We all know that there are some many feisty and fine elves out there - some perhaps more than others, but that's a matter of opinion! If there is one truth about ElfQuest other than it's an epic tale of mesmerizing proportions, it's that the Pinis' elves are hot as the desert - leaving a lot of us feeling rather parched! ;)
I think it's pretty much safe to say that we all have that character or characters that make us simply swoon as soon as we see their face pop up on page. For those of you from the ElfQuest fan group on Facebook, you all know that my love for hotly drawn elves pretty much has no bounds. It is pretty much an unspoken rule: When there are sexy elves involved - hide your pen, hide your comic, because I'm going all in for them! I try to act like I've got some sense but you guys only encourage my madness. As my friend Laura Schanzel said in reference to my attempts to behave, "That shizz went out the window with Book 4 and you know it Shekinah." Thanks for burning my filter!
Over the years I have developed a number of ElfCrushes, some of which are still pretty prominent. So, for your viewing and laughing pleasure, here's a look at some of my greatest ElfQuest crushes of all time!
Over the years I have developed a number of ElfCrushes, some of which are still pretty prominent. So, for your viewing and laughing pleasure, here's a look at some of my greatest ElfQuest crushes of all time!
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Redlance
My very first crush when I initially began reading EQ, was on the beloved treeshaper Redlance. Something about watching him suffer at the hands of the tribal human servants for their deity Gotara, be rescued so diligently by his tribe mates, try to mask his pain from his lifemate, and even risking his own life so the rest of the tribe could make it to the safe mountains of the desert swiftly and not slow them down, just made my heart melt. I found him so attractive and handsome looking while still so innocent. The passion he had for his lifemate - even though they were un-Recognized - made my heart swell. The love they had for one another had been chosen by THEM. They took their life into their own hands. To me, Redlance was a gentle and nurturing soul - he was a comforting breath of fresh air amidst the often unforeseen dangers that so regularly struck his people. He was not a hunter, nor killer (save for the time I can recall when he saved Bearclaw from the sabre-tooth and thus went from "Redmark" to "Redlance". As well as that desperate moment in the Go-Back's den when the children were under attack by the mountain trolls - which, let me add, his look of guilt and horror made me cry). However, over the years, my feelings for Redlance eventually faded from "romantic" to "amused" as time passed - though he still holds a dear place in my heart.
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Rayek
Another crush in the EQ universe was none other than Rayek. He was hot, a jerk, a prick, a total asshole...and yet I found myself grinning at his arrogance, and my heart fluttered for his desire to claim Leetah. I knew he loved her, truly loved her, and that caused me to ache for him once Cutter cam onto the scene. When Rayek disappeared from the Sun Village, he was immediately thrust out of thought; I was certain I'd never see of him again: or if I did, it would be a tragic story of how he died alone and heartbroken at the loss of his one true love and people. But when he reappeared again with the Go-Backs I could barely contain myself! When I tell you I screamed and cried with joy, let me assure you - I DID. From there and as years passed, my feelings for the Sun Folk hunk fluctuated. His bond with Ekuar was pleasant and revealed a softer side of him that I thought only existed for Leetah. But, when he began tapping into his powers, when his pride and stupidity and blindness cost Cutter his family, I hated him. Yes. I HATED him! I personally felt betrayed by his actions. I giggled in dark glee and relished the moment when Leetah made him the victim of her "hurting" in Kings of the Broken Wheel. It took a while for my heart to melt again for him - but thanks to Venka, and the self-less beating he allowed himself to receive by the Blood of Ten Chiefs, I eventually did. Shortly after that as more things transpired on the World of Two Moons, I came to pity him when he took the Black Snake's twisted spirit into his body. My feelings for Rayek have not changed much since then. He is still on my "love list"; and I honestly can say my love for him will probably be everlasting. In all of my years of reading EQ, and all the characters introduced, none of them have ever put my emotions through a roller coaster ride quite like Rayek - he has permanently found a place into my heart.
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Two-Edge
My other crush was - and trust me, this one is a doozey: Two-Edge. I can see many of you scrunching up your noses at that thought but its not all that bad. My infatuation, or perhaps the best term for this feeling would be "interest", in Two-Edge started when he was first mentioned by Picknose to Cutter as the chief and Skywise returned to the remnants of their old holt and ran into the remaining trolls in The Original Quest. A creature that hid within the walls, that no one had ever seen, that mysteriously forged brilliant trinkets and weapons of metal, possibly mad, and whispered to be the child of a troll and elf? I HAD to learn more! Even when they first revealed him in drawing I must admit that I did not find him hideous - in fact, I found him mildly attractive. He had what I liked to call "rough neck appeal"; the tragedy of a life he lived by Winnowill's hand did not make the sway to his interest any more difficult either. Now that he is free from the games of his mother I wish Two-Edge nothing but happiness - in fact, I often find myself shipping him and Venka quite feverishly. Let's be honest here, Two-Edge deserves some happiness! Though now in the Final Quest, there are some of you who are hinting at a little Twoie (like Chewie) and Ahdri action. I see you! ;P
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Mender
Okay, how could you NOT love this guy?! He's hot, can heal - which I'm sure gives him some of Leetah's "bedroom capabilities" *wink wink* - and he's got a delicious little temper. Mender held a brief spot in my heart as a crush, now he's just the guy that we all want as a booty call. Don't act shocked! He's had everyone else, why not us? You're all thinking it! Upon his first introduction as an older lad, I immediately found him incredibly attractive, and fan-girled at his blooming romantic bond with Ember. But...I don't know if it was the introduction of Teir, or the fact that Mender liked a good brawl a little bit TOO MUCH that made me fall away from him, but I eventually did. He's gotten wiser in the newer releases of ElfQuest, and the time he spent under Leetah was beneficial (which may I add, his respect for her and his loyalty towards Cutter does please me A LOT). But I suppose two fiery spirits such as his and Ember's would have been too hot a flame even for me. For so long I hoped that he'd stop messing around with the occasional human girl (you guys remember THAT issue! hahaha), and perhaps settle down. And now he has! MWAHAHAHA! Then again, we know that elves have no problem sharing (Mender is the epitome of this lol) so it would be interesting to see what exactly might happen in future issues. Regardless of who or what he does (oh yes I did!), I still think he's an incredibly hot piece of elf meat.
And do not judge me, but Trinket and Mender? It gives me life. Call me crazy but Trinket's crush on him is flipping adorable and I love the way he treats her. Also, to quote Jo from the EQ group: "How does Trinket know how frisky Mender is??" I'm gonna leave y'all alone now!
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Treestump
Ahhhh Treestump. Dear, sweet, Treestump. He's been friend, counsel, father, and even "Chief" in his own right. Still, despite his age and clout, Treestump remains humble, respectful, and loyal to his nephew and Chief Cutter. Through the ups and downs, this Wolfrider elder has demonstrated time and time again that he is not only wise, but physically more than capable of holding his own in a fight or putting a rowdy youngster in their place. Come on, do I even really have to write anything for this gorgeous, axe wielding grandpa and epitome of what a male should be?! I don't. Ya know why? Because he's FRIGGIN TREESTUMP! <3 He proves that OLD can be so enchantingly hot. And his beard game is (as the young people say these days) "on fleek"! In other words, he is rocking it like no one else can! I wish him the best in his new relationship with Clearbrook. It's about time he received some happiness romance wise. He deserves it!
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Teir
Now this male right here definitely ended the ElfCrush famine I had been suffering from for a while. When it finally started to rain, it practically poured with his appearance. Who could forget Teir? He had become this iconic figure somehow; despite us being used to the idea of meeting elves by now, the level of shock and joy I got from his pop up nearly left me on the floor. From his very first introduction, this elf enchanted me. Who was he? Where had he come from? WAS HE SINGLE?! He is gosh darn good looking, and judging by who his father is, it's no wonder that my thoughts about him tend to get a little... "high". Ahhhhh Teir...Mysterious childhood, dancer with animals, wolf father, sexy long black ponytail, gorgeous eyes, so gentle it makes your heart wanna burst - Teir. I really like Teir. You could tell because for the longest time I didn't think there was any female good enough for him. That's right Ember, I was calling you out big time back then! But I suppose it was his deep and passionate love for his K'Chaiya that made my heart swoon to begin with. Teir's demeanor was so soft and reserved, so pained and cautious - and yet in spite of that he found love. I'm still feeling some type of way about Ember temporarily subsiding her Recognition to this animal loving hunk, but I definitely want to see what the world will hold for them. He is still most definitely a current factor for me. Teir is still on my list...Facebook peeps, y'all know what list I'm talking about. *wink wink*
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Strongbow
Next is Strongbow. Ya know, that says enough too! Though I am a weakling for the "strong and silent" types, my first encounter with Strongbow was filled with annoyance. I understood that he believed and kept to "The Way" and "Now" of wolf-thought. But his ideologies and actions and constant challenges of his chief seemed self-righteous religious to me and I initially shut him out. But when Cutter grew older, when they got into their fight in Sorrow's End, when he lost and still held his chief's hand in respect and love as Cutter was preparing to go away: my emotions went AHKJSSLKSDLKAJLJLKAFHJDUEJFKLSJ!!! I loved him instantly. Even though the elder still had his moments that made me want to beat him silly with his quiver, it was hard not to see where he was coming from and perhaps even accept that in some aspects he was right. And when he got that face fur? Oh lawd!!! He could keep me in his "sights" as much as he wanted! And when it came to his lifemate, Strongbow's love for Moonshade was...incredibly passionate - almost pure instinct - like, being with her is a part of who he was created to be - but laced with a depth of emotion that I had not seen with most of the other elves. They are truly the keepers of the Way - even in the furs. ;) Now in Final Quest, however, things have changed and I feel my emotions for the archer to be unsure after some events took place. I am as worried as I am eager to see what the future holds for Strongbow as a male on his own - and in his relationship with longtime lifemate, Moonshade.
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Windkin
I think none of us had any idea of just how friggin HOT Windkin was going to get. I mean, we all knew that based on Dewshine's family genes and Tyldak's handsome elf-form, that the little tike would grow to be a looker - but GOOD GAWD! I don't know if it's his face, his hair, his choice of clothes, or (and please excuse my phrasing, but we are all grown here and you guys know by now how my mind tends to work when smexy elves are involved) "dat ass", but little Windkin leaves me soaring. Also, thank the High Ones and the Pini's for those strong family genes because the sexy just keeps getting passed around - yes, I'm talking to you Teir! Your daddy knew what he was doing! LAWD! I honestly don't know much about Windkin's story so I'm going to end it right here - but not without leaving you guys a lovely little treat:
(These buns...lawd!)
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Snakeskin
He's tall, handsome, brooding, reserved, shy, and coming into his own as a Chief. Plus, he walks on his tiptoes on land - what is there NOT to love?! Snakeskin is the rarely mentioned bachelor that you just can't help but fall head over heels for. Even Freetouch seems to think so! I've always been curious about the Wavedancers, and Snakeskin particularly. To see the level of trust that he has developed towards his kindred makes my heart swell. Snakeskin, himself, has come a long way from the lad he used to be when his father was alive before meeting Cutter. It's small progresses like this that keeps me forever loving EQ. I can't wait to see what future issues of Final Quest have in store for this lovely little fish. In the meantime, the next time I get in the water - pool or "otherwise" - I'll be thinking of you, Snakeskin. (Oh gee, that sounded worse than I intended...BUT I AINT APOLOGIZING FOR IT!)
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Rahnee She-Wolf
Rahnee is without a doubt my favorite female Wolfrider Chief. She's got spunk, drive, passion, and let's not forget: she's gorgeous! I'm not very well versed in Rahnee's history, but I thought she was awesome ever since the first moment I laid my eyes on her! Rahnee's presence always demanded my immediate attention, and she seemed to radiate with authority despite her inner turmoils. Rahnee did what it took to keep her tribe together, all the while remaining attuned and respectful of nature around her. Maybe I'm biased, but she has my total respect! I can honestly say I have more of that than necessarily a "crush" but what the hey?!
(You can't tell me that this chick is not amazing!)
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Winnowill
I know what you guys are saying: "WINNOWILL? WHY WINNOWILL?!" Well heck, why not? She's beautiful, and her hair is beat for the gods! Sure she's done some majorly horrid things that made me totally squeal with glee when she got her head chopped off - but at the same time, her level of tenacity, brilliance, and resolve, is something that you simply have to admire. She's evil, she's a Black Snake, but she's also been through enough turmoil that it's kind of understandable as to why she is the way she is. As badly as I wanted the twisted female to meet her end, deep down I often found myself hoping for the opportunity for Winnowill to be healed by her "dark sister", Leetah. Alas, I got neither and now she lives on, but inside of poor Rayek - trapped inside of her lover for an eternity. I wouldn't wish that on anyone!
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Krim
This was one feisty little blonde that I could not do without in my life. She was wild, brash, quick to the draw, hardheaded, tenacious, loyal to a fault, good looking, and loved a good toss in the furs probably waaaay more than most people would give credit for. Krim was a Go-Back turned Wolfrider, but I loved that she never gave up who she truly was to conform completely to the Wolfrider way - and she had no problem voicing it. Krim found a way to blend her Go-Back life to her Wolfrider one in a manner that made her a great benefit to the tribe. Seeing her banter back and forth with the Wolfrider tribemates was so refreshing because, even though (to me at least) the Go-Backs and Wolfriders share many similarities, having her and Skot there added a fresh perspective to the tribe. My heart had a special place for Krim. She wasn't perfect, but she was a total bad ass and I loved her for it. Basically: Krim's sass levels gave me life. My soul is so hurt by her death but she will always hold a very special place in my heart! But at the very least she went out in true Go-Back fashion, and though I hate that she died, I wouldn't change a single thing. I know she wouldn't!
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Khorbasi
Though Khorbasi is not the first human to be taken in by the Wolfriders, he IS the very first human male ever created on the World of Two Moons that I found attractive. Devoted, loyal, compassionate - it was so easy to fall for him. Plus, when I heard that Yun actually cried when he had fallen ill and thought he would die before being healed by Mender, it pretty much solidified his spot in my heart. Sure Yun is his "mother", but if she could weep for him then the human had to be someone special! Also, I CALLED IT! Khorbasi and Tingeh are a thing and I called it from when she was a child! I'M SO HAPPY!!! Hopefully nothing happens to either of them with the war coming - the Djun's men have already showed a lack of care about killing other humans, especially those who think highly of the elves. In the meantime, I'll be looking expectantly towards future interactions between him and Tingeh.
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Random Human Woman
This woman was shown in The Original Quest and was meant to be an offering to the spirits in the mountain - aka The Gliders - aka more than likely Winnowill. She was only showed briefly in a couple panels, but her obvious beauty, elegance, and offering garb made her stand out far more prominently than any other minor/temporary character - ESPECIALLY for a human. It also made me think about how much I miss the tribal humans. Don't ask me why, but there was something enthralling and even respecting about them. The more humans evolve in EQ, the worse things seem to get for the elves and more destructive they appear to become. Anyways, she stole my heart in this panel! Amazing lady!
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Dre-ahn
Y'ALL KNEW HE WAS COMING, THOUGH! Y'ALL KNEW HE WAS COMING!!!!!
Dre-ahn is a recently introduced character in The Final Quest. He doesn't talk, he doesn't send, he sings, and is huge! And I don't mean "huge" as in tall like a High One or the Wave Dancers or something. I mean huge as in: though he is shorter than the other tall elves, he's taller than the Wolfriders and Go-Backs and is built far larger. He's basically a small giant! And those eyes! They're like the silhouettes of ravens flying towards you. Everyone in the Facebook group by now knows how I feel about this guy (they're probably sick of me too by this point as well, lol).
Shout out to David Charles for steadily tormenting me with this dude's level of sexy! From posts to that picture of him with a man-bun, I am constantly being floored. I'm so angry at you - please continue! *snicker*
BUT COME ON! How can you look at this level of mysterious sexy and not just go HALLELUJAH, YES LAWD LAWDY LAAAAAWDGRISOIDNALKNDJVODSNCOFENFKIBVJKJSDNOWKJWCJCJDKSVIEBO!!!
*system reboot*
Okay, sorry. Give me another few months and my inner fangirl for this guy should be a little more under control. Until then, bear with me because the things I would do this sexy giant---saklaslkdakfnjdsvnjdkvkjskv ak vkjdkvsakdnalnlkan!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(good gawd....GOOD SWEET GAWD!!!)
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Nightfall
Nightfall is my first and truest (alongside Leetah) female ElfQuest character crush. She is my heart! I always had a thing for Nightfall, I just didn't know what it was at the time lol. She's gorgeous, loyal to her lifemate and her chief (whom we could safely say is her best friend since childhood) and his lifemate. Another thing I liked about Nightfall was her ability to balance out the inner she-wolf, huntress, killer ,warrior woman in her *chuckle*, and the compassionate, caring, wise, and secure counselor that her friends and loves could rely on her to be. To me, Nightfall is the epitome of what a Wolfrider (not just a female Wolfrider) should be physically and emotionally. She was my favorite character immediately when I started reading ElfQuest. I am enthralled and simply mad about the relationship dynamic between Nightfall, Cutter, and Leetah (oh yeah, Redlance too lol). They give me so much happiness! As she said in the recent issue of Final Quest, they are a "heart circle". This female is as dependable, independent, strong, wise, and loving as she is stunningly beautiful. I think it's safe to say that I want to be a little more like her, 'cause baby! <3
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Leetah
My love for Leetah blossomed so quickly during the Original Quest. As soon as she accepted her Recognition to Cutter, then so did I accept her in turn. I immediately felt a connection to Leetah - her skin was brown like mine, and she was everything that I was at the time, and wanted to grow to be. Leetah's unsure thoughts on new things, her fear of what she couldn't control - all me. Even her refusal to accept Recognition, the one thing she couldn't control even though it meant benefit and love for her? Something I could totally see myself doing. But that wasn't all: Leetah's sass levels and desire to protect and heal those she cared for or needed it - even at her own exhaustion and strain - and ferocity towards anything that would dare threaten what she loved - all of it mirrored me. Leetah and Nightfall are my most relatable characters in the entire ElfQuest universe, and when these two gorgeous queens became the best of friends I fangirled with ultimate glee. I hope to someday become half the mother that Leetah is. Anyway, this goddess of the desert and Nightfall are definitely at a tie for top female love soooooo, why choose one when I can just have both?
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Cutter
And Finally: CUTTER. OMG how can you not love Cutter?! He is downright sexy! Especially with that face fur omgkalkasdkaskdjlkjoiioediflsklkamslclaksdklskgorejlkjfljlsfk!!!!
Cutter's love for his tribe and family, his determination to bring the nations together, his ability to be humble enough to seek counsel, and strong enough to lead even when the odds (or tribe members) might be against him, is something that I have always respected. Through the good moments and the absolutely worst of moments, we watched him prosper, or endure and survive through it to come back stronger than before. Cutter Kinseeker has grown and developed so much right before our eyes. In his own way he is probably the greatest chief the Wolfriders have ever had. The lad balances duty, play, and ferocity perfectly. I didn't realize how much I loved Cutter until a little bit later in the EQ Universe, but once it hit me, it hit me HARD. Cutter is without a doubt my number one crush. NO! HE IS MY ONE TRUE ELFQUEST LOVE!!!! OMG my fangirling is getting out of control I cant even do anymore typing! The mind blowing revelations of the Final Quest have me concerned about where our beloved Cutter stands in the EQ world, but my love for him will always remain eternal.
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Alright, I think I've embarrassed myself for the night. Anyway, I've shared a couple of my EQ crushes, now feel free to tell me yours! Have they changed over the years? Remained the same? Have you have to cute a certain character loose for something they did? Tell me all about it! In the meantime, enjoy this holiday season and let's all go crazy waiting for the newest issue of Final Quest to be released, AND for the oncoming Gathering in 2018.
Until next time, my loves!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Long Live ElfQuest!
Nightfall She-Wolf
