More Than Gold - Thorin Oakenshield

A Fairy?

Leaping effortlessly onto a near by tree, Tala evaded the snapping jaws of a wolf. She ran across the branch and spun around, landing on the ground, she knelt on one knee as she faced off with the beast. Snarling, the wolf circled Tala until it stopped in front of her, snapping it's teeth in her face.

"You're out of practice, my friend." She panted. "Usually it hardly takes you any time to catch me." A smile slipped onto her face, and the wolf backed off with the animal equivalent of a smirk. Standing up, Tala walked over to the wolf and pet him. "Come on Zenore, its getting late." Tala and Zenore walked side by side, Tala speaking softly to him, and Zenore listened.

Zenore was a large and great wolf. He was mighty and strong, which gave him the title as King of the Wolves. However, despite his title, Zenore had a soft spot for fairy's, especially for Tala, a fairy warrior. She, too, was strong, as she was captain of the fairy army. However, the fairy's had no reason to fight, so Tala spent her days wandering.

Much like Elves, Fairy's were immortal. They were beautiful and proud, but only about the height of a dwarf. Fairy's were guardians of the world, and of the different races across the lands. It was not uncommon to see Fairy's guarding the Elf Realms, as they were extremely gifted in combat.

However, when it comes to being the guardian of a specific person, then a Fairy must take an oath. In this oath, the Fairy pledges to live side by side with that person until the natural end of their days. If the Fairy fails to protect them, then the fairy will lose their immortality, and be forced to live the rest of their lives as a mortal.

Also like Elves, it is possible for Fairy's to die of a broken heart. It was common that if a Fairy took an oath, that they can fall in love with their person. For Fairy's, love doesn't always mean in a romantic sense, love could mean many things. Love didn't come easily to Fairy's, as they chose to lead a lonely life.

Tala had never experienced love, as her parents had both been killed during a great battle amongst the tall folk, Elves, and dark forces. She was raised by the captain of the Fairy's, and he raised her to be a warrior, and to be strong. The captain did love her, but he didn't know how to show it. It was in that, that Tala hardly knew what love even meant.

Suddenly, Zenore stopped walking, his ears were alert as he looked around. "What is it?" Tala whispered to him. Zenore turned his head to look at the right, beginning to growl. The Great Wolf got in front of Tala and snarled as a figure made it's way through the forest. 

"I mean no harm, there is no reason to be rash." the figure said. 

"Who are you?" Tala asked.

"I am but a wanderer, like you." the man said. 

"Come out of the shadows and speak, for it is unfair that you can look upon me, and I not you." Tala demanded. The man came closer, and it was then that Tala realized he was a wizard.

"My name is Gandalf the Grey," the wizard said. "I did not think that you would be so course with me, Tala Aerovia." 

"How is it that you know my name?" she asked. 

"I was just speaking with your guardian and he told me that you would be around here." Gandalf answered.

"What business do you have with me?" Tala asked. Despite how calm the fairy was with Gandalf, Zenore continued to growl at the wizard. "Núta, Zenore, núta. Settle, Zenore, settle." she said softly to the wolf. Giving the fairy a dirty look, Zenore calmed, but kept an eye on the wizard.

"I was wondering if you would like to join me on an important quest." Gandalf said, leaning on his staff. He watched in slight amusement as the fairy perked up at the idea