From: ss1@kepler.unh.edu (The Rink)
Subject: Re: The Elf Queen of Shannara -- Thoughts, and the like -- SPOILERS
Organization: Turkey Hall
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 05:47:38 GMT

>Hi!  I'm new to news-net, but couldn't keep my two-cents out of this
>one.  So if I break any news-net protocol...I plead ignorance.....

Welcome!!

>>4.  Back to number 1.  A relationship and eventual marriage between Wren and
>>	Morgan Leah would create a rather interesting effects....
>>		...Wren, both Ohmsford and Elessedil, and Walker, both Ohmsford
>>		and Boh.  The only line not yet joined with Ohmsford blood is
>>		the Buckhannah line, and that died out after Balinor.
>
>But what about the _obvious_ one?  The Ohmsfords and the Leahs?  It looked
>like, at the end of the original trilogy, that Brin Ohmsford and Morgan Leah
>were an item.  If so, is Morgan their direct descendent? [also see answer #6]

Good thought, but I honestly don't think *RONE* and Brin ever got involved
romantically.  Actually, there wasn't so much as a hint that they were the
least bit interested in each other besides as close close close friends
(and that Rone was to be Brin's protector).  But here, if Wren & Morgan got
together, that would merge the Leah line.

>While we're on geneologies...how in the world can Walker (who is the only
>acknowledged descendent of Brin Ohmsford) be an Ohmsford (he only changed
>his name to Boh)?  Did someone keep their maternal paternom somewhere along
>the line, or did Brin's line marry into Jair's at some point?

This was explained in the "Scions":  Walker, as we know, is not proud of his
Ohmsford heritage -- he is not a proud bearer of the trust given Brin.  So
he changed his name himself to his mother's name.  He's really an Ohmsford.

Although it appears last names aren't kept track of very much:  consider
Wren -- and this one is very confusing.  We know she is an Ohmsford and an
Elessedil.  However, her heritage is very unclear as to where the Ohmsford
line comes in.  Wren's grandmother was Ellenroh Elessedil.  Her mother was
Alleyne Elessedil.  Though it is possible, I don't see how either of these
could have any Ohmsford blood in them.  That surely would have been mentioned,
the Ohmsford blood being so distinctive.  However:  it says, in that bit when
Ellenroh and Wren were talking to each other, that Alleyne married a Wing
Rider.  What the heck does this mean?  Wren's Ohmsford blood comes from a
Wing Rider??  Something's confusing....  But nothing has really been
contradicted, yet.  It just means that she and Par and Coll are more distant
cousins than originally thought -- there were no mention of any Wing Riders
when Brooks described Par & Coll's heritage -- and he traced it all the
way back to Jair.

Oops.  Forgot to make my original point:  it appears last names don't make
much of a difference anyway, since Gavilan called Wren "Wren Elessedil".
Wren was quick to correct him, but only on the basis of preserving her
identity as an Ohmsford (which she eventually compromised to Elessedil
anyway).

>But, part of Brooks' appeal is the fact
>that he's not afraid to kill off his characters (look at Amberle in
>"Elfstones", the party from Culhaven in "Wishsong", Teel in "Scions",
>Quicksilver in "Druid", Garth in "Elfqueen", etc.)
 ^^^^^^^^^^^
 Quickening, perchance?  :-)  I admire Brooks for that courage -- the
courage to kill off his characters.  Too many wishy-washy books out where
everybody's immortal.  He sure surprised me with Garth's death, though!
I got to thinking of it as a possibility, actually, but only after Aurin
Striate, Cort, Dal, Ellenroh, and Eowen bit the dust.  IMHO, it's one of
the best scenes Brooks has ever written.

And add one more to the list of those deceased...Hendel in the "Sword".
Ah, beloved Hendel.  I liked him.  And what about Steff??  It doesn't pay
to be a dwarf in the Four Lands, does it?  And Keltset, and Carisman, and
the six mentioned above....  And ALLANON.  Yikes!  :-)

>Thanks!  If anyone has any other comments, please make them!

'Tis done....
-- 
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