#elfcember

[brassica-prime]

And this is why we don’t have any decorations in prifddinas

[kethsi]

Elfcember headcanon of the day: Of all the elf clans - none specialize in fishing. Not even remotely. As a result, despite the existence of fishing spots in Tirannwn, most elves prefer not to waste their time learning to fish, and despite us never really getting too many clues in canon about what they eat/what is considered elvish cuisine, fish probably aren’t on the menu at all.

[kethsi]

Elfcember Headcanon of the day: A vital part of choosing an elf clan leader is based on the candidates’ attentiveness to others (because as a clan leader, it is only expected that your elves will come to you with their issues and ask you for help). Even in clan Iorwerth, where many elves may seem to be a stoic unfeeling or snobbish on the outside, the leader must have empathy for their people and a desire to help them. Bonus related headcanon: When the World Guardian arrives at Prif for the first time after the events of Sliske’s Endgame (in which they were directly prevented from telling Harold and Icthlalrin that they need help), the elders (leaders) immediately notice the change and after asking the World Guardian for their health (and again, probably being told that everything’s “fine”), they start piecing the WG’s condition together. When they’ve deducted enough, they sat down with the wg and started a much-needed therapy session with them.

[kethsi]

Dear brother

This is supposed to be a letter. Or written in a letter format. Warning for mentions of death and violence.

Dear brother, How are you? Are you safe, wherever it is that you are? Has the world been good to you, regardless of your location? I hope it has. I’ve been worrying about you a lot recently, especially with all that has happened here. You probably have no idea what I’m talking about. I’m sorry. I guess I should start from the beginning.

The decades and centuries since our parting have not been kind to

Tirannwn. It’s almost as if you took the land’s stability with you when you left. Within a century, our beloved city bled and crumbled. Horrible war tore us apart, conflict that shook our childhood home to the core. We were forced to leave, if we wished to survive. Things didn’t look pretty on any of the fronts, and we eventually received news that Prifddinas has reverted back to crystal. No day went by without me thanking Seren for keeping you safe from the devastation. Our childhood memories were my anchor, and the most significant of my few consolations during those horrible times. But the more I delved into those memories, the more painful it became. I am sorry, brother. Truly, I am.  I’m sorry for being so stubborn and condescending during our last days under the same roof. I took everything for granted, brother, and now I regret it. Mother has died fighting in the war, and father succumbed to poison after trying to free one of the elves from some sort of trap when we were evacuating. I’d say it’s my fault, too. If you were there… I know you would’ve figured out an adequate spell. If I was half as magically gifted as you… then perhaps father would still be with us. It hurts to even put these words on paper. Yes, even after all these years. Well, you’ll probably add it to the list of existing reasons to hate me, but I don’t mind. I deserve it. Other survivors would say I’m not to blame. They say I didn’t break my family apart. And frankly? I agree. I didn’t break my family. I shattered it. To more pieces than I am able to repair. And everyone paid the price. Everyone other than me. I know I call my clan a family, but I was always closest to you. And now they’re gone, brother. Our parents didn’t make it, and they died hoping, but not knowing, whether you were alive. And… truth be told? I don’t know either. But I was hoping, too. I still am. I’m still clinging to this old hope, that one day you’ll come back. And when this day comes, maybe we could be brothers again. It doesn’t remove my guilt, for it was I who tore us apart. It was I who turned a blind eye to all your struggles, it was I who belittled you, it was I who made you disdain your clan and your name, and leave. And now it is I who, after all these years, comes to regret it again, and again and again. Life in a war, and a refugee camp, made me appreciate family much, much more than I ever did before. And While I’m glad you weren’t forced to live like that, I also find myself yearning for your company again. Incredibly selfish of me, I know, but what can I say? You were always the first to calm down and think things through. Always the one with the logical solutions. Always ready and willing to help everyone understand how exactly they should deal with the consequences of their actions… And - by Seren, that’s some advice I could use. Granted, we did return to Prifddinas. A human, of all things, helped us find a way. It’s peculiar, I know, but at least you can take solace in knowing it wasn’t me. I’m no longer some grand hero with grand achievements. You no longer need to resent that version of me. You know, my childhood self. I don’t want to “one-up” you anymore. I know I’ve hurt you, and I don’t want to ever do that again. I’m sorry, brother, for all I’ve done. Forgive me for being a horrible brother. For taking you for granted. For not having the courage to contact you sooner. For letting you down. And letting you leave. Your trust means more to me than my position as a clan leader. I wouldn’t mind returning to my little camp if it would mean seeing you again, at least from time to time. I hope that you find it in your heart to forgive me one day. If you ever do… Prifddinas is awaiting your return. And so am I. Kindest regards and best sentiments, Arianwyn Cadarn.

[tanglepath]

[kethsi]

12

12 - Candles

He’s been buying them ever since I can remember.Every now and again, he’d say he wanted to restock in Lletya, even if we had enough supplies.When we’d be on our way again, aside from more food in his bag, he’d have - in a side pocket - a small amount of candles; wrapped in soft cloth with delicate care.Eudav and Oronwen made them, setting them aside especially for him.They had no wax to work with, so they made them from the tar Eudav gathered. Oronwen would mix some lighter green and blue dyes with the tar, the results similar in color to the Tirannwn forest clearings. And every so often, when the stars came out, he’d sit down, take one of the candles, hold it carefully in a leaf or two, and light it.The way he looked at the little light sources…It made me look away.It was an innocent, intimate scene.Like a priest, praying at an altar.Like parent, holding their newborn child.Like a traveller, stepping into their hometown for the first time in decades.

And well, absolutely rarest of all, he’d start humming.A quiet, almost inaudible lullaby of sorts, with a doleful tune that never failed making me wonder, each time I heard it-Was it from his childhood, or did he come up with it on his own?

He never seemed to mind me listening.Assuming he even noticed in the first place.I could never tell. I’ll ask him later, I suppose. When the candles burn out.Someday.

(Thanks for sending a number!)

[sourdough-slut]

How Morvran stole Christmas

If I find some time I’ll try and write a story though it’ll probably be shit

[kethsi]

Happy Elfcember, one and all!

Please contribute to the elf love by sharing headcanons and such! If you do, please tag them Elfcember.