Faerie Princess Aynad Adored was enjoying the company of her fae sisters in the glade, dancing in the air around an ancient oak tree. A dozen small oak saplings had just sprouted under the tree. It had been a long year, tending the acorns, making them little depressions in the moist earth guarding just these few from the squirrels and other rodents until the tender shoots came forth, and there was much rejoicing. There was one fae for each of the new trees, and they all had parts in the music, whether playing reeds, or just singing their sweet songs.
The Dalish queen,Taila Saechi, made her way through the forest, listening as the sounds of singing and laughter grew louder. She smiled, knowing she would soon join her daughter, Aynad, at the fae celebration. This was the first time she had been to a fae gathering, and she was keen to share it with Aynad.
Aynad was especially happy this year, as she had recently been adopted by the head couple of the Dalish Clan, and they had bestowed on her a title of Princess. Seeing her mother approaching, Aynad stole away to greet her.
Emerging from the shade into the glade, Taila waved as she saw Princess Aynad coming to greet her.
“Mother! What a great joy to see you here!” Aynad exclaimed as she rushed to hug her mother. Aynad hugged her mother with both of her arms, and both of her wings.
Taila laughed as she experienced the arms and wings enveloping her."My dear! I'm so happy to see you! Thank you so much for inviting me to your celebration," she said in greeting.
Pulling Taila to the center of the fae, Aynad pointed to the saplings. “Mother, aren't these the sweetest little oak trees you have ever seen?” she said as she turned an excited face to Taila.
"Dear daughter, yes, they are quite lovely." Taila smiled at the young fae's enthusiasm.
“So tiny, and bright green, and full of life!”
"Aye, love, quite lively."
Pointing to one sapling, Aynad stated proudly, "And this one is my little baby!! Each of us is assigned to do what we can to foster them to maturity.”
Taila looked closely at the tiny sapling. "Oh, this is your baby? How did you foster it, dear?"
“I watched the squirrel as it carried it *just* far enough away from its parent tree, then I tickled it to make it drop the acorn,” said Aynad with a giggle. “Then I pushed it into that little dip in the ground, formed by a deer hoof. I funneled a goodly amount of rain water into the depression. Then, I put a clump of deer droppings over it, to hide it from the other animals, and help it escape its shell. And it was *so* hungry when it popped out!”
Taila laughed at her daughter's evident delight as she described how she tended the seed. Her heart was warmed by this young fae, the joy of her and Ozzhead's life, and the daughter they had long desired.
Taila hugs Aynad. "You took very good care of your baby, my dear. And you are celebrating the saplings with other fae, dear?"
“Oh yes,” replied Aynad. “Isn't the Song of Birth sweet, Mother?”
Taila feels a familiar tightness in her throat at the mention of birth. Trying to smile at Aynad, she says, "Oh, aye, 'tis. Would that I had been given the chance to hear it for meself. But I am so glad you are in my life as my daughter, my dear."
Just then, a brief draft of cold air brushed Aynad's tiny wings, causing her to shiver slightly. Taila noted Aynad's shivering and asked, "Is all well, dear?"
Looking uncertain, Aynad replied, “Umm, I think it was just a breeze from the brook over the hill, but it seemed very cold for a bit. I also felt something inside my mind going dark for a short time. But it has passed.”
Taila looked in the direction Aynad indicated. "Did you indeed? I thought I felt something similar while I was walking through the forest."
“I don't have any idea what may have caused it,” Aynad murmured.
"Nor do I. I do not care for the darkness, though. 'tis a while since your Papa ventured out. I hope all is well with him." She looked at Aynad. “Was he well when you left him to join the fae celebration?”
“Yes, Mother, he should be back home in our village very soon.” The chill still troubled Aynad, and she noticed that the other fae seem to have been affected by the cold breeze as well. “Oh, look, my sister and brother fae have stopped their music. But we were almost done anyways.”
Taila follwed Aynad's gaze and saw the fae celebration had halted completely.
“I think we must now go back to tending the little saplings, Mother.”
"Of course, my dear. You have worked hard. You must see your little baby through."
“I will be finished soon, Mother. Please tell Father that i will be home soon.”
Aynad thrilled at being able to use those words—“Mother” and “Father.”
"I will, precious daughter. Kiss me goodbye, then, love, and I will go back to the village."
Aynad embraced her mother with great love. Taila hugged her daughter and leaned down to kiss Aynad's cheek. As she looked in Aynad’s eyes, she saw that Aynad was clearly still troubled by the cold wind she had felt. Not wanting to cause unhappiness at a celebration, Taila did not bring up the darkness again. Looking deeply into Taila’s eyes, Aynad saw the care and affection that had filled her life with great joy. It comforted Aynad, and she went back to the fae gathering and prayed for Eru's safety for all her loved ones, trees, and elven, and fae.
Taila waved goodbye and retraced her path through the forest, pondering Aynad's words about cold wind and darkness. Looking around at the trees, she felt troubled in her heart, as well. She continued on her path homeward, wondering what the source of this cold and darkness could be.
Taila was still distracted as she stepped onto the familiar path that led to the Dalish village. Only when she heard what sounded like screams and shouts coming from the village did she look up in alarm. She broke into a run, suddenly fearful of some unknown danger. Before Taila had gone very far down the path, she suddenly saw the village burning and heard the echoes of screams of pain which was followed by an erie silence. Taila moved to get to the village as fast as she could carry herself, just as she was getting to the entrance of the village she suddenly feels a sharp pain strike her in the back of her head. she tries to turn to see her assailant, but as she turns she falls to the ground and blacks out after only catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure.