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Title: A Fitting Occupation · Author: Radbooks · Races: Men: Pre-Ring
War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 601
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-09-25 01:26:46
I love these drabbles. They do a very nice job not only of showing
what life was like after Smaug was killed by Bard, but also looking at
how a father might work with a child who isn't gifted in the ways he
might hope for. It's a universal tension yet this author finds ways to
tie it to canon in a rather unobtrusive way. A very fun read.

Title: Trading Pledges · Author: Adaneth · Races: Dwarves · ID: 339
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-09-25 01:30:51
Spoilers!
We know so little (canonically speaking) about the dwarves that it is
often hard to develop their culture in a way that feels both realistic
and true to what Tolkien wrote.

The custom of giving and receiving gifts seemed very appropriate, as
did the way that the gifts were chosen. I especially liked the theme
of the limitation of gifts and the need to bestow them wisely; that
seemed very Tolkienesue, and I think that is a lesson that would come
very close to heart for craftsman-races like the dwarves. And the
almost absolute equality between men and women, without there being no
such thing as "masculine" or "feminine" for this people. It's
beautiful, and beautifully told.

All of these things seem natural in light of the few hints Tolkien
dropped, but they are also highly original. Having struggled to
accomplish much the same thing (with IMO not nearly as much
success)... well, I have nothing but admiration for an author that can
write dwarves well, in a way that feels both convincingly dwarvish but
also graspable to those of us not of Durin's line.

Title: Wizards' Pupils · Author: Altariel · Races: Men: Minas Tirith ·
ID: 108
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-09-25 01:36:43
Spoilers!
Altariel gives the Steward's family, whatever the generation, the
gravity and the wit that they deserve. I was therefore extremely
gratified when this particular nuzgul came home to roost and hatch the
tale of U-MT - the University of Minas Tirith.

I don't know that I've seen any other story treat the Denethor-Curunír
relationship directly, or lend it the significance that Altariel gives
it. But the juxtaposition of Denethor's trust in Curunír, and the
trust of two other men - Thorongil and Faramir - in Mithrandir over
Curunír is one that can't pass without comment. To be in contact with
a wizard has its peculiar effects, and so it matters very much *which*
wizard one chooses to court as a friend. Faramir's early trust of
Mithrandir, and his insight into the dangerous effect that Curunír
has, though he lacks the words to describe it, is decisive. The
promulgation of the law to treat all those found in Ithilien without
leave as enemies soon after Curunír's visit is a great line to end on,
as is Faramir's assertion that it should've been killed at birth, that
what he regrets is having obeyed it at all. A lesson that is as timely
and as necessary for us today as it was ever in Tolkien's time or in
Faramir's fictional time - some laws do not deserve obedience, and can
only damage those who inherit the burden of obeying the folly of their
elders.

Beautifully written, and how nice, at the end, to discover that
Elboron's listener is one Barahir, in the midst of writing his history!

Title: Pirates Ye Be Warned · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Men: Gondor
Drabbles · ID: 353
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-09-25 01:43:48
Spoilers!
It's certainly a chilling and stern Imrahil, even if his lines are
borrowed from a wants-to-be-sorta comedy. One can imagine, though,
that this was an all too familiar duty for the Prince of Dol Amroth.
Whatever one's views on the (de)merits of the death penalty, I think
it is wise to remember that for most of history, rulers have imposed
it, and that to be a lord in a feudal society is to dispense both high
and low justice. "Nice" just doesn't cut it as a personal quality when
it comes to that kind of power and the willingness to use it.

Title: The Work of Small Hands · Author: Dawn Felagund · Genres:
Longer Works · ID: 352
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-09-25 02:26:28
Spoilers!
A thoughtfully written and innovative Silm fanfic story - Dawn
Felagund presents the tale of the Ladies of the Noldor, left behind
when their husbands and children went into exile in Middle-earth,
forsaken and broken-hearted as they hear of the atrocities in
Alqualonde, and then try to pull together to help each other and the
shattered tribes of the Noldor and Teleri.

Dawn is a meticulous researcher, with unique insight into the workings
of the Elven factions of the Time of the Trees and First Age. This
story shows the strength and courage of Earwen and the other women, in
a time of great sorrow and privation.



Title: Cat's Paws · Author: pandemonium_213 · Races: Villains · ID: 58
Reviewer: Marta · 2008-09-25 03:30:04
Spoilers!
As a one-time cat-servant, the appropriateness of this title really
struck me. Cats can have a truly chameleon temper, being quite cuddly
and affectionate one moment and swatting at you with their paws the
next. So in addition to the obvious story connection, it struck me
that a cat's paw is really an appropriate description of Aulendil's
personality, especially into the larger Sauron character we glimpse in
the last chapter of _The Apprentice_.

Whatever the case, this story has some really fun characterizations of
our Second Age geeks-in-residence. I could totally understand
Celebrimbor's revulsion, but also his almost compulsive curiosity.
That's a thin line to walk, but this author manages.

I did have one technical (and rather tangential) question for the
author: you seem to use organic as synonymous with living, but if I
remember high school chemistry correctly, organic just means based
around the carbon atom. This isn't a criticism, but more an area where
you piqued my curiosity.

Back to the story, though - this is a fun yarn that provides a nuanced
presentation of both Celebrimbor and Sauron. I really enjoyed it.

Title: Love at First Sight · Author: Gwynnyd · Races: Elves: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 432
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-25 06:59:18
Spoilers!
And what were those first few minutes like as Finwe welcomes this one
into his life and family, and we see the instant fascination with
Light that will mark this one forever.

Excellent presentation of the subject, and written with a beautiful
economy of words.

Title: Dreams or Reality · Author: Eleon Gamgee · Genres: Drama:
Featuring Frodo or Sam · ID: 716
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-25 07:06:03
Spoilers!
The question posed in the title is a worthy one as we have an intimate
glimpse into what Frodo sees in one of the times of horror he knows as
they pause in the crossing of the Plains of Gorgoroth. The horror
fades in part, and he finds he has one truth to which he can hold....

Sad and thoughtful, yet hopeful as well.

Title: Ghost · Author: Elleth · Races: Elves: Noldor Fixed-Length
Ficlets · ID: 218
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-25 07:11:55
Spoilers!
Oh, satisfying in a very strange way, the thought that Nerdanel was
granted one last moment with the fea of her husband as it paused in
its journey to the Halls of Waiting.

Imagery is perfect, and the telling of this last kiss leaves us dazzled.

Title: Writer's Bloke · Author: stefaniab · Genres: Humor: Drabbles ·
ID: 431
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-09-25 07:14:33
Spoilers!
Who WOULDN'T be somewhat distracted with such a one lounging next to
the monitor? Heh!

Lovely ficlet over which to giggle--and perhaps to drool!

Title: Wonderful Tonight · Author: Violin Ghost · Genres: Romance:
Gondor · ID: 320
Reviewer: Claudia · 2008-09-25 16:36:24
This is a wonderful snippet of how Faramir and Eowyn have begun their
life together, so radiant and yet still touched by the Witchking.
Faramir is such a romantic and you make this very clear in this story!

Title: Eight Weeks · Author: Dwimordene · Genres: Humor: Other
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 273
Reviewer: Claudia · 2008-09-25 16:43:32
Spoilers!
hahaha! This was great. I just love any interaction between Boromir
and Faramir before things got so dark. I also think it's nifty that
Boromir and his father would play chess together. That makes total
sense to me. I also loved your deft way of dealing with such a
light-hearted subject as the growing of a beard. I can so see that the
ladies would find Boromir hot, especially without the beard!

Title: Five Things that Never Happened to Serinde of Dol Amroth ·
Author: SurgicalSteel · Genres: Alternate Universe: Angst/Tragedy ·
ID: 222
Reviewer: Claudia · 2008-09-25 16:46:13
ah, I nominated this one and I remember now why this is one of my
favorite in this series! There is something so compelling about the
what-ifs and maybes in any universe. It's what allows us to take so
many AU treks off the beaten path, etc. Anyway, I also love it when an
author is not afraid to go dark, dark, and go for the jugular. This
story does that in so few words. And we can read it and feel vicarious
excitement and then we can know that it's not reality and that can
comfort us, too.

Title: Thawing Lily · Author: Soubrettina · Genres: Humor: Gondor · ID: 30
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-09-25 19:27:31
The author states that the premise of this story is a bit mad, and I
admit I had to keep that in mind for the first chapter because the
main characterization heartily defies my personal vision.

There was a great reward for my perseverance, however, because the
writing is excellent, particularly Eowyn's "stream of consciousness"
thoughts and the way she discovers Faramir's intentions in the last
chapter. I can only say that the method the author employs is unique
and perfectly setup. I was thinking about this story for several days
after I read it, which says quite a lot right there.

Title: Moved to Pity · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Drama: General
Drabbles · ID: 366
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-09-25 21:46:31
For me, scenes with Tolkien's cross between gods and angels are always
a bit hard to get ahold of, characterization-wise. On the one hand,
it's difficult to relate to the mightiest denizens of Arda Marred
without attributing some human characteristics to them. These are
Eru's powerful agents, capable of shaping the earth and forming the
light that illuminates all, and certainly therefore possessing an
undeniable majesty and commanding presence. Yet Tolkien himself gives
them the fallibility of emotions like jealously, distrust and anger.

I think Imhiriel strikes a perfect balance here in this intimate scene
between two of the most interesting and somehow ambiguous of the
Valar. These two have a better grasp of the interwoven past, present
and future of Middle-earth than any other, even though much remains a
mystery even to them. Mandos is the Doomsman, who seemingly
unshakingly delivers horrendous promised repercussions to most of the
Noldor, and yet he is moved to pity by Luthien's Song. Mighty it must
have been to shift this Valar.

The dialogue is spare and beautiful in its simplicity, for what more
needs to be said? I love Mandos's reaction to what he has just
experienced, and how appropriate that he now comes to his spouse, for
none can offer a comforting perspective better than she. Very, very
moving and absolutely well done, Imhiriel!

Title: Creation Myths · Author: Tanaqui · Genres: Drama: General
Drabbles · ID: 300
Reviewer: dkpalaska · 2008-09-25 21:49:16
I think ["Creation Myths"] is a shining example of drabbling
perfection: 100 words vividly capturing and displaying an overarching
idea, their careful choice painting a complete picture for the reader
by both what is said and what is not said. Not only that, but it
offers an enlightening vision that leaves me thinking about an aspect
of Tolkien's world in a new way.

The compare and contrast in this drabble is just exquisitely managed.
I had never before considered the similarities and differences in
these two magnificent creations, or in those of their creators. The
imagery is brilliant - wonderful descriptions all around with apt
plays on the associated attributes and settings of the created objects.

Beyond the surface of this drabble lies much deeper concepts, however.
These are all the more poignant because it is left to the reader to
make the final connections; and they are some of the most (in my mind)
admirable and compelling philosophies incorporated in Tolkien's universe.

Without giving too much away, I'd have to align the execution of this
work with the second creation examined in the drabble itself, while
heartily asserting that its beauty and impact matches that of the
first creation. (And if that doesn't make sense, Tanaqui, drop me a
line - it's definitely a compliment!)