The king of Elfland's daughter

About “The king of Elfland's daughter”

The Lord of Erl is informed by his people's parliament that they wish to be ruled by a magical leader. Following tradition, he sends his son Alveric to fetch the King of Elfland's daughter, Lirazel, to be his wife. Alveric travels to Elfland, where time moves much slower, and wins Lirazel's hand. They return to Erl and have a son, but Lirazel does not fit well with the people of Erl. She eventually returns to her father in Elfland, leaving her husband heartbroken. Alveric abandons the kingdom and embarks on a hopeless search for her. The story is part of a novel by Lord Dunsany.