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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil	13 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 11/8/2014
That's one thing I have been wondering about as well – swords appear to be so anachronistic in our times. But the Valar should know what they are doing, so we'll have to trust them. Would you be surprised that I am wondering if Glorfindel and Finrod are going to ever spar together again? And what would happen then – somehow I can't help but imagine the Valar and Maiar going into a full-blown panic, lol. I'd really love to watch that sort of sparring, too. It must be amazing to watch Elves doing it, particularly ones who have been fighting that way for many ages of the world and an amount of practice and skill no mortal can ever achieve. And you had to throw a wrench into the fun again sigh Alex is really not a normal Mortal, from the looks of it, something is going on there that keeps throwing him back into the First Age. Author Reply: I know a lot of people are hoping to see Finrod and Glorfindel spar together and we may actually see them doing so in Elf Academy 4. I, too, would like to see what happens if they do. I imagine the Valar will have kittens over it. LOL! Alex is certainly not a normal Mortal (but then what is normal anyway?). He has a lot of psychic baggage to carry around him. Thanks for reviewing, Kitty.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 10/1/2014
And I ended with admiring your technique of using the Super Bowl in the last chapter, and here you are with it again, this time reminding us of what the year was. (I confess that I had to Goggle Patriots v. Giants to work it out. blushes Alex's reaction to Finrod's sparring was unexpected, to say the least! Author Reply: Yes, Alex's reaction to Finrod's sparring is unexpected and everyone's confused by it. I love the internet. You can find out just about anything, including who was playing in the Super Bowl years before (I don't bother watching it so it wouldn't be anything I would remember). Adding such details does give the story some historical depth and places it in time without necessarily stating it directly. Thanks for reviewing, Dreamflower. I appreciate it.

Kevana	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/18/2014
Something I've started noticing across all of Tolkien's works is that the Mortals portrayed as the strongest protagonists are always the ones who measured up best to the Elves' yardstick, and we see that attitude here in Finrod's comments too. I make note of it here because you carry the Elves' attitudes through so well in your characterization, from the grand gestures right down to these casual comments. To me it's one of the things that makes the EA series work in translating these characters into the modern age. On the grander scale of things it makes me ponder the questions: what impact does it have on both races when Elves set themselves and their abilities as the highest achievable bar for Mortals (or unachievable, truly), and when Mortals get into the mindset that they ought to strive to be like Elves? Clearly Mortals learned a lot and grew greatly from their interactions with Elves and I'm sure Tolkien meant for there to be a less concrete and more spiritual aspect of it too, but it does make me wonder what each race might lose in the bargain of that kind of expectation and assumption. We have seen Alex and Derek in particular challenge that mindset in very interesting ways. I believe Manwë sort of touched on this in an earlier chapter, about each one's different abilities being needed. I hope in your EA 'verse, they are each able to find strength in themselves and each other and be proper allies. I think I see progress toward that here and there, it's great character development. This was something I had been thinking about recently and smiled at seeing in this chapter. Your Elves are simply wonderful and so true to Tolkien's schema despite being in a totally different setting. The lovely, arrogant, terrifying rascals. grin As to the nuclear weapons, etc. conversation, I have wondered that myself! But then I did recall that bladed weapons are best for dealing with zombies. You don't run out of ammo and make very little noise. So perhaps they are onto something here, LOL! Alex's ... "flashback"? I guess you could call it? ... was very intense. I had completely forgotten about his connection to Bregdal. Somehow I don't think Elladan, at least, will be forgetting it any time soon! -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. You bring up very interesting points that perhaps others (myself included) have not thought about in this context. Certainly, I've tried to show that when the two races cooperate with one another, they both win, but there's been such a long separation from those times when they did join forces that both sides need to relearn trust in each other's abilities. I think I've shown how this can happen in this modern age and how there are going to be hiccups in the relationship along the way, but if they want to succeed, they need to start working together. And Alex's flashback or what ever you want to call it was indeed very intense. I'm sure Elladan will not forget about it for a very long time. grin Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. And any time you want to continue this discussion via PM, feel free. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/9/2014
Oh boy, Alex can't seem to catch a break. If it is not Farrell breathing down his neck, he gets these weird flashbacks. They need to get to the bottom of this, so Alex can get a handle on things. It is too dangerous for him to just zone out like that, especially if it gets triggered by fighting. Sure, sword fighting seems a bit quaint in modern times, but it is not only the fighting itself you train, it is the mindset behind it. And it is always good to be able to handle whatever is at hand to defend yourself. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Yeah, poor Alex. I'm sure they'll figure out what's going on with him eventually, but at the moment, they're groping for answers and there's no quick-fix. And you're right about swordfighting helping you to get into the proper mindset. No true warrior disdains any weapon at hand, however humble, not when lives are at stake. I have no doubt that the Elves will also progress to more modern types of weapons (that's what the zombie hunter boot camp is all about), but for now, Finrod wishes to get back into fighting shape using weapons familiar to him. Thanks for leaving a comment. It's appreciated.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/9/2014
It does appear that past-life regressions might well be called for in this case. Love the description of the sparring. Too bad that Alex's former self got caught in it all. Author Reply: We'll have to see what Ron decides on doing with Alex. I'm glad you enjoyed the description of the sparring and yes, it is a pity Alex's former self or whatever it going on with him interrupted it. I'm sure we all would've liked to have seen if Finrod managed to beat the Twins or not. grin Thanks for reviewing, Larner. I appreciate it.

FV_Whisper	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/8/2014
Well, well, well, just when you think this will be a quiet chapter... Alex has a point. Swords might certainly play a part with the final battle, but with so many modern weapons out there, it seems good to learn how to use those as well. Or at least recruit ones who know how to handle those. Why limit yourself to one way of fighting when there are many? Seems good to be prepared in many ways. Surely Finrod, isn't calling in a live oath for an overprotective husband who does not want his wife to go alone a bit much? Glofi seems to be on the mend again, and actually willing to give himself more time. Yes, he has grown up, somewhat that is. I actually think Finrod might think of him less mature than he actually is, still seeing him as the Reborn we once knew, but he must not forget Glorfindel has had many centuries of a very active life (compared to Finrod) to grow up. Although I really wonder who of the two will be first in fighting condition again, Glorfindel or Finrod. I think the first one won't be wasting any time as soon as he's able too. - “There is, but the telling of it would take too long. Suffice to say that Finrod learned a valuable lesson once a long time ago, and yes, I learned one too. Don’t snicker, Val. It wasn’t funny.” - Where is this too? I can't seem to catch the reference right away. Oh, and think the courts of Aman had enough stories about Glorfindel to tell Elrond to last several centuries! I like how the ambidexterity of the Elves is portrayed in the fight. Alex is really, really loosing it here, these flashback or whatever they are are no fun, and although it's not entirely the same, Finrod is right in seeing there's a resemblance to the blood trance here. It's something Alex and the Elves really need to work on, for he is a potential danger here and already not too stable emotionally atm. You're really enjoying making Alex suffer I think! I think not many who did something like that to Elladan would made it out unharmed, but of course forgiveness is the right emotion here. And I really wonder how Finrod will be coping with Alex' episodes, he seemed rather upset by it. I guess it's cliff house time again. Also, found this news item and it seems something the EA crew should be checking out on! http://www.katu.com/news/local/Womans-car-attacked-by-self-identified-high-elf-battling-evil-259598811.html?mobile=y Author Reply: Hi FV_Whisper. Well, first, with regard to the link, some people just can't separate fantasy from reality and he did admit to being on LSD, so there you are. I doubt our Elves from W.I.A. will bother to send their version of Napoleon Solo to check it out. LOL! But thanks for the link. Poor woman. She must've thought she'd stepped into the Twilight Zone big time. Anyway, back to the review: Finrod: Ah, the joys of a hierarchical society where one is at the top of the pyramid and everyone else has to toe the line. That Blood Oath gives Finrod the power to dictate their comings and goings. Laurendil might object but he has no choice but to obey. And as another reviewer pointed out, Manwen's a big girl and can take care of herself. Glorfindel: Yes, he's grown up, has been grown up for ages, even before he left Aman, but, as Finrod is wont to say, once a Reborn, always a Reborn and he does include himself in that. And you would not recognize the reference to his words which you quoted here because the incident has never been recorded (and maybe never will be). Just one of those "red slippers" as it's called to add depth to the story and characters. Alex: We'll see in the next chapter how Ron attempts to deal with Alex's flashbacks and it will be a subject that will come up later as well. I'm glad you liked how I portrayed the Elves' ambidexterity during the swordfight. Thanks for your lovely review, Whisper. I appreciate it very much.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/8/2014
Now I know why I'm so drawn to the Elves; I'm ambidextrous also. Author Reply: I wish I were ambidextrous, Tari. It would make life so much easier, I think. ;-)

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/8/2014
Poor Alex, someday he will h ave his all of his mysteries solved, and then he will be bored. Glad Elladan understood that Alex was just trying to "save"Finrod. Soon all will be well and Derek will be home to help him sus this all out. Author Reply: Poor Alex, indeed, Laer. And you're probably right that if all his mysteries were solved, Alex would be very bored. I think things will be better for him once Derek returns, or so one would hope. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/8/2014
Oh, Shitake Mushrooms! Just what the hell is going on with Alex? Talk about split personality. They really do need to get to the bottom of this, Alex needs to take some time off and sit down and process all that has happened to him in the last six months, nearly getting killed, twice, Ratty, Elves, leaving the Agency, meeting Derek and all the others, he just has not had time to go over it all. He needs someone non-judgmental to talk to. I am beginning to wonder if Namo did him any favors when he sent him back! I know, I know, if he hadn't we wouldn't have a story but it does make you think. I wonder if there is some thing in the water that is setting Alex off, or is it subtle influence from the Dark Side. (You know what I mean.) Hm, Finrod really did pull rank if he is invoking Life Oaths, he doesn't often do that, I wonder just how much his shoulder is bothering him. Manwen is a big girl, she can look after herself. Very interesting chapter, need to find emery board and clean up bitten nails, adds them to list of things for Cliff House, along with all the other boring stuff like loo paper, hand soap and the like. Have a good weekend, Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. We'll find out (in part) what's going on with Alex over the next couple of chapters. And Ron is about as non-judgmental as you can get, I think. We'll see how he helps Alex with this in the next chapter. Námo probably didn't have any choice in sending him back, and you're right that if he hadn't there wouldn't have been much of a story for me to write. There are a number of theories as to what is setting Alex off, but nothing has been ventured that everyone can agree upon. Finrod doesn't usually pull rank, but sometimes it does help to do so. And Manwen is indeed a big girl and can look after herself. Alaska isn't Beleriand under siege by Morgoth after all. grin Have a good weekend yourself and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it. Hugs back.

Malice2	Reviewed Chapter: 64 on 8/8/2014
"They are most interesting and even entertaining for being Mortal fare." This is because of these sentences that I don't understand how any mortal can stand being around elves... Nice chapter, as usual. I love it when Alex unnerves everyone with his weird genetics ;-) Author Reply: Well, most mortal adults dismiss fairy tales, Malice2, so for Valandur to find them interesting and entertaining is actually a compliment. And having Alex unnerve everyone with his weirdness is lots of fun to watch. grin Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.

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