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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil	22 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 6/24/2014
From what Daeron said, they must have had a nice day at Edhellond rolls eyes I really don't envy Finrod for having to kick all these butts to make them see some sense. Well, I guess I can understand that Eärnur wants to go home to Aman, and in a way I feel sorry for him, but I am still not too happy with him. Vardamir may deny it, but I feel Finrod is right, if it had been someone else than the twins, these two would have been more willing to listen. Hadn't thought of it that way before Finrod pointed it out to everyone, but you could even say that in a way, the twins outrank all these snobs from Valinór. That might give them something to think about. Ouch. I'd not want to be in Helyanwë's skin right now, not with Finrod so furious. Interesting bit about Glorfindel's history Daeron revealed here. That might give the others some food for thought, too. Author Reply: In a way, the Twins do outrank just about everyone there except Finrod, but they have never bothered to lord it over the others, feeling as they do that perhaps they are not as good as a full-blooded Elf because of their mixed heritage. And Glorfindel has a history that the others from Valinor fail to appreciate, but hopefully they will learn to respect as well. Thanks for leaving a review, Kitty. I appreciate it very much.

someone	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 5/2/2014
Finrod is cruel. To tell the young elves to put Monopoly away, without giving them time to check who had won...! And that after playing it for 18 hours! I wouldn't be surprised if the Three Amigos and Nell rebelled one day. It is quite telling that some elves rather sit in trees in the middle of a blizzard than enjoy a warm fire inside Edhellond. It must have been emotionally hard time for everyone. I feel sorry for Ernest, it is hard when something is so very far from what was expected. I was quite surprised to hear that Glorfindel has ruled some mortal realm. How is that possible, everyone must have realized that he is not human in the same way as others? And just what did Celeborn do in Valinor to get that sort of reaction from some elves? Author Reply: Hi someone. I don't think Finrod really understands the significance of Monopoly. grin And I think it telling that the Three Amigos and Nell put it away without a single protest. The whole situation has been hard on everyone emotionally, especially for certain Elves. As for Glorfindel, there were times in history where the existence of Elves and Dwarves and what-have-you would have been accepted as fact. I suspect that Glorfindel rescued the people of a certain valley somewhere from invaders or whatever and ended up ruling them for a time before handing the rule over to a mortal and moving on. I don't know the entire story, but perhaps someday I will. And everyone underestimates Celeborn, and I suspect that's doubly true of the Amanian Elves. He married Galadriel after all. That should tell people something right there. grin Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Ninquetari	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 5/1/2014
It's highly interesting to read how you solve out the webs you've put them all into. Do you plan it all beforehand, and know how it'll end? On a side note, the reactions of the Valinorean elves to Celeborn's name hint there's a story behind it... Would you ever write it? Thank you for writing and sharing. Ninquetari Author Reply: Hi Ninquetari. Sometimes I have things planned out and other times I just let the characters go their own way. I always know how a story begins and how it will end. My job is to get to the end and the route that is taken is often quite surprising. As for writing about Celeborn in Valinor and why the Valinórean Elves blanched at his name... I can't say that will ever happen, but you never know. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's much appreciated.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/29/2014
At least Earnur seems sincere in accepting Vorondur's apology. I'm not so sure about Vardamir. His apology seems not in the right frame of mind. It sounds as if he is just going through the motions without meaning it. Hopefully, he will come to his senses. Loved the Monopoly marathon. It evokes fond memories of games that went on for days. Finrod is in a dangerous mood. He needs some way to let off steam. This run sounds like a good idea. The youngster are caught in the middle. No wonder they try to hide, they don't want to take sides and don't know what to do. I could rattle Helyanwe. I think she still has no idea, what was so offensive about her words. She sees the results and realizes that Finrod is angry, but the reason is out of her experience. She has a lot to learn. Author Reply: Vardamir needs more time, I think to process what's been happening. Some people just take longer than others to get a clue. Finrod is indeed in a dangerous mood, doubly so for being who he is. In many ways, he's more dangerous than Glorfindel can ever be. And Helyanwë does have a lot to learn, about Glorfdinel and about living in the mortal world. Thanks for reviewing, obsidianj. I appreciate it.

Lyana	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/27/2014
May I just say that I love Finrod? (It's purely platonic, of course!) He's just a terrific guy. Good to see tensions going down, and I'm sure a recounting of the Twin's heritage and Glorfindel's exploits have given everyone lots to think about. But I'm even more ready to strangle Mir after his non-apology apology. Grrrr... I hate those! Sorry - you've created monsters (though we very much appreciate the tidbits!). We'll do our best to keep from demanding a full recounting of the Wiseman Elves post Third Age experiences in Middle Earth. :-) whistles innocently by delivery van while furtively checking to see that the bunny mansion and pile of carrot greens have been properly placed Author Reply: You may say so as much as you want, Lyana. What's not to love, heh? Finrod rocks and he certainly shines in this chapter. And I know people want fuller descriptions of these people's lives in the past, but I think, for now, at least, it's enough that you have these tidbits to help fill in the gaps. To me, as a writer, they're less important than they appear to the reader. Their primary purpose is to add depth of history to the story, so that the reader sees that these people do indeed have a history and a three-dimensionality to them, just as we all do. Yet who of us knows the complete history of anyone else, other than ourselves, and perhaps we cannot even claim that for ourselves? At any rate, we'll have to see. In the meantime... Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/26/2014
Yes, the explanation does help! Thanks! Author Reply: Great!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/26/2014
Aha! The voice of sweet Reason has at last penetrated a number of heads. Finrod has shown his level of command, and Vorondur's explanation of Glorfindel's past experiences as a lord among Men was well, well done. They are starting to come to grips with their lives here, and I so hope that they learn full cooperation here soon. And the idea of appealing to a Maia to at least keep an eye on the three wandering ones is excellent! Author Reply: Hopefully, Larner, though it may take a while for that voice to sink in, but certainly Finrod shines here and is taking control. We will see if their appeal to have a Maia look after the three wanders comes to fruition. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Direwolfy	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/26/2014
Hi! I promised myself I'd try to review more often, so I'm back at the cliff with snowberry ice cream (vanilla, cranberry, walnut and cinnamon) to celebrate the first summer-y day this year. (Plus some carrots for the plot bunnies. Make them grow, yes?) A lot of talking in this chapter, but it's long overdue. The whole situation reminds me the massive grudge matches back in the seventh grade, with two camps glowering at each other over the classroom while some poor fool in the middle tried to fix things. Poor Amigos-and-Nell here, with everyone being so much older than themselves, yet behaving so immaturely. The situation in Valinor must be difficult for the youngest elves, for they would be seen as the 'children' until Arda ends, simply because there are no elflings to make them feel older in comparison. On the other hand, the Valinorean elves falling into pre-apocalypse despondency is very realistic. The mortals have been searching for the 'meaning of life' at least as long as there has been written history, but in the end of the day it's just a philosophical question, for our lives are so short and challenging that the society needs to change and adapt, or be cut down. An elf living in peaceful (boring?) Aman for ages upon ages must have far too much time to ponder those questions. There's no ultimate satisfaction to be found, or the Noldor wouldn't have rebelled in the first place, but those events are long past, the center of action literally removed from Aman. The younger elves might have more joy of life, but they're bound to pick up on their parents' attitudes, forever treated as children, hearing the stories about past glories, but knowing there were none for them. Sad, but perhaps inevitable conclusion. Getting back at the chapter at hand, I'm starting to feel sorry for Helyanwe. What she said was cruel, but it feels like she was lashing out at the confusing and threatening new world, rather than Glorfindel himself. I'd say that Eärnur and Vardamir deliberately ignoring other healers' expertise was a bigger deal than a few callous words which were (probably) not actually meant to harm. No one could have foreseen the consequences. (Though whther or not she has learned her lesson is still up in the air.) What I find truly awesome is how 'present' Glorfindel has been through these last chapters, even though he's unconscious. It's not just everyone talking/thinking about him, it's his influence in those around him, like the twins, Ron, Daeron, Finrod etc. It might be that removing him from the picture for a little while is for the best, for it feels like the people around him are only now starting to realise how irreplaceable he is. It's also very realistic - if not necessarily logical - how the Valinorean elves have less respect for half-elves than straight out mortals. sigh Kind of drives home how lonely it must have been for Eärendil, Elwing and Elrond. Name Teleporno always makes me wince. I like him and all, but I can't take him seriously when people are calling him that. Monopoly marathon... been there, done that. Wait, they had a game going for eighteen hours and Finrod made them pack it away for good? Ouch. I add my voice to those who would like to see the adventures of Wiseman elves through the history. Author Reply: Hi Dire. Your analysis of the situation is very spot on, especially the pre-apocalypse despondency of the Amanian Elves and the way the Three Amigos and Nell are considered "children" (never mind that they're older than recorded human history) simply because there are no actual children in Aman. But I especially like your realization that Glorfindel is indeed very much present, in spirit, at least, if not physically, and how that felt presence affects everyone concerned. And I always wondered if Tolkien devised Celeborn's Quenya name on purpose, because I agree, I always cringe too when I see it. I much prefer Celeborn. grin Thanks for leaving a comment. I very much appreciate it.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/25/2014
Glorfindel’s Quenya name would be Laurefindil but everyone knows better than to refer to him by that name even when he is not present. I don't know! (But then, I've been immersed in hobbitry for the past decade and really don't know much about the Fair Folk. It's been decades since I read the Sil, and I'm way overdue for a re-reading.) So, why not call him by his name in Quenya? Is there a story there? Author Reply: Tolkien, in one of his linguistic notes that has been published in recent years, tells us that Glorfindel in Quenya would be Laurefindil. That would have been the name he was known by when he resided in Valinor before he joined the Exodus to Middle-earth. In my "Elf, Interrupted" series, Glorfindel refuses to acknowledge his Quenya name and always insists that he be called Glorfindel as his personal identity is tied up with that name and, of course, when he eventually returns to Middle-earth where Sindarin only is spoken, he would naturally render his name in Sindarin and that's how he thinks of himself. This is simply a characteristic of his that I created for him and for the story. You will find nothing of this mentioned in the Silmarillion or elsewhere in Tolkien's writings. In contrast, I have Finrod being comfortable with both forms of his name, though he personally prefers to be called Finrod rather than Findaráto. Unlike Glorfindel, though, he's not likely to skewer you for using his Quenya name. grin I hope this explains things for you.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/25/2014
Ah, good to see what's happening there, and how Finrod is dealing with the problem. I love Holly's cheekiness, BTW, and Finrod's reassuring words. Ron needs to take Holly out on a very nice date, I think, and wine and dine her by candlelight and buy her bubble bath and flowers and good chocolate or whatever the Elf equivalent might be. Monopoly marathon! BTDT. Growing up in a house full of tension, I fully sympathise with the youngsters. That the older Elves can abandon themselves fully to playing in the snow, while the youngsters huddle miserably by the gate, checking their watches... says something about the stress they're under. Glad the truth is finally out in the open. Now maybe healing can start. Don't know what the future may hold, but glad that Glorfindel's past and illustrious (titles? I'm groping for a word) has been made more plain. Of course, Helen (is that her name? I'm too rushed to go back and look -- read the chapter early this morning and then the site went down when I had time for a decent review) ought to have known it was enough for Glorfindel to be Finrod's brother of the heart -- that would certainly elevate him high above others in my eyes! Author Reply: Hi Lindelea. You're right that Ron needs to take Holly out for a romantic evening. I'm sure he's smart enough to know that this needs to be done. When people are hung up on titles, it's hard for them to see the worth of a person simply by virtue of that person existing. Hopefully, Helena and the others will see that being called "Brother" by Finrod is a far more exalted a title than even king or prince or whatever. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate you doing so very much.

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