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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Legolin	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 6/30/2014
Interesting chapter, between Finrod displaying his knack for diffusing bad behavior with a more logical lecture, and a visit from Manwë, it left me wondering what is to come. The talk with the teenagers is symbolic in itself in a way. Or so I read it as such. The Valinórean Elves see Finrod as their leader, and as they continue on in the more modern world, he will need these skills to lead even the oldest among them. I really enjoyed Manwë’s vague warning as well. It is important for everyone to realize that we do carry a dark aspect within us. In my opinion you cannot have light without the dark, and you can’t have dark without the light. They are intertwined much too closely. Looking forward to the next chapters! ~Lin Author Reply: Hi Lin. I hadn't thought of Finrod's talk with the teenagers symbolic of his role as a leader among the Elves and Mortals but I think you're right. And Manwë, like all the Valar, are chary of coming right out and saying something knowing that the future is always in flux, but his talk about the darkness is apt, given what happens in the rest of the story. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/24/2014
Poor Nick, how distressing for him! What a good luck that he now has Finrod to take care of the shop. That visit of the teenagers was rather amusing. 'Doing serious damage to their armour' is a nice way to describe the tournament, lol. But I am glad Finrod made them think about what they were about to do. Manwë's visit worries me. That doesn't sound good. I can see where he is coming from, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it. But I think he's right in that they sent the Valinórean Elves without enough preparation and safeguards. Oh well, too late to change that, now they have to deal with whatever comes. Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Nick is pretty lucky to have Finrod helping out, and Finrod's handling of the teenagers just shows how great he was as a king. And Manwë's visit is worrisome on many levels. We'll see how things progress from here. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/18/2014
It is seldom a good thing when a Vala shows up (and dude seriously needs spurs to complete the ensemble). The warning is ominous but not terribly insightful or helpful, is it? The Valar seem to excell at such things, don't they? LOL Author Reply: The Valar are always careful not to say too much, but sometimes you sort of wish they wouldn't say anything at all. LOL! Thanks for commenting, Ellie.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/18/2014
Finrod seems not to have lost his touch. He manages to get the teenagers to think without telling them outright not to do something. The conversation with Manwe was interesting, but maddeningly vague. The idea that the youngsters will need more looking after because they have more than the usual freedom and nothing is as it was needs contemplating. I hadn't thought about that. So the older folks have trouble adapting to the radical changes and the young ones will get into trouble because of lack of experience with the dangers of the world. Looks like interesting times are ahead. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. No, Finrod definitely has not lost his touch, for which we can all be thankful. And you should know by now that EVERY conversation with a Vala is maddeningly vague. LOL! We'll see how things progress from here with everyone and in what ways they are affected by their circumstances. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2014
All too often we prove our own worst enemies, a fact I've had hammered home to me by my son recently. Author Reply: Very true, Larner, and the worst thing about it is that we rarely notice that we are until it's too late. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2014
OK, now I'm curious about what those kids were up to. My first thought, that they might be intending a bit of "I-dare-you-to-shoplift-in-front-of-an-Elf" didn't last long, but I can't figure out what they were actually up to. That was a VERY interesting talk with Manwe. I can see how our modern technology and devices might be awfully tempting to some Noldor though... So now I am curious about that as well. It looks as though the subtitle of this story is beginning to be foreshadowed. Author Reply: Hi Dreamflower. I have no idea what the kids were up to, but it hardly matters since Finrod seemed to be able to talk them out of it without actually telling them not to. Whoever their putative victim might have been, he or she will never know to be grateful to an Elf-lord for their continued good health. grin When Manwë speaks, the universe listens... or it should. And now you are beginning to understand the more subtle meanings of "the enemy within" which will be explored in this story. And as Manwë tells Finrod, it takes many forms. Thanks so much for reviewing, Dreamflower. I really appreciate it.

demeter d	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2014
I will attempt now to leave a more considered review than five crowded together last time. I never heard that John Steinbeck ever journeyed in that direction. I will check that one out. Kevana, I enjoyed both your reaction to the music in your head when a Vala shows up in one of those hats and dusters, and the link to the pottery. The pottery can have be a lovely commentary on overcoming adversity, becoming the better after trials. I enjoyed seeing Finrod encountering some young members of the melting pot which is Wiseman. It seems that all kinds of people are indeed being gathered. So, the Enemy Within may be the darkness within each of us. This should prove a most interesting tale. Manwe's discussion about the perils facing the younger members of the Elven group brought back memories. Through my childhood and youth in the 1960's and 1970's, our home television brought a turbulent world into our living room. There were the riots and protests of the Civil Rights movement. There were television camera men slogging through jungles in a far-away land called Viet Nam. When the cameramen came home, they focused on riots protesting that war. There were assasinations, elections and moon landings, right in our living rooms. In the area where I grew up, there are a wide variety of religious groups. Many of them have a lot to say about the premise of your Elf Academy, preparing for a Final Battle. And, a lot to say about a possible cleansed, perfected world after. Religious young ladies of several persuasions would gather together in the school lunchroom and have deep discussions. Discussions about what it might be like to live in a world at peace. Discussions about what the children would be like who grew up in such a world. Many of us wondered if people like us, who had only known the constant battle against the Dark, would even be content in a world of peace. And would the children of such a "Millenial Reign" even appreciate what they had? Deep memories! I will enjoy this journey very much. Author Reply: Hello Demeter d. Few people are aware of John Steinbeck's only foray into fantasy and you have to hunt for the book but it's possible that you may find it at the library. That's where I found it. And I love Kevana's choice of music score for the Valar in dusters too, though I tend to hear the theme from Highlander instead. LOL! You and I are of the same generation it seems. When I think back to my childhood my memory revolves around the fact that every morning for years the first thing I saw in the newspaper was the previous day's body count of Americans killed in 'Nam with the realization, as I got older and the war continued, that someday I might be called up for duty. Luckily, by the time I was old enough for the draft the war was over with but still... And, as you say, all that and more found its way into our living rooms via the TV. You do have to wonder if children growing up in a "Millennial Reign" would indeed appreciate what they have. Perhaps someday some of us will find out. Anyway, I am glad you are looking forward to the rest of the story. Thanks so much for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2014
You know Finrod must be a great Dad, he managed to get those youngsters to stop and think with out yelling at them. Maybe in the future they will stop and think before doing something stupid! I see the next door neighbors are helping Quinn to settle in, "mm, doughnuts!" Manwe has given Finrod a lot to think about, it will be the younger ones who will cause the most problems in some ways, they are experiencing a lot more freedom than they are used to, they will have to be closely monitored to see that they do not take things too far!I wonder what Lauren and the others will have to say when they are told of the conversation. Coming along nicely, Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I agree that Finrod must be a great Dad the way he handles the youngsters. And Manwë has given Finrod much to think about. We'll see when and how Finrod tells the others about the conversation and what everyone's reactions are soon. Thanks for reviewing. Glad you are enjoying the story. Hugs back.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 1/17/2014
He has progressed very fast from being a newbie to an experienced worker. ;) I am sure Nick will be pleased with how well he will do. Hope his father is ok, sometimes a broken leg turns into something worse for us elderly folks. So the enemy within might mean the enemy in our very soul? Yes, I can see that. Depression and anxiety. Needing to go forth and "see the world" and leaving other's behind; or the fact of seeing people or even brothers being hateful to each other for no apparent reason can cause the soul to hurt so bad it will turn into something unrecognized. Maybe? Maybe not. Guess I had better keep up on the chapters to find out huh? Author Reply: Finrod is obviously a quick study, Laer. grin We'll be seeing how he manages over the next few days in the next chapter. As Námo pointed out to Derek and Manwë reiterates here, sometimes the enemy within us is more dangerous than the enemy without simply because it's harder to detect and can be more insidious in its influence. So, yeah, keeping up on the chapters might be a good idea if you want to find out how ut goes. LOL! Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

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