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| Elf Academy 3: The Enemy Within by Fiondil | 18 Review(s) |
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| SashaHoneypalm | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| rikki- I don't know about you, but I feel that old "classic movie" plotline is a cop-out. They try to make it seem like the moral of the story is Love Conquers All, but then *poof*, it magically turns out there was no obstacle for love to conquer in the first place; it leaves the implication that love would not have, in fact, conquered the gap between the poor boy and the princess. I hope for that reason that Gareth's mystery parents don't turn out to be royalty, or that if they do it's not just in time to resolve the Unsuitable Suitor problem. She's a princess, he's a (from Valinor society's perspective) backwoods nobody, and Finrod, Galadriel, and Celeborn will just have to deal with it. Author Reply: Well, I promise this story will not have a classic movie cop-out plotline, at least, I hope not. We will learn about and even meet Gareth's parents eventually and you can make your own mind up about them. And you're right that the others will have to deal with it whether they like it or not. | |
| SashaHoneypalm | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| Oh, Finrod! All that talk about being equals in the last chapter, and then we get to the classic "...but I wouldn't want my daughter to marry one" addendum. (Okay, I get that there are political ramifications and scary relatives, but the way he puts things makes him sound, as Glorfindel pointed out, a snob). >Gareth widened his eyes in shock and stepped away from Nielluin. He had been stung by Finrod’s comment and wondered how he could be so naïve as to think that someone like him could ever be considered Finrod’s peer, regardless of what had passed between them the other day. Somehow I missed this line on my first read through, and was disappointed not to see the impact on Gareth's feelings mentioned. But yeah, he's "young", he's surrounded by legends, and then his boyhood hero dismisses him. If he weren't so distracted by whatever the Elf equivalent of love hormones are, I'd be really worried about the blow to his psyche. >“Insipid, stupid and silly,” Finda sneered. “I find Mortal females appear to have more brains.” Funny, we first meet Finda sneering *at* mortals. And surely there's some ellith with personality and brains back in Valinor- but I suppose Finda's introductions are limited to those who have some royal bloodline. If those ladies share his "lovely" personality... (I know he's grown and changed in his time in Wiseman, but he's still got some ways to go. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll get there). >“Just don’t go marrying one,” Glorfindel said with a grin. Finda gave him a disbelieving look. “I’m not that stupid.” Why do I have the feeling Finda's One True Love won't be any more suitable than Nell's? Author Reply: Hi Sasha. Well, this chapter sort of shows how even the best of us can fall flat on our faces when something totally unexpected happens. This was so out from left field that no one could've predicted it so it's no wonder that even Finrod is floundering about sounding like a total git. And you may be right about Finda's one true love not being any more suitable (initially) than Gareth is for Nell, but we'll have to wait and see. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| Finrod ought to know better than to take umbrage at this point. Am looking forward to meeting Gwyn and Gareth's parents now and learning just who they are and how they fit into the schemes of life and relationships! And Thingol would be proud of them, I think. Grinning! Author Reply: I think it's the shock speaking here, Larner. I'm sure Finrod will come around once he calms down. We'll meet Gwyn and Gareth's parents soon enough and learn something of their own background. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. | |
| Kevana | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| *wipes away tear* This chapter is priceless. From Finrod and Glorfindel's reactions to the couple playing footsie under the table to Galadriel commandeering Vingilot. Honestly, Finrod reacted more calmly than I probably would have, though some of those comments had to sting Gareth. (If he was able to listen to anything other than his heart beating out of his chest and the butterflies in his stomach, hehe.) Good thing Daeron was there to explain. That's a really neat discussion and take on it, by the way. The engagement is a good idea. In a lot of ways, despite their respective maturity/age of consent, I can see how marriage is not a wise decision for the pair right now. Eru can bring them together via mystical True Love bond, but they've still gotta pay the rent. Since you won't see this till Monday, hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed your time away! -Kevana Author Reply: Hi Kevana. It is a great chapter, isn't it? *grin* I had a lot of fun doing a reversal of roles between Finrod and Glorfindel, just to show that the ever cool and collected Finrod isn't always so and he can be as gobsmacked by events as the next Elf. *grin* Anyway, I did indeed have a great weekend with perfect weather. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. | |
| rikki | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| Wonderful chapter Fiondil. This reminds me of those old classic movies where boy meets girl, families are in turmoil because one of the couple is not good enough for the other and then it is found out that the other person is royal or very rich or whatever the plot calls for and everything ends happily ever afterwards. Poor Gareth worrying about waiting a year to marry when other elves have taken centuries. Wasn't it Celebrain and Elrond that took 1500 years before they married? I have chuckled all the way through this chapter. I have a feeling we are in for a few surprises down the road with this part of the story. I just hope Gareth is forthcoming with Gwyn when they see each other again. Keeping secrets from one's family is not a good idea. Have a good weekend! I think the Cliff House needs cleaning and there are lots of things to do in waiting for Monday. Author Reply: Hi rikki. Well, I doubt this will have a classic ending such as you describe, but we will learn more about Gareth's parents' background eventually. We'll see just how forthcoming Gareth is with Gwyn and what happens along the way with everyone. I had a great weekend, thanks, and thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| Hm, good to see Glorfindel as the voice of reason for a change, he can too do mature! Snort! I can sort of see where Finrod is coming from on this, it was some thing of a shock, but once he has had a chance to calm down I think things will be fine. Loved the Three Amigos comments and can't wait for the ructions when Galadriel finds out. Well things are starting to cool off here a little, it has been soo hot lately. Enjoy your break, don't go into withdrawal at being away from the Internetz, see you on Monday. Makes way to Cliff House to discuss wedding plans with the other inhabitants! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Checking one last time before I head off, so I'm glad to have caught your review before I left. You're right that once Finrod calms down a bit, he'll see how unreasonable he's being. I think the Three Amigos are getting their own lessons in courtship with the Mortals. Anyway, thanks for reviewing and thanks for your good wishes. Hugs back. | |
| Celeth | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| Glorfindel sure has matured over the ages, and I love him for being the voice of reason here. He and his gwador are perfect complements, but there I go, forgetting that Glorfindel is perfection himself. And I love it that he stood up for Gareth. Gwador or no, I'm sure Finrod can still be really intimidating when he is in the "Nargothrond king is not happy" mood. Not that I can blame him, but he was being rather snobbish back there, and after all those times he insisted that rank doesn't matter here, etc., etc. Galadriel hijacking Vingilot - now that would make quite a tale, in and outside Valinor. But not too soon, I hope. Poor Gareth needs lots and lots of tutoring by Nell before he will be ready to face the Lady of Light, and the Prince of Doriath for that matter. I always thought Celeborn seemed snobbish and hmmm, would racist be the right term?, in the book and in the movies. Although, with Gareth's mortal upbringing and American background, I bet Galadriel would be in for a few surprises herself. Still, Gareth does need to learn about his elven heritage and culture, history and all that. And I bet he will enjoy the tutorials ;-) Its a pity Gareth's parents have not been forthright about his heritage...but it would be fun to suddenly find out that one of his parents was actually a descendant of Feanor's sons - and therefore has the royal blood of the house of Finwe. That would just show Finrod, HA! Author Reply: Hi Celeth. It is fun to have Glorfindel be the voice of reason for a change, and Finrod can indeed be intimidating even with his gwador. The book and the movie does put Celeborn in a bad light, but I think there's more to him than meets the eye. You're right that Gareth will need time to know more about his elven heritage and culture, not to mention the family he's about to marry into and some of that will be addressed in the next chapter. We will learn more about his and Gwyn's own heritage eventually, I promise. There is a connection, but not an obvious one. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 76 on 9/19/2014 |
| This chapter was so much fun! Loved everyone's reactions, especially Finda's. So Nell and Garath are settled, sort of. It will be fun to learn of the parental reactions, but just this chapter is enough. Hope you have a great weekend. Author Reply: This was a fun chapter to write, especially showing Glorfindel as the mature one and Finrod acting not so mature. We'll see what the parents' reactions are eventually, but I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, UTfrog. Thanks for letting me know and thanks for your good wishes for a great weekend. I appreciate them both. | |