Elfgift Series by Susan Price

"I choose the slain!" A pagan king lies dying. With his last words, he leaves his kingdom to his son, Elfgift. But Elfgift is a bastard and a half-thing: the king's son by a beautiful elf-woman. The king has other sons, legitimate sons by his saintly Christian queen. Those sons have no intention of seeing their kingdom ruled by a pagan elf's get. They send armed men to murder Elfgift and burn his farmstead. They think themselves rid of their troublesome half-brother... more"I choose the slain!" A pagan king lies dying. With his last words, he leaves his kingdom to his son, Elfgift. But Elfgift is a bastard and a half-thing: the king's son by a beautiful elf-woman. The king has other sons, legitimate sons by his saintly Christian queen. Those sons have no intention of seeing their kingdom ruled by a pagan elf's get. They send armed men to murder Elfgift and burn his farmstead. They think themselves rid of their troublesome half-brother. But Elfgift is not alone. He has a powerful ally: the Battle-woman, Jarnseaxa. She fetches Elfgift out of this world and teaches him to fight for his life and his crown. less

ELFGIFT, the elf's bastard, is now king. But the throne is not secure. The Lady, his Goddess, has abandoned him and his legitimate half-brother Unwin, who hates him, has raised an army against him. A truce is struck, to keep the sacred peace of Jul, the Night of the Returning Dead -- and also the feast of Christ's Mass. Unwin, despite his Christian piety, breaks the truce with brutal treachery. The sacred night ends with Elfgift butchered. But Gods are watching... moreELFGIFT, the elf's bastard, is now king. But the throne is not secure. The Lady, his Goddess, has abandoned him and his legitimate half-brother Unwin, who hates him, has raised an army against him. A truce is struck, to keep the sacred peace of Jul, the Night of the Returning Dead -- and also the feast of Christ's Mass. Unwin, despite his Christian piety, breaks the truce with brutal treachery. The sacred night ends with Elfgift butchered. But Gods are watching. There will be revenge for Elfgift. less