cairistiona's place

There's been a story on ff.net that kept catching my eye when I checked the Captain America section, but it's one of those 'Peggy Carter brought back to life' fics and ehhhh, I've been burned by starting too many really poorly rendered ones in that particular AU genre that I just couldn't bring my self to try it, much as Cap & Peggy are my OTP when it comes to Steve Rogers (I like Sharon in the comics but... Peggy is life to me). I was leery, but as she continued to regularly update with new chapters it'd pop to the top of the list and I'd see it again and again. The review count especially caught my eye as it steadily inched toward the century mark. (Reviews on ff.net are a big indicator of truly good stories, because ff.net Marvel readers are terrible about reviewing unless it's really a humdinger of a tale or a romance, regardless of quality. Absolutely awful. Ao3 is about as bad but at least you get kudos. I really could rant for days but I'll spare y'all.) Anway, when the count hit 107, I figured what the heck, I'll give it a go. I can always hit the back button.

Two hours later, at 1 am, I'd forgotten a back button existed. So well done. I actually got all teary-eyed in places, which is something I rarely do when reading fic. Yes, that's what I said. It brought my non-romance-loving cold heart to actual sniffy tears.

*cough*

Tiny caveat: it's still a WIP, but she has only a few chapters left and already is plotting out the sequel. It's well worth bookmarking for when it's finished if you don't like reading WIPs. I simply couldn't let it go unrecommended, since in her bio she says she loves happy endings. I don't think she'll pull any fast ones with a bait-and-switch tragedy.

Sarcophagus by Mellia Bee
When an old Stark Tech capsule is discovered frozen into the ice, a piece of Captain America's wartime life comes to light. The Avengers must band together to help him as Steve comes to grips with his past, present, and future. Captain America/Avengers crossover, no slash. Spoilers for Marvel movies up through Cap 2 and TV show Agent Carter. Rated K plus to be safe.

It's warm and fluffy and all the characters are so in character, including Steve & Peggy acting in accordance with the era in which they spent their formative years. There's even a wee mention here and there of Bucky. Aw.

*using my Natasha voice*

You'll love it; it has all the feels.

I'm taking a wee bit of a chance rec'ing a WIP, but it's so doggone good that I don't anticipate it going off the rails.

If you enjoyed Owlet's This, You Protect, you'll very likely enjoy Eliot Rosewater's Abstraction. It uses a similar internal dialogue/programming conceit to the one Owlet used, but it's very much it's own unique take on the chase for Bucky. I'd say it fits well between Owlet's more humorous take on Bucky recovering and marjun's Third Directive and Simple Conversation fics as far as tone, and where those fics were solely Bucky POV, this one includes Sam's and Steve's. The characterizations are all spot on, and it's worth reading if for no other reason than the name Bucky assigns in his head to Sam Wilson as he starts to emerge from the programming. :D

There's 9 chapters so far and the author is updating regularly. If you only read completed fics, it's well worth putting on your to-read list. Also, if you never read on ff.net, I suggest for this one you might consider lifting your embargo, as it's not posted on Ao3.

A wonderful, gentle Ivorwen-centric story featuring a stubborn young chieftain and a lot of humor and poignancy and an adorable image of Dirhael, which is all I'll say because of spoilers. She wrote this for me to read while recovering from my last surgery, but Internet woes kept her from posting it until now.

Do go read it, and leave a review when you do!

Weeding
by EverleighBain
In which the Rangers are shorthanded, Aragorn is a lousy patient, and Ivorwen gets to behave as a grandmother should. Family/Hurt/Comort
Rated: K

She also has it at MPTT here.

Now, shoo... go read and review!! :D

brennanspeaks gifted me with a very, very funny little fic... thank you, my friend!!

Little Disasters
Aragorn's attempt to impress Arwen goes awry. Halbarad enjoys the result a little too much.
Rated K+

Read it here or here.

Yes, I'm killing time before time to leave, and I found a very pleasant pastime indeed in a collection of drabbles featuring Aragorn in his many guises: 

Fliewatuet's Flimsy Ficlets, by Fliewatuet, here at SoA.  Don't let the title fool you, because these are anything but flimsy!  Each is well written and she captures Aragorn perfectly, as well as supporting characters ranging from a cook at Rivendell to Boromir to Halbarad.  The latest is a new update after a long hiatus... here's hoping she stays out of hiatus!

I unearthed a very nice little fic about Gimli here at ff.net.  Like so many good stories over there that don't center on a modern-day girl falling into Legolas' arms, it's in dire need of nice reviews!

Story: Drive

Author: Melissa Hendrix

Characters: Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas, Merry, and Pippin

Rating: K+

Author's

Note: This story takes place shortly after the Orc attack which
culminated in Boromir's death, Merry and Pippin's capture at the end of
the Fellowship of the Ring, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli setting out
to rescue them. At least in the movie, Gimli seems to be far behind his
companions and extremely worn out during by tracking process. I always
wondered what his drive was to keep going….and so this story was born

Ooh, this is exactly why I still fish through ff.net, because you do find an occasional gem in the midst of the dreck!

"A Great King", by Sandra S. - Greatness has to be achieved and wisdom to be gained. At the start of his great journeys Aragorn visits Mirkwood. And learns a lesson for life.  Rated T, complete.  Aragorn & Thranduil

All I can say is wow.  Wow wow wow.  Aragorn and Thranduil!  Wow!  I'm babbling because it really is that good.

Sandra is a German writer, so there's some grammar/punctuation/spelling issues but they're minor, so don't let those toss you out of the story.  Stick with it because it unfolds beautifully.  It gave me a huge lump in my throat, and that doesn't happen very often.  

It's not long, a one-shot, so no worries it will turn into something stupid in new chapters like some stories *coughTheCowboycough*.  And because it's not long, you can take a break from... whatever... to read it.   So no excuses:  

Go read!!  (And please, leave her a review... there's only one lonely one there besides mine, and I really hope she can be cajoled into writing more Aragorn!)

~~~

And fic rec time again!  This one is from a brand new writer in the fandom, who I "met" when she emailed in response to a story of mine.  By her name alone, you know with whom her heart lies!   This is her first published fanfic, the first of what I hope will be many.  And I know she lurks here at LJ, peeking at Aragorn every day, so.... *waves*... Hi, Striderette!!   Hopefully one of these days you'll venture into LJ-land and join the fun here. :)

So, grab a tissue and head over to NaN for a moving one-shot:

Dusk Follows Dawn
by Striderette9
Rating: K+
An intimate portrait of the day King Elessar gives back the gift, told entirely from Arwen’s POV.

~~~

And fic rec time again!  This one is from a brand new writer in the fandom, who I "met" when she emailed in response to a story of mine.  By her name alone, you know with whom her heart lies!   This is her first published fanfic, the first of what I hope will be many.  And I know she lurks here at LJ, peeking at Aragorn every day, so.... *waves*... Hi, Striderette!!   Hopefully one of these days you'll venture into LJ-land and join the fun here. :)

So, grab a tissue and head over to NaN for a moving one-shot:

Dusk Follows Dawn
by Striderette9
Rating: K+
An intimate portrait of the day King Elessar gives back the gift, told entirely from Arwen’s POV.

Passing along two wonderful stories, in case you haven't already found them:

Labyrinth Time by Fiondil
Summary: Hidden in the fastness of Menegroth is a labyrinth. Deep in the woods of Lothlórien lies another. Though separated by time and space, they have a connection, one that lies in yet another wood. Inspired by the Teitho contest ‘Crossing Borders’.  Wonderfully creative, very unique story.

and

Missing Breakfast by curiouswombat 
Seven Sins - Sloth Challenge.
Author; curiouswombat
Title; Missing Breakfast
Rating; PG
Source: LotR
Characters;Aragorn and Arwen.
For the 'Sloth' challenge.

There's no summary given, so I'll just say it's a delightful drabble depicting a moment between our favorite King and Queen. :)