Kitty
· 28 September 2012
· Chapter 74: To Santa’s Grotto
Osanwë really has its advantages – it helped immensely to tell the rescue party where to look. Saves lots of time.
It's nice to know that Elrohir is good friends with the Steiners. We didn't see that much from them so far, but it was enough that I like them quite a bit.
So the storm isn't natural? The thought had occured to me, but I wasn't sure if I wasn't beginning to get too paranoid. Oh well, we'll see why the Valar did it.
Hm, yes, Elven archers would be a match for guns, I guess. They can shot at a distance mortals wouldn't even dream of trying. And the terrorists (to call them just bad guys seems so tame) wouldn't even expect it. Plus, they have Beleg and Legolas, probably the best archers of the Elves.
*sigh* It would have been to easy that they really escaped, I guess ... but I am not happy to see Farrell again so soon, not happy at all! And frankly, I'd love to punch these bastards (sorry, but there's no other word that fits!) until they don't know their own names any more! It was so cruel to hurt Derek and Zach to get Alex to talk! I wonder if the three Amigos can do something, or if they will have to wait for the others?
Good, now the rescue party knows where to look, and if it was only half an hour, I hope they won't be too late. The Wiseman Elves know the terrain and they don't have to carry the mortals, so I hope they will make good time.
Needless to say, you have me on tenterhooks for the next update! You and your evil cliffies!
Author's reply
Hi Kitty. Yes, ósanwë does have its advantages. There have been times when I wished I had it, along with the ability to teleport. *grin*
We'll see how well Elven archers stand up to Mortals with guns in the next couple of chapters. And we'll see what the Three Amigos get up to while Alex, Derek and Zach are in the grotto.
And we'll see just how Glorfindel and Finrod rescue them.
Everyone calls my cliffies (or me) evil! They're just cliffies and what's a good story without them? And I warned everyone that this particular arc of the story would have lots of them because of the nature of the situation. *sticks out tongue and makes a rude noise*
Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.
6336
· 28 September 2012
· Chapter 74: To Santa’s Grotto
And yet another frying pan!
Ratty is one devious S.O.B.(With apologies to his Naneth, he did have one didn't he?)
Glaur/rod to the rescue! Yaay!
Huggs,
Lynda
p.s. What's one more cliffee, Oh, King of Cliffees!
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. Yes, Farrell is very devious. We'll see how successful Glorfindel and Finrod are in rescuing everyone. There's one more cliffie to go. LOL! Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Fantasia
· 28 September 2012
· Chapter 74: To Santa’s Grotto
Oh! I don't know what to say....you are evil, evil...I literally jumped when Farrell was waiting inside the grotto. I was not expecting that at all!!! And the coward, poor Zach and Derek. Well, till Monday again...Good that rescue is on the way.
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. Yes, I am evil. LOL! This present situation will be resolved, more or less, by the end of next week. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.
someone
· 28 September 2012
· Chapter 74: To Santa’s Grotto
The agents are going to be a problem if Alex tells them everything. Hopefully he can think of some creative lies that sound real, otherwise the Elves can't live anywhere with the agency after them (unless, of course, the agents decide to join the Elves or they somehow lose their memories). What I can't understand is why the Valar wanted Alex & Co. at the Grotto with those agents. And I doubt that Beleg can shoot an arrow at a greater distance than a sniper with a good rifle.
Good of Serindë to give her place to Elladan, the twins will be more useful at the rescue together (and Elrohir doesn't have to worry about Serindë if it comes to fighting).
Author's reply
Hi someone. Well, we'll see just what Alex does and does not tell the agents. He'll protect the Elves and the Academy as best he can and he's a master of deception and misdirection. He won't tell them anything really important, certainly not the truth. While Beleg may not be able to shoot at a greater distance than a sniper with a good rifle, they won't be encountering that in their rescue of their friends. At any rate, I trust Beleg with a bow rather than with a gun anyway. And I'm sure all the ellyn are relieved (though they would never be so foolish as to say so out loud) that none of the ellith are a part of the rescue mission. *grin*
Thanks for taking the time to read and review. It's always appreciated.
UTfrog
· 28 September 2012
· Chapter 74: To Santa’s Grotto
Aaa argh. Do you stay up at night dreaming of cliffhangers to torture is with? Great story though.
Author's reply
I did warn you that the next several chapters would all end in cliffhangers, UTfrog. *grin* And no, I don't stay up at night dreaming of them, they just naturally happen as I write. I'm glad you are still enjoying the story in spite of the cliffies. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 28 September 2012
· Chapter 74: To Santa’s Grotto
Farrell is one freaking lucky devil, is all I can say! When the big dudes get there I suspect he will rue the day he chose to help the Enemy, whosoever it is this time. And he already has three capable Elves there, probably already plotting how to foil his current plan.
Now, WHO is behind him?!
Author's reply
Very lucky, Larner, but his luck is about to run out, as we will see, and eventually we'll find out to some extent who is behind him. Thanks for leaving a review. It's much appreciated.
Calenlassiel
· 27 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
Oh my, I have never lived in a place where there is that much snow.. It is still getting up in the 90's where I live. Coal used for heating is a foreign concept to me.. The old coal shoot as a means of escape came as a real surprise for me.. Loved it...
Now that the ball is in Glorfindel and Finrod's court I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves...
Great Chapter...
Author's reply
Hi Calenlassiel. While living in China I had the opportunity to see coal and coal shutes still in use as a heating source. It was far more common in the States before the Second World War as well. And even where I live in Central New York State the average seasonal snowfall in about 120 inches and we often get much more than that.
We will see what Glorfindel and Finrod decide to do in the next chapter. Thanks for leaving a review. It's much appreciated.
someone
· 26 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
Artemus & Co. may have escaped from the cellar but at least it was relatively warm and dry, compared to a blizzard.
Zach sleeping on a pile of dirty laundry? Cute, and it proves that the kidnappers are not too cruel if they left their sleeping captive on a nice bed.
The three Amigos, Alex and Derek work well as a team nowadays, perhaps the Elves will get their weapons back after this escape is over?
Author's reply
Hi someone. Well, I think our heroes would rather not remain in Farrell's clutches however warm and dry they might be. And I doubt if Farrell or the other agents know or care about the dirty laundry and that Zach used it as a temporary bed until they all escaped. *grin* And we'll see whether the Three Amigos get their weapons back by the end of the story. Thanks for reveiwing. It's very much appreciated.
rick
· 26 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
You & your cliffhangers! Honest to Pete, I'll gnaw my fingernails down to the elbow waiting for the next installment. As always, a very good & exciting story - for heaven's sake, don't stop now.
Thanks for writing.
Author's reply
Hey, what can I say? At leat it keeps you coming back to find out what happened next. *LOL*. I'm glad you are finding the story exciting. It will get even more exciting shortly. *grin* Thanks for commenting, Rick. I appreciate it very much.
obsidianj
· 25 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
Phew! They managed to escape. The storm can be deadly also, but I think there is hopefully a Maia around or two, so that the chances of survival are better. I liked it that they all worked together to escape. Everyone had something to contribute. I just hope that Fred and Ellen are safe from Farrell. He will not be in a good mood! His hostages are escaped, all cars are unusable and a storm with lots of snow keeps him and his cronies in place. No, it's better if he doesn't have victims to vent his frustrations on. He can use his allies for that ;-).
Author's reply
Hi obsidianj. The storm will probably help everyone to keep out of Farrell's way. We'll see in the next chapter how things go with them. And there may be a Maia or three in the vicinity but they will not necessarily intervene in anything that happens, otherwise the kidnapping would've be foiled before it got started. Everything has to play out as it will. Thanks for leaving a review. It's always appreciated.
Kitty
· 25 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
The chapter title was rather comforting and gave me a better feeling for the chapter before I even started. Thank you! :)
When the cute was mentioned, I started to smirk, knowing they would manage to get out that way. It was great to see them work together so well to escape the moment they were locked up and alone, Elves and Men alike. Needless to say, here I liked the three Amigos much better than when they were introduced!
I am so glad they found the Steiners and could them get out, too, together with Zach. Now I just hope the old couple can stay hidden and isn't found. Hopefully the storm will serve to protect them. But what is it with Steiner's farm, Santa's Grotto and snowstorms during the test tours? I just hope they get to the grotto all right.
Anyway, now that Farrell and his little band of thugs don't have any hostages left, I can't wait to see how they are taught that – and why – you don't mess with a bunch of ancient Elven warriors.
Author's reply
Hi Kitty. Well, though they have escaped, they aren't completely out of the woods, literally and figuratively speaking. Farrell may be down but he's not necessarily out, as we will see in the next chapter. However, he and his gang are in for a surprise when that "bunch of ancient Elven warriors" catch up with them. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.
Kitty
· 25 September 2012
· Chapter 72: Kidnapped!
Good to see how they all keep their heads, and that Alex even figured out what the Elves were doing. Well done!
God, I want to hurt Farrell and could think of a few nice ways to punish him and his thugs. Though I somehow suspect I'd have to get in line for that. I can't even express my opinion of him, as this is a family-friendly site!
Without the stupid guns, I think Farrell wouldn't have been able to keep them under control to begin with, but I am glad Alex stopped the Elves. They don't have a real concept of how dangerous guns are.
You know, that's what I'd like to know, too – why is Farrell so hung up about killing Amroth? I still wonder if it has to do with the guy Amroth killed to get away from the Agency – or is it someone else who felt himself wronged somehow? That obsession just doesn't make much sense otherwise.
Despite the rather serious situation, the questioning of Zach was rather amusing. Of course the poor guy was speaking the truth, but Farrell couldn't believe it and must have thought he's completely nuts :D And then Farrell's attempt to use the trigger word that didn't work, either, no matter how often he repeated it, and Alex and Derek's reaction to it ...
The icing on the cake was when Zach started singing in Quenya and the Elves joined in. Farrell and his thugs must have thought they have all taken leave of their senses, lol.
Um ... could we add throwing the thugs down a few stairs to the punishment? Just to give them a bit of their own medicine? It's still less than they deserve.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Author's reply
Hi Kitty. You're right that the Elves still have no real concept of the danger of guns, so Alex was right to stop them before they got hurt. As to Farrell's obsession, the reason for that will eventually come out, I promise.
The whole singing thing was a hoot to write, especially when the Elves joined in. That must have been very surreal for Farrell and the others. Even Alex and Derek were take aback by it.
And, of course, the trigger word wasn't the right one, though no one knew that. Farrel must've felt pretty confident about controlling Alex up to that point. Now he's going to wonder just who screwed up in Washington, giving him a supposedly wrong trigger word, though it actually is the one Amroth gave out as being Alex's trigger word, even though it's not.
Oh well...
I had a great weekend. Thanks and thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it.
6336
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
Out of the frying pan into the fire!
Good to see Alex making use of Artemus!
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Definitely on both counts, Lynda. Thanks.
Agape4Gondor
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
Well, glad Alex/Artemus was cushioned by his friends, else the fall kill him.
I liked Fred. Very astute to unscrew the light bulb.
I'm definitely thinking these five are going to be close friends (with perhaps Zach in the mixture.) Surviving captivity can create a strong bond. Especially when they all work together to escape. I hope they escape.
I'm sure there is a Maia or two watching close by. At least I hope there are!
As for the snow storm. I'm glad the Elves now know that cold can be deadly to Mortals.
Hoping they all survive this - I'll wait with bated breath for Wednesday.
Author's reply
Hi Agape. I have no doubt that after this, those five plus Zach are going to be very close friends now that they have a mutual history of captivity. As to whether they make a clean escape or not remains to be seen. And the next chapter won't be up until Friday. The Wednesday chapter last week was just so the chapter titled "Monday" would actually be posted on Monday rather than on Friday. Sorry to make you wait a couple more days, but thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's much appreciated.
Lyana
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
They really are thinking together! The Three Amigos came up with some good ideas to blend their skills/abilities to help in the situation - I'm really glad their respect for Alex has grown to the point that they're responding to him as the leader at the moment. Now would NOT be a good time for Lawrence to try for a one-up!
The storm is a worry, but Elves won't be as bothered by it and hopefully it will wipe out the Steiner's footsteps before Farrell sees them. Farrell's certainly won't be going far now... Hope Finrod and the others show up soon!
Author's reply
Hi Lyana. Yes, the Three Amigos are at last showing their quality and cooperating with Alex in getting everyone away from Farrell. The storm will both help and hinder everyone involved as we will see and we'll see what Finrod and the others are up to in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I am most appreciative.
Larner
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
Very clever of all of them. I hope that the storm blows over them quickly, though. And Farrell continues to be an ass.
Author's reply
We'll see how the storm helps or hinders our heroes and the villains. And you'll get no argument from me about your estimation of Farrell, Larner. LOL! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it very much.
Fantasia
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
I take the storm over Farrell & Co. They escaped, that's good, I want to know what the rescue party is doing, a little late, aren't they?
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. Actually, the rescue party is right on time. Certain events are happening simultaneously, but we are not seeing them that way. We'll see what Glorfindel and Finrod have been up to in the meantime in the next chapter. Eventually, the two plotlines (the Artemus/Derek group and the Glorfindel/Finrod group) will come together but not immediately. Anyway, thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it very much.
Sunny
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 73: Escape!
Now this is how warriors act - EVERYBODY (except for Zach, who was out for the count due to the drug) contributed to the escape. And I'm sure that Finrod and the other Elven warriors will tell the ellyn that when they tell about the kidnapping and the escape.
Artemus was the brains behind the escape, though. He even made a point of sabotaging the cars to make it harder for the kidnappers to escape. Hopefully this will make Alex happier with the Artemus part of his self - he did after all save all their lives!
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Very true. It's good to see Alex/Artemus, Derek and the Three Amigos acting together to help with the escape, though Artemus is obviously the the driving force behind the escape. And hopefully Alex will recognize how important Artemus is to keeping him and others alive. We'll see how things go with them in the next chapter. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it very much.
calenlassiel
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 72: Kidnapped!
I am not so curios about Farrell as I am about who employs Farrell..
I have a feelng that a monster might be coming into the plot soon ... Am I right
Fiondil???
I love trying to guess what your next plot moves will be... You are so creative..
I have one other question for you?? Do you ever change your stories based on the comments of your fans ??? Have they ever caused you to change a plot direction because you wanted to keep everybody in suspense???
Great Chapter...
Also, I meant to post this earlier but I was pleaseantly suprised to find the elves enjoyed football... I love it too... Especially College Football... Go figure.. Elves and Football... I think Tulkas had a hand in that... LOL
Author's reply
Hi calenlassiel. Well as to your question about monsters... you'll have to wait and see. So far, I don't change my stories based on comments from fans, mainly because I usually have the story almost completely written by then. Sometimes fans sort of anticipate something that has been written and of course I can't say anything about it because that would spoil the surprise or the suspense or whatever. The only people who influence what I write as I write are my betas when they give (or I ask for) plot suggestions.
Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and the one with the Elves enjoying football even if they didn't quite understand it yet. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.
Agape4Gondor
· 24 September 2012
· Chapter 72: Kidnapped!
I swore I wrote a review for this immediately after reading it on Friday, but I don't see it in the reviews - so here you are, again.
Wow! This was such a fun chapter. Who would have thought it with such a gruesome title!
RULE #1: Teach Valinorean Elves about guns!!!
Be that as it may, the whole lot are in for a very nasty time, though. Mostly Farrell, for I am confident the tables will be turned and he will rue the day he ever saw Amroth!
I seem to be using quite a few exclamations marks today.
As for Zach. I'm glad another reviewer mentioned the singing to cure stuttering from a previous chapter. I'd forgotten that. It seemed perfectly normal *ROTFL* for Zach to sing his responses. I thought his brain just went a little kerfuffle after being doped up.
It was touching to 'hear' the Three Amigos join in Zach's song. I'm glad they are still ok. I get the feeling the 'contact' between Lawrence and his dad isn't quite there - or not as strong. I'm very glad the Three Amigos are together. Talk about shared memories!
As for Alex, I truly hope he was able to protect his head - though probably not - during the fall down the stairs.
Excellent chapter! As always!
Author's reply
Hi Agape. Well, even if it's a repeat review, it's still appreciated. *grin*
Yeah, the Elves do need to learn about guns and why they are not bows and arrows or swords.
We'll see how things go with Farrell. He's not out of the ballgame yet and Alex and co. aren't out of danger either.
We'll see in the next chapter how tenuous the link between Findalaurë and Finrod is and what the Elves do about it. And we'll see how Alex fares as well. All is not lost yet.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. It's always appreciated.
someone
· 23 September 2012
· Chapter 72: Kidnapped!
Okay, kidnapping is a serious thing, but I can't help laughing at this. Farrell is very much out of his depth here and he doesn't have a clue why nothing is working! The zoisite was just too funny, as was Zach and the Elves singing a lament about DelaFiore's death (not that the others knew it). By the way, does DelaFiore mean "of the Flower"?
I had some trouble trying to understand the point of view at the beginning. It's Derek in the first paragraph and Alex/Artemus after that, isn't it?
Author's reply
Hi someone. Very serivouws, but it is funny with Zach and the Elves singing a Lament and the "zoisite" thing. And yes, DelaFiore is Italian for "of the Flower".
As for the pov. It is Derek at first and then it switches to Alex/Artemus after Derek starts to do his deep-breathing exercises while they are in the van.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it very much.
Lyana
· 22 September 2012
· Chapter 72: Kidnapped!
Hah! It's lovely to see Farrell well and truly rattled! He's a nasty for sure, but he didn't account for Elves. :-) Soooo... somebody gave him the failsafe - the plot thickens, and all the agents are accounted for. I hope Alex isn't too badly hurt from the tumble down the stairs - more bruises to add to all the ones that aren't fully healed yet, poor guy.
Can't wait for Monday!
Author's reply
Hi Lyana. A failsafe that luckily didn't work, thanks to Amroth using a different one on Alex and giving the Powers that Be in the Agency a false failsafe. Farrell is probably wondering who screwed up back in Washington. We'll see what happens with Alex soon enough. Thanks for leaving a commment. It's much appreciated.
Larner
· 22 September 2012
· Chapter 72: Kidnapped!
I do so want to be able to throttle Farrell myself! So, he's been trying to kill Amroth for years, eh, and hoped that if he could get a different and more effective agent in he could get the job done, eh?
Zach under the truth serum is priceless! Love that the Elves joined him in singing of the death of the once great Lord of the House of the Golden Flower! But that push down the stairs...GRRRRR!
Author's reply
Hi Larner. Actually, Farrell hasn't been trying to kill Amroth for years, just since he discovered that Amroth was alive and well and living in Alaska.
I'm glad you found Zach singing and the Elves joining in on the Lament priceless. I had fun with this part as you can probably tell. *grin*. And we'll find out what happened to Alex tumbling down the stairs in the next chapter which, of course, is already up as you read this.
Thanks for commenting. It's always appreciated.
obsidianj
· 21 September 2012
· Chapter 72: Kidnapped!
Poor Zach. Didn't Daeron(?) teach him to sing answer so as to stop his stutter? So I take it Zach is earnestly trying to cooperate. The truth serum is working better than Farrell imagines. The truth is just too fantastic for him to believe. If Alex's first try to get out of this would have worked it would have been too easy. At least at the moment they are all alive and nobody is seriously hurt. Now just to get the Three Amigos to be careful of guns. They don't know yet how dangerous these things really are.
Author's reply
Hi obsidanj. Yes, you're right. Daeron taught him plainchant to help him with his stuttering. And the truth is just too fantastic to believe, which is why Farrell thinks Zach is simply not cooperating. And that is certainly a problem, making sure the Three Amigos don't get too cocky and careless. I think though they are willing to listen to Alex as the expert for now. We'll see. Thanks for leaving a review. I really appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 21 September 2012
· Chapter 71: Monday
Oh, no! I guess it is Farrell's group that kidnapped Alex. I don't think he knows who else he got in the bargain. And I don't think he will be happy. Extra people just make more trouble. Not to talk about kidnapping elves with formidable ada's around. What happened to Zach? I'm kind of more worried about him than about Alex and crew. Artemus took over. I think he knows how to handle the situation and he has some great helpers.
Glorfindel still thinks he can do everything alone. He should involve Dave and Carl more.
Author's reply
Hi obsidanj. Well, of course many of your questions will be answered with the next chapter or two. And you're right about Glorfindel. That is a lesson he sorely needs to learn sooner rather than later. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.