Inspiring Stories
Playlist Stories
Playlist stories are linked so you may click through them as though they are one long story.
You may start with the overview or click directly to the first chapter of any story.
- 1. A Man In Full
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A pair of vignettes featuring Thranduil and his butler Galion at modern-day events -- Titanic and Dunkirk -- as perceived by a historical seaman from the Titanic. The characterizations are extraordinarily rich and nuanced.
- Rating: General
- Status: General
- 2. Transformation
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A totally unexpected peek at some of Tolkien's early cosmology.... Delightfully subversive!
- Rating: General
- Status: General
- 3. Aglarond
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A joyful tale of unlikely friendship in an exquisitely-detailed setting.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 4. The Legend Of The Grey Riders
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: Elladan and Elrohir recognize part of the history of Rohan.... a brilliant vignette, complete with storytelling and squabbling siblings.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 5. Battle of the Golden Wood, The
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: An enthralling and eye-opening saga of the battles of Lórien during the War of the Ring. Celeborn is both dangerous and wise....
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 6. Dark Dreams
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A tenderly-drawn sketch of Imrahil's love for young Faramir and Boromir, with a strong characterization of Denethor in absentia.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 7. Reflections in the Dark
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A horrifying view of an underground cave-in as seen by a trapped and regretful Gimli; companion piece to Musings by Torchlight
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 8. Musings by Torchlight
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A horrifying view of an underground cave-in as seen by a frantic and regretful Legolas, searching for Gimli; companion piece to Reflections in the Dark.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 9. Among the Fields of Green
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A vignette about Elfhelm reflecting upon the Battles of the Fords of Isen; the language is evocative and beautiful.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 10. Wind of Change
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A profoundly moving story about Maglor's presence at the Fall of the Berlin Wall; it left me in (happy) tears.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 11. High Flight
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A fascinating look back at important events from the discerning viewpoint of an ancient Eagle.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 12. Seeing Stone, The
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A sad tale of Gondor's Kin-strife, told by one who witnessed it up close and whose memory is undimmed by time.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 13. Last Grey Ship, The
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A hauntingly bittersweet view of the decision by two dear old friends to leave Middle-earth.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 14. Weight of Pliant Wood, A
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A most unusual and well-written slash pairing.
- Rating: Adult
- Status: Reviewed
- 15. Smiting Ruin
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A tongue-in-cheek examination of the meaning of words -- if you relished the wordplay between Gandalf and Bilbo when they first meet in The Hobbit, you'll enjoy this story!
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 16. The Beginning of a Wonderful Friendship
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: How Galadriel's wicked humor at Finrod's expense mollified Celeborn's wicked temper.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 17. Observation and Dissection of the Common Wood Elf (Telerius galadh)
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A disturbingly reductionist scientific study of Elves.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 18. Word of Caution Regarding Hobbits, A
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A gently humorous tale of aggravation and reconciliation.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 19. Gofi and the Balrog
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: A lighthearted view of Elrond's young sons, and the very special adult who helps them recover from a traumatic experience.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
- 20. Very Dark, Very Wet, and Very Miserable Morning, A
- Story Overview | Go to Ch. 1
- Included Because: An excellent example of how a dry, understated wit can be hilarious... especially if you enjoy black humor.
- Rating: General
- Status: Reviewed
