Volume 101/Issue 10

TORN Message Boards Weekly Roundup – January 21 2013
Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past week. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORN and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. [Read more]

Collecting The Precious – Gentle Giant’s Dwalin Mini-Bust Review
“By my beard. You are shorter and wider than last we met.”   — Dwalin to Balin as they meet up for the meeting at Bag End
Our friends at Gentle Giant have a program known as their Premiere Guild Membership (PGM), which allows fans to get discounts, early access, and other exclusives for the many products they produce. When Gentle Giant announced their PGM gifts for this year, an exciting collectible from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was on the list: the Dwalin Mini-Bust! Fans of one of the baddest dwarves in Middle-earth can now select Dwalin, representing The Hobbit for 2012/13. Dwalin of course follows up Thorin who was the first bust released in this line and could be had during Comic-Con 2012. [Read more]

WILD THINGS With Dominic Monaghan Premiere Night Q&A
Last night in North America marked the launch of the remarkable new nature series Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan; and he kindly agreed to give TheOneRing.net an exclusive sit-down Q&A. The British actor, best known to Ringer fans as Meriadoc Brandybuck, is already receiving rave reviews from The Hollywood Reporter and other press. [Read more]

TheOneRing.net and New Zealand Post’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” Contest
Early in October, TORn announced the release of the New Zealand Post’s exclusive commemorative stamps and coins for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Today we’re giving you the chance to win some of the best of these commemorative items for your personal collection.

Simply answer the questions provided in the contest entry form below, fill in your details, and check back here on February 17th to see if your name is among the winners. Entries with correct answers to all questions will be entered into a lucky draw that will result in FOUR LUCKY WINNERS. [Read more]

‘The One Expected Party’ – A Party of Special Magnificence!
If you are on the fence about attending our Oscar night celebration let this whet your whistle a bit… Celebrate alongside your closest Tolkien friends as we settle in for almost 10 hours of entertainment, excitement and fellowship! [Read more]

Note from the Mods: We would like to invite the moderators of other fandom communities to become 'reporters' or 'scouts' for middleearthnews. All we ask is that you send us formatted updates on your own communities for posting here.

* tolkien_weekly (drabbles) updates:
All that is Gold… (Galadriel, Sam & Frodo; rated G) by kortirion
Finders, Keepers (Bree-folk, Old Tom; rated G) by edge_of_ruin

* hobbitfilmfic updates:
Ink Will Have to Do (Thorin/Bilbo; rated G) by mithen
The Plan (Kili/Elrond; rated NC-17) by alex_quine
The Beginning (Bilbo/Fili, mentions of Bofur/Kili, Thorin/Thranduil; rated NC-17; AU) by _beetle_
Defiled (1/3) (Azog/Bilbo, Bilbo,Thorin UST; rated NC-17; warning for noncon) by _beetle_
By the Light of this Small Flame (Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield; rated PG) by aisalynn
Good (Hugo Weaving/Richard Armitage; rated NC-17) by noalinnea
Defiled (2/3) (Bilbo/Thorin UST, allusions to Azog/Bilbo; rated NC-17; warning for mentions of noncon) by _beetle_
Watch/ing (Richard Armitage/Ian McKellen; rated NC-17) by evocates

* heirs_of_durin updates:
The Difference Between (Thorin Oakenshield/Bilbo Baggins; rated NC-17) by theaveryrule
Ink Will Have to Do (Thorin/Bilbo; rated G) by mithen
The Beginning (Bilbo/Fili, mentions of Bofur/Kili, Thorin/Thranduil; rated NC-17; AU) by _beetle_
Defiled (1/3) (Azog/Bilbo, Bilbo,Thorin UST; rated NC-17; warning for noncon) by _beetle_
By the Light of this Small Flame (Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield; rated PG) by aisalynn
Defiled (2/3) (Bilbo/Thorin UST, allusions to Azog/Bilbo; rated NC-17; warning for mentions of noncon) by _beetle_

The current challenge at tolkien_weekly is Blessings: Happiness

From hobbitfilmfic:

Challenge #2: Dwarven Company
This month, we're going with one of the Heirs of Durin, leader of the company of dwarves...
Character: Thorin Oakenshield

Actor: Richard Armitage

Quote: "Loyalty. Honour. A willing heart. I can ask no more than that."

Theme: Loss.

( Pictures... )

Please feel free to use whatever prompt inspires you! Any length, any size, any type of fanwork is fantastic. And remember that you're free to post all sorts of Hobbit-themed fic, art and discussion to the comm, regardless of whether it's for the challenge or not.

From tolkienbigbang, via fuckingimpalas:

A Long Expected Big Bang is an all inclusive Big Bang centered around all of Tolkien's works and the media surrounding it! Anything from the Hobbit to the Silmarillion to Sigurd and Gudrun to his norse translations will be expected. You can see a schedule of events , see more information , or follow the tumblr here.

From AO3 - Archive of Our Own:
-- TOLKIEN J. R. R. - Works
-- Lord of the Rings - All Media Types

* Via the TORn forums:
I don't think I've seen this discussed before
I know the topic of whether the movie rights to The Silmarillion would ever be sold has been hashed and rehashed, but I don't think I have ever seen discussions of other sorts of adaptations of Tolkien's work. So I thought I'd propose a few ideas and see what others think of them, and see what other sorts of ideas people might have.

Operas: Lay of Leithian
Children of Hurin

Both of those have the epic sweep and tragic story arcs that opera loves.

Plays: Well, Tolkien did write at least one-- The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son

Has that ever been staged? If not, it ought to be.

Leaf by Niggle would make a excellent play, either an audio play for radio, or a simple pared down staged version.

Farmer Giles of Ham would be fun as a staged musical.

Animated television special: Smith of Wooton Major, done in a very old-fashioned stylized way--no CGI! (I'm thinking of something sort of dreamy, like The Snowman with a soft and evocative score. )

TV mini-series: The Akallabeth, of course! Talk about intrigue and drama!

Of course, it's unlikely that CT would sell those rights either, but I think it's interesting to ponder.

(Excuse the lack of diacriticals; I haven't figured out how to put those on here.)


Khazad: What is a Dwarf? Tolkien and otherwise
I have always wanted to start my own forum topic of ideas for Dwarves and fill it with insane ramblings and ideas (that need to escape from my mind). YESS! the voices are calling and YESS I have a love for things Dwarf.

I want to write for me, but that shouldn't stop Dwarf haters and lovers to post as well (I want to hear both bashing and excitement). I bring this discussion up from a discussion topic in the Barliman chat room about Dwarves versus Elves and wanted to expand the topic to Dwarves in general! [maybe somebody can take some of my insanity and run with it to a book, video-game, or movie].

Topics I've been thinking of: Dwarf Weaponry, Dwarf Armor, Engineering, Tools, Building, Construction styles, Dwarf Civilization, Dwarf Heroes, Dwarf Religion, Mounts and Beasts of Burden, Fighting styles, Growth Patterns, Apprenticeships, Tolkien Khazad versus other fiction, RUNES, Jewelcraft!!, Dwarf MAGIC, Dwarven magical items, Dwarf Trades, (etc.)

I also want to talk about differences between Dwarves and Elves a little bit more [Tolkien and in fantasy in general]. I have a couple of ideas that would flesh out the two races and make them more understandable to people.

Opinion: I really feel a lot of movies, artists, and comics don't really have a good idea of a Dwarf (Khazad). I always go back to Tolkien to find and understand their character, characterization, strengths, and flaws. While Tolkien had a fascination with Elves (Eldar), he had a certain fleshing out of a Dwarf race that was what I most envisioned. Hoorah! I have (maybe) a place where like minds can dispel (or even create) stereotypes, if needs be!

Beren and Luthien
I just simply want to say I think this story is so amazing. It's my favourite after the lord fo the rings. So epic in scope.

And Sauron isn't even the main bad guy, he is just a servant! Imagine that, one that can turn into a wolfhound, and a vampire!

The Silmarils, Morgoth's crown, evil moody Elves, lost warriors, demigods! Love and death! I'd love to see this as a film!

Your friendly middleearthnews mods are constantly on the lookout for all things LotR-related, from fics to fandom events, comics to current news. Make them happy by emailing them at middle_earth_news@yahoo.com.

From estelanui:
Why were the Rings of Power Made, and what were their Powers?
... and more question about Rings.

Monday's BOOK question: When Fredegar Bolger was released from the lock holes, he asked Pippin what his size was now in... ?
Answer: Hats.

juliebeth, dreamflower02, capra_maritimus, tiranistion and febobe answered correctly.

Today's MOVIE question contributed by estelle3974: How many Rings of Power were forged in total?

All comments are screened so that only the mods can see the answers. Comments will be unscreened when the next edition is posted. Any comments on a different subject will be unscreened ASAP.

The mods would like to wish anyone having a special day the very best. Please send your special wishes to middle_earth_news@yahoo.com.

(Link contributions are welcome)

From I Can Has Cheezburger: