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Elf Culture: One with Nature

A Tribute to the Elves
(Part Two)

Today we continue our tale of the Elves.

Studio reporter addressing television audience:

"We are here today at the former Albanian Royal Library in Tirana, Albania.

Last time, we were fortunate to learn of Elves and their history from Dr. Samuel Bainbridge, a recognized expert in the study of ancient legends and languages, and currently classics professor emeritus at Misantium University.

Today, Dr. Bainbridge is arriving at the Library. The Library Director, Dr. Sibyl Unger, has extended an invitation to the Professor to study their collection of forest lore, one of the finest in the world. Few scholars have been allowed access to these rare manuscripts, so it was with pleasure that Dr. Bainbridge is reported to have accepted Dr. Unger's invitation.

Reporters are awaiting Dr. Bainbridge's arrival to ask him to honor his promise of answering additional questions regarding evidence that the reporters believe will settle once and for all whether Elves truly exist, and, if so, where to find them. The reporters seem also interested in finding out what relevance Elves may still have in today's topsy turvy world.

I see the Professor has arrived.

Let's listen in!"

Reporter:

"Dr. Bainbridge, thank you for meeting with us. Can you please give us more information about what you referred to last time as Elvin culture. As I remember it, you promised to explain what you have found in the ancient texts. Also, most of us are great fans of authors Tolkien and Brooks. We want to know just how close these writers came to describing Elves as they really are."

Dr. Bainbridge:

"As usual, I am pressed for time. And, you have asked questions that would require many hours to answer satisfactorily, if indeed answers were available. However, yes, let me attempt to quickly fulfill my promise to you, as I remember it.

You will recall from the literature you reference that Elves are generally of refined build. That is, they tend to be slim, quick of foot, sure of eye, and in possession of profound personal energy and intelligence.

We know from the texts that, in the presence of their leaders, a sense of what we might call command is experienced. Also, as a group, Elves seem to possess an inner strength and assurance that translates not only to high standards of behavior, but also to an understanding of the ancient wisdoms. These characteristics, allied with uncommon physical bravery, make Elves ideally suited to assume essential responsibilities relative to the sustaining of the light."

Reporters:

"Would you explain what you mean by that Professor? We are not fully understanding what you are getting at."

Dr. Bainbridge:

"Yes, of course.

Generally, Elvin appearances in history coincide with situations which have become very dire indeed. Until then, their preference is to allow man and others to exercise their own judgment, consistent with informed free will.

When pressed into battle, however, Elves prefer to appear using weapons known to the men of their time. Therefore, for example, in the first and eighth centuries, when they are mentioned, the bow is their weapon of choice. Today, I suspect, Elves would be prone to use more elemental level powers in order to contain a destructive entity or circumstance."

Reporters:

"Well, OK, but can you give us some simple examples?"

Dr. Bainbridge:

"Let me try to explain so as not to confuse you or myself.

After all, my knowledge, although greater than most regarding Elves, is still far from sufficient to answer every question concerning their society, or to measure their intentions.

It is told in the ancient texts, for instance, that Elves make use of water in many interesting and powerful ways.

More to the point, rivers, because they run the breadth of the entire Earth, accumulate the feelings of the Earth, recording centers of light and darkness in quantum memory. Information regarding good and evil, which may be presently birthing throughout the world is then, I believe, transmitted throughout the forests, entwined with the Earth's ancient wisdoms and then shared with Elvin counsels as quickly as sunlight by a mechanism still unknown to me.

In this way, with information of past, present and imminent future, Elves are allowed to respond with speed and accuracy to the need, thus enabling strikes characterized by certainty, lending relatively small numbers of Elvin warriors power unavailable to forces elsewhere of similar size.

In addition, Elvin quadrants, allied with the Earth as they are, are provided special protections by Her. For instance, it is said in ancient times that it was possible to pass by an entire quadrant of Elvin bowmen and fail to perceive their presence, as the various energies of the Earth were used to shield their persons.

Legend has it that even a wild beast, whose sense of hearing and sight is acute, would sometimes stumble upon an Elvin village unaware by scent or sound that Elves stood watch, and had been aware of its presence whilst its meanderings were several kilometers distant.

I have also discovered, if the texts be true, that Elvin families are of a kind with access to the natural magics. That is, since they are in intimate contact with the Earth, air and water, these elements, in direct response, ofttimes obey Elvin commands. The Elf and Earth are bound at what we may term elemental levels, allowing for a manipulation of powerful resources through affection and suggestion.

To further explain, just as each of us yearns for comfort and sustenance, so the Earth does as well. Commonly, the Earth finds its friends among the Elves and a few chosen human beings. Having provided comfort to the Earth in unbroken sequence from ancient times, the Earth itself provides the Elf and a few others with an immediate ally should the forces of night threaten.

Said with less obfuscation, many creatures, including most human men and women, who walk upon the Earth's breast, are fully unaware of the planet beckoning them to share of themselves with Her. Elves are taught from early life to refine their senses in order to respond accurately to the needs of the Earth. In return, the Earth uses Her substantial power in care and concern to aid the causes that both Elf and planet deem beneficial to the light.

Therefore, to answer your question, to the extent that authors like Tolkien and Brooks describe Elvin culture as I have presented it, to that extent they are in tune with the spirit of Earth's life available only to those who can rise above story to a kind of pinnacle of wisdom relative to affection and bravery.

As to the whereabouts of Elvin societies today, I have been asked to withhold comment until I have spoken with a special visitor who has asked not to be named to me, but who wishes to consult with me before I begin translating the ancient Albanian forest records contained in the Library before us.

Thus, my haste to enter the building. Perhaps I will have more to say at day's end, once my secretive and, evidently important, visitor has been satisfied of my intent.

Until then, please know I am available to you as time permits."

Studio Reporter:

With that I see Professor Bainbridge has entered the Library. The reporters present are, of course, curious as to who the special visitor might be, and what the special meeting is all about. There is speculation that the visitor will ask Dr. Bainbridge questions or give him further information about Elves in general or the Albanian collection in particular.

We can only guess at this point. So, until Dr. Bainbridge emerges again from the Library, we can only wait for more information. With that, I am going to send you back to our studios in New York. So long, for now from the Royal Library here in Tirana, Albania.

Monday, 12:58 pm | January 4th, 2010

Comments

Barbara on Tuesday, 11:53 am | January 5th, 2010

I really enjoyed this post!

Sire on Thursday, 4:54 am | January 14th, 2010

I've always liked Fantasy type stories as well as science fiction. Your post reminded me a lot of those stories. It would be nice to think that they existed, and this helped prolong the fantasy.

Danny on Sunday, 7:34 am | February 14th, 2010

If any one would care to strike up a friendship with me I could certainly use it. My name is Danny and I am a girl who is currently stuck in Hong Kong, but am from Vancouver,B.C. Canada I was supposed go home before x-mas. I wrote the comment " when Mankind stops using their hearts as weapons instead of gifts they will find what they are looking for " I can be reached at Dannyhawk [nospam @ ] live [nospam dot ] ca. Light, Arcs, Magic, Cookies, DARRRRRRRRRRRR! Hope to hear from someone soon. Love and peace from this Elf Danny8