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Elf Academy  by Fiondil 18 Review(s)
Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/8/2011
Here I am, Atto. Sorry, I had a neurologist appointment this morning (it went well, don't worry) and then I was out all day. I'm back now, though, so I can sit back, savor my favorite chapter (until the next favorite comes along *grin*) and hope that you had a good day, too. :)

Of course, this time I wasn't surprised by Esther and Nate. But that's ok, isn't it? One question I do have, though, is what happened behind the scenes? Whose idea was it to send them to meet with Glorfi? Atar? Manwe? Others? Their own idea? I expect Manwe had to approve the plan even if it wasn't his. That's the kind of thing I wonder about, lol.

I'll get to chapter 9 tomorrow, Atto.

Tye-melin!

Kaylee

Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. This is one of my favorite chapters in this story, too, especially when I didn't know who "Esther" and "Nate" really were until the very end. As for whose idea it was to send them, I suspect it was Manwe, seeing as how Glorfindel is his "apprentice" and probably Este and Namo volunteered; Este because of who she is and Namo because he has a particular fondness for Glorfindel and wanted to see how he was doing.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. Tye-melin.

TariReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/23/2009
You really got me this time. First you have me thinking there is something sinister about Esther; then she spouts words of wisdom and redeems herself in my sight. The next thing I know, she and Nate turn out to be two of the Valar. I love it. I really couldn’t imagine the Elves still on earth being abandoned and have hope that they will be rejoined with their family and friends someday, even though I’d love them to remain with the mortals. They can’t have a totally fulfilled life with us.

Author Reply: Hi, Tari. Glad you loved this chapter. Your various reactions to Esther is just about what I hoped people would have as they read this. No, the Elves have not been abandoned, as they probably think they have been, but they will not know the truth of it for some time yet.

EärillëReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/16/2009
Ha! They! O_O

Hmm. So could the watcher in the forest be one of those two meddlesome people? :) Ah, can't wait to find out... Or perhaps it was the Lord of Mandos, since Glorfindel was familiar with him?

This chapter looked like a filler, but if it was one, then it was certainly quite a filling filler. (LOL) I love it. It was serious, but quite enlightening, and it surely shaped Glorfindel's character here. I just wish the same could be said for the other Elves. Not that I am complaining about his large involvement in the story, though. He and the Lord of Mandos remain some of my favourite characters of all times.

The conversation between Glorfindel and Esther (*cough cough*) was very well executed. I think it was the part I enjoyed the most in this chapter. The feel of the empty cafe (Oomph. Renovated, and Glorfindel did not see the sign? He must have been very, very distracted.), the food and beverage, and the mellowed tones combined was nearly tangible. I was a bit surprised that Esther could strike fear in Glorfindel's soul; I was no less surprised when it turned out to be Estë. (Such a gentle lady striking fear in anyone's heart...)

What about Námo and the Arktik Fringe and hedonistic, though? I did not catch up to the relation between them. :embarrassed:

Then again, I did not see why the Elves needed shopping inthe town...

- Rey

Author Reply: Glad you liked this chapter, Rey. Glorfindel's fear was founded on the belief that the waitress somehow knew his name when he had never given it. Something like that would surprise most people and perhaps make them wary and afraid because it is so unexpected. Of course, we know that Este knew who he was all along but used the excuse of his name being printed on his shirt to explain how she knew.

As for Namo and the Arctic Fringe.... it just shows that even the Lord Of Mandos can enjoy some modern music once in a while. *grin*

KittyReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/13/2009
So Glorfindel is too young to be troubled? *LOL* Considering he has to be well over 10.000 years old that's too funny!

That was an interesting conversation. When the waitress started talking about auras I got suspicious, and what she said further made me wonder even more. But even I didn't expect her to turn out to be Estë! That was quite a surprise. And Námo's there as well? Just proves that I was right - it was *not* a coincidence that they all lost their jobs at the same time. Well, I had already wondered if somehow any Valar and Maiar will turn up in the end, only I hadn't expected them to be there so early on! Now I just wonder what they are planning – do they want the six to finally go to Valinor or have they something different in mind? Can't wait to find out!

And her advice that he's being too careful to hide his identity is interesting. Another thing I am curious to find out how it is going!

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. I suspect some readers had their suspicions about 'Esther' but it seems no one thought that it could really be Este in disguise, though given the similarities in the names.... Anyway I am glad I surprised you. That was my intent all along. As to what the Valar are planning for our six Elves remains to be seen but I promise that by the end of the story we will know just why they all lost their jobs and ended up at the Elf Academy.

rickReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/12/2009
Hi, Fiondil,
This whole story is such a hoot - and now the dei ex machina come into play. I have this weird vision in my head of Este & Namo rubbing their hands together & cackling a la Snidely Whiplash & the A Team - they love it when a plan comes together. In previous chapters, I also really liked Glorfindel & Daeron reacting to the twins' hairstyle wistfulness - I remember my Dad reacting pretty much the same way, a long time ago.

Author Reply: Hi Rick. I am glad you still find this story a hoot. The Valar do love it when a plan comes together, but I doubt Lord Manwe lights up a cigar when it does. *LOL* Thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoying this story. I really appreciate it.

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/11/2009
I have to admit, you got me with this one. Around about the time the 'aura' bit came into the conversation, I started realizing something was 'off' about "Esther", and perhaps she was a Maia or Valie, or something. But when I got to the end and it said "Este", I felt so ridiculous for not realizing it sooner! Her name was a dead giveaway (oh, and since Esther I believe means "Star", a nice nod to Gil-Estel...Hope is what Glorfi and company need right now, hope and renewed faith!)

I should have realized it was Este...and can you believe it, I never figured out Namo at all? Not until you said his name! I guess I didn't really expect Este and Namo to be hanging out in an abandoned cafe...Este wearing gingham, the mind boggles.

Tye-melin,

Kaylee!

*off to read current chapter*

Author Reply: Very astute of you, Kaylee, to see the connection between the meaning of Esther's name and Gil-Estel. Yes, Hope is what Glorfi and the other Elves all need and maybe with this little conversation, Hope is what they will find, or at least, what Glorfi will find.

I think I pretty much fooled everyone who read this chapter, so don't feel too bad about it. Even I didn't know for sure who Esther and Nate really were until I got to the end with their conversation after Glorfi leaves the cafe.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/10/2009
*squeaks happily* I dunno why, but I love the phrase you use, "a conspiracy of love". ...I really had nothing more constructive to say than that. Merry Christmas!

Author Reply: That you took the time to say it, bookworm, is good enough. Thanks for letting me know. And Merry Christmas to you, as well.

ShylerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/10/2009
Námo and Estë? That's a twist! Can they change their appearance? I thought Glorfindel would have recognized him at least.

I am definitely enjoying this thus far!

Author Reply: Tolkien states that the Valar could take any form they wished (he describes Yavanna as sometimes taking the form of a tree) but that normally they chose to use one form out of habit, but there is nothing that says they couldn't disguise themselves to look human so that even Glorfindel would not recognize them. Besides, in our own world we often hear stories of angels in the guise of humans helping people out, so why not the Valar?

Anyway, I am glad you are still enjoying this story, Shyler. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

ellieReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/10/2009
I like Esther. Hooray for Valar as waitresses! Namo was hoot as Nate, too. I can't wiat to find out who or what else may be behind all that has happened to our intrepid elves.

Author Reply: We will certainly find out before the end, I promise. Glad you found Este and Namo a hoot in their Esther and Nate disguises. Even I wasn't entirely sure if they were really Valar or not until near the end of writing the chapter. Those Valar are a tricky lot. *grin*

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/10/2009
Esther--I should have seen it coming, as perhaps should he. Heh!

Author Reply: Fooled you, didn't I? *LOL*

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