Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil
Linda Hoyland · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
My deepest condolences to Fiondil's family and friends. I sadly, did not know him well, but liked what I did know. He left me some lovely reviews and I enjoyed his Teitho stories. He was a gifted writer and true gentleman and will be greatly missed.May he find eternal joy beyond the circles of the world.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
*inhales, then exhales slowly* I really don't know what I can say, except Ellie, Alassiel, thank you. And Daw - thank you all for making the rest of the story available to us. Thank you for finding out the truth. I've enjoyed the new chapters, but it's a bittersweet enjoyment, going forward, knowing that from now on the one I regarded as my beloved Atto - *still* regard as my beloved Atto, even if he may be in the Presence now - will never again read my reviews (or anyone else's), never formulate responses. My stomach is in knots, my heart in my throat as I try to swallow down my tears. Atto Fiondil belongs in the Presence of Eru, he deserves to know such divine Joy. I know he was called home because there's work for him to do there, that his purpose here was fulfilled. I have to believe that. But I cannot stop grieving, and I wish there was some way I could tell him, one more time, how much I loved and will always love him. He was the father than my own could not be. I am so thankful that this story will continue to be made available to us, but it still does not ease the hole in my heart that this loss has left. Namarie, Atya. Tye-melin. Yours always, Kaylee
Laikwalâssê · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
SOA will never be the same without you - RIP, Fiondil! We all miss you. Lai
Arwen75 · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Sat here with tears in my eyes. I regularly read Fiondil's stories and was worried on Monday. I only occasionally left a review and am saddened that this will not be read by him. Since I first discovered this archive his stories have been amongst those I have read a lot. So sad to think that after what he has written in front has been posted there will be no more. R.I.P. Fiondil.
ladyevenstar · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Now I wish I had reviewed every single chapter. Hopefully Fiondil is safe in Atto's embrace. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. I love all of his works, but had never really been brave enough to review them. I hope he can see these reviews and know how much he was loved.
tharseo · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Though I didn't know Fiondil, I'm deeply saddened by the news of his passing. Over the last few years it was always a pleasure to start and finish my work week by reading his updates. I'll will miss his stories, how he made Tolkien's and his own characters so very alive, his knowledge of Tolkien's work, languages and his replies to reviews. Thank you Ellie and Alassiel for posting the rest of EA3 and the available chapters of EA4. My deepest heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.
KathyG · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
I didn't have the faintest idea of what had happened when Fiondil failed to post the next chapter of his story this Monday. I thought that perhaps he was sick, or that there was a family emergency, or that something had happened to knock his Internet out. It never occurred to me that he might have died. Therefore, the news came as quite a shock to me when I read it. I didn't know Fiondil for long; I was only introduced to his stories early last year, by Dreamflower. But I came to love his Tolkien fanfiction. Like the rest of you, I've been following Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within while he's been posting it. I want to thank Fiondil's beta-readers for continuing that job, since he's no longer around to do it, and if they can post all of Elf Academy 4 afterward, I will appreciate that, too. RIP, Fiondil! We all miss you. =(
Kitty · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Like so many others, I was worried when Fiondil didn't update on time; he has spoiled us all rotten with his regular, reliable updates. To learn the reason was such a shock, and I am immensely sad about his passing. Now I keep reading the tributes to this wonderful man and am touched about all the lovely things that are said, though I keep crying about this outpour of love, sadness and reminiscences. It brings home how we all felt about him and what we have lost. Hopefully Fiondil knew when he was still alive already how much we all loved him. I've been on this fanfiction archive since late 2003 or early 2004, and in all these years, have read a good many stories. Fiondil's were always among my favourites after I discovered them when he was still in the first third of 'Elf, Interrupted 1', and since then I have been following his updates with anticipation and so much joy. His amazing imagination and knowledge about Tolkien's world gave me so many hours of fun, and I learned a lot about Middle-earth in the process. One of the things that stand out the most to me was how he managed to show the Valar, characters I was never before interested in, not as remote, forbidding deities, but as real characters, and make me - and probably a lot of others - love particularly his Lord Námo. I don't think I can ever read anyone else's versions of them, they would be too different and not feel 'real', for lack of a better word. Fiondil may be gone, but in my heart, he will live on, as the wonderful man and friend he was, and I will keep reading his stories over and over again even after the last available chapters of EA 4 have been posted, like I already do. These stories are his legacy, keeping his memory alive for his readers and even people who have never had the chance to know him. Fiondil built his own world around Middle-earth, adding to what Professor Tolkien gave us; he brought side characters from canon, like Glorfindel, alive for me and some of his OC's have grown on me so much I keep forgetting that they aren't canon and keep missing them in other fics or even canon itself. That's something that has very seldom happened to me in over a decade of reading fanfiction in two different fandoms. Le hannon, Fiondil, for eight wonderful years of leading me through your version of Middle-earth, and Námarië, dear friend. I hope you got to meet Námo and are now in a better place. Thank you to Ellie and Alassiel for finding out what happened and letting us know, and to everyone who is working on making the remaining chapters available for us. I am sure Fiondil would be glad that all the many hours of hard work and love he put into them are not going to be in vain.
Kevana · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
It seems so strange to come here on a Friday morning, as we all usually would to read one of his chapters, but know the reviews will never be read by the one they're meant for. So I'm going to write something just for him, instead. Fiondil was so dedicated, kind, and brilliant. More than that, he was a teacher, and that shone through his writing and his incredible willingness to share his knowledge with others. Many times he's gone out of his way to help me understand or discuss something, usually about Tolkien but sometimes about the concepts he put into his stories. The way he researched so many different topics and managed to work them into his stories and his characters' lives brought them to life in a truly masterful way, and I learned so much from him. I know he taught ESL and he must have touched the lives of so many people in China who gained the ability to communicate better in another language through his work. That is an amazing legacy. Like others, I stumbled across his writings at a very dark and confusing time in my life, a time when I was suffering spiritually and in an awful depression. I believe God sent him into my life. *Our* lives, because so many have said they were in the same kind of place that I was in, when they met him. He and his writings are a gift that I will never be able to repay, but by which I will always be inspired. I have read his works and found a comfort in them, and hope and laughter, while sitting by loved ones' hospital beds as well as in bad times when I've had trouble getting out of my own bed. I'm sorry I never told him how much it really meant to me, that it helped me back to God when I was hurting, showed me that messages of hate and fear that surrounded me in my daily life were not messages I had to listen to or believe. Through his writings, Fiondil spread a message of love, forgiveness, and reassurance that had to - had to - be divinely inspired, and carried out through his hard work. I've never seen anybody write as fiercely and reliably as he did, either, the man was like clockwork! It might seem strange that a lot us, myself included, are crying for someone we didn't know that well, or for that long. Many of us only knew him over the internet. But I think that's a testament to what a giving, warm, and wonderful person he was. I've only known him a few years, and I regret that because I feel like there was so much more I could have learned from him, and because I could have happily gone on reading his stories forever. Fiondil deserved all the happiness in the world. He might not have gotten all the happiness in the world, but he's not in the world anymore, and where he is now is so full of wonder and joy, and for that I'm happy for him. I know not only is he reunited with his mom, but also - like others said - that he's having chats with the Professor himself. I bet Tolkien would shake his hand. And someday when I meet him in heaven, I plan to do just that, myself. I would like to get a set of Tolkien's books and donate them to a library or a school in Fiondil's memory, that maybe someday someone else will find the same messages in Tolkien that he was able to bring to life in such beautiful ways in his writings. That maybe other people will be drawn to each other and learn together the way he helped so many of us learn. I miss him already. He was splendiferous. To Ellie, Alassiel, his close friends and family, my heart goes out to all of you in this time of loss. I pray for peace and comfort for you all. I'm so sorry. Thank you again - for all the years you helped bring his stories to life as betas, and thank you to you and everyone who plans to complete and post his last work. As dedicated a writer as he was, I know he'd want to see that story completed. I join my voice in saying, as others have done, - Thanks for writing, Fiondil, and for being a part of our lives, no matter how briefly or across what distance. It's much appreciated. -Kevana
someone · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
I was so very sorry to hear this news. Fiondil's stories have been part of my life for years, as for so many other readers, and despite not really knowing him, the news brought tears. My condolences to his family and friends, and thank you, Alassiel and Ellie, for finding out about this and telling us.
SharonB · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
It's been ages since I reviewed but I do want to leave condolences for Fiondil's passing. I really enjoyed the attention to details and research and insight he put into his stories. Like everyone else I wondered about not seeing a post without explanation on Monday morning. I'd hoped it was just something to do with the storm going through the northeast, not anything dire like this. He and his talents will be greatly missed. I do hope someone can pass all these comments on to his family so they know that he was cherished by quite a few from around the world it seems.
Shemyaza · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Absolutley devastated at the new that Ellie gave me day before yesterday. Arthur belonged to our little Talking Tolkien Facebook group and he and I have emailed and messaged many times back and forth in the past nine years or so. We discussed his stories in depth and I was happy to discuss my work with him as well. Arthur emailed his support to me right through my two years in hospital receiving treatment for leukaemia and his loss is a blow. He loved my first book and I have dedicated my second book to him, so his name will live on one way or another. I am just sad that he won't get to read it. This is a keen loss to thefandom and the fanfiction writing community and I have offered my services, such as they are, in a collaboration with Ellie and Alassiel so that we can attempt to finish his last story. We strongly believe that it should be finished in the memory of a dear friend. I should imagine he probably gave Lord Namo a very hard time when he turned up on the doorstep of the Halls of Mandos, but has now gone to a much better place beyond the circles of the world and nobody deserves that more than he does. Requiescat in Pace my friend.
Morn · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Really saddened to hear about Fiondil. While I haven't left many reviews to this, I've been following the story every week. Reading Elf Interrupted (although a few years after it was written) is the thing that really got me hooked on fanfiction and I can't imagine Glorfindel any other way than the way he wrote him. His attention to detail and way of combining Tolkien's mythology with our reality has really made the stories unique and an excellent read. Thank you for the stories and rest in peace.
ReaderKit · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Sorry I only read the other comments after I already posted mine. Fiondil's work has been a huge encouragement to me ever since I found this site a few months ago, when I really needed it. The hope for the future present in fics like EI or this series has given me hope that my own struggles will pass too, and I am deeply grateful for that. Rest in peace. Also thank you to those who are working to continue his stories, it is very much appreciated.
ReaderKit · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Aw, dang cliffhanger! Way to go Daeron for picking up the slack, and it is good to hear that there was no violence even though there were protestors. I completely approve of Gavin bringing his e-reader on watch. ;) Two chapters in one go is awesome, thanks!
ReaderKit · 30 January 2015 · Chapter 113: Election Day
Well, I'm glad nobody caused trouble about the Elves voting - now it just remains to be seen who will win! That must be a lot for the bystanders to wrap their heads around, that these seemingly foreigners have been in their country since the very beginning. Now who's suggesting satellite communication? I'm sure getting TV in Aman is only *part* of the reason. =) It's a good thing Glori and Turgon finally started talking - will they come to a resolution before he has to leave I hope? Elrohir telling his brother to go play in the sandbox was priceless!
Aragarthiel · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
For the last 4 years I've almost constantly been in the process of reading or re-reading of Fiondil's stories. I've never managed to get over my lurker tendencies long enough to actually write a review, and I never could have imagined I'd regret that as much as I do now. I found Fiondil's writing during a very difficult time in my life and in some strange way it was just what I needed. It has been a source of comfort and escapism that has brought me through some of the most difficult transitions in my life so far, and affected not only my view of Tolkien's world, but (as with all good stories)also my theology in ways I never could have anticipated. Certain themes or lines would stick in my head and make me question preconceptions of mine I doubt I would have confronted otherwise, or help bring peace during a crisis of faith. His stories have a life all their own, and, for me, go beyond fanfiction to stand alongside Tolkien's work. I cannot read one without the other. I can honestly say I've grown as attached to Námo, Glorfindel, Finrod, and the rest as I did to Frodo and the Fellowship when I first read Lord Of The Rings in elementary school. Rest in peace, Fiondil. Thank you for the joy and inspiration your stories have brought and will continue to bring me and many others.
Larner · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
I feel rather a fool to have gone rambling on in my comments on the chapters without having checked the last reviews, and grieve that Fiondil is no longer with us as in the past. I, too, had wondered, and sent him a couple of emails yesterday to see what might be up. And, knowing his past health problems I'd wondered if he might be in the hospital unexpectedly. I pray for him and those he loved and who loved him in return. May the Peace of God hold him ever near to His heart.
Clouded Leopard · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
I am saddened to hear of Fiondil's passing. I had a strange feeling that something happened. Fiondil wrote so many wonderful stories that I couldn't wait to read the next chapter of this story or that story. I constantly re-read many of the stories he has written and will continue to do so. He will be missed greatly. I am glad he had such wonderful friends (Alassiel and Ellie) to rely on for any and all insights to the characters, info and story lines he used in his stories. May he rest in peace.
Lindelea · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Oh... I just glanced back through the latest reviews, wondering if there might be some explanation about the delay in posting, as Fiondil was as reliable as clockwork in his posting schedule... perhaps more, even. I remember recently he let the readers know when a chapter would be posted in the afternoon instead of the usual early hours. Thank you, Ellie and Alassiel, for letting us know. Thanks, too, to Nilmandra and Daw for making later chapters available. I will miss Fiondil's hopeful vision, that brought light to some very dark days. I will especially miss his faithful response to every review: "Thanks for reviewing. It's very much appreciated." Bless you, Fiondil. I hope you are surfing the stars.
jgmsccc · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
I too was afraid when I saw that Fiondil did not post on Monday. I am continuously moved by his stories and he will be greatly missed. Thank-you to those who are working to make the rest of his work available. I share with you who are posting here as we grieve this loss.
obsidianj · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 113: Election Day
Ah, election day and finally Turgon and Glorfindel have their talk or at least the start of a talk. No to see who won the election and what the ramifications are.
Lindelea · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 113: Election Day
Glad you're back! A communications satellite relay. Hmmm. Sounds like many convenient uses, not just catching up on the latest TV shows. And Reborns need to stick together! Of course!
Larner · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Undoubtedly a good thing to remind us of our cast of characters. Glad to see Turgon feeling useful--a very good thing for this one, I think. And the others are all proving good watchmen as well--well and good! Now to learn who won the election.
6336 · 29 January 2015 · Chapter 114: Waiting for Results
Ai, Fiondil, such sad news, may you go gently into that good night, may Maia sing you to your rest and may Namo see you safely to the Timeless Halls and into the arms of God. You will be greatly missed. Huggs, Lynda