1 The Mage and the Faery

It's been twenty years since Melchior left Azos. He went North to die alone. He disappeared when his older brother, Itor, murdered their father. For years, Melchior lived deep inside of an old forest with many dark secrets and creatures that lingered around. Another day has passed, Melchior walked down a lonely path but he still loved the beauty of nature and the strangest animals. Somewhere in the Old Forest, where the elves are hidden from the world, Melchior came across what appears to be a forest maiden or also known as a faery. Rarest to the eye on any wondering being. She is beautiful as nature and very protective of her earthly creatures. The faery left with no words. There Melchior sat underneath a willow tree. Tired of walking and tired of living. He fell asleep hoping he doesn't wake up. He dreamed of his brother killing their father over and over again. The same dream he always dreamt. If only he could have saved his brother from the darkness but Itor has consumed so much, Melchior doesn't recognize him anymore.

Every day Melchior would walk back to the lake and sit under the same old willow tree. Then, something changed. The forest maiden returned but not by the other side of the lake. She sat under the willow tree. Melchior didn't say anything to provoke her. So he sat by the lake, lied down, and closed his eyes to rest.

"The trees sing," said the forest maiden.

"Yes, I hear them," not glancing back at the faery. Melchior didn't say much. He just lay there waiting for the day to die. She walked closer and sat beside him. Deep down she cares about the weak man. She strokes his golden hair as he sleeps. Melchior didn't make a fuse he just let her. He opens his eyes. She had already left. The next day, Melchior decided not to go to his usual routine. Instead, he went up to the mountains. He climbed and climbed where he finally reached the top. The wind blew, the view became a painted picture in his mind. He loved the view yet it was sad. He remembered watching the same view with his father and brother. Melchior noticed the forest maiden followed him to the mountain. She stood in silence and curious to know about the strangely beautiful man who is always alone and sad. Usually, faeries are shy to approach strangers but she was different. Most forest maidens are like goddesses, they protect their territories from invaders but Melchior noticed there were no other Fae around. He wondered.

"What is your name?" Asked the faery. The man hesitated for a second,

"Melchior, son...of Silnor." The faery stood beside him. She felt a strong connection towards him but did not understand why. She spoke in a soft voice, " I am Elífaen, daughter of Lundató," said the faery. "Last of my kin." Melchior heard stories of an old war that happened 2,000 years ago between the Fae and Orcs. The Fae were whipped out of existence.

"I had heard stories about Celestial Beings coming to earth long ago," said Elífaen continued. "The trees tell many stories. The good and the bad." She suddenly became quiet and then," they also told me yours. I am sorry." The forest maiden left in tears. Melchior didn't say much. He just stood there watching the sunset with a hatred expression.

~~

Two years have passed the trees have been whispering odd conversations. The shadows have been growing ever since the dark mage has been wandering around Midgard. He's coming. Whispered the Lord of the Trees. But not alone. Elífaen became worried. "How long?" Asked the faery. Less than ten days, he said. Elífaen began to search for Melchior. She went to the mountainside. He was not there. She went to the lake. He wasn't there. She looked everywhere but he was not found. The faery saddened. He left. Perhaps he knew the day will come but then the faery remembered. She sat by the lake staring at her reflection.

"Elífaen," said Melchior. A familiar voice is heard from across the lake. The faery quickly ran towards him.

"Melchior!" Elífaen embraced him. He could tell that the faery missed him and they have gazed into each other's eyes. The mage and the faery have fallen for each other.

"My love, where have you gone?" said the faery. Melchior saddened.

"I have brought, Balar, a dragon from Mylyrra." He introduced his long time friend,

"Lady Elífaen," the dragon bowed. "I am here to take you to Mylyrra." The Faery frowned.

"Melchior what of you?" Melchior carried the faery unto the dragon's back.

"I cannot go with you. I must put an end to my brother," Melchior held Elífaen's hand, "in the next lifetime I will find," and then vanished like the wind without giving Elífaen a chance to say. Elífaen thought really hard as Balar prepared to take flight she quickly jumped off the dragon's back.

"Do not regret this, Lady Elífaen!" Balar told the faery but it was already too late. She had already disappeared into the forest. Just over the trees, dark clouds surrounded the Old Forest. The faery saw a glimpse of the dragon fleeing away with her son and then lost sight of them within the clouds.

As Melchior waited for the arrival of his evil brother. Out of nowhere, a stroke of lightning came towering down on him. His death has come for him. He saw his brother, Itor raise his hand. He's going to strike him again. Melchior closed his eyes thinking of Elífaen and their son. We didn't get the chance to name him. Melchior thought. Perhaps, Ithaen, Selíos, or——he slowly opened his eyes. Elífaen had shielded her body to protect him. Melchior's heart sank. He held his only love in his arms crying in agony. Nothing could stop Itor. The darkness became his strongest power. Melchior gently lay down Elífaen by a tree where he watched her body turn into flowers.

"You will never be as powerful as the Great Old One, traitor!" Shouted Melchior. It took all of his life to banish his own brother into Derzûrdal, where he will be tortured for all eternity. Like most maesser beings they ascend into the stars but Melchior refused to go on. He chose to stay in the forest where he can be reunited with Elífaen. He lay his body to rest by the willow tree and with his last breath,

"Eömer, that is your name my son," Melchior then dies.

The End.