Chapter Forty: Elvar
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Elvar sits in Ulfrir’s high seat as her advisers debate how to kill the dragon Lik-Rifa. Ulfrir offers to act as bait, believing Lik-Rifa will hunt him. Elvar struggles with a half-formed thought and abruptly leaves the war council. She walks through the great hall and into a tunnel where Grend is imprisoned. After dismissing her guards, she questions Grend about his deception. Grend explains that he swore a blood oath to Elvar’s mother soon after Elvar was born—to always protect her. He recounts how he was born a thrall, befriended Elvar’s mother, saved her from outlaws, and later became her trusted servant. He admits he is Tainted but never told Elvar because the oath came first. Elvar asks if she is his daughter; Grend says no but wishes she were. He affirms she is nothing like her father, Jarl Störr. Elvar cuts his bonds and leaves without a word.
Key Events
- Elvar chairs a war council in Ulfrir’s hall, planning to confront Lik-Rifa.
- Ulfrir offers himself as bait, claiming Lik-Rifa fears and hates him.
- Elvar leaves abruptly to visit Grend in his cell.
- Grend reveals that he swore a blood oath to Elvar’s mother to protect Elvar.
- He explains his past: born a thrall, befriended Elvar’s mother, saved her from outlaws, and was freed.
- He confesses he is Tainted but concealed it because of his oath.
- Elvar asks if he is her father; Grend denies it but says he considers her his daughter.
- Elvar cuts Grend’s bonds and departs.
Character Development
Elvar: Grapples with shame and self-doubt after Grend’s exposure. She asserts her authority but leaves the council to confront a personal matter. Her question “Am I your daughter?” reveals her fear of becoming like her father. Cutting Grend’s bonds shows mercy and perhaps a step toward defining her own honor. Grend: Reveals a layered backstory of loyalty, sacrifice, and love. His oath to Elvar’s mother explains his constant protection. He shows remorse and grief for bringing shame to Elvar. Sighvat and Berak: Demonstrate loyalty; Sighvat guards Elvar by choice, and Berak follows because she fights to save his son.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Blood Oaths and Loyalty: Grend’s oath to Elvar’ mother supersedes all others, driving his secrecy.
- Identity and Heritage: Elvar fears inheriting her father’s cruelty; Grend’s story challenges her blood ties.
- Secrets and Shame: Grend’s hidden Taint and past actions create a rift in trust.
- Imprisonment and Freedom: Grend is physically bound, but Elvar releases him, symbolizing a choice to trust.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal for Elvar’s personal arc. It reveals the foundation of her relationship with Grend and forces her to question her own identity. It also provides crucial background on Elvar’s mother and the origins of Grend’s devotion. The war planning against Lik-Rifa adds urgency, but the emotional core lies in Elvar’s decision to free Grend contrary to her advisors’ counsel.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Grend keep his Tainted nature and past a secret from Elvar?
Grend swore a blood oath to Elvar’s mother to protect Elvar. He feared that if he were known as Tainted, he would be collared thrall to Jarl Störr and unable to fulfill that oath. The oath took precedence over his loyalty to Elvar directly. -
How does Elvar’s conversation with Grend affect her perception of herself?
Elvar has long feared becoming like her father, Jarl Störr. Grend’s assertion that she is nothing like Störr—and his wish that she were his daughter—offers Elvar a possible new identity not tied to her lineage. However, she remains conflicted, wondering if she is indeed her father’s daughter. -
What is the significance of Elvar cutting Grend’s bonds?
By freeing Grend, Elvar rejects the advice of those who want him dead or imprisoned. It demonstrates her capacity for mercy and suggests she values their bond over political expediency. It also shows she is beginning to act on her own judgment rather than her father’s example.