ALFHEIM:
(Ljossalheim)
This Is The Realm Of:
Alfheim, also known as Ljossalheim is the realm of Light Eleves and Air Spirits.
It Is Located:
Alfheim is the land that shines between the lowest sphere of Asgard and the highest sphere of Midgard.
The Realm And Its Physical and Geographical Characteristics and Its Inhabitability:
Alfheim is more of a manipulated realm more than any of the others. In Alfheim, this portion of the Earth is constantly being changed around, reworked, glamorized and unglamorized, ultimately transforming over time. Frey's Hall is the only place in Alfheim that remains the same each time you see it. There are many villages within Alfheim that also contain thousands of peasant huts where the poorer faery-folk reside. Because the land in Alfheim and its residences change so often, the land is never the same each time you visit or look up a map in the Big Library. The landscape of Alfheim is largely forested with both Decidous and Coniferous regions within. There is an area of green hills and valleys that are part of the gentle range of mountains here, making it a major tourist attraction in Alfheim. Beneath the mountains, there are several ways to pass from Alfheim to Svartalheim with one above-ground route. Because elves do not like the big urban style areas, they build their villages of low wooden buildings that alternate with huts and stilts alongside tall trees; they are spread far apart in order to blend in with the landscape making them difficult to find. The rivers and streams that flow through Alfheim are very bright and there are many of them. Everything in Alfheim is coated with "Glamour." Time flows very differently in this realm compared to those of the other Nine Realms. Day length changes constantly and when Sunna and Mani pass overhead of Alfheim, their normal effects are distorted, making the length of day longer or shorter, depending. Seasons in Alfheim are different depending on the area of the realm. It may be Summer in what part and Winter in the other. The seasons cycle normally stays the same, however, depending on the whim of the House who rules it, the cycle could be different. Some areas do seem to stay permanently "frozen" through the season to enjoy it longer. Alfheim is inhabitable based on the information that is provided, however, it is mainly inhabited by the light elves and air spirits predominately.
This Realm Is Specifically Important To The Tale:
Alfheim is the realm of the light elves where fairies possess on of the Four Treasures, the Sylvan Bow. Alfheim is briefly referenced during the Chapter 4 Sacred Phase in Valkyrie Profile. In order to bolster the Aesir forces, Freya sends Einherjar under Loki's command to retrieve this bow. He authorized that violence errupt if negotiations should fail, but the light elves surrender the Bow willingly.
Bibliography:
"Northern Tradition Shamanism: Ljossalfheim." Northern Tradition Shamanism: Ljossalfheim. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2013.
"Norse Creation." Norse Creation. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2013.
"Norse Creation." Norse Creation. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2013.