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Title: Five Hair Care Tips for Rohirrim · Author: EdorasLass · Genres:
Humor · ID: 71
Reviewer: elfscribe · 2008-11-30 23:16:59 Score: 3
I enjoyed this humorous little piece. After seeing TTT again recently,
I'm struck anew by how badly the Rohirrim need this essay. It should
be printed up and airdropped over Rohan. Loved the snarky tone. [This
may seem obvious, but judging by the state of certain Riders' hair,
apparently it's not.] [Rohirric braids are manly, useful things, which
are useful in manly ways.]

I never knew before how Theodred got so many babes. Conditioner is it?
Oh and yes *that.* LOL.

Title: Rekindling · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: Fourth Age and
Beyond · ID: 255
Reviewer: Elleth · 2008-11-30 23:17:29 Score: 10
Spoilers!
I requested the end of the world and the meeting of Feanor and
Nerdanel set among it - and while the story certainly did not turn out
the way I had imagined it might, it could not have been done
differently or more perfectly. There is so much I want to say to this,
and all that comes out is 'wow' - in part, definitely vanity: 'Look,
people, this absolutely brilliant story was written at MY request, and
look how utterly gorgeous Dawn did it!' - and my other half? Close to
bursting into tears like I did the first time reading it, and bawling
like a baby. But enough of that.

It's close to the end of the world, and Nerdanel is planting trees as
she is whisked away for a final meeting with her husband, who has
unexpectedly been returned to life. There is a battle, the sun and the
moon collide, and eventually the survivors assemble for the breaking
of the Silmarils, for Arda Remade - and for Nerdanel's ultimate loss:
The Silmarils are broken, and he is slain, apparently beyond return.
And why? He does it for Nerdanel. And that is the whole secret - from
the mundane action of Nerdanel planting trees, to the great, and back
to the mundane among it: It is the end of the world, the Dagor
Dagorath has been fought, and all Feanor and Nerdanel know that moment
are each other, and Feanor makes himself the ultimate sacrifice to
save his wife from any greater grief - and is successful.
The mixture is perfect, action and development and juxtapositions and
symbolism, and an end that shows rather than tells how Arda is healed:
Despite the ultimate loss, Nerdanel is not made to suffer in
bitterness, terrible though her loss has been. And that is the end of
it, and I am dissolving into tears yet again. (Reading stories for
reviewing is making me cry quite a lot today, but if anything that is
a nod to the respective authors; I am not usually that weepy.)

Dawn, I cannot thank you enough for this story, and wish I could say
more to give [Rekindling] a higher score than 10, but as that is not
possible, I'll stop now - just let me repeat again how absolutely
blown away I was by this piece of writing and how much I love the
story. Thank you.

Title: The Waker · Author: Nancy Brooke · Races: Villains:
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 287
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 23:19:30 Score: 3
Spoilers!
This unusual drabble was very thought provoking and chilling.I liked
the idea the The watcher might be a sentient creature and even felt a
little sympathy for it,a mark of good writing.

Title: Too Many Rangers · Author: Larner · Races: Hobbits · ID: 116
Reviewer: Linaewen · 2008-11-30 23:20:20 Score: 3
This story was so much fun to read! I loved how cleverly the different
rangers were woven into the tale, making it very plausible while also
being quite humorous. Too many rangers, indeed!

A most excellent tale, one that made me laugh out loud a number of
times. I shall be reading this one more than once, and recommending it
to others, as well.

Title: Bitter Sweet · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Alternate Universe:
Steward's Family · ID: 536
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-30 23:22:02 Score: 5
Spoilers!
Ah yes, bitter-sweet indeed. The possible non-canon but fannishly
desirable relationship between two heroes that Professor Tolkien
decided to dispense with - having done their service to the main tale
- has long been a source of stories that the author and several others
have mulled over. To the point where a plethora of undeed! Boromir and
undead!Theodred stories are extant in the particular corner of fandom
that I know the author occupies with grace, talent, and a writerly eye
for a good tale as yet untold. This is a lovely, gentle tale of
honourable men and what might have happened had neither been killed
within days of each other in canon - personnaly - I far prefer this
version of events!

Title: Where Shadows Lay No More · Author: Cathleen · Times: Fourth
Age and Beyond · ID: 358
Reviewer: agape4gondor · 2008-11-30 23:22:08 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Hooray! Hooray! What a blessing for the Fellowship and for Boromir.

I saw loved this moment - Boromir seeing the fulfillment of his wish
for his beloved land, knowing that his friends live and remember him
and have done what he could not do - save his people.

I certainly hope that those who have passed before us can 'see' us and
rejoice in our lives.

This was a beautiful look into what might be.

Title: Answering the Call · Author: docmon · Genres: Drama · ID: 340
Reviewer: Inkling · 2008-11-30 23:22:18 Score: 3
A fascinating and disturbing series of what-ifs...with Gandalf's
somehow all the more so for being presented entirely through uneasy
conversations. In one of Tolkien's letters he described Gandalf in
possession of the Ring as ultimately making good seem more loathsome
than evil...and this vignette picks up on that idea, I think. Nicely done!


Title: Labour Pains · Author: Aratlithiel · Genres: Humor: Shire · ID: 483
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 23:23:36 Score: 6
Spoilers!
One imagines that this is a story that only someone who has given
birth or been in Frodo's position could possibly write.

Aratlithiel hits all the hightlights of hormonal swings, mood swings,
anxiety, and the merciless ironies of bad timing as she depicts Frodo
Baggins, Ringbearer and savior of the world thereby, the hobbit who
has been stabbed by Nazgûl and bitten by Gollum, thoroughly and
utterly cowed and beaten by the travails of Rosie's pregnancy. Sam,
too, in fact, which is how Frodo ended up in his position of hapless
and clueless male support. I particularly loved this exchange:

["Gardening emergency."

Sam nodded and swung his cloak about his shoulders. "Aye, sir."

"You've made that up," Frodo told him. "There is no such thing as a
gardening emergency."

Sam stopped in the act of reaching down for his pack, peered at Frodo
with wide, innocent eyes. "O'course there is, sir, else I'd not have
said it."

Frodo's eyes narrowed further and he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Pansies running amok and threatening the neighbours, are they?"]

Personally, I would love to see pansies run amok and hold up the
neighbors - if trees can do it in Tolkien's world, why not flowers?
But it's just the start of the entertainingly undignified travails of
Frodo Ringbearer. The last lines - priceless.

Title: Merry on the Pelennor Fields · Author: Primsong · Genres:
Poetry: Drama · ID: 720
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 23:24:21 Score: 3
Spoilers!
A beautiful and heart-rending lament for the fallen Theoden and
Snowmane.It was nice to see the horse remembered as well as Merry's
touching description of Eowyn.Another treasure that I have discovered
through these awards!

Title: Midwinter Thoughts · Author: Rhapsody · Races: Elves: Noldor
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 570
Reviewer: Keiliss · 2008-11-30 23:24:41 Score: 5
Spoilers!
I've bookmarked this to read a few more times because I just love the
slightly tired, introspective, melancholy air to it. He feels very
real, sitting there thinking his thoughts and realising he will never
manage to write them down and get the words to say what he wants them
to. I got a good picture of life in that stronghold as winter closed
in, of people drawing together as is the way of things, finding warmth
in one another. It feels sad and yet the ending has an almost hopeful
feeling - if he gets to speak to her first, if someone else hasn't
already asked her to dance, if he can just stop worrying about how to
do it and say those words so simply and honestly...




Title: Reflections in the Smoke · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times:
Late Third Age: General Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 294
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2008-11-30 23:26:20 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Good gracious, what a gem! One often forgets that Gandalf is a Maia
himself, and that a weight of countless years lifts him high above
those he has cared for all that endless time. But this tales lets the
reader come to the realization that Narya is more than just a red
stone glowing on an old wizard's finger - he is Olórin, too, he is
made of different stuff than even Aragorn who can lead the line of his
blood back to Númenor. That was - as Samwise Gamgee would have said -
a true eye-opener. *smiles*

Title: Utúlie'n Aurë · Author: Nieriel Raina · Genres: Drama: General
Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 163
Reviewer: Linaewen · 2008-11-30 23:27:25 Score: 5
Spoilers!
This story was beautiful! I could hardly finish reading it for the
tears in my eyes. One tends to forget in the glory of the moment of
the destruction of the Ring of Power that there were other times when
victory was snatched away -- and Glorfindel would certainly remember
such times. I love the idea that he knew immediately, it makes so much
sense to me.

I also love having Erestor in this tale, as Glorfindel's friend who
joins him in reminiscing and rejoicing. I have always had a soft spot
in my heart for Erestor, thought I don't know why! It is nice to see
him here, and it made me smile to think of him as a toddler, too!

Thank you for this lovely tale.

Title: Keep Him Secret, Keep Him Safe · Author: shirebound · Races:
Hobbits: Incomplete · ID: 643
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 23:29:06 Score: 4
Spoilers!
This is a lovely heart warming story concerning a theme I wish more
writers would explore,how Aragorn was effected by all his great
deeds,which indeed was the subject of my own very first story,albeit
more gruesomely.In this story,we see Aragorn collapse with exhaustion
at Cormallen and be nursed back to health by the twins and the
Hobbits. I Eagerly awaited every chapter of this and enjoyed Frodo and
Aragorn's friendship and seeing Aragorn receive the care he so
deserves after lavishing it on others.

Title: Full Brothers in Blood · Author: Oshun · Genres: Humor · ID: 212
Reviewer: pandemonium_213 · 2008-11-30 23:29:15 Score: 6
Spoilers!
In [Full Brothers in Blood], Oshun takes the reader back to Tirion
where young Turukáno (Turgon) diligently works on a composition and
hears his older brother, Findekáno (Fingon) arrive with his boisterous
cousin, Tyelkormo (Celegorm). From there the reader is led into the
home of Nolofinwë and Anairë, thanks to Oshun's characterizations and
knack for setting and dialogue. She draws the distinctive
personalities of the two brothers, elder and younger, very well in
this short story. The details are great -- the whole issue of eating
seafood, which Turgon abhors (oh, the irony of this boy who will
become ruler of Vinyamar) and Celegorm's braying laugh or shriek like
a monkey, a sly and funny nod to Tyelkormo's predisposition to
speaking to the beasts. The descriptions are so vivid that I felt as
if I were sitting at the table for the dinner on a wam evening.

A fine story that illustrates family dynamics!

Title: A Cat in King Elessar's Court · Author: agape4gondor · Races:
Cross-Cultural: Friendship · ID: 66
Reviewer: Inkling · 2008-11-30 23:29:32 Score: 5
A marvelous tale, starting with the terrific OC feline narrator. I
love Alqua's fierce loyalty, not just to Denethor but to Gondor. So
often it's dogs that are portrayed as loyal, while cats are written as
somewhat selfish and out for themselves. And I love how informed he
is, even to the strategies of the enemy in keeping help away from the
city. A cat to be reckoned with...

Agape's Denethor is also wonderful, and to my mind completely
canonical. Tolkien's Denethor was such a complex, fascinating, and
intelligent character...not the boorish jerk of the film.

A highly original, well written gap-filler from a most unusual
perspective.


Title: Best Three Falls, No Gouging · Author: Brigantine · Genres:
Humor: Gondor · ID: 587
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 23:29:46 Score: 3
Spoilers!
What happened to the "no gouging" part of the title?

Not to say that Faramir isn't worth fighting for, but one would think
that Eomer at least would take care to ensure that he'd be able to
make good on the reward if he won. As it is...

Amusing!

Title: Sharing Good News · Author: Imhiriel · Genres: Humor: Drabbles
· ID: 216
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 23:31:20 Score: 3
Spoilers!
A truly delightful friendship drabble concerning Bilbo and Aragorn. I
can just imagine the Ranger wanting to tell Bilbo the good news that
Arwen loves him! The depiction of the weather is especially vivid.

Title: Footsteps in Time · Author: Keiliss · Races: Elves · ID: 76
Reviewer: red lasbelin · 2008-11-30 23:32:24 Score: 10
This was a really fascinating read, something that defied conventional
Galadriel/Celeborn stories and also genre constraints....Romance and
drama all with a very liberal dose of adventure.

I liked how she worked her way through their history. She brings an
attention to canon that is never militaristic in nature or uncreative,
rather she weaves her own stories around the existing threads with a
respect and love.

Galadriel here is the star of the story - she's stubborn, strong,
feminine in the truest sense of the word, and she is one of the best
female characters written that I've read in fanfiction. Don't even
like her all the time, but she is definitely herself.

Though from what you see of Celeborn, he is a match for his wife, but
not in a way that clashes with her, instead I see more of how they
compliment each other with their differences. The scene where they
meet for the first time and he wants to touch her hair has always
stuck with me, quietly geniune.

Two other things that deserve mention is her Melian, a true definition
of a scene stealer - fey and wild, vivid and striking, otherworldly -
and the introduction of Galadriel's nephew, future king Ereinion
Gil-galad.

All in all, a stunning story.



Title: One Last Wish · Author: Dawn Felagund · Times: First Age and
Prior: House of Finwe · ID: 323
Reviewer: Elleth · 2008-11-30 23:32:56 Score: 10
Spoilers!
Poignant and bitter and heartbreaking, [One Last Wish] presents to the
reader a possible version of how the eventual estrangement of Feanor
and Nerdanel came to pass. The author, Dawn Felagund, is a well-known
'Feanorian' and a great writer, a coming together these two traits
create an exquisitely sorrowful tale that shows deep insight into
canon material and the craft of writing both. Like leitmotifs to
emphasize the significance of certain passages (though no word here is
superfluous or out of place): the sound of the forge door, the broken
latch that cannot keep it closed, the leaves rushing in, the idea of
going back in time to undo what has been done all guide the reader
through the story.

In her final chance for reconciliation, Nerdanel chooses selfishness
(if you can justify to call it that) over sacrificing herself to her
husband's cause; she refuses to create another child with him that he
hopes may fix their relationship, and is left. A year later, the
period it takes from conception to birth for the Eldar, Nerdanel is
back in the forge and left alone, and wishing for a second chance -
but that is not all there is to the story. In glimpses and flickers
and fragments, Dawn shows episodes from the marriage of Feanor and
Nerdanel, and furthers understanding of how it could come this far.
She establishes a profound sense of sympathy for Nerdanel and makes
her final decision all the more understandable, but no less
heartbreaking, and weaves everything together into a tightly-spun
whole that is a delight to read and re-read. I keep coming back to the
story and discover something new, and Dawn's evocative, picturesque
style certainly does nothing to distract the reader, but rather adds
another layer to the whole. I wish I could write like this.

Title: The Clear Ringing Of Silver Trumpets · Author: Lithilien
Quicksilver · Genres: Drama: Featuring Boromir or Faramir · ID: 278
Reviewer: Linaewen · 2008-11-30 23:33:32 Score: 3
I have always loved this tale by Lithilien Quicksilver. It is very
much the story of Boromir's struggle as seen in the film, and yet Lith
retells it so very beautifully. We see into Boromir's mind and heart,
and are able to go away knowing he died well with his hope intact, and
that takes all the sorrow at the loss of Boromir away and makes me smile.

Title: Care to Ride My Hot-Rod Fell Beast? · Author: viv · Genres:
Humor: Other Fixed-Length Ficlets · ID: 180
Reviewer: Dwimordene · 2008-11-30 23:33:37 Score: 2
It is indeed a harsh, harsh world when your innuendos lead to death
and disintegration. Maybe Angmar should have tried the titular line
instead...?

Title: Tonight We Are Alive · Author: Eyborg · Races: Dwarves · ID: 504
Reviewer: Linda Hoyland · 2008-11-30 23:34:30 Score: 3
Spoilers!
An interesting and rare glimpse of a Dwarf's home life,something
rarely seen in fanfiction. Kili is my favourite of all the Dwarfs in
the Hobbit. It is poignant to read this well told story,knowing that
Killi will die.


Title: Sing All Ye People! · Author: Raksha the Demon · Times: Late
Third Age: Gondor · ID: 249
Reviewer: Cuthalion · 2008-11-30 23:34:41 Score: 4
Spoilers!
Yet another brilliantly beautiful tale I discover by this author, now
that the voting season is nearly over. That scene with Faramir and
Éowyn has always been one of my favorite bookverse moments, and the
author makes me see the eagles, makes me hear the voices that ring in
Faramir's heart, and - what is most important - makes me feel his
disbelieving joy. Simply great. Wow.

Title: One Summer Day · Author: annmarwalk · Genres: Humor: Gondor ·
ID: 535
Reviewer: Elen Kortirion · 2008-11-30 23:35:08 Score: 6
Spoilers!
These four ficlets provide a wonderful evocation of summer's past,
idyllic days of hot sun, wonderful food, and honest toil out in a
garden - all lovingly described in spare detail that hits just the
right note everytime. Boromir the Gardener might be unexpected, but
why not? It adds a richness to his character and when so well written
as here, it is utterly believable. Faramir, loving brother and
assistant pot-boy, what a very suitable adjunct to his personality, as
is the 'fact' that the Prince of Dol Amroth is an excellent cook and
loves a good cook-out on the beach. And finally the author's original
character Mag the Cook, doyen of many stories, a wonderful invention
now as well-rounded as any canon character with her own backstory and
views on the lives of the denizens of both the citadel of Minis Tirith
and the citizens of the Circles

Title: Pippin-Frog For A Day · Author: Neilia · Genres: Alternate
Universe: Incomplete · ID: 115
Reviewer: Antane · 2008-11-30 23:35:17 Score: 3
Spoilers!
How terrible for Pip-frog! But better for all of us to know ahead of
time that he's going to be all right. Love Gandalf's 'answer' to
Merry's question about turning him back into a hobbit early. Pippin
must really be sorry if he's going to give Merry all his afters for a
week or two. *hugs* *hugs Pip-frog*