A/N: this story has placed first and seventh in two different competions. So, now I'd like to know what real people think. Please, someone review?

Luna and the Man in the Moon

Once long ago, my dear child, long before the moon and stars, save the sun, back before magic was a wonderful help to the everyday as it was in the ancient worlds, there lived a girl. Not just any girl, the very first witch of our kind, because we know there are many forms of magic and wielders who go by many names: the artist, writers, storytellers, and, of course, our wonderful teachers. Oh, how the list would go on, my little one! They are those that make us wonder, and Luna was one of those. But our story is of Luna. Luna was a witch, and it is said that she was the best of the untold witches, for her story is only found in the most forgotten, dusty, old books, and the minds of the oldest, most knowledgeable peoples.

Luna was the youngest of seven children. She was strange, or maybe it was that strange things happened around her. The dark could become light. A storm could be calmed. But in any case she was neglected by her parents, set aside and more or less forgotten. She was a thin little thing. Her hair was lighter than anyone else's and her eyes were bluer than the green ones that populated her village. All the same, the closest thing to a friend she ever had was a boy named Indra. He'd shown her kindness when others spit on her. He'd said good things about her when others spoke of her saying she was the reason others had died.

One evening like many others as the sun was setting, she left the safe little village and wandered out into the dark beyond. She loved to be alone and often walked the boarder of the village, where she'd occasionally catch a glimpse of Indra. His home was on the outskirts of the village just like most of the soldiers and their families. He was the son of a solider himself. The village had soldiers to protect it at all times from everything: the dark that surrounded the village, the wild beast, even their own soldiers on their return from wars. Well anyway child, as she hid in the dark she heard a scream. Something about it struck her; a chill ran down her spine. Once or twice she'd caught Indra following her. She'd bet anything he'd done it again. Her eyes thrust about in darkness looking for any signs of at all would be helpful. There was the scream again. Then she heard a voice as torches and the chatter of men started to spill from the village.

"Luna, my child. Ahh! It has been long since you've needed my voice to fill your mind, as your world grew darker. Why now do you call me?" it asked. The voice had no gender and was utterly undisruptive.

"I don't remember ever speaking to you. But can you help me if you’re here anyway?" she asked, desperate to save her Indra.

"Yes, my child, I can. I can do anything if you’re willing."

"Willing?" she asked afraid of the tone the voice had used.

"Your heart is still pure. Your soul longs to save this man-child. Why is this so?" queried the voice, as her question laid seemingly ignored between them.

"He is the only one who has ever believed I've not done all those things." She bit back tears at this remembrance.

"But you have done those things. You’re more powerful than any mortal being. Do you love this man-child?"

"Yes, of course, more than anything. He has shown me great kindness when all others spat and turned from me."

"Would you give your life for his?" Before she had time to answer, another blood chilling scream filled the air. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Yes. Yes. Just save him!" she said in a rush.

"Only you can do that my dear. Give yourself over. Don't think. Just feel."

"How?"

"Close your eyes and stop all thought. Let all the pain in the world and all the joy in it flow through you. Just forget it and let the light shine." Luna did as she was told. She let things hit her that had never come near her before. She felt things she didn't know were possible.

Then it all started. The world shrank below her as she rose in the sky. A light reflected from her. A warm happy feeling splashed her and flooded in every direction, the way water does when poured on a rock. Then it was over, or just beginning. Depends on the way you look at it. For Luna things would never be the same. She would forever shine a light on the world in turns. But for Indra things would forever be changed.

The men found him as the strange light filled the air, but the wild beast had done its damage. His eyes were useless and his body was torn. He'd never be of help to anyone like this. So for the next many years he sat in his hut and told stories to the children on rainy days. Then one day as he lay wishing death would befall him, wondering what had happened to Luna, he heard a voice. But, it was not just any voice. It was the same voice that had come to Luna all those year ago, and had kept her company on the long nights in the sky.

"My son, why do you wish for what you've never had?"

"Your voice, it is strange to me. No one from here speaks that way," he said, suspicious.

"Fear not my boy. Do you truly wish for the end?"

"I have lost the most important person to me, and my eyes, what use am I?"

"Oh. My child, worth and use are not a matter of sight or love. But I'll give you what you want," the tired voice said.

"Will it hurt?" Indra asked hesitantly. He'd had enough pain in his life.

"What could hurt about gaining your love and your sight?"

"What ever do you mean...What do I call you?"

"Call me? I have many names but they can be changed far too easily. You will understand soon. However, call me Destiny, I’ve always been fond of that one. Now would you like to go with me?"

After a long moment Indra agreed and stood. Of course this was unnecessary. Suddenly his sight sprinkled back and he was looking down on a small green, blue, white, and brown ball suspend in thin air. He then heard a familiar voice calling him; it was his Luna. Her voice had aged as much as his own, but it was still undeniably hers.

As the years went on Luna and Indra had several children. They had become the man in the moon and since there were no stars before their joining, their children became the stars you see each night, dear. If you look into the night sky you can see Luna, and if you try you can even make out the face of Indra, the man in the moon.

end