A Story That, As Yet, Has No Name.

By: Spoonvonstup

PG: *brief* violence

Disclaimer: I . basically everything. The only person who could claim ownership of any of the ideas and characters presented herein is Anna Kaltenbruener, by muse during the initial writing period. All else is MINE! ^_^

Explanation/Summary: Well, this story has definitely been a work in progress. Started in 8th grade, it suffered through a period of writer's block for about last year when I attempted to re-write it on the computer. Finally, last year, I broke through and *actually finished the darn thing*! Can you imagine how happy that makes one feel?!? Well, it didn't last as long as I would have liked, for soon ensued that tediously wonderful period of copy editing. Joyful rapture! ;) My friends who unwittingly volunteered for the job have my everlasting gratitude. *hug*
Anyway. here's this story of Valen, recently discovering 'her powers', being guided by that wandering mage, Powell. But can he be trusted? Poor Powell, torn between his obligations and other, newer, feelings. This could get messy. *evil smile*
But, if you've read my other story, you know I don't mind that. Ok, ok. Go on now and read. Shoo! Oh, and, one more thing. Title suggestions? Been thinking on it for three years and I still don't know. ^_^

Chapter 1

Twilight, dawn. Mist, mountains, sea sides. In-betweens.

The girl laughed as she ran through the sun-dappled forest, the openings of light tracing patterns across dark hair, playing hide and seek with bright eyes and happy smile. Breathless, she glanced over her shoulder, giggling to dash round the trunk of a large tree.
"Sahrah!" Kivrin called as he bounded into the clearing. "Sahrah, where are you!" He slowly walked to the other side.
Sahrah peeked out of her hiding place and quietly crept up behind her pursuer. She was almost upon him, ready to pounce, when.
Kivrin spun around and grabbed Sahrah, whirling her in the air despite her protests. They landed in a giggling heap on the forest floor.

After a moment or two of disentanglement, Sahrah turned on her side to look at her companion. "Hmm." she sighed contentedly. "I never can fool you, no matter how many times I try."
Kivrin smiled and gently tucked a loose strand of Sahrah's hair behind her ear. "Never my love. I'll always know where you are," he said, gazing into her eyes.
Sahrah's lower lip quivered in a mock pout. "Well, I don't think that's fair," she protested teasingly, trying to hide a smile.
"Anything I can do to make up for it?" Kivrin asked, his eyes dancing.
Sahrah studied him for a moment, then smiled. "I don't know." She looked up innocently.
Kivrin grinned, leaned in, and kissed her. "How's that?" he asked when they finally broke away from each other.
Sahrah smiled impishly. "I don't know. I might need another to." She didn't get to finish her sentence.

Sahrah and Kivrin sat on their porch as the sun set, with seven-year- old Collyn on his mother's lap. Sahrah smiled down at her son, then at Kivrin. "I think he's asleep."
Kivrin smiled and gathered the boy into his arms. Collyn, roused briefly at the shift in position, made a questioning noise. "Don't worry, I'm just taking you to bed." The little one smiled and snuggled closer to his father's chest.
Sahrah watched her two men go inside before looking out behind the house. Their home was at the edge of the village, so had an extensive view of the wild countryside surrounding One Tree. The last birds had stopped their calling hours before and, as the day sank deeper into twilight, the nightly chorus of insect life warmed up.
She smiled as she heard the floorboards creak and turned to greet her husband. Kivrin took her hand and the next seat with a sigh. "Beautiful summer evening."
Sahrah nodded in agreement. They both watched as the day left to wherever it goes at night, listening to the comforting noises of life around them.
All at once, Kivrin leaned forward in his chair, peering intently into the deepening gloom. Puzzled, Sahrah looked from the verge to Kivrin. "What is it?"
Kivrin frowned and pointed. "There. Do you see? I think someone's coming."
Sahrah's brows lifted in surprise and she shifted her gaze to where Kivrin pointed. Sure enough, she saw movement. At their house on the fringe of civilization and wilderness, on the edge of night and day, something was coming.
The two watched in silence as the figure approached. By the time the first star had lit the sky, the visitor was clearly visible. She stopped at the edge of the house's light. Extremely small, the woman could be no more than three feet tall, with large eyes framed by dark hair. A lightly upturned nose sat above a mouth curled into a knowing smile.
Kivrin glanced at Sahrah, then called out. "Good evening!"
The being's smile widened a bit and she stepped closer. "Good evening sir, ma'am. Pardon my intrusion, but I am a weary traveler. Would you mind if I impose myself on your good company for a few hours?"
Sahrah stood and went out to the stranger. "It would be no intrusion, friend. Please, come inside and tell us of yourself. We would be happy to offer a place to sleep for the night. Some food as well?"
The woman smiled graciously as she climbed onto the porch and entered after the couple. "That would be most kind. Many thanks."

Sahrah lay awake in bed long after Kivrin and their guest had fallen asleep. There was something odd about the woman, something she couldn't put her finger on. It wasn't threatening or unsettling, just out of place.

She quietly slid out of bed, across the floor, and into the main room. She sat at the wooden table and put her head in her hands, facing the back of the house. She listened to the nocturnal noises of the house. Collyn's steady breathing, Kivrin's light snores, a small wind searching for entry. And then, something different.
Sahrah turned, eyes questioning, to see her guest in the doorway, watching her. "Good evening," she said. "I didn't mean to disturb you."
Sahrah shook her head. "Do not apologize. I couldn't sleep."
The woman smiled her knowing smile and approached. "Tell me about your son," she asked as she sat on an adjacent chair, her small legs dangling.
"Collyn?" Sahrah thought for a moment and smiled. "He's a good boy. Responsible and quiet and sensible. Sometimes we forget how young he is." she trailed off.
The visitor smiled. "Yes, I thought so. He seems a nice lad. He'll be a good brother."
Sahrah's looked up abruptly and she studied the small woman. "Brother? What do you mean? I'm not."
The being grinned. "Actually, you'll find you are." While speaking, she reached a hand out to Sahrah's abdomen. "And a fine daughter she'll be." She winked, and for a brief moment, Sahrah could have sworn her guest's hand was glowing.
Still confused, Sahrah pushed the other woman's hand away. "What are you talking about? And how did you know? How do you know it will be a girl?" Sahrah had suspected she was pregnant for little less than a week, but had said nothing to prevent raising false hopes. Four miscarriages in the past five years had taught her caution the hard way.
The mysterious woman put a finger to her lips. "Shh... Can't tell you that. Trade secret." She winked at Sahrah and stood silently. Sahrah was now sure the other's entire body was glowing. "But don't worry about the little one. We'll keep watch on her." She grinned at Sahrah as she slowly walked to the front door.
Sahrah blinked, and the visitor was gone as quickly as she had come. She was left alone in the house, a snore from Kivrin reminding her of the reality she had apparently just taken leave of.
She stood quietly and returned to bed. It did not take long for her to fall asleep, and when she did, one hand was curled protectively around her middle. No sense taking chances.

In the in-between place, the mysterious little woman smiled as she looked up at the stars. Midnight. All was well. A glowing mist coalesced around her figure as she began to giggle. Wind picked up in the clearing, a place of neither forest nor field, and the glowing brightness enveloped the woman entirely.
Gradually, calm returned as the world slowly spun towards morning. A hovering lightness traveled on the breeze accompanied by fairy-light laughter. It found a monastery not far away and entered unseen. It drifted over the sleeping forms in the dormitory before coalescing over a middle-aged man. He breathed in deeply and mumbled in his sleep.
Shortly the glow, less bright than before, was traveling again. It stopped in an inhospitable plain, over the sleeping form of another of its kind. She opened her dark eyes wide and smiled as light crept over the horizon. The glow settled over her and disappeared.
Fayethfenwen stood and stretched with a broad grin. "Good morning Mother."