The Creation of the Four Winds

Summary

Long ago, when the world was young and the elven realm blossomed with vibrant beauty, the divine goddess Amenna graced the lands with her presence. As the ruler of the winds and the master of the skies, her ethereal presence stirred awe and wonder among the elven folk. But deep within her heart, Amenna yearned for companionship and a means to share her boundless love and power.
One day, while gazing upon the majestic mountains and the shimmering seas, Amenna heard a sweet melody carried by the winds. Following the enchanting tune, she discovered a hidden glade, where the gentle breeze spoke to her in soft whispers. In the glade, Amenna encountered a foxglove flower, its delicate petals swaying gracefully in the wind.
Moved by the flower's beauty and the melody that surrounded it, Amenna embraced the foxglove, and from her divine touch, sprang forth a radiant being. This being was Caladwyn, the embodiment of the gentle west wind, representing tranquility and peace. They became Amenna's firstborn, and their presence brought a newfound sense of serenity to the elven realm.
Emboldened by the creation of Caladwyn, Amenna yearned to share her love and blessings further. She sought out another hidden glade, where the winds whispered tales of forgotten wisdom. There, she found the sea lavender, swaying gracefully with each wave. With a loving touch, Amenna breathed life into the flower, and Aerisyl emerged, the embodiment of the powerful east wind, signifying change and vitality. They became Amenna's secondborn, bringing a surge of rejuvenation to the elven realm.
Feeling a sense of completeness with her two children, Amenna ventured deeper into the wilderness, drawn to the untamed mountains. In a rugged gorge, she encountered an ironwood tree, its roots delving deep into the earth. With a loving caress, Amenna bestowed life upon the tree, and Vornathar was born, the fierce north wind, representing strength and resilience. They became Amenna's third child, infusing the elven realm with steadfast determination.
Filled with joy and love for her three children, Amenna turned her gaze skyward, where the stars shimmered brightly. She found the kelp swaying gently beneath the waves and embraced it with her divine presence. From her touch, Solarae emerged, the warm south wind, symbolizing passion and vitality. They became Amenna's fourth and final child, gracing the elven realm with the essence of life.
And so, the divine goddess Amenna, through her love for the natural world and her mastery of the winds, brought forth her four children, the winds of the elven realm. Together, they weaved a symphony of elemental harmony, guiding the elves through the ages and reminding them of the boundless love and power that dwells within the embrace of the winds.

Variations & Mutation

Some retellings state that the plants were gifted by various gods with whom they are associated, and that each child came from these interactions, either springing from the plants after it was gifted, or through a sexual union with each god after Amenna was seduced by the gift. These retellings indicate Tydis as the father of Caladwyn and Gaeleath as the father of Vornathar. Cela is often the second parent of Solarae in the older versions of these retellings, but has been replaced in newer ones with Aethon and the sunflower to have a heterosexual take on the tale. The father of Aerisyl in these tellings is usually indicated as Erevan, replacing the sea lavender with a whispering willow.