Oh, this virus sounds really nasty and Alex has it badly. I guess the hospital scenes seem all too familiar to you right now so I hope we get Alex and any others out of the clinical situations quickly so that you can also allow yourself to relax in a more home-like venue. Loved the "cute humans" idea and the dreams sent to the shaman. He'll be in quite a position of power in his tribe after all of this is over and done with :-)
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. Way too familiar, I'm afraid. This isn't the first time I've been in hospital for major surgery and I doubt it'll be the last, but it's nice to be able to draw on one's own experiences (evern the bad ones) to give a story a greater sense of realism.
I'm glad you liked the 'cute humans' and the dreams sent to the shaman. He'll have more respect from his fellow inuits than he'll know what to do with after this. LOL!
Thanks for taking the time to read and review. It's greatly appreciated. And thanks again for all your good wishes and prayers. They are also very much appreciated.
Lizbeth
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
You're back! I haven't been reviewing lately due to end-of-semester madness, but I do want to say that you have been in my thoughts and prayers and I am glad you are doing better now! :)
Since I'm already here: So glad that Derek is feeling better and that it's finally his turn to get some one-on-one attention from the elves. I feel for Alex (I've been there... *shudder*) but at least he's in good hands now and hopefully he will be feeling better before too long. So much to think and worry about, though: ice storms, generators, Norovirus, nosy Maiar... I'm looking forward to seeing how things work out!
Author's reply
Hi Lizbeth. Yes, I'm back. Hope you survived the end-of-semester madness well enough. Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts. They are greatly appreciated.
As for the story... a lot of things will be happening over the next several 'days' that will nearly overwhelm Glorfindel (the whole idea for this story arc), so there will be plenty of excitement and suspense and all to keep you and all the other readers amused. *grin*
Thanks for leaving a comment. It's very much appreciated.
Tari
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
Poor Alex. The stomach flu is no fun. I had a slight touch a few weeks ago, but nothing anyway near that severe. His resistance must really be low.
Author's reply
Some people get it worse than others, and Alex just happens to be one of them.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Tari. It's very much appreciated.
Larner
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
A horrid thing, the Norovirus. Had it a couple times over the winter, or so the doctors told me. At least they have a good plan in hand, and all are now receiving the help they need. Love seeing the Maiar enjoying keeping an eye on the agents, and seeing Farrell snowed in is delightful. Too bad Amroth and Nimrodel need to come back so precipitously, although there isn't anything Farrell can do at the moment. I still wanna see who's behind his obdurancy.
Author's reply
Yeah, been there, done that, myself, Larner, which is why I gave it to Alex. At least he has people around him to care for him. I was by my lonesome. No fun at all, at all.
Thanks for your comments and all your prayers, emails and words of encouragement. They've been very much appreciated.
Fantasia
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
Well, you were not joking about things going bad. I can see Glorfindel overwhelmed with problems, worries about sick people, spies, students, virus, poor guy. I'm glad that Finn is there to help.
Again, poor Alex!!!
I'm glad that you are better Fiondil. Take care and don't over do.
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. No, I wasn't joking. *grin* And there's more to come.
Thanks for your review and all your good wishes for my recovery. I appreciate them very much.
Sunny
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
Poor Alex! Getting a stomach bug isn't fun at the best of times, and Alex has clearly been hit very hard!
Farrell is worrisome. I definitely hope someone is keeping an eye on him, in case he suddenly decides to do something crazy. I definitely hope that bug is going to get him as well.
So the Maiar want to come and "play with the cute Mortals"? I would say that a bit of help with that epidemic would probably be welcome, but getting Manwë to sign up for that kind of "interference" might be tricky.
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. I have to agree with you about getting Manwë to sign on to that kind of "interference" would be tricky and probably for the best anyway, since these sort of things happen to us Mortals all the time and we've learned to handled them on our own.
Anyway, we'll see how Alex and everyone else gets on with the virus and the storm over the next several chapters. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
Lyana
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
A perfect storm - of the winter variety - sickness, snow and ice... Poor Glorfi! Ice storms on top of a blizzard is nasty - hopefully it doesn't last for 6 days like the one in Quebec in 1998; not something anybody wants to go through.
And yes, I guess trained killers can be "cute" if you sing worlds into existence and are incorporeal! LOL! No wonder all the Maiar are begging to be allowed to help in Wiseman - dealing with star cores must be fascinating, but nothing beats humans and Elves for unpredictability. :-)
I'm glad Derek is with the elves. He certainly can use some TLC and questions answered (I'm sure he's got dozens whirring around under that quiet exterior).
BTW - seeing another chapter posted was a very pleasant surprise! Hope your recovery continues to go well.
Author's reply
Hi Lyana. I don't think this storm will last quite that long, but it will last long enough to make everyone's life miserable.
Humans and Elves obviously are more fascinating than starcores, that's for sure. *grin*
Thanks for your good wishes for a speedy recovery. Recovery after my kind of surgery is anything but speedy but it is steady and every day is a little easier. Thanks also for the review. I apprecaite it very much.
harrowcat
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
I must have been more tired than I thought from traipsing around London or from too many carbohydrates! What I meant to say in my last sentence was that I have finished all of EI and your collected short pieces. Now to start "In Darkness Bound" and read it properly. Ah - happiness is a chance to sit quietly and read!
Author's reply
I sort of figured out what you were trying to say. Thanks for the clarification, though. I appreciate it.
Rhyselle
· 8 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
Firstly, welcome back! You've been missed, and not just because people are anxious to see the new chapter of Elf Academy 2. :-)
Secondly, your muse seems to have it in for poor Alex! On top of everything else that has happened to him so far, he gets that horrible infection, and at a more severe level than most. The only consolation is that there's no way for Farrell to get to him between the blizzard, and Alex being isolated in the campus clinic. I suppose that I'm of a more than a bit vengeful mind, in that I wish that Farrell would catch the Norovirus, but with him isolated in his hotel room, I doubt that he'll be exposed. The cynical part of me wonders if Farrell might have had something to do with introducing the virus to the school. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
I'm still wondering why it is that Alex has been so concerned and worried about Derek's safety. Somehow, I don't think that the cause of that worry has disappeared. BTW, I loved Fiondil's description of Ercasse plying Derek with herbal tea and motherly love. :-) We all need that, even if it can't come directly from our mothers any more. (I don't think that I told you, but I keep superimposing your features on to the Maia Fiondil, despite your description of his fana having golden-red hair. *grin*)
Again, welcome back, dear friend!
Author's reply
Hi Rhyselle. Not only do you superimpose my features onto Fionwë but you keep giving the poor Maia my name. LOL! It is confusing when the names are very similar.
Anyway, this part of the story arc could be sybtitled "How many ways can we overwhelm Glorfindel?" and so this is just the start of it.
As for Derek and why Alex is so concerned for him, that will become clearer later on.
Thanks for leaving a comment and thanks for your prayers and good wishes. All are greatly appreciated.
6336
· 7 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
Oh, yuck, not good! Poor Alex, that came on fast!
I said Mair were handy people to have around. I do like the way 'Finn' took care of Derek and get him to Edelholland, it sounds like he needs some mothering.
Oh, dear, poor Mr. Farrell, stuck in a motel room with no way to get out and no way to get in contact with anybody, couldn't happen to a nicer guy!
Ilmare is having way to much fun, 'cute' is not the word I would have picked to describe trained operatives, snaeky, dangerous, devious yes, but not cute!
Now to hunker down and get through this mess with the least amount of disruption.
Yay! You're back!
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. That's the thing with something like Norovirus, it just comes with no real warning. You're right that Ilmarë is having more fun than any Maiar should be allowed to have and 'cute', of course, is a relative term. *grin*
We'll see what else happens with the storm. It will eventually take its toll on everyone, including the Elves, and especially Glorfindel.
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
Agape4Gondor
· 7 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
We've got our own storm of sorts right now. Thunderstorm variety.
I also have been visiting a certain small room in my house so I feel for Alex. :-)
I swear the virus has an evil origin.
All the chapters of this story have been great, but I'm getting more and more involved.
Thanks for sharing.
Author's reply
Hi Agape. All viruses have an evil orgin as far as I'm concerned, but this one isn't any more evil than others.
Glad you are getting more and more involved with the story. There's still plenty of story to tell with any number of surprises along the way.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it very much.
Soledad
· 7 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
Oh, good, you're back! Now I'll probably find the inspiration to finish Fionwë's sad love story, too. Loved him as "Finn", BTW - that was very funny.
As Ilmarë is currently very present in "Elvenhome", I had double fun with imagining her as an apparition in the inuit shaman's dreams and keeping the poor agents from escaping. *g* I hope Farrell gets a brainstrom or something like that while snowed in. Frost bites would be nice, too. Big, painful ones that incapacitate him for a long time.
Ugh, but that flu epidemic is really ugly. I wonder why Alex was hit particularly hard. Somehow I can't shake off the suspicion that the virus had some help to get to Wiseman. If so, I hope the perpetrator gets a double dosis. *is feeling vengeful*
Anyway, it's good to have you and the story back, I hope you're getting better steadily.
Author's reply
Hi Soledad. Glad you liked Fionwë as "Finn" and also Ilmarë playing with the 'cute Mortals'. *grin* I'm getting better a little at a time, though I'm not yet up to writing. Just responding to reviews is tiring and I can only do a few at a time. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the next chapter of your story. Thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it very much.
harrowcat
· 7 May 2012
· Chapter 32: Snowed-In
It is 9 pm here and I have been out all day happily entertaining Lovethosehobbits but anxiously waiting until I could get back and see that you are ok enough to post! I hope that Alex is not too autobiographical for the way you are feeling! Ice storms do not sound good. Not good at all. ;). So, I am guessing that Derek may have had the Elf Induction by the time it is over. Darn it, now I have to endure until Friday. Oh well finish all EI and your short tales beginning 'in Darkness Bound' properly.
Author's reply
Hi harrowcat. Literally, about the first thing I did when I got home from hospital was to turn on my computer and update this story.*grin* Alex's woes are not at all autobiographical, though I've had the Norovirus myself, but not as severely as I gave it to Alex. I'm evil that way. LOL!
Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.
obsidianj
· 5 May 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Uggh. Stomach flu. That's no fun. I just hope it is coincidence and not something more sinister. I love the "ninja elves", always good for a laugh.
I hope you feel better soon.
Author's reply
Hi obsidianj. Believe me while there is no thing as "coincidence" there is such a thing as "real life" and in real life people catch the stomach flu. Glad you liked the "ninja Elves". They were a lot of fun. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
bookworm
· 2 May 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Ah, the college gut flu. How well I remember thee. Poor Derek! I sincerely hope, considering the number of spies, ex-spies, elves and potential moles, that it IS nothing worse than the typical gastro! Things have certainly been heating up. Alex/Ambrose seems to be getting more and more distant from his colleagues, and I have a great need to have something horribly humiliating and public happen to Farrell. On the personal side of things, I hope things go well with you! Don't worry about updates, RL always comes first!
Author's reply
Hi bookworm. It's not so much the virus as that it's the virus on top of a blizzard that traps everyone, making conditions worse. As for Farrell, the jury is still out as to what his ultimate fate is.
Things are going as well as expected. At least I'm out of the hospital so I can concentrate on recovering.
Thanks for leaving a review in the meantime. I really appreciate it.
Agape4Gondor
· 1 May 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Personally, I'm quite concerned about this 'epidemic.' What are its real origins?
Author's reply
You'll have to ask a disease reseracher to get the answer to that question or maybe Wikipedia, where I got most of mine on this virus. LOL! Anyway, thanks for commenting. Apage. I appreciate it very much.
AleiTheLeaf
· 1 May 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
I thought the same thing as harrowcat when I read this... and I love how the suspense keeps building! On another note, I had the norovirus once, and it caused school to be canceled for a while. Not the most pleasant experience out there. XD
I hope everything turns out for the best... and I hope you feel better if you are ill or something!
Yours,
~AleitheLeaf
Author's reply
Hi AleiTheLeaf. Yeah, I suspect everyone has had an introduction to the Norovirus at one point or another in their lives and so can appreciate what Alex, Derek and the others are experiencing.
Thanks for your good wishes. The surgery went well, so now it's just a matter of recovering, and that takes time. Getting reviews helps to cheer me up. Thanks for contributing your thoughts. I appreciate it very much.
Soledad
· 1 May 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Gah, stomach flu! Whether it's coincidence (if you believe in coincidences) or Farrell's doing, I hope he gets it anyway. Then he can throw up all the darkness inside him (actually, I read something like that somewhere - it was impressive though disturbing) and perhaps become a decent person.
I don't really believe that Maddy sent him. Perhaps he faked Maddy's answer, too. In any case, give him the stomach bug, they deserve each other. Although I can imagine that the virus would be most traumatized in such evil environment.
Sorry for coming late. I was too busy collapsing on the school-free day to get my brains working.
Get better, soon!
Author's reply
Hi Soledad. Frankly, I wouldn't wish the Norovirus on anyone. For me, the worse thing is throwing up. I absolutely hate it, which is why I have my heroes doing it a lot. LOL!
You may be right about Maddy not sending Farrell. He may have been sent by someone else at the Agency. Hopefully, by the time this story ends we'll learn the truth of it.
Thanks for your good wishes and for the review. Both are appreciated very much.
Fantasia
· 30 April 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Hopefully everything is OK with you, take your time, we will waiting, as ever.
Stomach flu, ewww, my daughter had it last week, very, very bad.
But this is only the beginning? Now I'm worry
Author's reply
The worse, as they say, is over. I've gotten through the surgery (always risky however routine) with flying colors, making my doctors very happy and self-congratulatory. Me, all I did was lie there. *grin* Anyway, there is more woe to be visited upon our heros, mortal and Elves, alike. This part of the storyline could be subtitled: "How to overwhelm Glorfindel in three easy lessons." LOL! Thanks for leaving a review, Fantasia. I appreciate it very much.
Lyana
· 30 April 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
So Maddy wants Alex to work with Farrell... interesting. Proof that she did send him or something more sinister??? And I must say that the image of a fuming, verklempt Farrell is tremendously amusing. :-)
Ugh - perils of working with Mortals, though I must confess that my first thought was more along the germ warfare lines. Poor Derek (and everybody else afflicted) - norovirus really does make you feel like you want to die!
Hope all goes well for you today, and that the recovery is quick and uneventful as well.
Author's reply
Hi Lyana. Well, supposedly, they've lost Ambrose and five agents, so it makes sense that the Agency would want Alex to team up with Farrell and the remaining agents to look for the missing. But the Norovirus and the coming blizzard will put pay to all that.
Thanks for your good wishes. I've recovered enough to be sent home from hospital, allowing me to finally respond to eveyone's lovely review. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
Sunny
· 30 April 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
those stomach bugs are definitely no fun. The last time I had a go-around with one, I got it twice in as many weeks - and the first of those times I went from a normal temperature to a quite high fever in just two hours. (I checked that because I felt as I was coming down with something - which I was.) and I normally have _very_ efficient immune system! I still appreciate Alex' little quip, and when I _have_ been ill, I certainly appreciate the truth in it ;-)
Somebody should provide the students with lots and lots of ginger tea. It doesn't taste good, but it helps with the nausea!
I hope Farrell gets laid out as well. I think a little suffering would be good for him. *grins evilly*
I'm sending positive vibes your way!
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Usually, we end up with Ginger Ale, which has the same effect. When I was in hospital, it actually tasted good to me but by the end of the week I didn't want to look at it. I ended up throwing up three times during my stay, and it's bad enough when you're physically well, but doing so after you've just had open-heart surgery is no fun at all. The pain is terrible. Anyway, things are better now and I appreciate all your positive vibes and encouragement. Thanks for leaving a comment.
6336
· 30 April 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Oh, goodness that is all they need, an outbreak of norovirus, I hope it does not spread to the townsfolk, then they would have a real mess on their hands! Hopefully they can contain it and it does not cause to much disruption, the local economy would be in serious trouble otherwise, I can see the Elves having to be Christmas Elves to help out!
I wonder what Maddie thinks about Farrell and if she knows what he is doing, that man needs to to watched, nasty thought, I hope he gets a good dose of noro, couldn't happen to a better person!(Yes, I'm evil!)
Thinking good thoughts, reply when you can.
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. That would be interesting, seeing all the Elves pitching in to help out as Christmas Elves.
I have no idea what Maddy thinks of Farrell. Maybe someday we'll find out.
As you can see, I'm back home and responding to all my reviews. I appreciate yours as always. Thanks for your good wishes and prayers. They are very welcome.
Tegi
· 30 April 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
I feel guilty. I've been creeping on your story for the past couple of updates, but I haven't reviewed yet. I just want to express my complete admiration for your storytelling ability. Both the first Elf Academy story and this one are masterpieces. Thank you for giving me a new world to explore.
~Tegi
P.S. I also enjoy the fact that you consistently update. I don't think I've ever met anyone who does that!
Author's reply
Hi Tegi. Thank you for taking the time to "come into the Light" and letting me know how much you appreciate my stories and my storytelling ability. Music to the ears and the soul. As for updating consistenly, I believe that I owe my readers that. I hate, myself, having to wait for weeks, months, sometimes even years, before an author updates a story. Sometimes, there are actual and legitimate reasons for this and such can be accepted, but most of the time, I think it's just plain laziness or uncaring for their readers. Anyway, I hope to see more reviews from you when you feel a need to express an opinion.
Larner
· 30 April 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Ah, the Norovirus--I have had it myself twice this year, and don't recommend it as a way to pass time! Hope all make a rapid recovery!
Author's reply
Nasty stuff, the Norovirus. We'll see how people cope with it. The storm isn't going to help. Thanks for commenting, Larner. I appreciate it.
UTfrog
· 30 April 2012
· Chapter 31: The Beginning of Woes
Happy to see the new chapter this am since I was not expecting it. The illness seems very suspicious. Farrell is not beyond such a stunt.
Praying all goes well this week. Much as I love your stories, take good care of yourself.
Author's reply
Hi UTfrog. Sometimes the Norovirus is just the Norovirus and not a plot against the hero by the Enemy. *grin* Such things happen in real life and why should Wiseman be exempt from the vagaries of real life any less than the rest of us?
As you can see, I'm back in the saddle again, but it will be a while before I'm up to actually writing again. Luckily, we have enough chapters to date to get us through August.
Thanks for your good wishes and for the review. I appreciate them both.