Excellent news.
I've been toying with Faeryl recently (I'll just pause to think about the implication of those words...) having modded her to be arcane/raider, and created a map where they get to start in a wintery forest with their summery pals nearby and Yggdrasil between them to fight over. Having a hoot, and have come to what I hope is an appropriate solution to not being able to build elven improvements: just pressgang Arendel's workers. I'd love to see how you guys intended the svartalfar to be implemented.
Speaking as someone with many years IT project experience, that looks like a pretty tight schedule you're aiming for. I hope you make it, and can survive without a social life for a bit longer!
Good luck, keep up the good work, and don't spare the horses!