Eruherdiriel
· 18 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Baby! Yay!
That last was... unexpected. I'm interested in the backstory there. I'd also like to know a little more about where Gwyn and Gareth's parents came from.
~Eruherdiriel
Author's reply
Hi Eruherdiriel. Well, we should learn more about Gwyn and Gareth's parents later when they show up for Roy and Sarah's wedding. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
bookworm
· 17 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
LOL Recognition now? I thought they were Tolkien elves, not Elfquest ones! But ooh, I wonder how that's going to go down! (also in fairness to Gwyn & Gareth, I would have been perfectly happy sitting at Finrod & Glorfindel's feet myself...)
Author's reply
Hi bookworm. Oh, these are Tolkien Elves for sure. Tolkien states in one of his essays that the Elves can look at one another and know that they are meant for one another. I suspect that's where Elfquest got the idea; it was original to Tolkien. *grin* Anyway, I'm with you on the 'happy to be sitting at the feet of any of the Elves, but especially Finrod and Glorfindel'. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.
Larner
· 16 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
I was almost surprised that Gareth and Nell didn't go all Thingol-and-Melian on us, standing entranced for a hundred years or so, totally forgetting everything about them. But it appears that love at first sight continues to happen with the Elves! Heh!
Good to see him realizing how he needs to calm himself about these other Elves, and that he had as much to teach them as they have to teach them.
Author's reply
It's a good thing they didn't, Larner, it would've been a bit awkward for everyone all around. LOL! At any rate there will be a discussion about the love-at-first-sight phenomenon among the Elves in the next chapter. And hopefully Gareth will realize that he and Gwyn have no reason to apologize for their lives. They are, in one sense, the wave of the future and have much to teach the Valinórean Elves. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
rikki
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Ah, a chapter on Gareth. He and Gwyn are both elves, but they are not. Living among mortals as long as they have with no one but each other and their parents it is easy to adopt the living situations of the mortals. This has been a good visit for Gareth as it has given him a basis for dealing with elves.
And then you throw in the show stopper! Oh boy, I think Elrohir is going to have to explain the Customs of the Elves to Gareth. And if he weds Nell then he will be kin to Finrod and will have to quit "My Lord" ing him all the time. But with elves, the courtship and all can take years and years. But it was neat the way you described the electricity and meeting of the feas between Nell and Gareth. That definitely should bring mam and adar to see their sons!
Great chapter!
Author's reply
Hi rikki. And we will actually focus on Gareth for the next several chapters. Gwyn and Gareth, of course, have never experienced an elven society. In fact, the same can be said for Serindë. The difference between them is that Serindë's parents never hid anything from their daughter about their past and Serindë never struck out on her own, but remained with her parents. Once Gwyn and Gareth left for the wide world, they were essentially on their own and had to hide their true nature except in rare instances. Knowing that there are other Elves about and learning from them how to be Elves will prove beneficial to them.
And what a show stopper. LOL! We'll see how aspects about courtship and betrothals are handled in the next chapter. Tolkien states somewhere that Elves merely had to look at one another and know that they were meant for one another. I will be offering an explanation as to why this particular phenomenon no longer seems to apply to the Elves anymore in the next chapter.
Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Lindelea
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
p.s. Don't know why, but I felt jumpy while reading this chapter. Kept expecting something to jump out, perhaps, like Glorfindel's attackers mugging Gareth on his way to/back from the pub, or something. Maybe that's why I laughed at the kiss! Something completely different, and yet resolving the tension that so subtly built up as the chapter proceeded.
Will Glorfindel's attackers be dealt with in this story, or the next, I wonder?
Author's reply
I can understand why you would feel jumpy, waiting for something bad to happen and not expecting something good to happen instead. Something of Glorfindel's attackers will be dealt with in this story, but you'll have to wait until EA4 for a final resolution. Thanks again, Lindelea.
Lindelea
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
LOL! The surprise ending left me laughing, for some reason I have yet to figure out. Delight? Surprise? Half-formed wistful thought, fulfilled?
I thoroughly like Gareth. The chapter is well-titled, slow-moving like an eddy in a powerful (yet deceptively calm, looking at the surface) river, covering much without seeming to move far or fast. As they say, "Still waters run deep." I'm glad that Finrod was able to set him more at ease.
Wonderful character study. Felt a bit like an interlude; is it the deep breath before plunging into whitewater once more? Or is there a bit more setting up to do? Rhetorical questions, not really looking for answers, just pondering to self. But I do wonder how far this story goes, hearing that you're working on #4 at present. You've said something about having quite a few chapters yet in this one, if I'm remembering right, and so I expect there's still some thrilling, gripping whitewater ahead... Pardon me while I shift my mental metaphor from the cliff house to the raft, as it passes through a wide, deceptively gentle curve, with the occupants checking the ropes and paddles, making sure the supplies are well stowed and the life vests are snugly fastened...
It says something that, in the throes of packing to move house, I sneaked online this morning to read this!
Author's reply
Hi Lindelea. It is a surprise ending, that's for sure. I'm glad you like Gareth. He's very likable. *grin* This is something of an interlude as we learn a bit more about Gareth, but we will be staying with Gareth for a few more chapters yet.
EA3 will continue into February of next year and then I plan to post EA4 in March. So, yeah, there is quite a lot to get through, some of which readers are anticipating, such as Roy and Sarah's wedding, some of which will be totally unforeseen, or so I would think.
Anyway, good luck with your move and thanks for taking the time to read and review. I really appreciate it.
Kevana
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Aw, bless! What a nice surprise, the EA-verse has a new happy couple! At this rate they're going to beat Serindë and Elrohir to the altar. I take it Nell has a thing for younger men, and Gareth a thing for older ladies? LOL! I guess it's a good thing he is more chill about Finrod now, as it looks like they're going to end up as in-laws.
Thank you so much for putting in Galadriel and Celeborn's reaction at some point, I am highly interested in that! But also in getting to see Gareth and Gwyn's parents (if they do pop in to meet their son's new lady-love).
You owe a lot to that flooded river, Gareth!
Thanks for the update, Fiondil! Nobody saw that one coming, that's for sure. Have a great week!
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. No, no one, least of all Gareth and Nell, saw this coming. This is definitely a surprise for them all. We will see both sets of parents and their reactions to all this eventually, just not right away. Much else will be happening in the meantime. At any rate, we'll see how the Elves at Edhellond respond to what has happened in the next chapter.
Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. Have a great week yourself.
6336
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Hoo Boy! Talk about love at first sight!
Will they make it a double wedding do you think?
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
That remains to be seen, Lynda. There will be a discussion about all this in the next chapter.
Thanks for reviewing. Hugs back.
SashaHoneypalm
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Also, I forgot to say- great chapter, I really enjoyed it. Gareth is so cute. ;)
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, Sasha. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. Gareth is indeed cute.
SashaHoneypalm
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Sorry if this is nit-picking, but I do have to wonder what went on in the several thousand millennia we didn't see between stories...
You refer to Finrod as "Haryon", but didn't his uncle volunteer the position in "A Long-Expected Wedding"?
*looks up exact text*
>"Of course," Nolofinwë said, giving his brother a sly look, "If you ever get tired of being Noldóran...."
Arafinwë laughed. "Then I will seriously consider handing the crown over to you, hanno, unless Findaráto objects."
"You’ll get no argument from me," Finrod exclaimed with a laugh.<
Author's reply
Well, Sasha, since Arafinwë is still Noldóran that means that Finrod is still officially haryon. Nolofinwë may have volunteered for the position, but it was half in jest and no one would have taken it seriously, especially at that time with Nolofinwë recently reborn and still having the emotional response of a teenager (in human terms). And as time went on, I'm sure Nolofinwë found more interesting things to do with his life than be the heir apparent to the Noldorin crown, which Arafinwë doesn't seem willing to give up yet and perhaps never will. Hope that clarifies things for you. Thanks for inquiring.
Sunny
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Woohoo! Love at first sight, and just seconds after they have met they are snogging like there's no tomorrow.
Gareth certainly has a lot to tell his brother and his parents when they talk next - and it will be interesting to see what they will think of their future in-laws.
Now, I would definitely love to be a fly on the wall when Galadriel gets this piece of news! Maybe a short story or something? *surreptitiously gives the plotbunny a shot of super-strength growth hormone, while ensuring it has lots of yummy carrots to munch on*
Author's reply
Don't worry, Sunny. We'll actually learn of Galdriel's and Celeborn's reaction to the news later on, same with Gareth's parents and brother. First, though, we will see how the Elves of Wiseman take the news. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
UTfrog
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
I did not see that romance coming! What a delightful surprise! Yep, whole bunch of shocked, shocked Elves looking on plus two in their own world. The fallout will be entertaining too. Thank you.
Author's reply
No one saw it coming, including Gareth and Nell. I'm sure the fallout will be very entertaining, at least for the readers if not for the characters. Thanks for reviewing, UTfrog. I appreciate it very much.
Celeth
· 15 September 2014
· Chapter 75: Gareth
Well, that sure was fast. It reminds me of when the Ayanumuz were teasing Aule and Yavanna in "Wars of the Valar." Gareth and Nell even beat those two, it seems.
And I wonder what Uncle Finrod, not to mention Mommy Galadriel and Daddy Celeborn, will have to say about it?
Author's reply
Yeah, they're definitely another Aulë and Yavanna. LOL! We'll see what everyone has to say about it in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing, Celeth. It's much appreciated.
SashaHoneypalm
· 14 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
So, just to clarify, Finlay hasn't had the metaphysical aspects of the situation- Maiar, Valar, impending apocalypse- explained to him? He just knows that hey, elves exist?
Author's reply
Oh I'm sure some of it has been explained to him, since he does tell the Elves and Alex that he wants in on what's going on, which is why they're setting up the satellite link to the village. I just haven't shown that explicitly here where the Elves sit Ed down to explain or he corners one of the Elves and demands answers. Obviously, from his experience at the tarn, he knows there are "angels" if nothing else and he did meet Námo even if he didn't know who he was, though Sakari did. So I'm sure he's been brought up to speed on everything pertinent.
Thanks for inquiring, Sasha. No doubt others reading this wondered as well.
FV_Whisper
· 14 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Telling it to a stranger like Charles Weaverly was easy for Alex, telling it to his friends was harder, but their responses should prove to him he's still loved no matter what he has done. Derek is right, the Agency really screwed Alex up, but he is in good company now to deal with the situation. Alex seems to be aware of this and less distrusting of the Elves than he has once been.
It's sad seeing Finlay and Sakari leaving, but they have some good news. Being only married for two months, they sure didn't waste their time on that part! Edward sure needs some time to take that in *giggles*
A pretty quiet ending. Makes me wonder when the next storm will be coming up to Wiseman.
Author's reply
Hi FV_Whisper. Yes, telling his friends was harder, but necessary, and knowing a little about the Elves' history, Alex knows he's in good company. Certainly the reactions of the Elves to his story should tell him that.
Well, we knew Finlay and Sakari needed to return to her village eventually, but at least they leave with good news and I have no doubt we'll be seeing them again someday.
As for the next storm to hit Wiseman... we'll just have to wait and see, won't we? *grin*
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
FV_Whisper
· 14 September 2014
· Chapter 73: Confession
Oh, and I forgot. Of course Glorfindel is perfect! He has had ages to perfect being perfect after all!
Author's reply
You're right about that, FV_Whisper. And of course, Glorfindel knows just how perfect he is. LOL!
FV_Whisper
· 14 September 2014
· Chapter 73: Confession
For someone having spend several days in a coma, Alex is recovering quickly. Now it is time for him to recover mentally and he has just made a big step.
A wonderful way for tying the story to Ash Wednesday and bringing Charles Waverly into the story, the good man has had his share of sinners and knows how to deal with them, while at the same time for Alex it frees up the way to telling the tale to the others.
Author's reply
Hi FV_Whisper. I'm sure Atar had something to do with his speedy recovery. *grin*
Charles Waverly was a good vehicle for Alex to "practice" fessing up on, so that he could tell the tale to the ones that really mattered and needed to know. And now that he's done it, he can go forward and find true healing for himself.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Angwen
· 13 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Not sure if the link will hold, and it's one I believe Master Fiondil may have given us before...
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/alfaskolinn-icelandic-elf-school
There is an actual Elf School in Iceland. Vacation plans starting in 3, 2, 1...
Author's reply
Hi Angwen. Actually, this particular school in Iceland is for teaching people *about* Elves and other supernatural creatures that supposedly inhabit Iceland. I drew my inspiration of the Elf Academy stories from an actual "Elf Academy" at a community college in Lapland, Finland where there is a year-long course on how to be an actual Elf Guide for the Lapland winter tourist season. But thanks for this link. It's an interesting article and I would love to go to Iceland and do the 5-hour course myself.
Larner
· 12 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
In this case confession was truly good for the soul. Excellent! And he knows now that his actions have not lost him the caring of those he respects.
Author's reply
Very true, Larner. Sometimes confession is good for the soul. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Ellie
· 12 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Hooray for Edward and Sakari! Alex was very brave to do what he did. it took a lot of guts, but he found that he is still loved and accepted. It should be easier for him to move forward from here...
Author's reply
Hi Ellie. Yes, Alex was very brave. It was probably the bravest thing he's ever done to date, and that's saying a lot. And definitely hooray for Edward and Sakari. *grin* Thanks for taking the time to review. It's much appreciated.
rikki
· 12 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Ah, good chapter! This clears the air on a lot of issues and I think makes the elf/mortal alliance stronger. Alex has passed a major point in his life and now it is time to move on and take on new tasks. Ron is right that Alex should take it slow, perhaps do a little courtship on the side?
Ed and Sakari were so cute there when Ed got the information that he was becoming a father. Everyone is happy about a little one. I would imagine the village will be celebrating once they know about the news.
I think on the other hand that the elves would make a mint of money recording their lullabies and selling them to parents of crying babies. I don't know if it requires the person to actually be on site, but it seems Alex and others certainly benefit from the singing.
Have a restful weekend. I am off to make soup this weekend from all the vegetables I got from the Farmer's Market.
Author's reply
Hi rikki. Alex still has a way to go toward full emotional healing, but he's made a major big step here toward that goal. I think with the Elves, Derek and especially Felicity by his side he'll make it.
You're right that once Ed and Sakari return to the village there will be lots of celebrating.
Lullabies from the Elves sounds like a good CD for everyone, even adults. Too bad it's not for real. *sigh*
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it very much.
Laer
· 12 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Finlay is in heaven :) So is /will be his new family. I am glad that Finlay is joining up with the good fight. His experience will help prepare the village for the coming war. Even if that war isn't for a few centuries.
I am also happy that Alex shared this with his extended family. He might not have it so ruff from here on out. That and hopefully he will be happier in his journey.
Am I a sad person? I seem to be talking about them all like they are real beings. siiiggghhh. Ah well. This is a tip of the hat to you for making them all so real. :)
Author's reply
Hi Laer. Yes, I imagine Finlay is indeed in heaven. And Alex, I think, realizes for the first time that he truly is not alone and that he has friends who care for him very much. The fact that you think of these characters as being real is a great compliment. Thanks, and thanks for taking the time to comment. I very much appreciate it.
Kevana
· 12 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Darn it, the site ate my first review when I tried to post it! :P
For fear of losing another one, I'll keep it short and sweet, maybe it will post before the site has another hiccup -
Alex really didn't have anything to worry about with telling the Elves! He was brave to go ahead and fess up. It's like skydiving, I guess, 30 seconds of sheer terror followed by the satisfaction of crossing it off your bucket list. And he's feeling better, so looks like it was the right decision. Elves must have a wonderful sense of perspective from those long lives of theirs, and Derek is awesome as usual.
What a nice surprise for Sakari and Finlay! Maybe if they move back to Wiseman, their kid can grow up with Della and Amroth's twins.
Wonderful chapter, thanks for the update! Hope you have a great weekend, it's looking like a washout here but thunderstorms are special too.
-Kevana
PS - After reading your reply to one of my last reviews, I've added "Numinous" to my favorite words list. Not only is the meaning great, it also sounds like a type of cloud. Thanks for the addition to the vocabulary!
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. I think these Elves in particular have a very good perspective on life given their own history so what Alex told them probably came as less a shock than he was expecting.
It would be nice for Amroth and Della's kids to have a playmate. Maybe Finlay and Sakari will move to Wiseman someday after Finlay's fulfilled his promise to Sakari's dad.
Numinous is a great word. I'm glad I was able to help add to your vocabulary. *grin*
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Sunny
· 12 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Story time, I see - and it went well. I'm sure the Elves can't have reached the ages they have without doing some thing along the way that they really wish they hadn't done. Derek is Alex' gwador, and would certainly have his back.
All of them know how badly the Agency screwed Alex up. What Alex had to tell was just another bit of proof of that.
Tee hee. I absolutely loved Finlay's description of Shanna Machell. "Blond bombshell with an IQ that makes Einstein look like a gibbering idiot?" Absolute win! And speaking of gibbering idiots, it looks like being informed if his impending fatherhood is the perfect way to turn a man into one! ;-)
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Yes, it did go well and the Elves have "been there, done that, bought the T-shirt" themselves. Derek is indeed Alex's gwador and is way cool.
Finlay is like any male confronted with the news that he's actually scored: ie. total disbelief and an "ohmygodwhathaveIdone" feeling as reality sets in. *grin*
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
UTfrog
· 12 September 2014
· Chapter 74: Dinner at Edhellond
Lovely! Everything about this chapter was good: the reactions of the Elves, Sakari's pregnancy, Alex's relief. Thank you.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, UTfrog. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.