Artemis Fowl belongs to Eoin Colfer. The rest is mythology. I know it's not Christmas but I've only just discovered this lurking in my documents.


CLASSICAL ALLUSION

Christmas, the season of goodwill – what irony. As Artemis twisted the holly wreath in his hands, the prickles drawing blood, he relished the pain. It was a distraction from his greater misery. To have found something more valuable than gold only to know it was unattainable: forever out of reach no matter his desire, his longing. The red berries and green leaves mocked him; these he could hold in his hands, but not what he wanted.

Hanging the wreath – laurel would have been more appropriate -on the door, he laughed mirthlessly: I should have been named for a different god.


Author's Note: The puzzle here is to work out what god he is comparing himself to and why. The wreath is a hint but not what it is made of. The French name for one of the plants mentioned is also a clue. In addition, why are red and green in some way relevant?