Soledad
· 30 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Alex’s First Day
Now, that was interesting - and really, really mean of you, still keeping us in suspense (is that the word?) about Ambrose's identity... and not just that. Who the heck is Roy? And Sara?
Well, at least the kitchen fire was put out easily, although it's really a shame about the chocolate mint cookies. Do you have the recipe? I like extending my horizon in the wonderful word of baking. *g*
Poor Alex, that was a sobering experience, wasn't it? It's interesting that Amborse apparently recognized him, though, and that openly.
Author's reply
Hi Soledad. Roy is Elrohir and Sarah is Serindë.
I'm afraid I don't really have the recipes for the food that's mentioned in this chapter, but I bet if you google the information you'll find all kinds of recipes. *grin*
Alex is getting into something deeper than he'd expected and of course, he doesn't know that they know, so the advantage is to the Elves at this juncture. That may or may not change as the story progresses. We'll have to see.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate you doing so very much.
Larner
· 30 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Alex’s First Day
Oh, I'm certain that "Ambrose" is enjoying watching what Alex has made of himself since they last met. And he did well in facing "Roy," even if he did find himself facing a true master. Working opposite an Elven warrior of many millenia's experience and lasting as long as he did was quite the feat!
Author's reply
I'm sure he is, Larner. It's been fifteen years since he saw his student. And of course he doesn't know that Roy is a warrior par excellence with many millennia of training and experience. That he lasted as long as he did with him is a testament of how well Ambrose taught him.
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it very much.
Ces
· 30 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Alex’s First Day
Good thing lunch is right around the corner! You've made me hungry! Do the cooking classes include lembas by any chance?
Glad to see Alex held his own for a bit in the self-defense class and gave Roy a little run for his money. Classes are definitely getting interesting, that's for sure.
So Glorfindel is watching Alex? And Alex knows Ambrose is alive. And Alex was brought here for a purpose, but what purpose? Think, think, think (as Winnie the Pooh says!)
Things are definitely heating up - it's great so far!
P.S. What's Zach up to these days at the academy? Will we see him soon?
Author's reply
Hi Ces. I don't think the cooking classes include lembas. LOL! I'm afraid they just have regular mortal recipes to deal with.
Alex knew that Ambrose was alive before he came to the Academy. It's why he's there in the first place. As for whether Alex was brought to the Academy for a purpose, that remains to be seen.
And we'll be seeing more Zach and a few other former Elf Academy students in subsequent chapters.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.
6336
· 30 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Alex’s First Day
I kind of like Pumpkin Bread myself, but the Brownies and Nut Gems sound good, are you going to provide recipes?
Alex seemed to be holding his own there for a while, at least 'Roy' got a bit of a workout.
I wonder what Glorfindel thinks of him?
I am likeing this, a lot!
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. I love pumpkin bread, but like Alex, I don't like pumpkin pie. Go figure. Sorry, you'll have to go online to look up the recipes.
We'll see what Glorfindel thinks of Alex eventually. In fact, they will soon meet face-to-face.
I'm glad you are liking this story a lot. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.
Erulisse (one L)
· 30 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Alex’s First Day
Oh...better and better and better again. I love the fact that he pushed "Roy" just a bit, and that he is being watched by the "blond" in the doorway. Alex will indeed get an education - LOL. I want to go to school at Elf Academy.... (just me crying in the corner - *g*).
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. Glad you're enjoying this. Alex will get a lot more than he's bargaining for, that's for sure. *grin* Thanks for leaving a comment. I really appreciate it.
UTfrog
· 30 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Alex’s First Day
Ah, getting interesting as the classes begin. Can't wait for the first discussion between the "spies."
Author's reply
Hi UTfrog. Yes, now that Alex has arrived, things should get very interesting. It'll be a while before we see Alex and Ambrose speaking to one another, but I promise, it will happen. Hopefully you won't be disappointed. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.
Kitty
· 30 January 2012
· Chapter 5: Alex’s First Day
For some reason I had half expected to see Elrohir in the cooking class, teaching them hot chocolate recipes ;) But admittedly, it's too early in the year for that.
Seems like Alex was more of a challenge for Elrohir than the others, but still not enough to overcome thousands of years of experience. Well, somehow I would have been surprised if he had managed that anyway. In any case, Alex has interesting reactions to the Elves. Fear wasn't what I had expected. Maybe he senses that they aren't the average human?
Hm ... golden-haired? Sounds like that mysterious Ambrose is Glorfindel?
Author's reply
Hi Kitty. Well, this is only the first class so there's still time for him to show up later and give them all a lesson on the proper way to make hot chocolate. *grin*
Alex, of course, isn't sure why he feels fear, since it's not something he normally feels, but obviously he's reacting to the situation on a subliminal level that he can't quite acknowledge.
As for the mysterious Ambrose being Glorfindel... that remains to be seen.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
someone
· 28 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
And now Alex/Ambrose is here. It seems like someone with access to people's dreams wanted his roommate in Alaska, and I think I have an idea just who sent those photos...
The meeting between Alex and "Darren" was great. The spy got an idea that the other is not quite the averange human, but not so much as to suspect that he is of another race. I wonder what happens when Alex meets Glorfindel or the twins? Glorfindel is so different even compared to other elves and the twins must look pretty stunning (at least, when you think that Arwen was their sister and Tolkien used at least a couple of times the word "fair" when describing them).
By the way, is Tom Bombadil still living on Earth? He'd make an excellent Santa Claus.
Author's reply
Hi someone. Actually, I think you meant "Alex/Aretmus". *grin* And you're right about someone was tampering with Derek's dreams. As for who sent the photos... we may or may not discover that as the story progresses.
We'll see how Alex handles Glorfindel and the other Elves in later chapters. And I have no idea if Tom Bombadil is still living on Earth, but I have to agree that he would make an excellent Santa Claus.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 28 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
Dealing with a goodly number of Elf-lords will definitely keep him on tenter hooks for a while, don't you think? BTW--do you know precisely what a tenter hook is? I've always wondered, but have been too involved in everything else to bother looking them up! Heh!
Author's reply
Hi Larner. A tenterhook is a hook used to hold down cloth that has been stretched out on a tenter, which is a framework on which the cloth, in the process of manufacture, is stretched so it may set or dry evenly. So you can figure out the image it is meant to evoke when one speaks of being on tenterhooks. And you're probably right about Alex and the Elf-lords. Thanks for commenting. I appreciat it very much.
obsidianj
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
So, Alex finally arrived. With Alex being a spy, I see conspiracies everywhere. Did someone delay him on purpose? And that interview with Darren was downright creepy.
Derek seems to be a nice guy. Is Irmo busy guiding people to Alaska? It seems to be and Derek already seems to think that this is no coincidence but a "sign".
Can't wait to see how this all plays out.
Author's reply
Hi Obsidianj. I'm sure you're not the only one seeing conspiracies everywhere now that Alex is finally at Elf Academy. *grin* We'll see by the end just how many, if any, conspiracies there may be. As for his delay...you never know, but it's a possibility. And his interview with Daeron is a bit creepy.
I'm sure Irmo has 'inspired' many of the people who applied to be Elf Guides and Derek is just one of them. They're being recruited without realizing it.
Glad you're still curious to know what happens next. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I very much appreciate it.
Soledad
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
Haha! I was wondering whom 'Alex' would meet first. Loved watching Daeron make a lasting first expression. I mean, he's the oldest of the bunch, if I understand your interpretation of Glorfindel's age correctly, so he ought to have a unique aura about him.
The ex-sailor roommate is interesting, too. You realize, of course, that you'll need some real Teleri there now, to give the guy the right company, eh? Unless Lord Ulmo deigns to show up in the middle of Alaska, dripping seawater all over the place...
Author's reply
Hi Soldead. Daeron is indeed the oldest, having been born at Cuiviénen, so he's bound to have a unique aura about him which Alex picked up on. We'll see about getting some Teleri in to give Derek something to talk about. LOL! I very much doubt Lord Ulmo would show up in the middle of Alaska, but you just never know with that bunch. LOL! Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I very much appreciate it.
Kitty
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
Ah, starter problems ... been there myself, on a camping tour with a friend in Norway. Totally annoying, even if it was in hindsight rather funny, or at least the aftermath.
Derek seems to be a nice guy. Though you managed to make me eye everyone with some suspicion after talking about infiltrating and all that. On the other hand, these dreams sound like Irmo had his hands in it. But really, the Iditarod? If I would want to do some dog sled races, I'd start a few numbers smaller. That one is quite brutal, I believe. Oh well, dreams tend to be strange.
LOL – Daeron made quite the impression on our dear Alex if he as a seasoned agent starts stuttering while introducing himself. How unprofessional! Like Daeron's response about him not being sure of his own name. Too true!
All in all, an interesting start to Alex's stay there. He's reacting strongly to the Elves, it seems. I wonder where that's leading to ...
Author's reply
Hi Kitty. Well, I had starter problems of my own last year on my way to the Adirondacks. Luckily I was able to have the car fixed in a couple of hours and was on my way (I was only about an hour or so from my destination when it happened). But I figured it was a good way to dealy Alex, especially if they had to order the part for his particular car.
I'm glad you like Derek. He'll be playing a central role in the story. An the Iditarod is indeed very brutal but it's the most well-known dog-sled race in America so it's no wonder that Irmo used that as a lure.
Daeron makes quite an impression on everyone, so Alex isn't alone. We'll see how he reacts to the other Elves (and they to him) as the story progresses. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Kitty
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
You caught me once again off guard – bureaucratical trouble wasn't exactly what I had expected next. While it makes sense, I have to admit that it's still a bit strange to have the Elves deal with that sort of thing, particularly the warriors. Oh well, the joys of our age ... Admittedly, I had already wondered what they do about passports and the like. They'd have to get false ones every two or three decades, after all.
While it would have been nice to have a bit more warning beforehand, I can't really blame Marian for forgetting about that. She has already to deal with a lot of changes, and who worries about something that is one or two years away? It's so far away, then a few weeks go by and the two years are suddenly over and that far away problem standing on the doorstep. Or that's how I sometimes feel.
Oooh, Glorfindel knew Thomas Aquinas? Nice little detail! Of course, now you have me wondering who else they might have meet.
Hm, yes, I can totally see why Sindarin and fencing, archery and all that would be a problem. It's got not much to do with being Elf Guides or even working in the tourism industry. But I hope the Valar are keeping a close eye on that and try to make sure that nothing gets in the way of their lovely idea. Anyway, Daeron's idea how to sell the language lessons to the ACCU sounds good.
Ah ... I see they have recognised Alex already and are working on that problem, too. They don't miss a trick, our dear Elves.
Author's reply
Hi Kitty. Well, Elves in the modern world, what can I say? If they've survived this far they're bound to suffer the same bureacractic nonsense we all suffer through. I'm sure that with their resources, the Elves have found ways of getting passports and other necessary papers to allow them to exist in the modern world.
And we all suffer from the "it's X years away, while worry about it now?" syndrome. LOL! Poor Marian had too much else to handle to think about the ACCU until they were, as you say, on her doorstep.
I'm sure the Elves (not just Glorfindel)knew a lot of famous people over the millennia. We may even learn who they were from time to time, but no promises.
And the Elves never miss a trick. We'll see how they handle one 'Alex Grant' as the story progresses.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Lizbeth
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
Wow, I loved this chapter! I think that was the most that we've ever seen Elf Academy from the side of an uninformed student and it was very, very cool. I especially liked Alex's feelings and observations when faced with Daeron. As a fellow musician, Daeron has always been fascinating to me. Seeing him from Alex's perspective has moved him up several places on my list of favorite characters. All the little details, like the Sindarin on the doors and the harp and the tapestry in Daeron's office, made my imagination go wild.
Alex may have to wait until later to think about what happened with Mr. Harper, but I'm going to reread that chapter. Again. *grin*
Author's reply
Hi Lisbeth. I'm so glad you loved this chapter. Naturally, in Elf Academy 1, we saw the Academy through Glorfindel's eyes, but now we're seeing it through the eyes of a mortal who's not taking anything he sees at face value, so it's quite a different perspective. And I'm glad that you like my version of Daeron. He doesn't get much, if any, copy in fanfiction and I thought it would be cool to have him here. He takes a more active role in this story than he did in the first. And if you're re-reading the chapter already, then it proves it's a good chapter. LOL! Thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it.
Ces
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
I hope Alex enjoys the cooking lessons! That's probably the best class to start him in - I get the feeling he'll be looking for hidden motives in every other class - it's what he does for a living after all!
So he's met Darren - I'm thinking Glorfindel must be next? And what will Alex think of archery and sword fighting lessons I wonder?
Author's reply
Hi Ces. I'm sure Alex will enjoy the cooking lessons. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying it. And as for hidden motives.... we'll see how he reacts to the other classes in subsequent chapters.
As for which Elf he meets next... we'll find that out in the next chapter.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
Atto,
Derek Lowell, hmm...*eyes him suspiciously* I wonder what he knows? *muses* What if he's an Elf in disguise, or one of the ACCU people infiltrating? Hm...
Ah, now, Darren Harper, THERE'S a name I know. *snort* Hello, Daeron, missed you lots. =)
I loved "Alex"'s observations on Daeron (and Derek) and I wonder what will happen next. Seems like Lord Irmo's been busy. Will they get to do any dog sled races? Now that would be fun =) I've always wanted to try a dogsled =)
Thank you for cheering me up. Emma left on her World Tour yesterday morning and the only thing really consoling me was the fact that I'd have EA Part Deux to read this morning. Absorbed into Glorfi's world, I can forget for a while to miss my best friend.
Tye-melin Atto!
Kaylee
Author's reply
Hi Kaylee. Now don't get suspicious of everyone Alex meets at Elf Academy. Derek is just another student, nothing more, and I doubt if he's an Elf in disguise with short hair and I explained the ACCU in your review of the last chapter.
I'm glad that Elf Academy is there to cheer you up until Emma returns. Thanks for commenting. Tye-melin.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
Atarinya,
Holy Eru, what have the Elves (and their Mortal friends) gotten themselves into now??? I may not have dealt with stuff like this ACCU before, but I remember getting tested on my IEPs and that was bad enough x_x And this ACCU is doing that kind of thing for the entire *school*??? Valar help them. And Alex Grant is mixed up in all this, is he? Oh boy, just the complication they need. What happens next...well no, I know what happens next, I just read it, off to review. But what happens next after *that*? Good luck to the Elf Academy...looks like they'll need it. Then again, they DO have the Valar on their side...and I wouldn't be surprised if the Valar inspired the ACCU to do this. Not that I can even guess why. Maybe one or more of the missing Elves works for the ACCU? Yes? No? Maybe?
Tye-melin,
Kaylee
Author's reply
Hi Kaylee. The ACCU is a normal part of institutional life. Every school is required to be certified to show that they meet certain standards of quality in education. Alex Grant has nothing to do with the ACCU. He just happens to be at the college when the evaluation comes. The Valar had nothing to do with it either. The ACCU is just doing its job of checking the accrediation of the school. Every state or region has something similar.
Tye-melin.
6336
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
Hm, this is starting to get very interesting. I see Irmo is still sending dream to 'inspire' people to do what the Valar want, they seem to be keeping a closer watch on what is happening this time around.
Juat what are the Valar getting 'Alex' into, a liasion between themselves and the U.S. government, maybe?
Keep it coming,
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. Yes, Irmo is inspiring many people to go to Alaska and the Valar have always kept a close watch, but we're seeing their presence more often now. As for what the Valar have planned for Alex, that remains to be seen. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Erulisse (one L)
· 27 January 2012
· Chapter 4: Settling In
Oh, better and better...
"Most of the words you’ll learn are simple greetings and such, just to add some verisimilitude to your persona as an Elf."
Verisimilitude, huh? It's lucky you have Alex Grant as a baseline linguist or he would have been running for his dictionary just there - LOL. Loved the harp and the tapestry....oh yeah!
I'm so happy to be back in Alaska.......
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. You're right about that. LOL! And I'm happy that you're happy to be back in Alaska. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 24 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
Heh! Didn't I say in my last review that people will wonder about classes in a language that nobody every heard off? I didn't know that this was coming. Great explanation though of why you have to learn a "made up" language.
Oh, boy. They want to train an army, but now they have to deal with bureaucracy. On the other hand, I can understand that parents who send their children to the academy want to know that the education meets at least a minimum standard compared to other colleges. I can't wait for the creative excuses for the review board of why stuff is the way it is...
That last sentence made me go What?!? So it seems that the picture was planted because they want Alex Grant at the Academy...
Can't wait to see how this turns out.
Author's reply
Hi obsidianj. We'll see just what 'creative excuses' Glorfindel and the others come up with for the review board when the ACCU finally arrives. *grin*
And you are probably closer to the truth about Alex than you suspect. We'll learn more about that eventually.
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it very much.
Tari
· 24 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
How Alex Grant fits in all this is something I'm waiting to find out too. Now we learn that not only are the Valar involved, but also there may be a war in the future. The plot thickens.
Author's reply
Hi Tari. Yes, Alex Grant plays a major role in this story, though whether for good or for ill remains to be seen. And the Valar warned the Elves back in Elf Academy that the Dagor Dagorath was coming and they had to help the mortals prepare for it. That's what Elf Academy is ultimately all about. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Erulisse (one L)
· 23 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
Hmmm....I thought that that Artemus Gordon Meriwether (obviously you were as much of a fan of Wild Wild West as I was) had chosen the name of Alex Grant after Ryan McKinley had been "deceased"? The mystery deepens....
- Erulisse (one L)
One of the best things about Mondays now is Elf Academy II
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. Well, he did, but we will see how in a later chapter how it is that Ryan recognized him anyway. Glad EA2 is making your Mondays (and hopefully your Friday) a little brighter. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Rhyselle
· 23 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
Even Dept of Defense corporate universities have to face accreditation inspections every 3 years... ours is due next year and I'm not looking forward to it. Things like the ACCU thing help make Elf Academy feel "real" to me. It might not have a huge part of the plot, but stuff like this brings a fic to life.
Poor Marian. I can't blame her at all for forgetting about the accreditation issues. With all of the upheaval and recognition of the Elf Academy's new mission; not to mention the individual worldview changes each of the mortals had to come to terms with when they realized that what they'd thought of as myth turned out to be reality, it's no wonder relatively mundane things like bureaucratic requirements are out sight and mind. And I wonder how the different mortals felt when they realized that the Valar were truly Powers and that Iluvatar is real... That must have brought about a lot of personal upheaval as well.
Glorfindel's last words in the section where Marian told him about the ACCU were quite amusing! Have the elves admitted to their Sindarin students what it actually means? *grin*
I, too, am curious about the identity of Ryan McKinley/Ambrose Elwood, but I will keep silent about my speculations--at least for now. ;)
Thank you and your Beta(s) for such an interesting chapter, and I truly appreciate that you are updating twice a week. Do you have an estimation on how many chapters this tale will be? As it sounds like the challenges before our protagonists are far more complex than the ones in the original Elf Academy tale, I'm guessing that this one will be at least a bit longer. And that's a comforting thought.
Well done, as always!
Author's reply
Hi Rhyselle. Since this story takes place in the present time, I think it important to inject it with as much realism as possible while still maintaining the mystique of Tolkien's Middle-earth.
I have no idea how long this story will be, but it will certainly be much longer than EA1. In fact, I have already written 20 chapters for EA2 and I've only just started the story. *grin*
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Rhyselle. I appreciate it very much.
Lynn H
· 23 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
I am enchanted to see Elf Academy continuing!
Author's reply
Thank you for letting me know, Lynn. I really appreciate it.
Lizbeth
· 23 January 2012
· Chapter 3: Trouble Looming
So very close to finding out who Ryan McKinley is... and yet so far.
I think it's a little odd how some of the elves like to drop reminders of their age every so often (as with Thomas Aquinas) and then act surprised/reassuring when the mortals are blown away. What reactions were they expecting exactly? Granted, I may be overly grumpy today since a new semester just started up and I am not a fan of slouching in filthy, sagging chairs all day. Even with the "oh-so-wise" immortals around, I would transfer over to Elf Academy in a heartbeat. There would be no complaints from this student over mandatory PE classes. *grin*
I forgot to ask after last chapter: the name Vorondur sounds incredibly familiar to me. Is this character someone we've met before in another of your stories, or am I just thinking of Vorondil?
Author's reply
Hi Lizbeth. Don't worry, we'll learn who Ryan McKinley really is soon enough, I promise. And even if you can't transfer to Elf Academy for real, you can still "register" vicariously. *grin*
Yes, you are thinking of Vorondil, but Vorondur is a new character especially for this story. He first appears (unnamed) in the final chapter of Elf Academy. We'll be seeing more of him in this story.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.