Hello, I'm Espresso Addict and I'm going to be recommending Silmarillion fiction as one of this month's small fandoms.

Big battles and even bigger baddies, beautiful Elves and rugged Men, strong women and talking dogs -- The Silmarillion's got everything (except hobbits). Written by JRR Tolkien (though only published after his death) The Silmarillion is a compilation of legends from Middle-earth's history before The Lord of the Rings. Various LotR characters such as Elrond, Galadriel, Glorfindel & Celeborn all feature, as well as many of Aragorn's human ancestors. It's a much darker tale than The Lord of the Rings, and the fanfiction reflects that, with an abundance of angst. Much of the fic is slash, and my recs will reflect that, though there are a few juicy het stories which I also hope to interest you in!

I'm working on a Silmarillion outline (no easy feat!) but in the meantime, I thought I'd just wade in with the recs...

Fandom: SILMARILLION
Pairing: mild Elrond/Maglor
Author on LJ: deborah_judge
Author Website: Deborah's Stories
Why this must be read:

Rather than writing entirely new scenes, much Silmfic takes events documented briefly in The Silmarillion and rewrites them in a more expanded, 'modern' style. 'As Little Might be Thought' is an excellent example of this. It tells the tale of how the young Elrond and Elros were fostered by their enemies Maedhros and Maglor, after the sack of the Havens of Sirion, and is based around the terse comment from the original: 'For Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought'.

The story is compulsively readable with strong characterisations and good dialogue. This was the first Silmfic I read, and I was instantly hooked -- I hope you are too!

As Little Might be Thought

The story forms part of a series, Father Maglor's Star but can profitably be read alone

Fandom: STARGATE
Pairing: Sam/Pete, Jack/Sam UST
Spoiler Warning: Chimera, Death Knell (S7)
Author on LJ: splash_the_cat
Author Website: Infanity
Why this must be read:

Most stories involving Pete are variations on How can we make the bastard suffer? -- and they often warp the other characters beyond recognition, too. Julie's story is ever so much more than this. She's set the standard for Sam/Pete fic that also acknowledges the friendship, respect, and attraction between Sam and Jack. This is a thoroughly believable glance at SG1-plus-one, in which Our Three Heroes' love for Sam is warm and softspoken, and everybody's starting to figure out how Pete fits into Sam's world.

( 'Hey.' Daniel slumped into the chair next to hers, a mostly-empty bottle of the imported beer dangling from one hand. )

The Better Man

Sorry guys, inexplicable formatting and posting problems. Here we go again.

Fandom: ANGEL THE SERIES
Pairing: Spike/Angel
Author on LJ: shrift
Author Website: http://bifictionalbedlam.slashcity.net/shrift/index.html
Why this must be read: This is a sweet and somewhat sexy interlude after “The Girl in Question” and before everything goes to hell. Preserves the sparkle and snark of Angel and Spike’s relationship on the show and remains in character. It’ll make you feel better.

Horizontal Movement

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney/Sark
Author on LJ: shadesofbrixton
Author Website: Alias Fanfiction
Why this must be read: From the moment you read the first paragraph you’re hooked. The writing is smooth, crisp and most of all interesting. Not only is there a world disaster but interaction between the characters that feels so real. I found myself unable to tear myself away from it until I finished. Sydney, Weiss and the infamous Sark must go on an adventure to figure out what has happened to the world and most of all why. Sydney and Sark sizzle while still being unemotional and somewhat uncaring towards one another but still brutally honest. Not to mention Will shows up which is just a minor bonus.

Endless Winter Mile