Rumours twittered through the fae and reached my ears, but for days I ignored them. I did not wish to hope, if they turned out to be just rumours, and I could find no known reason in the back of my memories, long and historied though they may be, that ever pointed to such a happening within the legacy of our people. Not even in legend had there been such an occurance, what would be so special about this land that such a spectacular phenominon would take its shape here"

The fae wanted me to go with them and see. I thought that would be a waste of time. I was content in choosing a new tree each morning, when it was time to take rest, and climb into her boughs. I no longer needed any of the comforts, and certainly not the protection, I being the only Kaldorei alive, that a great home tree would provide. To my way of present thinking, settling down into such a monstrosity of a tree, a new one that had not been here before, would only call unwanted attention to our presence, and sometimes, its better to be able to duck and cover, and remain anonymous, than have your face become familiar. Frankly, I had a basis for those thoughts and it was thus. I had ventured into the main city of this place on a couple of nights and although no one made a move to be aggressive, neither did I find any welcoming or redeeming qualities among those who inhabit here. Why would Elune choose here, then, for me to be? Still, I know not her ways, which is why she is the goddess and I but her humble servant and worshipper. I agreed to go.

We would be swimming. Well, correction, I would be. The fae, miniscule as they were, would be flying about my head as I swam. So be it.

I was using the lighthouse island situated in the mouth of the entrance bay of Rhydin City as my "headquarters." It was easy under cover of night, which is the day to the Kaldorei, to be camophlaged within the small tree forest that populated the island's central region. Each day at twilight, when I would wake, I would leave my selected tree, and make my way to the beach. There I would do those things necessary to continue to exist: gather fruit from the tropical trees for food, bathe within the small lagoon just south of the base of the lighthouse, just beyond the treeline of the beach, or go diving in the Mother's waters for gathering some of her excess tears....the Mother has such a soft heart, easily wounded, and has cried so often. I feel her sadness as I swim within her waters. She is beautiful and lonely and sad all at the same time. But despite that, She is so good! She feeds me, washes me, provides me with a means of livlihood for currency to live among these people, who still barter on a money system of sorts. Most afternoons I spend in the shade of the shoreline trees, caring for the Mother's bounty....washing, polishing, fashioning pearls into jewelry for the wearing by both females and males. I had a plan to take some pieces into the city every few days and sell them at a stall in the Marketplace. Teardrops of the Sea" they are, pearls of every size and hue, and I have expectations of success upon this venture, at least to garner enough to keep me in clothes and shoes....on the rare occasion that I have to wear them! For the most part, I don't, not here among the darkness and solitude of the island that has become my home. The Mother and the beach...and the fae....don't seem to mind!

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/WindWhisperR/randeseven.jpg

As we reached the edge of the beach where it meets the sea, I heard a familiar sound and looked up to see the golden dragon that I had rescued when I first came to this place. He flew by, head hung low, and spying me waving to him, on his next pass he landed upon the beach. He looked to be well and thriving. I told him so and he concurred, although he admitted to being a bit lonely, still not having found another of his kind or taste here. Oh, dragons were bountiful, to be sure, but so far, he reported he had seen none other golden ones, such as him. I took advantage of his presence and jovial temperament to ask a favor of him, and he readily agreed to fly me over the outer points of the harbour, so that we could look for the reported emerging new Home Tree. He even allowed the fae to perch upon his horns and head, so they would not have to struggle to keep pace with him, his wingspan being of immense proportions when compared to theirs.

I climbed onto his neck, the fae flittered about and selected their perches, and he launched himself into the air. We circled the lighthouse twice, just for him to get his bearings, and then he took a flight path that bisected the bay and headed out to sea.

It wasn't long before we saw her. Rising directly from the sea, she was glorious, and took my breath away as I leaned over to look at her. "Here, now, Ty, do not lean so or you will fall. I will fly down closer for you." Bless his heart, the dragon had appointed himself as my protector ever since that day that I had released him from the clutches of the rouge whirlpool. We lived in a symbiotic way, he flying by every few nights to be sure I was alright, me inquiring about his heatlh whenever he did. He was a loyal friend.

But the rumour was true. I could see for myself the majesty and splendor of a huge home tree, whose trunk rose directly from the waters of the sea, and boughs stretched out into the sky as if they were reaching for the heavens. As above, so below. The Druid's Creed. And I smiled as I knew who put those words in my head, understanding then the power of his magic...magic so strong....love so strong....that it found a way to reach and protect me, even here. I said my silent prayer back to him, sure he could hear. Thank you, my beloved Mal. Even from deep within your everpresent sleep in the Emerald Dream, you reach out to me in love and care.

The fae were all manner of excited, and as we flew to circle the tree, they left their perches and took flight themselves, their colorful and intermittent flashing souls, on and off, on and off, disappearing mostly, but sometimes shining through the leaves, as they flew forth to inspect and claim and furnish their new home.

Our new home.

A low rumble of a chuckle from the dragon had me almost tumbling from his neck, the vibrations were so strong and starling, but I grabbed for a spine just in time, and managed to hold on. "I suppose you'd like to go, as well?" he asked, but he as already preparing to land, having chosen a particularly sturdy branch to hold him.

"Oh yes, if you don't mind. I didn't expect...this is....wonderful....I mean....I thought we had seen the last of her..." I babbled back in my excitement.

Clamouring off his back, I set off to explore the rooms and hallways that were still growing, even as the tree was, for I could hear the cracks and pops and splinters of new wood stretching to accomodate more and more space. I knew the way and I knew exactly what I would do once I got there....a prayer of thanks to Elune for gifting us, once again, with a great home tree.....in the middle of the harbour of Rhydin, just beyond the lighthouse island....we had come home again.....

.....to Aear Alda.....the Sea Tree.