Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Thawing Lily · Author: Soubrettina · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 30
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 03:38:06
Grief and stress can lead to decisions and reactions that were
unexpected, and so it proves here. And our Eowyn must consider the
possibilities for the future---and the now.

The frustration and confusion is well conveyed, and love the
intrusions from the tomes of instruction for proper deportment. Aunt
Dora Baggins would be right at home, I think.

Title: The Making of Werewolves · Author: Ignoble Bard · Races:
Villains · ID: 42
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 03:43:34
Spoilers!
Ah, a shuddersome tale indeed, as we see Sauron working his evil
magic, using his own ability in singing to do what he will.

All fits from the elements of his brazier to the torturing of his
slaves and creations. Very well done.

Title: Bombur's Diet · Author: Primsong · Races: Dwarves · ID: 677
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 06:17:55
Ah, Bombur, the fattest of Bilbo's companions from the quest for the
Lonely Mountain. When his pants finally split, all step in to try to
bring him back to a more reasonable figure.

The humor is delightful, as are the characterizations of all involved.
And it is always wonderful to see our beloved Bilbo by one who has
managed to capture him so very well, as well as to see all involved
during his visit to Erebor before he returned to Rivendell to live in
Elrond's house. Primsong is definitely one of my favorite writers of
Middle-earth humor when dealing with Bilbo Baggins and Dwarvs.

Title: Dol Amroth Yule · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Genres:
Adventure · ID: 295
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-21 06:21:40
Spoilers!
It's never a dull moment for Isabeau's lively OFC Hethlin, now a Swan
Knight-in-training, as scullery duty as punishment for tardiness gives
way to an adventure involving piracy and local Elves.

Isabeau is an accomplished writer who blends wonderful details about
the life of a princely household in Gondor with the action and urgency
of a desperate military mission. I loved the descriptions of the
culinary preparations for Yule, such as the marzipan replica of the
swan-ship.

For the record, I think Hethlin deserved censure for speaking out of
turn to Gildor; but I don't think a punch to the face was appropriate
punishment even from a senior officer. The conflict between Hethlin
and Andrahar, both very well-drawn original characters, adds
considerable tension to the story.

Title: A Warm Sun Shining · Author: shirebound · Races: Hobbits:
Post-Ring War · ID: 727
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 06:28:09
Spoilers!
Shirebound is one of my very favorite h/c writers, and to see Frodo
and Sam in this story finding that comfort together with three kittens
in this tale is absolutely perfect. Although a bit movie-verse, it
works very well, and the final image is absolutely adorable. It was
fun to read this again in order to review it here.

Title: Comfort and Joy · Author: Pearl Took · Times: Mid Third Age:
Eriador · ID: 656
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 06:38:25
Spoilers!
It was fun rereading this story, too. Ah, to be a Hobbit and live
happily in a place such as Bag End! Unless, of course, Peregrin Took
is visiting, at which time one can expect almost anything,
particularly if he's having difficulty sleeping.

One can fully empathize with all three Hobbits in this tale, and
particularly at the end. Dear Pippin--can't sleep with him--can't
sleep without him! Heh!

Title: Dark Light · Author: Makamu · Races: Villains · ID: 585
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 07:22:01
Spoilers!
A rather disturbing tale, but properly so. It would appear that Sauron
was perhaps not as reluctant to have lost the final shape he'd pulled
about himself within Middle Earth, and was even looking forward to his
judgement.

Very thought-provoking, and I definitely recommend it.

Title: When the King Came Back · Author: Cathleen · Times: Fourth Age
and Beyond · ID: 514
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 07:35:42
Spoilers!
During his first prolonged stay in the Great Smials after his return
from Gondor, Peregrin Took finds himself frustrated, as is true of his
parents, for the relationship they had cannot properly be renewed as
it was. In trying to find peace with themselves and one another, he
and his father find themselves going back to Pippin's beginnings in
order to help find the proper path to take now. There, in the fields
of his childhood, the two begin looking at one another as fellow adults.

A thoughtful story, and a worthy one, one that captures the rural
nature of the Shire well, and our Pippin at his confused best, and
that shows how worthy in the end Paladin was to serve as the Thain.

Title: No Mercy · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama: General Drabbles ·
ID: 443
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-21 07:48:28
I've lived near the mountains most of my life, and have seen my share
of wildfires, usually from a distance, thank God. The use of fire by
the Enemy as well as fire-like assaults is excellently done, as is the
description of the terror of those attacked.

And the dedication of the piece to those who fight forest fires and
other wildfires is gratefully appreciated on behalf of those so honored.

Title: Dawn Twilight · Author: viv · Times: Modern Times · ID: 182
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-21 09:47:12
Having a background in sociolinguistics, I found it intriguing to read
about a linguistics student named Moira Eldolen taking a course from a
certain Dr. L. G. Birdsong in Artificial Language Sociology and
finding out that things are not quite what she was expecting. For one
thing, her fellow students in the class are a rather strange bunch and
Moira has them all pegged as geeks. For another, Dr. Birdsong is hot!
Suddenly, learning Klingon sounds like a good reason to be in a class
at eight in the morning.

As the story progresses though, the weirdness factor jumps by a factor
of ten as Moira discovers that Birdsong has a secret, one known by the
other students, and that they are on a mission, a mission to find the
last elves in Middle-earth. Moira is soon on the adventure of her
life, one that may very easily end in her death.

Birdsong is not the only one with a secret, of course. The other
students are all hiding something and Moira herself is not who she
seems. As Middle-earth collides with Middle America, as ancient
enemies gather upon the field of war for one last battle, as truths
are revealed and lies told, we see a young woman wrestling with her
past as she begins to take ownership of her heritage and comes into
her own.

Viv gives us a believable world set in modern times with characters
for whom you care, laughing and crying over them and occasionally
cursing them for their stupidity or arrogance or both. I thoroughly
enjoyed this little romp.through an alternate universe where elves
teach linguistics (and who better than the First Speakers?), "Durin's
Bane" has been given a whole new meaning and a scion of the House of
Telcontar is alive and well and living in the French Quarter of New
Orleans.

Title: Tolkien's Parish: The Canonical Middle-earth · Author: Steuard
Jensen · Genres: Non-Fiction · ID: 91
Reviewer: Fiondil · 2008-07-21 12:56:46
This article by Jensen explores the question of what constitutes the
"canonical" Middle-earth. Which version(s) of Tolkien's writings do we
take as "gospel" and which are to be thought mere ephemera? His
suggestions on how to define a canonical Middle-earth are cogent and
well thought out. As readers and writers we can use these ideas when
discussing why we write as we do, keeping in mind that ["Many heated
debates could be more polite and productive if the participants
understood each other's assumptions."] Often, I find, self-appointed
canon police are the least likely to seek to understand what a
writer's underlying assumptions are, and refuse to take into account
that little of Tolkien's writings is truly written in stone. Anyone
who is serious about writing Tolkien fanfic would do well to read this
article and print it out for future reference.

Title: Wonderful Tonight · Author: Violin Ghost · Genres: Romance:
Gondor · ID: 320
Reviewer: elea24 · 2008-07-21 12:58:56
This is a lovely heartwarming little story which I enjoyed reading a
great deal. It follows Eowyn and Faramir as they get prepare for, and
go to a dance in Minas Tirith, focusing on Faramir's reaction and
feelings towards the events that surround them. It is sweet, poignant
and humorous and several details are delightfully evocative. It has
some beautiful descriptive imagery and a nice bit of drama in the
storyline.
Faramir in particular is very well portrayed in my opinion. The story
is written from his point of view and I think the author handles it
very well, allowing us a touching insight into his thoughts about his
marriage and the way he feels and views his wife. He is depicted as
being not only wise and equable but at the same time fiercely
protective of those he loves -and that rang true for me. I think it
can be so easy to go down the 'calm and placid Faramir' route and
forget that he is a seasoned warrior. The author takes all this into
account and, as a consequence, we are given a very believable character.
Violin Ghost does a wonderful job of fitting the story to the lyrics
of the song "Wonderful Tonight", with each chapter focusing on a
different verse of the song. The whole story has a lovely lyrical feel
to it and leaves its readers with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Title: Tales of the Eldandili · Author: Alassiel · Genres: Drama:
Incomplete · ID: 502
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2008-07-21 13:20:17
Modern scientific rationale clashes with the histories of the Eldar.
The main protagonist has a hard time reconciling the two and I can't
blame him. It is rather a lot to swallow. I wish there was already
more of this tale because I would like to see where this is going.

I like the contrast between the language Kevin is using and all the
strange words and concepts people keep throwing at him without
explanation, putting it off to the time until he learned enough about
the strange place he finds himself in. I really can understand his
anger and fury.

Title: The Vault of the Dead · Author: Soledad · Genres: Mystery · ID: 103
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2008-07-21 13:20:53
Spoilers!
The Dark Elves are inviting Faramir, Legolas and Gandalf into their
hidden city. Gandalf meets some surprises in their city of stone.
Legolas finds some long lost relatives,and Faramir gets to meet his
dead brother. I love the conversation between the brothers, which
gives Faramir the chance to start to heal and grieve.

I love the detail in describing this hidden city of stone and the
description of the total alien Dark Elves who resemble none of the
familiar elves we know from the books. They are an eerie bunch.

Title: Somewhere I Have Never Traveled · Author: Fiondil · Times:
Fourth Age and Beyond · ID: 578
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2008-07-21 13:21:22
I love these mortals come to Mandos stories and this is no exception.
Not only Arwen didn't expect this reception, I was also surprised. I
love Lord Namo's sense of humor. It is never quite what the people who
first meet him expect.

Title: Untold Tales of the Mark: The Banishment of Éomer · Author:
Katzilla · Genres: Alternate Universe · ID: 206
Reviewer: obsidianj · 2008-07-21 13:22:52
This is really a dark and angsty AU. Grima Wormtongue excels as the
villain we all love to hate. He is a cunning and evil snake in the
midst of the Rohirrim and knows exactly how to play them. For a while
it seems as if he is invincible and no matter what the heroes try,
they can't get to him. But after long trials all ends well. The story
is not so AU that Grima wins in the end.

All the characters in this tale, canon and original characters alike,
come to life as their own personalities. As varied as the Rohirric
characters are, they share some traits: loyalty, honor, obedience to
the King, love for their friends, which to me characterize them as
Rohirrim and which Grima exploits for his evil schemes.

I think my favorite parts are Eomer with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli,
in the mountains defending the farm against orcs and Uruk-Hai. But the
story has too many good parts to list them all.

I could see in my mind the world of Rohan from the mountains to the
plains and the story managed to weave descriptions, action and
dialogue together in a seamless whole. I never got lost in what
location we were, even without the reminders, because each location
had its distinctive flair. And I never got bored by long exposition
and descriptions either.

The story is nail biting intense, in parts emotionally draining, and
deeply satisfying when finally it ends.

Well worth the read not only for Eomer fans.

Title: Waterloo · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 158
Reviewer: elea24 · 2008-07-21 13:22:55
Spoilers!
I enjoyed this piece immensely. It has wonderful imagery and emotion
and just the right amount of drama, angst and humour. The tension and
despair that are brought about by war are dealt with very well in my
opinion, and gives a very realistic portrayal of what it would be like
for someone having to watch from the sidelines -unable to do anything
but wait and dread the outcome.
One aspect I particularly liked was the sibling interaction between
Lothiriel and her brothers. I felt this was very sensitively and
realistically portrayed and was a delightful part of the story.

And well...how could I not like a story with a scantily clad Eomer in?
The one man to invade Lothiriel's private space is an imposing,
handsome and naked horselord with a wonderful wit and sensitivity and
just the right about of 'rough around the edges'. Talk about playing
havok with a girl's equilibrium!

Title: Three Songs · Author: Lindelea · Genres: Poetry: Late Third Age
· ID: 301
Reviewer: Dreamflower · 2008-07-21 13:58:01
I had actually hoped to nominate this set of three poems about Lotho
myself, but someone else beat me to it. I am just very glad that it
got nominated!

The first poem is from Lotho's POV. It's both sad and creepy, as the
reader knows that he is realizing what's in store for him. And the
last one is from Frodo's POV, poignant and very much in character for
the compassionate Frodo. But it's the very creepy little poem in the
middle, with it's seemingly childish rhyme that is absolutely
chillling when sandwiched between the other two, because that one is
in Grima's POV.



Title: Wizards' Pupils · Author: Altariel · Races: Men: Minas Tirith ·
ID: 108
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-21 14:08:05
Spoilers!
A story of Faramir both in the height of his power as Steward of
Gondor and as a very unsure young man. His son, Elboron, upon
returning from a year's visit with his mother's kin in Rohan, is
instructed by a new tutor, who is a young man, but reknowned for
brilliance. Some of the tutor's ideas trouble Elboron however, and he
goes to his father for guidance. Faramir recounts to Elboron a great
occasion in his youth, a visit of the wizard Saruman to Minas Tirith.
Though there is not indication this actually happened in canon, there
is no reason it could not have and the visit is a very interesting
gap-filler that implies that perhaps Denethor did not arrive at the
idea of using the palantir all by himself.

Saruman's betrayal is not yet known and he arrives in the City with
great pomp and splendor. Gondor's wisest wait upon him eagerly to
absorb his wisdom. Only a very young Faramir, with his own innate
wisdom, is uneasy. He seeks better council from the wizard he loves,
Mithrandir, who is also in the city, perhaps for the same reason.

The distance between Denethor and his son has started to grow.
Denethor's fascination with Saruman is chillingly depicted, and it is
after this visit that he enacts the law regarding Ithilien-that anyone
found there without leave of the Steward should be questioned, then
slain. I absolutely love Faramir's mention of that-["But in later
years, I often had cause to curse this law, and curse that I had had
no chance to argue against it. To hold men without trial, to kill them
after only the sketchiest of hearings – such was my duty, and it was
never rightly done. I regret every time I upheld that law; I do not
regret the single time I broke it."].

Mithrandir helps Faramir with very few words, letting him know that it
is all right to trust his own judgement, young as he is. He is his
most delightful, scruffy, pipe-smoking, seemingly disreputable self
here, quite different from the polished Curunir.

Elboron takes from this story what he needs to make a decision about
his own tutor. The relationship between himself and his father is warm
and very close and without the strife that can come with early
adolescence. He knows his father's quality and respects him greatly.
Their easy interaction and mutual respect is a vivid contrast to
Faramir's relationship with his own father, and the decision Elboron
makes about his tutor indicates that he too will become a wise and
even-handed ruler when it is time for him to take the Stewardship.

Title: The Ghost in the Garden · Author: Dawn Felagund · Races: Elves
· ID: 272
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-21 14:26:43
Spoilers!
I'm always up for Celeborn and Galadriel stories, and this one is an
interesting one, for it takes place before their marriage and causes
Galadriel to do some serious thinking about the differences between
the Noldor and their Sindarin kin.

She and Celeborn are depicted in a delightful moment of drunken stupor
and license, hardly the grave, serene beings that LOTR depicts them
as. Out in the forest, she has an encounter with a Houseless one that
very much frightens her. She hesitates to tell Celeborn about it, lest
she be thought mad or fey, but when she does, his matter-of-fact
acceptance of the spirit and recounting of its history gives her
serious pause, because it seems that in matters of life and death and
afterlife that she and her beloved differ greatly.

There is a great, brief description of Galadriel's childhood and her
father explaining to her about life and death and its effect upon her.
[--the fëa went into the keeping of Námo, and a new body was made for
it. Before that night, she hadn't liked Námo much, with his slippery
green eyes and face like carved from stone. But afterward, she bore a
grudging admiration for him, he who kept them immortal in totality,
spirit and body. And afterward, her courage grew, and she flourished
to follow. No longer did she fear high places or whipping storms or
the tumultuous sea, not when she knew that there was never truly an
ending. For the butterflies, yes. But not for her.] To me, that sums
up in a nutshell how many Elves must have felt about their immortality.

Celeborn is absolutely delightful here-very much a young man, but also
already very wise and insightful. Galadriel leans upon him for the
first time in this as she will lean upon him for the rest of their
lives together.


Title: Giving Gifts · Author: Marta · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 426
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2008-07-21 16:42:11
Spoilers!
To me this reads like a great parental in-joke, exemplified
unexpectedly by these two usually staid characters. It brings vividly
to mind the challenge I and my mother-peers face everytime a birthday
or holiday approaches, and it was charming to see Denethor and Imrahil
face such an everyday situation. Still, with Marta's usual skill, she
does more then just tell a cute tale, but also brings out something
unique and interesting in her portrayals.

Title: Only Water in Your Veins · Author: Michelle · Races: Men · ID: 154
Reviewer: Thorongirl · 2008-07-21 19:36:19
A marvelous short story involving the peril Aragorn encounters when he
finds himself alone in enemy territory. The author paints sharp and
concise word pictures effortlessly and gives the grave situation
Aragorn faces a haunting realism. A real demonstration of the craft of
writing!

Title: Balm · Author: Armariel · Genres: Adventure · ID: 459
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-21 19:40:53
The narrative structure complements Frodo's gradual awakening and
broadening of awareness well, as his focus slowly broadens, more and
more questions and worries crowd in, and his total confusion becomes
clear.

I am glad that although this story shows more of what happened to
Frodo, it still leaves much unsaid. I thought it also a good touch
that the more comforting aspects of the scene are expanded as well,
namely Sam and Frodo's reunion, their touching concern for each other,
the sharing of comfort and courage. ["Balm"], indeed, in more than one
sense, and whether or not it really existed, Frodo is right that ["if
there was no balm, there was Sam."].

["Innocence sits on him like a butterfly after a storm."] I just had
to quote this line, it was such a lovely image, as if the butterfly
was actually there with them.

Title: A Large Bold Hand · Author: Jay of Lasgalen · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 10
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-07-21 21:07:21
I enjoyed this as it made me think of something I'd not noticed before
and offered a plausible explanation.Very nicely written.

Title: Five Things that Never Happened to Serinde of Dol Amroth ·
Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Alternate Universe: Angst/Tragedy ·
ID: 222
Reviewer: Linda hoyland · 2008-07-21 21:13:15
What if scenarios are always fascinating to explore.In fiction ,as in
life,if one thing happened differently so much could change for good
or ill. I always wish Tolkien had not killed poor Halbarad.