Fireside Chat -- Etiquette

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Present:

Harumi Oanomochi 

Shawn Daysleeper    

Zryonotralionxus      

Bosie Alchemi           

Lihan Taifun              

Zenon Mistwalker    

Summary:

No matter how “important” your character is, out of character always be courteous to your fellow roleplayers. (In character, of course, it depends on your character's personality.) This includes keeping people informed.

If someone IMs you at an inconvenient time during a roleplay session, you can tell them politely, rather than rudely, that this is a bad time.

Sometimes an Out Of Character clarification during the roleplay can smooth over potential hard feelings.

Give other people enough time to respond during the roleplay. Different computers and connections vary widely in their lag time. Some people type faster than others, and some people type longer replies than others. On the Phoenix Viewer, the Radar shows who is currently typing, but we don't know exactly how to set up that feature, and it only works on Channel 0 (open chat), not other channels used by Titlers or chat repeaters.

Let everyone have an influence on what direction the roleplay is going. Respect their actions.

Don't try to steal the spotlight during someone else's big scene.

Don't bring events that happen in one group's roleplay into an unrelated rp in another group.

Ask permission, in advance, before roleplaying on other people's land.

Clean up any prims you rezz. Be considerate of the sim's prim limits and script limits. When a sim is close to its limit, even a low-prim item or a low-lag script might push the sim over the edge.

Don't roleplay during an Out Of Character meeting.

While roleplaying, use /me rather than emoticons or texting abbreviations. Try to use complete proper sentences. But be tolerant of other people's spelling or grammar mistakes. Not everyone speaks English as their first language.

Using “dialect” or old-fashioned speech is a matter of local custom. Some groups like it, as adding flavor. So groups discourage it, as too difficult for those less fluent in English (and nearly impossible for a computerize translator). If you are going to use “thee” and “thou”, learn how to use them correctly.

Be respectful to your Roleplay coordinators. They are all volunteers.

It all boils down to cooperation and courtesy.

Harumi Oanomochi:  Well, first off, welcome all. We'll probably have a few stragglers come by, so let me start by saying that Ael sends his apologies. He particularly wanted to be here for this, since he suggested the topic. RL duties have kept him mostly unable to log in for a few days. Tonight's topic is Roleplay Etiquette. Any discussion before I go through Ael's notes on the subject?

Harumi Oanomochi:  Oh...I'm still Harumi Oanomochi...just changed display name to match my RP character. Call me Echuir or Rumi...either one works.

So, good manners in roleplay. We've all seen instances that make us cringe in the middle of a scenario. Ael would like to share a few points and encourage us to discuss them.

Just because a person is rping a king or a nobleman or any rp character with a title, that does

For example...just because a person may have a rp character who is a king or a queen...or of "importance," that does not give them the right to dispense with saying "please" or "thank you."

Lihan Taifun:               is that not a matter of their character's personality? just because you are a king doesn't automatically make you a nice person, in character

Bosie Alchemi:            could be evil, haughty, or rude character

Zryonotralionxus:       Yes, I agree, I think what most problems arise is if the characters personality is taken OOC

Shawn Daysleeper:     Ael may be referring to OOC situations

Harumi Oanomochi:  I wondered about that, and questioned him about it. I mean, if your character is a "bad guy" you would expect him or her to be abusive, but...

Bosie Alchemi:            yes ooc

Shawn Daysleeper:     he is talking about someone who rp a King or nobleman, not IC

Harumi Oanomochi: 

AelKennyr Rhiano: Being "King" Olwe does not entitle me to treat you or your rp character shabbily, for example. In fact, imho, those who have important titles in rp should be held to a greater standard of behavior.

Harumi Oanomochi: unless it's in character with a storyline such as you being nutz. ;-)

AelKennyr Rhiano: yes, But I have had people come to me about OOC behavior. So that is another thing I guess we need to discuss.

Shawn Daysleeper:     so it is curtesy to have manners OOC

Harumi Oanomochi:  exactly Shawn.

Zryonotralionxus:       oh yes, as all should show respect to all they RP with

Harumi Oanomochi:  IOW, there's a time and place for playing your part, but if someone IMs you in an inconvenient moment it's bad form to snap at them that you're busy...it can be done nicely without being impatient or nasty.

Zryonotralionxus nods, "It is good to be polite to even your worse enemies OOC

Bosie Alchemi:            i am always aplogetic if in some way my words could be interpreted wrong and am very clear

Harumi Oanomochi:  So most of this discussion is really about the OOC side of things,. It can and does have a bearing upon the course of events in the RP.

Zryonotralionxus:       True Bosie as often just plain words can seem crude if not meant to be

Zenon Mistwalker:     it seems like general kindness like in rl to be shared with others

Harumi Oanomochi:  nods at Bosie. Yes...clarifying, even if you must use an OOC mode to do it, can clear up a ton of bad feelings. ((sorry folks...I really meant to say...)) that sort of thing.

Shawn Daysleeper:     nod

Harumi Oanomochi: 

AelKennyr Rhiano: Whether a person is rping a king or a fisherman, whether that person has a recurring character or an NPC, they should be regarded with upmost respect. For example...if I want to do a rp, and you volunteer, it is should be encumbent on me to keep you in the loop regarding all things involving that rp. If the time changes, I should let you know. I should inform you what the rp is about. I should provide you with whatever you need, as you are really doing me a favor, in a timely manner.

We all understand rl, power outtages...the unexpected. And when you build a reputation for being courteous, all those things are easily forgiven, because other people know it is not from lack of respect you did not do something.

Bosie Alchemi:            couldn't bad manners also mean bullying the role play a certain direction with no input or give and take, too

Harumi Oanomochi:  oh yes...absolutely.

Zenon Mistwalker:     nods

Lihan Taifun:               oh yes, that too

Harumi Oanomochi:  RP is above all a cooperative effort, and if one person takes the reins and causes a stampede or whatever, that can build up a lot of resentment. It really does boil down to common courtesy.

Bosie Alchemi:            which is not easily taught...giggles

Zryonotralionxus:       That seems more prevalent in free form RP more so than storyline I thought? Being storyline usually has a set path of some sort

Harumi Oanomochi:  no it's not, and let's face it, where new or unexperienced players are involved they will occasionally need a nudge here and there to guide them.

Harumi Oanomochi: 

AelKennyr Rhiano: Also, if we rp, and for whatever reason, there is a change and that rp is not to be posted, or is planned to be redone...particularly, if you are not to be in the redo, then I (as in our example) should contact you and explain why. In a tactful manner.

Harumi Oanomochi:  which leads us to the basics of RP...and courtesy comes in by not talking over people or appearing to ignore what they are saying, and waiting for people to type their input. Some of us are paragraph players, and some go one line at a time...but patience is involved because we all type at different speeds.

Lihan Taifun:               and our computers post the chats at different speeds, too

Harumi Oanomochi:  so true...lag monsters abound. *sighs*

Bosie Alchemi:            if i am a little slow on the uptake or don't understand something I often explain my rp level to the other player, apologize , and or ask questions

Zryonotralionxus:       Being new to SL, is in turn RP used? or does this vary one the others participating?

Harumi Oanomochi:  Excellent Bosie! While it's not good to make a constant habit of going OOC in the middle of rp...there are times when you must explain something that affects your rp.

Zryonotralionxus:       I myself tend to Para post allot but I do so because I am use to Rping with ones who do the same

{editor's note: “para post” = writing entire paragraphs at a time}

Harumi Oanomochi: 

AelKennyr Rhiano: Don't "horn" in on other's when the spotlight is on them. We had a rp where someone was telling a delightful story, and another rper kept trying to derail the story to prove how much he knew about Tolkien.

Lihan Taifun:               what about Boise's question? he didn't get to explain what "in turn" rp means

Bosie Alchemi:            if a scripted role play is going on... i almost never interupt

Lihan Taifun:               no, that was Zryon's question ... :P

Harumi Oanomochi:  right.

Zryonotralionxus:       oh, I meant as in everyone takes a turn

Shawn Daysleeper:     In turn rp means that everyone should be able to respond to your rp line before you type another. if you don't it's a form of gamemodding

Zenon Mistwalker:     thanks for clarifying :)

Lihan Taifun:               I would think it depends on the group, and the size of the rp, how strict people are about that?

Harumi Oanomochi:  well, there's no set rule...and no telling when SL is going to send up your comment or response, so it would be impossible to use a "talking stick" kind of roulette. Everyone chimes in, but you do get a feel for where the convo is going just like in RL, and you know you should wait before adding something. Exactly so Lihan.

Zryonotralionxus:       Though I think this can vary, us who tend to para post will use much more in defining our actions in detail, in turn giving those involved much to respond to.

Bosie Alchemi:            i take cues from others... if people are putting little reactions to story in, i might add a little reaction ...

Lihan Taifun:               I love the fact that Phoenix viewer's av radar tells who is currently typing, even if you have typing animation turned off. it gives some hint that you should wait for someone

Harumi Oanomochi:  oh wow...didn't know that...what a neat rp tool!

Zryonotralionxus:       What tool is this?

Zenon Mistwalker:     yes

Lihan Taifun:               "Radar"

Harumi Oanomochi:  The avatar list in the RADAR button on the viewer in Phoenix viewer.

Zryonotralionxus:       Ok?, what does that do?

Lihan Taifun:               the green button turns to a "talk" balloon when someone is typing

Zryonotralionxus:       Sorry, new to this stuff

Bosie Alchemi:            not on viewer 2 though?

Lihan Taifun:               no idea

Harumi Oanomochi:  well I'm still discovering things as we speak, Zyr. *grins*

Zryonotralionxus:       Hmm, I am not seeing it

Lihan Taifun:               unfortunately, Phoenix's can only detect typing on the ordinary chat channel, channel 0, so it doesn't help if people are using chat repeaters

Zryonotralionxus:       I see the radar button?

Lihan Taifun:               did you push the radar button?

Harumi Oanomochi:  right...but if you are IMing with someone you will see them typing.

Zryonotralionxus:       Oh, and forgot about the chat relay I have on, just took that off, sorry

Harumi Oanomochi:  I thought dragons never forgot anything. (smirks)

Lihan Taifun:               I don't know how dragon chat relays work, do you type in ordinary chat channel?

Bosie Alchemi:            i dont have rp hud

Zryonotralionxus:       Yes, the relay just broadcasts what I type to others wearing the relay in the sim

Harumi Oanomochi:  cool.

Lihan Taifun:               ok, that would show up on the radar, then

Zryonotralionxus:       And even us old drakes can forget some things =P

Harumi Oanomochi:  hehehe

Lihan Taifun:               but if I am wearing my titler that says Nienna, and typing to it on channel 99, then that will not show up on people's radar that I am typing

Harumi Oanomochi:  ah...nods. see? We all learn as we go...the SL learning curve never ends...just gets easier with time.

Zryonotralionxus:       ok, so I click on the radar button and I see a list of names?

Lihan Taifun:               yes

Harumi Oanomochi:  Yes.

Zryonotralionxus:       How can I tell when one is typing?

Lihan Taifun:               and toward the right of the list, each name has a green dot?

Harumi Oanomochi:  the little green dot turns to a white balloon

Lihan Taifun:               (now no one is typing, so he can't see) hee hee

Harumi Oanomochi:  giggles

Zryonotralionxus:       hmm, I only see two names with green dots? Bosie and Shawn

Bosie Alchemi:            hmm

Zryonotralionxus:       but they are not changing?

Lihan Taifun:               hmmm

Bosie Alchemi:            (this is all going above my head)

Harumi Oanomochi:  *watches as lines of text zip past Bosie*

Lihan Taifun:               I see all of you with green dots

Shawn Daysleeper:     hehe

Lihan Taifun:               I think your viewer is being weird, or something I don't understand

Zenon Mistwalker:     and what about the lag factor ?

Zryonotralionxus:       Yeah, maybe make this a topic for another time as it is much confusing lol

Bosie Alchemi:            do you have to have a hud?

Zryonotralionxus:       I am going to click the little x and pretend I did not see that

Bosie Alchemi:            meter? never mind hee

Harumi Oanomochi:  well...any more about chat manners? Back to Ael then:

AelKennyr Rhiano: Don't mention other sims or rpers you know are not in the 4th Age rp in the middle of a 4th Age. We don't force people or metagame them that way. If you don't know, ask or don't mention them.

Harumi Oanomochi:  If it's not germane to the RP at hand, leave other RP out of the current RP...seems obvious but it does happen.

Harumi Oanomochi:  also:

AelKennyr Rhiano: Do not rp on another's sim, parcel, home, whatever without their prior express approval.

Harumi Oanomochi: nods in agreement

AelKennyr Rhiano: Don't rezz things for a rp and then leave them out without permission.

Harumi Oanomochi:  that's a real sticky topic. Rezzing a hundred prim item during RP on a homestead sim can cause a ripple effect with the prim allowance.

Lihan Taifun:               or a highly scripted item

Bosie Alchemi:            but also don't be rude to the person that left the item ... they could have forgot to take it with them

Harumi Oanomochi:  Homestead sims have very limited prim allowances, where estate sims have up to 3 times as many prims. yes...scripts can cause huge amounts of lag. and yes, Bosie...yelling at someone isn't cool. Again, it's all manners and how an issue is handled.

Zryonotralionxus:       I have yet to see why one can not just make use with what is there and use imagination for things not?

Lihan Taifun:               yes, very often true, Zryon

Zryonotralionxus:       But maybe that is because I am use to not even seeing myself or character

Harumi Oanomochi:  Good point, Zry..while it might be more dramatic to pull out the big guns for visual drama, it can always be emoted instead.

Lihan Taifun:               about the lag -- when a sim is getting close to its limit, things that might normal cause a small amount of lag can become the last straw

Harumi Oanomochi shouts: nods I really didn't mean to shout that. LOL...sorry

Zryonotralionxus:       lol, I have that happen, random shouts or whispers

Lihan Taifun:               lol, when I hit the wrong button, it is usually "whisper"

Harumi Oanomochi:  the joys of life in a virtual world

Zenon Mistwalker:     :)

Harumi Oanomochi:  here's an interesting comment from Ael:

Do not RP at an OOC meeting or gathering.

Harumi Oanomochi:  It's tempting...you tend to stay in character even when you're not RPing, and sometimes it just slips out...there's this nebulous veil between IC and OOC sometimes, especially in an OOC setting such as this.

Lihan Taifun:               oh yes, that can get out of hand

Bosie Alchemi:            make it very clear that it is ooc

Zryonotralionxus:       Yes, till pointed out I never thought of it causing confusion to ones who might not no the difference

Lihan Taifun:               and also easily distracts from the meeting

Zryonotralionxus:       I am at guilt as I love RP and tend to forget to leave my character behind

Harumi Oanomochi:  As I recall, I'm guilty of that...went to my first Tolkien discussion group and stayed totally IC the whole time...it just didn't occur to me to introduce myself any other way...and after the meeting I did some forehead thwacking...sheesh...it was freaking OOC!!!

Bosie Alchemi laughs heartily and slaps his knee

Lihan Taifun:               oh, I do it too, but it is a bad habit

Bosie Alchemi:            oh sorry

Harumi Oanomochi:  smiles at Bosie.

Zryonotralionxus:       Well I think using the /me thing is fine in an OOC way, like nodding and such

Harumi Oanomochi:  yes.

Zryonotralionxus:       kinda no different than using emotion things such as =P but see, I often blame my talons for my typing errors lol, not sure if that is good or not!

Harumi Oanomochi:  yes, but of course emoticons are a RP no-no in most RP.

Harumi Oanomochi:  hahaha

Zenon Mistwalker:     lol

Bosie Alchemi:            of course many gestures may not be appropriate for rp

Harumi Oanomochi:  OOC laughter can be LOL or hahahaha...or whatever, but in RP it's usually,

Harumi Oanomochi laughs

Harumi Oanomochi:  subtle difference.

Lihan Taifun:               yes

Zryonotralionxus:       I always believe net speak and all that should not be in an RP, ones text should be as book grade or close to it as they can

Harumi Oanomochi:  exactly so

Lihan Taifun:               those multi-line gestures, with lots of decorations, are excessive in RP, too, especially if there are a lot of people talking

Harumi Oanomochi:  even though we live in the social network age, we don't usually pepper our RL talk with LOLZ instead of a chuckle.

Zryonotralionxus:       cause true not many are fluent in english and do the best they could and some translators do a poor job

Lihan Taifun:               that is a good point, about not everyone being fluent in English

Harumi Oanomochi:  yes, that's another good point...not everyone uses English as their primary language and we need to respect that, and not be critical of errors in grammar or spelling.

Lihan Taifun:               and be careful using old-fashioned words, or dialect

Zryonotralionxus:       I always believe that if I do not quiet understand something IC, I ask the person in IM, keeping the RP clear and not drawing attention to it

Lihan Taifun:               or writing out foreign accents

Harumi Oanomochi:  yes, sometimes going overboard in the "speaking forsoothly department" can be distracting.

Zenon Mistwalker:     hehe

Bosie Alchemi:            (even though the teacher in me may be cringing if someone misspells the wrong word multiple times

Lihan Taifun:               distracting, and makes it very hard for people whose native language is not english

Harumi Oanomochi:  and if you don't know how to use thee and thou, please don't. I see it misused all the time and being a grammarian and copy editor by trade I can't help inwardly cringing. LOL

Bosie Alchemi:            well, if its in character

Lihan Taifun:               lol, me too. but I was taught, here, not to use thee and thou, even if you do know how to use it correctly, out of respect for non-native speakers, because the translators don't handle it

Harumi Oanomochi:  archiac talk definitely adds to the ambiance of your character and the rp, but if we all spoke in Chaucerian English we would not understand each other.

Bosie Alchemi:            good to know

Harumi Oanomochi:  that's a great point, Lihan. I hadn't considered that.

Lihan Taifun:               so, is "speaking forsoothly" allowed in Fourth Age?

Zryonotralionxus:       lol, my wife often hates when I speak weird, being one who loves using new languages, even if fantasy, you tend to speak or type your english a bit backwards

Lihan Taifun:               I would do more, if I thought it was acceptable here

Harumi Oanomochi:  you others would know that better than I, because I have yet to participate in more than a few limited rp's here.

Bosie Alchemi:            i have seen some really good british and scottish old slang used very well

Harumi Oanomochi:  however, common sense tells me that you are not going to be called on the carpet for using "Ye" instead of "you" and speaking in a way that is more formal than OOC speech. after all, even if different people use different levels of archiac speech, as long as the point gets across, it's all part of the ambiance of the fantasy we are creating.

Zryonotralionxus:       Also, even common english has a wide variety of slang in it depending on where one grew up and learned it

Harumi Oanomochi:  yes, Zry...so true.

Bosie Alchemi:            me ol' cow is a'havin a time there with the mare up'n the meadow

Lihan Taifun:               Boise, that kind of dialect is just what my teachers were trying to discourage, so, this confuses me

Bosie Alchemi:            i enjoy it... im not good at it myself, but i can see why it would be a problem with non-native speakers

Harumi Oanomochi:  Lihan, I think it is really up to the individual RP groups...One place I played, everyone talked like Irish fishwives. It got old, but they enjoyed the heck out of it.

Lihan Taifun:               I enjoy it too, so it was hard to give it up, so then it is confusing seeing it being encouraged again

Zryonotralionxus:       the big problem is more because they use translators which do not recognize anything other than proper english for the most part

Bosie Alchemi:            so if the sim allows it ... i say go for it

Harumi Oanomochi:  nods...groups develop their own culture...as in all things, places and groups evolve.

Zenon Mistwalker:     i guess different styles of rp

Zryonotralionxus:       I myself like the variety of individual characters and groups

Lihan Taifun:               local culture, that makes sense

Zenon Mistwalker:     yes

Zryonotralionxus:       and RP is like an art, there are many forms of it

Harumi Oanomochi:  exactly...I think that's part of the fun of RPing in SL...you get to immerse yourself in a wide variety of RP styles.

Bosie Alchemi:            even in the descriptions of action , i have seen it done very well

Zryonotralionxus:       everyone developes a style to themselves

Harumi Oanomochi:  and Ael also wanted to address this issue:

AelKennyr Rhiano: Show respect for RP leaders. It is so frustrating when I im someone and they instantly argue with me...nine times out of ten, what I am contacting them about is not a situation that calls for arguments or attitudes

Zryonotralionxus:       arguing never gets any good results. discussion with open minds does, and I think the worse thing is taking something somone says as personal when it is just informative

Harumi Oanomochi:  The RP leaders and coordinators work hard, on a volunteer basis, to make sure the rp runs smoothly, and just because a person's particular storyline goes awry, does not mean you should blame the RP coordinator.

Bosie Alchemi:            yes, in rp as in life "we can't always get what we want."

Zryonotralionxus:       And the fun part about RP is sometimes the unexpected, a good RPer can recover or work with what is given to the good

Harumi Oanomochi:  And on that note, I think we've gone through all of Ael's notes...any final additions or comments?

Zryonotralionxus:       I seen very poetic RP, word play RP, and simple RP, I can only imagine the wide range more out in SL

Harumi Oanomochi:  it's amazing really...cultures within cultures...SL truly is a world unto itself.

Bosie Alchemi:            i have seen a wide range of levels and styles in one role play ... different people

Zryonotralionxus:       Yes it is, I am amazed at least once every day I am here lol

Harumi Oanomochi:  And don't get me started on vampire lingo. LOL...I got so tired of being undead. *wink*

Zryonotralionxus:       Hmm, did not know there was such lingo! I just recently found merfolk lingo lol

Harumi Oanomochi:  depends upon the vamps...I was playing with a group that used Vampire the Masquerade as their basis and that was loaded with references to the rp game from which it was drawn. In addition to RL languages, I find myself picking up how to say hello in Mer, Gorean, Vampire, Dragon...and so forth. It's really kind of fun.

Zryonotralionxus:       LOL, I do to, I have many Lexicons

Harumi Oanomochi:  Yes, thank you all. Another illuminating session, and you all add the magic that lets us continue to refine our RP techniques.

> Next     

Beloved Cousin, Alone

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AelKennyr Rhiano

"It cannot take what it cannot reach." Llyra's words ring in his bloodied ears as the Lord of the Teleri faces once more his internal tormenter, the Unseen Voice.  "For we walk by faith and not by sight." She had whispered softly into the King's ear.  He clung to the words, like a drowning elf in storm tossed sea would cling to a piece of driftwood to help him keep afloat. alive. 

Words from the conversation between Comet and himself came back to him in pieces, in between waves of pain, shrieks and howls from the Presence which roils, churns like an angry sea, so firmly lodged within his being.  Now, now the Teleri Lord understood the torment, the anguish his elven kin who had surrender their bright beings to be twisted, corrupted, subverted.  Grimly, bereft of hope,  the Lord of Alqualonde and Tol Eressea held onto each bright moment in his long life.  Clutching at each memory of joy, of life, of love, he endured the physical and nonphysical attacks, sinking to the floor in a pool of his own blood.  "If...if...you kill me now, " he gasped out.  "I shall still win, by Eru, I shall."

His defiance was rewarded by a howling, a dreadful shriek of pure rage, and old wounds were reopened.   Olwe bowed his head, swayed kneeling, arms outstretched to catch his weight rather than allow himself to fall into his own spilt blood. 

Then, as suddenly as the attack began, it stopped.  Silence, like a gentle rain fell, and all that could be heard within in the bed chambers of the Teleri king was the harsh panting for breath. Outside a breeze, still chill but with the promise of spring, ran through the trees and the rustle of new, green leaves brought tears to Olwe's eyes.  Closing them, he swayed unsteadily.  Yes, yes, he could even hear the crash of the waves coming to shoreline, the call of birds.  As Olwe sucked in lungfuls of sweet, sweet air, he shivered in shock from the loss of blood and enjoyed the silence in his mind.  Long the moments passed.  He was even able to finally stand and with unsteady steps, cross the room and sink, thankfully, onto the couch where Beloved Tilion had held him so many, many times. 

Where once the thought of Tilion brought quick retribution from the hated Voice, there was silence.  And in this silence, the Lord of Alqualonde grew uneasy.  It was too still, too silent.  Then, from the silence, came the voice of his Cousin, the Sylvan Queen, Comet.  "You are the only one who has ever held my heart......" 

Silken, deep and black as the farthest depths of the sea came the Voice, before it left the Eldar elf to contemplate its words. "You WERE the only one.  Now....a new Master holds her leash."

> Next     

Elwing Finds Tranquility

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Cinnamon Raymaker

After her meeting with the fae, Elwing rests a while and then has the urge to explore again, to find a space where she can be alone with her thoughts.

She leaves the sheltered skylet, departs the fae tree fort and walks along the river  following the bank. She hears the chirping of cicadas. Walking on, she passes bull rushes and, heading around a bend in the river, finds herself heading into a dark tunnel.  Steeling herself for any possibility and listening for any changes in the sounds of the creatures of the night, she floats silently along the uneven track and into the deep blackness of the tunnel.

Giving her eyes time to adjust, she notes a pale colourful light emanating from within the cavern. A thin white mist rises from the water and floats around the atmosphere, making it heavy with humidity. Sensing something different about this place, she moves onward, carefully hugging the cave walls so as not to plunge into the depths of the water below. She hears the chirping of birds echoing around the cavern and notes beams of light shining through the water alongside her.

Suddenly she comes across a stone platform and ventures across it, reaching another platform, which is a bridge crossing the water, It leads to the most brilliantly lit tree she has ever seen. It is from this tree the mist appears to be emanating, a life giving essence for the plants and animals inhabiting this underground cavern. A feeling of well-being washes over Elwing the closer she moves towards the tree. She stands quietly touching its shining trunk, feeling a sense of calm within herself.  She sits under the tree and closes her eyes to enjoy the peace and tranquility of these surroundings.

"What a place of contrasts is this Isle of Vana!" She thinks to herself.

On the one hand it holds magical forests and havens of safety, a place of such warmth and beauty. It also harbours stone circles and ancient dark temples hidden deep within the craggy mountains and holds strange secrets such as the egg which called to her from the garden in the bowels of the earth.

And now - the discovery of this beautiful, peaceful and serene place of healing  - aye, healing - for no other word could describe the feeling of what was happening to her in this cavern. The feeling that it heals the soul and brings calm to the chaos, which is always just below the surface of her consciousness. It will be a haven to return to to maintain her sense of well-being while she is in this place.

> Next    

The Sylvan Legends

< Chronology    

Book 2:  The Queen’s Diaries – Synopsis

This book is derived from the journals and diaries kept by Comet over the many years since her departure from Taur-na-Sylvhara in the year 591 of the Fourth Age.  Comet, at the age of 15, finds herself under the care of Darius – who, despite his dark past, was appointed as her Guardian by her father, Eyrturheru.

The pair had been traveling five months, in the wild, when they were attacked by a band of five men – mercenaries in the employ of Nargoroth – who attempt to take them by force.  Comet sees Darius transform under the duress of the attack, taking dragon form to dispatch their attackers; and witnesses firsthand the horrible secret of the Sereg’wethrin.  Now exposed, Darius tells his full history to Comet, sparing no details – the breeding of the Sereg’wethrin; the death of her mother, Linnea; Darius’s assignment to assassinate Eyrturheru, and his redemption before he could fulfill the task; and, finally, his appointment as her Guardian. And from him, she begins to understand the truth of Nargoroth and his intentions.

In high summer, they encountered a wizened old man wandering the woods alone – most unusual in those dark times.  Darius was suspicious of the man, who charmed Comet at once with his stories and easy manner.  He called himself Myrrdin, and his tales marked him as old indeed.  He spoke knowingly of generations of Comet’s ancestors; and his memories went even to the Years of the Trees.  But beyond the past, he spoke also of the future, warning Comet of Nargoroth’s intentions, among which was the Shadow Lord’s desire to claim her as his own bride…as, in that way, might he claim the powers that lived in her blood.  The power was tied to the Coia’lia – the “living thread” that wove together all living things; and the heritage of the Golden Line of Comet’s female ancestry who could influence or control that power.  Myrrdin instructed Comet that she must gather her people, and what Drow, dragons and men she might call to a grand alliance to destroy Nargoroth.  His counsel tendered, he disappeared as abruptly as he had come.

Comet and her Guardian continued their journey southward, and soon found the northern entrance to Greatwood Forest.  Before they could gain refuge there, they were assailed by a ferocious band of wolves – the Wargs of the Wilderland in the far north, sent by Nargoroth to watch for travelers bound for sanctuary there.  In the ensuing battle, Comet found the strength of Eledhwen, the great elven sword passed to her from her father; and she dispatched Nazgrimm, the ancient Warg leader, as the beast attacked Darius.  But the strength of the pack was too great; and Darius and Comet both fell in the terrible fray. 

Comet woke some days later, in the safety of Tal Rilma, the elven city deep within the confines of the forest.  Only then did they learn that they had been rescued by her Sylvan general, Andelmir, who had followed from Taur-na-Sylvhara to seek her.  Andelmir and his mounted warriors had arrived just as the Wargs closed on Comet and Darius in their final attack.  Many of the wolves were slain, and the rest driven off; and Comet and her Guardian were carried to the shelter of Tal Rilma.  To her great surprise and joy, Comet discovered that Ivy had fled Brithillien in the north; and the sisters were reunited.

Comet remained in at Tal Rilma for over 130 years; and in that time learned much of what she needed to know as the heir to Eyrturheru and leader of the Sylvan North.  She learned that Ivy – who had traveled south with their aunt, Elëanil – had trained in the skills of the Coialambe – the common tongue that linked all the world’s living things.  As time passed, many of the  People in exile responded to the Sylvan Ode that called them to duty; and their numbers grew quickly within the Greatwood Forest. 

It was at that time that Myrrdin returned – oddly younger than when they had last met so many years earlier.  With Myrrdin came Kaerum K’aerunis, the High Priest of the Sylvan North and Steward of the House of Athanor.  But Kaerum was unmasked by Myrrdin as a spy and traitor, intent on slaying Comet at her forthcoming coronation.  On that day – 4 November 725 – the traitorous priest was subdued before he could execute his foul plans. Myrrdin counseled Comet that she must prepare to leave Greatwood; and seek the aid of Lord Malikith, the Dark Lord of the Drow House of Qu’ellar Vil’rath if the Sylvan cause were to survive.

By the morning of the following day, Comet was left without the guidance of both Myrrdin and her beloved Guardian. At the end of the coronation ceremony, Comet grudgingly allowed Darius to depart on a vital mission to the dragons.  Myrrdin left hours later, on an unknown mission of his own.  And so Comet was left alone, the mantle of leadership heavy upon her shoulders, to begin her journey to the Drow lands.

As Comet began the long and dangerous pilgrimage to Qu’ellar Vil’rath in the heart of the Shadowpine Forest, she read the letters Myrrdin had left behind to guide her in her quest.  The first told her of the forces Nargoroth was drawing to his side, and of the urgent need to build a grand alliance to counter them.  In that aim, the dragons were vital – and so, therefore, was the success of Darius’ mission.  At the same time, the protectorate of Lord Malikith would provide the security required to build the strength to defy the Shadow Lord’s domination.  Comet also learned of the history of Malikith, of Qu’ellar Vil’rath, and of the Eilistraee – the surface Drow who opposed the intentions of Nargoroth.  She vowed, anew, to rebuild the bonds of ancient kinship between Sylvan and Drow in forming the alliance.

Most importantly, Myrrdin instructed Comet of the importance of three talismans of power that the Sylvans might wield in opposition to the Shadow.  The first was Eledhwen – the great sword passed to her by Eyrturheru – through which flowed the life force of her People.  She had felt its power in the battle with the Wargs, but only now began to understand its full significance.  The second talisman was the Coialambe, the gift of the living tongue passed along the matriarchal line of her ancestors.  She knew that Nargoroth lusted after it with greater envy than anything else in the world – knowing that, through its power, he might hold all living things in thrall.

The third of the talismans remained a mystery to her, for she could not yet contemplate its power.  Myrrdin called it the Hoon tel’Orod – “Heart of the Mountain” – and described it as a keystone to channel the power that lay within the earth, thereby giving strength to the walls of their sacred places.  While she could not yet comprehend it, she accepted Myrrdin’s guidance that they must, at all cost, reclaim the Hoon from the ruins of Taur-na-Sylvhara.
Comet and her entourage – including Ivy (now High Priestess of the Sylvan North) and their aunt, Elëanil – arrived at Qu’ellar Vil’rath in the famously bitter winter of 725.  They were soon reunited with their cousin, Loren, daughter of Lirimaël and warrior-princess of Durohn.  Soon after their arrival, Malikith convened a council of representatives from all the peoples present – and so was held the first meeting of the fledgling Great Alliance.  The United Warriors was formed – a common command for the armies of the Alliance; and emissaries were sent out in all directions to summon good people to its cause.

In private council, Comet formally petitioned Lord Malikith for protection as she gathered her People together from exile.  The proud Drow Lord agreed readily, and so began a deep and historic friendship.  Comet shared with Malikith all that she had learned from Myrrdin about their enemy.  When she mentioned the rumors of a sorceress, Maluila, Malikith reacted with shock and wonder.  He told Comet that Maluila was an ancient name, one of three infamous witches known as the Neldor.  The Neldor were thought to be immortal, and Maluila – the youngest and most capricious – was thought a patroness of demons and the gatekeeper to the underworld.  The two agreed to keep this news in confidence, as any suspicion that Nargoroth might summon demons to serve his vile purpose would strike fear into the most valorous hearts.

For several decades, the Alliance forces grew.  The Sylvan Elves responded to the call of their Queen; and others – including Que’llar Zenith, Lumindor, Durohn, Ravenscraig, Salvation, Bondomia – rallied to answer the call.  But just as all seemed to be moving in the proper direction, Ivy – High Priestess of the Sylvan People – fell into a mysterious fugue state from which she was unable to be roused. Her condition lingered for months, breaking only as news that Nathan – Comet’s beloved cousin, and brother to Loren – had returned from his mysterious unknown architectural commission.  Upon awakening, Ivy revealed a most remarkable vision of a land “where all the elements are joined as one” that might be their future home – the reborn Sylvhara.  But she could not do so before Nathan had related the events he had witnessed, of Darius and the dragons.

Nathan revealed he had been commissioned by Gormackh, heir to Bragollach and now Dragon Lord, to build a grand dragon cathedral.  As the work progressed, Darius appeared at the Dragon Court to appeal to Gormackh to lead the dragons in resistance to Nargoroth.  But it soon became clear that Gormackh had been corrupted by the agents of the Shadow Lord.  Aided by Darius’ two half-brothers – twin Sereg’wethrin called Malfeus and Bartemis – Gormackh took Darius as his prisoner and subjected him to heinous tortures in an attempt to learn the secrets of the new alliance against Nargoroth.  When it became clear that Darius would reveal nothing, he was taken by the twins to the arena and beaten savagely.  The Sereg’wethrin brothers waited, expectantly, for Gormackh to order the execution of their traitorous half-brother.  But before the order could be given, Draco – heir to the Dragon King, and now a guest of the Court – rose in protest, triggering a revolt by those dragons loyal to him and to his father, Dragollich.  A fierce battle ensued, during which Bartemis turned on his brother, freeing Nathan and helping Darius and Draco to make their escape.  Malfeus made a final, desperate attempt to turn the tide, and came close to assassinating Draco before being swept away by Darius, who had assumed dragon form.  Nathan watched helplessly, as Darius and Malfeus tumbled to earth in mortal combat – and were lost from sight.

Nathan went on to tell Comet of a most unexpected and favorable turn of events.  In the immediate aftermath of the dragon revolt, Nathan, Draco and Bartemis traveled to the ruins of Taur-na-Sylvhara – warned by Bartemis that Nargoroth sensed something of immense value there.  In a harrowing race against time, the trio found and retrieved the Hoon tel’Orod from beneath the shattered walls of the old kingdom; and managed a narrow escape from the hordes of the Shadow Lord that raced to the scene. 

Comet commissioned a search for the lands Ivy had seen in her dream state; but soon became frustrated at the failed efforts to find what they so ardently sought.  At last, she determined to set out on her own – in a party that included Ivy and Nathan, to seek the place for herself.  In the spring of 783, they found it…and both Comet and Ivy knew at once that they had found, at long last, the birthplace of the new Sylvhara.  Comet took her bow; and fired an arrow high into the sky – repeating the legendary act that her father had performed in founding the original kingdom. 

By the year 832, the new city was taking form under the skillful hand of Nathan.  That very spring, Myrrdin appeared – oddly younger than when he had left on his private mission 107 years before.  Myrrdin told the tales of his imprisonment by the witch-goddess Maluila; and of the shocking and ironic bargain struck between Maluila and Nargoroth.  As expected, the Shadow Lord petitioned for the power to summon demons; and Maluila was all too happy to oblige him.  What she did not communicate, however, was that in accepting this gift, Nargoroth would lose his hold upon a mortal form.  Myrrdin said that this was the way of the Neldor, who would oft toy with mortals for their own amusement while caring little for the consequences.

As Nargoroth discovered the truth, he began to seek out the Queens of all the races – for it was in them that the life force of their peoples was most intensely concentrated.  Nargoroth knew that taking those life forces would allow him to cling to corporeal form in the world.  Even so, his mortal form slowly eroded; and it seemed the aspirations of the Shadow Lord would be undone by his own arrogance.  He remained dangerous and resourceful, however; and soon reasoned that he must sire an heir.  But no simple heir would suffice, as the Shadow Lord would share power with none. And so, he began to seek union with a Sylvan mother, bearer of the Coialambe – in the hope that the dark arts learned from Trefelgan might lead him to rebirth.

By 901 – one year ago before the date of this writing – the Great

Alliance was well formed and war with the Shadow Alliance had broken out across the world.  It was in that time that Darius returned, near death from his quest over the past 140 years to hunt down and kill all of the Sereg’wethrin who roamed the lands as his emissaries and assassins for Nargoroth.  The last to fall was Malfeus, whom Darius had long sought since his escape in the aftermath of the dragon revolt.  But before Darius could finish his tale, Nargoroth struck at Sylvhara – taking Elëanesse, Comet’s cousin and the daughter of Elëanil.  For a moment, all seemed lost; but Darius leapt suddenly into action.  He took a bow and fired a single arrow at the fleeing Shadow Lord killing Elëanesse in his tragic desperation, before she could be taken away by the Shadow Lord.

This, then, brings the Sylvan tales and legends to the present day; and though the pages of history are written anew with each passing event, the pages of tomorrow are yet blank to us all.

Sylvan Chronology September 902

< Chapter 9   

The Second Age

1420

First mention of Nargoroth in the annals of Netheril.

c.1610 - 1645
Naragoroth is apprenticed to Trefelgan, the White Wizard.

1657 - 1676
Nargoroth is at Mori Tarma.  Capture of Naur’Atara and the breeding of the Sereg’wethrin begins.

c. 1685
Darakh’urra is born at Mori Tarma.

c. 1700
The Archwizards of Netheril pledge fealty to Nargoroth, who is named Witch King.
 
The Third Age

109
Birth of Aglarond to Gildarion and Corm’essa at Ta’Valoor.

1235
Aglarond weds Trieste, fulfilling the prophecy of the reunification of the House of Varda. 

1545
Aglarond becomes Lord of Ta’Valoor upon the death of his father, Gildarion.  He is charged by the Council of the Wise to strengthen the defenses against the dark power.

2215
Aglarond weds Trieste, fulfilling the prophecy of the reunification of the House of Varda.

2455
Birth of Eyrturheru in Ta’Valoor, the first undisputed heir to the House of Varda since the early part of the Second Age.

3010
Ta’Valoor is destroyed and Aglarond slain as the Great Battle of the North begins.  Trieste flees with Eyrturheru to Orod Ithil, under the care of Aglarond’s brother, Faradhon.

3019
End of the War of the Ring and the defeat of the Great Enemy. 

c. 3020
Falanir and Lindelea arrive in the Northern woods as part of the Migration of the Taur’Quessir after the defeat of the Great Enemy.  They discover the broad expanse of the silver birch forest, dub it Brithillien and make their home there.

3062
Birth of Linnea in Brithillien.

The Fourth Age

c. 62
Eyrturheru returns to the ruins of Ta’Valoor, sees to its dedication as a shrine of the Varda; and sets out to find the future seat of power.

340
Eyrturheru arrives in Brithellien, meets Linnea and founds Taur-na-Sylvhara.

575

November 4:  Birth of Comet to Eyrturheru and Linnea.  The name is derived from the hereditary title of the Queen, “Corm en’Quessir” or “Heart of the Sylvan People”.

577
A second child, also a girl, is born to Eyrturheru and Linnea.  Lirimaël, Linnea’s sister and the High Priestess of the Northern Sylvans, notes that the child has “the gift of sight and tongues” and dubs her “Indyo Vilya”, “descended from the air”.  She is given the abbreviated name, Ivy.

585
The Dragon King, Dragollich, is killed at Amon Arrna by agents of Nargoroth.  The Dragon heirs, Draco and Vynnessia, are sent into hiding by King Eyrturheru.  Lady Ivy is sent to Yaana Amrun in the far north of Brithillien, in the care of Rowenna d’Noir’s sisters.

590
March 12:  The Elven Council meets, considers the prophecies, and determines to go to war against the power in the West, now known to be Nargoroth.

March 17:  Eyrturheru prepares to attack Tal Nargor.  Tz’arkan and an army of orcs attack Taur-na-Sylvhara and capture Linnea.  Linnea begins the dialogues with Darius (Darakh’urra) in the Tower.

March 21:  Eyrturheru and Elohim, with Bragollach, conduct the raid on Mori Tarma, to rescue Linnea.  Elohim is slain by Tz’arkan in the battle, and Linnea is mortally wounded by Nargoroth’s poisoned arrow as they escape.

October 8:  Darius arrives at the court of Taur-na-Sylvhara, disguised as an emissary from River’s Rest.

November 29:  The Treachery of Man is revealed as Eyrturheru is betrayed and stabbed with a poisoned blade by Grindemor.   Grindemor is slain by Comet with the help of Rowenna and Darius.

December 18:  Eyrturheru awakes from his coma.  Darius is made Lord Dragon Protector and charged to take Comet into exile for her protection.

December 19:  Comet and Darius leave Taur-na-Sylvhara and head south.  The assault on the city by the forces of the Witch King begins that night.  Eyrturheru abandons the city and leads the main forces away to gather strength to take into battle against Nargoroth.

December 22:  The Battle of the Tempest River occurs, and the main army of Nargoroth is routed.  Lady Arwen Imirie arrives with a force of knights late upon the field, slaying Tz’arkan and helping to turn the tide.

591
February 1:  Lady Comet receives her father’s sword, Eledhwen, and a note confirming that he has gone West to the Undying Lands.   She formally assumes the mantle of stewardship for the Northern Sylvan People.

May - June:  The Great Council of Wyrms meets and approves the migration of the dragon clans into safekeeping in the world.  Bragollach departs with his clan to Avilion, and is later slain by the Witch King, Nargoroth.

August:  Comet encounters Myrrdin in the wild, and learns of the Coia’lia and
Nargoroth’s desire to control it for the domination of all living things.

October:  Darius and Comet are attacked by the Wargs of the Wilderland at the borders of Greatwood Forest.  Comet is carried, wounded and dying, to Tal Rilma, the “City of the Glimmering Light” deep within Greatwood Forest.  As she heals, she is reunited with Ivy – who has recently arrived at Greatwood after fleeing the Northlands.

653
Nargoroth meets Maluila of the Neldor, in the guise of Ssinurn Brandriss; and reaches a bargain to secure power over demons – little knowing that he will give up his mortal soul in doing so.  He appears for the first time in the embodiment of the Denotaur.

725
November 4:  Comet reaches her majority and becomes Queen of the Sylvan North as the heir of Eyrturheru, in fulfillment of the prophecy.  She escapes a plot by those loyal to Nargoroth to kill or capture her; and immediately thereafter leaves to seek the safety and help of Malikith Virtanen, Drow Lord of the House of Que’llar Vil’rath.

Darius departs on his mission to the dragons, to attempt to win their support for the Alliance.

November 5:  In letters from Myrrdin, Comet learns of the importance of the three talismans – Eledhwen, the sword passed on to her from her father; the Coialambe, or “living tongue” passed along the feminine line of her ancestry; and the Hoon tel’Orod stones that lie beneath the ruins of Taur-na-Syvhara.

December 10:  Comet and her party reach the Shadowpine Forest and, soon after, the House of Malice (Qu’ellar Vil’rath).  With the support of her cousin, Loren of Durohn, she petitions the Dark Lord Malikith for his protection – and the core of the Alliance is formed.  The first Alliance Council meeting is held, resulting in the ordering of forces against Nargoroth.

726
Darius first appears at the Dragon Court near Orod Giliath, and is taken prisoner by the Dragon Lord Gormackh – who is revealed to be in league with Nargoroth. Gormackh is controlled by Nargoroth’s Sereg’wethrin henchmen, Bartemis and Malfeus – who are also half-brothers to Darius.  Darius begins a long period of imprisonment and torture as Gormackh attempts to learn the secrets of the Alliance.

759
Draco steps forward as the Dragon Heir and begins a revolution that splinters the dragons between the Alliance and the Shadow.  Bartemis splits from his twin brother, Malfeus, and Gormackh to aid Darius and Draco in the revolt and their escape.  Darius falls in battle with Malfeus.

760

April 22 - 23:  Ivy – now High Priestess of the Sylvan North – awakes from a fugue state after 4 months, to reveal her vision of a land where the elements align in an almost unprecedented harmony.  The search begins to find the land that will become the new Sylvhara.

Lord Nathan returns, bringing with him the Dragon Heir, Draco, and Darius’ half-brother Bartemis.  They tell their tale of the splitting of the dragons and the internecine war that has ensued within their ranks; and the fall of Darius.  Nathan answers the riddle of the missing element of fire, by revealing the Hoon tel’Orod.

783
Ivy leads Comet and her party to the land she saw in her vision.  Comet repeats the legendary act of her father, firing an arrow in the air to mark the spot at which Sylvhara will be reborn.  Nathan and Comet set the Hoon tell’Orod in place, aligning the elements for the founding of the realm.

832
Myrrdin returns from his imprisonment by Maluila, and informs the Alliance of Nargoroth’s bargain with her.  He warns that Nargoroth will seek the queens of all the races to feed his insatiable need for life-energy to remain in the mortal world.  He also reveals that Nargoroth has mastered ancient rituals of dark magic that may allow him to be reborn in mortal form and control the Coia’lia through union with a woman of the Golden Line.

901
Darius returns, profoundly injured, with news that he has eliminated the threat of the Sereg’wethrin during his many years in the wild.  Nargoroth appears at Sylvhara, in his desperation to claim one of the women of the Golden Line.  He takes Elëanesse, daughter of Elëanil; but she is mercifully slain by Darius before Nargoroth can make his escape.

902
Loren and Malikith are wed at Sylvhara, tightening the bonds of the Alliance.  Full-scale war breaks out between the Shadow Legions of Nargoroth and the Silver Legion of the Alliance.  Nargoroth targets the queens, and successfully kidnaps several, in his quest for the life force to sustain his existence.

> Synopsis   

Chapter 9 - Flame and Air

< Chapter 8   

25 June 901

This had become my nightly habit.

As the world slept, then would I be most wakeful…and watchful.  The modest chill caressed me – even on these fair summer nights.   The cool darkness held me as faithfully as a lover. The stars shimmered clearly in the heavens, as I breathed in the damp air and made my way through the darkened garden to the edge of the forest. High atop an ancient birch, an owl screeched, flapped his wings, and launched into flight. I watched in reverent awe as he soared upward, his shadow stealing across the face of the moon.

Each night had I stood here, reveling in my quiet isolation…as one with the gloomy silence.  Only in this time, it seemed, was my mind free to wander out – blessedly released from the unrelenting matters of the realm and the Alliance.  My mind was freed to seek out the spirits of my ancestors…that I might gain their counsel in these most troubling times.  And in my liberated state, I could close my eyes and hear Father’s voice…see Mother’s smile; and draw from them confidence to fight another day…and then one more beyond that.  For all of this, did I cherish these quiet moments.

A twig snapped, the loud report of it echoing in the darkness of the forest. I shifted my gaze in the direction of the sound, seeing only the white flash of a deer’s hindquarters disappearing into a thick stand of trees.  I followed, as the deer bounded under the cover of the wood.  I knew this part of the forest well enough to anticipate the deer’s direction. The full moon pierced the canopy above with shafts of light, and the path shone clearly before me.  I spotted again the white tail of the animal as it leapt over a hedge and vanished into the darkness. Continuing on, I entered the fairy wood and picked my way through delicate mushrooms and periwinkle to the center of a glade…and found myself suddenly bathed by the moonlight. A night bird sang in the distance. A breeze rustled fallen leaves at my feet.  I closed my eyes and raised my face to the night sky; spread my arms out widely, like wings of a giant swan readying for flight; and began to spin in a simple, rhythmic dance in harmony with the chirruping bird.  My soul found its quiet, restful peace.

Suddenly, the bird's song went silent. I froze, feeling something…a new presence in the forest beside me. My eyes searched the darkness at the edge of the glade; and quickly fixed on the towering form of some creature hidden in the shadows. I stepped back, guarded but not fearful. The earth moved in a slow, rolling rumble as a great, rust-colored dragon emerged and advanced warily into the open. His veined wings dragged the ground as they folded behind him.   His scales glittered coldly in the pale light.

"Darius", I whispered; the words finding my lips while the realization of it still formed in my mind. With a low growl, he drew in a long deep breath and then exhaled. Heat moved the air around me; and I felt the fine strands of my hair flying about my shoulders. The acrid scent of smoke hung in the air.

I could feel him near, as always – even when he appeared, as now, in his true and most ancient form. It seemed he had been ever here, looking after me…even in his absence all these many years.  His sudden appearance was, therefore, not a surprise to me.  I knew he would one day return; and here, at long last, it was so.  But something was wrong…terribly wrong.  The normal golden-bronze glow of his scales had gone to an ashen grey.  And I could see, in the moonlight, the ooze of fresh dragon blood glistening in his many wounds.  I watched, in deep concern, as he raised his huge head and let loose a deafening roar. Flame and smoke leapt from his open jaws, and he bared his jagged teeth.  I stood my ground as my dread washed over me – not from fear of him, but for fear of his condition and what it might portend.  He quieted, and tilted his head to hold my gaze. His forelegs quavered as he fought to support his own weight, and the tip of his tail thumped heavily upon the ground. He struggled to speak, saying only “A promise, once given…may ne’er be taken back.” And with that, his lidless eyes went black and he fell insensate to the earth before me.

*********************

24 July 901

I sat quietly in the chair beside his bed in the dimly lit chamber – my place of vigil from the day of Darius’ return, and his fall.  I thought back on the tumult surrounding that day – watching him crash to the ground in his dragon form, and then transform into his human self, lying there bloodied and beaten…calling for aid, to bear him away to a place of care…urgently sending for Ivy and all of the healers within a few days’ travel of this spot.    I watched as they attended to my profoundly wounded Guardian with the greatest care…struggling to understand how their healing arts might apply to one of such a unique heritage.  So still did he lie there, seemingly lifeless, that one might be sure he had passed to the other side were it not for the scarcely discernible breaths that he drew.  It was a week before he stirred; and a week longer still before he opened his eyes and croaked out a request for water. 

That was but a fortnight ago; and now he slowly regained his strength. As he did so, he told me his story – a tale that covered 176 years from his departure on my coronation day.  For several days, I sat in captive fascination as he relived his travels…and his trials.  Much of the story I knew, including his suffering at the hand of Gormackh at the dragon court.  Yet, I listened patiently as he told each story, knowing that only in doing so might he free himself of their grip.   When he reached the point of the escape from the aerie, and his battle with Malfeus, his voice became a flat monotone – losing lost all sense of life – just as one might expect of a person living in shock at some personal horror they have endured. 

“I fought with Malfeus, and we fell and fell, from that great height…locked in mortal combat from the pinnacle to the very ground.  We crashed into the earth, hard…and all went black for some long time.  When I woke, I was in human form…bound and naked, and hanging by my feet from the branch of a great oak.  What had awakened me was the prodding of a stick; but it was not Malfeus who tormented me.  It was yet another of my wretched “brothers”, whom I later came to know as Aerabat Black.  Aerabat was badly deformed, standing in the body of a man but with withered dragon forelegs where his arms should have been.  His upper body was wiry, leathered…and tipped by clawed hands.  He howled and scampered about, drooling madly as he saw I had woken; and soon Malfeus and two others – who could only have been Sereg’wethrin – came running to see what was the fuss.  Malfeus beamed to see I was awake, mocking and striking me.  The others joined him, beating me until I lost consciousness once more.  This continued for many days, until I dared not stir to reveal my waking state.  I hung there, silent as I could manage and trying to gather my wits to plan some method of escape.  But, in their cruel ingenuity, they soon discovered my ploys and began to probe exposed areas of my skin with branches pulled from the fire, still glowing.  I soon felt I could bear no more; and I welcomed the prospect of imminent death.”

“But then, I remembered…the promise.”

I silently wiped away tears, out of his view, as he continued.  He went on to describe waking – at what point he did not know, for time had lost all meaning – to hear the group of four in conversation about their evening fire.  He heard Malfeus declare the plan – to bear him back to Nargoroth, who would decide what methods might be best to glean what they might about the Elven Queen and her alliances.  In this, he was not surprised…he had expected that the Shadow Lord would himself deal with his wayward protégé – and in as cruel a fashion as he might conceive.  But it was the next information that truly chilled him, and steeled his resolve to escape this imprisonment and stay them from the achievement of their plan.  For he learned that these four, and seven others – all those that remained of his unholy brethren – had been given one grim mission: to find all of the women descended from the line of Meleanil, and deliver them to their Master.  They knew this must be done at all costs, even at peril of their own lives – and they knew those lives were forfeit if they failed him.  The cruel, mocking laughter of Malfeus – and his brazen words about bringing the Elven Queen to heel before his Master – sparked a burning fury deep within Darius’ heart.  He knew then, without doubt, that he would see this foul plan laid bare, or breathe his last in that cause. 

It was then that a Fate, unforeseen by all, chose to play its hand.  It seemed, by chance, that the forest about them was a faerie wood; and his captors slowly realized that they were not alone.  At first, it was random sound – not unlike the twittering of birds; though if one listened closely, it became evident that it was the sound of feminine laughter.  By day, it was subdued; but each night the faerie song became more clearly pronounced.  Soon after, the fae appeared at the edge of the fire – at least a dozen of them dancing and singing just beyond the reach of the flickering orange and yellow firelight.  Closer still they came, tempting and tormenting the Sereg’wethrin who found they could not much longer deny the instincts of man that lived in their half-breed bodies.  So enchanted did the men become that they began to ignore their prisoner – a blessing in itself, even if no others were to came.  The seduction continued, with the fae somehow evading the amorous pursuits of these suddenly stumbling men.  More and more, the men were drawn away from the fire…the distance between them growing with each passing hour as each pursued his hopeless quest of the serenading faerie maidens. 

As this mad, almost comic scene unfolded, Darius had grappled with his bindings.  His energies caused him to sway at the end of his suspension rope; and he was soon soaked in a cold sweat for all his efforts.  But these were expert knots that bound him tighter still for his exertions, as if the strands of the rope were themselves bewitched.  He felt the sour taste of despair in his mouth; and began to struggle frantically – as if by brute force he might break free.  His frenzied efforts propelled him about – and he began to swing violently in the air.  But as he spun about, he suddenly spied – leaning casually against the trunk of the large oak – a diminutive faerie with lustrous brown hair and flashing, blue eyes watching him flail about in his vain efforts at escape.  She stood there, observing him with a smirk; wrapped in a fine gown of amber and burgundy and crowned primly with a tiara of fine-spun gold.  She held his eye boldly as he stopped his struggles, surprised by her sudden appearance.

“Wouldn’t do that if I were you”, she said, her grin growing into a mocking sneer.

“Oh, wouldn’t you?” he growled.  “Have a lot of experience being bound and hung from trees, do you?”  He looked quickly about upon this outburst, fearful he would be heard…but the diversion of his captors by the other faerie maidens remained complete.

She merely shrugged, and plopped down into a most unladylike crouch at the base of the tree.  “Suit yourself then, big old bear…and do let me know when you are ready for some help”.  She held out the flat of her hand, suddenly infatuated with the fireflies circling about.  Darius watched in growing frustration as one of the glowing bugs set down upon her hand and shimmered brightly, eliciting a squeal of delight from this tiny fae.

In exasperation, he spoke to her sharply, angrily biting off the words: “Tell me then, my fine Lady Bug…I suppose you have some kind of pixie dust or magic potion you can use to free me?  Or some other such Fae trickery to somehow loose these bonds?”

She looked up, smiling so sweetly he felt a sudden urge to scream.  “Not so much”, she said.  “But I do have this, if you think it might help.”  At that, she reached deep within her cloak and pulled out a long, thin dagger whose polished, silver blade glistened in the moonlight.  He watched in amazement and wonder as she leapt suddenly to her feet, prancing about lightly while making exaggerated thrusts of the blade at a host of imagined attackers.  She then flew lightly into the air, and landed with startling grace below him; her eyes level with his and a mere half meter away.

“What say you, Bear?  Need my help now?” she taunted; and Darius merely closed his eyes and nodded feebly before muttering “Yes, and quickly please.  I do not expect my brothers’ bewitchment to long delay them.”

Within a minute, he was free; falling indelicately to the ground and waiting to regain his wind before rising to a crouch beside the Lady – who stooped, ready, in a mockingly similar posture.  “Are we going to take them down, now?  Which one first?” she asked, excitedly.  He merely looked at her, extending his hand for the knife and smiling gently.  “You have done what you may for me, dear Fae.  The work ahead is mine.”

She pulled back, withholding the dagger from his grasp; and glared at him sharply, showing her distaste.  “Find your own weapon, you big brute!” she yelled, her face red and her eyes wide and fierce.  “D’you think that because the fighter is small that the blade will have less bite?  That only a big, stumbling oaf of a man can fell such ruffians as these?  If so, then you have much to learn about the fae of the Northern wood.”  She stepped forward, fists clenched by her side…the right still clutching the dagger.  Her posture was upright, and tall; and her chest puffed out in a display of boldness.  She thrust her face upward, as if to go nose-to-nose with him to make the point.  But at this, her bravado ran ahead of her physical assets – for her face reached barely to his chest, and he had to crane his neck, straining to look down at her.  While mildly amused and greatly impressed, he felt no urge to smile or question her.

“It seems the fae of the Northern wood are brave indeed…yet here we face a dilemma.  My captors will return anon…I deem I hear bootsteps even now.  And I, as yet, have no weapon with which to greet them.  So I beseech you, dear Lady – loan me this fair and noble blade to take care of the first, and hold yourself in reserve should it go badly for me.  We can preserve at least some element of surprise, and I think it will serve us well.  But pray, act quickly ‘fore the day is lost!”

She looked at him…and the dagger…disappointed and hurt by this proposal.  Then, she sighed and surrendered the blade and turned to seek the cover of the forest edge.  He thanked her, then signaled for her silence and pointed toward the wood.  She went, reluctantly, and disappeared inside the deepening shadows of the wood as the sound of heavy footfalls grew.

He would say little of what happened next; but enough that I could get the picture.  One after the other, his captors wandered in to check on his condition.  As the first two did so, he took them quickly – the slender dagger finding their throats before they could even react to the violent surprise of his attack.  They died on the spot, in silence; and Darius dragged their still bodies under the cover of the wood.  He crouched to rest, and found the fae beside him.  As he readied for the arrival of his remaining assailants, he turned to her, smiling kindly, and asked: “How came you to have this dagger that you wield so bravely?  I though the fae were all about laughter and granting wishes and other nice things…and not so well known for their weapons…not to mention heroic rescue of warriors in need?”

She looked back at him, her face an impish mask; and she shrugged and said: “Shows what you know, don’t it?”  And just then, the third of his enemies arrived.

This one was Aerabat Black, who, to Darius’ great surprise, reacted with much greater speed and strength than had been anticipated.  Before he could be silenced, Black let out a warning yelp that brought Malfeus on the run; and he fought with that peculiar, cold fury Darius knew well – the desperation of a man facing death, but with no real desire to yield to it.  The issue might well have been decided in Black’s favor – but just as he sought to press his advantage, a sudden confusion…and brief paralysis…seemed to seize him.  He froze just long enough for Darius to regain his balance, and thrust the blade upward in a great, swinging arc – directly into the soft tissue beneath the breastbone and on up into the heart.  He fell hard, and Darius staggered back.  He glanced as the tiny fae; and saw her smiling brightly – telling him at once that faerie magic had given him the time he needed to turn the tide of battle.  He nodded his acknowledgment; and saw her clear, self-satisfied smile in return.

He returned to the clearing just as Malfeus burst into the open, his eyes glittering with violent anger.  But upon seeeing what had happened, and the glow of hatred burning in my Guardian’s enraged eyes, Malfeus abruptly turned on his heels and fled.  Darius felt his strength ebbing and – too weak to pursue – fell to his knees, and then prone upon his face; and he knew no more that day.

*********************

When Darius next opened his eyes, he found himself in a tiny room that appeared to be the inside of a small thatched cottage.  He was stretched across a tiny bed – or, more accurately, across a normal sized bed that was far too small for his outsized frame.  He lay there quietly, trying to recover his bearings.  As he did so, he heard a small, trilling voice that demanded: “Well then, feel free to get on up off my bed any time you think you are ready, big clumsy bear.”  He pushed himself up on his elbows, and had to stifle a laugh as he saw her standing there with her feet planted and her fists pressed into her hips. It was, of course, the same feisty little fae who had come to his rescue with her dagger.  “You are a fierce little bug, and bossy to boot!  But it seems that I will be forever in your debt for the services you have paid me.  For that, I am quite thankful.”  He smiled as she harrumphed dramatically and turned; but not before he saw her color bashfully in her embarrassment at his kind words.  “Well, you are welcome to stay until you are mended”, she proclaimed; “as long as you can keep out of my way and do as little to annoy me as your brutish faculties allow!”

So ended the second meeting of Lord Darius and Lady Evangeline who, Darius learned to his surprise and eminent satisfaction, was the niece of Rowenna d’Noir – the heroic fae so beloved of Eyrturheru and Linnea.  In the years that followed, the two became uncommonly close – as if Darius had found, for the first time, a long lost sister.  He stayed long in the cottage in the faerie wood, healing his wounds; regaining his strength; and considering his strategems from that point forward.  And he endured only an occasional, good-natured grousing from his beloved sister about the big, clumsy bear suddenly living in her midst.

**************************

25 July 901

“It seemed to me, then, that I faced the most difficult choices imaginable, my Queen”, Darius said, fixing me with piercing eyes as he sat, restless, in the large bed in his chambers.  “My instincts told me to come to you as quickly as I could…to warn of the threat posed by the Sereg’wethrin…to do what I might to keep you from harm.  But I was wary of the frailty of that plan – fearing that I might, inadvertently, lead them directly to you; worried that going on the defensive would render weak what ought to be our strengths.   I pondered the question for several months, trying to determine what to do – and working to heal my wounds and muster my strength for what lay ahead.  And then, unlooked for, the answer came to me.” 

“I was hunting…stalking a deer in the forest near Evangeline’s cottage.  I came upon a beautiful, well-antlered buck; and I stood, admiring him as he stared at me with those large black eyes, even as I drew the arrow upon my bow.   There was a nobility there that nearly stayed my hand; and then I looked at him and knew – as I think he did – that this was but part of the natural cycle of life; and that there was honor in this, for both hunter and game.  I took him cleanly and dressed him on the spot; and bore the meat back to the cottage for salting and stew.  When I arrived there, rather than being elated at our good fortune, my sister merely shrugged it off saying ‘You are a hunter.  You hunt.  This is not such a great mystery, Bear.’ ”

“Her words hit me with the force of a blow.  I am the hunter.  I hunt.  It was the purpose for which I was born…the reason for my existence in the wretched vision of my former Master.  But our unique circumstances, from the time Eyrturheru charged me to protect his daughter, as Guardian, led me to path of evasion from those who would hunt my Queen.  We had become the hunted.  But now, it came to me with searing clarity that I must once more be what I ever was:  I would become the hunter.”

“And so it began, dear Comet.  Of necessity, I returned to a life I had fought so hard to leave behind.  From that day on, I spent every waking hour tracking down each of my remaining eight brothers – the very assassins who would be the greatest risk to you, to Ivy, to the others.  I was not subtle.  I wanted them to know, to feel what it was to be preyed upon relentlessly.   I found the first, Carrakh, at the edge of Greatwood – close to the clearing where we were once attacked by the wolves.  He seemed surprised at my appearance – knowing not if I was brother and friend, or some grave threat.  He took that question to the afterlife, as I dispatched him with a single thrust of my dagger.”  Darius hesitated, his eyes wandering out through the window and past the far horizon as he probed some distant memory.  “I knew”, he continued, “that this first must be an example to send fear and wonder through their ranks.  I am not…proud…of what I did.  But I know that they who came upon that scene would have little doubt about what had been done there…or who had done it.  From that day on, I was hated…feared…and sought after with a vengeance perhaps never before seen in these parts of the world.”

For the next several hours, Darius told me more stories of his life over the intervening years.  He lived where he could – often in the wild, or stealing sleep and meals in the shadowy places of larger cities, or the outskirts of smaller hamlets.  His ears were sharp, and he learned much about the agents of the Shadow Lord.  He often used bribes, or strong drink, to ply the tongues of the citizens; and sooner or later would uncover enough to track down a specific target.  When he did find his quarry, he would study his most intimate habits, patiently, in order to find a weakness or vulnerability.  Sometimes he got lucky, and the entire process could be done in just a few months; more often it was years.

In some few cases, the kill was made by stealth…his victim taken unaware from behind, and dispatched with the quick work of his knife.  More often, his prey was subdued only after fierce, personal battles.  Several of his would-be brothers died in brutal combat by his bare hands…fierce struggles that might as easily have seen the outcome reversed.  Over the decades that followed, he suffered grievous injuries – dagger and sword wounds; heavy blows struck by clubs or blunt objects; and more than once, trauma caused by arrows finding their mark in his torso or limbs.  Each time, he made his way back to the faerie wood, to Evangeline, to restore himself before renewing the hunt.

Malfeus was the last, and intentionally so; and fell only a few days before Darius appeared in my garden.  By the time Darius decided to move, all hope of stealth or surprise had fled.  The Shadow forces knew well, and feared greatly, this mad and traitorous half-dragon who stalked them; who took, too often, the best of their men despite all efforts to bring him down.  Malfeus had become little more than a prisoner in one of the strongholds of the Shadow force, at Erebos.  He was protected by an elite force of well-trained Shadow Warriors…but it was no matter.  After all of the many years, both the hunter and the hunted had tired of the game. Darius took dragon form, and assaulted the castle keep where Malfeus waited.  And Malfeus, having also transformed, arranged an ambush to properly greet his disaffected brother.  The ambush slowed, but could not stop Darius from this final confrontation; and when he broke through the defenses, the two great drakes took to the air in savage conflict.  By beak and talon, the two fought a vicious battle to the last – each with a desperation driven by the knowledge that but one might live to see another dawn.  The clash lasted for over seven hours…from the castle to the mountain peaks beyond, to the valley floors and back again to the heights.  At the last, Darius threw down his brother, smashing his body against the craggy pinnacle of the ridge below them.  He watched, circling above, as the fallen dragon took human form one last time, its broken body laid at last to rest upon the stone.  Darius turned in the air, with no great joy at having brought his cruel mission to an end, with such grisly finality…and flew off to find his home, wherever it might be.

I listened in silence as he completed his tale.  Many questions ran through my head, begging to be spoken…but still I stayed mute.  This was a time for the healing to begin; for my beloved Guardian to find his rest.  I leaned in close, my hand touching his face gently…as if it might somehow take away some of the pain I saw there.  “Do you understand why, Darius?  Why you survived all of this, against such overwhelming odds?  How it is that you survive still, when so many times you have had to look death in the eye?”

He looked away, shaking his head; and mumbled softly “It seems the Fates have other designs for me yet…that my trials are not yet done, and that more may yet be asked of me, in penance for all of my deeds.  I…do…not…know, Comet.  I do not know.”

“There is a legend, Darius”, I said.  “A long tale called ‘The Three Graces’.  Perhaps you know of it…certainly, you should.  For it explains much of what you have lived through, and why.  In that story, the protagonist goes through many great trials; and through them, discovers the Three Graces – virtues that give him the strength to endure all the challenges he must face.  In his case, as in yours, there was no active search for some missing virtue, or some source of strength that was lacking.  The discoveries came unexpected, and only became clear in hindsight, much later, as he reflected on the true value of a life well-lived in the service of others.  Do you know the tale?  Or can you imagine what the Three Graces are, and what they teach?”

He shook his head slowly…almost imperceptibly; so I continued on in a gentle voice.  “The First Grace is to open one’s heart to love – to allow others to touch you and know, often for the first time, that you are not alone in the world…that you are a part of something larger.  That is the virtue you learned from Mother, when you opened your heart to the grace of her love.”

I went on, despite the vacant look in his eyes, recognizing as so many time before that he had turned inward, and was now seeing images none other might share.  “The Second Grace is mercy – knowing that, while you have a power, you need not use that power to harm another.  It was mercy that stayed your hand from taking Father’s life – the first time, I think, that such a virtue had ever moved you.  The Third Grace, beloved Darius, is devotion – giving selflessly all that you might for the love of another.  Father appointed you my Guardian; but your true and complete devotion to me was a matter of your own choosing.  In all of these, Darius, you chose what to do, which path to take…and you lived those choices without reserve.  You found the truth of the Three Graces, dearest dragon; and it is your commitment to them that won the day in all your many trials.  Malfeus and the others were powerful, and fey; but when they fought, it was fear that drove them.  They stood for nothing…believed in nothing…and fought for nothing but their own, desperate survival.  And that, I think, makes all the difference.”

I felt my voice breaking on this last, and the tears stinging my eyes.  I thought, for a moment, that I saw his eyes welling wetly…and watched his lips move but fail to find words.  I touched and held his hand and simply sat there in silence with him…and it was enough. 

Some time later, the silence was broken by a raucous disturbance in the courtyard below the chamber window.  The tumult grew louder and more chaotic – shouted sounds of alarm and calls for action echoing from the walls.  I rose, and went to the window; and felt Darius rise to stand behind me.  My blood ran cold and my breath left me as I saw the source of the furor in the courtyard below.  A dark, inhuman figure stood in the middle of the square.  It seemed nearly 3 meters tall, with massive wings extending from its ebony back, which looked as though armored in thick scales like those of a dragon.  It stood its ground solidly, on massive hind legs anchored by cloven hooves.  In its strong right arm was a thick broadsword; and its left held a struggling hostage close to its breast.  I saw the flash of golden hair, and recognized at once my cousin, Elëanesse, daughter of Elëanil. I knew, beyond doubt, that this monster was Nargoroth – come in demon form to do what those appointed had failed to do. 

Several drow and elven warriors lay bloodied and motionless near the monster’s feet.  Others drew close, with bows drawn and arrows poised to fly; but they hesitated in fear of hitting Elëanesse; and what few had been unleashed seemed to have bounced harmlessly from the monster’s scaly hide.  Their hesitation seemed all the Shadow Lord required, for with a great bounding leap he was aloft – the giant wings beating the air powerfully as he quickly ascended.  I felt my heart sink as I watched them go – knowing well that the power of the Coia’lia went with them, and would now move within Nargoroth’s grasp.  Now the arrows flew, but none found purchase as the pair rose unobstructed.  It seemed little could be done to deny Nargoroth the prize we had long defended; and Myrrdin’s words of warning rang out anew in my ears.  What hope would we have if he claims the Power?

Suddenly, I saw Darius spring forward and, calling upon some unfathomable reserve of strength, throw himself bodily through the open window.  He somersaulted in midair; and landed on his feet in the stone courtyard 5 meters below.  My first thought was that he would take flight in dragon form, pursuing the Shadow Lord in a desperate effort to bring him down.  My heart fell at the hopelessness of the circumstance…and my mind refused to consider its consequences.

The next moments moved as if I were dreaming them; and dream them I ever shall as they lay seared within my memory.  For Darius alone saw what must be done – the only action left to us to alter the tragedy unfolding before us.  He turned to his right, where stood one of Carandon’s best archers; and grasped the bow and seated arrow that the archer held in readiness there.  He looked up, taking careful aim at the receding forms of Nargoroth and Elëanesse…his gaze fixed, and his arm steady.  The archer objected, saying: “Lord Darius…it is for naught.  This beast’s scales defeat our arrows, and all that we might do is bring harm to the Lady.” But Darius held his aim, unmoved by the protest; and I saw, at once, what he meant to do.  I closed my eyes…said a silent prayer for mercy…and slowly nodded my head in assent.

It was as if Darius saw my signal…though I knew he had not.  He did what he must, in full knowledge of the damnable nature of the act…and its inevitability.  He squinted, adjusted his aim…and unleashed the arrow at the fleeing demon and his prey.  I watched it fly, with clarity afforded to only the far-seeing elves and dragons.  Sight that was so often a blessing was now a curse; for I watched as the arrow flew straight and true to its mark.   It took Elëanesse high upon her left breast, piercing the white linen blouse just below the neckline.  I watched the sudden blossom of blood that covered her, and saw her slump within the demon’s steely grip.  I averted my eyes, knowing that I had seen all I must; and that my eyes had told me that my beloved cousin had died both quickly and without pain – a blessing compared to the thousand deaths she might have endured in the custody of the Shadow Lord.  I heard Nargoroth’s wild, enraged howl cover the distance to us; and thought, for a moment, that he might turn in his fury to strike at those who had deprived him of his prize.  I glanced up, just in time to see him release his now lifeless burden; and watched her body fall, tumbling through the air toward the earth.  The Shadow Lord hesitated, looked back…and then turned and flew off into the distance.

My eyes returned to the courtyard below.  Darius stood, his shoulders slumping and his arms hanging slackly by his sides.  The elven bow clattered to the ground.  My Guardian turned and looked upward, at my window; and I felt a wave of sadness wash over me as I looked into his vacant, tormented eyes.   I thought of the many times his eyes had looked upon me – ever watchful, protective; sometimes curious; always with warmth…occasionally, even, with mirth.  How it saddened me to see them now.

His head sagged…the onyx hair hanging lankly over his face, shielding it from me.  He turned, pushing forward through the stunned and silent crowd gathered there.  I watched the assembly part as he neared, clearing a path – as if in reverence, or fear of being infected by whatever ailment held him.  The mass of people closed behind him as he trudged away; and too soon he was lost from my sight.

**********************

A letter from Darius to Comet, Queen of the Sylvan North, found tucked behind the final pages of her journal:

3 August 901

Dearest Comet – My ward, my companion…and ever my Queen:

I have lived for almost four millennia, and for most of those days have walked the pathways of this world in silent isolation.  I have been known by many names; and have plied many trades...most of which I shall ever regard with shame.  Many people have crossed my path - some for their good, but most for ill; and the violence visited upon the latter has doomed me to a lifetime of seeking redemption.  But that which I am, and that which I will ever be first and foremost, is Guardian, Poet and Friend to you – my beloved Queen. 

It was you, above all, who defined Darius.  You alone have seen and drawn the best from me.  You are my faithful guide on the road to salvation...my strength in times when my own fails me...my star to steer by when the world goes dark.  My Fate has been bound to you – once, by the office bestowed on me by a King; now and ever more by my devotion to you.  Naught that may happen will ever stay me from that end.  In the absence of that commitment, all other reason for being flees.

I have lived long and seen much…too much, perhaps.  The blood which has too often stained these hands colors my very soul.  The lifeblood of the innocents – Elëanesse among them, and certainly not alone – has contributed its mark, indelibly.  So great the time…so many battles…so much death.  

The great war we have long feared is now upon us.  The young warriors from all the peoples called to the Alliance now rally to the cause.  Malikith and Loren…Sapphire, Topher, Lord Obadiah…Carandon and the other leaders of the Alliance armies…now stand by your side.  Their blood is up, as it should be; for the art of war has ever relied upon the young of arm, and the young at heart.  For me, I no longer have the stomach for the fight.  My heart seeks the peace and solitude long denied it; and to sharpen the skills of the pen that might now fit these old hands better than a sword.

Your father commissioned me to this office, as your Guardian, in the hope I might somehow deliver you to this day – when you could look upon the field and summon all the People of the Sylvan North to do for right what must be done.  I pray that I have not been unfaithful to that charge; and that the day is soon to be upon us that you, the Even’Star, will stand victorious as the Shadow falls away before you.  The faithful leaders of your armies, and all the valorous who follow them, will see it done – and in their actions is the need for my own diminished. 

I wear, still, the ring of my office.  I bear it in fidelity to your father; in the honor of your mother; and as a symbol of my undying devotion to you.  When at last I surrender this mortal coil, then might it be returned to you; but until that day, I swear again my undying oath to protect the heir to Eyrturheru whene’er her need is great.  Only call, and I will come to you…for I am ever near.

Amin naa tualle, ilyamenie…Mellonamin…Arwenamin… A’maelamin…

D

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