desert was wonderfully vivid and I particularly
like the characterization of Rajal, his love for his desert home, his
compassion for the stranger, and his determination to live by the
traditions of care and hospitality so ingrained in his culture.

Title: In the Van · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Genres: Humor ·
ID: 72
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-15 02:40:45
Goodness, but this little ficlet is so clever. Branwyn removes
Tolkien's archaic military phrase "in the van" from its Battle of the
Black Gate context and plops it right into a twenty first century vehicle.

Suddenly, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, and Boromir's ghost, yet, are
riding in the van that, naturally, is being driven by Aragorn.
Predictably enough, everyone must have his say about the meaning of
road signs and how to follow the map. So I am going to stop here
before I divulge more and violate my personal no spoiler policy.

"In the Van' is a clever, humorous fic well worth your attention.