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Elf Academy  by Fiondil 12 Review(s)
Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/16/2012
a local snowstorm, eh? I liked the saying that on halloween the barriers between the worlds are thin. Never heard of that, because haloween is not really celebrated in Germany, at least not like in America. A perfect night also for our elves to hope that they are watched from "the other side" - a somehow comforting thought. Elves looking like elves on the costume festival - how lovely. I wished I could have been there. Thank you for another interesting chapter. Lai

P.S. already seen the Hobbit? It was so great, wasn´t it? Jackson has again outdone himself!I liked Thranduil, even if his appearance was far away from what I imagined.....

Author Reply: Hi Lai,

The idea of the barriers between the worlds thinning on that particular night comes from the Celtic Samhain, one of the four days during the year when this happens. Halloween, being a descedant of Samhain, incorporated that concept. Anyway, it was a perfect night for the Elves' to hope that their friends and loved ones were watching them from 'the other side'.

Yes, I saw the Hobbit this past weekend (you guys got it before we did) and loved it as well. It will be interesting to see Thranduil up close when we get to that part of the story. I loved that he was riding what appeared to be a giant elk.

Thanks for leaving a review and for lettng me know that you were the one writing it. I appreciate it.

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/15/2011
Atto,

Leaving this review about 15 minutes early on my end of the country, though it's already the 15th for you. Hope you're having a good night's sleep; I'm about to go to bed myself. *hugs*

I love the song, and I loved the one and only live performance of Oklahoma! I've ever seen, which was at my high school. I always think of that whenever I read this chapter...:)

Did you pick Jud's name with this in mind?

As always, exquisite work. *hugs more*

Tye-melin,

Kaylee

Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. In truth, I didn't. When I gave him his name (named after a cousin of mine) I did not know how the story would progress. It was only in writing this chapter that I came up with the idea of the little show he and his friends put on at the Halloween party. It was pure serpendipity.

Thanks for commenting. Tye-melin.

TariReviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/15/2010
Jud is very creative. I loved his use of the coffin and knew where the song came from after the first two lines. The new wording was priceless. Your wording makes it very easy to picture the whole scene.

I imagine the sight of the Elves' "costumes" would leave anyone speechless. I wouldn't mind dressing like that myself.

Author Reply: Hi, Tari. I am glad you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for letting me know that my wording made it very easy to picture the whole scene. That means a lot to me as a writer. And I wouldn't mind dressing like the Elves myself. *grin*

EärillëReviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/7/2010
Ahahahahaha! I was taken aback with the title... but then... Wow... Hahahahaha!

Well, yes, trust a mortal to play about death...

What I forgot to mention in the last chapter (I think): Mickey Mouse clock! The pride and joy of the twins? *rolling on the floor laughing*

Whoaa. A suspiciously localised snowfall? Hmm. *wink* What did you mean by illegal campers, though? I thought they could camp wherever they wanted whenever? But well, if it was in a national park area...

I did not expect the Elves to dress themselves in their old attires. Then again, it made much sense. I was surprised too that they kept many things from their old lives. They looked and behaved so sophisticatedly... Surprised too when Rachel (Is she not?) courtsied. Wonder if Glorfindel truly looked like a king then. Thought people forgot much of how to courtsy. People bow still, yes, but even female performers usually bow, not courtsy. It was still quite amusing, though. :) You did have many amusing-but-in-another-sort-of-way things in this story. It makes it very unique - and endearing. :)

The feeling of friendship was quite palpable when they took a ride in Glorfindel's mini-van. But, for the life of me, I do not know why they suddenly wanted to take a trip to the town via a vehicle. They usually just walked. It was good, though, because then Jud had that crazy idea. *grin* That one scene was one of my favourites in this chapter. I laughed when Lily resigned herself to crouching instead of sitting on Daeron's lap. Seeing her and Zacque's reactions to things were always interesting, in the least.

Why was Glorfindel set about Finrod and the others being in the ether? Should it not be the realm of the spirits, of the dead, of the afterlife? But Aman is not like that, is it? He should have known better. :uncertain: It gave the impression that Finrod and the others were dead... A bit unnerving.

- Rey

Author Reply: They probably drove into town because for the Mortals it was getting too cold to walk in comfort. And Lily did sit on Daeron's lap. It was Jud who was forced to crouch on the floor because there was no more seat room.

As for the thing with Finrod.... you are misinterpreting what Glorfindel and Daeron were talking about. While Halloween is indeed the Day of the Dead, in earlier Celtic lore, it was one of the days where the walls between worlds were thinnest. That means, not just the barrier between the living and the dead but also between the mortal world and the world of Tir na Nog, the Blessed Realm of the gods and elves of Celtic legend. Glorfindel and Daeron are merely speculating if those of Aman are aware of what they are doing and if they approve of them.

Author Reply: Oh, and I am glad you liked the Mickey Mouse clock. You're the first person to even mention it in a review. Thanks for noticing it. I thought it was a fun little detail myself. *grin*

KittyReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/30/2009
Glorfindel is really invaluable for the Mortals, always helping in every way he can.

Love it that the Elves went to the Halloween party in costumes that were in truth what they used to wear in the good old days. It must have been great for them to dress in these tunics and robes again. And it was ironic that Lily thought they looked like real Elves. If she only knew!

And I absolutely loved what Jud did with that coffin. That was hilarious!

To be honest, I wish myself that Finrod and the others in Valinor can watch them somehow (isn't there a seeing stone?) and are having a bit fun with it, even if they can't be together. (While I'd like Finrod and Glorfindel to be together again, I don't think these poor Mortals could handle both of them ;-))

Author Reply: Hi, Kitty. Yes, Glorfindel is very invaluable to everyone, Elves and Mortals alike. That's why he's Glorfindel. *grin*

I'm sure that Lily was not the only one to think 'Wow! They look like real elves!' that night. *LOL*

And I am glad you loved what Jud did with the coffin. My younger brother and his friends did something similar without the singing and it was pretty cool how they did it so I sort of stole the idea from that.

I am sure that the Valar are letting Finrod and others 'see' what is happening with Glorfindel and the others. And yes, legend does say that Elrond took the Seeing Stone from the Elf Towers wet of the Shire when he left Middle-earth, so maybe they are using that to keep an eye on their favorite Balrog-slayer. *grin*

And I'm not sure if the Mortals could handle both Glorfindel and Finrod at the same time, either. Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. I really appreciate it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/27/2009
A beautiful use of the song. And I would have loved to have been there to see the Elves in all their glory!

Love the "localized" snowstorm!

Author Reply: Thanks, Larner. I would have liked to have been there to see the Elves in all their glory, too, even if they were wearing fake trim. *LOL*

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/26/2009
This doesn't really have anything to do with this chapter but the family Christmas Movie this year was _The Addams Family Values_. (Bought it on Amazon just before Christmas).

Just so you know ... ;-)

Author Reply: Never saw the movie myself, but I loved the Addams Family when I was a kid. Watched them all the time.

ellieReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/26/2009
Loved the song! LOL! I'm glad they got to be themselves and dress up like elves. That would have been magestic and awe-inspiring to see, that's for sure! The end of the story is approaching with 5 chapters left to go so I wonder how you will be resolving this story.

That last sentence in the chapter was the same as the last in Diaries this week, too. Interesting that they both reached points where they most desired a reply from the other and got none. I have to wonder how the thinning of the veil would have enabled those on the elf side to see through to our side. Would there have been a special place to go to see through the veil or what? Interesting plot bunny for you to explore one day to answer this question for us...

Author Reply: A mere coincidence the two chapters ending with the same sentence... or not. *grin* Granted, for Finrod, Glorfindel was still in Mandos and for Glorfindel Finrod is happily living in Aman, but both are wishihng the other were with them. An interesting plot bunny indeed and perhaps I might come up with something for next Halloween. *grin*

As to how this story will be resolved in only five more chapters.... just wait and see.

Thanks for reviewing, ellie.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/26/2009
Jud's idea was just brilliant!! I just about fell out of my chair when I first read this! :-D

Author Reply: Thanks, Sunny. I am glad you think so. And that's just about the reaction I hoped for from readers. *grin*

ArasindaReviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/25/2009
Dear Fiondil,

I wanted to thank you in advance, before "Elf Academy" is over, in regards to the joy this story has brought me. There have been times I wondered how modern life would be like for any Elves that stayed in Middle Earth. You have answered that question with delight. Please have a wonderful Christmas holiday and a very happy New Year.

Sincerely,
Arasinda

Author Reply: Hello, Arasinda. You are most welcome, and thank you for letting me know how much joy this story has brought you. That was my sole intent for writing this particular tale, especially since it is meant to be a Christmas story of a sort. And may you have a wonderful Christmas holiday and Happy New Year as well.

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