The Elfstones of Shannara
| File:Elfstones.jpg Cover art of The Elfstones of Shannara | |
| Author | Terry Brooks |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Darrell K. Sweet |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Original Shannara Trilogy |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
Publication date | 1983 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback, Mass market paperback) |
| Pages | 576 pp (Mass market paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-28554-9 (Mass market paperback) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| Preceded by | The Sword of Shannara |
| Followed by | The Wishsong of Shannara |
The Elfstones of Shannara is a fantasy novel by Terry Brooks, the first sequel to The Sword of Shannara and the second book in The Original Shannara Trilogy. It provides the history of the Elves, which was only hinted at in the preceding story, and follows Wil Ohmsford, grandson of Shea (the hero of the first book) and inheritor of the Elfstones.
History of the Elves
Before the dawn of mankind was the age of Faerie. Many powerful spirits (such as the King of the Silver River) came from this era. The Elves, at that time, were extremely long-lived and possessed great magic, as did all beings from that time. The Elves created the Elfstones at this time. However, in the beginning of time, darkness was also created as a necessary balance to the light, and from this darkness the Demons were born. After years of battle between the light and the dark, the Elves summoned their greatest magic and created the Forbidding, a spell that imprisoned the Demons beyond the confines of the world. They also created the Ellcrys, a beautiful silver tree with crimson leaves to maintain the Forbidding. Unfortunately, this drained nearly all the strength of the Elves, leaving them with very little magic. Most of the creatures of Faerie died out in this time of waning magic. However, the Elves survived, though diminished in splendor. In time, they came to resemble more and more the human race that had recently evolved, both in strength and longevity. Afraid of the rapidly multiplying humans, Elves went into hiding, remaining one with nature, ever guarding the Ellcrys. Even when mankind nearly destroyed the world in the Great Wars, the Elves lived on, spending their last remaining magic to save the Ellcrys. In the aftermath of the destruction, as mankind split into four distinct races, the Elves took that opportunity to come out from hiding. Indeed, most believed that the Elves were just another offshoot of mankind, like the Dwarves, Gnomes, and Trolls. The Elves emerged as leaders in the new world; it was the Elf Galaphile who summoned the first Druid council at Paranor.
Plot summary
Template:Spoiler The magical Ellcrys tree is dying, thus weakening the spell that holds the Forbidding. The Ellcrys spoke to the Chosen (her caretakers), telling them of a rebirth, a process which enables a new Ellcrys to be reborn, a process that can only be done at the fountain of the Bloodfire. The Chosen then informs Prince Ander Elessedil and King Eventine Elessedil of the matter. However, there were none who knows of the location of the Bloodfire, which lies within Safehold. A Demon, Dagda Mor, escapes from the waning Forbidding, bringing with it the Reaper and the Changeling. The Dagda Mor then sends the Reaper to kill the Chosen. Eventine is at a loss, for only the Chosen can make the rebirth of the Ellcrys happen. Allanon appears, going to Paranor to find the location of Safehold, and bring Amberle, granddaughter of Eventine and the last of the Chosen back to Arbolon, city of the Elves. Allanon is ambushed by the Dagda Mor and a handful of other Demons. He retreats to Storlock. Allanon then goes to Havenstead with Wil Ohmsford who is a Healer, grandson of Shea Ohmsford, descendant of the House of Shannara and bearer of the Elfstones, to find Amberle. Amberle agrees to return to Arbolon.
Allanon, Amberle and Wil flee from Demon wolves, travelling to the Rainbow Lake. There, Allanon decides to delay the Demons while Wil and Ambrele are transported by the King of the Silver River to safety. The duo continues to flee from the Demons and manages to regroup with Allanon. They return to Arbolon. Amberle receives a seed from the Ellcrys and prepares to go to Safehold with Wil and six Elven Hunters and the Captain of the Home Guard, Crispin. Journeying to the Elven outpost at Drey Wood, the group finds the entire patrol at the outpost dead, killed by the Reaper. They managed to escape, but two of their Elven guards are killed. The party then goes to Matted Brakes, where another two of their group are killed by the creatures in the Brakes. The remaining group of five finds themselves at Pykon after escaping from the Brakes. The Reaper tracks them once again and kills the final two Elven hunters. Wil, Amberle, and Crispin runs to a fortress inside of the Pykon. Wil and Amberle finally loses the Reaper, but Crispin is lost as well.
Characters in "The Elfstones of Shannara"
Main characters
- Allanon
- Amberle Elessedil
- Ander Elessedil
- Changeling (demon-deceased)
- Dagda Mor (demon)
- Ellcrys
- Eretria
- Eventine Elessedil
- Reaper (demon)
- Stee Jans
- Wil Ohmsford
Minor characters
- Ander Elessedil
- Amantar
- Arion Elessedil
- Artaq (horse)
- Browork
- Cephelo
- Cormac(deceased)
- Crispin(deceased)
- Dancer (roc)
- Dardan
- Dayn
- Dilph(deceased)
- Drifter
- Ehlron Tay
- Emer Chios
- Flick Ohmsford
- Flyn
- Gael
- Genewen (roc)
- Hebel
- Herrol
- Jase
- Kael Pindanon
- Katsin(deceased)
- Kerrin
- Kian(deceased)
- King of the Silver River
- Kobold
- Lauren
- Manx (dog-disguised as by Changeling)
- Mallenroh
- Morag
- Ped(deceased)
- Perk
- Rhoe
- Rin
- Spitter (horse)
- Went(deceased)
- Wisp
(deceased by Reaper(demon))