The King of Elfland’s Daughter · Chapter
XXII: Orion Appoints a Whip explained
Orion, now nearly twelve, encounters the troll Lurulu at the boundary between Earth and Elfland.
What happens
Orion, now nearly twelve, encounters the troll Lurulu at the boundary between Earth and Elfland. He appoints Lurulu as his whipper-in for hunting unicorns, but when he tries to recruit human lads from Erl, their parents' fear of the magical boundary prevents them from allowing their sons to join. Orion continues to hunt alone until spring, when Lurulu, observing time's passage from a loft, laughs at the contrast between Earth's constant change and Elfland's timeless calm.
Themes in this chapter
Time and Change
Lurulu observes Earth's rapid change and decay, contrasting it with Elfland's timeless calm, highlighting the theme of time's differing paces.
Magic vs. Reality
The boundary between Earth and Elfland is a literal and symbolic divide; Orion's hunting and the villagers' fear illustrate the tension between the magical and the mundane.
Quest and Wandering
Orion's solitary hunts near the boundary and his search for whippers-in reflect a quest-like journey into the unknown.
Characters to notice
- Orion
Now nearly twelve, he hunts unicorns near the boundary and appoints Lurulu as his whip, but fails to recruit human whippers-in due to the villagers' fear.
- Lurulu
The troll reappears from Elfland, plays with a fox, and is appointed by Orion to carry the whip and help with the hounds.
- Lirazel
Mentioned as Orion's mother, whose name he tells to Lurulu, prompting the troll's reverence.
- Ziroonderel
Recalled by Orion as the witch who feared for her crockery when Lurulu leaped about the nursery.
Key passages
““You cannot watch time in the fields of men.” “Why not?” asked Orion. “It moves too fast.””
Lurulu explains that time on Earth passes too quickly to be observed, unlike in Elfland.
Highlights the contrast between earthly and elfin perceptions of time.
““How many years have gone over you,” asked the troll, “since we spoke in Erl?” “Years?” said Orion. “A hundred?” guessed the troll. “Nearly twelve,” said Orion. “And you?” “It is still today” said the troll.”
Lurulu and Orion compare their ages, revealing that while Orion has aged twelve years, for Lurulu no time has passed since their last meeting.
Emphasizes the theme of time and change, showing the different temporal experiences of Earth and Elfland.
“All knew that Orion hunted strange beasts and took his hounds to strange places. None there had ever stepped beyond the fields we know. The lad feared to pass beyond them. His parents were full loth to let him go.”
The villagers are aware of Orion's unusual hunts near the boundary, and both the young men and their parents are too afraid to venture into the unknown.
Illustrates the fear of magic and the unknown that pervades the human community.