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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil	11 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 5/24/2014
It's a bit ridiculous how worried Glorfindel is about Finrod, even considered what happened earlier. But on the other hand it's touching, too, how much he still cares about his gwador. Hm, I can see why Glorfindel thinks they shouldn't walk around alone, even though it could be argued that these Elven warriors aren't helpless children. We know they have powerful enemies, after all. And the Valinorean Elves still don't know our world enough to always judge the situation correctly, considering modern weapons and everything. Wise of them to let Nell live on campus with the others; she'd not have thanked Finrod to keeping her away when the ellyn are allowed to be there. Author Reply: Glorfindel is just naturally concerned and given the volatility of human nature, just being cautious in ordering people not to walk around alone. And of course, treating Nell differently from the Three Amigos might be considered proper in Aman, but certainly not in Wiseman where her eighteen- and nineteen-year-old female classmates do not live such restrictive lives. Finrod shows his wisdom here in allowing her to live on-campus. Thanks for the review. Kitty. I appreciate it very much.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/25/2014
Changes are happening too fast. Everything is new for the Valinorean elves. They don't have anything that can anchor them. Even their "home" is changing because of people moving out, which again brings a change in the daily routine. This was beautifully symbolized by the missing piano. It shouldn't faze Finrod, because he doesn't even play it, but it does. I think he can be lucky that he has his job at the bookstore. At least that gives him something of a routine. Glorfindel should be more accustomed to change, but his reaction to Finrod being on his own shows me that he is also affected by the constant changes around him. I like that they found a solution for Nell to live on campus. With Manwe's warning in my ear I think they have to tread a fine line with the youngsters or as Daeron put it they will be in a heap of trouble. Just like Finrod, Nell would also not appreciate to being treated as if she is ten years old in front of her classmates. If the 3 amigos would also not move to campus it would be something different. Author Reply: You're right about the changes, obsidianj, not only for the Valinórean Elves but for the Wiseman Elves, as well, as we see with Glorfindel. And Daeron's solution for Nell is quite elegant and everyone wins. Thanks for reviewing. It's greatly appreciated.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/21/2014
I am so glad they talked him into letting Nell stay in the dorm. She will love her time there. Yes, walking in and seeing the piano gone would be a shock; but well a lot of things gone might be a bit of a surprise for them. Missing people even if they are just across town can still be sad. I am also glad that Nick did forget to warn the kids a bout being gone. Finrod soul needed that to help sooth him. :) I must say I was a bit worried when the teacher hung around a bit. I didn't know if she was going to try and blame him for anything bad :/ Glad it was just to say nice job :) Author Reply: Hi Laer. I have no doubt Nell is ecstatic about being able to live at the dorm. And you're right that Finrod needed that story hour as much or more than the kiddies did. I think it did him a lot of good. Thanks for leaving a review. It's very much appreciated.

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2014
I pity Finrod trying to get a grip on the world only to find it in a constant state of flux. How very frustrating and unnerving for an elf! After several ages of nothing changing and then all this change at once and it being a normal thing, no wonder the elves from Valinor are having trouble coping. I think that the Wiseman elves are used to living one step to the side of the mortals and their focus is on something different than that which the Valinor elves focus on, if that makes sense. I think the Valinor elves are focused in the middle of things and are finding that they can't keep things still long enough to focus on tehm teh way that elves were designed to focus on things. For ex: every daisy will bloom in specified colors to a specified height for a specified period of time and that hasn't changed for millenia. According to Finrod, everytime elves see nature around they appreciate it as if it were the first time, but I think they also relish the continuity and predicability of that nature. Living in a city of mortals who change rapidly with their cutting edge technology and bleeding edge technology and penchant for gadgets and new and improved and bend toward innovation and progression to the next thing... There literally is no possible way for a Valinor elf to cope. I think the Wiseman elves see mortals and their comings and goings and growings the same way the Valinor elves see nature, so it doesn't phase them as much. Does that make sense? I bet the kids always remember that story hour with Finrod. Author Reply: Yes, I think it makes perfect sense. The Elves of Valinor are trying to keep in the center of things, but the center doesn't hold so they get lost in the current and are in danger of being smashed by the rapids, so to speak. The Wiseman Elves, knowing better, stay out of the current and remain on the edges where the water (and life) is calmer. Hopefully, the Valinórean Elves will learn that trick and survive instead of being smashed to bits by the rapids of mortal life as it's lived today. And I bet the kids always remember story hour with Finrod, too. I certainly would. Thanks for your insightful analysis, Ellie. Very thought-provoking.

bookworm	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2014
Those lucky children! Having Finrod sing to them sighs enviously. A nice, quieter chapter... though I fear things are going to heat up again? Author Reply: Things always heat up, bookworm. You should know that by now. grin There's always a lull before a storm and that's as true in our lives as it is in nature. Just what kind of storm, though, remains to be seen. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2014
He handled that period well enough, apparently! And in this world changes do come--frequently! Finrod is indeed finding his own way and doing so with his native grace. Author Reply: He did, indeed, Larner, and as you say, finding his own way and doing so with his native grace. I doubt we really have to worry for him too much anymore regardless of how Glorfindel acts. grin Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2014
Things are beginning to settle into a "new normal" for the Elves, with new living arrangements and the minutiae of daily living take priority--and yet I can sense that Finrod is entirely all too aware of Manwe's warning. Loved the "story hour", though I confess I find it difficult to imagine a "light" version of the tale of Turin. While the Children of Hurin is probably my favorite First Age tale, I can't think how it could be bowdlerized enough for pre-schoolers! Still, I suppose if anyone could do that it would be Finrod. (Personally, I've always thought what Turin truly needed was a hobbit to keep him company. He'd have been far less gloomy and prideful with a nice perian at his side.) Author Reply: Hi Dreamflower. Well "normal" depends on one's definition, but certainly some of them are falling into a routine. I suspect that Finrod's version of Túrin and teh Dragon was on the order of Puff the Magic Dragon rather than what really happened (and of course he was already dead by then so he wasn't there to see it). And I think everyone should have their own personal hobbit to keep them grounded and not be so gloomy. Thanks for taking the time to review. It's greatly appreciated.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2014
The other Elves actually had to resort to taking Glorfindel's phone away, and banning him from using theirs. His mental and emotion engine must still be running really hot right now, but at least he calmed down and saw sense. That's a good step in the right direction I think. Reminds me of that time in EI shortly after he was Reborn that Námo and Irmo had to have a talk with him in the maze about his role as Finrod's friend. I wonder if bullet wounds possibly affect Elves longer than some other types of injuries they've sustained, since Finrod is still in some pain from it. It reminds me of the way some evil-related wounds tended to fester and linger even in Elves. It would be so sad if modern day human weapons had the same effect on Elves, because what would that say about Mortals. Nell, bless her heart! I can understand Finrod's reluctance to give her a loose rein, particularly after the talk he just had with Manwë, but she must have been feeling so frustrated and perhaps resentful at being held back. It might have been better to take the risk of letting her go over letting those feelings fester. And the proposed living situation sounds like a sitcom waiting to happen. ;) Sunny, you made me cackle delightedly. Her mom was already quite the revolutionary, and it seems Nell inherited more of that than big sister Celebrian did. I was just thinking that Vorondur was a calming presence among a lot of very commanding personalities, and completely forgot he was moving out. Hah! You did a great job of describing how the house felt afterwards, and the surprise Finrod felt came through so clearly I could almost hear the echoes in the empty space myself. Finrod reading and singing to the kids was precious. Hopefully the dinner party won't be as exciting as the New Year's cookout was. Or at least that any lurking Maiar will behave themselves. Thanks as always for a great chapter! -Kevana P.S. to my fellow Fiondil-fans, my email address is indragonbloodink@gmail.com. I'm often fascinated by the things you guys mention and the perspectives you bring to the table in your reviews and just wanted to toss my email out there in case you'd ever like to chat about Tolkien or anything else, because you're a really interesting bunch. Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Yeah, that's a good point about Glorfindel. Let's hope he remembered that little conversation with Irmo and Námo; it might keep him from going weird on them all. Nell is Nell and there's not much more to say about that. I don't have any fear for her, or not as much as I do for others. I think she will never want to return to Aman now. She's having too much fun and it's only just beginning. I'm glad you think I did a good job of describing the way the house felt to Finrod after the move. I'm sure we all know how that feels. As for the dinner party, well, with Alex there, who knows how things will go? grin I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for letting me know. I do appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2014
Hay, Finda ease up Kiddo, they love you and are concerned for you. Smart move not walking home alone, there is bound to be someone who would take advantage of it. Not all Wiseman love our Elves. Nice solution to housing for Nell, she is out of the house but under her nephews eye. (Why does that sound weird?) I wonder if the children will want Quinn to read to them at the next Story Time? Maybe he and Nick can alternate weeks and give each other a break. What is it with Elves and food? Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Well, Elves do have to eat, you know, and they are just naturally great gourmets. LOL! Nell will most likely do quite well living at the dorm, I have no doubt. And that's a good idea for Nick and Finrod to take turns doing Story Time. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much. Hugs back.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/20/2014
Rather quiet here, but I'm sure trouble is waiting in the wings to pounce on our heros. ;-) So Nelluin gets to live in a dorm on campus, just like the boys. And I'm sure the girls she will be living with is going to give er quite an educations, introducing her to concepts like women's liberation, equality and other thinks that will be heady fare for someone hailing from a patriarchal, medieval-style culture. what fun! I'm sure Finrod will be asked to do story Hour again, so he'd better stock up on kid-friendly stories... :-) Author Reply: Of course there's trouble waiting in the wings, Sunny, or there wouldn't be much of a story, but what kind of trouble remains to be seen. Nell will do well enough, I'm sure. I really don't have any fear for her. She is, after all, her mother's daughter, not to mention her father's. Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it greatly.

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