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"So much in life dependeth upon a good harkening. Remember that, and beware."— Ollister B. Pembrick
Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Wingfeather Saga! |
Arundelle (AIR-un-dell[1]), also known by her pseudonym Alma Rainwater, was an Annieran poet in the late Fourth Epoch. During the Great War, she was captured by Gnag the Nameless and melded with a tree in the Deeps of Throg. After being cast into the Blackwood, she became the queen of the cloven at Clovenfast. At the end of the Wingfeather War, she was melded back into a human with the other cloven by Throne Warden Janner Wingfeather.
History[]
Early Life[]
Arundelle was born sometime in the Fourth Epoch.
Pre-Great War[]
Arundelle lived in Anniera and wrote and published poetry under the pen name Alma Rainwater. One of her poems was about Artham Wingfeather.[2] She and Artham both loved each other, and though they believed their love was secret, everyone in the royal court was aware of their relationship and believed that Arundelle and Artham would someday get married.
Great War[]
After Gnag the Nameless's armies (led by General Khrak) conquered Anniera, Arundelle, along with many other Annierans, was taken to the Deeps of Throg, where, after an indeterminate amount of time, she was melded with a tree.
Post-Great War[]
After being melded, Arundelle was thrown into the Blackwood outside the entrance to the Deeps. She lay on the forest floor for weeks, unable to move or speak, remembering nothing of who she was or what had happened to her. Eventually, her roots found earth, and in time, she could stand. Shortly thereafter, Artham Wingfeather emerged from the Deeps and passed her by without seeing her. Seeing him stirred enough of Arundelle's heart and memories that her voice found her, and she wept bitterly, calling his name and "remembering with each cry who [she] was and what [she] had become."[3]
At some point within the next six years, Clovenfast was formed, and Arundelle was made the Queen of the Cloven. During her reign, the Maker spoke to her in a dream, saying that a boy would come to Clovenfast who would be the seed of a new garden.
Wingfeather War[]
In the spring of 452 of the Fourth Epoch, Kalmar Wingfeather, Janner Wingfeather, and Oood the Troll came to Clovenfast on their journey to the Deeps. Elder Cadwick brought Kalmar and Janner to speak with Arundelle, and she fed them; heard what news they had to give of their father, their uncle, the state of the war, and what mission had brought them into the Blackwood; and counselled them not to walk into the death that Throg would surely hold. Upon finding that Kalmar would not be dissuaded, she sent Cadwick with the boys and Oood to see them to Throg.
After Cadwick returned to Clovenfast- and Oood after him- Arundelle sent an army of Cloven to Ban Rona to aid the Hollowsfolk in the Final Battle of Ban Rona.
Artham and Arundelle flying through the air at the end of The Warden and the Wolf King. (Fan-art by Crazy Sprinkle Horse)
Post-Wingfeather War[]
After Gnag was defeated, Kalmar came to Clovenfast to offer citizenship and a chance of restoration to the Cloven. They wholeheartedly accepted, Arundelle included.
On the morning of the first day of the Fifth Epoch, Janner sacrificed his life for his brother, melding with the throng of Cloven and Fangs who had accepted Kalmar's offer and thus restoring their humanity. Moments later, Artham arrived in Anniera, having flown ahead of the ship bearing Sara Cobbler, Armulyn the Bard, and two dozen orphans to the Shining Isle. He went with his family into the castle cellar, where they laid Janner's body and spoke among themselves. When he came back out, Arundelle asked him if he would still have her. He swept her up in his arms and kissed her.
Personality & traits[]
Arundelle is most likely an INFP, and falls into the category of Phlegmatic/Golden Retriever/Peaceful. She tends to speak less than other characters, but when she does speak, there's a lot of meaning packed into her words.
As a cloven, she had the appearance of a tree with smooth silvery-grey bark and white-and-purple flowers. As a human, she is described as being tall and beautiful, with long hair.
Residence Timeline[]
For most of her life (until 442 of the Fourth Epoch), Arundelle lived in Anniera. For a brief period, she lived in the Deeps of Throg, and then she lived in the Blackwood until right before the first year of the Fifth Epoch began, at which point she returned to Anniera.
References[]
- ↑ https://www.wingfeathersaga.com/pronunciation-guide
- ↑ North! Or Be Eaten, Chapter 19: Ouster Will and the First Books, page 85
- ↑ The Warden and the Wolf King, Chapter 51: The Cloven Queen's Counsel