Chapter 1: Ginothroph
It was debatable as to whether there was ever such thing as a Nod. The truth is, they existed. They were on average half a head shorter than a Man, and at first glance were very hard to tell from their counterparts. They lived nearly twice as long as Men, but did not wrinkle near as soon. This gave the impression of immortality, and as usual Men are naturally suspicious of anyone who betters them at anything, so the two races had quickly grown wary of each other. Nods chose to avoid Men, and Men soon dismissed Nods as nothing but myth and housewives' stories. Nods, as a race, had long mastered the art of climbing. They lived in trees.
Roanah was a Man, as far as anyone could tell. It was any person's guess as to how old he was, yet he was too tall to be a Nod, as he stood a good bit taller than the average Man. Most Men, the sort who did not believe in Nods, regarded him a superstitious vagabond, and most Nods, who disliked Men, disregarded him altogether. Roanah was, at the beginning of this story, in a great hurry. He had been traveling all night on foot, and dawn showed his destination, a forest in the horizon.
Before long he came to the edge of the forest. "Algon Forest," he said to himself. "So much of the Old World's history was written here." With a sigh he struck forward among the thickness of pine and willow. He had not gone far when he stopped almost abruptly, hid behind the nearest tree, and waited.
A few minutes later there was a rustling overhead. Midway up the trunk of a large pine tree, a door opened and a person walked out, whistling. He was obviously a Nod, because of his choice of living quarters. He walked out onto the sturdy branch outside his home and stretched out the stiffness of the early morning, singing to himself.
"A tree, a tree, the perfect place for me,
Be it oak or pine, 'tis life divine, in best of company.
A leaf, a leaf, the perfect friend for me,
A leaf will do to catch the dew. Yes, that's the place to be!"
The singing Nod jumped down from the branch, landing on his feet, and set to gathering leaves for some decorational tast he was going to do that day. Suddenly he heard the crack of a rock not far from where he was. He dropped his leaves and looked around. "Who's out there, friend or fiend? Show yoreself, y'sneaking coward!"
He was answered by a booming laugh, which echoed through the woods. He shivered and ran towards his tree, only to stop dead in his tracks at the sound of the menacing voice. "Ginothroph! Ginothroph of Algon, I have come to get you!"
A cloaked figured appeared from behind the tree, grabbing the frightened Nod, who shook like a leaf. The figure laughed again, but this time less menacing as before. He pulled back his hood, revealing an aged face with greying hair and beard.
"Roanah!" Ginothroph gasped. He quickly regained himself and broke free of the Man's grasp. "Roanah," he said again, more indignantly, "jest what do you think yer doing, sneaking around like that, old goat!"
Roanah laughed heartily. "It's good to see you too Gin, y'old badger!" he answered. Gin scowled.
"What brings y'out here? I ain't seen you for quite a while, I figured you's dead by now."
"No, far from it, friend," Roanah winked.
"Well, don't stand down here all morning, come on up. I've got some vittles ready for breakfast if you'll join me," said Gin, his indignance giving way to his natural hospitality.
"I'd be right happy to," said Roanah. So he did.
----
"So really, what brings you this far east?" Gin asked as he poured a fresh cup of coffee for his friend.
"Just passing through," Roanah nodded, before taking a long swig of steaming coffee. "Very nice, Gin- you still make the best coffee in Aeron."
"I ain't no citizen of Aeron," Gin grumbled. "Not of a kingdom of- Men."
"It is an Age of Men, you know that. It's about time you Nods lived in peace with your brothers and thought about the future, rather than hiding in the corners sulking."
"Men?" said Gin. "Men stink. They're loud. They're stupid. They chop down trees for their homes, instead of making their homes up in the trees. And they don't like grits."
"That may be so, but it is Men who are shaping the future of the world, not Nods. It is Men who are fighting the great wars of our time, not Nods. It is Men who are covering the earth with their offspring, not Nods. While the Nods sit in their trees, ignoring what they don't like, Men have gotten on quite well without them. If they do not accept the times they live in, it is the Nods who will be left behind. You will fade into the past, which you so yearn for."
Gin did not answer. After a moment's silence he got up. "Well, the grits is ready," he announced.
----
"Well, I must be off," Roanah said at last with a sigh. "I've got a long journey ahead and there's no more time to lose." As Roanah put on his cloak, Gin contemplated the idea of being "lost time".
"Drop by again soon, y'hear?" Gin offered. "I don't get many visitors out this way. Be a right treat."
Roanah shook his head as he clasped hands with his old friend. "I don't think I'll be coming by this way, at least not for a very long while. But, oh-" He pulled something from within his cloak. "I thought you might keep something for me. A family heirloom, I'd rather not misplace it while I'm out and about."
"Then let's hope I don't suddenly become forgetful, eh?" Gin said to the unexpected responsibility, and he took the item. "A necklace?" he asked. "What d'you want me to watch your necklace for? Why don't y'just wear it?"
"It might break," Roanah answered simply. "I'll pick it up next time I'm by here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll see myself out. Goodbye, Ginothroph, until we meet again."
"Goodbye Roanah," Gin called as his friend closed the door. He looked at the necklace. It was a silver-linked chain; at the end was a pendant with a green stone embedded in the center. "Roanah," he said to himself. "He's always up t'something. And I've a feeling I've just been tricked." He hung the necklace on a peg on the wall. "Again."