Misfit in Middle-earth

Zine
Title:	Misfit in Middle-earth
Publisher:	Nazgul Press
Editor:
Author(s):	Dee Beetem
Cover Artist(s):	Erika Frensley
Illustrator(s):	Erika Frensley
Date(s):	2009
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Lord of the Rings
Language:	English
External Links:	Misfit in Middle earth at FanFiction.Net, Archived version
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Misfit in Middle-earth is a gen Lord of the Rings 191-page novel by Dee Beetem and illustrated by Erika Frensley. It is digest-sized.

It has a sequel called Misfit in Minas Tirith.

Summary

From a distributor, Agent With Style:

A young college student is unexpectedly lost in Middle-earth, where people are being called upon to fight and die and make terrible choices to save their homes and families. Traveling in the land of the Horse Lords, learning first-hand about the society of Rohan, she must somehow survive in a country imperiled by marauding orcs. Trapped in a medieval world in the throes of a terrible World War, what can she do to help Princess Eowyn save her people from the deadly malice of Saruman?

Excerpt from the Opening Chapter

My name is Barb Sanderson and this is the story of what happened to me in Middle-earth. It’s not a pretty fairy tale, or an old Celtic myth, or an epic fantasy adventure — as a matter of fact, some of it was pretty awful. I guess it’s no wonder I missed out on most of the High Romance—1 was a grad student, after all, not a beautiful elven princess. When Mom gave me the sterling silver necklace that looked so much like Arwen’s Evenstar, I thought at first that it was a movie tie-in from the Fellowship picture. But no, she said she’d picked it up years ago when she was in college herself. She was a big LOTR fan then, back when they had just the books. You have to understand — my mother’s always been nuts about this stuff. In the sixties she was a Trekkie, in the seventies she migrated to Star Wars. It drove me crazy for years, until I finally got used to it. Now, of course, she was big on LOTR again, and she was bound and determined to haul me off to see The Two Towers on Christmas Day.

But first I was going to a party on Christmas Eve with some high school friends. When they found out I’d come home from Colorado for the holidays I was invited at the last minute. I quickly dug through my suitcases to find out what party clothes I’d brought along, and realized that the ‘Evenstar’ actually looked pretty decent with midnight blue velvet. Fortunately, nobody at the party recognized the necklace; I’d gotten more than enough “movie heroine” jokes back in high school.

As you may recall, 2002 was the year of the big East Coast snowstorm. I was driving home around midnight, creeping along at 20 mph and praying that I wouldn’t wind up in a snow bank, when a pair of headlights came up right in front of my car and blinded me. The icy dazzle spread and spread and spread until it seemed that there was nothing left in the world but brilliant white light. And then I blacked out.

Sample Interior

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Reactions and Reviews

2009

hey great story, most fall-into-middle-earth stories end up being pretty boring and unoriginal what with the whole 'oh lets get dropped into the fellowship and be protected by Aragorn and Legolas!' that most theses stories have going on. but this ones got a good plotline. quirky and original. Keep up the good work :)

I really enjoy this fic.

It's so refreshing to see a female OC that isn't, well, a sue or inexplicably in love with some random member of the cast.

And ye gods, she uses her common sense! A rare creature indeed.

Also, I enjoy how you don't glamourise medieval warfare. Something that many writers are guilty of.

2010

Wonderful story! You have made a story in which the protagonist has found a way to become useful in ME while still being realistic. I'm very impressed that you gave Barb flaws and resisted the temptation of writing about a Mary Sue. I also admire that she was able to take charge and start a mini-hospital, give them information about the rockets, as well as convince Haldir to help the burned boy. She has become a heroine in her own right.

I wonder what the story is behind her necklace... Anyway, I really enjoyed the first part, and I'll be starting the sequel soon! Can't wait!

One question: since Barb did not tell Aragorn her origins, will he question her further about her recognition of Haldir?

I have very much enjoyed your story. I found Barb to be a realistic and intelligent woman, who is pragmatic and a useful addition to Middle-Earth. I am relieved to see that you are planning a sequel. I would have been very disappointed if the story had simply stopped where it did. That being said... I did find the ending abrupt. Even with planning a sequel, I found it abrupt. Not necessarily where you ended it, but how. I don't know that I can think of a better way to do it, but that was my feeling on it.

Other than that, I would have to say that your story is probably one of the best girl in ME stories I have read. I have loved each and every chapter you have posted, and seeing your story on the first page is always a day-brightener. I anxiously await your sequel, and wish you the best in your writing endeavors.

Well I just finished your story and found it quite good. Generally the "Girl-fall-in-ME" plots crashed down pretty quickly but I really liked yours. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!

2012

In Misfit in Middle Earth (2009), a linguistics graduate student named Barbarella (her mother is highly fannish) finds herself magically transported into The Lord of the Rings, more specifically plopped down onto the fields of Rohan some ways into the events of the first part of The Two Towers. She’s never read Tolkien and she’s seen only the first movie, so she has only a sketchy idea what’s going on, but -- to her own surprise -- she knows the languages of Middle Earth. Pretending to be a traveler from a distant land, and obviously of high estate given her smooth hands, she manages to get a job as Princess Éowyn’s handmaiden.

As the story progresses she takes a moderately significant role in the developments, but this isn’t Chicks in Chain Mail; she’s heroic, but believably so, for example organizing a field hospital for the wounded during the climactic battle rather than charging in with a broadsword.

I love Barbarella (although I agree with an earlier reviewer - poor girl. I'm sure everyone thought her name was Barbara if she called herself Barb, though) and she's so easy to relate to. I also like that she hasn't read the books but still knows a bit about the series; it makes a lot of sense and it allows her quite a bit of freedom with her actions, seeing as she doesn't know what's 'supposed' to happen.

And your OCs are so much fun and very realistic! :)

I can't wait to go read your sequel!

Oh my frigging jeebus! I dont think you fully comprehend how amazing this story is! I know, I know, you WROTE it! But i read through it and was blown away by it! I couldn't believe how you created such a realistic character and pulled her into everything while maintaining a non suey distance, it was phenominal! All the interactions were clean cut and with purpose when involving canon characters and all your OCs had an individuality that made me feel like there was a legitimate life behind them instead of pulling them together solely for plot! definetly going to read the sequal! May the power of Tolkien compell you! In the name of the father, and of the son, and of Eru Iluvatar!

2013

Holy hell this was fantastic. The trial scene really impressed me, how Aragorn used logic to win the case. And, oh man, when she was talking to him again and he was asking her how she knew Haldir, that whole, "there's a reason the Athenians killed Socrates," just about killed me! I laughed for like five minutes straight!

So yes, this was an extremely exciting story. I adored the friendship between Barb and Eowyn, and the interactions with her kids was so cute it was almost sinful. And, of course, 'kid' being 'baby goat' cracked me up!

This is one of the best OFC in Middle Earth stories I've read. Hits just the right balance between knowledge of the future and using the modern knowledge. And the best is actually that it is not a Legomance, nor a Tenth Walker. Barbarella actually has brains and sass. Loved it to pieces. Am going to read the sequel now.

2014

When I first clicked on this story I was expecting that your girl-who-falls-into-middle-earth story would be very mary-sue ish. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of your writing and originality of your plot! I continue to read it with great eagerness.

2017

What a fantastic story! You made a likeable character that did believable things in Middle Earth. I love the realism you put into it, and that it didn't fall into pessimism and skepticism like so many other "rational" and "realistic" fanfictions out there. Honestly I think this is the first complex fanfiction that happens in Arda which I have read in one shot without stopping or skipping tedious details. I have fallen in love with all of Barbarella's kids, my heart broke for the two brothers, and you have reminded me of why I love Eowyn so much. Honestly, this was brilliantly well written. You have real talent. :)

2019

This opening blew me away. I adore Barb and fully agree with her assessment of saying, "Guess what, you're in a movie," would have done. Your take on a girl falling through is realistic (because while instant death is the most realistic that is also not a story) and fascinating. I'm so glad I found this!