It was in the early days, when Areth was still a babe, that Ano, The Creator cut his hand, allowing his blood to spill upon the vast wasteland that was the world. Thus, life and magic entered the world, altering it forever. First arose the great forests, wild, rambling, and dense; followed thereafter by the wild grasslands which swept, untamed across the land. Each expressed their own since of beauty as blossoms of all shapes, sizes, and colors filled their midst.
Seeing the radiant beauty that lie within his creation, Ano realized that he needed someone to tend to his wondrous gardens. He reached out, deep into the cosmos and drew forth glimmering stardust from the distant galaxies, and with a gentle breath, he gave birth to the fairy folk; the caretakers of nature and gardeners of the lands of Areth. Unbeknownst to Ano, however, some of the living stardust scattered with his breath, becoming intermingled with a tiny rivulet of blood from his still freshly cut hand and fell to the world below. The celestial blood and stardust fell for what seemed like ages before it landed in the heart of a vast forest in the northeastern heartlands of Loren, changing the land forever more. Enchantment filled the central groves as the woodlands stirred and awakened, to sentience and free will.
Where the celestial mix of Ano’s blood and living stardust struck the ground, a mighty oak sapling sprouted, growing into a full sized tree within moments. Ano, watching from above, moved closer to the immense forest to see what was unfolding below him. The great oak was alive, stretching proudly for the heavens, where it could see Ano, The Creator gazing at him. Endowed within that magnificent tree were the ways of knowledge and wisdom, along with the understanding of life, nature and magic. Ano was pleased, yet intrigued by this unforeseen creation, so he gave to this oak the gift of speech, the ability to give good council, as well as the understanding of the languages of the wind and earth, for the oak was wise, immortal, and mighty. Ano gazed upon this Wise Oak and smiled, naming him Aldwedorn, The Wise. Thus Aldwedorn grew in both might and wisdom, becoming the advisor to all who approach him.
The trees and saplings within the area of where the divine droplet landed were coated with a fine spray as the droplet splashed to the earth. Sparkling with intelligence they awakened, becoming aware of the world around them. The fairy folk were surprised to come across these unusual trees, but took to their kind with open arms. These living trees were named by the fairy folk, the Iadra, and became known as the guardians of Caer Lynd. Holding Aldwedorn, The Wise in reverence, the tree folk see him as the greatest of all trees both in wisdom and knowledge. Ano saw their fealty and granted The Iadra the ability to move freely throughout the groves and copses of Caer Lynd, though tree folk often prefer to stay near Aldwedorn and the place of their birth, known by the fairy folk as the Glade of Sylandir. Together, they work with the fairies tending to the forest, and guard Aldwedorn from any who would wish him harm. Thus, one of the greatest wonders of Areth was born in the heart of Caer Lynd.
~FIN~
© W. R. Frady
February 19, 2006
