| This article is about the elder Herne. You may be looking for his son of the same name. |
| “ | I am Herne, God of Trees and Beasts, Lord of the Hunt, Prince of Thorn and Tangle. And what else? Oh, yes, sole and absolute Protector of the Black Forest. | „ |
| ~ Herne, to Bigby Wolf and Jack in the Green in Fables #158 — "The Black Forest Chapter Eight: Villainy" |
Herne is a Fable god from the Homelands, who first appears in Fables #155 — "The Black Forest Chapter Five: Unboxing Day."
History
Boxed up
Herne and his son, also called Herne, used to live in the Hesse, where the elder Herne was the God-Protector of the Black Forest.[3] Eventually, they were both trapped and sealed away in a containment box by the Boxing League, who were working for the Empire. The Boxing League's leader, Dunster Happ, states that he spent seven years in the Hesse, where he and his fellow Boxers boxed the last of the "baleful Hernes."[5] While the elder Herne spends captivity in spirit form, needing no legroom, his son has no such luck and must endure it in a physical body.[1]
Unboxing
After a thousand years or more,[1] Blossom Wolf is encouraged by her father, Bigby, to go on her own adventure. As the girl explores the Black Forest, she comes across a set of mysterious boxes.[6] She believes that the boxes are treasure chests, and tries to open one of them, to no avail. Suddenly, she hears a mysterious voice, encouraging her to break the lock open.[7]
Herne communicates with Bigby Wolf and Jack in the Green
After some nudging from the voice, Blossom transforms into a large gorilla and forcefully opens the box where the voice is coming from. With a resounding boom, the elder Herne emerges from the box in spirit form. The owner of the voice introduces himself as Herne's son, and tells her that she has set his father free, and that he is sure that his father will thank her when he recalls his courtesies. He says that he is at her service, until his and his father's debt has been paid.[1]
The younger Herne and Blossom enter into a romantic relationship, and the former formally introduces Blossom to his father. When Blossom's sister Winter goes missing, the elder Herne assists the Wolf family by telling every bird and tree in the forest to look for her.[8]
Recovering his powers
Herne going mad with grief
Five years later, the younger Herne and Blossom are still a couple. Blossom's brother Connor informs their father, Bigby, that the elder Herne has reached out to him and wants a meeting with Bigby: Centuries ago, before the Boxing League boxed him up, Herne was the God-Protector of the Black Forest, and now expects the Wolf family to formally recognize his status.[3]
Bigby realizes that Herne is seeking respect and recognition of his authority. He firmly tells Connor that he will not relinquish power and requests that he convey to Herne, in a diplomatic manner, that they will never be ruled by anyone and have the strength to defeat even a god.[3]
After the massacre of animal Fables in the woods, Herne emerges to converse with Bigby and Jack in the Green, who both wish to claim the title of Protector of the Forest for themselves. Herne refers to himself as "God of Trees and Beasts, Lord of the Hunt, Prince of Thorn and Tangle," and announces himself as the only Protector of the Black Forest.[2] However, Bigby's friend Sam points out that none of the contenders had stopped the recent massacre from occurring. Herne insists he is still recovering his powers, saying that in past ages, he could communicate with every corner of the forest. However, since his unboxing, those voices have been muted, or switched allegiances.[9]
Sam correctly states that neither Herne, Jack nor Bigby are much better than the others. Herne scolds Sam for his impudent tongue, to which Sam admits it's a weakness he's had for his entire life. Sam inquires Herne as to how they will decide which of them shall become the guardian, worried that it may require a fight to the death. Mrs. Bear, Jack's companion, proposes a more practical solution: why not compete to solve the crime instead? The three agree to Mrs. Bear's plan.[9]
Loss of a son
Herne battles Peter Pan and Tinker Bell
However, the plan is cut short when Herne's son is killed by Tinker Bell on Peter Pan's command. The old god goes mad with grief at the loss of his only son, making the ground shake and the entire forest tremble.[9] The survivors would come to call that night Tremble Night.[10] Herne tracks down Peter Pan, and they engage in a fierce fight, during which Pan manages to sever Herne's hand and gouge his eye with his sword. But Herne proves to be too strong and nearly defeats Peter.[11]
However, just as he is about to land the killing blow, Tinker Bell flies in to save her master, challenging Herne in a fierce battle. Tink admits to Herne that she does not want to kill him, but she is compelled by strong bonds to do Peter's bidding. However, just as she is about to finish Herne off, Jack in the Green shows up[11] and uses a Thanatos Arrow to breaks Peter's bond over Tink, who proceeds to take her revenge on her former captor in a grisly fashion.[4]
After some time, Herne departs from the forest permanently, claiming that there are other woodlands that do not carry the stench of death like this one does.[4]
Appearances
Fables
- Fables #86 (first mentioned)
- Fables #155 (first appearance)
- Fables #156
- Fables #157
- Fables #158
- Fables #159
- Fables #160
- Fables #161
- Fables #162
Original source
Herne and his son are both based on Herne the Hunter from English folklore. He is a phantom hunter that haunts the area of Windsor Great Park. According to legend, Herne is known to ride through the night, especially when storms are present. He is depicted with horns, and is known to rattle chains, and blast trees and cattle. He sometimes reveals himself to mortals. Although Herne may have been a real protector of the forest, he is likely a local embodiment of the Wild Huntsman myth known in many parts of the world.[12]
References