Pre-2005 LotR fanfic links for challenge 001: Stories from 2003
These stories are all from the first archive at which I began reading fic, Stories of Arda. SoA is specifically a non-slash archive, so no worries there, and even though it does allow R-rated stories, they are relatively rare. All of the recs behind the cut are G or PG.
Quarantined by Shirebound. Posted 7/24/2003.
This is an AU in which Frodo meets Aragorn while he is still a youngster living with Bilbo. Gandalf brings an ill Ranger to Bag End, and Frodo comes down with the same illness. An old-school h/ccc. Like all of Shirebound’s stories, this is filled with gentleness and warmth and respect.
Thirteen Days After, One Day Before by Zebra Wallpaper. Posted 8/3/2003.
I love Cormallen fics, and this is among the first I ever read, dealing with Pippin’s awakening after being injured by the troll he slew in the battle before the Black Gate. It’s hard on both Merry and Pippin to adjust to the things that have happened to them. I love the sweet familial bond between Merry and Pippin here, but my favorite part is Pippin’s reunion with his rescuer Gimli. (This is strictly a book-verse fic, so if you only know movie-verse the summary won’t mean much to you.)
The Care and Feeding of Hobbits by Baylor. Posted 8/4/2003
This is a classic. You will find few hobbit-fanciers who are unfamiliar with this lovely Quest story, in which we are treated to a Boromir’s-eye view of the fascinating hobbits with whom he travels. It is funny and touching and sweet, and the end is so very moving. A great number of fanon notions about hobbits evolved from this one story!
Recovery in Rivendell by Budgielover. Posted 8/5/2003
The tale of what happened as Frodo recovers in Elrond’s house in Rivendell, after his wounding on Weathertop. Very inventive and a good combination of angst and humor.
While the Ring Went South by Thundera Tiger. Posted 8/22/2003
One of Thundera Tiger’s earliest gapfillers, this one tackles those first couple of weeks of the Quest, after the Fellowship left Rivendell, and about which we are told almost nothing. Which is surprising considering how much happens in that time. Great Fellowship dynamics, the story mostly focuses on the early feud between Legolas and Gimli, and how their prejudice gradually shifts into a growing respect and friendship-but not before they nearly endanger the entire mission with their feud! I really enjoy this one-I have uploaded it to my Nook!
A Small and Passing Thing by Lindelea. Posted 9/30/2003.
Another of my all-time favorites, it deals with the aftermath of the Scouring of the Shire during the two years after the Quest and before Frodo sails from the Grey Havens. There are two reasons I love this: Frodo is shown as remarkably strong for others, even as he copes with his own post-Quest frailties, and two, it has a remarkable Fredegar Bolger! At 70 chapters, fairly long, but a very good read. It is another classic story, in which a number of Frodo-fanon notions originated.
Thicker Than Blood by Ariel. Posted 8/26/2003
Another story about how Frodo came to be healed in Rivendell. I love this one for the dynamics between Bilbo and Frodo. We see just how much Bilbo felt like a father to his adopted cousin, and how his love has not been changed by age or distance.
A Cousin’s Touch by Pearl Took. Posted 9/20/2003.
In post-Quest Minas Tirith, a traumatized Pippin wakens from a nightmare, and seeks comfort from his oldest cousin as he did when he was a child. Frodo comforts him, and Pippin lends comfort to Frodo when he reveals some of his own pain. Very sweet and moving.
Snowdrops and Bluebells by Regina. Posted 12/13/2003.
A delightful cross-cultural story that shows the role that Merry played in bringing Faramir and Éowyn together, as the three of them healed in Minas Tirith. There are some very memorable scenes in this story, which is told from Éowyn’s POV. I love the way it is Merry whose friendship helps lead her to realize her love for Faramir.
Quarantined by Shirebound. Posted 7/24/2003.
This is an AU in which Frodo meets Aragorn while he is still a youngster living with Bilbo. Gandalf brings an ill Ranger to Bag End, and Frodo comes down with the same illness. An old-school h/ccc. Like all of Shirebound’s stories, this is filled with gentleness and warmth and respect.
Thirteen Days After, One Day Before by Zebra Wallpaper. Posted 8/3/2003.
I love Cormallen fics, and this is among the first I ever read, dealing with Pippin’s awakening after being injured by the troll he slew in the battle before the Black Gate. It’s hard on both Merry and Pippin to adjust to the things that have happened to them. I love the sweet familial bond between Merry and Pippin here, but my favorite part is Pippin’s reunion with his rescuer Gimli. (This is strictly a book-verse fic, so if you only know movie-verse the summary won’t mean much to you.)
The Care and Feeding of Hobbits by Baylor. Posted 8/4/2003
This is a classic. You will find few hobbit-fanciers who are unfamiliar with this lovely Quest story, in which we are treated to a Boromir’s-eye view of the fascinating hobbits with whom he travels. It is funny and touching and sweet, and the end is so very moving. A great number of fanon notions about hobbits evolved from this one story!
Recovery in Rivendell by Budgielover. Posted 8/5/2003
The tale of what happened as Frodo recovers in Elrond’s house in Rivendell, after his wounding on Weathertop. Very inventive and a good combination of angst and humor.
While the Ring Went South by Thundera Tiger. Posted 8/22/2003
One of Thundera Tiger’s earliest gapfillers, this one tackles those first couple of weeks of the Quest, after the Fellowship left Rivendell, and about which we are told almost nothing. Which is surprising considering how much happens in that time. Great Fellowship dynamics, the story mostly focuses on the early feud between Legolas and Gimli, and how their prejudice gradually shifts into a growing respect and friendship-but not before they nearly endanger the entire mission with their feud! I really enjoy this one-I have uploaded it to my Nook!
A Small and Passing Thing by Lindelea. Posted 9/30/2003.
Another of my all-time favorites, it deals with the aftermath of the Scouring of the Shire during the two years after the Quest and before Frodo sails from the Grey Havens. There are two reasons I love this: Frodo is shown as remarkably strong for others, even as he copes with his own post-Quest frailties, and two, it has a remarkable Fredegar Bolger! At 70 chapters, fairly long, but a very good read. It is another classic story, in which a number of Frodo-fanon notions originated.
Thicker Than Blood by Ariel. Posted 8/26/2003
Another story about how Frodo came to be healed in Rivendell. I love this one for the dynamics between Bilbo and Frodo. We see just how much Bilbo felt like a father to his adopted cousin, and how his love has not been changed by age or distance.
A Cousin’s Touch by Pearl Took. Posted 9/20/2003.
In post-Quest Minas Tirith, a traumatized Pippin wakens from a nightmare, and seeks comfort from his oldest cousin as he did when he was a child. Frodo comforts him, and Pippin lends comfort to Frodo when he reveals some of his own pain. Very sweet and moving.
Snowdrops and Bluebells by Regina. Posted 12/13/2003.
A delightful cross-cultural story that shows the role that Merry played in bringing Faramir and Éowyn together, as the three of them healed in Minas Tirith. There are some very memorable scenes in this story, which is told from Éowyn’s POV. I love the way it is Merry whose friendship helps lead her to realize her love for Faramir.