Mithril Awards 2004
Over 750 different works were nominated by the public,
and choosing the works for awards was a tough task -- all the stories,
poems & essays listed here should be considered winners. In each
category, three to five judges selected the works for awards from among
the finalists. The finalists were picked by another two people,
and their number takes into account the number of works that stood out,
as well as the overall number and quality of works nominated within that
category.
Best Silmarillion
Winner: Falling,
by Maureen Lycaon
"It's subtly suspenseful, carefully written, and offers amazing
insights to the 'dark side'. Fantastic."
Runner-up: Across Dark Waters, by Zimraphel
Bound By Difference, by Sphinx
Every Good and Perfect Gift, by Nessime COMMENDED
Gathering the Pieces, by Tehta COMMENDED
Opening
Doors, by Adina Atl (Adult)
Semi-finalists
Best Lord of the Rings
Winner: Gifts
of Life, by Fileg
"A supremely wonderful story that is as beautifully crafted as
Gimli's creation." "The beauty of the different cultures of
Middle-earth was brought out excellently."
Runner-up: All's Well, by Cara J Loup
Emblematic, by Your Cruise Director COMMENDED
Spartan Letters, by Dwimordene
The
Battle of Bywater, by Lullenny
The Hours, by Thevina Finduilas COMMENDED
The
Trial of Frodo Baggins, by Gentle Hobbit
Semi-finalists
Best The Hobbit
Winner: The
Unexpected Homecoming, by JMac
"Hilarious, clever, brilliant dialogues, well respected
canon, great characterization, Bilbo at his best."
Runner-up: The Emblem You Chose, by Wild Iris
A
Taste for Honey, by Nefertiti (Adult)
In Darkness, by Celandine Brandybuck
The Party Next Door, by Acacea
Semi-finalists
Best Fourth Age or beyond
Winner: Lasciate
Ogne Speranza?, by Finch
"Maglor is wonderfully realized, with his emotions & actions
clearly detailed. Dante is also beautifully crafted. The interplay between
them -- poet & singer -- is fantastic."
Runner-up: Rose Riddle, by Stultiloquentia
Light
Lingering, by Ëarmírë COMMENDED
Magnetic
Force, by Marnie
Paths
for the Dead, by James Walkswithwind
Shades of the Immortal, by Levade COMMENDED
Best alternate universe or crossover
Winner: War
Dust, by Ëarmírë
"One of the most thoughtful, intriguing and well-written stories
it has been my privilege to read."
Runner-up: Spirits of the House, by Altariel
Fellowship,
by M Scott Eiland
Following the Other Wizard: Journey into Healing, by Jodancingtree
Revenge
of the Fanfiction Husbands, by Theresa Green COMMENDED
The
Corsair Papers, by Fileg and Flick
The Perfect Match, by Tiriel (Adult) COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Best story focusing on Elves
Winner: The
Battle of the Golden Wood, by Marnie
"The beauty, timelessness, infinite sorrow, and radiance
of Elves are captured in this story."
Runner-up: Seas of Fate, by Thundera Tiger
Gold
Like Tears, by Zimraphel
Sapphire
Aurea, by Bejai
Standards, by Dwimordene
Semi-finalists
Best story focusing on Men
Winner: The
Face of the Enemy, by Soledad
"Wonderful evocation of the beliefs of the Haradrim." "I
loved the point of view of this story. Everything we've seen before seemed
somehow different coming from the enemy."
Runner-up (tied): Every
Good and Perfect Gift, by Nessime
Runner-up (tied): Ties
of Love, by Avon
Aglarrâma,
by Zimraphel
How Many Years?, by Marta
Keepers of the Hearth, by Alawa
Semi-finalists
Best story focusing on Hobbits
Winner: Gardener
in the Vineyard, by Calanthe
"Beautiful, lyrical voice and heartbreaking unfolding of the
tragedy wrought by the war upon this hobbit family and the earth of the
Shire."
Runner-up: In the Dark, by Ariel
In an Inn, by Peachy
On Merry Yule, by Anglachel (Adult) COMMENDED
Paths for the Dead, by James Walkswithwind COMMENDED
The
Unexpected Homecoming, by JMac
Semi-finalists
Best story focusing on other races
Winner: Opening
Doors, by Adina Atl (Adult)
"A very well-written and structured piece. I liked the way that Noldorin
history was not explicitly described, being outside Narvi's knowledge,
but was ever-present for the reader."
Runner-up: Speak, Friend, and Enter, by Thevina Finduilas
An
Unexpected Encounter, by Lurea COMMENDED
Falling,
by Maureen Lycaon
Felagund and the Noegyth Nibin, by Soledad
Hope
for the Uruk, by Grond (Adult)
Slouching toward Gondolin, by Fileg
Semi-finalists
Best romance or erotica – het
Winner: The
Influence of Kindred Desires, by Tanaqui (Adult)
"A wonderful story. The exploration of the marriage customs was
interesting and fit well within the confines of Tolkien’s world."
Runner-up: Quickening, by Tyellas
Gift Horses, by Jedishampoo COMMENDED
Horses
and Hounds, by Laura L
Inspired, by Viv (Adult)
Sára-Lissë
-- Bittersweet, by Erin's Daughter (Adult) COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Best romance or erotica – slash
Winner: The
Night Season, by Achillea Millefolium (Adult)
"Unusual. Captured my attention, and held it right to the end. The
slow build up of tension was quite enjoyable. Excellent descriptions of
the uneasiness of a relationship between master and servant."
Runner-up: Hope for the Uruk, by Grond (Adult)
Discretion
& Discovery,
by Isabeau of Greenlea (Adult)
Ghost
Fires, by Ëarmírë
Iced Tease, by Theresa Green (Adult)
Instinct, by Tiriel (Adult) COMMENDED
On the Shores of Valinor, by Maybe (Adult)
Shriven, by Lullenny (Adult) COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Best action/adventure
Winner: Finding
Courage, by Zimraphel
"A real page-turner." "Frightening & impressive."
Runner-up: In the Hands of the Enemy, by Meckinock (Adult)
False
Trails, by Mackie and Hephaistos
In the Wild, by Forodwaith COMMENDED
The
Warrior, by Daw the Minstrel
Best drama
Winner: The
Strange Case of the House at Hollinport, by Russ
"A flawless pastiche, masterfully rendered. Tolkien and Lovecraft
are both masters of evoking the eldritch, and the integration of these
two visionaries is so flawless that they seem very much of one mind."
Runner-up: Across Dark Waters, by Zimraphel
Confessions
of a Sharp Glance, by Maura Mellon
Fire and Shadow, by Daw the Minstrel
Proof,
by Altariel
Tempus
Edax Rerum, by Mirrordance COMMENDED
War Dust, by Ëarmírë COMMENDED
Best gapfiller
Winner: Queen's
Gambit, by A L Milton
"A delicate and flowing piece that has an astounding amount of
depth for so few words."
Runner-up: Gifts of Life, by Fileg
Failure,
by Tanaqui COMMENDED
In
the Dark, by Ariel COMMENDED
Of Bombadil and Peredhel, by Meir Brin
The
Hours, by Thevina Finduilas COMMENDED
When the Day Comes, by Ravenna Halfwest
Semi-finalists
Best humour or parody
Winner: Dinner
Guests, by Salsify
"Shockingly hilarious."
Runner-up: The Groupie of Dol Guldur, by Wild Iris
A
Very Dark, Very Wet, and Very Miserable Morning, by Thundera Tiger
Ailurophobia, by Werecat COMMENDED
Frodo
Hill; or, Memoirs of a Hobbit of Pleasure, by Teasel (Adult)
Home
for the Holidays, by Claudio (Adult)
Legolas:
the Owner's Guide and Maintenance Manual, by Theresa Green
Notes
From the Field, by Bryn Bnw
Semi-finalists
Best characterisation – Tolkien character
Winner: The
Prince, by Tyellas
"Strong characterization, not only of Maeglin, but of
everyone around him. Great use of language in dialogue and description.
Intriguing plot, which stays true to what we know of canon but leaves
us feeling as though we've learned something about how Gondolin really
worked."
Runner-up: The Hour of Splendor, by HF
Breathe,
by Fileg COMMENDED
Confessions of a Sharp Glance, by Maura Mellon
Emblematic, by Your Cruise Director COMMENDED
Resolution,
by A L Milton
Sára-Lissë -- Bittersweet, by Erin's Daughter (Adult)
Semi-finalists
Best characterisation – minor character
Winner: The
Sorcerer's Apprentice, by Erunyauve
"Eerie and chilling." "A glorious piece of work that
left me thinking and wondering. I am in awe at the author’s knowledge
of subject matter."
Runner-up: Magnum Opus, by Zimraphel
In
the Clear, by Cara J Loup
Nine Lives, by Werecat COMMENDED
Nor Iron Bars a Cage, by Fayjay
Pearl of Great Price, by Lindelea
Semi-finalists
Best characterisation – original character
Winner: Keepers
of the Hearth, by Alawa
"Our sympathies are always with the Éowyn-characters,
caged in womanly domesticity when they long for adventure and high romance.
But here, for once, we see the other side: the home-makers, the hearth-mothers
for whom the house is not a cage but a shrine, and who know that 'hope
remains while women endure.' "
Runner-up (tied): Gardener
in the Vineyard, by Calanthe
Runner-up (tied): Slouching
toward Gondolin, by Fileg
An
Unexpected Encounter, by Lurea
Discretion
& Discovery,
by Isabeau of Greenlea (Adult)
Giving Gifts, by Dwimordene COMMENDED
Shire:
Beginnings, by Lindelea
To
Death, by Song of Eä
Best characterisation – ensemble
Winner: Not
for Pride Alone, by Zimraphel
"The author might have been channelling the professor, only her
prose is more elegant, her storytelling more personal."
Runner-up: A Spring Fair in Minas Tirith, by Regina
Celestial Quartet, by Thevina Finduilas (Adult)
Hostage of Hate, by Littlefish
That Which Remains, by Ëarmírë
The Battle of the Golden Wood, by Marnie COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Best vignette or short story
Winner: Spartan
Letters, by Dwimordene
"Faramir was more real to me through this piece than through
even Tolkien. I'd read this before, but it never loses its potency --
in fact, with every reading it seems to get better."
Runner-up: Coavalta, by Zimraphel
Nine
Lives, by Werecat
Rose
Riddle, by Stultiloquentia
Seas of Fate, by Thundera Tiger
Shades of the Immortal, by Levade
The Sickle of the Valar, by Altariel
Ties of Love, by Avon COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Best novel/serial (>50,000 words)
Winner: Stars
in the River, by Murasaki99
"I would highly recommend this story to any looking for well-written,
well-thought-out Tolkien fiction."
Runner-up: Courting the Lady, by Celandine Brandybuck
On
Merry Yule, by Anglachel (Adult)
On the Shores of Valinor, by Maybe (Adult)
One Year in Mirkwood, by Daw the Minstrel COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Poetry – short form
Winner: Love
Me, Urgren, by Werecat
"Fantastic use of the Opposite and the Other to create an undeniable
impact."
Runner-up: The Entwives, by Sharon L Shannon
Ar-Feiniel,
by Aramel
Home
of My Heart, by Nimíriel COMMENDED
Kementári's Son, by Celandine Brandybuck
Semi-finalists
Poetry – long form
Winner: The
Minstrel, by Finwen
"Definitely a good addition to the fanfic canon."
Runner-up: War Now Calls Us, by Elvenesse
Erech
Memorial, by Primula
Ruin,
by Notabluemaia
Sonnets
of the Gondolindrim, by Nerdanel
The White and the Grey, by Sharon L Shannon
Varda
Makes the Elven-Stars, by Aramel COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Poetry – comic or light
Winner: One
Day, by Alawa
"A charmer for the procrastinator in all writers."
Runner-up: Run Run Run, by Celandine Brandybuck
Ode
To the Absent, by Thevina Finduilas
Paperback Strider, by Haleth Haladin COMMENDED
Song-Fight at the Swan and Cygnet Saloon, by Chathol-Linn
The Hamster, by Dwimordene
Best critical essay or research article
Winner: The
Unnatural History of Tolkien's Orcs, by Tyellas
"Intellectual and engaging" "Quite a good essay on
an interesting topic"
Runner-up: Gondorian Military Organisation and Government: Some Thoughts, by Tanaqui
Life and Times: The Influences on JRR Tolkien, by Heather M Jones
The Life and Inspirations of JRR Tolkien, by Tami Allen
Under the Waterfall, by Thevina Finduilas COMMENDED
Semi-finalists
Best story by new author
Winner: Scenes
from Rivendell, by Dracunculus
"Very quickly creates a sense of drama, very good at emotional
tugs. Made me see a point of view I did not consider before."
Runner-up: For
Love of Creation, by Andreth
Orc
Patrol, by Igenlode Wordsmith
Seven Stars and Seven Stones, by Queen of Thorns
What
the Heart Knows, by Frayach ni Cuill COMMENDED
VOTERS' CHOICE AWARDS
Best Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit
Winner: A
Fool's Hope, by Thundera Tiger
Runner-up: When
Shadow Touches Home, by Daw the Minstrel
Best Silmarillion
Winner: History
Lessons, by Nilmandra
Runner-up: Slouching
toward Gondolin, by Fileg
Best Character Piece
Winner: Hope
for the Uruk, by Grond (Adult)
Runner-up: Emblematic,
by Your Cruise Director
Best Drama / Action Adventure
Winner: Fire
and Shadow, by Daw the Minstrel
Runner-up: The
Battle of Bywater, by Lullenny
Best Humour
Winner: Legolas:
the Owner's Guide and Maintenance Manual, by Theresa Green
Runner-up: Home
for the Holidays, by Claudio (Adult)
Best Romance/Erotica -- Het
Winner: Sára-Lissë
-- Bittersweet, by Erin's Daughter (Adult)
Runner-up: At
Sea, by Altariel
Best Romance/Erotica -- Slash
Winner: Shining
One, by Stewardess (Adult)
Runner-up: Ghost
Fires, by Ëarmírë
JUDGES' CHOICE AWARDS
Best entry by author for whom English is not their first language
Winner: Mortal
Shores, by Vorondis (Adult)
Runner-up: Confessions
of a Sharp Glance, by Maura Mellon
Bewitched,
by Arwen Lune
Bound
By Difference, by Sphinx
Home
of My Heart, by Nimíriel
Nine
Lives, by Werecat
Of
Gold and Wood, by Lady Peredhel
Perfect
World, by Juxian Tang
Roost,
by Cara J Loup COMMENDED
Some
Years Ago in Greenwood, by Luineithel
Tempus
Edax Rerum, by Mirrordance
The
Face of the Enemy, by Soledad COMMENDED
The
Heart of Men, by Nili
The
Party Next Door, by Acacea COMMENDED
Their
Love Will Be With Me, by Azira Aziz
To
Sleep, Perchance To Dream, by Calle Dybedahl
Best entry by author aged 16 or under
Winner: To
Death, by Song of Eä
Runner-up: Of
Bombadil and Peredhel, by Meir Brin
Also commended:
Eina
Nostare, Meleth Nin, by The Last Evenstar
Left
Behind, by Katherine
Of
Arwen and Aragorn, by Newra
The Life and Inspirations of JRR Tolkien, by Tami Allen
Adult denotes material rated R or above; unlabelled material may not be suitable for young children.