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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil	18 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 11/9/2014
That was a horrible dream, but if that was what actually happened – up until he killed the other two, I mean, not the end – then it would explain a lot. The first may have been an accident, but the other two were murder, plain and simple. Of course, dreams aren't always accurate, so I'll wait and see how true this was. It's good to know that the anger management classes actually help the Elves to cope, and that it has inspired them to find something useful to do. I think part of their problem is that they are mostly just hanging around without much of a purpose, and these classes will help with that. They tie in nicely with the SCA idea, too, that's true. I have to admit, while I am not a big fan of dressing up in costumes, these classes would be interesting to me as well. Urgh, that was the worst Valentine's Day card ever. No wonder Alex ran off without any thought to how he's going to handle that and without telling anyone. Luckily Finlay was there. But I don't like it that they are luring Alex to Winterdark Tarn, of all places. How does Farrell know how Alex reacts to that place? It really leaves me wondering which higher power is behind all that. Author Reply: As for the dream and how real it was, you will know already as I write this, so I won't comment on it, though obviously the ending is suggestive of the state of Alex's soul at this point. The anger management classes are indeed helping everyone and as the Elves from Valinor find their purpose in Wiseman, I think things will go better for them. As to how Farrell knows about Winterdark Tarn... Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. It's appreciated.

Dreamflower	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 10/1/2014
UH-OH! scurries to next chapter Author Reply: And aren't you glad you didn't have to wait for the next chapter like everyone else, Dreamflower? LOL!

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/17/2014
Well, Alex dear, chocolate is often considered to be an aphrodisiac, and while that may not be accurate, the stuff certainly contains an interesting array of amino acids, and it _is_ a stimulant. Hm. Wonder if chocolate is made in Aman? If not, I'm sure the ellyth will love this product of the Mortal world. And if the ellyn are very good, perhaps the ellyth might be talked into sharing. ;-) Author Reply: I have no idea if chocolate is made in Aman or not, Sunny, though we are told that every plant found in Middle-earth can also be found in Valinor, so it's possible that at some point some enterprising Elf discovered the cocoa bean from which chocolate is made and figured out how to make some. After all, why should us Mortals have all the fun? grin

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/16/2014
Hooo-kay. Things are really moving now. The foreshadowing in an earlier chapter ("Don't go to the Tarn alone" comes to fruition as Alex goes to the Tarn... alone. Is Felicity even there? (Reader juggles two images in brain for a moment -- the high drama of Felicity, conscious or unconscious, at the showdown, dangled as bait, versus the sinister-but-subtle ploy of an unknowing Felicity having been got out of the way, or having circumstances that got her out of the way naturally (a family emergency, say) and someone taking advantage (like substituting the Valentine for a note she might have left Alex).) Alex possessed (as one reviewer said)? Don't know about that, but Farrell certainly seems possessed, or at the very least, guided by dark forces. (As seems to be the case with that higher-up at the Agency, I forget her name, not Alex's boss, but the one who ordered Finlay and his cohorts into the picture, IIRC.) He may be a puppet, or he may not even be involved. One thought I had was that he is cold in his grave, after being broken out of custody, in order to have his name used as a distraction. However, I get the distinct notion that no, there's a showdown coming, and Farrell's involved. Is he bait, as well? Lots of bait flying around. Someone's fishing for big fish. Aiming for Glorfindel, perhaps? Finrod? Some of the other Big Names among the Elves, along with Elessar's heir? (Did I get that right -- that Alex is descended from Aragorn and Arwen? Seriously short on sleep this morning, and thought processes are murky.) And now I'm wondering if Sakari ought to be there, too. After all, her father's a shaman, right? She recognized the Elves (and Maia?) for what they are. She might have picked up a few things from good old Dad in past years, and might actually be better able to cope than her husband, if supernatural things are about to rear their (ugly or not so ugly) heads. Oh, my. I just had a Happy Thought. (Pardon my inner chortle.) I am remembering Glorfindel as he appeared when the Black Riders tried to cross the Ford to get to Frodo, Frodo's glimpse of his wrath and glory... A little bit of me is hopeful that we'll get to see this side of him unveiled at the Tarn. Pretty please? (I know, the chapter was written and posted months or at least weeks ago, and is simply awaiting unveiling. But what a fun thing to contemplate!) Brewing another pot of really good, strong coffee (it is truly an art form, here in the land where Starbucks sprang forth -- people are obsessed with coffee), and contemplating bringing to share around the Cliff House some of the lovely almond flour shortbread one of the not-so-wee-anymore hobbits baked up for our gluten-free friends. Author Reply: Hi Lindelea. We'll find out if Felicity is at the tarn or not in the next chapter, but you're right that she merely has to be out of the way. Had Alex stopped to check if Felicity was truly missing, he would have found it so and continued to act accordingly. Right now, he has to assume she's there and her life is being threatened. Alex is not possessed, but what exactly is happening is anyone's guess right now. And yes, technically speaking, he could be considered Elessar's heir being descended from both Aragorn and Arwen. We'll find out just what is going down in the next chapter. And we won't see Glorfindel in all his wrath and glory, unfortunately, at least, not here, but we will see it eventually, I assure you. So just be patient. ;-) Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/16/2014
Woa! This was some chapter. After all the analyzing and more quiet chapters we are bang back in action. The end of Alex' nightmare was harrowing, only Maia could pull that rising from the dead off. Were they already around at that time? Or was this just the way the nightmare went with Alex' more recent experiences thrown in? Alex is really not thinking straight. He should know better than to hare off like this without checking if Felicity is really gone. I like Finlay's reaction. Luckily, he at least didn't lose his mind. Farrell, although I begin to doubt that it is him or he has help from some Maia, knows exactly how to push Alex' buttons. Showdown at Winterdark Tarn... I just hope Glorfindel and the rest are arriving on time and that Felicity is well. This sounds like a trap. But what would the enemy gain if they draw most of the elves away and attack the rest of the crew in Edhelhond? I guess I will have to wait until Monday to find out... With my schedule I will probably have to wait until the weekend. Goes to join the rest of the crew in the cliffhouse. I'll bring some ice cream. Author Reply: Everything in the dream is true except the very end; that is Alex's mind working overtime and it is in the same vein as the dream he had much earlier (described in EA2) where he sees himself swimming in the tarn. Alex is definitely not thinking straight here, and definitely not thinking like the trained agent that he is. So we can be thankful for Finlay being there. We'll see how it all goes down in the next chapter. Sorry you'll have to wait so long to read what happens next. Hope you can hold on until next weekend. grin Thanks for reviewing, obsidianj. I appreciate it very much.

MikoNoNyte	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/15/2014
Ahh the Hallmark Holiday. A wonderful angsty chapter with me shouting Hooray! for Edward and WTF with Glorfindel's "aint" usage. My Mum and I would hit him with a whiffle bat! LOL There are some devious happenings here and poor Alex's nearly psychotic episode and dream are not helping. And he KNOWS better than to head to the Tarn; he phoned No One and it seems to me that some really dark beings are gathering around Wiseman. sighs Why does it feel like this is only going to get much, much worse before it even begins to even out, never mind get better? I'm back to read, remark and find my notes for EA2 someplace LOL Thanks for the edgy chapter. I'll bring Earl Grey and Wasa Crispbreads next time along with some killer cheeses. Ja ne! Author Reply: Hey! "äin't" is a perfectly acceptable contraction once used by the educated classes but it fell out of favor because of stupid grammarians thinking they know everything there is to know about a language. These days, and I'm sure you've heard it in this context, people who normally don't use it as part of their everyday speech will use it for emphasis with the connotation of "I really am not____". Glorfindel is just letting Finrod know that he's serious about not stopping for laggards. Anyway, getting back to the chapter... There are indeed some devious happenings here and Alex's state of mind doesn't help. We'll see what the consequences of his not phoning the Elves (thank Eru for Finlay!) will be shortly. Thanks for reading and reviewing, MikoNoNyte. I appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/15/2014
Cues Twilight Zone music: Doo doo, doo doo, doo doo, doo doo. I have questions, lots of questions:- One. Is Alex' dream, nightmare, day mare, what ever, just that, a dream or is it what actually happened, because if those bodies did disappear then we are in a load of trouble. Bodies just don't disappear like that and why those two and not the one killed accidentally? Two. Why do I get the feeling that even then events were conspiring to turn Artemus away from the light and force him into the darker aspects of his profession. Just what did Junior have to do with Artemus attempted kid napping, did he set it up? It sounds very much like he did, also just how soon after this did Artemus have to try to retrieve Junior? Three. Some body has to be feeding Ratty information about Artemus/Alex since I don't think it is common knowledge that he died at Winter Dark Tarn, was it Ratty who took Felicity or was it some one else who wants Alex and the Elves to believe it is him? Could Ratty already be pushing up daisies some where? I am a little concerned that Glorfindel and Company are rushing into this with out a lot of thought, it seems a bit Show Down at the O.K. Corral to me, but then Ratty strikes me as a bit of a grand stander. Alex is right, he needs help, lots and lots of help! Well that's all I can think of at the moment, more will probably come to mind, checks out security at Cliff House, makes sure all locks and window catches are working properly, packs Huggy Blanket and trims nails.(If they are already short will not be able to bite them!) Buckles up and hangs on tight, ready for wild ride! Have a good weekend o' Cliffy King! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Well, to take your questions in order: 1. The dream shows what really happened at the Riad, except at the very end. Alex even states that in reality he never looked back and in previous versions of this dream no bodies disappeared and no zombies showed up, so to speak. Obviously, what has happened to him recently has changed the scenario for some reason. 2. I think it was some time later that Alex was sent to retrieve Junior. In fact, I'm pretty sure he didn't even mention Junior's involvement in the attempted kidnapping to his superiors because he wanted to find out for himself what Junior was up to. I suspect that Junior, when confronted, denied all knowledge of what happened and Alex was willing to believe him then, wanting to believe him, but later, he would realize that Junior had lied to him all along. 3. As for Farrell... you'll have to wait for the next chapter to have that question answered. And you're right, that this is a showdown, but who exactly shows up for it remains to be seen. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated. Hugs back and have a good weekend yourself.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/15/2014
I find myself wanting to know who the current would-be dark lord is. Someone knows Alex's former lives and wants him badly, obviously. Glad that the Elves are so close behind them. Author Reply: We would all like to know that, Larner. LOL! But you're right that someone seems to know Alex all too well and we'll see what happens when everyone meets at Winterdark Tarn. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

UTfrog	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/15/2014
Now taking beverage requests for the cliff house! I do think Farrell is getting quite a bit of help from the enemy. This is terrifying. Poor Alex. Great chapter. Author Reply: Glad you liked the chapter, UTfrog. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 66 on 8/15/2014
Okay, it's Valentine's Day in story? sends Atto Fiondil a review instead of chocolate Though I wouldn't mind chocolate, lol. Well. Just when things couldn't get any worse for Alex, they do. I have to say, I love Ed Finlay and Sakari, and the part they seem to play in all this. At least Alex has a friend from the old days who understands him. (Friend, well, apparently at least.) Remind me who Junior was again? I can't remember where he came from - an ex-partner of Alex's, though, yeah? What happened in Spain? Good lord...zombies? o.O I hope that bit was just in the nightmare... Oooh, boy. Winterdark Tarn. I am praying to Eru that they all get there in time to save Felicity. Of course, the whole thing is probably a trap, but what if they get to the Tarn just to find Felicity's already dead, or somewhere else, or even worse gulp in league with Farrell? God, I hope not... Oh, Alex, Alex...please let something go right for once! Tell the Elves how to help you!! As I said, I'll try to keep on the ball with my reviews from now on. Until then...bunks down in the Cliff House with a box of HoHos and frosted donettes, and a thermos full of strawberry lemonade Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. Junior was a fellow agent and Alex considered him to be his best friend. Junior turned traitor and Alex was sent to eliminate him. He tried to convince Junior to come back and face the music, but Junior tried to kill Alex and in the scuffle, Alex was forced to kill Junior. The zombie part of Alex's nightmare was just part of the dream, but the other things that happened actually did happen. I'm glad you like Finlay and Sakari. They're a lot of fun to write, especially Finlay. We'll see in the next chapter if everyone gets to the tarn on time and what follows from that. Thanks for reviewing, Kaylee. I'm glad you're back and enjoying the story.

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