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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within  by Fiondil 14 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 63 on 11/8/2014
Well, for now it may just be something to kill time for Zach, but I get the feeling he'll be an eager member of the future Wiseman SCA branch.

Amroth has a point about the brothers always holding back during these practices. That's all well and good when doing it with the Mortals, who won't be able to match their speed, but among each other, they should go at it in full.

Author Reply: The brothers actually do go full tilt when they practice between themselves, but Amroth's point is that they should not be holding back when fighting Mortals because they will be so in the habit of doing so that when it comes time to fight in the War they may not be fighting at the level they need to. At the same time, the demonstration allowed the Mortals who were there to come to the realization that Elves are a whole different order of Being and they have skills and abilities that the Mortals do not have. This is not to put the Mortals down, but to give them something to strive for even if they never reach it.

I'm sure Zach will be the Wiseman SCA group's first Marshal once he's qualified as a fighter. *grin*

Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. It's appreciated.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 63 on 10/1/2014
Finally! Ivan once give this story the attention it deserves!

There was a lot of good stuff here, but I have to say, once more it was the fighter practice and the authentic SCA atmosphere you portrayed; as always, a beautiful job with that! And it was good to see Amroth pushing Gareth and Gwen to do their best and not hold back.

I also noted the subtle way you reminded us of the timeline: including a Super Bowl party reminds us readers that whatever time has passed for us over all these chapters, it has only been a couple of months for the characters.

Onward to the next chapter!

Author Reply: Hi Dreamflower. Welcome back! I'm glad you liked the authentic SCA atmosphere of fight practice. Gareth and Gwyn do need to start fighting as elves and not as mortals or they'll be no good in the War when it comes.

It is sometimes hard for readers to remember that while many months of real time have passed since they started reading the story, only weeks have gone by for the characters, so I like to drop reminders every once in a while.

Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/9/2014
That fighting demonstration was quite something for the Mortals. But why did Amroth do it? I like it that Zach seems to have found a friend. So far he was still pretty much a loner.

Author Reply: We will learn the reason for why Amroth insisted on the fighting demonstration in the next chapter and it is good that Zach has met another "SCA newbie" so he doesn't feel so out of things, but I'm sure he wishes he were back in Wiseman with his friends Jud, Shane, Lily and the others. Thanks for reviewing, obsidianj. I appreciate it.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/8/2014
Couldn't remember if I reviewed this chapter or not, but I didn't want to not review either. I have missed Zach, glad to see him in the front lines of the story. I am also glad he is making friends and learning lots. He will come in handy when this reaches the others.

Glad the brother's are asking questions. History is normally written by the victorious. Guess there were no real winners in this one. :(

Loved the interaction between Amroth and Nimrodel also. :) Great job as always.

Author Reply: Hi Laer. Well, it's easy enough to check if you've reviewed or not just by scrolling down and reading the reviews left by others. If you don't see one by you then you know you haven't yet reviewed.

Anyway, I know people like Zach a lot and I'm trying to include him in the story where I can. With so many characters to juggle, it's rather hard to have everyone front and center except certain main characters.

As for history, ultimately, there are no real winners because even the victorious are capable of lying to themselves about what really happened. I'm sure if that if we knew the real truth behind a lot of history we would be utterly shocked.

I'm glad you enjoyed the interaction between Amroth and Nimrodel. They do make a nice couple, don't they? *grin*

Thanks for taking the time to review. I appreciate it.

DianaReviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/8/2014
I bet Galadriel would get a kick out of reading Mortal history with regards to women's rights. I could see her in the fight for voting rights, reproductive freedom (though I suppose Elves would be unsupportive of abortion), equality in job choices and pay, etc etc. Couldn't you just see her in the 70s?
The Dude abides.

Author Reply: Hi Diana. I'm sure Galadriel would've been right in the front lines burning her bra with the rest of them. LOL! But yeah, given how Elves feel about children and the fact that they can choose not to have any, I'm not sure she would be supportive of abortion, but then, again, maybe she would be. It's a hard call either way. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.

EruherdirielReviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/6/2014
"Boy and their toys" indeed, though I've found that the ladies tend to hit harder, at least in my area.

I enjoyed the swordfighting, but I also want to know what that was all about.
~Eruherdiriel

Author Reply: The women fighters are often deadlier than the men, I find. I'm glad you enjoyed the swordfighting, Eruherdiriel. We'll learn what it's all about in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/4/2014
Well, the mortals need to see the full capability of experienced fighters who have had more than a few years to perfect their art. Am glad Amroth did the two on one, and of course he'd beat Gwyn and Gareth!

Author Reply: Yes, the mortals do need to see what Elves are full capable of with regards to fighting so they have something to aim for in their own abilities. And Amroth may be slowing down, but he can still handle a sword well enough against Gwyn and Gareth who are mere children in his eyes. Thanks for reviewing, Larner. I appreciate it.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/4/2014
Well that was an interesting work out, some how I don't think the Dargor Dagorath will hold off for the Super Bowl!

I think Galadrial would have made a very good ruler, had she had the correct plumbing. If I have my genealogy right wouldn't Calebrian have been Gil Galad's heir had she had the correct pluming also? Makes you wonder how much of a love match Elrond's binding to her was. (Calebrian, not Galdrial!) Amroth doesn't seem to be too upset that they took over for him when he took off.

Nothing wrong with pink and blue, at least you don't have to keep answering the questions about gender when out and about with them. I prefer, white, lemon yellow and pale green if I am knitting for unknown munchkins, it works for all varieties of plumbing. I like brighter colours when they are older.

Opens up Cliff House and loads refrigerator with Iced Tea and Lemonade and a couple of six packs, also fills cookie jar.

It's just a trifle warm and humid here.

Huggs,
Lynda





Author Reply: Hi Lynda. An interesting workout, indeed. LOL!

Galadriel did well enough ruling jointly with Celeborn. At least, I don't think the Galadrim had anything to complain in that department.

Actually, Elrond would be Gil-galad's heir regardless, since he is the grandson of Turgon and Gil-galad, according to Tolkien's final say on the matter, is a son of Fingon, Turgon's older brother. Galadriel was the sister of Finrod and so even if she were an ellon she would still not be in line for the heirship. It's very confusing because ultimately everyone is related to everyone else.

So, I like to think that Elrond and Celebrían match was a love match and not necessarily for dynastic purposes, especially when everyone else in their families seemed to have married for love.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

FV_WhisperReviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/4/2014
O dear, sounds like Amroth has not such much found memories of Galadriel. I have the feeling she gave Amroth quite a hard time back in the days when he ruled Lothlorien. And since I think he and Celeborn could actually get along quite well, the later must often have felt caught between those two!
(Speaking of Galadriel, a few weeks ago, I managed to get my hands on a statue of her for a bargain price! It's all too lovely, even my housemate who knows nothing about LOTR seems to like her lol! )

So the brothers went on Crusade? I like that touch.

“We always took care to follow the religious practices of the people with whom we lived so as to not arouse suspicion."

Ah, the blending in tactic. Very wise in those days!

During fighting practice Amroth really is going back and forward between the role of old and wise Elven king and over protective expecting dad, lol!

Oh, I hope Zach will find a friend in Fridrich, he needs more than just being Glorfindel's sidekick. I think there's a bit of Sador in him, so that promises some growth.

That sounds like a cool project Kevana! Have fun with it and I'm sure it will turn into something. It's great seeing some many people being working on some kind of fan-works in one way or another, I'm currently working on repainting some LOTR action figures into Silm characters and having great fun with it. I've covered the sons of Feänor so far and they've come along nicely! (at least in my eyes that is)

Author Reply: Hi FV_Whisper. I think Amroth actually had good memories of Galadriel but he wasn't impressed by her and the fact that Nimrodel rolled her eyes and Mithrellas giggled at her name just shows that they had a relationship with Galadriel that would have to be rather close. And yes, I'm sure Amroth and Celeborn got on like a house on fire.

We'll learn more about Gwyn and Gareth's adventures while Crusading in Elf Academy 4.

I'm sure Zach and Fridich will become pals even after Zach returns to Wiseman. And you're right that Zach is very much like Sador in many respects. I hadn't really thought of him in that light before. Thanks for pointing it out and thanks for your comments. I appreciate them very much.

rikkiReviewed Chapter: 63 on 8/4/2014
Ah, another good chapter. In it this time you have brought up another small mystery, who are the ap Hywel parents? I wonder if they will turn out to be someone that the Wiseman elves know and thought lost over time.

You also got me thinking about hiding in plain sight. Gwyn and Garath were right in mentioning to Zach that most people did not travel far from their homes and it was easy for the elves to just move from are an to area. Nowadays in some ways it would be just as easy to hide in plain sight. How many people really know and pay attention to their coworkers and neighbors. Except for the necessity of having ID numbers (social security numbers for us Americans), moving from place to place is not impossible if you can speak or understand the language and customs. Elves look like mortals except for their ears and one could wonder in real life if more than angels dwell among us. LOL!

I can't wait until the ap Hywel brothers get into training with Loren and Finrod. That would really be a good demonstration of fighting. Back to the Cliff house for iced lemonade and cookies. Our cooler weather has disappeared and the humidity and heat is back with a vengeance. Have a good week. Looking forward to the lesson that Amroth will give to the brothers about fighting with no holds barred in front of the mortals.

Author Reply: Hi riki. We'll meet Tristan and Iseult ap Hywel later in the story and we'll learn a little about their history. And we'll see in the next chapter what Amroth was trying to show by having the brothers fight as they did before the Mortals.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

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