A light snow drifted down and settled itself upon the caps of the Spine of the World. The range was the home of the giants, evil denizens that raided the local human villages in the regions east of the mountains. The mountain range was also home to the majestic Griffon. Talon set his camp high in the range. He knew the giants would raid again in the villages below him. He would wait and spring his trap upon the unsuspecting creatures. However, he wasn’t aware of every creature in the area.

Talon scouted the area around him. After some time he heard a sound. It seemed like a bird in great pain. Talon was a decent fellow and didn’t like to see animals suffer. He looked for the cause of the sound and soon found out what it was. A Griffon had been injured severely. It was crying out in pain and agony.

Carefully Talon approached the creature. He pulled a vial from his belt pouch. A magickal potion of healing. The potion would not cure all of the Griffon’s wounds but it will keep it from dying. With kind words he got closer to the Griffon. There was a deep gash on the creature’s flank and a large puncture in its wing.

He touched the Griffon and all the while whispering words of assurance. He was there to help and not harm. The Griffon stopped moving. Talon opened the vial and poured a small amount on the puncture and the creatures flank. The rest he poured down the Griffon’s throat. The magick began to heal the beast. The wound on its side was reduced to a scar. The hole in its wing was nearly mended.

The Griffon stood up and regarded it savior with squinted eyes. It sniffed the air around him and approached the elf. It bowed its head turned around and leapt into the air in one graceful stride. The Griffon wings caught the winds and he vanished from site.

Talon stared in disbelief. He wondered how the creature had come to be in such a situation. His thoughts were cut short as he heard rocks slide from lower down the cliffs. The giants were on the march. Talon bolted into action. He caught site of the hill giants below him on a narrow path. He readied his bow and the first arrow found its mark.

*****

The north winds of autumn drifted through the valley of Armondale. The village of Errin awoke to the sun’s brilliant gaze. Arrabella went about her day caring for her gardens and tending the few chickens that nested themselves in her small barn. Now Arrabella was an elf, very young and beautiful and full of life. She enjoyed the day’s chores and taking care of her friends around her small farm. Yet she truly loved to practice her magick. She gave thanks to Magicka, patron goddess of white magick, for the beautiful new day. Her father had died many years ago in the Dragon Wars. Her mother saw that her daughter was trained as a warrior as well as a witch. She enjoyed training with sword and staff. But her true love was her magick. There she felt most alive feeling the flow of energy through her as she channeled it to her liking.

She knelt in her garden and pulled some weeds that began to grow there. When she had the strangest feeling she was being watched. She got up slowly and started to walk back to her tiny cottage. She entered the door and quickly donned her magickal armor. The armor was given to her mother a long time ago. Its enchantment strengthened the metal. It was finely crafted chain mail shirt, which allowed it to be hidden under plain clothes. She grabbed her long sword and went out the back door.

She saw the club not a second too soon. She ducked and rolled to the giant’s right. Drawing her sword and slashing low. The hill giant’s leg buckled from the attack. Bella got to her feet and cast a magickal bolt at the giant’s face, blinding it. She used her mothers training and quickly finished off the hapless hill giant.

Her small cottage was a few miles distant from the actual village of Errin. She decided to try to make it there and maybe the rangers might be able to help. She didn’t count on the two hill giants coming up the path in great haste. They must have heard the cries of pain from their friend before he died. The giants saw her immediately. One threw a stone at her and she quickly dodged to her left. But the other giant saw this and released his stone and connected.

Her body exploded in pain as the large stone smashed the ribs below the magickal armor of protection. The last she remembered was the giant’s approaching and laughing, then she knew no more.

*****

Talon caught site of the hunting party returning from the valley. He also noticed the sacks the hill giants carried. Most full of food and one seemed to move and he heard a low moan of pain from one of the sacks. He kept to the shadows as he was trained to do. Talon was an accomplished tracker and warrior. The giants would not lose him. He needed a plan. Outnumbered ten to one, there was no way that even on his best day he could take down ten well-armed giants. He needed to slow them down before they made it to their caves in the mountain cliffs. If that happened whoever was being hauled away would be dead for certain.

Talon knocked an arrow took careful aim at the giant carrying the sack with someone in it. The arrow lodged itself in the creature’s thick neck. The giant grabbed its neck with both hands, dropping the sack it was carrying. Talon moved quickly to a new location and knocked another arrow. He caught a glimpse of something from the corner of his eye. The elf warrior saw the noble Griffon he helped only the day before approaching him. The creature stopped a short distance from him. It bowed its head as if to say thank you. Talon approached the beast and it did not move. The Griffon lowered its forequarter as if to invite the elf to climb on its back. Having the makings of a plan Talon carefully climbed on the Griffons massive back. Talon had an idea. He said with a smirk on his face, "Alright Griffon, we may die in this battle to come, but if you drop me. I will kill ye myself."

The griffon leaped into the air and Talon held on for his life. The giants were aware they were being followed and picked up their pace. They would be to the cliffs in a few hours time. Talon could not let that happen. The Griffon flew ahead of the giants and landed with Talon about a mile ahead of the giant’s path. Talon pulled a bag full of caltrops from his pack. Then spread them out on the track the giants would cross. The caltrops would penetrate the giant’s shoeless feet and give Talon and the Griffon a distinct advantage.

Talon looked at the Griffon for a moment. He thought to himself and then he thought out loud.

You are going to need a name if you are going to hang with me. I will call you Faloswansei, which is an elvish name and it means that you are dead if you ever drop me. So just don’t and we will be fine."

The Griffon looked at Talon, narrowing his eagle eyes and gave him a snort or a laugh. Talon was not sure which. They waited in silence for the giants to approach. The wait was not long at all. The giants could be heard jogging up the trail.

A cry of pain stopped the other giants in their tracks. Talon aimed his deadly arrow at a giant just behind the line of caltrops and fired. Penetrating the creatures eye and ending its life. Two other giants had stepped upon the caltrops on the path before the rest had stopped. Faloswansei circled around the column of giants and attacked the rear. Ripping the flesh and sinking its sharp beak into the rear giants back. Talon knocked another arrow and fired at the next giant. The giant Talon had wounded earlier dropped the bag it carried and ran toward the Griffon. The noble beast grasped the giant’s shoulders with its clawed talon’s and raked the giants stomach with its razor sharp claws of its lion half. The creature made only a whimper as its life was ended. Talon unsheathed his sword and rushed the three giants still pulling caltrops from the soles of their feet. They never finished removing the embedded spikes before Talon’s deadly blade slit their throats.

Two giants remained. Watching their fellow being torn apart by the Griffon. The two started to run in terror. Falos was on them in a heartbeat. The Griffon had several old debts of his own to collect from these giants. It was this party that caught him unaware and left him for dead.

Talon checked the other giants and made sure they were not going to be disturbing anyone again. Talon heard a small cry of help from near a fallen giant. He went to investigate and found a bag tied tight. He opened the bag and inside he saw a radiant jewel emerge. Her eye was shut from a blow suffered to her head. He could tell her left arm was broken. She breathed in short breaths. He took his last two healing potions from his pouch. He poured a little upon her eye and almost instantly the magick began to heal the swollen eye. He made her drink the rest of it. Her breathing eased some a few moments later. Talon cut a branch from a tree and set the elf woman’s broken arm. The potions magick was still working he could tell. He gave her his last potion and she opened her eyes and looked up at him.

Talon gazed into her almond brown eyes and cradled her in his arms. Rocking her gently. They sat in silence for long moments among the carnage. No words were spoken by either of them. Yet they gazed intently into each other’s eyes. It was at that moment, frozen forever in their minds, they realized they had found their soul in the other. Talon remained there with her until she fell asleep. Faloswansei stayed close by and guarded his friends.

Talon allowed Bella to sleep for a while. The night air was cool and pleasant. A gentle breeze from the north hinted at the winter to come. Talon picked Arrabella up and set her astride Falos. The beast carried her with ease. Bella pointed the way back to her humble cottage. Two hours later, the weary group arrived at Bella’s home. Talon opened the front door. Then took her in his arms and went inside. He saw the cottage had one room with a well and wash basin in a corner. Cupboards lined one wall. Two walls were dedicated to bookshelves filled with ancient tomes. Placed in the corner opposite the washbasin was Bella’s tiny goose down bed. Talon gently lowered her into it. Pulling the quilts over her and leaving her to rest. Sure she would rest comfortably Talon went outside.

Falos waited patiently near the front step as Talon walked out the door. He looked at his beaked friend with a concerned look on his face.

"Let’s take a look around and see what needs doing."

The Griffon snapped its beak and made a rumble sound from its belly. Falos leapt in the air and flew off. Talon mused to himself that a Griffon with a rumbling belly must be hungry. Talon walked over to the small barn a peeked inside. He heard the sounds of chickens and thought this won’t be too hard even I can collect eggs from chickens. He stepped inside and before he could even turn to see. He heard a cow bellow its displeasure that her friend was not out there to milk her. The chickens could wait the cow needed tending.

Talon noticed a bucket hanging upon the wall. He took it over to a hand pump in the corner of the barn and rinsed the bucket out. He wiped his brow and approached the cow. The warrior had slain many giants and ogres in his time, but he had never milked a cow. A bead of sweat appeared on his forehead as he looked at the cow. He politely introduced himself as Talon. The cow just watched and shifted a little. He stepped to her side and placed the bucket under her. Then he asked in a voice gentle and sweet, "Please fill this bucket good cow and I shall give thee a large portion of oats and hay."

Talon looked at the bucket and not a drop had been given. He was lost in thought when he heard a voice behind him.

"Having a problem with Missy?"

"The beast will not part with the milk I have kindly asked for." Talon admitted.

"You have to milk her to get that she doesn’t just give it to ya. Silly elf." the young boy laughed.

"Tell you what I shall give thee ten pieces of silver if you come and milk this cow for the next 10 days."

"Why?" the boy asked, "Where is Arrabella?"

"Giants wounded her. I am going to stay and make sure she regains her strength. You can help by getting the milk from this noble beast."

The young boy’s name was Thomas. He agreed to the elf warrior’s request. Thomas was Bella’s friend and would have done it for free, but if the silly elf wanted to pay him for it. Who was he to argue? Besides his family could use the extra coins. Thomas was about nine summers old and he was in charge of his family while his father was away fighting brigands in southern Windain.

Talon went to the other end of the barn and found a basket setting atop a small workbench. Talon grabbed the basket and approached the chickens. He could hear them scratching and clucking. He stood before the chickens in their nests and asked, "Noble birds. Would you please place your eggs within this basket so we might feast upon them for breakfast?"

Talon could hear muffled laughter coming from the other end of the tiny barn. He walked back to where the boy was and added, "Add five more silvers if you can deliver the eggs from the chickens."

Thomas rolled upon the floor near Missy in tears of laughter. He agreed to the warriors and asked, "Warrior elf. My sister knows how to tend a garden. Do you want her to take care of Bella’s?"

Seeing that his gardening skills where not on par with his bow skills, Talon readily agreed. He would pay her a sum of ten silvers for ten days work. Talon was pleased at the youth’s willingness to do him this service. Thomas was more than happy to help out his friend. Maylyna his sister would be glad to help out also. She was seven winters in age. She arrived after a while to fetch her brother. Talon asked her if she would be willing to tend the garden and she agreed to help her dear friend Arrabella. Maylyna went to the garden and began to work and make sure no weeds were growing.

Talon went back inside and began to fill the wash basin with water. He walked back outside and found Maylyna in the garden.

"Good child might I ask thee a titan sized favor?"

"Certainly warrior" she replied.

"My house tending skills are lacking to say the least. I would pay thee a tidy sum if you could cook and clean some for Bella."

"You don’t need to pay me." she said.

"Your service to me is one of great importance and is worth a kings ransom. Yet I can only pay thee a few silvers. Hear this good child that no harm will come to you or your family while I am in this valley."

Talon swore this oath to her.

Now Arrabella had risen from her tiny bed. She opened the window over looking the garden and saw Talon standing to the left of garden talking to her youngest friend Maylyna. She listened for a while as he talked. A wry smile came to her as she began to understand what he was doing.

Faloswansei returned from his hunt with his belly full. He saw Talon in the garden and landed there behind Maylyna. She heard something behind her and turned around. She saw the Griffon there. Falos sat to the side of the garden and sniffed the ripe melons growing there.

"Oh he is so cute!" she cried, rushing over to the lazy Griffon.

She reached in a pocket and pulled out some cubes of sugar and offered it to the lounging creature. Falos accepted the sugar without argument and allowed them to melt in his tongue. She petted him on the head and Falos just sat there enjoying all the attention.

Talon walked to the back door and entered the tiny cottage. Bella had noticed him coming and quickly went back to her bed and pulled the quilts back over her. Talon saw her sleeping and didn’t say a word. Talon stood in the open doorway. Looking upon her for long minutes. He was about to leave when Bella rolled over and opened her eyes. In a sleepy voice she said, "You had better go tell their mom what you have them doing so she doesn’t worry."

"How? Who? Oh them. Ummmmm I was going to go make sure that their mom was aware and would not be angry with them when they returned. But how?" he let that thought trail off.

He wasn’t sure he wanted to know exactly how she knew about them.

"The children are taking care of the chores around. I will make sure that you and they remain safe. How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Much better now. Thank you."

Talon approached her and she slowly sat up. He kneeled beside her and with his hand brushed the hair from her face. She saw a twinkle stir within his eyes. Something familiar, something she had longed to see. Talon caught a glimpse of something within her. The same thing he noticed looking into her eyes the day before, the mirror of his soul.

Each breath brought them closer. Her hand raised and fingers gently touched his cheek. Their eyes closed and lips touched. Images from a thousand lifetimes filled them and memories of times long ago flooded their thoughts. Their souls remembering the times in the past that they had known and loved each other. His arms reached about her and pulled her close. She ran her hands along the small of his back. She knew this warrior that saved her. For many times before in many other lives he had done the same. He comforted and protected her. He knew this woman’s soul without question. She was his mirror, his perfect compliment. They knew each other. They have always known each other. Their souls knew that without a doubt that in every life they lived they would always find each other no matter what obstacle lie in their paths.

"I found you my love." was all he needed to say.

Bella was still sore from her wounds and Talon gently laid her back down. She fell fast asleep and dreamed of her long lost love, found again.

Talon quietly left the cottage and gathered Thomas and Maylyna. Falos would stay at the cottage and make sure no one bothered Arrabella. He took the children to their family’s farmhouse. Talon spoke with their mother about the chores and she agreed as long as the children got their own done first. They were all too happy to agree. Talon bid them farewell. He would see them again in the morning.

The children arrived at the cottage to perform the chores set before them. Each day Talon would patrol the valley with Falos and always check on Arrabella making sure she was comfortable and safe. Each night Talon would spend sleeping in the hayloft of the barn.

Bella became stronger during the next few days and would talk short walks outside and talk with Thomas and Maylyna. She would walk outside when Talon rode off with the Griffon. She knew he would worry about her. Soon before his return she would give the children some cookies and send them home. She would walk back inside the cottage and lay down.

Talon would come inside as he had done for the past several days. Arrabella would light her candles and set patiently upon her bed. He would set beside her on the floor and make sure she was getting better. They would eat supper together and talk until the hour grew late. Always she listened to his tales of heroic deeds and narrow escapes. He would make her laugh and she could always make him smile. The hour was indeed late and he would need to begin his patrol of the valley in a few hours. She smiled up at him as he lifted himself from the floor. Talon was about to leave the door when he turned and saw her glow in the dim candlelight. At the same instant they spoke, "I love you."

"Come to me Talon, my knight protector and love."

"I am your knight my Arrabella. I always have been."

Talon walked toward her. She reached out her delicate hand and grasped his. She wore a black silk bed coat with nothing beneath. Talon had removed his armor and weapons before dinner, leaving them neatly placed near the door. He wore a simple tunic and leather breeches and low cut leather bound boots. She touched his cheeks with tender hands and they kissed. Caressing each other. Bella helped him remove the tunic he wore. He felt the swellings of her breasts beneath her silk coat. The stood together and she unhooked his belt and gently pushed his trousers to the floor. She stood there in the glow of candles and let her silk bed coat slide to the floor. They both stepped together and lay themselves upon the tiny bed. Their bodies twined together like the ivy growing along the side of the barn. Twenty-one candles flickered upon their wicks. Kissed by a whispered breeze flowing through the north window. Shadows danced upon the walls and watched in silence as the lovers where consumed in a fiery desire for each other. The north wind began to bluster through the cottage extinguishing the flicker of many candles. As the room dimmed, the lovers held each other. The hour grew very late. Sleep called out to them as they lay there. The chill breeze brought the warming quilt over them. The night passed while the candles witnessed Talon hold his love to him. Watching her every breath and feeling every heart beat.

The morning sun chimed its arrival and illuminated the tiny cottage. Talon lay there for long moments and allowed his love to sleep in silent peace. Bella turned to looked intently at Talon. She kissed him lightly upon his lips and rose from her reverie. Talon followed her donning his breeches and tunic. He kissed her again as he put on his chain shirt and strapped his sword to his hip. Placing quiver and bow over his shoulder he left the small cottage and began the days patrol.

In the following days Talon was sure the giants would not bother the valley again. Every morning he would ride Faloswansei and check for menacing giants. When the sun was high overhead Talon would return to the cottage where his love Arrabella would fix him a fine lunch and make sure he ate every bite.

They spent two wonderful summers in the tiny cottage. Talon trained some local people into a small militia. He bought them bows and swords and trained them in their proper use. They took on the name Armondale Rangers. Dogs were trained to track and attack giants and other dark creatures. The valley would be ready the next time a giant or any other creature of evil wanted to cause these people harm. While Talon took the duty of defending the valley seriously, Bella was just as serious about her lessons. She showed the people how to heal. The lessons of her mother shown to her near a century before. With kind words and encouragement that made learning very easy. The women folk of the valley wanted to make sure that should their husbands and sons would come home wounded. They would have the ability to heal them.

They had many friends in the valley. Yet their friends knew they were leaving them. Talon and Bella promised to visit during festival times at least once a year. They would let their friends know where they had settled. Faces where sad as they left on a chill autumn morning. They decided to walk through the valley and the woodlands to enjoy their final day in Armondale. As they passed through the edge of the valley and over the hill. They did not look back. Instead they looked forward to the adventures to come.

Talon and Bella had many adventures together… but those tales are for another time…