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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within  by Fiondil 18 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 76 on 11/14/2014
ROFL – now that was illustrating pretty well why Gareth, though millennia younger, is so much more mature than the youngest other Elves. Elennen's comment about using the tongue was hilarious!

Though I hadn't expected Finrod to bring up the 'commoner' thing. Shame on him!

Oh yes, I can totally see Galadriel storming on board of Vingilot and demanding Eärendil brings her to Wiseman at once, or else!! *lol* Though Finrod is doing a good job acting in her stead.

Hm, I guess explaining what happened to Gwyn is easier in person, though I wonder what his brother is going to say.

That was a fun chapter, I've been laughing so hard, particularly about Finrod and the three amigos!

Author Reply: This was a fun chapter to write with everyone up in arms and Glorfindel acting the mature Elf while Finrod is ranting, a complete reversal of character for them both. Finrod is speaking from shock and I think once he calms down he'll realize he was in the wrong and apologize.

I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter so much, Kitty. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 76 on 10/3/2014
Oh dear! What a lot to spring on poor "young" Gareth all at once. I love Glorfindel and Daeron blithely making marriage plans right over the top of both Finrod's and Gareth's objections, LOL!

Finrod's objections may seem a bit harsh and hypocritical, given his earlier conversation with Gareth. But the poor guy is in the unenviable position of in loco parentis with Nell (even if she is of age). And I get a hint that he is a little bit afraid of his sister.

TBH, I don't really see Galadriel objecting as much as he thinks she will. After all, she is the one who gave a push to Aragorn's courtship of Arwen, dressing him up and sending him off to meet her at Cerin Amroth. That was a match of her beloved only granddaughter with a Mortal! I believe her foresight enabled her to know that the marriage was Eru's will, and it would not surprise me if even now, even with her in Valinor and Nielluin in M-e that she already knows and has accepted what's just happened.

But Finrod can't know that!

Author Reply: To be honest, I don't see Galadriel objecting all that much either, Dreamflower. Celeborn might have something to say about it with Nell as his "little girl" but even he won't get in the way of what is basically a fait acoompli as far as the Elves (and Atar) are concerned. But, yes, Finrod is in the unenviable position of having to explain all this to Nell's parents.

And any sane person would be a little bit afraid of the Lady of the Golden Wood and Finrod's no fool. LOL!

At any rate, I'm sure Gareth will survive. And it was fun to show Glorfindel as the mature one instead of Finrod for a change. LOL!

Thanks for commenting. It's appreciated.

FV_WhisperReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/22/2014
Oh and I forgot, marrying Nell will make Gareth the Twins' uncle. He better prepare himself for that, or else he has a problem lol

Author Reply: Yes, that's got to be pretty weird for them all that "Aunt" Nell and "Uncle Gareth" are ages younger than the Twins, but that sort of thing happens even in our own families. There will be lots of adjustment made on everyone's part, that's for sure.

FV_WhisperReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/22/2014
This was a really fun chapter. I think had they not been stopped, Nell and Gareth would have been married by the end of the chapter, but all, sometimes things better can be taken slow.

The Three Amigos are real youngsters here, all going wild over a kissing couple. They may have picked up something on college by now, but it's clearly something they are not familiar with. Glorfindel is right, they are still so naïve.

- Long story, best told by Lord Manwë with comments from the other Valar acting as a Greek chorus -

*snickers*

Finrod clearly does not know what to do with the situation. he knows what it is, recognizes it, but refuses to take anything a step further.

And instead of his many attempts to get aquatinted with modern day life, in his mind he's pretty much still an Elf from Valinor. Even picking up 'native idioms' (*snicker*) doesn't change that. And someone really, really needs to tell them even among modern world royalty, it's not uncommon to marry commoners these days. And actually, I think Finrod is quite afraid of his sisters reaction (as we are all looking forward too) on his. He is responsible for Nell and this is not something both of them could ever think off.

Daeron is definitely an Elf of another kind. "Should I prepare a bridal bower for them" *grin*

‘What Eru has joined together, let no Man or Elf put asunder’
Oh my! It's actually the phrase my parents used for their wedding, much to the grooms' family's dismay. And an all too true phase it has proved to be.

It's actually not that weird seeing something long though to be forgotten like literally falling in love at first sight showing up again. the first Elves did not know how to find their perfect mate, but both Gareth (having know no other elleth then his mother until only a few weeks ago) and Nell (having grown up at a place where things have been stagnating for Ages now) don't know about how to find their true one either.

“Insipid, stupid and silly,” Finda sneered. “I find Mortal females appear to have more brains.”

“Just don’t go marrying one,” Glorfindel said with a grin.

Better not, or Finrod might not get over it at all!

“Well, right now they’re both playing footsies under the table.”
lol! And Finda's reaction to that is priceless too

I do not see Galadriel past hijacking Vingilot either, but I have the feeling that would be a case if Eärendil say's 'no', it is no and Galadriel will found out not even she can change that. Crises averted *grin*

I'm pretty sure Gwyn knows something is up with his brother, but it's indeed something better told in person. same goes for their parents, imagine their reaction 'Mom, Dad, I'm going to marry Galadriel's daughter! *grin* (Also taking into account they don't even know about Nell)

Author Reply: Hi FV_Whisper. I'm glad you found this a fun chapter, as it was fun to write. There are a lot of adjustments that will need to be made on everyone's part now that Nell and Gareth are practically married in all but name. Daeron, being a Sinda, is a bit more practical about such things than Finrod, who is a Noldo and has a different sense of propriety, but clearly Daeron's attitude isn't helping any, at least not to Finrod's way of thinking. At any rate, we'll see how it all comes out eventually. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/20/2014
....hehehehehe Galadriel shanghai-ing Vingilot to checkout her potential son-in-law XD XD XD I am reminded of a comic I saw which had Galadriel casually leaning on Elrond's shoulder and reminding him that Celebrian is her darling precious treasure and she can read minds. XD

Author Reply: LOL! Yes, I can see Galadriel doing something like that. Poor Elrond. Anyway, we may learn of Galadriel's reaction to the news of her youngest daughter's imminent betrothal eventually. Thanks for reviewing, bookworm. I appreciate it very much.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/20/2014
LOL! I have tears in my eyes from laughter. What a good way to start my day. I loved the reactions of everyone, even poor Finrod. To me he behaves like I would when confronted with a situation I hadn't expected: Fall back to how my parents would have handled that(and I always found annoying). I bet once he calms down and has time to think it through, he will come around. Loved the role reversal between Finrod and Glorfindel. For once Glorfindel acts as the voice of reason and the mature individual. Finrod, for all his talk about this being a new age and leave all the trappings of heritage and titles behind acts very snobbish to poor Gareth. Can't wait to throw Nell's and Gareth parents into the mix. I'm not sure his parents will be thrilled with this match either. Not after being so secretive about their heritage.
For Finrod's sake I hope that Finda finds a "suitable" match, but I don't count on it...

Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. I'm glad this chapter made you laugh. It is pretty hysterical the way everyone is reacting. I'm sure once he's calmed down Finrod will see the light. As for the parents, we'll have to wait and see how they react to the news and we will learn more about Gareth's parents' background along the way.

Thanks for commenting. It's appreciated.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/20/2014
LOL “But he kissed her!” Finda protested. “Put a sock in it, my son,” Finrod

Loved it. I am sure he is thinking of Nell more as his little sister than anything else. And oh my if Finda does fall for a mortal Finrod will be feeling like such a failure. :( He shouldn't. No one plans on these things. They just happen.

Perhaps another ship will arrive with more people for the wedding(s) LOL I am just greedy. I want them all back here helping us. :D

Author Reply: Hi Laer. No, Finrod shouldn't feel a failure no matter what happens, either to Finda or to Nell, but he does take his responsibilities seriously and so in this instance he feels he's somehow let his sister down, which is nonsense, but there you go. Anyway, you may just get your wish about the wedding(s). Stay tune. *grin*

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

EruherdirielReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014
*sigh* I suppose, like Nell and Gareth, that I will have to be patient.

Interesting twist. I personally don't believe in the whole love-at-first-sight thing, but you're handling the situation well. I can certainly suspend my disbelief to enjoy the story. I was surprised, though, at Finrod's reaction. Why does he care so much about royal blood?
~Eruherdiriel

Author Reply: Hi Eruherdiriel. Well, Tolkien obviously did, at least where the Elves are concerned, because he actually speaks of this phenomenon in his writings about them. I am just borrowing the concept for myself and offering my own idea about it, as, like you, I don't really go for the "love-at-first-sight" thing either. As for Finrod, all I can say is that the poor ellon just had the rug pulled out from under him and he's in shock and not handling the situation with his usual aplomb. Luckily, Glorifndel is there to set him straight. *grin*

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014
This was a really great chapter, Fiondil!
So the lovebirds have come up for air, and the Three Amigos are reacting like young scientists - the kind that will be crowing about the sliminess of frog eggs and tadpoles, with an eye to slipping the resulting frogs into someone's bed. A wonderful age, but one where the opposite sex is considered to be badly infested with cooties.
(And yes, Elennen, I'm sure Gareth's tongue was involved here, from the description I suspect Gareth was trying to lick Nielluin's toes through her mouth, and that she was returning the favor!)
And oh, all the kids are so cute here!!!
Oh dear, Finrod is certainly being an old fuddy-duddy here, just as Glorfindel says. Part may be because this was a bolt from the blue for him as well - and he is newly come from Valinor, were surprises are small, few and far between. Glorfindel, on the other hand, is an old hand at dealing with the situation when life is handing him lemons. Oh well. I expect Finrod did not expect to step into Celeborn's place dealing with suitor he really doesn't know anything about.
OTOH, I hope Gareth won't be scared off by all Nielluin's illustrious relatives: When they marry, Gareth is going to be his adored childhood hero Finrod's nephew by marriage, and he'll be Elladan and Elrohir's uncle! In addition there are all those relatives in Aman, basically most of the Royals there! :-D Hope this won't scare Gareth off, if he starts to get cold feet, just have Nielluin come along and give him another kiss, that will properly scramble his brain! ;-)
Gareth certainly has news for his brother, but I can certainly understand him wanting to wait until he is actually gets home to tell him about Nielluin. Loved the little aside about bride-price and dowry, BTW, the concept of drawing up a betrothal contract clearly seems very old-fashioned to him!

Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, Sunny. It was fun to write for a whole number of reasons, not the least being the reversal of roles between Finrod and Glorifndel. And the whole betrothal, bride-price and all is very old-fashioned to Gareth who's moved on and has adopted the mores of the present world, or at least those of the West. He is indeed "mortal born" as Finrod puts it simply because he's known nothing else and he's learned to adapt, if not necessarily accepted, the way things are from one era to the next. And that's just the way it is for him, so some of the other Elves' ideas just feel old-fashioned and out of it to him, but I think he's definitely outnumbered here anyway, so he'll just have to go with the flow.

Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.

TariReviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014
No problem. I'll be out of town next weekend, so will have to wait until the next Monday to continue reading. I always look forward to your postings.

Author Reply: I'm glad you do, Tari. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

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