Matriachal societies

It may certainly seem strange to some cultures that the females should be at the pinnacle of their societies, but this is ceratinly not the case when it comes to the elven nations, and indeed the human barbarian nations of old, (and perhaps some not so old).
Throughout all elven Queendoms, it is not the king who rules, but rather the matriach, the queen, and it is from her bloodline that all progeny is registered. It is by her name that the daughters and sons take as their own and only through the female is the name progressed. This is true of all the elven races, be it ice elf, high elf, silvan elf or dark elf.
This can also be said of the old ways o the early human races as well. Although much has changed in human society, and the fact that the Emperor has been male for over two centuries, does not mean that a female may not become Empress. Indeed , women have held their rank and power throughout the ages and their is no sign of that ever weakening in this day and age.
There are quite some variances within the cultures - so let us look in detail.
It seems within human culture that a change occured somewhere which was mostly to do with wealth. Certain males accumulated substantial acclamaintions and set themselves up in positions of power. These positions gave rise to the rise of masculinity within the world, but did not totally give way to feminity, but rather they both vie for power - mostly based on wealth, for such is often the nature of humans.
Within elven culture, it has always been recognised that the female gives birth to the progeny, and in nature's own way, this is the natural flow of things, thus the females are the life-givers and hold prestige in this way. The elven nations are, however, vastly different in their reactions and treatment of their males.
Ice elves with their royal houses are very respectful of their males, but there are certain taboos placed upon them, such as never allowed to become a Valkyrie as his is restricted to the females of their race.
Dark elves treat their males as drones and breeders only, to be exiled or killed when their purpose is over, although truth be told, many are kept around for the females own pleasure or clandestine desires.
High elves perhaps have the most equalit between the sexes, but the High Queen's rule is absolute and no king may be her equal.
Silvan elves are perhaps the very most gender equal, perhaps mostly because of circumstance, for the forest elves are often in need of skills in order to survive, and thus the one able to provide the best and most for the tribe is recognised as the leader regardless of gender.