Hellä

Hellä is a mother who Maewyn meets her first few weeks after the inception of her story. She is motherly figure who provides Maewyn with guidance, support, and comfort while she struggles to acclimate to a world she never knew existed. She reminds Maewyn of her own mother. 

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Hellä has two children and a husband who escaped through the border of their country into a neighboring kingdom, done so with forged passes. (Anything in an attempt to escape the oppressive hand of their king.) One of her son's passes was done incorrectly in a noticeable way. She gave him hers and told her husband to take the children and run. Now, she wants nothing more than to be reunited. This is why I have the image of the woman holding her child. 

 

She is a figure of poise, grace, and gentility. Who Hellä is is a direct contrast to where she lives. In many ways, she feels trapped and torn from where she wants to be -- as shown in her collage with the image of a cage. As she waits and plans to escape and be reunited, Hellä bides her time by reading, spending time in the library, and enjoying tea and cake (some of the few delicacies she has left). She plays violin, as seen by the sheet music and image of the instrument in the collage. Hellä is a gentle person who has much turmoil and depression spinning inside, yet she does not let any of it show, because she has the hope of seeing her family again to keep her going.