I only read fics featuring the world of Men, and even there, I usually limit myself to Gondor. I have a sort of love-hate relationship with Aragorn, and a very soft spot for Denethor and his two sons.
Here goes, in no particular order...
An Unexpected Visit (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3955611/1/An_Unexpected_Visit) by cressida0201. A terrific exploration of the the interesting-but-fraught relationship between Gandalf and Denethor and his sons. The author has a real gift for language and characterization, and while she's written many brilliant (and I might add, hilariously funny) things, this is probably my favorite.
Hands of the King (http://www.romenna.net/stories/chapter_view.cfm?STID=129&SPOrdinal=1) by Anglachel (http://www.blogger.com/profile/01110546252851760414). An epic that often rivals canon for richness and detail, and that provides greater insight into the lives of Denethor, Aragorn and Finduilas than any other fic I've ever read in the entire fandom. As the story progresses, it gets a bit weirder and there are places where the author and I disagree significantly. Still, this was the story that made me see the potential of fanfiction as meta commentary on the original.
Cold (http://sealover-astara.livejournal.com/23007.html) by sealover_astara, i.e. one of my favorite people on LJ ever. :) Astara offers a very different take on Denethor/Finduilas than anywhere else in fandom, and all of her fics take great pains to promote the idea of a good Steward in a happy marriage, rather than just giving the role of dystopian spoiler to Denethor. This story, in particular, is a wonderful departure from the usual stuff. And Denethor learns a lesson of sorts, which is never a bad thing. :)
Learning Letters (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2484067/1/Learning_Letters) by lilan14. I love this story, not only for its take on Denethor as a man of learning and patience, but also for the very credible way the author writes children. It's a tough thing to do, but lilan14 nails it. This is one of my favorite LotR stories ever, fwiw.
Adraefan (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?stid=4097) by Aeneid (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/story_sort.cfm?stauthorid=1187). An AU where Boromir lives. And there are consequences. This story moved me so much I went through an entire box of tissues, and disturbed me so much I had to stop reading it halfway through. But I was compelled to go back to it, because the writing was so powerful and so evocative. I have not had the courage to read the story again, but everyone else should.
Boromir Is Not Left-handed (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2785665/1/Boromir_is_Not_Left_Handed) by illwynd. A crossover fic featuring LotR and The Princess Bride. I think that's as much explanation as you need. :) Just brilliant. (I'm pretty sure this is the fifth time I'm reccing this too, lol).
From the Other River Bank (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=5) by Dwimordene (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/story_sort.cfm?stauthorid=5). Now, I'm not a fan of LotR slash generally, and I certainly don't go looking for the Boromir/Faramir variety, but this was one of the first fics I ever read in the fandom, and its potrayal of the relationship between the brothers (mostly non-slash, but with just the hint of mutual attraction) really moved me. I hated Denethor in the story (and I'm probably never quite forgive the author for the way she portrays him here and in her other stories), but Boromir and Faramir are surprisingly close to canon in this fic, and I found their interaction very credible and quite touching.
no subject
I only read fics featuring the world of Men, and even there, I usually limit myself to Gondor. I have a sort of love-hate relationship with Aragorn, and a very soft spot for Denethor and his two sons.
Here goes, in no particular order...
An Unexpected Visit (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3955611/1/An_Unexpected_Visit) by
Hands of the King (http://www.romenna.net/stories/chapter_view.cfm?STID=129&SPOrdinal=1) by Anglachel (http://www.blogger.com/profile/01110546252851760414). An epic that often rivals canon for richness and detail, and that provides greater insight into the lives of Denethor, Aragorn and Finduilas than any other fic I've ever read in the entire fandom. As the story progresses, it gets a bit weirder and there are places where the author and I disagree significantly. Still, this was the story that made me see the potential of fanfiction as meta commentary on the original.
Cold (http://sealover-astara.livejournal.com/23007.html) by
Learning Letters (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2484067/1/Learning_Letters) by
Adraefan (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?stid=4097) by Aeneid (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/story_sort.cfm?stauthorid=1187). An AU where Boromir lives. And there are consequences. This story moved me so much I went through an entire box of tissues, and disturbed me so much I had to stop reading it halfway through. But I was compelled to go back to it, because the writing was so powerful and so evocative. I have not had the courage to read the story again, but everyone else should.
Boromir Is Not Left-handed (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2785665/1/Boromir_is_Not_Left_Handed) by
From the Other River Bank (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?STID=5) by Dwimordene (http://www.henneth-annun.net/stories/story_sort.cfm?stauthorid=5). Now, I'm not a fan of LotR slash generally, and I certainly don't go looking for the Boromir/Faramir variety, but this was one of the first fics I ever read in the fandom, and its potrayal of the relationship between the brothers (mostly non-slash, but with just the hint of mutual attraction) really moved me. I hated Denethor in the story (and I'm probably never quite forgive the author for the way she portrays him here and in her other stories), but Boromir and Faramir are surprisingly close to canon in this fic, and I found their interaction very credible and quite touching.