Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Of Old It Was Not Darksome · Author: EdorasLass · Races:
Dwarves · ID: 70
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-08-20 03:23:20
Spoilers!
EdorasLass gives an interesting juxtaposition of the title, which
points towards a more hopeful and glorious past, and the present, when
Gimli and his people must mourn the loss of so many to the untimely
attempt to retake Khazad-dum. One wonders whether the suggestion is
that the light of that ancient Dwarven kingdom must remain forever in
the past, or whether the burial and mourning of the dead are but a
first step to relighting it.

Nice touch at the end, bringing Gimli's memory of the Fellowship's
journey into line with the honoring of the dead - an honoring that
might've been very exclusively Dwarven, were it not for a chance
discovery of a departed friend's cloak. That at least will see the
light and perhaps return a little part of Boromir's story to his
surviving family.

Well done!

Title: Wild Swan · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama: Gondor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 328
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-08-20 03:23:29
A lovely set of drabbles on one of those minor characters in Tolkien's
story who has grown to have admirers out of proportion to his number
of lines!

Tanaqui's drabble series ranges across times and places, from
Imrahil's coronation as Prince to the Fourth Age, from matters
personal to military to political, and all the members of the House of
Húrin make an appearance. Throughout, we get the image of a steady
soul, and his hopes and fears and joys.

Well done, Tanaqui!



Title: O Kheled-zâram fair and wonderful! · Author: Imhiriel · Races:
Dwarves: Drabbles · ID: 354
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-08-20 03:23:44
This may be a Dwarven romance, but it is star-crossed enough to fit an
Elf, even if only in the footnotes.

The imagery of copper and flame, diamonds and bronze place us squarely
in a Dwarven perspective, in all its sensual focus on earthly and
earthy beauty, and the respect for craftmanship.

Beautifully written, Imhiriel!

Title: A Midsummer Day's Dream · Author: Raksha the Demon · Genres:
Drama: Gondor Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 422
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-08-20 03:24:04
Spoilers!
Raksha captures very well the timelessness of a beautiful summer's day
that fits very well with the dream motif, allowing waking life and
dream to overlap easily. That timelessness also fits well with the
time of the aged, as memory returns without heeding the usual flow of
time. A joyful send-off for a well-loved character.

Good job, Raksha!

Title: Dreamscape · Author: Tanaqui · Races: Dwarves: Drabbles · ID: 442
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-08-20 03:24:14
Spoilers!
What a magnificent rendering of Gimli's line, about the mountains over
Moria ["standing tall in our dreams"]: the beautifully described
images of those dreamt-of mountains are realized in Dwarven halls and
in Tanaqui's drabble. Great sense of anticipation in that first
paragraph, too, that lends force and wonder to the vision Gimli is
confronted with.

Well done!

Title: Choosing · Author: docmon · Genres: Drama · ID: 473
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-08-20 03:24:28
Docmon's set of ficlets gives us a brief, but utterly believable
glimpse of the choosing of the messengers to be sent to Rivendell. In
so doing, we get a rare glimpse into the minds of Dáin and Thranduil,
two figures in Tolkien's story who do not receive much attention,
though they are important. The politics and personal ties are
well-portrayed: the tension between Elves and Dwarves is evident in
Dáin's thread, and Thranduil's moment of foresight lends a poignancy
to his ficlet that is very welcome.

Denethor is a little more dwelt upon fictionally than his
counterparts, perhaps, though in this moment, his motives remain
shadowy and open to speculation. Docmon gives a good, political
motivation for sending Boromir rather than Faramir, and also takes up
what was only suggested in RoTK: the lure of the Ring for Denethor.

Very well done!

Title: The Tower Hills · Author: DrummerWench · Genres: Drama: Final
Partings · ID: 608
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-08-20 03:24:40
Spoilers!
I love the atmosphere of this story, filled as it is with copper and
stone and heights, and the foreboding of things to come. Everything
changes in the Fourth Age, even though some things are never left
behind. It seems fitting that Sam should struggle with memory of the
horrors of his journey as he climbs Elostirion's stairs, the tower so
long a momument to the past. It is changing now that the Elves are
leaving it for the newly crowned king and the Fourth Age, and Sam's
departure from it is a step into a new world and away from crushing
memory, yet it is not an escape from such. The poem in the first half
of the story haunts the fic, and seemingly Sam as well, suggesting his
future departure from Middle-earth.

Very enjoyable!

Title: Between Childhood and Coming of Age · Author: Dreamflower ·
Races: Hobbits: Friendship · ID: 141
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 04:53:26
Spoilers!
Adolescence can be a trial both for the adolescent and the parent, and
so Pippin is finding it. But how could he have anticipated that the
lasses he'd found ignorable just a few months ago are now--interesting?

With good advice from Frodo, Merry, and his father Pippin begins to
learn how to deal with--concerns, and anticipates his first kiss. It
WOULD be easier, perhaps, if Sancho Proudfoot were less aggressive in
his pursuit of company.

But there is one piece of advice that Pippin takes to heart that
Sancho doesn't appear to have paid attention to, and it's pleasing to
share it with him.

Delicately written with just the right touch of humor and fondness for
the characters.

Title: Eucatastrophe: The Return · Author: Dreamflower · Genres:
Alternate Universe · ID: 617
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 04:58:26
Spoilers!
How I wish that this Eucatastrophe universe had happened--or at least
part of me wishes that. Bilbo happily living west of the Sea, Frodo
healed and restored to those who love him, the Three with their power
intact.

Merry's wedding approaches, and Frodo seeks to help him avoid much of
the chaos of the preparations and the stress of having to deal with
Rosamunda Bolger by getting him out of the Shire for a time--perhaps
to Rivendell for a bit? But with one thing and another, they almost
don't make it back in time.

A nice and delightful might-have-been, filled with its own surprises.

Title: Meddling · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Mid Third Age: Eriador ·
ID: 695
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 05:14:27
Spoilers!
When their young chieftain made the unanticipated decision to go south
to learn more of Gondor and Rohan, not all the Rangers were happy. And
one decided to confront Gandalf to learn what hand the wizard had in
the matter....

A nice use of the warning Gildor was to later give Frodo about
meddling with wizards! And Halbarad's concern is very real.

Title: The Kindly Airs · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Late Third Age:
General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 480
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 05:19:08
Freed at last of having had to pass over evil, one who had been curst
is now able to rejoice to bring news of great joy to all peoples. And
with that news comes rescue of two thought perhaps lost forever.

Indeed not a point of view I'd seen written before. Imhiriel has
inspired several such gems this year.

Title: Eight Weeks · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 273
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 05:26:00
So, Boromir's newest aquisition has to go, does it? And father and
brother are united in their campaign. Will the campaign be successful,
one wonders?

Lovely series, and filled with a delightfully subtle humor!

Title: Faithful · Author: Dwimordene · Times: Second and Early Third
Age · ID: 105
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 05:33:47
Spoilers!
A disturbing pair of drabbles in which the Prince of Dor-en-Ernil
finds himself facing the choice of whether to support the King or
Castamir. Consideration is made of the nature of swans and their
loyalty; and at last the decision was made....

Had he known where his choice would lead, would it have been different?

A wonderful feel for the location as well as the mood of the Prince.

Title: The King's Colors · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Steward's Family · ID: 482
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 05:49:26
Spoilers!
The Captain-General of Gondor's forces meets with the leader of the
odd alliance that has just won the battle, and must make decisions he
knows the Steward will not like. But there is news here as well as the
hope of renewal, as the two seek a place to talk, there [on the edge
of ruin].

A sad and solemn might-have-been, and a wonderful use of a quote from
TTT here in a variation of ROTK. The mood of the meeting and the
desolation of the battlefield are both well conveyed.

Title: On Far Fields · Author: Dwimordene · Races: Cross-Cultural ·
ID: 106
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 06:08:49
Spoilers!
Imrahil's Swordmaster Andrahar of Harad has found his loyalties
stressed as he has faced among the enemies of Gondor some he knew in
his childhood, including the half-brother who loathed him. And there
is the guilt the man feels for the death of Boromir, as helpless to
avert it as he was.

So the two meet in the camp of Haradri prisoners, where once more
Andrahar might offer--or perhaps seek--the mercy stroke.

Again solemn and filled with the feeling for the people that marks so
much of Dwimordene's writing.

Title: Wayward Sons · Author: Jael · Races: Elves · ID: 408
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 12:36:45
He'd been wearying of the life in hiding his people had come to know
when suddenly hope was returned in a most unusual way.

Partially inspired by Dylan Thomas's paen against simple acceptance of
age and death, this story is a marvel of hope restored and
determination to survive. I'd love to know the details of how and why
these newcomers came to enter Thranduil's realm, but what we have is a
fine and curious tale, one that leaves us in turn curious but
heartened alongside Thranduil himself.

Title: Keep Him Secret, Keep Him Safe · Author: shirebound · Races:
Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 643
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-08-20 12:43:55
Spoilers!
For weeks Aragorn Elessar's indominatable spirit and will have kept
him going, from the night in the Hornburg facing the will of Sauron
through the Orthanc stone to the victory at the Black Gates and
desperate fight to help the wounded survive, and particularly his
Hobbit companions, Pippin, Sam, and Frodo. Something has to give sometime!

A humorous and touching story in which it is decided that Aragorn
needs some enforced rest, to be overseen by the equally indominatable,
hospitable, and surprisingly no-nonsense Hobbits. From Frodo's ride to
obtain help to Gimli's unceasing construction of artifacts needed to
offer comfort we have a marvelous sense of purpose communicated.

I await only the closing chapters at this time....

Title: Old Man Willow · Author: Nath · Races: Other Beings · ID: 314
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-20 17:58:07
Spoilers!
A really original (as far as fanfic can be original) take on the AU
staple of 'X-takes-the-Ring'. The narrative, from Old Man Willow's
viewpoint, is creepy, reeking with inhuman malice, and very, very,
convincing. I think Tolkien would have been pleased about the ultimate
revenge of the trees. And that last line is quite an ending!

Years ago, when I was an avid comic book reader, a talented British
writer breathed new and fantastic life into the "Swamp Thing" comic
book; which centered on a plant-monster with a soul and brain and
power to influence all plant life. The issue where ol' Swampy became
angry and besieged Gotham City until Batman reasoned with him and
persuaded the authorities to yield to his demands (which were
justified) reminds me of this story, though Swampy stopped short of
harming anyone - his potential to do a lot more than bring a modern
city to a standstill was made very clear. This story really takes me
back there again, even though Nath plants (!) her tale firmly in Third
Age (and after) Middle-earth.

Very well done, Nath!

Title: Sunset Gates · Author: Ignoble Bard · Races: Dwarves: Drabbles
· ID: 342
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-08-20 18:05:07
A great little trompe l'oeil of a drabble. The Bard steers Gimli to an
AU destination that is not clear until the end, and it's so smoothly
written that the reader can only gasp with delight at the outcome.
Very clever!

Title: Generations · Author: Bodkin · Genres: Drama: Featuring Aragorn
· ID: 508
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-08-20 18:15:36
Spoilers!
Maybe I just haven't explored this part of the genre thorougly enough,
but the vast majority of Eldarion fics seem to idealize the prince. To
their credit, most do it very well, but in this story, we get a
slightly different view of a royal heir who didn't have to grow up in
the mud. Bodkin is brilliant with characterization. Aragorn is
masterfully painted, clearly at ease amongst the Rangers, and Eldarion
is every inch his son. The seeds of the greatness are all there, but
they're all buried beneath an upbringing that is significantly easier
than what his father endured. And that upbringing (along with his
courtier) provides a stunning contrast to the surrounding Rangers. In
my opinion, this is a much more plausible characterization than many
others I have seen.

Title: The Keys of the Realm · Author: Larner · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Aragorn · ID: 477
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-08-20 18:16:10
Spoilers!
A wonderful expansion on an often overlooked character! This story
brings Hurin the Tall to life, and the result is amazing. He is
definitely a Lord of Gondor, and his ability to lead is showcased by
the care and persistence he displays throughout the tale. But even
more impressive than that, this story delves right into an incredibly
messy and tricky bit of politics that was further complicated by the
final chapters of the war against Sauron. The mechanics of power
transfer are something that Tolkien only hinted at, but this story
doesn't shy away from them. To me, that was one of the story's biggest
strengths, because the shift of rule from Steward to King can't have
been an easy one, even if the top authorities were satisfied as to
Aragorn's claims.

Title: Estel I Was Called · Author: Marta · Genres: Drama: Featuring
Aragorn · ID: 351
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-08-20 18:17:20
Spoilers!
This story tackles one of the most important moments in Aragorn's
life. It's also one of the hardest moments to write, because so many
factors are coming to bear upon a single individual. So I'm glad that
Marta chose to step up to the task and write this moment, and she does
so with her usual sophistication and brilliance. The sense of furtive
secrecy she gives the Rangers is powerful and pervasive. And it's
something that Aragorn will have to learn. For all his training, there
is much that Halbarad can still teach him. As a reader, one feels that
the story transcends this piece. That we are seeing just a small
moment caught out of Aragorn's lifetime and that everything bound up
in this moment reaches much further than the story itself. And given
that the story is about the Dunedain, I find that very appropriate.

Speaking of the Dunedain, I love the hints that Halbarad gives about
what they've sacrificed to ensure Aragorn's safety. This isn't just a
band of unshaven men wandering around looking for an enemy to fight.
This is a people engaged in an organized, secret war that wages unseen
throughout Eriador. And they're not about to let a young Aragorn undo
all their hard work. Beautiful writing that captures the essence of
both Aragorn and his people.

Title: Home · Author: alex_quine · Genres: Drama: Featuring Aragorn ·
ID: 647
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-08-20 18:18:28
Spoilers!
Writers who have a real sense of the Rohirrim produce some of my
favorite stories, and this story was no exception. Theodred is
definitely a son of Rohan. There's something about the way he thinks
and the way he goes about life that hearkens back to the fierceness of
the riders and their horses. But at the same time, there's a gentle
streak and an overflow of compassion and hospitality for any he names
friend. It was great to see this depicted in the writing, and it was
also great to see Thorongil make a quick return to Rohan, bringing
with him two very important charges. Nice characterization all around
that was deftly peppered with an authentic Rohan flavor.

Title: Hope comes for Estel · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Aragorn · ID: 622
Reviewer: Thundera Tiger · 2008-08-20 18:19:28
Spoilers!
A very rewarding bit of character interaction between Faramir and
Aragorn. I've always loved Faramir's character, and it's a treat to
see him shine here. The candid Ranger comes out, but so, too, does the
sly diplomat. He lets Aragorn set the pace of the conversation, but
when it's time for something to be said, Faramir doesn't hesitate. On
top of the great characterization, I also appreciated the wry humor.
The mental image of the Rohirrim ["threatening to go home if not given
something to do"] was priceless.