Celeth
· 3 October 2014
· Chapter 80: Prince Legolas Decides
Oh, its nice to read about Legolas. I wondered why he was keeping to the sidelines when he had the most intimate contact with mortals back in LOTR, even going so far as to bring a mortal to Valinor. Not even Finrod, the friend of men, can lay lay claim to such an achievement. But I guess you were right, losing his beloved mortal friends, especially Gimli, must have hurt so much. (I must say that I liked your story about his visit to Gimli's final resting place, and that conversation that Irmo and Olorin listened in on. I still smile whenever I think of it.)
It seemed to me that the LOTR movies highlighted Legolas much more than the books (and its even worse in The Hobbit trilogy where he isn't even mentioned!) I remember when I watched the FOTR movie, how much I wished that he had been Glorfindel instead. Becoming a law enforcer should fit him well (girls might commit crimes just to be apprehended by him haha). I'm glad he has decided to open his heart to mortals again and I am looking forward to reading more about him and his adventures.
Author's reply
I'd been wanting to write more about Legolas in this story but until Dreamflower wrote her little piece I hadn't found the right way to do it. And Legolas says here why he kept to the sidelines until now, mainly because he could see where the others were going and he didn't want to get involved with their, to him, silly objections about the mortals. He just felt that he wouldn't be taken seriously if he offered his own opinions. And, truthfully, he may have had more dealings with Mortals than most of the other Elves, but modern Mortals are not the same as the ones he knew before, so he was taking things slow and feeling his way.
Personally, I would've been disappointed had PJ not put Legolas in the Hobbit movies, because, logically speaking, he had to have been involved in the whole affair to one extent or another. It's just that, when Tolkien wrote the Hobbit, Legolas as a character had not been created, and it's only because in LOTR he is specifically said to be the son of Thranduil, the Elvenking of Mirkwood, that it made sense to put him in the Hobbit movies. At any rate, as far as I recall, he wasn't highlighted any more or less in the movies than he was in the books. Whatever...
Thanks for reviewing, Celeth. I appreciate it very much.
Dreamflower
· 3 October 2014
· Chapter 72: Recovery
All right! Alex and Felicity are a couple!! K.I.S.S.I.N.G!
Things are starting to calm down, get somewhat back to normal insofar as events go. But I suspect that it is not going to be "normal" for several individuals for some time to come, especially for Alex until he takes Atar's advice and finds someone to talk to.
Now that Farrell is no longer a factor, I wonder about who will cause trouble next...
Author's reply
Yes, things are starting to calm down, though that doesn't mean they will stay that way for long. And define "normal". LOL!
We'll see who causes trouble next eventually. Thanks for reviewing, Dreamflower. I appreciate it.
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Oh, this is marvelous...Gareth and Nell having one of THOSE encounters.
I have always appreciated that "love at first sight" is canon in Arda, but that it's rare.. Very rare. As in count the couples on one hand through all the Ages.
That means when it happens, it is Significant, with portents for the future.
Gareth and Nell are in for interesting times.
Author's reply
Hi Dreamflower. Tolkien seemed to intimate in his writings that "love at first sight" was a common thing with the Elves, but I always thought that was a little odd myself. We do see it happening, but as you point out, very rarely and it usually means something portentous. Whether this is the case here remains to be seen, but obviously Atar is taking a hand in things.
Thanks for the review. I appreciate it.
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Another hurdle overcome!
I'm so glad I'm not having to wait between chapters--it's nice to be able to just carry on...
Author's reply
Yes, one more hurdle overcome and on to the next one.
I know at least one person who purposely doesn't read each chapter as it comes out but waits until she has a whole bunch of them and then just sits there and reads them all at once. Saves from tearing out her hair waiting for the resolution of cliffhangers. *grin*
I'm glad you're still enjoying the story, Dreamflower. Onward to the next review.
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 73: Confession
Oh, I'm so glad he finally confessed, though the thought of Father Waverly never occurred to me! Yet it was very appropriate, as was the significance of Ash Wednesday. I really liked that. Father Waverly is such a lovely character, BTW. Is he based on anyone you know?
(Though I'm Protestant, my denomination celebrates Ash Wednesday, as well as Lent. I'm Methodist.)
Author's reply
Being Catholic myself, I figured Father Waverly was the right person for Alex to go to even if unintentionally. And Ash Wednesday is a very appropriate time for such confessions. I'm glad you like Father Waverly. He's not based on any one particular priest that I've known through my life, but is a mixture of a number of them (the better ones, at least, and there are some out there).
Anyway, thanks for reviewing, Dreamflower. It's appreciated.
Sunny
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
Hehehe. I've had a look at the other reviews, and the consensus seems to be that you have cleared the calendar for the Bad Guys to really strut their stuff. So - where are we now? End of February or beginning of March? That means about 2 months until The Wedding.
I can see it now: *Bad Guys, in a strategic huddle: "OK, folks we have a deadline here. We have 2 months to drive these people bonkers, in which case the Götterdämmerung is probably going to start right then. If we don't achieve this goal, we have to give our adversaries time to do a bit of celebrating (which should include at least one honeymoon) before we go at them again. (Unless our own side offs us for not living down to expctations.)"*
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Yes, it's the last day of February, so about 2 months until the wedding. Whether we see the Bad Guys planning dastardly deeds or not remains to be seen, but there will be (hopefully) surprises along the way leading up to the wedding and then afterwards. We'll just have to see.
And have you ever noticed that when some Bad Guy's flunkies fail an assignment, usually through not fault of their own, they get offed? You would think the Bad Guy would run out of flunkies after awhile. Whereas if a Good Guy's flunkies mess up, they're usually given a lollipop or a stiff drink and told that all's forgiven because everyone makes mistakes and tomorrow's another day, blah, blah, blah. The Bad Guy's flunky just gets offed; the Good Guy's flunky wishes he would. LOL!
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 71: Awakenings
Gareth's visit at last, though it seems a little mundane after all the other events.
Farrell is well and truly out of it. Alex, OTOH, seems ready to return to the land of the living.
Author's reply
Mundane, but important.
And hopefully Farrell is indeed out of it, though coma patients do recover, so we'll just have to see.
Thanks for commenting, Dreamflower. I appreciate you doing so.
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 70: Aftermath
Oh good! Nice to get confirmation that Felicity is OK. I thought so, but you. Never know.
And another agent on the scene. That could be interesting.
Author's reply
I know everyone was worried for Felicity, so I was glad to show that as harrowing as her situation must have been, she came out of it more or less unscathed. And Special Agent Colson won't be staying long if the Elves have anything to say about it. *grin*
Thanks for reviewing, Dreamflower. It's appreciated.
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 69: Rescue Operation
OK! It's Elves and Finlay and Maiar to the rescue!
I really enjoy all the practical details in a scene like this. Keeping the mortals warm, food, hunting, song to pass the time. A lesser writer would just have had the Maiar spirit them all back to Wiseman and left them at the ER door. It's those details that I find so intriguing.
The scene with the wolf highly amused me. I just recently finished rereading David Eddings' Belgariad and my first thought was "Why, hello, Belgarath! Did you come along to lend a hand?"
Fun chapter, and a nice release of tension after the other chapters.
Author's reply
Hi Dreamflower. As they say, the Devil's in the details, and if the Maiar were always available to rescue everyone there wouldn't be much of a story, would there? *grin*. I've never read any of David Eddings' books so this particular wolf was more likely Oromë or one of his Maiar. And you need a bit of tension release every once in a while, hence this chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it.
Dreamflower
· 2 October 2014
· Chapter 68: Interlude with Atar
Direct divine intervention? It works very well here.
I love the way Atar is so contemporary in His conversation with Alex, as well as His sense of humor. But now we know what has been eating away at Alex for so long. I wouldn't call it cold-blooded murder, not under the circumstances. It was, after all, a panic reaction; still, it wasn't quite self-defense either at that particular point in time.
Confession is good for the soul. I wonder whom Alex will choose to confide in. Somehow I think it won't be one of the Elves. Finlay perhaps? He'd likely understand the situation better than anyone.
Well, I will find out soon enough.
Author's reply
Hi Dreamflower. Well even Atar has to move with the times. LOL! And He always approaches us in a manner that we can relate. So with Alex. And Atar does admit that Alex's actions were born of panic and not from any real desire to commit an evil, but as you say, it can't really be called self-defense either.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Dreamflower
· 1 October 2014
· Chapter 67: Showdown at Winterdark Tarn
Two cliffies in a ROW!!! That's hardly fair!
I shall pause before my mad dash to the next chapter to say two things I really liked:
(1) The funicular operator, who can't let go of his need for tickets. For some reason he reminded me of Gaffer Gamgee; it's just not proper without a ticket!
(2) All the hints about the shadowy enemy. Not Farrell, but whoever has been pulling his strings, as well as pulling other strings on his behalf. Deliciously intriguing!
(Uh-oh. Half the clocks in the house just reminded me that we need to get up early. *sigh* well, I will finish catching up then.)
Author's reply
Yup! And who says life is fair? LOL!
You meet people like the funicular operator all the time, unable to think outside the box. Finlay was being quite mean to him, poor guy, and Glorfindel wasn't much better. That operator isn't going to be a happy camper for a while.
As for the hints of a shadowy enemy, for the time being that's all it will be. I doubt we'll ever really see who the Enemy really is. That makes it more intriguing, as far as I'm concerned.
Anyway, thanks for the review, Dreamflower. It's always appreciated.
Dreamflower
· 1 October 2014
· Chapter 66: Valentine’s Day
UH-OH! *scurries to next chapter*
Author's reply
And aren't you glad you didn't have to wait for the next chapter like everyone else, Dreamflower? LOL!
Dreamflower
· 1 October 2014
· Chapter 65: Counseling Session
Aw, poor Alex. He can never seem to catch a break.
I really like Vorundur in this chapter; a shame that Alex still won't confide in him, I think it it would do him a lot of good to get it off his chest.
Author's reply
Vorondur is way cool here. Alex still has issues and we'll learn the truth about what really happened in Spain.
Thanks for the review, Dreamflower. It's appreciated.
Dreamflower
· 1 October 2014
· Chapter 64: Back in the Thick of Things
And I ended with admiring your technique of using the Super Bowl in the last chapter, and here you are with it again, this time reminding us of what the year was. (I confess that I had to Goggle Patriots v. Giants to work it out. *blushes*
Alex's reaction to Finrod's sparring was unexpected, to say the least!
Author's reply
Yes, Alex's reaction to Finrod's sparring is unexpected and everyone's confused by it.
I love the internet. You can find out just about anything, including who was playing in the Super Bowl years before (I don't bother watching it so it wouldn't be anything I would remember). Adding such details does give the story some historical depth and places it in time without necessarily stating it directly.
Thanks for reviewing, Dreamflower. I appreciate it.
Dreamflower
· 1 October 2014
· Chapter 63: Fight Practice
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's 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.
Tari
· 1 October 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
May the fourth be with you? LOL. You are too much.
Author's reply
Thanks, Tari. I'm glad you found the chapter and the ending amusing.
SashaHoneypalm
· 30 September 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
Not technically related to this specific chapter, but: BREAKING NEWS! Unearthly glow-in-the-dark Elves are really a real thing!
Well, sort of. There was a fascinating article in today's Science Times about weird weather thingies called lightning sprites, and related phenomena such as "Luminous regions, called elves, that span hundreds of miles at the base of the ionosphere, some 55 miles above the earth". Wikipedia says "ELVES is a whimsical acronym for Emissions of Light and Very Low Frequency Perturbations due to Electromagnetic Pulse Sources", but since there are also lightning "trolls", "gnomes", and "pixies", I think it was intentional.
I still think your (and Tolkien's) Elves are cooler, but it's a tight race.
Author's reply
Hi Sasha. That's very interesting. I never knew that, even about lightning "trolls", "gnomes" and "pixies", so I think it's only appropriate that "elves" be associated with such a phenomenon.
Anyway, I'm glad you think Tolkien's and my Elves are cooler. Thanks for sharing.
Kevana
· 30 September 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
Nice to see a discussion on the Academy and how it's going. I was wondering how they were managing with such a spike in growth, and not that many teachers. Do they have any mortals helping with the classes or is it all Elves? I could imagine that would be stressful.
Oh my goodness, Sarah, bless your heart, honey! I think the big reason most weddings are centered around the weekend is so it's easier for the guests to attend without missing too much work, so in Aman I imagine that wouldn't be an issue. And I had a good laugh at Finrod raising his hand after the couple had gone through all of that, and suddenly a Tuesday is a good day. LOL!
It's always amusing seeing these powerful, brilliant Elves getting caught up in mortal red tape. Poor things. But maybe some unexpected good will come from them moving the date.
I love how you incorporated the actual calendar into the story like this. I am always amazed at how much research you do in writing these stories.
May the fourth be with you as well! I cracked up at that one.
Well, I was reading these chapters at a rest stop while taking a break from driving. I have finagled myself a week of vacation (!!! MIRACLES DO HAPPEN) and am on the way to Kill Devil Hills on the OBX. Have a great week and thanks for the wonderful chapters!
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. At the moment only the Elves are teaching things like Sindarin and Elvish history and there are more than enough of them to cover those classes without stressing anyone out. Mortals can and do teach the other classes like the winter survival class and nature studies class and so forth, so it's a joint enterprise.
I'm sure weddings occur on all days of the week. Think of those people who get married on their lunch breaks before a justice of the peace, but it's true that most weddings take place on the weekend because most people are not working then.
Whether there is any unexpected good that comes from them moving the wedding date remains to be seen.
Originally, when I wrote Elf Academy 1 I didn't specify any particular year and didn't use any particular calendar, but when I came to write Elf Academy 2 in 2011 I decided, since the first story had taken place in 2009 because that's when it was posted, so the second story would take place two years later. We never see their first year running the Academy; we only learn of it in retrospect as they are gearing up for their second year where Alex shows up. After that, I just continued keeping old calendars to help keep track of things.
Anyway, have a great week off. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. It's much appreciated.
Kevana
· 30 September 2014
· Chapter 78: Gareth Confesses
As to that debate on which outlook is better - I don't think one is better, maybe one or another is just more appropriate to the situation, hm? If feels like they're having to learn how to shuffle cards from different decks to make a whole one to play with.
The truth comes out... And then comes out *again*! Now there's a shocker! Of course Misty should be able to marry if she wants, not only was her first marriage so long ago, it's not as if hearts only have so much love to give and then no more. She can remember her mortal husband with love without denying that she has a future yet to live and someone who cares for her. I think she is a very wise lady and hope she will understand that, if she really is attracted to Gwyn.
Gwyn, you are one bold guy, buddy.
*grin* I can't help but imagine Aegnor standing there all offended at essentially being called daft. Poor guy, that story always made me sad but it's also so incredible for all that it was tragic. Anyway.
I cannot wait to find out what happens with the ultrasound situation!
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. You're right that neither outlook is better or worse than the other, just different and would be applied differently depending on the situation. What the Elves on either side of the issue haven't realized yet is that both outlooks are needed for them to succeed.
Hopefully, Gwyn will be able to convince Misty that she's not breaking any Eru-given laws by falling in love with one of her own kind. I'm sure Eru will be able to straighten things out at the End as to which husband is which. *grin*
The story of Aegnor and Andreth is very sad and tragic.
We'll see what happens with the ultrasound soon enough, I promise.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Kevana
· 30 September 2014
· Chapter 77: Gareth Receives an Education
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's 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
bookworm
· 30 September 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
"May the fourth" *WHEEZING LAUGHTER*
Author's reply
Just couldn't resist, bookworm. *grin*
Larner
· 30 September 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
Too much Star Wars, obviously! Heh!
I appreciate that they are doing their best to accommodate their mortal friends and neighbors. I know that my mother was afraid I might be born on Good Friday, which in Costa Rica at the time was a day on which nobody wished to drive for fear they'd have their cars stoned for profaning such a holy day. The thought of having the car stoned while she was being driven to the clinic to give birth rather frightened her, I think. Fortunately I was born on a Thursday instead, I believe during Easter Week. Will have to check the prayer book, I suppose, to figure out whether I was born before or after Easter that year. Ah, the joy of dealing with Holy Week tables! Heh!
And hooray for Wiseman having its 4-H clubs! Was in 4-H for years. Dogs, photography, rocks and minerals, veterinary science, and poultry science.
Author's reply
Hi Larner. While I never was in 4H, I know there was one in my community since we had a lot of farm kids in school. I figured a place like Wiseman was bound to have one as well. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
rikki
· 29 September 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
It's frustrating enough to plan a wedding with all the hooplah that is involved. Wiseman is not large enough to have many venues for a wedding either and it certainly sounds like the Rotary Club and the 4-H club and the square dancers are plotting to keep Roy and Sarah from marrying! LOL! If that is all that happens before they finally stand together, Roy and Sarah will consider themselves lucky.
There are several light hearted moments in this chapter that were really chuckle moments. I liked the minor OC you created with Mr. Sadowski. I can just picture him entering each date on his calendar with care while figuring out who will buy tickets to his son's play. He is funny as he has never apparently dealt with elves. He will go home that night and tell his wife and family all about how he met the crazy elves.
Then there is the moment with Finrod explaining that elves in Valinor actually used to wed on Tuesdays for a specific reason. Glorfindel's snide grin was like "See you should trust me".
And finally Elledan's Star Wars reference brought out a big grin. Just what you need, a punster brother at your wedding. It did bring some relief of the tension that Roy and Sarah were experiencing.
Have a great week. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
Hi rikki. You can probably tell I had loads of fun writing this chapter, especially coming up with all the reasons why a wedding in April wasn't in the cards for these two and that they would have to settle for one in May.
I'm glad you liked Mr. Sadowski. He was fun to write and I'm sure we've all met people like him. Devoted family man and hard worker. Dealing with Elves just isn't something he's used to doing but I think he did okay.
The whole getting married on Tuesday, especially having May First fall on a Tuesday was pure serendipity. I couldn't believe it when I looked at the calendar for 2012, which is what year it is for the characters, and saw that Beltaine landed on a Tuesday that year. It was like a gift from God as far as I was concerned and it helped cinch the chapter for me.
And of course the whole Star Wars thing just couldn't be ignored. *grin*
Thanks for commenting. Have a great week yourself.
SashaHoneypalm
· 29 September 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
Maybe Valinorean are Jewish. Tuesday is traditionally a lucky wedding day for Jews (because in the Biblical Creation account, Tuesday is the day where God says "It is good" twice).
Heh, fourth be with you. My birthday is May 4, and last year a friend gave me a "May the Fourth be with you" t-shirt". I'm all for things happening on that day!
Author's reply
You may be right about the Valinórean Elves being Jewish, Sasha. LOL! That's something I didn't know and I have to wonder if Tolkien knew. At any rate, I used the original Valarin name for that particular day of the week as the reason for weddings traditionally being on that day even after the Elves changed the day's name in honor of the Two Trees.
And May the Fourth be always with you. LOL! Thanks for reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.
Lindelea
· 29 September 2014
· Chapter 79: A Change of Plans
Cinco de Mayo!
Wonder if the Grange is booked for that celebration as well?
Author's reply
We'll find out in the next chapter, Lindelea, but I find it highly unlikely that Wiseman has the large a Mexican population to warrant such a celebration. *grin*
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.