For a minute there I forgot what they had discussed about arranging the office for safety reasons, and was wondering if the Elves had developed their own version of Feng Shui!
Felicity rocks. Not many people would be so calm about possibly having somebody shooting into your office. I think I'd be hassling the administration for my own office space and possibly hazard pay.
Love how Valandur is getting used to modern culture so quickly. He really is brilliant. His insight into Alex's assignment is wonderful.
Oof, good foreshadowing, you had me thinking about that darn lake and its accompanying That-Which-Should-Not-Be-Named before it was even brought up. Great connection. Except for poor Alex! This is a good reminder of the timeline and how this is just a few months after his near-Námo experience.
It should never waken, which means it's going to, LOL. Ugh, I would pack that tarn full to the brim with C-4, stand on a reasonably distant mountain peak, and push the button - resulting avalanche and/or earthquake be damned. Knowing that thing is just sitting there, waiting, would drive me crazy. Kill it with fire and extreme prejudice, man. But then it would probably turn out to be Grendel, and mama would show up, and...whoops. :P
On the plus side, maybe Felicity will get to see more of the Elves now!
Love the chapter, thanks for the update! Hope you have a marvelous week and not too much catching up to do from the holiday weekend.
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. Felicity is pretty cool and I'm slowly getting to know her better and teasing out some of her history. We probably won't learn everything about her but enough to keep her intriguing I hope. Val rocks too and he is lightyears ahead of everyone else in the smarts department. Alex's encounter with Námo was less than six months ago, storywise. That's not too long for something like that and he really hasn't had the time to process the experience. Anyway, we'll see how the Elves help Alex out in dealing with all this over the next couple of chapters. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Kevana
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
That would be one of the best excuses ever for calling out of work. "I couldn't make it because I was kept unconscious by a celestial being with powers beyond all reckoning." Of course no one would believe you, LOL. Like the other reviewers I'm curious as to what's going on with that!
I hear you, Alex. I don't even remember how I managed those all-nighters in college and grad school. Lots of afternoon naps, I think.
Aww, Mr. Ex-Intelligence Officer is blushing because they know he has a date (totally not a date, nuh-uh, nope).
Sakari's getting quite the, er, education in Elves. I cracked up at that! And at Val in handcuffs.
(Sidenote - good for you, Dave, on not letting people gape at the prisoners. That always bothered me. Have I mentioned how much I love that guy?)
Curious at this talk of how to handle Farrell. It's almost as if they're dancing around the idea of killing him, but making it be self-defense to give him a chance to not be That Person. It's a little odd, but understandable after what he's done and is trying to do. Leaving him as a loose cannon is obviously not going to work. He'd be such a great resource if they could bring him around, but maybe it's just way too late for that. I probably hold out hope for character redemption far longer than I should, heh.
Great chapter!
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. I guess that would be a great excuse, but no one would believe it. Dave has become one of my favorite OCs in the Elf Academy universe. When he was first introduced back in EA1 I had no idea he was chief of police for Wiseman. I'm glad he is. And as Gandalf would say, there's always hope. We'll see how things go between Alex and Farrell when they finally have their showdown.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
rikki
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
Small town, everyone knows everything. That was what I was thinking about Felicity when she met Val, not freaking out that he was an elf, and then listening to Alex as he was explaining about the roof across the way and moving desks around. She is very accepting in what the men are saying, no hysterics or lots of questions. Which is good or is she too blase? Just saying I would have been asking a lot more questions about the situation. Hehe.
I enjoyed Val's and Alex's discussion about the poems. Val's way of interpreting the reason the teacher chose those poems was interesting. A combination of linguistics and analysis of the personal choices that the teacher made. Unfortunately, the Dark Tarn still has quite a hold on Alex. His flashback was scary and it was good that Val was there to take charge. Felicity is a good friend to offer to take them to Ron. I hope that Ron can do something about the flashbacks without affecting Alex's ability to cope with watching out for Farrell. Now is not the time to have a breakdown. Maybe Alex needs a ring like Glorfindel's so he doesn't have a psychic break. Laughing, or a maia on speed dial.
More clues to think about until Friday. It is very hot here in Georgia, the Cliff House should have a nice breeze up there and I think I will spend some time there enjoying the company of others. Have a good week!
Author's reply
That's true, rikki. Having grown up in a small town, I know just how that is. Felicity has been in Wiseman long enough to be familiar with the Elves even if she's not had any real dealings with them, and her attitude reflects this.
I'm glad you enjoyed the discussion about the poems. Val is first and foremost a linguist and he sees deeper than most where language usage is concerned. He is able to see the genealogy of the poems and deal with them organically rather than as discrete entities with no connection between them, which is how Alex was looking at them.
Alex certainly doesn't need a breakdown right now, but his concern over Farrell isn't helping him. Hopefully the Elves will do what they can to help him to deal with all this.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it very much. Enjoy the Cliff House while you're waiting for Friday.
Laer
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
I hope Felicity isn't a plant from the bad guys :( It would be nice if Alex had someone to share this adventure with. I think he and Derek would be kind of like the twins on this also. No issues with the young lady becoming part of their "family". That and Jill and Andy would come back.
I am way to "romantic" for my own good here. I want Finrod's wife to come on the next ship of elves and i want the "kids" to be happy. Must be my sappy gene in gear. :D
Author's reply
Hi Laer. No, Felicity isn't a plant, I promise. And there's nothing wrong with being a romantic. I'm one myself. We'll see if Amarië shows up. There's still quite a bit of story to tell and anything can happen. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it greatly.
6336
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
I am not surprised that Alex is having a bad reaction to his death, I think that memory is going to come back and bite him in the butt years from now. So much has happened in the intervening months that he has not had time to process it properly, even with Ron's help.
Bad Alex for not checking out the line of sight to his office window and his position in the office, one of the first things he should have done on entering it, but once again there is so much going on in his life that one can for get the basics of survival in The Game. I think Amroth will have a few things to say when he finds out.
I trust Ron will be able to sort him out, I wonder if he was expecting this to happen at some point, as I said Alex has not has a chance to process his death.
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. Alex's reaction is long overdue, but so much has happened to him over the last 5 months of his life with his entire worldview being turned upside down and leaving the Agency and all that he's not had the time to process the experience. That has to change, of course. He can't go forward until he's dealt with his dying, however temporary it was.
I think Alex wants to forget he was in the Game, but circumstance conspire to prevent him from leaving it entirely. Good thing Val's there to remind him.
We'll see how Ron deals with Alex in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. Hugs back.
KathyG
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
So something sleeps in the Winterdark Tarn that should never awaken? That's a scary thought! Well, as long as it's not a Balrog...
And Alex has had a NDE experience? Most interesting!
Author's reply
Hi KathyG. Well, the Elves certainly hope that whatever's in the tarn never wakens, whether it's a balrog or not. And Alex's NDE experience was recorded in Elf Academy 2 when he drowned trying to rescue Caleb Lord from the tarn.
Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I really appreciate you doing so.
Eruherdiriel
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
Is Winterdark Tarn related to the lake where Grendel's mother hid? Is that why it's so evil-seeming?
~Eruherdiriel
Author's reply
Not really, Eruherdiriel. It's just that Alex sees a similarity in description between the two. And if it is evil-seeming it's because of what lies beneath it's surface.
Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Sunny
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
Well, Alex certainly does one thing with the poems wrong - especially Beowulf! He is just letting the words sit there on the page, when they need to be spoken! Beowulf is just like the Eddas in that both poems come from an oral tradition, and you just can't get into the poems without reciting them, as they were meant to be. Writing stuff down came later, but the Shakespeare sonnet and the Frost poem should also be permitted life by not being left mouldering in ink squiggles on a page.
Hm. Winterdark Tarn agein. So what is rising from the depths of Alex' mind this time? (Yes, I know. Wait for the next chapter!)
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Well, I agree that Beowulf and the other poems should be read out loud, but it does help if you actually know *how* it's supposed to sound. Poor Alex doesn't have a clue about Old English. It might as well be written in Greek or Vulcan for all the good reading it out loud would do him. He would do better with Shakespeare and Frost.
As for what is rising from the depths of Alex's mind this time with regards to Winterdark Tarn, we'll see that in the next couple of chapters.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
The Master would be proud, I think, to see Beowulf referenced here, seeing how familiar with it he was. The realization of the similarity between Grendel's mere and the tarn in which Alex lost himself was obviously a shock. Loved seeing Valandur taking stock of the lack of defenses in Alex's office. And Felicity is game--good enough!
Author's reply
I wrote this chapter long, long before I even knew that they were going to publish Tolkien's own translation of this poem. I used Heaney's as being the most recent, but it certainly is a nod to Tolkien's own knowledge of the poem. Alex's shock is understandable and Val is just so cool about everything. He could give James Bond lessons, I think. And Felicity is a real trooper as we will see. Thanks for leaving a comment, Larner. It's much appreciated.
UTfrog
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
Love Val In the office. He is going to be hard to pry away from the school. I suspect Alex's professors would love to talk to him as well. The comparison of Beowulf to the tarn is fantastic. I thought we mind find that Beowulf is a remnant of an elf tale. Good chapter. Thanks.
Author's reply
Hi UTfrog. Val is pretty cool here, isn't he? I think eventually he'll end up teaching at the college, either at Elf Academy or as a linguistics professor. They'll have to create a whole new department just for him. *grin* I'm glad you liked the comparison of Beowulf to the tarn. That particular passage is very haunting, whether in translation or in the original language. It's one of my favorite sections of the poem.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
rikki
· 6 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
Hi there,
Enjoyed this chapter. I actually read this while on a road trip on the 4th, but I hate typing anything on the tablet as I am relegated to one finger pecking on the imaginary keyboard. So I am late for this review.
Alex is gaining back his agent persona Artemus plus the Alex touch and is beginning to think and act like the agent he was trained to be. It was funny when he called the elves on their plans for him in the search for Farrell. They are learning that they should not underestimate this mortal. Alex has the experience to beat Farrell, but hopefully you are not going to put him in a situation where he is going to have to lie to keep his freedom because he was forced to kill Farrell. I actually have an idea on how I would like to see Farrell removed from all future contact with elves and mortals and will be interested to see if I came up with as a good solution as you will in your story. However, right now the advantage is still with Farrell.
"However, it was closer to ten before Alex came back downstairs, carrying a messenger bag. “Sorry,” he said in apology." Did you actually mean ten o'clock here? We started off with breakfast around eight and Alex was supposed to be at the police station at nine with office hours at ten. I was a little confused.
Hoping that you had a wonderful 4th of July. Looking forward to your update on Monday.
Author's reply
Hi rikki. I changed it to read "closer to ten minutes" to avoid confusion. Thanks for pointing it out to me.
Alex is gaining back his Artemus persona and integrating it more with his present persona. And he's not a fool, so he knew very well what the Elves were about. As for Farrell, you'll see what "final solution" I come up with for him and then you can decide whether or not it is a better solution than your own. That won't happen immediately but soon enough.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Eruherdiriel
· 5 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
So, Someone sent Finlay to sleep. Is that same Someone going to wake him up again?
I enjoyed watching Val explore the police station. Is he going to become a police officer?
~Eruherdiriel
Larner
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
Coming back and finding Valandur in handcuffs would be a shock, I'm certain. Now, to figure out how to lure Farrell out into the open sufficiently to disable him.
Author's reply
I imagine it would be, Larner. We'll see how the Elves and Alex eventually handle Farrell eventually. Thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
Someone put Finlay into a healing sleep... Hmm, to keep him out of the action or did he really need more help? I would think the twins would know if he needed the extra help. Alex' idea to just ask the Maiar was not so far fetched imo. They interfere at any opportune or inopportune moment constantly. So, why not just ask them? They might not answer, but that is another story.
Happy Fourth of July. Our festivities are drowning in rain, but it finally got cooler.
Author's reply
Hi obsidian j. We'll find out what that is all about with Finlay soon enough. And you're right that Alex's suggestion isn't so far fetched, though even if they did call upon the Maiar, it's doubtful that they would get a straight answer anyway. *grin* But the idea that Glorfindel might have the Valar on speed-dial is pretty funny.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
You could have called this 'The War council". Lots of plans are made. Let's see what actually comes out of them. I have the feeling there are too many plans. Why do I get the feeling it was not Farrell doing the shooting? Everyone says the angle is wrong and it is not his MO. Why does nobody entertain the idea that there is another player? This whole affair sounds fishy.
Let's see what happens next. I have a bad feeling about this.
Author's reply
I guess you could, obsidianj. And you're right: lots of plans but it remains to be seen if any or all of them are actually implemented. As for why no one is wondering if there's another player involved, that's a good question. Sometimes people don't want to look beyond what they think is happening, because the implications are too weird for them to contemplate. It is fishy, the whole thing. At any rate, we'll see how things pan out.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
SashaHoneypalm
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
' “I’d done the same. So, what did he have to say?” '
That should be "I'd HAVE done the same", right? Alex didn't call Amroth himself?
Author's reply
You're right, Sasha. Not sure how I and my betas missed that. Anyway, it's been fixed. Thanks for pointing out the error. I appreciate it.
Sunny
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
I really liket alex' interaction with the Elves over breakfast. And was a bit amused that the Elves hadn't figured out that he would realize that they would be plotting while he was sleeping.
I guess one of the Maiar hanging around Wiseman is responsible for Finlay emulating Sleeping Beauty. Will we get to know the why of that?
So Alex and the Elves have been firmly instructed to not go hunting for Farrell, which I guess the Elves at least are OK with. And I guess it's not the first time Alex has been walking around with a big bulls-eye painted on his jacket. So hopefully they will be ready when Farrell comes calling.
So now they are heading for Alex' classroom. I wonder how many of his students will be able to concentrate on learning languages with a hunkalicious Elf in the room?
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Alex is nobody's fool as the Elves are beginning to realize. As for who was responsible for Finlay being in healing sleep, we'll learn soon enough. Alex certainly has had the experience of being a target, so this is not something new for him, though he is naturally concerned for the safety of others, especially his friends. And hopefully Alex's students will (eventually) be able to concentrate on the class and not on the Elf in their midst. *grin*
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it very much.
Laer
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
Valandur is starting to get into the whole spy thing all over again isn't he. He is a good under cover spy ;)
Finlay needed more help than they thought. Or "someone" would not have put him into a healing sleep like they did. I am sure he will wake up when he is needed, that and it will keep him safe and out of the fight until he knows and understands much better than he did before.
I also think that there is much more going on than a crazy dude wanting revenge. thus the reason "Ester" told Dave it was only for Alex and the elves. :)
Happy fourth of July Fiondil and to those of us ho live in the US! And for everyone else have a great day :)
Author's reply
Hi Laer. Yes, Val is definitely in spy mode, which is a good thing for Alex. Finlay apparently did need more help than they thought. We'll see how he is when he finally wakes up. And more is indeed going on but just what it is remains to be seen. I hope you have a good Fourth as well, Laer. Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.
6336
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
O.K. Now who put Finley in healing sleep, inquiring minds want to know?! I am surprised the Twins did not put him in healing sleep myself, if only to insure that he did sleep, it probably was one of the Maia who are hanging around.
Now to see if we can flush out Ratty, I was thinking a convenient accident on an icy road would solve a lot of problems, but Dave might have a problem with that, we will have to see.
If nothing else Val is helping to keep Alex from heading for the hills in an attempt to lure Ratty out, I hope he enjoys auditing his Italian class.
A bit of a moving along chapter.
Tell Glorfi and Co. to save some Eggs Benedict for me, one of my favorites and I have your virtual Chocolate Chip Cookie, along with a whole tray full of Brownies for the Cliff House.
Enjoy your Fourth, I will be manning the registers at the Mall of Doom, where else would I be on a National Holiday, working for the Evil Empire of the Midwest as I do? Sigh.
Huggs,
Lynda
UTfrog
· 4 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
You have certainly set up a cunning plot. Can't wait for what happens. Thanks. Hope you have a happy and safe fourth.
Author's reply
I'm glad you think so, UTfrog. We'll see just how cunning it is. Thanks for your review and your good wishes for a happy and safe Fourth. May you have a happy Fourth as well.
Sunny
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
Heh. Best of luck at entertaining Glorfindel, though I guess they will give it their best shot. A bored Glorfindel is a dangerous Glorfindel - and why do I suddenly start thinking of 2-year-olds and their penchant for getting into things you DON'T want them to as soon as your back is turned?
This thing with Farrell stinks like a pile of week-old fish already. And I'm sure it will only get worse.
Author's reply
Well, hope springs eternal even when dealing with Glorfindel. *grin* And yes, the whole thing with Farrell stinks and yes, it will get worse, as we will see soon enough. Thanks for reviewing, Sunny. I greatly appreciate it.
Laer
· 2 July 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
Valandur was wise in keeping his eyes on Fëanáro if memory serves me correctly. Love the reference. Sounds like they are keeping up with things and then some. Hope it continues and they get the bad guys before any losses are made.
I also still hope for another ship of elves, but right no it would cause more issues then help. :)
Author's reply
Hi Laer. I'm glad you liked the reference to "In the High King's Secret Service". We'll see how successful they all are in getting to Farrell. As for another ship of Elves, you're right that it would cause more issue than help, but you never know. Stranger things have happened in the Elf Academy world. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 30 June 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
Hmm. Sounds as if they have some good plans laid down now. And I also am intrigued at how the shot was made. Used to belong to the NRA when it was a shooting club rather than a political action group, and have done my own share of target shooting over the years.
Someone is directing Farrel, it appears, and I truly wish to find out who it is and what the motive is.
Author's reply
You're probably right about someone directing Farrell. Whether we ever find out who remains to be seen. Thanks for reviewing, Larner. It's much appreciated.
6336
· 30 June 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
I had planned on leaving a review for this earlier but had to take the car in for an oil change. Such a fun way to spend 90 minutes!
Quite a bit of long distance planning going on here, Alex and Derek, Glorfi, Val and Amroth, ah, the wonders of modern communication.
Good to here that Finley seems to be doing alright, I have no worries about Sakari, she is her Grand Fathers Grand Daughter and his blood runs true in her. I wonder how he would react to Elves.
Do we know for sure it was Ratty on the roof? I can think of ways the shots could have been faked, Special Effects from T.V. and the movies come to mind, but it does not explain how Ratty knew Alex was going to be where he was when he was. Is a puzzlement! (A virtual cookie for knowing which movie that comes from!)
Keeping Glorfi out of the action will require at least three Maia and a couple of Valar and good luck to them when he finds out what they are doing.
Us Cliff House dwellers have a lot to discuss while waiting for Friday, will bring the cookies and Brownies.
Off to Long Beach and Westminister and points North tomorrow, a mini Family Reunion and I would imagine some World Cup Action.
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. Actually, it's Sakari's dad who is the shaman, and yes, his blood runs true in her. I'm sure he would welcome the Elves and treat them with respect.
As for Farrell, there is no absolute proof that he was on the roof and doing the shooting. Everyone just assumes this, but they could be wrong on both counts. We may never know for sure. (And "Is a puzzlement" comes from the King and I, of course. *grin* I like chocolate chip.)
At any rate, thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much. Hugs back.
Kevana
· 30 June 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
I can only imagine the look on Derek's face at that phone call! He's already a bit of a protective fellow, and now being apart from his bestie who's in danger - that's gotta be tough, hearing that and knowing you can't really help.
Apparently there is some debate on whether Alex will actually go looking for the guy? I can see why. But it also sort of defeats the purpose of letting him come to you, so I don't think he would (maybe I'm wrong, heh). I really do hope someone thought to say a prayer for the townsfolk and innocent bystanders (the case of everybody in this war being a soldier and not a civilian, notwithstanding) who might get in the way of a stray bullet meant for Alex.
This whole thing feels really...creepy, I think would be the best term? Creepy. Like you have a rabid dog running around, but you're not quite sure where, only that you're probably going to run into him at the worst possible moment, and he's likely biting and infecting various other critters as he goes so you have to be worried about them, too. If I were Alex I believe I'd invest in some under-the-clothes kevlar about now. Glad the Elves have a plan to help protect him though.
I will not barrage you with the approximately ten million questions I have about the shooting. I will not. No. :P Although it's now up to about twelve million. The shot itself was impossible, nobody knows how Farrell even found Alex that fast, it doesn't seem likely he'd go for the long-distance kill when he's got a vendetta. This is going to drive me crazy, in the best of ways, of course!
Aww, Zach. He'd be awesome at running the SCA chapter.
“She doesn’t know you very well, does she?” Teasing Glorfindel provides hours of fun.
Really love seeing the Elves collaborate via conference call, heh. So much more convenient than osanwë.
Oh wow, though, at Val's activities during the Darkening. *low whistle*
Awesome chapter, thanks for the update. Rock on, Fiondil!
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. It is creepy, and it will soon get creepier in a big way. As to what Alex ends up doing or what the Elves end up doing where Farrell is concerned remains to be seen.
As for Val's activities during the Darkening, we see something of that in my story "In Darkness Bound" and, of course, we see the seeds of his distrust against Fëanor in the story "In the High King's Secret Service". We'll be seeing more of him in this story, as well.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it very much.