Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within  by Fiondil 17 Review(s)
obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/20/2014
A nice way to wind down after all the excitement of the evening. Dancing is a lot better than beating each other up or start screaming at all and sundry. I can see the bemusement of the Valinorean newcomers when they heard the "music" and saw what the mortals call "dancing". I don't think they have a frame of reference for this. The maiar also dancing was a nice touch and should give those who noticed a hint that there are more ways to do music and dance than what they know.
Galadriel is too quiet for my taste and Turgon sounds like a petulant little kid. I liked it that the reunited families found a way to spend the rest of the night together in some form and not that everyone went home alone.

Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. You're right that the newcomers have no frame of reference to the dancing or the music. And I thought the Maiar dancing was fun. They know how to have a good time. *grin*

Galadriel may be quiet for a reason and Turgon has his issues. And of course the reunited families would want to spend as much time as possible with one another.

Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

FV_WhisperReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/19/2014
Kyle knows how to care about his team, sending everyone away for the wedding.

Why did I have to think about Glorfindel when Mánatamir talked about the puppy that slipped his leash? lol Well, at least Mánatamir had some fun there.

Elrond is rather smug in explaining DNR to the kings. He's adjusting already here. For the kings, this talk mist all seem strange. Especially seeing how much problems the obsession with Mortals on dying, or rather not dying has caused in the past, when think about Númenor.

After everything, it's no wonder the Twins are in for a lighter subject and dancing beats beating each other up. The reactions of the new arrivals to modern day music and dancing speak for themselves. It's fun to see even the Maiar where enjoying themselves.

Celeborn is really in protective Ada mode here, much to Nell's dismay and he'll need some time adjusting for what is considered suitable for a young lady in this world. Much more than what he would consider so for sure. Galadriel is too quiet here. Makes you wonder on who she will explode over this first: her daughter or her husband.
ON the other hand, when wanted to stay while the others are leaving, Nell has Gareth around her finger quite nicely already.
And it's weird to think of Nell and Celebrían as sisters. I always pictured Celebrían as being ore like Celeborn in mood while Nell can be a younger version of her mother if she wants to.

Go Tristan for having the nerve to tell Celeborn off! Either he has a lot more backbone than he has shown so far, or doesn't know who he's addressing too.

Had to laugh about the reference to Arafinwë 's wedding. Olwë is such a sneak with that.

And can someone please lock Turgon up before either he does something stupid or Glorfindel explodes? Whatever happens first and both options are possible as well.

Author Reply: Hi FV_Whisper. LOL! about thinking of Glorfindel when Mánatamir talked about the puppy slipping his leash.

Elrond looks as if he could settle quite nicely in Wiseman. I think having been born and living in Middle-earth for so long would make it easier for him to adjust. He would feel as if he were actually coming home even if not to Imladris.

It is hard to get around the idea that Celebrían and Nielluin are sisters, I grant you, but they are.

And Tristan knows full well who Celeborn is, but he's not going to take nonsense from anyone, even someone like Celeborn.

As for Turgon... well, we'll just have to see.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

SashaHoneypalmReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/17/2014
So basically my second idea, then. More or less.

Thanks for clarifying; one of the nice things about fanfiction is that when I'm confused about a plot point, I can ask about it.

Author Reply: Not a problem, Sasha. I'm glad I was able to help clarify matters for you.

SashaHoneypalmReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/16/2014
>“But if Lord Námo calls…” Olwë started to say, shaking his head, unable to complete whatever his thought was. <

I'll have to admit, that doesn't quite ring true to me. Olwe is an Elf who's never met a mortal until just a few days ago. I can't see an immortal being, who has never known death as anything except a catastrophe, really comprehending death as a normality/necessity. (I'll admit I've mostly gotten that idea from fanfictions- but those authors do make a rather convincing case that Elves, especially the long-time Valinoreans, would find the idea of "peaceful death" completely alien to their psyches). Though it occurs to me now you could see it the other way- sheltered Valinorean Elves may well only think of mortals in terms of "those people that die", and not see what the big deal about death would be for them, because "Hey, they're supposed to die anyway, right?"

(I'm not sure that came out right; I know what the thought I have in my head is, but I'm having trouble coming up with the right words. You know what I mean, right?)

Author Reply: Hi Sasha. I think I know what you were trying to say, but you are looking at it from the wrong perspective. In Quenya, the word that we translate as "Mortal" is _Fírima_ (also _Fírimo_ and _Firya_); Sindarin has similar words _Fíreb_, _Fair_ as well as gender-specific terms _Firion_ (men) and _Fireth_ (women). All these terms literally mean "One apt to die" or "One who expires". The Elves, even those like Olwë who never met them or had any congress with them, know that death is the natural state for Mortals. So, Olwë, upon hearing that Mortals are able to bring someone back from the dead, is disturbed by the idea that any Mortal would defy the Lord of Mandos when he calls forth a soul, because he knows that, while Elves who die are given the choice to heed Námo's call or not, this is not true for Mortals. They must heed Námo's call; they have no choice in the matter.

This is how he sees things because this is what he's been taught be the Valar as well as by those, like his grandson Finrod, who knew Mortals intimately, or as intimately as any Elf could.

I hope this makes sense as I'm writing this at 6:00 AM and I'm not quite awake yet. *grin*

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. It's much appreciated.

SoledadReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/16/2014
Go, Tristan! I like it how he takes no crap from Celeborn. After all, he is the one who survived literally millennia in a now Mortal world - Celeborn, for all his wisdom, will have to adjust. He has no other choice.

Author Reply: Hi Soledad. Yes, Tristan is more than capable of standing on his own against Celeborn for the very reason you give. Glad you liked this. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/16/2014
What a nice relaxing chapter! I love the idea of the Elves listening to mortal music and dancing mortal dances. Very nice.

I can see that the new crop of Elves from Valinor are going to have their ideas of propriety severely challenged over the next few days.

Author Reply: Hi Dreamflower. Well, considering how long certain Elves have been living among mortals, it stands to reason that they would learn to dance to them. And yes, those from Valinor are going to have to make certain adjustments to their viewpoint about propriety with regards to how life is lived in Wiseman even by the Elves who reside there.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

SarahReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/15/2014
it's good to get out of the hospital and back to some nice conversation about boring old not life and death stuff (she says as she sits and reads this visiting in a hospital) Everyone's reactions to "dancing" were priceless! And Nell dear, as one who has made such arguments with her parents concerning significant others for years now, sometimes fathers simply cannot be reasoned with on such matters. Though good on Glorfindel for allowing them a bit of freedom. all these lovebirds are quite adorable, and we haven't even gotten everyone officially hitched yet ;-)

Onward to Friday!

Author Reply: How ironic, Sarah. I'm glad you found everyonés reactions to dancing priceless. And I'm sure Nell's mortal girlfriends can give her chapter and verse about dads where their daughters are concerned. Glorfindel, of course, is more than willing to stand up for them against the old fogies in the group. *grin* Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it very much.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/15/2014
Yes, dancing is a lot better than beating up on each other with swords and a lot less painful the next day!

I don't think Nell and Gareth would be so immature as to run off and do it Sindarin style but there is nothing to stop them and every body knows that!

Why do I think Turgon is going to be a pain in the arse until he has his 'discussion' with Glorfindel?

Oh, well, have to get to work on finding a hole in the den for the B.B. to sleep in, with the Orclings and their parents coming down we will have a house full even if only for four days.

And I still have to warn the cat!

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I doubt Nell and Gareth will run off. I'm sure they will behave themselves until the proper time to marry.

As for Turgon, we'll just have to see.

Good luck with the Orclings and all. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. Hugs back.

KevanaReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/15/2014
The DNR concept must seem very strange to many Elves, who don't age or experience all the things that come with it. I imagine it would be difficult for some of them to understand why a person would make that choice, while others might understand all too well.

I did a double-take when the music came on, I thought recognized the Scissor Sisters! The dancing was lovely. Adding the soundtrack list to the end was a nice touch. I love Josh Groeban, I cry buckets at his version of Mi Mancherai.

Personally I am wondering if Galadriel is perhaps a little envious of her daughter's freedom living in a much less restrictive society, and trying to come to terms with what it means. I hope she will work through whatever's on her mind, and be glad for her daughter's happiness in the end.

It's weird to think Nielluin and Celebrian are sisters, Elrond is Nielluin's brother-in-law and Elrohir and Elladan her nephews, meaning Serindë and Nielluin are going to be related by marriage. Vorondur's grandkids (if Serindë and Elrohir have any) are also going to have Eärendil, of all people, as a great-grandfather. (I *think* I have all of that right, anyway.)

Elven relations are absolutely wild. No wonder these gatherings and weddings are so intense and complicated.

Olwë's matter-of-fact revelation regarding his dropped hint is the best. He still strikes me as the most accepting, open-minded of the three kings.

I'm so glad Ron's sons get to spend some time with their parents again.

The dinner party (of doom?) is approaching, I can't wait to see what comes out of that.

Lovely chapter, thank you for the update! Best wishes for the week ahead.
-Kevana

Author Reply: Hi Kevana. Not only the DNR but the idea that you can actually bring people back from the dead within a certain timeframe. No one had that kind of knowledge back in the day.

Elven relations are indeed wild and convoluted and everyone is related to everyone else. It's hard to keep track of them all.

Olwë's open-mindedness will be rather evident later on as we will see.

And the dinner party is indeed approaching, though I wouldn't necessarily call it the dinner party of doom, but you'll have to be the judge of that.

Thanks for reviewing. Enjoy the rest of the week.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 101 on 12/15/2014
A good way to work off excess emotion, and a good time was had by all save Turgon, apparently.

Author Reply: Yes, it is, Larner, and maybe Turgon enjoyed himself too eventually once he got over his sulk.

Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List