Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Out of Memory and Time · Author: Shireling · Genres: Drama:
Hurt/Comfort · ID: 136
Reviewer: stefaniab · 2008-07-15 02:46:17
Every once in awhile a fan fic story comes around that grips me right
from the start. That story typically involves my favorite Tolkien
characters in a unique and compelling fashion, in addition to being
well written and well paced. And because I tend to like stories that
go on for awhile, my favorites leave me watching anxiously for their
authors to post new chapters.

This was my experience with Shireling's "Out of Memory and Time," one
of my great favorites of the past year. This AU story introduces the
deaf character Minnow, who just might be a refugee from the Tolkien
canon. In addition to his hearing loss, Minnow suffers a serious case
of amnesia and no overriding desire to reclaim what he is sure is a
horrible past. Shireling recounts Minnow's experiences, from his life
on a beat up Dol Amroth trading vessel, to encounters with the
mysterious Wild Men, and finally to his life at the Grey Havens and in
the hands of Cirdan the Shipwright .

I particularly appreciated Shireling's characterization of Minnow. Her
portrayal of amnesia as an emotional illness rings so true as to
render it far beyond typical fan fic angst. For "Out of Memory and
Time "is too deep and subtle to be read as purely an angst tale. There
is some torture and some unpleasant scenes, but Shireling tells them
tastefully and never lets the potentially icky stuff get out of hand.

I highly recommend this story to readers who like great
characterization and lots of adventure, along with angst and
hurt-comfort scenes. As for Minnow's identity--I am not going to spoil
it. You'll have to read "Out of Memory and Time" yourselves.

Title: The Westering Fire · Author: Aprilkat · Races: Hobbits · ID: 200
Reviewer: viv · 2008-07-15 03:24:59
I liked this story. Rosie is such a strong hobbit lass, probably one
of Tolkien's best female characters overall (such a shame that the
professor didn't spend more time writing her... something I am always
happy to see fic writers remedying). You've depicted her earthy
no-nonsense beauty very well here, I think. She's generous, practical,
empathetic: a lass worth coming back to. Sam might have hurried a mite
more. ;)

Title: Five Hair Care Tips for Rohirrim · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Humor · ID: 71
Reviewer: Katzilla · 2008-07-15 10:48:12
EdorasLass is one of the best - if not THE best - author of all things
Rohirric, and while I love her dramatic stuff, it is astounding just
how she is also able to give you stomach cramps with her humourous
stories or essays to the point where you can no longer breathe for
laughing out loud.

The "Hair Care Tips" for Rohirrim" are an instant classic, and just
when I read the title, I could see the scene when Éomer takes off his
helmet to reveal a very bad hair day in "Two Towers" (and still he was
oh so very delicious!!)!! I can see the Third Marshall sceptically
glowering at anyone telling him about these tips!

Elfhelm is good with a brush? And Éothain has a good hand in the
manufacturing of those wonderful manly hairclips? Who would have
thunk! Please let us all know where we can order these things, for I
always wanted to have a hair clip in the form of a decaptitated warg!!

I also love the little things you x-ed out (horses: our deities,
etc.); they add to the fun. Thank you so much for a lunch break that I
spent with a broad smirk upon my face!

Title: I Ain't Got Nobody · Author: Ignoble Bard · Genres: Humor:
Valar & Maiar · ID: 568
Reviewer: Lethe · 2008-07-15 17:15:08
Spoilers!
This story simply tickled me. As always with this author\\\'s work it
is wonderfully written, but the humor was much needed at the time I
read it.
It always amazes me that some writers are so flexible that they can
write dark, erotic pieces and then turn the tables and present
something like this, which is simply a lighthearted laugh. It is not
slapstick, which I find too juvenile, but it is sometjhing that would
look wonderful as a sketch.
Although my choice of reading is the opposite to this, deep, long
stories with a sorrowful or dark shading, I do appreciate the light
humor in this piece, which reminds me somewhat of Terry Pratchett if
he wrote a one off of Tolkien. Stories like this, handled deftly and
effortlessly do make me laugh when they are this well done, they seem
to just idly spin off the keyboard and yet are super reading, and a
real change from my normal diet. It especially made me laugh since I
have seen Tolkien canon characters written and role played, who do
keep dying and being returned to Middle-earth so fast that it looks
like they are in a perpetual revolving door which spits them out in
the Halls of Mandos one way, and Middle-earth the other.
it was greatly appreciated and it proves how some authors can simply
write anything, humor, darkfic, slash, a love story and each one be
equally wonderful.

Title: To Be A King · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves · ID: 252
Reviewer: kitt_otter · 2008-07-15 17:35:01
Spoilers!
Gil-Galad and Círdan are simply perfect in this. Círdan with quiet
authority and wisdom and Gil-Galad learns something of himself: to be
himself.
I particularly liked the beginning; it had a sweet adventure thrust to
it and I loved the image of small Gil-Galad in his foster-father's
arms. (Well, I love Círdan, period). The details were well-researched.
(I have horrible trouble keeping all the events of that period
straight). It added depth, of course, mentioning Ossë and Elwing, and
the troubles of the time, such as the Noldor's reluctance of a strong
authority and the manner of Turgon's reign.
Very entertaining story!


Title: Elrond's Farewell · Author: Armariel · Genres: Poetry · ID: 269
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-15 17:46:40
This is an incredibly moving, magical poem, full of sadness and joy. I
don't have much knowledge of meters and forms, but I felt that the
"uneven free verse" (for lack of a better term) was very appropriate
in portraying Elrond's hesitation and his difficulties in expressing
these so intimate thoughts and and feelings (especially if he is the
guarded person I imagine him to be).

The language is luminous and piercing, the images it evokes have a
clarity to them like mountain air. In this way, they achieve two
things at the same time which seem perhaps contradictory: they
complement the emotions Elrond expresses palpably, his pride and love
for his daughter, his very deep grief at the thought of losing her so
irrevocably, his feeling of bereavement; they also stand in contrast
with these melancholy thoughts by painting pictures of stars and
flowers, light and joy.

It shows a very intriguing aspect in the relationship between parents
and children: that parents cherish and protect, but also gain a
certain fragility in this, which the child, despite the reciprocal
love, may not always consider in its search for self and self-realisation.

There is also something that goes beyond the relationship between
Elrond and Arwen, something that touches on all the wonders and the
ephemeral nature of creation.

Title: I Stand No Longer Alone · Author: Larner · Races: Men: Minas
Tirith · ID: 62
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-15 17:48:05
This is a story written for my birthday request of unusual PoVs, and
how splendidly did Larner succeed!

There is minute and careful detail throughout the story which brings
its narrator and the world it inhabits fully to "life", evoking
memories and present happenings very closely to it "personally", while
also being a good observer of what is happening around it.

The contrast between the perfunctory care given to it throughout the
kingless centuries, and the loving and thorough care that it is been
given now emphasises the momentuousness of the change through
attention to its repercussions in microcosm.

But I think my favourite part is how we see Aragorn through the "eyes"
of this narrator: someone strange, and yet instinctively known from
the sound of his footsteps alone. It's fascinating to read what the
narrator can sense and guess about Aragorn while he ascends the steps;
the questions that are asked and answered by Aragorn's actions; and
equally, we witness that Aragorn himself feels the weight and purpose
of this moment, and the deliberate embracing of it.

There are many fine lines in this short story, but I think my
favourite is this one: ["His boots have trodden many lands, and there
hangs about him the scent of running waters crossed, forests and
mountains traversed, and the smoke of many fires and smoldering leaves
that have warmed him within and without."] I love the idea that
Aragorn's history travels with him and can be sensed by someone (or
something) perceptive.

Title: The Blessing of the Waters · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Romance: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 61
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-15 17:50:30
This short story is full of tenderness and restrained romance, all the
more precious because of it being set shortly before it is all changed
cruelly by Celebrían's ordeal.

The use of water as reality in the story and as metaphors is woven
skilfully throughout the story.

The first paragraph prepares the mood exceedingly well; it evokes a
quiet, beautiful night, ideal for an intimate moment between lovers.
The image of Celebrían coming out of the river with water streaming
over her is very sensual, the more so because of its subtletly and
understatedness.

Elrond's feelings of love and contentment and still half-believing
happiness are palpable, all the more so as they are set in contrast to
his previous experiences of loss.

The eerie foreboding that slowly creeps into the scene is written very
well, slowly and steadily "darkening" the mood a) inside and b)
outside the scene: a) as the weather seems to mirror Elrond
experiencing an echo of the past - or is it a glimpse of the future? -
b) all the while that it is slowly revealed to the reader exactly when
this story takes place - just before the journey on which Celebrían
will be waylaid and captured.

It is as if there is a last attempt by Elrond to find back to a
lighter frame of mind, cruelly shattered by the single, brief sentence
["It was the last time that I heard her laugh."]. The short coda shows
how his foreboding tragically has come to pass.

Title: A Harmony In Autumn · Author: Oshun · Genres: Romance: Elven
Lands · ID: 49
Reviewer: Lethe · 2008-07-15 18:02:14
There is such a rich beauty and intricate interaction in Oshun's
stories and her characters always come vividly alive, so much that it
is always like taking a place among them, in their story and watching,
hearing, feeling and seeing everything.
There are about three pairings in Tolkien which are not written of as
canon but which I consider canon: Maedhros and Fingon, Glorfindel and
Ecthelion and Beleg and Túrin and Oshun's work has now become canon to
me. Not only does she weave a tale superbly, she writes these
incredible characters with a passion which burns through everything
she creates. She loves the characters and it shows, their
interactions, emotions and dialogue, their politics and quarrels and
dramas are wonderfully realistic, poignant, fierce, amusing and
enthralling. It is a pity that the Silmarillion fandom is so
overshadowed by the Lord of the Rings, because Oshun's works deserve a
huge fanbase. She has the soul and passion of the Noldor and
understands them. Her stories are ones which I longed to read for so
very many years before I discovered fanfiction. I always thought that
these characters and their lives needed painting out of the forgotten
ages, given color, life and love, hates and passions, desires and
sorrows. Oshun does that and takes me there to watch them and yet it
is a deeper experience than reading or watching a film because I feel
and envisage them so intensely.

This is a wonderful story which fits seamlessly into her A New Day
universe, and brings together two more brilliant canon characters in a
way which is both beautiful, tender and passionate

Title: The Sky Is Over · Author: Robinka · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 83
Reviewer: eiranae · 2008-07-15 19:42:25
Spoilers!
So touching! Robinka manages to put so much emotion and feeling into
so few words. I can imagine the sadness he must have felt hearing his
own words. Robinka makes this moment so poignant. She did a wonderful
job on this piece.

Title: Some Confusion in Accounts · Author: viv · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 276
Reviewer: eiranae · 2008-07-15 19:55:11
That was absolutely hilarious! It never ceases to amaze me how easy it
is for Viv to pull the humor out of any situation. This story may be
short, but it has a jam packed punch line!

A capital piece that leaves me aching for more. Excellent.

Title: Before You Go · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Men: Minas Tirith
· ID: 506
Reviewer: eiranae · 2008-07-15 20:06:18
This piece is heartrending. I am not one to sympathize with Denethor
normally but this story pulls so strongly at my heart-strings I cannot
help myself.

I never cease to be amazed at Nancy Brooke's ability to weave words
into such an elaborate tapestry of images. Each word contributes to
the painting. All the words blend together masterfully. This piece
shows her artistic talents.

An excellent job!

Title: The Chieftain of the Dunedain · Author: Avon · Races: Men:
Pre-Ring War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 623
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2008-07-15 21:17:39
This is nice, by which I mean to say the sweetness of the ending made
me smile. I felt I could really see through Halbarad's eyes, and his
thoughts flowed very naturally. Well done.

Title: The Portrait · Author: agape4gondor · Races: Men: Pre-Ring War
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 288
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2008-07-15 21:20:02
A nice thought, Agape. I like the image of Boromir the hunter here,
having an idea fixed in his head and searching until he could meet it
in the outside world. Extra points for using [nonplussed] correctly!

Title: A Midsummer Day's Dream · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 422
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2008-07-15 21:23:19
This is lovely, Raksha. I have read more than one story on a similar
line, but your sure talent lifts this one above the rest. One feels
clearly the richnes of the afternoon and the life lived, the
acceptance and joy in what has occurred and will occur. The pacing is
almost elegant - slow, steady, confident.

Title: The War of Wrath · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Elves: Drabbles ·
ID: 120
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-15 21:26:50
Spoilers!
I'm pretty hopeless at writing poetry, particularly epic poetry. I
remember that when I first encountered LOTR at a young age, the entire
trilogy read aloud to me, I mentally confused Elendil, Earendil and
Gil-galad. But there is no confusion now, and I enjoy a good slice of
Tolkienesque poetry.

This is definitely a good slice - long enough to whet the appetite for
more, and sketch a heroic portrait in verse. Here, Tanaqui presents a
character we did not meet in the Silmarillion, but should have;
Ingwion, son of the High King of all the Elves in Valinor, who was
mentioned in HoME 11, but did not make it into the published Silmarillion.

Based on Tanaqui's verse, I would have definitely liked to see more of
this particular Elven-prince. She creates a shining, heroic presence
who leaves the peaceful shores of Aman to lead his father's host in
the Valar's army that has come to battle Morgoth at the end of the
First Age, and fights valiantly. I love the references to Ingwion's
armaments and the sun imagery, the gold/shine motifs are very
appropriate to this ultimate fair-haired boy, since the Vanyar are
golden-haired.

I think Tolkien would have enjoyed and approved this piece. I hope
that Tanaqui might give us more verse, Tolkienesque or other, in the
future.





Title: The Wedding Gift · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Romance: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 40
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2008-07-15 21:27:07
Spoilers!
Great work, Annmarwalk. I love the line [ever was beauty sanctified by
purpose], it captures so much, making the Dwarves love of craft almost
holy. And while for a moment I was amused by the idea of Nandi's
beard, you used it to best advantage and with it created a moment of
unique intimacy. Gloin's depth of feeling is wonderful.

Title: Many Branches · Author: Baranduin · Races: Cross-Cultural:
Frodo and Faramir · ID: 420
Reviewer: Inkling · 2008-07-15 21:30:24
One of my favorite friendships in LOTR is the one between Frodo and
Faramir...perhaps because it is so unexpected, coming as it does on
the dark, lonely journey to Mordor. It felt more fully developed and
convincing to me than some others, such as the affection between Frodo
and Aragorn, which is more stated than seen.

This may be why I always wished Tolkien had given us the scene Faramir
promised in the quote that opens this story: ["If ever beyond hope you
return to the lands of the living and we re-tell our tales, sitting by
a wall in the sun, laughing at old grief, you shall tell me then."]
That not so much as a word passes between them after the War always
seemed to me a shame, and a missed opportunity.

"Many Branches" is just such a scene, demonstrating the virtue of
gapfiller at its best: its ability to fulfill a longing in us unmet in
the canonical work. As Frodo and Farmir relax on a warm afternoon in
the Sixth Circle, sharing a flask of ale, they joke and talk about
nothing important--and at the same time, everything important:
everything Faramir has fought for all his life, and Frodo has
sacrificed for: home, peace, and the luxury of [chatting about the
most inconsequential hobbity things]. And while the reader may feel a
pang at the thought that for Frodo, this luxury will prove
short-lived, it's a relief not to find more than the merest
foreshadowing of that here. Rather, Baranduin's emphasis is on respite
and healing, and the bond between two gentle souls that will remain as
strong as that of the branching waters flowing to the sea.

A lovely tale!



Title: Forsaken · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Elves: Drabbles · ID: 369
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-15 21:36:40
Spoilers!
Finrod Felagund is one of my favorite characters in the Silmarillion,
and, after Elrond, my favorite Elf. This drabble is a powerful
summation of the many sorrows and pains in Finrod's life, of which the
last, his younger brother's refusal to support him, had to have been
one of the worst. It is a credit to Imhiriel's considerable drabbling
skills that it all fits and flows well within a hundred words; and
that Finrod does not come off at all self-pitying, rather analytical
and introspective. The revelation of the worst blow being Orodreth's
lack of support, that silence when speech was needed, had to have hurt
someone of Finrod's warmth of heart; and it is brought out beautifully
and powerfully here.

Title: Men of the Twilight · Author: Elena Tiriel · Genres: Romance:
Drabbles · ID: 209
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-15 22:25:06
Spoilers!

I've always thought it interesting that Faramir goes from having a
tolerant but slightly elitist (to our modern eyes) perspective toward
the Rohirrim to being besotted by a Rohir princess. This drabble
skillfully illustrates a part of the transition in Faramir's thinking
- the reader can almost feel the slight shift. And the last line is
lovely.





Title: Alter/native · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Drabbles · ID: 478
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-15 22:30:58
A nifty trick of fate occurs when young, Aragorn, recently told of his
true identity, goes walking in the groves of Imladris and encounters
Elrond's youngest...

A skillful AU drabble that turns a sizable chunk of LOTR and the
Appendices on its ear with just a few words changed...Well done!

Title: Legacy · Author: Raksha the Demon · Races: Men: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 500
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2008-07-15 23:02:39
A heart-felt tribute to a deserving subject. I like that you put the
questions so many of we readers have asked into the voice of this
wondering kinsman. It made them fresh again.

Title: The Waker · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 287
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-15 23:06:15
Spoilers!
A wonderful little picture of the Watcher in the Water, awakening at
the sound of a stone thrown into its domain. Nancy conveys the
creature's crude consciousness coming into waking life; and there's a
neat twist in this awakening that adds a little more bite, and a
fascinating what-if curve, into the narrative.

Title: The Making of Werewolves · Author: Ignoble Bard · Races:
Villains · ID: 42
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-15 23:07:18
Spoilers!
This is a tale that could easily be found in the Silmarillion itself -
a sinister and riveting account of Sauron's transformation of wolves
into werewolves, the first of their darkly enchanted kind. Sauron's
evil, cruelty and urge to corruption is brought out in the actions he
takes to effect the change, and the use he makes of his creatures.

A chilling story; with a nigh-Tolkienesque tone.

Title: Broken Star · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 54
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-15 23:08:30
Spoilers!
Here is a beautifully terrible ficlet. In a double-drabble,
Pandemonium gives us the relationship of Annatar and Celebrimbor in
the last moments before the hours, or days, that we don't really want
to examine too closely, when Sauron tortured Celebrimbor to elicit the
secret of the location of the Three Elven-Rings.

Pandemonium manages to convey Celebrimbor's guilt and shining courage,
Sauron's insidious and complex nature (his actually having
compartmentalized his personality to the point that part of him felt
like Celebrimbor's mentor, peer, and friend is an excellent touch)
comes out here. The horror that is to come is implied only by a simple
gesture; we don't actually see it, but we know what is about to
happen; and leaving us on that threshold is quite a writing feat.

Outstanding blend of horror, characterisation and suspense.