Ealdwood Stories
# Ealdwood Stories

The Ealdwood Stories, also known as the Arafel Stories, are a collection of fantasy works by American writer C. J. Cherryh. The books are works of high fantasy based in part on Celtic mythology. Arafel, a main character, is a Daoine Sidhe, the highest of the Sidhe faery-folk. She dwells in the magical small forest of Ealdwood, from which the tales take their name.

## Works

* "The Dreamstone" (1979) – short story first published in Amazons! (DAW), edited by Jessica Amanda Salmonson
* Ealdwood (1981, Victor Gollancz) – novella
* The Dreamstone (1983, DAW) – novel, included revisions of "The Dreamstone" (1979) and Ealdwood (1981), plus additional material
* The Tree of Swords and Jewels (1983, DAW) – novel, sequel to The Dreamstone (1983)

## Omnibuses

The Dreamstone (1983) and The Tree of Swords and Jewels (1983) have been republished in several omnibuses, some with substantial revisions. Cherryh also wrote a new ending which she felt was more appropriate and satisfying than her previous efforts.

* Arafel's Saga (1983, DAW)
* Ealdwood (1991, Victor Gollancz) – includes revisions and a new ending
* The Dreaming Tree (1997, DAW) – includes the revisions and new ending in the Ealdwood (1991) omnibus

"The Dreamstone" short story was later reprinted in The Collected Short Fiction of C. J. Cherryh (2004).

## Award nominations

* Ealdwood – 1982 World Fantasy Award for Best Novella
* Ealdwood – 1982 Locus Award for Best Novella
* The Dreamstone – 1984 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
* The Tree of Swords and Jewels – 1984 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
* Arafel's Saga – 1984 Science Fiction Book Club selection
