< 04Molly > *The ride back passed quickly, and before long they dismounted in the stables of die Dauerhaftigkeit. Upon asking, the groom points him in the direction of the East Garden* * @Morgan wanders to the garden, clanking as he walks * Molly sits with her back against a huge tree, and thus doesnt notice him. However, Varick sat in front of her sees Morgan, and puts his finger to his lips, whilst Molly continues the story she's been telling the boy (mtf) < 04Molly > And so the warrior listened to the Drachen's advice that the artifact he needed to mend his homeland was in the lands of the faeries, and he took a boat and rowed it out to the sea. He called out to the sea 'oh great Oceana, guide and protect me in my quest' and the sea swelled up beneath his boat. 'Warrior, I shall send my star to watch over you, and be company to you in your battles. If you do not find true love within a year, the star must leave you'. The Warrior agrees, and soon a new voice is heard, soft and feminine, and a beautiful white star appears in the sky. She speaks to him all night, soothing his tired mind and replenishing his strength for the task to come, and soon, it is daylight, but she remains bright in the sky. He alights from his boat in the land of the Faeries- *Varick tugs her skirt, and she opens her eyes to look at him* Yes? Varick: *he looks confused* The  Warrior is Eisen, but there's no such thi < 04Molly > year, the star must leave you'. The Warrior agrees, and soon a new voice is heard, soft and feminine, and a beautiful white star appears in the sky. She speaks to him all night, soothing his tired mind and replenishing his strength for the task to come, and soon, it is daylight, but she remains bright in the sky. < 04Molly >  He alights from his boat in the land of the Faeries- *Varick tugs her skirt, and she opens her eyes to look at him* Yes? Varick: *he looks confused* The  Warrior is Eisen, but there's no such thi < 04Molly > thing as faeries or a faerieland < 04Molly > ((done)) * @Morgan watches the boy carefully * Molly smiles at him < 04Molly > Do not trouble over it, it is just a story. shall I continue? < 04Molly > V: *he nods, and quickly looks to Morgan, which she doesnt see, closing her eyes once more* * @Morgan walks almost silently over, taking position to sit beside Varick < 04Molly > Finding the lair of the Winter Prince took many many months, and the seasons of the year wore past, spring to summer to autumn, and the star and the Warrior spoke almost constantly, sharing the journey, and their minds. They became the best of friends, and cared for each other greatly. And as the peak of the prince's power came, so did the Warrior come to his huge ice palace. Taking up his sword, the star blessed it, and the Dracheneisen blade glowed bright and hot white as the star, and he chopped the ice to pieces. (MTF) < 04Molly >  And as the peak of the prince's power came, so did the Warrior come to his huge ice palace. Taking up his sword, the star blessed it, and the Dracheneisen blade glowed bright and hot white as the star, and he chopped the ice to pieces. (MTF) < 04Molly > The Winter prince was angry, and he threw a magical ball of ice at the brave Warrior, but the star's protection saved him, allowing him to drive the sword deep into the princes belly, killing him instantly. The Warrior took up the ice dagger artifact he had sought, and took it with him. He and the star rejoiced as they sailed back, but as the timepiece he carried struck midnight, the year ended, and the star was gone from the sky. < 04Molly >  He and the star rejoiced as they sailed back, but as the timepiece he carried struck midnight, the year ended, and the star was gone from the sky. < 04Molly > The Warrior was heartbroken, and having landed the small boat on the shore of his homeland, stabbed the ice blade into the sand, knowing it would heal the land s he had sought. Soon the lapping of the waves  became the voice of the sea.'Warrior, you have battled and won, and fixed your lands' 'Yes Oceana, but I no longer care. You spoke that the star would stay if I found love, and I did, I love your star' He began to weep, sat by the waters edge. 'Yes Warrior,' she replied 'but a man can not truly love a star' (mtf) < 04Molly >  'Yes Oceana, but I no longer care. You spoke that the star would stay if I found love, and I did, I love your star' He began to weep, sat by the waters edge. 'Yes Warrior,' she replied 'but a man can not truly love a star' (mtf) < 04Molly > The noise of the waves became louder 'So I had to take her from you, and give you this...' As the Warrior looked up, he heard a soft comforting singing as a woman slowly stepped from beneath the waves, a dress made of the night sky wrapping around her beautiful form, and instantly his soul recognised her as the star of the sea, and the love of his heart. He ran to her, and swept her up in his arms, and as he kissed her, the oceans roared with joy, and all stars shot through the night sky, bright streaks high above the lover's heads, celebrating true love. < 04Molly > and instantly his soul recognised her as the star of the sea, and the love of his heart. He ran to her, and swept her up in his arms, and as he kissed her, the oceans roared with joy, and all stars shot through the night sky, bright streaks high above the lover's heads, celebrating true love. * Molly sighs softly, eyes still closed, and touches her lower lip. Varick looks to Morgan, smiling < 04Molly > V: do they live happily ever after? < 04Molly > What do you think? *she laughs softly, eyes still closed against the midday sun* * @Morgan looks to Varick < 04Molly > Varick: *he looks back, shrugging* < 08@Morgan > I think so... * Molly 's brow furrows briefly, as if she's unsure she's even heard his familiar voice before she opens her eyes. As she sees him, her eyes widen slightly, full of overwhelming joy, and she leans forward, taking both his hands in hers, pressing them firmly < 04Molly > I did not expect you until tomorrow! < 08@Morgan > father thought we should ride on * Molly nods, grinning < 04Molly > I am very glad he did! < 08@Morgan > I trust the baron has not been bothering you overmuch? < 04Molly > Varick: *he looks between the two of them, and then back to the house, before lookng to Morgan* No, sir, Mother was bored of me. sent me away. Lady Forrester told me lots of stories. < 08@Morgan > I've no doubt she did * @Morgan smiles at the boy * Molly smiles at Morgan, and then Varick < 04Molly > Varick is good company, and he does not mind that my stories are silly < 04Molly > Varick: *he looks back to the house* I must go back to Mother, she might want me *he looks to Morgan* * @Morgan looks at the boy intently < 08@Morgan > if you wish to... < 04Molly > V: It is my duty, and an eisen man always does his duty < 08@Morgan > that he does young man * Molly smiles at him as the boy stands, and bows. He starts to walk back to the house. Molly turns her attention back to Morgan, still holding his hands < 04Molly > I am very pleased to see you < 08@Morgan > and I you blossom < 04Molly > Will you sit beside me? * @Morgan shuffles around * Molly looks up, her shoulder and arm pressed against his < 04Molly > Was it dreadful, liebes herz? < 08@Morgan > not nearly so bad as expected... we managed to end it without bloodshed * Molly looks suprised < 04Molly > That is suprising < 08@Morgan > I'll admit it rather surprised me < 04Molly > How did such come about? < 08@Morgan > it turns out that the bandits were a group of villagers in hiding from the war * Molly looks puzzled, but lays her hand on his forearm, squeezing a little, almost as if to make sure he is really there < 04Molly > That is a long time to hide < 08@Morgan > indeed it is * Molly leans against his arm, closng her eyes and allowing the familiar, appealing scent of him to fill her mind. < 04Molly > You have been very greatly missed < 08@Morgan > I wouldn't have thought it would be that bad... how has my mother been with you? < 04Molly > She has been very kind, she and my mother get on well, and Alarice and I are becoming good friends also * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > How was it with your father? * Molly slips her arm around his waist < 08@Morgan > it was ok... there were some tense moments < 04Molly > Oh? < 08@Morgan > convincing him to allow the 'bandits' to live in the village wasn't the easiest task < 04Molly > Goodness! Will they be accepted here? < 08@Morgan > I think so < 04Molly > Was... Is there any chance they might know the whereabouts of my dress? < 08@Morgan > there's a chance I expect... I'll send a runner to find out * Molly nods, squeezing him slightly < 04Molly > I would appreciate that. We did not wish to start a new one until we knew < 04Molly > Varick: *he comes running back towards the tree*