BEARCLAW & JOYLEAF
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Bearclaw was the 10th chief of the Wolfriders, having become chief after the passing of his father, Mantricker. He was the son of Thornflower by her Recognition to Mantricker. Bearclaw Recognized many elves, but only one is known, Joyleaf. He lived for over 1200 turns. Bearclaw was remarked by the tribe as being a "throw-back" to Two-Spear's time with his love of life and madness over battling with the humans, which he took over from his father, Mantricker. Bearclaw and Joyleaf were lovemates and lifemates for many, many turns before they Recognized and when they did they already knew everything about each other. Their Recognition was prompted by a feud between the two of them that lasted almost an entire turn after Joyleaf insulted Bearclaw's pride and he slapped her, the only one that he had never raised a hand to in the tribe. She vowed to never return to him and he tried to win her back over, finally devising a plan to go on a bear hunt. During the hunt Bearclaw was almost fatally wounded and Joyleaf's heart warmed to him once again and suddenly "eyes met eyes, and soul met soul" and they Recognized. Bearclaw was also the one who discovered that the trolls were stealing the dreamberries and sat for an entire cycle of the moons by a bush until he caught the culprit and became the ambassador for the tribe with the trolls. Bearclaw was the father of many children, but only Cutter is named. It is speculated that Foxfur may have been his daughter or half-sister because of her general love of life and similarity in looks. Bearclaw finally died after wounding Madcoil and passed the chieftainship of the Wolfriders over to Cutter, who led the tribe against Madcoil and defeated the creature. Bearclaw's soulname was Renn. Bearclaw's wolf-friends were Crest and Blackfell. It was Blackfell who carried Bearclaw's body in to the forest after he died.
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Little is known about Joyleaf's past or her parents. The only confirmed relative to her is Treestump, her brother. Joyleaf was wise and patient, complimenting Bearclaw's rashness and stubbornness. She often counseled him in matters relating to the humans when he wanted to go out and kill them all and got him to think of other solutions. She was just as much chieftess as he was chief. Joyleaf was killed during the initial attack by Madcoil on the wolfriders and Bearclaw was devasted by her loss. He vowed revenge on the creature and never spoke again in his short life after her loss. He wounded the creature before it gored him and then passed his sword to his son, Cutter, before he died. Now he and Joyleaf are reunited and together have been seen by Cutter advising him in times of need and when he own life has been in danger. I've always wondered if she was related to Rillfisher or Eyes High in some way with their similar facial features and characteristics. And with the possility of both her and Bearclaw having prior Recognitions, she may even be the mother of Eyes High. THEIR CHILD "Elfquest art copyright 2004 Warp Graphics, Inc. Elfquest, its logos, characters, situations, all related indicia, and their distinctive likenesses are trademarks of Warp Graphics, Inc. All rights reserved." |