Recs
Yeah, I know, I'm always a few weeks behind everyone else with this stuff, but just in case you've missed some worthy fics:
First and foremost, we have
Artful Spirits by elanorgardner
(Rated NC-17, Frodo/Merry, Frodo and Merry learn that art really is in the eye of the beholder.)
Okay, I know I did happy-dances all over your f-lists when this started posting, so yes, you already know I love it. But I've just read it for the third time and really -- I have to make another pitch for it. It's everything I love in a Frodo/Merry fic: they are both consenting adult males; they love each other deeply; they look out for each other, put themselves through unsavoury situations for the other; and the reader knows why they do these things -- you never have to guess at whether this love is real. And, okay, so they're totally hot together. Shut up.
We get a look at each of these characters from the other's eyes and the sight is nothing less than breathtaking in all ways. The characterisations are true and respectful and so deep and rich that I'll probably read it a fourth time before the week is out. And of course, that has nothing to do with the *cough* interesting contortions.
*blinks innocently*
What?
(And btw -- trust the author. I happen to know she owns The Joy of Gay Sex and bendy people can do things like that. *grin*)
At the risk of getting all cliché here, it's a work of art and I love it and I love Elanor for writing it for me.
* * *
I think I'm on a bit of a Merry roll. I know, you're shocked.
At Crickhollow by danachan
(Rated PG-13, Merry/Pippin, Pippin wonders what it will really mean to follow Frodo.)
This Pippin is so wonderfully characterised and beautifully realised. He is young, he is afraid and it's the eve before they all start off into the Blue and who wouldn't be afraid? And yet there is never so much as a hint that he has any intention of backing down. There is comfort from a loving, reassuring Merry in the form of (among other things) the story of Hildifons Took, which takes on even more meaning in the telling of it and Pippin's later thoughts on it. It's a very 'true' story, this -- the exposition of the love Merry and Pippin have for each other and for Frodo one of the things I love about it (and you knew I would) most.
* * *
Okay, this one killed me dead.
A Minor Misunderstanding by shirebound
(Rated G, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam observe a popular game played in Minas Tirith. Assuming that Men possess the same natural abilities as Hobbits, they draw their own conclusions about the players - and the rules of the game.)
Bwah ha ha ha! Unfortunately, I can't say an awful lot about this one without giving a lot of it away. I can say that it's sharp and witty and the observations are exactly what these characters might make of what they are witnessing. This is a wonderful little piece for anyone who really needs a face-splitting grin. I wanted to hug it when I was through.
* * *
Ah, and here's one for anyone who wants to fall in love all over again.
Seven Year Itch by trianne
(Rated NC-17, Frodo/Aragorn, Frodo and Aragorn are living in domestic bliss in Minas Tirith. Well, they were...)
Insecurities, doubts, lost-opportunities and half-realised hopes. Or are they? This is done so believably that it's hard to call it an 'AU'. The evolution of the story and the motivations of the characters are so real that you won't know what outcome you're hoping for until the author gives it to you. And the writing, as always, makes me sigh. Trianne needs to quit doing so much beta and feed us more fic.
* * *
I fell instantly in love with this one.
Family And Friends by sophinisba
(Rated NC-17, Frodo/Merry [implied Merry/Pippin, Frodo/Merry/Pippin, Sam/Rosie], Merry visits Bag End two weeks after Elanor's birth.)
I'm not sure I know what to say about this one. It is so full of melancholy and deep love and a heartfelt wish for reconnection between two people who once knew each other so well. It's sad because that connection has been not severed but changed and it's happy because they do manage to rebuild at least some of it and it's bittersweet because there are realisations and acceptance and it's absolutely gorgeous because the love is one thing that is never lost. Bring your Kleenex.
* * *
It has been far too long since we've had something new from Budgie.
Shadows Of A Nameless Fear (WIP) by budgielover
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
(Rated PG-15, This story was written for our shirebound and does eventually adhere to her wishes for Frodo-comfort and respect. If you are a fan of feasts, wrapping of hobbits in blankets, much comfort, and a hobbit pile, you will find them somewhere in the fic. Just ignore the ... erm ... other parts.)
I so absolutely love Snarky!Frodo and this fic not only has him but it starts out with him -- in his sickbed, no less, and snarking at the king. *snort!* But here's the thing: he's so sharp and… I almost said 'grown up', but that would seem as though I were saying it like it's something new and it's definitely not with this author. We have a Frodo who knows what he wants, generally knows what's good for him but not always, and who can dish it out as well as he can take it. And we have a Merry who makes my knees weak and no, it's not a slash fic. But still -- GUH! And because it's Budgie, we have lots of people who love Frodo and want to take care of him and we have HOBBITNAPPING! (Hey, shut up -- it's good!!)
* * *
Here's one that I read a while back and re-discovered a little bit ago.
Every Day With You Is Special by grey_wonderer
(Rated NC-17, Pippin/Diamond, Pippin forgets an important occasion. Will Diamond forgive him?)
Who could not forgive Pippin? Well, Diamond certainly gives him a run for his money. And the thing is, she's right -- but this is so romantic and Pippin so swoon-worthy, that you won't care who's right. There's rain and there's romance and there's bone-deep love and you will melt into a little puddle of lurve-goo by the time it's through with you. (There are a few grammar issues but the story is too good not to recommend.)
* * *
And, as always, please be generous with your feedback. A 60-second comment is not too much to ask for hours' worth of enjoyment, yeah?
First and foremost, we have
Artful Spirits by elanorgardner
(Rated NC-17, Frodo/Merry, Frodo and Merry learn that art really is in the eye of the beholder.)
Okay, I know I did happy-dances all over your f-lists when this started posting, so yes, you already know I love it. But I've just read it for the third time and really -- I have to make another pitch for it. It's everything I love in a Frodo/Merry fic: they are both consenting adult males; they love each other deeply; they look out for each other, put themselves through unsavoury situations for the other; and the reader knows why they do these things -- you never have to guess at whether this love is real. And, okay, so they're totally hot together. Shut up.
We get a look at each of these characters from the other's eyes and the sight is nothing less than breathtaking in all ways. The characterisations are true and respectful and so deep and rich that I'll probably read it a fourth time before the week is out. And of course, that has nothing to do with the *cough* interesting contortions.
*blinks innocently*
What?
(And btw -- trust the author. I happen to know she owns The Joy of Gay Sex and bendy people can do things like that. *grin*)
At the risk of getting all cliché here, it's a work of art and I love it and I love Elanor for writing it for me.
* * *
I think I'm on a bit of a Merry roll. I know, you're shocked.
At Crickhollow by danachan
(Rated PG-13, Merry/Pippin, Pippin wonders what it will really mean to follow Frodo.)
This Pippin is so wonderfully characterised and beautifully realised. He is young, he is afraid and it's the eve before they all start off into the Blue and who wouldn't be afraid? And yet there is never so much as a hint that he has any intention of backing down. There is comfort from a loving, reassuring Merry in the form of (among other things) the story of Hildifons Took, which takes on even more meaning in the telling of it and Pippin's later thoughts on it. It's a very 'true' story, this -- the exposition of the love Merry and Pippin have for each other and for Frodo one of the things I love about it (and you knew I would) most.
* * *
Okay, this one killed me dead.
A Minor Misunderstanding by shirebound
(Rated G, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam observe a popular game played in Minas Tirith. Assuming that Men possess the same natural abilities as Hobbits, they draw their own conclusions about the players - and the rules of the game.)
Bwah ha ha ha! Unfortunately, I can't say an awful lot about this one without giving a lot of it away. I can say that it's sharp and witty and the observations are exactly what these characters might make of what they are witnessing. This is a wonderful little piece for anyone who really needs a face-splitting grin. I wanted to hug it when I was through.
* * *
Ah, and here's one for anyone who wants to fall in love all over again.
Seven Year Itch by trianne
(Rated NC-17, Frodo/Aragorn, Frodo and Aragorn are living in domestic bliss in Minas Tirith. Well, they were...)
Insecurities, doubts, lost-opportunities and half-realised hopes. Or are they? This is done so believably that it's hard to call it an 'AU'. The evolution of the story and the motivations of the characters are so real that you won't know what outcome you're hoping for until the author gives it to you. And the writing, as always, makes me sigh. Trianne needs to quit doing so much beta and feed us more fic.
* * *
I fell instantly in love with this one.
Family And Friends by sophinisba
(Rated NC-17, Frodo/Merry [implied Merry/Pippin, Frodo/Merry/Pippin, Sam/Rosie], Merry visits Bag End two weeks after Elanor's birth.)
I'm not sure I know what to say about this one. It is so full of melancholy and deep love and a heartfelt wish for reconnection between two people who once knew each other so well. It's sad because that connection has been not severed but changed and it's happy because they do manage to rebuild at least some of it and it's bittersweet because there are realisations and acceptance and it's absolutely gorgeous because the love is one thing that is never lost. Bring your Kleenex.
* * *
It has been far too long since we've had something new from Budgie.
Shadows Of A Nameless Fear (WIP) by budgielover
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
(Rated PG-15, This story was written for our shirebound and does eventually adhere to her wishes for Frodo-comfort and respect. If you are a fan of feasts, wrapping of hobbits in blankets, much comfort, and a hobbit pile, you will find them somewhere in the fic. Just ignore the ... erm ... other parts.)
I so absolutely love Snarky!Frodo and this fic not only has him but it starts out with him -- in his sickbed, no less, and snarking at the king. *snort!* But here's the thing: he's so sharp and… I almost said 'grown up', but that would seem as though I were saying it like it's something new and it's definitely not with this author. We have a Frodo who knows what he wants, generally knows what's good for him but not always, and who can dish it out as well as he can take it. And we have a Merry who makes my knees weak and no, it's not a slash fic. But still -- GUH! And because it's Budgie, we have lots of people who love Frodo and want to take care of him and we have HOBBITNAPPING! (Hey, shut up -- it's good!!)
* * *
Here's one that I read a while back and re-discovered a little bit ago.
Every Day With You Is Special by grey_wonderer
(Rated NC-17, Pippin/Diamond, Pippin forgets an important occasion. Will Diamond forgive him?)
Who could not forgive Pippin? Well, Diamond certainly gives him a run for his money. And the thing is, she's right -- but this is so romantic and Pippin so swoon-worthy, that you won't care who's right. There's rain and there's romance and there's bone-deep love and you will melt into a little puddle of lurve-goo by the time it's through with you. (There are a few grammar issues but the story is too good not to recommend.)
* * *
And, as always, please be generous with your feedback. A 60-second comment is not too much to ask for hours' worth of enjoyment, yeah?