Staying as close to legend and lore how would you kill an elf?

Question

I'm writing a story and I want to be as close to what legend says and what not as possible. SO there's an elf in my story and I know elves are immortal but how immortal are they REALLY? Lend me some help here please!

And just to make this clear I'm talking about elves like.... Lord of the Rings elves. In looks; basically taller humans with pointy ears, w/ magical powers etc.

Answer 1

There are so many legends pertaining to elves and their ability to be killed that this is a difficult question. Not to mention that "elf," like "fairy" is a somewhat generic term and can be applied to sprites, brownies, pookah, leprechauns, sidhe, boggins, and a whole mess of others!

Traditional European folklore says that elves (and most fae) can be killed by cold-forged iron. Western Europeans added an additional stipulation--if bound in coldiron, elves lose their powers and can be killed by mundane means. The Irish held that elves can be disbelieved out of existance; my mother swears up and down that being treated like a human being and suffering through a banal existence for too long will turn an elf human, thus making it mortal and killing it. (I think her theory is based on the Whitewolf RPG Changeling) Some Eastern folklore deals with elemental spirit guardians, which might be classified as "elves," who are immortal but become weak and can be killed when they are removed from their element of power--wood-elves can't survive at sea, etc.

There's other folklore stating that elves lose their powers at full moon, at new moon, at solstices and equinoxes--there's other lore stating they get STRONGER at these times. I've also heard of elves that can only die by sacrificing themselves; or that they can't die at all, but can be kept sleeping forever, trapped in rocks and stones and streams.

Answer 2

First off you have to know that elf's are not a friend to mankind, also they are evil and would destroy mankind if they could, But they can make it so hard on a man that he would wish that he was dead. But only with the assist of a demon (fallen angel) can they succeed in killing man.............. Also elf's can live for a long period of time and have some magical powers but they are not immortal and like demon's they can be killed with a simple spell or by cast iron instrument like a knife or even a pan. But you your chances of getting that close are very, very small..........

Answer 3

you behead a vampire.
when you talk about an elf, they are normally almost immortal,
but may be killed by either cold iron(i'm not sure at what level of purity)normally a blade, but i guess an iron ball bearing on a really strong sling would also do the job if it hits a vital point hard enough and penatrates or with a really powerful spell. they may also be banished a spell using salt to define the area of the spell.unless you're talking about Santa's little helpers then i'm not talking .
i think it's a sin to kill one, especially with the Christmas season just round the corner. definitely a way to get your name off Santa's good list.
God bless,
gabe

Answer 4

I read that the only way to kill an elf is by beheading

Answer 5

With my +5 Flaming Longsword. :)