SOLVED. YA 1980s Fantasy trilogy. Elf named Thistle. [s]

[Carol Canode]

Here’s what I remember: a harpist runs into a forest, and is reluctantly saved by an elf woman named Thistle or Focada. She later becomes a guardian of a noble house beset by neighboring feuding houses. Tired soldiers stumble on a homestead that seems to be between worlds, and escape from war for a time, only to be called back to battle due to loyalty to friends and kin. I remember a forest spirit protected the homestead, something like a pooka.

Major themes were the futility of war, and the danger of isolation. The elf Focada abandoned her kin to cling to her home and its magical totems. The war among men goes on for generations. Celtic mythology plays a leading role in the series. (I remember a Kelpie threatening children, and the pooka-like creature)

This book series may be out of print. My copy was a book club edition with all three books bound in one cover. It was a well written book with strong, moving characters and beautiful prose.

[Michele]

Carol, when did you read this (what year)? do you recall if it was a new book at the time, or older?

[Carol Canode]

I’m fairly sure it was published in the late 1980s. I purchased the book used and kept and read through the 90s. Probably donated it in the 2000s when I moved. Just got the urge to read it again, if I could just remember the doggone title.

[Carol Canode]

Well what do you know, searching “images” of 1980s fantasy books solved my question. The books were C.J. Cherryh’s The Dreamstone and The Tree of Swords and Jewels, first published in 1983. The elf woman was named Arafel. Either “Focada” was a nickname, or I am remembering some other lost book from the ‘80s.

It’s still available on Amazon, and I am goofily happy I get to read it again.

[Rainbowheart]

Glad you found them!

The Dreamstone for the link to the first in the series.