Background[]
Xanthous is an original character from The Land of Stories series and a tale of magic. In The land of stories he first appears in The Wishing Spell, Chapter Twelve
He lives in the Fairy Kingdom and is part of the Fairy Council.
Appearance[]
He wears a golden suit surrounded by a thin layer of fire with coat tails made of smoke and an iron bow tie that glows from his heat. [1] His head and shoulders along with parts of his body are usually in flames.[2]
Personality[]
During his youth, Xanthous was an anxious boy who feared his powers until Madame Weatherberry slowly helped him grow more confident. At first he has to wear an amulet to control his powers. Xanthous remained timid and ashamed of himself until Lucy Goose helps him realize he should not feel ashamed for who he is.[3]
Later in life, Xanthous seemed to be very strict yet fair, and a bit of a stickler for rules and duty.[4] He wasn't very impressed with the Otherworld's inventions (such as television), but this may have been because he continuously kept on switching on the fire alarm with his flames.[5]
When he presented Alex's case at her Innauguration Ball, he was said to enjoy the attention of the crowd very much.[6] When he was younger he would have had this kind of attention often but after a few years things like this happened less often.
Story[]
1. A Tale Of Magic...[]
Xanthous, also known as "Xanthous Hayfield", was found inside of a mostly destroyed barn in the Southern Kingdom's Northwest Foothills. His mother died due to burns during childbirth[7]; and he was beaten by his father for playing with dolls, which resulted in him losing control of his power and destroying his home in a blazing inferno. His father also hated him because he blamed Xanthous for his mothers death and didn’t like the fact that he was gay. In result to killing his father. After that, he was on his way to drown himself in a lake when he was found by Madame Weatherberry, who was searching for him, to recruit to her Academy of Magic. Throughout the book, Xanthous is dependent on a Muter Medal which suppresses his powers, to keep him from doing unintentional damage. Later, he stops a large avalanche by releasing his magic in a powerful explosion, melting the snow and saving his friends and the whole population of the Northern Kingdom.[8]
2. The Wishing Spell[]
The Fairy Council hosts a trial for the fairy Trix and the Fairy Council is about to sentence her, when Conner speaks up on her behalf. He manages to change the fairies' minds and Trix is pardoned.
3. The Enchantress Returns[]
Xanthous is sent to guard the twins in their world together with Sir Lampton. Later, The Fairy Council is shown as at a complete loss in the face of Ezmia's power. They refuse to give in when Ezmia comes to taunt them, but are unable to stand up to Ezmia's powers and are captured. They are saved by Alex and Conner. At the end of the book, the Fairy Council agree with the Fairy Godmother to close the gateway between the two worlds.
4. A Grimm Warning[]
Xanthous is part of Alex' inauguration to the Fairy Council. He explains to the Council and the Happily Ever After Assembly that she chose Cornelius over the other unicorns and thereby passed the test of kindness.[9] He fights alongside the Charming Army against the Grande Armée, using his fire to make their cannons explode.[10] When Lieutenant Rembert attacks once again, he and Skylene take care of it.[11]
5. Beyond the Kingdoms[]
The Council accuses Alex of neglecting her Fairy Godmother duties and spending too much time trying to find the Masked Man. They give her an ultimatum, which she refuses, and they "ungodmother" her. When the Masked Man and his army arrives in the Land of Stories, the Fairy Palace is destroyed and the members of the Fairy Council are turned to stone.[12]
6. Worlds Collide[]
Xanthous is freed from stone due to Medusa's tears.[13] He, along with the rest of the Fairy Council, travel to the Otherworld to aid Alex and Conner in the fight against the witches. Xanthous battles the Snow Queen and is wounded from her icicles impaling him through his shoulder and thigh, but he ultimately defeats her with a fireball.[14]
7. A Tale Of Sorcery[]
In a tale of sorcery Xanthous is blamed for fires that follow him and burn across the kingdom and is sentenced to death. He goes on the run until he eventually realises who the immortal that Brystal has to kill is the queen and that he is destined to be king of the demons. In the end he goes through a tunnel to the demon world with an elf who he is in love with. In the end if he and the rest of the fairy council hadn’t come when they had Brystal probably would have died.
8. A tale of witchcraft[]
In a tale of witchcraft Xanthous is a key part is saving Brystal in the attack on the richouse brotherhood. He managed to hold off the soldiers long enough for Lucy to save Brystal. He didn’t react very well to find out the truth about Madame Weatherberry but like the others he found it in his heart to forgive her.
Powers and Abilities[]
As a fairy, Xanthous can use the powerful magic of fairies, his main power is pyrokinesis, being able to produce fire and heat, shoot fire, teleport in fire as well as fly through it. He is also believed to be the true king of the demons and can control them.
Quotes[]
"[the number one rule of being a fairy is] To never, under any circumstance, use your magic harmfully against another person, place or thing."[15]
"What on earth is a circus?" Xanthous said, unsure whether he should take offence.[16]
“I've seen Magic Mirrors do much more impressive things,” said Xanthous, “Although one thing I think I definitely could do without is the fire alarm. If I set it off one more time, I swear I'm going to yank it off the wall and smash it into pieces."[17]
“Yes of course that Mother Goose” Xanthous said and looked at him as if he had lost his mind. “ Is there any other Mother Goose?”
“Mother Goose has always been a bit of a…. well… handful”
“ Hello Mother Goose,” Xanthous said with the little enthusiasm as he could muster. You’re in the right place. Welcome to the Bailey home.”
"Get out of this palace before I turn you into ashes," Xanthous said, and his whole body burst into flames.[18]
“Alex! Conner! Thank the heavens you're all right! I've been looking for you everywhere!”[19]
"Do you know what they say about icy old queens?" Xanthous asked. "The colder the heart, the easier she melts."[20]
"Did they have to paint the sign with such a creepy font?" Xanthous asked. "I mean, was that really necessary?"[21]
"He...he...he...," Xanthous said with difficulty. "He caught me playing with dolls!"[22]
"I mean, are we actually going inside a bear cave with a girl covered in honey?"[23]
"Sorry, I keep forgetting people actually like us now. Old habits die hard."
“Many of our men were lost, but I think it’s safe to say this battle is over.”
"It's like a giant oven!"
"Nothing! I didn't mean it like that! You're amazing and smart and talented and-"
"I'm sorry, girls, but no one can know where I'm headed - not even you."
"I'm weird? You're the one hunting for bears with jackalopes!"
"Weird attracts weird, right?"
"Look at them, Em. I've found another world that loves and accepts me just as I am. How lucky is that? The only difference is this one needs me."
"Did you say I was cute?"
“My father always said a boy like me would end up burning with demons, but he never said I would get to rule them,”
"I see you have a friend, too. Does your squirrel have a name?"
"They haven't created love stories for people like us.."
Etymology[]
His name is derived from Greek [xanth|os|] and means "yellow".
References[]
- ↑ ATOM, ch 11, p. 261
- ↑ TLOS I, ch 12, p. 270
- ↑ ATOM, ch 19, p. 432
- ↑ TLOS II, ch 6, p. 84-85
- ↑ TLOS II, ch 7, p. 90
- ↑ A Grimm Warning, ch 8, p. 153
- ↑ ATOM, ch 8, p. 177-185
- ↑ ATOM, ch 19, p. 430-432
- ↑ A Grimm Warning, ch 8, p. 153
- ↑ A Grimm Warning, ch 28, p. 426
- ↑ A Grimm Warning, ch 31, p. 468
- ↑ TLOS IV, ch 30, p. 416
- ↑ TLOS VI, ch 16, p. 276
- ↑ TLOS VI, ch 18, p. 310
- ↑ TLOS I, ch 12, p. 271
- ↑ TLOS II, ch 5, p. 74
- ↑ TLOS II, ch 7, p 89-90
- ↑ A Grimm Warning, ch 8, p. 162
- ↑ A Grimm Warning, ch 27, p. 400
- ↑ TLOS VI, ch 18, p. 310
- ↑ ATOM, ch 8, p. 191
- ↑ ATOM, ch 15, p. 337
- ↑ ATOM, ch 19, p. 412