Yahoo Forum Archive

Title: Old Man Willow · Author: Nath · Races: Other Beings · ID: 314
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-10-06 01:32:57
Spoilers!
What a unique twist on the "What if (insert character X) took the
Ring?" scenario! Tolkien's forests are places of both peril and
splendor, faithful to his vision of the trees of Dunsinane walking
into battle. The Ents are fantastic creations, hard to capture, and
the wilder Huorns and atmospheric Old Forest even more so. But Nath
takes up Old Man Willow and gives him a voice and a power that is
appropriate to him.

I love the fact that I can feel the air get heavier, that I can
imagine Old Man Willow's strength spreading insidiously like his roots
through the whole earth, and him being tougher to root out than any
weed. Middle-earth gets a rather stuffy, strangling feel to it as
forests all over the world respond to him and destroy the two-legged
interlopers to their forests... or become fertilizer themselves. The
description of his battle with the Lothlórien trees and their love for
Galadriel was brilliant. The final passage, as, not content to rule
Middle-earth, he turns his thought to the mangroves across the sea,
and the seaweed on the shores, presents us with a vision of Valinor
itself falling to the Ring as the kelp revolts against Ulmo and
spreads rebellion even onto the Valar's shores.

Brilliant AU, Nath, just wonderful! Everyone should give this one a read.

Title: Deliverance · Author: Imhiriel · Races: Men: Gondor Drabbles ·
ID: 285
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-10-06 01:40:35
Spoilers!
Nice splitting of the verbal hair, there, Imhiriel! A very unusual
perspective, and what a deliverance indeed: deliver me from a certain
success - loved the use of the eagle feather as a herald of salvation.

Title: The Chieftain of the Dunedain · Author: Avon · Races: Men:
Pre-Ring War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 623
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-10-06 01:44:16
I always find it fascinating to see what people make of the
Halbarad-Aragorn relationship: it's so open. Most writers, myself
included, like to envision them as of an age and so able to in a sense
come of age together; Avon gives Halbarad a twenty year advantage or
so, and injects a definite, proud paternalism in his reception of the
newly returned from elven care Chieftain of the Dúnedain. The last
line is just right!


Title: A Fitting Occupation · Author: Radbooks · Races: Men: Pre-Ring
War Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 601
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-10-06 01:50:01
Spoilers!
Oh my! It's so rare to get anything about the Bardings - what a lovely
family drama, all told in 100 word, single-POV chunks. Methinks Baird
is extremely fortunate that his doom-and-gloom father nevertheless has
the foresight to see that forcing his son's talents and character into
a royal, diplomatic mode that just won't fit is asking for disaster.

Of course, Bard's own diplomatic skills had better be as sharp as that
arrow he used on Smaug: if he has to back down on that offer just
because he neglected to secure Dain's agreement until after telling
his son about his plans, it might be the end of a beautiful friendship
between kingdoms.

Very enjoyably, and I am sure all [The Hobbit] fans will appreciate these.

Title: One Last Wish · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First Age and
Prior: House of Finwe · ID: 323
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-10-06 05:49:04
Spoilers!
A sad and beautiful, but not easy, story of conflicting passions. Dawn
Felagund brings these fated lovers/consorts to life beautifully,
Nerdanel's sorrow and regret and hunger for the husband whose final
desire she could not grant are heart-rending. I like the way that even
after seven sons and a marital rift, Feanor and Nerdanel still need
each other rather desperately.

Title: An Ordinary Woman · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First Age
and Prior: House of Finwe · ID: 32
Reviewer: Raksha the Demon · 2008-10-06 06:12:36
Spoilers!
An interesting take on the beginning of the legend of Luthien,
narrated by the amused, cynical Finrod. The idea of Luthien's
extraordinary loveliness being much exaggerated is worth exploring;
here, she is an intelligent and restless young princess of usual but
not jaw-dropping Elven beauty. I loved the ending, where Finrod meets
an exhausted, half-starved mortal boy wandering at the outskirts of
Doriath, and helps him enter Thingol's realm, thinking that the kid
might make a good friend for young Luthien - had me laughing, a little
sadly, given Finrod's ultimate fate.



Title: All That Remained · Author: Allee · Genres: Drama: Featuring
the Noldor · ID: 155
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-06 09:00:06
Spoilers!
Grief wanes at last, and hope--and Hope--remain as Gilraen comes to
terms with her husband's death, and Elladan at last does the same with
his mother's absence.

A beautifully written look at the destructive side of grief drawn from
familial experience, poignant and delicately written. An honor to
reread this, and to again see the healing at last begin for the young
widow and the son of Celebrian, and to see this blended family come to
acceptance of what is--for today, at least. And I love Elrohir's
advice; ["Take a deep breath. Repeat."] So apt!

Title: Thoughtful Company · Author: EdorasLass · Genres: Humor: Gondor
· ID: 16
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-06 09:20:15
Spoilers!
Between them Gandalf and Faramir solve the question of how it is that
a dragon might carry its plunder back to its lair. A wonderful
conversation overheard by Nanny, and a gentle glance into the
relationship Denethor's younger son developed with the Grey Pilgrim.
One finds oneself wondering just how much Mithrandir foresaw of what
awaited the boy and his family once he came to manhood.

Poignant and gentle.

Title: Reparation · Author: Isabeau of Greenlea · Races: Men · ID: 296
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-06 09:49:38
Spoilers!
He'd failed his lord by not recognizing the threat of an assassin, and
his honor and ward by not behaving in an honorable manner with his
newest esquire. Now it is time to make things right, and to see the
perception and skill the esquire showed properly rewarded.

A wonderful addition to the tale of Andrahar of Dol Amroth.

Title: Waterloo · Author: Lady Bluejay · Genres: Romance: Gondor · ID: 158
Reviewer: Nancy Brooke · 2008-10-06 17:53:41
Spoilers!
This is such a fabulous story and I am glad to have the opportunity to
reread it. From the first paragraph, the reader is treated to
wonderfully imagined details and observations that both elaborate on
and fit seamlessly into Tolkien's text. As Tolkien's war experience
informed his work, here his work is recast against the backdrop of
many women's experiences bravely doing what needed be done in many
wars. This Lothiriel is complete with strengths and weaknesses, gritty
realism and girlish fantasy, someone transformed by her experiences
while still remaining herself and retaining her history. I am sure,
when I stop to think about it, that an extraordinary amount of work
must have gone into creating this, but while I am reading I am so
fully immersed in the story I only know what's right in front of me,
much like Lothiriel herself is depicted here.

Title: The Blessing · Author: Golden/Pearl Took CoAuthors · Genres:
Longer Works · ID: 511
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-07 00:42:05
Spoilers!
As a special ed teacher of many years' standing and one who's been
concerned for the rights of those with disabilities, the idea that
Pippin might have developed epilepsy as a result of his injuries while
buried under the troll is enthralling. The frustration of trying to
understand what's happening, the fear of first the unknown in dealing
with it and then the fear of rejection by others, the struggles to
find the best treatment for the individual involved--it is all here.
Denial is followed at last by acceptance; understanding supplants
superstitious dread. Pippin begins even to find the positive aspects
of his condition.

And through it all he finds support from the one who has ever watched
over his family and lineage. With the help of a small angel and a
second in the shape of a golden dog who helps watch for oncoming
seizures and helps him calm and center after one, he learns to cope,
as do those with him, and particularly Merry, Frodo, and Sam. It's a
time of experimentation as they try to find the proper medication and
dosages for him, try to help him learn to deal with the new realities
of his situation, including the fact he can not serve as Aragorn's
personal guard any more, which is a deep blow.


Having been through this process with former students, my late
husband, current clients--it is all too realistic, particularly as we
see the condition slowly stealing much of Pippin's natural confidence
away; but on the converse side we see him learning new wisdom and to
trust the Took Sight that becomes clearer as if to help compensate for
what he's lost.

It is to be hoped that once he gets home, and particularly after he's
become Thain, Peregrin Took will work to help folks of many
disabilities find acceptance rather than ostracization, and he will
help the Shire realize the often magnificent gifts many of these hold.

Well researched and thoughtful--and hope-full as well. Very much worth
the read.

Title: Sing All Ye People! · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late
Third Age: Gondor · ID: 249
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-07 00:50:38
Spoilers!
To learn that the Great Eagles could speak as do Men, much less sing
out in glorious joy, must have been a bit of a shock to the citizens
of the capital of Gondor; but here we see, through Faramir's eyes,
just how much they are intended to be messengers to the mortal lands
from the Valar, and most particularly from the great Lord Manwe Sulimo
himself. How amazed and awed indeed they must have felt, those who
stood upon the walls of Minas Tirith to hear this news, particularly
after the uncertainty to date, which must have become almost
unbearable during that brief moment of dread when the Ring claimed
Frodo Baggins and all had been nearly lost--only for them all to be
saved by grace shockingly guised as Gollum!

A most uplifting work, and one that offers a great deal of joy along
the way. Imagery is flat-out superb, and the communication of
Faramir's perception and appreciation of the Eagle's message--and of
those who sent it--is excellently done. I found myself wishing I could
stand there with them and sing as did the people of the White
City--but who would not, having been called to do so by the Creator's
own surrogates and the messengers they employ?

This may be short but there's no question it is definitely inspiring.

Title: The Queen's Gift · Author: Queen Galadriel · Races: Elves:
Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 697
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-07 01:00:16
Spoilers!
Queen Galadriel has managed to look into the thoughts of our beautiful
Queen Arwen as she bestows her generous gifts on Frodo Baggins. No,
Frodo does not believe he needs them, but only time will prove whether
or not that is true. For the Queen sees deeply and with the foresight
of her people, and realizes as Frodo does not as yet realize just how
deeply into his soul and heart the scars run. And what else can the
love she and her husband bear for this precious, honored, and
so-deeply hurt friend give to him beyond the hope of a fuller healing
than he can know within the Mortal Lands? The white gem and the
promise--it is to be hoped--of passage to the west where her own
mother went for succor after her own dreadful wound--it is little
enough recompense for what Frodo has sacrificed for the safety of all
of Middle Earth with no thought to any reward possibly being due to
himself afterwards.

This is a very thoughtful, poignant tale, as we see the rift in the
Ringbearer's soul through the eyes of the Peredhel Lord's daughter,
and appreciate just how much concern she feels for this one whose
sheer determination in the end brought her the love and fulfillment
she now knows. It is a gentle expansion on the book scene, and
definitely well worth the read.

Recommended with love.

Title: A Matter of Ill Reputation · Author: Lily · Races: Hobbits:
Childhood · ID: 210
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-07 01:07:55
Spoilers!
Oh, I, too, have thought that part of the reason why Frodo was keen to
change abodes to live with Bilbo was because he'd been the subject of
bullies and taunts, including being taunted as a sissy, however it
might be that sissies were referred to in the Shire. "Taller than some
and fairer than most"--that was how Gandalf described him to
Butterbur; and if that fairness made him appear vulnerable and thus
fair game for the bigger, less sensitive lads of Buckland, such a
trick might well have been practiced on him of stealing his clothes
while swimming and allowing him to have to find his way home naked and
embarrassed.

This is a marvelous tale of how that bullying was carried out and how
Frodo, with Merimac's help and inspiration, managed to get his own
back at the one who'd most recently led the taunting. A humorous story
and a just punishment.

Lily's feel for the rustic life is marvelous and superbly drawn, as is
her understanding of the psychology of her characters. What is done by
Frodo to his tormenter is so exquisitely chosen to pay him back for
what he's done! One can smell the hay being gathered in and hear the
laughter of those who are surprised to find themselves pleased to see
the bully get his own back with interest.

I hope others will read and enjoy it as much as I have, and that it
will give you some laughs along the way.

Title: I Can't · Author: Antane · Races: Hobbits: Friendship · ID: 24
Reviewer: Larner · 2008-10-07 01:13:35
Antane is a young writer who's been involved in writing fanfiction for
a couple years now; this work, which looks at the encouragement Frodo
Baggins and Samwise Gamgee give one another over the years of their
friendship, is one that is emotionally satisfying and touching she's
yet written. It is one that comes full circle in the end, as two close
friends share a moment of ease and bliss, no matter what has happened
in between.

Antane's writing has become increasingly mature and skillful since she
joined the community of those who write such fanfic as ours, and this
is a shining example of how much she's grown as a writer. Images are
sharp and clear, each incident related well chosen to show off the way
in which Frodo and Sam each encourages the other to persevere past the
extremes of frustration he knows, each assisting the other to
accomplish the task before him, from Sam's childhood through the
intervening years and the dread days of the quest itself. And the
final image of the two of them together, as was the initial one, is
enough to make anyone smile with satisfaction and joy to see the two
of them together.

The poignancy is indeed moving; the joy at beginning and end
delightful and uplifting. I find I cannot recommend it enough.