Words beneath a dappled sky

The hunters three, persistently
(Consistent in their tracking feat)
A leaf of Lorien they found,
All pounded down in loam and peat.

An attempt at the patterning of Tolkien's "Errantry" which turned out to be quite a difficult task and increased even more my respect for his grasp of language. The pattern has been turned in this case to the story of the Three Hunters in their run and their encounter with the Rohirrim, emphasis on Gimli.

The Burly Axegrinder
( There was a burly axegrinder, a taxminder, a warrior )
-

Though few can understand how we complete one another;
And they stare at us in wonder as we walk the city streets

One of those ultimate friendships in literature, the bond that grew between this most unlikely pair.

Two Such Friends
( we are lessened when we are apart )
-

Do not grieve that you yet have life

Galadriel's words to Gimli, who mourned for the loss of the glory his kind once knew - an amazing kindness between them, a comfort and a clear message of wisdom from one who knew intimately of the ravages Time could bring and the passing of seasons. With it I'm including Crystal Imperishable for the gift she bestowed on him and the faithful admiration he gave in return.

Grieve Not
( Fair were their days, and though darkness claims them now, It shall not claim you )
-
Crystal Imperishable
( For this I will release my words spoke ill against your kind )
-

Here lies Balin, Lord of Moria

Two poems for the Dwarves here, the first being Gimli's surety that somehow, some way Balin's ill-fated colony had survived, the second being a poetic examination of the Dwarven Lords, their world and their fate.

Gimli's Hope
( He will be waiting for us there. You'll see. )
-
Dwarven Lords
( ...thus their hearts were metal-bound )

Easy to read but fiendishly difficult to write. I know of what I speak - this form is very arguably the most difficult poetic form I've attempted so far. A small number of these are 'not quite pure' double-dactyls taking license with syllable count rather than properly multisyllabic singular words.

For an explanation of what a double-dactyl is, here's an intro:
http://lotrscrapbook.bookloaf.net/poetry/haiku/dactyl.html

And here we go - ( 15 Character Double-Dactyls, Higgledy-Piggledy )

( And three double-dactyl drinks for the Road -! )

A small stack for Middle-earth

A/N: I seem to have left a scattering of drabbles wherever I've gone, like bread-crumbs on a trail through the forest. Here are a few with 'serious' intent rather than parody.

( The Calling Forth of the Dead )
-
( The River )
-
( Her Ring )
-
( Lockholes )
-
( Sweet Mithlond )
-
( Gollum in the Lake )
-
( Flame of the West )
-
( Merry )
-
( Under the Earth )
-

Formerly burgling hobbits are never trusted...

Title:: Stone of Erebor
Characters: Bilbo, Bombur, Nori, Dori, Gloin, Gimli, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Dain Ironfoot, and a cameo of sorts for Thorin Oakenshield.
Wordcount: 70,776 (in 25 chapters)
Summary: Having left the Shire for good, Bilbo finally visits Lonely Mountain and his old friends, but Dain is suspicious of a non dwarf among them and when something goes missing, Bilbo finds himself drawn into ensuring its return.

2nd Place, MEFA 2007, General Mystery category

A/N: This is a gap-filler - I couldn't find any fic exploring my favorite hobbit's retirement trip and finally decided I would have to write it myself. My first attempt at anything like a mystery, and a fun exploration of how I imagine the Dwarves and their world to be. It has a companion piece added later for those wanting more Dwarves, the lighthearted "Bombur's Diet".

It being 25 chapters, I'll merely link to it:

Here at Stories of Arda: http://storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=3903

Here at Fanfiction.net: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2456490/1/Stone_of_Erebor

All who saw it wondered what it meant

Title: The Passing of the Fellowship
Characters: the entire Fellowship
Wordcount: 776
Summary: The Fellowship passes by in a highly individual way.

A/N: This was a One Hour challenge piece, in which we were given a prompt from Tolkien's writings and then had one hour to chase the bouncing ball where ever it might go. Mine developed an unexpected bounce.

( Gandalf walked in front... )

Arrrgh! Mmmmf!

Title: Dark! Leafy!
Characters: Legolas, Gimli
Wordcount: 1,012
Summary: Legolas visits the Glittering Caves with Gimli as he promised, but Gimli must return the favor and visit Fangorn. A brief humorous look at their differing opinions.

( Behold! The beauty of the Glittering Caves! )