#𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒 || Lara Dorren

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧-- 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞?

Crying because during my re-play of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt when Geralt and Keira go on their quest to find the magic lamp that Keira gave to the Mysterious Elf (aka Avallac'h), they discover a monument bearing the Sign of the Gull (meaning it's for Lara Dorren) and something that Geralt says is something I didn't notice before until now...

Keira Metz: "Whose grave is it-- what do you think? No inscription, sadly." Geralt: "Hmm...Sign of the Gull. If I didn't already know where she was buried, I'd guess this is Lara Dorren's sepulcher." Keira Metz: "Perhaps it's a monument to her?" Geralt: "Can't see the elves commemorating her this way. Heroine of a tragic legend to some, but...most see her as a traitor to her race, who got her just desserts for marrying Cregennan of Lod." Keira Metz: "Perhaps the elven mage is Lara's kin. It would explain why he's helping Ciri."

I think this just adds more to my AU verse I have for her where she ends up surviving and is afraid to return home because she assumes (just as Geralt does) that she will be seen as a traitor in the eyes of her people because of the fact she is their princess and was expected to provide them with a savior, but instead, ended up going against everything she was taught, essentially abandoning her own people in their time of need, and falling in love with the enemy, much less having his child.

It also plays into the whole thing of Lara having her story told from two different sides-- elves and humans-- who either make her into a tragic heroine or a traitor who got what she deserved. And yet, just like both versions, it could be true or false.

But to have her own people-- the elves-- seeing her as BOTH, it's a lot for her, especially after having it drilled into her head for centuries that she will provide them with hope and a savior, only to turn her back on them and leave them to find another way.

However, I think it's beautiful to note that Avallac'h still honors her despite having every reason to be the most hurt by her. And that last line from Keira says it all-- it would explain why he's helping Ciri.

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚’𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 (𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟)

(( This is a headcanon I’ve been wanting to write for awhile because it is the backstory I’ve given to my Lara, explaining why she did what she did, leaving her people behind and ending up with Cregennan. ))

Born as the daughter and only child to Shiadhal and Auberon Muircetach — King and Queen of the Aen Elle —Lara’s life was pre-destined for her from the start. According to the prophecy of the elven diviner Ithlinne, the Child of Elder Blood will one day save the elves from annihilation. Lara, being the result of a genetic potential many years in the making, possessed Hen Ichaer aka Elder Blood in her veins and was meant to carry on the blood line by bearing an even more special child. As a princess, Lara was raised to carry on these beliefs and traditions from a young age, knowing her only goals in life were to provide hope for her people and someday be a mother of her own. And for a time, Lara believed it so and was happy about it, even following her in father’s shoes, learning how to become an Aen Saevherne. However, as she grew up, Lara started to wonder what would happen if she started to drift away from the path she was destined to follow? What if she didn’t have to marry? What if she didn’t want to have a child? What would happen if she stopped playing the part of the perfect princess and just acted like herself? In fact, who was Lara Dorren besides being the beloved Princess of the Aen Elle and the carrier of the Elder Blood that would save them all? These thoughts were always silenced, hidden deep inside her behind a smile and building up to become something of a tranquil fury of rebellion. Lara loved her people and her father, and she did care for Avallac’h, but the role she was destined to play had started suffocating her like a leash too tight around her neck. Lara felt she couldn’t make the choices she wanted to, but most importantly – Lara felt like she couldn’t be herself, otherwise she would disappoint everyone. It was either the fake savior princess or the disappointment of a daughter. After it all started to become too much, Lara weighed her options, knowing the risks she would be taking, but she wouldn’t come to fully understand them until she did so. If she left her life behind in Tir ná Lia to be with Cregennan, Lara knew she would be invoking her father’s wrath and hurting those she cared about, but it wouldn’t be forever. And if she stayed there, nothing would ever be real. She would be fulfilling the role set upon her since birth, but it wouldn’t be Lara living her destiny, just a shell of the girl who hides behind a smile and acts like everything is perfect. So…from there, her choice seemed obvious. It also didn’t help that she had fallen in love with a human who let her by herself and still loved her for it. And If Lara’s gonna die someday, she’s determined to go out making her own choices and living her life the way she chooses. At least it’s real.

Songs that fit Lara with this headcanon: Like Other Girls from Mulan 2 & Reflection from Mulan

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐜'𝐡

Lara met Avallac'h when she underwent training at a young age to become an Aen Saevherne (elven sage.) The two became close friends and an arranged marriage was developed between them thanks to realizing they had the perfect genetic matchmaking to achieve the prophecy.

Despite popular belief, Lara did care for him, but she wasn't in love with him like he was with her. She only saw Avallac'h as a dear and close friend, and someone she had a duty to serve with, but nothing more. This is what made it easy at first for Lara to follow through with the arranged marriage despite not liking it.

The aquamarine necklace of Feainnewedd that is Lara's in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that's found in Avallac'h's lab was actually an engagement gift given by Avallac'h to Lara. She wears it till the moment she leaves behind her old life in Tir na Lia to be with Cregennan.

Despite his title as being known by Avallac'h, Lara can't bring herself to call him that (unless it is absolutely necessary.) She has to call him by his real name "Crevan" because she feels it is more personal.

She had a ton of conflicted feelings and emotions when she began to realize she was falling in love with Cregennan --- not only because this meant she would be going against everything she was taught, being seen as a traitor by her people, but because she knew this would end up hurting Avallac'h either way.

It wasn't easy for Lara to leave her home and people behind, but once she realized she was pregnant with Cregennan's child, Lara knew there was no going back. She had already made her choice. It was too late. The damage was done. So she left the Feainnewedd necklace that Avallac'h gave her behind with a note explaining why she left for him and their people--- the note essentially explaining that she had fallen in love with a human (Cregennan of Lod) and was having his child and didn't plan for this to happen, but it did and that she wouldn't be returning back home. And I'm sorry.

[starwrittenfates]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 & 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞! -- 𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐢 & 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚

transferred over from my old Lara blog @elderbloodcarrier And also because I have too many thought and feelings about Lara and her descendants. Thanks.

THE SEAGULL AND THE SWALLOW ⟫ A PARALLEL

In The Lady of the Lake and the games (specifically Wild Hunt), as pointed out by other characters, there are similarities between Lara and her descendant, Ciri. It’s mostly from

the same green eyes

and the elder blood they share.

Lara and Ciri are princesses from respectable families

They are also named after birds (Seagull & Swallow) which share the symbolism of freedom, resilience, and hope. 

So maybe there is a reason the elder blood is described as being so fiery…

Does Lara have the same ability as Ciri, being able to visit other worlds & times at will?

I like to think she does, although Lara doesn’t know about it at first because she was raised to believe her ‘special child’ would have that trait. The only places she had traveled to before was between her home at Tir na Lia and the continent world of the Aen Seidhe. 

It only makes sense for Lara to have the same abilities. After all, she was the first carrier of the Elder Blood (at least that we know of), and Ciri only got her abilities because of her gene. I’d honestly love to imagine Ciri and Lara traveling different worlds together like two girls shopping at a mall. 

“What do you think of this world?”

“Eh, let’s go back to the ones where they have metal heads.” 

Lara, hugging Ciri protectively: Leave my descendant alone. 

I have no doubt that if Lara was alive in the saga, she would have been protective with Ciri. The moment that girl steps foot in the world of the Aen Elle, she would have pushed Avallac’h and Eredin out of the way, telling them to go away with their plans and taking her under her wing.

This means that Lara would also take over Avallac’h’s role in TW3, having helped to train Ciri. She has no hidden ulterior motives with her descendant. She just wants to help her understand her power and doesn’t plan for her to do something she isn’t comfortable with. Lara just wants Ciri to be herself, not a copy of her.

Lara doesn’t want Ciri to have to follow in the same shoes of destiny as she did. She knows how suffocating and draining it can be. 

Lara has many regrets, and one of them is having her descendants be hunted down or dying over carrying her Elder Blood. 

Lara would get along well with Ciri's adoptive parents

And while I’m still on the note of Lara protecting Ciri, I feel Lara would get along well with Geralt and Yen because they love and care for her. They don’t treat her like a tool or something to posses like everyone else. They ARE her adoptive mother and father and I feel Lara would honestly be grateful to them for it and HIGHLY respect them. 

Lara does also think of Ciri as a daughter so...

#TeamProtectCiri

Okay, but now I started to make myself cry because I started thinking about how Lara and Ciri could find healing with each other, realizing they relate with one another on SO MANY things (being a princess, having elder blood, and all the expectations/trauma with it, etc.) and I just have too many feelings towards Lara and her descendants. 

Alexa play Alone part ii. by Ava Max.

“'Cause you are that someone That gets me like no one else Right when I need it the most And I’ll be the one you rely on A shoulder to cry on A friend through the highs and the lows”

How would Lara react to what Auberon did in the books? Or the Aen Elle's plans for Ciri?

Appalled, and livid. And also disappointed, but this is mostly targeted towards her own father.

Of course Lara isn't too surprised about it either. In fact, she knows she should have expected them to force the same things upon her descendant, just as they did once upon her.

It was one of the reasons she originally ran away….

But for Auberon…her own father, to be so desperate for the pre-destined role that his daughter averted to play out that he would even consider such…intimate relations with her descendant --- Lara wouldn't stand for it. In fact, I'm still highly full of belief that if she had somehow survived and was witness to the events of "Lady of the Lake" that Lara would call Avallac'h, Eredin, and Auberon out on all they are trying to do to Ciri. (I actually want to write a oneshot on this happening now because I'd love to see Lara do that!)

Ciri isn't a test subject. She's not just another dh'oine. She is her descendant -- the last living being that shares a connection to her and Cregennan and the love they had. She is family. The elves refer to Ciri as "Daughter of Lara Dorren", and although biologically it isn't true, for beings who live centuries, it isn't further from the truth. Ciri is like a daughter of sorts to Lara, but not in the same way it is with Yen and Ciri.

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

Let's start off by saying that it wouldn't end well for Eredin if Lara had survived and found out what he did to her father:

First of all, my HC is that Eredin and Lara didn’t get along well from the start. They would both butt heads with one another. Eredin being the big ego he was, would try to get a reaction from Lara and she would have to try and suppress any reactions in order for him to get nothing from her. In fact, whenever these two converse, it usually results in bitter sarcasm. And while Lara may have not gotten along with him, she at least did respect his role being the leader of the Wild Hunt, as he did with her being the princess of their people and possessing the Elder Blood. But whatever small ounce of respect she held for him before is ruined once he starts trying to go after Ciri, AND ESPECIALLY after he plays a part in having her father killed. At that point, all the reins are off and there is no holding her back from kicking his ass anymore. (also not to mention that Seagull’s and Sparrowhawks are natural enemies…)

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭

I’d say it is surprisingly better than it is with Eredin, that’s for sure. 

Imlerith: Lara knows he can be a very vain individual and likes to indulge in his pleasures, but for the most part, he treats her with respect. Although he may occasionally eye her now and then, getting some ideas in his head...

Nithral: He’s probably the one she knows the least about. Comes off as a VERY quiet and shy person, typically sticks to the shadows and watches...

Caranthir: Ah, you mean the “Golden Child” of the Wild Hunt? The same one that supposedly has a small quantity of Elder Blood in his veins? If anything, Lara feels he is like a kindred spirit of sorts because of the expectations set upon them to be the ‘perfect ones’ all because of possessing Elder Blood -- regardless if it’s a little or a lot. It makes it all the more sad, hearing how he became a criminal. Lara can only imagine the turmoil and conflict going on inside his heart, and if she is to be honest, he’s probably one of her favorites (besides Ge’els.) She would like to reach out to him and help him. 

Ge'els: The beloved Viceroy of Tir na Lia. Although he doesn’t really participate in the hunt, being more of a political head while Eredin’s off causing chaos, Ge'els has always been like family to Lara. After all, he had worked under her father for a long time. She pretty much grew up with him around. Being one of her father’s most trusted allies, Lara would be shocked and heartbroken to see him working under Eredin, but once the truth is revealed, Lara would be filled with joy to see he is still loyal to her father after everything. Although, there is plenty she could say about his *ahem* strange piece’s of artwork...

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐮𝐩𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞

(Aka another reason that led to her decision in being with Cregennan of Lod, marking the most controversial relationship in history.)

The Aen Elle have lived a certain lifestyle for centuries. Important things to note about them are:

They are a race capable of space-time traveling abilities, long before the Conjunction of Spheres, which screwed it all up for them.

Because of this, there are very few Aen Saevherne that still have the ability to travel between worlds.

The Aen Elle live on a different world, not part of the continent.

Genetic matchmaking is a common and normal thing among the Aen Elle.

Because elven women are fertile for a short amount of time their youth, but elves are immortal, procreation is an important deal for them (especially with the fact they have been losing elves in numbers due to humans killing them.)

Children are precious to the elves and some family bonds/relations may be loose or may not be.

The Aen Elle mostly have a scorn for humans and do some pretty terrible things to them (see The Wild Hunt)

The Aen Seidhe are cousins/kin to the Aen Elle, except they are trapped on the continent. They want to rescue them, but have no means to right now.

Now, what exactly applies to Lara and her upbringing in all this and how does it affect the narrative? Lara is:

The result of a genetic potential many years in the making, possesing Hen Ichaer aka Elder Blood, from which a Child of the Elder Blood is prophecised to save the elves from annihilation, mostly by opening a big enough portal to send them all to another world.

From a young age and as a Princess of the Aen Elle, Lara is expected and taught to follow her people’s traditions and carry on the bloodline, eventually bearing an even more special child one day.

While she does follow in her father’s footsteps of becoming an Aen Saevherne, she pretty much tries to defy everything else, hiding a tranquil fury of rebellion within her.

Despite caring for her people, this is one choice Lara wants to feel she has a say and control over. And it only blossoms more when she comes across Cregennan of Lod, who allows her to be herself, causing her to fall in love with him, choosing to have a child and to leave her old life behind.

Of course, it was a major controversy between both races (humans angry that an elf bewitched a human, and the elves feeling Lara Dorren was stolen from them), but Lara and Cregennan believed one day elves and humans could start to live and work together in peace.

If Lara’s gonna die someday, she’s determined to go out making her own choices and living her life the way she chooses. *drop mic*

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐝

When I picture what Cregennan would look like, I can’t help but think of Torrance Coombs in Reign.  From the bits we know of him in cannon, he was born to at least one magical parent and graduated from the magic academy summa cum laude, shortly afterwards becoming famous as the unbelievably talented (for his age) mage. He pushed for coupling elven and human doctrines of the magic and was a great follower of the idea of proximity and coexistence of the two races. He was liked and accepted by elves. The more and more ambitious and (surprisingly) more and more viable plans of Cregennan were interrupted by his love affair with Lara Dorren aep Shiadhal, elven sorceress from the group of so-called “Sages”. Interestingly, this relationship infuriated humans more than elves. Furthermore, when Lara Dorren became pregnant, Cregennan was accused of treason, cahoots with elves, and scheming a plot against his own race. When he refused to break up with her and the elves, the treacherous attack on both lovers was done. Cregennan was killed, Lara managed to escape.  As for how they met? I like to believe Lara, using her abilities, teleported to the continent and stumbled across him on accident. At first she wasn’t sure what to think of a human, having been raised to think of them a certain way by her own people. However, as she spent the time getting to know him, she found herself falling for him hard and fast. To him she didn’t have expectations to follow. She wasn’t the carrier of the Elder Blood, she was just “Lara”. Not long after, they both confessed feelings for each other and it was in this moment, traveling back and forth between the continent and her home world, that Lara decided to leave Tir na Lia for good. After that, she ended up pregnant, eventually having his child and well, you know the rest of the story. 

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐀𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡

Since her mother passed away when she was young, Lara was raised by her father, the King of the Alders. Growing up, the princess and king were close to one another. Lara looked up to her father as much as everyone else in the Aen Elle did. He epitomized the hero she pictured hearing from stories as he protected their people from unicorns, helped them found Tir ná Lia, and had far more experience of the world than anyone else.  Lara remembers her father being patient and affectionate, though he would never openly display his affection for his daughter in public, because as members of the royal family, they had a part to play. There was no question if father or daughter cared for each other, but breakfast time was a special bliss of bonding they shared together. Auberon nicknamed Lara, “feainnewedd”, calling her his sun-child.  However, things started to change between them as Lara got older and her pre-destined role in everything was coming closer. Once the engagement between Lara and Avallac’h was arranged, Auberon started to get a little stricter on his daughter, making sure she stayed on the path she had to follow. Stuck between not wanting to let her father (or people) down and suffocating from the reality of the weight of the expectations before her, it was ultimately what led to Lara deciding to leave besides falling in love with a human. The princess didn’t think her father would understand, lost in his fury of her not only abandoning their people and failing her role, but mostly for the fact he hated humans too. She didn’t want to be pushed away from her father, and in fact, misses him dearly (along with her home), but could things ever be the same between them again?  One thing is certain; Lara would be completely heartbroken and devastated hearing of his death. 

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐥

Lara was very young when Shiadhal had passed away. She remembered her mother being a wonderful queen who was kind and caring, but could also be mysterious too. Shiadhal would bring it upon herself to train her daughter in basic combat, wanting her to know how to protect herself against any attacks, especially from unicorns because of the fact the Aen Elle were already at war with them. She was also the leader of Dearg Ruadhri (Red Riders), known as the legendary Winter Queen, before Eredin succeeded her after her death. It was during one of the attacks against the unicorns that Shiadhal was lost. Auberon comments on how Lara has her mother’s eyes.

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐑𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧

Okay, so it’s time I finally post this headcanon, however, it’s still tragic in someway. Obviously starting with what’s in canon lore: Riannon is the biological daughter of the elven sorceress Lara Dorren, and human mage, Cregennan of Lod. Orphaned at birth, she was adopted by Cerro, Queen of Redania. Everything concerning Riannon in lore is REALLY freakin tragic. 

As for Lara’s thoughts on her daughter (especially in my ‘Lara Survives AU’ verse): Riannon is the only part of Cregennan that Lara has left. Her daughter means the world to her and after everything she has lost, Lara will do whatever it takes to keep Riannon safe and make sure she doesn’t end up following the same tragic fate. Hence, despite it being the most difficult and heartbreaking decision of her life, Lara ends up leaving a newborn Riannon in the care of Cerro, her best friend. However, it isn’t easy on Lara being parted from her daughter. As the years go by, she tries to take glimpses at the young princess, curious to see what her daughter has become. But all Lara see’s is a reflection of herself and Cregennan and it’s enough to tear her heart apart in both joy and agony. The real heartbreaker though is when Lara finds out she has even outlived her daughter, who died at only 38 years old after the grief of losing her own children. In that moment, Lara can understand the pain Riannon must have felt because she is now feeling the empty hole in her chest from her loss and it feels like it’s enough to end her…but there is a curse with being able to live a long time as an elf, and this is it. 

However, if things go different in the verse and Lara ends up going back to Cerro and taking her daughter back as a young babe, then Mama and Daughter are happy and there will be no tears. And Riannon being a half-elf may be able to live a long time, at least to somewhere in her 100s-200s? 

I also honestly think that if Riannon was allowed in the world of the Aen Elle, that she would also be a Princess of the Alders alongside her mother. You can’t change my mind on that. Thanks. Oh, also, Lara has affectionately nicknamed Riannon ,“My Little Princess and Butterfly”, because of this fact.

And now, with this bittersweet note, I leave you with the gif that reminds me of mother and daughter:

[starwrittenfates]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐥'𝐬 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞)

Symbolism plays a big part in Sapkowski’s work and character’s name/meanings is just one of them. Lara means Seagull in elder speech, so I decided to look into what Seagull’s represent in symbolism for her character.

List of Symbolism for Seagull’s:

Resilence

Endurance

Family

Freedom

Adaptation

Intelligence

Opportunistic

Resourcefulness

Communication

Protection

Hope

[starwrittenfates]

𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡

Following with the usual symbolism of Sapkowski and how Ciri & Lara are parallel’s of each other, I thought it was only fitting to put Lara’s birthday at April 30th, the beginning of Belleteyn, to follow with Ciri’s birthdate being May 1st.  It shows symbolizes how they are both a beginning and an end.  Belleteyn (May Day) is a fertility festival beginning at dusk on the 30th and continuing until the dawn of the 1st. It is also a traditional time to begin (or end) relationships of a physical nature. Focuses on rebirth, love, new beginnings, and is a time of many marriages. Various customs and rituals abound around it. As for the year Lara was born….that is yet to be revealed. (The girl lives for eternity, so does it matter too much?)