Mithril Awards 2003
Almost 600 different works were nominated by the public
for awards, and selecting the finalists in each category was a tough task
-- all the stories, poems and essays listed here should be considered
winners. Three or more judges laboured over each shortlist to choose the
works they considered to most merit awards. More details of the highs
and lows of this, the inaugural year of the Mithril Awards, from the perspective
of the Committee members can be found in this report.
Best Silmarillion
Winner: Terrible Gifts, by Philosopher at Large (Adult)
"It took me multiple readings to really absorb this
story, but the reward is tremendous. The unique writing
style takes a well-known story and completely transforms
it with almost unbearable pathos."
Runner-up: One Ring to Bind Them, by Tyellas (Adult)
Atalantie, by Aerlinnel (Adult)
Finrod's Oath, by Jmac
Song of the Rock, by Joan Milligan
Under the Curse, by Finch (Adult)
Best Lord of the Rings
Winner: On Gorgoroth Plain, by Teasel
"Extremely creative, excellent use of symbolism.
Could imagine recommending this to a LotR fan who had
never read fanfiction, as an intro to why one does read
fanfiction!"
Runner-up (tie): Across the Waters, by Oselle
Runner-up (tie): Death by Water, What the Thunder Said, The Fire Sermon, by Altariel
Bitter as Blood, by Shadow975
Last Hero, by Joan Milligan
Wise, Fearless and Fair, by Philosopher at Large
Best The Hobbit
Winner: King Under the Mountain, by Zara
Hemla
"Spooky. Very spooky. The dialogue is
wonderfully in character, and the premise, though clearly
AU, well-drawn."
Runner-up: In the Hall of the Wood-elf King, by Treehugger
Grud, by Valedhelgwath
Sheathing Sting, by Celandine
Brandybuck
Best Fourth Age or beyond
Winner: Shards of Time, by A.L. Milton
"An incredible piece of well-researched
fictional journalism."
Runner-up: Beyond this World, by Thundera Tiger
Courtyard of the White Tree, by
Baranduin (Adult)
Last Grey Ship, by ErinRua Commended
Who Knackered Aragorn's Catamite? by
Earthspot (Adult)
Best alternate universe or crossover
Winner: Webs, by Roz Kaveney
"Sparing with words, dark like a fine chocolate,
and causes a shudder up your spine."
Runner-up: Withdrawn
Another Way of Leaving, by Jodancingtree
Caliban, by Willow-wode Commended
Captain and the King, by PlasticChevy
Of Leaves of Gold and Petals Red, by Ithilwen
Commended
Veiling of the Sun, by Maggie
Best story focusing on Elves
Winner: Legacy, by RoseRed
"Bitter sweet and oh so pretty."
Runner-up: Thread of Fate, by Forodwaith
Aglarond, by ErinRua Commended
Leaf and Branch, by JastaElf
Little Nudge out of the Door, by Jocelyn Commended
Tale of Elrond and Celebrian, by Nemis (Adult)
Best story focusing on Men
Winner: Kind of Valediction, by Altariel
"No visible mistakes or flaws. It certainly must
have some, the author being human, but this judge has
been unable to locate them. Perfect in each and every
sense of the word."
Runner-up: Charcoal, Stone and Cloud, by
Shadow975
Ashes, East Winds, Hope that Rises,
by ErinRua
Chasing the Moon, by Kielle
Compline, by Maia
In Brethil's Shade, by Philosopher at
Large Commended
Best story focusing on Hobbits
Winner: Legacy, by Anglachel (Adult)
"A penetrating look at Bilbo." -- "A very
powerful piece of writing. Thoughtfully drawn out and
'tastefully' (if I may use the word) written."
Runner-up: Care and Feeding of Hobbits, by
Baylor
Aftermath, by Willow-wode
Pretty Good Year, by Mary Borsellino (Adult)
Pub Series -- Story 1: Politics, by Rachel Stonebreaker
Commended
Shaping of Samwise, by Jodancingtree
Would You Lead These Lambs Astray? by Soul of Frodo
Best story focusing on other races
Winner: Come Back To Me, by Teasel
"Interesting idea and quite well thought out
while staying close to the brief glimpses of the race in
question that Tolkien gave us."
Runner-up: Repairs, by Isabeau of Greenlea
Balin's Folly, by Valedhelgwath
Bargaining for Beginners, by Honesty (Adult)
Exultation of Gold, by Philosopher at
Large Commended
One Dark Night, by Enros (Adult)
Best Fellowship story
Winner: Aglarond, by ErinRua
"Beautifully 'quiet', in-character and poignant.
The descriptions are loving and evocative. The story
paints itself like a masterpiece painting."
Runner-up: While the Ring Went South, by Thundera Tiger
Campfire Story, by Meg Thornton
Care and Feeding of Hobbits, by
Baylor Commended
Interlude at Imladris, by Elwen
Best romance or erotica – het
Winner: Box of Rain, by Alon
"Crisp, excellent economy of words. Love without
being overly sweet or sentimental. The sex is tastefully
handled. One of the most professional LOTR fanfics I have
ever read."
Runner-up: Game of Chess, by Altariel
And Left the Tenderness of Tears, by
Lurea (Adult)
Certain Peace, by Trinity Helix (Adult)
Lost Tale of Merry and Estella, by
Stef (Adult)
Tale of Elrond and Celebrian, by Nemis (Adult)
Commended
This Blissful Torture, by Silindro
Trellis, by Tiamat's Child
Best romance or erotica – slash
Winner: History of Us, by Daisy Gamgee (Adult)
"Good insights into the emotional development of the
characters."
Runner-up: Heatwave, by Teasel (Adult)
Arrogant Assumption, by Cheyenne
Dancer (Adult)
Folly of Starlight, by AC (Adult)
From the Other River Bank, by
Dwimordene Commended
Courtyard of the White Tree, by
Baranduin (Adult)
Winnow and Rhyme, by Cara J. Loup (Adult)
Best action/adventure
Winner: Atalantie, by Aerlinnel (Adult)
"Depicts the horrors of war so vividly that it
gave me chills. The end is so poignant and moving that it
makes the story a truly unforgettable one."
Runner-up: Watcher in the Water, by
Valedhelgwath (Adult)
How Legolas Proved his Bowmanship, by
Chathol-linn Commended
Roots, by Dwimordene (Adult)
Useful Lies, by Mackie
Best drama
Winner: Ring and the Crown, by Vulgarweed (Adult)
"Outstanding. Calling this a wild ride is an
understatement." -- "So incredibly creepy, and
incredibly plausible"
Runner-up: One Ring to Bind Them, by Tyellas (Adult)
Ashes, East Winds, Hope that Rises,
by ErinRua
Eleventh Hour, by Zimraphel Commended
Father and Sons, by Dwimordene
Under the Curse, by Finch (Adult)
Best humour or parody
Winner: Last Elf Standing, by Suzene Campos
"Sophisticated, elegant and scathingly funny.
The author knows their canon."
Runner-up: At the Rivendell Internet Cafe, by Fennelseed
Elf Slash Sarcasm, by Tyellas (Adult)
Nine Men and a Little Lady, by Kielle
Official Fanfiction University of Middle-earth, by
Camilla Sandman Commended
Saruman's Revenge, by Skyfire
Very Secret Diaries, by Cassandra
Claire (Adult)
Best characterisation – Tolkien
character
Winner: Repairs, by Isabeau of Greenlea
"We are truly looking through the eyes of Gimli,
and everything we see is coloured by that."
Runner-up: Wise, Fearless and Fair, by Philosopher at Large
Across the Waters, by Oselle
Burial of the Dead, by Altariel Commended
In the Halls of Mandos, by Argent
Twilight, by Aerlinn
When First we Parted, by Laura_L Commended
Best characterisation – original
character
Winner: Rooster Man of Gondor, by Chelsea
Nolen
"Definitely the most original character I've
come across in any Tolkien fanfiction. What this story
lacks in word count, it makes up for in impact.
Breathtaking!"
Runner-up: Who Knackered Aragorn's Catamite? by
Earthspot (Adult)
And Left the Tenderness of Tears, by Lurea (Adult)
Captain, my Captain -- part 1 (ch
1-19), by Isabeau of Greenlea (Adult) Commended
Magda's Tale, by Meg Thornton (Adult)
Not from Mountain, nor from Sea, by
Gil Shalos
Where the Stars are Strange, by
Dwimordene Commended
Best poetry
Winner: Lay of the Fall of Gondolin, by Burningtyger
"Recalls Tennyson & Poe in its style. A
superior work." -- "One of the closest to
Tolkien's verse of the finalists."
Runner-up: Home by Morning, by Fileg
Arwen to Aragorn, by Valerie Sleith
Eowyn, My Fair One, by Dwimordene (Adult)
Gwathrad Valannor -- the Darkening of
Valinor, by Sepdet Commended
In Denethor's Locked Cupboard, by
Stultiloquentia Commended
More than Enough, by Connie Anderson
Song of Firiel, by Meir Brin
To Nienor, by Thalia Weaver
Best critical essay
Winner: Warm Beds are Good: Sex and Libido in
Tolkien's Writing, by Tyellas (Adult)
"Chock-full with well-researched and varying
references. The engaging writing style was very
accessible."
Runner-up: Flag of Middle-earth: Tolkien's Use
of Chesterton to Illustrate Hope and Despair in the Lord
of the Rings, by Deedee
Bit of Light: Visions and
Transformations of the Ring Quest, by Cara Loup
Lord of the Rings: an Archetypal
Hero's Journey, by Jody Bower Commended
Writing a Green Sun, by Anglachel (Adult)
Best vignette or short story
Winner: Repairs, by Isabeau of Greenlea
"An absolutely delightful vignette. The author
really knows their stuff about smithing and it's great to
see Gimli doing what a Dwarf does best."
Runner-up: Burial of the Dead, by Altariel
Lord of Carrion, by Philosopher at
Large
On Gorgoroth Plain, by Teasel Commended
Rosary, by Lobelia Sackville-Baggins
Song of the Rock, by Joan Milligan
They Say of the Elves, by Brancher (Adult)
Best novel/serial
Winner: Sam's Rose, by Jodancingtree
"Wonderful characterizations; fine descriptions;
clear dialog." -- "Captures the spirit of the
hobbits well."
Runner-up (tie): Official Fanfiction University of Middle-earth, by
Camilla Sandman
Runner-up (tie): Tale of Elrond and Celebrian, by Nemis (Adult)
Days of Light and Darkness series, by
Maybe (Adult) Commended
Heart and Body, by Implacida (Adult)
Rites of Passage, by Willow-wode (Adult)
Who Knackered Aragorn's Catamite? by
Earthspot (Adult)
Best story by new author
Winner: Dance of Terrible Grace, by Adina
"Beautifully constructed and concise." --
"Great characterisation of Legolas that cuts across
fanon."
Runner-up: Garden for my Love, by Tiriel
After Such Knowledge, by Azalais
Beyond the Shadow, by Gemgold
Boar and Steward, by Thevina
Finduilas
Haven, by Cycloran
On the Wall, by Cainell
Study in Human Weakness, by Sethos
JUDGES' CHOICE AWARDS
Best entry by author for whom English is not their first
language
Winner: Song of the Rock, by Joan Milligan
Also commended:
Official Fanfiction University of Middle-earth, by
Camilla Sandman
Tale of Elrond and Celebrian, by Nemis (Adult)
Under the Curse, by Finch (Adult)
Best entry by author aged 16 or under
Winner: Song of Firiel, by Meir Brin
Runner-up (tie): On the Wall, by Cainell
Runner-up (tie): To Nienor, by Thalia Weaver
VOTERS' CHOICE AWARDS
Best Lord of the Rings
/ The Hobbit
Winner: Care and Feeding of Hobbits, by
Baylor
Runner-up: Folly of Starlight, by AC (Adult)
Best Silmarillion
Winner: One Ring to Bind Them, by Tyellas (Adult)
Runner-up: Under the Curse, by Finch (Adult)
Best gen
Winner: Care and Feeding of Hobbits, by
Baylor
Runner-up (tie): Beyond this World, by Thundera Tiger
Runner-up (tie): Chasing the Moon, by Kielle
Best het
Winner: Game of Chess, by Altariel
Runner-up: Captain, my Captain -- part 1 (ch
1-19), by Isabeau of Greenlea (Adult)
Best slash
Winner: Very Secret Diaries, by Cassandra
Claire (Adult)
Runner-up (tie): Folly of Starlight, by AC (Adult)
Runner-up (tie): From the Other River Bank, by
Dwimordene
Adult denotes material rated R or above; unlabelled
material may not be suitable for young children.