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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within  by Fiondil 13 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 74 on 11/9/2014
I am so glad Alex finally confessed to the Elves and Derek. Of course they didn't judge him; it would have been a bit hypocritical, no doubt. The warriors have all killed themselves, after all, and even if it was not necessarily cold-blooded murder, they still have enough blood on their hands that they would understand.

*snort* Of course, the Elves don't take prisoners. Save they might be 13 dwarves, right? Yes, I know, it's a figure of speech, but I just had to object ;)

Somehow I am glad Finlay is now up to date and with them in the game. The fact he still has his contacts is good to know; from how things went during the last months, it is important to have more than just Maddy, I think. And he's going to be a dad, yay!

Author Reply: Elves of the First Age don't take prisoners. There's a difference. *grin*

At any rate, Alex has made a great stride in confiding to the Elves and Derek his sordid past and now true healing can begin.

FInlay will be a good ally all around even if he's not present at the moment. I suspect that eventually, he and Sakari will move to Wiseman and he'll joint the Wiseman Intelligence Agency along with Amroth, Valandur, Alex and Derek.

Thanks for commenting, Kitty. I appreciate it.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 74 on 10/2/2014
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 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.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/19/2014
That was a big step for Alex. Confessing to Father Waverly was easy in comparison. This should teach him an important lesson: That he is not alone and he has true friends. Now Alex can heal emotionally. I can understand his feeling of emptiness. This was such an enormous task that once it's done, he has no idea what to do next.
Congratulations to Sakari and Ed!

Author Reply: I think Alex is finally beginning to realize that he indeed is not alone (and never has been) and he does indeed have true friends. And that's often the case, that you force yourself to do something you've dreaded doing and then when it's over you're left standing there without a clue what you should be doing next. At least Alex has Ron to help him figure that part out.

Thanks for reviewing, obsidianj. I appreciate it very much.

SashaHoneypalmReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/14/2014
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 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_WhisperReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/14/2014
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 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.

AngwenReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/13/2014
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 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.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/12/2014
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 Reply: Very true, Larner. Sometimes confession is good for the soul. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

EllieReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/12/2014
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 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.

rikkiReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/12/2014
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 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.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 74 on 9/12/2014
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 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.

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