The Dreaming Tree

This is a compilation of The Dreamstone and The Tree of Swords and Jewels by C.J. Cherryh. Although the writing is lovely in places, I found it just confusing and the storyline too condensed in others. This is an astoundingly prolific author of science fiction and of high fantasies. Usually I really like this type of thing but found the heavy use of Welsh/Celtic/Old English names really tiresome at times. Maybe I was just not in the mood. This is the story of Arafel, last of the Elves left behind after the rest have departed the world of "Men." Arafel continues to stand guard over the Faery world of Eald as well as the mortal world of Man with their poisonous use of iron (roughly a Medieval time frame). She is lonely and occasionally tries to befriend a particular human but is often disappointed as humans are both in awe of and in fear of the Faery folk--not without reason. There are still plenty of other magical beings around, some mischievous, some cold and calculating, and others downright dark and evil. Generations of men pass is a blink of Faery time. The main characters in this book have elven blood in their background which allows them a somewhat increased access and affinity--or fearfulness--toward all that is Faery. One has asked Arafel's help in winning a war and she agreed and has indeed continued to exert beneficent oversight on this human, his subsequent family with two children, and the lands over which he is now lord. Farms have prospered, peace has reined. But Lord Cieran's brother, Donnchadh, as well as other lords are being advised by darker beings who foster distrust of Ciaran, particularly with the King. When things don't move fast enough, Donnchadh and the other greedy lords kill the King, and now war--not just among men, but among all things Faery--is coming and sweeping everything before it into destruction.