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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil	12 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/24/2014
That hero-worship Gareth showed about Finrod was rather amusing. Meeting his hero will be quite the treat for him, though I suspect Elrohir is right that Finrod is not as impressive as Gareth expects. Save he is in his 'King of Nargothrond mode', of course. It makes sense that the twins have learned so many languages, yes, considering how they lived in so many places over the millennia. Though I hope their language skills are a bit more modern than the English the Valinóreans spoke when they came ;) Yeah, I can see the Valar starting more than one of these 'boot camps', as Elladan called them, and that would explain why no more Elves who never sailed came to Wiseman – they are busy doing the same as them elsewhere. But somehow I am glad these five met; it would be some encouragement for them to know that there are others out there helping them, I think. Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Even Elves suffer from hero-worshiping, especially when they're young, like Gareth. I'm sure the Twins have kept up with modern forms of the most important languages. Most of the ones they probably speak are dead and gone and haven't been spoken by anyone for millennia. And the Valar would be foolish to have only one such "boot camp" in existence, I would think. We just happen to be looking in on this one. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/12/2014
This is entirely too much fun! Gwyn and Gareth's reaction to all the famous Elves is just too adorable. It's okay, Gareth, I'd be right beside you fangirling at Finrod. (And there is nothing wrong with working in a bookstore, Gareth - Einstein worked as a patent clerk, Lincoln was a lawyer, Jesus was a carpenter, etc. :P ) Did I mention that Iron Fist is a truly epic name? I like all of the newly-introduced Mortals, too! Very interesting bunch and clearly good people to have around. I'm still confused on the "are we fighting with swords or not" thing, myself! What, or who, exactly are they going to be fighting? All the orcs are long gone, and you'd think you wouldn't be using swords against humans with guns..bizarre mental image of Morgoth out in space, breeding alien monsters to attack Earth Ah well, even if we never find out, just the idea of Elves (and Mortals) fighting aliens with swords and bows and arrows is enough to keep me happy, LOL. The memory alteration thing is weiiiiiird. I keep thinking back to Men in Black with Will Smith asking Tommy Lee Jones if he erased his memory, "Did you ever flashy-thing me? ... I ain't playing with you, K, did you ever flashy-thing me?" Heehee, Elves have built-in Neuralyzers. At least they're pretty gentle about using it, even on people causing trouble for them. I imagine they could really do some damage if they weren't scrupulous about it, considering even the Valar have had difficulty in that realm before. And speaking of weird mind-stuff, the interview process is too funny. But it's also interesting that the Valar weren't just going "okay, take this person and that person and this person," but actually setting up a way (if I understand correctly) for both the candidates and the selection committee (ha) to work things out for themselves. Wonderful chapter with lots of info, and they know Glorfindel's awake! I bet that will make the Twins and Sarah feel a lot better. Although they should probably start expecting an incoming pretty soon. And on to the next chapter - there are some benefits to getting busy and having to catch up, more chapters at once. I am greedy. ;) -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. I think everyone is confused by the "are we fighting with swords or not", including the Elves. If you recall, Amroth has a vision, which he no longer remembers, of Alex and Derek fighting side-by-side in what he realizes is the Dagor Dagorath, using strange weapons that Amroth does not recognize. I have left it all purposely vague, mainly because I have no clue either and this leaves everything open both for the reader and for me. The dream interview is a way for Gwyn to know for sure if someone he's thinking of joining the Iron Fist (and it is an epic name) is suitable. Having the interview in a dream protects Gwyn and Gareth because if the person is not suitable than there's no point in inviting him and perhaps endangering themselves. Yet, no one's free will is abrogated in this process, as we see when Gwyn ignored the results of one such dream interview. Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.

Lyana	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/10/2014
I can't imagine what a shock this visit must be to the two brothers. Talk about legends coming to life! And it's really going to be interesting to add to the mix Elves who have known nothing more than the last 1,000 years of human history. Putting it into the perspective that the youngest of the Valinor elves are about the same age as their parents... wow. I'm glad Elladan was able to help them start to put some of the pieces of the larger puzzle together before insecurities ran too rampant! The Mortals seem to be handling all this quite well! Should we be worried?? Author Reply: Hi Lyana. It must have been quite the shock for them, more so than for the Mortals with them because for the Mortals what's more Elves? But for the brothers, thinking they were alone and there were no other Elves in Middle-earth except their parents and then to learn there are others... that would really be shocking. Being older (and supposedly wiser), Elladan was able to see the purpose behind what the brothers were doing and what the connection between them and the Wiseman Elves should be and assure Gwyn and Gareth that what they were doing in Fairbanks was as important as what was happening in Wiseman. (Hope this response makes sense; I'm still waking up. grin) Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/9/2014
So, Irmo is involved, too? Sounds good to me that he has his own way of contributing to the building of the Army of Light. I wonder if Lorenzo is now in Wiseman? Author Reply: I'm sure all the Valar are involved to one extent or another, Larner. As for Lorenzo being in Wiseman, I have no idea, but I rather doubt it, or perhaps I should say, I hope he isn't. Anyway, thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/9/2014
Rather amusing - The Twins, Glorfindel and Daeron were in the thick of things, spying for the pope in the 14 century, and undoubtedly up to their eyebrows in plots and counterplots, while Serindë's family left Italy _because_ of all the political goings-on. Gwyn's reaction to earing that Finrod is in Wiseman was quite amusing. But I do wonder what Finrod's reaction would be to hearing that he is a fairytale hero to Gwyn, but also to the Twins. And it would be even more amusing to seeing Findalaurë's reaction. Speaking of reactions, it would also be interesting to seeing Findor's reaction to having his niece meeting two elves who are locals and definitely not relatives! And the Three Amigos will undoubtedly find Gwyn and Gareth great company. Heh - Glorfiddle! snickers Here's a vid of a song called Fairytale - and there's a fiddler in it, too! :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DaRhiCKGMk Author Reply: Hi Sunny. It's not only amusing, but rather ironic, I would think. I think Finrod would be appalled and embarrassed upon hearing the fairytale stories about him that Gwyn told Gareth or even those that Glorfindel told the Twins when they were elflings. And it would be amusing to see what Findalaurë's reaction would be. Gwyn and Gareth will eventually meet Finrod as well as Nell and the Three Amigos, so you'll just have to wait to see how that all goes down. Interesting vid. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the review. I appreciate it.

FV_Whisper	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/9/2014
Ah, yes, meeting the locals. Always a good thing. The locals seem to be an interesting bunch, and really serious about the Gwaith-en-Angbor, it seems some allies can be found there. Gwyn and Gareth get more interesting too. Any idea's on what happened with them in the 14th century that they needed to survive? Not the most friendly century there was around, but like mentioned in the story too, at least the Elves did not have to care about the Black Death. (Sound like a name Námo could appreciate, now to think of it) So Serindë and her family lived in Amsterdam for some time? (I'm Dutch myself ;) ) Again, I envy the Elves for knowing all the languages like they do! Ah, boyhood hero's. Gareth sure has a thing about Finrod and hopefully he will meet his hero some time soon. I hope it's not that bad for him the real Finrod will be different from the ones in stories I wonder what Finrod will think about those tales, and even more about the tales Glorfindel told the Twins. At least Gwyn didn't know any better when making up those tales. - “Dude?!” Gwyn exclaimed. “You call the King of Nargothrond dude?” - snickers I feel sorry for Gwyn, he worked so hard getting into the position he is now, and now there's another group of Elves who in his eyes are taking things over. It's a bit the same as with the Wiseman elves who've been feeling somewhat overruled by the gang from Valinor. I hope what the Twins told him will help him to see thing in a better light. The dream interviews are quite interesting, sounds like something Námo could come up with indeed. Gareth telling the others about this is worth a laugh, he's being so much the younger brother here. "Gwyn finally had to… um… alter his memories of us and a short time later he moved away." This is slightly disturbing. I know the Valar could be able to do such a thing, but do Elves have that power too? Also, seeing by the timeline Glorfindel has been awake for some time now and hasn't caught up with the Twins and Sarah so far does mean at least someone was able to talk a bit of sense into him? snickers What is interesting in this light is how the Twins first even consider moving out of Wiseman. Now after the news Glorfindel is awake, they realize they'll have to return to Wiseman in the end. I guess Glorfindel really is the only one who can hold on to the Twins! Oh, and I raise my hand for some cherry crisp with vanilla ice cream too! Author Reply: Hi FV_Whisper. I'm glad you are finding Gwyn and Gareth to be interesting. I do know something of what was going on with them in the 14th century but I reserve the right not to talk about it here. I'm sure we'll learn something of their history in time. Obviously, it was not a safe century (what century truly is when you stop and think about it?) and while they might not have been able to contract the Plague, that does not preclude other ways that they could have been in danger of dying. As for altering the guy's memory, even vanilla mortals can do that with the right kind of drugs and hypnosis. We call it brainwashing. I think the Elves have a more delicate touch that would not do permanent damage but simply ease the memory so after a time the guy just thinks it was a dream or something. We will be getting back to Wiseman and checking in with Glorfindel soon. We have one more chapter dealing with Fairbanks before we can head north again. Thanks for reviewing. I very much appreciate it.

SashaHoneypalm	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/9/2014
G&G have something to learn about diplomacy, don't they? You'd think that after all this time in the SCA they'd have figured out that dismissing it as children playing dress-up would hurt people's feelings. Maybe their surprise at seeing other elves has loosened their tongues a bit, made them forget their manners? One question I've had for a while- I thought the Valar were supposed to stay in Valinor. (Mostly in Valinor mainland at that, judging from the reactions on Tol Eressea in EI). Yet they're popping up all over the place in EA. Are they breaking their own rules because of the whole "end of the world as we know it" situation? I have to say, this is the fastest-updating fic I have had the pleasure of following. I came here from the MEFA site when EA3 was at Chapter 15, and I've had the tab open ever since. Such a nice break from wonderful stories that end in the middle and haven't been worked on since 2008. (PS, is it just me, or is there only one CAPTCHA for Stories of Arda? Every time I've posted I've gotten "VALAR" as my word). Author Reply: Hi Sasha. I think diplomacy went out the window as surprise and shock came in by the door. And Gwyn is feeling a bit bitter thinking that all his efforts have been for naught. Hopefully, the Twins will set him straight on that score. The Valar are the Guardians of Arda, all of Arda, which actually encompasses our entire solar system, not just Earth, and indeed they are the Guardians of Eä, of the universe as a whole. They may reside permanently in Valinor (everyone needs a place to hang their hat) but they are not bound there. They are, after all, creatures of pure spirit who simply clothe themselves in a physical form so as to be able to interact more easily with incarnates, whether Elves or Mortals. And the secret of updating frequently is that by the time you were reading the beginning of EA3, I had been working on this story for over half a year and was many chapters in advance to where you were in the story. I am, in fact, presently winding up this story, the end of which you won't read until January. That should give you an idea just how long this story is given that I post two chapters a week. Unlike other writers, my rule of thumb is not to begin posting a multi-chapter story until I have at least 20 chapters written, and usually, I have many more than that, so that gives me a comfortable margin to work with. Since I write everyday, I average two new chapters a week. So, once I finish writing this story (hopefully sometime this month), I will go on to write the next story. By the time EA3 is posted in its entirety, I will have been working on the next story for 7 or 8 months. Even as I am posting the first chapter of that story, I may well be finishing it and going on to some other project. And no, it's not you. The CAPTCHA is always the same. Maybe you should consider just signing up so you can automatically log in and not have to deal with the CAPTCHA all the time. At any rate, thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/9/2014
“That’s Loren for you,” Elrohir stated with a grin. “So now we don’t have to worry about him..." Famous last words... Ah, more Fortunates about to be introduced to the famous hot chocolate! I do feel sorry for the Fairbanks Elves, every time an instance of name-dropping happens. Still, add to that the possibility of meeting a childhood hero! (And wouldn't Finrod cringe to hear some of the stories that have been told about him... Especially what was said about Glorfindel's stories -- that he told stories that actually happened to someone, but not necessarily to Finrod, did I read that right?) frightening the children sigh (for so many reasons...) Glorfiddle! What fun! (I would really love for someone to call him that to his face, all unwitting. I'm sure he's classy enough to take it.) “Gareth,” Gwyn growled at his brother, not looking up. O those embarrassing younger siblings! (I am one, actually.) About the dreams. Did he conduct the interview in the dream (and the Valar knew how the Mortal would answer)? Did the dream give him the questions to ask in a real-life interview? I wasn't quite clear on that. (raising my hand for some cherry crisp with vanilla ice cream) Author Reply: Hi Lindelea. You did indeed read it right that Glorfindel told stories of events that actually happened but not necessarily to either Glorfindel or Finrod. He merely put himself and his gwador in the roles of the heroes to amuse small elflings. As for the dream, it is merely a vehicle for the Valar to aid Gwyn in knowing whether a person was right for the group or not. If Gwyn, in consulting with Gareth, was contemplating on asking someone to join Gwaith-en-Angbor the Valar, or more specifically, Irmo would set it up so that there was a shared dream between Gwyn and the perspective fighter. In that way, the answers the person gave would be his own. Gwyn would merely make note as to whether the answer was an 'A' answer or a 'B' answer to the questions. I suspect that the other person would have no memory of the dream (how many of us really remember all our dreams?) but Gwyn would wake up knowing whether to ask the person to join the group or not. Thanks for asking because I'm sure others have the same question. I hope this clears it up. And thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/9/2014
grin MY persona was from Shrewsbury. (Influence by Brother Cadfael, of course!) This is really getting more and more intriguing, and my, oh, my--the Valar have been very busy little bees up in Alaska, haven't they? I enjoyed seeing the mortal reactions to the various revelations of Elladan and Elrohir's adventures, but even more the "young" Elves' reactions to learning about Glorfindel and Finrod. You know, you've made Mondays and Fridays my favorite mornings of the week! Author Reply: I loved the Brother Cadfael series, both the book and the movies. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, Dreamflower, and that you are finding the story to be more and more intriguing. And while I personally think Mondays should be outlawed, I'm glad I am able to make them a little brighter for you. grin Thanks for leaving a review. It's much appreciated.

someone	Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 5/9/2014
Dreams are an interesting way to recruit people. Pity, though, that the twins apparently can't join as they have not passed that test and have no time for full-time membership. I think that it would be good for the people of Wiseman to learn about the other boot camps. It might go a long way to remove stress and let them know they're not the only place in the world run over with elves. Poor Finrod, he most likely has no idea what stories has been told about him to countless elfings over the years! Author Reply: Hi someone. I think the Twins and Elves in general would automatically be allowed to join Gwaith-en-Angbor. The dream recruitment is for Mortals only. And you're right that it would help the people of Wiseman to know that there may be other boot camps and that they're not alone in preparing for the coming war. I can just imagine Finrod's horror when he learns what tales have been told of him to entertain demanding elflings. LOL! Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it very much.

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