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Elf Academy 4 - The Unfinished Tales  by Fiondil 9 Review(s)
obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/22/2016
Interesting... So, Namo had Alex' permission... sort of. I don't think Alex would have agreed if he had known what Namo really asked of him. Fighting with all he had is one thing, killing someone in the process is something different. Alex probably envisioned no bodily harm would come to him, but the spiritual side can be as bad. He didn't think about that.

LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/20/2016
Wow. I'd had the feeling that Namo was out of character, somehow, in messing Alex around the way he did. Now it makes sense, though it still feels kind of manipulative. Alex showed a touching trust, I think, and I hope he reaps a rich reward. (And healing. Definitely healing. Can't Illuvatar touch him with a healing touch? I mean, He can, but would He?)

Though my thoughts surely don't matter in this respect, if it were a matter for voting, I'd vote to leave the RL info up as well. It's a reminder that these moments of pleasure come at a cost (the chapters didn't write and edit themselves), and of the fact that I can do my bit, in some small way, just by praying.

Lifting prayers for your sister, and those who love her.

Author Reply: Thanks for your thoughts Lindelea, yes RL happens when we're making other plans! I am sure Arthur wasn't planning to answer Namo's call in the middle of writing his story!

Namo's actions were quite manipulative, but then perhaps it's because he knows what the score is; he knows that the Elves alone won't be able to fight the final battle and that they are so distances from happenings and advances on Middle Earth, the Elven armies might actually be a hindrance, given that their way of fighting differs so greatly from that of present times.

I also feel that the Enemy would certainly take advantage of man's abilities to invent every more drastic and powerful weapons to kill each other. That would give him a big advantage over bows, arrow, swords, spears etc. Even the Elven battle mail wouldn't be proof against armour piercing rounds.

I think Arthur had that very clearly in his mind when he wrote these chapters. The Wisemen Elves have had time to adapt and the Elves from Valinor will have to play catch up very very quickly.

I do think that Eru isn't healing Alex, not because he can't, but because even the PTSD is part and parcel of Alex's being and Eru would have to wipe large amounts of memories in order to rid Alex of the trauma. I have PTSD and it becomes part of you; part of life experience. So no, to answer your question, I don't think Eru would just heal him, certainly now without actually asking whether he wanted it.

Thank you for the prayers, they are much appreciated.

kathareinReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/19/2016
Please leave it up and keep us posted about your sister. No names, no pack drill, but RL happens to everyone. Youall are doing an awesome job - thank you!

Author Reply: Thank you katherein, obviously life is a bit busy. Apparently the other 'reviewer', and I use the term loosely, has massive real life issues, for which I am very sorry, but as you say RL happens to everyone.

It would be nice if she left an actual review and remembered that I am not, in fact, Fiondil. Occasionally the new chapter could be delayed.

AranadhelReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/19/2016
Good to see all updates up and running on schedule on Mondays.

How about deleting the reason please on the main page of Fiondil's thread.

No offence, RL is tough. Mine included. That's why I come here to read and escape RL. Not be reminded of it again.

Author Reply: You obviously have huge issues and I am sorry for that, but you know, me accidentally leaving that in the message is hardly impacting on your enjoyment of the chapters. In fact you should be concentrating more on the chapters than you do on whether the story is posted on time or whether the message doesn't suit you.

I have asked you before to please leave an actual review, but instead apparently you would rather be obnoxious.

Please leave an actual review next time? If you have any issues with me or my life then feel free to request my email address and we can take it to a private forum. Okay? Good. Thank you.

Now, back to the story....

SoledadReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/18/2016
As much as I love Fiondil's work in general and the EA series in particular, I feel definitely cheated by the solution. It is kind of the eating one's cake and yet keeping it sort, which I always experience as cheating. I'd have loved to see Námo and the other alien overlords taken down a peg or two, and poor Raguel hasn't deserved to stand there like an utter fool.

Besides, the solution still doesn't change the fact that Alex got royally messed up again. Just my two Eurocents.

Author Reply: Alien overlords! That made me chuckle, among my friends I am known as the Evil Overlord!

I do think that Arthur really wanted everyone to be shown in the best light. Even when he came up with a villainous character, he always tried to show their positive side. Arthur was just plain, nice guy. Wanted to see the best in everyone.

Namo should have received his dressing down in private in my humble opinion and perhaps the Valar themselves, who had been given a great deal of autonomy by Eru, should be shown that neither the Eldar nor the Mortals are there for them to play with. Poor Raguel's job description says that unfortunately he is always the bad guy, even when he's being the good guy.

CelethReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/17/2016
Now that was a surprise...

And it has me wondering how Namo and Raguel are going to help Alex...by disguising themselves as Mortals?

Can't wait for the next chapter!

6336Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/17/2016
Ah, I see the Chess Master is playing with his pieces, again!

Now to see how Nate and Reggie can help Alex.

Lynda

Author Reply: Yes indeed, let's hope that Nate and Reggie can help Alex. Poor chap is always at the butt end of the bad things. He deserves a break if anyone does!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/17/2016
Fascinating scene played out here, and I rejoice that Atar allowed it all to be shown to everyone. Raguel is realizing even Atto can be tricksy when it is needed.

Author Reply: Indeed, Eru can be tricksy!

elizaReviewed Chapter: 38 on 10/17/2016
***sighs****
this chapter is excellent like all of Fiondil's writing but this chapter made me mad. I think it's my ridiculous independent nature that has me screaming.
They are basically still doing the same thing Alex is mad at them for. I know he gave Namo permission but he doesn't remember that, so he suffers.
The Valar, Racquel, elder all are making decisions for him and about him without even thinking of asking him. I know what it feels like to have people (even those you love) doing that and it sucks.

I completely agree with Glorifindal I hope Alex gets the satisfaction of giving Namo and Racquel a black eye and a busted lip.

Author Reply: It's very difficult to know or assess whether Arthur was going somewhere with this. I know after talking with him once, while he was still writing these chapters, that there were some things he may have gone back and amended. I know that he did want to show all of his characters in a positive light and perhaps this was what he was trying to achieve.

I believe that the Alex issue was meant to be the fulcrum on which he based these scenes between a direct representative of Eru (Raguel), and the Valar themselves, who down through the ages have had a certain amount of autonomy. The Valar haven't always made correct decisions, I do believe that if the situation demanded a show and tell, Alex should have been allowed to remember. I personally don't see why he couldn't have appeared in the spirit in the full knowledge of what Namo's intentions are concerned.

Probably Namo should have received a dressing down in private. It might seem presumptuous, but as a Staff Sergeant in the British Army I often had to take people to task, but one of the rules I learnt was that you never dress a soldier down in front of the other troops. However, not everyone has had that experience.

Glorfindel was speaking from an emotional standpoint, because he feels his friend has been unfairly treated, but he is right, Alex should at least have redress of grievance and a direct apology.

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