by Willowhawk » 14 Dec 2004, 21:56
Ages passed, and the Celestial Pair watched their creation blossom as a parched earth after a healing rain. But still something lacked, and i-Bama called together the stars, and spoke to them. "I have given you my light," she said, "and now I wish to share it upon my earth. Who will go down into this land, I will give new forms, and new life, and they will be blessed." But only a few came forward, those who loved i-Bama best and had danced for her consort's creation, who wished to please her and to see this new place. To those she gave the most beautiful form she could conceive, and set them in the North of Aandéal, in the land the Thains name Fhrvael, and these were the Arinead.
Still the land seemed empty of vitality, and i-Bama spoke again to the multitude of stars, saying, "This I have wrought, and would seed with new life. Will you not go forth, as I bid?" And again the stars hesitated, unwilling to part from her presence, and the presence of Aan her consort. Still, a few came forth, younger stars who were bold and secure in their place in creation. "We will go, Great One," they said, and i-Bama smiled on them. She formed them as lesser men, but more beautiful, nobler of visage and long-limbed, and she gave to them the jiani irithur, the ancient magic that was their birthright as stars. With this power could they shape their reality, and make fair works. She set them in the South of the land, at that place the Thains name Caeruín, and they were the Aelithim, the Shining Ones.
Among the remaining stars there were those who looked upon their brethren and desired now to please i-Bama. They went before her to petition to go down into Aandéal, but she was wroth and heard them not. They knelt and made obeisance at the foot of her throne, and turned then to plead with Aan. He spoke quietly on their behalf, and i-Bama was pleased. She thought long on what form to give them, but none satisfied her, and at last she gave them the ability to choose their form, and to change it when they desired, as they had already shown themselves to be malleable. And these were the Maarathim, the least of the Blessed, who make their home in the great forest, Seth Mirinil, in the East of Aandéal.
