From The Inheritance Encyclopedia

Du Weldenvarden
Information
Name	Du Weldenvarden
Location	Northern Alagaesia
Size	Roughly 1/4 size of Alagaesia
Major Race	Elves
Population	Unknown
Terrain	Forest
Climate	Temperate
Border Nations	The Empire
Politics
Capital	Ellesméra
Government	Monarchy
Ruler	Islanzadi
Previous Ruler	Evandar
Cities
Ceris • Ellesméra • Ília Fëon • Inzilbeth • Kirtan • Luthivíra • Nadindel • Osilon • Sílthrim
Landmarks
Menoa Tree • Crags of Tel'naeir
Mentioned in
Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr

Du Weldenvarden is a forest in the North of Alagaesia. It is the home of the elves.

[edit] Description

"The forest first appeared as a hazy ridge on the horizon, then quickly expanded into an emerald sea of ancient oaks, beeches, and maples. From Saphira's back, Eragon saw that the woods reached unbroken to the horizon both north and west, and he knew they extended far beyong that, stretching the entire length of Alagaesia. To him, the shadows underneath the trees' arching boughs seemed mysterious and enticing, as well as dangerous, for there lived the elves. Hidden somewhere in the dappled heart of Du Weldenvarden lay Ellesmera - where he would complete his training - as well as Osilon, and other elven cities few outsiders had visited since the fall of the Riders. The forest was a perilous place for mortals, Eragon felt, certain to be riddled with strange magic and stranger creatures." (Eldest, pg. 158-159)

[edit] History

Du Weldenvarden is the forest to which the elves migrated after Galbatorix took over the land. It is an immense forest, and it has been known that people can get lost quite easily in it. The capital of Du Weldenvarden is Ellesmera, of which Queen Islanzadi is the current ruler. Elves are the only occupants of Du Weldenvarden, and it is because of the forest that they are so well hidden. Galbatorix has yet to dare approach the elves' forest.

The forest is ancient, as well as its inhabitants. The elves do not destroy the trees located in the forest to make homes, but rather make their homes on or in the trees. They do this using their magic to sing the wood into various shapes and sizes. It is unknown how the elves do this, but they have a very close tie to nature as well as animals. An example of this close link to nature is when Islanzadi sings a bow out of a yew tree for Eragon, or when Eragon sees his residing home when he first enters Ellesmera and sees that the stairs leading up to the room were part of the tree itself.

[edit] Cities

[edit] Ellesméra

Ellesméra is the capital of Du Weldenvarden.

Ellesméra is inhabited by elves. It is from this capital that the queen of the Elves, Islanzadi, rules over the elves. Her residence is Tialdari Hall, situated in the western part of the city, which has very extensive gardens. It is here that Arya shows Eragon the flower that Faölin made for her.

In Ellesméra the wide streets are paved with grass and all homes are sung out of trees (as elves sing to the trees for what they need).

Also in Ellesméra is the Menoa Tree. Beneath it, once in a century, takes place the Blood-Oath celebration. The Menoa Tree is mentioned in Eragon by Solembum, who tells Eragon "when the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree." This massive tree is associated with elven superstition, and there is even a legend about its creation.

In the city there is also a house sung from a tree for the leader of Dragon Rider's alone, at which Eragon and Saphira stay during their time in Ellesméra.

Rhunön's forge can also be found in this elven city.

[edit] Osilon

Osilon is located in the far western part of Du Weldenvarden. It is near this city that Arya, Faolin, and Glenwing were ambushed by Durza.

[edit] Kirtan

Kirtan is located south of Ellesméra.

[edit] Nadindel

Nadindel is located deep into Du Weldenvarden, west of Ellesméra and north of Sílthrim.

[edit] Ília Fëon

Ília Fëon is located in the most sourthern edge of Du Weldervarden, close to Ceris, bordering the Hadarac Desert.

[edit] Ceris

Ceris is located east of Ília Fëon, in the southeastern edge of Du Weldenvarden. It is here that the elves Lifaen, Nari, Edurna, and Celdin meet Eragon to accompany him to Ellesméra.

[edit] Sílthrim

Sílthrim is located close to Lake Ardwen, south of Nädindel. This is the second stop that Eragon makes during his journey to Ellesméra.

[edit] Luthivíra

Luthivíra was a city in a forest near the Tiildosten Lake. It is a birthplace of Oromis. The town was destroyed in a battle.