Aethon and Elowen

Summary

Long ago, when the world was young and the celestial realms intertwined with the earthly domain, a bittersweet love story unfolded in the heart of the elven realm. Aethon, the radiant god of the sun, found his heart captivated by the enchanting beauty of Elowen, a mortal elven princess of unmatched grace and spirit. Their love was tender and fierce, but as the sun god lingered in Elowen's presence, the land below suffered. The once vibrant fields withered, and the world pined for the warmth of the sun's embrace.
The other gods, concerned for the harmony of the cosmos, beseeched Aethon to forsake his mortal love and return to his divine duties. Yet, the sun god's heart remained steadfast, and he refused to abandon Elowen. In his anguish, Aethon sought counsel from Lyria, the compassionate goddess of love and beauty. He poured his heart out to her, hoping she might offer a solution that could allow love to triumph over duty.
With a heavy heart, Lyria admitted that love could not always surpass the cosmic balance that governed their world. Even she, the muse of love, could not sway the laws that bound the divine realm. She knew the depths of Aethon's love for Elowen but acknowledged the toll it took on the land when he neglected his sacred role as the sun god.
As the dilemma lingered, it was Selene, the wise goddess of the stars and night, who stepped forward with a solution. Selene was the counterbalance to Aethon, a deity of coolness and contemplation, just as he was the embodiment of warmth and vigor. She understood the delicate balance needed to sustain the world between a time of barrenness and plenty, between winter and summer.
With a gentle smile, Selene proposed a compromise that would honor both Aethon's love and his divine responsibilities. She unveiled a cosmic tapestry that would blend their worlds harmoniously. In the center of Aethon's constellation's chest, she placed Elowen, transformed into a radiant star. This new star would only be visible during the winter months, a celestial beacon that would light the heavens and mark the season of reflection and repose.
During the winter, Aethon could descend from the skies and be with his beloved Elowen. They would share tender moments beneath the shimmering stars, and the elven realm would bask in the gentle touch of their love. As the winter solstice approached, the elven folk would gaze upon the star, knowing that their beloved sun god was with his mortal love.
However, come the summer solstice, Elowen would disappear from the sky, and Aethon would return to his celestial duties with unwavering devotion. The land below would once again flourish under the nurturing rays of his sun, and the world would revel in the abundance of the summer months.
And so, the myth of Aethon and Elowen became intertwined with the rhythm of the seasons. The elven folk celebrated the winter, knowing that it was the time when Aethon and Elowen's love would shine, even from the heavens. The compromise forged by Selene allowed for both love and duty to coexist, demonstrating that even in the vastness of the cosmos, there could be balance and harmony, where love's bittersweet embrace enriched the tapestry of the universe.

Historical Basis

Elowen was a historical princess near the beginning of recorded elven history. Various accounts alternately have her as never marrying or, rarely, having a husband whose details and name are lost to time. The legend of Aethon as her lover has replaced any historical record. Whatever the truth, she had three sons and the rulers of most of the elven kingdoms to this day claim to trace their lineage to these supposed demigod princes.