Allardon Elessedil is a character in Ilse Witch. He was King of the Elves and the great-great-grandson of the legendary Wren Elessedil, having inherited the throne after his brother Kael Elessedil, the heir, was lost at sea. He was the father of Kylen and Ahren Elessedil.
Biography[]
Allardon was a caretaker King, a ruler who felt his principal duty was keeping things as they were. His mother, Queen Aine, had spent the last five years of her life mourning her elder son and heir Kael Elessedil, who had become lost at sea along with the Elfstones after a treasure-hunting expedition across the Blue Divide failed badly. Upon Aine's death, Allardon succeeded her in Kael's stead.
In the early years of his reign, Allardon was approached by Walker Boh, the last of the Druids. Walker had come to Arborlon in desperation because all of his efforts to resurrect the Druid Council had failed. Walker had tried to broker an agreement with the Races and bring representatives to Paranor to study in the Druid way to no avail, and he was reduced to living alone at Paranor and recording the history of the Four Lands as there was little else he could do.
Walker had come to Arborlon hoping that Allardon and the Elves could assist him in establishing a new Druid Council, but Allardon refused. The two men eventually fell out with each other over this impasse, and Walker left Arborlon with the expectation that he would not return in Allardon's lifetime.
However, twenty-three years later, the Wing Rider Hunter Predd finds and returns a broken and nearly dead Kael to the Four Lands, along with a cryptic map that had been found on Kael's person. Allardon requests that Hunter take the map to Walker in the hope that the Druid might discuss with the Elf King any usable translation of the writings and symbols on the map. Hunter accepts the King's charge after the King promises him that in reward for his efforts, he would bestow upon the Sky Elves possession of an island just below and west of the Irrybis Mountains that Wing Riders had long coveted.
After speaking to Hunter Predd and being shown the map, Walker follows him back to Arborlon and meets the Elven King in the Gardens of Life. Allardon, who wants to know what happened to Kael and wants to retrieve the lost Elfstones for the Elves, asks Walker to undertake a quest following the route shown on Kael's map to achieve both those goals. Walker for his part is certain that the map will lead to a powerful magic that will enable him to finally rebuild the Druid Order.
Allardon and Walker strike an agreement: a voyage was to be undertaken with Walker as leader. The purpose of the voyage was to follow the route described on the map carried by the Druid, a copy of which was held by the King's scribe at the palace. Among other things, a search for the missing Elfstones was to be undertaken.
As a reward for going on this quest, Allardon would give Walker everything he had denied him twenty-three years earlier. Walker would finally receive the Elves' support for an independent Druid Council, one that would be free to study, explore, and develop all forms of magic. The Council would answer to no one nation or people or ruler, but only to its own conscience and the dictates of the order. The Council would also share its findings equally with all people, when and if those findings could be implemented peacefully and for the betterment of all Races.
However, Allardon also wants to lay claim to whatever magic Walker might find on his quest. Walker offers a compromise, stating that any magic that was Elven in nature like the Elfstones would be given to the Elves, whereas magic only Walker could use would belong to the Druids.
But no sooner than the two men make this agreement is Allardon killed in an attack by three mind-altered Elves who are disguised as gardeners in the Gardens of Life. Although Walker defended him from the killers, an arrow intended for the assassins strikes Allardon in the chest. He survives only long enough to call for a scribe, who takes down the details of the bargain he had struck with Walker. This ensures that Walker's expedition would take place and that he would have the Elves' support in establishing a new Druid Council.
The dying King kept talking to the scribe as a Healer worked on him, and when all the details were transcribed, he said to the Druid, "There. They have killed me for nothing. See this through, Walker. Promise me."
Legacy[]
Allardon was not one of the great Elven Kings; by nature he was neither restless nor inquisitive, and he was averse to risk-taking. Walker's own assessment of Allardon was that if the King's sons grew up to be different men than their father, so much the better. However, Allardon's agreement with Walker does help set in motion the founding of the Third Druid Order by Walker's heir, Grianne Ohmsford.
Physical Appearance[]
Allardon was of medium height and build, still fit and trim in spite of his years, his mind sharp and his body strong. Only his graying hair and the lines on his face gave evidence of his advanced years. He had a regal manner and rocklike presence.