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Title: The Last Throw · Author: nau_tika · Genres: Drama · ID: 556
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-30 05:59:03
I like the way this story is framed as a tale one of the veterans
tells his family. The PoV is executed well; the voice is lively. You
can almost hear the contributions from others, even if it's not shown
on the page beyond the narrator's reaction to it. I particularly liked
the way he edited his tale for the sake of his children.

His recollections of and musings on the march provides an interesting
perspective, hinting at what the he and his fellow soldiers talked
about - even some critical voices - and how they saw their superiors
(and/or those peculiar strangers coming to their aid) and their actions.

Title: The Visitor · Author: Rowan · Genres: Drama · ID: 174
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-30 06:00:03
Spoilers!
A contemplatative story with a wonderfully calm, musing voice that
fits perfectly. The sometimes rambling narrative feels very authentic.

I really liked this characterisation of Elanor (which is near to my
own image of her). I'm sure she had the best traits of both her
parents, and I liked that Frodo implied that she even had some of
those "fey" qualities that were said he himself possessed.

Her conversation with Frodo is very touching; the emotions feel so
real, the initial awkwardness seguing into genuine warmth and lively
curiosity. I found it moving that they both derive comfort and ease
from this conversation.

I liked how the ending tied to the beginning and gives the reason for
her move to the White Towers.

Title: The Weaving Cow · Author: cactuskim · Genres: Humor · ID: 675
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 06:12:14
Laughing Elves and King, paddling Eldarion, and blushing Legolas--what
could be better. A nice chuckle at the expense of Aragorn and Legolas
and a cattle lot.

Title: A Meeting in the Tower Hills · Author: Imhiriel · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 374
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 06:15:02
How fascinating, to consider a meeting between those of the new world
with those of the old, and trying to communicate when their languages
had definitely drifted apart! And love the story built between the
bards of the two groups!

Title: Yule Tails · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Cross-Cultural · ID: 303
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 06:18:02
Spoilers!
Somehow boys and noble steeds seem to go together as we watch Pippin
and Faramir, at similar times in each one's life, receive a new mount
for the midwinter festivities.

The vignettes are charming and warming, and the love surrounding each
acquisition is well displayed.

Title: Dirty Jobs · Author: Pearl Took · Genres: Humor: Shire · ID: 232
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 06:20:56
Oh, Pippin has a good reason for doing what he's doing, and in the end
his father can only be proud of the perseverence and good temper that
serve his son so well.

Nice picture of Shire life and the place within it of Peregrin Took.
Our beloved Pippin does himself proud.

Title: The King's Surgeon · Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Longer
Works · ID: 90
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 06:27:32
Spoilers!
The tale of Serinde the surgeon is a long and difficult one, from the
accident that sent her to Minas Tirith and the Houses of Healing where
she became fascinated with medicine and surgery to the fall from a
library ladder in the Archives onto the heir to Ecthelion to the
growing distrust between healer and new Steward, leading to her
banishment from the realm.

Her finding of Halbarad and the establishment of their home and family
in Bree, and eventual return to serve once more in Gondor as surgeons
are needed desperately as the war with Mordor heats up....

A well-developed character, all bones and sharp angles and defensive
nature, one who is too honest, perhaps, for her own good. Well, well
worth the read, even if one learns perhaps more about prolapsed bowels
than one wished. Heh!

Title: Comfort · Author: Bodkin · Races: Elves: House of Elrond · ID: 161
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 06:34:23
Spoilers!
Accepting that there was nothing to be done in averting the death of a
mortal companion--perhaps Arathorn himself, is not easy, Elrohir
finds. Yet Elladan will work at it, helping to ease the burden of
guilt his brother bears, perhaps remembering the feelings both had
when it was their mother they barely rescued.

Sad, melancholy, but necessary.

The love between the twins is well drawn.

Title: The Westering Fire · Author: Aprilkat · Races: Hobbits · ID: 200
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 06:42:59
Spoilers!
All keeps getting worse and worse, but is bearable for now. Marigold
is safe--for the moment at least, and there is wood for those brave
enough to fetch it. But then a horn blows, and a rider approaches!

Our beloved Rosie is well portrayed, as is her desire for her Sam. A
wonderful lead-up to the Scouring of the Shire from Rosie's point of view.

Title: Estel I Was Called · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 351
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-30 11:11:36
Spoilers!
It is a touching and resonanting aspect that Aragorn's musings about
his heritage as Chief of the Dúnedain are triggered by such an
commonplace thing as the bed and its bedding. You can feel him almost
desperately searching for a connection, a bond that might help him
"rediscover" his parents, in particular his father, trying to imagine
them in various everyday situations. His youth and uncertainty are
shown very well.

I wonder how much his thoughts about ["thinking he was some waif at
Elrond's table"] really are actual memories, or rather hindsight now
that he knows the truth and resents that it had been kept from him so
long.

I'm interested in stories that explore the question of how the secret
had been kept for all Aragorn's time in Imladris and even after he
came back among the Rangers (and what name he was called before the
Bree-landers chose "Strider"). This version makes good sense, and I
liked Marta sneaked in the reference to other Northern men serving in
Gondor.

Title: Sharing Good News · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Drabbles
· ID: 216
Reviewer: cairistiona · 2008-07-30 17:03:53
Spoilers!
This is a really amusing little drabble, very vivid and despite the
limited words, manages to express the setting, characters and emotions
quite well. The idea of Aragorn lit from within and bursting to share
his news with someone is very plausible, and the execution of how he
did so was very charming. Well worth the read even if, like me, you're
not a huge fan of drabbles because they tend to leave you wanting
more. This one does leave that feeling, as do all drabbles to me, but
at the same time it's completely satisfying in and of itself. Well
worth a read.

Title: The Game of Kings · Author: Branwyn (Lady Branwyn) · Genres:
Humor · ID: 28
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-07-30 19:02:49
A deliciously atmospheric piece, full of vivid description - one call
almost smell the pipesmoke and hear the crackle of the fire.
Barliman's voice is wonderfully characterized - not so much a comic
buffoon as a man with too much already on his mind. Details like the
dwarves' [long discussions about which moves were lawfu] and the
hobbits' insistence on [using their own names for some of the
pieces—thain for king and archer for knight] add an intriguing tang,
almost a cosmopolitan touch to a backwater town. The foreshadowing
(I'm not sure if that's the right word, but it's the only one I can
think of at the moment) in the last few lines closes the tale with a
slightly moody, disturbing note which is an excellent foil to a
"homely" scene.

Title: Tying Notes · Author: Imhiriel · Times: Late Third Age: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 378
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-07-30 19:06:13
What a gorgeous story. It's so perfectly Faramir: his courtesy, love
of history and lore, his fascination with the world of artists and
crafters. I wonder if the Ambassador knew this about Faramir ahead of
time, carefully plotting this interlude, as wise and wily as the
Prince and Steward himself, or was he surprised at the turn of events
and quickly recovered his wit to take excellent advantage of events as
they unfolded in the course of the evening? Either way, this is
delightful - elegant, compact, self-contained, yet rich in detail - a
perfect example of the drabblist's art.

Title: Promise and Sorrow · Author: Virtuella · Times: Late Third Age
· ID: 607
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-07-30 19:06:53
I'm very pleased to see so many writers exploring the worlds of
original characters, and so many of these stories nominated this year.
Original characters add such a depth of color and vibrancy to
Tolkien's world, "filling up the corners" that he merely hinted at,
even as they expand his world and our shared experience within it.

This is a heartbreakingly lovely set of stories. Each of the
characters has their own very distinct voice, so even thought the
themes are similar, the heartbreak, anguish, joy, and hope shine
through very distinctly. The vignette that spoke to me most clearly
was the first one, the mother obsessing over a small detail [what to
do about the shoes] and completely in denial over the larger issue.
The joyful story of the unexpected bridegroom made me smile, but then
I had to cry again over the lost bride. What treasures these stories
are! And how well they will be incorporated into Tolkien's world,
tales of unsung heroes and heroines who are real people like us.

Title: Answering the Call · Author: docmon · Genres: Drama · ID: 340
Reviewer: annmarwalk · 2008-07-30 19:08:21
Spoilers!
This was a very intriguing and thought-provoking story. I had always
taken Gandalf at his word when he said he didn't want the Ring, so it
was quite interesting to ponder what he would have done with it (and
the confusion his having it would wreak on his friends as well as his
enemies.) There was more than enough pain, bitterness, and angst to go
around, as other members of the Fellowship were considered in their
turn, but I whooped with glee at the last vignette, so different from
anything I'd ever encountered before. Brava! to a story very well told.

Title: GOBLINS: The Herald's Summons · Author: Fiondil · Times: First
Age and Prior · ID: 53
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-30 22:13:38
Spoilers!
Fiondil's Valar and Maiar are very personable, and Eonwe within this
short tale of the beginning of the War of Wrath is that--as well as
being unsettling to those of the Eldar who come to hear his words
after the first day of fighting. Those among the Exiles will be
allowed to return, but not the daughter of Fingwe. Why not, he does
not say.

Disturbing or not, he accepts Celeborn's vow to protect his lady wife,
and dismisses them. The compassion is obvious if unspoken, as is the
respect he holds for the three he speaks with. I hope that Galadriel
is already aware she has a part to play in the distant future.

The scene is described beautifully, as is Celeborn's distinct unease
at what he finds and Fingwe's concerns about whether or not he is
taking part in a form of kinslaying. One finds oneself empathising
with the two ellyn.

Thought provoking.

Title: The Kindly Airs · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 480
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-31 04:05:24
As Dwimordene says, an unusual perspective, and well handled. A thing
that was previously reviled and cursed can now bring tidings of joy,
and is glad to do so.

Title: Renewal · Author: Elena Tiriel · Times: Late Third Age: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 208
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-31 04:09:03
A masterful drabble. I particularly appreciated the form of the piece,
and the way the sword refers to itself as a person. The analogy could
have seemed a bit far-fetched, but Elena carries it off nicely.

Title: Journey's End · Author: Ignoble Bard · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond: Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 234
Reviewer: Isabeau of Greenlea · 2008-07-31 04:19:16
Awwwww. I was always a bit miffed at the way Arwen was depicted in the
appendices-she had seemed much more forthright and enduring in her
brief appearances in LOTR. For her to waffle like she did during her
death felt like a repudiation of the Beren/Luthien love she and
Aragorn were supposed to echo. This beautiful drabble helps me feel
somewhat better about the whole situation, perhaps because it is from
Aragorn's point of view. A beautiful piece despite the brevity.

Title: Portrait of a Queen · Author: Aruthir · Races: Men · ID: 338
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2008-07-31 04:36:48
This is a lovely and unusual work. I love the repeated theme, how it
ties her life together from childhood to death. I love seeing the
child grow through womanhood to become a great queen, I love her
strength of resolve and how she is never bent or broken.

Title: The Making of Werewolves · Author: Ignoble Bard · Races:
Villains · ID: 42
Reviewer: Súlriel · 2008-07-31 04:46:42
As I have said elsewhere, I think you have outdone yourself with this
one. You have the style and tone down, but more than that, the heart
of it all. The mingling of 'self' that binds and strengthens at the
same time is a lot of the heart of the story of the Silmarillion and
all the Histories and you have captured the essence of that with this
short story amazingly well. – you grok.

Title: Eagle of the Star · Author: alex_quine · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Aragorn · ID: 152
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-31 06:47:31
Evocative, lyrical prose; the scenes are set extremely well with
almost tangible details appealing to all senses.

The unusual characterisation of Denethor was handled well, but I
really liked the portrayal of Ecthelion, and how nuanced the tension
was explored between the three men.

The discussions on strategy against Umbar felt very real, very
plausible, and quite ingenious.

I would have appreciated an acknowledgement (at least in the author's
notes) that this was an AU regarding such canonical dates as
Denethor's marriage and Boromir's birth.

Title: Epiphany · Author: Larner · Races: Cross-Cultural: Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 293
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-07-31 08:09:22
Spoilers!
A bittersweet glance at the growth process - Aragorn's growth from
sheltered child to King of the West, as seen through the wistful eyes
of his foster-brothers. Very nicely written, and I like the sense of
occasion. Larner sets a good balance between remembrance, nostalgia
and a shining moment of culmination.

Title: Dead Steward's Gift · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Mystery · ID: 572
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-07-31 10:13:45
Spoilers!
Ah--a bit of a mystery here as Faramir finds himself plumbing the
depths of strange sounds and lights emanating from the top of the
Tower of Ecthelion. and receives the key to that room from a man once
associated with his father. Assisted by his cat, the Steward begins to
search out the cause of the strange doings as well as seeking out the
hiding place in which his father might have left the one object that
OUGHT to have been in that room.

A nice mixture of mystery, romance, angst, and kitty antics.

Title: Seven Sisters · Author: Pearl Took · Races: Other Beings · ID: 388
Reviewer: Imhiriel · 2008-07-31 11:58:11
The tone of the story is very charming, and captures well Pippin's
mood: you can almost hear his aggrieved and exasperated tone at his
"plight", see the typical teenager having to deal with sisters and
other annoying girls *g*.

I admit the sudden shift in tone caught me by surprise (I should have
heeded the summary more), but in fact, that made it that much spookier
and creepier.

The contrast between the simple, young Hobbit, and the lofty,
ethereal, eerie creature he encounters is drawn out very well - each
has a distinct voice and bearing. Pippin is clearly out of depth,
cowed and upset, and the sprite (or whatever it is) seems a
dispassionate, remote observer despite its talk about compassion and
sorrow.

I liked that the story combined to very different mythologies to
create a tale of its own.