King of the Silver River
From The World of Shannara
| King of the Silver River | |
|---|---|
| Race: | Faire |
| Gender: | Male |
| Hair color: | Unknown |
| Eye color: | Unknown |
| Loyalty: | Silver River, Four Lands |
| First appearance: | First King of Shannara |
| Birth: | Unknown |
| Death: | Unknown |
The King of the Silver River is one of the oldest beings in the world, a faire creature being created by the Word. What he real name is, is known. As time went on, the people of the lands gave him the name of the country he claimed, calling him the King of the Silver River. He looks after the care of the gardens entrusted to him by the Word, and at times ventures forth into the nearby land to help those in need, or to help the Four Lands to save his gardens.
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Description
It is difficult to say what the King of the Silver River really looks like, for he generally changes his appearance to all those he sees. He always carries a light with him that would appear to be some device from the Old World for creating light.[1] He generally appears as either an old man bend with age and silver hair,[2] or as a young boy.[3]
Encountering the King of the Silver River
Though his appearance varies with each siting, there are common elements to most all of the encounters with the King of the Silver River. Those who encounter his are always possessed by a great calm and sense of peace at the strange man they see before them. Soon into the encounter, all people will feel a great weariness overcome them. And the King of the Silver River will provide those under his protection with a refreshing nights sleep, that casts away all tiredness and burdens. Additionally sometimes the people are transported to another location near the bounds of the Silver River and the Rainbow Lake that will most assist them on their journey.[4] Their nights sleep is provided with protection from all outside beings, and is often accompanied by dreams with messages in them for the dreamer. It is only rarely that the King of the Silver River will speak at length with anyone he encounters.
Appearance in Novels
First King of Shannara
The King of the Silver River appears to Bremen as they are camped near the Northland army on the north bank of the Silver River. He appeared to have come from the Northland army. He shows himself to Bremen as a small boy holding a light aloft, that burned no flame shining out of a glass and metal casing. The King of the Silver River showed Bremen his gardens. The King of the Silver River offered Bremen nothing other than assurance in his judgment of what he must do and that defeat of the Warlock Lord was possible. Following that, the King put Bremen to sleep and let he and Mareth sleep peacefully and without need of a guard. [3]
The Sword of Shannara
The King of the Silver appears in The Sword of Shannara to the brothers Shea and Flick Ohmsford on their journey to Culhaven. The brothers awake at night, along the Silver River just north of the Black Oaks to the growing fear of a Skull Bearer, who is heading right in their direction. They are saved by a light that appears on the far shore of the Silver River. The Skull Bearer gives chase, while the light goes on and off as it works its way down the river.[5]
After the Skull Bearer had disappeared, the light appeared behind the brothers, coming closer to them. It turned out to be a strange light carried by
| “ | an old, old man... bent with age and clothed in woodsman's garb. his hair silver in the starlight, his face framed by a long, white beard neatly trimmed and combed... Shea looked quietly at his ancient face, sensing that the strange old man deserved his respect. | „ |
| -- The Sword of Shannara (1977), pp. 117-118 | ||
Speaking to them only briefly, he encouraged the brothers to sleep, and rest for their journey. Putting Shea and Flick to sleep they dreamed of the lands they were from and had traveled through. They dreamed of the incredible richness of the planet and earth world. When they awake, it was morning and they where being awoken by Balinor on the outskirts of Culhaven.
References
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1977). The Sword of Shannara pp. 117-118 It is stated that it is a "cylindracal object" that gives light without a flame. When asked he says that it is a toy of people long since dead and gone. It would seem to be a flashlight.
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1977). The Sword of Shannara pp. 117
- ^ 3.0 3.1 Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 360-362
- ^ Bremen and Mareth where left where they where, while Shea and Flick Ohmsford where transported to the outskirts of Culhaven as an example.
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1977). The Sword of Shannara pp. 116-117
