The Shadow Rising Read-through #15: The Aelfinn and the Eelfinn

Strangeness in a Strange Land

by Linda

A couple of Otherworldly races feature in The Shadow Rising: The Aelfinn and Eelfinn. They are RJ's version of the elfin folk from beyond magical doorways under hills or in tombs who will capture the unwary and keep them, but can be made to tell the future or give aid to those who are lucky or clever (preferably both).

Mat, a King of the Underworld figure, has visited them twice so far, and is going back a magical third time. He coerced four answers out of the Aelfinn and was also given a free gift from the Eelfinn.

Rand was much more circumspect - and so was Moiraine in her first visit. Her second visit may have been a very nasty experience indeed, but she knew that and bravely went anyway. All in a good cause, just as Blues prefer.

Two articles on these strange folk originally published at Wotmania are now released here at the Thirteenth Depository. The first is a summary of the characteristics and world of The Aelfinn and the Eelfinn and how their world is reached, the second details what is known of the answers the Aelfinn gave to Mat, Rand and Moiraine.