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Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within  by Fiondil 16 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 87 on 11/17/2014
Good to see Legolas joking with his new colleagues and finding his lesson interesting.

*snicker* At least they aren't all tongue-tied around the Valar. I love that little bit of banter. Though it is sad how Finrod feels about his life in Valinor. He did so much to help all these people, and while it is not as adventurous as what Glorfindel and the others had, it is even more important. And it sounds as if he now realises – or at least sees more clearly – how stagnant Valinor is and that this isn't good for them. But already to say that he won't return is a bit surprising; he left so many friends and family behind, after all.

*shakes head* Why do I begin to wonder if half the reason why so many Elves want to be Rangers is that they thought they know everything already and can show off to the clueless Mortals or even boss them around? They still have a lot to learn.

Now I wonder why the Valar actually came by only to say nothing about their problem. Glorfindel is probably right that Finrod's attitude made them change their mind, but of course, I am curious.

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. It's often true that we look at other people's lives and find them far more interesting than our own and feel that they are doing something important while you are not. Hopefully, in time, Finrod will see that what he was doing in Valinor was vitally important if not as glamorous or as exciting as what Glorfindel was doing.

And I suspect you're right about those planning to be Rangers, but I think the Valar have set them straight on that score for now.

As to what slight problem the Valar were referring, maybe we'll find out someday.

Thanks for reviewing.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 87 on 11/1/2014
Slight problem. Huh! That depends on the definition of "slight". I'm not sure the Valar's "slight" is the same as the elves'. I hope we will find out. I'm sorry Finrod feels he wasted untold years in Aman, which from the stories we have read about him is not true, but I can understand that compared to Glorfindel, he feels that way. I hope he will realize that his work was very important for the elves in general, but of a different kind.

I liked Legolas speaking up about his valuable experiences with Hobbits, Dwarves and Men. Some of the elves still need an attitude check. A teacher is a teacher. If he has knowledge I don't have, I can learn from whoever it is. He might be an idiot otherwise, but on the subject he is teaching, he knows more than I.

Author Reply: I'm not sure the Valar's definition of "slight" is the same as the Elves' either, obsidianj. We'll have to wait and see. I'm sure Finrod will eventually see that his years in Aman were not as wasted as he believes but right now everything about his life in Wiseman is too new and fresh and he's having too much fun.

You're right that a teacher is a teacher. Hopefully the other Elves will see that as well.

Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 87 on 11/1/2014
Legolas speech about being a better Elf for having reached out to other races and befriending Dwarves, Hobbits and Men was very well put. If he hadn't learned this lesson, maybe things wouldn't have turned out as well as it all did?

As for Aman and the slight little problem there, can you imagine the issues a certain Lady of the Light will be causing if she has to miss her baby girls wedding? Let alone Betroval? Yeah, that whole "Instead of a dark Lord you will have a Queen" thing? Just small potatoes next to what she may be doing over that little bit...And what of Nell's father? I have a feeling he wouldn't be too thrilled over missing this either. Yep, I can see them chatting with Eärendil now about making another trip or three across the pond. Or maybe they are planing on hijacking it ;)

Author Reply: Hi Laer. Legolas is pretty unique among the Elves. Finrod knew Dwarves and Men and Celebrimbor was a Dwarf-friend as well, but only Legolas befriended all three mortal races. Of course, to be fair, there were no Hobbits in Beleriand when Finrod was live or else I'm sure he would've welcomed them as well.

At any rate, as for the slight problem, you're assuming that Galadriel and Celeborn even know about Nell and Gareth yet. Don't forget there's another wedding in the offing and that's sooner than Nell's wedding which won't be for at least another year or so. Still, I can certainly see both Galadriel and Celeborn wanting to be on their way to Wiseman sooner rather than later.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate you doing so very much.

FV_WhisperReviewed Chapter: 87 on 10/31/2014
Ah, it's good seeing Glorfindel having his ring back, and about time too. That's one problem less to worry about.

So Manwë is not in the business of handing out rings? *snickers* He's right, only troubles have come from that so far.

I really wonder what the 'slight problem' is. Slight for the Vala doesn't mean it will be slight for the Elves as well. Clearly the Valar were pretty much taking aback by Finrod's attitude.

So Amarië will be coming to Wiseman too huh? That'll lift Finrod's spirits. I wonder if more will be tagging along with her. Somehow I have the idea tickets back to Middle-Earth are popular among the Aman Elves....

Author Reply: Hi FV_Whisper. I'm sure everyone is breathing easier now that Glorfindel has his ring back, including Glorfindel.

We may find out what the "slight problem" is later on. And yes, the Valar were taken aback by Finrod's diatribe. It was unexpected.

We'll see who else shows up along with Amarië and for what reason later in the story.

Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

Reviewed Chapter: 87 on 10/29/2014
Hello, I'm sorry I haven't reviewed in what feels like forever. Your story is really great. Thank you for including more of Legolas, he's my favourite character and I was really happy when the first thing I saw when I came back was is name. Continue like this,
Ora

Author Reply: Hi Ora. Not a problem. People usually review when the mood strikes or as real life allows. Legolas is a favorite with a lot of people (including me) and I was so grateful for Dreamflower for giving me the inspiration I needed to find a niche for him in Wiseman. Now that he's come out of the woodwork, so to speak, we'll see more of him here and in Elf Academy 4. Thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoying the story. I appreciate it very much.

CelethReviewed Chapter: 87 on 10/29/2014
I know, I know. It's the middle of the week and the next update is on Friday yet, but I had a few minutes to spare and I couldn't resist coming back to read the chapter even if I already finished it last time.

And I saw your comment that Amarie is coming to Wiseman soon (soon as the Elves would count it I guess). And I remember her attitude towards Sador and Glorfindel back when they were released from Lorien in EI1 and I couldn't help wondering how she will react to Mortals!!! That is really going to be interesting reading. Although I hope her husband and son's close friendship with the Mortals will help her adjust. And on that note how will she react to her son's new persona when she first meets him, and her husband, haryon to the Noldoran, working in a bookstore and employed by a Mortal. There sure will be a few shocks in store for the princess. It just tickled my fancy imagining it all.

Author Reply: For some reason the system posted this review 5 times! I deleted the other four.

As for Amarië, you'll just have to wait and see how she reacts to Wiseman or to Finrod and her son. I'm sure there will be a learning curve for her but it may not be as steep as one might think (or hope). *grin*

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Celeth. It's appreciated.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 87 on 10/27/2014
I really enjoyed seeing these conversations. It pleases me no end to see Legolas finally feel free to speak up about his respect for his old friends of the Third Age; it must have been really hard for him sometimes to bite his tongue when other Elves were denigrating the Mortal races, especially Dwarves. I think it may be healing for him as well to finally be able to talk of them; perhaps he'll recall that the Twins knew all of those friends, and so did Glorfindel.

I also liked the appearance of Orome and Tulkas--Finrod sidetracked them from mentioning just what that "little problem" was. I wonder if it might have to do with others wanting to come to Ennor? Or not? (My guesses about what might happen in your stories are usually wide of the mark, but it's fun to speculate!)

It's a shame Finrod feels his time in Valinor's been wasted. I am sure that if he truly thinks about it, he'll realize that's not so--he wouldn't have his family, for one thing! And he learned a lot, much of which will be needed "here" as time goes by, I suspect.

But it's fun to see how the Elves are finally getting the hang of some modern idioms, LOL!

Author Reply: Hi Dreamflower. Now that Legolas has found his calling and his place in Wiseman's society, he's more willing to share with others his expertise and knowledge of the mortal races and you're right that the Twins and Glorfindel would have known all his mortal friends as well.

I have the feeling that Oromë and Tulkas allowed themselves to be sidetracked, though admittedly, I'm sure they were surprised and dismayed at Finrod's outburst. I'm sure there were many discussions among the Valar about that when they returned to Valinor. As for the "slight problem" we will probably see what that is all about later on.

You're right that Finrod's time in Valinor wasn't entirely wasted. He has a family and he was doing important work and there were dangers involved even if he wasn't aware of them or thought them to be dangers at all. Whether he realizes it or not, he was as much in training for what is to come as Glorfindel, just in a different manner and for different reasons.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to do so very much.

EruherdirielReviewed Chapter: 87 on 10/27/2014
I must agree with Daeron, the exact meaning of "slight" is usually up for interpretation, even when not dealing with Valar!
~Eruherdiriel

Author Reply: Definitely, Eruherdiriel. We may see just what the Valar think of as "slight" later on. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

SashaHoneypalmReviewed Chapter: 87 on 10/27/2014
You never know what in a story is going to strike a personal note with you- just a couple of weeks ago, I was having a discussion with certain People In Charge about how my being there in certain situations was not only boring, but a waste of my time. They reacted with pretty much the same surprised, slightly condescending disappointment that your Valar did. (For that matter, I was as frustrated, sarcastic, and incredulous that they didn't understand me as Finrod). Strange that it resonates so much.

Anyway, it's good to see the more supercilious Elves being corrected about their attitude towards mortals. “Do you not mean what we can teach them?” *headdesk* Seriously, Beleg, you're a stranger in a strange land, you should at least be open to the possibility that maybe you don't know everything there is to know about the place.

Interesting that the ring is so important that the Valar have to interfere and make another one, and then send Orome overseas as a messenger boy. Not to mention that it's "dangerous" for Glorfindel to be without it. Is that dangerous for Glorifindel, or dangerous to the people around him? What is with him that, of all the Reborn, he's the one who needs a special widget to keep him in place?

Author Reply: Hi Sasha. Sometimes something you read just speaks to your own situation. It happens often enough I think that I'm not sure it's coincidence. Anyway, with regard to Glorfindel's ring, we know from "Elf, Interrupted" that Glorfindel kept experiencing psychic breaks in which his fëa with flee his body and then the Valar would have to go and retrieve it. The ring was meant to keep him grounded and less likely to "slip his leash" as Námo puts it. So, in away, not having the ring is not only dangerous for Glorfindel but for those around him.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

TiraReviewed Chapter: 87 on 10/27/2014
I loved how Quinn/Finrod kept "stealing" Loren's lines. Reminds me of another story, but that's not relevant. I have the feeling the elves are going to discover what that little problem is sooner than later, and I will be happily waiting to find out with them!

As a side note, your stories have made such an impact on me, that rereading my past writings have shown me how much inspiration I draw from you without actually copying (since what I write is wholly different). Thank you for being awesome.

Author Reply: Hi Tira. Thank you so much for letting me know how my writing has inspired you. I really appreciate you letting me know. I'm glad you enjoyed Finrod "stealing" GLorfindel's lines. I'm sure we'll find out what's going on eventually. Thanks again.

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