Possible Clues:

• Worn-out elves wait for treatment in fairy story
• Superstitious belief
• Belief, often erroneous, passed on by word of mouth
• A traditional story - Bluebeard, perhaps
• Dowager's bridal contribution?
• Collapsed on ice after gaining a little weight over recent years
• Discredited belief, traditional one exes follow, say
• Not a relation of newly weds
• Legendary lore former partners follow, according to hearsay
• Widely-held but incorrect belief