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| Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil | 14 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 11/14/2014 |
| I'm glad Finrod apologised. His reaction wasn't nice, even if I totally understand where he came from. And I think he's right. At the moment, Nell's parents are still in Valinor and out of reach, but who knows who is going to come back over the years? One day, Celeborn and Galadriel might turn up, or other high-ranking Elves, and they'd expect to be treated accordingly. Though just looking at the family tree has to be intimidating, at least when you realise who everyone really is. It's good they are in Middle-earth, where they don't have to deal with the whole bunch of royals. Author Reply: Yes, it's a good thing that there's an ocean and a dimension dividing Middle-earth from Valinor. Gareth can breathe easy on that score at least for now. It has to be intimidating for him, nonetheless, to see just how closely related Nell is to the highest echelons of Valinórean society, but he has nothing to be ashamed of; he comes from honorable stock. Thanks for commenting, Kitty. | |
| Dreamflower | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 10/3/2014 |
| Valandur is a very good teacher; I'm sure that Gareth will find he's learning quickly under that wise and observant Elf's tutelage. I find myself increasingly curious about the backstory of G&G's parents... Author Reply: I really like Valandur a lot. He's fun to write and he's a great OC. We'll meet the parents soon enough, I promise, and we'll learn a little bit about them and their history. Thanks for the review, Dreamflower. I appreciate it. | |
| Kevana | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/30/2014 |
| Mortal born is a great term, very descriptive and to the point. I hadn't realized just how many couples have paired off, but not married yet. I dunno, they might not want to wait *too* long - there is no telling how long they have left before the Dagor Dagorath. But it is nice to see Glorfindel and Helena haven't given up after what happened. And Daeron! Wow, just remembering his past, he reminds me of those tales of people staying single until they meet the right person at 75 or something. I'm glad to see him happy with Melyanna. Good to see Finrod and Gareth patch things up, too. And oh my, looks like Gareth is a little in over his head, but I guess that's love for you. Ha! -Kevana Author Reply: I thought mortal born was appropriate. Gwyn and Gareth might consider it derogatory but Serindë and her brothers would be considered mortal born as well, so they're not alone. The problem with Elves is that they have such a long-view perspective on things that they don't always act in the immediate. I think, though, that once Roy and Sarah are married, others will follow. We'll just have to see, but I'm definitely rooting for Daeron and Melyanna. That ellon deserves some happiness after all that he's lived through. I'm sure Gareth will do just fine as soon as he learns to breathe properly again. *grin* Thanks for reviewing, Kevana. It's much appreciated | |
| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/27/2014 |
| Poor Gareth. He must feel overwhelmed. Having all of the royalty of Aman as in-laws must be daunting. Luckily Valandur and Daeron can help him to navigate the sticky relationships. Finrod's comments will sting for a long time to come. No matter that he apologized. Finrod is a hero to Gareth and realizing that your hero is not perfect must hurt. It takes time to get over it. Author Reply: I'm sure Gareth will rise to the occasion, obsidianj, once he's over the shock. Finrod's comments hurt but we all say things in the heat of the moment that we regret so I think Gareth will forgive him eventually. Finrod's later actions of acceptance should help. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated. | |
| Vanime | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/25/2014 |
| I am loving this story...but wondered at why Alex has yet to say that he is descended from Elros as per Atar. I also also confused and wonder at his pressing need to get things done; I get that he had to tell folks about what happened in Spain, but still, he really believes that number three is going to happen sooner than later...I didn't get that from Atar?? I didn't get the sense that Alex's days are numbered - certainly he should be aware of time, but I also feel that he is acting out of fear if he doesn't do everything right this second....then BOOM he's dead for real this time. I dunno, don't mind me...just random stream of consciousness here. Also, is there a list of names of the elves and their mortal name counterparts..sometimes I get confused and it would help me get it straight. Thanks, and as I said I am loving this story. Can't wait to see what happens next! :) Author Reply: Hello Vanime. I don't think Alex feels that he will die soon, but certainly after his experience he knows how fragile life is and so he's not going to fool around and procrastinate the way we all do. At the same time, he probably either doesn't recall all of his conversation with Atar about his heritage or just hasn't found an opportunity to discuss it with the Elves. They already know that he is possibly a descendent of Elros anyway, that was confirmed by the Valar. What is puzzling is that he is having visions that surround Beren, Elros' great-grandfather, rather than of Elros. At the moment there is no name list though I might put one in at the end. For now, you'd best make your own list to keep track of people. Except for people like Glorfindel, Daeron and FInrod and a few others whom we see on a regular basis, I always give both the Elvish and Mortal names of the others who only appear once in a while. At any rate, I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/23/2014 |
| Hay, when you are young and in lust, er, love a year can seem like eternity, Gareth can be thank full that it is not a Valian year! The Valar need Gareth and Gwyn's outlook on life, they are what the Elves were supposed to be like, friends and companions of the Second Born, if they had remained in M.E. and not scurried off back to Valinor at the first opportunity. The Valar, even though their intentions were for the best, should not have brought the Elves to Valinor in the first place, they were always intended to remain in M.E. Melkor not withstanding. I am surprised that the brother's parents did not teach them Tengwar but then if they were trying to distance them selves from the rest of the family or were afraid that they would find writings that would give them a different viewpoint of Elvish history it would explain it. Right at the moment Valandur is the best Elf for Gareth to be working with, he is a Lore Master and knows just how much information to give at a time to be absorbed and retained. I wonder just what Gareth's family will have to say when they find out! Well I finally have the Ice Princess dresses finished for the girls, we could do with some ice right about now, it is starting to warm up again here. Heads up to Cliff House, opens windows and waters the plants, checks on supplies and nibbles. Welcome back, Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I think you're right about Gwyn and Gareth. We see what the Elves could have been had they all remained in Middle-earth, friends and companions of the Secondborn, as you say, living alongside them and sharing their lives with them. Even the original Wiseman Elves hadn't done that to the same degree except perhaps Vorondur, being a psychiatrist and all. I think not teaching their children tengwar was a matter of self-preservation. For most of their history, they would've lived in oral societies where writing was the purview of a particular class, usually a religious class. Literacy was not common and there most likely were no books written in Sindarin anyway, so what would've been the point? And Valandur is indeed the best Elf for Gareth at this time for many reasons. He and Daeron actually make a good team, both being loremasters. And now you're all set for Halloween. *grin* Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated. Hugs back. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/23/2014 |
| It is a lot of information to swallow all at once. But Gareth will handle it, even as his new "family" foresee. And learning the problems Valandur faced were greater than his own must prove helpful in accepting the waiting he now faces, which after all isn't all that long in Amanian terms, or even his own. After all, he's lived many centuries already. Author Reply: You're very right, Larner. It is a lot of information to take in, but Gareth will have plenty of time to get used to it as will everyone else. Learning something of Valandur's trials in love should help put things in perspective for him. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it. | |
| Laer | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/23/2014 |
| Valandur seems to be everyone's bff when it comes to making sense of ones life. :D Granted Valandur has had a lot of experience when it comes to going through those deep elvish royalty waters with grace. So Gareth will need to listen to him; here is hoping he does. Yes telling his brother would be the best place to start at for all of this. But something tells me Gwyn is already up on what is going on with his little brother's life. LOL I think Nell's mother will approve, once she looks into his soul and sees that he has nothing but love for her baby girl. But...well...there is that looking into ones soul thing that would freak me out if I was Gareth. Now as for her father....wellllll, no one is ever good enough for the baby daughter. Good luck on that Gareth. (I am sure that Elrond would give some sound advice on how to handle that one. LOL) Author Reply: Yeah, Valandur is certainly that. LOL! It's a good thing, too. Gareth will need someone like him to help him steer the shoals of Amanian politics and relationships now that he's practically "one of the family". And Gwyn is an older brother. Of course he suspects something. LOL!. I'm sure Galadriel will be the easiest to convince that Gareth is right for Nell. Celeborn on the other hand.... well, we'll have to wait and see, I suppose. They have to be told first. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing, Laer. It's much appreciated. | |
| rikki | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/23/2014 |
| This was a great chapter with some interesting character development. Gareth has gotten a valuable lesson that includes more than just names of elves and their place in society. Now he just has to get over his awe of the older elves and see that he is just as valuable in his own way as a king. Your inclusion of the different elves beyond Glorfindel and Finrod is crucial here as Gareth doesn't seem to be as intimidated by them. Valandur will be a great mentor for Gareth as he has "been there, done that". In the meantime, Gareth has a lot of work in front of him, including bringing his brother up to speed on what has happened. I have a feeling that Gwyn knows something is up with his younger brother and has got to be wondering what is happening beyond meeting SCA potential members and setting up the group in Wiseman. Once the word is out, he will want to visit Fairbanks to meet his new sister-in-law. And even with Skype and email, the road between Fairbanks and Wiseman will be well traveled over the next year. Have a great week! Author Reply: Hi rikki. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and its character development. Valandur will prove a good friend for Gareth and probably even for Gwyn. They're the "young'uns" of the crew so Valandur will naturally feel protective of them and want to help them adjust to their new reality of dealing with elven royalty and the like. And I'm sure the road between Wiseman and Fairbanks will see quite a bit of traffic from now on. *grin* Thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated. | |
| SashaHoneypalm | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 9/22/2014 |
| "“It is true that you don’t see it happening that often. I can only think of one other time in the last several millennia where it did." Was this in one of your other stories, or a (currently) Mystery Incident? Author Reply: No, Sasha, this doesn't show up in any of my other stories. This is just something that is mentioned as a way to add depth to the characters, giving them a history beyond the borders of the story itself. And I seriously doubt I will ever write about it or provide further details as it's not germane to what is going on here. It happened at least once before in (for Elves) recent memory and that's all that we need to know. | |