Across the Waters by Oselle
Frodo remembers his life as he sails into the West, in a series of themed vignettes. Bittersweet but not overly sentimental
[Added 18/10/2002; Character Piece; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
All's Well by Cara Loup
'But there wasn't any worse than this, was there...' Strong, believable characterisations make this post-Quest conversation piece particularly memorable
[Added 28/01/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Alterations by Eledhwen
Eledhwen tackles the fascinating subject of the characters' adjustments to the different demands of post-War Middle-earth. The piece is elegantly structured as a sequence of interweaving conversations covering a single day in Minas Tirith
[Added 09/09/2003; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Another Way of Leaving by Jodancingtree
What if Frodo were not granted leave to sail to Valinor? This moving story presents an alternative path for the Ringbearer to find healing. If you enjoyed 'Another Way of Leaving', there is now a novel-length sequel, Following the Other Wizard: Journey Into Healing
[Added 09/09/2003; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Box of Rain by Alon
Faramir finishes some business for his brother. Delicate and believable characterisations, both of those present and those absent. Sequel to Closer to Fine and To Look at You, but works equally well read independently
[Added 09/09/2003; Romance/Erotica; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Breathe & Peace Like a River by Fileg
Three loosely linked, bittersweet vignettes reflect on two brothers and the river that joins and divides them. Stylish writing and subtle characterisations
[Added 09/09/2003; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Burial of the Dead by Altariel
Bleak, beautifully-written picture of Denethor's descent into madness, mingling present and past, and steeped in the imagery of TS Eliot
[Added 18/10/2002; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Clarity by Wild Iris
Calm vignette set during the Fellowship's stay in Rivendell, but focusing on Bilbo's earlier adventures in Mirkwood. Precise, unsentimental characterisations, plus a final line to die for
[Added 28/01/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit; Crossover]
Der Erlkonig by San Antonio Rose
Neat melding of disparate legends in this future fic with a rather unusual premise
[Added 20/02/2003; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Discretion, Discovery by Isabeau of Greenlea
All Isabeau's works showcase her great gift for detail, dialogue and characterisation; 'Discretion' & 'Discovery' also feature hot sex and an unusual & deftly drawn OC. The saga of Boromir's love life continues in the 'Best-loved Son' series by Isabeau, Dwimordene & Altariel, while Andrahar's background is more fully expored in Isabeau's unfinished 'Kin-strife'; both can be accessed via the author's website
[Added 24/06/2004; Romance/Erotica; 20,000-50,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit; Adult]
Emblematic by Cruise Director
Piercing observations in this account of a day in the life of the Fellowship
[Added 28/01/2004; Character Piece; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Face of the Enemy by Soledad
The very thoughtful & detailed evocation of the Haradric culture distinguishes this retelling of the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Cameo by Andrahar from Isabeau's Discretion & Discovery
[Added 25/06/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Father and Sons by Dwimordene
Division and despair among the Steward's family, as the Shadow over Gondor grows deeper. A thoughtful novel, with precisely observed characters and rich details of Minas Tirith life. That Which Remains Us forms a moving short sequel, inspired by a challenge to write Denethor's poetry
[Added 18/10/2002; Drama; >50,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Five Elements: Earth by Cara Loup
This beautifully-written vignette paints a complex picture of Sam, Frodo and homecomings, avoiding the oversentimentality common to many post-Ring War Sam--Frodo stories
[Added 18/10/2002; Character Piece; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Gift Horses by Jedishampoo
An unsentimental look at Eowyn & Faramir's courtship, well written with an unexpected but plausible characterisation for Eowyn
[Added 24/06/2004; Romance/Erotica; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Gift of Life by Fileg
Fileg's delightful characterisations sum up the differences and similarities between the two races depicted in this nicely symmetrical vignette
[Added 16/12/2003; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Giving Gifts by Dwimordene
An outstanding evocation of the Haradric culture, featuring an original character who flickers into life in this all-too-brief tale
[Added 25/06/2004; Drama; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Goes a Courtin' by Chris
A dwarven love story. A vignette as clever as it is brief
[Added 16/12/2003; Drama; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Hope for the Uruk by Grond
This thoughtful and unusual story explores whether the Uruk-hai might have the potential for redemption. It's a little rough around the edges in places, but nonetheless well worth trying
[Added 16/12/2003; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit; Adult]
The Hour of Splendor by HF
Elrond reflects on the past as the Fellowship leaves Rivendell. A thoughtful and evocative take on this oft-written moment
[Added 16/12/2003; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
How Quickbeam Got His Name by Teasel
Gorgeous drabble that answers the question of the title in a rather unexpected fashion
[Added 28/01/2004; Drama; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
If I Were Queen of the Forest by Halrloprillalar
Halrloprillalar treads gaily (cough) through a whole raft of fanfic clichés in this delightful humorous short
[Added 20/02/2003; Humour; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
In the Hands of the Enemy by Meckinock
Set around Bree before the events of LotR, this rollicking adventure never takes itself too seriously. Believable characterisations, with some well-drawn original characters that won't have anyone calling in the Mary-Sue Exterminators
[Added 16/12/2003; Drama; >50,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Jewel in the Crown by Alawa
'I don't hold with embalming much myself.' In-frame humour seems rather rare in JRRT fan-writing, so this was a welcome giggle. Nicely characterised OC in no danger of Mary-Suedom
[Added 18/10/2002; Humour; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Keepers of the Hearth by Alawa
A quiet piece that reclaims Middle-earth for the ordinary woman, and celebrates the things that the War of the Ring was fought to preserve
[Added 25/06/2004; Character Piece; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
A Kind of Valediction by Altariel
Faramir is haunted by the past. Literally. Tolkien, Dickens, TS Eliot and an excellent read
[Added 20/02/2003; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The King is Dead by Altariel
Denethor teaches his younger son to play chess. A well-characterised and beautifully written vignette that made me smile. Illustrated by Kasiopea
[Added 09/09/2003; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
King under the Mountain by Zara Hemla
A dark tale of obsession and race conflict, with an unusual AU premise that unravels slowly as protagonist and reader penetrate deeper (The Hobbit)
[Added 20/02/2003; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Legacy by Anglachel
Shire society brought to life: prejudice, intrafamilial politics and all. This thoughtful story is one of the very few to treat hobbits as the complex and not entirely benign adults that Tolkien wrote. If you enjoyed 'Legacy', the author has completed a novel-length sequel, On Merry Yule
[Added 18/10/2002; Drama; >50,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit; Adult]
Lomendánar (Little Love for the Things of My Love) by Vulgarweed
'He wore soft green moss, and small black snakes about his branches and darting silver fish between his toes. He bent his long locks to trail in the cool water, and all the spirits of the moist places were with him.' An unusual & thoughtful vignette, imbued with a strong sense of melancholy. Beautiful
[Added 20/05/2009; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Lost in the Translation by Tyellas
Ever thought there was something missing from Tolkien's account of Middle-earth? Tyellas explains why in this humorous vignette
[Added 18/10/2002; Humour; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Magda's Tale by Meg Thornton
Multi-cultural society in Bree through the eyes of a plausible and interesting OC (technically a WiP, but the chapters stand alone as a vignette series)
[Added 18/10/2002; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Magnetic Force by Marnie
A reporter on the Fortean Times finds more than she expects when she travels to Cornwall on an investigation. Before I read this story, I didn't believe this premise could ever be made to work, but I'm very glad to have been proved wrong!
[Added 16/12/2003; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Nine Lives by Werecat
This stylish vignette is an excellent example of the 'history is written by the victors' maxim. In Umbar, at the Docks forms a loose sequel
[Added 25/06/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Nor Iron Bars a Cage by FayJay
FayJay offers some surprising insights into the deep places of Gríma's heart in this well-written character study. As far as I'm aware, 'Nor Iron Bars a Cage' is the author's first foray into the Tolkien fandom, and one can only hope that she writes more!
[Added 28/01/2004; Character Piece; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Not From Mountain Nor From Sea by Gil Shalos
A subtle look at different aspects of Boromir's character in this skilfully written piece
[Added 09/09/2003; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Observation and dissection of the Common Wood-elf (Telerius galadh) by Bryn
Humour and tragedy as modern earth meets Middle-earth. There are also a couple of sequels, Notes from the Field and Regeneration and Immortality
[Added 16/04/2003; Humour; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Old Dwarf and the Sea by Isabeau of Greenlea
I don't usually recommend unfinished stories, but 'The Old Dwarf and the Sea' is well worth reading for the first chapter alone. A simply hilarious antidote to the usual run of stories about LotR characters in the West, with some priceless characterisations
[Added 25/06/2004; Humour; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit; WiP]
On Gorgoroth Plain by Teasel
Many authors have tackled the subject of Frodo and Sam's journey through Mordor, but Teasel breathes fresh life into the subject. This gem of a story works beautifully on so many levels -- I cannot recommend it as highly as it deserves
[Added 09/09/2003; Drama; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
One Dark Night by Enros
Sympathetic look at the nature of the Uruk-hai. An extremely unusual premise
[Added 18/10/2002; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Paths for the Dead by James Walkswithwind
A rather unusual look at how the events of the Ring War have affected Pippin. Give this short story a try even if you don't normally enjoy hobbit fiction
[Added 24/06/2004; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Possessions, The King's Shilling by Altariel
Two very different meetings between Gandalf and Faramir. Excellent characterisations in this pair of vignettes
[Added 09/09/2003; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Repairs by Isabeau of Greenlea
Every word counts in this vignette set after the battle at Helm's Deep. Sharp portrait of a warrior and a friendship
[Added 18/10/2002; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
River of Fallen Stars by Fileg
'Life as a city, for Osgiliath, was over. ... the citadel of the stars was gone forever.' Two war veterans come to terms with all that's been lost in this quietly moving vignette
[Added 25/06/2004; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Rooster Man of Gondor by Chelsea Nolen
A highly unusual view of a key moment in the siege of Minas Tirith
[Added 20/02/2003; Drama; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Rose Riddle by Stultiloquentia
A multilayered vignette with almost the density of poetry, set in the Fourth Age but with its roots in history. Repays re-reading
[Added 16/12/2003; Drama; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Sára-lissë by Erin's Daughter
Arwen's reflections at two points in her life. Luscious sensuous writing characterises this nicely shaped piece
[Added 16/12/2003; Romance/Erotica; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Shards of Time by AL Milton
Was Eowyn a heroine or deserter? This nicely structured story features interesting original characters, as Eowyn's grandson weighs the evidence
[Added 20/02/2003; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Sickle of the Valar by Altariel
Wordsmithing at its best marks this vignette on the burden of grief and the possibility for renewal. Written for the Stargazers challenge
[Added 16/12/2003; Character Piece; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
A Silence Covered in Stone by Zimraphel
Dol Guldur gives up its darkest secret. An idea to send chills down the spine
[Added 16/12/2003; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Spirits of the House by Altariel
'A Christmas Carol' has probably spawned more fanfic than any other Victorian novel, but this ingenious story is my favourite version so far
[Added 06/07/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit; Crossover]
Stardust by RiikiTikiTavi
The pitfalls of being a war widow. Well worth reading for its exploration of Gondor high society, though the Legomance plot didn't entirely work for me
[Added 18/10/2002; Romance/Erotica; 20,000-50,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Still Point by Stultiloquentia
What does it mean to be mortal? Stultiloquentia's thoughtful take is well characterised and beautifully written, with a good balance between light & dark
[Added 15/07/2005; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Strange Case of the House at Hollinport by Russ
'There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world.' A highly unusual Fourth Age tale, in the style of Lovecraft or Poe. Strongly recommended
[Added 24/06/2004; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Tell this Mortal by Chathol-linn
'He needs to make this sea voyage, and to not make it.' An engaging narrative voice & a memorable OC draw the reader into this Fourth Age tale. The backstory is a little weak, perhaps, but the frame story makes up for it
[Added 11/12/2006; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Tempus Edax Rerum by Mirrordance
One of the more inventive premises I've ever seen in this fandom, thoughtfully executed, with a good mix of angst and humour. Give 'Tempus Edax Rerum' a try if you want something well off the beaten track and are prepared to put up with the occasional grammatical slip
[Added 26/06/2004; Drama; 20,000-50,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
They Say of the Elves by Brancher
The Legolas--Gimli relationship has spawned quite a bit of 'first-time' fanfiction, not all of it great. Brancher uses the genre intelligently to examine the preconceptions and fears of the two races in this engaging piece
[Added 18/10/2002; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
This Too Shall Pass by Isabeau of Greenlea
A tongue-in-cheek AU that solves a frequent gripe with Peter Jackson's vision of The Two Towers. There's only one word for this vignette: evil!
[Added 16/12/2003; Humour; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Thread of Fate by Forodwaith
In the best tradition of fanfiction, Forodwaith takes a few meagre sentences from canon and unpacks them to cast fresh light on the enigma that is Arwen -- her strengths, her loves, and her sacrifices. Magical
[Added 09/09/2003; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
The Thrush Who Saved Laketown by Jen Littlebottom
An engaging addition to the woefully small canon of The Hobbit fanfiction
[Added 09/09/2003; Drama; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Undersun by Cara Loup
A character vignette that feels chillingly plausible
[Added 16/04/2003; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Warm Beds are Good by Tyellas
I'll let this well constructed and very interesting essay sell itself: '"Sex" and "Tolkien" may seem like a contradiction in terms. It is often believed that Tolkien's works as a whole are sexless, boyish and innocent, based on the lack of sexual content in his novel The Lord of the Rings. This is not true. Sex and libido are present in Tolkien’s vision of Middle-Earth; indeed, it's inevitable in such a complete portrait of an imaginary world. Sex is marginalized in Lord of the Rings, is a destructive undercurrent in The Silmarillion, and is given rare, yet frank mentions in Tolkien’s extensive backstory of Middle-Earth. Passionate love, transgressive desire, denied sexual fulfilment, and rape are plot points in several stories. Libido and sexual love are even portrayed positively, when they take place within the proper moral bounds.'
[Added 18/10/2002; Essay; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Webs by Roz Kaveney
'She moved in her webs, slow as a mountain.' A dark AU in which Frodo's quest failed; well written and chilling
[Added 18/10/2002; Drama; <1000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit]
Who Knackered Aragorn's Catamite? by Earthspot
Tolkien meets Raymond Chandler meets James Bond in this witty and inventive romp through Fourth Age Middle-earth. WKAC features a large cast of engaging original characters, plus delightful cameos from many of the major players. The author assures us that no canon was injured in the production of this fanfiction
[Added 09/09/2003; Drama; >50,000; Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit; Adult]
