Morrin Tells The Tale of Leya

Part II

 

This log is from January 1999.

Morrin was a sylvan storyteller and a few days before this visited the Amazons of Leya at our Night celebration held at the shrine. She said she'd found more of Leya's Tale in her wanderings and would be happy to tell us the story. She arranged to come back in a few days in order to have time to get the word out so anyone interested could attend. This is the night she returned and told part two of Leya's story to a large gathering.

Morrin told the entire story starting from the beginning, but I am only picking up here where Norandar left off in my log of Part I. This part is short, but filled in a lot of details that weren't known by Miriweather who was the first to tell us Leya's story before we found the shrine.

 

[Shrine of Leya]
Light streams down into the circular building from an opening in the domed ceiling. Around the walls, niches at each point of the compass are filled with statuary. A marble altar with flaring edges, supported by two arching pedestal legs, stands against the far wall. In the room's center is a round, marble-edged pool. Drops of water fall from the dome's "eye" into the pool like tears. You also see a glass of sweet mulled wine, a frosty mug of harvest ale, a brown mouse who is sitting, the Halice disk and the Tegaron disk.
Also in the room: Tayra, Lady Kynlarii who is seated, Lady Kiora who is seated, Lady Nashara, Lord Paole, Lady Arwen who is seated, Lord Kerl who is seated, Lady Deavon who is seated, Intone who is seated, Lady Miriweather who is lying down, Lord Belegtur who is seated, Journeyman Jaztine who is seated, Zorcous who is seated, Novice Garm who is seated, Lord Rekarth who is seated, Lamos who is seated, Yesina who is seated, Apprentice Hiatea who is seated, Lady Secilly, Apprentice Halice who is seated, Faukes, Elleth who is seated, Ballista who is seated, Glathial, Houden who is seated, Lady Mileigh, Poxzemi who is seated, Lady Misty who is seated, Katalinah, Songowl who is seated, Lady Kymberly who is seated, Lady Gwenna who is seated, Lady Gwynna who is seated, Lady Morrin, Lady Rayyne who is seated, Lady Ionica who is seated, Itiara who is seated, Lady Taliria who is seated, Renphil who is seated, Lord Tegaron who is seated, Lord Annorax who is seated, Jhernish who is seated, Lord Elroon who is seated, Lady Haelra who is seated, Chian who is seated, Lady Slorne who is seated, Rawen who is seated, Lord Pelendur who is seated, Lady Kajmeir who is seated, Aranrhod who is seated, Howshyll who is kneeling, Lady Mikare who is seated, Arimantis who is seated, Lord Trayot who is seated
Obvious exits: north, south, east, west, northwest, out.

Morrin opens her journal, licking a fingertip gently, then turning the pages slowly to the marked spot.

Morrin says, "Time passed slowy. Leya busied her wait for Kai's return by practicing her martial arts or talking with the many animals that lived in the forest and taking long rides and walks in the woods, often accompanied by Rigaetha."

Morrin says, "Often she would return to the spot where she had spent her first night in the forest, for it was there that she felt closest to her father."

Morrin says, "One day, she returned to the pool near the barrier, looking forward to a moment of quiet comtemplation. Lying beside the pool was a young Elven lad, and Leya turned away at first, remembering the brash youths of her past, but the brief glimpse revealed a face so beautiful that she could not help but approach, only to discover that he had been wounded."

Morrin says, "Leya knelt beside him and calling on the magick at the heart of the forest, asked for help in aiding the lad, covering his wounds with healing leaves. He quickly mended and was soon well enough to make the short journey deeper into the woods, to Leya's abode where he could continue to recover."

Morrin says, "He explained that he had been trying to enter an old mage's tower, having scaled the keep, trying to enter a window. He was discovered, only to be casted at and injured in the lengthy fall. What he did not know was that the wizard took one look at the beauty of the lad and felt great remorse at having harmed him, then transported the curious Elven to the pool knowing that Leya would discover him."

Morrin says, "His name was Egan, and he was a member of the House of Ta'Vaalor. As he sat -- his wounds healing, watching Leya over the next few days, his love for her began to grow. Leya would pretend not to notice his gaze on her, but she would slyly sneak a glance every so often herself, her own feelings for Egan becoming undeniable."

Morrin says, "As much as he enjoyed spending time with Leya, he grew homesick and wanting to assure his family that he was still well and alive as his return was long overdue. So he made plans to head home, trying to convince Leya to come with him."

Morrin says, "Now, Leya knew that Kai had forbidden her from leaving the forest, and so she sadly refused to go. Instead, they arranged to meet in one moon's time at an arranged place. With a bittersweet parting, Egan left to return to his lands, and Leya continued to spend her days as she had before, but spent her nights dreaming about the coming reunions with those she loved."

Morrin says, "Meanwhile, Egan arrived back in his lands and finds much of his friends and family overjoyed to see him! They had thought him dead, so in their rejoicing they plan a great feast in his honor for his return. In the beginning he was overwhelmed by his double joy -- the joy of Leya's love and the return to his loved ones."

Morrin says, "But as the celebration begins, he notices how worn and drawn with worry their faces are. He begins to ask them what is the matter, but they shoo away his worries with platitudes, saying only that it is nothing. This goes on for several days as the celebration continues. Finally one night, when he can bear it no longer, he confronts his father."

Morrin says, "Wearily, the older man sighs and takes his son aside, away from where the others can hear. His father is torn, having listened to Egan boost of his love for Leya, so torn yet he can not stop himself from asking Egan to remain here. He can not lie to his son, but the Undead are amassing nearby. Egan's father begs him to stay and fight."

Morrin says, "Egan, being like any young man in love, hesitates at first, but then he thinks of how he could return to Leya with his glory gained from a good battle. Largely green and untested on the battle field, Egan agrees to remain, innocently thinking the war will be ended and he will still be able to meet Leya as they arranged. He thinks he'll be able to go to war and help conquer the enemy, with more than enough time to make his way back to the forest."

Morrin says, "And so, Egan marches off with the troops. The excitement of battle lures him and the wins of the first skirmishes thrill him. The morning of the big battle arises as they reach the front lines and as he pauses to think of his beloved Leya in his daily prayers, he realizes he is a day late in meeting her. He thinks, "I will finish this battle and rush off to her side," and then marches onward."

Morrin rubs the back of her neck in concentration as she glances back down at the page.

Morrin says, "The day of rendezvous has come, and Leya returns to the place of their meeting, waiting anxiously -- nervous and yet excited to be rejoined with Egan. She waits all that day and into the night, and when he does not come, she lies down beside the pool, drifting off to sleep."

Morrin exclaims, "The next morning, just as the sun is about to rise, Leya wakes with a start. Tis rumored that Leya had a bit of her mother's gift for foresight, and she panics, sensing that Egan is in terrible danger!"

Morrin says, "Leya glances down into the pool and an image ripples to the surface. She sees Egan, her beloved, surround by an army of elves, but they are vastly outnumbered by the horrible Undead surrounding them. She sees them marching over the lands, dark, like a plague rampaging, and that fighting has broken out."

Morrin says, "With a roar of anger, Leya rises up, mounting Rigaetha and urging him forward, towards the barrier of the forest. The pain of the crossing through the magical field causes her to bellow in agony, but this does not stop her."

Morrin says, "Kai hears this and rushes towards the forest but he knows he is too late, as she has already broken through the barrier and he is too far away engaged with the fighting of the Despana."

Morrin says, "Leya arrives in her beloved's lands, descending upon the scene like a whirlwind filled with her insane worry for her beloved and her hatred for the evil that threatens him. Without a thought of caution, she unsheathes Soulingen with a blood lust so strong that it awakens the mighty weapon. And the fury consumes her! And with this great force on their side, the elves win the day."

Morrin fidgets uneasily as she turns the page, knowing what she is about to say.

Morrin says, "Now Luukos, he has arrived on the battlefield as Leya does, but before Kai can reach her. Luukos hides in the shadows, watching and laughing, and then sees to it that Egan is disguised in Leya's eyes to appear as one of the enemy. And as such, in her blindness, Leya slays Egan."

Morrin says, "Twas not her fault, but Leya does not know this. She does not know of Luukos' presence. And so she blames herself, as Egan's soul now resides in Soulingen's blade."

Morrin glances at the dark altar and the blade that rests upon it.

Morrin says, "Leya's grief so wracks her with sadness that her cries release the magick at the heart of the steed, Rigaetha, returning him to the snowy owl he once was. Kneeling beside Egan's pale and cold body, drawing him into her arms as she cries, Leya decides that she will bring Egan's body back to the bluff where they were to meet and bury him there."

Morrin says, "Kai has arrived in time to see the deadly scene and watches helplessly as Leya grieves so deeply. Kai is set to confront her for betraying his wishes, but he can not do so when she is in so much pain. He does not wish her to blame herself more so than she does, so he withdraws and awaits a more appropriate time."

Morrin says, "Legends say that it twas at this bluff, by the pool where they first met, that Leya begins to build Egan's tomb. Torn by her grief and wracked by her sorrow, she completes the shrine, and throws Soulingen down on the altar, in horror at what she has done."

Morrin says, "Kai waits for Leya's sorrow to abate, but he never got the chance. Taking up her "dagger", and dressing in simple traveling clothes, Leya heads out to walk the lands. Now, the rumor is that Leya got tired of walking one day, and she came upon a circle of shrouded modwir pines she rested."

Morrin close her journal softly, clasping it to her chest.

Morrin says, "And that this is where it seems Leya remained until the end of her days."

 

 

 

(Note: A lot of people have taken the part about Leya living out her days in a circle of modwirs as literal history. But it should be seen rather as a storyteller's way of ending her tale without further details, and not literal truth.)