Compiled by the Espresso Addict

Espresso Recommendations

Innovative and stylish fanfiction, showcasing the very best across multiple sf, fantasy & literature fandoms. Good writing in all its forms can be found here, including gen, het, slash, OCs, AUs, crossovers, future fics, humour & pastiche

Contents: 1010 recs in 235 fandoms; 65 links

Lord of the Rings

Legolas

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Back to the Beginning by Adina

'He searched but could not find. For twice the lifespan of a man in these diminished days he searched for the one he had lost. Never had it taken so long; always before he had found his love within a hundred years.' This Fourth Age Legolas/Gimli story runs with a highly unusual premise to its poignant ending, and features an interesting version of the much older Elf. Well worth a read despite a scattering of typos

[Added 20/01/2012; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord of the Rings; Characters: Legolas, Gimli, OCs]

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; Characters: Gimli, Legolas, Galadriel, OCs; WiP]

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; Characters: Gimli, Legolas]

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; Characters: Arwen, Aragorn, Legolas, Elrond]

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; Characters: OC, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir, Faramir, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Eomer, Minor]

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; Characters: Legolas, Gimli, OC]

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; Characters: Legolas, Elrond, Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Boromir, Galadriel, OC]

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; Characters: Legolas, Gimli]