OK, I went ahead and closed it... a few people hadn't gotten their entries in yet, but I had already pushed the deadline back twice.
Now, for the voting. Everyone's allowed to vote, including the contestants, and the more votes the better! Comments are welcome, of course. Please vote with the following form:
1st:
2nd:
3rd:
HM:
Everyone did an amazing job.
Voting's going to be interesting! Click on the thumbnails for the larger image, and if that doesn't work, I'm putting in the URL too. Also, I'm borrowing Fencing Maiden's great idea and commenting on everyone's work. 
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~RinielAnarel~, I loved the blending in here; it's superb. Also, I really liked the use of text, as well as the pictures you used. Great job!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-RinielAnarelFrodoBaggins.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-RinielAnarelFrodoBaggins.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... aggins.jpg
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Elenanna Lothendhel, I love the lighting on the Guinevere, how the foreground picture is more bright and the background picture is darker. Also, the colors are really clear-cut, which works well. On the second one (which I think may be Rogue?...) I like the way it looks as though the pictures are sort of suspended in the mist. Very good job on both!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElenannaLothendhelGuinev.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElenannaLothendhelGuinev.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... Guinev.jpg
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElenannaLothendhelRogue.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElenannaLothendhelRogue.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... lRogue.jpg
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Elven Archer, I absolutely love your work this time around.
The Legolas one has a lot of really neat effects, and of course the green color really fits him. And the Arwen one is all around gorgeous. I love the shifting colors, they really give it a sort of dreamy look. The stars fit in very well, as does the Evenstar, as they are really almost symbols of Arwen. The use of brushes in general is really beautiful. I love the pictures you chose, they all really fit together well. I really think you captured the essence of Arwen.
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElvenArcherLegolasGreenl.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElvenArcherLegolasGreenl.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... Greenl.jpg
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElvenArcherArwen.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ElvenArcherArwen.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... rArwen.jpg
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ForeverFrodo, your wallpaper is, like all your work, beautiful.
The texture work is really interesting, to me it almost looks… feathery, if that makes sense. The pictures are so beautiful, and so emotional. The text fits the pictures perfectly. Also, I like the colors. All around well-done!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ForeverFrodoMyChoice.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-ForeverFrodoMyChoice.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... Choice.jpg
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Nurrantiel, your entries really stand out from the others. I love all the different layers of pictures, it gives them depth. I really like the color of green on the Legolas one, it’s bright and works with Legolas and yet it’s not so bright that it hurts your eyes.
One the Frodo one, all the pictures give it a good deal of texture, which is neat. On both I really like the choice of pictures!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-NurrantielLegolasGreenle.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-NurrantielLegolasGreenle.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... reenle.jpg
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-NurrantielFrodo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-NurrantielFrodo.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... lFrodo.jpg
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Siladhiel, your entry is also very unique. The colouration on this one is fascinating. The colours all really work with Gollum. The pictures you chose really represent the Gollum side of Smeagol/Gollum very well, especially the main picture in the foreground.
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-SiladhielGollum.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-SiladhielGollum.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... Gollum.jpg
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Antigone, this entry is very interesting. All the pictures kind of look like their falling… but that might just be my weird mind. Either way, I think it looks neat.
I like how you have pictures that look a lot alike grouped together, and then single pictures a little apart. I also like the text in the lower left corner; I didn’t really notice it at first, but once you do it really adds something to the piece. Good job!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Antigone.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Antigone.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... tigone.jpg
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Drewkid, I very much like the main picture you used in this. I don’t think I’d ever seen it before. It’s really neat, even though Legolas looks kind of angry.
Anyway, I love the texture in the background! It’s subtle but beautiful, and really works with the piece. I also like how you gave everything a slightly greenish tint, that’s perfect for Legolas.
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-DrewkidLegolas.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-DrewkidLegolas.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... egolas.jpg
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Fencing Maiden (Lady Dwarf), I really like this one. No one pays enough attention to Merry! *hugs Merry* I like the effects you used, they work really well.
I also really like the text, “a brave heart within a small hobbit.” It’s so true, and fits Merry so well! The pictures really go with the text too. I also like the second one, it really seems to represent the more rebellious, piratey side of Elizabeth; in other words, her in DMC. The pirate flag adds the perfect touch.
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-FencingMaidenMerriadoc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-FencingMaidenMerriadoc.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... riadoc.jpg
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-FencingMaidenElizabethSw.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-FencingMaidenElizabethSw.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... bethSw.jpg
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Riniel Anariel, both your wallpapers are gorgeous.
The Galadriel one has some really, really good contrast going on. The black border also is very well done. I love Galadriel (hence my name ) and I think you did very well on this. The Eowyn one is also brilliant. The colours are so beautiful and bright! Everything looks really lovely and smooth, and everything just flows and blends together. I really like the words you chose to put on too. Over all excellent job!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-RinielAnarielGaladriel.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-RinielAnarielGaladriel.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... adriel.jpg
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-RinielAnarielEowyn.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-RinielAnarielEowyn.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... lEowyn.jpg
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Peredhil-Lover, you chose a character that’s not really the easiest to represent and did an amazing job.
The colours are all so beautiful and faded and soft, the whole thing just glows. The tengwar across the top is beautiful as well, and, along with the Evenstar, kind of touches on Eldarion’s heritage. I love the font you used on Eldarion’s name too; it’s beautiful!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Peredhil-LoverEldarion.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Peredhil-LoverEldarion.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... darion.jpg
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Limwen – Villya, your entry also strays from the beaten path. The peach and rusty red are colors we often don’t see with Eowyn, but they work.
The flowers are really beautiful, and I like how they kind of tie in with the colours of the wallpaper over all. I love that picture too, especially because she’s wearing the mantle she wore in the book.
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Limwen-VillyaEowyn.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Limwen-VillyaEowyn.png" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... aEowyn.png
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Princess of Ithilien, yours fits Denethor very well. I have to agree with the text!
The pictures all blend together well, and the fire compliments it perfectly. The font effects you used also worked excellently. The whole thing just works perfectly, is quite amusing, and fits Denethor!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-PrincessofIthilienDeneth.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-PrincessofIthilienDeneth.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... Deneth.jpg
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And, last but not least, Galadhrim_arrow! It has a slightly eerie look but that works well. I really like the lighting work in this one.
I also love the text effect, how it sort of fades out slowly. Overall good work!
<a href="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Galadhrim_arrowJohnPrest.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/Eltauraen-Telpenen/Elraen/Contests/Character%20Wallpaper%20Contest/Background-Galadhrim_arrowJohnPrest.jpg" height="113" width="150" border="0"></a>
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/ ... nPrest.jpg
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(P.S. ~ I’m sorry it took me a few hours to get voting up, but this had a whole lot of codes involved and of course all the comments took a while!)