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Elf Academy Part Deux  by Fiondil 12 Review(s)
LaikwalâsseReviewed Chapter: 12 on 1/14/2013
I have already guessed that Farell must be another agent. Slowly some doubts are creaping into Alex´ mind, beginnig that the weird language is not made up...hope he continues on that path but the appearance of the agent will again destroy the fine threads of believing, right? What in all of the world are snickerdoodles? I cannot find it in any dictionary...*g*. Lai

Author Reply: Hi Lai. Snickerdoodles are sugar cookies made with cream of tartar and rolled in cinnamom sugar. They are fairly popular here in the States during the Christmas season.

We will see how Farrell's presence affects Alex and what he makes of the weird language.

Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/26/2012
And the plot thickens! So we have Artemus' contact now, or one of them, at any rate. I do wonder who ratted them out, but I suppose time will tell! I have nothing constructive to add but I do love this story!

Author Reply: Time will tell, indeed, bookworm. I'm glad you love this story. That's music to my ears and makes my Muse very happy. *grin* Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/25/2012
Atto,

I second Edlyn. Oh, crap! indeed, lol. I wonder just what their ethir neth has gotten into now? And I still want that eggnog bread recipe, please, Atya. Also, you have me confused again on neth vs. nith...

You shocked me with the ACCU being a cover for the Agency. I wonder what the guy with the ridiculous passwords wants from him. And is someone else a spy too? Amroth, do something about Alex please!

Tye-melin, Atto!

Kaylee

Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. I apparently shocked a number of readers with Farrell, which was my intent. We'll see shortly what he's up to and what he wants with Alex.

Neth is an adjective and means "young" and nith is an abstract noun meaning "youth". Nith is also the plural of neth either as an adjective, since adjectives are plural or singluar depending on the noun they modify, or as a noun "i-nith" which would be translated as 'those who are young, the young ones'. I hope that clears it up.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. Tye-melin.

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/25/2012
Knew it! Those reviewers are up to no good. Good job keeping things very realistic. I hate cold weather, but I also want to attend the academy.

Author Reply: Hi UTfrog. Well, at least Farrell is up to no good. Whether the other reviewers are is anyone's guess. I'm glad you think I'm keeping things realistic. I am trying to make it as real as it possibly can be without sacrficing the 'magic' of Elves and all. Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's very much appreciated.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/24/2012
They are still not doing anything about Alex *shakes head*. That is asking for trouble. Love the idea of the elves speaking Sindarin all the time when at home. Nice incentive for Alex to really get on with the language studies...

So, Mark Farrell is with the Agency. Why do spies always use these ridiculous phrases? If anyone heard them they would know this is a spy meeting...too many TV shows using this device. But there has to another spy around, since Mark was not there to plant the envelope.

Can't wait to read about the little chat Alex and Mark will have.

Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Well, code words are the only way to ensure that the person with whom you're dealing really is who they say they are. In the world of espionage, you don't take chances. *grin* We'll see what Farrell has to say to Alex in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/24/2012
So Elrohir was the one who watched alex plant the little bug. Not that it matters who it was.
And the elves' response to the bug is a very sensible one - go on as if they had not spotted it - except that from now on no-one will be speaking any other languages than Sindarin and Quenya in the house. Let Alex think that he was unobserved - this will give him no reason to try to plant more bugs, and he won't be getting anything useful out of the one he did plant.
BTW, when Amroth finally has his little talk with his former student, Alex is guaranteed to not enjoy it, since I expect his beloved ex-mentor will have a lot to say about his sloppiness and lack of professionalism he has displayed on this assignment. And if any of the other ellyn are also there at the time, they might well add a comment or two of their own.
So the Agency has infiltrated the accreditation committee - and it is the leader of the committee that is the spy - or one of them, at least. glorfindel seems to be doing an excellent job of dealing with the intrusion. I really wonder what he wants with Alex - is he going to get a new set of orders, and if so, what are those orders going to be? I must admit I'm worried. Alex is really a nice young man, but the vibe I get off Farrell is that of a nasty, vengeful b*st*rd, and I don't think he liked the way that model-gorgeous young blonde man dealt with him.

Author Reply: Hi Sunny. We'll see very shortly in what manner and under what circumstances Amroth and Alex finally have their little chat. And we'll see in the next chapter what Farrel wants with Alex. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

SoledadReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/24/2012
Oh, wow! Now, the different paths begin to run together, don't they? So, the Agency used the ACCU invasion as cower... I should have expected this. I'm curious how our heroes get out of this situation unharmed.

As for the Valar's arm being very long - that's not something that would lessen my concerns, honestly!

Author Reply: Hi Soledad. We'll see what Glorfindel and the others do about the ACCU in the next chpater. And I think you're right that the Valar's arms being very long isn't necessarily a comforting thought. Thanks for commenting. It's very much appreciated.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/24/2012
So--this accreditation committee has a double purpose! Most interesting! And is anyone else on the committee also an agent as are Alex and this Mr. Farrell? Love the frustration as he realizes that they are using a language he isn't yet fluent in to forestall his listening, and first begins to appreciate that just perhaps it isn't precisely a man-made construct as is Esperanto.

Author Reply: Indeed it does, Larner. Or at least, the Agency is using it as a screen for its own purposes. And Alex is beginning to grudgingly accept the possibility that Sindarin isn't precisely made-up, but he still has a way to go before he's entirely convinced. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/24/2012
Ah yes, just speaking Sindarin around Edhellond would throw a serious obstacle into the unwanted listener's path. He's not far enough in that language to understand more than a few words. Luckily Amroth would know what to look for in their offices, as he has the knowledge for it.

Amroth is right, Alex is acting unprofessional. Oh well ... if the Valar/Maiar are behind it, as Glorfindel suspects, that might explain everything. Though I am with the other Elves, I am not so sure if waiting too long will not backfire.

Gil's explanation why they are learning Sindarin makes totally sense. If the safari companies just wanted tour guides, then there would indeed be easier ways to get them. That whole Elf business should at least come naturally enough to be believable, and it's a 'special touch' that I can see as a real advantage for them to draw tourists to Wiseman and the surrounding area. What other tourism area can offer that, after all? It's not only a good excuse, it should be the reason why the Academy was founded in the first place - and that was before the Elves took over.

The explanation for fencing and archery was another good one, I think - as Elves are supposed to be from older times, it could actually help to develop the right mindset. And the martial arts as a self-defense makes a lot of sense, too. They will have to expect the odd tourist being drunk and getting stupid ideas about the female guides, just as an example. Well thought out, and totally believable and realistic.

So Farrell wants to find something against these new teachers ... if that's not suspicious ... though I admit, it's unexpected that they all end up as teachers. Well, I take it that the papers can be verified by the committee, so they have some proof how much they are qualified.

LOL - it's so amusing to imagine Alex's face when he listened to what his bugging device recorded of the Elves' conversations. That's not what he had expected, no doubt! And he even thought it might not be invented! Now, if he could accept that and follow this train of thought further ...

Farrell's from the Agency? *raises eyebrow* Now that's unexpected, and I am beginning to really wonder who is behind all this ... did someone in the town tell on them, or is it something entirely different? *eyes the Valar suspiciously*

Um ... can you pretend it's Monday already and post the next chapter right now? This is getting more and more intriguing! (And yes, I know you won't do it, but I had to try, right?)

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. That was certainly the idea behind Elf Academy in the first place, else, as you say, they could've just gotten anyone to act as tour guides. The Elves have simply taken the concept one step further towards realism.

While all the Elves are teachers, they aren't necessarily teaching at the Academy. Some hold classes for the good people of Wiseman and others teach elsewhere in the college. They may be Elves but food doesn't buy itself and bills don't pay themslves and so they all have to find gainful employment to help out. And as Lord Manwë told Glorfindel back in the first story, the Elves have a mandate to teach the Mortals the truth about things and that is what they are doing.

At least you don't have to wait too long for the next chapter. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Lady EdlynReviewed Chapter: 12 on 2/24/2012
To quote a dear Hobbit friend of mine--"Oh, crap!" As soon as I read that Farrell was always looking over the classes Alex was taking, I suspected that he had something to do with the Agency... and I turned out to be right. I hate it when I do that.

I'm sorry I haven't been able to review the most recent chapter, meldonya, but the term is getting hectic with finals being in about three weeks. However, they have all been as well-written and interesting as the previous ones. I really like the tempo of this story and the way you are keeping the tension up as the story moves along. I really like seeing more of the other elves and I really, really LIKE Alex. As Glorfindel said, he's not evil but a good young man with a darkness haging over him. Hopefully, by the time the Valar's plans are worked through, that darkness will be gone and Alex can be the person that Eru Iluvatar always intended he be (a hppy, loving and well-beloved Child).

Keep well, and I look forward to the next chapter!

Edlyn

Author Reply: Hi Edlyn. Sounds like a good quote to me. LOL!

No problem on the reviews. Just review when you can. I appreciate that you make the effort. I'm glad you are enjoying the story and that you really like Alex in spite of his faults.

Good luck with your finals and thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it very much.

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