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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil	14 Review(s)
obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/10/2015
Nice dinner! No explosions and all in all really amiable. Galadriel seemed to have had enough time to come to terms with her daughters choice. Gareth and Nielluin should really take her dowry and put it in a safe for unexpected costs. It makes decisions that can go horribly wrong (like starting your own business, buying a house etc.) a lot easier if you know you have a fall back position. At least, you can sleep better. Also as was pointed out in the chapter, college education doesn't come cheap. It is sad to think the elves in Valinor forgot how to have fun. I think Turgon taking a skateboard back with him and teaching others how to use it might be a good idea. Some people may learn to have fun again while others get so annoyed that they might snap out of their despair g. Author Reply: Yeah, no explosions and everything pretty cool. LOL! Hopefully, the visitors will go home with some ideas of how to liven things up for the others. Turgon with a skateboard would be a good start. Thanks for reviewing, obsidianj. I appreciate it very much.

ReaderKit	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/7/2015
Wow, this is such an amazing series! I read it all from beginning to end in about four days, that's how much you pull me in. When you can make a reader actually want to jump into the story, that's creativity and skill. Nice work! I didn't think I'd end up loving your Alex and Derek, but I do. They're such awesome bros. Author Reply: Wow! in four days? Did you even sleep? LOL! I'm glad you found this series and have enjoyed reading it, ReaderKit, especially Alex and Derek. They're two of my favorite OCs, too. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it more than words can express, but reading this was a lovely way to wake up on a cold, subzero morning. Your words have warmed my heart.

Eruherdiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/7/2015
I loved all the culture-contrasting going on. I really get a kick out of things like that. ~Eruherdiriel Author Reply: Culture-contrasting is an interesting exercise and I like doing it whenever I can. I'm glad you enjoyed this, Eruherdiriel. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

FV_Whisper	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/7/2015
Esther showing up at the dinner was to be expected. I wonder if her fellow workers will have any idea she's a little more than the average waitress? Of course, if you need a back room, just make sure there is one. Yes, Alex certainly has the 'luck' to be related to those who have some of the most interesting bloodline's in Middle-Earth. There's a whole group of relatives waiting for him, whether he wants it or not. After having gotten through the Christmas period, I can sadly just relate on his opinion about his relatives. ‘How to Treat Enemy Female Agents 101’ lol! Gareth seems to have thought thing out quite well about him and Nell, but he's thinking a bit too much along the lines of modern day standards. Nell too seems to be quite content with her life and prospects here now, but I think keeping on the dowry for the children is a good idea. And yes, Nell is being quite her mother here. It's quite disturbing to hear no one in Valinor seems too have any idea what it is having fun anymore. The trouble in paradise is getting deeper and deeper... Author Reply: I'm sure by now the other café workers know very well who Esther really is and it says something about her that these Mortals take her presence calmly, even when she does something like create a whole back room where there logically couldn't be one given the architecture of the café and the surrounding area. I'm sure that with a little thought, Gareth and Nell will realize that the dowry would be a good thing as a trust for any children they might have. Children don't come cheap these days and the money will certainly come in handy I'm sure. Most of the Elves in Valinor seem to have sunk into states of apathy and despair. Hopefully the kings will come away from their visit with ideas of how to bring them out of it and give them hope again. Maybe the Reborn can teach the others how to have fun again. Thanks for reviewing, FV_Whisper. Your comments are always appreciated.

rikki	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/6/2015
That was a nice icebreaker of a dinner considering that the participants for the most part have only known each other for a couple days. Imagining Celeborn in a polo shirt and khakis and Galandriel in a tie-dyed dress sort of confounds the brain. I liked the interaction of the males as to how to treat a woman, chuckling over Alex's the spy training reference 101. It was a funny touch of humor. The other little motes of conversation about relatives and how the Elves in Valinor have lost hope in their lives was very telling. Overall, there is a lot of information here in this chapter. As to the dowry, I think Glorfindel and Finrod need to have this conversation again with Garath. Finrod brought a lot of gold and jewels with him when he came back to Middle-Earth and it has helped in establishing what the Elves have needed to take care of themselves until they found jobs. Though it is nicely modern to think that he and Nell can combine their monies and make a living, having a nice nest egg for the future would not hurt. Whether it is a down payment on a house or money for expenses in case of a disaster or accident, Garath needs to understand that it won't be a point against him to have some money set aside. Even sharing expenses with Gwyn for the time being, Nell and Garath are going to be living pretty much paycheck to paycheck in terms of keeping house and trying to save money at the same time. On another note, I liked how you included various tidbits about how Tristan and Iseult have lived over the centuries among mortals. As Alex mentions, they have been very lucky in their interactions with mortals that they were not enslaved or captured. That certainly happened to others in your story. Now on to the wedding as I think you have mentioned. I am looking forward to see what you have included in the ceremony and how everyone will be looking at hopefully the first of several weddings in the future. Have a good week and I will be here Friday. Author Reply: Hi Rikki. I'm glad you enjoyed the dinner and the various interactions and tidbits of information. And, of course, you're right about the dowry and I think Gareth will eventually see it as a godsend, especially if and when they have children who will need to be educated. And now on to the wedding.... Thanks for leaving a comment. It's very much appreciated.

KathyG	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/6/2015
Let me guess. The additional room disappeared as suddenly as it appeared when Este (Esther) left. LOL! Sounds like "Touched by an Angel" to me. =) Author Reply: Well, Estë/Esther is the equivalent of an archangel. grin But who knows? Maybe she 'anchored' the additional room in this reality and made it permanent. I'm sure the café could use the extra space at times. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing, KathyG. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/5/2015
A most interesting evening. Having a Valie on staff, even if it is on an intermittent basis, can be helpful, as they can add a room to a place where there is no room for the room. Loved the conversations. Author Reply: It is handy having one of the Valar on staff when you need an additional room added. LOL! I'm glad you enjoyed the conversations, Larner. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/5/2015
O.K. now where did I get to, oh, yes. I found it very telling that on hearing the fire truck sirens and on seeing the small boy Turgon's first thought was Errendil, also mistaking Finrod for Ecthelion and asking for Glorfindel. On thinking about it both he and Errendil have a lot in common, since neither got to see their sons/grandson grow, but were left to wonder if they even survived. Both Errendil and Elwing had a tough decision to make when they reunited at sea, do they go on to Valanor and trust that their sons will be kept safe or do they turn around and go back for their sons. I wonder if Errendils ambivalence about being one of the First Born had to do with not being able to be with his sons. How soon after Sirion did Vingalot arise and he was able to check up on them. (Sorry this is what happens when I am in musing session!) I think Turgon could do with a few sessions with Ron, both with and without Glorfindel. Ron would be in Hog Heaven with him. I did like how you dressed Celeborn and Galdriel I am seeing them in my minds eye and they make a very handsome couple, (Odd thought, what did they think of zippers? Yes, I know my mind goes off at odd tangents.) Was Chris one of the regular waitresses or was she a Maia conscripted by Este? I am not sure how the regular servers at the café would handle the Valar rearranging reality to add a 'back room'. I loved Alex comments on how to handle women, always agree, even when she is wrong, saves a lot of arguments and she always looks gorgeous, even when she doesn't! Gareth, honey, if someone is offering you a monetary contribution, grab it with both hands and run! Putting kids through collage is not cheap and every little bit helps. I can see where the ap Hywels would have to move fairly frequently when their elflings were young, maturation rates are so different between Mortals and Elves that people would begin to wonder about them. Well, now on to the wedding, some thing to look forward to after Inventory! Checks Cliff House, dusts around a bit, lays in supplies of cookies and liquid refreshments, checks heater is in good order. Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. That's an interesting observation about Turgon and Eärendil. You're right about that. It was actually some years before Vingilot rose if I remember correctly and I'm sure much of Eärendil's ambivalence had to do with his children. I'm sure Ron would love to get Turgon on his couch but there won't be enough time, unfortunately. Chris is a Mortal (there are a few who work at the café) and I think only Esther is from Valinor. I don't think any of the Maiar work there. Alex is nobody's fool even where women are concerned. And yes, the wedding is next up, which I hope everyone enjoys. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. Hugs back.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/5/2015
(and you're right about nest eggs and college funds... sure wish we had one sitting around somewhere... we don't, so we are currently playing the scholarship game and hoping we don't miss the boat) Forgot to mention, I love Nell's little speech. Very stirring. Good food for thought for Galadriel and Celeborn, especially. And who knows? There might be a future wife still undiscovered in some other part of the globe, for our dashing young Twin. After all, look how long it took Gwyn and Gareth's family to re-connect with the Wiseman group. Author Reply: You're right about college funds and such and I'm sure Gareth and Nell will appreciate it once they have it. I'm glad you liked Nell's speech. I'm sure her parents will have much to think about. And yes, of course, who knows? There may well be someone for Elladan someday. Only time will tell. Thanks for your comments, Lindelea. They're appreciated.

Lindelea	Reviewed Chapter: 107 on 1/5/2015
Good on Finrod, taking every opportunity to practise his driving! What would fruit-of-the-forest pie be? I haven't heard of that one. I had the same thought -- Esther knew what they'd prefer to drink (pity about the wine but good of them to observe local restrictions), but she left the choice of food and dessert up to them. For myself, it would be a choice between chocolate selections, probably, although creme brulee sounds as if it would have less sugar and would be the most prudent thing for me, I deem. I have eaten way too much sugar over the holidays and my body is punishing me for it, so have banished sweets from my vocabulary once more for the time being. Ah, well. Christmas is less than a year away. I love the grandmotherly image of Esther. You could probably tell her anything, while sitting at her kitchen table consuming molasses cookies and swigging milk. Alex's advice about dealing with female foreign agents... hah. Hmmm. Wonder if Alex will take to calling Galadriel Grandmama (or if she might even invite him to do so, exhibiting a quirky sense of humour -- somehow I could believe that she might have a quirky sense of humour). Got a kind of ring to it. Alas, poor Alex. But Derek is true. Soft leather boots sound as if they'd be quite trendy. I know I drool over the boots display every autumn, but they're just not in the budget, so I haul out my comfortable, well-broken-in ancient pair, even though I don't care for the colour any more. (Reddish. Ought to have bought black, or even brown, but I was young and trendy at the time.) Author Reply: Hi Lindelea. Fruits of the forest pie usually consist of a variety of different berries: raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, blueberry. Actually, crème brulée has carmelized sugar as a topping, so you should stick with the jello. grin As for Galadriel, I suspect Alex would feel a bit intimidated calling her 'grandma' or Celeborn 'grandpa', but Galadriel is willing to call Glorfindel 'brother', so who knows? And yes, Derek is true, which is what Alex needs more than anything. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

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