Reviews (2,009)

Soledad · 5 May 2014 · Chapter 37: Gwaith-en-Angbor

Oh, this was fun!Next Generation Elves indeed! *rolls on the floor laughing* Gwyn and Gareth's family is another piece of intriguing mystery added to the mix. You know how to keep us interested, don't you? I love that you named them ap Hywel. Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd, warlord and poet in one person, is my favourite Welsh historical character.I keep giving him cameos in my Brother Cadfael fics. *g* The two Maiar... there were Manveru and Erunáro,right? Or am I mixing up those guys? And Serindë joining the troops? Hopefully that won't give Vorondur a heart attack. She really ought to send her parents a life sign. After having lost two sons to various wars, Vorondur and Ercassë are probably a bit over-protective, but they do deserve a little consideration.

Sarah · 5 May 2014 · Chapter 37: Gwaith-en-Angbor

Of course you had to throw in a Star Wars reference! was glad to catch this on my way into my new job today (Public Transport. I promise.), definitely made getting up at 0 dark thirty worth it. Glad to see everyone came out of the encounter in one piece :-) A belated May the 4th reference to all of you and nobody party too hard this evening, okay? I love reading everyone else's opinions and would hate to have anything happen to you.

Celeth · 5 May 2014 · Chapter 37: Gwaith-en-Angbor

That was exciting! I wanted to throw a tantrum when I came to.the end of the chapter. Please, pretty please, let tomorrow be Friday already...

ainisarie · 4 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

A very interesting twist to the story. I can't wait to find out more. I really liked the bit about 'blood speaks to blood" Well, the twins have always been favorites of mine, but I do think they had abilities and power as a rightful inheritance of their bloodlines. Also, about traveling down the Silverlode to a strange country...I do think Lothlorien is meant. It would have been strange to men, hobbits and dwarves. I can imagine that along with their maybe scouting Dol Guldur a bit, they would have taken the opportunity to inform their grandparents of the happenings. And said hello.

Sunny · 3 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Hey, MikoNoNyte, Umaiar can have floral scents and still be appropriately stinky! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafflesia_arnoldii And in anticipation of Monday, a lesson in How To Fight Fair :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIc96jVFdDY

obsidianj · 3 May 2014 · Chapter 35: An Interlude with Glorfindel

Glorfindel is one stubborn elf. If it would be anyone else lying in ICU, he would make sure that elf would stay there until cleared by the healers. But he himself doesn't think he needs to abide by the rules of common sense, he would apply to anyone else. Loved the comment when he was seeing himself. When you are very ill you rarely look good. That should have given him a hint of how sick he really is. But I don't think he was thinking clearly. If he can keep down real food, than he is on the mend. But I don't think haring off to Fairbanks is a good idea. He needs some more time to heal.

Soledad · 3 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

My first comment was lost cause the wifi on the train flitzed off. Drat. Anyway, I liked the twist in this chapter. The SCA people might be slightly more inclined to accept the Elves... although their leader seems to be a dark horse. Looking forward very much how things will turn out.

Diana · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Hi Fiondil, I was wondering if you would put the SCA in the series. I like everyone's idea of putting the Valinorians in it as a mutual exchange of culture. It seems like a nearly perfect solution (unless the Valinor Elves think they're toooooo above teaching "clueless mortals). I know *you* already know who Gwinn is but I think the idea of several Elves left in Arda that never saw the Elf Academy web site is perfectly likely, and I'm sure we'll meet more Elves even in Alaska. Also, people being people, you know there has to be lots and lots of little half-elves and varying levels of mixed bloods all over the place. Perhaps Gwinn is one of those. Catching up on dishes is a wonderful way to meet people at a party. When I'm feeling out of place that's where I often go, and I always have amazing conversations with people while I'm there. See you at the sink! Thanks for the nonalcoholic beverages BTW! The Dude abides...

6336 · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Just realized that Winter's Gate is another name for the Autumn Solstice, and the name of the S.C.A. group is Barony of Winters Gate.... Dada, Dada, Dada, Dada ... Just who is Gwyn? (I know, I know wait till Monday!) I think we need to come to some arrangement about clean up at the Cliff House, I volunteer to do the dishes if some one else will dust and sweep or sweep and dust, cuts down on the dusting that way, everybody cleans up their own trash! Huggs, Lynda

Laer · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Barony of Winter's Gate might be a good place for some of the "new" elves to branch out and learn while they teach. And they might be able to open a new chapter at Wiseman :D Giving even more of the elves a place to teach and to learn. I wondered at first if the leader (I can't think of his name now, sorry) was a Dunedin decedent.

Legolin · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

This made my day!! I am so excited the SCA was brought in hahaha! Can't help but wonder if these lovely people will join the army of Wiseman. It will definitely expand their territory so to speak, but this group itself could help train other people. As always, I look forward to reading the next installment. ~Lin

MikoNoNyte · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Okay, I'm not supposed to be reading this! I'm not! I am by-passing other things to read this (including Elf Academy 1) and I can't say why. While reading this intriguing chapter I had a very interesting thought that sent me down oh so many familiar and unfamiliar paths. You mention again the scents of the Maiar: usually floral and herbal. I know you do your herbal research and as one who has followed that path for decades, even to aromatherapy and making my own perfumes, I had to stop THIS time and think about what you were NOT saying. And wonder if you HAD thought the same thought. What do the Umaiar smell like? I thought, given Western Culture, that most folks would think "dark, nasty, death, yadda yadda yadda" but no, not really. We are taught to think that in Western Culture, in Christian Culture. But if you are not immersed in that culture, in that way of thinking, other ideas come to fore. Like remembering that nothing evil need smell evil. Nothing that wants to entice or ensorcel need or even should "smell bad". After all, The Dark wants to bring you over, to work for it, and no one is born evil, they must be convinced, corrupted, and unless you are insane to begin with, you are NOT following something that smells like death warmed over (unless you have been bewitched by sparkly vampyres and that's a whole 'nother problem! LOL ) So, Master Fiondil, is this something you considered in your writing of Maiar and Umaiar? And why I ask? Well, frankly, it's because there IS a War and the Maiar, and the Elves are not the only pieces on the board. Yup: caught up in another masterpiece by you. *grins*

FV_Whisper · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

So, that's what the Twins are up to: getting aquatinted with the LARP-scene. I can just see them feeling at home in that scene. (I always could easily see them going to a LOTR fan convention (dressed up as themselves of course!), but since the books were never written in this universe, that's a scene we will never see. The Twins remain warriors all the time, in Fairbanks even more. I can image Sarah feeling out of place with it, when they are discussing ways to get out of town even when just staying at an hotel. Let's hope they don't need that knowledge. There ability to feel Maiar is interesting to say the least. It's nice we hear something a little bit more about the Maia side of the Twins, it's an often overlooked thing. Oh, and this make a nice place to comment how I envy the Elves for knowing so many languages! Now, Gwyn is the new interesting character of the day. And what's up with him? Young, looking no more than twenty, long fair hair, fair face...Either this guy actually is another Elf, or someone (something) doing it's very best to look like one! And his reaction on seeing the Twins makes me think he knows who they are! So, I actually did a little search on his name to see if that would make me any wiser and among other things, I found this: "In Welsh mythology, it is the name of the ruler of the underworld (Annwn) where he escorted the souls of the dead." If you didn't know it yet, I'm sure you'd find it amusing! someone, about your Dol Guldur comment, it reminded me of something I spend some thoughts on a while ago: in FOTR, when the scouts return to Rivendell, it is said: "'The sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir, were the last to return; they had made a great journey, passing down the Silverlode into a strange country, but of their errand they would not speak to any save to Elrond.' " Now when I read that again, last winter, I have this beautiful full-sized map of Middle-Earth hanging on my wall, and I made a check. Now down the Silverlode would have brought them to Lothlorien, but this would not be a strange country for the Twins, nor would this be the right time for them to pay their grandparents a merry visit. But on the other side of the Arduin, there's Dol Guldur... So I'm having the idea they were send over there to check on things? As for the Wizards, I always took it it did not take *that* long for Glorfindel to recognize Olórin. Let me help cleaning the cliff-house up a bit, we've been for a while now and it looks like we'll be staying there for another while.

Celeth · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

I liked that part about Maiarin blood speaking to blood. After all, they're not that far removed from Queen Melian. The last part actually gives me the shivers! I cant wait for Monday! Please let them be OK.

Direwolfy · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Re-enactment! I was sort of expecting something like this, but not at this point of time. The whole buildup to this scene feels a bit uncanny, like something out of a horror story. Creepy Elladan didn't help. Speaking of creepy, something's iffy about Gwen. I almost hope he's a mortal, because he has a potential to be an interesting character, but it seems unlikely. Whatever else he is, he must be an inspiring leader, to get people out there in the middle of the winter, in the dark no less. Poor Sarah seems a bit clueless about how the wicked world wags. I suppose her parents have done their best to shelter her, because somehow she's even more innocent than the Valinoran youngsters. Not telling her about the Maiar presence might have been a mistake, for she's (probably) in for a bit of shock. I note that the thought of emailing the parents was promptly forgotten in favour of more kissing. *sigh* Lovebirds. Attention span of goldfish. :D Looking forward to the next chapter! -Dire

Dreamflower · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Oh this took me back to my SCA days (Barony of Seleone, back when it was still in the Kingdom of Meridies, though it became part of Glenn Abhainn before I left). Something's not kosher, not only with Elladan, but with the Marshall of that fighter practice; what he's allowing the twins to do is against the rules. No newb would be allowed to fight unarmored at any officially sanctioned practice, for one thing. I do hope they don't hurt one another--that would be dreadful, not only for the one hurt, but for the one who inflicts it, unimaginable guilt! However, I think it's cool they've fallen in with an SCA group. I've often thought they'd be logical recruits for Elf Academy. (You clearly know your way around the SCA. Are you too a current or former member?)

Ellie · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

How cool to be able to sense the Maiar but how Not cool be taken on a little ride by someone or something. The bofer fighting looks like fun and I bet the twins would have enjoyed it more in private. Then again, they were itching for a fight to cool them off and calm their nerves. Gwyn the captain was most accommodating and unexpectedly so. He does seem to know something. Next chapter is going to be very interesting indeed, I bet.

Kevana · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Maybe it's just me, but I think when you hear a voice in your head asking if you'd like to see something interesting, the proper response is "Who wants to know?!" Guys, you're at war, watch out for that kind of thing! LOL, that was actually pretty nerve-wracking to read. It had to be a disturbing experience for the three of them, though I imagine the Maiar are having a ball with all of this. Apparently not all Maiar are as talented as subtle guidance as Olórin, but to be fair, they got the job done. *grin* Elves. And. SCA. *cackles* Oh, I love it. SCA always seemed a little silly to me, but the good kind of silly and it must take a lot of time and effort. I bet it's terribly fun, too, and the names are wonderful. Winter's Gate sounds so dramatic. Leave it to you, Fiondil, to do that level of research as to find an actual SCA group in Fairbanks. Ha! And they certainly could help found an SCA in Wiseman, hmm. Or maybe Wiseman will start infiltrating SCA groups. I wouldn't have thought there'd be a lot of those types of offerings in Alaska, but interestingly enough, I recently saw an infographic that declared Alaska one of the best Nerd Heaven states. Unfortunately I live in Nerd Hell. Just if anybody's interested. Gwyn's got one heck of a strong personality. Iiiiiiiinteresting. I can only presume he and the others in the group have something to do with what the Alien Overlords have planned. Certainly they're going to realize the Twins aren't quite what they seem once they get to swinging. And of course they could have the most accurate SCA group ever if the Elves decide to give them some pointers. It's a win-win. Dietrich, are you an Obi-Wan Kenobi fan by any chance? More civilized indeed! Maybe the looks aren't just seeing twins, but seeing drop-dead gorgeous twins. Ah, to be surrounded by gorgeous Elves. I figure you have two options: be horribly self-conscious and miserable, or enjoy the view. *wicked smirk* Well, war games of a different type are going on where I live (right next to a huge Army base). The Marines are in town for heavy artillery training. Ground-shaking, window-rattling thunder abounds day and night for the next two weeks. You can tell who's new in town based on who keeps jumping at the booms, LOL. Thanks for a wonderful update, I'm so glad to finally find out what the trio have been up to, it's been driving me nuts. Can't wait to see the Twins' fight and what the students think of it. Have a great weekend and be well! -Kevana

someone · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Interesting. Very interesting. There are many ways to use this information about the twins' ability to "feel" Maiar. I wonder if any thought to send them near Dol Guldur to check Sauron's possible presence? And they must have realized at once what the wizards were in the third age. And they also travelled a lot around the Misty Mountains where a certain balrog lived... Sarah is a bit like a fish out of water. She doesn't really understand what is going on and it must feel frustating. I have at least two theories when it comes to Gwyn. Either he is a mortal that the Ainur feel would be useful and are using the twins to bring him and his group into the real war, or he is an elf (either native Middle-Earth elf or one straight out of Valinor). There's really no reason why the Valar wouldn't bring elves to other places than Wiseman. In case of some disaster, it is better not to have everyone in one place. My other theories include the enemy kidnapping the twins and Sarah and the students are not what they seem to be, but that is pretty unlikely. I've also never heard of a hobby like that (fighting seriously with foam weapons). Sounds fun!

6336 · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Oh,Oh, cue Twilight Zone music! Just who is Gwyn? This is starting to get weird. Well we now know just where the Twins are and what they are up to, getting into trouble what else? I think a good fight is just what Dan needs at the moment, an outlet for some of his anger and frustration, the Twins are very like Glorfindel in this. Actually, fighting with an unfamiliar sword is good practice, I doubt if an enemy would wait while you found one to your liking, in the middle of a battle, if you lost or Eru forfend broke your own! Nice and cool up here on the cliff, it is a little warm and windy at Casa 6336 at the at the moment. Huggs, Lynda

Sunny · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

So Elladan and Elrohir are able to detect their Maiarin kinfolk's presence? Interesting and probably useful. I hope it will soothe the twins' nerves to pound on each other for a while. And the Mortals are surely going to find it an interesting spectacle - and they will surely find a queue of pupils stretching all the way to the South Pole! Waiting eagerly for Monday and the next chapter! *puts a new tablecloth on the table in the cliff house, and puts out platters of sandwiches, sliced veggies and sliced fruit, and starts heating the teapot and warming water for tea.*

rikki · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

I think a lot of people are up early to read the newest chapter and find out what is happening with Sarah and the twins. It seems like the twins have been guided since they left Wiseman in one direction or the other. Spending a night before leaving for Fairbanks, then deciding on a hotel near the university and the airport, and finally being directed to the SCA group. If it is the maia, then it may lead to more people ultimately joining the war as Elrohir calls it. The appearance of Gwyn is surprising. Is he maia or elf or just a knowledgeable mortal? I guess we will find out on Monday. Whatever happens, I hope that the SCA group turns into friends for the twins and Sarah. They could use some downtime to destress and get ready for when Glorfindel comes looking for them. Much better than being holed up in a motel room. UTFrog, I could use some fresh juice this morning. Coffee and scones from the other folks and I am ready to face work here. Have a good weekend everyone.

UTfrog · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

I am so glad the boys are having fun. I was worried when Dan was so out of it driving, but I see the Maiar were sending them to the correct place to vent. Serende is in for a treat if she has never seen them fight before. Also, did we just meet another Elf? Good chapter. Okay, I have a good beverage list underway. Someone mentioned being concerned about alcohol. I would never bring booze alone to an event. I assure all there will be a variety of juices, soft drinks, water, and adult beverage. Someone else does have to sign up to bring beer. I cannot stand the stuff. BTW, if the cliff hanging is as bad as it has been, I might even bring along the "home brew." That gets shared only with special friends.

Rhyselle · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

Goodness, the Maiar aren't being very subtle this time around. Then again, knowing who has been set to watch the twins, and their way of dealing with Glorfindel when he had a temper tantrum back in those first years after his rebirth, I oughtn't to be surprised at the form of "stress relief" that they have apparently arranged for Elladan and Elrohir. :-) So they can sense when a Maia is near. That can be a very useful thing. I like the many ways that you have touched on the divine aspect of their heritage in this story, and this is a neat idea. As a former member of the SCA, I could kick myself for not imagining the fighters of the organization as a potential source of mortals who are at least marginally prepared to fight in the Dagor Dagorath. I look forward to seeing the sparring match. The mortals watching are going to gobsmacked, I'm sure! One thing I've always enjoyed about your interpretation of Elladan and Elrohir is how you have never made the characters clones of each other. As my mother used to say to me and my twin, "You may have shared a womb and a bedroom, but you are two different people." Thanks for letting us see what's going on with the twins and Serinde. I think that this part is going to be at least as exciting as everything that's gone on up in Wiseman. I'm really looking forward to "watching" the match on Friday. :-) Thanks for another great chapter to start the weekend. (BTW, I find it amusing to have the SCA in this chapter, when last night, on an apparent whim, I picked up and read an old paperback copy of KNIGHT FALL, Mary Monica Pulver's murder mystery set at the Pennsic War.)

Larner · 2 May 2014 · Chapter 36: What the Twins and Serindë Get Up To

And just why do I think that the Maiar are involved in all of this? And does Gwin sometimes go by the name of Tulkas? Or Eonwe? Or some other name we are well acquainted with? Or is he another stranded Elf they aren't familiar with as yet? Heh!