The sun shone brightly, warming the land everywhere except within the deepest heart of the forest. The heat of the closing summer day lay heavily in the air. On the outskirts of the forest where the trees thinned enough to allow a smattering of sunshine to steal through, a comfortable breeze rustled the leaves, causing shadows to dance, and lightly stirring the golden hair of a lone traveler on the path. The only sound to be heard was the rustle of the leaves and the occasional creak of an ancient bough. No other sound was to be heard, as though the usually active animals were holding their breath in anticipation.

The man made his way through the woods, knowing it as one would know his own room. Recognizing the silence as something unnatural. A warning perhaps...

For the first time in months, he stepped out of the protection of the forest, closing his eyes and tilting his head back as the coppery rays of the setting sun caressed his pale skin. An appreciative smile curved his lips as his eyes slowly opened, mirroring the azure of the sky.

The smile slowly faded as he once again felt the apprehensive silence weighing heavily in the air. The world was waiting for something, whether it be some dread deed or perhaps the very thing that had drawn him from the safety of his forest. He took a few more steps until he was entirely free form the green shadows, stopping abruptly as the path dissolved into nothing but a hundred-foot drop directly before him. The forest continued below the cliff for a short span. As he looked out into the distance, he could see, rising above all else, a magnificent palace, white and gold and lovely. A monument standing as proof that corruption could come from even the most beautiful things.

He'd learned that the hard way.

As the last rays of the sun faded, and dusk began to settle, a chorus of bells crashed out a distant cacophony of joyous noise, heralding a royal birth.

This was what had drawn him from his sanctuary. This birth he had known would come. He'd witnessed as close as he dared, and now, as the bells faded, he turned to reenter his leafy haven.

Anyway, this used to be longer, but I cut the end for all our sakes... it wasn't worth much. I hope you like. I'll update if I can EVER get proper motivation. Until then, please review. I hope you like what little I've managed to set up here.

Dewa mata!

Sirius

P.S. Grateful thanks to SapphireIris who pointed out an issue in the first paragraph. All better now I hope. Thank you!