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Christmas at Edhellond: An Elf Academy Tale by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/6/2013
Seeing that Glorfindel himself told the wedding story after Aragorn and Arwen's wedding, Finrod has every right to do the same. Besides, it's way too funny to not regale the others with it. The Valar keep saying they don't use the Elves as pawns, but sometimes one easily gets the feeling they are trying to manipulate things to their liking a bit too much. Personally, I am not always wholly comfortable with it, and it seems even Finrod is still feeling the same, even after all these millennia. Oh well, so far it usually turned out well. Author Reply: Well, as Varda says to Finrod, while they set things up so that Finrod might discover the 'help wanted' sign, he was still free to choose not to enquire about the job or even decide not to take it after all. The Valar set up the situation in hope of a certain outcome, but everyone else is left free to choose as they wish. Finrod taking the bookstore job was a hope on the part of the Valar but they left him free to decide for himself if he would take the job or not. That is an important distinction from outright manipulation and making sure the person does what you want. It's a fine distinction and from the POV of Elves and Mortals, it sometimes seem as if what the Valar are doing is manipulative when it actually isn't. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Kitty. It's much appreciated.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/27/2013
First, I do so love Clue. they wanted to know how I, the great and glorious, not to mention absolutely stunningly beautiful, Finrod Felagund even knew how bread was made ROTFL I'm glad he had sense enough NOT to shovel. With the War looming in his future, he's got to get his shoulder well. He's got to be able to wield a blade when the time comes! What a lovely chapter. Finrod is sooo close to the truth. I loved every minute of this... especially his ruminations upon a log. (Hmmm - good chapter title? LOL) Author Reply: Hi Agape. I always enjoyed playing Clue, myself. It's a fun game. Finrod is indeed very close to the truth. And, to my mind, "ruminations upon a log" sounds almost like the title of a poem, wouldn't you say? grin I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/26/2013
I love how the title and the chapter go together. It was not quite what I expected, but it fit so well. I could feel peace radiating from the screen. Finrod finally seems to be getting the meaning of Christmas. I can understand his feeling of disappointment at thinking that the Valar had manipulated him getting the job at the bookstore. But I think Vaire is also right giving someone the opportunity to act as they would wish is not the same as manipulating them. Although the line is fluid. I'm just re-reading EI and the contrast between Finrod in that story and the Finrod here makes me realize how much strain Finrod is under and how deep his depression is, although he will not admit it. From experience I know that unless you have clinical symptoms, you yourself don't realize that you have depression or how bad it is. The people around you know, but you won't believe them. Finrod fits this behavior. I just hope he comes out of his funk soon. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. I'm glad you love how the title and the chapter go together. I tried to use titles that reflect some aspect of the action or theme of the particular chapter. It's wasn't always easy findng the right title. You are correct that giving someone an opportunity to act as they would wish is not the same as manipulating them to do as you wish and while the line is fluid the difference is profound, for in the former case, you are attempting to maximize the other person's potential and good, while in the latter, you are only satisfying your own sense of what you think is best for the other person. Hopefully Finrod will understand and appreciate the difference in time. And he has been under a great deal of strain and the depression is deep, though it is lifting as he comes to terms with what has happened and why and perhaps recognizing that his expectations were no in accord with reality. I fear the Valar were remiss in not preparing him and the others for the cold reality of life in modern-day Middle-earth, but perhaps they realized that such an endeavor would have proven less than useful. One has to experience some things rather than having it told to them. At any rate, I'm sure Finrod will recover from his depression. The issue will continue to be addressed in Elf Academy 3 along with other issues raised in this story. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/25/2013
I am thinking Finrod is getting it :) I hope that Alex and his mom are fine and can make it back safe and sound. I also hope that Finrod gets to "see" his wife. Either in a dream that they can touch each other in, or on the next ship here. (Sorry it is the romantic in me. Author Reply: Hi Laer. Nothing wrong with romance. I hope Finrod and Amarië are reunited, too, if only in a dream. We'll have to see. And we'll learn about Alex and his mom in the next chapter. I think Finrod is getting it, too. Whether he accepts what he has learned is something else again. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/25/2013
He is learning more and more all of the time. But he and his brethren do need to stop thinking in terms of being managed by the Valar--it's quite enough for them to foresee that something is needful and help nudge things to that necessity without seeing it as being deliberately maneuvered. Love the talk with Varda here. Author Reply: Yes, he is, Larner, but I don't think he and Glorfindel will ever stop thinking that sometimes the Valar are being manipulative. Too much history there. I'm glad you enjoyed the talk with Varda. Thanks for leaving a review. It's much appreciated.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/25/2013
I think he is finally getting it. At least living where I do we don't have to shovel it, just have to live with people who don't know how to drive in the rain! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Yeah, I think he's finally getting it, too, Lynda. I have to live with people who act as if they've never seen snow before, much less know how to drive (or even walk) in it. Makes things a little too interesting at times. Thanks for the review. It's much appreciated.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/25/2013
Aww, Fiondil. Way to give me warm fuzzies on a freezing cold morning with an ice storm lurking in the clouds. Read this over breakfast and it had me smiling all the way to the office. (Ok, I lied...I'm still smiling.) This is The Reviewer Formerly Known As CS, thought I'd better start using an actual name when I drop in to review. :) -Kevana PS: I figured out why Vaire and Namo are so perfect for each other. He is good at looming and she is good at looming. Bwahahaha. Author Reply: Hi Kevana. I'm glad this chapter gave you the warm fuzzies on such a freezing morning. We're not due for an ice storm in my neck of the woods, but the temps are well below freezing and not likely to get any higher for some time so warm fuzzies are welcome. And I love your analysis of Nämo and Vairë. LOL! Too true. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it very much.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 1/25/2013
Loved this chapter! Enjoyed the retelling of Finrod's wedding and his conversation with Varda. Finrod is getting the message of Christmas in unusual but deeply meaningful ways. I hope he will have a chance to speak again with the priest. I think they would both enjoy the conversation. That is assuming the poor man has gotten over his shock at Finowe in his church complete with wings. Now I have to go back to worrying about Alex and his mom. BTW, I hate snow so all the talk about snow shoveling and snow blowers just makes we shudder. Author Reply: Hi UTfrog. I hate snow too but have to deal with it so there you go. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, especially Finrod's telling of his wedding and his conversation with Varda. I'm sure he'll go see Waverly sometime soon and talk with him. It will be like when he spent a spring morning conversing with a certain Wisewoman of the Edain so long ago. And we'll see how Alex fares in picking up his mom in Fairbanks. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

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