The mist had already soaked through her clothes lightly, the strange droplets of moisture resting upon her skin, refracting her glow onto the ground and tree's she passed. Wearing her Winters Embrace, the mist seemed drawn to her, flooding about her, giving her an Eire appearance as she moved through the tree's like a Whisper. The sounds of the life about her disturbed her little. Stella had come here for one reason only.

The rumour had reached her in the bars of Lomedor. At first it had been just that ~ a rumour, but soon enough stories began to arise of the powers of the creature began to fill the mouths of the local people. The words "What If" where usual followed, along with a detailed explanation of the lives of the Nobles, how good it would be to live like that. That was right. "What If?" Stella had wondered it too. What if she could meet this creature that possessed such untapped potential, be able to wish upon anything she wanted and have it granted. Knowlege, Raw strength... Life. Stella could be given the Human appearance she had always wanted, so be able to walk into Pubs, Inns, and be treated as a regular person, and not stared at like some creature in a cage.

Though the selfish possibilities where endless, so where the World Wide ones. End to evil. Was that not somthing people where constantly fighting for, end to the rule of those under Raku, those following the great Wraith Xoco. The offer, thought probably just a lie, was tempting enough. The creature its self was supposedly taking on the form of an Ordinary Woodland inhabitant. Nobody of yet had seen it who she had spoke too, but many had heard of deeds it had carried out, such as creating gold from dirt, great, powerful beasts from mere ants. It would be hard to reach it, but worth it in the end.

The strange fog never lifted, but that was to be expected. Of course the search would not be easy, she had expected as much from the moment she had set out. Looking back on it, Stella had traveled a long way. Passing across the Grasslands had by far been the most tedious of journeys, the blazing hot sun of the day deceitful as the bitter chills of night fell down upon her. Men, shifty in all but there speech, which was often fluent, proper and polite, offering her goods, most likly stolen, their hooded figures and harsh, sharp features a natural warning against their deceitful ways.

The Misty Forest had shaded her from the blaze of the sun, but replaced it with an icy cold mist that clung to every exposed surface, seemingly soaking through to the bone. She had been walking for what seemed like hours, and the progression was unknown, the utter size of the Forest untold, the sheer lack of sight preventing her from keeping tack of her direction. It was dark, Frosty, and utterly miserable. Sitting herself down upon a rock, Stella pulled down the blue fabric of her cloak, shaking out her Hair, her glow lighting up the fog around her - a beacon in the dead of night.

Spotting a strange pink light through the daze, Stella stood, wondering over to it curiously. Perched upon a low level tree branch was a fairy, nibbling on what appeared to be a berry, though compared to the Fairy, the Berry looked like a Mellon! Stepping forwards tentatively, Stella smiled as the Fairy glanced up at her, dropping the Berry in shock. Leaning down, Stella plucked the small purple circle from the floor, offering it back to the Fairy. "It's okay, i wont hurt you.." She cooed. In a sudden flutter, the Fairy was flying off, and was soon lost into the wall of fog, leaving behind her small batch of Berries.

Now - Stella wasn't usually a thief, but she was a sucker for sweet things. Rummaging around in her cloak, Stella took out her Fairy necklace, running her thumb over the smooth crystal in the middle. Smooth, but also unusually warm, dispite the coldness of the air. It was the Mystery of the pendant. Lifting her hair out of the way, Stella clasped the necklace around her neck, preparing from the transformation which never ceased to amaze her.

The first to change was her size. Suddenly, Stella found herself coming closer and closer to the ground as her limbs tingled. Closing her eyes, Stella waited until she had at last shrunk. It had always scared her to watch the change in size, the weirdness of it all scaring her a little. Sneaking a peak, she realised it was over. A new weight added to her back caused Stella to glance back at her new Wings, their frail, see-through Fabric look a pale pink, wings scintillating with sudden Power as she batted them. She always loved that feelings, of pure adrenaline as she pounded her wings harder and harder, gaining more and more height. Soon enough, Stella was at her usual head height, looking down at the height before her. She no longer felt the sweet crave, but quite a differnt one.

She would travel faster this way, and more quiet, stealthier too. Taking off through the tree's, she was like a colourful blur, dodging tree's as they suddenly appeared out of the thick wall of fog. Confident, Stella gained more speed. Noticing a movement to her left, differnt to that of the tree's whizzing by her, Stella looked transferred at the sudden burst of another colour over then green and black. As she passed the sight, Stella couldn't help but look back, eager to get at least one more glimpse at the strange thing. That was a mistake. With a loud, dull "thud", Stella found herself colliding with a tree trunk. The impact sent her vision blackening, her head spinning, whirling as suddenly the thoughts knocked out of her, replaced by what seemed like fluff, the high fall and mist battering her like a heavy storm. Landing on top of a flower, she slipped off it's leaves, hitting the ground as she lost consciousness.

He made his way through the moss covered trees of this mist covered forest with little difficulty. His black boots made almost no sound as they treaded upon the soft, moist ground of the forest floor. The mist swirled around him and the moisture in the air was saturating his black robes. It was also cold there in this mist shrowded forest. However, he was not troubled by the cold. Takhbork Shakh was a wraith, cold was the things that he usually felt. Not only his body cold to the touch, his very soul was as cold as well.

If he felt any discomfort at all. It was only the anxiety that was swelling in his chest, for he was looking for something special. Something that was rumored to exist in this forest. The rumors had caught his attention while journeying through the villages and towns that surounded this region. The rumors spoke of a magical being that possessed the power to grant any sort of wish that you desired. He was curious to say the least.

It was not a thing unheard of to him, beings that held such powers, but there probably were very few of these marvelous creatures that remained in the current age of Arda. This is why many people believe that there are no longer any left surviving at all.

Takhbork Shakh himself, was not entirely sure if the rumors he had heard were true. However, despite this fact, he could not resist checking it out. His lust for power was very great and these rumors had stroked this insatiable apetite in just the right way.

Yes, he would check it out, and see if these rumors were true. "Who knows?" Takhbork Shakh hissed to himself as he slinked through the shadows and the mist of the forest. "Perhaps this will be just what I need to rise to power!" He silently continued on his way, through the very still and mist enshrowded forest.

The way rumors spread is quite quickly. Most of the time rumors spread to far and people hear much more then is needed. People hear much more then is true, or none of it is true at all. In this case, it is very hard to tell. In this case, none of it is true. In this case, some of it is truth. It is a very messed up rumor about one thing. The being that has given himself the title of 'The Spirit of the Forest.' This title that was given to himself for the reason of being one of the very few to be able to find their way around this forest without getting lost. This title was given to himself for the fact that he is able to hide amoung the trees unnoticed from even the keenest of eyes.

Midori was the one to give himself this title. It was something that just came to him. He usually ether played pranks on people that entered the forest or drove them out so they would not get lost in here. He didn't want people being lost in here to die really. But something he tries to lie to himself about is that he doesn't want other people knowing how to get around this forest as well as him. He would then lose the knowledge he had over other people.

Moving through the forest with all of this mist has become almost normal for him by now. He had found other fairies in this forest. He didn't exactly expect to find any around here but in the Mystic Woods. He had seen most of them, or infact all of them and comited their faces to memory. Maedhros was left behind today with the other fairies. Midori didn't want him getting lost right now. Not after last time.

Looking around he had already seen a few people today but let them be. There had been a few people in the past week looking in the forest for him. He only wondered how his title had grown into this God thing he had heard about. Taking a rest of a branch he watched as another fairy flew past him away from something. He had already gotten curious at this and went in the direction that fairy just came. She looked in a rush to get away from something.

After a while Midori was staying low in the area, near the ground. Not sure why but it paid off sooner or later. He saw yet another fairy out cold on the ground. Landing near her, he inspected her. A small bump could be seen on her head. Must have hit something. Gently, he picked up the fairy before him and took her into the tree above. She was bigger then him and this wasn't an easy task to accomplish. It was not safe to stay on the ground. He didn't know this fairy, ether new around here or he just never met her yet. Laying her on a sturdy branch and waited untill she would wake up. There was nothing he could do here. Nothing but wait and see. Looking at the necklace around her neck, it seemed familiar. Where had he heard of a description like that. It was something rare indeed. But it had something to do with his own kind. He just couldn't place his finger on it.

The Shadow Lord was still walking through the dense growth of this misty forest. He was beginning to get annoyed. He had so far not seen head nor tail of any living thing in this forest. He had not even seen the many animals with the exception of a rabbit or two.
Truth be told he did not know precisely know what he was looking. THe rumors had given no description to this 'Gaurdian of the Forest'. He would just have to keep his red eyes peeled for anything unusual. The worst case scenerio would be that the being was a shapeshifter of sorts. He hoped that this was not so, otherwise he may have already passed this Gaurdian of the Forest withou even realizing it.
He made his way through the forest which was slowly becoming dark. This was good, he moved much swiftly in the dark and was stronger too. Whoever or whatever this Gaurdian was, it had better hope that he not find it while it was dark or it will soon learn a new meaning of terror!

(Sorry, if this is not much. ^_^; )

The collision was not truly felt, yet the after effects was. Awakening, Stella found herself still to be in darkness. Though awake in mind - her body was still sleeping peacefully. Her muscles where tensed, aching with the collision, her wings throbbing under her weight as she layed slumped to one side. Everything felt strange, her mind fussy, unable to concentrate properly on anything in particular.

The hard floor of the forest couldn't even wake her. It was like... Stella was there, yet she was still sleeping. Such an odd thing, considering Stella couldn't even technically sleep. Movement, and the sounds of wings came to her attention, the sound of the winds wild oceans' roar filling her ears as the ground was slowly parted from her. An emptiness like no other filled her mind. It was strange, feeling unless, her body like a rag-doll, the simple lift and pulls of Nature moving her around as if she weighed nothing.

Stella knew she wasn't alone. For a fact, she couldn't feel her wings, let along move them to give her this flight, this.. lift. Another ~ she could feel the hands around her, the movement against his as the wings worked to carry them both higher. To her, she simply felt weightlessness, as though she was the air which was passing her. Simply, the wind stopped, replaced by a slight breeze, caressing her skin like a feathers touch. A solid base was placed bellow her, and at last Stella felt her weight returning as her mind slowly began to focus.

Opening her eyes, blinking against the sudden intrusion of the bright light, she looked at the face above her. The first thing she noted was the light green hair, with matching green eyes, an odd thing, so say the least. His childlike face was focused on somthing, and Stella realised that his main attention was on her necklace. Leaning up slightly, Stella's own small hand clasped her necklace, as she leaned up on her elbows. Scooting back slightly, her foot fell over the side of the branch, and with a small gasp, she realised why.

She was in a large tree - high up on a quite thick branch. Her eyes once again focused in on the Fairy. His wings where visible behind his white clothes, and Stella realised her must live here. Clearing her throat, Stella's hands drifted away from her necklace, aiding her know to stand. Her head pounded, and her body ached, but she was otherwise fine. With a sigh, she at last made it to her feet, only stumbling once or twice.

"I... Hey.... uhh... I'm Stella." Fiddling with her dress, she smoothed it out shakily. She wasn't sure what there was to say. Instead, she focused on clearing her throat, her voice scratchy from seemingly misuse. "Thank you." She mumbled again, feeling a little embarrassed from being saved. If anything, she had been incredibly foolish. It was incredibly lucky of her that this Fairy had found her when he had, otherwise Stella could have been an evening meal for the Forest creatures. With a sudden pang, Stella remembered the Shadow she had seen. Her eyes widened suddenly at the memory.

"Do you know where i can find the The Spirit of the Forest? The God?" She asked eagerly, taking a slight step closer to the Fairy. "I've heard stories of him, of the things he can do for people. I thought i had seen him... a black blur or somthing, through the tree's. But, i mean, obviously, i was wrong." She scowled at her stupidity. "Have you heard of him here?" If anyone knew where to find the God, it would be a familiar to these parts. If her luck held out, this Fairy may even know the God, and take her to him, or her. Stella felt shivers running up her spine at the very thought. Her, meet a God!

---

Sorry for the wait! ^_^; and shortness!

The Shadow Lord was really getting agrivated now. He was getting impatient, he could find utterly no sign of sentient life. He continued moving forward into the growing shadows. It was not Twilight, the darkness of night was just around the corner.
He was passing through a bush and was wondering which direction to go in, when he spotted something a decent distance off. He could see little forms in the air. It was two fairies.
The girl fairie did not look well, and the boy fairie was carrying her in his arms. Now what would such creatures like fairies be doing out so late? An idea then crept itno his head.
"What if they are going to see this Guardian of the Forest?" he thought to himself. He dwelled on this idea for a bit, and started to silently follow them.
After thinking it over he began to have doubts that they would be going to see this powerfull being. "However, there is the possibility that they may know where this 'Guardian' is." After thinking this, he sped up his silent pace. He now had a lead at last. He may soon find this 'Guardian' yet!

Midori walked to the thrunk of the tree and sat against it with his hands behind his had as the Fairy before him ajusted to her new location. She had gripped at the necklace he was looking at a moment ago. Must be protective over her belongings. But what was it, she was wearing two necklaces really, he didn't see the other one. But the one he was interested in he has seen a detailed description of it somewhere. He just couldn't remember. It didn't matter anymore though. Well, he would get back to it later maybe.

She introduced herself, Stella. Wasn't that the Elven word for Star? He mentally shrugged and listened as something unexpected came from her mouth as she started to go on about the Spirit of the Forest. She was looking for him? After she had finished he thought about his words. Wow, I never thought a Fairy would be looking for him, I guess. he said. Almost every single Fairy in this forest knew that all of those rumors were not true. Many people have come in search of him, and I have had to scare them out or lead them out of the forest. he said standing up inspecting Stella. Something about her seemed off, he couldn't figure it out. Yeah, I know him very well, I guess. But why should I lead you to him and not send you aways, your not different from anyone else, now are you? he explained with a small smile on his face. All of his words there were true, but without reavealing any of the truth. It was simple enough to tell the truth without telling the truth. All he had to do was word it correctly.

Stella wasn't truly sure what she was playing at. Following around, dreams, whispered rumors in the night, believing their words to the point of even going out to see them for herself. It was foolish. This... being, this... god, it just couldn't exist. Such things never happened, and to think of them as being possible was fools talk. She had come out here for nothing, and the realisation hit home harder then she had though possible.

Obviously, this fairy had no clue what she was talking about. No doubt he was going to laugh, ridicule her. Maybe he would simply ask her to leave, call her crazy, a idiot. It was all possible, and the more Stella thought about it the more she saw her own foolishness. What was she doing?

Wow, I never thought a Fairy would be looking for him, I guess. Stella faltered. What did he just say?!. She looked up exited. him?, did he too beleive the tales? A local believing them, surely that meant they where real? Many people have come in search of him, and I have had to scare them out or lead them out of the forest. Stella looked at the bottom of the branch, lost in thought.

So, the tales where true? But then why was this Fairy scaring them away? 'Maybe he wants the power to himself...' Stella thought, before realising how bitter she sounded. No. She refused to beleive a Fairy could be so... so... corrupt. He was nice, and she was merely overlooking things. Yeah, I know him very well, I guess. But why should I lead you to him and not send you aways, your not different from anyone else, now are you?

Stella looked up into his smiling face, her own expressionless. So... she had to prove herself to this Fairy? Who was to say his words where the truth. For all she knew, he could tag her along on a wild chase, exploit her, then leave her in the middle of this retched place. After all, he knew his way around, and she did not. Easily, she could find herself trapped here forever, while he could merely fly off back home without a second thought.

It was a tricky decision.

"I..." Stella hesitated. Should she say words, meaningless words, promises, merely to have him beleive her? Or, should she answer his truthfully from the start, and hope for the best? Stella found herself questioning what was right to do, in this situation. Sure, she needed, no, wanted to meet his god, but was it worth taking advantage of this Fairy? No. It really wasn't.

"I'm not going to lie to you." Her voice was empty of emotion, bland. "No, i am not special in any way. I, like those you have seen before you merely wish to meet this creature. I wont offer you... treasure, or anything of the such, since i have neither these to offer you. All i ask, is that you help me meet this God." She left it at that, her voice growing with more emotion as the speech had gone on. All of it had been the truth, and she merely wished that the young Fairy would heed her words and understand.

Looking away from his face, she looked bellow her, through the slightly parted mist. From bellow, she could have sworn she saw that same shadow as earlier. Frowning, she looked towards the Fairy, hoping he could see it too. What exactly was down there. "Do you see that?" She whispered to him, hoping the thing bellow could not hear her. They where rather high up, and she doubted it could.

The Shadow Lord ducked into the shadows quickly "Did they see me?" he had been going as silently as he could through this misty, mud hole of a forest. How could creatures so frivolous and stupid actually detect his presence?
He creeped slowly and cautiously behind a large tree, where they could not see him. He then hunched down low and sat there listening to whatever they were saying.
Fairies were perhaps the most careless and idiotic creatures in Arda. Always so carfree and so full of joy. It made him feel sick just being within earshot of their insipid, mindless giggling. Faries were the only creatures in all of Arda that he may have hated more than the elves.
"They will certainly be among the first to go when I acquire the power that I desire from this god." he thought to himelf as he sat there in the mud and moss. Although it would not matter who we would want to destroy first if he could not get the power that he sought from this god. If this god was not to picky on whose wishes he granted, then perhaps the Shadow Lord could just simply wish for the power and receive it. However the Shadow had strong doubts that this was the case. "I doubt I could force him. Perhapps I could trick him into granting my wish?" he was beginning to feel very afraid. He had tricked people before in the past, but those were just people. This was perhaps a god. He had never decieved a god before.
The Shadow Lord then shook himself out of thought "Shut up! This not the time to dwell on such things. I shall cross that bridge when I come to it. For now, I must first find this god or guardian of the forest." the Shadow Lord therefore sat there and refocused his hearing on whatever it was that those stupid fairies were talking about.

Midori just watched Stella as she was looking for words. She had started to say something but didn't finish, or even get mid way into a sentence. But when she spoke up it seemed almost too good to be true. First person he had spoken with that was honest about their answer, no. He rarely asked this question for he didn't question people offen. So this would be the first. But was she telling the truth? It seemed like it, he had nothing to lose, or nothing to gain. But she will have lost a lot of time searching for the person right in front of her. His smile faded as he thought. Maybe he could lead her around, no that would be bad. He would then be at fault for wasting her time. He would help her if she needed it, thats all she would get from him for both of their sakes. He didn't want to hurt her feelings in all of this.

Before he could speak up she spoke again about something else. She may have saw something or not. It was all possible. There were many creatures in his forest, and then there were some other people in here. He didn't know what it was, it didn't matter much. If I paid attention to every movement this forest gave off I would be too busy to speak to you right now. he mocked her teasingly. But something was upsetting him but he couldn't put his finger on it.

After a moment he stood up and offered his hand in friendship and a handshake. Elen sila lumenn omentilmo. he said in the Elven tongue now realising how ironic his words were before the element before him. He was unaware of that all. I can't lead you to him, but I can help you, I guess. I will only give you help when you need it, but feel free to need it as much as you want. But I will say, if you do find The Spirit of the Forest, you may end up disappointed in the end. he said with small concern in his voice near the end. Midori didn't want to crush Stella's hopes ether by telling her the truth or by leading her to nowhere. But the bad news will get to her sooner or later. He just hoped she wouldn't hate him for it.