The Book of Three

Wales never fails to provide me with gorgeous backdrops.

Even though I just read the text and it's supposed to be "half-lidded and dull" lol oh well.

I'm trying to hearken back to motifs in celtic jewelry and old tapestries in the chapter openers...works better with some images than others.

More welsh scenery doing the job for me!

Thank you!

I wish I could add a real soundtrack!

I've seen some webtoons that have but I don't know how they did it

Thank you! It's a learning curve but I am enjoying it.

Doli is a dwarf, as is Eidilleg. Welsh folklore includes a race of mining dwarfs called Coblynau, so I like to think that's what they are. They are included under the general umbrella of the Tylwyth Teg, which seems to encompass basically any non-human, magical creature. Alexander hints that the Fair Folk kingdom includes more than dwarfs, but we don't ever get more than a glimpse of any others, and no description of their traits or personalities. His lack of development of the FF realm, or any real sense of its peril and mystery, is one of my only quibbles with the books. Celtic faery lore is complex and often dark and dangerous, and he could have added a lot of tension by exploring that aspect more, but I guess it would have been distracting from the main storyline. As it is he plays them mostly for laughs, which makes it tough to take it seriously when Doli goes on about how powerful they are.

The only other FF character that gets any dimension is Gwystyl, beginning in Book 2, and while it's mentioned that he isn't a dwarf, and he gets a physical description, it is a description that doesn't really clarify what he is. Nor can I find anything like him in the lore. He seems to be some kind of little nature gnome that Alexander just made up.

Ah! Okay. Dwarf it is then. :) I read your Eilonwy-centric fic of the second book, most of it so far that is,(great writing by the way!) and I do remember Gwystyl...he kinda reminded me of a wispier version of Puddleglum, the Marshwiggle of Narnia.

Those purple flowers are blooming heather, as near as I could come to it. It was one of the beautiful things I remember about my trip to Britain.

I love when folks pick out the details!! Thanks so much.

My pleasure, and so glad you are enjoying it here.

Mine too! It’s such a character-building moment.

I seek the approval of ALL HUMANITY

At least all those smart enough to love Prydain.

But one more voice is always motivating. ;)

That was both funny & gracious.
You've raised children past middle school age, haven't you? That's the sort of grace that comes from intense emotional trials.

Lol I have one about to enter high school. The others are still solidly middle. It’s a rough time, for sure - but overall harder on them than on me, so far. I actually really like this age…I’m not good with small kids because I’m not terribly playful; my connection with them was affectionate and nurturing but their dad was the “fun” parent at that stage. Early teens, when they start to be capable of thoughtfulness and nuance and can hold real conversations —I love it. They’re great kids, despite my falterings. I’m so looking forward to high school with my oldest. I’ve already got the first football game on the calendar (he’s in band…none of mine are sporty) and I’m so stoked for it.

Get on it! Chop chop! ;)

Thanks!

Wales landscapes never let me down!

I also love the title transition into sky, your landscape pictures are what got me into this comic in the first place. Beautiful :)

Awww, yes, I try not to do updates that are just title pages! That’s a bait and switch for sure, lol. Thanks for checking in!