Theodore Kittelsen

i tried to Google it but I couldn't find

what's an alderperson?

"Ellefolk" in Danish - usually translated as elves, but I don't believe that's an accurate translation. "Ellen" is the alder tree, and the alderfolk are known for living around alder trees.

The alderfolk consist of young maidens, young men, children, old crones, and a king. The young maidens and men are beautiful and fair from the front, but with backs like hollowed-out rotted tree trunks. They often try to seduce humans to enter the alder woods with them, or to join in their dancing. Humans who give in to them go mad and want nothing more than to return to the alderpeople.

The children are described as "green" (either in skin or clothing, the stories aren't always clear) and can be seen playing in fields, on hills, and at the edge of the forest. People may hear their laughter and song without ever seeing them.

The alder crone is an ugly and dangerous, but nurturing, matriarch with tits so long she has to throw them over her shoulders to not trip on them. In Danish folklore, she's the main target of the Wild Hunt, and there are many stories of people seeing the Huntsman carrying a dead crone or two by their hair.

The alder king is one of Denmark's ancient "lesser kings" (småkonger). Most lesser kings are people, like King Amlet or King Skjöldr. Some say the alder king was a human once too, or that he ruled alongside humans - but he is definitely not a human now. He's rarely seen, and when he is seen his appearance is usually indistinguishable from the Wild Hunt (except, of course, that the alder king never carries around a quarry of alder crones). The alder king on Møn is referred to as Klintekongen. The alder king on Stevns is referred to as Stevnskongen. I'm sure many more of them have individual names. They don't take kindly to other kings entering their domain, and have been known to obstruct the King of Denmark's tours around the land.

The alder crone and the alder king are always referred to in singular, even if there are dozens or hundreds of them. It's always "the alder king," never "an alder king."

by Rebecca Moss

A Cloud and Landscape Study by Moonlight by Johan Christian Dahl

Morning Mists

(c) gif by riverwindphotography

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Bathed in mist

forest floor, 2011