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Title: That Fate Them Bore � Author: Cara Loup � Races: Hobbits:
Incomplete � ID: 476
Reviewer: Dreamflower � 2008-07-24 02:44:44

I love Conspiracy stories. This begins as a Conspiracy story. A
beautiful and terrible and lyrical Conspiracy story, firmly and
solidly rooted in canon, tracing the path of the decisions that the
four hobbits had to make as the time came to leave the Shire. It
continues as well into the early stages of the Quest and the journey
to Rivendell.

The author has a firm grip on the characters and their deep devotion
to one another, and to the Shire. She has a deft way of digging deeply
into their inner thoughts and emotions, without being over the top or
overwrought. Frodo's inner turmoil, Sam's determination, Merry's
loyalty, and Pippin's adventurous heart are all there. And Gandalf is
wonderfully portrayed: his wisdom and mystery as well as his gruff humor.

She fills in some gaps we are not given in canon: how did Frodo and
Sam react to one another the day after the revelations by Gandalf? Did
Frodo try to get Sam to change his mind about going? How did Merry and
Pippin learn from him the news?

In fact the chapter in which they *do* learn what he has to say is so
very much in character with all three of the hobbits that I found it
breathtaking.

And the Shire itself is very much a character here, the setting
described in achingly lyrical language. I really look forward to
seeing more in this universe.


Title: Sunset Gates � Author: Ignoble Bard � Races: Dwarves: Drabbles
� ID: 342
Reviewer: Dreamflower � 2008-07-24 02:47:37
What a twist! I can't say too much more without having to check the
spoiler box--but this is quite neatly done, and makes one curious to
know more!

Title: Lost Love � Author: Tanaqui � Races: Cross-Cultural:
Fixed-Length Ficlets � ID: 271
Reviewer: Dreamflower � 2008-07-24 02:48:10
The little snippet in canon about Imrahil's ancestor has always
intrigued me. I like this little look at one possible explanation!

Title: Cat's Paws � Author: pandemonium_213 � Races: Villains � ID: 58
Reviewer: Dreamflower � 2008-07-24 02:48:55
Only during the MEFAs do I find myself reading Silm fic! This little
tale of Sauron's deceit is both fascinating and chilling. You can
easily see how Celebrimbor's hubris makes him fair game, but you also
feel sad at realizing that he on his part was offering true friendship
to one totally unworthy. I also loved the sort of sci-fi explanations
for what was going on. A very interesting read.

Title: The Lost Restored � Author: Larner � Times: Late Third Age:
Gondor � ID: 59
Reviewer: Dreamflower � 2008-07-24 02:49:25
Spoilers!
This wonderful story gives us a look at the three who were at the
Mountain when the Ring went into the fire--and their ultimate fates.

And how wonderful to tell much of this from Gandalf's POV. We just
don't get enough of that--I loved his tender care for Pippin. Lovely,
just lovely!

What a true Eucatastrophe this ending was!

Title: Turning Points � Author: Cathleen � Races: Hobbits: Incomplete
� ID: 357
Reviewer: Dreamflower � 2008-07-24 02:50:25
Spoilers!
As beta, I was fortunate enough to get a look at this story ahead of
time. Cathleen has put a lot of work and thought into this tale of
Pippin's putting childhood behind.

Pippin is approaching puberty, and in addition to the all-too-normal
turmoil of adolescence, he must also deal with the awakening of his
"Tookish sight". This is a fanon explored by a number of writers to
more or less effect, and I find it very interesting to see how it
plays out in Cathleen's universe.

I hope she continues it soon.

Title: Nerdanel's Sons � Author: Istarnie � Races: Elves: Incomplete �
ID: 659
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon � 2008-07-24 04:20:25
Spoilers!
I love the way Istarnie writes Nerdanel; this influential and
unconventional elf comes to vivid life as an artisan, mother and wife
here. The birth of Curufin is a particularly harrowing and fascinating
chapter; with Nerdanel worn out but holding onto life as her sons and
husband remind her of their love for her. And I found Nerdanel's vain
yearning for a daughter sad and haunting: [My lord wanted to create
Jewels in which he could combine the light of Telperion and of
Laurelin. I wanted us to create a daughter, in which we could combine
our love and skills.]

Istarnie has done her pre-First Age homework; and her research and
notes enrich each chapter.

I look forward to reading the rest of the story.

Title: Seven Stones and Seven Stars and One White Tree � Author:
shirebound � Races: Other Beings � ID: 121
Reviewer: Larner � 2008-07-24 04:31:14
We know that the Free Peoples of Middle Earth found Aragorn, Frodo
Baggins, and Sam to be Hope embodied, each in a different manner; but
what of the land, the stones scattered from cities long destroyed, the
flowers of the earth, the trees of the forests? As the Fellowship
comes to various locales, some of these find a different hope than
they'd known before as they realize that the times are changing, and
there will be as much renewal for them as for the sentient creatures
that inhabit Arda.

A truly marvelous trio of short stories, each filled with estel.

Title: Feeling Safe � Author: shirebound � Races: Hobbits � ID: 633
Reviewer: Larner � 2008-07-24 04:38:47
Spoilers!
I'd never thought before that Frodo might be subject to sleepwalking,
but it is certainly possible. To find he had come to trust Aragorn
sufficiently to seek to sleep with him while the Man was on watch must
have been the greatest of honors.

Nice concept, well rendered.

Title: Pippin's Secret � Author: shirebound � Races: Hobbits:
Friendship � ID: 599
Reviewer: Larner � 2008-07-24 04:45:27
An almost fluffy tale in which Gandalf and Pippin discuss a secret
Pippin's hidden since the Party. A gentle reassurance that Pippin has
done the right thing. Nicely done.

Title: Summer Nights � Author: Marta � Races: Men: Gondor Drabbles �
ID: 344
Reviewer: Larner � 2008-07-24 06:28:08
Spoilers!
An excellent, anticipatory drabble as the Men of Gondor await the
coming of Mordor's armies to Osgiliath, just before the bridge was
destroyed. One can feel the anxiety, and the near-relief when the
expected assault begins at last. Well done.

Title: The Houseless � Author: Jael � Genres: Horror � ID: 178
Reviewer: Imhiriel � 2008-07-24 06:52:52
Spoilers!
Atmospheric writing. You can really sense the stillness of the forest
in winter.

I loved how the story incorporated the customs of Halloween and
similar days of remembrance to the dead into a Middle-earth setting.
The Houseless Spirits provide indeed an excellent basis for such
customs to develop.

The contrast between Legolas' memories of the joyful, bright
festivities and the present quiet, monochrome surroundings is played
out well.

While it is apparent from the context of this story that something
must be wrong with Muiniel, the narration stays close in Legolas' PoV
and so reveals its mystery only indirectly.

I also liked Legolas' characterisation, his instant protectiveness and
shy flirting.

I just have to quote this: ["Eight hundred and forty-three years ago
this past midsummer, and no matter how many years pass, I've not lost
the count."], which I found a devastating statement on the endurance
of grief, particular when taking into account Elvish immortality and
perfect memory.

Title: Silenced � Author: Illwynd � Genres: Horror � ID: 31
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon � 2008-07-24 12:24:53
Spoilers!
An outstanding vignette, among the most subtly and richly nuanced of
the X-takes-the-Ring AU pieces I've read. The horror builds slowly,
from a faint sense of unease to the certainty of the tragic and scary
finale. The sad thing here is that a faint part of the original
Boromir still lingers, knowing that something is terribly wrong, and
it is only at the end that this part is destroyed - Illwynd skillfully
suggests, and then leaves it to our charged imaginations to follow the
signposts she has lain for Boromir's corruption and the fate of Minas
Tirith...

Title: DISGUISE: Emissaries � Author: Fiondil � Genres: Humor: Valar &
Maiar � ID: 56
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon � 2008-07-24 12:26:01
Spoilers!
Fiondil writes nifty stories about the Valar; and does it very well.
Here, the story focusses on the Valar's decision to send special
emissaries to Middle-earth in the Third Age.

This is a wonderful close-up on the choosing of the Istari, and their
own choices of form. The characterisations of Curumo and Olorin stand
out the most; I could swear that Olorin found the idea of roughing it
in Middle-earth to be a great adventure as well as a mission to help
the Sauron-beset mortals.

There's a nifty bit about Isildur's having a dream showing him that he
was not the one to destroy the Ring, that three small figures would
bear the Ring to Orodruin; and what's even more intriguing; none of
the Valar can figure out to which race the three small ones would
belong, or the dream's origin.

I wish this story had been expanded; but it works fine in the current
form.

Title: Return � Author: Elleth � Genres: Alternate Universe: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets � ID: 399
Reviewer: Larner � 2008-07-24 14:22:51
A powerful pair of Might-Have-Been drabbles aptly showing how quickly
fear and grief can be relieved, and the transforming nature of having
been caught in such a battle not of one's own making. Moving and in
their way almost as grievous as the original.

Title: Music hath Charms � Author: Linda hoyland � Races: Men: Minas
Tirith � ID: 361
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 16:41:35
A light, entertaining, fluffy vignette involving husbands seeking
forgiveness from their wives.

Title: Young F�an�ro Makes A Stone � Author: Oshun � Genres: Humor:
Valar & Maiar � ID: 77
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 16:45:56
I liked this very much - young Feanor seems very much in line with
what he'll become once he's older, and I liked his interactions with
Aule. A fun read!

Title: The Visitor � Author: Rowan � Genres: Drama � ID: 174
Reviewer: Jules14 � 2008-07-24 16:46:10
Spoilers!
A fascinating one-shot told from Elanor Gamgee's point of view. I
found it especially interesting because Tolkien himself did not tell
much from her point of view. The idea of the Gamgee family celebrating
Frodo's birthday and looking at him as the family hero is touching,
and it is lovely to know that Frodo is still remembered with kindness
after his departure. I am curious to know why Frodo and Elanor are
able to contact each other in dreams, though--is it because of the
jewelry that Arwen gave them? Whatever the reason, it was an
intriguing idea for a fanfic.

Title: Pippin and the Incredible Shrinking Piglet � Author: Cathleen �
Genres: Humor: Shire � ID: 241
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 16:50:00
Cathleen's young Pippin is just so incredibly endearing in this, as is
the rest of his family and his beloved 'friend,' Tulip. A totally fun,
fluffy read from start to finish!

Title: The Dwarves Treasure � Author: eiranae � Races: Dwarves � ID: 312
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 17:08:39
This is really an interesting cross-cultural look at what might happen
if an infant elf was found and raised by Dwarves. I hope to see more
of this, it's a good read!

Title: A Summer Night's Peace � Author: Larner � Genres: Drama:
Hurt/Comfort � ID: 694
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 17:14:53
This was nicely done - it felt very comforting, Aragorn and Frodo
sitting and talking late at night under the White Tree about Arwen's
new mortality and what might await Frodo. The title seems particularly
apt, as a sense of calm and peace pervades the story.

Title: Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair � Author: Marta �
Genres: Romance: Gondor � ID: 405
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 17:19:07
I liked the structure of this, I liked that it made the slash pairing
believable without being explicit, I liked that Finduilas' actions in
one part surprised me - and it seemed a plausible reason for some of
Denethor's later personal animosity toward Aragorn.

Title: By Ship or Grave � Author: Larner � Genres: Poetry: Hobbits �
ID: 618
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 17:21:30
I'm not much of a poetry reader, generally, but I enjoyed this one!

Title: A Fitting Occupation � Author: Radbooks � Races: Men: Pre-Ring
War Fixed-Length Ficlets � ID: 601
Reviewer: SurgicalSteel � 2008-07-24 17:25:20
My only complaint with this series of drabbles is that I'd absolutely
love to see it fleshed out as a longer story. Bard is a wonderful
father as well as a wonderful ruler and makes a wise decision for his
son's future. This really could be the start of a fantastic
cross-cultural tale with the men of Dale and the Dwarves of the Mountain.

Title: Old Friends � Author: Marta � Times: Fourth Age and Beyond:
Fixed-Length Ficlets � ID: 651
Reviewer: Jules14 � 2008-07-24 18:05:20
I am glad that somebody else pictured Gandalf as homesick for
Middle-earth and all his friends after his return to Aman. Judging
from his personality and his love for the earth, I can imagine that it
would have been more difficult for him to return to the Undying Lands
and become Olorin again than for certain others. An excellent drabble.