I'm so sorry I did not participate in your Games, Solus, but I had other consequences to attend to...*coughNephirthoscough* When my Forests share borders with Malice, I must constantly be on guard against any ill-will on the part of my brother...
But I have a story to share with you all this day...
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A mortal named Dikug has recently been appealing to you to help him in every endeavour. "O Great Elauradaneth, help me find the key to my house that fell into this ditch!" "O Lady of Nature, make sure this cup of wine is tasty!" "O Mother of Magic, please make sure the cobbler doesn't ask too much!" "O Lady of Beauty, make this ugly wart disappear!" and so on.
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Elauradaneth took Dikug to Enedh Gûl, the Centre of Learning within Eryn Sîdh. She handed him over to Great Vargath, the Wizard, to make of him an apprentice in the Majick arts. "When you learn about Majick, you will no longer feel the need to waste energy on trivial things, Dikug," she said gently. "The Great Lore is yours for the learning. However, know that apprentices must give their all to learning this lore. I sense that you have an attention to detail which could serve the Loremasters and Parchment makers well."
Dikug was daunted by this prospect. "I shall do as you wish, Great Lady," he bowed obsequiously. "But what of my requests?"
Elaura gave him one of her devastating smiles, which made Dikug almost faint. "When you learn the Lore, you will be able to do these requests yourself. And..." she whispered conspiratorially, "all my apprentices, once their learning is complete, go out into the world of Men to assist others. You, Dikug, shall go into the vast cities of Nephirthos' realm and trade your feats for gold!"
Dikug's eyes gleamed. "Gold? And how long does it take to learn this Majick, O Beauteous One?"
Elaura smiled again. "That depends on your willingness to learn, and your diligence to do ALL tasks asked of you by Master Vargath." She winked at Vargath, who immediately took charge of the apprentice.
Rydnick strolled over to her and drawled, "If he is a pest, my Lady, rest assured I shall make his life a misery."
Elaura kissed Rydnick. "Thank you darling, but I think the idea of his becoming a travelling magician will keep him busy for quite some time. And besides, dearest, " she said, taking his arm. "We have a few more important things to do right now."
Together, they summoned all the Tirith Galadh (Forestals) and Wurms, and the 100 apprentices of Enedh Gûl who had already passed the tests and become Masters of Majick.
Elaura said unto them, "Go out to the southern borders of my forests. Make the Land wholesome, plant many trees. Expand the Forests and make the Earth fruitful so that many will see the greatness and Beauty of Nature. I must leave you for a while, but I do not leave you helpless against the Malice from the north. Many spells have I woven about the forests, unbreakable as the foundations of Time. For every Despite that Nephirthos plans against me, a silent counterspell will immediately reflect back to him. The "THREEFOLD PRINCIPLE" has been invoked. Mark well, my children, that you also are bound by the "THREEFOLD PRINCIPLE". Do no harm, even if you are provoked, for it will come back onto you threefold. Allow whatever Malice or Evil is aimed at you to simply flow over. The THREEFOLD PRINCIPLE reflects it immediately back onto the maker IF YOU HOLD YOUR GROUND AND DO NOT RETALIATE."
Then she walked away into the forest alone. "Hear me Great Land, Elementals of Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Protect my people and they will protect you. The Tirith Galadh will care for the trees, the Wurms enrich the soils. My followers go out in the world and will bring many more back here to learn the Care of Nature and the Lore of Majick. I must remove myself and Rydnick from this plain of existence for a short time. And when I return, I will have a new gift for the Land."
Some time later, she came back to her disciples. "Be as one with Nature, my children. Help those who would ask it, heal the wounds of the Land, make it fruitful for all to enjoy. Bring Beauty and Majick unto those who have it not, and bring those who will follow back to my forests to learn our Lore."
They all bowed before her and they left to do her bidding.
She held her hands out to Rydnick, who sat quietly nearby. He came to her and she threw her arms around his neck. "Ryddi, my love! At last, everything is proceeding as Nature intended it. And now, you shall fulfil your purpose..."
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FROM:
The Chronicles of Vargath, Grand Wizard and Lorekeeper of the
Gospels of Elauradaneth.
