The Wise One

Legends of the Past

"Once upon a time, in the elven kingdom, a young scholar was searching for the answer to the creation. In his searches, he came across texts that spoke of a great founding source that took the form of a dragon. It was said to have flown the skies in the dawn of this world's birth.

"This scholar wished to further his knowledge of this magnificent creator and attempted to organize an adventuring party. However, very few people believed his quest was worthwhile and refused to give their help.

"Disheartened, but not discouraged, the scholar took his quest on by himself. He was no adventurer, but he would not give up. He left the elven kingdom in search of any other mention of this founding source.

"He returned many years later. He did not mention the dragon after his quest, so many believed he had been unsuccessful, yet he seemed to have gained unprecedented knowledge after his excursion. Occasionally, he would speak of things to come, and they happened as he said. He became known as the Wise One and many sought him out for wisdom and knowledge on all sorts of things.

"Because of his prestige, the King offered him his daughter in marriage. Together, they had three lovely children. However, it was soon discovered that he aged much slower than the other elves. Fifty years passed, and he still looked to be in his early forties. Some said he was cursed but had no power to do anything about it since the princess had grown to love and trust him. She protected him for as long as she could, all the way until her death of old age.

"After the burial and the appointed days of grieving, her nephew, the reigning king, banished the scholar and his children from the kingdom. They travelled together for a while before splitting up and going their own ways. The scholar's children each established themselves in human communities, hiding their identity as elves, and the scholar disappeared. Word of the banished Wise One spread beyond the elven kingdoms to the human's domain and many began to seek out his wisdom. Some actually returned with word that the Wise One helped them and encouraged others to seek him out. This led to a flurry of quest seekers that left en masse to search for the Wise One. Most did not return, and even those that did return did not bring any word of the wise old elf, only of dragons that came and destroyed their travelling party.

"Quests for the Wise One ceased, and quests to kill the dragon threat arose. Thus, the memory of the Wise One slipped out of many people's minds and was lost."

Queen Leanne closed the book as the story came to an end. She looked up at her three daughters, snuggled in their beds. The older two were fast asleep, but the youngest gazed back at her with bright brown eyes. Her curly hair stuck up in all directions as if she had pulled her blanket over her head.

"Yes, Belinda dear?" 

Belinda blinked and took a moment before saying, "So, if the Wise One was forgotten, how do we have books on him?"

"Some records were kept, these are just old legends. They are typically based on truths, but many details have been exaggerated or embellished by the author. Don't think too much about it, just go to sleep."

"Do you really believe that he could predict the future?"

"That is beyond any human's ability," Queen Leanne replied. "Now no more questions. Close your eyes. Go to sleep."

Belinda stayed sitting up, her eyebrows scrunching.

Queen Leanne moved to her side and set a hand on her head, calming some of the wild strands. "Let the stories do their job in your dreams."

Belinda relented. "Okay, Mom," she said, laying down on her pillow and pulling her blanket up to her chin.

Queen Leanne moved to peck her youngest on the forehead, "See you in the morning, dear."

"Good night."