Elf Academy 4 - The Unfinished Tales by Fiondil
Larner · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Be careful what you wish for? HEH! A surprise to himself as well as to the nay-sayers, I'd say. Excellent surprise here, and most timely. Is the hall on lockdown, too, as suggested by whichever king suggested it? Bless Namo!
sharonb · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Uh, so we'd have been tipped off if Fiondil had names the chapter Alex in Va-la-la-land? What an ending to this chapter. And I wonder how the elves will feel about hi not showing much respect calling Ingwe by his name and no title. That certainly was a shocker to everyone the way Falmaron announced the tax plan. So does this mean that Findarato will have a new sibling soon? And Falmaron too?
UTfrog · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Well, that ought to get everyone's attention. Way to go!!
eliza · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
First, let me say I am not a writer, I am a "near to obsessed" fan. As such let me give a huge "THANK YOU" to all who make SOA the wonderful, imaginative, positive site that it is. It is exactly because of real life that I appreciate the stories here. So thank you for doing such an excellent job. Now onto the review. LOL. talk about sending in the Calvary. Now that Alex's in town I agree with Olwe, I think they should just let him loose and let all hell break out. lol. loved the chapter
Sarah · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Well, it seems like a whole bunch of people are about to get Namo'd, or rather, since he doesn't seem to inspire sterling behavior among the Amanians anymore, Alex'd. Wonder just how Namo managed to swing that little surprise, though ;) I am sorry that you are all experiencing such a lack of respect here (something which is rather worrisome to me as I always enjoyed and appreciated the positivity of this particular community compared to others), and I sincerely apologize if I have in any way made you lovely folks feel pressured. Much love to you!
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Dear Shemyaza, Ellie and Alassiel, As I sit here, curled up on a comfortable bench in the Cliff House garden, I wish to first of all thank you, profusely, for your continuing efforts to post Atya's story. Secondly I wish to apologise, on behalf of all the Fiondilie, for those whose only response is, "good, this is on time" or something of that ilk. I know we all miss Fiondil. Atto's unexpected passing left a gaping hole in my heart that I don't think shall ever be filled. But none of us worked as closely with him as you three. None of us knew the writing struggles he must have gone through day-to-day as well as you did. And to see such comments from Fiondil's People, as I call us, from his beloved fanbase, is wrenching. I know we all wish things could go on as they always did, in the way we always knew. But you're not Atto, you're the Beta Amigas, nettenyar, and you don't have Atto's life, you have yours. Three different people, three different lives and one not even in the same country, much less the same time zone. I want you to know that I deeply appreciate all three of you personally, and I appreciate your continuing to post the story no matter WHAT day it appears on. I've brought peach lemonade, tea, cakes and scones to the Cliff House today. What say we all settle down and have a bite? Tye-melin, nettenyar. Tye-melin, my fellow Fiondilie. I love you all, even when I can't agree with the words or behaviour of some of my fellows. And now, finally, I can get to the chapter. It was breathtaking, it was brilliant (as Atto led me to expect); I especially enjoyed the mention of the ultrasound. "Orlamma" is a good word for it; I'll have to remember it. Triplets is indeed unheard of, and I'm still wondering how on earth that's going for Nimrodel. Atya, if you were still here I'd be telling you how funny it was for Amdir's Queen to be named Ivoniel. Emma and I have an Ivoniel; she was Oropher and his brother's nursemaid when they were elflings and like a surrogate grandmother to Thranduil. We had a different name for Amdir's Queen, but I can't remember what it was. Still, Ivoniel, given its relation to Hiril Ivon (Lady Yavanna) is perfect as a name for her, I think. :) And of course, the crowning moment of funny/what the actual fudgesicles, right at the end...I do hope we get an explanation for that in the next chapter! Love to one and all, Kaylee
Anonymous · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Hello again, Just wanted to quickly point out in the chapter list that you labeled this "chapter 29" instead of "chapter 27." (Those prologue chapters always mess with the order of things. :)) Also, the formatting of the chapter got messed up? I think it's the site, since you guys are really good about stuff like this. Again, thank you all for your work in posting this story. I know RL is not always kind (I'm so sorry about your cat), but you always take the time to post. I know I can speak for all the readers when I say we deeply, sincerely appreciate it. Please, remain spiffy. ;) <3
Anonymous · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Please, for the love of everything, post the next chapter now! Haha, I cannot wait to see the elves' reaction. Please tell me Alex gets to show off his BA skills. Thank you all for posting this story. Stay awesome. <3
harrowcat · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Oh, Oh a classic case of be careful what you wish for!!! Loving this more by the minute. This is not intended as a criticism but as a point for discussion to ease the time at the cliff house...."And we Elves are woefully undermanned." Under-elved doesn't really sound right either. Any suggestions>
Aranadhel · 1 August 2016 · Chapter 27: The Council Continues
Good. Right on schedule.
Author's reply
Aranadhel...are you unable or unwilling to understand what Ellie and I have tried to tell you? We have explained time and time again that the posted of these chapters has to fit in with our lives, NOT with your expectations. I am sure Arthur would have given anything to be posting these chapters, but that's not possible. How about instead of commenting on the 'schedule' being kept to, you actually write a real review, because these constant comments about schedules from are actually beginning to annoy me. Please leave a review in future or if you are unable to do that, then don't leave any comment at all. I am not Fiondil, I am Shemyaza, Ellie is not Fiondil. We both have real lives which sometimes get in the way of posting. Please deal with it.
sharonb · 31 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
Hmm, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around vacuum tubes, resistors, capacitors, or even IC chips being made in a forge. I wonder if forced migration and child bearing would work or would the hard work of starting from scratch bear the fruits of estel and children. And what ever time you can get the stories up is jsut fine. I am just thankful that we can get to see EA4.
obsidianj · 31 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
Hmm, a forced colonization schedule with a lottery... That seems to be very drastic. I would ask for volunteers first. There must be some intrepid younger elves out there that would welcome the chance. If the kings then offer rewards and expressively praise anyone who adds kids to their family the mood might change. Part of the problem in my mind is that the kings also lost estel, especially Ingwe. If the kings show they go for the new endeavor others will follow.
katharein · 30 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
I am grateful to see these chapters when and how you can - carry on and thank you!
elrondion · 28 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
i so much appreciate the work that has been done to bring the continuation of this series to all of us fans. while i am in no position to help create, i am more than willing to help take the pressure off others by helping to post in a timely manner. let me know if i can help in this or other ways.
Larner · 27 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
Realizing they are capable of breaking new ground could indeed raise their self-confidence, and thus their estel as well. And of course Eonwe is following them around! What do they expect?
KathyG · 27 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
LOL! Point taken, Ellie. I, for one, thank you for posting it weekly as you've been doing so far. For me, there is nothing more frustrating than a wonderful story that gets off to a great start, only to sink into permanent hiatus. May I make a suggestion? If Fiondil were still alive, I would make it of him, but since he's not, I shall have to make it of you, since you're posting this story on his behalf. It occurs to me that if the Elf Academy series were to be available on other venues, more people would get a chance to read the stories in that series. What do you think? Would you be willing to also post the Elf Academy stories on Fanfiction.net, Many Paths to Tread, and Archive of Our Own? Of course, that would mean setting up accounts on those sites if you don't already have your own. If your schedule does not permit you to do this, or if Fiondil's relatives who gave you permission to finish and post his last story for him do not give you permission to post his stories elsewhere, I'll understand. It's just a thought on my end. But at the very least, it's something to consider while you're in the process of posting Elf Academy 4: The Unfinished Tales on Stories of Arda, don't you think?
Author's reply
Shemyaza here. I think that Ellie, Mari and I would have to discuss this possibility. I'm sure that Fiondil's family would be happy with it, but obviously it will make more work for us. As it is Ellie and Mari have family and personal issues that must come first and it fell to me, as the retired member of the trio and someone who doesn't have a young family, to take responsibility for posting the chapters. As Ellie said, we're as subject to real life events that hinder us time wise as anyone else. Also I live in the UK in a completely different time zone to both Ellie and Mari, so the logistics of perhaps posting Fiondil's stories to another site would have to be carefully considered. In the meantime, we will keep posting the chapters we have and I will endeavour to post them as Fiondil did, however sometimes it might be delayed simply because of circumstances beyond my control! We are so grateful and thankful that all of the readers are following Fiondil's last story and please, do keep revieweing! I know we are not him and that you all miss his answers to reviews, we do as well!
Sarah · 26 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
Glad to hear all is well with you, no worries about the delay! We've had some tech gremlins in my neighborhood as well. I wondered if we were perhaps approaching or had reached the end of the completed story. I am glad that this is not (yet) the case. It seems like they're cooking up some interesting plans. I wonder if perhaps the Valar may use this forced lottery idea as a sort lesser of 2 evils against their own plans (or plans yet to be inspired).
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 26 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
Ah, the plot thickens some more. A forced colonization attempt, hmm? Well, as unsavoury as that sounds to me, it's true that the Amaneldi do need that shaking up, and I don't think zombie boot camp would work for them (I wonder what Atya would have made of that thought...) I've been reading faithfully but my reviews have been somewhat lacking, I know. I've just been so caught up in everything Atto Fiondil left behind for us that it's hard to sort my thoughts out. I think, though, that Helyanwe is lucky to have the support of her brother Beren and of Sador and Alassiel. I'm very glad that her family is there for her. And Beren not being Glorfindel's type...*snorts, choking on chocolate milk* Ow... Well, the kings are at least attempting to imitate Mortal technology. That is definitely interesting. I can't wait to see how they do. And of COURSE Eonwe is following them and recording everything; I expected that by now. I'm hoping all goes well for our intrepid Elves, both in the West and Wiseman. (And I'm really curious how the events of Glorfindel's nightmare, and the problem of his fading, will be addressed. I haven't forgotten that...) Lastly, but not least, I hope all is well with you, dearest Beta Amiga nettenyar. Whatever happened to delay the chapter, your wellbeing is more important to me. *hugs all*
Aranadhel · 26 July 2016 · Chapter 26: A Discussion Among Kings
Hi... kindly appreciate if the stories gets updated on schedule please.
Author's reply
This is Ellie and the following statement is for all reviewers. The story will be updated when it is possible for it to be updated and not before, and not always on a fixed schedule. We have lives and difficulties of our own which we work around on a daily basis as it is, and Shemyazza and I live in different countries. PLEASE do not post reminders of any kind about updating the story unless the story has gone for at least 2 weeks without being updated. PLEASE do not put the added pressure on us to try to keep to the same rigid schedule which was one of Fiondil's hallmarks. It just is not something that we are always able to do, though we will try as best we can. Reminders of our failures and shortcomings in updating his story as he would have updated it, NO MATTER HOW WELL INTENDED, put an unfair burden on us. There is no need to discuss this further. Please enjoy the story for that is why we are all here :-)
Dreamflower · 25 July 2016 · Chapter 25: Sador in Alqualondë
Ah, so we see that even Helyanwe's foolishness while in the mortal realms will serve an important purpose! I'm curious to witness this All-Aman council, though I suspect that my eagerness means that we'll be taken back to Earth sooner than I'd like. Of course, then I will get all caught up in the happenings in Alaska again, and be disconcerted if we are taken back to Aman! This little lesson in timing and suspense is one that the good Professor taught us, and one that Fiondil used like a master!
obsidianj · 24 July 2016 · Chapter 25: Sador in Alqualondë
Helyanwe still has a lot to learn. I just hope she can put aside her snobbishness and help the people in Valinor learn about the modern mortals. I loved seeing Sador again.
Larner · 19 July 2016 · Chapter 25: Sador in Alqualondë
Poor Helyanwe is perhaps right in seeing herself as having failed in some way, particularly as we know that Glorfindel is now failing; but she also needs, as Sador reminds her, to step beyond that failure and assist in the success of all. I do find myself wondering what Glorfindel's state would be had she remained and they'd worked toward a union of their own, however.
Lindelea · 19 July 2016 · Chapter 25: Sador in Alqualondë
Ah, those trick questions! (I could not help thinking, when Helyanwë was talking, What a spoiled brat! Sador nailed it. She's such a snob. She doesn't seem to listen to history lessons very well. Thanks again for keeping the story going.
UTfrog · 18 July 2016 · Chapter 25: Sador in Alqualondë
I have so enjoyed the last two chapters since they take us back to Valinor for an update. Though things have changed somewhat from Elf Interrupted, 2, other then everyone being older and having descendants, it is pretty clear Valinor society is stagnant or close to it, new kingdoms or not. I hope we hear all about the council. It should be very interesting. Again, my deepest appreciation to everyone involved in continuing this wonderful series.
obsidianj · 16 July 2016 · Chapter 24: Returning Home
The trip to Endore already bears fruit. Maybe not totally in the way the Valar envisioned... At least Olwe and Arafinwe, I think, found hope and a task again. Ingwe will need some more convincing. I hope his wife can be a good influence. Arafinwe in trying to build computers with software will have new stuff to do for a looong while. I have yet to see a 'perfect' computer program and since the elves tend to do everything to perfection... Didn't the Valar say they didn't want Internet on Valinor? Maybe they have to rethink their opinion. Now that the elves know such things exist and with all the time they have on hand, the Valar can't put that Genie back into the bottle.