Twas the best of times in Tara; everyone had existed for two generations with no divisions, cheering and laughter were heard from every nook and cranny in the town, and prosperity due to the bumper crop of honey and dew drops had brought financial security to everyone. Although the Faerie folk had no need of money, others in the community used money as a medium of exchange.
"Now may be the time," Varga D'Ranger thought to herself, "To tell the story of how we came to this period in our lives!"
The D'Ranger family gathered the community unto themselves and Varga began," Our family as some of you may know were the first inhabitants of this community. Each of our family in their own way are responsible for you being here today. We would like to share our story with you, so that the spirit which has prevailed for the past twenty years, may continue for hundreds more."
Thus she began the story, or should we say the tale of the great adventure.
"Ten thousand years ago, Tara was just a bump on the log, so to speak! As you may recall from a previous story, there was a lone Faerie on the continent of North America until Akelia summoned his friend the Eagle, who in turn summoned his friend the Roc to bring a Faerie from the land of Asia so that our solitary Faerie would have a friend. The friend, Algeron, or Mr. Algeron and me - the solitary aerie -Varga have three children. Titania-a female who was the first born has golden hair and radiant green eyes that sparkle like the dew; Thor, the second born and male was mighty even at birth; and our third child - a female whom we named Allegory, has black hair and oh, those eyes, they seemed to gaze into the inner being of those with whom she came in contact."
"The D'Ranger family was not unlike any human family in that we upon occasion had spats, the children got into squabbles, and often times we had a feeling of loneliness, even though we had many friends among the wolf and native American tribes on the continent. Travel was never a problem, for the Roc's were always ready, willing, and able to assist each member of the D'Ranger family to travel within the continent of North America. Algeron and I did not permit our children to venture beyond the peaceful shores of the continent, at least not until had finished their Faerie training, which by most accounts would take hundred of years."
"With this introduction, Algeron will now speak to you."
Algeron rose to speak. A hush spread through the crowd, for he was a man who commanded much respect.
"All of you who are here today, have the Spirit of the Faerie in your minds and hearts, least you would not be able to see our family. Both my wife and I were among the Ancient ones who called Faerieland our home. Faerie's do not die, rather should our spirit cease, we are reborn anew in the mind and hearts of others in our clan. Thus our Spirit continues to live forever."
"I have a question," said the Queen of Hearts. "Since none of us are Faerie's, how may we show the Spirit?"
"You are showing the Spirit of the Faerie by your harmony and good cheer, my dear friend. Our daughter Titania will later explain what our community will do to spread the Spirit throughout the world of Man."
"I was not versed as to the Spirit, but learned as a child from the Ancient ones after the day of my birth in Faerieland. Rarely did any of us venture from Faerieland, for there was no need. Then Man began to occupy the Hallowed Ground. He then forged alliances with other men, in the hope of gaining dominion over the land. This is when the fabric of harmony started to rip and the presence of the Evil One made his presence known."
"During the first eon of our existence on Mother Earth, a great tumult occurred. Man called this in our nineteenth century - a shifting of the plates. Faerieland was divided into continents and we Faeries were scattered over the face of Mother Earth. Our Spirit was not now united and the Ancient Ones were no longer in our midst."
"One day after the tumult, I heard strange sounds from Mother Earth and found a form different from myself. He called himself a dwarf, whose name was Brock. This dwarf told me that he had been summoned by The Faerie Mother to forge a bracelet which would unite her daughters, who would reveal to the children of man the worlds of imagination and fantasy. My daughter Allegory will tell you more of this."
"Brock also told me of The Keeper who would atone for hardening of man's hearty giving to me the task of teaching to man and the children of man the Spirit of Faerieland, which would be required for the eventual Final Battle with the Evil One. My son Thor will speak to you concerning these matters."
"Many eons passed before The Spheres revealed to me that I must teach and give power to certain Faeries and sons of man the gifts of the Ancient Ones. Those who came you who are here today have passed unto you these gifts. Your presence here today is a result of their teachings and the gifts of the daughters of the Faerie Mother - imagination and fantasy."
At this point the Fab50's man had a question. "Are there among us today those whom you first choose and if so how will we know them?"
"First you may know them by name, but not by sight. Our presence is felt upon occasion when the fires of fantasy and imagination are kindled. We walk Mother Earth in the shadows of man, seek to become part of his mind and heart, and teach to man as we have been instructed. All humans require a name, so you may callus the Shadow Walkers."
With no further questions from the community, Algeron continued.
"When the Roc carried me in his gentle claw from my land in Asia to meet my wife, we looked across this land and saw but few who lived therein. Over the next one thousand years, Akelia and his clan would tell us of people's who traveled the land mass which joined Asia and North America to find a new home, of those in search of food, and those who were curious as to what marvels this new land would offer."
A wee voice from the crowd asked a question. "Oh sir, who were these people called?"
Algeron replied: "They are called many names, but our family call them native American, because they are the original owners of this land, protectors of its beauty, writers of its history, stewards of its resources, and friend of the Faerie."
Now it was Dilly's turn for a question, "Mr. D'Ranger, err I mean Mr. D'Ranger..." before she could continue Algeron said, "Dilly it is perfectly all right that you call me Mister. D'Ranger, but please leave off the Mr. D'Ranger will be all right." Dilly then finished her question, "Were the native Americans among the first people your family brought to Tara?"
"No", said D'Ranger. "A rabbit, dragon, and bear were our first visitors to Tara. They eventually stayed and our community has grown rather large from that humble beginning. Perhaps we should stop for today and on the morrow, we shall continue our story."
So they departed everyone into his own home.
Copyright:1986-2008