Ellefolk

The elves of Danish folklore. They live in the moors. People are advised to keep their cattle away from the places where the Ellefolk have been or the animals may be stricken by some grievous disease, which can only be cured by giving them a handful of St. John's wort, which has to be pulled at twelve o'clock on St. John's night. It is also possible that the cattle may sustain some injury by mixing with those of the elves, which are very large and blue and live on dew. To prevent this from happening, a farmer has to go to the Elle-hill when he is turning out his cattle and say, Thou little Troll! May I graze my cows on thy hill? If he is not prohibited, no harm will come to his animals.

See also Elle-woman and Elle-man.

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