"Galin wake up…" Gladreil said as she shook the blanket covered form next to her.

A deep male voice answered from the blanket, "What?"

"I heard something!"

"This is the forth time tonight, get some sleep."

The young Ranger shook her head no, "But it might be her! If we miss her how will we know she has blessed our union!" With that said she started to shake the form again. "Come on wake up."

"I am awake" he was pretending to be annoyed.

"Then get up… and go see what that was" She replied, while she continued to shake him.

"Send Thunder." Upon saying that, a young wolf cub poked its head out from under the girl’s blanket.

The young girl picked up the cub, and lifted him up so that they were face to face. "I can’t, he’s to young… what if something tried to eat him." The cub licked her nose, as if replying to her statement, which sent the girl into a giggling fit, and earned the young wolf a hug.

"You more than anyone should know that that is the natural order of things" Unlike his earlier statements this one had an obvious note of humor to it.

Upon hearing that, the young half-elf spun around on her butt and started to rain a hail of light kicks into his thigh. "Ooohhhh, you big meany."

Like a flash the young man sat up, and grabbed the young girl’s feet, which made her squeal and jump back, right against the side of their tent, which of course, brought it down. A few moments of absolute silence went by, then all that could be heard was a quiet, meek sounding, "oops", which was followed by a good deal of laughter from the young man, the girl joined in shortly thereafter.

A few moments later the two half-elves climbed out of the collapsed tent, both still laughing from what had just occurred. "… It’s a nice night out…" The attractive young man took a deep breath "Why don’t we just sleep out here tonight, and worry about the tent in the morning."

The young man looked at his bride who nodded in agreement. He then reached into the tent and began to drag their bedding out, which was made a bit harder by the fact that there was a playful wolf cub on the other end who seemed to want the blankets to stay right were they were. The fight was not much of a problem for the nature priest, who dragged the persistent cub out of the tent. The cub seeing that he was loosing, decided to change tactics, and let the blanket go. That in turn set the larger of the two momentarily off balance, sensing that his tactic worked, the wolf cub then leapt onto the chest of his opponent sending them both backwards into the dew covered grass. This combined with the giddiness of having just been married sent the young newlyweds into another fit of laughter.

When he was able to catch his breath the young man smiled at his new wife who was now siting crossed legged, with the young cub in her lap, which was getting a belly rub. "He’s a smart one, he’ll make a great hunter, and protector."

The young woman lifted her head, and shot him a smile back, "I already have a great hunter, and protector in my life, with both of you by my side I shall never go hungry, or be fearful ever again."

Galin crawled over to his wife, who was just laying down, and rapped his arms around her, she in turn snuggled in against his cheat, and closed her eyes. Galin looked down at her with love filled eyes, and ran his fingers through her hair. It only took a few moments before she was sound asleep, and as he watched her sleep, his eyes filled with the tears of joy that only a man that has found true love could shed.

The next morning came to soon for Galin, who spent the night watching his wife sleep. "I hope the Forest Mother comes soon." He thought to himself. "I don’t know how much longer I can wait." He then smiled to himself. "But it will be worth it, the Forest Mothers blessing means so much to her." He let out a small chuckle. "But I still hope it’s soon."

The sound of his amusement roused her from her sleep. "Morning." She said in a sleepy voice. She then rubbed her eyes; "You didn’t stay up all night did you?"

"I got enough sleep, not to worry."

She sat up and stretched. "So what do you have planed for us today?"

"Well I thought we would head over to the Shadow Mountains and slay a few demons." He didn’t even try to hide his grin.

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Ha, ha, real funny." "No, seriously, what do you have planed for today?

"Well I thought we would put our tent back up then get in some fishing." He said as he got up. "After that, who knows."

The young bride was now on her feet. "Sounds good to me, but I think I’ll go for a quick swim first." Having said that she ran over to the nearby stream and jumped in. The splash she made soaked the grass on the riverbank. The wolf cub that was right behind her was not ready for the slippery grass that went right to the water edge and slid right on in. This only threw the young girl into another giggling fit.

Seeing that the young wolf couldn’t get out the stream on his own Galin headed over to help him out. As he got to the rivers edge Gladreil stood up in front of him. He could only stare at her beauty, at her short blonde hair that was now stuck to the sides of her tanned face, at the glistening white dove wings that were tattooed over her eyes. His eyes then moved down to her athletic body that was all the more obvious due to the wet cloths that she now wore. It was only when she ran her hands threw her hair that he remembered to breathe. "I really hope the Forest Mother comes soon!" Was all he could say.

*****

Gladreil looked over at Galin was sitting near the rivers edge. "What?"

Galin picked up a bucket of fish, "I said, I’m going to fix dinner now."

"Oooohhh, ooookkk." She yawned, "I’m going to stay here and continue fishing"

Galin smiled, "You mean continue sleeping."

"Yes, that too." She laid back down and closed her eyes. It wasn’t long before she drifted off to sleep.

Unlike her previous nap, this nap was not restful. It was filled with images of dark creatures, glowing eyes, and death, but not her death, for she was just a spectator. She was floating several feet over two lone figures that were struggling against the darkness that was threatening to engulf them. She watched as four blades danced among the creatures of darkness, four curved blades that appeared as crescent moons, no not moons, suns. Four small suns each nearly eclipsed by the darkness surrounding them. Even though they were nearly eclipsed the two warriors still fought on, as if they held hope in their hands, the hope of a new day, the hope of life, and a life together. It was then that one of the warriors looked up, as if the warrior knew she was watching them. It was then that she saw the person’s face, the face she looked upon was her own, she was one of the warriors fighting the darkness. She could only watch in horror as she and what must be Galin fought the creatures that sought their lives. Blow after blow rained down upon them, yet they never fell, never faltered, it was as though they strengthened one another. Then all went still. Off in the distance she could see the first signs of the rising sun, and it was at that very moment she heard Galin yell, "Look the sun rises, in a few moments we will be victorious." Obviously the creatures knew this as well, for they renewed their attacks. The creatures were climbing over one another for the chance to strike the killing blow. As Gladreil looked down into the scene before her it looked as if the night became a living-breathing thing, the darkness surged up and down, it grew in parts and dwindled in others, but through it all it had one goal set. I meant to have the lives that lie just within its grasp. And as the first rays of light hit the mass, the two disappeared within the darkness.

It was Galin’s voice that she heard next "Dinners ready…" "Hey, wake up."

The world around her began to change, and the dawn turned to dusk. Her eyes were open now, and Galin stood above her, showing no signs of the attack she was watching just moments before. She jumped up and threw her arms around the surprised man. She cried out "Oh Galin, I thought I lost you,"

Galin looked down at his wife. "It was only a nightmare my beloved, I’m fine." He rapped his arms around her tightly, and held her as she cried. Only after she was finished crying did he let her go. He then wiped the tears from her eyes, "What was it about, I’ve never seen you so upset over a nightmare before?

"Darkness, being totally consumed by darkness." "I can remember no more than that." She tried to give him a brave smile. "Don’t worry I’ll be ok, I’m just going to rinse off my face, and then I’ll eat." She then walked away from him, headed over to the rivers edge and stuck her head in.

Galin decided that if she wanted to put on a brave face then he would let her. "I’ll get things ready." He turned around and walked back to the campfire.

Even as she shook off the cold water she still couldn’t shake loose the images in her head, and on top of that she had just lied to the man she loved. "I can’t believe I’m this upset over a dream." She mumbled to herself. "Not to mention nothing would dare attack us in these sacred woods." "I’m just being silly." She looked over at her husband who was playing tug-o-war with Thunder. "I hate lying to him but I don’t want him to worry, he’s so superstitious he might think it’s a bad omen and want to leave." She took in a deep breath, let out a sigh, and stood up. "I guess I’m a little superstitious too." She then yelled to Galin "Hey, You haven’t eaten all the fish have you".

"No, but if Thunder has his way you’ll be eating grass for dinner." He held her plate up out of the wolfs reach. "Now come on, eat before it gets cold." He waited till she sat down, and handed her the plate. "Feeling better?"

"Yes." She smiled at him and started to eat. As she sat there eating she couldn’t get over the guilt of lying to him. "Galin…"

"Yes, beloved."

"I…" she couldn’t go on.

He stopped eating but didn’t look up. "I know the images from your nightmare still dance within your head. I also know that that you keep them from me because you don’t want me to worry, but you need to understand that I will always worry about you, its part of being in love."

She was blushing at the fact that he knew that she had lied. "I’m sorry I lied to you."

He looked up at her and smiled "There’s no need for apologies, I know that in your heart you were doing what you thought best." He paused for a moment. "If it will make you feel better I’ll stand watch tonight."

"Yes it would, but you need your sleep." She looked up at him with a concerned look.

"Not to worry I’ll take a nap beforehand, plus I really don’t think I’ll get much sleep anyway." He shot her a sly smile. "I’m getting a little anxious about the Forest Mothers visit too."

Gladreil blushed a deep red, and looked down at her food, "Ahhh, my foods getting cold." With that she said she placed all her concentration on the food on her plate, but she could not hide her smile.

*****

"How many?" the nightmarish Trog asked its companion.

"Two Breeds, and a wolf cub." The other answered.

The first Trog Grinned evilly "Ah good, easy meat."

The second shook its head no. "They move like warriors, they not that easy. I think we get others. Better to share meat than be meat."

The disappointment was easy to read on the first Trogs snout. "The first will take most, not much left for us." "I think we attack."

"If we fail, the Dark One will punish us." The second said with much fear. "Go get others, I watch."

"Ok but if you lie, I kill you." With that said the first Trog left.

If the newly-weds only knew what evil watched them from the woods, creatures out of legend thought long dead. Creations of magic, the mutation of man and animal with the taste for flesh. This is the first sign of the one thing that men have feared for generations has come to pass. The Koth have returned.

*****

"Burr… I just got a cold chill." Gladreil said to the back of her husband who was asleep next to the fire.

"Huh, what, did you say something?" Galin rolled over so he could see Gladreils face.

She looked at him through half open eyes, "I said I just got a cold chill, like someone just walked across my grave."

Galin had a look of concern on his face. "Your thinking about the dream again aren’t you?"

"Yes." She replied quietly.

"Would you feel better if we spared for a while?"

She shook her head yes. "Anything to get my mind off those images."

Galin started to get up. "Ok, get your armor and blades, and I’ll get ready."

Gladreil looked at Galin in shock "We’re going to use live steel?"

Galin laughed as her got to his feet. "Do you see any practice weapons laying around, anyway you need to get use to your new blades, don’t worry I’ll go easy on you."

She stood then glared at him. "Don’t you dare."

Galin laughed again. "That’s the spirit, oh wait, here let me help you slide your armor on." Galin walked over and helped Gladreil don her armor.

*****

"First, a scout has returned… alone." A goat faced Trog said to a larger creature that seemed to be half man, and half wolf.

The wolf creature looked down on the returning scout. "Report." It said with a surprisingly human voice.

"We find meat First." "In woods, not far from here." The Trog looked up at the First, hoping to see a look of pleasure on the Firsts snout. Instead a blow to the side of the Trog’s head sent it flying back several feet, landing close to the edge of the clearing the group stood in. "Why First hit Meto." The Trog wined.

The large Wolfling shot over to the lone Trog and lifted it over its head with one of its clawed hands. "Fool!" It hissed. "Can you not kill meat on your own?" "Do you need me to kill for you?" "If you can not kill meat then you become meat." The Wolfling raised its other claw so it could gut the terrified Trog.

"Warriors!" It screamed. All the Trogs in the clearing drew their weapons and looked around for attackers. But the Wolfling knew what the Trog meant and dropped the creature to the ground. The Trog took this as a good sign, though it still scrambled backwards a bit. "Two warriors and wolf." "Camp by water, not far, Meto take."

"Show me." "But if you are lying to me…" The First let the statement trial off for everyone knew what would happen, and death would be preferred.

*****

"Ready?" Galin asked his young bride but he didn’t give her a chance to answer for he was upon her in a flash. His left blade coming down in a cross slash aimed for her right shoulder. Gladreil blocked the blow with her left scimitar and cut at his midsection with her right. Galin jumped back and laughed. "Good!"

"Are you trying to kill me?" Gladreil said with just a hint of anger. "If I didn’t block that, you would have killed me!"

"No, but if you didn’t block it, you would had a nice scar to remember our wedding night by."

Gladreil gave him a mischievous grin. "So, you would rather have me scarred than with child?" She had hoped to get an opening on him with her question, but her husband was no novice and saw right threw her words. Though he did let her words bring a smile to his face. When she realized her tactic didn’t work she adjusted her tactics. She then stomped her foot dropped the points of her blades, and glared at him, just like she use to do when they were in training. This time her tactic worked worked. Galin moved in with grace and speed, and brought his right blade in at hip height and his left came at her from down low. Gladreil expected this move and was ready for it. She raised her left arm up while letting the blade dip down to catch the incoming blow. She then brought her right weapon up just a bit above the horizontal, catching Galin’s off hand blade with her swords counter weight, then with a flick of her wrist she disarmed her husband’s right hand.

Galin jumped back with a look of shock and pride on his face. "Where did you learn that one?" he asked.

She laughed, "You’re not my only instructor you know."

Galin bent down to pick up his sword. "Your mother… right?"

"Got it on the first try!" She said with just a hint of amusement. She could see that Galin was ready to begin again, she let the smile fade and took a fighting stance. Time seemed to stand still for the both of them, each applying what they have learned, both fighting as if they knew they must be at their best very soon.

As if someone flicked a switch the two stopped dead. Gladreil looked at Galin. "Did yo…"

He put up his hand, and let out a quick "Shhhh…"

In the distance a whooshing sound could be heard, when it stopped a canine yelp could be heard from near the tent.

Gladreil’s head turned towards the camp, "Thuunnddeeer!" she screamed. As she began to move towards the fallen cub her sparring partner tackled her. As the two fell, an apple sized stone bounced off Galin’s shoulder armor and hit Gladreil in the side of her head. Then they hit the ground, hard; which knocked the wind out of her. Her head began to spin, all about her the world seemed to become disjointed, everything moved as if it had been slowed. She looked up at Galin who was just getting to his feet, he was saying something to her but she could not discern his words. It took some effort for her to get to her feet; it felt as though the air around her had turned to liquid and she was fighting the current. Somehow she managed to hold onto her weapons, though they felt heavier, as if they had grown in size. Gladreil looked down at her blades as if to see what was causing the additional weight. As her eyes beheld the curved swords, the moonlight hit them. The familiar image made her heart jump, which snapped her out of her stupor.

That is when Galin’s words finally reached her ears. "… They come!" he yelled.

Even though the images of her nightmare filled her head she dared to look up. That is when she beheld darkness take form.

As the mass of creatures approached the young woman and her mate, she finally had a chance to observe her opponents. To her most of them appeared to be twisted versions of farm animals, though a few others resembled things she had read about as a child. It was that thought that recalled the stories she had read during her youth. The history books at the training center had many tails related to what she now beheld, and each one had terrified her. And as beads of cold sweat ran down her back she realized that one of the things she secretly feared had come to pass, the Koth come out of hiding.

Within moments the Koth were upon them. As the first of them moved into melee range Gladreil centered her weight and swung her right scimitar low which disemboweled the first Koth that came at her. With her left blade she deflected a spear thrust from a charging bull faced Trog. She then spun on the spear bearer as it moved past her and brought her right blade down across its back. A moment later she flicked both scimitars flat across her back in order to catch the sword slash of a Trog that looked a great deal like a horse. She then kicked backward with her right leg and shattered the kneecap of her would be slayer. As she turned for the kill she heard the tail end of a chant from Galin. She knew this chant well and jumped back. As she did, tree roots shot up from the ground and impaled several of their would be attackers. Unfortunately this did not slow their remaining opponents whatsoever. The mass merely split into two and moved around their fallen comrades, this also allowed them to surround the two half-elves. It was at that point that Gladreil and Galin moved back to back to fight the evil that sought their lives. For more than an hour the two fought on as one. For each Koth that dropped two more took its place, and for every two that fell, one managed to land a blow.

"How long have we been fighting?" Gladreil yelled to Galin. "We have spent our magic, and they keep coming." "More than two dozen lay at our feet and they just keep coming." As the frustration of the situation was beginning to well up inside her she noticed the Koth had stopped their attack.

As she turned towards Galin he was already beginning to speak. "They’re preparing for a final charge…" he took in a deep breath. "Be ready."

As the two waited for the final assault, Gladreil looked around, this seemed all too familiar to her, and as she began to release why, the nightmare surfaced once again. She had forgotten the images that had haunted her just hours before. She gave a quick glance upward, as if she expected to see herself looking down. It was then that she heard the words that chilled her to the bone. "Look the sun rises, in a few moments we will be victorious."

Just as it was in her nightmare it was at that moment the Koth started their charge. All around them twisted creatures raced forward and to Gladreil it looked like a wave of black water that intended to swallow them whole.

She felt Galin brace against her back and she did the same, grateful for the added strength he gave her, for the overwhelming fear that was quickly rising within her had made her knees weak. The first wave of Koth fell before the two warriors, as did the second. As the third wave was climbing over the bodies of their dead Gladreil screamed, "Forressttt Mmmootthhherrrrrrrr…" but her words trailed off as she disappeared within a mass of fur.

*****

Gladreil was not sure when she had hit the ground or for how long she had been unconscious. It was a few moments before she felt that she had the strength to call out for Galin but she discovered that filling her lungs with air was difficult and she did not think he could hear her anyway. She tried to reach out for Galin with her right arm, but the only thing she felt was a booted foot coming down upon her hand. The pain from this caused her to scream but she was not sure as to what came out, sound or blood. She also discovered that she was unable to see. Whether it was due to the blood in her eyes, the black of night, or some combination of the two she did not know. The young Ranger tried to listen to her surroundings but the only thing she could hear was the pounding in her head. It was not long before she began to feel as though she was sinking and she knew that she would be dead very soon.

As unconsciousness was about to take her once again, a flash of light stung her eyes. She also discovered that she was able to hear again, and what she heard was the inhuman screams and howls of the Koth.

"The sun has risen!" she thought to herself. She tried to speak, and though she was successful her words were very weak "Galin the sun… has risen… we… have made it…" To her dismay the only reply was silence.

She tried to move but was unable, and the effort used the last of her strength and she finally slipped back into unconsciousness.

When Gladreil awoke for the second time, she was once again unsure of the amount of time that had passed. All she knew was that the sun had moved well passed its peak. She was still unable to lift herself from the ground but she was able to move her left arm, albeit slowly. She moved her arm out in an arc, hoping that she would find her love. As her arm reach its halfway point she brushed her hand over what she knew to be a hoof. She reflexively jerked her arm away, which tore open several wounds, and this caused her to scream, which had a similar result as the last time. A moment later she felt something cool touch her forehead, and she thought for sure that she was about to die. But within a few seconds the cool feeling turned to warmth, and soon the pain from her wounds began to subside. The young girl knew that she was being healed and when she was feeling strong enough she tilted her head backward in order to see her benefactor better. As she did she fully expected to find Galin there, delivering her from death. But what she saw made her inhale sharply. Standing above her was a solid white mare with its head bent down towards her. From the center of its forehead stood a Golden Horn and the tip of the horn was resting upon her forehead.

As Gladreil looked up into the eyes of the unicorn that stood over her she started to cry.

After Gladreil was able to gain some composure, she spoke to the beautiful mare. "You came… you have come to bless our union." She moved her head side to side. "Galin… Galin do you see, the Forest Mother has come." "Galin?" her next words were on the verge of panic. "Galin?" "Galin why will you not answer me?"

The next voice she heard was not Galin’s, but a gentle feminine one. "I’m sorry my child but your husband now resides within my grove, he is no longer able to hear your words."

As the Forest Mothers words took affect, Gladreil began to weep. It was several minutes before she was able to speak again. "If you can not bless our union then why have you come?" "Why did you not let me join my husband in death?"

The Forest Mother who was now lying on her stomach next to Gladreil looked at the young girl and spoke. "Because Galin asked me too."

Gladreil was taken back. "WHAT?"

As the Forest Mother began to speak, a tear fell from her eye. "Most people forget their mortal lives after death, but Galin did not. As he entered my grove he came to me and asked me to save you."

Gladreil felt as though the Golden Horn had just been thrust into her chest, "Why?" "Does he not… want… me to be with him, does he love… me no…no… more?" Gladreil managed through her sobbing.

"Oh daughter, his love for you is why he asked me to come." As the Forest Mother spoke to Gladreil she began to change form, going from a radiant unicorn to a lovely, older woman with flowing blonde hair, and upon her body she wore a silken white gown. She also possessed a warm face that showed great love for the young girl who sat before her. She reached out and pulled Gladreil up to her bosom and rapped her arms around the mourning half-elf. "Child, he wants you to live." "And the love he feels for you is so powerful that even death itself could not quench its flame."

Gladreil looked up into the older woman’s eyes. "But I’m alone, I don’t want to be alone, I need him at my side."

The Forest Mother used her left hand to lift Gladreil chin. "But your not alone, just a few feet from here is a little wolf who needs you."

Gladreil’s head shot around, leaving the hand that supported it, and she was now looking towards the remains of the tent. "Thunder lives?"

"Yes and he will need you very soon, for I will not heal his wounds, that is your duty." "And if you give up on life, Thunder will die as well." The older of the two women took Gladreil’s chin in her hand once more and with a gentle yet strong urging she turned Gladreil’s face toward her own. The two were now looking eye to eye, "What is your choice my child?" "Life, or, death?"

The young Ranger took in a deep breath and spoke. "I choose life!"

The woman in white looked into Gladreil’s eyes, smiled, then stood. She then put a hand out to Gladreil. But Gladreil declined the offer and stood on her own, though it took some effort. The older women’s smile grew. "Good!" The Forest Mother then moved forward and kissed the younger on the forehead. "Do not disappoint Galin, he expects you to do great things."

Gladreil managed a smile, "I will not disappoint him, I will make him proud of me, his teachings will not go to waste." A soft whimper momentarily drew her attention away from the woman before her and as she excitedly turned back to the person she was talking to she realized that she was now the only one there.

She then changed the focus of her attention onto the little one who needed her. She moved as fast as she could towards the cub that was trying to get to his feet. "Its ok Thunder I’m here, I’m coming." As she reached the young wolf he lookup at her with affection in his eyes. She bent down and began chant a healing spell to heal the cub. She was a bit surprised to find that she had the strength to cast healing magic. But she put the thought aside, for she knew she had a task ahead that she did not want to perform. She had to bury her husband.

After she was finished, she sat in front of the pile of stones she had placed over the body of her husband. As she sat there her eyes caught the glint of steel from within the tent. She moved over to the remains of the tent that she had shared with Galin the night before. As she reached the tent she knelt down and reached within the torn fabric. When she did her hand found the hilt of a sword, and as she drew it forth she inhaled sharply. For in her hand was one of Galin’s scimitars.

"You left me your swords… thank you." she whispered. She knew that they were merely siting where Galin had dropped them upon his death, but she could not shake the feeling that he left them there, hidden from sight, for her. As she lifted the sword up to inspect the blade, she could feel where his fingers had left indentations from years of use. She suddenly felt a new determination building within her. She then sheathed the first sword and pulled its twin from the tent and sheathed it on the other side of her hip. Afterwards she gathered what supplies she could, and packed them in her pack. When her task was completed she stood, and faced the path that was in the completely opposite direction of the training hall she grown up at.

Gladreil looked down at the path before her and spoke aloud, "Galin my beloved, I will honor your memory and hold you close to my heart." "And I will always remember what you taught me." After she finished speaking she picked up the young wolf that sat at her feet and started forward. As always the first step was the hardest, but as she continued they became easier, and as she reached the edge of the clearing she continued on, and she never looked back.

THE END