The Tree...

As the group approached the Tree and Monacle, Arnie noticed that while the others were watching the Dragon laying next to the Tree -- her "finder's" attention was pulled more towards the Tree.  Yes, the Dragon looked ancient, but the giant tree looked even more so!  "I have never seen a tree like it before," thought Arnie.  "The only one that looks even close to it was the great Oak Tree near the Sleeping Sisters."  Arnie was soon to find out that her comparison was more accurate than she knew...

As Dree approached the other Dragon, he realized that he would have to be the one to start this conversation as this majestic Dragon appeared to be sleeping with it's great tail wrapped around the base of the Tree.  "Greetings Clansman.  May we have a moment of your time?" he asked.

A smile appeared on the large Moon Dragon, and slowly he opened his eyes and stared at each of his visitors one by one as he answered.  "Welcome Drai’ochtluan, or may I call you Dree?  And it is always nice to see you too, House Mother Meerher.  I see that you have a new Moonie with you too.  E'luminosity isn't it?  I have never met a Borrower turned Finder before Arnie, but I can see that your new profession suites you  well.  I have been waiting for your arrivals and would enjoy this opportunity to meet all of you for we have much to discuss and decisions to be made." 

After the initial shock of hearing her name, Arnie then realized that she never saw the Monacle speak but she knew that she had heard him plainly!  It was then that the ancient Moon Dragon laughed. This time she saw him talking.  "I am sorry Arnie, it has been long since I have had visitors that I have to remind myself that not everything uses mind-speak.  Does this way make you feel more comfortable?"

Nodding her head, the Dragon continued as he now looked at Dree.  "Welcome Clansman.  I have greeted the others, but I sense that you have something of mine that I would also like to say hello to.  May I see her?" ​

At first Dree was confused of who the ancient Dragon was referring to.  It was then the voice said "Master?" that only Dree and the Monacle could hear.  That made Dree realize who and what the ancient Dragon was referring to.  "Master, huh?"  Dree opened the small pouch that he carried and showed the Oracle to the Monacle.  "Greetings Oracle.  It has been a long time," said the Monacle for all to hear.

"Master!  Is that you?" the Oracle excitely and slightly confused asked.  "How can there be two of you?" 

Again, the Monacle laughed.  "There is only one of me but there are now two Moon Dragons.  I made you to answer to a Moon Dragon, Oracle.  Something I did not think about then, but it appears to have worked out for the better this way."  As Dree offered to return the Oracle to it's rightful owner, the Monacle shook his head and refused.  "You and Arnie will be needing it soon" was all he would say. 

For a while all of them sat around the Tree as the Monacle told Dree and the others his story of how he had came there and what he had been doing all of this time.  As they listened, it was Arnie who noticed something about the Tree.

It began with her noticing that some small branches were leafless and in some cases dry and brittle.  "The Tree is going to die!" realized Arnie.  It was when this thought came to her that she also realized that the Monacle had quit talking and was looking directly at her.

​"Yes, Arnie.  The Tree is dying as I begin to fade.  It must have a guardian to help protect it or the ills of all of the realms will overwhelm it.  That was why I came here those many years ago to become the Monacle to keep magic in the realms."

"Without the Tree, magic will wither and no longer be what it once was and is.  The Tree has given me a longer life than what is normal for a Dragon.  It has also given me the opportunity to gather great knowledge and see into each of the many realms.  Since the day I left the Oracle behind and told her to record what has happened in my absence, I have never regretted my decision to stay and guard the Tree." 

"But don't you get lonely?" asked Arnie?  "A Borrower is usually a loner, but we don't usually sit by ourselves in the middle of nowhere under a tree."  Again, the Dragon smiled.  "The Moonies visit me often as they are my helpers.  They assist with maintaining the balance in the realms.  The magic that the Tree freely gives also flows through me. Because of that I am able to travel everywhere in the realms to watch over things and still stay here to be the Guardian.  But I am not omnificent. I can only see what occurs where I mind-travel, and I can make some small changes here and there  just like our friend, Dree for an example." 

This made everyone turn to look first at Dree and then back to the Monacle.  "I once loved a powerful Moon Dragon before I left the Realm of Wymsy to be here.  She was a white crystal Moon Dragon who has since faded but before she left, a single Dragon egg was produced and hidden in a cave to one day be hatched.  She also left a single tear for that Dragonet as it would someday need." 

​"You Dree are that hatchling.  It was not long ago I found the egg and picked a young Fae to discover you as well as sent a Brownie to look over you."

The flash of anger that appeared over Dree's face surprised Arnie.  She had never seen Dree mad and she hoped never to see it again.  It scared her!  With a growl in his voice Dree spoke to the Monacle.  "Are you saying that everything that has happened to me and my friends has been because of you!"

As the Monacle shook it's head, sadly it answered.  "No, I only could start your path, each of us must make our paths.  What you and the others have done has been your own choices.  I only gave you the opportunity as I have watched over you.  As a Moon Dragon, something I learned a long time ago is that Sunlight may banish the Darkness away, but Moonlight is the Light in the Darkness.  You needed the opportunity to become what you are for soon you will  be the only Moon Dragon left as I am fading away."